Morning Skate: October 11

The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Bruins 4, Islanders 3 (SO)
Penguins 5, Maple Leafs 2
Senators 4, Thrashers 2
Ducks 3, Flyers 2 (SO)
Devils 3, Panthers 2
Red Wings 3, Capitals 2
Lightning 5, Hurricanes 2
Kings 2, Blues 1
Sabres 1, Predators 0
Blackhawks 4, Avalanche 3 (SO)
Blue Jackets 2, Coyotes 0
Oilers 3, Canadiens 2
Sharks 4, Wild 2
Predictions record: 7-6

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Mathieu Garon, CBJ (36 Saves, shutout)
Big props to Garon for shutting out Phoenix and the sea of white. He made 36 stops on the way to victory.
2. Ryan Malone, TB (3 Goals)
Malone picked up a huge hat trick as the Bolts downed the ‘Canes.
3. Teemu Selanne, ANA (2 Goals, SO Goal)
Selanne not only carried the Ducks into overtime after being down 2-0, but scored the game-winner in the shootout. The old man still has it!
Dud of the Night:
New York Islanders… Last night was proof that the Islanders are still the Islanders. Going into the last 10 minutes of the game, Scott Gordon’s bunch held a 3-0 lead. It quickly evaporated as the Bruins tied the game with 2:34 to go. Boston wound up winning in a shootout. When will the Islanders ever change??

Saturday Fantasy Roundup:
Ryan’s Picks:
F- S. Crosby (2 G, 2 PPP)
F- D. Heatley (1 G, +1, 2 PIM, 1 PPP)
D- C. Pronger (1 G, -1, 1 PPP)
G- T. Thomas (Did not play)
Michael’s Picks:
F- P. Datsyuk (1 A, 1 PPP)
F- J. Thornton (1 A, 1 PPP)
D- T. Kaberle (-1)
G- M. Brodeur (19 saves, 2 GA)
Chris’ Picks:
F- A. Ovechkin (1 A, 1 PPP)
F- N. Backstrom (-1)
D- M. Green (-1, 4 PIM)
G- E. Nabokov (38 saves, 2 GA)
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Tonight’s Slate:
Ducks @ Rangers, 5:00 ET
Stars @ Canucks, 10:00

Games of the Night:
Anaheim Ducks (2-1-1) @ New York Rangers (3-1-0)
5:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
ANA- Teemu Selanne
The ‘Finnish Flash’ has scored 2 goals in each of the last 2 games.
NYR- Michael Del Zotto
The rookie d-man is stepping up big-time in so far this year.

Projected Goaltenders:
ANA- J.S. Giguere (09/10 stats: 0-0-1, 3.80 GAA)
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (09/10 stats: 3-1, 2.52 GAA)

Injury Report:
ANA- None
NYR- Sean Avery (knee, probable)

Game Thoughts:
Anaheim had a pair of impressive come-from-behind victories in Boston and Philly coming into this one. The Rangers beat rival Washington on Thursday, as Marian Gaborik continues to impress in his first season in blue. I think the Blueshirts get the job done at home with ‘The King’ between the pipes.
Prediction: Rangers 3, Ducks 1
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Dallas Stars (1-1-1) @ Vancouver Canucks (1-3-0)
10:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
DAL- James Neal
Neal has 4 points in 3 games, and will be a factor in front of Luongo.
VAN- Henrik Sedin
Watch Henrik closely, as he will likely be without his twin tonight.

Projected Goaltenders:
DAL- Marty Turco (09/10 stats: 0-0-2, 2.78 GAA)
VAN- Roberto Luongo (09/10 stats: 1-3, 3.52 GAA)

Injury Report:
DAL- Jere Lehtinen (groin, questionable), Mike Modano (back, out)
VAN- Daniel Sedin (heel, doubtful), Pavol Demitra (shoulder, out), Mathieu Schneider (shoulder, out), Jannik Hansen (hand, out)

Game Thoughts:
Both teams are coming off breakthrough wins… Vancouver trouncing Montreal, and Dallas handling Calgary. Whenever these two get together it seems to be a low-scoring grudge match. The Canucks may have a letdown after such a big win, but I think Luongo’s career success against the Stars will be the difference. ‘Nucks in a tight one…
Prediction: Canucks 3, Stars 2 (OT)