We are obviously on a time crunch, please don’t procrastinate. I went over it with Sparty and we decided to make it $20. Too much? One less trip to the drive-thru this week should cover it (Trey: PACIFIC SHRIMP TACO-LESS WEEK???? NO!!!!!!!!).

• $20
• please send via Paypal to patphish2000@hotmail.com , TODAY.
• Don’t have Paypal account? Bow your head in shame, then email me and Ill send you my address so you can mail me CASH TOMORROW. Don’t send me a check next Thursday. I’ll cash it, spend it, and not count your entry.
• Once I receive your $ or email I will send you the invite and the password to the group.
• Winner take all.
• Unlimited amount of entries, you want to lose 5 times, that’s your prerogative.
• No consulting with GITC to find the champ

Again, sign up now, it takes 2 minutes. Feel free to invite your friends, family, & co-workers (you know, that asshole in accounting who will pick UConn). Email me with questions, the sooner the better.

That is all,

patphish

The brackets are out, and while I wrote most of this last night. TBL did something similar. I’m sure most blogs did. I’m unoriginal.

1) Duke’s Warp Zone to the Final Four…Like many people I am puzzled why people are puzzled by the fact that most popular college basketball team on the planet would be gifted such a smooth path to Indianapolis. Your explanation: After the first two days of the tournament viewership drops, presumably because most people’s brackets have gone to total dog ass. However, millions hang on merely to watch Duke get knocked out. The longer it takes Duke to get knocked out the longer you tune it. It’s not fucking rocket science.

2) The Upset to Displace ALL Upsets…People are jumping all over the obvious. UTEP over Butler!!!! Then if it does happen they’ll be throwing their printed bracket in your face, screaming how they like 20 Million other Americans called it and how they’re now smarter than Dick Vitale’s bad eye. That game is too obvious, I need something that really would take down people. Louisville over Cal! That’s a fucking upset pick!

3) The Play-in Game…I went to three straight. Worth every penny. I’ve never really watched one on TV. It is boring as sin. Discuss.

4) Podding…It seems as if the NCAA threw the worst cities in the United States in a  hat and picked them out as cities to start their precious tournament (Providence, Spokane, Buffalo, Milwaukee, Jacksonville, etc.).  The NCAA played the stimulus card and sent the Kentucky Wildcats and their herd of fans to New Orleans. Syracuse gets to bus over to Buffalo. Kansas and Kansas State are starting in OKC. Kansas stays local for the second round, while Syracuse travels all the way out to Salt Lake City…Who got the best draw location wise? BYU. If the 7th seed gets to the Sweet 16, they’re in SLC also. Oops.

5) Team That Was Seeded Too High…Probably New Mexico. Although I thought most the seeding was done well, the committee dicked over Gonzaga for years even though they would rack up a similar record playing a tougher schedule. Anywho, this is reaching…plus we have it out for the MWC, or so their fans say.

6) Team That Was Seeded Too Low…Tennessee. 14th in the RPI. 25 Wins. 19th Ranked SOS. Wins over the #1 and #2 teams in the country. You sir are awarded a 6 seed, the same seed as a Notre Dame team that was squarely on the bubble a week and a half ago. It was the committee way of telling Mr. Pearl…we need more nipple!

7) Team With a Legit Gripe For Being Left Out…Mississippi State. They were .4 seconds away from dancing, but a put back by Kentucky ripped their still beating hearts out and left them campaigning for a spot. Granted their strength of schedule was complete garbage and early loses to Rider and Western Kentucky probably did them in, but they did try. How were they to know UCLA and Depaul would be complete shit this year.

8 ) Team That Shouldn’t Be In…Cal. With no wins to write home about, the fact that they played in the Pac-10 was definitely the deciding factor, even though the league was complete shit this year. If they were in any mid-major they’d be NITing right now.

9) How To Get Rid of Crabs…Apply. Brush. Dry. Brought to you by the University of California – Santa Barbara They take on Ohio State in the first round. Coincidence?

10) Can a _____ beat a ______…My wife is famous for this reasoning when it comes to filing out a bracket. Would a Terrier beat a Badger? Can a Gael whoop a Spider? This year’s tournament features the ultimate brain fuck…Can an Aggie beat an Aggie? What the fuck is an Aggie? Can they fight each other? Safe to say most women will be popping Advil trying to answer this gem.

Both teams blow, but don’t you think a UConn vs. UNC semifinal at the Garden might turn some heads? Memphis and Illinois?

