Twelve games on today, split cleanly between matinees and evening games. Speaking of evening games, I will be out tonight seeing the Seattle Thunderbirds play the Portland Winterhawks, so the latter half of this post won't be written until tomorrow morning. First up today...
The Boston Bruins welcome the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Tim Thomas are the masked men. Boston led off with a Patrice Bergeron shorthanded goal, his sixteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Brad Marchand. Nashville tied it as Shea Weber notched his eleventh of the year in the second period, courtesy of Ryan Suter on the power play. The Bruins retook the lead in the third period as Daniel Paille registered his ninth of the season, with the help of Shawn Thornton and Johnny Boychuk. The Predators evened the score again on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Sergei Kostitsyn and the goalie Rinne. Nashville took a lead on a Mike Fisher goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Hornqvist and Francis Bouillon. Boston tied it back up late in the period when Milan Lucic's twentieth of the year went in on the power play, powered by Rich Peverley and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins beat the Predators 4-3 in the shootout with tallies from Tyler Seguin and Bergeron. The three stars were awarded to Bergeron, Lucic, and Seguin, while Hornqvist earns honorable mention.
To Long Island, where the New York Islanders host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Evgeni Nabokov get the green light to start. New York struck first on a Michael Grabner goal, his fifteenth of the season, going in thanks to Mark Eaton and Kyle Okposo. Los Angeles tied it in the second period with an Andrei Loktionov goal, made possible by Dustin Brown and Rob Scuderi. The Islanders took the game in overtime with a Mark Streit goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Matt Moulson and Andrew MacDonald, good for a 2-1 win. The three stars belonged to Nabokov (34 for 35 in saves), Quick (23 for 25 in saves), and Streit.
Crossing a state border to New Jersey, as the Devils host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Martin Brodeur are in the blue paint. New Jersey opened with a Steve Bernier goal, made possible by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Dainius Zubrus. Florida tied it with a Sean Bergenheim power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Erik Gudbranson and Marcel Goc. The Panthers took the lead in the second period on Kris Versteeg's twenty-first of the year, assisted by Stephen Weiss and Tomas Fleischmann. Florida iced at 3-1 when Mikael Samuelsson scored his seventh of the campaign, an empty net goal with Goc getting the lone assist. The three stars were given to Clemmensen (27 for 28 in saves), Bergenheim, and Brian Campbell, while Goc gets honorable mention.
Staying in the division, the Philadelphia Flyers play host to the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Sergei Bobrovsky are in net. New York started the scoring with a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, coming off of Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. Philadelphia answered with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his eighteenth of the year, pushed through by Andrej Meszaros and Braydon Coburn. The Rangers took the lead back as Gaborik recorded his twenty-seventh of the season, a power play goal set up by Richards and Derek Stepan. The Flyers retied it in the second period with Claude Giroux putting away his twenty-second of the year, thanks to Simmonds and Scott Hartnell. New York retook the lead once again with Callahan's second of the game and twentieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Michael Del Zotto and Gaborik. The Rangers padded their lead with a third period Artem Anisimov goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Stepan and Gaborik, the latter clinching a sock trick. Shortly afterwards, Simmonds fought with Brian Boyle to complete his Gordie Howe Hat Trick. New York extended the lead further with a Callahan goal to complete his hat trick, his twenty-first of season, guided in by Carl Hagelin and Richards, the latter getting a sock trick as well. The final sat at 5-2, and the three stars were awarded to Callahan, Gaborik, and Simmonds, while Richards and Stepan earn the honorable mentions.
Up north in Ottawa, the Senators welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Craig Anderson wear the pads. Daniel Alfredsson opened the scoring for Ottawa with his nineteenth of the season, courtesy of Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza. Edmonton tied the game in the second period as Magnus Paajarvi scored, thanks to Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff. Milan Michalek reclaimed the lead for the Senators with his twenty-fourth of the year, fueled by Spezza and Bobby Butler. The Oilers got another equalizer with Ben Eager recording his sixth of the season, and Jeff Petry and Anton Lander tallied the helpers. Edmonton took the lead in the third period as Horcoff put away his tenth of the year, with the help of Hemsky and Paajarvi. Ottawa tied it as Karlsson sank his ninth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Oilers took the game 4-3 in overtime with a Taylor Hall goal, his nineteenth of the year, and Horcoff and Tom Gilbert got the helpers. The three stars went to Khabibulin (39 for 42 in saves), Michalek, and Hall, while Horcoff, Hemsky, Paajarvi, Spezza and Karlsson got the honorable mentions.
Back stateside, the Pittsburgh Penguins host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Marc-Andre Fleury are tasked with stopping the puck. Winnipeg opened on a Kyle Wellwood goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Tobias Enstrom and Dustin Byfuglien. The Jets extended the lead with a Alex Burmistrov goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Antti Miettinen and Tim Stapleton. Pittsburgh got one back when Dustin Jeffery sank his third of the season, thanks to Jordan Staal and Kris Letang. The Penguins evened the score on a James Neal goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, with a lone helper by Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh took the lead in the second period as Chris Kunitz netted his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Malkin and the goalie Fleury. Letang added on for the Penguins with his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Malkin, who gets a sock trick, and Kunitz. Winnipeg finally got one back as Stapleton put his eighth of the season away, coming off of Blake Wheeler. Pittsburgh replied quickly with a Malkin goal, his thirtieth of the year, fueled by Kunitz and Neal. The Jets answered with a third period Byfuglien goal, his eighth of the season, with Bryan Little and Wheeler touching the puck previously. The Penguins quickly shot back with a Richard Park goal, his fifth of the year, made possible by Craig Adams and Brooks Orpik. Pittsburgh kept going with a Staal goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Pascal Dupuis and Matt Cooke. Winnipeg got another one back with Little netting his fourteenth of the year, via Ron Hainsey and Zach Bogosian. The Penguins made it 8-5 with Letang putting his second of the game and seventh of the campaign in the net, a power play goal with assistance coming from Malkin and Kunitz, the latter getting a sock trick. The three stars of the game were Malkin, Letang, and Kunitz, while the honorable mentions include Neal, Staal, Little, Byfuglien, Stapleton, and Wheeler.
In the afternoon sessions, we begin with the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and James Reimer earned the starts, but Reimer was replaced by Jonas Gustavsson in the third period. Montreal opened the scoring in the second period as Erik Cole nailed his twentieth of the season, with a lone assist by David Desharnais. The Canadiens added on when Rene Bourque potted his sixteenth of the year, thanks to Tomas Plekanec and Mathieu Darche. Montreal padded their lead with a Max Pacioretty power play goal, his twenty-third of the campaign, powered by P.K. Subban and Desharnais. The Canadiens struck again with Lars Eller converting his twelfth of the season, an unassisted goal. Montreal iced it at 5-0 in the third period when Darche put away his fourth of the year, coming off of Plekanec and the goalie Price. The three stars were Price (32 save shutout), Plekanec, and Desharnais, while Darche also played a strong game.
Down south a tad, the Buffalo Sabres host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Ryan Miller tend the twines. Tampa Bay led off with a Steve Downie goal in the second period, his ninth of the season, assisted by Victor Hedman and Steven Stamkos. The Lightning added on with a Stamkos goal, his thirty-seventh of the year, with a lone helper provided by Teddy Purcell. Buffalo got one back in the third period when Jason Pominivlle notched his twentieth of the campaign, fueled by Thomas Vanek and Mike Weber. They never got the equalizer, losing 2-1, and the three stars went to Stamkos, Garon (26 for 27 in saves), and Pominville.
Out west, the St. Louis Blues welcomed the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Brian Elliott were guarding the goalmouths. Colorado opened with a Shane O'Brien goal, his second of the season, courtesy of David Van der Gulik. St. Louis answered as David Perron netted a power play goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by T.J. Oshie and David Backes. The Blues took the lead on another Perron power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Oshie. The Avalanche retied it on a power play goal of their own, the second of the year for Erik Johnson, powered by Ryan O'Reilly and Gabriel Landeskog. The tie lasted into overtime, where Carlo Colaiacovo took the game in favor of St. Louis with his second of the campaign, fueled by Patrik Berglund and Perron. The three stars of the 3-2 game were Perron, Chris Porter, and B.J. Crombeen, while Oshie gets the honorable mention and St. Louis gets a rebuke for lousy three stars picking.
