The very fringes of playoff qualifying are upon us, so these players we hold in such high regard are now much more valuable if you're still in the fight for your bid to the postseason. With that, the impact players this week:
Center: Shawn Horcoff, 1 goal, 4 assists, 0+/-, 22 penalty minutes, 2 power play points, 3 shots on goal
Left Wing: Alex Ovechkin, 2 goals, 3 assists, -1, 2 penalty minutes, 2 power play points, 22 shots on goal
Right Wing: Ales Hemsky, 4 goals, 3 assists, +2, 0 penalty minutes, 3 power play points, 10 shots on goal
Defenseman: Alex Pietrangelo, 0 goals, 6 assists, +4, 0 penalty minutes, 4 power play points, 3 shots on goal
Goaltender: Antti Niemi, 3 wins, 0.98 goals against average, 78 saves, .963 save percentage, 1 shutout
Utility: Andy McDonald, 3 goals, 3 assists, +3, 2 penalty minutes, 3 power play points, 7 shots on goal
Those are the best options out there right now. Consider the names on this list for the week, and many of these players are still available. If you need a surge, these and many others will be there to help. Look for this feature next week.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sandwich Showdown February 20th
This week, we have a Spicy Italian on Roasted garlic up against an Oven Roasted Chicken Breast on Italian Herbs and Cheese. First off, the Spicy was good, as all Subway sandwiches are, but the bread was a bit sketchy. Upon reviewing with panel, it is undecided whether it was outrageously fresh or unacceptably crispy. Either way, this plays into the decision. The Chicken, on the other hand, was fairly good, although the bread may have grabbed an extra minute in the over itself. However, the Chicken had the all around better taste and was the clear cut (deli humor) champion for this week over a very tough opponent. Check this feature again next week.
Heritage Classic Day and Day 2 of Hockey Weekend in America
Today features five of everyone's favorite games, or so they would like us to think. The three early games start at 9:30 Pacific, beginning with the...
Minnesota Wild hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Niklas Backstrom got the starts. The first goal was scored by Detroit in the third period off the tape of Nicklas Lidstrom, with help from Jiri Hudler and Brad Stuart for his 12th of the season. Martin Havlat answered for Minnesota with his 18th of the year, courtesy of Brent Burns.The 1-1 tie lasted into a shootout where Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi sealed a victory for the Red Wings over the Wild. The three stars went to Backstrom (38 for 39 saves), Howard (25 for 26 saves), and Datsyuk.
Farther east, in New York, the Rangers hosted the Philadelphia Flyers. Brian Boucher and Henrik Lundqvist stood 200 feet apart. New York struck first with a Wojtek Wolski tally, his tenth of the season seeing help from Ryan McDonagh and Mike Sauer. Jeff Carter replied for Philadelphia with his 27th of the year, assisted by Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers took the lead in the second period with Giroux netting his 20th of the campaign on the power play, thanks to Carter and Hartnell. Philadelphia made it 3-1 with Dan Carcillo scoring his fourth of the season, with helpers by Braydon Coburn and Darroll Powe. The Rangers attempted a comeback with Derek Stepan notching his 16th of the year, via Dan Girardi and Marc Staal, but the comeback was stopped short with an empty net goal by Kris Versteeg of the Flyers, his 15th of the campaign finding twine thanks to Coburn and James van Riemsdyk. The three stars were awarded to Carter, Giroux, and Ryan Callahan.
Staying in the same state, the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Washington Capitals. Semyon Varlamov and Ryan Miller picked up the starts. Washington draws first blood in the second period with the seventh of the season by Mathieu Perreault, with helpers by Matt Hendricks and Jason Chimera. Buffalo replied with a Jason Pominville power play goal, his 14th of the year helped along by Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly. The Capitals took a 2-1 lead with the ninth of the campaign by Marcus Johansson, courtesy of Perreault and Alex Ovechkin on the power play. This would be the final, with Miller (37 for 39 saves), Perreault, and Varlamov (28 for 29 saves) getting the three stars.
The game of the week came next, with the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Corey Crawford took their places in the blue paint. Chicago opened the scoring with Patrick Sharp registering his 31st of the season, helped along by Jonathan Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Pittsburgh tied the game with a shorthanded goal by Matt Cooke, his eleventh of the year going down thanks to Max Talbot and Brooks Orpik. The Blackhawks regained the lead with a Bryan Bickell goal, his 14th of the season made possible by Dave Bolland and Duncan Keith. The Penguins tied the game with Brett Sterling scoring his third of the campaign, with help from Tyler Kennedy and Paul Martin. The tie went into a shootout, where Chicago took the game with a Patrick Kane tally. The three stars went to Sharp, Sterling, and Bickell.
Finally, the Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where the Flames host the Montreal Canadiens outdoors. Carey Price and Miikka Kiprusoff are tending the twines. Calgary strikes first with Rene Bourque notching his 18th of the season, a power play goal from Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen. The Flames went up 2-0 with a shorthanded goal by Anton Babchuk, his ninth of the year seeing assistance from Curtis Glencross and Brendan Morrison. Bourque added on his second of the game and 19th of the season with help from Cory Sarich. Tanguay added on his 16th of the year with the man advantage, getting help from Jarome Iginla and Morrison. Kiprusoff (39 save shutout), Bourque, and Tanguay picked up the three stars for the Heritage Classic.
That's all the hockey for Sunday.
Minnesota Wild hosting the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Niklas Backstrom got the starts. The first goal was scored by Detroit in the third period off the tape of Nicklas Lidstrom, with help from Jiri Hudler and Brad Stuart for his 12th of the season. Martin Havlat answered for Minnesota with his 18th of the year, courtesy of Brent Burns.The 1-1 tie lasted into a shootout where Pavel Datsyuk and Todd Bertuzzi sealed a victory for the Red Wings over the Wild. The three stars went to Backstrom (38 for 39 saves), Howard (25 for 26 saves), and Datsyuk.
Farther east, in New York, the Rangers hosted the Philadelphia Flyers. Brian Boucher and Henrik Lundqvist stood 200 feet apart. New York struck first with a Wojtek Wolski tally, his tenth of the season seeing help from Ryan McDonagh and Mike Sauer. Jeff Carter replied for Philadelphia with his 27th of the year, assisted by Claude Giroux and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers took the lead in the second period with Giroux netting his 20th of the campaign on the power play, thanks to Carter and Hartnell. Philadelphia made it 3-1 with Dan Carcillo scoring his fourth of the season, with helpers by Braydon Coburn and Darroll Powe. The Rangers attempted a comeback with Derek Stepan notching his 16th of the year, via Dan Girardi and Marc Staal, but the comeback was stopped short with an empty net goal by Kris Versteeg of the Flyers, his 15th of the campaign finding twine thanks to Coburn and James van Riemsdyk. The three stars were awarded to Carter, Giroux, and Ryan Callahan.
Staying in the same state, the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Washington Capitals. Semyon Varlamov and Ryan Miller picked up the starts. Washington draws first blood in the second period with the seventh of the season by Mathieu Perreault, with helpers by Matt Hendricks and Jason Chimera. Buffalo replied with a Jason Pominville power play goal, his 14th of the year helped along by Thomas Vanek and Tim Connolly. The Capitals took a 2-1 lead with the ninth of the campaign by Marcus Johansson, courtesy of Perreault and Alex Ovechkin on the power play. This would be the final, with Miller (37 for 39 saves), Perreault, and Varlamov (28 for 29 saves) getting the three stars.
The game of the week came next, with the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Corey Crawford took their places in the blue paint. Chicago opened the scoring with Patrick Sharp registering his 31st of the season, helped along by Jonathan Toews and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Pittsburgh tied the game with a shorthanded goal by Matt Cooke, his eleventh of the year going down thanks to Max Talbot and Brooks Orpik. The Blackhawks regained the lead with a Bryan Bickell goal, his 14th of the season made possible by Dave Bolland and Duncan Keith. The Penguins tied the game with Brett Sterling scoring his third of the campaign, with help from Tyler Kennedy and Paul Martin. The tie went into a shootout, where Chicago took the game with a Patrick Kane tally. The three stars went to Sharp, Sterling, and Bickell.
