There is something to be said when the Injury Ninja’s knee goes out.  It basically means LOOK OUT! That being said Ryan does have the AM Skate once again….and here it goes.

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Bruins 7, Flyers 5

Sabres 3, Hurricanes 2

Senators 6, Islanders 4

Rangers 1, Canucks 0

Panthers 3, Predators 2

Coyotes 5, Maple Leafs 1

Blues 3, Kings 1

Oilers 5, Sharks 2

Predictions record: 6-2

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Henrik Lundqvist, NYR (31 Saves, Shutout)… King Henrik was a pillar in net for the Rangers last night, shutting out the surging Canucks.

2. Devan Dubnyk, EDM (41 Saves, 2 GA)

3. Steven Kampfer, BOS (1 Goal, 1 Assist)

Close but no cigar: T. Hall and A. Hemsky, EDM; R. Olesz, FLA; J. Halak, STL; C. Kelly, OTT; K. Yandle, PHX; D. Briere, PHI

—

Tonight’s Slate:

Canucks @ Capitals, 7:00 ET

Red Wings @ Blue Jackets, 7:00

Flames @ Senators, 7:30

Flyers @ Thrashers, 7:30

Devils @ Lightning, 7:30

Avalanche @ Wild, 8:00

Game of the Night:

Vancouver Canucks @ Washington Capitals

7:00 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Canucks (28-9-6) … Capitals (24-13-7)

Last Ten: Canucks (8-1-1) … Capitals (6-1-3)

Away/Home: Canucks (13-6-3) … Capitals (15-4-5)

Season Series (09/10): 1-0 Canucks

Players to watch:

VAN- Ryan Kesler

Vancouver’s do-it-all center has 24 points in the last 18 games.

WSH- Mike Green

Green has been one of the more consistent Caps, racking up seven points in the last eight games.

Projected Goaltenders:

VAN- Roberto Luongo (2010/11 stats: 20-8-4, 2.34 GAA)

WSH- Semyon Varlamov (2010/11 stats: 8-5-2, 2.14 GAA)

Injury Report:

VAN- Sami Salo (Achilles, out), Guillaume Desbiens (hand, out)

WSH- Alexander Semin (hip, questionable), Tom Poti (lower body, out), Matt Bradley (finger, out)

Game Thoughts:

One of the premier inter-conference games of this season takes place tonight as the Canucks visit D.C. Last night, the Canucks suffered their first regulation loss since Dec. 5 with a shutout loss at the Rangers. Washington grabbed just one point in two games down in Florida, including getting shutout in Tampa Bay. I wouldn’t expect a huge offensive game from either side, and I believe that favors the Caps… not the fatigued Canucks.

Prediction: Capitals 3, Canucks 2 (OT)

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Red Wings over Blue Jackets

Flames over Senators

Thrashers over Flyers

Lightning over Devils

Avalanche over Wild

As it is time to take a few days away to straighten out the house down the Jersey Shore where people in Jersey do live, go check out all of our links by all means.  But first, here is Ryan and the Morning Skate.

Thankfully Martin Brodeur will be okay once the swelling has gone down.  It is officially nothing more than a bruise.  Now the rest of the AM Skate.  See you Sunday.

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Bruins 5, Sabres 2

Capitals 5, Maple Leafs 4 (SO)

Hurricanes 7, Islanders 2

Thrashers 4, Panthers 3

Devils 5, Blackhawks 3

Stars 5, Penguins 2

Red Wings 2, Flames 1

Coyotes 4, Predators 3

Ducks 3, Lightning 2 (OT)

Predictions record: 5-4

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Ed Jovanovski, PHX (3 Goals)… ‘Jovo’ tallied his first career hat trick in the Coyotes’ comeback win over Nashville.

2. Chris Mason, ATL (52 Saves, 3 GA)

3. Loui Eriksson, DAL (2 Goals, 1 Assist)

Close but no cigar: J. Langenbrunner, NJ; T. Thomas, BOS; A. Semin, WSH; F. Modin, ATL; T. Selanne, ANA

Wednesday GOW Recap:

Detroit @ Calgary

Despite only giving up two goals and winning the special teams battle, the Flames were out-shot 33-17 by the Red Wings in last night’s 2-1 loss. It appears to me that Calgary lacks an identity and has very little confidence. Brent Sutter and the gang will have to go back to the drawing board again after this loss. Detroit continues to inch back to their old ways by getting a gutsy two points on the road.

