Four games on the back half of the slate, beginning with the Oakland Raiders hosting the Detroit Lions. Louis Murphy put Oakland on the board first with a 12 yard touchdown run, and Sebastian Janikowski added on the extra point. Detroit answered with a 51 yard Matthew Stafford touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson, and Jason Hanson was there to kick the extra point. The Raiders took the lead again in the second quarter when Carson Palmer found Darrius Heyward-Bey for a 43 yard touchdown connection, and Janikowski tacked on the extra point. The Lions kept pace with Stafford finding Nate Burleson for 39 yards and a touchdown, allowing another Hanson extra point. The score favored Oakland 17-14 at the half due to a Janikowski field goal from 46 yards. The Raiders got some separation after a silent third quarter with a fourth quarter field goal of 51 yards from the boot of Janikowski. Oakland added on again with Aaron Curry returning a Stafford fumble for a touchdown, a 6 yard play capped off with a Janikowski extra point. Detroit pulled back with Stafford finding Titus Young for a 3 yard touchdown connection, and Hanson added on the extra point. The Lions took the lead when Stafford tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Johnson, and Hanson had the go-ahead extra point. Detroit was able to hold onto the 28-27 lead despite a furious attempt by Oakland for the comeback, and this improved them to 9-5 while the Raiders fell to 7-7.
A little south and east, the Arizona Cardinals host the Cleveland Browns. Cleveland opened on a 1 yard Peyton Hillis touchdown run, and Phil Dawson supplied the extra point. Dawson also kicked a second quarter field goal from 44 yards for the Browns. Arizona got on the board and made it 10-7 at the half with John Skelton tossing a touchdown pass of 9 yards to Andre Roberts, with Jay Feely good on the extra point. Cleveland extended their lead in the third quarter as Seneca Wallace threw 76 yards to Greg little for a touchdown, and Dawson tallied his extra point. The Cardinals pulled back in the fourth quarter on a Beanie Wells touchdown run of a yard, and Feely made another extra point. Feely tied it for Arizona with a 33 yard field goal. The Cardinals beat the Browns in overtime on a 22 yard Feely field goal, and improved to 7-7 while sending the opposition to 4-10.
In the east, the Philadelphia Eagles take on the New York Jets in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia started by recovering a fumble from Santonio Holmes and having Juqua Parker take it 47 yards for the touchdown, allowing Alex Henery the right to the extra point. The Eagles were a bit more conventional on the next touchdown, as Michael Vick threw 26 yards to Brent Celek for the score, and Henery made another extra point. Philadelphia continued the attack in the second quarter on an 11 yard Vick touchdown run, and Henery made another extra point. The Eagles pounded away when LeSean McCoy ran 9 yards for his touchdown, and Henery added on another extra point. New York finally got on the board with Nick Folk blasting in a 39 yard field goal. The Jets got some momentum with Mark Sanchez's 25 yard touchdown pass to Holmes, and a Folk extra point. The score at halftime was 28-13 due to New York getting a late field goal of 28 yards from Folk. Philadelphia added on again in the third quarter with a 1 yard McCoy touchdown run, and Henery was there to add the extra point. The Eagles also tallied on Henery's 28 yard field goal. Philadelphia stayed unstoppable with McCoy busting out a 33 yard touchdown run, and Henery supplying another extra point. The Jets got a few back, far too late, as Sanchez threw 9 yards to Plaxico Burress for the touchdown, but they failed on the two point attempt. This made it 45-19, and that was a final in the Eagles favor, allwoing them to advance to 6-8 and bring New York down to 8-6.
Finally, in Denver, the Broncos host the New England Patriots in a dream game for the media. Denver drew first blood with a 9 yard Tim Tebow touchdown run, but they failed the two point attempt. New England took the lead when Tom Brady threw 33 yards for a touchdown to Chad Ochocinco, and Stephen Gostkowski made the extra point. The Broncos took the lead again as Lance Ball ran 32 yards for a touchdown, and Matt Prater got the shot this time to make the extra point. Prater also added a 26 yard field goal for Denver in the second quarter. The Patriots shot back with Brady finding Aaron Hernandez on a 1 yard touchdown pass, and Gostkowski added on another extra point. Gostkowski kicked a 21 yard field goal for New England after that, giving them the lead again. The Patriots extended the lead with Brady himself running 1 yard for a touchdown, and Gostkowski supplied the extra point. New England led 27-16 at halftime thanks to Gostkowski's 34 yard field goal. The Patriots added on late in the third quarter with a touchdown run of 10 yards for Danny Woodhead, and Gostkowski kicked another PAT. Denver got some back with Tebow running 2 yards for a touchdown in the fourth quarter, and Prater's extra point made it 34-23. New England re-extended their lead with a 1 yard BenJarvus Green-Ellis touchdown run, and Gostkowski easily added the extra point. The Patriots won the game 41-23, and improved to 11-3 while taking Denver to 8-6.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
NFL Early Games week 15
There are eight early games on this week. First of all...
The Houston Texans host the Carolina Panthers. Carolina struck first with Cam Newton tossing a touchdown pass to Steve Smith 26 yards away, and Olindo Mare handled the extra point. The Panthers moved along in the second quarter on Newton's 9 yard touchdown to Jeremy Shockey, and Mare again handled the PAT. Carolina was up 21-0 at the half due to a 7 yard touchdown run by Richie Brockel, and Mare once again kicked an extra point. Houston got on the board in the third quarter with two Neil Rackers field goals, from 26 and 34 yards away. The Texans pulled closer with a 1 yard Arian Foster touchdown run in the fourth quarter, allowing a Rackers extra point. The Panthers put the game in the bag with a 24 yard DeAngelo Williams touchdown rush, and Mare's extra point made it 28-13. Carolina is now 5-9 while Houston is 10-4.
Up to Buffalo, where the Bills welcomed in the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo led off with C.J. Spiller rushing 24 yards for a touchdown, and Dave Rayner made the extra point. Miami tied it with a Matt Moore touchdown pass of 22 yards to Anthony Fasano, and Dan Carpenter made the extra point here. Carpenter left it at 13-7 Dolphins when halftime came after kicking two field goals, good from 20 and 26 yards out. Miami extended the lead in the third quarter when Moore found Brandon Marshall for a 65 yard touchdown connection, allowing Carpenter to kick a PAT. Carpenter added on for the Dolphins with another 26 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Bills tried to get some back as Ryan Fitzpatrick passed a 3 yard throw to Spiller for a touchdown, but the two-point attempt was a failure. Miami answered with Reggie Bush ripping off a 76 yard touchdown run, and Carpenter was true with the extra point. Buffalo answered back on Fitzpatrick's 2 yard touchdown to Derek Hagan, and Rayner was good with the extra point. Raynerr cut the score to 30-23 with a 34 yard field goal for the Bills, but they couldn't tie the game and lost. Both teams are now 5-9.
Down a bit to Indianapolis, where the Colts host the Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis led off when Adam Vinatieri nailed a 47 yard field goal. Tennessee answered in the second quarter with a pair of Rob Bironas field goals for a 6-3 halftime score, good from 53 and 21 yards away. The Colts got going again in the third quarter as Dan Orlovsky threw 18 yards for a touchdown to Reggie Wayne, and Vinatieri made the extra point. Indianapolis got defensive on the next score, as Jacob Lacey picked off Matt Hasselbeck, and took it 32 yards to get the touchdown, allowing another Vinatieri PAT. Vinatieri also kicked a 40 yard field goal for Indianapolis in the fourth quarter. Jake Locker tried to rally the Titans with a 7 yard touchdown to Nate Washington and Bironas making the extra point. The Colts squashed the comeback with an 80 yard Donald Brown touchdown run, making it 27-13 after the Vinatieri extra point. This held as a final, giving the Colts a 1-13 record and the Titans a 7-7 marker.
A little to the west, the St. Louis Rams hosted the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati opened with Mike Nugent making a 21 yard field goal. St. Louis took a 6-3 lead into the locker rooms after field goals of 26 and 43 yards by Josh Brown. Nugent tied it for the Bengals in the third quarter on a 41 yard field goal kick. Cincinnati took the lead when Bernard Scott ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Nugent tallied the extra point. Cedric Benson extended the Bengal lead with a 4 yard touchdown run, and Nugent tacked on another PAT. The Rams got as close as 20-13 when Kellen Clemens found Danario Alexander on a 25 yard touchdown pass, and Brown made the extra point. This was a final, and the Bengals are now 8-6 while the Rams are 2-12.
North a tad to Chicago, as the Bears host the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle led off with a 2 yard Marshawn Lynch Skittle mission, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. Chicago quickly got it back as Tarvaris Jackson fumbled in the end zone and it was picked up by Israel Idonije, allowing Robbie Gould the tying extra point. The Bears led 14-7 at halftime thanks to Caleb Hanie tossing a 25 yard touchdown to Kahlil Bell, and Gould adding on another extra point. Lynch went for bag number two in the third quarter by rushing 3 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka retied the game with the extra point for the Seahawks. Seattle took the lead as Red Bryant intercepted Hanie and took it in 20 yards for a touchdown, allowing Hauschka another PAT. Hauschka also kicked a 33 yard field goal for the Seahawks near the end of the quarter. Jackson corrected his early mistake for Seattle by tossing a 2 yard touchdown to Michael Robinson, and Hauschka was there for the extra point yet again. The Seahawks iced the game at 38-14 when Brandon Browner pickd Hanie off and ran to the end zone for a touchdown play of 42 yards, allowing Hauschka a final extra point. Seattle is now 7-7, as is Chicago.