Finally, the Heritage Classic at McMahon Stadium in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, where the Flames host the Montreal Canadiens outdoors. Carey Price and Miikka Kiprusoff are tending the twines. Calgary strikes first with Rene Bourque notching his 18th of the season, a power play goal from Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen. The Flames went up 2-0 with a shorthanded goal by Anton Babchuk, his ninth of the year seeing assistance from Curtis Glencross and Brendan Morrison. Bourque added on his second of the game and 19th of the season with help from Cory Sarich. Tanguay added on his 16th of the year with the man advantage, getting help from Jarome Iginla and Morrison. Kiprusoff (39 save shutout), Bourque, and Tanguay picked up the three stars for the Heritage Classic.
That's all the hockey for Sunday.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Saturday NHL games
Today we have nine games on, starting with a matinee between...
The hosting Edmonton Oilers and visiting Atlanta Thrashers. Chris Mason and Devan Dubnyk were sent out to stop the puck. Atlanta struck first with the 18th of the season from Dustin Byfuglien, an unassisted goal. The Thrashers made it 2-0 with Andrew Ladd getting his 21st of the year, from newcomer Blake Wheeler and Tobias Enstrom. Edmonton got on the board with a Magnus Paajarvi tally, his tenth of the season going down with helpers from Linus Omark and Tom Gilbert. Atlanta restored the two goal lead with the 17th of the year for Evander Kane, assisted by Zach Bogosian and Ron Hainsey. The Oilers took the lead over a span of 12:53 with a natural hat trick of power play goals by Taylor Hall, going as his 18th, 19th, and 20th of the season, helped along by Ales Hemsky (twice), Kurtis Foster (secondary on first goal), Gilbert (secondary on second goal), Sam Gagner and Ladislav Smid. Edmonton solidified the game with an empty netter by Hemsky to make it 5-3, his 13th of the year gaining steam from Shawn Horcoff and Theo Peckham. The three stars went out to Hall, Hemsky, and Byfuglien.
An eastern Canada matchup followed, with the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson made his Ottawa debut, opposed by James Reimer. There wasn't a single puck to find twine until Jason Spezza won it for the Senators in the shootout. Anderson (47 save shutout), Reimer (22 save "shutout"), and Spezza earned the three stars.
Farther south, the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Cam Ward got the starting nods. New Jersey struck first with Dainius Zubrus potting his 12th of the season with the help of Mark Fayne and Patrik Elias. The Devils extended their lead with Henrik Tallinder scoring his third of the year thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk and Nick Palmieri. New Jersey made it 3-0 with Brian Rolston putting his tenth of the campaign in the mesh, with helpers by Anton Volchenkov and Elias. The scoring was quiet in the second period, and Carolina got on the board in the third frame with Pat Dwyer's eighth of the season, helped along by Jamie McBain and Jerome Samson. The Devils made it 4-1, the eventual final, with another Zubrus tally, his 13th of the year and second of the game, courtesy of Elias, who finished up a sock trick. Zubrus, Elias, and Rolston collected the three stars.
Up on Long Island, the New York Islanders hosted the Los Angeles (traveling) Kings. Jonathan Quick and Al Montoya took to the goalmouths. New York struck first with a shorthanded goal by Frans Nielsen, his seventh of the season going with from Michael Grabner. Matt Moulson added a goal in both the second and third periods to bring the score to 3-0 Islanders with his 22nd and 23rd of the year. John Tavares and P.A. Parenteau picked up a pair of assists each. This score was the final, with Montoya (35 save shutout), Moulson, and Nielsen getting the three stars.
Later, a battle of the Florida teams ensued, with the Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Florida Panthers. The backups Scott Clemmensen and Dan Ellis were given the starting nods. Tampa Bay opened the scoring with the second of the season by Marc-Andre Bergeron, assisted by Randy Jones and Martin St. Louis. Florida answered twenty-four seconds into the second period with a David Booth power play goal, his 17th of the year seeing the sticks of Dennis Wideman and Stephen Weiss previously. Going nearly another whole period, the Lightning reclaimed the lead fourteen seconds into the third frame, with Sean Bergenheim recording his 12th of the season thanks to Dominic Moore and Adam Hall. The Panthers tied it again with Mike Santorelli sinking his 16th of the year with the mad advantage, helped along by Cory Stillman and Bryan McCabe. This tie lasted until Santorelli's lone tally in the shootout, giving the victory to Florida by a 3-2 margin. The three stars went to Bergenheim, Clemmensen (34 for 36 saves), and Vincent Lecavalier. I've said this before, I am not responsible for who is picked as the three stars.
Up to Nashville, where the Predators hosted the Phoenix Coyotes. Ilya Bryzgalov and Pekka Rinne were in the creases. Phoenix was the first to score, with a Keith Yandle tally in the second period, his tenth of the season getting help along the way from Eric Belanger. Fifty-eight seconds later, the Coyotes took the lead to 2-0 with Taylor Pyatt's 15th of the year, coming off of Andrew Ebbett. Nashville replied with a Sergei Kostitsyn power play goal, his 16th of the campaign, with help from Mike Fisher and Martin Erat. Phoenix restored the two goal lead with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his 13th of the season going down thanks to Vernon Fiddler and Derek Morris. The Predators attempted a comeback with Shea Weber potting his 12th of the year via Erat and Patric Hornqvist, but failed to get the equalizer, falling 3-2. The three stars were awarded to Pyatt, Yandle, and Bryzgalov (30 for 32 saves).
Heading to another game with a couple of busy trading teams, with the St. Louis Blues hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Curtis McElhinney and Ty Conklin were the starters. Anaheim opened the scoring with newbie Jarkko Ruutu potting his third of the season, with help from Brandon McMillan. The Ducks made it 2-0 with Teemu Selanne scoring his 19th of the year, an unassisted goal. St. Louis got on the board with Andy McDonald's eleventh of the season, with help from T.J. Oshie and David Backes. Seven seconds later, the Blues were in a tie after Oshie notched his fifth of the year, powered by Alex Steen and Carlo Colaiacovo. Colaiacovo put St. Louis up 3-2 with his fifth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Backes and Steen. Anaheim retied it with Ryan Getzlaf putting away his 15th of the year, with the help of Lubomir Visnovsky and Todd Marchant, leading to Ben Bishop relieving Conklin. The Blues reclaimed the lead with another McDonald tally, his 12th of the season, courtesy of Alex Pietrangelo and Barret Jackman. McElhinney came out in favor of Timo Pielmeier. St. Louis continued to drain goals in the second period, with Backes scoring his 22nd of the year, helped along by Brad Boyes. Oshie made it 6-3 Blues with his second of the game and sixth of the season, made possible by Patrik Berglund and Pietrangelo. St. Louis found two more goals from newcomer Chris Stewart, his first and second of the campaign coming on the power play, first from McDonald and the sock trick earning Pietrangelo, and later from his Avalanche teammate Kevin Shattenkirk. Steen finished off the scoring with his 17th of the year, a shorthanded and unassisted goal bringing us to the final 9-3 score. The three stars were Stewart, Oshie, and Bishop (20 for 20 saves in relief).
Up in British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Dallas Stars. Former Canuck Andrew Raycroft opposed his mentor Roberto Luongo. Vancouver opened the scoring with Daniel Sedin potting his 31st of the season, with help from his duplicate, Henrik Sedin. James Neal replied for Dallas with his 21st of the year, via Loui Eriksson. The Canucks retook the lead with Raffi Torres netting his 12th of the season, thanks to Aaron Rome. Daniel made it 3-1 Vancouver with his second of the game and 32nd of the campaign, assisted by Henrik and Alexandre Burrows. Brenden Morrow gave the Stars another tally in the form of his 25th of the year, with helpers by Jamie Langenbrunner and Mike Ribeiro. Henrik restored the two goal lead for the Canucks with his 14th of the season, courtesy of Daniel and Burrows. Torres put the dagger in with his second of the game and 13th of the year, with help from Manny Malhotra and Jannik Hansen to bring us the 5-2 Vancouver final. The three stars were Daniel, Torres, and Ryan Kesler (I think Henrik should be on there).