Northward to Minnesota, as the Wild host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Niklas Backstrom will attempt to stop the puck. Minnesota led off with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible by Mikko Koivu and Marek Zidlicky. Columbus answered with an R.J. Umberger goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Rick Nash and Derick Brassard. The Blue Jackets gained the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Umberger, his second of the game and ninth of the season, powered by James Wisniewski and Nash. Columbus iced it at 3-1 with an unassisted empty net goal in the third period off the tape of Wisniewski, his third of the year. The three stars went to Mason (34 for 35 in saves), Umberger, and Setoguchi, while Nash and Wisniewski take the honorable mentions.
Well to the southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes take on the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Mike Smith will play in the blue paint. Phoenix led off when Radim Vrbata notched his twenty-sixth of the season, and Ray Whitney had the only assist. The Coyotes added on with a Boyd Gordon goal, his seventh of the year, pushed through by Gilbert Brule and Lauri Korpikoski. Phoenix made it 3-0 in the second period, a score that would hope when the rest of the game went scoreless, on a Kyle Chipchura goal, his second of the campaign, helped along by Brule and Raffi Torres. The three stars of the game were Smith (38 save shutout), Chipchura, and Brule.
Finally, in Calgary, the Flames host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Miikka Kiprusoff did battle from the creases. Calgary led off with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Blake Comeau and Scott Hannan. The Flames extended the lead in the second period when Roman Horak potted his third of the year, thanks to Lance Bouma and Cory Sarich. Vancouver got one back with a Cody Hodgson goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Mike Duco and Alexander Edler. The Canucks tied it in the third period with a David booth goal, his ninth of the year, helped along by Dan Hamhuis. The game went to a shootout, where Calgary overpower Vancouver as Olli Jokinen and Jarome Iginla scored to beat Alexandre Burrows lone tally for a 3-2 win. The three stars were awarded to Kiprusoff (29 for 31 in saves), Hamhuis, and Horak.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
NHL Day 128 2011-2012
Just four games on, after one of the day's games was pushed back to tomorrow. We will start now in...
Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Ryan Miller tend the twines. Dallas opened with a Michael Ryder power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Alex Goligoski and Loui Eriksson. The Stars added on in the third period when Tomas Vincour notched his second of the year, thanks to Jamie Benn and Steve Ott. Buffalo got on the board with a Thomas Vanek goal, his twentieth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Jason Pominville and Christian Ehrhoff. The Sabres tied it as Derek Roy recorded his eleventh of the year, guided in by Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers. The game went to a shootout, where Brad Boyes scored, was answered by Benn, and then Buffalo went up for good as Nathan Gerbe scored, for a 3-2 win over Dallas. The three stars were Gerbe, Pominville, and Goligoski.
Westward to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Joey MacDonald are in the creases. Anaheim led off with a George Parros goal, assisted by Rod Pelley. Detroit tied it with a Jakub Kindl goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Drew Miller and Justin Abdelkader. The game was decided in the shootout, as the Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi overpowered the Ducks' Teemu Selanne for a 2-1 win. The three stars were awarded to Bertuzzi, MacDonald (29 for 30 in saves), and Hiller (23 for 24 in saves).
West again, as we land in Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be between the pipes. Carolina started off with a Tim Brent goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Anthony Stewart and Chad LaRose. Colorado evened it late with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Peter Mueller. The Hurricanes regained the lead thirty-one seconds later as Jiri Tlusty notched his twelfth of the season, with the help of Eric Staal and Tuomo Ruutu. The Avalanche retied it again in the second period when the thirteenth of the year by Milan Hejduk found twine, guided in by Paul Stastny and David Jones. Carolina retook the lead again with a Staal goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Ruutu and Jay Harrison. Stastny tied it back up for Colorado on his fourteenth of the year, set up by Jones and Jan Hejda. The Avalanche took the game 4-3 in overtime as Ryan O'Reilly scored his fifteenth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars went to O'Reilly, Stastny, and Landeskog, while Staal, Ruutu, and Jones earn the honorable mentions.
Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi are guarding the goals. San Jose led off with a Justin Braun goal, his second of the season, a power play goal made possible by Logan Couture and Brent Burns. The Sharks added on with a Dan Boyle power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Couture and Braun. Chicago got one back as Marcus Kruger notched his fourth of the season, via Nick Leddy and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks tied it with Kruger's second of the game and fifth of the year, assisted by Brent Seabrook and Sharp. San Jose retook the lead with a Joe Thornton goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Joe Pavelski. Chicago got another equalizer in the third period with Bryan Bickell putting his fifth of the year away, helped along by Dave Bolland and Sami Lepisto. The Sharks got it back when Benn Ferriero deposited his seventh of the season, pushed through by Brad Winchester and Burns. San Jose iced it at 5-3 with a power play goal off the tape of Jamie McGinn, his twelfth of the year, set up by Ryane Clowe and Burns, the latter getting a sock trick. McGinn, Burns, and Braun had the three stars, while Kruger, Sharp, and Couture had the honorable mentions.
Buffalo, as the Sabres host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Ryan Miller tend the twines. Dallas opened with a Michael Ryder power play goal, his twentieth of the season, powered by Alex Goligoski and Loui Eriksson. The Stars added on in the third period when Tomas Vincour notched his second of the year, thanks to Jamie Benn and Steve Ott. Buffalo got on the board with a Thomas Vanek goal, his twentieth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Jason Pominville and Christian Ehrhoff. The Sabres tied it as Derek Roy recorded his eleventh of the year, guided in by Drew Stafford and Tyler Myers. The game went to a shootout, where Brad Boyes scored, was answered by Benn, and then Buffalo went up for good as Nathan Gerbe scored, for a 3-2 win over Dallas. The three stars were Gerbe, Pominville, and Goligoski.
Westward to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Joey MacDonald are in the creases. Anaheim led off with a George Parros goal, assisted by Rod Pelley. Detroit tied it with a Jakub Kindl goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Drew Miller and Justin Abdelkader. The game was decided in the shootout, as the Red Wings' Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi overpowered the Ducks' Teemu Selanne for a 2-1 win. The three stars were awarded to Bertuzzi, MacDonald (29 for 30 in saves), and Hiller (23 for 24 in saves).
West again, as we land in Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be between the pipes. Carolina started off with a Tim Brent goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Anthony Stewart and Chad LaRose. Colorado evened it late with a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his thirteenth of the year, via Peter Mueller. The Hurricanes regained the lead thirty-one seconds later as Jiri Tlusty notched his twelfth of the season, with the help of Eric Staal and Tuomo Ruutu. The Avalanche retied it again in the second period when the thirteenth of the year by Milan Hejduk found twine, guided in by Paul Stastny and David Jones. Carolina retook the lead again with a Staal goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Ruutu and Jay Harrison. Stastny tied it back up for Colorado on his fourteenth of the year, set up by Jones and Jan Hejda. The Avalanche took the game 4-3 in overtime as Ryan O'Reilly scored his fifteenth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars went to O'Reilly, Stastny, and Landeskog, while Staal, Ruutu, and Jones earn the honorable mentions.
Finally, in San Jose, the Sharks bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Antti Niemi are guarding the goals. San Jose led off with a Justin Braun goal, his second of the season, a power play goal made possible by Logan Couture and Brent Burns. The Sharks added on with a Dan Boyle power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Couture and Braun. Chicago got one back as Marcus Kruger notched his fourth of the season, via Nick Leddy and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks tied it with Kruger's second of the game and fifth of the year, assisted by Brent Seabrook and Sharp. San Jose retook the lead with a Joe Thornton goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Joe Pavelski. Chicago got another equalizer in the third period with Bryan Bickell putting his fifth of the year away, helped along by Dave Bolland and Sami Lepisto. The Sharks got it back when Benn Ferriero deposited his seventh of the season, pushed through by Brad Winchester and Burns. San Jose iced it at 5-3 with a power play goal off the tape of Jamie McGinn, his twelfth of the year, set up by Ryane Clowe and Burns, the latter getting a sock trick. McGinn, Burns, and Braun had the three stars, while Kruger, Sharp, and Couture had the honorable mentions.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
NHL Day 127 2011-2012
Ten games to be played tonight, beginning with the...
Washington Capitals hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Tomas Vokoun got the starts. Washington started the scoring in the third period as Alex Ovechkin sank his twenty-third of the season, a power play goal powered by Alexander Semin and Dennis Wideman. Semin extended the Capitals lead with a power play goal of his own, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Ovechkin and Wideman. Winnipeg got one back as Evander Kane scored his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal assisted by Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien. Byfuglien tied it for the Jets with his seventh of the year just twelve seconds later, another power play goal, going in unassisted. Winnipeg ended up winning with Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little overpowering Ovechkin and Washington in the shootout, for a 3-2 win. The three stars were awarded to Ovechkin, Semin, and Pavelec (32 for 34 in saves), while Byfuglien and Wideman get honorable mentions.