They weren’t stupid, they fudged their seeding to assure big teams would be playing big games, every night of their tourney. For example:

The potential second round match-up between Cincy and Dayton. Nationally, a snoozer. Locally, a likely sellout at either location. Especially Dayton. Dayton sells out minor league baseball games, they’ll definitely fill their arena for an exhibition basketball match.

The potential second round match-up of Memphis and Ole Miss. Separated by only 70 miles, the two have played each other in football annually on and off for decades. Again, a local sellout.

I probably won’ t watch a single minute because I dedicated way too much time to this tournament the last two years, but this is definitely the best possible scenario for ESPN, who often finds themselves overshadowed this time of the year.

I am a Clipper fan, a proud one (amidst all the ridicule that comes with being one). With this news out in the way, it is a sign that that the much maligned owner Donald Sterling has had enough of the frustrations the Clipper fans have had. Yes, we made the playoffs once, was close to another and remained perpetually atrocious all other times.

Neil Olshey is the temporary GM, but we will presume he is just there to handle things until the new GM comes in. Yahoo!’s Adrian Wojnarowski has already suggested current Nuggets GM Mark Warkentien (who is part of the FA Class of 2010) as a possible replacement. As a No. 2, he is just fine, especially with the deals he pulled off.

For me, what is exactly needed would be someone to first buy the Clippers away from Donald Sterling, then get a good quality young GM, then a good quality young coach. The Clippers have cap space and good decent players (Kaman, Griffin, Gordon).

It is frustrating though, seeing being blown out game after game. Maddening, indeed.

/Clipper fan’d.

(kindly oblige as y’all got your rooting interests)

Yes, I am amidst the backdrop that is the success of the National Fist over the “Hitter.” The sentiment here is that we will take the win, but it left much to be desired. People wanted more action, but it is what it is, so we just had to deal with it.

Of course, when it is Selection Sunday, all sports take a back seat to the madness that is the NCAA Tournament. Come to think of it, even work takes a back seat to the Madness. I am sure you know about the Sparty and Friends Group on ESPN’s Tournament Challenge. You can also opt to check that group, if you must. Oh, I presume we will have a preview of the brackets c/o the TWTWCBB peeps. I am still waiting for our NIT bracket madness.

Very well, it is time to knock yourselves out with the links.

Something was amiss with Patphish’s TMA yesterday. I presume this is the one.We all know what is next for him.

Speaking of the NIT, their bracket has been released.

A trade involving Peyton and Brady went down. Meanwhile LdT moves east to be Shonn Greene’s caddy.

The Celtics got really old. And you better Fear the Deer.

This is what you can see in Trey’s Magic Kingdom.

Jazz got thunderstruck.

Packers fans are truly one of a kind. They will give their own blood for them.

It may be unlikely, but that would be one absolute nightmare for Mets fans.

0.1 second makes the difference between the Big Dance and the Little Dance.

Futbol news: the end of Becks?

Some things never change, like Agassi vs Sampras.

The guide people need to know regarding the schedule of the Big Dance, especially where Gus Johnson is. (Interesting that they placed him on ALL CAPS)

Video link: the March Madness edition

We are obviously on a time crunch, please don’t procrastinate. I went over it with Sparty and we decided to make it $20. Too much? One less trip to the drive-thru this week should cover it.

• $20
• please send via Paypal to patphish2000@hotmail.com , TODAY.
• Don’t have Paypal account? Bow your head in shame, then email me and Ill send you my address so you can mail me CASH TOMORROW. Don’t send me a check next Thursday. I’ll cash it, spend it, and not count your entry.
• Once I receive your $ or email I will send you the invite and the password to the group.
• Winner take all.
• Unlimited amount of entries, you want to lose 5 times, that’s your prerogative.
• No consulting with GITC to find the champ

Again, sign up now, it takes 2 minutes. Feel free to invite your friends, family, & co-workers (you know, that asshole in accounting who will pick UConn). Email me with questions, the sooner the better.

That is all,

patphish

As a Jets fan, he’s a nice backup insurance policy.

I’m no NFL talent evaluator, but seriously, is Seneca Wallace and this clown better than Derek Anderson and Brady Quinn? Should have just stuck with Tim Couch.

The good news about laying in bed all day was the bounty of college hoops that I watched. My observations: Purdue is done. Evan Turner, wow. Kentucky is full of douchebags, super talented douchebags. Kansas is very good, not title winner good. The ACC is a joke this year. Washington, Houston, Illinois and Mississippi St may ruin Treys day today. My 2 cents, they deserve to get in, I just can’t figure who they should bump.