Finally, the San Jose Sharks hosted the Colorado Avalanche. Peter Budaj and Antti Niemi stood between the pipes. Devin Setoguchi opened the scoring for San Jose with two goals in a row, his 13th and 14th of the season, helped along by Jason Demers and Douglas Murray on the first goal and newcomer Ian White and Demers again on the latter power play tally. Ryane Clowe's 16th of the year made it 3-0 for the Sharks, another power play marker made possible by Logan Couture and Joe Thornton. The scoring was quiet until Setoguchi finished his hat trick in the third period, giving San Jose a 4-0 lead with his 15th of the campaign, an unassisted goal producing the final score. The three stars were given to Setoguchi, Niemi (25 save shutout), and Demers.
Stay tuned for Sunday's games and a Sandwich post.
The hosting Edmonton Oilers and visiting Atlanta Thrashers. Chris Mason and Devan Dubnyk were sent out to stop the puck. Atlanta struck first with the 18th of the season from Dustin Byfuglien, an unassisted goal. The Thrashers made it 2-0 with Andrew Ladd getting his 21st of the year, from newcomer Blake Wheeler and Tobias Enstrom. Edmonton got on the board with a Magnus Paajarvi tally, his tenth of the season going down with helpers from Linus Omark and Tom Gilbert. Atlanta restored the two goal lead with the 17th of the year for Evander Kane, assisted by Zach Bogosian and Ron Hainsey. The Oilers took the lead over a span of 12:53 with a natural hat trick of power play goals by Taylor Hall, going as his 18th, 19th, and 20th of the season, helped along by Ales Hemsky (twice), Kurtis Foster (secondary on first goal), Gilbert (secondary on second goal), Sam Gagner and Ladislav Smid. Edmonton solidified the game with an empty netter by Hemsky to make it 5-3, his 13th of the year gaining steam from Shawn Horcoff and Theo Peckham. The three stars went out to Hall, Hemsky, and Byfuglien.
An eastern Canada matchup followed, with the Toronto Maple Leafs hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson made his Ottawa debut, opposed by James Reimer. There wasn't a single puck to find twine until Jason Spezza won it for the Senators in the shootout. Anderson (47 save shutout), Reimer (22 save "shutout"), and Spezza earned the three stars.
Farther south, the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Cam Ward got the starting nods. New Jersey struck first with Dainius Zubrus potting his 12th of the season with the help of Mark Fayne and Patrik Elias. The Devils extended their lead with Henrik Tallinder scoring his third of the year thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk and Nick Palmieri. New Jersey made it 3-0 with Brian Rolston putting his tenth of the campaign in the mesh, with helpers by Anton Volchenkov and Elias. The scoring was quiet in the second period, and Carolina got on the board in the third frame with Pat Dwyer's eighth of the season, helped along by Jamie McBain and Jerome Samson. The Devils made it 4-1, the eventual final, with another Zubrus tally, his 13th of the year and second of the game, courtesy of Elias, who finished up a sock trick. Zubrus, Elias, and Rolston collected the three stars.
Up on Long Island, the New York Islanders hosted the Los Angeles (traveling) Kings. Jonathan Quick and Al Montoya took to the goalmouths. New York struck first with a shorthanded goal by Frans Nielsen, his seventh of the season going with from Michael Grabner. Matt Moulson added a goal in both the second and third periods to bring the score to 3-0 Islanders with his 22nd and 23rd of the year. John Tavares and P.A. Parenteau picked up a pair of assists each. This score was the final, with Montoya (35 save shutout), Moulson, and Nielsen getting the three stars.
Later, a battle of the Florida teams ensued, with the Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Florida Panthers. The backups Scott Clemmensen and Dan Ellis were given the starting nods. Tampa Bay opened the scoring with the second of the season by Marc-Andre Bergeron, assisted by Randy Jones and Martin St. Louis. Florida answered twenty-four seconds into the second period with a David Booth power play goal, his 17th of the year seeing the sticks of Dennis Wideman and Stephen Weiss previously. Going nearly another whole period, the Lightning reclaimed the lead fourteen seconds into the third frame, with Sean Bergenheim recording his 12th of the season thanks to Dominic Moore and Adam Hall. The Panthers tied it again with Mike Santorelli sinking his 16th of the year with the mad advantage, helped along by Cory Stillman and Bryan McCabe. This tie lasted until Santorelli's lone tally in the shootout, giving the victory to Florida by a 3-2 margin. The three stars went to Bergenheim, Clemmensen (34 for 36 saves), and Vincent Lecavalier. I've said this before, I am not responsible for who is picked as the three stars.
Up to Nashville, where the Predators hosted the Phoenix Coyotes. Ilya Bryzgalov and Pekka Rinne were in the creases. Phoenix was the first to score, with a Keith Yandle tally in the second period, his tenth of the season getting help along the way from Eric Belanger. Fifty-eight seconds later, the Coyotes took the lead to 2-0 with Taylor Pyatt's 15th of the year, coming off of Andrew Ebbett. Nashville replied with a Sergei Kostitsyn power play goal, his 16th of the campaign, with help from Mike Fisher and Martin Erat. Phoenix restored the two goal lead with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his 13th of the season going down thanks to Vernon Fiddler and Derek Morris. The Predators attempted a comeback with Shea Weber potting his 12th of the year via Erat and Patric Hornqvist, but failed to get the equalizer, falling 3-2. The three stars were awarded to Pyatt, Yandle, and Bryzgalov (30 for 32 saves).
Heading to another game with a couple of busy trading teams, with the St. Louis Blues hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Curtis McElhinney and Ty Conklin were the starters. Anaheim opened the scoring with newbie Jarkko Ruutu potting his third of the season, with help from Brandon McMillan. The Ducks made it 2-0 with Teemu Selanne scoring his 19th of the year, an unassisted goal. St. Louis got on the board with Andy McDonald's eleventh of the season, with help from T.J. Oshie and David Backes. Seven seconds later, the Blues were in a tie after Oshie notched his fifth of the year, powered by Alex Steen and Carlo Colaiacovo. Colaiacovo put St. Louis up 3-2 with his fifth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Backes and Steen. Anaheim retied it with Ryan Getzlaf putting away his 15th of the year, with the help of Lubomir Visnovsky and Todd Marchant, leading to Ben Bishop relieving Conklin. The Blues reclaimed the lead with another McDonald tally, his 12th of the season, courtesy of Alex Pietrangelo and Barret Jackman. McElhinney came out in favor of Timo Pielmeier. St. Louis continued to drain goals in the second period, with Backes scoring his 22nd of the year, helped along by Brad Boyes. Oshie made it 6-3 Blues with his second of the game and sixth of the season, made possible by Patrik Berglund and Pietrangelo. St. Louis found two more goals from newcomer Chris Stewart, his first and second of the campaign coming on the power play, first from McDonald and the sock trick earning Pietrangelo, and later from his Avalanche teammate Kevin Shattenkirk. Steen finished off the scoring with his 17th of the year, a shorthanded and unassisted goal bringing us to the final 9-3 score. The three stars were Stewart, Oshie, and Bishop (20 for 20 saves in relief).
Up in British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Dallas Stars. Former Canuck Andrew Raycroft opposed his mentor Roberto Luongo. Vancouver opened the scoring with Daniel Sedin potting his 31st of the season, with help from his duplicate, Henrik Sedin. James Neal replied for Dallas with his 21st of the year, via Loui Eriksson. The Canucks retook the lead with Raffi Torres netting his 12th of the season, thanks to Aaron Rome. Daniel made it 3-1 Vancouver with his second of the game and 32nd of the campaign, assisted by Henrik and Alexandre Burrows. Brenden Morrow gave the Stars another tally in the form of his 25th of the year, with helpers by Jamie Langenbrunner and Mike Ribeiro. Henrik restored the two goal lead for the Canucks with his 14th of the season, courtesy of Daniel and Burrows. Torres put the dagger in with his second of the game and 13th of the year, with help from Manny Malhotra and Jannik Hansen to bring us the 5-2 Vancouver final. The three stars were Daniel, Torres, and Ryan Kesler (I think Henrik should be on there).
Finally, the San Jose Sharks hosted the Colorado Avalanche. Peter Budaj and Antti Niemi stood between the pipes. Devin Setoguchi opened the scoring for San Jose with two goals in a row, his 13th and 14th of the season, helped along by Jason Demers and Douglas Murray on the first goal and newcomer Ian White and Demers again on the latter power play tally. Ryane Clowe's 16th of the year made it 3-0 for the Sharks, another power play marker made possible by Logan Couture and Joe Thornton. The scoring was quiet until Setoguchi finished his hat trick in the third period, giving San Jose a 4-0 lead with his 15th of the campaign, an unassisted goal producing the final score. The three stars were given to Setoguchi, Niemi (25 save shutout), and Demers.
