Little different formatting on a busy day. First off:
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts. Jacksonville opened with a 44 yard Josh Scobee field goal. Indianapolis tied it in the second quarter on a 42 yard field goal by Adam Vinatieri. This 3 all tie was the halftime score. The Jaguars took the lead in the third quarter with a Blaine Gabbert touchdown throw of 11 yards to Jarett Dillard, and Scobee added on the extra point. Jacksonville made it 17-3 with a 3 yard touchdown run by Maurice Jones-Drew, and a Scobee PAT. This was a final score, and the Jaguars jumped to 3-6 while the Colts fell to 0-10.
New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons. Atlanta strikes first with Matt Bryant's 36 yard field goal. New Orleans ties it on a 52 yard field goal by John Kasay. The Falcons retook the lead with Bryant nailing a 29 yard field goal in the second quarter. The Saints took the lead on a 21 yard catch and run from Drew Brees to Jimmy Graham, good for a touchdown, and Kasay capped it off with the extra point. This made the score 10-6, which was taken into the locker rooms. The Falcons took control in the third quarter as Jason Snelling received a pass from Matt Ryan and took it 21 yards for a touchdown, allowing Bryant to kick an extra point. New Orleans retook the lead with Brees hooking up for 33 yards and a touchdown to Robert Meachem, and Kasay was there for another extra point. Kasay padded the Saints lead with a field goal from 48 yards out. Kasay made it 23-13 for New Orleans with a 44 yard field goal. Atlanta pulled back with Matt Ryan throwing 20 yards to Tony Gonzalez, good for a touchdown that Bryant made the PAT for. Bryant would tie the game late with a 27 yard field goal. The game went into overtime, where the Saints won with Kasay nailing a 26 yard field goal. They improve to 7-3 and their rivals go to 5-4.
Houston Texans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Houston was first to score as Matt Schaub found Jacoby Jones for an 80 yard touchdown play, but Neil Rackers blew the extra point. He redeemed himself with a 22 yard field goal to put the Texans up 9-0. Houston added on again as Schaub and Arian Foster connected, and the catch and run lasted 78 yards for a touchdown, topped off by a Rackers PAT. Tampa Bay made it 16-3 jsut before the half on Connor Barth's field goal of 55 yards. The Texans extended the lead again in the third quarter as Foster ran for a 5 yard touchdown, and Rackers added another extra point. Houston continued to attack with a 4 yard run by Derrick Ward for a touchdown, and Rackers made another extra point. The Buccaneers meekly replied with a 9 yard touchdown pass from Josh Freeman to Preston Parker, but the two point attempt from Freeman to Mike Williams failed. The Texans wrapped it up at 37-9 after an 11 yard touchdown run for Ben Tate, and Rackers made another extra point. Houston goes to 7-3 while Tampa Bay falls to 4-5.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals. Pittsburgh got the first points as Ben Roethlisberger threw 16 yards to Jerricho Cotchery for a touchdown, and Shaun Suisham tacked on an extra point. The Steelers extended their lead with a 2 yard run by Rashard Mendenhall, good for a touchdown, and Suisham made another extra point. Cincinnati got on the board as Andy Dalton threw to A.J. Green, and 36 yards later, they had a touchdown. Mike Nugent added the extra point, and cut the Bengals deficit to 4 with a 43 yard field goal in the second quarter. Pittsburgh added a Suisham field goal from 39 yards to make the score 17-10 at halftime. Cincinnati tied it up with a 1 yard touchdown pass from Andy Dalton to Jermaine Gresham, and Nugent was there for the extra point in the third quarter. The Steelers regained the lead as Mendenhall ran 9 yards for a touchdown, and Suisham added the PAT. This 24-17 lead was the final after a scoreless fourth quarter, and Pittsburgh improved to 7-3 while the Bengals fell back to 6-3.
Tennessee Titans at Carolina Panthers. Tennessee opened with a special teams touchdown, as Marc Mariani returned a punt 79 yards, and Rob Bironas converted the extra point. The Titans added on with Matt Hasselbeck throwing a 43 yard touchdown to Damian Williams, and Bironas made another extra point there. Bironas continued the success for Tennessee with a second quarter field goal of 38 yards. The score at halftime was 17-0. Olindo Mare put Carolina on the board in the third quarter with a 29 yard field goal. The Titans answered with Bironas nailing a 36 yard field goal. Bironas added a few more on for Tennessee in the fourth quarter with a 49 yard field goal. The Titans won it 30-3 after Chris Johnson ran a yard for a touchdown, and Bironas made the extra point, allowing them to go to 5-2 while the Panthers plunged to 2-7.
Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles. Philadelphia opened the scoring in the second quarter on an Asante Samuel interception of John Skelton returned 20 yards for a touchdown, and Alex Henery made the extra point. Arizona replied with Skelton finding Larry Fitzgerald for a 10 yard touchdown, and Jay Feely made the extra point. The Eagles took a 14-7 lead before halftime on a 1 yard touchdown run by LeSean McCoy, and Henery was there to make the extra point. After a scoreless third quarter, the Cardinals tied it in the fourth as Skelton found Fitzgerald again, a 7 yard touchdown, and Feely had the tying point. Philadelphia took a slim lead with Henery kicking a 36 yard field goal. Arizona won it late with Skelton meeting up for a 5 yard touchdown into the hands of Early Doucet, and Feely left the score at 21-17. Both teams are now 3-6.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs. Denver opened with a 7 yard touchdown rush by Tim Tebow and Matt Prater added the extra point. Prater extended the Broncos lead on his second quarter field goal from 38 yards out. This left the score at 10-0 as the teams headed to the locker rooms. Kansas City got on the board in the third quarter with Matt Cassel finding Le'Ron McClain for a 1 yard touchdown pass, and Ryan Succop supplied the PAT. Denver extended the lead again in the fourth quarter as Tebow and Eric Decker combined to make a 56 yard touchdown play, and Prater added on the extra point. The Chiefs got as close as 17-10 on a Succop field goal from 32 yards, but they couldn't manage to tie. This sent them down to 4-5, where the Broncos are as well.
Buffalo Bills at Dallas Cowboys. Dallas led off with a Tony Romo touchdown pass to Dez Bryant, a 34 yard play, with Dan Bailey supplying the extra point. Romo struck again to extend the Cowboys lead with a 5 yard touchdown pass to Laurent Robinson, and Bailey converted another extra point. Dallas continued to attack in the second quarter with Romo and Robinson connecting on a 58 yard touchdown, and Bailey again added a PAT. Buffalo got on the board with Ryan Fitzpatrick throwing 3 yards to David Nelson, good for a touchdown with the extra point performed by Dave Rayner. The Cowboys got it back on a 1 yard DeMarco Murray touchdown run, and Bailey again kicked the extra point. The halftime score was 28-7. Dallas added on again in the third quarter with a Bailey field goal from 45 yards. Bailey and the Cowboys added on again with his 36 yard field goal. Bailey made it 37-7 Dallas with a 31 yard field goal. Dallas ended the scoring at 44-7 with Terrence Newman intercepting Fitzpatrick for 43 yards and a touchdown, and Bailey made yet another extra point. The Cowboys are now 5-4, as are the Bills.
St. Louis Rams at Cleveland Browns. Cleveland was first to score as Phil Dawson kicked a 44 yard field goal. St. Louis grabbed the lead in the second quarter with a touchdown pass from Sam Bradford 7 yards to Brandon Lloyd, and Josh Brown had the extra point. The Browns pulled back with a 32 yard field goal from Dawson. The Rams extended the lead with Brown kicking a 29 yard field goal. Cleveland made it 10-9 before halftime on Dawson's 43 yard field goal. Dawson put the Browns ahead in the third quarter with a 27 yard field goal. St. Louis got a 13-12 lead on a field goal by Brown, good from 34 yards away. This would be enough to win, and the Rams jumped up to 2-7 while Cleveland fell to 3-6.
Washington Redskins at Miami Dolphins. Miami was first on the scoreboard with a 1 yard touchdown run by Reggie Bush, and Dan Carpenter made the extra point. Washington got some points back on a 26 yard field goal for Graham Gano. The Dolphins erased it with a field goal by Carpenter from 21 yards. The Redskins got another field goal as Gano was good from 47 yards to make it 10-6 at halftime. Washington got back again with Gano kicking a 23 yard field goal in the third quarter. Carpenter replied for Miami with his 28 yard field goal. The Dolphins padded the lead with a Bush touchdown run of 18 yards and a Carpenter PAT. The final was 20-9 here, and Miami went to 2-7 while sending the Redskins to 3-6.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Saturday, November 12, 2011
NHL Day 38 2011-2012
A total of eleven games on tonight. We begin in Tennessee...
Where the Nashville Predators host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Pekka Rinne are in goal. Montreal led off with a David Desharnais goal, his third of the season, assisted by Erik Cole and Josh Gorges. Nashville tied it in the second period with the second of the year by Shea Weber, a shorthanded goal made possible by Ryan Suter and Nick Spaling. The game went into overtime where the Canadiens won as Max Pacioretty put his seventh of the campaign into the twine, and was helped by P.K. Subban and Desharnais, for a 2-1 final. The three stars were Pacioretty, Budaj (25 for 26 in saves), and Rinne (23 for 25 in saves), with Desharnais picking up honorable mention.
