This week brings us into the thinning of the playoff fields, with some leagues holding their championships and others participating in the semi-finals. I am proud to say that I have five teams looking for a gold medal this week, and likely more to play for 1st place next week as well. With that, here's the best players from last week:
Center: Ryan Getzlaf, 0 goals, 7 assists, +6, 0 penalty minutes, 3 power play points, 7 shots on goal
Left Wing: Ryane Clowe, 1 goal, 4 assists, +4, 14 penalty minutes, 0 power play points, 8 shots on goal
Right Wing: Corey Perry, 5 goals, 1 assist, +5, 0 penalty minutes, 1 power play point, 17 shots on goal
Defenseman: Zdeno Chara, 1 goal, 5 assists, +5, 0 penalty minutes, 1 power play point, 12 shots on goal
Goaltender: "King" Henrik Lundqvist, 2 wins, 0.32 goals against average, 77 saves, .987 save percentage, 2 shutouts
Those were your top players last week. I have seen Lundqvist be a huge difference on many occasions, and both for and against me last week. Also, California is the place to go for forwards. Starting in two weeks, Baseball all-stars will be posted as well. This will run here next week.
Monday, March 28, 2011
Song of the Week XIII
This week, we have a pop-punk tune from Good Charlotte called The Chronicles of Life and Death. The song emphasizes the basic life pattern that everyone goes through. It expresses less individuality than other bands usually would show. It also protests people who think they are entitled just because they are alive. The rhythm has short bursts of guitar with a repeating drum pattern. The song is not their best, but it is not horrible either. This feature will run next week.
Sunday hockey coverage
Sunday only had four games in the lead-up to the stretch run. They started in...
Pittsburgh, with the Penguins bringing the Florida Panthers to the CONSOL Energy Center. Tomas Vokoun and Marc-Andre Fleury took to the creases. Florida opened the scoring in the second period with the third goal of the season by Ryan Carter, guided in by Alexander Sulzer and Darcy Hordichuk. Pittsburgh replied with Ben Lovejoy notching his third of the year, with the help of Alex Kovalev and James Neal. The tie lasted through the Scott Clemmensen substitution for Tomas Vokoun, throughout overtime to the shootout, where the Penguins beat the Panthers with tallies from Kovalev and Neal. Fleury (37 for 38 saves), Lovejoy, and Kovalev picked up the three stars.
South to Atlanta, where the Thrashers hosted the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Chris Mason were the starters. Atlanta tallied first with the 16th of the season by Blake Wheeler, assisted by Zach Bogosian and Andrew Ladd. Ottawa replied with Marek Svatos' third of the year, an unassisted goal. The Thrashers took the lead back with Bryan Little potting his 17th of the season, with help from Wheeler. Nineteen seconds later, Atlanta extended their lead on Ben Maxwell's first of the year, fueled by Dustin Byfuglien and Ron Hainsey. The Senators got a goal back on Chris Neil's sixth of the season, courtesy of Jesse Winchester and Patrick Wiercioch. The Thrashers took that goal back with Mark Stuart netting his second of the year, with helpers provided by Nik Antropov and Maxwell. Ottawa pulled back within a goal on Erik Condra's sixth of the season, helped along by Jason Spezza and Brian Lee. Svatos added the equalizer for the Senators with his second of the game and fourth of the year, powered by Filip Kuba and Erik Karlsson. Atlanta beat Ottawa in the shootout later in the game, with Ladd providing the lone tally for the 5-4 victory. The three stars were given to Maxwell, Wheeler, and Ladd.
To Columbus, with the Blue Jackets hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Mathieu Garon played the creases. Vancouver opened the scoring with Christian Ehrhoff netting his 12th of the season via Chris Higgins and Mason Raymond. The Canucks extended their lead in the third period with the 19th of the year coming on the power play off the tape of Henrik Sedin, with helpers provided by Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler. Higgins kept Vancouver rolling with his 12th of the season, made possible by Kesler and Raymond. Columbus got on the board with R.J. Umberger sinking his 24th of the campaign, thanks to Antoine Vermette. Higgins made it 4-1 Canucks with his 13th of the year, a power play goal and his second tally of the game being powered by Raymond, who clinched a sock trick, and Kevin Bieksa. Schneider (39 for 40 saves), Higgins, and Umberger earned the three stars.
Finally, the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Brian Boucher participated in some alliteration in front of the cages. Philadelphia got on the board first with Kris Versteeg netting his 20th of the campaign, assisted by Mike Richards and James van Riemsdyk. Boston replied in the second period with Nathan Horton on the power play with his 23rd of the season, powered by Tomas Kaberle and David Krejci. The Bruins took a 2-1 lead in the third period with another power play goal, this time Brad Marchand's 20th of the year, guided along by Dennis Seidenberg and Mark Recchi. This was the final, with the three stars going to Marchand, Thomas (27 for 28 saves), and Versteeg.
Pittsburgh, with the Penguins bringing the Florida Panthers to the CONSOL Energy Center. Tomas Vokoun and Marc-Andre Fleury took to the creases. Florida opened the scoring in the second period with the third goal of the season by Ryan Carter, guided in by Alexander Sulzer and Darcy Hordichuk. Pittsburgh replied with Ben Lovejoy notching his third of the year, with the help of Alex Kovalev and James Neal. The tie lasted through the Scott Clemmensen substitution for Tomas Vokoun, throughout overtime to the shootout, where the Penguins beat the Panthers with tallies from Kovalev and Neal. Fleury (37 for 38 saves), Lovejoy, and Kovalev picked up the three stars.
South to Atlanta, where the Thrashers hosted the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Chris Mason were the starters. Atlanta tallied first with the 16th of the season by Blake Wheeler, assisted by Zach Bogosian and Andrew Ladd. Ottawa replied with Marek Svatos' third of the year, an unassisted goal. The Thrashers took the lead back with Bryan Little potting his 17th of the season, with help from Wheeler. Nineteen seconds later, Atlanta extended their lead on Ben Maxwell's first of the year, fueled by Dustin Byfuglien and Ron Hainsey. The Senators got a goal back on Chris Neil's sixth of the season, courtesy of Jesse Winchester and Patrick Wiercioch. The Thrashers took that goal back with Mark Stuart netting his second of the year, with helpers provided by Nik Antropov and Maxwell. Ottawa pulled back within a goal on Erik Condra's sixth of the season, helped along by Jason Spezza and Brian Lee. Svatos added the equalizer for the Senators with his second of the game and fourth of the year, powered by Filip Kuba and Erik Karlsson. Atlanta beat Ottawa in the shootout later in the game, with Ladd providing the lone tally for the 5-4 victory. The three stars were given to Maxwell, Wheeler, and Ladd.