Stay tuned for Sunday's games and a Sandwich post.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Friday Games - NHL
Another seven games on the slate tonight, starting in...
New Jersey, where the Devils hosted the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Johan Hedberg took control over the nets. New Jersey scored the game's only goal, a tally by Ilya Kovalchuk, his 21st of the season coming from Anton Volchenkov. Easily, the three stars were Kovalchuk, Hedberg (16 save shutout), and Lundqvist 27 for 28 saves).
Down to Florida, where the Panthers hosted the Detroit Red Wings. Joey MacDonald and Tomas Vokoun were guarding the cages. Todd Bertuzzi opened the scoring for Detroit with his 13th of the season, coming off of Henrik Zetterberg and Brian Rafalski. Danny Cleary made it 2-0 for the Red Wings with his 19th of the year, with help from Pavel Datsyuk and Jiri Hudler. Florida got on the board with Radek Dvorak notching his seventh of the season, via Mike Weaver and Marty Reasoner. Datsyuk extended the lead again for Detroit with his 17th of the campaign, going in unassisted. Dennis Wideman replied for the Panthers with his ninth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Stephen Weiss. Weiss tied it for Florida with his 16th of the season, thanks to David Booth and Jack Skille. Bertuzzi put the Red Wings back in front 4-3 with his second of the game and 14th of the year, with help from Johan Franzen and Zetterberg. This score was the final, and the three stars went to Bertuzzi, Datsyuk, and Weiss.
Back up the coastline, the Buffalo Sabres hosted the St. Louis Blues. Ty Conklin and Ryan Miller patrolled the goal line. T.J. Oshie got St. Louis on the board in the second period with his fourth of the season, coming off of Patrik Berglund and Andy McDonald. The Blues made it 2-0 with a power play goal by David Backes, his 21st of the year getting assistance from Alex Pietrangelo and Oshie. Vladimir Sobotka secured a 3-0 St. Louis win with his empty net tally from Erik Johnson, good as his sixth of the campaign. Oshie, Conklin (25 save shutout), and Berglund were the three stars.
Two busy business teams played in Ottawa, as the Senators hosted the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Robin Lehner got the goaltending duties. Ottawa opened the scoring with Bobby Butler potting his third of the season, with help from Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. Bard Marchand answered for Boston with his 17th of the year, helped along by Tyler Seguin and Andrew Ference. The Bruins took the lead with a Nathan Horton goal, his 15th of the season seeing the sticks of David Krejci and Ference previously. Boston extended the lead to 3-1 with the sixth of the year by Dennis Seidenberg, a power play goal made possible by Horton and Krejci. Marchand added on his second of the game for the Bruins, also his 18th of the season, courtesy of Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi. Alex Kovalev tried to get the Senators going again with his 14th of the year, a power play goal from Filip Kuba and Peter Regin, but it was too late and they fell 4-2. Rask (32 for 34 saves), Marchand, and Horton earned the three stars.
Out west, the Minnesota Wild hosted the Anaheim Ducks. Curtis McElhinney and Niklas Backstrom were in charge of stopping pucks. Anaheim was the first on the bored with a Corey Perry tally, his 30th of the season going in thanks to Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. Mikko Koivu responded with his 15th of the year for Minnesota, helped along by Andrew Brunette and Antti Miettinen. Matt Cullen put the Wild ahead with his 12th of the season, a shorthanded goal made possible by Kyle Brodziak. Minnesota kept going with the second of the year by Eric Nystrom in the second period, a power play goal gathering steam from John Madden. Brodziak added on his own 12th of the season for the Wild, with the help of Cal Clutterbuck and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Martin Havlat produced the eventual 5-1 Minnesota final with his power play goal via Brodziak and Bouchard, good as his 17th of the year. Backstrom (29 for 30), Brodziak, and Nystrom were the three stars.
Back east, the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Cam Ward put on the masks. Carolina struck first with the eleventh of the season by Chad LaRose, with an assist by Joe Corvo. Jeff Skinner added on for the Hurricanes with his 22nd of the year, assisted by Jay Harrison. Philadelphia got on the board in the second period with a Blair Betts shorthanded tally, his fourth of the campaign getting help along the way from Darroll Powe and Chris Pronger. Braydon Coburn tied it for the Flyers on his second of the season, with helpers by Danny Briere and Ville Leino. Carolina took a 3-2 lead with Erik Cole notching his 17th of the year, thanks to Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal, and this would be the final. The three stars were given to Cole, LaRose, and Ward (21 for 23 saves).
Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Corey Crawford were featured in the creases. Columbus was the first to hit the scoreboard with Matt Calvert putting his fifth of the season away unassisted. Chicago took the lead with two in a row by Patrick Sharp, his 29th and 30th of the year being assisted by Patrick Kane on both accounts and Jonathan Toews on only the latter goal. The Blue Jackets replied by Antoine Vermette scoring his 14th of the season on the power play, tying the game at two with help from Rick Nash and Grant Clitsome. Columbus took a 3-2 lead with Derek MacKenzie scoring his fourth of the year, thanks to Calvert and R.J. Umberger. Anton Stralman made it 4-2 with his first of the season for the Blue Jackets, a power play tally coming from Kristian Huselius and Umberger. Kane pulled the Blackhawks within a goal by potting his 19th of the year, courtesy of Toews and Sharp, but they didn't score in the third period and fell 4-3. The three stars went to Sharp, Calvert, and Umberger.
Another trade came in overnight, where St. Louis traded away Erik Johnson and Jay McClement, along with a conditional second round pick in 2011 or 2012 for Kevin Shattenkirk and Chris Stewart and a conditional first round choice in 2011 or 2012. There are nine games on Saturday, and the post will be finalized on Sunday.
New Jersey, where the Devils hosted the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Johan Hedberg took control over the nets. New Jersey scored the game's only goal, a tally by Ilya Kovalchuk, his 21st of the season coming from Anton Volchenkov. Easily, the three stars were Kovalchuk, Hedberg (16 save shutout), and Lundqvist 27 for 28 saves).
Down to Florida, where the Panthers hosted the Detroit Red Wings. Joey MacDonald and Tomas Vokoun were guarding the cages. Todd Bertuzzi opened the scoring for Detroit with his 13th of the season, coming off of Henrik Zetterberg and Brian Rafalski. Danny Cleary made it 2-0 for the Red Wings with his 19th of the year, with help from Pavel Datsyuk and Jiri Hudler. Florida got on the board with Radek Dvorak notching his seventh of the season, via Mike Weaver and Marty Reasoner. Datsyuk extended the lead again for Detroit with his 17th of the campaign, going in unassisted. Dennis Wideman replied for the Panthers with his ninth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Stephen Weiss. Weiss tied it for Florida with his 16th of the season, thanks to David Booth and Jack Skille. Bertuzzi put the Red Wings back in front 4-3 with his second of the game and 14th of the year, with help from Johan Franzen and Zetterberg. This score was the final, and the three stars went to Bertuzzi, Datsyuk, and Weiss.
Back up the coastline, the Buffalo Sabres hosted the St. Louis Blues. Ty Conklin and Ryan Miller patrolled the goal line. T.J. Oshie got St. Louis on the board in the second period with his fourth of the season, coming off of Patrik Berglund and Andy McDonald. The Blues made it 2-0 with a power play goal by David Backes, his 21st of the year getting assistance from Alex Pietrangelo and Oshie. Vladimir Sobotka secured a 3-0 St. Louis win with his empty net tally from Erik Johnson, good as his sixth of the campaign. Oshie, Conklin (25 save shutout), and Berglund were the three stars.
