Monday, January 23, 2012

NHL Day 110 2011-2012

Six games will roll tonight as the all-star break closes in on us. First up...

The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Mason and Cam Ward are playing in goal. Carolina began with a Jeff Skinner goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes extended the lead as Tim Brent scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Anthony Stewart. Winnipeg got one back in the second period as Kyle Wellwood netted his ninth of the season, assisted by Tobias Enstrom and Niklas Antropov. This was it for the scoring, and in the 2-1 game the three stars went to Ward (29 for 30 in saves), Skinner, and Wellwood.

Up north, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Jonas Gustavsson would guard the cages. Toronto led off as Matthew Lombardi potted his fifth of the season, via Jake Gardiner and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs added on in the third period as Phil Kessel recorded his twenty-sixth of the year, with the help of Joffrey Lupul and Carl Gunnarsson. Toronto iced it at 3-0 with Lombardi's second of the game and sixth of the campaign, fueled by Joey Crabb and Mikhail Grabovski. The three stars went to Gustavsson (25 save shutout), Lombardi, and Dion Phaneuf, while the other point earners deserve recognition.

A little to the west, the Detroit Red Wings welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. St. Louis began with Scott Nichol potting his second of the season, assisted by B.J. Crombeen and Chris Porter. Detroit tied it in the second period as Pavel Datsyuk sank his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings took the lead on a Johan Franzen goal, his nineteenth of the season, made possible by Jonathan Ericsson and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit iced it at 3-1 with Niklas Kronwall depositing his eleventh of the year into the cage on the power play, coming off of Lidstrom and Datsyuk. Datsyuk, Halak (25 for 28 in saves), and Howard (21 for 22 in saves) got the three stars, while Lidstrom earns an honorable mention.

Southward to Nashville, as the Predators host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Pekka Rinne are in the blue paint as five letter names take the spotlight. Nashville led off when Mike Fisher's tenth of the season found twine, thanks to Martin Erat. Columbus tied it on a Rick Nash goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone assist by Antoine Vermette. Fisher got the Predators the lead again with his second of the game and eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. Nashville added on in the third period as the eleventh of the year by Matt Halischuk crossed the goal line, guided in by Craig Smith and Ryan Ellis. The Predators iced it at 4-1 as Patric Hornqvist scored his fourteenth of the campaign, a power play goal fueled by Suter and Erat. The three stars belonged to Fisher, Rinne (25 for 26 in saves), and Halischuk, while Suter and Erat collected the honorable mentions.

Back to Canada again, as the Edmonton Oilers welcome the San Jose Sharks. Thomas Greiss and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Edmonton opened the scoring in the second period with Jordan Eberle depositing his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Jeff Petry and Sam Gagner. San Jose tied it in the third period on a Logan Couture power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton. The Oilers won in the shootout as Gagner and Taylor Hall outweighed a lone Sharks tally from Joe Pavelski for a 2-1 decision. Dubnyk (44 for 45 in saves), Boyle, and Eberle were the three stars.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings brought in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jonathan Quick were between the irons. Los Angeles led off with a Willie Mitchell goal, his third of the season, assisted by Kyle Clifford and Colin Fraser. Clifford added on for the Kings with his third of the year in the second period, made possible by Fraser and Drew Doughty. Los Angeles kept going with a Jack Johnson power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Doughty and Justin Williams. Trevor Lewis extended the Kings lead with his second of the year, converting a penalty shot. Alex Auld relieved Anderson in the third period. Ottawa ended the gamer behind 4-1 due to a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his sixteenth of the campaign coming on the power play via Erik Karlsson and Sergei Gonchar. Clifford, Doughty, and Fraser took the three stars.

Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 15

Just as a programming note, this feature will next appear on Monday, February 6th due to the all-star break in the NHL. Likewise, due to the break, there will be no posts besides an all-star game recap on Sunday between the 26th and 30th of January. Now, on to the surging players of the week.

