Morning Skate: January 31

The Morning After:
Last night’s scores:
Flyers 2, Islanders 1
Senators 3, Canadiens 2 (OT)
Kings 3, Bruins 2 (SO)
Canucks 5, Maple Leafs 3
Hurricanes 4, Blackhawks 2
Blue Jackets 3, Blues 2 (OT)
Predators 4, Thrashers 3
Coyotes 3, Rangers 2
Flames 6, Oilers 1
Sharks 5, Wild 2
Predictions record: 8-1-1

My 3 stars from last night:
1. Jarome Iginla, CGY (2 Goals, 2 Assists)
It’s safe to say Iginla broke out of his slump with authority, picking up a Gordie Howe hat trick!
2. Daniel Sedin, VAN (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Daniel’s 3 points helped rally the Canucks past Toronto, including the game-winner late in the 3rd.
3. Patrick Marleau, SJ (2 Goals, 1 Assist)
Marleau scored a pair of nice 3rd period goals, and now has a 3-goal advantage on Ovechkin for the NHL lead.
Honorable Mention: C. Ward, A. Burrows, D. Boyd, A. Kopitar, J. Demers, R. Emery, A. Kovalev, M. Erat, E. Nabokov, J. Quick
Dud of the Month:
Edmonton Oilers… January came and went without the Oilers winning ONE game. How in the world do you let happen?!?

Saturday Fantasy Roundup:
Ryan’s Picks:
F- P. Marleau (2 G, 1 A, +1, 2 PPP)
F- A. Burrows (2 G, 2 A, +3)
D- D. Doughty (2 PIM)
G- B. Elliott (27 Saves, 2 GA)
Michael’s Picks:
F- D. Alfredsson (nada)
F- J. Carter (1 A, +1, 2 PIM)
D- S. Weber (nada)
G- R. Luongo (5 Saves, 3 GA)
Chris’ Picks:
F- J. Iginla (2 G, 2 A, +4, 5 PIM, 1 PPP)
F- M. Cammalleri (1 A, 1 PPP)
D- T. Kaberle (-2)
G- J. Halak (34 Saves, 3 GA)
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Today’s Slate:
Red Wings @ Penguins, 12:30 ET
Lightning @ Capitals, 3:00
Islanders @ Panthers, 4:00
Kings @ Devils, 5:00
Coyotes @ Stars, 6:00
Rangers @ Avalanche, 8:00

Games of the Day:
Detroit Red Wings @ Pittsburgh Penguins
12:30 ET… TV: NBC

Records:
Overall: Red Wings (26-19-9) … Penguins (33-21-1)
Last Ten: Red Wings (3-4-3) … Penguins (6-4-0)
Away/Home: Red Wings (11-11-5) … Penguins (15-10-1)
Season Series: First meeting

Players to watch:
DET- Pavel Datsyuk
The Russian Olympian has 6 points in the last 3 games.
PIT- Evgeni Malkin
‘Geno is on a 6-game point streak, and does his best work at home.

Projected Goaltenders:
DET- Jimmy Howard (09/10 stats: 19-11-5, 2.30 GAA)
PIT- Marc-Andre Fleury (09/10 stats: 26-15-1, 2.60 GAA)

Injury Report:
DET- Johan Franzen (knee, out), Tomas Holmstrom (foot, out), Andreas Lilja (head, out)
PIT- Chris Kunitz (abdomen, out), Tyler Kennedy and Alex Goligoski (undisclosed, questionable), Eric Godard (groin, out)

Game Thoughts:
We finally have the Stanley Cup Final rematch we’ve been waiting for! The Red Wings look to avenge their Game 7 loss suffered seven months ago. They’ll also play desperate, as they need a win to get back into the top eight in the West. Pittsburgh is coming off a tough loss to the Senators, but the power play is turning around. It will be a tough battle, and I see the Pens edging the Wings in overtime.
Prediction: Penguins 4, Red Wings 3 (OT)
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Los Angeles Kings @ New Jersey Devils
5:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Kings (32-19-3) … Devils (35-16-2)
Last Ten: Kings (7-3-0) … Devils (4-5-1)
Away/Home: Kings (18-10-1) … Devils (18-8-0)
Season Series: First meeting

Players to watch:
LA- Anze Kopitar
Kopitar is stepping it up again, with 8 points on this current road trip.
NJ- Travis Zajac
Zajac is coming off a 4-point performance, and has played well in 4 games vs. L.A.

Projected Goaltenders:
LA- Jonathan Quick (Last night @ BOS: 31 Saves, 2 GA)
NJ- Martin Brodeur (09/10 stats: 32-16-2, 2.21 GAA)

Injury Report:
LA- Jack Johnson (arm, doubtful), Justin Williams (leg, out), Davis Drewiskie and Andrei Loktionov (shoulder, out)
NJ- Patrik Elias (concussion, out), Paul Martin (arm, out), David Clarkson (leg, out)

Game Thoughts:
Los Angeles comes into Newark on a 6-game road winning streak. They’ll face a Devils team that is looking to keep up with the Capitals, who are pulling away atop the East. This is going to be a tough turnaround for the Kings after last night’s shootout win in Boston. I really think New Jersey will be able to pull it out, but L.A. won’t go away.
Prediction: Devils 3, Kings 2

The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Capitals over Lightning
Panthers over Islanders
Stars over Coyotes
Avalanche over Rangers

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