Five game for Friday Night Hockey. First up...
The Ottawa Senators host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Craig Anderson play goal. Ottawa got on the board first last in the second period as Zack Smith recorded his thirteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal, passed through Erik Condra and Sergei Gonchar. New York evened the ledger with a Matt Martin goal in the third period, made possible by P.A. Parenteau as his sixth of the year. The Islanders would win it 2-1 in the overtime, with a Mark Eaton goal, courtesy of Milan Jurcina and Parenteau. The three stars were John Tavares, Anderson (30 for 32 in saves), and Eaton, while Parenteau gets an honorable mention.
Southward to Florida, as the Panthers host the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Mason and Scott Clemmensen took to the creases. Florida led off with a Kris Versteeg goal, his twentieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mikael Samuelsson and Brian Campbell. Winnipeg answered in the second period on a Bryan Little goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Andrew Ladd. The Panthers regained the lead as Sean Bergenheim notched his eighth of the season, with the help of Marcel Goc and Jason Garrison. The scoring ceased from here, and Florida won 2-1, where the three stars were Versteeg, Clemmensen (20 for 21 in saves), and Bergenheim.
North and west to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Jaroslav Halak received the starting nods. St. Louis got things going in the second period on a Jamie Langenbrunner goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Matt D'Agostini and Alex Pietrangelo. This was the game's only goal, with the Blues holding on for a 1-0 win. The three stars were awarded to Halak (22 save shutout), Langenbrunner, and Quick (32 for 33 in saves).
Following a similar linear path, we arrive in Calgary, with the Flames hosting the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Miikka Kiprusoff tend the twines. Calgary began with an Olli Jokinen goal, his thirteenth of the season, set up by Jarome Iginla and Alex Tanguay. Chicago tied it on a Brent Seabrook goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp. The Flames regained the lead late in the second period as Jay Bouwmeester notched his fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Blair Jones and Mikael Backlund. Calgary extended the lead in the third period when Iginla scored his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Tanguay and Chris Butler. This made it 3-1, the eventual final, where the three stars were awarded to Jokinen, Iginla, and Kiprusoff (26 for 27 in saves), with honorable mention for Tanguay.
Finally, in Anaheim, the Ducks host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Jonas Hiller are the masked men. Anaheim led off quickly with a Teemu Selanne goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Lubomir Visnovsky and Luca Sbisa. Columbus tied it in the second period when Derick Brassard recorded his eighth of the year, with the help of Rick Nash and John Moore. The Ducks took the lead back as Selanne struck again, his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, fueled by Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf on the power play. The Blue Jackets got a third period equalizer as Jeff Carter made his eleventh of the year on the power play, via Antoine Vermette and Vinny Prospal. Columbus would go on to a 3-2 win in overtime as Brassard potted his second of the game and ninth of the campaign, an unassisted goal. The three stars were Selanne, Brassard, and Carter.
Friday, February 3, 2012
Thursday, February 2, 2012
NHL Day 120 2011-2012
Eight games for your viewing pleasure tonight. We begin in...
Boston, where the Bruins welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Tuukka Rask will be in goal. Carolina opened with an Eric Staal goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Jiri Tlusty and Jaroslav Spacek. The Hurricanes added on in the second period as Tuomo Ruutu made his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Brandon Sutter and Anthony Stewart. Carolina extended the lead in the third period when Sutter's twelfth of the season found twine, and Andreas Nodl had the lone assist. This was all in the scoring, resulting in a 3-0 final, where Ward (47 save shutout), Sutter, and Rask (28 for 31 in saves) got the three stars.
Down a bit to New Jersey, as the Devils welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Martin Brodeur get the starting nods. Montreal started the scoring with a David Desharnais goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Rene Bourque and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens added on with a Andrei Kostitsyn goal, his twelfth of the year, pushed through by Yannick Weber and Louis Leblanc. New Jersey got one back with a Zach Parise goal, his seventeenth of the season, guided in by Dainius Zubrus and Ilya Kovalchuk. Montreal replied in the second period as Mathieu Darche sank his third of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Tomas Plekanec. The Devils answered back with a David Clarkson power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Kovalchuk and Mark Fayne. New Jersey evened it in the third period as Zubrus made his thirteenth of the year, with the help of Alexei Ponikarovsky and Clarkson. The Devils gained the lead with another Parise goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, fueled by Kovalchuk for a sock trick and Patrik Elias. New Jersey iced it at 5-3 with a Clarkson empty net goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, via Ponikarovsky and Zubrus. The three stars were awarded to Parise, Kovalchuk, and Brodeur (27 for 30 in saves), while Zubrus, Ponikarovsky, and Clarkson get the honorable mentions.
