Here is a special edition of the Morning Skate! Since 9 of the 11 games have playoff implications, I’m bringing you a full slate of mini-previews… Enjoy!
Today’s Slate:
Capitals @ Bruins, 1:00 ET
Panthers @ Devils, 1:00
Ducks @ Stars, 3:00
Sharks @ Canadiens, 7:00
Maple Leafs @ Senators, 7:00
Sabres @ Islanders, 7:00
Avalanche @ Rangers, 7:00
Hurricanes @ Thrashers, 7:00
Red Wings @ Predators, 8:00
Blues @ Coyotes, 9:00
Wild @ Oilers, 10:00
Games of the Day:
Washington Capitals (39-18-5) @ Boston Bruins (42-12-8)
1:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
WSH- Sergei Fedorov
BOS- Michael Ryder
Projected Goaltenders:
WSH- Jose Theodore (08-09 stats: 23-12-3, 2.82 GAA)
BOS- Tim Thomas (08-09 stats: 27-8-5, 2.01 GAA)
Season Series: 2-1 Capitals
Game Thoughts:
The B’s have regained their form after returning back home… the Caps are looking to take 3 of 4 meetings from Boston in the season series. I believe the Bruins will earn the split.
Prediction: Bruins 4, Capitals 3
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Florida Panthers (31-22-8) @ New Jersey Devils (39-19-8)
1:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
FLA- Nathan Horton
NJ- Zach Parise
Projected Goaltenders:
FLA- Tomas Vokoun (08-09 stats: 20-15-4, 2.84 GAA)
NJ- Martin Brodeur (Thursday vs. COL: 24 saves, shutout)
Season Series: 2-1 Devils
Game Thoughts:
Florida’s looking to improve their playoff hopes with a ‘W’ in Jersey… the Devils want 2 points to extend their lead on Philly in the Atlantic. I’m betting on the latter to happen.
Prediction: Devils 3, Panthers 1
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Anaheim Ducks (30-28-5) @ Dallas Stars (29-24-7)
3:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
ANA- Ryan Getzlaf
DAL- Jere Lehtinen
Projected Goaltenders:
ANA- Jean-Sebastien Giguere (08-09 stats: 16-16-4, 3.14 GAA)
DAL- Marty Turco (08-09 stats: 28-22-7, 2.77 GAA)
Season Series: 2-1 Stars
Game Thoughts:
This is a critical game to the Western Conference playoff picture; both teams are coming off losses. The Stars have struggled since Richards’ injury… the Ducks have been inconsistent all month. I expect Dallas to barely get the win.
Prediction: Stars 2, Ducks 1
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San Jose Sharks (42-9-9) @ Montreal Canadiens (33-22-7)
7:00 ET… TV: CBC, Local Networks
Players to watch:
SJ- Joe Pavelski
MTL- Alexei Kovalev
Projected Goaltenders:
SJ- Evgeni Nabokov (08-09 stats: 32-8-7, 2.48 GAA)
MTL- Jaroslav Halak (Last night @ PHI: 35 Saves, 3 GA)
Season Series: 1st Meeting
Game Thoughts:
Oh, how things have changed. Last Saturday, Montreal’s playoff hopes were suddenly in doubt after their road trip from hell. But they’ve rebounded very nicely. The Sharks had an unimpressive win in Ottawa after their loss in Detroit. I think this one will be very exciting and will go the full 65 minutes-plus!
Prediction: Canadiens 4, Sharks 3 (SO)
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Buffalo Sabres (31-24-7) @ New York Islanders (18-36-7)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
BUF- Jason Pominville
NYI- Bill Guerin
Projected Goaltenders:
BUF- Patrick Lalime (08-09 stats: 2-8-2, 2.97 GAA)
NYI- Yann Danis (08-09 stats: 5-9-2, 2.54 GAA)
Season Series: 2-1 Sabres
Game Thoughts:
This is simply a must-win for Buffalo. You gotta take advantage of these games against bad teams. Will they do it?? That remains in limbo as they haven’t responded well from the injury to Ryan Miller. Sabres in a close one.
Prediction: Sabres 3, Islanders 2
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Colorado Avalanche (28-33-1) @ New York Rangers (31-24-8)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
COL- Milan Hejduk
NYR- Markus Naslund
Projected Goaltenders:
COL- Andrew Raycroft (08-09 stats: 12-9-0, 3.04 GAA)
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (08-09 stats: 26-20-7, 2.52 GAA)
Season Series: 1st Meeting
Game Thoughts:
John Tortorella hasn’t been able to get a win yet behind the bench for the Rangers. They need to win this game against a slumping Colorado team. I think they’ll be able to get the 2 points, but it won’t be easy.
Prediction: Rangers 2, Avalanche 1
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Carolina Hurricanes (32-26-5) @ Atlanta Thrashers (22-34-6)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
CAR- Petr Sykora
ATL- Mike Richards
Projected Goaltenders:
CAR- Cam Ward (08-09 stats: 26-20-3, 2.55 GAA)
ATL- Kari Lehtonen (08-09 stats: 12-19-3, 3.18 GAA)
Season Series: 3-2 Hurricanes
Game Thoughts:
The ‘Canes and Thrashers finish up their season series as Carolina looks to jump into the top 8 in the East. Atlanta has given them all they can handle this year, but I ultimately think Paul Maurice’s bunch will come away with the win.
Prediction: Hurricanes 5, Thrashers 3
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Detroit Red Wings (41-13-8) @ Nashville Predators (30-28-4)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
DET- Pavel Datsyuk
NSH- David Legwand
Projected Goaltenders:
DET- Ty Conklin (08-09 stats: 22-7-1, 2.28 GAA)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (08-09 stats: 19-10-1, 2.21 GAA)
Season Series: 2-1 Red Wings
Game Thoughts:
Nashville has won 3 in a row, and this game means much to them than it does to the Wings… Detroit won twice this week at home. As a Preds fan, I feel really confident about this game as they’ve clicked on all cylinders in the last 4 periods.
Prediction: Predators 4, Red Wings 2
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Minnesota Wild (30-25-5) @ Edmonton Oilers (30-26-5)
10:00 ET… TV: Local Networks
Players to watch:
MIN- Pierre-Marc Bouchard
EDM- Sheldon Souray
Projected Goaltenders:
MIN- Josh Harding (08-09 stats: 2-7-1, 2.14 GAA)
EDM- Dwayne Roloson (08-09 stats: 21-16-5, 2.70 GAA)
Season Series: 2-1 Wild
Game Thoughts:
The Oilers almost need to win this game after getting shutout by Columbus on Thursday. Minnesota looked uninspired in Calgary last night, and has lost 4 of 5 at Rexall Place. Look for the Oilers to come away with the 2 points tonight.
Prediction: Oilers 3, Wild 2
Today’s other predictions:
Maple Leafs over Senators
Coyotes over Blues
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