The tourney is going to be weird this year with 3 of the top 5 programs in history not invited in UCLA, North Carolina, and Indiana and a few more great schools from the last 25 years also missing in UConn, Arizona and Oklahoma.

Speaking of the tourney, here is the Sparty and Friends tourney challenge. Winner gets to do Sunday TMA for a week!

Whatever you do, don’t let this guy near your QB’s.

Is anyone NOT hurt.

True story: Carl Pavano beaned me when he was a freshman and I was a senior in high school. He threw harder than anyone I ever faced, mid nineties at 15 years old. I got up after about 5 minutes and wanted to stay in the game, the coaches, umpires, and school administrators all decided that wasn’t going to happen. After a trip to the E.R. to be checked, my dad stopped at a field near my house on the way  home. He had me get in the box and take a round of bp, by moonlight. I never had any fear getting in the box going forward, here’s hoping David Wright isn’t afraid either.

Just because: Lamebook rules, rules, , rules!

Day ruiner: if you didn’t change your clocks last night, it is now one hour later than you think it is.

We’ve got some good roundball action on the slate for today:

All your comments are belong to us!!*

*translation: feel free to drop us a line or threveteen in the comments

At least the Big 10 might sneak 2 more teams into the tourney.*

The Washington Redskins made their first free agent move, and have given a bloated contract to washed up running back Larry Johnson. I can only imagine how much LDT will want now. (NFL Spin Zone)

How is forgetting to activate a starter not number 1? I get so pissed when I forget. (Joe Sports Fan)

Too many preseason games. *Nods heads* (Kevin Payne)

Been a long time since we interviewed anyone. The Scores Report will be sitting down with Seth Davis, but here is a previewing of Sethy. (The Scores Report)

And there it is. The Tiger Woods Sex Doll. (Sportress of Blogitude)

Syracuse Orange is a bit of a perv. (Guyism)

The police station that is investigating Ben Roethlisberger got off to a picture perfect start. (Sporting Blog)

*doesn’t give a shit

So go on, indulge yourself, that’s right, kick off your shoes, put your feet up, lean back and just enjoy the melodies madness. After all, music college basketball soothes even the savage beasts.

Am I gonna be by myself?

Squandering a late lead in the Big Ten quarterfinal match-up against disappointing Michigan, Ohio State found themselves trailing 2 with 2 seconds left on the clock.  Everyone in attendance and watching the game knew who they wanted to get the ball to, well, everyone except Michigan apparently.    Evan Turner took the inbounds and fired a shot from about 35ft away and watched it go in as the buzzer sounded, keeping the Buckeyes tournament season going.

We have been stating all year that Turner is the best player, long before others jumped on the bandwagon.  Forget Jon Scheyer, John Wall and Demarcus Cousins.  Turner is Ohio State basketball this year.   Turner is the Player of Year.  What else does this guy need to do?  Break his back and comeback to win ball games?  Oh yeah, he did that.

If your team was on the bubble, and they won yesterday, breath a deep sigh of relief, because chances are you’re in. This bubble absolutely blows. To say one really exists would be pressing your luck.

 Say goodbye to any shot of the tournament UAB and Arizona State. You can’t be on the wrong side of the bubble, and then lose to subpar teams in your conference tourneys.

The first part is fairly easy…

Your One School Conference Bids (21) :
America East – Stony Brook
Atlantic Sun – East Tennessee State
Big Sky – Montana
Big South- Winthrop
Big West – UC- Santa Barabara
Colonial – Old Dominion
Horizon- Butler
Ivy -Cornell
MAAC- Siena
MAC – Kent State
MEAC – Morgan State
Missouri Valley – Northern Iowa
Northeast – Robert Morris
Ohio Valley – Murray State
Patriot – Lehigh
Southern – Wofford
Southland – Sam Houston State
Southwestern – Arkansas – Pine Bluff
Summit – Oakland
Sun Belt – North Texas
WAC – Utah State

Here is where it gets tricky, there are a lot of good teams with good wins out there. And there is always some 13 loss team the selection committee throws in so people can bitch about it, but here’s how I see it finishing…

Your Multiple Bid Leagues (in order of finish):

