Morning Skate: December 7

The Morning After:
Yesterday’s scores:
Penguins 2, Devils 1
Maple Leafs 5, Capitals 4 (SO)
Thrashers 3, Predators 2 (OT)
Blue Jackets 3, Stars 2 (SO)
Sharks 5, Red Wings 2
Predictions record: 1-4


My 3 stars of the night:
1. Logan Couture, SJ (2 Goals)… Couture helped San Jose claim a huge win in Detroit with a pair of goals, including the game-winner.
2. Sidney Crosby, PIT (1 Goal, 1 Assist)
3. Rick Nash, CBJ (1 Goal, 1 Assist, SO Goal)
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Tonight’s Slate:
Senators @ Canadiens, 7:00 ET
Sabres @ Bruins, 7:30
Avalanche @ Panthers, 7:30
Lightning @ Flames, 9:30
Ducks @ Oilers, 9:30

Game of the Night:
Buffalo Sabres @ Boston Bruins
7:30 ET… TV: VERSUS

Records:
Overall: Sabres (11-13-3) … Bruins (14-8-3)
Last Ten: Sabres (6-4-0) … Bruins (5-3-2)
Away/Home: Sabres (6-5-2) … Bruins (5-5-2)
Season Series: 1-0 Bruins

Players to watch:
BUF- Thomas Vanek
Vanek has played well in the last month (14 points in 12 games).
BOS- Marc Savard
Can Savard finally get on the scoresheet in his third game back?

Projected Goaltenders:
BUF- Ryan Miller (2010/11 stats: 9-7-2, 2.26 GAA)
BOS- Tim Thomas (2010/11 stats: 13-2-2, 1.46 GAA)

Injury Report:
BUF- Tim Connolly (groin, doubtful), Drew Stafford (upper body, doubtful), Shaone Morrisonn (head, questionable), Rob Niedermayer (knee, out)
BOS- Marco Sturm (knee, out), Trent Whitfield (Achilles, out)

Game Thoughts:
These playoff foes from a year ago meet up tonight for their second contest of the year. Boston won in Buffalo in the first go-round, but Lindy Ruff’s bunch is playing better since then, thanks to Miller. The Sabres will look to take advantage of a Boston club that has been shaky at home this year. However, I like the B’s to get by and grab the two points in a tight one.
Prediction: Bruins 2, Sabres 1


The rest of tonight’s predictions:
Canadiens over Senators
Panthers over Avalanche
Flames over Lightning
Ducks over Oilers
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Video of the Day:


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