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Good morning.  It is a nice frigid Monday so time to lace them up with Ryan’s Morning Skate.  Really its the best way to reflect back and then look ahead on the action in the National Hockey League.

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Flyers 4, Blackhawks 1

Devils 5, Panthers 2

Sabres 5, Islanders 3

Lightning 7, Thrashers 1

Predators 3, Oilers 2 (SO)

Predictions record: 4-1

 

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Jeff Carter, PHI (2 Goals, 1 Assist)… Carter scored two big goals in the Flyers’ win in Chicago, including a great hand-eye coordination tally.

2. Ilya Kovalchuk, NJ (1 Goal, 2 Assists)

3. Simon Gagne, TB (2 Goals)

Close but no cigar: C. Giroux and S. Bobrovsky, PHI; M. St. Louis, TB; N. Gerbe, BUF; A. Sulzer, NSH

—

If the playoffs started today…

Eastern Conference:

1) PHI vs. 8) ATL

2) TB vs. 7) NYR

3) BOS vs. 6) MTL

4) PIT vs. 5) WSH

Western Conference:

1) VAN vs. 8) SJ

2) DET vs. 7) CHI

3) DAL vs. 6) PHX

4) NSH vs. 5) ANA

—

 

Tonight’s Slate:

Maple Leafs @ Hurricanes, 7:00 ET

Rangers @ Capitals, 7:00

Predators @ Flames, 9:30

Blues @ Avalanche, 9:30

Stars @ Canucks, 10:00

Bruins @ Kings, 10:30

 

Games of the Night:

New York Rangers @ Washington Capitals

7:00 ET… TV: VERSUS

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Records:

Overall: Rangers (28-19-3) … Capitals (27-14-8)

Last Ten: Rangers (6-4-0) … Capitals (5-2-3)

Away/Home: Rangers (16-9-1) … Capitals (16-5-5)

Season Series: Tied 1-1

 

Players to watch:

NYR- Wojtek Wolski

Wolski has three goals and six points since joining the Blueshirts.

WSH- Nicklas Backstrom

Backstrom is suddenly on a five-game point streak.

 

Projected Goaltenders:

NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (2010/11 stats: 21-15-3, 2.25 GAA)

WSH- Braden Holtby (2010/11 stats: 4-2-1, 2.79 GAA)

 

Injury Report:

NYR- Alexander Frolov, Vinny Prospal and Erik Christensen (knee, out), Ryan Callahan (hand, out), Brandon Dubinsky (leg, out), Ruslan Fedotenko (shoulder, out), Derek Boogaard (concussion, out)

WSH- Semyon Varlamov, Michal Neuvirth and Tom Poti (lower body, questionable), Alexander Semin (lower body, out), Eric Fehr (upper body, out), Matt Bradley (finger, out)

 

Game Thoughts:

During Washington’s dismal skid in December, they lost embarrassingly at the Garden, 7-0 to the Rangers. I’m the Caps will have that in the back of their minds tonight when they host the Blueshirts for the first time this year. Both of these teams are beat up, so the best players need to step to the forefront here. I’ll go with the Caps in a tight one.

Prediction: Capitals 3, Rangers 1

—

Dallas Stars @ Vancouver Canucks

10:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

 

Records:

Overall: Stars (29-14-5) … Canucks (29-10-9)

Last Ten: Stars (7-2-1) … Canucks (4-2-4)

Away/Home: Stars (14-8-1) … Canucks (15-3-5)

Season Series: 1-0 Canucks

 

Players to watch:

DAL- Brad Richards

The All-Star has 14 points in nine January games.

VAN- Mason Raymond

Can Raymond snap out of his nine-game pointless drought tonight?

 

Projected Goaltenders:

DAL- Kari Lehtonen (2010/11 stats: 21-10-5, 2.49 GAA)

VAN- Roberto Luongo (2010/11 stats: 21-8-7, 2.35 GAA)

 

Injury Report:

DAL- Toby Petersen (leg, out)

VAN- Kevin Bieksa (head, questionable), Sami Salo (Achilles, out), Alexandre Bolduc and Andrew Alberts (shoulder, out), Aaron Rome (knee, out)

 

Game Thoughts:

Vancouver and Dallas, a pair of division leaders heading into the break, meet up for a big tilt tonight in VanCity. The Canucks were riding high but have dropped four in a row (three in overtime/shootout) and will look to rebound. Dallas has been great on the road this season, seeing their eight-game road win streak end on Friday. This should be a well-played game and I see Luongo outdueling Lehtonen tonight.

Prediction: Canucks 3, Stars 2

 

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Hurricanes over Maple Leafs

Flames over Predators

Avalanche over Blues

Bruins over Kings

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A huge slate of games this Saturday in the NHL and Ryan has you covered with the Morning Skate.