To Columbus, with the Blue Jackets hosting the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Mathieu Garon played the creases. Vancouver opened the scoring with Christian Ehrhoff netting his 12th of the season via Chris Higgins and Mason Raymond. The Canucks extended their lead in the third period with the 19th of the year coming on the power play off the tape of Henrik Sedin, with helpers provided by Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler. Higgins kept Vancouver rolling with his 12th of the season, made possible by Kesler and Raymond. Columbus got on the board with R.J. Umberger sinking his 24th of the campaign, thanks to Antoine Vermette. Higgins made it 4-1 Canucks with his 13th of the year, a power play goal and his second tally of the game being powered by Raymond, who clinched a sock trick, and Kevin Bieksa. Schneider (39 for 40 saves), Higgins, and Umberger earned the three stars.
Finally, the Philadelphia Flyers hosted the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Brian Boucher participated in some alliteration in front of the cages. Philadelphia got on the board first with Kris Versteeg netting his 20th of the campaign, assisted by Mike Richards and James van Riemsdyk. Boston replied in the second period with Nathan Horton on the power play with his 23rd of the season, powered by Tomas Kaberle and David Krejci. The Bruins took a 2-1 lead in the third period with another power play goal, this time Brad Marchand's 20th of the year, guided along by Dennis Seidenberg and Mark Recchi. This was the final, with the three stars going to Marchand, Thomas (27 for 28 saves), and Versteeg.
Sandwich Showdown XII
This weekend, the two sandwiches in competition had a very similar composition, with the Subway Club on Italian opposing the Subway Melt on Garlic. The Club had a very strong set of flavor, bringing out all of its best angles. The bread quality was top-notch. The Melt that followed was toasted and also had a good flavor. The bread was also very strong. This week the edge goes just barely to the Melt, but it was one of the best battles I've had the right to taste. This will run again next week.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Saturday Hockey
Today we have twelve games on. The first two are matinees, and we begin with...
The Boston Bruins hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Tuukka Rask took to the nets. New York took the initial lead with a Derek Stepan goal in the first period, his 20th of the campaign, with help from Mike Sauer and Vinny Prospal. This turned out to be the only goal in the game after scoreless second and third periods, giving the Rangers a 1-0 win. Lundqvist (26 save shutout), Dan Girardi, and Rask (22 for 23 saves) collected the three stars.
Moving to the second of the matinees, with the Los Angeles Kings hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Peter Budaj and Jonathan Quick took control of the cages. Los Angeles opened the scoring with Willie Mitchell potting his fifth of the season, with help from Anze Kopitar. The Kings extended their lead with a power play goal by Michal Handzus, his eleventh of the year, getting help from Dustin Brown and Drew Doughty. Colorado got on the board in the second period with Milan Hejduk notching his 20th of the campaign, assisted by Paul Stastny. Ryan Smyth got the goal back for Los Angeles on his 21st of the season, coming off of Trevor Lewis and Brown. Lewis made it 4-1 Kings with his third of the year, via Smyth, which would make the score final. The three stars were awarded to Smyth, Lewis, Quick (20 for 21 saves).
To the regularly timed games, with the Montreal Canadiens hosting the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Carey Price tended the twines. Washington got in front first with Marco Sturm netting his fifth of the season, with help from Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin. In the third period, the Capitals went up 2-0 with Semin notching his 26th of the year, courtesy of Backstrom and Sturm. This score was the final, with the three stars given to Price (31 for 33 saves), Holtby (18 save shutout), and Sturm.
Onto Long Island, with the New York Islanders hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Rick DiPietro played in the blue paint. Philadelphia opened the scoring with a Jeff Carter goal, his 34th of the season, coming via Claude Giroux. James van Riemsdyk extended the Flyer lead with his 17th of the year, thanks to Kris Versteeg, just twenty-two seconds after the earlier goal. New York got on the board with a Blake Comeau tally, his 21st of the campaign made possible by Josh Bailey and Radek Martinek. Van Riemsdyk got the goal back for Philadelphia with his second of the game and 18th of the season, fueled by Andrej Meszaros and Sean O'Donnell. Van Riemsdyk sealed a 4-1 victory for the Flyers in the third period by completing his hat trick with his 19th of the year, helped along by Giroux and Danny Briere on the power play. The three stars were given to van Riemsdyk, Bobrovsky (36 for 37 saves), and Carter.
To Buffalo, where the Sabres hosted the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Ryan Miller played between the pipes. Buffalo went up first with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his 14th of the season, helped into the mesh by Paul Gaustad and Brad Boyes. Thomas Vanek extended the Sabres lead to 2-0 with his 26th of the year, thanks to Jason Pominville and Tim Connolly. After the silent second and third periods, this was a final score, with the three stars going to Miller (30 save shutout), Gerbe, and Pominville.
Southward to Carolina, with the Hurricanes hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mike Smith and Cam Ward took control of the creases. Eric Staal used his 31st of the season on the power play to put Carolina up first, with helpers provided by Cory Stillman and Jamie McBain. Tampa Bay tied it on a Martin St. Louis goal, his 27th of the year, with Vincent Lecavalier picking up the lone assist. The Lightning took the lead with a Simon Gagne goal, his 15th of the season requiring no help to find twine. Erik Cole tied it for the Hurricanes with his 23rd of the year, assisted by Stillman and Bryan Allen. Dominic Moore gave Tampa Bay the lead back with his 15th of the season, a power play goal made possible by Lecavalier and St. Louis. Gagne wrapped up the game for the Lightning at a 4-2 score with his second of the game and 16th of the year, going unassisted once again into the empty net. The three stars went to St. Louis, Lecavalier, and Stillman.