1. Scott Hartnell, 6 goals, 0 assists, +1, 6 penalty minutes, 5 power play points, 21 shots on goal
2. Jaroslav Halak, 3 wins, 0.67 goals against average, 56 saves, .966 save percentage, 2 shutouts
3. John Tavares, 4 goals, 2 assists, +3, 0 penalty minutes, 2 power play points, 25 shots on goal
4. Evgeni Nabokov, 3 wins, 0.65 goals against average, 89 saves, .978 save percentage, 1 shutout
5. Claude Giroux, 0 goals, 6 assists, -2, 7 penalty minutes, 5 power play points, 13 shots on goal
6. Evgeni Malkin, 5 goals, 2 assists, +6, 0 penalty minutes, 0 power play points, 20 shots on goal
7. James Neal, 2 goals, 4 assists, +6, 6 penalty minutes, 0 power play points, 18 shots on goal
8. Pekka Rinne, 3 wins, 1.00 goals against average, 94 saves, .969 save percentage, 1 shutout
9. Cam Ward, 1 win, 0.95 goals against average, 101 saves, .971 save percentage, 1 shutout
10. Nik Antropov, 3 goals, 2 assists, +3, 6 penalty minutes, 2 power play points, 9 shots on goal

Sunday, January 22, 2012

NHL Day 109 2011-2012

Three games going today, beginning with the media event in...

Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host their rivals, the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh led off with an unassisted power play goal by Kris Letang, his fifth of the season. The Penguins added on with a James Neal goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Evgeni Malkin. Washington got one back in the second period as Brooks Laich potted his ninth of the season, with the help of Dennis Wideman and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals tied it as Alexander Semin's twelfth of the year, from Mathieu Perreault and Ovechkin. Washington grabbed the lead in the third period on an Ovechkin goal, his twentieth of the season, set up by Semin and Perreault. Pittsburgh retied it as Neal sank his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Malkin and Brooks Orpik. The Penguins went on to win the game 4-3 in overtime as Malkin scored his twenty-sixth of the campaign, assisted by Neal and Zbynek Michalek. The three stars were Malkin, Neal, and Ovechkin, while honorable mentions include Perreault and Semin.

Staying in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Ilya Bryzgalov will be between the pipes. Boston struck quickly as Patrice Bergeron netted his fifteenth of the season just fifty seconds in, with helpers provided by Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin. Philadelphia wasted little time in tying the game as Max Talbot recorded his eleventh of the year, with the help of Kimmo Timonen and the goalie Bryzgalov. The Bruins retook the lead with Seguin sinking his eighteenth of the season on the power play from Bergeron and Benoit Pouliot. Boston added on with Milan Lucic registering his seventeenth of the year, guided in by David Krejci and Adam McQuaid. The Flyers got one back in the second period with Scott Hartnell depositing his twenty-third of the season on the power play, powered by Claude Giroux and Timonen. Hartnell struck again to tie it for Philadelphia on his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, courtesy of Giroux. Hartnell completed the natural hat trick on a power play goal later in the period, his twenty-fifth of the season, fueled by Giroux (who got a natural sock trick) and Wayne Simmonds. The Bruins tied it in the third period as Krejci supplied his eleventh of the year, via Rich Peverley and Lucic. Boston gained the lead with a Gregory Campbell goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Daniel Paille and McQuaid. Philadelphia tied it back up as Talbot converted a power play goal, his twelfth of the year, passed through Matt Carle and Matt Read. The game went to a shootout, where the Bruins utilized goals by Krejci and Seguin to overpower a lone tally from the Flyers' Giroux for a 6-5 win. The three stars were Seguin, Hartnell, and Zdeno Chara while the replacements for the third slot would be Bergeron, Krejci, Lucic, McQuaid, Giroux, Talbot, and Timonen.