Two busy business teams played in Ottawa, as the Senators hosted the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Robin Lehner got the goaltending duties. Ottawa opened the scoring with Bobby Butler potting his third of the season, with help from Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. Bard Marchand answered for Boston with his 17th of the year, helped along by Tyler Seguin and Andrew Ference. The Bruins took the lead with a Nathan Horton goal, his 15th of the season seeing the sticks of David Krejci and Ference previously. Boston extended the lead to 3-1 with the sixth of the year by Dennis Seidenberg, a power play goal made possible by Horton and Krejci. Marchand added on his second of the game for the Bruins, also his 18th of the season, courtesy of Patrice Bergeron and Mark Recchi. Alex Kovalev tried to get the Senators going again with his 14th of the year, a power play goal from Filip Kuba and Peter Regin, but it was too late and they fell 4-2. Rask (32 for 34 saves), Marchand, and Horton earned the three stars.
Out west, the Minnesota Wild hosted the Anaheim Ducks. Curtis McElhinney and Niklas Backstrom were in charge of stopping pucks. Anaheim was the first on the bored with a Corey Perry tally, his 30th of the season going in thanks to Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. Mikko Koivu responded with his 15th of the year for Minnesota, helped along by Andrew Brunette and Antti Miettinen. Matt Cullen put the Wild ahead with his 12th of the season, a shorthanded goal made possible by Kyle Brodziak. Minnesota kept going with the second of the year by Eric Nystrom in the second period, a power play goal gathering steam from John Madden. Brodziak added on his own 12th of the season for the Wild, with the help of Cal Clutterbuck and Pierre-Marc Bouchard. Martin Havlat produced the eventual 5-1 Minnesota final with his power play goal via Brodziak and Bouchard, good as his 17th of the year. Backstrom (29 for 30), Brodziak, and Nystrom were the three stars.
Back east, the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Cam Ward put on the masks. Carolina struck first with the eleventh of the season by Chad LaRose, with an assist by Joe Corvo. Jeff Skinner added on for the Hurricanes with his 22nd of the year, assisted by Jay Harrison. Philadelphia got on the board in the second period with a Blair Betts shorthanded tally, his fourth of the campaign getting help along the way from Darroll Powe and Chris Pronger. Braydon Coburn tied it for the Flyers on his second of the season, with helpers by Danny Briere and Ville Leino. Carolina took a 3-2 lead with Erik Cole notching his 17th of the year, thanks to Jussi Jokinen and Eric Staal, and this would be the final. The three stars were given to Cole, LaRose, and Ward (21 for 23 saves).
Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Corey Crawford were featured in the creases. Columbus was the first to hit the scoreboard with Matt Calvert putting his fifth of the season away unassisted. Chicago took the lead with two in a row by Patrick Sharp, his 29th and 30th of the year being assisted by Patrick Kane on both accounts and Jonathan Toews on only the latter goal. The Blue Jackets replied by Antoine Vermette scoring his 14th of the season on the power play, tying the game at two with help from Rick Nash and Grant Clitsome. Columbus took a 3-2 lead with Derek MacKenzie scoring his fourth of the year, thanks to Calvert and R.J. Umberger. Anton Stralman made it 4-2 with his first of the season for the Blue Jackets, a power play tally coming from Kristian Huselius and Umberger. Kane pulled the Blackhawks within a goal by potting his 19th of the year, courtesy of Toews and Sharp, but they didn't score in the third period and fell 4-3. The three stars went to Sharp, Calvert, and Umberger.
Another trade came in overnight, where St. Louis traded away Erik Johnson and Jay McClement, along with a conditional second round pick in 2011 or 2012 for Kevin Shattenkirk and Chris Stewart and a conditional first round choice in 2011 or 2012. There are nine games on Saturday, and the post will be finalized on Sunday.
Trading Blitz and the Thursday Games
As the post title suggests, the hockey world has been spun with many trades recently. Notable aspects of the trades include Jarkko Ruutu to Anaheim for Ottawa, the Ottawa-Colorado goalie swap featuring Brian Elliott and Craig Anderson, the biggest trade of the season so far sending Tomas Kaberle from Toronto to Boston for Joe Colborne (a prospect), a first round pick in the 2011 draft, and a conditional pick. The subsequent deal sent Boston's Blake Wheeler, who was originally rumored into part of the Kaberle deal, and Mark Stuart down the coastline to Atlanta for Rich Peverley and Boris Valabik. Most recently was the St. Louis Blues exchanging with the Tampa Bay Lightning, sending Eric Brewer to St. Pete Times Forum for Brock Beukeboom (prospect), and a third round choice in 2011. As for the games, they started in...
New York, with the Rangers hosting the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Bernier and Henrik Lundqvist took to the nets. Dustin Brown opened the scoring for Los Angeles with his 19th of the season, a power play goal from Justin Williams and Jack Johnson. New York tied it in the second period on Ryan Callahan's 15th of the year, coming off of Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov. The Rangers took the lead in the third period with Marian Gaborik scoring his 17th of the season thanks to Mike Sauer. The Kings retied it on Matt Greene's first of the year, assisted on by Brad Richardson and Anze Kopitar. Anisimov put New York back out front with his 13th of the season, which gathered steam from Brandon Dubinsky and Callahan. Brown tied it again for Los Angeles with his second of the night and 20th of the year, with the help of Rob Scuderi and Alec Martinez. This tie lasted into the shootout, where the Rangers held off the Kings with goals by Erik Christensen and Mats Zuccarello, only answered by Jarret Stoll. Callahan, Gaborik, and Brown earned the three stars.
Also in the Big Apple, the New York Islanders hosted the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Nathan Lawson picked up the starts. Blake Wheeler got Boston on the board first with his eleventh of the season going in with help from Tyler Seguin and Andrew Ference. Mark Recchi extended the Bruins lead with his own eleventh of the season, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Johnny Boychuk. Gregory Campbell kept Boston going with his unassisted ninth of the season. David Krejci made it 4-0 for the Bruins with his ninth of the year, courtesy of Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic. John Tavares put New York on the board with his 22nd of the campaign, with an assist by Blake Comeau. Seguin was able to scare off Lawson, making it 5-1 Boston with his tenth of the season, made possible by Shawn Thornton and Wheeler, and Al Montoya came on in relief. The Islanders replied with the eighth of the year by Josh Bailey, helped along by Comeau and Radek Martinek. Lucic made it 6-2 for the Bruins with his 24th of the season, a power play goal set up by Krejci and Zdeno Chara. Tavares notched his second of the game and 23rd of the year for New York. later in the third period with help from Jack Hillen and Matt Moulson, bringing the final score of 6-3 Boston over the Islanders. The three stars were given to Krejci, Rask (34 for 37 saves), and Tavares.
In what could be dubbed the Yzerman game, the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted the Detroit Red Wings. The masked men were Jimmy Howard and Dwayne Roloson. Danny Cleary opened the scoring for Detroit with his 18th of the season, a power play goal made possible by Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg. Pavel Datsyuk made it 2-0 for the Red Wings with his 15th of the year, assisted by Cleary and Niklas Kronwall. Tampa Bay got on the board with Victor Hedman nailing his third of the season thanks to Simon Gagne. Steve Downie tied it for the Lightning with his eighth of the year from Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Kronwall put Detroit back out front with his tenth of the season, a power play marker coming off of Zetterberg and Lidstrom. The Red Wings extended the lead with the fourth of the year by Justin Abdelkader, with assists from Tomas Holmstrom and Jakub Kindl. Datsyuk made it 5-2 Detroit with his second of the game and 16th of the season, helped along by Jiri Hudler and Cleary. The final score of 6-2 was produced when the Red Wings scored one from Darren Helm, his seventh of the year going in unassisted. The three stars went out to Datsyuk, Cleary, and Lidstrom.
Out further west, the Nashville Predators hosted the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne were in between the pipes. Martin Erat scored for Nashville first, with his tenth of the season coming from David Legwand and Shea Weber. Vancouver tied it with a power play goal by Daniel Sedin, his 30th of the year going in with help from Henrik Sedin and Christian Ehrhoff. Nick Spaling put the Predators back in front seven seconds later with his fifth of the season, assisted by Patric Hornqvist. Mike Fisher put Nashville in front 3-1 with his 15th of the year, helped along by Alexander Sulzer and Erat. There was no scoring in the third period, so this was the final, and the three stars went to Rinne (35 for 36 saves), Fisher, and Spaling.
