Daily Cross Checks

Saturday October 10

Who’s playing in the NHL tonight? Where can I find it on TV? When should I turn on the aforementioned TV? Most importantly, should I even bother turning on the TV? Here’s a place to find all the games of the night and talk about them to your hearts content. Don’t worry; tomorrow we’ll start all over. Hockey fans, these are your Daily Cross-Checks.

New Jersey at Florida
Time: 4 PM PST
TV: MSG (HD), FS-F (HD)
Home games don’t seem as comforting when they are the second game of a back-to-back. Coming off of last nights game against the Hurricanes, the Panthers get their shot at the lackluster Devils. The Devils look to build on their last second heroics against the Lightning by beating the OTHER team in Florida.

NY Islanders at Boston
Time: 4 PM PST
TV: MSG PLUS (HD), NESN (HD)
The good news for Islander fans is that they’ve forced overtime in their two previous games. The bad news is they’ve managed to lose both games. Depending on your expectations of the Isles, that could be a good thing or a bad thing. Either way, I’m sure the Bruins would have loved to earn even a single point after the Ducks destroyed them 6-1 in their last game. If they play the same way, Islander fans will be celebrating their first win of the season. It might even be in regulation!

Pittsburgh at Toronto
Time: 4 PM PST
TV: MSG PLUS (HD), NESN (HD)
The Defending Stanley Cup Champs visit the Mecca of the hockey world. Probably not the way the Maple Leafs wanted to try to get their first win of the season. The Pens rebounded from a home loss to the Coyotes by beating the rival Flyers 6-5 in their last game. Somehow, I doubt there’s going to be the same kind of emotion in the building for the Pens.

Atlanta at Ottawa
Time: 4 PM PST
TV: None Listed
It’s early, but the Thrashers have the 4th best power play in the young season. Ilya Kovalchuk is playing like—well, Ilya Kovalchuk. The casual Senators fan might not know it, but this is one of those games that Pascal Leclaire is going to have show that he’s ready to be the #1 goalie in Ottawa. If he’s not on the top of his game, the Thrashers will remind everyone why they’re the top scoring team in the league thusfar.

Washington at Detroit
Time: 4 PM PST
TV: CSN-DC (HD), FS-D (HD)
The biggest fear that Red Wings have about their team seems to be the penalty kill. Here’s a bit of advice, don’t take many penalties against the Capitals. I don’t think it would be a good mix.

Anaheim at Philadelphia
Time: 4 PM PST
TV: KDOC, CSN-PH (HD)
Over the last few years, everyone around the league has thought that Chris Pronger has been a dirty player except for Ducks fans. We’ll see if they still hold that opinion after their first matchup against the new Flyers defenseman. As we all know though, the major story like is Luca Sbisa’s return to Philadelphia—where he played for both the Flyers AND the Phantoms. It must be emotional for him. That’s all the sarcasm I have…

Carolina at Tampa Bay
Time: 4:30 PM PST
TV: FS-CR, SUN (HD)
Like the Panthers, the Hurricanes get a back-to-back games in different cities on Saturday night. Unfortunately, both the Lightning and the Hurricanes have gotten off to a rough start to the season. A week into the season, they’re battling to stay out of the basement of what has traditionally been one of the weakest divisions in the NHL. Both will look to use this game as a springboard towards righting the ship.

Buffalo at Nashville
Time: 5 PM PST
TV: MSG-B
The undefeated Predators might not have the best goal differential in the league—but you only need to score ONE more goal than your opposition to win the game. Identical 3-2 scores (one in a shootout) have the Predators off to a hot start. The Sabres have had identical scores themselves—both 2-1 (a win and a loss). Buffalo looks to build on their win against the surprising Coyotes as they hit the road against another Western Conference opponent.

Los Angeles at St Louis
Time: 5 PM PST
TV: FS-W (HD), FS-MW (HD)
Two of the young guns in the West get together to measure themselves in St. Louis. The Kings have given up 7 goals in their last two games—both victories. Of those 7 goals: 6 were on the power play and once was on a delayed penalty. For you math majors out there, that means the Kings haven’t given up a 5-on-5 goal since Opening Night. Does anyone think there’s another key to the game? The Blues look to bounce back after an underwhelming performance in their home opener. Which team will show up? The team that beat the Wings twice in Sweden or the team that lost to the Thrashers?

Colorado at Chicago
Time: 5:30 PM PST
TV: ALT (HD), CSN-CH (HD)
The Avs look to bounce back from their first loss of the season as the visit the United Center and the Blackhawks. Even though they’ve already played one “home” game, this will be the Hawks first game in Chicago—and it couldn’t come at a better time. Despite dominating the Panthers in both games in Finland, they only earned a split against Florida. The Red Wings served as their welcoming committee in giving them their 2nd loss of the season. The Avs look to rinse out the taste of defeat as well as they try to put Thursday’s game in Nashville behind themselves. Man, road trips are going to be tough through the Central Division this year.

Columbus at Phoenix
Time: 6 PM PST
TV: FS-O
Both teams look to bounce back from their first losses of the season. Both were doubled up on the road on Tuesday (Columbus 6-3; Phoenix 2-1). The atmosphere should be interesting to see as the Coyotes recently announced that opening night will be a sell out. No matter what happens in the courtroom—it’s going to take continued winning for the fans to show up in bunches. At least their off to the right start!

Montreal at Edmonton
Time: 7PM PST
TV: CBC (HD), RDS
Your weekly Hockey Night in Canada nightcap will feature a couple of teams that are right at .500. Both teams are currently lead points by DEFENSEMEN (Paul Mara and Denis Grebeshkov). If their the Oilers or the Habs want to have success this season, that’s going to have to change.

Minnesota at San Jose
Time: 7:30 PM PST
TV: FS-N, CSN-CA (HD)
I’m going to go out on a limb and say that the Wild fall behind 3-0. I don’t know if they’ll come back and win or not, but they’ll be trailing 3-0. Don’t believe me? Check out their last two teams against Californian teams. Here’s a hint though: they might want to slow down the Sharks top line better than they did against the Kings top line. If not, Heatley and Thornton might have 89 combined points by the end of the night.

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