To the Motor City of Detroit, where the Red Wings hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Jimmy Howard got the starting nods. Detroit opened the scoring with Henrik Zetterberg, his 22nd of the season a power play goal powered by Nicklas Lidstrom and Jiri Hudler. Toronto replied with the second of the year by Nazem Kadri, with guidance provided by Joey Crabb. The Red Wings replied in the second period by Tomas Holmstrom netting a power play goal, his 15th of the season, created by Niklas Kronwall and Brian Rafalski. Howard came out of the game due to injury, and Joey MacDonald came on in time to relinquish a goal to the Maple Leafs, as Joffrey Lupul sank his eleventh of the year, and Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf picked up the assists. Thirty-eight seconds later, Detroit got the goal back with Hudler potting his tenth of the season, and Zetterberg grabbing the assist. Todd Bertuzzi solidified the game for the Red wings with his empty-netter from Kronwall, his 15th of the year making the score 4-2. The three stars went out to Hudler, Zetterberg, and Phaneuf.
West to Minnesota, where the Wild hosted the St. Louis Blues. Ty Conklin and Niklas Backstrom played in front of the goalmouths. Minnesota broke the game open with a Marek Zidlicky goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Andrew Brunette and Mikko Koivu. St. Louis replied with a Matt D'Agostini goal, his 19th of the year, guided in by Kevin Shattenkirk and Andy McDonald. The Wild retook the lead with an Antti Miettinen goal, his 13th of the campaign coming on the power play from Brunette and Koivu. The Blues tied it again, releasing Adam the Cracknell for his third of the season, an unassisted goal. St. Louis took the lead with Chris Stewart potting his 24th of the year in the second period, assisted by T.J. Oshie and Roman Polak. Twenty-three seconds later, the Blues got another goal, this time the 27th of the season by David Backes, powered by Alex Pietrangelo. Pietrangelo tallied for himself and St. Louis in the third period, his eleventh of the year getting the favored returned by Backes. The Blues scored yet again with a Patrik Berglund marker, his 19th of the season, helped along by Nikita Nikitin. Minnesota made it 6-3 with another Miettinen goal ,his second of the game and 14th of the year, finding twine thanks to Koivu and Brunette, both of whom completed sock tricks in the loss. The three stars went to Backes, Pietrangelo, and Oshie.
Back to Nashville, where the Predators hosted the Dallas Stars in a country music showdown. Kari Lethonen and Pekka Rinne took their place in front of the cages. Dallas opened with a power play goal by Alex Goligoski, his 13th of the season coming off of Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro. Nashville replied with a David Legwand goal, the 16th of the year for him made possible by Martin Erat and Shea Weber. The Predators took the lead in the second period with Mike Fisher's 16th of the season, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and Sergei Kostitsyn. The Stars retied it with Brenden Morrow recording his 28th of the year courtesy of Jamie Benn and Ribeiro. Fisher put Nashville back in front with his second of the game and 17th of the season, helped in by Ryan Suter (finally getting credit for his work) and Hornqvist. Legwand secured a 4-2 victory for the Predators with his second of the game and 17th of the year, an empty net goal that went without assistance. The three stars were awarded to Fisher, Hornqvist, and Suter.
To the Windy City, where the Chicago Blackhawks welcomed the Anaheim Ducks to the United Center. Ray Emery and Corey Crawford took care of the nets. Chicago opened up with a Marian Hossa tally, his 22nd of the season coming off of Viktor Stalberg and Michael Frolik. The second period was silent, but Anaheim took a 2-1 lead with a pair of Corey Perry third period goals, his 43rd and 44th of the year, with both Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan picking up two assists. This would be the final, and the three stars went to Perry, Hossa, and Emery (27 for 28 saves).
Out west to Phoenix, where the Coyotes hosted the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ilya Bryzgalov were called on as starters. Logan Couture used his 29th of the season to put San Jose ahead first, gathering steam off of Ryane Clowe and Dany Heatley. Phoenix replied with Mikkel Boedker notching his fourth of the year, courtesy of Derek Morris and Kyle Turris. Joe Pavelski restored the lead for the Sharks on his 18th of the campaign, assisted by Joe Thornton and Jamal Mayers. Clowe notched his 24th of the season as well for San Jose, with helpers provided by Couture and Devin Setoguchi. Couture made it 4-1 with his second of the game and 30th of the year, guided in by Clowe and Ian White. The last event of the game had Paul Bissonnette help Clowe complete a Gordie Howe hat trick by taking a dance late in the third period. The final was as listed above, and the three stars went to Couture, Clowe, and Niemi (26 for 27 saves).
Lastly, the Battle of Alberta, in Edmonton, with the Oilers hosting the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Devan Dubnyk took the starts. Edmonton opened with Magnus Paajarvi notching his 12th of the season, with Andrew Cogliano and Linus Omark providing the necessary assistance. Calgary evened it in the second period with a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his 35th of the year powered by Mark Giordano and Tom Kostopolous. Fifty-nine seconds later, Teemu Hartikainen sank his first of the season for the Oilers, with help from Jordan Eberle and Theo Peckham. Edmonton extended their lead with a Colin Fraser goal, his third of the year coming shorthanded and unassisted. Ryan Jones kept the Oilers going with his 17th of the season, fueled by Ryan O'Marra and Liam Reddox. The Flames got a jumpstart with Iginla's second of the game and 36th of the year, another power play goal, aided by Giordano and Mikael Backlund. Calgary cut the deficit to a goal with Curtis Glencross sinking his 23rd of the season, thanks to Iginla and a sock trick recipient named Giordano. The Flames tied it with the third of the year by Steve Staios, guided along by Rene Bourque and Olli Jokinen. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Calgary completed the comeback with the lone Alex Tanguay tally to put them on top of Edmonton by a 5-4 margin. The three stars went to Hartikainen, Iginla, and Paajarvi.
There's four games for Sunday and a Sandwich Showdown as well.
The Boston Bruins hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Tuukka Rask took to the nets. New York took the initial lead with a Derek Stepan goal in the first period, his 20th of the campaign, with help from Mike Sauer and Vinny Prospal. This turned out to be the only goal in the game after scoreless second and third periods, giving the Rangers a 1-0 win. Lundqvist (26 save shutout), Dan Girardi, and Rask (22 for 23 saves) collected the three stars.
