NHL Day 78 2011-2012

Eight games on as we head into the second to last day before the holiday break. First up, we have a rivalry match between...

The New York Rangers in the Madison Square Garden, hosting the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Biron will be playing in the creases. Brandon Dubinsky put the Rangers up first with his second of the season, assisted by Stu Bickel and the goalie Biron. The Islanders tied it on a power play goal in the second period, P.A. Parenteau's sixth of the year, powered by Mark Streit and Matt Moulson. The Rangers regained the lead with Marian Gaborik depositing his twentieth of the season, via Artem Anisimov. The Rangers extended the lead on Michael Del Zotto's fourth of the year, with helpers by Brandon Prust and Anton Stralman. The Islanders got one back as Moulson put away his sixteenth of the season, a power play goal, guided in by John Tavares and Streit. The Rangers made it 4-2 on a John Mitchell empty net goal, his second of the year, helped along by Dubinsky and Stralman. The three stars in this game were Del Zotto, Biron (24 for 26 in saves), and Anisimov, while Moulson, Streit, Dubinsky, and Stralman also all played well.

Northward to Toronto, as the Maple Leafs welcome in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and James Reimer tend the twines. Jason Pominville put Buffalo ahead first in the second period with his eleventh of the season, a power play goal with a lone assist by Thomas Vanek. Toronto tied it on Dave Steckel's sixth of the year, courtesy of Luke Schenn and Joey Crabb. The Maple Leafs grabbed the lead with Phil Kessel netting his twentieth of the season, coming off of Joffrey Lupul and Dion Phaneuf. The Sabres retied it on a Derek Roy goal in the third period, his eighth of the year, thanks to Pominville. Toronto regained the lead with a Nazem Kadri goal, helped along by Clarke MacArthur. This made it 3-2, good enough for a win, and the three stars were Kessel, Reimer (40 for 42 in saves), and Pominville.

Staying in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators host the Florida Panthers. Current Panther backup Scott Clemmensen opposes another former Panther backup in net, in the form of Craig Anderson. Ottawa led off with a Chris Neil power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Erik Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson. Florida tied it in the second period with Michal Repik making a power play goal, with help from Tomas Fleischmann and Kris Versteeg. The Senators grabbed the lead again in the third period, as Alfredsson netted his tenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Neil. The Panthers got another equalizer with Shawn Matthias netting his sixth of the season, another power play goal, fueled by Brian Campbell and Mike Santorelli. Ottawa grabbed the lead back with Karlsson registering his fourth of the year, as Alfredsson and Colin Greening picked up the helpers. Florida got a late equalizer again with Tomas Kopecky potting his fifth of the season, first having seen the tape of Versteeg and Matt Bradley. The Senators took the game 4-3 in overtime on the third of the year for Bobby Butler, via Kyle Turris and Jared Cowen. The three stars were given to Alfredsson, Neil, and Butler, while Versteeg and Karlsson are given honorable mention.

Back to the states, where the Nashville Predators are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Pekka Rinne get the starting nods. Nashville led off by a power play goal off the tape of Mike Fisher, his seventh of the season, with helpers provided by Sergei Kostitsyn and Ryan Suter. Columbus tied the game when Jeff Carter recorded his eighth of the year, and the lone assist came from Vinny Prospal. The Blue Jackets took the lead on another Carter goal, his ninth of the season, a power play goal from Rick Nash and Fedor Tyutin. Columbus kept on the attack with a power play goal by Ryan Johansen, his sixth of the year, fueled by R.J. Umberger and Derick Brassard. Carter completed the hat trick and added on to the Blue Jackets lead with his tenth of the season, another power play goal, made possible by Nash and Nikita Nikitin. The Predators got one back in the second period as Patric Hornqvist put away his ninth of the year, assisted by Shea Weber and David Legwand. Columbus replied with the second of the game and seventh of the season for Johansen, coming off of Umberger and Brassard on the power play. Nashville shot back with a Nick Spaling goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Colin Wilson and Jordin Tootoo. The Predators clawed back with Roman Josi netting his second of the season, thanks to Francis Bouillon and Martin Erat. Nashville tied it late in the third period when Legwand scored on the power play, his ninth of the year, pushed through by Wilson and Weber. The Predators struck again later in the third period to take a 6-5 lead with the seventh of the campaign by Erat, set up by Suter and Weber, the latter tallying a sock trick. They weathered on to the end nine seconds later and won, with the three stars being Erat, Carter, and Legwand, while honorable mentions include Johansen, Brassard, Nash, Umberger, Weber, Suter, and Wilson.