Next up, the New Jersey Devils welcomed the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Johan Hedberg began in goal, but Halak was pulled for Brian Elliott in the middle of the second period. New Jersey opened with a Zach Parise power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Ilya Kovalchuk and Kurtis Foster. Chris Stewart tied it for the St. Louis with his eleventh of the year, assisted by Vladimir Sobotka and Chris Porter. The Blues gained the lead in the second period as David Perron netted his seventh of the season, with the help of David Backes and Barret Jackman. The Devils retied it when Adam Henrique made his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Andy Greene and Alexei Ponikarovsky. New Jersey gained the lead again with Patrik Elias registering his nineteenth of the season, made possible by Kovalchuk and Petr Sykora. St. Louis evened the game when Patrik Berglund put away his thirteenth of the year, and Roman Polak and Chris Stewart had the assists. The Blues beat the Devils in the shootout on a lone T.J. Oshie goal for a 4-3 win. Kovalchuk, Stewart, and Parise took the three stars.
Westward a bit to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Curtis Sanford play in the creases. Dallas led off with a Jamie Benn goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Stephane Robidas and Steve Ott. The Stars added on with Alex Goligoski netting his seventh of the year, courtesy of Tomas Vincour and Mike Ribeiro. Dallas kept going in the second period with Robidas potting his fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Ribeiro and Goligoski. Vinny Prospal got one back for Columbus with his tenth of the year, a power play goal set up by Fedor Tyutin and Derick Brassard. The Blue Jackets pulled closer as Rick Nash made his eighteenth of the season, also a power play goal, powered by Brassard and Tyutin. The Stars iced it at 4-2 with Benns notching his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, an empty net goal going in unassisted. The three stars went to Robidas, Brassard, and Goligoski, while Benn, Ribeiro, and Tyutin deserve honorable mentions.
Backtracking to New York, where the Islanders host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Evgeni Nabokov took care of the cages. Montreal opened with a Max Pacioretty goal, his twentieth of the season, guided in by Erik Cole. Pacioretty extended the Canadiens lead in the second period with his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, made possible by David Desharnais. Montreal added on again in the third period as Scott Gomez, a power play goal powered by Raphael Diaz and Chris Campoli. New York got one back as Matt Moulson potted his twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal set up by John Tavares and P.A. Parenteau. The Islanders got closer with a Mark Streit goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Kyle Okposo. The Canadiens iced it at 4-2 when Pacioretty tallied an empty netter, his twenty-second of the campaign, to finish his hat trick, and Tomas Plekanec picked up the assist. The three stars were Pacioretty, Streit, and Gomez.
In the same general region, the New York Rangers brought in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Martin Biron wore the masks tonight. Tampa Bay led off with a Steven Stamkos goal, his thirty-sixth of the season, assisted by Brett Connolly and J.T. Wyman. New York answered in the second period with a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Michael Del Zotto and Derek Stepan. Stepan soon gave the Rangers the lead with his eleventh of the season, made possible by Dan Girardi and Marian Gaborik. Twenty-one seconds after that, the Lightning retied it with the twenty-first of the year by Vincent Lecavalier, passed through Teddy Purcell and Matt Gilroy. Tampa Bay gained the lead with Bruno Gervais notching his fourth of the season on the power play, powered by Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. New York tied it again as Brian Boyle netted his fifth of the year in the third period, with help from Carl Hagelin and Anton Stralman. The Rangers beat the Lightning in overtime as Brad Richards struck with his seventeenth of the campaign, guided in by Artem Anisimov and Del Zotto. Boyle, Richards, and Callahan got the three stars, while the honorable mentions were Stamkos, Stepan, and Del Zotto.
Into Philadelphia, where the Flyers hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Sergei Bobrovsky are in front of the nets. Philadelphia opened with an interesting series of events, as Scott Hartnell recorded his twenty-sixth of the season, and Erik Gustafsson had the lone assist, while Hartnell dropped the gloves with Dion Phaneuf. Toronto evened the score in the second period as Tyler Bozak potted his eleventh of the year, thanks to Phil Kessel and Luke Schenn. The Flyers retook the lead on a Max Talbot goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Andrej Meszaros. The Maple Leafs tied it again with a power play goal by Joffrey Lupul, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Phaneuf and Kessel. Philadelphia again went ahead on a Claude Giroux goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Hartnell, who clinched a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, and Jaromir Jagr. The Flyers extended the lead as Brayden Schenn put away his sixth of the year, via Danny Briere and Wayne Simmonds. Toronto got one back when Bozak struck again, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, guided in by Luke Schenn and Lupul. There was no third period scoring, so Philadelphia won 4-3. The three stars were given to Hartnell, Giroux, and Lupul, while Kessel, Bozak, and Luke Schenn all earned honorable mentions.
Up north in Ottawa, the Senators hosted the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Alex Auld were given the green light in goal. Ottawa opened when Jason Spezza struck with his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Milan Michalek and Bobby Butler. Nashville tied it on Gabriel Bourque's second of the year, courtesy of Jordin Tootoo and Ryan Suter. The Senators regained the lead on a Chris Phillips goal, fueled by Butler and Spezza. Patric Hornqvist tied it back up again for the Predators, as his sixteenth of the season came on the power play from Suter and Martin Erat. Spezza took the lead back for Ottawa with his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Michalek. The Senators extended the lead with a Phillips goal, his second of the game, another power play goal, set up by Filip Kuba and Nick Foligno. Nashville got as close as 4-3 before losing with an unassisted Erat goal, his thirteenth of the campaign. The three stars ended up being Phillips, Spezza, and Butler, while Erat, Suter, and Michalek get the honorable mentions.
Well to the south, the Florida Panthers brought in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Scott Clemmensen started between the pipes, but Jonathan Bernier replaced Quick for the third period. Florida started the scoring in the second period as Sean Bergenheim scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Marcel Goc and Mike Weaver. The Panthers added on when Mike Santorelli scored his seventh of the year, made possible by Tomas Fleischmann and Shawn Matthias. Los Angeles got one back late in the third period with the fifth of the season by Drew Doughty, fueled by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Florida iced it at 3-1 with a Matt Bradley empty net goal, with assists provided by Matthias and Jason Garrison. Santorelli, Doughty, and Bergenheim got the three stars, while Matthias earns the honorable mention.
Northwest now to Minnesota, as the Wild welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Niklas Backstrom tended the twines. Minnesota opened with a Dany Heatley goal thirteen seconds into the game, his eighteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Devin Setoguchi. Vancouver tied it with a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, powered by Alexander Edler and Sami Salo. The Canucks took the lead with an unassisted Maxim Lapierre goal, his sixth of the season. Vancouver added on with Henrik Sedin's second period goal, his twelfth of the year, fueled by Byron Bitz and Daniel. The Canucks extended the lead again in the third period when Manny Malhotra sent his fifth of the season into the mesh, with guidance from Kevin Bieksa and Jannik Hansen. Setoguchi got one back for the Wild in the third period by registering his eleventh of the year, a power play goal made possible by Nate Prosser. Vancouver iced it at 5-2 when Ryan Kesler deposited his eighteenth of the campaign, an empty goal passed through Alexandre Burrows and David Booth. The three stars were given to Daniel, Schneider (22 for 24 in saves), and Heatley, while Setoguchi gets an honorable mention.
Finally, in Phoenix, the Coyotes do battle with the Calgary Flames. Leland Irving and Mike Smith guard the goalmouths. Phoenix led off as Taylor Pyatt made his seventh of the season, assisted by Rostislav Klesla and Kyle Chipchura. Calgary tied it in the third period with Olli Jokinen registering his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Mark Giordano and Scott Hannan. The Coyotes won it 2-1 in overtime when Shane Doan notched his sixteenth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Radim Vrbata and Ray Whitney. The three stars were awarded to Doan, Smith (22 for 23 in saves), and Pyatt.