Moving to the second of the matinees, with the Los Angeles Kings hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Peter Budaj and Jonathan Quick took control of the cages. Los Angeles opened the scoring with Willie Mitchell potting his fifth of the season, with help from Anze Kopitar. The Kings extended their lead with a power play goal by Michal Handzus, his eleventh of the year, getting help from Dustin Brown and Drew Doughty. Colorado got on the board in the second period with Milan Hejduk notching his 20th of the campaign, assisted by Paul Stastny. Ryan Smyth got the goal back for Los Angeles on his 21st of the season, coming off of Trevor Lewis and Brown. Lewis made it 4-1 Kings with his third of the year, via Smyth, which would make the score final. The three stars were awarded to Smyth, Lewis, Quick (20 for 21 saves).
To the regularly timed games, with the Montreal Canadiens hosting the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Carey Price tended the twines. Washington got in front first with Marco Sturm netting his fifth of the season, with help from Nicklas Backstrom and Alexander Semin. In the third period, the Capitals went up 2-0 with Semin notching his 26th of the year, courtesy of Backstrom and Sturm. This score was the final, with the three stars given to Price (31 for 33 saves), Holtby (18 save shutout), and Sturm.
Onto Long Island, with the New York Islanders hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Rick DiPietro played in the blue paint. Philadelphia opened the scoring with a Jeff Carter goal, his 34th of the season, coming via Claude Giroux. James van Riemsdyk extended the Flyer lead with his 17th of the year, thanks to Kris Versteeg, just twenty-two seconds after the earlier goal. New York got on the board with a Blake Comeau tally, his 21st of the campaign made possible by Josh Bailey and Radek Martinek. Van Riemsdyk got the goal back for Philadelphia with his second of the game and 18th of the season, fueled by Andrej Meszaros and Sean O'Donnell. Van Riemsdyk sealed a 4-1 victory for the Flyers in the third period by completing his hat trick with his 19th of the year, helped along by Giroux and Danny Briere on the power play. The three stars were given to van Riemsdyk, Bobrovsky (36 for 37 saves), and Carter.
To Buffalo, where the Sabres hosted the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Ryan Miller played between the pipes. Buffalo went up first with a Nathan Gerbe goal, his 14th of the season, helped into the mesh by Paul Gaustad and Brad Boyes. Thomas Vanek extended the Sabres lead to 2-0 with his 26th of the year, thanks to Jason Pominville and Tim Connolly. After the silent second and third periods, this was a final score, with the three stars going to Miller (30 save shutout), Gerbe, and Pominville.
Southward to Carolina, with the Hurricanes hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mike Smith and Cam Ward took control of the creases. Eric Staal used his 31st of the season on the power play to put Carolina up first, with helpers provided by Cory Stillman and Jamie McBain. Tampa Bay tied it on a Martin St. Louis goal, his 27th of the year, with Vincent Lecavalier picking up the lone assist. The Lightning took the lead with a Simon Gagne goal, his 15th of the season requiring no help to find twine. Erik Cole tied it for the Hurricanes with his 23rd of the year, assisted by Stillman and Bryan Allen. Dominic Moore gave Tampa Bay the lead back with his 15th of the season, a power play goal made possible by Lecavalier and St. Louis. Gagne wrapped up the game for the Lightning at a 4-2 score with his second of the game and 16th of the year, going unassisted once again into the empty net. The three stars went to St. Louis, Lecavalier, and Stillman.
To the Motor City of Detroit, where the Red Wings hosted the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Jimmy Howard got the starting nods. Detroit opened the scoring with Henrik Zetterberg, his 22nd of the season a power play goal powered by Nicklas Lidstrom and Jiri Hudler. Toronto replied with the second of the year by Nazem Kadri, with guidance provided by Joey Crabb. The Red Wings replied in the second period by Tomas Holmstrom netting a power play goal, his 15th of the season, created by Niklas Kronwall and Brian Rafalski. Howard came out of the game due to injury, and Joey MacDonald came on in time to relinquish a goal to the Maple Leafs, as Joffrey Lupul sank his eleventh of the year, and Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf picked up the assists. Thirty-eight seconds later, Detroit got the goal back with Hudler potting his tenth of the season, and Zetterberg grabbing the assist. Todd Bertuzzi solidified the game for the Red wings with his empty-netter from Kronwall, his 15th of the year making the score 4-2. The three stars went out to Hudler, Zetterberg, and Phaneuf.
West to Minnesota, where the Wild hosted the St. Louis Blues. Ty Conklin and Niklas Backstrom played in front of the goalmouths. Minnesota broke the game open with a Marek Zidlicky goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Andrew Brunette and Mikko Koivu. St. Louis replied with a Matt D'Agostini goal, his 19th of the year, guided in by Kevin Shattenkirk and Andy McDonald. The Wild retook the lead with an Antti Miettinen goal, his 13th of the campaign coming on the power play from Brunette and Koivu. The Blues tied it again, releasing Adam the Cracknell for his third of the season, an unassisted goal. St. Louis took the lead with Chris Stewart potting his 24th of the year in the second period, assisted by T.J. Oshie and Roman Polak. Twenty-three seconds later, the Blues got another goal, this time the 27th of the season by David Backes, powered by Alex Pietrangelo. Pietrangelo tallied for himself and St. Louis in the third period, his eleventh of the year getting the favored returned by Backes. The Blues scored yet again with a Patrik Berglund marker, his 19th of the season, helped along by Nikita Nikitin. Minnesota made it 6-3 with another Miettinen goal ,his second of the game and 14th of the year, finding twine thanks to Koivu and Brunette, both of whom completed sock tricks in the loss. The three stars went to Backes, Pietrangelo, and Oshie.
Back to Nashville, where the Predators hosted the Dallas Stars in a country music showdown. Kari Lethonen and Pekka Rinne took their place in front of the cages. Dallas opened with a power play goal by Alex Goligoski, his 13th of the season coming off of Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro. Nashville replied with a David Legwand goal, the 16th of the year for him made possible by Martin Erat and Shea Weber. The Predators took the lead in the second period with Mike Fisher's 16th of the season, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and Sergei Kostitsyn. The Stars retied it with Brenden Morrow recording his 28th of the year courtesy of Jamie Benn and Ribeiro. Fisher put Nashville back in front with his second of the game and 17th of the season, helped in by Ryan Suter (finally getting credit for his work) and Hornqvist. Legwand secured a 4-2 victory for the Predators with his second of the game and 17th of the year, an empty net goal that went without assistance. The three stars were awarded to Fisher, Hornqvist, and Suter.
