Morning Skate: Sunday, 4/12

HAPPY EASTER, EVERYONE!!!
Today’s Slate:
Red Wings @ Blackhawks, 2:00 ET
Blues @ Avalanche, 5:00
Bruins @ Islanders, 5:00
Rangers @ Flyers, 5:00

Game of the Day:
Detroit Red Wings @ Chicago Blackhawks
2:00 ET… TV: NBC, TSN

Records:
Overall: Red Wings (51-20-10) … Blackhawks (45-24-12)
Last Ten: Red Wings (4-5-1) … Blackhawks (7-2-1)
Away/Home: Red Wings (24-11-5) … Blackhawks (23-9-8)
Season Series: 4-1 Red Wings

Players to watch:
DET- Pavel Datsyuk
Look for him to be a key factor today.
CHI- Dustin Byfuglien
He’s really impressed me over the last couple weeks.

Projected Goaltenders:
DET- Chris Osgood (08-09 stats: 26-8-8, 3.09 GAA)
CHI- Nikolai Khabibulin (08-09 stats: 24-8-7, 2.39 GAA)

Injury Report:
DET- Marian Hossa (groin, out), Andreas Lilja (concussion, out)
CHI- Patrick Sharp (lower body, doubtful), Brent Sopel (elbow, out)

Game Thoughts:
Behind Byfuglien’s penalty shot goal yesterday, the ‘Hawks were able to pick up the win in Detroit. With it being the 82nd game for both teams, I think both will be working on adjustments and things in that nature. This is a toss up, but I like Khabibulin to put in a great effort today on NBC.

Prediction: Blackhawks 3, Red Wings 2
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Bruins over Islanders
Flyers over Rangers
Blues over Avalanche

For predictions and analysis like this all playoffs long, stop by the Red Light District.