Finally for hockey today, the Anaheim Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Jonas Hiller are in the blue paint. Anaheim struck first with a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighteenth of the season coming shorthanded and unassisted. The Ducks added on with a third period Ryan Getzlaf goal, his eighth of the year coming on the power play from Teemu Selanne and Lubomir Visnovsky. Anaheim extended the lead as Ryan potted his second of the game and nineteenth of the season, fueled by Getzlaf. Colorado got on the board with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fourteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Avalanche made it 3-2 as Milan Hejduk netted his twelfth of the season on the power play, powered by Gabriel Landeskog and Paul Stastny. The Ducks weathered the rest of the storm and won 3-2, with the three stars being Ryan, Getzlaf, and Hiller (43 for 45 in saves).

NFL Championship Sunday

The fight is on to see which two teams will be analyzed, examined, and all around talked about the next two weeks. First up...

The AFC Championship, as the #1 seed New England Patriots host the #2 seed Baltimore Ravens. New England led off with a 29 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal. Baltimore tied it in the second quarter with a Billy Cundiff field goal of 20 yards. The Patriots got the lead back on a 7 yard touchdown run for BenJarvus Green-Ellis, capped off with a Gostkowski extra point. The Ravens retied it as Joe Flacco tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta, and Cundiff converted the extra point. New England shot back with Gostkowski nailing a 35 yard field goal. They would take their 13-10 lead into the locker room. The Patriots extended the lead in the third quarter as Gostkowski kicked a 24 yard field goal. Baltimore took the lead as Flacco found Torrey Smith for a 29 yard touchdown pass, and Cundiff supplied the PAT. The Ravens added on with a 39 yard field goal for Cundiff. New England regained the lead on a 1 yard Tom Brady touchdown run, iced off by Gostkowski making the extra point. The Patriots would weather a furious late rally and hold on for a 23-20 victory, sending them to Super Bowl XLVI in two weeks. Their opponent is the winner of the game below.

In the NFC Championship, the #2 seed San Francisco 49ers host the #4 seed New York Giants. San Francisco struck first with Alex Smith finding Vernon Davis on a 73 yard catch and run touchdown play, and David Akers made the extra point. New York evened it in the second quarter as Eli Manning tossed a 6 yard touchdown to Bear Pascoe, and Lawrence Tynes supplied the extra point. The Giants led 10-7 at halftime thanks to a 31 yard field goal by Tynes. The 49ers took the lead back in the third quarter as Smith and Davis met up again, this time for a 28 yard touchdown connection, and Akers was true with the PAT. New York shot back with Eli Manning finding Mario Manningham for a touchdown reception of 17 yards. San Francisco tied it as Akers nailed a 25 yard field goal. The game would go to the Giants in overtime as Tynes iced a 20-17 victory with a 31 yard field goal. New York will go head-to-head with New England in Indianapolis in two weeks.

Saturday, January 21, 2012

NHL Day 108 2011-2012

Pretty heavy schedule today with fourteen games running. The first four are matinee games today, starting with a big Eastern Conference matchup in...

Boston, with the Bruins hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Tuukka Rask are in goal. New York got things started in the second period as Ryan Callahan netted his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Brandon Prust. Boston tied it on an Andrew Ference goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by David Krejci and Milan Lucic. The Rangers shot back on a Marian Gaborik goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, fueled by Carl Hagelin and Dan Girardi. The Bruins tied it up again with an Adam McQuaid goal, his second of the year, via Rich Peverley and Ference. New York took it with four seconds remaining in overtime as Gaborik put his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign away on the power play, powered by Brad Richards and Callahan for a 3-2 win. The three stars went out to Gaborik, Ference, and Callahan.

Down a bit to New Jersey, as the Devils host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Martin Brodeur are in front of the goals. Philadelphia scored first in the second period as Matt Read potted his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on with Scott Hartnell on the power play, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux. New Jersey quickly got one back as Alexei Ponikarovsky scored, with the help of Matt Taormina and David Clarkson. Philadelphia answered in the third period with another Hartnell goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, coming off of Giroux and Simmonds. The Flyers iced it with Simmonds depositing his thirteenth of the year in the empty net, going down unassisted for a 4-1 win. The three stars went to Hartnell, Simmonds, and Bryzgalov (30 for 31 in saves), with Giroux earning the honorable mention.