Keeping with a theme of short travel, the Philadelphia Flyers welcomed the Nashville Predators. Anders Lindback and Ilya Bryzgalov wear the pads. Philadelphia led off with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Brayden Schenn and Zac Rinaldo. The Flyers added on in the second period as Matt Read potted his sixteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Nashville got one back in the third period when Ryan Suter recorded his sixth of the season, thanks to Craig Smith and Matt Halischuk. Philadelphia got it back with another Simmonds goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year coming on the power play from Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen. The Flyers iced it with an empty netted by Giroux, his nineteenth of the campaign, powered by Jaromir Jagr and Timonen. The three stars belonged to Read, Simmonds, and Schenn, while Giroux and Timonen earn honorable mentions.
In the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Mathieu Garon play in the blue paint. The scoring began with Blake Wheeler of Winnipeg in the second period, as his tenth of the season crossed the goal line after getting previous passes from Jim Slater and Andrew Ladd. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period as Victor Hedman recorded his third of the year, thanks to Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. The game was decided in overtime as the Jets used Kyle Wellwood's tenth of the campaign to win 2-1 over the Lightning, and the assists came from Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. The three stars went out to Wellwood, Hedman, and Byfuglien, with honorable mention for Wheeler.
Northwest of here, the Colorado Avalanche hosted the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jean-Sebastien Giguere took to the cages this game. Minnesota opened with a Greg Zanon goal, his second of the season, made possible by Dany Heatley and Kyle Brodziak. This held up throughout the rest of game for a 1-0 Wild win, and the three stars were Backstrom (37 save shutout), Zanon, and Giguere (20 for 21 in saves).
Northward, the Edmonton Oilers host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Devan Dubnyk will try to stop the puck. Chicago opened with a Jamal Mayers goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Marcus Kruger. The Blackhawks added on in the early second period as Patrick Sharp deposited his twenty-first of the year, and Patrick Kane had the only assist. Taylor Hall answered for Edmonton with his eighteenth of the season, via Sam Gagner. Gagner put up the equalizer for the Oilers in the form of his sixth of the year, courtesy of Jordan Eberle and Andy Sutton. Edmonton gained the lead as Ryan Whitney scored a power play goal, powered by Gagner. Chicago retied it with another Sharp goal, this one coming shorthanded as his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, guided in by Jonathan Toews and Hjalmarsson. The Oilers took the lead again in the third period as Gagner continued his strong game with his second goal of the night and seventh of the year, set up by Whitney and Eberle. Edmonton rolled on as Cam Barker put away his second of the season, thanks to Sutton and Gagner, the latter with a sock trick, chasing Crawford in favor of Ray Emery. The Blackhawks earned one back as Dave Bolland recorded his sixteenth of the year, pushed through by Kruger and Andrew Shaw. The Oilers took it away with Gagner finishing off a hat trick with his eighth of the season, where Hall and Corey Potter gain the assists. Edmonton kept going as Gagner got his fourth of the night and ninth of the year, helped along by Eberle for a sock trick, and Hall. The Oilers proved unstoppable when Eberle notched his twentieth of the campaign, and Gagner and Hall provided the assistance, with the latter earning a sock trick. The final was 8-4, with Gagner, Hall, and Eberle as the three stars. Honorable mentions go to Sharp, Sutton, Whitney, Hjalmarsson, and Kruger, with a special honorable mention for Gagner, who recorded the first 8 point game in nearly 23 years. All of these are unofficial, but rather obvious as well.