Washington Capitals hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Tomas Vokoun got the starts. Washington started the scoring in the third period as Alex Ovechkin sank his twenty-third of the season, a power play goal powered by Alexander Semin and Dennis Wideman. Semin extended the Capitals lead with a power play goal of his own, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Ovechkin and Wideman. Winnipeg got one back as Evander Kane scored his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal assisted by Andrew Ladd and Dustin Byfuglien. Byfuglien tied it for the Jets with his seventh of the year just twelve seconds later, another power play goal, going in unassisted. Winnipeg ended up winning with Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little overpowering Ovechkin and Washington in the shootout, for a 3-2 win. The three stars were awarded to Ovechkin, Semin, and Pavelec (32 for 34 in saves), while Byfuglien and Wideman get honorable mentions.
Next up, the New Jersey Devils welcomed the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Johan Hedberg began in goal, but Halak was pulled for Brian Elliott in the middle of the second period. New Jersey opened with a Zach Parise power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Ilya Kovalchuk and Kurtis Foster. Chris Stewart tied it for the St. Louis with his eleventh of the year, assisted by Vladimir Sobotka and Chris Porter. The Blues gained the lead in the second period as David Perron netted his seventh of the season, with the help of David Backes and Barret Jackman. The Devils retied it when Adam Henrique made his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Andy Greene and Alexei Ponikarovsky. New Jersey gained the lead again with Patrik Elias registering his nineteenth of the season, made possible by Kovalchuk and Petr Sykora. St. Louis evened the game when Patrik Berglund put away his thirteenth of the year, and Roman Polak and Chris Stewart had the assists. The Blues beat the Devils in the shootout on a lone T.J. Oshie goal for a 4-3 win. Kovalchuk, Stewart, and Parise took the three stars.
Westward a bit to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Curtis Sanford play in the creases. Dallas led off with a Jamie Benn goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Stephane Robidas and Steve Ott. The Stars added on with Alex Goligoski netting his seventh of the year, courtesy of Tomas Vincour and Mike Ribeiro. Dallas kept going in the second period with Robidas potting his fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Ribeiro and Goligoski. Vinny Prospal got one back for Columbus with his tenth of the year, a power play goal set up by Fedor Tyutin and Derick Brassard. The Blue Jackets pulled closer as Rick Nash made his eighteenth of the season, also a power play goal, powered by Brassard and Tyutin. The Stars iced it at 4-2 with Benns notching his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, an empty net goal going in unassisted. The three stars went to Robidas, Brassard, and Goligoski, while Benn, Ribeiro, and Tyutin deserve honorable mentions.
Backtracking to New York, where the Islanders host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Evgeni Nabokov took care of the cages. Montreal opened with a Max Pacioretty goal, his twentieth of the season, guided in by Erik Cole. Pacioretty extended the Canadiens lead in the second period with his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, made possible by David Desharnais. Montreal added on again in the third period as Scott Gomez, a power play goal powered by Raphael Diaz and Chris Campoli. New York got one back as Matt Moulson potted his twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal set up by John Tavares and P.A. Parenteau. The Islanders got closer with a Mark Streit goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Kyle Okposo. The Canadiens iced it at 4-2 when Pacioretty tallied an empty netter, his twenty-second of the campaign, to finish his hat trick, and Tomas Plekanec picked up the assist. The three stars were Pacioretty, Streit, and Gomez.
In the same general region, the New York Rangers brought in the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Martin Biron wore the masks tonight. Tampa Bay led off with a Steven Stamkos goal, his thirty-sixth of the season, assisted by Brett Connolly and J.T. Wyman. New York answered in the second period with a Ryan Callahan power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Michael Del Zotto and Derek Stepan. Stepan soon gave the Rangers the lead with his eleventh of the season, made possible by Dan Girardi and Marian Gaborik. Twenty-one seconds after that, the Lightning retied it with the twenty-first of the year by Vincent Lecavalier, passed through Teddy Purcell and Matt Gilroy. Tampa Bay gained the lead with Bruno Gervais notching his fourth of the season on the power play, powered by Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. New York tied it again as Brian Boyle netted his fifth of the year in the third period, with help from Carl Hagelin and Anton Stralman. The Rangers beat the Lightning in overtime as Brad Richards struck with his seventeenth of the campaign, guided in by Artem Anisimov and Del Zotto. Boyle, Richards, and Callahan got the three stars, while the honorable mentions were Stamkos, Stepan, and Del Zotto.
Into Philadelphia, where the Flyers hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Sergei Bobrovsky are in front of the nets. Philadelphia opened with an interesting series of events, as Scott Hartnell recorded his twenty-sixth of the season, and Erik Gustafsson had the lone assist, while Hartnell dropped the gloves with Dion Phaneuf. Toronto evened the score in the second period as Tyler Bozak potted his eleventh of the year, thanks to Phil Kessel and Luke Schenn. The Flyers retook the lead on a Max Talbot goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Andrej Meszaros. The Maple Leafs tied it again with a power play goal by Joffrey Lupul, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Phaneuf and Kessel. Philadelphia again went ahead on a Claude Giroux goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Hartnell, who clinched a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, and Jaromir Jagr. The Flyers extended the lead as Brayden Schenn put away his sixth of the year, via Danny Briere and Wayne Simmonds. Toronto got one back when Bozak struck again, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, guided in by Luke Schenn and Lupul. There was no third period scoring, so Philadelphia won 4-3. The three stars were given to Hartnell, Giroux, and Lupul, while Kessel, Bozak, and Luke Schenn all earned honorable mentions.
Up north in Ottawa, the Senators hosted the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Alex Auld were given the green light in goal. Ottawa opened when Jason Spezza struck with his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Milan Michalek and Bobby Butler. Nashville tied it on Gabriel Bourque's second of the year, courtesy of Jordin Tootoo and Ryan Suter. The Senators regained the lead on a Chris Phillips goal, fueled by Butler and Spezza. Patric Hornqvist tied it back up again for the Predators, as his sixteenth of the season came on the power play from Suter and Martin Erat. Spezza took the lead back for Ottawa with his second of the game and twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Michalek. The Senators extended the lead with a Phillips goal, his second of the game, another power play goal, set up by Filip Kuba and Nick Foligno. Nashville got as close as 4-3 before losing with an unassisted Erat goal, his thirteenth of the campaign. The three stars ended up being Phillips, Spezza, and Butler, while Erat, Suter, and Michalek get the honorable mentions.
Well to the south, the Florida Panthers brought in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Scott Clemmensen started between the pipes, but Jonathan Bernier replaced Quick for the third period. Florida started the scoring in the second period as Sean Bergenheim scored his tenth of the season, thanks to Marcel Goc and Mike Weaver. The Panthers added on when Mike Santorelli scored his seventh of the year, made possible by Tomas Fleischmann and Shawn Matthias. Los Angeles got one back late in the third period with the fifth of the season by Drew Doughty, fueled by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Florida iced it at 3-1 with a Matt Bradley empty net goal, with assists provided by Matthias and Jason Garrison. Santorelli, Doughty, and Bergenheim got the three stars, while Matthias earns the honorable mention.
Northwest now to Minnesota, as the Wild welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Niklas Backstrom tended the twines. Minnesota opened with a Dany Heatley goal thirteen seconds into the game, his eighteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Devin Setoguchi. Vancouver tied it with a Daniel Sedin power play goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, powered by Alexander Edler and Sami Salo. The Canucks took the lead with an unassisted Maxim Lapierre goal, his sixth of the season. Vancouver added on with Henrik Sedin's second period goal, his twelfth of the year, fueled by Byron Bitz and Daniel. The Canucks extended the lead again in the third period when Manny Malhotra sent his fifth of the season into the mesh, with guidance from Kevin Bieksa and Jannik Hansen. Setoguchi got one back for the Wild in the third period by registering his eleventh of the year, a power play goal made possible by Nate Prosser. Vancouver iced it at 5-2 when Ryan Kesler deposited his eighteenth of the campaign, an empty goal passed through Alexandre Burrows and David Booth. The three stars were given to Daniel, Schneider (22 for 24 in saves), and Heatley, while Setoguchi gets an honorable mention.
Finally, in Phoenix, the Coyotes do battle with the Calgary Flames. Leland Irving and Mike Smith guard the goalmouths. Phoenix led off as Taylor Pyatt made his seventh of the season, assisted by Rostislav Klesla and Kyle Chipchura. Calgary tied it in the third period with Olli Jokinen registering his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Mark Giordano and Scott Hannan. The Coyotes won it 2-1 in overtime when Shane Doan notched his sixteenth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Radim Vrbata and Ray Whitney. The three stars were awarded to Doan, Smith (22 for 23 in saves), and Pyatt.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
NHL Day 126 2011-2012
Only four games on a pretty quiet Wednesday. We lead off with the...