Out to Vancouver, with the Canucks hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Roberto Luongo get the green light to start. Vancouver led off with a David Booth goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Alexander Edler and Chris Higgins. San Jose tied it with a Logan Couture goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming shorthanded from Andrew Desjardins. The Sharks took a second period lead with Couture's second of the game and twentieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. The Canucks retied it as Cody Hodgson potted his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Mason Raymond and Aaron Rome. Ryan Kesler gave Vancouver a lead in the third period with his thirteenth of the campaign, made possible by Booth. San Jose answered on a Dan Boyle goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Pavelski and Desjardins. The Canucks would win 4-3 as Hodgson sank his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, with a helper from Raymond. Hodgson, Couture, and Kesler got the three stars while Booth, Raymond, Pavelski, and Desjardins earn honorable mentions.

South to Anaheim, as the Ducks bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jonas Hiller are in the blue paint. Anaheim got going in the second period as Corey Perry netted his twenty-second of the season, with the help of Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks added on with a Lubomir Visnovsky goal, his fifth of the campaign, fueled by Niklas Hagman and Saku Koivu. Ottawa got as close as 2-1 with a third period Chris Neil goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Nick Foligno and Erik Karlsson. The three stars were given erroneously to Ryan, Hiller (31 for 32 in saves), and Francois Beauchemin, where any goal scorers could be easily substituted in.

Now for the regular game times, we begin in Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Ondrej Pavelec are tasked with stopping the puck. Florida was first on the board with a Kris Versteeg goal, his eighteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Marcel Goc. The Panthers added on when Mike Santorelli put away his sixth of the year, thanks to Krys Barch and Versteeg. Winnipeg got on the board with Nik Antropov nailing his seventh of the season in the second period on the power play, from Kyle Wellwood. The Jets tied it on another Antropov goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year coming in the third period via Andrew Ladd and Wellwood. Florida took the lead again as Versteeg's second of the night and nineteenth of the season found the twine with no assistance. Winnipeg got another equalizer on an Alex Burmistrov goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Tobias Enstrom and Antti Miettinen. The tie lasted into a shootout where Wellwood and Versteeg matched goals, followed by a cancel-out by Blake Wheeler and Santorelli, all before Mikael Samuelsson clinched a victory of 4-3 for the Panthers over the Jets. The three stars were awarded to Versteeg, Antropov, and Zach Bogosian, while Wellwood and Santorelli are justifiable for the third slot.

South a tad to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Jimmy Howard wore the pads. Columbus led off with Ryan Russell scoring his second of the season, assisted by Derek Dorsett and Aaron Johnson. Detroit answered with a Niklas Kronwall goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler. The Blue Jackets regained control in the second period as Nikita Nikitin potted his second of the season, with the help of Antoine Vermette on the power play. The Red Wings got the equalizer as Nicklas Lidstrom put his tenth of the year away on the power play, powered by Kronwall. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Filppula had the lone tally, for a 3-2 Detroit victory over Columbus. The three stars were given to Filppula, Kronwall, and Sanford (29 for 31 in saves).

Eastward, as the New York Islanders host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Evgeni Nabokov are the masked men. Carolina opened with Jeff Skinner sinking his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Zac Dalpe and Bryan Allen. New York tied it with a John Tavares goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, fueled by Kyle Okposo and Mark Streit. The game went to overtime, where Tavares proved to be the hero by potting his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, courtesy of P.A. Parenteau and Travis Hamonic for a 2-1 win. Tavares, Nabokov (32 for 33 in saves), and Skinner earned the three stars.

