Morning Skate: March 10

The Morning After:
Yesterday’s results:
Penguins 2, Panthers 1 (SO)
Red Wings 4, Kings 3
Blackhawks 4, Rangers 3
Flames 5, Jets 3

RLD 3 stars of the night:
1. Alex Tanguay, CGY (1 goal, 3 assists)
2. Valterri Filppula, DET (1 goal, 2 assists)
3. Johnny Oduya, CHI (1 goal, 1 assist)
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Today’s slate:
Capitals @ Bruins, 1:00 ET
Oilers @ Avalanche, 3:00
Flyers @ Maple Leafs, 7:00
Sabres @ Senators, 7:00
Devils @ Islanders, 7:00
Hurricanes @ Lightning, 7:00
Blue Jackets @ Blues, 8:00
Red Wings @ Predators, 8:00
Ducks @ Stars, 8:00
Sharks @ Coyotes, 8:00
Canadiens @ Canucks, 10:00

Game of the day:
Detroit Red Wings @ Nashville Predators
8:00 ET… TV: Local Networks

Records:
Overall: Red Wings (44-21-3) … Predators (39-21-7)
Away/Home: Red Wings (16-17-1) … Predators (22-8-5)
Last 10: Red Wings (5-4-1) … Predators (6-3-1)
Season Series: 3-1 Red Wings

Starting goaltenders:
DET- Joey MacDonald (2011-12 stats: 8-3-1, 1.92 GAA)
NSH- Pekka Rinne (2011-12 stats: 37-14-7, 2.36 GAA)

Injury report:
DET- Jimmy Howard and Todd Bertuzzi (groin, questionable), Jakub Kindl (upper body, questionable), Pavel Datsyuk (knee, out), Nicklas Lidstrom (ankle, out), Jonathan Ericsson (wrist, out), Patrick Eaves (concussion, out)
NSH- Kevin Klein (upper body, out)

Three things to watch:
1. Statement game for Nashville?
The Predators remember their last meeting against rival Detroit, a 2-1 loss in the Motor City as Pavel Datsyuk scored in the dying seconds of regulation. That sealed the Red Wings’ third win in four meetings against the Predators, who won the season series a year ago. This reeks of a statement game for Barry Trotz’s club. These two may play in the playoffs, and the Predators want to take care of business tonight.
2. Shorthanded Red Wings
Mike Babcock’s lineup has been semi-decimated of late due to injuries. It has affected their record in that time, going 3-4-1 in their last eight games. The Red Wings will come into this game with Friday’s home win over Los Angeles in their back pocket, but who will start in net? It’ll be interesting to see how a shorthanded Wings team fares tonight against the hungry Predators.
3. Struggling power plays
Coming into this game, neither team’s power play is exactly clicking. In the month of March, Detroit’s man advantage is 0-for-16. Nashville hasn’t had many opportunities of late, going 0-for-8 in the last five games. Nashville’s power play is ranked 2nd in the NHL; Detroit’s is uncharacteristically 18th. Can either unit get it going tonight?

Final thoughts: Detroit has fared well in back-to-backs this season (8-3-0 on the second half), but tonight will not be easy. Trotz’s club is difficult to beat on a Saturday night at home. They want this one bad. Prediction: Predators 4, Red Wings 2

The rest of today’s predictions:
Bruins over Capitals
Avalanche over Oilers
Flyers over Maple Leafs
Sabres over Senators
Devils over Islanders
Lightning over Hurricanes
Blues over Blue Jackets
Ducks over Stars
Sharks over Coyotes
Canucks over Canadiens
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Five must-read links:
- USA Today: Radulov, Predators would benefit if he returns now
- ESPN: Coach Dave Tippett helps the Phoenix Coyotes win despite hard times
- Globe and Mail: Red Wings GM to make pitch for 3-on-3 extra OT
- Washington Times: Lightning’s Steven Stamkos wanted to be more than just a flash in the pan
- Sports Illustrated: Colorado's Orlando Line spelling trouble for foes
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Video of the day:


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