Into Ohio, where the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Steve Mason were in the creases. Columbus got the first two goals in the game as Ryan Johansen netted his fourth and fifth of the season, one in the first and one in the third period. The assists were handed to James Wisniewski, Marc Methot, Vinny Prospal, and Nikita Nikitin. Winnipeg got it to 2-1 with Mark Stuart striking shorthande, his second of the year coming off of Dustin Byfuglien. This was a final, and Johansen, Mason (35 for 36 in saves), and Prospal raked in the three stars.
Crossing over to Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leaf host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Ben Scrivens got the starting nods. Toronto was first to score as Tyler Bozak potted the puck via Phil Kessel and Luke Schenn. Ottawa replied in the second period with Sergei Gonchar's second of the season, and assists came from Kaspars Daugavins and Zack Smith. The Senators grabbed the lead with a Nick Foligno power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Erik Karlsson (fifteenth assist) and the goalie Anderson. Ottawa continued to surge upward with an unassisted Smith goal, his third of the season. The Maple Leafs pulled back a bit with Joffrey Lupul netting his ninth of the year unassisted. The Senators took control back shortly after as Foligno notched his second of the night and sixth of the season into the empty net, thanks to Jesse Winchester. Ottawa iced it at 5-2 with another empty net goal, the eleventh of the year by Milan Michalek, which was also unassisted. The official three stars were not posted at the end of the game, so I declare Foligno, Smith, and Anderson (31 for 33 in saves plus an assist) the three stars unofficially.
Back stateside (barely), as the Detroit Red Wings host the Dallas Stars. Andrew Raycroft and Jimmy Howard tended to the twines. Dallas led off as the ninth of the season by Loui Eriksson went into the cage, a power play goal from Trevor Daley and Jamie Benn. Detroit tied it with the third of the year for Niklas Kronwall, assisted by Danny Cleary and Tomas Holmstrom. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period on an Ian White goal, his third of the season, fueled by Drew Miller and Nicklas Lidstrom. The Stars retied it as Brenden Morrow registered his third of the year, thanks to Mike Ribeiro's tenth assist and Adam Burish. Detroit regained the lead in the third period as Johan Franzen put away his ninth of the season, guided in by Valtteri Filppula and Brad Stuart. The Red Wings extended the lead with the second of the year by Darren Helm, and Jiri Hudler raked in the lone assist. Detroit made it 5-2, the eventual final, on a Stuart goal made possible by Franzen and Filppula (tenth assist). The three stars were Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg, and Stuart, with honorable mention to Filppula.
To the east coast, where the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson and Cam Ward wore the masks. Carolina opened with Jeff Skinner notching his seventh of the season, thanks to Jussi Jokinen and Tomas Kaberle. The Hurricanes added two more in the second period as Tuomo Ruutu potted his fifth and sixth of the year, and assists went to Skinner twice and Jokinen once. Pittsburgh got those two back as Jordan Staal sank his seventh and eighth of the season, and the second goal was shorthanded. The helpers were provided by Evgeni Malkin, Matt Cooke, James Neal, and Brooks Orpik. The Penguins tied it with the sixth of the year by Chris Kunitz, via Pascal Dupuis. Carolina took the lead back with the fourth of the season for Eric Staal, helped along by Tim Gleason and Chad LaRose. The Hurricanes made it 5-3 with LaRose's fifth of the year, fueled by Eric and Jay Harrison. This was a final, and the three stars were Skinner, Eric Staal, and Ward (37 for 40 in saves), while the honorable mentions are Jokinen, Jordan Staal, LaRose, and Ruutu.
Northward to the Nation's capital, as the Washington Capitals host the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Michal Neuvirth are the goalies for the second game in a row between these teams. Washington opened with the fourth of the campaign for Troy Brouwer, an unassisted goal. The Capitals extended the lead with the sixth of the season for Jason Chimera, with John Carlson and Marcus Johansson grabbing the helpers. New Jersey got going in the second period with the third of the year by Petr Sykora, via Dainius Zubrus and Patrik Elias. The Devils tied it with Ryan Carter's goal, set up by Bryce Salvador. The tie lasted through the third and overtime periods, and into a shootout, where Zach Parise was answered by Alexander Ovechkin, and then New Jersey toppled Washington with a David Clarkson tally. Chimera, Carter, and Brouwer were the three stars.
Heading toward Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller opposed Tim Thomas, although Jhonas Enroth was in the Buffalo net for the third period. Buffalo was the first to score with Thomas Vanek recording his eleventh of the season, made possible by Jason Pominville. Boston tied it in the second period with the fourth of the year for Rich Peverley, assisted by Chris Kelly. The Bruins added on with the tenth of the season for Tyler Seguin, received from Brad Marchand. Sixteen seconds later, Boston put the puck in the net again, with Nathan Horton tallying his fifth of the year, and the assists were provided by Johnny Boychuk and Zdeno Chara, the latter's tenth helper. The Bruins continued the attack in the third period with a Kelly goal, coming off of Peverley, good for his fourth of the campaign. Boston piled on another with Seguin's second of the game and eleventh of the season, thanks to Patrice Bergeron and Marchand. The Bruins tacked on another goal when Marchand found a home for his fifth of the year, guided in by Seguin and Chara. The Sabres cut it to 6-2 with a Marc-Andre Gragnani power play goal, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Luke Adam for the final goal in the game. The three stars were Seguin, Peverley, and Marchand, and Chara and Kelly deserve notice for their multi-point efforts.
Back westward, as the St. Louis Blues host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Brian Elliott were in control of the cages. St. Louis opened with Kris Russell recording his third of the season, helped along by Evgeny Grachev and Roman Polak. The Blues added on late in the second period with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his second of the campaign, via Alex Steen and Jamie Langenbrunner. St. Louis iced it at 3-0 with a shorthanded T.J. Oshie goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by David Backes. The three stars were Steen, Elliott (19 save shutout), and Russell.
To the Rocky Mountains, where the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Semyon Varlamov play between the pipes. Calgary led off with Paul Byron's goal, made possible by Derek Smith and Lee Stempniak. The Flames extended the lead with the fifth of the season by Jarome Iginla, fueled by Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Tanguay. Calgary added on again with a Curtis Glencross goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Tom Kostopoulos and David Moss. The Flames tacked on another goal in the second period, the fourth of the season by Stempniak, and the lone assist came from Roman Horak. Colorado finally got on the board with the seventh of the year for Milan Hejduk, courtesy of Jan Hejda and Joakim Lindstrom. The Avalanche got another one back as Matt Duchene sent his sixth of the season into the net, via Shane O'Brien and Hejduk. Colorado made it 4-3 on David Jones' sixth of the year, guided in by Ryan O'Reilly's tenth assist and Ryan Wilson. This was the final, as they could not get the equalizer, and the three stars were Stempniak, Iginla, and Hejduk.
Hitting the west coast, the San Jose Sharks welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Thomas Greiss are the netminders here. Phoenix opened with a Radim Vrbata goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Ray Whitney and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes extended the lead on a Boyd Gordon goal, his third of the year, helped along by Raffi Torres and Lauri Korpikoski.Phoenix iced it at 3-0 on the second of the season by Patrick O'Sullivan, moved through by Kyle Chipchura and Adrian Aucoin. Smith (31 save shutout), Gordon, and Korpikoski were the three stars.
Down the California coast to Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Minnesota Wild. In goal we have Josh Harding and Jonathan Quick. Los Angeles opened the scoring with Colin Fraser scoring, courtesy of Ethan Moreau and Trevor Lewis. The Kings added on in the second period as Alex Martinez netted his second of the season, a power play goal powered by Justin Williams' tenth assist and Simon Gagne. Los Angeles extended the lead again with a Dustin Brown goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Jack Johnson. The Kings made it 4-0 with Gagne's sixth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Anze Kopitar and Williams. This sent Harding to the bench, replaced by Niklas Backstrom, who soon choked up a Matt Greene goal, and Los Angeles gained more assists by Trent Hunter and Jarret Stoll. Minnesota got going with the third of the campaign for Cal Clutterbuck in the third period, a power play goal coming off of Mikko Koivu and Dany Heatley. The Wild got as close as 5-2 after the second of the year by Darroll Powe, via Marek Sidlicky and Nate Prosser. The three stars were Brown, Martinez, and Fraser, with Gagne and Williams as honorable mentions.
Where the Nashville Predators host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Pekka Rinne are in goal. Montreal led off with a David Desharnais goal, his third of the season, assisted by Erik Cole and Josh Gorges. Nashville tied it in the second period with the second of the year by Shea Weber, a shorthanded goal made possible by Ryan Suter and Nick Spaling. The game went into overtime where the Canadiens won as Max Pacioretty put his seventh of the campaign into the twine, and was helped by P.K. Subban and Desharnais, for a 2-1 final. The three stars were Pacioretty, Budaj (25 for 26 in saves), and Rinne (23 for 25 in saves), with Desharnais picking up honorable mention.
