Five games on today, beginning in...
Toronto, as the Maple Leafs host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and James Reimer receive the starting nods. Toronto began with a first period Matt Frattin goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Nazem Kadri and Leo Komarov. Carolina tied it in the second period as Jordan Staal scored, thanks to Patrick Dwyer. The Hurricanes took the lead on an Eric Staal power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Jiri Tlusty and Tim Brent. Carolina added on in the third period as Justin Faulk scored his second of the season, a power play goal set up by Jeff Skinner and Alexander Semin. The Hurricanes padded the lead as Dwyer made his third of the year, with the help of Jordan Staal and Skinner, the latter getting a sock trick. This was all they needed for a 4-1 win, with the three stars going to Ward (41 for 42 in saves), Skinner, and Semin, while Dwyer and Jordan Staal receive the honorable mentions.
Way southwest to Phoenix, where the Coyotes host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Mike Smith are in the creases. Phoenix was first to score in the first period as Lauri Korpikoski scored his fourth of the season, passed from Keith Yandle. The Coyotes added on in the second period as Martin Hanzal potted his fourth of the year, via Radim Vrbata and Zbynek Michalek. Minnesota got on the board with the sixth of the season by Zach Parise, an unassisted goal. They failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars being Smith (21 for 22 in saves), Korpikoski, and Michalek.
Up north a bit, the Colorado Avalanche host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Semyon Varlamov guard the cages. Dallas led off in the first period as Jamie Benn scored an unassisted goal. The Stars added on as Brenden Morrow scored, with assists provided by Jaromir Jagr and Benn. Colorado got on the board when Milan Hejduk scored, thanks to John Mitchell and Paul Stastny. The Avalanche tied it in the second period with the seventh of the season by P.A. Parenteau, assisted by Stastny and Jamie McGinn on the power play. Dallas gained the lead back with Benn's second of the game, fueled by Derek Roy and Aaron Rome. They held on to win 3-2, with the three stars going to Hejduk, Benn, and Parenteau, while Stastny gets an honorable mention.
Farther north, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Devan Dubnyk will occupy the blue paint. Edmonton struck first in the first period on an Ales Hemsky power play goal, his third of the season, powered by Nail Yakupov and Sam Gagner. The Oilers added on in the second period with a shorthanded goal by Ryan Smyth, set up by Anton Lander. Vancouver got on the board as Jannik Hansen scored, via Jordan Schroeder and Chris Higgins. The Canucks tied it in the third period as Kevin Bieksa scored, courtesy of Mason Raymond and Hansen. Vancouver won 3-2 in overtime as Chris Tanev scored, with assists provided by Henrik Sedin and Daniel Sedin. The three stars went to Dubnyk (37 for 40 in saves), Hemsky, and Luongo (23 for 25 in saves), while Hansen gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we end in Anaheim, where the Ducks welcome the San Jose Sharks. Backups Thomas Greiss and Viktor Fasth play goal. San Jose got going in the first period with a Logan Couture goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Andrew Desjardins and Tommy Wingels. Anaheim tied it in the third period as Saku Koivu scored his second of the year in the third period, an unassisted goal. The Ducks took the lead with a Sheldon Souray goal, his third of the season, coming off of Francois Beauchemin and Ryan Getzlaf. Anaheim held on for the 2-1 win, with the three stars given to Souray, Fasth (25 for 26 in saves), and Getzlaf.
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