North again, as the Minnesota Vikings hosted the New Orleans Saints. Minnesota opened on a Ryan Longwell field goal of 44 yards. New Orleans replied with a 5 yard Drew Brees touchdown pass to Lance Moore, and John Kasay made the extra point. Longwell pulled the Vikings back in the second quarter on a 49 yard field goal. Brees and the Saints sped away again with a 1 yard touchdown to Jimmy Graham, and Kasay was there with the extra point. Minnesota got some back with Christian Ponder tossing a 10 yard touchdown pass to Toby Gerhart, and Longwell was true with the extra point. New Orleans would take a 21-13 lead into the locker rooms when Brees tossed a 13 yard touchdown to Darren Sproles, and Kasay once more made the extra point. Brees continued to throw well for the Saints in the third quarter by finding John Gilmore for a 2 yard touchdown reception, and Kasay kicked another PAT. Brees hooked up with Moore again to give New Orleans an even bigger lead, this time a 47 yard connection, and Kasay kicked another extra point. The Saints added to the domination in the fourth quarter when Pierre Thomas rushed 1 yard to get the touchdown, and Kasay supplied his last extra point of the game. The Vikings cut the deficit only to 42-20 when Ponder found Gerhart on a 16 yard touchdown pass, and Longwell finished the scoring with the extra point. New Orleans is now 11-3 while Minnesota is 2-12.
Back to Missouri, where the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Green Bay Packers. The score was 6-0 at halftime because of Kansas City's Ryan Succop kicked a 19 and a 32 yard field goal each in the first quarter, and scoring silence in the second quarter. The game picked up a bit in the third quarter as Green Bay took the lead when Aaron Rodgers passed 2 yard for a touchdown to Donald Driver, and Mason Crosby made the extra point. Succop gave the Chiefs the lead back with a 46 yard field goal. Succop also kicked a 20 yard field goal for Kansas City in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs took a larger lead with a 1 yard Jackie Battle touchdown run, allowing Succop to kick the extra point. The Packers got it to 19-14 with Rodgers rushing 8 yards to get a touchdown, and Crosby was good with the PAT, but they could not get any farther and they lost. Green Bay is now 13-1, the pursuit of a perfect season once again squashed, and Kansas City is now 6-8.
Finally, the New York Giants host the Washington Redskins. Washington started off with Graham Gano kicking a 36 yard field goal. Rex Grossman kept the Redskins going in the second quarter, by passing a touchdown to Santana Moss for 20 yards, and Gano made the extra point. Washington extended the lead again on Darrel Young's 6 yard touchdown rush and a Gano extra point. New York got on the board just before the half with a Lawrence Tynes field goal of 40 yards, for a 17-3 score. The Redskins went back on the attack in the third quarter with Gano blasting a 43 yard field goal. Washington added on again in the fourth quarter with Gano's 25 yard field goal. The Giants made it 23-10, and got no further points after that, when Ahmad Bradshaw ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Tynes kicked in a PAT. Washington improves to 5-9 while dropping New York to 7-7.
The Houston Texans host the Carolina Panthers. Carolina struck first with Cam Newton tossing a touchdown pass to Steve Smith 26 yards away, and Olindo Mare handled the extra point. The Panthers moved along in the second quarter on Newton's 9 yard touchdown to Jeremy Shockey, and Mare again handled the PAT. Carolina was up 21-0 at the half due to a 7 yard touchdown run by Richie Brockel, and Mare once again kicked an extra point. Houston got on the board in the third quarter with two Neil Rackers field goals, from 26 and 34 yards away. The Texans pulled closer with a 1 yard Arian Foster touchdown run in the fourth quarter, allowing a Rackers extra point. The Panthers put the game in the bag with a 24 yard DeAngelo Williams touchdown rush, and Mare's extra point made it 28-13. Carolina is now 5-9 while Houston is 10-4.
Up to Buffalo, where the Bills welcomed in the Miami Dolphins. Buffalo led off with C.J. Spiller rushing 24 yards for a touchdown, and Dave Rayner made the extra point. Miami tied it with a Matt Moore touchdown pass of 22 yards to Anthony Fasano, and Dan Carpenter made the extra point here. Carpenter left it at 13-7 Dolphins when halftime came after kicking two field goals, good from 20 and 26 yards out. Miami extended the lead in the third quarter when Moore found Brandon Marshall for a 65 yard touchdown connection, allowing Carpenter to kick a PAT. Carpenter added on for the Dolphins with another 26 yard field goal in the fourth quarter. The Bills tried to get some back as Ryan Fitzpatrick passed a 3 yard throw to Spiller for a touchdown, but the two-point attempt was a failure. Miami answered with Reggie Bush ripping off a 76 yard touchdown run, and Carpenter was true with the extra point. Buffalo answered back on Fitzpatrick's 2 yard touchdown to Derek Hagan, and Rayner was good with the extra point. Raynerr cut the score to 30-23 with a 34 yard field goal for the Bills, but they couldn't tie the game and lost. Both teams are now 5-9.
Down a bit to Indianapolis, where the Colts host the Tennessee Titans. Indianapolis led off when Adam Vinatieri nailed a 47 yard field goal. Tennessee answered in the second quarter with a pair of Rob Bironas field goals for a 6-3 halftime score, good from 53 and 21 yards away. The Colts got going again in the third quarter as Dan Orlovsky threw 18 yards for a touchdown to Reggie Wayne, and Vinatieri made the extra point. Indianapolis got defensive on the next score, as Jacob Lacey picked off Matt Hasselbeck, and took it 32 yards to get the touchdown, allowing another Vinatieri PAT. Vinatieri also kicked a 40 yard field goal for Indianapolis in the fourth quarter. Jake Locker tried to rally the Titans with a 7 yard touchdown to Nate Washington and Bironas making the extra point. The Colts squashed the comeback with an 80 yard Donald Brown touchdown run, making it 27-13 after the Vinatieri extra point. This held as a final, giving the Colts a 1-13 record and the Titans a 7-7 marker.
A little to the west, the St. Louis Rams hosted the Cincinnati Bengals. Cincinnati opened with Mike Nugent making a 21 yard field goal. St. Louis took a 6-3 lead into the locker rooms after field goals of 26 and 43 yards by Josh Brown. Nugent tied it for the Bengals in the third quarter on a 41 yard field goal kick. Cincinnati took the lead when Bernard Scott ran 1 yard for a touchdown, and Nugent tallied the extra point. Cedric Benson extended the Bengal lead with a 4 yard touchdown run, and Nugent tacked on another PAT. The Rams got as close as 20-13 when Kellen Clemens found Danario Alexander on a 25 yard touchdown pass, and Brown made the extra point. This was a final, and the Bengals are now 8-6 while the Rams are 2-12.
North a tad to Chicago, as the Bears host the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle led off with a 2 yard Marshawn Lynch Skittle mission, and Steven Hauschka made the extra point. Chicago quickly got it back as Tarvaris Jackson fumbled in the end zone and it was picked up by Israel Idonije, allowing Robbie Gould the tying extra point. The Bears led 14-7 at halftime thanks to Caleb Hanie tossing a 25 yard touchdown to Kahlil Bell, and Gould adding on another extra point. Lynch went for bag number two in the third quarter by rushing 3 yards for a touchdown, and Hauschka retied the game with the extra point for the Seahawks. Seattle took the lead as Red Bryant intercepted Hanie and took it in 20 yards for a touchdown, allowing Hauschka another PAT. Hauschka also kicked a 33 yard field goal for the Seahawks near the end of the quarter. Jackson corrected his early mistake for Seattle by tossing a 2 yard touchdown to Michael Robinson, and Hauschka was there for the extra point yet again. The Seahawks iced the game at 38-14 when Brandon Browner pickd Hanie off and ran to the end zone for a touchdown play of 42 yards, allowing Hauschka a final extra point. Seattle is now 7-7, as is Chicago.
North again, as the Minnesota Vikings hosted the New Orleans Saints. Minnesota opened on a Ryan Longwell field goal of 44 yards. New Orleans replied with a 5 yard Drew Brees touchdown pass to Lance Moore, and John Kasay made the extra point. Longwell pulled the Vikings back in the second quarter on a 49 yard field goal. Brees and the Saints sped away again with a 1 yard touchdown to Jimmy Graham, and Kasay was there with the extra point. Minnesota got some back with Christian Ponder tossing a 10 yard touchdown pass to Toby Gerhart, and Longwell was true with the extra point. New Orleans would take a 21-13 lead into the locker rooms when Brees tossed a 13 yard touchdown to Darren Sproles, and Kasay once more made the extra point. Brees continued to throw well for the Saints in the third quarter by finding John Gilmore for a 2 yard touchdown reception, and Kasay kicked another PAT. Brees hooked up with Moore again to give New Orleans an even bigger lead, this time a 47 yard connection, and Kasay kicked another extra point. The Saints added to the domination in the fourth quarter when Pierre Thomas rushed 1 yard to get the touchdown, and Kasay supplied his last extra point of the game. The Vikings cut the deficit only to 42-20 when Ponder found Gerhart on a 16 yard touchdown pass, and Longwell finished the scoring with the extra point. New Orleans is now 11-3 while Minnesota is 2-12.