Into Ohio, where the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Steve Mason were in the creases. Columbus got the first two goals in the game as Ryan Johansen netted his fourth and fifth of the season, one in the first and one in the third period. The assists were handed to James Wisniewski, Marc Methot, Vinny Prospal, and Nikita Nikitin. Winnipeg got it to 2-1 with Mark Stuart striking shorthande, his second of the year coming off of Dustin Byfuglien. This was a final, and Johansen, Mason (35 for 36 in saves), and Prospal raked in the three stars.
Crossing over to Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leaf host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Ben Scrivens got the starting nods. Toronto was first to score as Tyler Bozak potted the puck via Phil Kessel and Luke Schenn. Ottawa replied in the second period with Sergei Gonchar's second of the season, and assists came from Kaspars Daugavins and Zack Smith. The Senators grabbed the lead with a Nick Foligno power play goal, his fifth of the year, powered by Erik Karlsson (fifteenth assist) and the goalie Anderson. Ottawa continued to surge upward with an unassisted Smith goal, his third of the season. The Maple Leafs pulled back a bit with Joffrey Lupul netting his ninth of the year unassisted. The Senators took control back shortly after as Foligno notched his second of the night and sixth of the season into the empty net, thanks to Jesse Winchester. Ottawa iced it at 5-2 with another empty net goal, the eleventh of the year by Milan Michalek, which was also unassisted. The official three stars were not posted at the end of the game, so I declare Foligno, Smith, and Anderson (31 for 33 in saves plus an assist) the three stars unofficially.
Back stateside (barely), as the Detroit Red Wings host the Dallas Stars. Andrew Raycroft and Jimmy Howard tended to the twines. Dallas led off as the ninth of the season by Loui Eriksson went into the cage, a power play goal from Trevor Daley and Jamie Benn. Detroit tied it with the third of the year for Niklas Kronwall, assisted by Danny Cleary and Tomas Holmstrom. The Red Wings took the lead in the second period on an Ian White goal, his third of the season, fueled by Drew Miller and Nicklas Lidstrom. The Stars retied it as Brenden Morrow registered his third of the year, thanks to Mike Ribeiro's tenth assist and Adam Burish. Detroit regained the lead in the third period as Johan Franzen put away his ninth of the season, guided in by Valtteri Filppula and Brad Stuart. The Red Wings extended the lead with the second of the year by Darren Helm, and Jiri Hudler raked in the lone assist. Detroit made it 5-2, the eventual final, on a Stuart goal made possible by Franzen and Filppula (tenth assist). The three stars were Franzen, Henrik Zetterberg, and Stuart, with honorable mention to Filppula.
To the east coast, where the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson and Cam Ward wore the masks. Carolina opened with Jeff Skinner notching his seventh of the season, thanks to Jussi Jokinen and Tomas Kaberle. The Hurricanes added two more in the second period as Tuomo Ruutu potted his fifth and sixth of the year, and assists went to Skinner twice and Jokinen once. Pittsburgh got those two back as Jordan Staal sank his seventh and eighth of the season, and the second goal was shorthanded. The helpers were provided by Evgeni Malkin, Matt Cooke, James Neal, and Brooks Orpik. The Penguins tied it with the sixth of the year by Chris Kunitz, via Pascal Dupuis. Carolina took the lead back with the fourth of the season for Eric Staal, helped along by Tim Gleason and Chad LaRose. The Hurricanes made it 5-3 with LaRose's fifth of the year, fueled by Eric and Jay Harrison. This was a final, and the three stars were Skinner, Eric Staal, and Ward (37 for 40 in saves), while the honorable mentions are Jokinen, Jordan Staal, LaRose, and Ruutu.
Northward to the Nation's capital, as the Washington Capitals host the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Michal Neuvirth are the goalies for the second game in a row between these teams. Washington opened with the fourth of the campaign for Troy Brouwer, an unassisted goal. The Capitals extended the lead with the sixth of the season for Jason Chimera, with John Carlson and Marcus Johansson grabbing the helpers. New Jersey got going in the second period with the third of the year by Petr Sykora, via Dainius Zubrus and Patrik Elias. The Devils tied it with Ryan Carter's goal, set up by Bryce Salvador. The tie lasted through the third and overtime periods, and into a shootout, where Zach Parise was answered by Alexander Ovechkin, and then New Jersey toppled Washington with a David Clarkson tally. Chimera, Carter, and Brouwer were the three stars.
Heading toward Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller opposed Tim Thomas, although Jhonas Enroth was in the Buffalo net for the third period. Buffalo was the first to score with Thomas Vanek recording his eleventh of the season, made possible by Jason Pominville. Boston tied it in the second period with the fourth of the year for Rich Peverley, assisted by Chris Kelly. The Bruins added on with the tenth of the season for Tyler Seguin, received from Brad Marchand. Sixteen seconds later, Boston put the puck in the net again, with Nathan Horton tallying his fifth of the year, and the assists were provided by Johnny Boychuk and Zdeno Chara, the latter's tenth helper. The Bruins continued the attack in the third period with a Kelly goal, coming off of Peverley, good for his fourth of the campaign. Boston piled on another with Seguin's second of the game and eleventh of the season, thanks to Patrice Bergeron and Marchand. The Bruins tacked on another goal when Marchand found a home for his fifth of the year, guided in by Seguin and Chara. The Sabres cut it to 6-2 with a Marc-Andre Gragnani power play goal, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Luke Adam for the final goal in the game. The three stars were Seguin, Peverley, and Marchand, and Chara and Kelly deserve notice for their multi-point efforts.
Back westward, as the St. Louis Blues host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Brian Elliott were in control of the cages. St. Louis opened with Kris Russell recording his third of the season, helped along by Evgeny Grachev and Roman Polak. The Blues added on late in the second period with a Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his second of the campaign, via Alex Steen and Jamie Langenbrunner. St. Louis iced it at 3-0 with a shorthanded T.J. Oshie goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by David Backes. The three stars were Steen, Elliott (19 save shutout), and Russell.
To the Rocky Mountains, where the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Semyon Varlamov play between the pipes. Calgary led off with Paul Byron's goal, made possible by Derek Smith and Lee Stempniak. The Flames extended the lead with the fifth of the season by Jarome Iginla, fueled by Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Tanguay. Calgary added on again with a Curtis Glencross goal, his fifth of the year, assisted by Tom Kostopoulos and David Moss. The Flames tacked on another goal in the second period, the fourth of the season by Stempniak, and the lone assist came from Roman Horak. Colorado finally got on the board with the seventh of the year for Milan Hejduk, courtesy of Jan Hejda and Joakim Lindstrom. The Avalanche got another one back as Matt Duchene sent his sixth of the season into the net, via Shane O'Brien and Hejduk. Colorado made it 4-3 on David Jones' sixth of the year, guided in by Ryan O'Reilly's tenth assist and Ryan Wilson. This was the final, as they could not get the equalizer, and the three stars were Stempniak, Iginla, and Hejduk.
Hitting the west coast, the San Jose Sharks welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Thomas Greiss are the netminders here. Phoenix opened with a Radim Vrbata goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Ray Whitney and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes extended the lead on a Boyd Gordon goal, his third of the year, helped along by Raffi Torres and Lauri Korpikoski.Phoenix iced it at 3-0 on the second of the season by Patrick O'Sullivan, moved through by Kyle Chipchura and Adrian Aucoin. Smith (31 save shutout), Gordon, and Korpikoski were the three stars.
Down the California coast to Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Minnesota Wild. In goal we have Josh Harding and Jonathan Quick. Los Angeles opened the scoring with Colin Fraser scoring, courtesy of Ethan Moreau and Trevor Lewis. The Kings added on in the second period as Alex Martinez netted his second of the season, a power play goal powered by Justin Williams' tenth assist and Simon Gagne. Los Angeles extended the lead again with a Dustin Brown goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Jack Johnson. The Kings made it 4-0 with Gagne's sixth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Anze Kopitar and Williams. This sent Harding to the bench, replaced by Niklas Backstrom, who soon choked up a Matt Greene goal, and Los Angeles gained more assists by Trent Hunter and Jarret Stoll. Minnesota got going with the third of the campaign for Cal Clutterbuck in the third period, a power play goal coming off of Mikko Koivu and Dany Heatley. The Wild got as close as 5-2 after the second of the year by Darroll Powe, via Marek Sidlicky and Nate Prosser. The three stars were Brown, Martinez, and Fraser, with Gagne and Williams as honorable mentions.
Friday, November 11, 2011
NHL Day 37 2011-2012
Tonight we will roll with seven games of hockey. First up...
The New Jersey Devils host the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Martin Brodeur get the starting nods. New Jersey struck first with Adam Larsson's goal, made possible by Dainius Zubrus and Patrik Elias. Washington tied it in the second period on the seventh of the season by Alex Ovechkin, coming off of Dennis Wideman and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals took the lead on the fifth of the year by Jason Chimera, a shorthanded goal via Troy Brouwer and John Erskine. Washington made it 3-1 as Marcus Johansson netted his sixth of the season, and Karl Alzner had the lone assist. This was the final score, and the three stars belonged to Chimera, Larsson, and Vokoun (32 for 33 in saves).