The Morning After:

Yesterday’s scores:

Rangers 2, Islanders 0

Hurricanes 2, Avalanche 1 (OT)

Sabres 5, Blue Jackets 0

Flames 3, Wild 2 (SO)

Canucks 3, Blackhawks 0

Red Wings 4, Ducks 0

Predictions record: 4-2

My 3 stars of the night:

1. Roberto Luongo, VAN (32 Saves, Shutout)… Luongo came up with a big performance, recording a shutout in Chicago.

2. Jimmy Howard, DET (41 Saves, Shutout)

3. Cam Ward, CAR (34 Saves, 1 GA)

—

 

Tonight’s Slate:

Devils @ Flyers, 1:00 ET

Sharks @ Canadiens, 2:00

Bruins @ Maple Leafs, 7:00

Sabres @ Senators, 7:00

Thrashers @ Capitals, 7:00

Penguins @ Blue Jackets, 7:00

Avalanche @ Lightning, 7:30

Hurricanes @ Predators, 8:00

Wild @ Stars, 8:00

Panthers @ Coyotes, 8:00

Blues @ Oilers, 10:00

Red Wings @ Kings, 10:30

 

Games of the Night:

Atlanta Thrashers @ Washington Capitals

7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

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Records:

Overall: Thrashers (13-10-3) … Capitals (18-7-2)

Last Ten: Thrashers (6-4-0) … Capitals (6-3-1)

Away/Home: Thrashers (5-5-2) … Capitals (12-1-1)

Season Series: 2-1 Thrashers

 

Players to watch:

ATL- Tobias Enstrom

Enstrom has had a solid offensive season thus far, but has been overshadowed by Byfuglien.

WSH- Alex Ovechkin

‘Ovie’ has not scored since Nov. 14… against Atlanta… on home-ice. See where I’m going with this?

 

Projected Goaltenders:

ATL- Ondrej Pavelec (2010/11 stats: 7-5-2, 1.75 GAA)

WSH- Semyon Varlamov (2010/11 stats: 4-1-0, 1.72 GAA)

 

Injury Report:

ATL- Evander Kane (knee, questionable), Fredrik Modin (upper body, out)

WSH- Tyler Sloan (undisclosed, out)

 

Game Thoughts:

Atlanta had their six-game win streak snapped on Thursday, so it will be interesting to see how they respond tonight. Meanwhile, the Caps have won four of five coming in. The Thrashers have dropped eight in a row in D.C., and Pavelec is 2-8 vs. Washington in his career (despite his recent shutout of the Caps). Also, Varlamov is 4-0 in his career vs. Atlanta. The odds are in Washington’s favor here…

Prediction: Capitals 4, Thrashers 2

—

Pittsburgh Penguins @ Columbus Blue Jackets

7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

 

Records:

Overall: Penguins (17-8-2) … Blue Jackets (14-9-1)

Last Ten: Penguins (9-0-1) … Blue Jackets (5-4-1)

Away/Home: Penguins (9-3-1) … Blue Jackets (6-6-1)

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

 

Players to watch:

PIT- Sidney Crosby

Crosby has 29 points on his current 14-game point streak. Can anyone stop him?

CBJ- R.J. Umberger

The Ohio State product had his 10-game point streak snapped last night.

 

Projected Goaltenders:

PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (2010/11 stats: 10-6-1, 2.44 GAA)

CBJ- Steve Mason (2010/11 stats: 8-7-1, 2.88 GAA)

 

Injury Report:

PIT- Brooks Orpik and Brent Johnson (illness, questionable), Evgeni Malkin (undisclosed, questionable), Max Talbot (foot, questionable), Jordan Staal (hand, out), Mike Comrie (lower body, out)

CBJ- Marc Methot (upper body, questionable), Kristian Huselius (ankle, out)

 

Game Thoughts:

Here are two teams going in opposite directions as we speak. The high-flying Penguins are winners of eight straight and 10 of 11, while the upstart Jackets are getting a little taste of reality on their four-game skid. Dan Bylsma’s bunch is a quality road team and I think they’ll extend their streak to nine tonight. I have a hunch it will be a crazy game…

Prediction: Penguins 5, Blue Jackets 4 (SO)

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Detroit Red Wings @ Los Angeles Kings

10:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

 

Records:

Overall: Red Wings (17-4-2) … Kings (14-10-0)

Last Ten: Red Wings (8-1-1) … Kings (3-7-0)

Away/Home: Red Wings (7-3-0) … Kings (9-2-0)

Season Series (09/10): Tied 2-2

 

Players to watch:

DET- Dan Cleary

Cleary has five points in the last three games and leads the Wings in goals.

LA- Drew Doughty

Though pointless in the last seven games, L.A. needs Doughty to be at his best tonight.

 

Projected Goaltenders:

DET- Chris Osgood (2010/11 stats: 2-2-0, 2.76 GAA)

LA- Jonathan Quick (2010/11 stats: 12-5-0, 1.92 GAA)

 

Injury Report:

DET- Mike Modano (wrist, out), Kris Draper (hernia, out)

LA- Willie Mitchell (wrist, out), Alex Ponikarovsky (finger, out), Scott Parse (hip, out)

 

Game Thoughts:

One night after shutting out the Ducks, Detroit comes to town for a marquee duel at Staples Center. Will Mike Babcock go with Howard or Osgood? There have been reports that Ozzie will make his first start in over a month tonight. They usually dominate the Kings, but I have a funny feeling about this one. L.A. got back on the winning track in the nick of time and could be using this as a statement game.