Detroit Red Wings hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Joey MacDonald played in goal. Detroit opened with a Johan Franzen power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Ian White and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on in the second period as Cory Emmerton netted his sixth of the year, thanks to Justin Abdelkader and Danny Cleary. Sam Gagner got one back for Edmonton with his twelfth of the season, and Ryan Jones and Jeff Petry provided the helpers. The Oilers tied it in the third period with another Gagner goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Magnus Paajarvi. Drew Miller gave Detroit the lead again with his eleventh of the season, guided in by Abdelkader. The Red Wings extended the lead with Henrik Zetterberg sinking his tenth of the year, fueled by Brad Stuart and Niklas Kronwall. This resulted in a 4-2 final, where the three stars were Datsyuk, Gagner, and Abdelkader.
Back east a bit, the Buffalo Sabres welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Ryan Miller will handle the nets. Buffalo struck first on Christian Ehrhoff's fourth of the season, assisted by Tyler Myers. The Sabres added on with a Jason Pominville goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Ville Leino and Mike Weber. Buffalo extended the lead with a Tyler Ennis goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, set up by Andrej Sekera, chasing Rask in favor of Tim Thomas. The Sabres piled on another with Patrick Kaleta recording his fifth of the year, with the help of Paul Gaustad. Buffalo kept strong in the third period when Pominville's second of the game and nineteenth of the season, coming off of Leino and Sekera. The Sabres iced it at 6-0 with a Drew Stafford goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Ennis and Nathan Gerbe. The three stars went to Miller (36 save shutout), Pominville, and Kaleta, while Ennis, Sekera, and Leino earn honorable mentions.
Westward to San Jose, with the Sharks hosting the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Antti Niemi are the Finnish goaltenders. Calgary led off with an Olli Jokinen goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Chris Butler and Jarome Iginla. The Flames added on in the second period with another Jokinen goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Alex Tanguay and Michael Cammalleri. San Jose got one back with a Logan Couture goal, his twenty-third of the season, courtesy of Ryane Clowe and Joe Thornton. The Sharks evened the score on a Joe Pavelski goal, his twentieth of the year, made possible by Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Iginla gave Calgary the lead back with his twenty-first of the season, fueled by Jokinen. San Jose retied it on a Michal Handzus power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Brent Burns. Jokinen gave the Flames the lead back by completing his hat trick with his sixteenth of the season, thanks to Tanguay. This was it for the scoring, giving Calgary a 4-3 win, and the three stars went to Jokinen, Iginla, and Thornton, while Tanguay gets an honorable mention.
Farther down the California coast, the Anaheim Ducks welcomed the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jonas Hiller get the starting nods. Carolina opened the scoring with a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Jiri Tlusty and Justin Faulk. Anaheim evened it in the second period as Nick Bonino netted his fourth of the year, courtesy of Lubomir Visnovsky and Andrew Cogliano. The Hurricanes regained the lead in the third period as Eric Staal notched his thirteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Ducks got another equalizer as Saku Koivu potted his tenth of the year, with Luca Sbisa and Matt Beleskey providing the helpers. Anaheim took the game 3-2 in overtime as Corey Perry recorded his twenty-third of the campaign, via Sheldon Brookbank. The three stars were Perry, Bonino, and Jeff Skinner, while any other point earner could take the third slot.
Detroit Red Wings hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Joey MacDonald played in goal. Detroit opened with a Johan Franzen power play goal, his twenty-first of the season, powered by Ian White and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings added on in the second period as Cory Emmerton netted his sixth of the year, thanks to Justin Abdelkader and Danny Cleary. Sam Gagner got one back for Edmonton with his twelfth of the season, and Ryan Jones and Jeff Petry provided the helpers. The Oilers tied it in the third period with another Gagner goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Magnus Paajarvi. Drew Miller gave Detroit the lead again with his eleventh of the season, guided in by Abdelkader. The Red Wings extended the lead with Henrik Zetterberg sinking his tenth of the year, fueled by Brad Stuart and Niklas Kronwall. This resulted in a 4-2 final, where the three stars were Datsyuk, Gagner, and Abdelkader.
Back east a bit, the Buffalo Sabres welcome the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Ryan Miller will handle the nets. Buffalo struck first on Christian Ehrhoff's fourth of the season, assisted by Tyler Myers. The Sabres added on with a Jason Pominville goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Ville Leino and Mike Weber. Buffalo extended the lead with a Tyler Ennis goal in the second period, his fourth of the season, set up by Andrej Sekera, chasing Rask in favor of Tim Thomas. The Sabres piled on another with Patrick Kaleta recording his fifth of the year, with the help of Paul Gaustad. Buffalo kept strong in the third period when Pominville's second of the game and nineteenth of the season, coming off of Leino and Sekera. The Sabres iced it at 6-0 with a Drew Stafford goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Ennis and Nathan Gerbe. The three stars went to Miller (36 save shutout), Pominville, and Kaleta, while Ennis, Sekera, and Leino earn honorable mentions.
Westward to San Jose, with the Sharks hosting the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Antti Niemi are the Finnish goaltenders. Calgary led off with an Olli Jokinen goal, his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Chris Butler and Jarome Iginla. The Flames added on in the second period with another Jokinen goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Alex Tanguay and Michael Cammalleri. San Jose got one back with a Logan Couture goal, his twenty-third of the season, courtesy of Ryane Clowe and Joe Thornton. The Sharks evened the score on a Joe Pavelski goal, his twentieth of the year, made possible by Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Iginla gave Calgary the lead back with his twenty-first of the season, fueled by Jokinen. San Jose retied it on a Michal Handzus power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Brent Burns. Jokinen gave the Flames the lead back by completing his hat trick with his sixteenth of the season, thanks to Tanguay. This was it for the scoring, giving Calgary a 4-3 win, and the three stars went to Jokinen, Iginla, and Thornton, while Tanguay gets an honorable mention.
Farther down the California coast, the Anaheim Ducks welcomed the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jonas Hiller get the starting nods. Carolina opened the scoring with a Tuomo Ruutu goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Jiri Tlusty and Justin Faulk. Anaheim evened it in the second period as Nick Bonino netted his fourth of the year, courtesy of Lubomir Visnovsky and Andrew Cogliano. The Hurricanes regained the lead in the third period as Eric Staal notched his thirteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Ducks got another equalizer as Saku Koivu potted his tenth of the year, with Luca Sbisa and Matt Beleskey providing the helpers. Anaheim took the game 3-2 in overtime as Corey Perry recorded his twenty-third of the campaign, via Sheldon Brookbank. The three stars were Perry, Bonino, and Jeff Skinner, while any other point earner could take the third slot.
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
NHL Day 125 2011-2012
Eleven games packed into about five hours time tonight, as we go blitz-mode with hockey. First up...
The Philadelphia Flyers bring in the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Ilya Bryzgalov are the Russian netminders. The game was decided in New York's favor in the shootout, as Frans Nielsen and John Tavares tallied to down Philadelphia 1-0. The three stars went out to Nabokov (45 save shutout), Nielsen, and Bryzgalov (18 save "shutout" shootout loss).
Out west a bit, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Curtis Sanford will be in the creases. Columbus led off with a David Savard goal, made possible by Vinny Prospal and Grant Clitsome. Minnesota tied it with a Nate Prosser goal, courtesy of Justin Falk and Carson McMillan. The Blue Jackets retook the lead in the second period as Antoine Vermette notched his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Rick Nash and Fedor Tyutin. Columbus extended the lead in the third period on a Jeff Carter goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Colton Gillies and Savard. This left the score at 3-1, a final, with the three stars being Savard, Sanford (28 for 29 in saves), and Vermette.
Eastward to New York, where the Rangers host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist tended the twines. New Jersey opened with David Clarkson recording his twenty-first of the season, a power play goal coming off of Zach Parise and Patrik Elias. This was the only goal, so the Devils won 1-0 and the three stars were Brodeur (30 save shutout), Lundqvist (21 for 22 in saves), and Clarkson.
In the national capital, the Washington Capitals hosted the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Tomas Vokoun played in the blue paint. Washington struck first with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Jason Chimera and Alexander Semin. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Dennis Wideman and Marcus Johansson. Washington kept going in the second period as Chimera registered his fifteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal passed along by John Carlson and Matt Hendricks. The Capitals extended the lead with Ovechkin's second of the game and twenty-second of the year, going down unassisted. The third period was silent, and the final was 4-0. The three stars were awarded to Vokoun (42 save shutout), Ovechkin, and Chimera.