A-10 (3) – Temple, Xavier, Richmond
ACC (7) – Duke, Maryland, Virginia Tech, Florida State, Wake Forest, Clemson, Georgia Tech
Big East (8) – Syracuse, West Virginia, Pitt, Villanova, Marquette, Louisville, Georgetown, Notre Dame
Big 10 (4) – Purdue, Michigan State,  Ohio State, Wisconsin
Big 12 (7) – Kansas, Kansas State, Texas A&M, Texas, Baylor, Oklahoma State, Missouri
Conference USA (2) – UTEP, Memphis
Mountain West (4) – New Mexico, BYU, UNLV, San Diego State
Pac 10 (2) – Cal, Washington
SEC (5) -Kentucky, Vanderbilt, Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss
WCC (2)- St. Mary’s, Gonzaga

And just missing the cut:

Seton Hall,  Illinois, Mississippi State, Cincinnati,

And your 1 seeds:

Kansas, Kentucky, Duke, WVU

Out This Week:

Memphis will hang on to probably be the last team into the dance because the bubble is absolute garbage…and they want  to allow 96 teams in. However, a win by Illinois today, and that could change.

USF was destroyed by Georgetown and is officially NIT-ing.

Arizona State’s loss to 13-17 Stanford was probably the most devastating loss yesterday. This basically assures that Washington will be in with a win tonight.

Andy Glockner used to work for ESPN, he is now with SI.  Sports Illustrated used to be the crowning jewel of sports commentary.  Now they have hired several writers that way below average when it comes to providing analysis and insight on sports.  They occasionally have columnist from newspapers write special features, and those guys are good. However, the guys that are on staff are very weak at what they are supposed to be good at.   Glockner has put together his field of 64 as of last night.  As much as we like to rag on Joe Lunardi at ESPN because he is a nerd, the guy does a great job at projecting the field.  He usually misses very little once the brackets come out on Selection Sunday.  However, Glockner is not very good at it.  Just take a look at some of his picks to make the tournament, and their projected seeds. Here are some that jumped out at us.

Duke as a 2 Seed: We hate Duke.  That is not something we shy away from.  However, Duke deserves a number 1 seed.  Though the ACC was not as strong as past seasons, Duke still was able to tie for the conference crown, and finish with a top 4 finish in the rankings, along with a RPI of 2 along with a SOS of 8.  Unless Glockner thinks they lose in the conference tourney today, there is no way Duke loses their #1 seed.

Texas and Michigan State as 6 Seeds: Texas beat Michigan State earlier in the year when they were playing like a Top 3 team.  Texas has since played like a team ranked closer to 40.  I know their RPI is 25, but a lot of that has to do with playing in the Big 12 and their early season success.  Yes it should be taken into account, but what they have done lately is more indicative of who they are this season.  Michigan State has been ranked in the Top 15 all year long.  Though they lost at Texas and at UNC(early in the year), the only time they had an extended losing streak was when Kalin Lucas was injured.  Since then, they managed to beat #5 Purdue on the road and lock up a share of the Big Ten Conference title. Nobody has Michigan State lower than a 4 seed besides Glockner, which they would secure if Minnesota beat them tonight, though Chris Allen is suspended.  If MSU runs the table to win the Conference Tourney, they will grab a 2 seed.

Wisconsin as a 3 seed: This would be fine if Michigan State wasn’t a 6 seed.  Wisconsin is good enough, but one cannot rationalize them being 3 seeds ahead of the Spartans when they split the season series, and Wisconsin finished behind MSU in the rankings, in the conference and loss to Gonzaga, a team Michigan State beat. Wisconsin also had a bad loss to Wisconsin-Green Bay (107 RPI)  They also suffered a loss to Minnesota in conference, a team that is still fighting to see another day.

Memphis making the tournament: I know Lunardi has them in as well…but just no.  You cannot be a team on the bubble and drop your conference tourney opener and expect to make it in.  They need a lot of help to get in, and they aren’t gonna get it.

The Syracuse Orange only lost 2 games in the regular season this year. They were ranked as high as # 1 in the nation only 6 days ago. They proceeded to lose to Louisville in their last regular season game, costing them the number 1 spot in the rankings and dropping them to #3. Yesterday, the Orange played Georgetown in their Big East Tournament opener, a team the Cuse had already beaten twice this year, and not only did they lose the game 91-84, but they lost starting center Arinze Onuaku to an apparent knee injury, which is now being called a quad tendon injury. Onuaku had surgery last year on the same tendon. Right now the doctors are telling him it needs rest, but there is no sure thing that he will be playing next week when the tournament begins, or how effective he might be. Onuaku’s length is key cog in Syracuse’s zone defense, and his inside scoring helps mightily as well. Syracuse is already playing with only a 7 man rotation, so his loss could be devastating.