Into Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jonas Gustavsson will be the guards of the goalmouths. Rene Bourque got Montreal in the led first with his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Tomas Plekanec and Erik Cole. Toronto answered with a Matthew Lombardi goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Tyler Bozak. The Canadiens established a lead again in the third period as Raphael Diaz potted his third of the season, coming off of Scott Gomez. Montreal iced it at 3-1 when Lars Eller registered his tenth of the year, with assist provided by Travis Moen and Andrei Kostitsyn. The three stars were handed to Price (32 for 33 in saves), Lombardi, and Eller.

Westward again, as the St. Louis Blues brought in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. Buffalo began as Mike Weber scored, thanks to Tyler Myers and Ville Leino. St. Louis replied on a B.J. Crombeen goal in the second period, via David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo. David Perron put the Blues in the lead with his fourth of the season, made possible by T.J. Oshie and Backes. Backes finally found twine in the third period with his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Oshie and Pietrangelo. The Sabres got one back when Myers netted his fourth of the season, also a power play goal, set up by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Jason Pominville. Backes iced it at 4-2 for the Blues with his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, an empty net goal passed through Barret Jackman. Backes, Crombeen, and Jackman took the three stars, while Oshie, Pietrangelo, and Myers get honorable mentions.

Southeast a little to Nashville, where the Predators host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne began the game, but Crawford was pulled in favor of Ray Emery partway through the second period. Marian Hossa began the scoring in Chicago's favor, with his nineteenth of the season getting assistance from Andrew Shaw and Brent Seabrook. Craig Smith tied it for Nashville with a power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Ryan Ellis and Sergei Kostitsyn. Kevin Klein gave the Predators a lead in the second period with his third of the campaign, coming off of David Legwand and Gabriel Bourque. Colin Wilson extended the Nashville lead on his ninth of the season, assisted by Legwand and Patric Hornqvist. Kostitsyn added on for the Predators by registering his twelfth of the year, via Mike Fisher and Martin Erat. Hossa got one back for the Blackhawks in the third period with his second of the game and twentieth of the season, fueled by Niklas Hjalmarsson. Nashville iced it 5-2 on Hornqvist's thirteenth of the year, guided in by Klein and Jack Hillen. The three stars were Klein, Kostitsyn, and Hossa, with honorable mention for Legwand and Hornqvist.

Southwest now to Phoenix, as the Coyotes welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith received the starting nods. Tamp Bay opened as Steven Stamkos recorded his thirty-second of the season, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Dominic Moore. Teddy Purcell extended the Lightning lead with his twelfth of the year, via Steve Downie and Pavel Kubina. St. Louis added on for Tampa Bay in the second period by making his eleventh of the season, coming off of Trevor Smith and Pierre-Cedric Labrie. Phoenix got on the board as Lauri Korpikoski notched his eleventh of the year, a shorthanded goal passed through Boyd Gordon. Downie got it back for the Lightning on his eighth of the campaign, fueled by Vincent Lecavalier. Kieth Yandle replied back for the Coyotes in the third period with his sixth of the season, made possible by Korpikoski and Ray Whitney. Whitney made it a 4-3 deficit for Phoenix, eventually a final score, on his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Shane Doan. The three stars were given to Korpikoski, Downie, and St. Louis, with honorable mention for Whitney.

Northward to Minnesota, with the Wild welcoming the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Josh Harding took to the creases initially, but Lehtonen had a rough go of it, and Richard Bachman relieved him after the second period. Dallas began the scoring as Eric Nystrom potted his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Stephane Robidas and Vernon Fiddler. Minnesota answered in the second period with a Devin Setoguchi power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Dany Heatley and Nate Prosser. The Stars regained the lead with a Philip Larsen goal, pushed through by Alex Goligoski and Loui Eriksson. The Wild retied it on a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Matt Cullen and Setoguchi. Minnesota took the lead fourteen seconds later when Chad Rau scored, helped along by Carson McMillan and Jed Ortmeyer. The Wild added on with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Heatley and Jared Spurgeon. Minnesota kept going in the third period with a Heatley goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Warren Peters and Greg Zanon. This made the score 5-2, and the three stars went to Rau, Heatley, and Cullen, while Setoguchi earns honorable mention.

