Morning Skate: Saturday, 3/28

Today’s Slate:
Rangers @ Penguins, 1:00 ET
Kings @ Predators, 6:00
Bruins @ Maple Leafs, 7:00
Sabres @ Canadiens, 7:00
Hurricanes @ Devils, 7:00
Flyers @ Islanders, 7:00
Senators @ Thrashers, 7:00
Panthers @ Stars, 8:00
Blue Jackets @ Blues, 8:30
Wild @ Flames, 10:00
Coyotes @ Sharks, 10:30

Games of the Night:
Game #1: New York Rangers @ Pittsburgh Penguins
1:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Rangers (39-27-9) … Penguins (40-27-8)
Last Ten: Rangers (6-3-1) … Penguins (7-1-2)
Away/Home: Rangers (16-16-5) … Penguins (22-13-3)
Season Series: 3-2 Rangers

Players to watch:
NYR- Nik Antropov
He’s gotta use his size in front to generate some goals today.
PIT- Petr Sykora
I have a hunch that Sykora will snap out of a slump and chip in a big goal.

Projected Goaltenders:
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (08-09 stats: 34-22-7, 2.47 GAA)
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (08-09 stats: 31-17-6, 2.67 GAA)

Injury Report:
NYR- Michal Rozsival (knee, out)
PIT- Mike Zigomanis (undisclosed, out)

Game Thoughts:
This should be a dynamite game in the Igloo today, with playoff positioning on the line! The Pens currently hold a one point edge on New York for the 6th seed. Lundqvist will have to come up with one of his better games of the year for the Rangers to win. Pittsburgh, though, is coming off a solid win against the Flames, and are just on a mission. I like the Pens in a matinee…

Prediction: Penguins 3, Rangers 1
--
Game #2: Carolina Hurricanes @ New Jersey Devils
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Hurricanes (41-28-7) … Devils (47-23-4)
Last Ten: Hurricanes (7-1-2) … Devils (5-4-1)
Away/Home: Hurricanes (18-15-6) … Devils (26-10-1)
Season Series: 2-1 Hurricanes

Players to watch:
CAR- Anton Babchuk
The sparkplug from the blueline has been clutch during their latest hot stretch.
NJ- Travis Zajac
I have a gut feeling that Zajac may have a big day.

Projected Goaltenders:
CAR- Cam Ward (08-09 stats: 35-22-5, 2.48 GAA)
NJ- Martin Brodeur (Last night @ CHI: 39 Saves, 3 GA)

Injury Report:
CAR- Matt Cullen (foot, doubtful), Scott Walker (upper body, doubtful)
NJ- Andy Greene (ankle, questionable)

Game Thoughts:
A couple weeks ago, the ‘Canes were squarely on the playoff bubble. But with a win today (along with a PHI loss), they can take sole position of the 4th seed. I don’t see it, though. A Devils’ win makes too much sense. They’ve lost 3 straight and lost to Carolina just last week. I just think New Jersey is due for a ‘W’ and will get it tonight.

Prediction: Devils 4, Hurricanes 2
--
Game #3: Columbus Blue Jackets @ St. Louis Blues
8:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Blue Jackets (39-28-7) … Blues (35-30-9)
Last Ten: Blue Jackets (7-2-1) … Blues (6-3-1)
Away/Home: Blue Jackets (15-17-5) … Blues (21-13-5)
Season Series: 2-1 Blues

Players to watch:
CBJ- Rick Nash
Nash has been so big for this team this season.
STL- T.J. Oshie
Oshie is hot, and is leading the Blues’ kids line.

Projected Goaltenders:
CBJ- Steve Mason (08-09 stats: 31-17-4, 2.18 GAA)
STL- Chris Mason (08-09 stats: 21-20-6, 2.42 GAA)

Injury Report:
CBJ- Fredrik Modin (knee, out), Jason Chimera (groin, out), O-K Tollefsen (knee, out), Derick Brassard (shoulder, out)
STL- None

Game Thoughts:
This is the first game of a vital home-and-home series between these division rivals. St. Louis needs points more than Columbus and is playing their next-to-last home game. I believe they need to get 3 points out of these 2 games. I really think they’ll get 2 tonight as the Scottrade Center will be rockin’!

Prediction: Blues 3, Blue Jackets 2
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Predators over Kings
Bruins over Maple Leafs
Canadiens over Sabres
Flyers over Islanders
Senators over Thrashers
Stars over Panthers
Flames over Wild
Sharks over Coyotes