Morning Skate Deluxe (2/6)

There were too many key games tonight to just choose 2 or 3, so here is a deluxe version of the Morning Skate, covering all 14 games on tonight’s schedule!

The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Devils 4, Maple Leafs 3
Capitals 5, Thrashers 2
Hurricanes 4, Sabres 3
Flames 2, Panthers 1
Coyotes 2, Blackhawks 1 (SO)
Predictions record: 2-2-1

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Jussi Jokinen, CAR (1 Goal, 1 Assist)
‘The Finnisher’ lifted the ‘Canes with a nice game-winner vs. Buffalo.
2. Dean McAmmond, NJ (1 Goal, 1 Assist)
McAmmond had 2 huge points late in the 3rd for the Devils.
3. Alexander Ovechkin, WSH (1 Goal, 1 Assist)
Ovie’s pair of points helped the Caps win their 13th in a row.
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Today’s Slate:
Canucks @ Bruins, 1:00 ET
Penguins @ Canadiens, 2:00
Red Wings @ Kings, 4:00
Coyotes @ Stars, 6:00
Senators @ Maple Leafs, 7:00
Hurricanes @ Islanders, 7:00
Devils @ Rangers, 7:00
Panthers @ Thrashers, 7:00
Flames @ Lightning, 7:00
Sabres @ Blue Jackets, 7:00
Blackhawks @ Blues, 8:00
Sharks @ Predators, 8:00
Flyers @ Wild, 8:00
Oilers @ Avalanche, 10:00

Today’s Games:
Vancouver Canucks (34-20-2) @ Boston Bruins (23-22-10)
1:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
VAN- Ryan Kesler
BOS- Patrice Bergeron

Projected Goaltenders:
VAN- Roberto Luongo (09/10 stats: 29-15-2, 2.33 GAA)
BOS- Tuukka Rask (09/10 stats: 10-7-3, 2.12 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
Aside from the last 30 minutes in Toronto, the Canucks haven’t done so well on their road trip so far. But the B's have struggled mightily, dropping 9 straight.
Prediction: Canucks 2, Bruins 1 (SO)
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Pittsburgh Penguins (35-21-1) @ Montreal Canadiens (27-25-6)
2:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
PIT- Sidney Crosby
MTL- Brian Gionta

Projected Goaltenders:
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (09/10 stats: 19-14-5, 2.40 GAA)
MTL- Jaroslav Halak (09/10 stats: 16-8-2, 2.40 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
This should be a really good matinee affair. The Pens have had Montreal’s number this year, and it will continue if they can get to Halak.
Prediction: Penguins 4, Canadiens 2
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Detroit Red Wings (27-20-10) @ Los Angeles Kings (35-19-3)
4:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
DET- Nicklas Lidstrom
LA- Anze Kopitar

Projected Goaltenders:
DET- Jimmy Howard (09/10 stats: 20-12-6, 2.27 GAA)
LA- Jonathan Quick (09/10 stats: 33-16-3, 2.54 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
The Kings are streaking, but beating the Wings at home is never easy for them (only done so once since 2002). A desperate Detroit team steals 2 points…
Prediction: Red Wings 3, Kings 1
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Phoenix Coyotes (35-18-5) @ Dallas Stars (25-21-11)
6:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
PHX- Shane Doan
DAL- Steve Ott

Projected Goaltenders:
PHX- Ilya Bryzgalov (09/10 stats: 30-14-4, 2.29 GAA)
DAL- Marty Turco (09/10 stats: 16-15-8, 2.81 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
Phoenix just keeps pluggin’ away, now having won six straight; can they make it seven?? Yes. Though a tough turnaround, they’ll beat Dallas again with their stingy ‘D’.
Prediction: Coyotes 3, Stars 1
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Ottawa Senators (33-21-4) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (18-29-11)
7:00 ET… TV: CBC, NHL Net. (US)

Players to watch:
OTT- Daniel Alfredsson
TOR- Tomas Kaberle

Projected Goaltenders:
OTT- Brian Elliott (09/10 stats: 19-11-3, 2.43 GAA)
TOR- J.S. Giguere (09/10 stats: 5-8-5, 2.98 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
Ottawa is looking to extend their 11-game winning streak (and can take the division lead); Toronto hopes to shake off last night’s collapse. Call me crazy… I’m going with the Leafs.
Prediction: Maple Leafs 3, Senators 2
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Carolina Hurricanes (20-30-7) @ New York Islanders (23-26-8)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
CAR- Eric Staal
NYI- Mark Streit