Westward to the Battle of Alberta, this time taking place in Edmonton, with the Oilers hosting the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Nikolai Khabibulin guard the cages. Calgary led off with a Mikael Backlund goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Mark Giordano and Lee Stempniak. The Flames extended the lead with a Blake Comeau goal, his third of the year, fueled by Scott Hannan. Calgary added on with a Stempniak goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Jay Bouwmeester and Comeau. The Flames added on again late in the second period as Stempniak made his second of the game and eleventh of the year, with help from Comeau and Bouwmeester. Edmonton got on the board in the third period with the third of the season by Andy Sutton, set up by Jordan Eberle and Ryan Smyth. Calgary shot back with Bouwmeester recording his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen. Smyth struck back for the Oilers with his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Jeff Petry and Ladislav Smid. The Flames iced it at 6-2 with a Stempniak empty net goal, completing his hat trick with his twelfth of the year, with a helper from Jokinen. The three stars went to Stempniak, Comeau, and Bouwmeester, while Jokinen and Smyth earn honorable mentions.

Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere opposes Jonathan Quick in between the pipes. Los Angeles got going in the second period as Anze Kopitar notched his fifteenth of the season, guided in by Dustin Brown and Justin Williams. Colorado tied it with a Cody McLeod goal, his third of the year, fueled by Stefan Elliott and Kyle Quincey. The Avalanche took the lead on a Peter Mueller goal, his third of the season, made possible by T.J. Galiardi and Paul Stastny. Colorado iced it with a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal in the third period, his tenth of the year making it 3-1, powered by Stastny and Quincey. Giguere (25 for 26 in saves), Kopitar, and Elliott got the three stars, with honorable mention for Stastny and Quincey.

Friday, January 20, 2012

NHL Day 107 2011-2012

Four games on this Friday in January. Thankfully, the power has remained on amidst the snow, ice, rain, wind, and various weather problems up in Washington. We lead off with...

The other Washington (D.C.), Capitals visiting the Carolina Hurricanes. Tomas Vokoun and Cam Ward made the starts. Carolina led off with a Jussi Jokinen shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Eric Staal. Jokinen added on for the Hurricanes in the late second period, his second of the game and seventh of the year coming on the power play from Jay Harrison and Tim Brent. Carolina iced it 3-0 in the third period with a late Jiri Tlusty power play goal, his tenth of the campaign, powered by Staal and Tim Gleason. The three stars of the 3-0 game were Ward (23 save shutout), Jokinen, and Staal.

Northward to Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Marc-Andre Fleury get the starting nods. Montreal led off with a Lars Eller goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of P.K. Subban. Pittsburgh tied it with a Kris Letang goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Pascal Dupuis and Dustin Jeffrey. The Canadiens retook the lead with an Erik Cole goal, his eighteenth of the season, fueled by Andrei Kostitsyn and Tomas Kaberle. Montreal added on in the second period as Kostitsyn potted his eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Kaberle and David Desharnais. The Penguins pulled back with a shorthanded Jeffrey goal, made possible by Zbynek Michalek. The Canadiens answered with a Max Pacioretty goal, his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Cole and the goalie Budaj. Pittsburgh lashed out in the third period with another Jeffrey goal, his second of the night, via Tyler Kennedy. The Penguins evened it as Evgeni Malkin recorded his twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by James Neal and Letang. Pittsburgh capped a 5-4 come from behind victory with a lone shootout tally by Malkin, knocking off Montreal. The three stars were Jeffrey, Malkin, and Cole, with honorable mentions for Letang, Kaberle, and Kostitsyn.