Up in Canada, the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Nikolai Khabibulin guarded the cages. Edmonton struck first with Ales Hemsky netting his eleventh of the season with the help of Shawn Horcoff. Montreal replied in the second period with Jeff Halpern getting his ninth of the year, assisted by Lars Eller and Roman Hamrlik. The Oilers got back in front with the 13th of the campaign by Taylor Hall and Andrew Cogliano. Fifteen seconds later, Ryan Jones notched his 13th of the season for Edmonton, with helpers from Jean-Francois Jacques and Liam Reddox. Hemsky secured a 4-1 victory for the Oilers with his second of the night and 12th of the year, with assistance provided by Dustin Penner and Theo Peckham for the empty netter. The three stars were awarded to Khabibulin (36 for 37 saves), Jones and Eberle.
Down in Phoenix, the Coyotes hosted the Atlanta Thrashers. Ondrej Pavelec and Ilya Bryzgalov tended the twines. Phoenix struck first with Eric Belanger getting his eighth of the season via Lauri Korpikosi shorthanded. Atlanta replied with the seventh of the year by Chris Thorburn, a power play goal coming off of Tobias Enstrom and Rich Peverley. The Coyotes took the lead back with a Shane Doan goal, his 12th of the season going down with the help of Derek Morris and Keith Yandle. The Thrashers tied it at 2 with Andrew Ladd scoring his 20th of the campaign on the power play from Peverley and Dustin Byfuglien. Peverley gave Atlanta a lead with his 14th of the year, gaining steam from Enstrom and Evander Kane. Korpikoski retied it for Phoenix by potting his 12th of the season, helped along by Yandle. Martin Hanzal put the Coyotes up 4-3 with his 13th of the year, assisted by Ray Whitney and the sock trick earning Yandle. The third period went silent, leaving us with the previously mentioned score as the final, giving the three stars to Korpikoski, Yandle, and Peverley.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks hosted the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Antti Niemi took care of the goaltending. San Jose opened the scoring with Joe Pavelski notching his 13th of the season shorthanded from Patrick Marleau. Twenty-two seconds later, Washington tied it with Alex Ovechkin putting his 23rd of the year away, a power play goal made possible by John Carlson and Alexander Semin. The next goal came off a Shark stick in the third period, which was Ryane Clowe's 15th of the campaign, assisted by Kyle Wellwood and Logan Couture. Dany Heatley put San Jose up 3-1 with his 20th of the season, a power play goal crafted from passes by Joe Thornton and Pavelski. The Capitals attempted a comeback with Nicklas Backstrom recording his 15th of the year with the help of Carlson and Ovechkin, but it wasn't going to be enough, as they lost 3-2. The three stars went to Pavelski, Clowe, and Dan Boyle.
That's all for Thursday. Friday's games should be when you would probably expect them.
New York, with the Rangers hosting the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Bernier and Henrik Lundqvist took to the nets. Dustin Brown opened the scoring for Los Angeles with his 19th of the season, a power play goal from Justin Williams and Jack Johnson. New York tied it in the second period on Ryan Callahan's 15th of the year, coming off of Derek Stepan and Artem Anisimov. The Rangers took the lead in the third period with Marian Gaborik scoring his 17th of the season thanks to Mike Sauer. The Kings retied it on Matt Greene's first of the year, assisted on by Brad Richardson and Anze Kopitar. Anisimov put New York back out front with his 13th of the season, which gathered steam from Brandon Dubinsky and Callahan. Brown tied it again for Los Angeles with his second of the night and 20th of the year, with the help of Rob Scuderi and Alec Martinez. This tie lasted into the shootout, where the Rangers held off the Kings with goals by Erik Christensen and Mats Zuccarello, only answered by Jarret Stoll. Callahan, Gaborik, and Brown earned the three stars.
Also in the Big Apple, the New York Islanders hosted the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Nathan Lawson picked up the starts. Blake Wheeler got Boston on the board first with his eleventh of the season going in with help from Tyler Seguin and Andrew Ference. Mark Recchi extended the Bruins lead with his own eleventh of the season, assisted by Patrice Bergeron and Johnny Boychuk. Gregory Campbell kept Boston going with his unassisted ninth of the season. David Krejci made it 4-0 for the Bruins with his ninth of the year, courtesy of Nathan Horton and Milan Lucic. John Tavares put New York on the board with his 22nd of the campaign, with an assist by Blake Comeau. Seguin was able to scare off Lawson, making it 5-1 Boston with his tenth of the season, made possible by Shawn Thornton and Wheeler, and Al Montoya came on in relief. The Islanders replied with the eighth of the year by Josh Bailey, helped along by Comeau and Radek Martinek. Lucic made it 6-2 for the Bruins with his 24th of the season, a power play goal set up by Krejci and Zdeno Chara. Tavares notched his second of the game and 23rd of the year for New York. later in the third period with help from Jack Hillen and Matt Moulson, bringing the final score of 6-3 Boston over the Islanders. The three stars were given to Krejci, Rask (34 for 37 saves), and Tavares.
In what could be dubbed the Yzerman game, the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted the Detroit Red Wings. The masked men were Jimmy Howard and Dwayne Roloson. Danny Cleary opened the scoring for Detroit with his 18th of the season, a power play goal made possible by Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg. Pavel Datsyuk made it 2-0 for the Red Wings with his 15th of the year, assisted by Cleary and Niklas Kronwall. Tampa Bay got on the board with Victor Hedman nailing his third of the season thanks to Simon Gagne. Steve Downie tied it for the Lightning with his eighth of the year from Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Kronwall put Detroit back out front with his tenth of the season, a power play marker coming off of Zetterberg and Lidstrom. The Red Wings extended the lead with the fourth of the year by Justin Abdelkader, with assists from Tomas Holmstrom and Jakub Kindl. Datsyuk made it 5-2 Detroit with his second of the game and 16th of the season, helped along by Jiri Hudler and Cleary. The final score of 6-2 was produced when the Red Wings scored one from Darren Helm, his seventh of the year going in unassisted. The three stars went out to Datsyuk, Cleary, and Lidstrom.
Out further west, the Nashville Predators hosted the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne were in between the pipes. Martin Erat scored for Nashville first, with his tenth of the season coming from David Legwand and Shea Weber. Vancouver tied it with a power play goal by Daniel Sedin, his 30th of the year going in with help from Henrik Sedin and Christian Ehrhoff. Nick Spaling put the Predators back in front seven seconds later with his fifth of the season, assisted by Patric Hornqvist. Mike Fisher put Nashville in front 3-1 with his 15th of the year, helped along by Alexander Sulzer and Erat. There was no scoring in the third period, so this was the final, and the three stars went to Rinne (35 for 36 saves), Fisher, and Spaling.
Up in Canada, the Edmonton Oilers hosted the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Nikolai Khabibulin guarded the cages. Edmonton struck first with Ales Hemsky netting his eleventh of the season with the help of Shawn Horcoff. Montreal replied in the second period with Jeff Halpern getting his ninth of the year, assisted by Lars Eller and Roman Hamrlik. The Oilers got back in front with the 13th of the campaign by Taylor Hall and Andrew Cogliano. Fifteen seconds later, Ryan Jones notched his 13th of the season for Edmonton, with helpers from Jean-Francois Jacques and Liam Reddox. Hemsky secured a 4-1 victory for the Oilers with his second of the night and 12th of the year, with assistance provided by Dustin Penner and Theo Peckham for the empty netter. The three stars were awarded to Khabibulin (36 for 37 saves), Jones and Eberle.