Back into Canada again, as the Winnipeg Jets welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Ondrej Pavelec will try to stop the puck. Blake Wheeler got Winnipeg on the board first with his fourth of the season, a power play goal guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets added on with a Tanner Glass goal, his fourth of the year, thanks to Nik Antropov and Kyle Wellwood. Winnipeg extended the lead in the second period on another Wheeler goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Ron Hainsey and the goalie Pavelec. The Jets iced it at 4-0 in the third period with a Tim Stapleton goal, set up by Wheeler and Zach Bogosian. The three stars were awarded to Wheeler, Pavelec (27 save shutout), and Glass.

To the southwest a tad, as the Calgary Flames host the Detroit Red Wings. Ty Conklin and Miikka Kiprusoff are manning the cages. Calgary drew first blood with a power play goal by Curtis Glencross, his twelfth of the season, powered by Olli Jokinen and T.J. Brodie. The Flames added on in the second period with a Blake Comeau goal, his second of the year, fueled by Brendan Morrison and Tim Jackman. Calgary extended the lead with Glencross striking again, his second of the game and thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jay Bouwmeester. Detroit got on the board when Jiri Hudler struck in his eighth of the year in the third period, thanks to Jonathan Ericsson. The Red Wings made it interesting with an Ian White goal, his fifth of the campaign, made possible by Pavel Datsyuk for a 3-2 score. The Flames held on to this score as a margin of victory, and the three stars were Glencross, Datsyuk, and Jackman.

In northern Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Nikolai Khabibulin get the starting nods. Edmonton led off with a Jordan Eberle goal, his fourteenth of the season, an unassisted power play goal. The Oilers added on with Ryan Smyth recording his thirteenth of the year, thanks to Ladislav Smid and Tom Gilbert. Edmonton extended the lead again with Lennart Petrell notching his third of the season, shorthanded and unassisted. The Oilers attacked again with Eberle potting his second of the night and fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Corey Potter. Minnesota got on the board with the tenth of the season for Dany Heatley, fueled by Jared Spurgeon and Matt Cullen. The final was 4-1 and the three stars were given to Eberle, Khabibulin (30 for 31 in saves), and Smyth.

Finally, the Battle of California is fired up again when the Los Angeles Kings host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Quick are called on to play goal. Niklas Hagman got things started for Anaheim in the second period with his sixth of the season, assisted by Lubomir Visnovsky and Luca Sbisa. Los Angeles tied it with the twelfth of the year by Mike Richards, courtesy of Drew Doughty. The Kings took the lead with Dustin Brown recording his eighth of the season in the third period, thanks to Anze Kopitar and Doughty. Visnovsky got a late equalizer for the Ducks on his third of the year, made possible by Hagman and Toni Lydman. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Jarret Stoll and Brown led Los Angeles to a 3-2 victory over Anaheim, whose one tally from Corey Perry wasn't quite enough. The three stars were Doughty, Visnovsky, and Brown, while Hagman also played well.

Thursday Night Game week 16

This week, the Indianapolis Colts host the Houston Texans. Houston opened with an Arian Foster touchdown run of 9 yards and a Neil Rackers extra point. Adam Vinatieri answered for Indianapolis with a 23 yard field goal. Rackers got it back for the Texans with a 44 yard field goal. The Colts replied in the second quarter on Vinatieri's boot kicking a 32 yard field goal for a 10-6 halftime score. The kickers exchanged field goals of 35 for Rackers and 47 for Vinatieri in the third quarter before trading again straight up in the fourth on 31 yard kicks. Indianapolis sealed the deal late with a 1 yard Reggie Wayne touchdown reception off a Dan Orlovsky pass, and Vinatieri's extra point made it 19-16. The Colts go to 2-13 while the Texans are now 10-5.

NHL Day 77 2011-2012

Just six games on, even if it feels like a little bit more than that, beginning with...

