Red Light District Hockey: Morning Skate: November 5

Posted by Ryan Porth Labels: Morning Skate

The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Flyers 4, Rangers 1
Blue Jackets 3, Thrashers 0
Senators 4, Islanders 1
Blues 2, Sharks 0
Canucks 3, Avalanche 1
Kings 1, Lightning 0
Predictions record: 5-1

My 3 stars of the night:
1. Jaroslav Halak, STL (25 Saves, Shutout)… Halak was an absolute beast between the pipes for the Blues (again), stopping everything that came his way.
2. Mathieu Garon, CBJ (25 Saves, Shutout)
3. Jonathan Quick, LA (24 Saves, Shutout)
Close but no cigar: J. Spezza, OTT; C. Schneider, VAN; C. Giroux, PHI

Quick-hit observations:
- If you didn’t think St. Louis was for real before yesterday, well you should now. They are 7-1-2 (second-best start in team history) as Jaroslav Halak posted his third shutout of the season. I think the Blues and Red Wings are a tick above Chicago, Nashville, and Columbus at this point.
- San Jose’s third straight donut on the road marks a first in team history.
- When was the last time you heard a 1-0 game between the Kings and Bolts was entertaining? There was a lot of animosity on both sides, particularly between Doughty and Downie (see videos below).
- With a second consecutive shutout, Garon trimmed his goals-against down to 0.86. He’s a big reason why the Jackets are tied atop the Central Division.
- Between Wednesday and Thursday, Atlanta surrendered a total of 96 shots. That obviously has to be fixed.
- Has Cory Schneider been the best backup in the first month? He is a perfect 3-0 with a 0.90 GAA.
- Who leads the Flyers in points? Claude Giroux (13), who has really taken his game to another level this year.

Last night’s controversial hits (click for video):
Thornton on Perron
Carcillo on Fedotenko
Ohlund on D. Brown (no link)
Z. Smith on Gillies (no link)
M. Martin on Spezza (no link)
Doughty on Downie
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Tonight’s Slate:
Rangers @ Devils, 7:00 ET
Bruins @ Capitals, 7:00
Canadiens @ Sabres, 7:30
Hurricanes @ Panthers, 7:30
Flames @ Wild, 8:00
Coyotes @ Stars, 8:30
Red Wings @ Oilers, 9:00
Penguins @ Ducks, 10:00

Game of the Night:
Boston Bruins @ Washington Capitals
7:00 ET… TV: NHL Net. (US), Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Bruins (7-2-0) … Capitals (8-4-0)
Last Ten: Bruins (7-2-0) … Capitals (7-3-0)
Away/Home: Bruins (5-0-0) … Capitals (5-1-0)
Season Series: 2-0 Bruins

Players to watch:
BOS- Milan Lucic
Lucic has been stellar on the top line, and has three points in two games vs. Washington.
WSH- Alexander Semin
Semin is starting to turn it on with five points in the last two games.

Projected Goaltenders:
BOS- Tim Thomas (2010/11 stats: 7-0-0, 0.72 GAA)
WSH- Michal Neuvirth (2010/11 stats: 8-3-0, 2.31 GAA)

Injury Report:
BOS- Marc Savard (concussion, out), Marco Sturm (knee, out), Johnny Boychuk (forearm, out)
WSH- Semyon Varlamov (groin, out), Tom Poti (lower body, out), Marcus Johansson and Tyler Sloan (hip, probable)

Game Thoughts:
For the third time already this season, the B’s and Caps will square off. Boston took the first two meetings in decisive fashion, so you know Bruce Boudreau will have his club ready. The Caps’ only loss at home was to Boston; the B’s have not lost on the road… something’s gotta give! It’s tough to go against Thomas right now, but Washington is my pick.
Prediction: Capitals 3, Bruins 2

Lock of the Night:
Wild over Flames... Backstrom is hot, Calgary is not. Plus, Minnesota took five of six from the Flames last year. I like the Wild tonight.

The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Rangers over Devils
Canadiens over Sabres
Panthers over Hurricanes
Stars over Coyotes
Red Wings over Oilers
Penguins over Ducks
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Sausage Morning Links:
- CBC… Does Taylor Hall have an ‘obsession’ for the No. 4?
- Pro Hockey Talk... The aftermath of Carcillo's hit on Fedotenko; referee told Fedotenko to not duck next time.
- CSN Washington… Corey Masisak profiles Alex Semin’s great start.
- Globe and Mail… James Mirtle takes a look at the opportunity Mike Komisarek now has with Dion Phaneuf sidelined.
- PredLines… Amanda ponders whether Nashville is starting to become a hockey market.
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Video of the Day: