The NHL Shows Us Some Love with a Dozen Teams on Valentine's Day! [NHL Live Thread]

Hello out there in FanIQ Land and Happy Valentine's Day from all of us here at FanIQ!  Tonight, the NHL isn't quite giving us all a dozen roses, but they are showcasing a dozen teams...close enough, right?

Welcome once again to our new pregame show.  We kicked this off two nights ago and we're hoping it becomes a roaring success!  If you missed Tuesday's fun, no worries, there will be plenty more.  You'll see three of us that will serve as your hosts.  Consider it our version of the NBC studio guys with one major difference.  Those are all guys, here I'm a thorn between two roses.  Tonight I'm happy to say that all three of us are here, I'm joined by our NASCAR blogging queen Debi (JrCanuckFan) and our "Jane of all trades" Jess.  Respectively we're fans of the Pens, Flames, and Ducks.  None of our teams are playing tonight, but that doesn't mean we can't still throw our .02 in!

We're going to showcase each game in a little detail, and give you our picks for the six games on tap tonight.  Ladies?  You're first!  My picks are last.  You all know what to do, the Q train is ready to go for a 6-city tour across America...ALL ABOARD!

We begin at 8th Ave and 34th Street in Manhattan.  The two New York teams are facing off at MSG!

Debi:Rangers are so hot right now and I love that young phenom, Miller, who is all of 20? Years old. I think this will be an easy win for the Rangers
Jess: Obviously I’m taking New York here. Oh – the Rangers. My goalie crush on King Henrik won’t allow me to pick any other way when they’re playing anyone other than the Ducks, which will be all season this year. They’re also better than the Isles.
BK: No, really Jess?  I would've thought you'd pick Philly!  Anywho, yeah Miller is freaking awesome, represent the Burgh kid!  The Isles have lost 5 in a row...here it comes, the streak that buries them for another year.  We're unanimous on this one, Rangers win it.
New York Islanders (4-7-1) @ New York Rangers (7-5-0) - 7:00 PM ET - MSG, MSG+

Next we're headed down south to Raleigh, where the Staal boys and Cam Ward return home after their excellent road trip to host the Leafs!
Debi:Normally, given the way Toronto has been playing, I would probably pick them, but if memory serves me, Carolina has a pretty good record against the Leafs, so I'll take them for the win and maybe Hskrdave will talk to me again ;)
Jess: I still can’t get over the fact that I don’t have to scroll down on the “Standings” page to find the Maple Leafs this year. However, I’m going with the Flames. The Leafs have won 4 in a row, and that’s getting in to vulnerability territory.
BK:Jess means the Canes...I think?  Yes the Leafs have won 4 in a row, but the Canes are coming off that incredible road trip, and this could be one of those classic flat homecomings.  I'm gonna buck the trend and say the Leafs stay hot on the road, Toronto wins.
Toronto Maple Leafs (8-5-0) @ Carolina Hurricanes (7-4-1) - 7:00 PM ET - LTV, FSN Carolina

All the southeast division teams that are still in the southeast are playing tonight.  We head into the Sunshine State for our next two games, first stop, Tampa!

Debi: Poor poor Caps. They have managed to win 4 games I believe (much like my Flames) but they are struggling so much. Sorry but I just can't give them a hope in hell
Jess: I’m going to go ahead and go with the Caps again, if for no other reason than moral support. Tampa Bay’s a much better team but Washington has won 2 in a row…I smell a streak.
BK: Oh yippee, I get to break the tie...I gotta side with Debi on this one.  The Caps have been abysmal all year.  They beat a Panthers team that's going to be in a dogfight with them for the bottom spot in the division this year.  The Bolts never say die, and they win this one on home ice where they've been excellent...oh yeah, and this one is on NHL Network tonight for your viewing pleasure!
Washington Capitals (4-8-1) @ Tampa Bay Lightning (6-5-1) - 7:30 PM ET - CSN Mid-Atlantic, NHL Network

We don't have to go too far for our next game, just down to Miami.  The Habs are visiting the Cats.
Debi:Once again, my son would hate me if I don't pick the Habs but honestly, they are the smart pick, so I'll be smart!!
Jess: Florida is kind of awful this year. Gotta go with the Habs here.
BK: Yeah, this one is a pretty easy unanimous pick.  The Panthers scored 5 goals and STILL lost to the Caps the other night.  They've now used up their entire supply of goals for the month of February, Les Habitants win it on the road.
Montreal Canadiens (7-4-1) @ Florida Panthers (4-6-2) - 7:30 PM ET - RDS, FSN Florida

Next we're headed to Music City USA where the Preds play host to the Coyotes
Debi:I'll take the coyotes just cuz
Jess: I think this is going to be an exciting game. I don’t know who to pick…I’ll flip a coin. Coyotes.
BK: Something tells me the Preds are starting to hit their stride.  The Coyotes are still a bit inconsistent for my liking.  I'm going with the home team to carry the momentum from the shutout of the Sharks a couple nights ago, Nashville sends the crowd home happy!
Phoenix Coyotes (6-5-2) @ Nashville Predators (6-3-4) - 8:00 PM ET - FSN Arizona, FSN Tennessee

Our final game of the evening is in the Twin Cities, nothing super late tonight.  The Wild are home against the Avs.

Debi: As far as the Avs are concerned I have to pick them because I pick the Wild and they lose. So the Avs it is
Jess: Aww what is going on with the Avs? I want to pick them, but they’re ridiculous right now. They seem to do okay in the beginning of games but then completely lose steam in the third period. They held on last game to at least gain a point. I think the Wild bounce back tonight though and take it out on Colorado.
BK:Remember how the other night I said "Minnesota stinketh on the road?"  Well as bad as they are on the road, that's how good they are at home.  I'm breaking this split decision and siding with Jess, Wild win this one on home ice while the road woes and overall struggles continue for the Avs.
Colorado Avalanche (4-6-1) @ Minnesota Wild (6-6-1) - 8:00 PM ET - Altitude, FSN North

As always, this is your place to talk (or bitch) about the game(s) you're watching tonight!  Thank you Jess and Debi, we'll see yinz at intermission, enjoy the games.  Let's get this party started!

BK over and out