Quick-hit observations:

– ‘Big Buff’ has 5 goals and 12 points in 12 games with the Thrashers. The move to defense seems to have worked out for Byfuglien.

– Tim Thomas gave up two goals last night. He is human, huh? It was the first time this year giving up two or more goals. Also, he is the first goaltender in B’s history to start 7-0.

– Meanwhile, the Sabres are 0-5-1 on home-ice this year and now sit in dead-last in the NHL. Is Lindy Ruff on the hot seat? Not yet.

– After failing to score in their first two home games, the Hurricanes broke out and scored seven against the Islanders.

– Saying New Jersey’s win in Chicago was huge would be an understatement.

– 6,761 fans showed up in Glendale last night to see the Coyotes beat the Predators.

—

Tonight’s Slate:

Rangers @ Flyers, 7:00 ET

Blue Jackets @ Thrashers, 7:00

Islanders @ Senators, 7:30

Sharks @ Blues, 8:00

Canucks @ Avalanche, 9:00

Lightning @ Kings, 10:30

Games of the Night:

San Jose Sharks @ St. Louis Blues

8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Sharks (5-4-1) … Blues (6-1-2)

Last Ten: Sharks (5-4-1) … Blues (6-1-2)

Away/Home: Sharks (3-2-0) … Blues (5-0-0)

Season Series (09/10): 3-0-1 Sharks

Players to watch:

SJ- Joe Thornton

‘Jumbo Joe’ has eight points in the last three games.

STL- Alex Pietrangelo

The youngster had seven shots on goal and an assist in their last game.

Projected Goaltenders:

SJ- Antero Niittymaki (2010/11 stats: 4-1-1, 1.75 GAA)

STL- Jaroslav Halak (2010/11 stats: 6-1-1, 1.72 GAA)

Injury Report:

SJ- None

STL- Roman Polak (arm, out)

Game Thoughts:

St. Louis will begin a key swing of three games in four days, which will include a few litmus tests. Tonight’s comes against San Jose, who has won 9 of their last 11 meetings in St. Louis. Jaroslav Halak has been stellar thus far, while the team has yet to lose on home-ice. However, I think the Sharks will respond from Monday’s loss and grind out a victory.

Prediction: Sharks 3, Blues 2

—

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Los Angeles Kings

10:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:

Overall: Lightning (7-2-2) … Kings (8-3-0)

Last Ten: Lightning (6-2-2) … Kings (7-3-0)

Away/Home: Lightning (4-1-1) … Kings (4-0-0)

Season Series (09/10): 1-0 Kings

Players to watch:

TB- Steven Stamkos

Stamkos has 20 points in 11 games as there seems to be no slowing down.

LA- Drew Doughty

Doughty is set to return to the lineup after suffering a concussion.

Projected Goaltenders:

TB- Mike Smith (2010/11 stats: 4-0-0, 3.59 GAA)

LA- Jonathan Quick (2010/11 stats: 7-1-0, 1.84 GAA)

Injury Report:

TB- Simon Gagne (neck, out), Dominic Moore (groin, doubtful), Matt Smaby (ankle, doubtful)

LA- Drew Doughty (concussion, will play), Scott Parse (groin, out)

Game Thoughts:

This should be a game that satisfies a lot of hockey fans’ appetites. The Stamkos-led Bolts make the jaunt to L.A. to take on the league-leading Kings. These teams are one-two in the NHL standings, while Stamkos and Doughty went one-two in the 2008 draft. With the way Quick has been playing and the fact that Tampa Bay is on the back half of a back-to-back, I have to with L.A. tonight.

Prediction: Kings 4, Lightning 2

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Flyers over Rangers

Thrashers over Blue Jackets

Senators over Islanders

Canucks over Avalanche

Ryan breaks it down and thankfully he does it every morning.