South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Dwayne Roloson will be in goal. Los Angeles opened the scoring on an Anze Kopitar goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Matt Greene and Justin Williams. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period as Steven Stamkos put away his thirty-fifth of the year, thanks to Teddy Purcell and Eric Brewer. The Kings regained the lead with a Kyle Clifford goal, his fourth of the season, going in with a lone Rob Scuderi assist. Los Angeles added on with a Dustin Penner goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll. This was the last goal, resulting in a 3-1 final. The three stars went out to Kopitar, Quick (24 for 25 in saves), and Stamkos.
Crossing into Canada, where the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Carey Price get the starting nods. Montreal struck first in the second period as Louis Leblanc made his third of the season, thanks to Andrei Kostitsyn and Chris Campoli. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period with a Pascal Dupuis shorthanded goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Joe Vitale. The Canadiens took the lead back with a Lars Eller goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Alexei Emelin. James Neal gave the Penguins another equalizer with his twenty-eighth of the year, fueled by Evgeni Malkin and Paul Martin. The game went to a shootout, where Rene Bourque and Malkin traded goals before Eller and Chris Kunitz did the same. Tomas Plekanec eventually scored the winner for Montreal, beating Pittsburgh 3-2. The three stars were Plekanec, Leblanc, and Price (32 for 34 in saves).
Staying in the country, we head to Ottawa, with the Senators welcoming the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Craig Anderson were sent out to play goal. St. Louis scored early with a Chris Porter goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Roman Polak. The Blues added on and chased Anderson with David Perron netting his fifth of the year, via Patrik Berglund and Barret Jackman. Ottawa got one back in the second period as Daniel Alfredsson potted his eighteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Sergei Gonchar and Jason Spezza. St. Louis responded on another Perron goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, with assists from David Backes and T.J. Oshie. The third period was silent, leaving the final at 3-1, and the three stars belonged to Perron, Oshie, and Alfredsson.
Back stateside, the Nashville Predators take on the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. Ryan Kesler got things going for Vancouver with his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Alexandre Burrows and Dan Hamhuis. Nashville evened the score with a Colin Wilson goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of David Legwand and Patric Hornqvist. The Canucks regained the lead as Byron Bitz scored, with the help of Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead as Daniel Sedin notched his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Bitz and Henrik. The Predators got one back in the second period with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Kevin Klein and Martin Erat. Nashville evened the score again on Mike Fisher's sixteenth of the season, with a lone Shea Weber assist. The game was decided in the shootout, where Burrows traded tallies with David Legwand before Alexander Edler clinched a 4-3 Canucks victory over the Predators. The three stars went to Henrik, Wilson, and Bitz.
Farther southwest, the Dallas Stars take on the Phoenix Coyotes from American Airlines Center. Mike Smith and Kari Lehtonen padded up to stop pucks. Keith Yandle opened the scoring for Phoenix with his seventh of the season, assisted by Kyle Chipchura and Gilbert Brule. Dallas tied it in the second period on Michael Ryder's nineteenth of the year, with a lone assist Philip Larsen. The Coyotes gained the lead when Radim Vrbata put away his twenty-fifth of the season, thanks to Rostislav Klesla and Ray Whitney. Phoenix took the lead with a Raffi Torres goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Mikkel Boedker and Michal Rozsival. The Coyotes made it 4-1 with a Derek Morris goal, fueled by Vrbata and Whitney. The three stars were Vrbata, Torres, and Smith (28 for 29 in saves), while Whitney gets honorable mention.
Back in Canada, the Winnipeg Jets hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Ondrej Pavelec protected the cages. Toronto opened with Phil Kessel netting his thirtieth of the season, and Joffrey Lupul and Tyler Bozak had the assists. Winnipeg evened the score with a Chris Thorburn goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Zach Bogosian and Jim Slater. The Jets took the lead in the second period with Bryan Little's thirteenth of the season, thanks to Blake Wheeler and Johnny Oduya. This was the last goal when the third period was silent, and the three stars went to Wheeler, Little, and Kessel.
Finally, the Colorado Avalanche host the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Jean-Sebastien Giguere got the green light to play goal. Chicago got on the board first in the second period as Brent Seabrook recorded his fifth of the season, assisted by Viktor Stalberg and Duncan Keith. Peter Mueller tied it for Colorado with his fifth of the year, courtesy of Ryan O'Reilly. The Avalanche gained the lead on a David Jones goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Milan Hejduk. The Blackhawks shot back to tie with a Patrick Kane goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Patrick Sharp and Keith. Colorado retook the lead in the third period as Gabriel Landeskog put away his twelfth of the season, thanks to Paul Stastny. Jones extended the Avalanche lead with his second of the game and twelfth of the year, pushed through by Stastny. Colorado iced it at 5-2 with Kyle Quincey's fifth of the campaign, an empty net goal going down unassisted. The three stars were given to Jones, Stastny, and Landeskog, and Keith gets the honorable mention.
The Philadelphia Flyers bring in the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Ilya Bryzgalov are the Russian netminders. The game was decided in New York's favor in the shootout, as Frans Nielsen and John Tavares tallied to down Philadelphia 1-0. The three stars went out to Nabokov (45 save shutout), Nielsen, and Bryzgalov (18 save "shutout" shootout loss).
Out west a bit, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Curtis Sanford will be in the creases. Columbus led off with a David Savard goal, made possible by Vinny Prospal and Grant Clitsome. Minnesota tied it with a Nate Prosser goal, courtesy of Justin Falk and Carson McMillan. The Blue Jackets retook the lead in the second period as Antoine Vermette notched his seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Rick Nash and Fedor Tyutin. Columbus extended the lead in the third period on a Jeff Carter goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Colton Gillies and Savard. This left the score at 3-1, a final, with the three stars being Savard, Sanford (28 for 29 in saves), and Vermette.
Eastward to New York, where the Rangers host the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Henrik Lundqvist tended the twines. New Jersey opened with David Clarkson recording his twenty-first of the season, a power play goal coming off of Zach Parise and Patrik Elias. This was the only goal, so the Devils won 1-0 and the three stars were Brodeur (30 save shutout), Lundqvist (21 for 22 in saves), and Clarkson.
In the national capital, the Washington Capitals hosted the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Tomas Vokoun played in the blue paint. Washington struck first with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Jason Chimera and Alexander Semin. The Capitals added on with an Alex Ovechkin power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Dennis Wideman and Marcus Johansson. Washington kept going in the second period as Chimera registered his fifteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal passed along by John Carlson and Matt Hendricks. The Capitals extended the lead with Ovechkin's second of the game and twenty-second of the year, going down unassisted. The third period was silent, and the final was 4-0. The three stars were awarded to Vokoun (42 save shutout), Ovechkin, and Chimera.
South to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Dwayne Roloson will be in goal. Los Angeles opened the scoring on an Anze Kopitar goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Matt Greene and Justin Williams. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period as Steven Stamkos put away his thirty-fifth of the year, thanks to Teddy Purcell and Eric Brewer. The Kings regained the lead with a Kyle Clifford goal, his fourth of the season, going in with a lone Rob Scuderi assist. Los Angeles added on with a Dustin Penner goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Mike Richards and Jarret Stoll. This was the last goal, resulting in a 3-1 final. The three stars went out to Kopitar, Quick (24 for 25 in saves), and Stamkos.
Crossing into Canada, where the Montreal Canadiens bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Carey Price get the starting nods. Montreal struck first in the second period as Louis Leblanc made his third of the season, thanks to Andrei Kostitsyn and Chris Campoli. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period with a Pascal Dupuis shorthanded goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Joe Vitale. The Canadiens took the lead back with a Lars Eller goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Alexei Emelin. James Neal gave the Penguins another equalizer with his twenty-eighth of the year, fueled by Evgeni Malkin and Paul Martin. The game went to a shootout, where Rene Bourque and Malkin traded goals before Eller and Chris Kunitz did the same. Tomas Plekanec eventually scored the winner for Montreal, beating Pittsburgh 3-2. The three stars were Plekanec, Leblanc, and Price (32 for 34 in saves).
Staying in the country, we head to Ottawa, with the Senators welcoming the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Craig Anderson were sent out to play goal. St. Louis scored early with a Chris Porter goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of Roman Polak. The Blues added on and chased Anderson with David Perron netting his fifth of the year, via Patrik Berglund and Barret Jackman. Ottawa got one back in the second period as Daniel Alfredsson potted his eighteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Sergei Gonchar and Jason Spezza. St. Louis responded on another Perron goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, with assists from David Backes and T.J. Oshie. The third period was silent, leaving the final at 3-1, and the three stars belonged to Perron, Oshie, and Alfredsson.