Westward a tad, the Vancouver Canucks host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Danny Cleary started the scoring in Detroit's favor, with his eleventh of the season getting a lone helper from Darren Helm. Vancouver tied it on a Ryan Kesler goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by David Booth and Kevin Bieksa. The Red Wings took the lead back when Jiri Hudler converted his seventeenth of the season, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Brad Stuart. The Canucks retied it in the third period as Alexandre Burrows nailed his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of Maxim Lapierre. Detroit regained the lead with a Drew Miller goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Cleary and Stuart. Vancouver got another equalizer with Mason Raymond depositing his sixth of the year, with the help of Sami Salo and Henrik Sedin. The game was decided by Pavel Datsyuk and Hudler shootout tallies, with the Red Wings soaring to 4-3 victory over the Canucks. The three stars were Cleary, Booth, and Luongo (40 for 43 in saves), while Stuart and Hudler earn the honorable mentions.
Finally, in Northern California, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Dallas Stars. Backups Richard Bachman and Thomas Greiss guard the nets. San Jose opened as Michal Handzus knocked in his fifth of the season, with help from Brent Burns and Jamie McGinn. The Sharks added on with a Joe Pavelski goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming on the power play from Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Dallas got on the board in the second period with Steve Ott making his eighth of the season, an unassisted power play goal. San Jose got it back with Logan Couture recording his twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Burns and Marleau. Thornton extended the Sharks lead on his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist by Pavelski. The Stars replied in the third period as Jamie Benn recorded his fifteenth of the campaign, courtesy of Philip Larsen and Ott. San Jose iced it at 5-2 with a Ryane Clowe goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Couture and Burns, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Pavelski, Couture, and Burns, while Thornton, Marleau, and Ott earned the honorable mentions.
Boston, where the Bruins welcome the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Tuukka Rask will be in goal. Carolina opened with an Eric Staal goal, his twelfth of the season, assisted by Jiri Tlusty and Jaroslav Spacek. The Hurricanes added on in the second period as Tuomo Ruutu made his sixteenth of the year, coming off of Brandon Sutter and Anthony Stewart. Carolina extended the lead in the third period when Sutter's twelfth of the season found twine, and Andreas Nodl had the lone assist. This was all in the scoring, resulting in a 3-0 final, where Ward (47 save shutout), Sutter, and Rask (28 for 31 in saves) got the three stars.
Down a bit to New Jersey, as the Devils welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Martin Brodeur get the starting nods. Montreal started the scoring with a David Desharnais goal, his tenth of the season, courtesy of Rene Bourque and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens added on with a Andrei Kostitsyn goal, his twelfth of the year, pushed through by Yannick Weber and Louis Leblanc. New Jersey got one back with a Zach Parise goal, his seventeenth of the season, guided in by Dainius Zubrus and Ilya Kovalchuk. Montreal replied in the second period as Mathieu Darche sank his third of the year, a shorthanded goal set up by Tomas Plekanec. The Devils answered back with a David Clarkson power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, powered by Kovalchuk and Mark Fayne. New Jersey evened it in the third period as Zubrus made his thirteenth of the year, with the help of Alexei Ponikarovsky and Clarkson. The Devils gained the lead with another Parise goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, fueled by Kovalchuk for a sock trick and Patrik Elias. New Jersey iced it at 5-3 with a Clarkson empty net goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, via Ponikarovsky and Zubrus. The three stars were awarded to Parise, Kovalchuk, and Brodeur (27 for 30 in saves), while Zubrus, Ponikarovsky, and Clarkson get the honorable mentions.
Keeping with a theme of short travel, the Philadelphia Flyers welcomed the Nashville Predators. Anders Lindback and Ilya Bryzgalov wear the pads. Philadelphia led off with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Brayden Schenn and Zac Rinaldo. The Flyers added on in the second period as Matt Read potted his sixteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. Nashville got one back in the third period when Ryan Suter recorded his sixth of the season, thanks to Craig Smith and Matt Halischuk. Philadelphia got it back with another Simmonds goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year coming on the power play from Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen. The Flyers iced it with an empty netted by Giroux, his nineteenth of the campaign, powered by Jaromir Jagr and Timonen. The three stars belonged to Read, Simmonds, and Schenn, while Giroux and Timonen earn honorable mentions.
In the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Mathieu Garon play in the blue paint. The scoring began with Blake Wheeler of Winnipeg in the second period, as his tenth of the season crossed the goal line after getting previous passes from Jim Slater and Andrew Ladd. Tampa Bay tied it in the third period as Victor Hedman recorded his third of the year, thanks to Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. The game was decided in overtime as the Jets used Kyle Wellwood's tenth of the campaign to win 2-1 over the Lightning, and the assists came from Wheeler and Dustin Byfuglien. The three stars went out to Wellwood, Hedman, and Byfuglien, with honorable mention for Wheeler.