Back to Missouri, where the Kansas City Chiefs hosted the Green Bay Packers. The score was 6-0 at halftime because of Kansas City's Ryan Succop kicked a 19 and a 32 yard field goal each in the first quarter, and scoring silence in the second quarter. The game picked up a bit in the third quarter as Green Bay took the lead when Aaron Rodgers passed 2 yard for a touchdown to Donald Driver, and Mason Crosby made the extra point. Succop gave the Chiefs the lead back with a 46 yard field goal. Succop also kicked a 20 yard field goal for Kansas City in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs took a larger lead with a 1 yard Jackie Battle touchdown run, allowing Succop to kick the extra point. The Packers got it to 19-14 with Rodgers rushing 8 yards to get a touchdown, and Crosby was good with the PAT, but they could not get any farther and they lost. Green Bay is now 13-1, the pursuit of a perfect season once again squashed, and Kansas City is now 6-8.
Finally, the New York Giants host the Washington Redskins. Washington started off with Graham Gano kicking a 36 yard field goal. Rex Grossman kept the Redskins going in the second quarter, by passing a touchdown to Santana Moss for 20 yards, and Gano made the extra point. Washington extended the lead again on Darrel Young's 6 yard touchdown rush and a Gano extra point. New York got on the board just before the half with a Lawrence Tynes field goal of 40 yards, for a 17-3 score. The Redskins went back on the attack in the third quarter with Gano blasting a 43 yard field goal. Washington added on again in the fourth quarter with Gano's 25 yard field goal. The Giants made it 23-10, and got no further points after that, when Ahmad Bradshaw ran 3 yards for a touchdown, and Tynes kicked in a PAT. Washington improves to 5-9 while dropping New York to 7-7.
Saturday Night Football week 15
The game this Saturday night is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers hosting the Dallas Cowboys. Tony Romo got Dallas going with an 8 yard touchdown pass to Miles Austin, and Dan Bailey made the extra point. Romo then add on for the Cowboys with an 8 yard touchdown pass to Dez Bryant, and Bailey made another extra point. Romo upped the distance a bit in the second quarter, good for a touchdown of 9 yards to Laurent Robinson, and Bailey was true with the extra point again. Romo then chose to run a 1 yard touchdown in, and the extra point from Bailey made it 28-0 Cowboys at halftime. Romo kept getting involved in the scoring, but this time it was his fumble and the 7 yard touchdown return of it by Dekoda Watson that was the scoring play, and Connor Barth made the extra point. Bailey answered for Dallas with a 30 yard field goal. The Buccaneers made it 31-15 after Josh Freeman found Dezmon Briscoe for a 13 yard touchdown pass and Kellen Winslow on the two-point conversion. The fourth quarter was silent, leaving the above score as a final, moving the Cowboys to 8-6 and Tampa Bay down to 4-10.
Saturday, December 17, 2011
NHL Day 73 2011-2012
Another day with a slate of twelve games to be played, and the first is a matinee from...
Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Ilya Bryzgalov were given the starts, but Sergei Bobrovsky relieved Bryzgalov in the second period. Boston was first to score with Benoit Pouliot sinking his fifth of the season, courtesy of Rich Peverley. Shortly after that, Zdeno Chara fought with Jody Shelley. The Bruins got the boost from the brawl, as Daniel Paille sank his sixth of the year, with the help of Dennis Seidenberg and Joe Corvo. Boston added on again when the seventh of the season for Chara went down, a power play goal set up by David Krejci and Peverley. The Bruins remained tough with Milan Lucic also netting a power play goal, his eleventh of the year, made possible by Corvo and Tyler Seguin. Boston extended the lead once again in the second period with Nathan Horton recording his ninth of the season, another power play goal powered by Chara for a Gordie Howe Hat Trick and Peverley, who got a sock trick. The Bruins would win 6-0 after a third period Seguin goal, his fourteenth of the year, with helpers provided by Brad Marchand and Andrew Ference. The three stars were Thomas (31 save shutout), Peverley, and Chara, while Corvo and Seguin get honorable mentions.
At the regular times, the Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Marc-Andre Fleury were the starters, but Miller was pulled for Jhonas Enroth about midway into the second period. Pittsburgh opened with a Jason Williams goal, assisted by Alexandre Picard and Craig Adams. The Penguins added on with a Simon Despres power play goal powered by Tyler Kennedy and Williams. Pittsburgh kept it up with Evgeni Malkin sinking his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Chris Kunitz and Brooks Orpik. Buffalo got on the board with the seventeenth of the year by Thomas Vanek, courtesy of Robyn Regehr and Jason Pominville. Malkin answered back with his second of the game and fourteenth of the year for the Penguins, thanks to Carl Sneep and Picard. James Neal tallied another one on for Pittsburgh with a second period goal, his eighteenth of the season, pushed through by Malkin and Matt Niskanen on the power play. The Penguins extended the lead once more with Deryk Engelland recording his second of the year, with the help of Arron Asham and Pascal Dupuis. The Sabres finally replied a little in the third period with an unassisted Luke Adam goal, his tenth of the season. Buffalo pulled closer with the second of the year from Paul Gaustad, made possible by Drew Stafford and Andrej Sekera. Pittsburgh took off again when Malkin finished a hat trick with his fifteenth of the season, aided by Neal and Niskanen on the power play. The Penguins iced it 8-3 with Kunitz depositing his eleventh of the year, guided in by Malkin and Engelland. The three stars belonged to Malkin, Despres, and Williams, while honorable mentions include Kunitz, Engelland, Neal, Picard, and Niskanen.
Over to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Steve Mason were given the go ahead to play goal. Tampa Bay led off with a Blair Jones goal, his second of the season, made possible by Teddy Purcell. The Lightning added on when Eric Brewer scored, coming off of Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone. Columbus got on the board in the second period with an R.J. Umberger power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Vinny Prospal and Fedor Tyutin. Tampa Bay struck back with the twentieth of the season for Stamkos, courtesy of Vincent Lecavalier and Dana Tyrell. The Blue Jackets got it up to 3-2 with a Rick Nash goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by by Jeff Carter and Prospal, but they failed to get the equalizer and lost. Garon (26 for 28 in saves), Prospal, and Stamkos earned the three stars.
Up to Montreal, where the Canadiens hosted the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Carey Price are the netminders of choice. New Jersey led off when Petr Sykora scored his eighth of the season, via Dainius Zubrus and Adam Henrique. Montreal tied it in the second period with a power play goal from P.K. Subban, his second of the year, pushed through by Tomas Kaberle and Michael Cammalleri. The Devils took the lead again on a power play goal of their own, the twelfth of the season for Patrik Elias, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Kurtis Foster. The Canadiens got into another tie with a Chris Campoli goal, and Yannick Weber and Hal Gill picked up the assists. Montreal took a lead with the third of the year by Lars Eller, set up by Louis Leblanc and Gill. New Jersey tied it up when the eleventh of the campaign for David Clarkson found twine, made possible by Adam Larsson. The Devils took the lead in the third period on another Elias goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, guided in by Sykora. New Jersey iced it 5-3 with a power play goal by Zubrus, his tenth of the year, fueled by Kovalchuk and Foster. The three stars were awarded to Elias, Zubrus, and Gill, while honorable mentions are in store for Sykora, Foster, and Kovalchuk.
Westward to the Teemu Selanne homecoming game, as the Winnipeg Jets host the Anaheim Ducks. Backup goalies Dan Ellis and Chris Mason will take to the creases. Winnipeg opened on a Kyle Wellwood goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Nik Antropov and Zach Bogosian. The Jets added on with a power play goal by Blake Wheeler, his third of the year, powered by Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. Niklas Hagman got Anaheim on the board with his fifth of the season, assisted by Teemu Selanne and Sheldon Brookbank. The Ducks tied it with the thirteenth of the year by Corey Perry, courtesy of Ryan Getzlaf and the goalie Ellis. Winnipeg took the lead again early in the second period when Alex Burmistrov netted his seventh of the season, coming off of Evander Kane and Bogosian. The Jets extended the lead with the tenth of the year for Andrew Ladd, thanks to Byfuglien and Wellwood. Winnipeg was relentless into the third period, as Bogosian notched his second of the season, via Chris Thorburn. Anaheim cut the deficit to 5-3, the eventual final, when Perry struck again, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, a power play goal set up by Getzlaf and Selanne. The three stars were Bogosian, Ladd, and Selanne, while Perry, Getzlaf, Byfuglien, and Wellwood all have decent cases for inclusion.
