Morning Skate (12/6)

As we get ready for the podcast tonight....thanks again Ryan...and here is the Morning Skate.



The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Hurricanes 5, Canucks 3
Oilers 3, Stars 2 (SO)
Blues 5, Kings 4 (SO)
Bruins 7, Maple Leafs 2
Rangers 2, Sabres 1
Devils 4, Red Wings 3 (SO)
Capitals 8, Flyers 2
Thrashers 2, Panthers 1 (SO)
Avalanche 3, Blue Jackets 2
Blackhawks 2, Penguins 1 (OT)
Lightning 4, Islanders 0
Wild 5, Predators 3
Coyotes 3, Senators 2
Flames 2, Sharks 1
Predictions record: 6-6-2

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Miikka Kiprusoff, CGY (35 Saves, 1 GA)
‘Kipper’ was unbelievable in net, making highlight reel save after another to give the Flames the win.
2. Marc Savard, BOS (3 Goals)
Savard sent a statement to Kessel and the Leafs with his hat trick performance.
3. Mike Green, WSH (2 Goals, 2 Assists)
Green had his best game of the year, tallying 4 points in the Caps’ blow out win.
Honorable Mention: N. Backstrom, H. Lundqvist, E. Cole, M. Smith, A. Niemi
Dud of the Night:
Daniel Carcillo… His sucker-punch on Matt Bradley was a total undisciplined act, and cost his team a trio of goals in a tied game. Yes, Bradley dropped his right glove, but Carcillo was already in the ‘act of punching’ when it happened. He got 29 penalty minutes out of it, and the Caps scored 3 goals on a 9-minute power play. Could a suspension follow? He is a repeat offender…
Honorable Mention: Leafs pasted by Bruins

Saturday Fantasy Roundup:
Ryan’s Picks:
F- R. Nash (-2)
F- T. Vanek (2 PIM)
D- D. Boyle (1 A)
G- M. Turco (34 Saves, 2 GA)
Michael’s Picks:
F- I. Kovalchuk (1 G, +1)
F- B. Morrow (1 A, +1)
D- Z. Chara (1 G, 1 A, +4)
G- R. Miller (30 Saves, 2 GA)
Chris’ Picks:
F- D. Heatley (+1)
F- J. Thornton (+1)
D- S. Gonchar (1 A, -1)
G- Y. Danis (nada)
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Tonight’s Slate:
Red Wings @ Rangers, 7:00 ET
Senators @ Ducks, 8:00

Games of the Night:
Detroit Red Wings @ New York Rangers
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Red Wings (13-10-5) … Rangers (14-13-1)
Last Ten: Red Wings (3-5-2) … Rangers (4-6-0)
Away/Home: Red Wings (5-5-3) … Rangers (7-6-0)
Season Series: First meeting

Players to watch:
DET- Pavel Datsyuk
Datsyuk is in a bit of a funk, with only 2 points in the last 7 games.
NYR- Marian Gaborik
With an assist last night, ‘Gabby’ has now got a point in all but 3 games.

Projected Goaltenders:
DET- Jimmy Howard (09/10 stats: 7-5-1, 2.67 GAA)
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (Last night @ BUF: 36 Saves, 1 GA)

Injury Report:
DET- Johan Franzen and Niklas Kronwall (knee, out), Brian Rafalski (back, questionable), Jason Williams (leg, out), Valtteri Filppula (wrist, out), Andreas Lilja (head, out)
NYR- Brandon Dubinsky (hand, out), Wade Redden (shoulder, doubtful), Donald Brashear (hand, questionable)

Game Thoughts:
It’s a rare Original Six matchup tonight, pitting the Wings and Blueshirts; Detroit won their only meeting last year. It’ll be interesting to see who’s in net for both teams. I don’t think the Rangers will put in Chad Johnson, and Howard should be in over Osgood… but you never know. Both teams have been struggling lately, so it’s hard to get a feel of this game. Go with the Wings tonight…
Prediction: Red Wings 3, Rangers 2
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Ottawa Senators @ Anaheim Ducks
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Senators (13-10-4) … Ducks (10-13-5)
Last Ten: Senators (5-4-1) … Ducks (4-4-2)
Away/Home: Senators (3-7-1) … Ducks (8-8-1)
Season Series: First meeting

Players to watch:
OTT- Daniel Alfredsson
The Sens captain has struggled like the rest of the team on this western trip. He has to step up tonight.
ANA- Corey Perry
Perry recently went on an unbelievable run of 19-straight games with a point. It was snapped in Dallas this week.

Projected Goaltenders:
OTT- Brian Elliott (Last night @ PHX: 22 Saves, 3 GA)
ANA- J.S. Giguere (09/10 stats: 3-4-3, 2.61 GAA)

Injury Report:
OTT- Pascal Leclaire (face, out), Chris Neil (knee, out), Alexandre Picard (upper body, doubtful), Shean Donovan (knee, out)
ANA- Teemu Selanne (hand, out), Ryan Carter (foot, out), Kyle Calder (eye, out)

Game Thoughts:
This should actually be a good game by the sole fact that both teams are as desperate as can be. Ottawa wants to finish their road trip on a good note after a 0-3-1 start. Anaheim has also lost four in a row, and three of those have come on home-ice. This really could be Carlyle’s last game behind the bench if it’s another unimpressive loss for the Ducks. Because of that, I think the Ducks will win…
Prediction: Ducks 4, Senators 3 (OT)