NHL Friday recap

There were six games on the Friday slate, starting off in New York with...

The Rangers hosting their most recent hosts from across town, the Islanders. Dwayne Roloson started for the Islanders, while Henrik Lundqvist played in net for the Rangers. Marc Staal opened the scoring in the second period after a scoreless first frame, with his fourth goal of the season coming on the power play, assisted by Derek Stepan and Brandon Dubinsky. After another long lull, Brian Boyle put the game out of reach with his eleventh of the year finding the empty Islander net, with assists by Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan. First star went to Henrik Lundqvist for his 17 save shutout, while Marc Staal took second star status, and Islanders goalie Dwayne Roloson was the third star, going 19 for 20 in saves. In a first period fight/roughhousing, Callahan fought with the Islanders' Jesse Joensuu, with other penalties added on in addition to the dance.

Onto Raleigh, where the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the Colorado Avalanche. Cam Ward was stationed in front of the Hurricanes net, while Craig Anderson made a return to the crease after his most recent injury. After two scoreless periods, rookie Jeff Skinner scored his eighth to put the 'Canes ahead, with an assist by Tuomo Ruutu. Milan Hejduk evened the score with his ninth of the year, with the helper by Kevin Shattenkirk. In overtime, the decisive goal was off of Brandon Sutter's stick, his fifth of the year, with assists coming from Joni Pitkanen and Jamie McBain. The Hurricanes won 2-1. Cam Ward was the first star with a 34 for 35 save performance, while Carolina's goal scorers Skinner and Sutter were the second and third stars.

Onward to Buffalo, where the Sabres hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. Ryan Miller handled the goaltending duties for Buffalo, while Mathieu Garon controlled the Blue Jackets crease. Buffalo got started with Jochen Hecht's third of the year from Tyler Ennis and Mike Grier. Jason Pominville added on his second of the year, a power play goal from Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek. Buffalo had the lone second period goal as well, Stafford's fifth of the season, a power play tally assisted by Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek. Ennis tallied his own goal in the third period, his sixth of the year with an assist by Shaone Morrison. Vanek finished the scoring with his power play goal, his tenth goal of the year, with assists by Ennis and Roy. Stafford received the first star with his one goal and assist, with Ennis getting the second star for a goal and two assists, and Ryan Miller's 19 save shutout was the third star. The third period of the 5-0 rout turned violent, with three fights. The Sabres Cody McCormick fought with the Blue Jackets Mike Commodore, followed by a dance featuring Steve Montador and Jared Boll, and wrapping up the slate was Patrick Kaleta's duel with Derek Dorsett. Five of the six players involved received ten or more penalty minutes for the night.

Over to Minnesota, where the Wild hosted the Calgary Flames. The Wild let Niklas Backstrom start, while the Flames went with Henrik Karlsson in the crease. Minnesota opened the scoring in the second period, with Pierre-Marc Bouchard returning from injury and scoring his first of the year, from Nick Schultz and Martin Havlat. Mark Giordano tied it late in the second period, with his third goal of the year coming from Niklas Hagman and Olli Jokinen. Alex Tanguay broke the tie, giving the Flames a 2-1 lead with his eighth of the season courtesy of Matt Stajan and Jarome Iginla. Havlat re-tied the game for the Wild with his sixth of the season, assisted by Kyle Brodziak and Brent Burns. The tie held up through the overtime period, and in the shootout, Tanguay scored, answered by Patrick O'Sullivan, before Rene Bourque put one away and won the game for the Flames. Jay Bouwmeester was for an unknown reason, the first star, while the game saver Bourque was the second star. Havlat, who recorded a goal and an assist in a losing effort, was the third star.

Onto Chicago, where the Blackhawks hosted the Vancouver Canucks in a battle of vicious playoff rivals. Marty Turco started for Chicago, while Roberto Luongo got the nod for the Canucks. Tanner Glass broke the scoring open in the second period, with his third of the year. He was assisted by Jannik Hansen and Dan Hamhuis. Christian Ehrhoff added on for the Canucks, with a power play goal, his fourth tally of the year from Alexander Edler and Daniel Sedin. Daniel's brother Henrik scored his own third period goal, his third of the year, from Daniel and Alexandre Burrows. Vancouver would roll onto a 3-0 lead to save the torment of having their first star goalie Roberto Luongo to having to listen Chelsea Dagger. Bobby Lu had 32 saves in the shutout. Ehrhoff and Glass got the second and third stars for their goals.

Finally, we stop in Anaheim with the Ducks hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Anaheim gave Jonas Hiller the green light to tend the twine, while Jimmy Howard was in between the pipes for Detroit. Johan Franzen opened the scoring early with his eleventh of the season, assisted by Valtteri Filppula. Tomas Holmstrom tacked on a goal for the Wings in the second period, his seventh of the year, from Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. Danny Cleary also scored, his 12th of the year, with a helper from Brian Rafalski. Filppula added a goal late in the third period for good measure, his seventh of the season, with assists being attributed to Jonathan Ericsson and Johan Franzen. Detroit rolled onto a 4-0 win, with Jimmy Howard's 41 save shutout being the first star, Ryan Getzlaf of the Ducks being the second star for no good reason whatsoever, and Johan Franzen receiving the third star for a goal and an assist.

Saturday has a fairly full slate of games, with 12 of a possible 15 being played. Recaps will come Sunday at some point, hopefully before the morning football games end, which will be recapped shortly after they end.