The Carolina Hurricanes welcoming the Phoenix Coyotes. Jason LaBarbera and Cam Ward were given starting duties. Phoenix opened on a Ray Whitney goal, his twelfth of the season, coming from Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Martin Hanzal on the power play. Carolina tied it with Tuomo Ruutu netting his eleventh of the year, with the help of Alexei Poinkarovsky and Jussi Jokinen. The Hurricanes took the lead in the second period with Andreas Nodl scoring, thanks to Jaroslav Spacek. Carolina extended the lead when Jiri Tlusty recorded his seventh of the season, and the lone assist was by Justin Faulk. The Coyotes got one back as Cal O'Reilly sank his second of the year, fueled by David Rundblad and Kyle Chipchura. Phoenix tied it in the third period when Rostislav Klesla scored, coming off of Lauri Korpikoski and Daymond Langkow. The Coyotes took the lead when Korpikoski sank his ninth of the season, via Derek Morris and Whitney. This made it 4-3, an eventual final, where the three stars are Korpikoski, Whitney, and Ruutu.

In the Midwest, the Chicago Blackhawks hosted the Montreal Canadiens. Official backups Peter Budaj and Corey Crawford get to make the spot starts. Montreal led off in the second period when Andrei Kostitsyn made his tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Tomas Plekanec and Raphael Diaz. Chicago tied it with the eighth of the year for Andrew Brunette, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks got the lead with Patrick Sharp registering his eighteenth of the season, and Marian Hossa had the lone assist. Chicago extended the lead as Viktor Stalberg notched his seventh of the year, and the lone helper came from Bryan Bickell. Jonathan Toews made it at 4-1 for the Blackhawks with his twentieth of the season, and Seabrook had the only assist. Chicago ended ahead 5-1 due to Bickell's fourth of the year, with help from Stalberg and Brandon Pirri. Crawford (20 for 21 in saves), Brunette, and Sharp had the three stars, while Seabrook and Bickell get honorable mentions.

Down to Texas, where the Dallas Stars host the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Richard Bachman play between the pipes. Dallas quickly struck first with Michael Ryder finding a place for his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Loui Eriksson and Jamie Benn. Philadelphia tied it on Claude Giroux's seventeenth of the year, assisted by Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers took the lead on a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Giroux. Philadelphia added on in the second period when Jagr potted his eleventh of the year, also a power play goal, thanks to Giroux and Timonen. The Flyers rolled on in the third period with an Andrej Meszaros goal, made possible by Giroux for a sock trick and Hartnell as his fourth of the campaign. This made it 4-1, and the three stars were Giroux, Jagr, and Timonen, while Hartnell also has a solid case.

North and west to Colorado, as the Avalanche bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Jean-Sebastien Giguere get the starting nods. Paul Stastny put Colorado on the board first with his eleventh of the season, assisted by Matt Hunwick and Stefan Elliott. The Avalanche added on with Cody McLeod potting his second of the year, fueled by Kevin Porter and Jan Hejda. St. Louis got going when David Backes netted his eleventh of the season, guided in by Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues tied it on a Chris Stewart goal, his fifth of the year, courtesy of Patrik Berglund and David Perron. Colorado got the lead back with Jay McClement putting his sixth of the season away, passed from Brad Malone and Shane O'Brien. This made it 3-2, which lasted until the end, and gave the three stars to Giguere (37 for 39 in saves), McClement, and Backes.

Up to Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Roberto Luongo will be the masked men. Vancouver struck first on a Chris Higgins goal, his tenth of the season, coming from Mason Raymond and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks added on as Cody Hodgson put his seventh of the year away, helped along by Jannik Hansen and Manny Malhotra. Detroit got on the board when Todd Bertuzzi scored his fourth of the season, thanks to Ian White and Pavel Datsyuk. Vancouver answered with Alexandre Burrows recording his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Red Wings got it back in the second period with a Drew Miller goal, his seventh of the season, guided in by Darren Helm and Danny Cleary. The Canucks replied back when Alexander Edler netter a shorthanded goal, his sixth of the year, with a feeder pass from Hansen. This made it 4-2, a final, with the three stars being Edler, Luongo (38 for 40 in saves), and Hansen.