Down in Phoenix, the Coyotes hosted the Atlanta Thrashers. Ondrej Pavelec and Ilya Bryzgalov tended the twines. Phoenix struck first with Eric Belanger getting his eighth of the season via Lauri Korpikosi shorthanded. Atlanta replied with the seventh of the year by Chris Thorburn, a power play goal coming off of Tobias Enstrom and Rich Peverley. The Coyotes took the lead back with a Shane Doan goal, his 12th of the season going down with the help of Derek Morris and Keith Yandle. The Thrashers tied it at 2 with Andrew Ladd scoring his 20th of the campaign on the power play from Peverley and Dustin Byfuglien. Peverley gave Atlanta a lead with his 14th of the year, gaining steam from Enstrom and Evander Kane. Korpikoski retied it for Phoenix by potting his 12th of the season, helped along by Yandle. Martin Hanzal put the Coyotes up 4-3 with his 13th of the year, assisted by Ray Whitney and the sock trick earning Yandle. The third period went silent, leaving us with the previously mentioned score as the final, giving the three stars to Korpikoski, Yandle, and Peverley.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks hosted the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Antti Niemi took care of the goaltending. San Jose opened the scoring with Joe Pavelski notching his 13th of the season shorthanded from Patrick Marleau. Twenty-two seconds later, Washington tied it with Alex Ovechkin putting his 23rd of the year away, a power play goal made possible by John Carlson and Alexander Semin. The next goal came off a Shark stick in the third period, which was Ryane Clowe's 15th of the campaign, assisted by Kyle Wellwood and Logan Couture. Dany Heatley put San Jose up 3-1 with his 20th of the season, a power play goal crafted from passes by Joe Thornton and Pavelski. The Capitals attempted a comeback with Nicklas Backstrom recording his 15th of the year with the help of Carlson and Ovechkin, but it wasn't going to be enough, as they lost 3-2. The three stars went to Pavelski, Clowe, and Dan Boyle.
That's all for Thursday. Friday's games should be when you would probably expect them.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Wednesday Hockey action
Yesterday, there were eight games on, all of which I missed the opportunity to cover at that time due to a heavy workload which continues into today. They started off in...
New Jersey, with the Devils hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Johan Hedberg took to the nets. The first tally was recorded by Ilya Kovalchuk for New Jersey in the second period, his 20th of the season going in thanks to Nick Palmieri and Travis Zajac. Brian Rolston padded the lead for the Devils with his ninth of the year, assisted by Patrik Elias and Anssi Salmela. Elias later added his own for New Jersey, making it 3-0 on his 14th of the season with the help of Rolston and Mark Fayne. Carolina got into the scoring with the tenth of the campaign by Sergei Samsonov from Jiri Tlusty. Tuomo Ruutu put the Hurricanes within a goal on his 14th of the year via Eric Staal and Jamie McBain, but the remaining five second was not enough time for an equalizer. Hedberg (25 for 27 saves), Kovalchuk, and Elias earned the three stars in the 3-2 Devils win.
Later, the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Ryan Miller made the starts, but Giguere left after the first period with an injury and was replaced by James Reimer. Toronto struck first in the second period with Phil Kessel netting his 22nd of the season, courtesy of Tomas Kaberle and Joffery Lupul. The Maple Leafs took the lead up to 2-0 with the first of the campaign by Joey Crabb, a shorthanded goal coming from Tim Brent. Buffalo attempted to get back into the game with Paul Gaustad's eighth of the year, as Drew Stafford and Chris Butler picked up the helpers. This wouldn't be enough, and Toronto held on to beat the Sabres 2-1, giving the three stars to Lupul, Kessel, and Miller (28 for 30 saves).
Out west, the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Mathieu Garon got the starting honors. Los Angeles struck first with Justin Williams potting his 20th of the season with help from Andrei Loktionov and Alec Martinez. Columbus tied it later with Jakub Voracek notching his eleventh of the year, helped along by Derek MacKenzie and Rick Nash. Loktionov gave the Kings the lead back in the second period with his fourth of the season, made possible by Matt Greene. Nash replied for the Blue Jackets with his 27th of the year, assisted by MacKenzie and Grant Clitsome. Los Angeles replied with the eighth of the season for Drew Doughty, making it 3-2 after assistance by Michal Handzus and Anze Kopitar. Columbus got another equalizer late in the period with Kris Russell potting his third of the year, from Voracek and Nash. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the only goal came from Jarret Stoll, giving the Kings the 4-3 victory. The three stars were awarded to Nash, Loktionov, and MacKenzie.
Down south, the Florida Panthers hosted the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Tomas Vokoun were assigned to the creases. Philadelphia struck first with a Mike Richards goal, his 18th of the season going to twine with help from newly-acquired Kris Versteeg and noted pugilist Dan Carcillo. Andreas Nodl made it 2-0 Flyers with his tenth of the year, assisted by Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell. James van Riemsdyk kept Philadelphia going with his 14th of the season, courtesy of Briere and Chris Pronger. Florida got on the board in the third period with Rostislav Olesz scoring his sixth of the year on the power play via Jason Garrison and Marty Reasoner. The Panthers got within one when David Booth nailed his 16th of the season into the mesh unassisted. However, the Flyers put the dagger in with an empty-netter by Briere, his 28th of the year, with the help of Nodl and Kimmo Timonen to secure a 4-2 victory. Briere, Booth, and van Riemsdyk picked up the three stars.
West again, to the United Center, where the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Minnesota Wild. Jose Theodore and Corey Crawford put on the masks. Brian Campbell scored in the first period for Chicago with help from Dave Bolland and Marian Hossa for his third of the season, a power play goal. The next goal came from Minnesota in the third period, a power play goal by Matt Cullen, his eleventh of the year getting steam from Jared Spurgeon and Mikko Koivu. Thirty-four seconds later, the Blackhawks reclaimed the lead with another power play goal from Troy Brouwer, his 17th of the season going down thanks to Bolland and Duncan Keith. Chicago sealed the game at 3-1 with a Jake Dowell empty net goal, his sixth of the year made possible by a sock trick-earning Bolland and Hossa. The three stars went to Crawford (33 for 34 saves), Brouwer, and Theodore (34 for 36 saves).
Heading up in the air a mile, for the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Peter Budaj guarded the cages. Pittsburgh struck first with Joe Vitale scoring his first of the season, assisted by Brett Sterling and Paul Martin. Colorado tied the game in the second period with Chris Stewart scoring his 13th of the year, thanks to David Jones and John-Michael Liles. The Avalanche took a lead with Cameron Gaunce scoring his first of the season, with the help of Matt Hunwick and Paul Stastny. Thirty-two seconds later, the Penguins tied it with Jordan Staal getting his sixth of the year, via Nick Johnson and Kris Letang. The tie lasted into overtime, where Pittsburgh took the 3-2 win over Colorado with Tyler Kennedy's 12th of the campaign on the power play from Alex Goligoski and Letang. Kennedy, Gaunce, and Vitale earned the three stars.
Up in Canada, the Calgary Flames hosted the Dallas Stars. Kari Lethonen and Miikka Kiprusoff were in between the pipes. Calgary was the first to score with Olli Jokinen getting his 13th of the season with the help of Mark Giordano and David Moss. Dallas replied in the second period with Mike Ribeiro notching his eleventh of the year with helpers by Brenden Morrow and Jamie Langenbrunner. Langenbrunner (is there an echo on this blog? *this blog*) added on his sixth of the season to give the Stars a 2-1 lead thanks to James Neal and Trevor Daley. The Flames tied it on the power play with Tom Kostopolous getting his fifth of the year, courtesy of Rene Bourque and Anton Babchuk. Calgary took the lead back in the third period on the third of the season by Cory Sarich, helped along by Mikael Backlund. Making it 4-2 Flames was Steve Staios with his second of the year, a shorthanded goal coming off of Bourque and Matt Stajan. This was the eventual final, giving the three stars to Giordano, Bourque, and Kiprusoff (22 for 24 saves).
Lastly, the Anaheim Ducks hosted the Washington Capitals. Semyon Varlamov and Curtis McElhinney tended the twines to start with. Ryan Getzlaf put Anaheim in front first with his 14th of the season, a power play goal from Jason Blake and Bobby Ryan. Washington answered with an Alex Ovechkin tally, his 22nd of the year going down thanks to Nicklas Backstrom and Karl Alzner. Brooks Laich put the Capitals out front with his unassisted 12th of the season. The Ducks tied the game back up with Teemu Selanne's 18th of the year, courtesy of Saku Koivu and Luca Sbisa. Toni Lydman made it 3-2 for Anaheim with his third of the season, off the sticks of Corey Perry and Getzlaf previously. Perry kept the Ducks going with his 29th of the year, a shorthanded goal made possible by Sbisa and Brandon McMillan. Washington turned the tide with Dave Steckel's fifth of the season, courtesy of Boyd Gordon and Matt Hendricks. Alexander Semin tied it for the Capitals with his 19th of the year, with Marcus Johansson and Ovechkin picking up the helpers. Anaheim regained the lead with Lubomir Visnovsky potting his ninth of the season to make it 5-4, with the help of Perry and Getzlaf. Mike Knuble tied it again for Washington with his 14th of the year in the third period, from Backstrom and Alzner. The Ducks went back out in front on the 28th of the season by Bobby Ryan, which allowed both Getzlaf and Perry to get sock tricks with their assists. However, the Capitals had more to come, and ended up winning on Semin's hat trick completion with his 20th and 21st coming consecutively. The assists were doled out to Scott Hannan, Hendricks, Laich, and the sock trick earning Alzner, producing the 7-6 final. Perry, Semin, and Getzlaf earned the three stars.
