Morning Skate: April 16

The Morning After:
Yesterday’s results:
Predators 3, Red Wings 2
Flyers 8, Penguins 4
Panthers 4, Devils 2
Kings 1, Canucks 0

RLD 3 stars of the night:
1. Jonathan Quick, LA (41 saves, shutout)
2. Danny Briere, PHI (2 goals, 1 assist)
3. Pekka Rinne, NSH (41 saves)
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Tonight’s slate:
Rangers @ Senators, 7:30 ET, Game 3
Bruins @ Capitals, 7:30, Game 3
Blues @ Sharks, 10:00, Game 3

#1 New York Rangers @ #8 Ottawa Senators
Game 3… 7:30 ET… TV: CBC, CNBC, Local Networks

Series: Tied 1-1

Projected starting goaltenders:
NYR- Henrik Lundqvist (Playoff stats: 1-1, 2.48 GAA)
OTT- Craig Anderson (Playoff stats: 1-1, 3.00 GAA)

Injury report:
NYR- Steve Eminger (ankle, out), Michael Sauer (concussion, out), Mats Zuccarello (wrist, out)
OTT- Daniel Alfredsson (head, doubtful), Peter Regin (shoulder, out)

Game thoughts:
Game 2 was huge for Ottawa’s confidence. They obviously sent a physical message early, but they backed it up by hanging with the Rangers all game long and winning in overtime to escape Manhattan with a split. Meanwhile, it was a tough loss for John Tortorella’s club.

It will be interesting to see if the rough stuff carries over to Game 3. I imagine it will. There was a ton of physicality on Saturday night, and it rarely tends to simmer down as the series goes along. Expect the Rangers to try to erase Game 2 from their memory and take the crowd of it early. In the end, this one will come down to the goaltenders. Look for Lundqvist to bounce back after a disappointing finish last game.
Prediction: Rangers 3, Senators 2
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#2 Boston Bruins @ #7 Washington Capitals
Game 3… 7:30 ET… TV: NBC Sports Network, CBC, Local Networks

Series: Tied 1-1

Projected starting goaltenders:
BOS- Tim Thomas (Playoff stats: 1-1, 0.83 GAA)
WSH- Braden Holtby (Playoff stats: 1-1, 0.83 GAA)

Injury report:
BOS- Adam McQuaid (head, doubtful), Nathan Horton (concussion, out), Tuukka Rask (lower body, out)
WSH- Michal Neuvirth (lower body, doubtful), Tomas Vokoun and Tom Poti (groin, out), John Erskine (lower body, out)

Game thoughts:
This has been a pretty enjoyable series to watch thus far. Both games in Boston featured great goaltending duels that went to overtime. Thomas got the better of Holtby in Game 1; vice versa in Game 2.

The Capitals are coming off a hard-fought win and should be playing with a lot of emotion tonight in front of their home crowd. Claude Julien’s Bruins were great on the road this season, so I wouldn’t them to be fazed by a raucous Verizon Center. I like the Caps if Alex Ovechkin can get it going without Zdeno Chara shadowing him. I like the Bruins better if Thomas comes through in the clutch.
Prediction: Bruins 3, Capitals 2
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#2 St. Louis Blues @ #7 San Jose Sharks
Game 3… 10:00 ET… TV: NHL Sports Network, TSN, Local Networks

Series: Tied 1-1

Projected starting goaltenders:
STL- Brian Elliott (Career playoff stats: 1-2, 3.47 GAA)
SJ- Antti Niemi (Playoff stats: 1-1, 2.10 GAA)

Injury report:
STL- Jaroslav Halak (lower body, out)
SJ- Dominic Moore (nose, probable), Colin White (upper body, questionable)

Game thoughts:
Like the Ottawa-New York series, the intensity really ratcheted up in St. Louis in Game 2. The Blues frustrated the Sharks to no end in a 3-0 win, setting off a melee to end the contest. But San Jose got what they wanted out of their trip to the Gateway City – a split.

Now it’s the Blues’ turn to regain home-ice advantage. It won’t be easy as they’ll be entering a hostile Shark Tank without Halak in net. However, Elliott was a tad better than Halak this season, so there shouldn’t be any drop off. If there is, Team Teal should be able to win tonight’s Game 3. Either way, it’s going to be another tightly-contested game with a lot of animosity.
Prediction: Blues 2, Sharks 1 (OT)

Video of the day:


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