Will the selection committee reward Syracuse for their season, or for who they looked liked their last two games, and who they could be with one less starter playing? Cincinnati lost their seeding based on one game and an injury, the rest of their season had been overlooked. Syracuse’s season gave them an RPI 4 and a SOS of 11. Syracuse’s chances are slim to make the Final Four without a completely healthy team. Their chances of getting out of the first weekend are just as bad as well. Yes, Onuaku is not the star that Kenyon Martin was, but Syracuse’s team is built more around each part that plays, and not just one dynamic player. The loss of ineffectiveness of one player is just as damaging. Many expect Syracuse to be rewarded with a 1 seed, but don’t be surprised if the committee takes the injury and last 2 losses into account and drops them to a 2.

Anything and everything you need to know on March Madness, including the monkey. (Jake’s Take On Sports)

No no no. TO to the Patriots, not the Raiders. Why would TO even consider going somewhere like that unless he intends to die a slow death. (Digital Sports Daily)

Who will Chip Kelly turn into a star this year at Oregon?  Cause he has no choice with what is going on with his current QB. (SbB)

I am going to based totally on the eye test and say that Deron Williams is not a Top 5 player in the league. (Pro Sports Blogging)

Who would have ever thought that LDT would be a downgrade from Thomas  Jones?  Well, it is a distinct possibility.  (Big League Screw)

This pitcher has some wheels. Not even Castro’s men could catch him:

I totally understood what Torii Hunter was trying to say, but he just said it so poorly (CSTB)

OJ Mayo now says he never took money. Well that’s nice. Way to wait until almost a year after the fact to clear that up. (MoonDog Sports)

#1 Duke (26-5, 13-3)

Ugh, what an awful ACC season it has been for me as a fan. Carolina was absolutely dreadful, and the two teams I hate most finished at the top of the ACC standings. The Blue Devils get most of their scoring from three players, G Jon Scheyer, G Nolan Smith, and F Kyle Singler. Where they have been much improved this season is rebounding. Singler averaged 6.8 rebounds per game, while C Brian Zoubek finally discovered after three and a half years that he was taller than almost everyone else. If Duke is hitting their shots at a 44% rate like they averaged this season they will easily take another ACC Tournament championship.

#2 Maryland (23-7, 13-3)

After a somewhat slow start to the season Maryland has been on a tear for the past two months. Led by ACC Player of the Year Greivis Vasquez the Twerps finished the ACC season undefeated at home and have won seven in a row. Maryland has a very strong starting five that includes F Landon Milbourne (12.4 ppg, 4.9 rpg), G Eric Hayes (11.0 ppg, 3.9 apg), G Sean Mosley (10.8 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 2.7 apg), and freshman stud Jordan Williams (9.3 ppg, 8.3 rpg). Maryland doesn’t have a ton of depth, which is their biggest weakness.

#3 Florida State (22-8, 10-6)

The Seminoles surprised a lot of people by finishing third in conference. Last year’s success was largely fueled by superstar Toney Douglas. This year it has been a complete team effort. Their leading scorer, C Solomon Alabi only averages 11.6 ppg. F Chris Singleton gives the Seminoles a little bit of everything. He scored 10.4 ppg, had 2.2 apg, 7.2 rpg, 1.5 blocks per game, and 2.3 steals per game. Unlike Maryland, depth is a strength for the Seminoles. Florida State also plays tremendous defense, holding opponents to 50 points or less 7 times this season.

#4 Virginia Tech (23-7, 10-6)

The Hokies aren’t quite as good as their 23-7 record would indicate. They played one of the worst non-conference schedules in the country and despite their impressive record, were considered a bubble team before winning at Georgia Tech last Saturday. What can’t be debated is how good their back court is. G Malcolm Delaney had a terrific season, averaging 20.0 ppg, along with 4.2 apg. His fellow G Dorenzo Hudson is no slouch either, averaging 14.4 ppg. F Jeff Allen can score and collects the boards for the Hokies, although his numbers are down from last season.

#6 Clemson (21-9, 9-7)

No Wake Forest, as I think they blow, mainly evidenced by the fact they couldn’t beat the sorry Tar Heels at home. The Tigers are my sleeper team for the ACC Tournament. They have a pretty favorable draw, as they would meet Florida State in the Quarter-Finals, a team they already have defeated twice this season. The Tigers best player is senior F Trevor Booker. The Tigers can go 10 deep and are a very effective offensive team, averaging 73.8 points per game. They are a very good passing team, as Booker, G Demontez Stitt , G Andre Young, and G Tanner Smith all are good at finding the open teammate. The Tigers have always been classic underachievers, so I am taking a risk putting my faith in them, but what fun would it be to pick all chalk?