The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Wild 5, Canucks 2
Capitals 5, Panthers 4 (SO)
Penguins 3, Flames 1
Ducks 4, Bruins 3
Predictions record: 3-1

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Marc-Andre Fleury, PIT (37 Saves, 1 GA)
‘Flower’ had an unbelievable game between the pipes in Calgary.
2. Antti Miettinen, MIN (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Miettinen scored both the game-winning and dagger goals for the Wild.
3. Jose Theodore, WSH (15 Saves, 0 GA)
In relief, Theodore stoned the ‘Cats and helped his club complete the comeback in Florida.
—

Tonight’s Slate:
Flyers @ Maple Leafs, 7:00 ET
Senators @ Rangers, 7:00
Sabres @ Thrashers, 7:00
Stars @ Canadiens, 7:30
Panthers @ Lightning, 7:30
Hurricanes @ Red Wings, 7:30
Wild @ Blues, 8:00
Blue Jackets @ Blackhawks, 8:30
Devils @ Coyotes, 9:00
Penguins @ Oilers, 9:30
Ducks @ Kings, 10:30
Bruins @ Sharks, 10:30

Games of the Night:
New Jersey Devils @ Phoenix Coyotes
9:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Devils (32-11-1) … Coyotes (26-16-5)
Last Ten: Devils (7-3-0) … Coyotes (4-3-3)
Away/Home: Devils (16-4-1) … Coyotes (16-7-2)
Season Series: First meeting

Players to watch:
NJ- Travis Zajac
Zajac has 6 points in the last 4 games.
PHX- Radim Vrbata
The ‘Yotes need Vrbata to step up big-time tonight.

Projected Goaltenders:
NJ- Martin Brodeur (09/10 stats: 29-11-1, 2.10 GAA)
PHX- Ilya Bryzgalov (09/10 stats: 23-12-4, 2.21 GAA)

Injury Report:
NJ- Paul Martin (arm, out), David Clarkson (leg, out), Dainius Zubrus (knee, out)
PHX- Kurt Sauer (headaches, out)

Game Thoughts:
Two of the better defensive teams in the league will do battle in the desert tonight. New Jersey is coming off an epic performance from Martin Brodeur on Tuesday, where he carried them to victory in New York with 51 saves. Phoenix has lost four straight on home-ice since winning 10 in a row – so they are due for a win! This game is a toss-up… my gut tells me to pick the ‘Yotes, though.
Prediction: Coyotes 3, Devils 2
—
Anaheim Ducks @ Los Angeles Kings
10:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Ducks (21-19-7) … Kings (25-18-3)
Last Ten: Ducks (6-4-0) … Kings (3-7-0)
Away/Home: Ducks (7-11-5) … Kings (11-8-2)
Season Series: 1-0 Kings

Players to watch:
ANA- Corey Perry
Perry has been so consistent this year, and is on a 5-game point streak.
LA- Ryan Smyth
Look for Smyth to get to the hard areas and get back on the score-sheet.

Projected Goaltenders:
ANA- Jonas Hiller (Last night vs. BOS: 27 Saves, 3 GA)
LA- Jonathan Quick (09/10 stats: 23-15-3, 2.60 GAA)

Injury Report:
ANA- Teemu Selanne (broken jaw, out), Joffrey Lupul (back, out)
LA- Matt Greene (undisclosed, out), Justin Williams (leg, out), Davis Drewiskie and Andrei Loktionov (shoulder, out)

Game Thoughts:
The SoCal rivalry resumes in L.A. tonight, as the Kings look to get back to their winning ways. They’ve lost three straight on home-ice, and 8 of 12 overall. Anaheim, coming off a nice come-from-behind win over Boston at home last night, will look to stay hot by taking down their rivals. Including tonight, there are five more meetings between these two this season. Expect the bad blood to start here, and I think the Kings eek out the ‘W’.
Prediction: Kings 4, Ducks 3

The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Flyers over Maple Leafs
Rangers over Senators
Thrashers over Sabres
Canadiens over Stars
Lightning over Panthers
Red Wings over Hurricanes
Blues over Wild
Blackhawks over Blue Jackets
Penguins over Oilers
Sharks over Bruins

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