Finally in San Jose, the Sharks hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning. In goal were Mathieu Garon and Antti Niemi. Benn Ferriero got San Jose going first with his second of the season, coming from Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle. The Sharks extended the lead on a Joe Pavelski goal, his fourteenth of the year, fueled by Brent Burns and Thornton. San Jose added on with the third of the season for Andrew Desjardins, and Andrew Murray picked up an assist. Dwayne Roloson relieved Garon at this time. The Sharks kept on the attack with Logan Couture sinking his thirteenth of the year, pushed through by Patrick Marleau and Ryane Clowe. San Jose was unstoppable when Couture scored again, his second of the game and fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Michal Handzus and Clowe. Dominic Moore put Tampa Bay on the board with his third of the year, set up by Eric Brewer. The Sharks got going again in the third period when Burns nailed his sixth of the campaign, and he got assistance from Handzus. The Lightning answered on a Martin St. Louis goal, his tenth of the season, and a lone assist came from Teddy Purcell. San Jose iced it t 7-2 with Marleau notching his thirteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Couture, Clowe, and Thornton took home the three stars while Marleau, Burns, and Handzus earned honorable mentions.

NHL Day 76 2011-2012

Another seven games on tonight, beginning with the New Jersey Devils hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur have control of the cages. New Jersey opened on a Travis Zajac goal, fueled by Dainius Zubrus and Petr Sykora. New York answered in the second period as Artem Anisimov netted his seventh of the season, thanks to Derek Stepan and Marian Gaborik. The Rangers took the lead in the third period with Gaborik scoring his eighteenth of the year, with assists from Anisimov and Stepan. New York added on with a shorthanded Carl Hagelin goal, his fourth of the season, with the lone helper by Stu Bickel. The Rangers iced it 4-1 with Gaborik's second of the game, an empty net goal going in unassisted. The three stars were Lundqvist (30 for 31 in saves), Anisimov, and Hagelin, while Stepan and Gaborik make good choices as well.

Into Washington, where the Capitals welcome the Nashville Predators. Anders Lindback and Michal Neuvirth get the starting nods. Washington led off when the eleventh of the season by Alex Ovechkin went into the net, assisted by Karl Alzner and John Carlson. Nicklas Backstrom extended the Capitals lead on his twelfth of the year, with a lone assist by Roman Hamrlik. Sergei Kostitsyn put Nashville on the board in the third period with his fifth of the season, made possible by Shea Weber. Washington answered with Alexander Semin finding a place for his seventh of the year, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Backstrom. The Capitals added on again with Troy Brouwer recording his ninth of the campaign, a power play goal powered by Dennis Wideman and Johansson. The final was 4-1, and Backstrom, Ovechkin, and Johansson took home the three stars.

Up to Pittsburgh, where the Penguins host the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Marc-Andre Fleury will tend the twines. Chris Kunitz got things going for Pittsburgh by scoring his twelfth of the season, via Evgeni Malkin and Matt Niskanen on the power play. In the second period, the Penguins extended their lead with James Neal potting his nineteenth of the year, and Malkin and Niskanen picked up the helpers again. Pittsburgh added on with the fourth of the season for Tyler Kennedy, assisted by Ben Lovejoy and Malkin, the latter getting a sock trick. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Jonathan Toews goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Viktor Stalberg. The Blackhawks pulled closer on a Stalberg goal, his sixth of the season, pushed through by Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. The comeback attempt fell short, leaving the Penguins to a 3-2 victory, with the three stars as Malkin, Fleury (36 for 38 in saves), and Stalberg, while Niskanen also played well.

Southward to Florida, where the Panthers welcome the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Jose Theodore have the green light to play goal. Phoenix struck first when Ray Whitney netted a power play goal, his eleventh of the season, powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Radim Vrbata. The Coyotes extended the lead on Vrbata goal, his sixteenth of the year, with Keith Yandle and Whitney getting the helpers on the power play. Florida got on the board with Brian Campbell making his third of the season, guided in by Kris Versteeg and Jason Garrison. This 2-1 score lasted through the third period to the end, although during this frame, Jason LaBarbera had to relieve an injured Smith in net. The three stars belonged to Whitney, Campbell, and Shawn Matthias, although Vrbata also played well.