Back to the east, where the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Jonas Gustavsson oppose each other in the twines. Vancouver opened early with a Chris Higgins goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Alexander Edler and Sami Salo. Toronto answered with Joffrey Lupul potting a power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Tyler Bozak and John-Michael Liles. The Canucks took the lead again in the second period with the third of the season for Mason Raymond, courtesy of Ryan Kesler and Higgins. The Maple Leafs retied it with Bozak recording his seventh of the year, helped along by Phil Kessel. Vancouver again went in front with a Daniel Sedin goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Alexandre Burrows and Kevin Bieksa. Burrows extended the Canucks lead in the third period on his eleventh of the year, set up by Henrik Sedin and Dan Hamhuis. Kessel got Toronto a little closer again with his nineteenth of the season, where Bozak and Liles picked up the helpers again. Vancouver finished it at 5-3 when Jannik Hansen's tenth of the year went in unassisted. The three stars of the game are Burrows, Bozak, and Higgins, while Liles and Kessel earn honorable mention.
Stateside again as the Detroit Red Wings host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick originally went out to face Jimmy Howard, but Jonathan Bernier relieved him before the first period came to a close. Detroit struck first with Drew Miller making his fourth of the season, with the help of Darren Helm and Danny Cleary. The Red Wings added on as Cory Emmerton put away his second of the year, thanks to Jonathan Ericsson and Tomas Holmstrom. Detroit rolled along with a Niklas Kronwall goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Cleary and Helm. Los Angeles got on the board when Davis Drewiske potted his second of the year, guided in by Justin Williams and Dustin Penner. The Red Wings replied on Emmerton's second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Justin Abdelkader and Holmstrom. The Kings answered in the second period on the third of the year from Jarret Stoll, assisted by Williams and Penner. Detroit replied again on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his eighth of the season, with assists coming from Jiri Hudler and Kronwall. The Red Wings proved unstoppable with the tenth of the year by Pavel Datsyuk, coming off of Johan Franzen and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit kept pummeling with Miller's second of the game and fifth of the season, allowing Cleary a sock trick with the lone helper. The Red Wings would finish the game up 8-2 after a power play goal off the tape of Brad Stuart, his fourth of the year, powered by Emmerton and Kronwall. The official three stars were not posted at this time, so I give them to Emmerton, Kronwall, and Cleary.
Way to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes host the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Mike Smith play between the pipes. New York led off with a power play goal by Marian Gaborik, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Michael Del Zotto and Derek Stepan. Phoenix tied it on a shorthanded Lauri Korpikoski goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Boyd Gordon. The Coyotes took the lead in the second period when Cal O'Reilly scored on the power play with the help of Shane Doan and Radim Vrbata. The Rangers retied it in the third period with Gaborik's second of the game and seventeenth of the season, an unassisted goal. With a fraction of a second remaining in regulation, Brad Richards squeezed his twelfth of the year into the cage for a 3-2 New York victory, and the assists here went to Ryan McDonagh and Ryan Callahan. Korpikoski, Gaborik, and David Schlemko earned the three stars, although Richards has an overwhelmingly strong case.
Northeast just a tad to Nashville, where the Predators host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Nashville opened the scoring in the third period with a Martin Erat goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Shea Weber and Mike Fisher. St. Louis tied it with a power play goal by T.J. Oshie, his tenth of the year, powered by David Backes and David Perron. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Predators beat the Blues 2-1 with a lone David Legwand tally. The three stars were given to Rinne (39 for 40 in saves), Erat, and Oshie.
Northwest now, to Minnesota, where the Wild welcome the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Niklas Backstrom have the duty of stopping the puck. New York led off in the second period with an Andrew MacDonald goal, his second of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Minesota evened the ledger in the third period with the ninth of the year by Cal Clutterbuck, fueled by Matt Cullen and Dany Heatley. The game lasted to a shootout where the Islanders topped the Wild on a lone tally from Frans Nielsen. The three stars of the game were Nielsen, Backstrom (35 for 36 in saves), and Jared Spurgeon, although point earners can argue the third star.
Westward again to Colorado, where the Avalanche due battle with the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth takes on fellow "backup" Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Colorado opened with a Cody McLeod goal, with helpers provided by Shane O'Brien and Erik Johnson. Washington replied with the sixth of the campaign for Alexander Semin, courtesy of Dmitry Orlov and Joel Ward in the second period. The Avalanche went up 2-1 with Johnson scoring, thanks to Milan Hejduk and Gabriel Landeskog. This was a final score after a silent third period, and the three stars were Johnson, Giguere (25 for 26 in saves), and McLeod.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Antti Niemi will guard the cages. San Jose struck first with a Martin Havlat goal, his second of the season, thanks to Michal Handzus and Dan Boyle. Edmonton answered with Jordan Eberle notching his twelfth of the year, and the lone assist went to Taylor Hall. The Oilers took the lead in the second period with the tenth of the campaign for Ryan Jones, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Joe Thornton put the Sharks back into a tie with his sixth of the season, helped along by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Joe Pavelski. San Jose would win 3-2 after a third period Patrick Marleau power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Pavelski and Jamie McGinn. The three stars were awarded to Marleau, Pavelski, and Hall.
Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Ilya Bryzgalov were given the starts, but Sergei Bobrovsky relieved Bryzgalov in the second period. Boston was first to score with Benoit Pouliot sinking his fifth of the season, courtesy of Rich Peverley. Shortly after that, Zdeno Chara fought with Jody Shelley. The Bruins got the boost from the brawl, as Daniel Paille sank his sixth of the year, with the help of Dennis Seidenberg and Joe Corvo. Boston added on again when the seventh of the season for Chara went down, a power play goal set up by David Krejci and Peverley. The Bruins remained tough with Milan Lucic also netting a power play goal, his eleventh of the year, made possible by Corvo and Tyler Seguin. Boston extended the lead once again in the second period with Nathan Horton recording his ninth of the season, another power play goal powered by Chara for a Gordie Howe Hat Trick and Peverley, who got a sock trick. The Bruins would win 6-0 after a third period Seguin goal, his fourteenth of the year, with helpers provided by Brad Marchand and Andrew Ference. The three stars were Thomas (31 save shutout), Peverley, and Chara, while Corvo and Seguin get honorable mentions.
At the regular times, the Pittsburgh Penguins hosted the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Marc-Andre Fleury were the starters, but Miller was pulled for Jhonas Enroth about midway into the second period. Pittsburgh opened with a Jason Williams goal, assisted by Alexandre Picard and Craig Adams. The Penguins added on with a Simon Despres power play goal powered by Tyler Kennedy and Williams. Pittsburgh kept it up with Evgeni Malkin sinking his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Chris Kunitz and Brooks Orpik. Buffalo got on the board with the seventeenth of the year by Thomas Vanek, courtesy of Robyn Regehr and Jason Pominville. Malkin answered back with his second of the game and fourteenth of the year for the Penguins, thanks to Carl Sneep and Picard. James Neal tallied another one on for Pittsburgh with a second period goal, his eighteenth of the season, pushed through by Malkin and Matt Niskanen on the power play. The Penguins extended the lead once more with Deryk Engelland recording his second of the year, with the help of Arron Asham and Pascal Dupuis. The Sabres finally replied a little in the third period with an unassisted Luke Adam goal, his tenth of the season. Buffalo pulled closer with the second of the year from Paul Gaustad, made possible by Drew Stafford and Andrej Sekera. Pittsburgh took off again when Malkin finished a hat trick with his fifteenth of the season, aided by Neal and Niskanen on the power play. The Penguins iced it 8-3 with Kunitz depositing his eleventh of the year, guided in by Malkin and Engelland. The three stars belonged to Malkin, Despres, and Williams, while honorable mentions include Kunitz, Engelland, Neal, Picard, and Niskanen.
Over to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Steve Mason were given the go ahead to play goal. Tampa Bay led off with a Blair Jones goal, his second of the season, made possible by Teddy Purcell. The Lightning added on when Eric Brewer scored, coming off of Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone. Columbus got on the board in the second period with an R.J. Umberger power play goal, his sixth of the year, powered by Vinny Prospal and Fedor Tyutin. Tampa Bay struck back with the twentieth of the season for Stamkos, courtesy of Vincent Lecavalier and Dana Tyrell. The Blue Jackets got it up to 3-2 with a Rick Nash goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by by Jeff Carter and Prospal, but they failed to get the equalizer and lost. Garon (26 for 28 in saves), Prospal, and Stamkos earned the three stars.
Up to Montreal, where the Canadiens hosted the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Carey Price are the netminders of choice. New Jersey led off when Petr Sykora scored his eighth of the season, via Dainius Zubrus and Adam Henrique. Montreal tied it in the second period with a power play goal from P.K. Subban, his second of the year, pushed through by Tomas Kaberle and Michael Cammalleri. The Devils took the lead again on a power play goal of their own, the twelfth of the season for Patrik Elias, powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Kurtis Foster. The Canadiens got into another tie with a Chris Campoli goal, and Yannick Weber and Hal Gill picked up the assists. Montreal took a lead with the third of the year by Lars Eller, set up by Louis Leblanc and Gill. New Jersey tied it up when the eleventh of the campaign for David Clarkson found twine, made possible by Adam Larsson. The Devils took the lead in the third period on another Elias goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, guided in by Sykora. New Jersey iced it 5-3 with a power play goal by Zubrus, his tenth of the year, fueled by Kovalchuk and Foster. The three stars were awarded to Elias, Zubrus, and Gill, while honorable mentions are in store for Sykora, Foster, and Kovalchuk.
