It's Wednesday night, so what the heck, let's have some hockey!

I'm kind of glad my Calgary Flames don't play tonight.  It has been a rough year so far.  However, the highlight of my night will, no doubt, be the Ducks hosting the Blackhawks.  I'm sure many of our Q-ers will be watching as well.  

There are only five games going on tonight, but what the heck.  Let's talk some hockey.

Here's the schedule, and my esteemed co-hosts' picks.

7:00 pm

Tampa Bay Lightning (13-15-1) at Toronto Maple Leafs (15-12-2)
Broadcast:  RDS, TSN, SUN

Jess:  I can't pick the Lightning here. Leafs.

Bryan:  FEH!  I gotta take the Leafs to get back on track.

Debi:  Well now, I dunno you two, the Bolts beat Phillie!  And the Leafs are, to quote my co-worker, "sucking hind teat" right now.  Even she doesn't think they can win tonight.  I'll take the Bolts, although I'll probably be sorry.  But then again, what's new?

7:30 pm

Minnesota Wild (16-10-2) at Detroit Red Wings (14-10-5)
Broadcast:  TSN2, NBCSN

Jess:   Minnesota is on the road. Against Detroit. That's about all that needs to be said here; Wings win.

Bryan:  Buffalo Wild Wings?  Hmm, that's making me hungry now.  I'm taking the Wild for a road win at the Joe, beat down the Wings!

Debi:  You know, I would probably take the Wild, because I think they have shown a lot of strength lately, but playing at the Joe?  Nope, gotta go with Jess to break the tie.  Wings win.

9:30 pm

Dallas Stars (13-12-3) at Colorado Avalanche
Broadcast:  FS-SW+, ALT

Jess:  GO AVS!

Bryan:  The Avs play great at home.  I'm gonna say they keep that up tonight against the inconsistent Stars.

Debi:  I feel even more like a traitor after talking to my Dallas friend, John, the other night.  He's the guy I got to watch hockey, and now he is one of us fanatics.  Then a young man from my home town just moved up here and he is also a Stars fan.  However, I believe the Avs will win, regardless of fandom.

San Jose Sharks (12-10-6) at Edmonton Oilers (11-11-6)
Broadcast:  TSN, CSN-CA

Jess:   I don't even know what to think about this game. Neither of these teams are impressing me a whole lot. I'll call it for Edmonton since they're at home, I guess.

Bryan:  This is tough, I have no confidence in either of these teams.  Guess I'll take the Sharks since the Oilers appear to suck worse.

Debi:  Edmonton is the other team in the Battle of Alberta, so I want them to fail.  I can't stand it when they are having good games and the Flames are faltering.  I hate listening to the gloating fans around here, specifically the boss at Boston Pizza.  I want the Sharks to win tonight, so I'll pick them, and hope I'm passing on some good mojo.

10:00 pm

Chicago Blackhawks (24-2-3) at Anaheim Ducks (21-3-4)
Broadcast:  NHLN-US, CSN-CH, FS-W

Bryan:   Okay, the Ducks beat the Hawks in a shootout in Chicago earlier in the season.  The Hawks woke up after losing to The Avs and Oilers.  This is going to be one hell of an exciting game!  I'm gonna take the Ducks to win it, possibly in another OT thriller.  They may be the only team in the west who could take down Chicago in a 7-game series.

Jess:  Crap. BK, you make me feel better but only a little. Chicago scares me, even at home. The Ducks have won 12 straight at home and you know how I feel about vulnerability creeping in during big streaks like that. I hope this isn't the time. Maybe they'll play high on Perry's extension now that they're aware of it.

Debi:  See that "2" in the middle of the 'Hawks' stats?  I believe only one of those was actually earned.  The Avs beat the Hawks down and gave them the first one.  The Oilers fluked the other one.  However, that "3" stat?  One of them was put there by the Ducks, and that was one helluva hard fought game.  Both of these teams deserve to have the record they do, but I honestly think the Ducks have so much more to give.  Add to that the home ice advantage, and the Perry extension, and I really believe the Ducks are going to win this tonight.

Okay, folks, there you have it.  Only a few games on tap, but if you are a puckhead, like the three of us, you'll be watching or following along.  

And finally, just because we love Becky, I'll show you the goal scored by Jarret Stoll last night in the Kings' 3-2 win over Phoenix.