Crossing to Canada in the north, where the Ottawa Senators host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Craig Anderson are in between the pipes. Ottawa opened on the ninth of the season by Zack Smith, assisted by Chris Neil and Matt Carkner. Buffalo tied it in the second period on the power play, as Jordan Leopold potted his sixth of the year, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Thomas Vanek. The Senators took the lead back in the third period on an Erik Condra goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist from Kyle Turris. Ottawa extended the lead on Erik Karlsson's third of the year, a power play goal fueled by Daniel Alfredsson and Jason Spezza. The Senators tied it with another Condra goal, his second of the game and sixth of the campaign finding the empty net with assistance from Karlsson only. Condra, Anderson (22 for 23 in saves), and Miller (35 for 38 in saves) earned the three stars.

To the west, the Winnipeg Jets host the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Ondrej Pavelec are playing goal. New York opened with the fifth of the season by P.A. Parenteau, helped along by Matt Moulson and John Tavares. Winnipeg tied it as Nik Antropov made his fifth of the year, coming off of Johnny Oduya. The Islanders regained control with the tenth of the season by Michael Grabner, made possible by Travis Hamonic and Andrew MacDonald. The Jets tied it on Andrew Ladd registering his eleventh of the year with Antrpov and Kyle Wellwood's assistance. Evgeni Nabokov relieved Montoya late in the second period. The tie lasted into a shootout, where New York beat Winnipeg as Parenteau and Frans Nielsen tallied. The three stars were awarded to Antropov, Tavares, and Pavelec (31 for 33 in saves), while Parenteau has a good case.

Westward again to today's finale, with the Calgary Flames hosting the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Miikka Kiprusoff man the nets. Curtis Glencross put Calgary on the board early with his eleventh of the season, assisted by Jarome Iginla and Chris Butler. Minnesota tied it with a Pierre-Marc Bouchard goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Jared Spurgeon and Matt Cullen. Iginla put the Flames back in the lead in the second period with his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Derek Smith and Olli Jokinen. The score held up at 2-1 for a Calgary win, with Iginla, Mikael Backlund, and Kiprusoff (29 for 30 in saves) as the three stars.

Fantasy Football All-Stars week 15

For those of you who had good weeks in the early parts of the playoffs, these following players might be part of the reason why.

Quarterback: Drew Brees
Running Back: C.J. Spiller
Wide Receiver: Calvin Johnson
Tight End: Aaron Hernandez
Kicker: Ryan Succop
Team Defense: Seattle
Defensive Player: Jacob Lacey

A lot of leagues are going for championships this week. Best of luck to everyone, and hopefully I'll have something to show for my efforts as well.

NHL Day 75 2011-2012

Just six games on tonight, beginning in...

Toronto, where the Maple Leafs host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and James Reimer will be guarding the cages. Los Angeles led off with Justin Williams scoring his fifth of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Rob Scuderi. Toronto tied it with John-Michael Liles potting his fourth of the year, coming off of Tyler Bozak. The Kings took the lead in the second period with a power play goal for Dustin Brown, his seventh of the season, powered by Simon Gagne and Anze Kopitar. The Maple Leafs evened things out again in the third period on Matt Frattin's fourth of the year, made possible by Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. Los Angeles would defeat Toronto in the shootout on a lone Brown tally, to win 3-2. Quick (31 for 33 in saves), Reimer (40 for 42 in saves), and Brown picked up the three stars.

Stateside, the Boston Bruins host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price opposes Tim Thomas in goal. Boston was first to score as the sixth of the season for Benoit Pouliot went in, with the help of Rich Peverley. Montreal tied it as Tomas Plekanec served up his seventh of the year, via Michael Cammalleri and Travis Moen. The Bruins reclaimed the lead in the season period with the sixth of the season by David Krejci, off the lone helper by Andrew Ference. Boston added on in the third period with Brad Marchand netting his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. The Canadiens got one back as Erik Cole shelved his thirteenth of the campaign late in the game, with helpers provided by David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. The final was 3-2, with the three stars being Thomas (33 for 35 in saves), Pouliot, and Marchand.