Into Pittsburgh, where the Penguins host the Dallas Stars as the top two teams in the league face off. Kari Lehtonen and Marc-Andre Fleury are in between the pipes. Dallas opened on an Eric Nystrom goal, his fifth of the season, with helpers provided by Radek Dvorak and Vernon Fiddler. Pittsburgh tied it late in the second period with the tenth of the year for James Neal, a power play goal powered by Chris Kunitz and Steve Sullivan. The Penguins grabbed the lead in the third period with a Neal power play goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh made it 3-1 with the fifth of the year by Matt Cooke, a successful penalty shot, the product of Trevor Daley tripping him on a breakaway. This was the final, and the three stars were Neal, Cooke, and Kunitz.
Back tracking to the Big Apple, with the New York Rangers hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Henrik Lundqvist played in the blue paint. Sean Avery put New York in the lead first with a goal, and the lone assist belonged to Jeff Woywitka. Carolina answered in the second period on the third of the season by Alexei Ponikarovsky, assisted by Zach Boychuk and Jamie McBain. The Rangers retook the lead with a Dan Girardi power play goal in the third period, his third of the year powered by Brad Richards and Ryan McDonagh. New York extended their lead with a Brandon Dubinsky, coming off of Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle. Callahan kept the Rangers surge up with his seventh of the season, from Mike Sauer and Dubinsky. New York put it away with Richards notching his fifth of the year, an unassisted goal, for a 5-1 score. The three stars were Girardi, Avery, and Dubinsky, and the honorable mentions include Callahan, Richards, and Lundqvist (34 for 35 in saves). Avery's star was not for his goal, but for his glasses.
Westward to Detroit, as the Red Wings welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Jimmy Howard will play in goal. Detroit "drew" first blood as Drew Miller netted a goal set up by Patrick Eaves. The Red Wings extended the lead with a Niklas Kronwall second period goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jiri Hudler and Justin Abdelkader. Detroit added on in the third period with the third of the year by Valtteri Filppula, and Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen helped out here. The final was 3-0 and the three stars were Howard (24 save shutout), Miller, and Abdelkader.
Into New York state again, as the Buffalo Sabres are hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jhonas Enroth picked up the starts, but Anderson was soon replaced by Alex Auld. Buffalo opened with a Derek Roy goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Drew Stafford and Christian Ehrhoff. The Sabres chased Anderson just sixteen seconds later as Matt Ellis scored, with the help of Corey Tropp and Cody McCormick. Ottawa got on the board with Sergei Gonchar's power play goal, powered by Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza. Buffalo made it a two-goal game again with the third of the year by Jordan Leopold, and Stafford and Roy had the assists. The Sabres added on again in the third period as Luke Adam potted his fifth of the season, and he received the puck from Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. Buffalo made it 5-1 with Ville Leino sinking his second of the year, fueled by Stafford, who got a sock trick, and Roy. This was a final, and the three stars were Roy, Enroth (36 for 37 in saves), and Stafford.
To the Midwest, where the Chicago Blackhawks host the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff stands 200 feet away from Ray Emery. Chicago opened with a Duncan Keith goal, made possible by Dan Carcillo and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks extended the lead in the second period with a power play goal by Brent Seabrook, powered by Marian Hossa and Sharp. Calgary got on the board with Olli Jokinen scoring his fourth of the season, via Mark Giordano. Chicago replied and made it 3-1 with the fourth of the year for Viktor Stalberg, and Hossa and Jonathan Toews provided the helpers. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Patrick Kane, his sixth of the campaign, assisted by Sharp for a sock trick, and Carcillo. Keith, Sharp, and Jokinen got the three stars, with honorable mention to Hossa and Carcillo.
Out to southern California, with the Anaheim Ducks welcoming the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Jonas Hiller tend the twine. Anaheim opened the scoring in the second period with Saku Koivu's second of the season, and Andrew Cogliano picked up the helper. The Ducks added on as Cogliano sank his second of the year, and was helped out by Bobby Ryan and the goalie Hiller on the power play tally. Corey Perry also scored for Anaheim on the power play, his sixth of the season, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne (tenth assist). The Ducks kept it up with Derek Holland's goal, and Toni Lydman had the lone assist here. Vancouver got on the board in the third period as Kevin Bieksa sent home a power play goal, via David Booth and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks made it 4-3 (but were unable to tie) as Jannik Hansen scored twice in a row, his third and fourth of the year, and assists were doled out to Daniel Sedin twice, and Bieksa and Sami Salo once each. This was the final, and the three stars were Perry, Cogliano, and Hansen, with honorable mentions for Bieksa and Daniel.
The New Jersey Devils host the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Martin Brodeur get the starting nods. New Jersey struck first with Adam Larsson's goal, made possible by Dainius Zubrus and Patrik Elias. Washington tied it in the second period on the seventh of the season by Alex Ovechkin, coming off of Dennis Wideman and Nicklas Backstrom. The Capitals took the lead on the fifth of the year by Jason Chimera, a shorthanded goal via Troy Brouwer and John Erskine. Washington made it 3-1 as Marcus Johansson netted his sixth of the season, and Karl Alzner had the lone assist. This was the final score, and the three stars belonged to Chimera, Larsson, and Vokoun (32 for 33 in saves).
Into Pittsburgh, where the Penguins host the Dallas Stars as the top two teams in the league face off. Kari Lehtonen and Marc-Andre Fleury are in between the pipes. Dallas opened on an Eric Nystrom goal, his fifth of the season, with helpers provided by Radek Dvorak and Vernon Fiddler. Pittsburgh tied it late in the second period with the tenth of the year for James Neal, a power play goal powered by Chris Kunitz and Steve Sullivan. The Penguins grabbed the lead in the third period with a Neal power play goal, his eleventh of the season, assisted by Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang. Pittsburgh made it 3-1 with the fifth of the year by Matt Cooke, a successful penalty shot, the product of Trevor Daley tripping him on a breakaway. This was the final, and the three stars were Neal, Cooke, and Kunitz.
Back tracking to the Big Apple, with the New York Rangers hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Henrik Lundqvist played in the blue paint. Sean Avery put New York in the lead first with a goal, and the lone assist belonged to Jeff Woywitka. Carolina answered in the second period on the third of the season by Alexei Ponikarovsky, assisted by Zach Boychuk and Jamie McBain. The Rangers retook the lead with a Dan Girardi power play goal in the third period, his third of the year powered by Brad Richards and Ryan McDonagh. New York extended their lead with a Brandon Dubinsky, coming off of Ryan Callahan and Brian Boyle. Callahan kept the Rangers surge up with his seventh of the season, from Mike Sauer and Dubinsky. New York put it away with Richards notching his fifth of the year, an unassisted goal, for a 5-1 score. The three stars were Girardi, Avery, and Dubinsky, and the honorable mentions include Callahan, Richards, and Lundqvist (34 for 35 in saves). Avery's star was not for his goal, but for his glasses.
Westward to Detroit, as the Red Wings welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Jimmy Howard will play in goal. Detroit "drew" first blood as Drew Miller netted a goal set up by Patrick Eaves. The Red Wings extended the lead with a Niklas Kronwall second period goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jiri Hudler and Justin Abdelkader. Detroit added on in the third period with the third of the year by Valtteri Filppula, and Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen helped out here. The final was 3-0 and the three stars were Howard (24 save shutout), Miller, and Abdelkader.
Into New York state again, as the Buffalo Sabres are hosting the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jhonas Enroth picked up the starts, but Anderson was soon replaced by Alex Auld. Buffalo opened with a Derek Roy goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Drew Stafford and Christian Ehrhoff. The Sabres chased Anderson just sixteen seconds later as Matt Ellis scored, with the help of Corey Tropp and Cody McCormick. Ottawa got on the board with Sergei Gonchar's power play goal, powered by Erik Karlsson and Jason Spezza. Buffalo made it a two-goal game again with the third of the year by Jordan Leopold, and Stafford and Roy had the assists. The Sabres added on again in the third period as Luke Adam potted his fifth of the season, and he received the puck from Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. Buffalo made it 5-1 with Ville Leino sinking his second of the year, fueled by Stafford, who got a sock trick, and Roy. This was a final, and the three stars were Roy, Enroth (36 for 37 in saves), and Stafford.
To the Midwest, where the Chicago Blackhawks host the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff stands 200 feet away from Ray Emery. Chicago opened with a Duncan Keith goal, made possible by Dan Carcillo and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks extended the lead in the second period with a power play goal by Brent Seabrook, powered by Marian Hossa and Sharp. Calgary got on the board with Olli Jokinen scoring his fourth of the season, via Mark Giordano. Chicago replied and made it 3-1 with the fourth of the year for Viktor Stalberg, and Hossa and Jonathan Toews provided the helpers. The Blackhawks iced it at 4-1 with an empty net goal by Patrick Kane, his sixth of the campaign, assisted by Sharp for a sock trick, and Carcillo. Keith, Sharp, and Jokinen got the three stars, with honorable mention to Hossa and Carcillo.
