Morning Skate: December 26

To celebrate Christmas, here is a deluxe version of the Morning Skate, covering all 13 games on tonight’s schedule!!

Tonight’s Slate:
Devils @ Capitals, 7:00 ET
Islanders @ Rangers, 7:00
Flyers @ Hurricanes, 7:00
Canadiens @ Maple Leafs, 7:00
Senators @ Sabres, 7:00
Blue Jackets @ Red Wings, 7:00
Thrashers @ Lightning, 7:30
Blackhawks @ Predators, 8:00
Blues @ Wild, 8:00
Stars @ Avalanche, 9:00
Kings @ Coyotes, 9:00
Oilers @ Canucks, 10:00
Ducks @ Sharks, 10:30

Tonight’s Premier Games:
New Jersey Devils @ Washington Capitals
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Devils (26-8-1) … Capitals (23-8-6)
Last Ten: Devils (9-1-0) … Capitals (7-3-0)
Away/Home: Devils (13-2-1) … Capitals (11-2-3)
Season Series: 3-0 Devils

Players to watch:
NJ- Patrik Elias
He is still hotter than a pistol, tallying a point in 8 straight games.
WSH- Alex Ovechkin
Ovie has 14 points in December already.

Projected Goaltenders:
NJ- Martin Brodeur (09/10 stats: 23-8-1, 2.10 GAA)
WSH- Michal Neuvirth (09/10 stats: 2-2-0, 3.27 GAA)

Injury Report:
NJ- David Clarkson (leg, out), Paul Martin (arm, out), Dainius Zubrus (knee, out)
WSH- Semyon Varlamov (groin, out), Brian Pothier (ribs, out), Boyd Gordon (back, out)

Game Thoughts:
New Jersey has flat-out owned the Caps this season, taking the first three games of the season series. But you know Ovechkin & company will be determined to change that, and avoid being swept by Lemaire’s Devils. My head says New Jersey… my guts says Washington.
Prediction: Capitals 3, Devils 2 (SO)
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Chicago Blackhawks @ Nashville Predators
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Blackhawks (24-9-3) … Predators (22-12-3)
Last Ten: Blackhawks (7-3-0) … Predators (7-2-1)
Away/Home: Blackhawks (8-5-2) … Predators (12-6-1)
Season Series: Tied 2-2

Players to watch:
CHI- Jonathan Toews
Captain Toews has been pretty consistent lately, and normally gives Nashville fits.
NSH- David Legwand
‘Leggy’ usually saves his best for Chicago, and needs to play well in all areas.

Projected Goaltenders:
CHI- Cristobal Huet (09/10 stats: 16-8-2, 2.16 GAA)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (09/10 stats: 14-6-2, 2.75 GAA)

Injury Report:
CHI- Cam Barker (lower body, questionable), Ben Eager (upper body, questionable), Dave Bolland (back, out), Adam Burish (knee, out)
NSH- Jerred Smithson (hand, out), Jordin Tootoo (foot, out)

Game Thoughts:
The ‘Hawks and Preds will open up a key back-to-back slate tonight in the Music City. Chicago currently holds a 4-point lead in the division. These will be the last two games between the two this season – good planning by the NHL! Nashville has taken the previous two matchups. I think the Preds will return home from a successful western swing and get the ‘W’.
Prediction: Predators 3, Blackhawks 2
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The rest of tonight’s action:
New York Islanders (14-17-7) @ New York Rangers (18-16-3)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
NYI- John Tavares
NYR- Chris Drury

Projected Goaltenders:
NYI- Dwayne Roloson (09/10 stats: 12-7-5, 2.87 GAA)
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (09/10 stats: 16-13-3, 2.41 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
The Isles/Rangers rivalry resumes, with both teams getting a win in their home-and-home last week. Tonight, I believe the Rangers will continue their newly found winning ways.
Prediction: Rangers 4, Islanders 1
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Philadelphia Flyers (16-18-2) @ Carolina Hurricanes (9-22-6)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
PHI- Mike Richards
CAR- Jussi Jokinen

Projected Goaltenders:
PHI- Michael Leighton (09/10 stats: 2-4-0, 3.88 GAA)
CAR- Cam Ward (09/10 stats: 7-2-5, 2.86 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
With Boucher probably getting another night off with a lacerated finger, the ‘Canes could make it rough on their ex-teammate Leighton.
Prediction: Hurricanes 4, Flyers 2
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Montreal Canadiens (18-18-3) @ Toronto Maple Leafs (13-17-8)
7:00 ET… TV: CBC