To the Windy City, where the Chicago Blackhawks welcomed the Anaheim Ducks to the United Center. Ray Emery and Corey Crawford took care of the nets. Chicago opened up with a Marian Hossa tally, his 22nd of the season coming off of Viktor Stalberg and Michael Frolik. The second period was silent, but Anaheim took a 2-1 lead with a pair of Corey Perry third period goals, his 43rd and 44th of the year, with both Ryan Getzlaf and Bobby Ryan picking up two assists. This would be the final, and the three stars went to Perry, Hossa, and Emery (27 for 28 saves).
Out west to Phoenix, where the Coyotes hosted the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Ilya Bryzgalov were called on as starters. Logan Couture used his 29th of the season to put San Jose ahead first, gathering steam off of Ryane Clowe and Dany Heatley. Phoenix replied with Mikkel Boedker notching his fourth of the year, courtesy of Derek Morris and Kyle Turris. Joe Pavelski restored the lead for the Sharks on his 18th of the campaign, assisted by Joe Thornton and Jamal Mayers. Clowe notched his 24th of the season as well for San Jose, with helpers provided by Couture and Devin Setoguchi. Couture made it 4-1 with his second of the game and 30th of the year, guided in by Clowe and Ian White. The last event of the game had Paul Bissonnette help Clowe complete a Gordie Howe hat trick by taking a dance late in the third period. The final was as listed above, and the three stars went to Couture, Clowe, and Niemi (26 for 27 saves).
Lastly, the Battle of Alberta, in Edmonton, with the Oilers hosting the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Devan Dubnyk took the starts. Edmonton opened with Magnus Paajarvi notching his 12th of the season, with Andrew Cogliano and Linus Omark providing the necessary assistance. Calgary evened it in the second period with a Jarome Iginla power play goal, his 35th of the year powered by Mark Giordano and Tom Kostopolous. Fifty-nine seconds later, Teemu Hartikainen sank his first of the season for the Oilers, with help from Jordan Eberle and Theo Peckham. Edmonton extended their lead with a Colin Fraser goal, his third of the year coming shorthanded and unassisted. Ryan Jones kept the Oilers going with his 17th of the season, fueled by Ryan O'Marra and Liam Reddox. The Flames got a jumpstart with Iginla's second of the game and 36th of the year, another power play goal, aided by Giordano and Mikael Backlund. Calgary cut the deficit to a goal with Curtis Glencross sinking his 23rd of the season, thanks to Iginla and a sock trick recipient named Giordano. The Flames tied it with the third of the year by Steve Staios, guided along by Rene Bourque and Olli Jokinen. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Calgary completed the comeback with the lone Alex Tanguay tally to put them on top of Edmonton by a 5-4 margin. The three stars went to Hartikainen, Iginla, and Paajarvi.
There's four games for Sunday and a Sandwich Showdown as well.
Friday NHL coverage
We have five games in the NHL on Friday, and I think I might finally be caught up. We start in...
Pittsburgh, with the Penguins hosting the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Marc-Andre Fleury played between the pipes. The game went scoreless throughout the 65 minutes of regulation and overtime, and Pittsburgh defeated New Jersey on the lone James Neal tally in the shootout. Fleury (21 save shutout), Brodeur (26 save "shutout") and Neal were the easily-chosen three stars.
Along to Buffalo, where the Sabres hosted the Florida Panthers. Tomas Vokoun and Ryan Miller wore the masks. Buffalo led off with a Jason Pominville goal, his 19th of the season, with help from Thomas Vanek and Andrej Sekera. Florida answered with Sergei Samsonov, his 13th of the year coming unassisted. The Sabres retook the lead with the 27th of the season for Drew Stafford, helped in by Brad Boyes and Tyler Ennis. Buffalo continued with a Jordan Leopold tally on the power play, his 13th of the year powered by Pominville and Stafford. Thirteen seconds later, Stafford tallied again for the Sabres with his 28th of the season and second of the game, assisted by Ennis. With three seconds left, Evgeny Dadonov brought the final to 4-2 for the Panthers with his seventh of the year, helped along by Niclas Bergfors. Stafford, Pominville, and Ennis collected the three stars.
Up to Ottawa, with the Senators hosting the Washington Capitals. Semyon Varlamov and Craig Anderson took control of the cages. Ottawa opened the scoring in the second period with a Colin Greening goal, his fourth of the season, with help from Jason Spezza and Bobby Butler. The Senators made it 2-0 with Erik Condra potting his fifth of the year in the third period, courtesy of Milan Michalek. This would be the final, with Anderson (31 save shutout), Chris Phillips, and Condra earning the three stars.
Down to Atlanta, where the Thrashers hosted the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Chris Mason tended the twines. Vancouver broke the scoring open in the second period with a goal by Mason Raymond, his 13th of the season gathering steam off of Raffi Torres. The Canucks extended their lead with Alexandre Bolduc notching his second of the year, with help from Victor Oreskovich and Keith Ballard. Atlanta got on the board with Bryan Little in the third period, his 16th of the season coming unassisted. Vancouver clinched victory at 3-1 with Alexandre Burrows putting his 22nd of the year away into the empty net, via Ryan Kesler. The three stars went to Luongo (30 for 31 saves), Bolduc, and Little.
Finally, the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Dwayne Roloson played in the blue paint. Tampa Bay opened the scoring on the power play with the 13th of the season from Simon Gagne, powered by Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier. Carolina replied with the 26th of the year from Jeff Skinner, assisted by Tuomo Ruutu and Joni Pitkanen. The Hurricanes took the lead 3-1 with a pair of Erik Cole goals in the second and third periods, with help from Cory Stillman and Eric Staal on the earlier power play goal, and unassisted in the third period at even strength. They were his 21st and 22nd of the season. Staal tacked on his own power play goal for Carolina, his 30th of the year, made possible by Joe Corvo and Pitkanen. Fifty-seven seconds later, Lecavalier notched his 20th of the season for the Lightning, with the help of Victor Hedman. Gagne added on his second of the game and 14th of the year for Tampa Bay to put them at a 4-3 deficit, with helpers coming on the power play from St. Louis and Brett Clark. This wouldn't be enough, as the score lasted the rest of the game, and the three stars went to Cole, Gagne, and Staal.
Twelve games on Saturday, starting at 10 A.M. Pacific.