Westward to the Teemu Selanne homecoming game, as the Winnipeg Jets host the Anaheim Ducks. Backup goalies Dan Ellis and Chris Mason will take to the creases. Winnipeg opened on a Kyle Wellwood goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Nik Antropov and Zach Bogosian. The Jets added on with a power play goal by Blake Wheeler, his third of the year, powered by Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. Niklas Hagman got Anaheim on the board with his fifth of the season, assisted by Teemu Selanne and Sheldon Brookbank. The Ducks tied it with the thirteenth of the year by Corey Perry, courtesy of Ryan Getzlaf and the goalie Ellis. Winnipeg took the lead again early in the second period when Alex Burmistrov netted his seventh of the season, coming off of Evander Kane and Bogosian. The Jets extended the lead with the tenth of the year for Andrew Ladd, thanks to Byfuglien and Wellwood. Winnipeg was relentless into the third period, as Bogosian notched his second of the season, via Chris Thorburn. Anaheim cut the deficit to 5-3, the eventual final, when Perry struck again, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, a power play goal set up by Getzlaf and Selanne. The three stars were Bogosian, Ladd, and Selanne, while Perry, Getzlaf, Byfuglien, and Wellwood all have decent cases for inclusion.
Back to the east, where the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Jonas Gustavsson oppose each other in the twines. Vancouver opened early with a Chris Higgins goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Alexander Edler and Sami Salo. Toronto answered with Joffrey Lupul potting a power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Tyler Bozak and John-Michael Liles. The Canucks took the lead again in the second period with the third of the season for Mason Raymond, courtesy of Ryan Kesler and Higgins. The Maple Leafs retied it with Bozak recording his seventh of the year, helped along by Phil Kessel. Vancouver again went in front with a Daniel Sedin goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Alexandre Burrows and Kevin Bieksa. Burrows extended the Canucks lead in the third period on his eleventh of the year, set up by Henrik Sedin and Dan Hamhuis. Kessel got Toronto a little closer again with his nineteenth of the season, where Bozak and Liles picked up the helpers again. Vancouver finished it at 5-3 when Jannik Hansen's tenth of the year went in unassisted. The three stars of the game are Burrows, Bozak, and Higgins, while Liles and Kessel earn honorable mention.
Stateside again as the Detroit Red Wings host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick originally went out to face Jimmy Howard, but Jonathan Bernier relieved him before the first period came to a close. Detroit struck first with Drew Miller making his fourth of the season, with the help of Darren Helm and Danny Cleary. The Red Wings added on as Cory Emmerton put away his second of the year, thanks to Jonathan Ericsson and Tomas Holmstrom. Detroit rolled along with a Niklas Kronwall goal, his seventh of the season, fueled by Cleary and Helm. Los Angeles got on the board when Davis Drewiske potted his second of the year, guided in by Justin Williams and Dustin Penner. The Red Wings replied on Emmerton's second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Justin Abdelkader and Holmstrom. The Kings answered in the second period on the third of the year from Jarret Stoll, assisted by Williams and Penner. Detroit replied again on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his eighth of the season, with assists coming from Jiri Hudler and Kronwall. The Red Wings proved unstoppable with the tenth of the year by Pavel Datsyuk, coming off of Johan Franzen and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit kept pummeling with Miller's second of the game and fifth of the season, allowing Cleary a sock trick with the lone helper. The Red Wings would finish the game up 8-2 after a power play goal off the tape of Brad Stuart, his fourth of the year, powered by Emmerton and Kronwall. The official three stars were not posted at this time, so I give them to Emmerton, Kronwall, and Cleary.
Way to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes host the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Mike Smith play between the pipes. New York led off with a power play goal by Marian Gaborik, his sixteenth of the season, powered by Michael Del Zotto and Derek Stepan. Phoenix tied it on a shorthanded Lauri Korpikoski goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Boyd Gordon. The Coyotes took the lead in the second period when Cal O'Reilly scored on the power play with the help of Shane Doan and Radim Vrbata. The Rangers retied it in the third period with Gaborik's second of the game and seventeenth of the season, an unassisted goal. With a fraction of a second remaining in regulation, Brad Richards squeezed his twelfth of the year into the cage for a 3-2 New York victory, and the assists here went to Ryan McDonagh and Ryan Callahan. Korpikoski, Gaborik, and David Schlemko earned the three stars, although Richards has an overwhelmingly strong case.
Northeast just a tad to Nashville, where the Predators host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Nashville opened the scoring in the third period with a Martin Erat goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Shea Weber and Mike Fisher. St. Louis tied it with a power play goal by T.J. Oshie, his tenth of the year, powered by David Backes and David Perron. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Predators beat the Blues 2-1 with a lone David Legwand tally. The three stars were given to Rinne (39 for 40 in saves), Erat, and Oshie.
Northwest now, to Minnesota, where the Wild welcome the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Niklas Backstrom have the duty of stopping the puck. New York led off in the second period with an Andrew MacDonald goal, his second of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Minesota evened the ledger in the third period with the ninth of the year by Cal Clutterbuck, fueled by Matt Cullen and Dany Heatley. The game lasted to a shootout where the Islanders topped the Wild on a lone tally from Frans Nielsen. The three stars of the game were Nielsen, Backstrom (35 for 36 in saves), and Jared Spurgeon, although point earners can argue the third star.
Westward again to Colorado, where the Avalanche due battle with the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth takes on fellow "backup" Jean-Sebastien Giguere. Colorado opened with a Cody McLeod goal, with helpers provided by Shane O'Brien and Erik Johnson. Washington replied with the sixth of the campaign for Alexander Semin, courtesy of Dmitry Orlov and Joel Ward in the second period. The Avalanche went up 2-1 with Johnson scoring, thanks to Milan Hejduk and Gabriel Landeskog. This was a final score after a silent third period, and the three stars were Johnson, Giguere (25 for 26 in saves), and McLeod.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Antti Niemi will guard the cages. San Jose struck first with a Martin Havlat goal, his second of the season, thanks to Michal Handzus and Dan Boyle. Edmonton answered with Jordan Eberle notching his twelfth of the year, and the lone assist went to Taylor Hall. The Oilers took the lead in the second period with the tenth of the campaign for Ryan Jones, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Joe Thornton put the Sharks back into a tie with his sixth of the season, helped along by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Joe Pavelski. San Jose would win 3-2 after a third period Patrick Marleau power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Pavelski and Jamie McGinn. The three stars were awarded to Marleau, Pavelski, and Hall.
Friday, December 16, 2011
NHL Day 72 2011-2012
There are five games on tonight, a little bit more high scoring from the looks of it.
First up, the Buffalo Sabres host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ryan Miller are assigned starting responsibilities. The scoring began in the second period as Joffrey Lupul netted his fourteenth of the season, and Phil Kessel had the lone assist. Buffalo answered on a Drew Stafford power play goal, his sixth of the year, thanks to Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. The Maple Leafs struck back on Dion Phaneuf's fourth of the season, also a power play goal, guided in by Tyler Bozak and John-Michael Liles. The Sabres quickly retied the game with Vanek registering his fifteenth of the year, and the lone helper belonged to Zach Kassian. Buffalo took a lead with a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his third of the season, coming off of Stafford and Pominville. The Sabres continued on as Andrej Sekera netted his second of the year, another power play goal, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Ennis. Toronto got one back as Nikolai Kulemin recorded his third of the campaign on a penalty shot. Buffalo fired back with Vanek's second of the game and sixteenth of the season, helped in by Derek Roy. The Maple Leafs got it to 5-4 but failed to even the table on a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Carl Gunnarsson and Joey Crabb. The three stars in this game were Vanek, Stafford, and Ennis, while Pominville earns an honorable mention.
Up just a tad to Ottawa, as the Senators host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Backups Brent Johnson and Alex Auld get the starting nods, although Marc-Andre Fleury relieved Johnson in the third period. The scoring again began in the second period as Colin Greening put his eighth of the season away, via Jason Spezza and Jared Cowen. Pittsburgh tied it with the sixth of the year for Steve Sullivan, courtesy of Arron Asham and Joe Vitale. Spezza got the Senators back in front with his eleventh of the season, coming off of Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa surged forward on Alfredsson's ninth of the year, made possible by Spezza and Brian Lee. The Penguins got one back when Matt Niskanen spiked in his second of the season, a power play goal set up by Steve Sullivan and Chris Kunitz. Pittsburgh tied it with Evgeni Malkin notching his twelfth of the year, also a power play goal, powered by Sullivan and James Neal. The Senators regained the lead here with Cowen posting his fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Nick Foligno and Karlsson. Zenon Konopka extended the Ottawa lead with his third of the year, a power play goal guided in by Karlsson for a sock trick and Cowen. The Senators put it farther out of reach in the third period when Spezza got his second of the game and twelfth of the season, and the assists belonged to Alfredsson and Cowen, the latter getting a sock trick. The Penguins cut it down to 6-4, the final, with Kunitz depositing his tenth of the year, assisted by Simon Despres and Malkin. The three stars in the game were Spezza, Alfredsson, and Cowen, while Karlsson, Kunitz, Malkin, and Sullivan earn honorable mention.