Back stateside, the Nashville Predators take on the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne are the masked men. Ryan Kesler got things going for Vancouver with his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Alexandre Burrows and Dan Hamhuis. Nashville evened the score with a Colin Wilson goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of David Legwand and Patric Hornqvist. The Canucks regained the lead as Byron Bitz scored, with the help of Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead as Daniel Sedin notched his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Bitz and Henrik. The Predators got one back in the second period with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Kevin Klein and Martin Erat. Nashville evened the score again on Mike Fisher's sixteenth of the season, with a lone Shea Weber assist. The game was decided in the shootout, where Burrows traded tallies with David Legwand before Alexander Edler clinched a 4-3 Canucks victory over the Predators. The three stars went to Henrik, Wilson, and Bitz.
Farther southwest, the Dallas Stars take on the Phoenix Coyotes from American Airlines Center. Mike Smith and Kari Lehtonen padded up to stop pucks. Keith Yandle opened the scoring for Phoenix with his seventh of the season, assisted by Kyle Chipchura and Gilbert Brule. Dallas tied it in the second period on Michael Ryder's nineteenth of the year, with a lone assist Philip Larsen. The Coyotes gained the lead when Radim Vrbata put away his twenty-fifth of the season, thanks to Rostislav Klesla and Ray Whitney. Phoenix took the lead with a Raffi Torres goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Mikkel Boedker and Michal Rozsival. The Coyotes made it 4-1 with a Derek Morris goal, fueled by Vrbata and Whitney. The three stars were Vrbata, Torres, and Smith (28 for 29 in saves), while Whitney gets honorable mention.
Back in Canada, the Winnipeg Jets hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Ondrej Pavelec protected the cages. Toronto opened with Phil Kessel netting his thirtieth of the season, and Joffrey Lupul and Tyler Bozak had the assists. Winnipeg evened the score with a Chris Thorburn goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Zach Bogosian and Jim Slater. The Jets took the lead in the second period with Bryan Little's thirteenth of the season, thanks to Blake Wheeler and Johnny Oduya. This was the last goal when the third period was silent, and the three stars went to Wheeler, Little, and Kessel.
Finally, the Colorado Avalanche host the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Jean-Sebastien Giguere got the green light to play goal. Chicago got on the board first in the second period as Brent Seabrook recorded his fifth of the season, assisted by Viktor Stalberg and Duncan Keith. Peter Mueller tied it for Colorado with his fifth of the year, courtesy of Ryan O'Reilly. The Avalanche gained the lead on a David Jones goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Milan Hejduk. The Blackhawks shot back to tie with a Patrick Kane goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Patrick Sharp and Keith. Colorado retook the lead in the third period as Gabriel Landeskog put away his twelfth of the season, thanks to Paul Stastny. Jones extended the Avalanche lead with his second of the game and twelfth of the year, pushed through by Stastny. Colorado iced it at 5-2 with Kyle Quincey's fifth of the campaign, an empty net goal going down unassisted. The three stars were given to Jones, Stastny, and Landeskog, and Keith gets the honorable mention.
Monday, February 6, 2012
NHL Day 124 2011-2012
Only three games on tonight. We start in...
Toronto, as they host cross-country rivals in the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and James Reimer played in goal. Edmonton began early with a Jordan Eberle goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Sam Gagner. Clarke MacArthur tied it for Toronto on his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Mikhail Grabovski and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs got the bead with Jake Gardiner making his second of the campaign, with the help of Grabovski. Eberle retied it for the Oilers on his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the season, made possible by Jeff Petry and Hall. Toronto took the lead again in the second period with a Kessel goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, thanks to Matthew Lombardi and Tim Connolly. The Maple Leafs extended the lead with a Tyler Bozak goal, his tenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. Edmonton got one back when Petry registered his second of the season, requiring no assistance. Toronto took it back on a Joffrey Lupul goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone helper from Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs iced it at 6-3 in the third period when Kessel's second of the game and twenty-ninth of the campaign found the empty cage, with assists provided by Phaneuf and MacArthur. The three stars were Grabovski, Eberle, and Kessel, while Petry, Hall, MacArthur, and Phaneuf earn honorable mentions.
Well to the southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Joey MacDonald and Mike Smith earned the starts. Phoenix led off with a Boyd Gordon shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a power play goal by Martin Hanzal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Ray Whitney and Radim Vrbata. Detroit got on the board with Johan Franzen notching his twentieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. Hanzal iced it for Phoenix at 3-1 with his second of the game and eighth of the year going into the empty net, made possible by Whitney. The three stars went to Smith (30 for 31 in saves), Gordon, and Hanzal, while Whitney earns honorable mention.
Finishing off the day, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Anaheim began with a Bobby Ryan goal, his twentieth of the season, guided in by Lubomir Visnovsky and Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks extended the lead with Matt Beleskey notching his fourth of the year, with the help of Sheldon Brookbank and Teemu Selanne. Calgary got one back in the second period as Alex Tanguay sank his sixth of the season, thanks to Blair Jones and Scott Hannan. The Flames tied it in the third period with a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Olli Jokinen and Mark Giordano. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Jokinen and Corey Perry exchanged goals, followed by another matching set by Ryan and Blair Jones. Niklas Hagman had the last laugh in the game, scoring an unanswered tally for Anaheim to win 3-2 over Calgary. The three stars were awarded to Francois Beauchemin, Iginla, and Cam Fowler, while anyone earning a point or scoring in the shootout also deserves recognition.
Toronto, as they host cross-country rivals in the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and James Reimer played in goal. Edmonton began early with a Jordan Eberle goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Taylor Hall and Sam Gagner. Clarke MacArthur tied it for Toronto on his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Mikhail Grabovski and Phil Kessel. The Maple Leafs got the bead with Jake Gardiner making his second of the campaign, with the help of Grabovski. Eberle retied it for the Oilers on his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the season, made possible by Jeff Petry and Hall. Toronto took the lead again in the second period with a Kessel goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, thanks to Matthew Lombardi and Tim Connolly. The Maple Leafs extended the lead with a Tyler Bozak goal, his tenth of the campaign, going in unassisted. Edmonton got one back when Petry registered his second of the season, requiring no assistance. Toronto took it back on a Joffrey Lupul goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone helper from Dion Phaneuf. The Maple Leafs iced it at 6-3 in the third period when Kessel's second of the game and twenty-ninth of the campaign found the empty cage, with assists provided by Phaneuf and MacArthur. The three stars were Grabovski, Eberle, and Kessel, while Petry, Hall, MacArthur, and Phaneuf earn honorable mentions.
Well to the southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Joey MacDonald and Mike Smith earned the starts. Phoenix led off with a Boyd Gordon shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Coyotes added on in the second period with a power play goal by Martin Hanzal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Ray Whitney and Radim Vrbata. Detroit got on the board with Johan Franzen notching his twentieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk. Hanzal iced it for Phoenix at 3-1 with his second of the game and eighth of the year going into the empty net, made possible by Whitney. The three stars went to Smith (30 for 31 in saves), Gordon, and Hanzal, while Whitney earns honorable mention.
Finishing off the day, the Anaheim Ducks bring in the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Anaheim began with a Bobby Ryan goal, his twentieth of the season, guided in by Lubomir Visnovsky and Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks extended the lead with Matt Beleskey notching his fourth of the year, with the help of Sheldon Brookbank and Teemu Selanne. Calgary got one back in the second period as Alex Tanguay sank his sixth of the season, thanks to Blair Jones and Scott Hannan. The Flames tied it in the third period with a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Olli Jokinen and Mark Giordano. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Jokinen and Corey Perry exchanged goals, followed by another matching set by Ryan and Blair Jones. Niklas Hagman had the last laugh in the game, scoring an unanswered tally for Anaheim to win 3-2 over Calgary. The three stars were awarded to Francois Beauchemin, Iginla, and Cam Fowler, while anyone earning a point or scoring in the shootout also deserves recognition.
Fantasy Hockey All-stars week 16
About another month before clinching season begins. Here's the players who went off around the all-star break.