Pittsburgh, with the Penguins hosting the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Marc-Andre Fleury played between the pipes. The game went scoreless throughout the 65 minutes of regulation and overtime, and Pittsburgh defeated New Jersey on the lone James Neal tally in the shootout. Fleury (21 save shutout), Brodeur (26 save "shutout") and Neal were the easily-chosen three stars.
Along to Buffalo, where the Sabres hosted the Florida Panthers. Tomas Vokoun and Ryan Miller wore the masks. Buffalo led off with a Jason Pominville goal, his 19th of the season, with help from Thomas Vanek and Andrej Sekera. Florida answered with Sergei Samsonov, his 13th of the year coming unassisted. The Sabres retook the lead with the 27th of the season for Drew Stafford, helped in by Brad Boyes and Tyler Ennis. Buffalo continued with a Jordan Leopold tally on the power play, his 13th of the year powered by Pominville and Stafford. Thirteen seconds later, Stafford tallied again for the Sabres with his 28th of the season and second of the game, assisted by Ennis. With three seconds left, Evgeny Dadonov brought the final to 4-2 for the Panthers with his seventh of the year, helped along by Niclas Bergfors. Stafford, Pominville, and Ennis collected the three stars.
Up to Ottawa, with the Senators hosting the Washington Capitals. Semyon Varlamov and Craig Anderson took control of the cages. Ottawa opened the scoring in the second period with a Colin Greening goal, his fourth of the season, with help from Jason Spezza and Bobby Butler. The Senators made it 2-0 with Erik Condra potting his fifth of the year in the third period, courtesy of Milan Michalek. This would be the final, with Anderson (31 save shutout), Chris Phillips, and Condra earning the three stars.
Down to Atlanta, where the Thrashers hosted the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Chris Mason tended the twines. Vancouver broke the scoring open in the second period with a goal by Mason Raymond, his 13th of the season gathering steam off of Raffi Torres. The Canucks extended their lead with Alexandre Bolduc notching his second of the year, with help from Victor Oreskovich and Keith Ballard. Atlanta got on the board with Bryan Little in the third period, his 16th of the season coming unassisted. Vancouver clinched victory at 3-1 with Alexandre Burrows putting his 22nd of the year away into the empty net, via Ryan Kesler. The three stars went to Luongo (30 for 31 saves), Bolduc, and Little.
Finally, the Tampa Bay Lightning hosted the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Dwayne Roloson played in the blue paint. Tampa Bay opened the scoring on the power play with the 13th of the season from Simon Gagne, powered by Martin St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier. Carolina replied with the 26th of the year from Jeff Skinner, assisted by Tuomo Ruutu and Joni Pitkanen. The Hurricanes took the lead 3-1 with a pair of Erik Cole goals in the second and third periods, with help from Cory Stillman and Eric Staal on the earlier power play goal, and unassisted in the third period at even strength. They were his 21st and 22nd of the season. Staal tacked on his own power play goal for Carolina, his 30th of the year, made possible by Joe Corvo and Pitkanen. Fifty-seven seconds later, Lecavalier notched his 20th of the season for the Lightning, with the help of Victor Hedman. Gagne added on his second of the game and 14th of the year for Tampa Bay to put them at a 4-3 deficit, with helpers coming on the power play from St. Louis and Brett Clark. This wouldn't be enough, as the score lasted the rest of the game, and the three stars went to Cole, Gagne, and Staal.
Twelve games on Saturday, starting at 10 A.M. Pacific.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday Hockey recap
There were a total of nine games available for Thursday.
The New York Rangers opened things at home against the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Henrik Lundqvist played goal. Ottawa opened the scoring with Ryan Shannon in the second period, his tenth of the season coming off Bobby Butler and Nick Foligno. New York tied it in the third period with the 12th of the year by Brandon Prust, assisted by Marc Staal and Ruslan Fedotenko. The tie lasted into the shootout, where Erik Karlsson won it for the Senators with his lone fifth round tally. Anderson (29 for 30 saves), Karlsson, and Lundqvist (29 for 30 saves) picked up the three stars.
To the Battle of Pennsylvania, with the Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Sergei Bobrovsky took to the creases. Philadelphia opened the scoring with Mike Richards netting his 21st of the season, with help from James van Riemsdyk and Matt Carle. Pittsburgh answered in the second period with a power play goal by Tyler Kennedy, his 18th of the year powered by Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang. The tie lasted into the shootout, where Alex Kovalev traded a barb with Danny Briere before Kunitz propelled the Penguins over the Flyers. Bobrovsky (30 for 31 saves), Kennedy, and Kunitz got the three stars.
To New York again, with the Islanders hosting the Atlanta Thrashers. Chris Mason and Al Montoya made the starts. Atlanta opened the scoring with the 27th of the season by Andrew Ladd, fueled by Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. New York replied with the 27th of the campaign for John Tavares, with P.A. Parenteau and Travis Hamonic picking up the assists. The Thrashers retook the lead at 2-1 with a power play goal by Rob Schremp, his 12th of the year getting aided by Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. This eventually would be the final, with the three stars given out to Wheeler, Schremp, and Tavares.
To a hostile Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Tim Thomas put on the masks. Boston opened the scoring on a Johnny Boychuk tally, his second of the season, assisted by Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. Gregory Campbell extended the Bruins lead with his eleventh of the year, with Chara helping out alongside Boychuk. Nathan Horton had the next two goals for Boston, coming in the first and third periods, his 21st and 22nd of the season, with the early power play goal made possible by Milan Lucic and Krejci, and the latter reversing that order, allowing Krejci to earn a sock trick of three assists. Twenty-six seconds later in the third frame, Adam McQuaid tallied his third of the year, with both Chara and Lucic picking up sock-trick-clinching assists, bringing in Alex Auld in relief of Carey Price. In essence, the Bruins had a trick of sock tricks, or a hat full of socks, which I'll leave for the readers here to determine. Boston rolled on with Tomas Kaberle notching his fourth of the season, thanks to Mark Recchi and Brad Marchand. Campbell closed the scoring with his second of the game and 12th of the year, a shorthanded and unassisted goal to finish up at 7-0. The three stars went to Chara, Krejci, and Horton in a "statement game."