Southward to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Calgary Flames. Leland Irving and Jose Theodore will be between the pipes. Florida led off with Sean Bergenheim netting his fifth of the season, coming off of Mikael Samuelsson and Shawn Matthias. Calgary answered with an Olli Jokinen goal, his tenth of the year, thanks to Curtis Glencross and Jarome Iginla. The Flames took the lead in the third period with the eleventh of the season by Rene Bourque, a power play goal powered by Jokinen and Alex Tanguay. The Panthers tied it when Bergenheim struck again, his second of the game and sixth of the year, and Matthias and Samuelson again had the helpers. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Tanguay's lone tally did not hold Calgary against Florida's Dmitry Kulikov and Stephen Weiss, for a 3-2 Panther win. The three stars belong to Bergenheim, Matthias, and Irving (39 for 41 in saves), while Jokinen, Tanguay, and Samuelsson earn honorable mention.
Back up the coast again, to New Jersey, where the Devils host the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Johan Hedberg are penciled in to play goal. Dallas opened on the tenth of the season for Michael Ryder, assisted by Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn. New Jersey replied on a David Clarkson goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Patrik Elias and Zach Parise. The Stars took the lead again on the sixth of the campaign for Brenden Morrow, courtesy of Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott. The Devils evened it again on the eighth of the season by Adam Henrique, a shorthanded goal powered by Parise. New Jersey rolled on with Ilya Kovalchuk finding a home for his tenth of the year, thanks to Parise, who gets a sock trick, and Adam Larsson. The Devils extended the lead with Petr Sykora striking in his seventh of the campaign, guided in by Cam Janssen and Ryan Carter. New Jersey continued to pummel away with the eleventh of the season for Parise, set up by Larsson and Kovalchuk. Dallas got one back as Toby Petersen sank his second of the year, with the help of Sheldon Souray and Jake Dowell. The Devils iced it at 6-3 when Elias recorded his eleventh of the campaign, coming off of Dainius Zubrus and Sykora. The three stars went out to Parise, Kovalchuk, and Bryce Salvador, while honorable mentions go to Elias, Larsson, and Sykora.
Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Ray Emery tend the twines. Chicago led off with the third of the season by Jamal Mayers, courtesy of Andrew Brunette and John Scott. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with the fourteenth of the year by Marian Hossa, with a lone helper from Patrick Sharp. Chicago extended the lead again with a power play goal off Dave Bolland's tape, his eighth of the season, powered by Nick Leddy and the goalie Emery. The Blackhawks were relentless in the third period with Sharp notching his seventeenth of the year, coming off of Hossa alone. Anaheim cut the eventual final to 4-1 with a Teemu Selanne goal, his tenth of the campaign, made possible by Niklas Hagman and Kyle Palmieri. The three stars here were Emery (24 for 25 in saves), Scott, and Mayers, while Sharp and Hossa also played well.
First up, the Buffalo Sabres host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Ryan Miller are assigned starting responsibilities. The scoring began in the second period as Joffrey Lupul netted his fourteenth of the season, and Phil Kessel had the lone assist. Buffalo answered on a Drew Stafford power play goal, his sixth of the year, thanks to Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville. The Maple Leafs struck back on Dion Phaneuf's fourth of the season, also a power play goal, guided in by Tyler Bozak and John-Michael Liles. The Sabres quickly retied the game with Vanek registering his fifteenth of the year, and the lone helper belonged to Zach Kassian. Buffalo took a lead with a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his third of the season, coming off of Stafford and Pominville. The Sabres continued on as Andrej Sekera netted his second of the year, another power play goal, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Ennis. Toronto got one back as Nikolai Kulemin recorded his third of the campaign on a penalty shot. Buffalo fired back with Vanek's second of the game and sixteenth of the season, helped in by Derek Roy. The Maple Leafs got it to 5-4 but failed to even the table on a Mikhail Grabovski goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Carl Gunnarsson and Joey Crabb. The three stars in this game were Vanek, Stafford, and Ennis, while Pominville earns an honorable mention.
Up just a tad to Ottawa, as the Senators host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Backups Brent Johnson and Alex Auld get the starting nods, although Marc-Andre Fleury relieved Johnson in the third period. The scoring again began in the second period as Colin Greening put his eighth of the season away, via Jason Spezza and Jared Cowen. Pittsburgh tied it with the sixth of the year for Steve Sullivan, courtesy of Arron Asham and Joe Vitale. Spezza got the Senators back in front with his eleventh of the season, coming off of Daniel Alfredsson and Erik Karlsson. Ottawa surged forward on Alfredsson's ninth of the year, made possible by Spezza and Brian Lee. The Penguins got one back when Matt Niskanen spiked in his second of the season, a power play goal set up by Steve Sullivan and Chris Kunitz. Pittsburgh tied it with Evgeni Malkin notching his twelfth of the year, also a power play goal, powered by Sullivan and James Neal. The Senators regained the lead here with Cowen posting his fourth of the season, with helpers provided by Nick Foligno and Karlsson. Zenon Konopka extended the Ottawa lead with his third of the year, a power play goal guided in by Karlsson for a sock trick and Cowen. The Senators put it farther out of reach in the third period when Spezza got his second of the game and twelfth of the season, and the assists belonged to Alfredsson and Cowen, the latter getting a sock trick. The Penguins cut it down to 6-4, the final, with Kunitz depositing his tenth of the year, assisted by Simon Despres and Malkin. The three stars in the game were Spezza, Alfredsson, and Cowen, while Karlsson, Kunitz, Malkin, and Sullivan earn honorable mention.
Southward to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Calgary Flames. Leland Irving and Jose Theodore will be between the pipes. Florida led off with Sean Bergenheim netting his fifth of the season, coming off of Mikael Samuelsson and Shawn Matthias. Calgary answered with an Olli Jokinen goal, his tenth of the year, thanks to Curtis Glencross and Jarome Iginla. The Flames took the lead in the third period with the eleventh of the season by Rene Bourque, a power play goal powered by Jokinen and Alex Tanguay. The Panthers tied it when Bergenheim struck again, his second of the game and sixth of the year, and Matthias and Samuelson again had the helpers. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Tanguay's lone tally did not hold Calgary against Florida's Dmitry Kulikov and Stephen Weiss, for a 3-2 Panther win. The three stars belong to Bergenheim, Matthias, and Irving (39 for 41 in saves), while Jokinen, Tanguay, and Samuelsson earn honorable mention.
Back up the coast again, to New Jersey, where the Devils host the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Johan Hedberg are penciled in to play goal. Dallas opened on the tenth of the season for Michael Ryder, assisted by Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn. New Jersey replied on a David Clarkson goal, his tenth of the year, made possible by Patrik Elias and Zach Parise. The Stars took the lead again on the sixth of the campaign for Brenden Morrow, courtesy of Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott. The Devils evened it again on the eighth of the season by Adam Henrique, a shorthanded goal powered by Parise. New Jersey rolled on with Ilya Kovalchuk finding a home for his tenth of the year, thanks to Parise, who gets a sock trick, and Adam Larsson. The Devils extended the lead with Petr Sykora striking in his seventh of the campaign, guided in by Cam Janssen and Ryan Carter. New Jersey continued to pummel away with the eleventh of the season for Parise, set up by Larsson and Kovalchuk. Dallas got one back as Toby Petersen sank his second of the year, with the help of Sheldon Souray and Jake Dowell. The Devils iced it at 6-3 when Elias recorded his eleventh of the campaign, coming off of Dainius Zubrus and Sykora. The three stars went out to Parise, Kovalchuk, and Bryce Salvador, while honorable mentions go to Elias, Larsson, and Sykora.
Finally, the Chicago Blackhawks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Ray Emery tend the twines. Chicago led off with the third of the season by Jamal Mayers, courtesy of Andrew Brunette and John Scott. The Blackhawks added on in the second period with the fourteenth of the year by Marian Hossa, with a lone helper from Patrick Sharp. Chicago extended the lead again with a power play goal off Dave Bolland's tape, his eighth of the season, powered by Nick Leddy and the goalie Emery. The Blackhawks were relentless in the third period with Sharp notching his seventeenth of the year, coming off of Hossa alone. Anaheim cut the eventual final to 4-1 with a Teemu Selanne goal, his tenth of the campaign, made possible by Niklas Hagman and Kyle Palmieri. The three stars here were Emery (24 for 25 in saves), Scott, and Mayers, while Sharp and Hossa also played well.