Projected Goaltenders:
CAR- Justin Peters (09/10 stats: First start of season)
NYI- Rick DiPietro (09/10 stats: 2-4-0, 2.54 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
After pulling off an upset last night in Buffalo, the ‘Canes have a chance to keep the mojo going. But since the Islanders are facing Peters, I think they'll get off the schnide tonight.
Prediction: Islanders 4, Hurricanes 2
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New Jersey Devils (36-18-2) @ New York Rangers (25-26-7)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
NJ- Ilya Kovalchuk
NYR- Marian Gaborik

Projected Goaltenders:
NJ- Martin Brodeur (Last night vs. TOR: 17 Saves, 3 GA)
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (09/10 stats: 22-21-6, 2.46 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
The last time they met Brodeur and Lundqvist had an epic duel. I don’t expect it to be like that, but similar. The Rangers are hungry; Devils rallied to win last night.
Prediction: Rangers 2, Devils 1 (SO)
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Florida Panthers (24-24-9) @ Atlanta Thrashers (24-24-8)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
FLA- David Booth
ATL- Rich Peverley

Projected Goaltenders:
FLA- Tomas Vokoun (Last night vs. CGY: 38 Saves, 2 GA)
ATL- Johan Hedberg (09/10 stats: 12-9-4, 2.54 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
The ‘Cats and Birds, who both lost last night, face-off in Atlanta in a key playoff bubble tilt. It’s a virtual coin-toss… if this game does happen, go with Florida.
Prediction: Panthers 3, Thrashers 1
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Calgary Flames (29-21-8) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (24-21-11)
7:00 ET… TV: CBC, Local Networks

Players to watch:
CGY- Jarome Iginla
TB- Vincent Lecavalier

Projected Goaltenders:
CGY- Miikka Kiprusoff (Last night @ FLA: 12 Saves, 1 GA)
TB- Antero Niittymaki (09/10 stats: 14-9-5, 2.46 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
This is just Calgary’s second trip back to Tampa after the two met in the finals in 2004. With the Flames on the second half of a back-to-back, I’m taking the ‘surging’ Bolts.
Prediction: Lightning 3, Flames 2
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Buffalo Sabres (32-17-7) @ Columbus Blue Jackets (23-27-9)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
BUF- Thomas Vanek
CBJ- R.J. Umberger

Projected Goaltenders:
BUF- Patrick Lalime (09/10 stats: 3-2-2, 3.11 GAA)
CBJ- Steve Mason (09/10 stats: 14-18-6, 3.22 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
How will the Sabres react after two disappointing home losses?? This could either be a snoozer or a doozie. I’m going with Buffalo; they have the character to bounce back.
Prediction: Sabres 3, Blue Jackets 2
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Chicago Blackhawks (37-15-5) @ St. Louis Blues (25-23-9)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
CHI- Jonathan Toews
STL- David Backes

Projected Goaltenders:
CHI- Antti Niemi (09/10 stats: 13-4-1, 1.99 GAA)
STL- Chris Mason (09/10 stats: 17-15-8, 2.50 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
Chicago has dropped 3 in a row, including one to the Blues at home this week. You know they’ll be out to get ‘em. ‘Hawks win a thriller.
Prediction: Blackhawks 5, Blues 3
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San Jose Sharks (37-11-9) @ Nashville Predators (31-21-4)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
SJ- Dany Heatley
NSH- Jason Arnott

Projected Goaltenders:
SJ- Evgeni Nabokov (09/10 stats: 31-8-9, 2.24 GAA)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (09/10 stats: 20-10-3, 2.73 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
San Jose has won 7 straight road games; but that could mean they’re due for a loss, right? The Preds have played the Sharks tough this year, and look for it to continue.
Prediction: Predators 4, Sharks 3 (OT)
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Philadelphia Flyers (28-24-3) @ Minnesota Wild (28-25-4)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
PHI- Chris Pronger
MIN- Martin Havlat

Projected Goaltenders:
PHI- Ray Emery (09/10 stats: 16-11-1, 2.64 GAA)
MIN- Anton Khudobin (09/10 stats: 1-0, 0.00 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
Both teams are looking for points in their respective playoff races. Up against a goalie making his first start, I think Philly rebounds from their ugly loss in Edmonton.
Prediction: Flyers 4, Wild 2
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Edmonton Oilers (18-32-6) @ Colorado Avalanche (31-19-6)
10:00 ET… TV: CBC, Local Networks

Players to watch:
EDM- Sam Gagner
COL- Matt Duchene

Projected Goaltenders:
EDM- Jeff Deslauriers (09/10 stats: 19-14-5, 2.40 GAA)
COL- Craig Anderson (09/10 stats: 27-15-5, 2.48 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
The two teams have split their 4 meetings so far, but Edmonton got waxed 6-0 by the Avs last month. Look for Colorado to beat ‘em up once again.
Prediction: Avalanche 5, Oilers 2

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