Out to southern California, with the Anaheim Ducks welcoming the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Jonas Hiller tend the twine. Anaheim opened the scoring in the second period with Saku Koivu's second of the season, and Andrew Cogliano picked up the helper. The Ducks added on as Cogliano sank his second of the year, and was helped out by Bobby Ryan and the goalie Hiller on the power play tally. Corey Perry also scored for Anaheim on the power play, his sixth of the season, assisted by Ryan Getzlaf and Teemu Selanne (tenth assist). The Ducks kept it up with Derek Holland's goal, and Toni Lydman had the lone assist here. Vancouver got on the board in the third period as Kevin Bieksa sent home a power play goal, via David Booth and Dan Hamhuis. The Canucks made it 4-3 (but were unable to tie) as Jannik Hansen scored twice in a row, his third and fourth of the year, and assists were doled out to Daniel Sedin twice, and Bieksa and Sami Salo once each. This was the final, and the three stars were Perry, Cogliano, and Hansen, with honorable mentions for Bieksa and Daniel.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
NHL Day 36 2011-2012
There's another eight games of hockey to be covered today. We begin in...
Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Tuukka Rask manned the creases. Boston started off with the second of the season by Johnny Boychuk, assisted by David Krejci and Nathan Horton. The Bruins extended the lead with a Jordan Caron goal off of Zach Hamill. Edmonton answered with a Ryan Smyth goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Theo Peckham and Ales Hemsky. Twenty-nine seconds later, the Oilers tied it with the seventh of the season for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Taylor Hall picked up the lone assist. Boston was back at it in the second period with Brad Marchand sinking his third of the year on the power play, powered by Joe Corvo and Tyler Seguin. The Bruins restored a two goal lead with Seguin recording his ninth of the season, and Corvo grabbed the lone helper. Edmonton pulled within one in the third period as Smyth netted his second of the game and ninth of the year, courtesy of Eric Belanger and Hemsky. Boston shot back and took a 5-3 lead with Milan Lucic sinking his eighth of the season on the power play from Corvo, who got a sock trick, and Horton. Marchand pushed it to 6-3 Bruins with his second of the game and fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Marchand, Corvo, and Smyth. Hemsky, Horton, and Seguin get the honorable mentions.
Westward to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Steve Mason were called on to start. Chicago led off with a Jonathan Toews goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Viktor Stalberg and Brent Seabrook. Columbus replied with a Grant Clitsome power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Derick Brassard and Vinny Prospal. Toews gave the Blackhawks the lead back with his second of the game and seventh of the season, and Nick Leddy had the only assist. Chicago extended the lead with Andrew Brunette potting his third of the year with the man advantage, thanks to Marcus Kruger and Steve Montador. Montador later added a power play goal for the Blackhawks, and he was aided by Duncan Keith and Leddy. Chicago made it 5-1 before the second intermission with a Patrick Kane goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Dan Carcillo and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks kept it going in the third period with a Marian Hossa goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Toews and Seabrook. The Blue Jackets finally got one back as Mark Letestu sank his first as a Jacket, also his first of the campaign, thanks to Rick Nash and Fedor Tyutin on the power play. Columbus pulled to as close as 6-3 with another Clitsome goal, his third of the season and second of the game, with help from Prospal and Tyutin. This was a final, and the three stars were
Staying in the Midwest, the St. Louis Blues are hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Scrivens and Jaroslav Halak put on the goalies' masks. Toronto led off with a John-Michael Liles goal, his second of the season, a power play goal with help from Dion Phaneuf (tenth assist) and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs extended the lead with the twelfth goal of the year by Phil Kessel, also on the power play, fueled by Joffrey Lupul's tenth assist and Bozak again. St. Louis got on the board in the second period with a Jason Arnott power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues tied it at 2 late with a Patrik Berglund goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk. Toronto would take the game in the shootout with a single tally from Kessel. The three stars were awarded to Scrivens (38 for 40 in saves), David Backes, and Kessel, with honorable mention to Bozak.
Up into Manitoba, with the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Ondrej Pavelec receive the starting nods. Florida opened with the sixth of the season by Kris Versteeg, assisted by Tomas Fleischmann and Stephen Weiss. Versteeg extended the Panthers lead with his second of the game and seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Florida kept it up in the second period with a Jason Garrison goal, his sixth of the season, and helpers were provided by Versteeg and Campbell. The Panthers made it 4-0 with Mike Santorelli's second of the year, a power play goal fueled by Campbell (who gets a sock trick), and Dmitry Kulikov. Peter Mannino relieved Pavelec for the third period. Winnipeg finally busted through with Tim Stapleton's goal, a power play goal requiring the assistance of Evander Kane and Nik Antropov. The Jets pulled closer with Andrew Ladd netting his fourth of the campaign, via Zach Bogosian and Mark Stuart. Florida put the dagger in as Versteeg sealed his hat trick on his eighth of the year into the empty net, and he required no help. This made the final 5-2 and the three stars were Versteeg, Campbell, and Ladd. Kulikov and Fleischmann also played well.
Following the path of the Jets first incarnation, the Phoenix Coyotes host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mike Smith will defend the cages. Phoenix opened on Mikkel Boedker's second of the season, helped in by Cal O'Reilly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Montreal tied it in the second period with Brian Gionta netting his fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Canadiens took the lead in the second period with the fifth of the season by Travis Moen, pushed through by Gionta and Tomas Plekanec (tenth assist). The Coyotes tied it again with the third of the year for Raffi Torres, assisted by Keith Yandle and Boyd Gordon. Montreal won it 3-2 in overtime with an unassisted Josh Gorges goal. Price (32 for 34 in saves), Smith (33 for 36 in saves), and Torres were the three stars. Honorable mention to Gionta.
Up to Denver, with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will play in the blue paint. New York struck first with a Josh Bailey power play goal, powered by Mark Streit. The Islanders added on in the second period with the second of the season by Brian Rolston, gathering steam off of P.A. Parenteau's tenth assist and Frans Nielsen. New York made it 3-0 with the fifth of the year for Michael Grabner, assisted by Matt Moulson and Streit. Colorado got on the board with Paul Stastny sinking his fifth of the season on the power play from David Jones and Kyle Quincey. The Avalanche got within a goal on a Milan Hejduk tally, his sixth of the year, guided in by Shane O'Brien. Colorado tied it with a Jan Hejda goal, via Daniel Winnik and Ryan O'Reilly. Colorado completed the comeback with Quincey on the power play in overtime, his third of the season made possible by Hejduk and Stastny for a 4-3 win. The three stars were Jones, O'Reilly, and Grabner, with honorable mention to Streit, Quincey, Hejduk, and Stastny.
To San Jose, where the Sharks welcome offseason trading partners, the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Antti Niemi oppose each other in the nets. San Jose got on the board in the second period with the fifth of the season by Patrick Marleau, a power play goal from Dan Boyle and Justin Braun. The Sharks extended the lead with Marleau again, his second of the game and sixth of the year, fueled by Ryane Clowe and Brent Burns. San Jose added on once more with Torrey Mitchell's goal, with help from Michal Handzus. Minnesota only got the score to 3-1 in the third period, as Kyle Brodziak recorded his third of the campaign, and got help from Marek Zidlicky and Nick Schultz. Marleau, Mitchell, and Backstrom (33 for 36 in saves) were the three stars, and Niemi (21 for 22 in saves) gets the honorable mention.
Down the California coast, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Vancouver was first on the board with the fourth of the season for Sami Salo, a power play goal set up by Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks extended the lead with an Andrew Ebbett power play goal, via Cody Hodgson and Alexander Edler. Vancouver kept strong with the second Aaron Rome goal of the year, helped along by the Sedins Henrik and Daniel. Los Angeles got on the board with the second of the season for Drew Doughty, a power play goal, powered by Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar. The Kings made it 3-2 late in the game on a Mike Richards goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Kopitar and Doughty. They failed to get the equalizer, and lost by the above score. Daniel, Kopitar, and Rome were the three stars, and Doughty gets an honorable mention.
Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Tuukka Rask manned the creases. Boston started off with the second of the season by Johnny Boychuk, assisted by David Krejci and Nathan Horton. The Bruins extended the lead with a Jordan Caron goal off of Zach Hamill. Edmonton answered with a Ryan Smyth goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Theo Peckham and Ales Hemsky. Twenty-nine seconds later, the Oilers tied it with the seventh of the season for Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, and Taylor Hall picked up the lone assist. Boston was back at it in the second period with Brad Marchand sinking his third of the year on the power play, powered by Joe Corvo and Tyler Seguin. The Bruins restored a two goal lead with Seguin recording his ninth of the season, and Corvo grabbed the lone helper. Edmonton pulled within one in the third period as Smyth netted his second of the game and ninth of the year, courtesy of Eric Belanger and Hemsky. Boston shot back and took a 5-3 lead with Milan Lucic sinking his eighth of the season on the power play from Corvo, who got a sock trick, and Horton. Marchand pushed it to 6-3 Bruins with his second of the game and fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Marchand, Corvo, and Smyth. Hemsky, Horton, and Seguin get the honorable mentions.