To St. Louis for the Blues hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Jaroslav Halak tended the twines. The first period was scoreless, but scarred by three fights, with Jim Vandermeer dancing with Cam Janssen, followed a second later by Theo Peckham and Ryan Reaves showing off their fists, and much later in the frame, Jean-Francois Jacques and B.J. Crombeen dropping the mitts. T.J. Oshie put St. Louis on the board in the second period with his tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Matt D'Agostini extended the lead with his 18th of the year for the Blues, a power play goal from T.J. Hensick. St. Louis kept going with a Chris Stewart power play goal, his 23rd of the season, helped along by Oshie and Andy McDonald. Adam Cracknell secured a 4-0 Blues victory with his second of the year, thanks to Kevin Shattenkirk. The three stars were handed to Oshie, Chris Porter, and Crombeen.
To Nashville, where the Predators hosted the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller returned from vertigo to oppose Pekka Rinne. Nashville led off with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his 18th of the season made possible by Patric Hornqvist and Cody Franson. The Predators extended the lead with a Nick Spaling goal, his eighth of the year, coming via Jonathon Blum and Jordin Tootoo. Nineteen seconds later, Kostitsyn struck again for Nashville, adding on his second of the game and 19th of the season, with help from Hornqvist and Kevin Klein. Anaheim got on the board with the 41st of the year by Corey Perry, courtesy of Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. Tootoo got the goal back for the Predators in the second period, his fifth of the season, thanks to Shane O'Brien and Spaling. Nashville rolled on with a shorthanded goal by David Legwand, his 15th of the year getting some help from Joel Ward and Klein. Teemu Selanne potted a pair of goals, to follow this, pulling within two with his 24th and 25th of the season, both on the power play, with Getzlaf and Perry producing the first, and Getzlaf finishing his sock trick on the second alongside Lubomir Visnovsky, with Ryan Suter lending a hand. With twenty-seven seconds left in the game, Perry added his second of the night and 42nd of the year, officially unassisted, but with a "distinct kicking motion" by Suter once again, his second deflection past the now-appalled Pekka Rinne (it was later said that Rinne said Suter should take Chad Ochocinco's place in the MLS). Despite help from the enemy, Anaheim still lost 5-4 to Nashville, with the three stars awarded to Kostitsyn, Spaling, and Perry.
Colorado was the next stop, with the Avalanche hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Brian Elliott started, with Peter Budaj also seeing time in the Colorado crease. Colorado opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal by Daniel Winnik, assisted by Jay McClement and Erik Johnson as his eleventh of the season. Toronto took the lead with a pair of Nikolai Kulemin goals, his 27th and 28th of the year, with help from Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur on the first, and MacArthur again with Dion Phaneuf on the second. The Maple Leafs extended their lead with a Tyler Bozak tally, his 13th of the season, guided in by Luke Schenn and Carl Gunnarsson. The Avalanche replied with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Ryan Stoa and Johnson. Toronto restored the two-goal lead on the power play with Phil Kessel, his 29th of the season gathering steam off of Joffrey Lupul and Phaneuf. Colorado pulled back within one at 4-3 with Matt Duchene registering his 26th of the year, coming off of Johnson and O'Reilly, the former securing a sock trick. Colorado found no more twine, so the score was final, and the three stars were awarded to Kulemin, Johnson, and Phaneuf.
Into Phoenix, where the Coyotes hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mathieu Garon and Ilya bryzgalov took control of the cages. Paul Bissonnette and Jared Boll provided the first period entertainment with a nice dance. Phoenix started the scoring with Michal Rozsival on the power play in the second period, his sixth of the season made possible by Vernon Fiddler and David Schlemko. The Coyotes extended their lead with Derek Morris netting his fifth of the campaign via Shane Doan and Taylor Pyatt. Phoenix secured a 3-0 victory in the third period with Mikkel Boedker's third of the year, fueled by Keith Yandle and Lee Stempniak. Bryzgalov (28 svae shutout), Rozsival, and Rostislav Klesla earned the three stars.
Finally, a California battle between the hosting Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jonathan Quick took control of the goalmouths. The scoring began with San Jose in the second period, a power play goal by Joe Pavelski, his 17th of the season, assisted by Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. Los Angeles replied with Dustin Brown, also on the power play, his 24th of the year powered by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Alec Martinez. Willie Mitchell put the Kings ahead on his fourth of the season, with help from Oscar Moller and Ryan Smyth. The Sharks retied it in the third period with Marleau, his 32nd of the year coming off of Jason Demers. Brown struck again on the power play for Los Angeles, his second of the night and 25th of the season, with helpers provided by Michal Handzus and Martinez. With five seconds left in regulation, Marleau tallied his second of the game and 33rd of the year, with timely assistance from Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture, to tie the game again for San Jose. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Dan Boyle and Jarret Stoll swapped tallies before the Kings toppled the Sharks with Brown. The three stars went to Brown, Marleau, and Quick (25 for 28 saves).
The New York Rangers opened things at home against the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Henrik Lundqvist played goal. Ottawa opened the scoring with Ryan Shannon in the second period, his tenth of the season coming off Bobby Butler and Nick Foligno. New York tied it in the third period with the 12th of the year by Brandon Prust, assisted by Marc Staal and Ruslan Fedotenko. The tie lasted into the shootout, where Erik Karlsson won it for the Senators with his lone fifth round tally. Anderson (29 for 30 saves), Karlsson, and Lundqvist (29 for 30 saves) picked up the three stars.
To the Battle of Pennsylvania, with the Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Sergei Bobrovsky took to the creases. Philadelphia opened the scoring with Mike Richards netting his 21st of the season, with help from James van Riemsdyk and Matt Carle. Pittsburgh answered in the second period with a power play goal by Tyler Kennedy, his 18th of the year powered by Chris Kunitz and Kris Letang. The tie lasted into the shootout, where Alex Kovalev traded a barb with Danny Briere before Kunitz propelled the Penguins over the Flyers. Bobrovsky (30 for 31 saves), Kennedy, and Kunitz got the three stars.
To New York again, with the Islanders hosting the Atlanta Thrashers. Chris Mason and Al Montoya made the starts. Atlanta opened the scoring with the 27th of the season by Andrew Ladd, fueled by Blake Wheeler and Bryan Little. New York replied with the 27th of the campaign for John Tavares, with P.A. Parenteau and Travis Hamonic picking up the assists. The Thrashers retook the lead at 2-1 with a power play goal by Rob Schremp, his 12th of the year getting aided by Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. This eventually would be the final, with the three stars given out to Wheeler, Schremp, and Tavares.
