Morning Skate: January 23

The Morning After:
Yesterday’s results:
Penguins 4, Capitals 3 (OT)
Bruins 6, Flyers 5 (SO)
Ducks 3, Avalanche 2

RLD 3 stars of the night:
1. Scott Hartnell, PHI (3 goals)
2. Evgeni Malkin, PIT (1 goal, 2 assists)
3. Bobby Ryan, ANA (2 goals)
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Tonight’s slate:
Islanders @ Maple Leafs, 7:00 ET
Jets @ Hurricanes, 7:00
Blues @ Red Wings, 7:30
Blue Jackets @ Predators, 8:00
Sharks @ Oilers, 9:30
Senators @ Kings, 10:30

Game of the night:
St. Louis Blues @ Detroit Red Wings
7:30 ET… TV: NBC Sports Network, Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Blues (29-12-6) … Red Wings (32-15-1)
Away/Home: Blues (8-9-3) … Red Wings (19-2-1)
Last 10: Blues (8-1-1) … Red Wings (8-2-0)
Season Series: Tied 2-2

Starting goaltenders:
STL- Jaroslav Halak (2011-12 stats: 14-7-5, 2.00 GAA)
DET- Jimmy Howard (2011-12 stats: 29-10-1, 1.98 GAA)

Injury report:
STL- Alexander Steen and Andy McDonald (concussion, out), Kent Huskins (ankle, out)
DET- Patrick Eaves (jaw, out)

Three things to watch:
1. Detroit’s home winning streak
Joe Louis Arena has become a black hole of sorts for opponents since early November. The Red Wings have won 16 straight at home, a new franchise record with each passing win. Mike Babcock’s gang has out-scored the opposition 71-23 in these 16 games. The Blues, who have lost twice already in Detroit this season, will look to snap the streak tonight.
2. Jaroslav Halak’s great play in net
Brian Elliott may be going to the All-Star Game, but Jaroslav Halak is the better goaltender right now. In his last 14 starts, Halak is 11-0-3 with a 1.53 GAA and .939 save percentage. He has won all seven of his starts in January, including three shutouts (1.13 GAA, .954 SV% in that time). This is the goaltender the Blues thought they had acquired in June 2010.
3. Central Division implications
The Central Division is undoubtedly the best division in hockey. The Wings and Blues, along with the Chicago Blackhawks, are separated by one point for the division and conference lead (and don’t forget about the surging Nashville Predators). All of these head-to-head games down the stretch, including tonight in Detroit, will have two big points on the line.

Final thought: This is the fifth meeting between Detroit and St. Louis this season; their last meeting will come in April in St. Louis. Both teams are playing great hockey of late and will be trying to gain (momentary) separation from Chicago. The beat goes on for Detroit. Prediction: Red Wings 2, Blues 1

The rest of today’s predictions:
Maple Leafs over Islanders
Hurricanes over Jets
Predators over Blue Jackets
Sharks over Oilers
Kings over Senators
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Five must-read links:
- Puck Daddy: Shanaban time for Alex Ovechkin after leaping hit on Penguins’ Zbynek Michalek? (Video)
- CSN New England: Horton forced to leave game after blindside head shot
- Buffalo News: Sabres are overdue for change at GM
- Fox Sports West: Defense keying Ducks’ resurgence
- Smashville 24/7: Bourque bringing energy to Preds lineup
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Video of the day:


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