Prediction: Kings 3, Red Wings 2

Lock of the Night:

Stars over Wild… Todd Richards’ gang has lost 12 straight in Big D and are coming off a tough loss last night at home. I like the Stars here.

 

The rest of tonight’s predictions:

Flyers over Devils

Canadiens over Sharks

Bruins over Maple Leafs

Senators over Sabres

Lightning over Avalanche

Predators over Hurricanes

Coyotes over Panthers

Blues over Oilers

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Ryan said there would be days like this but here is the Morning Skate on Friday!!!

The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Islanders 4, Thrashers 1
Sabres 6, Canadiens 2
Maple Leafs 6, Blue Jackets 3
Capitals 6, Panthers 0
Oilers 4, Red Wings 1
Canucks 3, Flyers 0
Penguins 4, Avalanche 1
Stars 3, Ducks 1
Coyotes 2, Flames 1
Kings 6, Senators 3
Blues 3, Sharks 2 (SO)
Predictions record: 5-5-1

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Matt Moulson, NYI (3 Goals)
Moulson scored three huge goals in Atlanta, lifting the Isles to victory.
2. Roberto Luongo, VAN (38 Saves, Shutout)
Luongo was a brick wall in the crease against Philly, stoning every shot that came his way.
3. Alexander Semin, WSH (2 Goals, 2 Assists)
Semin came back with a vengeance, tallying 4 points vs. Florida.
Dud of the Night:
Habs, Jackets, and ‘Cats… These three teams were downright horrible defensively last night. Montreal only had 8 shots through 2 periods, Columbus was dominated by a 7-win team, and Scott Clemmensen was pulled after 2 goals… yeah.
Honorable Mention: Sharks’ collapse in SO loss
—

Tonight’s Slate:
Lightning @ Devils, 7:00 ET
Bruins @ Canadiens, 8:00
Ducks @ Wild, 8:00
Predators @ Blackhawks, 8:30

Games of the Night:
Boston Bruins @ Montreal Canadiens
8:00 ET… TV: CBC, NHL Net. (US)

Records:
Overall: Bruins (14-8-5) … Canadiens (12-14-2)
Last Ten: Bruins (6-1-3) … Canadiens (4-4-2)
Away/Home: Bruins (6-3-2) … Canadiens (7-6-2)
Season Series: 1-0 Canadiens

Players to watch:
BOS- Michael Ryder
Ryder is more than due for a big night, as he only has 10 points this year.
MTL- Michael Cammalleri
He has just one point in the last four games… ‘Cammer’ is also due.

Projected Goaltenders:
BOS- Tim Thomas (09/10 stats: 7-6-3, 2.27 GAA)
MTL- Carey Price (09/10 stats: 7-10-2, 2.86 GAA)

Injury Report:
BOS- Milan Lucic (ankle, out), Vladimir Sobotka (illness, out)
MTL- Andrei Markov (Achilles, out), Brian Gionta and Hal Gill (foot, out), Benoit Pouliot (wrist, out)

Game Thoughts:
This is the 2nd meeting of the season between these historic rivals, and it’s a special one! Tonight is the official celebration of the ongoing Canadiens’ Centennial festivities. Montreal has had a couple dreadful performances in a row. They’ve disappointed throughout this whole calendar year, but I think they’ll show up here. Price has a good track record against the B’s, and they’re just flat out desperate.
Prediction: Canadiens 4, Bruins 2
—
Nashville Predators @ Chicago Blackhawks
8:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Predators (15-10-2) … Blackhawks (17-6-3)
Last Ten: Predators (7-2-1) … Blackhawks (8-1-1)
Away/Home: Predators (6-5-2) … Blackhawks (11-2-1)
Season Series: 2-1 Blackhawks

Players to watch:
NSH- Steve Sullivan
He picked up 4 points on Wednesday, and needs to be on his A-game tonight.
CHI- Patrick Kane
Kane’s coming off a nice extension, and usually gives Nashville fits.

Projected Goaltenders:
NSH- Dan Ellis (09/10 stats: 4-4-1, 2.70 GAA)
CHI- Cristobal Huet (09/10 stats: 13-5-2, 2.16 GAA)

Injury Report:
NSH- Dave Scatchard (upper body, questionable)
CHI- Dave Bolland (back, out), Adam Burish (knee, out)

Game Thoughts:
After the announcement of the extensions for Keith, Kane, and Toews yesterday, the ‘Hawks get back on the ice to face division rival Nashville. Chicago has been good at home, but hasn’t played to their potential since the beat-down in San Jose. The Preds have been in a rut as well in the last four games. I think they have a real shot at taking down the ‘Hawks tonight if the power play can get going again.
Prediction: Predators 3, Blackhawks 2 (OT)

The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Devils over Lightning
Ducks over Wild

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

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