1. Sam Gagner, 6 G, 7 A, +5, 0 PIM, 3 PPP, 19 SOG
2. Ilya Kovalchuk, 3 G, 7 A, +4, 7 PIM, 4 PPP, 20 SOG
3. James Reimer, 2 W, 0.00 GAA, 74 SV, 1.000 SV%, 2 SO
4. Henrik Lundqvist, 3 W, 0.65 GAA, 77 SV, .975 SV%, 2 SO
5. Mikhail Grabovski, 3 G, 7 A, +4, 2 PIM, 1 PPP, 10 SOG
1. Sam Gagner, 6 G, 7 A, +5, 0 PIM, 3 PPP, 19 SOG
2. Ilya Kovalchuk, 3 G, 7 A, +4, 7 PIM, 4 PPP, 20 SOG
3. James Reimer, 2 W, 0.00 GAA, 74 SV, 1.000 SV%, 2 SO
4. Henrik Lundqvist, 3 W, 0.65 GAA, 77 SV, .975 SV%, 2 SO
5. Mikhail Grabovski, 3 G, 7 A, +4, 2 PIM, 1 PPP, 10 SOG
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Super Bowl XLVI
This is it for the NFL until next September, as the New England Patriots do battle with the New York Giants for the title of Super Bowl Champions, from Indianapolis, Indiana. New York "led off" with a safety due to Tom Brady intentionally grounding the ball. The Giants added on with an Eli Manning touchdown pass of 2 yards to Victor Cruz, and Lawrence Tynes added the extra point. New England got on the board with a 29 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal in the second quarter. The Patriots would lead 10-9 at halftime when Brady found Danny Woodhead in the end zone for a 4 yard touchdown reception, and Gostkowski handled the extra point. New England extended their lead in the third quarter with Brady tossing a 12 yard touchdown pass to Aaron Hernandez, and Gostkowski would make another PAT. New York got some back with Tynes making a 38 yard field goal. Tynes pulled the Giants even closer with a 33 yard field goal. New York made it 21-17 on an Ahmad Bradshaw touchdown run of 6 yards, and they failed the two-point attempt. They held on late to win by this score.
NHL Day 123 2011-2012
Four games of hockey to prelude your sporting events before the Super Bowl. First off...
The Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Tomas Vokoun guard the cages. Milan Lucic opened the scoring on his nineteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Rich Peverley. The Bruins added on with the nineteenth of the year by Brad Marchand, courtesy of Patrice Bergeron and Adam McQuaid. Boston extended the lead again in the third period as Tyler Seguin sank his twentieth of the season, thanks to Marchand and Bergeron. Washington got one back as Marcus Johansson netted his eleventh of the year, with assists from Mathieu Perreault and Joel Ward. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with a Peverley empty netter, his ninth of the campaign, made possible by Chris Kelly and Zdeno Chara. Thomas (35 for 36 in saves), Marchand, and Alex Ovechkin had the three stars, while Bergeron or Peverley could fill the third slot well.
Up to New York, where the Rangers welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Henrik Lundqvist get the starting nods. Artem Anisimov put New York ahead first with his eighth of the season, assisted by Dan Girardi and Derek Stepan. Philadelphia tied it in the second period as Brayden Schenn scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Jakub Voracek and Max Talbot. The Rangers retook the lead with Marian Gaborik recording his twenty-sixth of the season, with the help of Stepan and Anisimov. The Flyers tied it in the third period with Wayne Simmonds goal, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux on the power play. New York wasted no time in retaking the lead with a Michael Del Zotto, his seventh of the season, made possible by Gaborik and Anisimov. The Rangers extended their lead with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust. New York iced it off at 5-2 with a Ruslan Fedotenko empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, guided in by Carl Hagelin and Brad Richards. The three stars belonged to Gaborik, Lundqvist (21 for 23 in saves), and Dubinsky, while Anisimov and Stepan also played well.
In the same region, the New Jersey Devils hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Martin Brodeur started between the pipes, but Fleury was replaced by Brent Johnson early in the second period. New Jersey started the scoring with a Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his twenty-second of the season, via Patrik Elias and Zach Parise. The Devils added on when Anton Volchenkov scored, with helpers provided by Kovalchuk and Alexei Ponikarovsky. New Jersey rolled on in the second period as Dainius Zubrus struck shorthanded with his fifteenth of the year, coming off of Kovalchuk. Pittsburgh got one back as Matt Niskanen made his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Cal O'Reilly and Matt Cooke. The Devils replied on a Parise goal, his twentieth of the year, made possible by Steve Bernier and Andy Greene. The Penguins got one back in the third period as Evgeni Malkin scored his twenty-ninth of the season on the power play, pushed through by Steve Sullivan. New Jersey iced it at 5-2 with David Clarkson registering his twentieth of the year, an empty net goal with a lone helper by the goalie Brodeur. Kovalchuk, Parise, and Volchenkov earned the three stars.
Finally, we end early with the Montreal Canadiens hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Carey Price collected the starts in goal. Montreal opened with a David Desharnais goal, his eleventh of the season, set up by Yannick Weber and Aaron Palushaj. The Canadiens added on with an Alexei Emelin shorthanded goal in the second period, his second of the year, via Tomas Plekanec and Mathieu Darche. Montreal made it 3-0 on Plekanec's eleventh of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Tomas Kaberle and P.K. Subban. They held this lead to the end, and the three stars were Price (23 save shutout), Plekanec, and Emelin.
The Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Tomas Vokoun guard the cages. Milan Lucic opened the scoring on his nineteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Rich Peverley. The Bruins added on with the nineteenth of the year by Brad Marchand, courtesy of Patrice Bergeron and Adam McQuaid. Boston extended the lead again in the third period as Tyler Seguin sank his twentieth of the season, thanks to Marchand and Bergeron. Washington got one back as Marcus Johansson netted his eleventh of the year, with assists from Mathieu Perreault and Joel Ward. The Bruins iced it at 4-1 with a Peverley empty netter, his ninth of the campaign, made possible by Chris Kelly and Zdeno Chara. Thomas (35 for 36 in saves), Marchand, and Alex Ovechkin had the three stars, while Bergeron or Peverley could fill the third slot well.
Up to New York, where the Rangers welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Henrik Lundqvist get the starting nods. Artem Anisimov put New York ahead first with his eighth of the season, assisted by Dan Girardi and Derek Stepan. Philadelphia tied it in the second period as Brayden Schenn scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Jakub Voracek and Max Talbot. The Rangers retook the lead with Marian Gaborik recording his twenty-sixth of the season, with the help of Stepan and Anisimov. The Flyers tied it in the third period with Wayne Simmonds goal, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Scott Hartnell and Claude Giroux on the power play. New York wasted no time in retaking the lead with a Michael Del Zotto, his seventh of the season, made possible by Gaborik and Anisimov. The Rangers extended their lead with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Brian Boyle and Brandon Prust. New York iced it off at 5-2 with a Ruslan Fedotenko empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, guided in by Carl Hagelin and Brad Richards. The three stars belonged to Gaborik, Lundqvist (21 for 23 in saves), and Dubinsky, while Anisimov and Stepan also played well.
In the same region, the New Jersey Devils hosted the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Martin Brodeur started between the pipes, but Fleury was replaced by Brent Johnson early in the second period. New Jersey started the scoring with a Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his twenty-second of the season, via Patrik Elias and Zach Parise. The Devils added on when Anton Volchenkov scored, with helpers provided by Kovalchuk and Alexei Ponikarovsky. New Jersey rolled on in the second period as Dainius Zubrus struck shorthanded with his fifteenth of the year, coming off of Kovalchuk. Pittsburgh got one back as Matt Niskanen made his third of the season, a power play goal powered by Cal O'Reilly and Matt Cooke. The Devils replied on a Parise goal, his twentieth of the year, made possible by Steve Bernier and Andy Greene. The Penguins got one back in the third period as Evgeni Malkin scored his twenty-ninth of the season on the power play, pushed through by Steve Sullivan. New Jersey iced it at 5-2 with David Clarkson registering his twentieth of the year, an empty net goal with a lone helper by the goalie Brodeur. Kovalchuk, Parise, and Volchenkov earned the three stars.
Finally, we end early with the Montreal Canadiens hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Carey Price collected the starts in goal. Montreal opened with a David Desharnais goal, his eleventh of the season, set up by Yannick Weber and Aaron Palushaj. The Canadiens added on with an Alexei Emelin shorthanded goal in the second period, his second of the year, via Tomas Plekanec and Mathieu Darche. Montreal made it 3-0 on Plekanec's eleventh of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Tomas Kaberle and P.K. Subban. They held this lead to the end, and the three stars were Price (23 save shutout), Plekanec, and Emelin.
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