To a hostile Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Tim Thomas put on the masks. Boston opened the scoring on a Johnny Boychuk tally, his second of the season, assisted by Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. Gregory Campbell extended the Bruins lead with his eleventh of the year, with Chara helping out alongside Boychuk. Nathan Horton had the next two goals for Boston, coming in the first and third periods, his 21st and 22nd of the season, with the early power play goal made possible by Milan Lucic and Krejci, and the latter reversing that order, allowing Krejci to earn a sock trick of three assists. Twenty-six seconds later in the third frame, Adam McQuaid tallied his third of the year, with both Chara and Lucic picking up sock-trick-clinching assists, bringing in Alex Auld in relief of Carey Price. In essence, the Bruins had a trick of sock tricks, or a hat full of socks, which I'll leave for the readers here to determine. Boston rolled on with Tomas Kaberle notching his fourth of the season, thanks to Mark Recchi and Brad Marchand. Campbell closed the scoring with his second of the game and 12th of the year, a shorthanded and unassisted goal to finish up at 7-0. The three stars went to Chara, Krejci, and Horton in a "statement game."
To St. Louis for the Blues hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Jaroslav Halak tended the twines. The first period was scoreless, but scarred by three fights, with Jim Vandermeer dancing with Cam Janssen, followed a second later by Theo Peckham and Ryan Reaves showing off their fists, and much later in the frame, Jean-Francois Jacques and B.J. Crombeen dropping the mitts. T.J. Oshie put St. Louis on the board in the second period with his tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Matt D'Agostini extended the lead with his 18th of the year for the Blues, a power play goal from T.J. Hensick. St. Louis kept going with a Chris Stewart power play goal, his 23rd of the season, helped along by Oshie and Andy McDonald. Adam Cracknell secured a 4-0 Blues victory with his second of the year, thanks to Kevin Shattenkirk. The three stars were handed to Oshie, Chris Porter, and Crombeen.
To Nashville, where the Predators hosted the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller returned from vertigo to oppose Pekka Rinne. Nashville led off with a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his 18th of the season made possible by Patric Hornqvist and Cody Franson. The Predators extended the lead with a Nick Spaling goal, his eighth of the year, coming via Jonathon Blum and Jordin Tootoo. Nineteen seconds later, Kostitsyn struck again for Nashville, adding on his second of the game and 19th of the season, with help from Hornqvist and Kevin Klein. Anaheim got on the board with the 41st of the year by Corey Perry, courtesy of Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. Tootoo got the goal back for the Predators in the second period, his fifth of the season, thanks to Shane O'Brien and Spaling. Nashville rolled on with a shorthanded goal by David Legwand, his 15th of the year getting some help from Joel Ward and Klein. Teemu Selanne potted a pair of goals, to follow this, pulling within two with his 24th and 25th of the season, both on the power play, with Getzlaf and Perry producing the first, and Getzlaf finishing his sock trick on the second alongside Lubomir Visnovsky, with Ryan Suter lending a hand. With twenty-seven seconds left in the game, Perry added his second of the night and 42nd of the year, officially unassisted, but with a "distinct kicking motion" by Suter once again, his second deflection past the now-appalled Pekka Rinne (it was later said that Rinne said Suter should take Chad Ochocinco's place in the MLS). Despite help from the enemy, Anaheim still lost 5-4 to Nashville, with the three stars awarded to Kostitsyn, Spaling, and Perry.
Colorado was the next stop, with the Avalanche hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Brian Elliott started, with Peter Budaj also seeing time in the Colorado crease. Colorado opened the scoring with a shorthanded goal by Daniel Winnik, assisted by Jay McClement and Erik Johnson as his eleventh of the season. Toronto took the lead with a pair of Nikolai Kulemin goals, his 27th and 28th of the year, with help from Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur on the first, and MacArthur again with Dion Phaneuf on the second. The Maple Leafs extended their lead with a Tyler Bozak tally, his 13th of the season, guided in by Luke Schenn and Carl Gunnarsson. The Avalanche replied with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Ryan Stoa and Johnson. Toronto restored the two-goal lead on the power play with Phil Kessel, his 29th of the season gathering steam off of Joffrey Lupul and Phaneuf. Colorado pulled back within one at 4-3 with Matt Duchene registering his 26th of the year, coming off of Johnson and O'Reilly, the former securing a sock trick. Colorado found no more twine, so the score was final, and the three stars were awarded to Kulemin, Johnson, and Phaneuf.
Into Phoenix, where the Coyotes hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. Mathieu Garon and Ilya bryzgalov took control of the cages. Paul Bissonnette and Jared Boll provided the first period entertainment with a nice dance. Phoenix started the scoring with Michal Rozsival on the power play in the second period, his sixth of the season made possible by Vernon Fiddler and David Schlemko. The Coyotes extended their lead with Derek Morris netting his fifth of the campaign via Shane Doan and Taylor Pyatt. Phoenix secured a 3-0 victory in the third period with Mikkel Boedker's third of the year, fueled by Keith Yandle and Lee Stempniak. Bryzgalov (28 svae shutout), Rozsival, and Rostislav Klesla earned the three stars.
Finally, a California battle between the hosting Los Angeles Kings and San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Jonathan Quick took control of the goalmouths. The scoring began with San Jose in the second period, a power play goal by Joe Pavelski, his 17th of the season, assisted by Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton. Los Angeles replied with Dustin Brown, also on the power play, his 24th of the year powered by Alexei Ponikarovsky and Alec Martinez. Willie Mitchell put the Kings ahead on his fourth of the season, with help from Oscar Moller and Ryan Smyth. The Sharks retied it in the third period with Marleau, his 32nd of the year coming off of Jason Demers. Brown struck again on the power play for Los Angeles, his second of the night and 25th of the season, with helpers provided by Michal Handzus and Martinez. With five seconds left in regulation, Marleau tallied his second of the game and 33rd of the year, with timely assistance from Ryane Clowe and Logan Couture, to tie the game again for San Jose. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Dan Boyle and Jarret Stoll swapped tallies before the Kings toppled the Sharks with Brown. The three stars went to Brown, Marleau, and Quick (25 for 28 saves).
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