Today’s Slate:
Wild @ Red Wings, 12:30 ET
Thrashers @ Capitals, 3:00
Penguins @ Panthers, 5:00
Blackhawks @ Blue Jackets, 5:00
Sharks @ Ducks, 8:00
Avalanche @ Canucks, 10:00
Games of the Day:
Minnesota Wild (37-32-9) @ Detroit Red Wings (49-19-9)
12:30 ET… TV: NBC
Players to watch:
MIN- Cal Clutterbuck
DET- Nicklas Lidstrom
Projected Goaltenders:
MIN- Niklas Backstrom (08-09 stats: 35-23-8, 2.32 GAA)
DET- Chris Osgood (08-09 stats: 24-8-7, 3.18 GAA)
Season Series: 2-1 Red Wings
Game Thoughts:
At some point, you gotta think Detroit will turn it around… right? But they can’t match Minnesota’s desperation, and I think Backstrom will be able to steal one today. Should be a good one!
Prediction: Wild 3, Red Wings 2
—
Atlanta Thrashers (34-38-6) @ Washington Capitals (47-23-6)
3:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
ATL- Slava Kozlov
WSH- Alexander Ovechkin
Projected Goaltenders:
ATL- Johan Hedberg (08-09 stats: 13-10-3, 3.45 GAA)
WSH- Jose Theodore (08-09 stats: 30-16-5, 2.80 GAA)
Season Series: Tied 2-2
Game Thoughts:
Folks, do not look at Atlanta’s record… it doesn’t matter. They are playing like they’re in a playoff hunt, and could take a bite out of Washington today. But I think the Caps will win after their OT loss to Buffalo on Friday.
Prediction: Capitals 4, Thrashers 3
—
Pittsburgh Penguins (42-27-9) @ Florida Panthers (38-29-11)
5:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
PIT- Chris Kunitz
FLA- Nathan Horton
Projected Goaltenders:
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (Last night @ CAR: 27 Saves, 3 GA)
FLA- Tomas Vokoun (08-09 stats: 23-22-6, 2.49 GAA)
Season Series: 2-1 Penguins
Game Thoughts:
I’m really torn on this pick because it really can go either way. But I honestly can’t see Florida making the playoffs, and Pittsburgh will deal another blow to them.
Prediction: Penguins 4, Panthers 3 (OT)
—
Chicago Blackhawks (42-24-11) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (40-29-9)
5:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
CHI- Martin Havlat
CBJ- Rick Nash
Projected Goaltenders:
CHI- Nikolai Khabibulin (08-09 stats: 22-8-6, 2.46 GAA)
CBJ- Steve Mason (Last night @ NSH: 29 Saves, 4 GA)
Season Series: Tied 2-2
Game Thoughts:
This might be a tough transition for the Jackets, as they finished up late last night in Nashville. But I think they’ll plow through it, and be able to beat Chicago at home.
Prediction: Blue Jackets 3, Blackhawks 2
—
San Jose Sharks (51-16-11) @ Anaheim Ducks (41-32-6)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
SJ- Milan Michalek
ANA- Ryan Getzlaf
Projected Goaltenders:
SJ- Evgeni Nabokov (Last night vs. ANA: 23 Saves, 5 GA)
ANA- Jonas Hiller (Last night @ SJ: 28 Saves, 2 GA)
Season Series: 3-2 Sharks
Game Thoughts:
Last night, Anaheim flat out dominated San Jose at the Tank. I think San Jose will take exception to that tonight. The Ducks have scored 11 goals in the last 2 games, so an offensive letdown could happen. My gut says Sharks win…
Prediction: Sharks 3, Ducks 1
The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Canucks over Avalanche