Westward to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Steve Mason were called on to start. Chicago led off with a Jonathan Toews goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Viktor Stalberg and Brent Seabrook. Columbus replied with a Grant Clitsome power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Derick Brassard and Vinny Prospal. Toews gave the Blackhawks the lead back with his second of the game and seventh of the season, and Nick Leddy had the only assist. Chicago extended the lead with Andrew Brunette potting his third of the year with the man advantage, thanks to Marcus Kruger and Steve Montador. Montador later added a power play goal for the Blackhawks, and he was aided by Duncan Keith and Leddy. Chicago made it 5-1 before the second intermission with a Patrick Kane goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Dan Carcillo and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks kept it going in the third period with a Marian Hossa goal, his eighth of the year, set up by Toews and Seabrook. The Blue Jackets finally got one back as Mark Letestu sank his first as a Jacket, also his first of the campaign, thanks to Rick Nash and Fedor Tyutin on the power play. Columbus pulled to as close as 6-3 with another Clitsome goal, his third of the season and second of the game, with help from Prospal and Tyutin. This was a final, and the three stars were
Staying in the Midwest, the St. Louis Blues are hosting the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Scrivens and Jaroslav Halak put on the goalies' masks. Toronto led off with a John-Michael Liles goal, his second of the season, a power play goal with help from Dion Phaneuf (tenth assist) and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs extended the lead with the twelfth goal of the year by Phil Kessel, also on the power play, fueled by Joffrey Lupul's tenth assist and Bozak again. St. Louis got on the board in the second period with a Jason Arnott power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues tied it at 2 late with a Patrik Berglund goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Chris Stewart and Kevin Shattenkirk. Toronto would take the game in the shootout with a single tally from Kessel. The three stars were awarded to Scrivens (38 for 40 in saves), David Backes, and Kessel, with honorable mention to Bozak.
Up into Manitoba, with the Winnipeg Jets hosting the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Ondrej Pavelec receive the starting nods. Florida opened with the sixth of the season by Kris Versteeg, assisted by Tomas Fleischmann and Stephen Weiss. Versteeg extended the Panthers lead with his second of the game and seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Florida kept it up in the second period with a Jason Garrison goal, his sixth of the season, and helpers were provided by Versteeg and Campbell. The Panthers made it 4-0 with Mike Santorelli's second of the year, a power play goal fueled by Campbell (who gets a sock trick), and Dmitry Kulikov. Peter Mannino relieved Pavelec for the third period. Winnipeg finally busted through with Tim Stapleton's goal, a power play goal requiring the assistance of Evander Kane and Nik Antropov. The Jets pulled closer with Andrew Ladd netting his fourth of the campaign, via Zach Bogosian and Mark Stuart. Florida put the dagger in as Versteeg sealed his hat trick on his eighth of the year into the empty net, and he required no help. This made the final 5-2 and the three stars were Versteeg, Campbell, and Ladd. Kulikov and Fleischmann also played well.
Following the path of the Jets first incarnation, the Phoenix Coyotes host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mike Smith will defend the cages. Phoenix opened on Mikkel Boedker's second of the season, helped in by Cal O'Reilly and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Montreal tied it in the second period with Brian Gionta netting his fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Canadiens took the lead in the second period with the fifth of the season by Travis Moen, pushed through by Gionta and Tomas Plekanec (tenth assist). The Coyotes tied it again with the third of the year for Raffi Torres, assisted by Keith Yandle and Boyd Gordon. Montreal won it 3-2 in overtime with an unassisted Josh Gorges goal. Price (32 for 34 in saves), Smith (33 for 36 in saves), and Torres were the three stars. Honorable mention to Gionta.
Up to Denver, with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will play in the blue paint. New York struck first with a Josh Bailey power play goal, powered by Mark Streit. The Islanders added on in the second period with the second of the season by Brian Rolston, gathering steam off of P.A. Parenteau's tenth assist and Frans Nielsen. New York made it 3-0 with the fifth of the year for Michael Grabner, assisted by Matt Moulson and Streit. Colorado got on the board with Paul Stastny sinking his fifth of the season on the power play from David Jones and Kyle Quincey. The Avalanche got within a goal on a Milan Hejduk tally, his sixth of the year, guided in by Shane O'Brien. Colorado tied it with a Jan Hejda goal, via Daniel Winnik and Ryan O'Reilly. Colorado completed the comeback with Quincey on the power play in overtime, his third of the season made possible by Hejduk and Stastny for a 4-3 win. The three stars were Jones, O'Reilly, and Grabner, with honorable mention to Streit, Quincey, Hejduk, and Stastny.
To San Jose, where the Sharks welcome offseason trading partners, the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Antti Niemi oppose each other in the nets. San Jose got on the board in the second period with the fifth of the season by Patrick Marleau, a power play goal from Dan Boyle and Justin Braun. The Sharks extended the lead with Marleau again, his second of the game and sixth of the year, fueled by Ryane Clowe and Brent Burns. San Jose added on once more with Torrey Mitchell's goal, with help from Michal Handzus. Minnesota only got the score to 3-1 in the third period, as Kyle Brodziak recorded his third of the campaign, and got help from Marek Zidlicky and Nick Schultz. Marleau, Mitchell, and Backstrom (33 for 36 in saves) were the three stars, and Niemi (21 for 22 in saves) gets the honorable mention.
Down the California coast, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Vancouver was first on the board with the fourth of the season for Sami Salo, a power play goal set up by Daniel Sedin and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks extended the lead with an Andrew Ebbett power play goal, via Cody Hodgson and Alexander Edler. Vancouver kept strong with the second Aaron Rome goal of the year, helped along by the Sedins Henrik and Daniel. Los Angeles got on the board with the second of the season for Drew Doughty, a power play goal, powered by Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar. The Kings made it 3-2 late in the game on a Mike Richards goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Kopitar and Doughty. They failed to get the equalizer, and lost by the above score. Daniel, Kopitar, and Rome were the three stars, and Doughty gets an honorable mention.
Thursday Night Game week 10
This week's Thursday night game features the heated rivalry of the AFC West, the San Diego Chargers at home against the Oakland Raiders. San Diego opened with a 20 yard Nick Novak field goal. Oakland took the lead on a Michael Bush touchdown rush of 2 yards, and Sebastian Janikowski handled the extra point. Janikowski added a 23 yard field goal for the Raiders in the second quarter. Oakland made it 17-3 with Carson Palmer and Denarius Moore hooking up on a 33 yard touchdown connection, and Janikowski added another extra point. This was the score at halftime. The Chargers pulled back in the third quarter with Philip Rivers throwing a 30 yard touchdown pass to Vincent Brown, and Novak took care of the extra point. The Raiders re-extended their lead as Palmer and Moore met up for a 26 yard touchdown connection, and Janikowski kicked another extra point. San Diego pulled back with a 7 yard touchdown pass from Rivers to Jacob Hester, and Novak made the PAT. This 24-17 score was the final, with Oakland going to 5-4 and the Chargers to 4-5.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
NHL Day 35 2011-2012
Tonight, we have only three games. The first is in Ottawa, with the Senators hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Craig Anderson wear the masks. Ottawa struck first in the second period on the tenth of the season by Milan Michalek, assisted by the tenth assist of the season by Jason Spezza and Erik Karlsson. New York answered on the eighth of the year by Marian Gaborik, fueled by Derek Stepan. The Rangers grabbed the lead with a Stepan goal, his third of the season, with a pass by Artem Anisimov. New York added on again with Gaborik's second of the night and ninth of the year, while Stepan and Anisimov helped out again. The Senators got one back as Nick Foligno potted his fourth of the season, via Stephane Da Costa and Bobby Butler. They failed to get an equalizer, leaving them with a 3-2 loss, and giving the three stars to Gaborik, Stepan, and Michalek, with honorable mention for Anisimov.
Down the East Coast to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Dwayne Roloson play in front of the nets. Philadelphia got on the board with a Scott Hartnell power play goal in the second period, his sixth of the season being powered by Jakub Voracek and Kimmo Timonen. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period with the third of the year by Marc-Andre Bergeron, a power play goal made possible by Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier. The game went into overtime, where the Lightning beat the Flyers with a Brett Connolly goal, his third of the campaign, guided in by Dominic Moore and Pavel Kubina. The three stars went to Connolly, Roloson (14 for 15 in saves), and Martin St. Louis, although any point getter would be a third star quality player.
Westward, as we wrap up with the Anaheim Ducks hosting the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jonas Hiller are taking care of the cages. Nashville opened with Craig Smith potting his sixth of the season, with the help of Patric Hornqvist. The Predators added on with Colin Wilson recording his eighth of the year, and he got assistance from Hornqvist and Smith. Anaheim got on the board late in the period with a Cam Fowler goal, helped through by Brandon McMillan and Peter Holland. Nashville re-extended their lead with Martin Erat converting a penalty shot for his second goal of the season, and it all came to fruition because of a Lubomir Visnovsky hook. The Ducks didn't let it keep them down, as Francois Beauchemin registered his second of the year, assisted by Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan. The Predators made it 4-2 with the second of the night and seventh of the season by Smith, fueled by Wilson and Hornqvist. This was the final, where Erat, Smith, and Beauchemin were the official three stars, and the honorable mentions go to Hornqvist with the sock trick.
