NHL February 20th 2013

Only three games on tonight, beginning in...

Pennsylvania, as the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in their neighbors from the east, the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Tomas Vokoun are between the pipes. Pittsburgh started with a first period Matt Niskanen goal, his second of the season, assisted by Kris Letang. The Penguins added on as Evgeni Malkin scored his fourth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Paul Martin and James Neal. Philadelphia got on the board with a Nicklas Grossmann goal, set up by Mike Knuble and Sean Couturier. The Flyers tied it as Wayne Simmonds scored his fifth of the season, via Danny Briere. Simmonds then dropped the gloves with Tanner Glass. Philadelphia took the lead in the second period on a power play goal by Jakub Voracek, his fourth of the year, powered by Simmonds, whose assist completed a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, and Brayden Schenn. The Flyers padded the lead in the third period as Voracek scored another goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, guided in by Braydon Coburn and Claude Giroux. Pittsburgh took one back on a Tyler Kennedy goal, his second of the year, passed from Martin and Brooks Orpik. Philadelphia shot back with a Simmonds goal, his second of the game and sixth of the season, made possible by Max Talbot and Bruno Gervais. The Penguins pulled closer as James Neal scored his twelfth of the year, a power play goal, with assists provided by Malkin and Sidney Crosby. Pittsburgh tied it as Brandon Sutter scored his fourth of the season, pushed through by Martin, who got a sock trick, and Matt Cooke. The Flyers regained the lead as Voracek finished his hat trick with his sixth of the year, with a lone assist from Giroux. This held up for a 6-5 win, with the three stars being Voracek, Simmonds, and Martin, while Malkin, Neal, and Giroux get the honorable mentions.

Northwest to Calgary, where the Flames host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Bernier and Joey MacDonald receive the starting nods. Los Angeles opened in the first period on a Dustin Brown goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Anze Kopitar and Rob Scuderi. Calgary tied it as T.J. Brodie scored, thanks to Jarome Iginla and Jiri Hudler. The Kings took the lead on a Trevor Lewis goal, passed from Jeff Carter and Scuderi. Los Angeles padded the lead in the third period with a Carter goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Mike Richards and Kyle Clifford. This held up for a 3-1 final, with the three stars going to Carter, Iginla, and Brodie, while Scuderi and Bernier (26 for 27 in saves) receive the honorable mentions.

Down in Colorado, we end with the Avalanche welcoming the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Semyon Varlamov tend the twines. Colorado won 1-0 in overtime as David Jones scored his second of the season, with the help of Matt Hunwick. The three stars were Varlamov (33 save shutout), T.J. Oshie, and Jones, while Halak (19 for 20 in saves) could easily take the second slot.

Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.