Morning Skate: Friday, 1/2

Tonight’s Slate:
Canadiens @ Devils, 7:00 ET
Blues @ Hurricanes, 7:00
Canucks @ Thrashers, 7:30
Blue Jackets @ Avalanche, 9:00
Islanders @ Coyotes, 9:00
Flyers @ Ducks, 10:00

Games of the Night:
Game #1: Montreal Canadiens (21-9-6) @ New Jersey Devils (21-12-3)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
MTL- Alexei Kovalev
With all the injuries, Kovalev will have to lead a stale offense.
NJ- Zach Parise
The offense obviously starts with Parise, who has grown into a great player this year.

Projected Goaltenders:
MTL- Jaroslav Halak (08-09 stats: 5-5-1, 2.44 GAA)
NJ- Scott Clemmensen (08-09 stats: 13-6-1, 2.23 GAA)

Injury Report:
MTL- Alex Tanguay (shoulder, out), Carey Price (lower body, out), Saku Koivu (ankle, out), Chris Higgins (shoulder, out), Mathieu Dandenault (arm, out), Georges Laraque (groin, doubtful)
NJ- Martin Brodeur (elbow, out), Colin White (upper body, doubtful)

Last Ten Games:
Canadiens (6-3-1) … Devils (5-4-1)

Season Series:
1-0 Devils

Game Thoughts:
Montreal will want to get even with New Jersey after their OT loss to them last month. But look at that injury list… I don’t see it happening. The Devils are looking to get back to consistent hockey, and I think that’ll start tonight.

Prediction: Devils 3, Canadiens 2
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Game #2: Philadelphia Flyers (20-10-7) @ Anaheim Ducks (19-15-4)
10:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
PHI- Mike Richards
They need Richards to turn things around, who has only 2 points in the last 7 games.
ANA- Bobby Ryan
The pick after Crosby is starting to look more comfortable… 8 points in the last 6 games.

Projected Goaltenders:
PHI- Martin Biron (08-09 stats: 12-7-4, 3.00 GAA)
ANA- Jonas Hiller (08-09 stats: 8-6-1, 2.27 GAA)

Injury Report:
PHI- Daniel Briere (groin, out), Simon Gagne (shoulder, out), Scottie Upshall (knee, out), Ryan Parent (shoulder, out), Derian Hatcher (knee, out)
ANA- Teemu Selanne (thigh, out), Francois Beauchemin (knee, out), Kent Huskins (foot, out), Bret Hedican (back, questionable), Brad Larsen (sports hernia, out)

Last Ten Games:
Flyers (6-3-1) … Ducks (4-5-1)

Season Series:
1st Meeting

Game Thoughts:
Anaheim is desperate for a win, and they’re welcoming in the road-weary and battered Flyers tonight. The Ducks are starting to fall into the mediocre pack in the west. Philly lost two straight before winning in Vancouver a couple nights ago. This game will come down to special teams, and the Ducks have the slight advantage at home.

Prediction: Ducks 4, Flyers 3 (OT)
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Hurricanes over Blues
Thrashers over Canucks
Avalanche over Blue Jackets
Coyotes over Islanders

For more predictions and analysis on the NHL like this, stop by the Red Light District.