Down to Dallas, where the Stars welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Richard Bachman receive the starting nods. Dallas led off as Brenden Morrow sank his seventh of the season, assisted by Mike Ribeiro and Steve Ott. The Stars added on in the second period with Alex Goligoski's third of the year, a power play goal powered by Sheldon Souray and Loui Eriksson. Dallas extended the lead again quickly with Ribeiro sinking his fourth of the season, and the assists went to Morrow and Stephane Robidas. Anaheim got on the board with Teemu Selanne sinking his eleventh of the year, thanks to Corey Perry and Lubomir Visnovsky on the power play. The Ducks pulled even closer with Visnovsky potting a power play goal, fueled by Cam Fowler and Selanne as his second of the season. Anaheim tied it when Nick Bonino scored, with guidance from Fowler and Matt Beleskey. The Stars regained the lead as Michael Ryder notched his eleventh of the year, pushed through by Eriksson and Jamie Benn. Dallas made it 5-3 on the eleventh of the season for Eric Nystrom, aided by Vernon Fiddler and Radek Dvorak. This would last to the end, giving the three stars to

Northwest to Colorado, where the Avalanche host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jean-Sebastien Giguere will be in the blue paint. Philadelphia drew first blood as the sixteenth of the season for Scott Hartnell found twine, thanks to Jakub Voracek and Jaromir Jagr on the power play. Colorado answered in the second period when Gabriel Landeskog sank his sixth of the year, courtesy of Shane O'Brien and Erik Johnson. The Avalanche took the lead with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Brad Malone and Paul Stastny. The Flyers got an equalizer in the third period with Wayne Simmonds netting his tenth of the year, via Danny Briere and Hartnell. Colorado would defeat Philadelphia 3-2 in the shootout with Milan Hejduk, Matt Duchene, and Ryan O'Reilly all tallying to overpower Briere and James van Riemsdyk. Giguere (31 for 33 in saves), Landeskog, and Briere earned the three stars.

Northward farther to Edmonton, as the Oilers welcome in the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Nikolai Khabibulin man the nets. Detroit struck first as Danny Cleary potted his eighth of the season, and the lone assist belonged to Jakub Kindl. Edmonton tied it as Ryan Jones scored in the second period, his eleventh of the year, from Sam Gagner and Eric Belanger. The Red Wings took the lead back with Jiri Hudler recording his seventh of the season, with help from Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula. The Oilers retied the game when Jordan Eberle scored in the last second of the middle period, a power play goal with assists from Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Taylor Hall as his thirteenth of the year. Detroit got the lead again in the third period when Drew Miller deposited his sixth of the campaign, courtesy of Nicklas Lidstrom and Darren Helm. This made it 3-2, and the Red Wings held on to win, leaving the three stars to Pavel Datsyuk, Khabibulin (25 for 28 in saves), and Eberle, while other point earners have valid arguments.

Westward as we end in Vancouver, where the Canucks host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Roberto Luongo are tending the twines. Vancouver led off with a power play goal by Henrik Sedin, his ninth of the season, set up by Daniel Sedin and Alexander Edler. The Canucks added on in the third period with Ryan Kesler on the power play, his eighth of the year, assisted by Daniel and Henrik. Vancouver struck again on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his twelfth of the season, giving Daniel a sock trick alongside Henrik's assist. The Canucks iced it 4-0 with a Jannik Hansen goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Cody Hodgson and Manny Malhotra. The three stars were simply Luongo (33 save shutout), Henrik, and Daniel.

Monday Night Football week 15

This week, delayed shortly by a power outage at Candlestick Park, the San Francisco 49ers host the Pittsburgh Steelers. San Francisco struck first with a 22 yard David Akers field goal. Akers added on for the 49ers in the second quarter with a 38 yard field goal. The score was 6-0 at halftime. Pittsburgh got on the board in the third quarter with a Shaun Suisham 51 yard field goal. San Francisco extended the lead with Alex Smith tossing a 1 yard touchdown pass to Vernon Davis, and Akers made the PAT. The 49ers kept it up in the fourth quarter with a 5 yard touchdown rush by Frank Gore, and Akers was there with the extra point. San Francisco held on for a 20-3 win, improving to 11-3 while the Steelers are now 10-4.