#10 North Carolina (16-15, 5-11)

Just a complete nightmare of a season for the defending NCAA Champions. With the Tar Heels losing so much I didn’t expect another championship, but I certainly thought they could be at least a 6 or 7 seed in the NCAA Tournament. The season even started decent enough with wins over Ohio State and Michigan State. Then they suffered a loss to Charleston and it was all downhill from there. The Heels had no chemistry, no leader, and apparently no coach, as Roy Williams had no answers. That all being said, The Heels are capable of beating a vastly overrated Georgia Tech team in the First Round. People keep making excuse after excuse for the Yellow Jackets, but the fact of the matter is, they aren’t very good. I think the Heels can get an inspired performance from senior Deon Thompson, and hell maybe even Larry Drew II can pretend to be a competent point guard. Reality will hit the Heels when they play Maryland in the Quarter-Finals. People keep talking NIT but at 16-16 or even 17-16 I would be shocked if the Heels qualify.

Below you will find my prediction for Thursday’s First Round games and then my predictions for the games I think will happen the rest of the way.

First Round

#8 Boston College over #9 Virginia
#12 Miami over #5 Wake Forest
#10 North Carolina over #7 Georgia Tech
#6 Clemson over #11 North Carolina State

Quarter-Finals

#1 Duke over #8 Boston College
#4 Virginia Tech over #12 Miami
#2 Maryland over #10 North Carolina
#6 Clemson over #3 Florida State

Semi-Finals

#1 Duke over #4 Virginia Tech
#6 Clemson over #2 Maryland

Finals

#1 Duke over #6 Clemson

Duke has mostly dominated the ACC Tournament for the last decade, and will continue that string this year. As stated above I like Clemson to make a surprise run, reaching the Championship game. I expect them to get blown out by Duke in the Finals and the Blue Devils will secure a #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament. Ugh.

Sports on TV tonight. Tons of college basketball going on with all of the conference tournaments.

College Basketball – Top 25

Oklahoma State (22-9, 10-7) vs. #9 Kansas State (24-6, 11-5), 7:00 PM ET

Notre Dame (22-10, 11-8) vs. #16 Pittsburgh (24-7, 13-5), ESPN, 7:00 PM ET

TCU (13-18, 5-11) vs. #15 BYU (28-4, 13-3), 9:00 PM ET

Cincinnati (18-14, 9-11) vs. #6 West Virginia (24-6, 13-5), ESPN, 9:00 PM ET

Texas (24-8, 10-7) at #20 Baylor (24-6, 11-5), ESPN2, 9:30 PM ET

UCF (15-16, 7-10) at #21 UTEP (24-5, 15-1), 10:00 PM ET

NBA

Atlanta (40-23) at Washington (21-40), 7:00 PM ET

Chicago (31-32) at Orlando (45-20), TNT, 8:00 PM ET

Portland (38-28) at Golden State (17-46), TNT, 10:30 PM ET. Why is Golden State on TNT so much?

NHL

Pittsburgh (40-22-4, 84 pts) at Carolina (27-31-8, 62 pts), 7:00 PM ET

St. Louis (30-26-9, 69 pts) at New York Islanders (26-32-8, 60 pts), 7:00 PM ET

Boston (29-24-12, 70 pts) at Philadelphia (35-26-4, 74 pts), 7:00 PM ET

Tampa Bay (27-27-11, 65 pts) at Toronto (21-33-12, 54 pts), 7:00 PM ET

Atlanta (28-27-10, 66 pts) at Columbus (26-30-11, 63 pts), 7:00 PM ET

Minnesota (31-28-6, 68 pts) at Detroit (31-23-12, 74 pts), 7:30 PM ET

Edmonton (21-39-6, 48 pts) at Montreal (33-29-6, 72 pts), 7:30 PM ET

Florida (27-28-10, 64 pts) at Colorado (37-23-6, 80 pts), 9:00 PM ET

Ottawa (37-25-5, 79 pts) at Calgary (33-24-9, 75 pts), 9:30 PM ET

Nashville (36-25-5, 77 pts) at San Jose (42-14-9, 93 pts), 10:30 PM ET