Southwest to Dallas, where the Stars hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Kari Lehtonen play between the pipes. Tampa Bay got going on a Teddy Purcell goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Bruno Gervais. Dallas got on the board in the third period as Tom Wandell netted his third of the year, with a lone assist from Loui Eriksson. The Lightning struck back with a Purcell goal, his second of the game and eleventh of the season, fueled by St. Louis and Vincent Lecavalier. The final stood at 2-1, and the three stars were awarded to Purcell, St. Louis, and Wandell.

Finally, backtracking a tad to Chicago as the Blackhawks host the farm team the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Ray Emery are in the blue paint. Chicago got going on a Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, assisted by Patrick Kane and Viktor Stalberg. The Blackhawks extended the lead as Duncan Keith put his third of the year away on the power play, powered by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy. Chicago added on in the second period with an unassisted Kane goal, his eleventh of the season. Florida got on the board in the third period as Jason Garrison notched his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Dmitry Kulikov and Tomas Kopecky on the power play. The final stood at 3-1 with the three stars as Kane, Toews, and Keith.

Thursday, January 19, 2012

NHL Day 106 2011-2012

Coming at you all with ten games tonight, beginning in...

New Jersey, as the Devils host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas faces fellow senior citizen Martin Brodeur in net. First of all, a fight, between Gregory Campbell and Brad Mills. New Jersey led off with a Petr Sykora goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Dainius Zubrus and Patrik Elias. Boston tied it early in the third period as Andrew Ference notched his third of the year, with the help of Shawn Thornton and Campbell. The Bruins took the lead with a Nathan Horton power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, powered by David Krejci and Rich Peverley. Thirty-five seconds later, Boston added on as Campbell's fifth of the year found twine, resulting in a Gordie Howe Hat Trick, thanks to Thornton and Daniel Paille. The Bruins iced at 4-1 with a Chris Kelly empty net goal, his fourteenth of the campaign requiring no assistance to go in. The three stars went to Thornton, Campbell, and Thomas (30 for 31 in saves), with honorable mention for

Crossing the border to Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the New York Islanders. Russians Evgeni Nabokov and Sergei Bobrovsky take to the creases. New York was first on the board with a Matt Moulson goal, his twenty-second of the season coming in the second period via John Tavares and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders extended the lead with a Josh Bailey shorthanded goal, his fourth of the year, passed through by Matt Martin. New York added on with a third period power play goal for Mark Streit, his third of the season, powered by Tavares and P.A. Parenteau. Philadelphia got on the board with a Matt Read goal, his fourteenth of the year, assisted by Sean Couturier and Andrej Meszaros. The Islanders iced it at 4-1 with a Michael Grabner empty net goal, his fourteenth of the campaign, fueled by Parenteau. Tavares, Moulson, and Nabokov (40 for 41 in saves) were the official three stars, with honorable mention to Parenteau.

Back to New York City, where the Rangers welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. Pittsburgh struck first as Chris Kunitz recorded his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Paul Martin and James Neal. New York tied it in the second period as Carl Hagelin netted his eighth of the year, with the help of Marian Gaborik and Ryan McDonagh. The Penguins regained the lead as Richard Park put his fourth of the season away, thanks to Deryk Engelland and Matt Cooke. Pittsburgh extended the lead on an Evgeni Malkin goal, his twenty-third of the year, made possible by Kris Letang. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 on another Malkin goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign finding the empty cage with guidance from Neal and Kunitz. The three stars went to Malkin, Fleury (30 for 31 in saves), and Letang, with honorable mentions in store for Neal and Kunitz.

A little out west, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Steve Mason get the starting nods. Nashville got things started in the second period with a Martin Erat goal, his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist from Sergei Kostitsyn. The Predators added on with a Mike Fisher power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Erat and Roman Josi. Nashville wrapped it up with an empty net goal by Shea Weber, his tenth of the campaign resulting in a 3-0 victory, thanks to Jerred Smithson. Rinne (38 save shutout), Erat, and Antoine Vermette were named three stars, while other point earners can argue the third star award.