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Thursday Night Game week 15
This week the Atlanta Falcons hosted the Jacksonville Jaguars. Atlanta was first to score with Matt Ryan throwing a 29 yard touchdown to Julio Jones, and Matt Bryant made the extra point. Bryant also kicked a 33 yard field goal for the Falcons. Atlanta kept going in the second quarter with a 5 yard Michael Turner touchdown run, and Bryant made the extra point. The Falcons rolled on with a Ryan touchdown pass of 6 yards to Roddy White, and Bryant was good again with the extra point. The score was 27-0 Atlanta at the half thanks to Bryant kicking a 31 yard field goal. The Falcons got defensive in the third quarter as Blaine Gabbert fumbled and Corey Peters picked it up and scored a touchdown 13 yards later, iced off with Bryant on the extra point. Ryan threw the next Atlanta touchdown, this time 29 yards to White, and Bryant made another PAT. Jacksonville finally got on the board by blocking a punt and having their own Zach Potter return it 46 yards to score the touchdown, allowing Josh Scobee the extra point kick. The Jaguars cut it down to 41-14 after Gabbert found Chastin WEst for 16 yards and a touchdown, and Scobee made the extra point. The Falcons are now 9-5 while the Jaguars plummet to 4-10.
NHL Day 71 2011-2012
Ten games on tonight as I catch up from a little two-day illness break I've taken. First off...
The New York Islanders host the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Kevin Poulin get the start in a game of relatively obscure goalies. Dallas opened with a Loui Eriksson goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Jamie Benn and Trevor Daley. New York tied it when the ninth of the year for Michael Grabner went into the net, thanks to Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen. The Islanders took the lead in the second period with Okposo scoring his fifth of the campaign, with help from Marty Reasoner and Travis Hamonic. The Stars tied it back up in the third period as Brenden Morrow netted his fifth of the season on the power play, powered by Steve Ott and Mike Ribeiro. Dallas would take the game 3-2 when Benn sank his eighth of the year, via Michael Ryder and Eriksson. Benn, Okposo, and Eriksson earned the three stars.
Down the coast, the Carolina Hurricanes host the traveling Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Cam Ward will take their places in the blue paint. Vancouver started the scoring when Kevin Bieksa put his third of the season in the net, coming off of Chris Higgins and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks kept going in the second period on the second of the year for Mason Raymond, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Alexandre Burrows. Carolina got on the board with a Drayson Bowman goal, fueled by Anthony Stewart and Jamie McBain. The Hurricanes tied it before the end of the frame on the tenth of the season for Tuomo Ruutu, courtesy of Bryan Allen and Jussi Jokinen. Carolina took the lead in the third period on another Bowman goal, made possible by Chad LaRose and Brandon Sutter. Jaroslav Spacek kept the Hurricanes ahead with a power play goal powered by Ruutu and Tim Brent. Vancouver cut it to 4-3 but never got an equalizer after Burrows found a place for his tenth of the year, guided in by Sedin and Raymond. Bowman, Ward (33 for 36 in saves), and Ruutu got the three stars, while the Sedin-Burrows-Raymond combo looked pretty good as well.
Back inland, the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Curtis Sanford got the starting nods. Columbus got things going in the second period with Jeff Carter netting his seventh of the season, coming off of Vinny Prospal and Nikita Nikitin. Los Angeles answered in the third period with a Davis Drewiske goal, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Brown gave the Kings a 2-1 lead with his sixth of the year, thanks to Drew Doughty and Simon Gagne. This was a final, where Brown, Sanford (39 for 41 in saves), and Doughty got the three stars.
Southward again, to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Mathieu Garon were given goaltending duties. Tampa Bay struck first with Teddy Purcell scoring a power play goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Steve Downie and Dominic Moore. Matt Stajan tied it for Calgary, and helping him were Tim Jackman and Tom Kostopoulos. The Flames grabbed the lead with the twelfth of the year by Jarome Iginla, thanks to Olli Jokinen and Jay Bouwmeester. The Lightning tied it back up on the third of the season for Tom Pyatt, via Ryan Shannon and Blair Jones. Tampa Bay regained the lead on a Ryan Malone goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. The Lightning extended the lead as Nate Thompson scored his third of the season, with assists from Dana Tyrell and Hedman. Calgary got it going again in the third period as Rene Bourque deposited his tenth of the year, with the help of Derek Smith. Jokinen tied it up for the Flames with a power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Alex Tanguay and Smith. The game went to overtime, where Stamkos won it 5-4 for Tampa Bay on his nineteenth of the year, assisted by Eric Brewer and Downie. The three stars were officially Stamkos, Jokinen, and Brewer, while honorable mentions include Smith, Downie, and Hedman.
Northward to Montreal, as the Canadiens are hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Carey Price guarded the cages. Philadelphia opened on a Max Talbot goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Jakub Voracek and Sean Couturier. Montreal tied it in the second period with the fifth of the year for David Desharnais, courtesy of Max Pacioretty and Tomas Kaberle. The Flyers retook the lead with Harry Zolnierczyk's second of the season, coming off of Zac Rinaldo and Matt Carle. The Canadiens tied it again with a Louis Leblanc goal, via Mike Blunden and P.K. Subban. Philadelphia again took the lead as Wayne Simmonds found a place for his ninth of the year, thanks to Carle and Matt Read. Montreal got another equalizer as Erik Cole deposited his twelfth of the season on the power play, powered by Pacioretty and Desharnais. The Flyers would take the game 4-3 as Andrej Meszaros potted his third of the year in the third period, and the helpers were credited to Jaromir Jagr and Carle, the latter getting a sock trick. Carle, Desharnais, and Leblanc earned the three stars, while Pacioretty also had an honorable mention.
In the Midwest, the St. Louis Blues welcomed in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Brian Elliott took to the nets. St. Louis drew first blood with the seventh of the season by Patrik Berglund, courtesy of Alex Steen and Barret Jackman. The Blues extended their lead with David Perron making his second of the year, thanks to Carlo Colaiacovo and Chris Stewart. New York got on the board in the second period with the third of the campaign for Michael Del Zotto, assisted by Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan. Steen got it back in the third period with his tenth of the season for St. Louis, while T.J. Oshie and Roman Polak got the assists. The Blues iced it at 4-1 with the empty net goal from Jason Arnott, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. David Backes, Steen, and Elliott (25 for 26 in saves) were given the three stars.
South a little to Nashville, as the Predators hosted the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Pekka Rinne were the puckstoppers. Detroit led off when Tomas Holmstrom scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal, fueled by Ian White and Pavel Datsyuk. Nashville replied with David Legwand notching his eighth of the year, via Craig Smith and Martin Erat. Henrik Zetterberg gave the Red Wings a second period lead on his seventh of the season, another power play goal made possible by Jiri Hudler and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit extended the lead when the seventh of the year for Nicklas Lidstrom went in the net, courtesy of White and Datsyuk. The Predators got one back as Jordin Tootoo scored his fifth of the season, assisted by Kevin Klein and Nick Spaling. Nashville would take the game 4-3 after a pair of Shea Weber goals in the third period, his seventh and eighth of the year, with assists on the earlier power play goal going to Ryan Suter and Erat and Tootoo picked up the lone helper on the later goal. The three stars were given out to Weber, Tootoo, and Lidstrom, while Erat, White, and Datsyuk had honorable mentions.
To the great north, where the Winnipeg Jets host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Ondrej Pavelec will oppose each other from 200 feet away. Both of these men were sterling until late in the third period when Washington's Alex Ovechkin broke through Pavelec on his tenth of the season, assisted by Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. This would be a 1-0 final, and the three stars went to Neuvirth (26 save shutout), Pavelec (27 for 28 in saves), and Jason Chimera. Ovechkin is the obvious honorable mention.
Way back south again, the Phoenix Coyotes host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Mike Smith get the starting honors. Phoenix drew first blood with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Cal O'Reilly and Michal Rozsival. Edmonton answered with a second period power play goal by Taylor Hall, assisted by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle as his eighth of the year. The Coyotes regained the lead on the fifteenth of the season for Radim Vrbata, courtesy of Ray Whitney and Martin Hanzal. The Oilers got another equalizer in the third period, the second of the game and ninth of the year by Hall, also a power play goal powered by Ryan Smyth and Ryan Whitney. Phoenix stole the lead back with Shane Doan potting his eighth of the season, with the help of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes iced it 4-2 on the sixth goal of the year by Ekman-Larsson, made possible by Ray Whitney and Hanzal. The three stars were awarded to Ray Whitney, Ekman-Larsson, and Hanzal, while Hall earns the honorable mention.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Antti Niemi again tend the cages. San Jose struck first of the seventh of the season by Ryane Clowe, with a lone assist by Logan Couture. Colorado tied it up when Paul Stastny netted a power play goal off of Erik Johnson for his ninth of the year. The Avalanche grabbed the lead with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Stefan Elliott and Milan Hejduk. The Sharks retied it in the second period with the third of the year for Michal Handzus, from Martin Havlat and Jamie McGinn. Colorado replied as Stastny struck again, his tenth of the season and second on the night, thanks to Daniel Winnik and Matt Duchene. Winnik extended the Avalanche lead with his fifth of the year, pushed through by Stastny and David Van der Gulik. San Jose got one back on the fifth of the season for Brent Burns, courtesy of Havlat in the third period. The Sharks got the equalizer with the thirteenth of the campaign off the tape of Joe Pavelski, set up by Jason Demers and Joe Thornton. San Jose would win 5-4 after Couture made his twelfth of the year, guided in by Patrick Marleau and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The three stars belonged to Couture, Stastny, and Clowe, while Havlat and Winnik earn honorable mentions.