Sorry for the delay, Thursday's games out tomorrow afternoon.
New Jersey, with the Devils hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Johan Hedberg took to the nets. The first tally was recorded by Ilya Kovalchuk for New Jersey in the second period, his 20th of the season going in thanks to Nick Palmieri and Travis Zajac. Brian Rolston padded the lead for the Devils with his ninth of the year, assisted by Patrik Elias and Anssi Salmela. Elias later added his own for New Jersey, making it 3-0 on his 14th of the season with the help of Rolston and Mark Fayne. Carolina got into the scoring with the tenth of the campaign by Sergei Samsonov from Jiri Tlusty. Tuomo Ruutu put the Hurricanes within a goal on his 14th of the year via Eric Staal and Jamie McBain, but the remaining five second was not enough time for an equalizer. Hedberg (25 for 27 saves), Kovalchuk, and Elias earned the three stars in the 3-2 Devils win.
Later, the Buffalo Sabres hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Ryan Miller made the starts, but Giguere left after the first period with an injury and was replaced by James Reimer. Toronto struck first in the second period with Phil Kessel netting his 22nd of the season, courtesy of Tomas Kaberle and Joffery Lupul. The Maple Leafs took the lead up to 2-0 with the first of the campaign by Joey Crabb, a shorthanded goal coming from Tim Brent. Buffalo attempted to get back into the game with Paul Gaustad's eighth of the year, as Drew Stafford and Chris Butler picked up the helpers. This wouldn't be enough, and Toronto held on to beat the Sabres 2-1, giving the three stars to Lupul, Kessel, and Miller (28 for 30 saves).
Out west, the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Mathieu Garon got the starting honors. Los Angeles struck first with Justin Williams potting his 20th of the season with help from Andrei Loktionov and Alec Martinez. Columbus tied it later with Jakub Voracek notching his eleventh of the year, helped along by Derek MacKenzie and Rick Nash. Loktionov gave the Kings the lead back in the second period with his fourth of the season, made possible by Matt Greene. Nash replied for the Blue Jackets with his 27th of the year, assisted by MacKenzie and Grant Clitsome. Los Angeles replied with the eighth of the season for Drew Doughty, making it 3-2 after assistance by Michal Handzus and Anze Kopitar. Columbus got another equalizer late in the period with Kris Russell potting his third of the year, from Voracek and Nash. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the only goal came from Jarret Stoll, giving the Kings the 4-3 victory. The three stars were awarded to Nash, Loktionov, and MacKenzie.
Down south, the Florida Panthers hosted the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Tomas Vokoun were assigned to the creases. Philadelphia struck first with a Mike Richards goal, his 18th of the season going to twine with help from newly-acquired Kris Versteeg and noted pugilist Dan Carcillo. Andreas Nodl made it 2-0 Flyers with his tenth of the year, assisted by Danny Briere and Scott Hartnell. James van Riemsdyk kept Philadelphia going with his 14th of the season, courtesy of Briere and Chris Pronger. Florida got on the board in the third period with Rostislav Olesz scoring his sixth of the year on the power play via Jason Garrison and Marty Reasoner. The Panthers got within one when David Booth nailed his 16th of the season into the mesh unassisted. However, the Flyers put the dagger in with an empty-netter by Briere, his 28th of the year, with the help of Nodl and Kimmo Timonen to secure a 4-2 victory. Briere, Booth, and van Riemsdyk picked up the three stars.
West again, to the United Center, where the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Minnesota Wild. Jose Theodore and Corey Crawford put on the masks. Brian Campbell scored in the first period for Chicago with help from Dave Bolland and Marian Hossa for his third of the season, a power play goal. The next goal came from Minnesota in the third period, a power play goal by Matt Cullen, his eleventh of the year getting steam from Jared Spurgeon and Mikko Koivu. Thirty-four seconds later, the Blackhawks reclaimed the lead with another power play goal from Troy Brouwer, his 17th of the season going down thanks to Bolland and Duncan Keith. Chicago sealed the game at 3-1 with a Jake Dowell empty net goal, his sixth of the year made possible by a sock trick-earning Bolland and Hossa. The three stars went to Crawford (33 for 34 saves), Brouwer, and Theodore (34 for 36 saves).
Heading up in the air a mile, for the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Peter Budaj guarded the cages. Pittsburgh struck first with Joe Vitale scoring his first of the season, assisted by Brett Sterling and Paul Martin. Colorado tied the game in the second period with Chris Stewart scoring his 13th of the year, thanks to David Jones and John-Michael Liles. The Avalanche took a lead with Cameron Gaunce scoring his first of the season, with the help of Matt Hunwick and Paul Stastny. Thirty-two seconds later, the Penguins tied it with Jordan Staal getting his sixth of the year, via Nick Johnson and Kris Letang. The tie lasted into overtime, where Pittsburgh took the 3-2 win over Colorado with Tyler Kennedy's 12th of the campaign on the power play from Alex Goligoski and Letang. Kennedy, Gaunce, and Vitale earned the three stars.
Up in Canada, the Calgary Flames hosted the Dallas Stars. Kari Lethonen and Miikka Kiprusoff were in between the pipes. Calgary was the first to score with Olli Jokinen getting his 13th of the season with the help of Mark Giordano and David Moss. Dallas replied in the second period with Mike Ribeiro notching his eleventh of the year with helpers by Brenden Morrow and Jamie Langenbrunner. Langenbrunner (is there an echo on this blog? *this blog*) added on his sixth of the season to give the Stars a 2-1 lead thanks to James Neal and Trevor Daley. The Flames tied it on the power play with Tom Kostopolous getting his fifth of the year, courtesy of Rene Bourque and Anton Babchuk. Calgary took the lead back in the third period on the third of the season by Cory Sarich, helped along by Mikael Backlund. Making it 4-2 Flames was Steve Staios with his second of the year, a shorthanded goal coming off of Bourque and Matt Stajan. This was the eventual final, giving the three stars to Giordano, Bourque, and Kiprusoff (22 for 24 saves).
Lastly, the Anaheim Ducks hosted the Washington Capitals. Semyon Varlamov and Curtis McElhinney tended the twines to start with. Ryan Getzlaf put Anaheim in front first with his 14th of the season, a power play goal from Jason Blake and Bobby Ryan. Washington answered with an Alex Ovechkin tally, his 22nd of the year going down thanks to Nicklas Backstrom and Karl Alzner. Brooks Laich put the Capitals out front with his unassisted 12th of the season. The Ducks tied the game back up with Teemu Selanne's 18th of the year, courtesy of Saku Koivu and Luca Sbisa. Toni Lydman made it 3-2 for Anaheim with his third of the season, off the sticks of Corey Perry and Getzlaf previously. Perry kept the Ducks going with his 29th of the year, a shorthanded goal made possible by Sbisa and Brandon McMillan. Washington turned the tide with Dave Steckel's fifth of the season, courtesy of Boyd Gordon and Matt Hendricks. Alexander Semin tied it for the Capitals with his 19th of the year, with Marcus Johansson and Ovechkin picking up the helpers. Anaheim regained the lead with Lubomir Visnovsky potting his ninth of the season to make it 5-4, with the help of Perry and Getzlaf. Mike Knuble tied it again for Washington with his 14th of the year in the third period, from Backstrom and Alzner. The Ducks went back out in front on the 28th of the season by Bobby Ryan, which allowed both Getzlaf and Perry to get sock tricks with their assists. However, the Capitals had more to come, and ended up winning on Semin's hat trick completion with his 20th and 21st coming consecutively. The assists were doled out to Scott Hannan, Hendricks, Laich, and the sock trick earning Alzner, producing the 7-6 final. Perry, Semin, and Getzlaf earned the three stars.
Sorry for the delay, Thursday's games out tomorrow afternoon.
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