Up to Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome in the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jonas Gustavsson are in front of the goalmouths. Toronto opened on a Nazem Kadri goal, his fourth of the season, made possible by Joffrey Lupul. The Maple Leafs extended the lead with a Joey Crabb goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Dave Steckel. Toronto added on with a second period power play goal from the stick of Phil Kessel, his twenty-fifth of the season, powered by Lupul and Tim Connolly. The Maple Leafs rolled on in the third period as Mikhail Grabovski sank his fifteenth of the year, assisted by Lupul for a sock trick and Jake Gardiner. Minnesota made it 4-1 late, which would be a final on a Nick Johnson goal, his sixth of the campaign going in unassisted. The three stars were Lupul, Gustavsson (20 for 21 in saves), and Kadri.

Back to the Midwest, as the St. Louis Blues host the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Jaroslav Halak play from the blue paint. St. Louis got on the board in the third period, as the eighth of the campaign for Alex Pietrangelo made it 1-0, assisted by David Backes and Carlo Colaiacovo. The three stars were Pietrangelo, Khabibulin (38 for 39 in saves), and Halak (15 save shutout).

Continuing with the zigzag pattern, we're back in Canada as the Winnipeg Jets host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ondrej Pavelec will wear the masks. Winnipeg scored first as Andrew Ladd registered his sixteenth of the season, and Ron Hainsey and Kyle Wellwood had the assists. Buffalo tied it in the second period on Drew Stafford's eighth of the year, thanks to Nathan Gerbe. The Jets regained the lead as Tobias Enstrom potted his fourth of the season on the power play, powered by Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler. Winnipeg extended their lead in the third period, when Tim Stapleton made his seventh of the year, fueled by Nik Antropov and Ladd on the power play. Antropov iced it at 4-1 for the Jets with his sixth of the campaign, set up by Wellwood and Johnny Oduya. The three stars were Enstrom, Ladd, and Wheeler, with honorable mentions for Wellwood and Antropov.

Way to the southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Detroit Red Wings and a whole lot of ticket sales revenue. Jimmy Howard and Mike Smith will be between the pipes. Phoenix led off when Raffi Torres scored his seventh of the season, with assists by Kyle Chipchura and Chris Summers. Detroit tied it with an Ian White goal, his sixth of the year, courtesy of Johan Franzen and Pavel Datsyuk. The Red Wings took the lead with Todd Bertuzzi recording his tenth of the season, thanks to Franzen and Datsyuk. The Coyotes retied it with Gilbert Brule sinking his second of the year, helped along by Chipchura. Detroit would take the game in the shootout with a lone tally by Niklas Kronwall for a 3-2 win over Phoenix. The three stars were given to

Northwest to San Jose, as the Sharks host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Antti Niemi got the green light to play goal. San Jose opened on a Brad Winchester goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Andrew Desjardins and Dan Boyle. Ottawa evened the score on a Kyle Turris goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Sergei Gonchar and Daniel Alfredsson. The Senators took the lead in the second period as Erik Karlsson put away his seventh of the season, with the help of Turris and Nick Foligno. Ottawa extended the lead with a Colin Greening goal, his tenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Filip Kuba and Jason Spezza. The Senators iced it at *gasp* 4-1 with Greening's second of the game and eleventh of the campaign in the third period, guided in by Spezza and Jared Cowen. The three stars were Greening, Anderson (36 for 37 in saves), and Turris, with honorable mention for Spezza.

Finally, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Calgary Flames in another edition of the Sutter Cup. Miikka Kiprusoff and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles led off with a Dustin Brown goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Justin Williams and Willie Mitchell. Calgary tied it in the second period as Jarome Iginla potted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Olli Jokinen and T.J. Brodie. The game went to the shootout, where the Flames' Jokinen and Michael Cammalleri overpowered the Kings' Williams for a 2-1 win. The three stars were Brown, Kiprusoff (31 for 32 in saves), and Quick (24 for 25 in saves), with Jokinen earning the honorable mention.