Morning Skate: October 31

The Morning After:
Yesterday’s results:
Blue Jackets 3, Ducks 1
Senators 3, Maple Leafs 2
Avalanche 3, Kings 2
Oilers 4, Blues 2
Predictions record: 0-4

RLD 3 stars of the night:
1. Ryan Smyth, EDM (2 goals)
2. Matt Duchene, COL (1 goal)
3. Erik Karlsson, OTT (1 assist)
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Tonight’s slate:
Sharks @ Rangers, 7:00 ET
Jets @ Panthers, 7:30
Predators @ Blackhawks, 8:30

Game of the night:
Nashville Predators (5-4-1) @ Chicago Blackhawks (6-2-2)
8:30 ET… TV: Local Networks

Players to watch:
NSH- David Legwand
‘Leggy’ leads the team in points (9); his two-way presence will be key tonight.
CHI- Jonathan Toews
The ‘Hawks captain has 24 points in 23 career games vs. Nashville.

Starting goaltenders:
NSH- Pekka Rinne (2011-12 stats: 5-4-1, 2.24 GAA)
CHI- Corey Crawford (2011-12 stats: 4-2-2, 2.19 GAA)

Injury report:
NSH- Sergei Kostitsyn (lower body, questionable), Mike Fisher (upper body, doubtful)
CHI- Ben Smith (concussion, out)

Game thoughts:
These Central Division rivals meet up for the first time this season in the Windy City. They split last season’s season series following their playoff series in 2010. The ‘Hawks have looked every bit of the Cup contender that pundits expected them to be. Meanwhile, the Preds are coming off back-to-back impressive victories. This should be an exciting game that is decided in the third period. In the end, I think a healthy Chicago lineup prevails.
Prediction: Blackhawks 3, Predators 2 (SO)

The rest of today’s predictions:
Sharks over Rangers
Jets over Panthers
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Video of the day:


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