The New York Islanders host the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Kevin Poulin get the start in a game of relatively obscure goalies. Dallas opened with a Loui Eriksson goal, his eleventh of the season, courtesy of Jamie Benn and Trevor Daley. New York tied it when the ninth of the year for Michael Grabner went into the net, thanks to Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen. The Islanders took the lead in the second period with Okposo scoring his fifth of the campaign, with help from Marty Reasoner and Travis Hamonic. The Stars tied it back up in the third period as Brenden Morrow netted his fifth of the season on the power play, powered by Steve Ott and Mike Ribeiro. Dallas would take the game 3-2 when Benn sank his eighth of the year, via Michael Ryder and Eriksson. Benn, Okposo, and Eriksson earned the three stars.
Down the coast, the Carolina Hurricanes host the traveling Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Cam Ward will take their places in the blue paint. Vancouver started the scoring when Kevin Bieksa put his third of the season in the net, coming off of Chris Higgins and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks kept going in the second period on the second of the year for Mason Raymond, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Alexandre Burrows. Carolina got on the board with a Drayson Bowman goal, fueled by Anthony Stewart and Jamie McBain. The Hurricanes tied it before the end of the frame on the tenth of the season for Tuomo Ruutu, courtesy of Bryan Allen and Jussi Jokinen. Carolina took the lead in the third period on another Bowman goal, made possible by Chad LaRose and Brandon Sutter. Jaroslav Spacek kept the Hurricanes ahead with a power play goal powered by Ruutu and Tim Brent. Vancouver cut it to 4-3 but never got an equalizer after Burrows found a place for his tenth of the year, guided in by Sedin and Raymond. Bowman, Ward (33 for 36 in saves), and Ruutu got the three stars, while the Sedin-Burrows-Raymond combo looked pretty good as well.
Back inland, the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Curtis Sanford got the starting nods. Columbus got things going in the second period with Jeff Carter netting his seventh of the season, coming off of Vinny Prospal and Nikita Nikitin. Los Angeles answered in the third period with a Davis Drewiske goal, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Brown gave the Kings a 2-1 lead with his sixth of the year, thanks to Drew Doughty and Simon Gagne. This was a final, where Brown, Sanford (39 for 41 in saves), and Doughty got the three stars.
Southward again, to Tampa Bay, where the Lightning host the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Mathieu Garon were given goaltending duties. Tampa Bay struck first with Teddy Purcell scoring a power play goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Steve Downie and Dominic Moore. Matt Stajan tied it for Calgary, and helping him were Tim Jackman and Tom Kostopoulos. The Flames grabbed the lead with the twelfth of the year by Jarome Iginla, thanks to Olli Jokinen and Jay Bouwmeester. The Lightning tied it back up on the third of the season for Tom Pyatt, via Ryan Shannon and Blair Jones. Tampa Bay regained the lead on a Ryan Malone goal, his seventh of the year, made possible by Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. The Lightning extended the lead as Nate Thompson scored his third of the season, with assists from Dana Tyrell and Hedman. Calgary got it going again in the third period as Rene Bourque deposited his tenth of the year, with the help of Derek Smith. Jokinen tied it up for the Flames with a power play goal, his ninth of the season, powered by Alex Tanguay and Smith. The game went to overtime, where Stamkos won it 5-4 for Tampa Bay on his nineteenth of the year, assisted by Eric Brewer and Downie. The three stars were officially Stamkos, Jokinen, and Brewer, while honorable mentions include Smith, Downie, and Hedman.
Northward to Montreal, as the Canadiens are hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Carey Price guarded the cages. Philadelphia opened on a Max Talbot goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Jakub Voracek and Sean Couturier. Montreal tied it in the second period with the fifth of the year for David Desharnais, courtesy of Max Pacioretty and Tomas Kaberle. The Flyers retook the lead with Harry Zolnierczyk's second of the season, coming off of Zac Rinaldo and Matt Carle. The Canadiens tied it again with a Louis Leblanc goal, via Mike Blunden and P.K. Subban. Philadelphia again took the lead as Wayne Simmonds found a place for his ninth of the year, thanks to Carle and Matt Read. Montreal got another equalizer as Erik Cole deposited his twelfth of the season on the power play, powered by Pacioretty and Desharnais. The Flyers would take the game 4-3 as Andrej Meszaros potted his third of the year in the third period, and the helpers were credited to Jaromir Jagr and Carle, the latter getting a sock trick. Carle, Desharnais, and Leblanc earned the three stars, while Pacioretty also had an honorable mention.
In the Midwest, the St. Louis Blues welcomed in the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Brian Elliott took to the nets. St. Louis drew first blood with the seventh of the season by Patrik Berglund, courtesy of Alex Steen and Barret Jackman. The Blues extended their lead with David Perron making his second of the year, thanks to Carlo Colaiacovo and Chris Stewart. New York got on the board in the second period with the third of the campaign for Michael Del Zotto, assisted by Brandon Dubinsky and Ryan Callahan. Steen got it back in the third period with his tenth of the season for St. Louis, while T.J. Oshie and Roman Polak got the assists. The Blues iced it at 4-1 with the empty net goal from Jason Arnott, his fifth of the year, going in unassisted. David Backes, Steen, and Elliott (25 for 26 in saves) were given the three stars.
South a little to Nashville, as the Predators hosted the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Pekka Rinne were the puckstoppers. Detroit led off when Tomas Holmstrom scored his sixth of the season, a power play goal, fueled by Ian White and Pavel Datsyuk. Nashville replied with David Legwand notching his eighth of the year, via Craig Smith and Martin Erat. Henrik Zetterberg gave the Red Wings a second period lead on his seventh of the season, another power play goal made possible by Jiri Hudler and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit extended the lead when the seventh of the year for Nicklas Lidstrom went in the net, courtesy of White and Datsyuk. The Predators got one back as Jordin Tootoo scored his fifth of the season, assisted by Kevin Klein and Nick Spaling. Nashville would take the game 4-3 after a pair of Shea Weber goals in the third period, his seventh and eighth of the year, with assists on the earlier power play goal going to Ryan Suter and Erat and Tootoo picked up the lone helper on the later goal. The three stars were given out to Weber, Tootoo, and Lidstrom, while Erat, White, and Datsyuk had honorable mentions.
To the great north, where the Winnipeg Jets host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Ondrej Pavelec will oppose each other from 200 feet away. Both of these men were sterling until late in the third period when Washington's Alex Ovechkin broke through Pavelec on his tenth of the season, assisted by Marcus Johansson and Nicklas Backstrom. This would be a 1-0 final, and the three stars went to Neuvirth (26 save shutout), Pavelec (27 for 28 in saves), and Jason Chimera. Ovechkin is the obvious honorable mention.
Way back south again, the Phoenix Coyotes host the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Mike Smith get the starting honors. Phoenix drew first blood with a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his seventh of the season, coming off of Cal O'Reilly and Michal Rozsival. Edmonton answered with a second period power play goal by Taylor Hall, assisted by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle as his eighth of the year. The Coyotes regained the lead on the fifteenth of the season for Radim Vrbata, courtesy of Ray Whitney and Martin Hanzal. The Oilers got another equalizer in the third period, the second of the game and ninth of the year by Hall, also a power play goal powered by Ryan Smyth and Ryan Whitney. Phoenix stole the lead back with Shane Doan potting his eighth of the season, with the help of Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes iced it 4-2 on the sixth goal of the year by Ekman-Larsson, made possible by Ray Whitney and Hanzal. The three stars were awarded to Ray Whitney, Ekman-Larsson, and Hanzal, while Hall earns the honorable mention.
Finally, the San Jose Sharks host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Antti Niemi again tend the cages. San Jose struck first of the seventh of the season by Ryane Clowe, with a lone assist by Logan Couture. Colorado tied it up when Paul Stastny netted a power play goal off of Erik Johnson for his ninth of the year. The Avalanche grabbed the lead with a Ryan O'Reilly power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Stefan Elliott and Milan Hejduk. The Sharks retied it in the second period with the third of the year for Michal Handzus, from Martin Havlat and Jamie McGinn. Colorado replied as Stastny struck again, his tenth of the season and second on the night, thanks to Daniel Winnik and Matt Duchene. Winnik extended the Avalanche lead with his fifth of the year, pushed through by Stastny and David Van der Gulik. San Jose got one back on the fifth of the season for Brent Burns, courtesy of Havlat in the third period. The Sharks got the equalizer with the thirteenth of the campaign off the tape of Joe Pavelski, set up by Jason Demers and Joe Thornton. San Jose would win 5-4 after Couture made his twelfth of the year, guided in by Patrick Marleau and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The three stars belonged to Couture, Stastny, and Clowe, while Havlat and Winnik earn honorable mentions.
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