Morning Skate XTRA: Tuesday, 3/10

Here is a special edition of the Morning Skate! Since 9 of the 11 games have playoff implications, I’m bringing you a full slate of mini-previews… Enjoy!

Tonight’s Slate:
Flames @ Devils, 7:00 ET
Sabres @ Flyers, 7:00
Bruins @ Blue Jackets, 7:00
Islanders @ Maple Leafs, 7:30
Oilers @ Canadiens, 7:30
Panthers @ Penguins, 7:30
Coyotes @ Red Wings, 7:30
Capitals @ Predators, 8:00
Sharks @ Wild, 8:00
Stars @ Blues, 8:30
Thrashers @ Avalanche, 9:00

Games of the Night:
Calgary Flames (39-21-6) @ New Jersey Devils (42-20-3)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
CGY- Mike Cammalleri
NJ- Brian Rolston

Projected Goaltenders:
CGY- Miikka Kiprusoff (08-09 stats: 39-16-5, 2.77 GAA)
NJ- Martin Brodeur (08-09 stats: 10-3-2, 2.14 GAA)

Season Series: 1st Meeting

Game Thoughts:
I like the Flames’ chances to stay close in this one, but New Jersey will be mad after their loss on the Island this weekend. Devils in extra time…

Prediction: Devils 3, Flames 2 (SO)
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Buffalo Sabres (33-26-7) @ Philadelphia Flyers (35-19-10)
7:00 ET… TV: VERSUS, TSN2

Players to watch:
BUF- Thomas Vanek
PHI- Mike Richards

Projected Goaltenders:
BUF- Patrick Lalime (08-09 stats: 4-10-2, 2.87 GAA)
PHI- Martin Biron (08-09 stats: 20-13-5, 2.79 GAA)

Season Series: 2-0 Flyers

Game Thoughts:
Buffalo will be desperate tonight, but I don’t see them winning this game. The Flyers are coming off a solid win against the Preds, and will claim the 2 points tonight.

Prediction: Flyers 4, Sabres 2
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Boston Bruins (43-15-9) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (33-27-6)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
BOS- Phil Kessel
CBJ- Antoine Vermette

Projected Goaltenders:
BOS- Tim Thomas (08-09 stats: 28-9-6, 2.08 GAA)
CBJ- Steve Mason (08-09 stats: 26-16-3, 2.24 GAA)

Season Series: 1st Meeting

Game Thoughts:
I really don’t know who will win this game. Columbus may have a tough time against Boston, but at the same time, the Bruins have been sloppy lately. Go with the Jackets…

Prediction: Blue Jackets 3, Bruins 2
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Edmonton Oilers (32-27-6) @ Montreal Canadiens (35-24-7)
7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
EDM- Patrick O’Sullivan
MTL- Alex Tanguay

Projected Goaltenders:
EDM- Dwayne Roloson (08-09 stats: 23-17-6, 2.75 GAA)
MTL- Carey Price (08-09 stats: 19-14-6, 2.75 GAA)

Season Series: 1-0 Oilers

Game Thoughts:
How will the Habs respond after yesterday’s coaching change?? Edmonton creamed the Habs at home last month, so I expect Montreal to respond with a win of their own.

Prediction: Canadiens 4, Oilers 3
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Florida Panthers (34-24-8) @ Pittsburgh Penguins (35-26-6)
7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
FLA- David Booth
PIT- Bill Guerin

Projected Goaltenders:
FLA- Tomas Vokoun (08-09 stats: 22-18-3, 2.47 GAA)
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (08-09 stats: 27-16-4, 2.78 GAA)

Season Series: Tied 1-1

Game Thoughts:
This really is a dangerous game for the Pens… these one-game home-stands can be tricky. Pittsburgh, though, is hot and playing at home for the first time in almost 2 weeks. I like Crosby & company in a close one.

Prediction: Penguins 4, Panthers 3
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Phoenix Coyotes (28-33-5) @ Detroit Red Wings (43-15-8)
7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
PHX- Peter Mueller
DET- Nicklas Lidstrom

Projected Goaltenders:
PHX- Ilya Bryzgalov (08-09 stats: 21-27-4, 2.95 GAA)
DET- Ty Conklin (08-09 stats: 23-8-1, 2.39 GAA)

Season Series: 2-1 Red Wings

Game Thoughts:
I honestly would not show up to The Joe if I were the Coyotes. The Blues learned their lesson last week, and Phoenix will tonight. Detroit may put this one away in the first!

Prediction: Red Wings 6, Coyotes 2
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Washington Capitals (40-21-6) @ Nashville Predators (33-29-4)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
WSH- Alexander Semin
NSH- Steve Sullivan

Projected Goaltenders:
WSH- Jose Theodore (08-09 stats: 24-14-4, 2.88 GAA)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (08-09 stats: 22-11-1, 2.27 GAA)

Season Series: 1-0 Capitals

Game Thoughts:
This game will come down to goaltending. It’s the first time the Caps have ever faced Rinne, and Theodore has been shaky vs. Nashville in his career. Look for the Preds to win another one at home.

Prediction: Predators 3, Capitals 2
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San Jose Sharks (42-12-10) @ Minnesota Wild (32-28-5)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
SJ- Dan Boyle
MIN- Mikko Koivu

Projected Goaltenders:
SJ- Brian Boucher (08-09 stats: 10-4-3, 2.13 GAA)
MIN- Niklas Backstrom (08-09 stats: 30-19-4, 2.32 GAA)

Season Series: 2-1 Wild

Game Thoughts:
I expect San Jose to play really well tonight, I really do. They blew a 3-0 lead to Minny last week, and the Wild have been so inconsistent. Look for the Sharks to snap out of their funk tonight.

Prediction: Sharks 3, Wild 1
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Dallas Stars (31-27-8) @ St. Louis Blues (29-28-8)
8:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
DAL- Loui Eriksson
STL- T.J. Oshie

Projected Goaltenders:
DAL- Marty Turco (08-09 stats: 30-24-8, 2.79 GAA)
STL- Chris Mason (08-09 stats: 15-18-5, 2.50 GAA)

Season Series: 2-0 Blues

Game Thoughts:
This is another one of those swing games tonight; goaltending will decide it. The Blues are the more desperate team, so I think they’ll get the 2 points. I wouldn’t be surprised to see this go to overtime.

Prediction: Blues 3, Stars 2 (OT)
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Tonight’s other predictions:
Maple Leafs over Islanders
Avalanche over Thrashers

Tonight should be an exciting night of hockey as most of these games can go either way, and the playoffs are inching closer!! If you're a Center Ice owner, you better be watching hockey!