Down the East Coast to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Dwayne Roloson play in front of the nets. Philadelphia got on the board with a Scott Hartnell power play goal in the second period, his sixth of the season being powered by Jakub Voracek and Kimmo Timonen. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period with the third of the year by Marc-Andre Bergeron, a power play goal made possible by Steven Stamkos and Vincent Lecavalier. The game went into overtime, where the Lightning beat the Flyers with a Brett Connolly goal, his third of the campaign, guided in by Dominic Moore and Pavel Kubina. The three stars went to Connolly, Roloson (14 for 15 in saves), and Martin St. Louis, although any point getter would be a third star quality player.
Westward, as we wrap up with the Anaheim Ducks hosting the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jonas Hiller are taking care of the cages. Nashville opened with Craig Smith potting his sixth of the season, with the help of Patric Hornqvist. The Predators added on with Colin Wilson recording his eighth of the year, and he got assistance from Hornqvist and Smith. Anaheim got on the board late in the period with a Cam Fowler goal, helped through by Brandon McMillan and Peter Holland. Nashville re-extended their lead with Martin Erat converting a penalty shot for his second goal of the season, and it all came to fruition because of a Lubomir Visnovsky hook. The Ducks didn't let it keep them down, as Francois Beauchemin registered his second of the year, assisted by Corey Perry and Bobby Ryan. The Predators made it 4-2 with the second of the night and seventh of the season by Smith, fueled by Wilson and Hornqvist. This was the final, where Erat, Smith, and Beauchemin were the official three stars, and the honorable mentions go to Hornqvist with the sock trick.
Tuesday, November 8, 2011
NHL Day 34 2011-2012
We have nine games for your inner hockey fan to enjoy tonight. We begin in...
Washington, D.C., with the Capitals hosting the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Michal Neuvirth will be in the nets. Dallas led off with the fifth of the season by Michael Ryder, assisted by Trevor Daley and Jamie Benn. Washington answered with an Alexander Semin power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Brooks Laich. Ryder gave the Stars the lead back with his second of the game and sixth of the season, fueled by Benn and Loui Eriksson. The Capitals tied it in the second period with the second of the year for John Carlson, set up by Cody Eakin and Marcus Johansson. Dallas fired back in the third period with Adam Burish notching his third of the season, thanks to Brenden Morrow. The Stars extended the lead on a Benn power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, guided in by Burish and Sheldon Souray. Dallas made it 5-2, the eventual final with Eric Nystrom's fourth of the year, and Radek Dvorak picked up the lone helper. The three stars went to Benn, Ryder, and Daley, although Burish deserves mention too.
Up to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Jonas Gustavsson got the starts, but Ben Scrivens relieved Gustavsson in the second period. Florida opened with a Jack Skille goal off of Mike Weaver. The Panthers added on in the second period with Marco Sturm scoring, via Skille and Keaton Ellerby. Tomas Kopecky kept Florida in control with his third of the season, made possible by Dmitry Kulikov's tenth assist and Scottie Upshall. The Panthers continue the assault in the third period with Sean Bergenheim notching his second of the year, helped along by Shawn Matthias and Matt Bradley. Toronto finally got on the board with a Phil Kessel goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Carl Gunnarsson and Joffrey Lupul. Matthias set up the final with his second of the year for Florida, making it 5-1 with the help of Bradley and Jason Garrison. The three stars here were Theodore (38 for 39 in saves), Skille, and Matthias.
Crossing the border to Buffalo, with the Sabres hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Ryan Miller got the starting nods. Winnipeg opened with a Mark Flood goal, his second of the season, assisted by Tanner Glass and Jim Slater. The Jets extended the lead on a Bryan Little goal, made possible by Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd. Buffalo replied with Derek Roy sinking his third of the year, a power play goal with the lone assist by Tyler Myers. Eleven second later, Corey Tropp tied it for the Sabres, and was aided by Nathan Gerbe and Paul Gaustad. Winnipeg retook the lead with Tanner Glass recording his third of the season, thanks to Kyle Wellwood. Buffalo found another tying goal with the sixth of the year by Jason Pominville, a shorthanded goal fueled by Gaustad. Little got the Jets back in front in the second period with his second of the game, a power play goal set up by Dustin Byfuglien and Tim Stapleton. Now, we usually don't mention fights here, but Glass' scrap with Cody McCormick about midway through the second period earned him the infamous Gordie Howe Hat Trick, the first such of the year if my memory is right, so congratulations are in order. The Sabres tied it again with the ninth of the season for Thomas Vanek, a power play goal powered by Brad Boyes and Roy. Byfuglien gave Winnipeg yet another lead in the third period with his second of the year, and he received the puck from Wheeler to make it happen. Buffalo found yet another equalizer though, in the form of Roy's second of the night and fourth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Pominville and Christian Ehrhoff. This tie at 5 lasted into overtime, where the Sabres downed the Hurricanes with Vanek netting his tenth of the year and second of the game, receiving help from Pominville and Marc-Andre Gragnani. The three stars of this 6-5 game were awarded to Pominville, Roy, and Little, and the many honorable mentions include Byfuglien, Glass, Wheeler, Vanek, and Gaustad.
Back into Canada again, with the Montreal Canadiens welcoming the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Carey Price were the masked men. Edmonton led off the scoring in the second period with the third of the season by Ryan Jones, an unassisted and shorthanded goal. The Oilers extended the lead in the third period with Tom Gilbert notching his second of the year, via Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth. Montreal stayed alive on the sixth of the season by Max Pacioretty, fueled by Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban. Edmonton put them down by a 3-1 margin on the seventh of the year for Smyth, and empty net goal with the lone assist by Shawn Horcoff. The three stars were Khabibulin (28 for 29 in saves), Jones, and Michael Cammalleri, although Smyth had a much better case for the third slot.
To the tri-state area, with the New Jersey Devils hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Martin Brodeur were playing in the creases. Carolina led off with the fourth of the season for Brandon Sutter, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. New Jersey tied it in the second period with Dainius Zubrus notching his fourth of the year, via Anton Volchenkov and Patrik Elias. Petr Sykora gave the Devils a lead in the third period with his second of the season, made possible by Elias. The Hurricanes tied it again with the third of the campaign by Joni Pitkanen, coming off of Jamie McBain and Zach Boychuk. New Jersey would take the game 3-2 on the fourth of the year for Adam Henrique, assisted by Zubrus and Mark Fayne. The three stars here were Henrique, Elias, and Sykora, with honorable mention to Zubrus.
West to Detroit, with the Red Wings hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Jimmy Howard received the starts, although Jean-Sebastian Giguere had to relieve Varlamov about halfway through the game. Detroit drew first blood on a Nicklas Lidstrom goal, his sixth of the season going down unassisted. The Red Wings got up to 3-0 with a pair of power play goals by Johan Franzen in the second period, his sixth and seventh of the year, allowing Valtteri Filppula two assists and Jiri Hudler and Niklas Kronwall one apiece. Colorado got on the board with the fifth of the season by Gabriel Landeskog, also a power play goal, powered by Matt Duchene and Kyle Quincey. Detroit got it back in the third period with the second of the year for Danny Cleary, made possible by Pavel Datsyuk and Jakub Kindl. The Avalanche pulled a little closer on a Milan Hejduk power play goal, his fifth of the season, set up by Ryan Wilson and Erik Johnson. The final was 5-2 Red Wings, thanks to Franzen using his eighth of the year to make the score as such, completing the hat trick with the unassisted goal. Franzen, Lidstrom, and Filppula were the three stars.
To a more central location, with the St. Louis Blues hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jaroslav Halak tend to the twines. St. Louis opened with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, assisted by Kevin Shattenkirk and Barret Jackman. The Blues made it 2-0 in the second period with a power play goal by Chris Stewart, his third of the season, powered by T.J. Oshie and Carlo Colaiacovo. St. Louis kept it up with Oshie netting his fourth of the year, thanks to Shattenkirk and Jackman. The final was 3-0 and the three stars were Halak (29 save shutout), Jackman, and Shattenkirk, with honorable mention to Oshie.
Northwest, to Calgary, where the Flames welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Miikka Kiprusoff are between the pipes. Minnesota started off with a Darroll Powe goal, helped along by Nick Johnson and Kyle Brodziak. The Wild added on in the second period with Dany Heatley's fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mikko Koivu and Marek Zidlicky. Minnesota put the game away with Guillaume Latendresse potting his fourth of the year into an empty net for a 3-0 win, with assists by Heatley and Nate Prosser. The three stars went to Backstrom (41 save shutout), Curtis Glencross, and Matt Cullen were the official three stars, although anyone recording a point would fit in the last two slots.