Players to watch:
MTL- Tomas Plekanec
TOR- Phil Kessel

Projected Goaltenders:
MTL- Jaroslav Halak (09/10 stats: 9-5-0, 2.57 GAA)
TOR- Jonas Gustavsson (09/10 stats: 7-6-6, 2.85 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
One reason why the Habs should win: their power play is easily the hottest in the league (almost automatic), and Toronto has the worst penalty kill.
Prediction: Canadiens 3, Maple Leafs 1
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Ottawa Senators (18-15-4) @ Buffalo Sabres (22-11-3)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
OTT- Milan Michalek
BUF- Derek Roy

Projected Goaltenders:
OTT- Pascal Leclaire (09/10 stats: 8-6-1, 2.98 GAA)
BUF- Ryan Miller (09/10 stats: 21-8-2, 1.99 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
Already without Spezza, the Sens became even more shorthanded with Alfredsson’s shoulder injury. I really like Buffalo in this one...
Prediction: Sabres 4, Senators 1
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Columbus Blue Jackets (14-17-7) @ Detroit Red Wings (18-14-5)
7:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
CBJ- Rick Nash
DET- Pavel Datsyuk

Projected Goaltenders:
CBJ- Mathieu Garon (09/10 stats: 4-4-2, 2.96 GAA)
DET- Jimmy Howard (09/10 stats: 11-8-1, 2.39 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
These are two struggling teams in the West, but Columbus has been terrible lately. They are playing with no confidence or passion. Detroit gets back on track tonight…
Prediction: Red Wings 4, Blue Jackets 2
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Atlanta Thrashers (18-14-4) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (13-15-9)
7:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
ATL- Maxim Afinogenov
TB- Ryan Malone

Projected Goaltenders:
ATL- Ondrej Pavelec (09/10 stats: 9-9-3, 3.39 GAA)
TB- Mike Smith (09/10 stats: 6-10-5, 3.12 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
This is a tough game to get a finger on, and is a virtual toss-up. In the end, I think the Thrashers will prevail in overtime/shootout.
Prediction: Thrashers 4, Lightning 3 (OT)
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St. Louis Blues (17-14-5) @ Minnesota Wild (18-16-3)
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
STL- David Backes
MIN- Andrew Brunette

Projected Goaltenders:
STL- Chris Mason (09/10 stats: 11-10-4, 2.48 GAA)
MIN- Niklas Backstrom (09/10 stats: 16-12-3, 2.45 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
St. Louis and Minnesota have made recent charges to move up the Western Conference standings. It should be a good low-scoring affair, with the Wild edging it out.
Prediction: Wild 3, Blues 2 (SO)
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Dallas Stars (16-10-11) @ Colorado Avalanche (21-12-6)
9:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
DAL- Brad Richards
COL- Paul Stastny

Projected Goaltenders:
DAL- Alex Auld (09/10 stats: 5-2-3, 2.97 GAA)
COL- Peter Budaj (09/10 stats: 3-3-1, 2.41 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
Dallas visits Colorado for the first time this year. I think the Stars have a real good shot, but the pesky Avs put another one in the win column.
Prediction: Avalanche 4, Stars 2
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Los Angeles Kings (22-12-3) @ Phoenix Coyotes (23-13-2)
9:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
LA- Ryan Smyth
PHX- Shane Doan

Projected Goaltenders:
LA- Jonathan Quick (09/10 stats: 20-11-3, 2.58 GAA)
PHX- Ilya Bryzgalov (09/10 stats: 21-10-2, 2.02 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
The Kings and Coyotes reunite once again, with the Kings taking 3 of the first 4 meetings. I think Phoenix has the upper-hand tonight since Bryzgalov is so good at home.
Prediction: Coyotes 3, Kings 2
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Edmonton Oilers (15-18-4) @ Vancouver Canucks (21-16-0)
10:00 ET… TV: CBC

Players to watch:
EDM- Dustin Penner
VAN- The Sedins

Projected Goaltenders:
EDM- Jeff Deslauriers (09/10 stats: 8-8-2, 2.88 GAA)
VAN- Roberto Luongo (09/10 stats: 17-12-0, 2.37 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
The last time Edmonton visited GM Place, they were smoked in a hurry. They’ll have revenge on their minds, but Vancouver will finish their long homestand with another victory.
Prediction: Canucks 4, Oilers 2
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Anaheim Ducks (15-15-7) @ San Jose Sharks (22-8-7)
10:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
ANA- Bobby Ryan
SJ- Patrick Marleau

Projected Goaltenders:
ANA- Jonas Hiller (09/10 stats: 11-10-2, 2.89 GAA)
SJ- Evgeni Nabokov (09/10 stats: 19-5-7, 2.33 GAA)

Game Thoughts:
Anaheim has given San Jose everything they can handle this year, but have come up short each time. I don’t see it being any different tonight in the Shark Tank.
Prediction: Sharks 3, Ducks 1

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