Lastly, the Los Angeles Kings host the Nashville Predators. Anders Lindback stands 200 feet away from Jonathan Bernier as the backups do battle. Los Angeles opened with an Alec Martinez goal, coming on the power play from Justin Williams and Jarret Stoll. The Kings extended the lead with a Drew Doughty goal, made possible by Stoll and Kyle Clifford. Nashville got on the board with the fourth of the season by Matt Halischuk, fueled by Shea Weber. The Predators tied it on a Craig Smith goal, his fifth of the year, a power play goal going in unassisted. Los Angeles took the lead back with Mike Richards registering his third of the season, thanks to Dustin Brown and Dustin Penner. The Kings extended the lead as Simon Gagne put his fifth of the year away, with the help of Penner and Williams. Nashville made a valiant attempt at overcoming the deficit with Patric Hornqvist sinking his seventh of the campaign, with the help of Ryan Suter and Martin Erat, but they failed to get the equalizer and lost 4-3. The three stars were Stoll, Doughty, and Suter, wiht honorable mentions to Penner and Williams.
Washington, D.C., with the Capitals hosting the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Michal Neuvirth will be in the nets. Dallas led off with the fifth of the season by Michael Ryder, assisted by Trevor Daley and Jamie Benn. Washington answered with an Alexander Semin power play goal, his third of the year, powered by Nicklas Backstrom and Brooks Laich. Ryder gave the Stars the lead back with his second of the game and sixth of the season, fueled by Benn and Loui Eriksson. The Capitals tied it in the second period with the second of the year for John Carlson, set up by Cody Eakin and Marcus Johansson. Dallas fired back in the third period with Adam Burish notching his third of the season, thanks to Brenden Morrow. The Stars extended the lead on a Benn power play goal, his fifth of the campaign, guided in by Burish and Sheldon Souray. Dallas made it 5-2, the eventual final with Eric Nystrom's fourth of the year, and Radek Dvorak picked up the lone helper. The three stars went to Benn, Ryder, and Daley, although Burish deserves mention too.
Up to Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Jonas Gustavsson got the starts, but Ben Scrivens relieved Gustavsson in the second period. Florida opened with a Jack Skille goal off of Mike Weaver. The Panthers added on in the second period with Marco Sturm scoring, via Skille and Keaton Ellerby. Tomas Kopecky kept Florida in control with his third of the season, made possible by Dmitry Kulikov's tenth assist and Scottie Upshall. The Panthers continue the assault in the third period with Sean Bergenheim notching his second of the year, helped along by Shawn Matthias and Matt Bradley. Toronto finally got on the board with a Phil Kessel goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Carl Gunnarsson and Joffrey Lupul. Matthias set up the final with his second of the year for Florida, making it 5-1 with the help of Bradley and Jason Garrison. The three stars here were Theodore (38 for 39 in saves), Skille, and Matthias.
Crossing the border to Buffalo, with the Sabres hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Ryan Miller got the starting nods. Winnipeg opened with a Mark Flood goal, his second of the season, assisted by Tanner Glass and Jim Slater. The Jets extended the lead on a Bryan Little goal, made possible by Blake Wheeler and Andrew Ladd. Buffalo replied with Derek Roy sinking his third of the year, a power play goal with the lone assist by Tyler Myers. Eleven second later, Corey Tropp tied it for the Sabres, and was aided by Nathan Gerbe and Paul Gaustad. Winnipeg retook the lead with Tanner Glass recording his third of the season, thanks to Kyle Wellwood. Buffalo found another tying goal with the sixth of the year by Jason Pominville, a shorthanded goal fueled by Gaustad. Little got the Jets back in front in the second period with his second of the game, a power play goal set up by Dustin Byfuglien and Tim Stapleton. Now, we usually don't mention fights here, but Glass' scrap with Cody McCormick about midway through the second period earned him the infamous Gordie Howe Hat Trick, the first such of the year if my memory is right, so congratulations are in order. The Sabres tied it again with the ninth of the season for Thomas Vanek, a power play goal powered by Brad Boyes and Roy. Byfuglien gave Winnipeg yet another lead in the third period with his second of the year, and he received the puck from Wheeler to make it happen. Buffalo found yet another equalizer though, in the form of Roy's second of the night and fourth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Pominville and Christian Ehrhoff. This tie at 5 lasted into overtime, where the Sabres downed the Hurricanes with Vanek netting his tenth of the year and second of the game, receiving help from Pominville and Marc-Andre Gragnani. The three stars of this 6-5 game were awarded to Pominville, Roy, and Little, and the many honorable mentions include Byfuglien, Glass, Wheeler, Vanek, and Gaustad.
Back into Canada again, with the Montreal Canadiens welcoming the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Carey Price were the masked men. Edmonton led off the scoring in the second period with the third of the season by Ryan Jones, an unassisted and shorthanded goal. The Oilers extended the lead in the third period with Tom Gilbert notching his second of the year, via Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth. Montreal stayed alive on the sixth of the season by Max Pacioretty, fueled by Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban. Edmonton put them down by a 3-1 margin on the seventh of the year for Smyth, and empty net goal with the lone assist by Shawn Horcoff. The three stars were Khabibulin (28 for 29 in saves), Jones, and Michael Cammalleri, although Smyth had a much better case for the third slot.
To the tri-state area, with the New Jersey Devils hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Martin Brodeur were playing in the creases. Carolina led off with the fourth of the season for Brandon Sutter, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. New Jersey tied it in the second period with Dainius Zubrus notching his fourth of the year, via Anton Volchenkov and Patrik Elias. Petr Sykora gave the Devils a lead in the third period with his second of the season, made possible by Elias. The Hurricanes tied it again with the third of the campaign by Joni Pitkanen, coming off of Jamie McBain and Zach Boychuk. New Jersey would take the game 3-2 on the fourth of the year for Adam Henrique, assisted by Zubrus and Mark Fayne. The three stars here were Henrique, Elias, and Sykora, with honorable mention to Zubrus.
West to Detroit, with the Red Wings hosting the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Jimmy Howard received the starts, although Jean-Sebastian Giguere had to relieve Varlamov about halfway through the game. Detroit drew first blood on a Nicklas Lidstrom goal, his sixth of the season going down unassisted. The Red Wings got up to 3-0 with a pair of power play goals by Johan Franzen in the second period, his sixth and seventh of the year, allowing Valtteri Filppula two assists and Jiri Hudler and Niklas Kronwall one apiece. Colorado got on the board with the fifth of the season by Gabriel Landeskog, also a power play goal, powered by Matt Duchene and Kyle Quincey. Detroit got it back in the third period with the second of the year for Danny Cleary, made possible by Pavel Datsyuk and Jakub Kindl. The Avalanche pulled a little closer on a Milan Hejduk power play goal, his fifth of the season, set up by Ryan Wilson and Erik Johnson. The final was 5-2 Red Wings, thanks to Franzen using his eighth of the year to make the score as such, completing the hat trick with the unassisted goal. Franzen, Lidstrom, and Filppula were the three stars.
To a more central location, with the St. Louis Blues hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Jaroslav Halak tend to the twines. St. Louis opened with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, assisted by Kevin Shattenkirk and Barret Jackman. The Blues made it 2-0 in the second period with a power play goal by Chris Stewart, his third of the season, powered by T.J. Oshie and Carlo Colaiacovo. St. Louis kept it up with Oshie netting his fourth of the year, thanks to Shattenkirk and Jackman. The final was 3-0 and the three stars were Halak (29 save shutout), Jackman, and Shattenkirk, with honorable mention to Oshie.
Northwest, to Calgary, where the Flames welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Miikka Kiprusoff are between the pipes. Minnesota started off with a Darroll Powe goal, helped along by Nick Johnson and Kyle Brodziak. The Wild added on in the second period with Dany Heatley's fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mikko Koivu and Marek Zidlicky. Minnesota put the game away with Guillaume Latendresse potting his fourth of the year into an empty net for a 3-0 win, with assists by Heatley and Nate Prosser. The three stars went to Backstrom (41 save shutout), Curtis Glencross, and Matt Cullen were the official three stars, although anyone recording a point would fit in the last two slots.
Lastly, the Los Angeles Kings host the Nashville Predators. Anders Lindback stands 200 feet away from Jonathan Bernier as the backups do battle. Los Angeles opened with an Alec Martinez goal, coming on the power play from Justin Williams and Jarret Stoll. The Kings extended the lead with a Drew Doughty goal, made possible by Stoll and Kyle Clifford. Nashville got on the board with the fourth of the season by Matt Halischuk, fueled by Shea Weber. The Predators tied it on a Craig Smith goal, his fifth of the year, a power play goal going in unassisted. Los Angeles took the lead back with Mike Richards registering his third of the season, thanks to Dustin Brown and Dustin Penner. The Kings extended the lead as Simon Gagne put his fifth of the year away, with the help of Penner and Williams. Nashville made a valiant attempt at overcoming the deficit with Patric Hornqvist sinking his seventh of the campaign, with the help of Ryan Suter and Martin Erat, but they failed to get the equalizer and lost 4-3. The three stars were Stoll, Doughty, and Suter, wiht honorable mentions to Penner and Williams.
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