Northwest of here, the Colorado Avalanche hosted the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jean-Sebastien Giguere took to the cages this game. Minnesota opened with a Greg Zanon goal, his second of the season, made possible by Dany Heatley and Kyle Brodziak. This held up throughout the rest of game for a 1-0 Wild win, and the three stars were Backstrom (37 save shutout), Zanon, and Giguere (20 for 21 in saves).
Northward, the Edmonton Oilers host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Devan Dubnyk will try to stop the puck. Chicago opened with a Jamal Mayers goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Marcus Kruger. The Blackhawks added on in the early second period as Patrick Sharp deposited his twenty-first of the year, and Patrick Kane had the only assist. Taylor Hall answered for Edmonton with his eighteenth of the season, via Sam Gagner. Gagner put up the equalizer for the Oilers in the form of his sixth of the year, courtesy of Jordan Eberle and Andy Sutton. Edmonton gained the lead as Ryan Whitney scored a power play goal, powered by Gagner. Chicago retied it with another Sharp goal, this one coming shorthanded as his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, guided in by Jonathan Toews and Hjalmarsson. The Oilers took the lead again in the third period as Gagner continued his strong game with his second goal of the night and seventh of the year, set up by Whitney and Eberle. Edmonton rolled on as Cam Barker put away his second of the season, thanks to Sutton and Gagner, the latter with a sock trick, chasing Crawford in favor of Ray Emery. The Blackhawks earned one back as Dave Bolland recorded his sixteenth of the year, pushed through by Kruger and Andrew Shaw. The Oilers took it away with Gagner finishing off a hat trick with his eighth of the season, where Hall and Corey Potter gain the assists. Edmonton kept going as Gagner got his fourth of the night and ninth of the year, helped along by Eberle for a sock trick, and Hall. The Oilers proved unstoppable when Eberle notched his twentieth of the campaign, and Gagner and Hall provided the assistance, with the latter earning a sock trick. The final was 8-4, with Gagner, Hall, and Eberle as the three stars. Honorable mentions go to Sharp, Sutton, Whitney, Hjalmarsson, and Kruger, with a special honorable mention for Gagner, who recorded the first 8 point game in nearly 23 years. All of these are unofficial, but rather obvious as well.
Westward a tad, the Vancouver Canucks host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Danny Cleary started the scoring in Detroit's favor, with his eleventh of the season getting a lone helper from Darren Helm. Vancouver tied it on a Ryan Kesler goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by David Booth and Kevin Bieksa. The Red Wings took the lead back when Jiri Hudler converted his seventeenth of the season, thanks to Valtteri Filppula and Brad Stuart. The Canucks retied it in the third period as Alexandre Burrows nailed his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of Maxim Lapierre. Detroit regained the lead with a Drew Miller goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Cleary and Stuart. Vancouver got another equalizer with Mason Raymond depositing his sixth of the year, with the help of Sami Salo and Henrik Sedin. The game was decided by Pavel Datsyuk and Hudler shootout tallies, with the Red Wings soaring to 4-3 victory over the Canucks. The three stars were Cleary, Booth, and Luongo (40 for 43 in saves), while Stuart and Hudler earn the honorable mentions.
Finally, in Northern California, the San Jose Sharks bring in the Dallas Stars. Backups Richard Bachman and Thomas Greiss guard the nets. San Jose opened as Michal Handzus knocked in his fifth of the season, with help from Brent Burns and Jamie McGinn. The Sharks added on with a Joe Pavelski goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming on the power play from Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. Dallas got on the board in the second period with Steve Ott making his eighth of the season, an unassisted power play goal. San Jose got it back with Logan Couture recording his twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Burns and Marleau. Thornton extended the Sharks lead on his eleventh of the season, with a lone assist by Pavelski. The Stars replied in the third period as Jamie Benn recorded his fifteenth of the campaign, courtesy of Philip Larsen and Ott. San Jose iced it at 5-2 with a Ryane Clowe goal, his tenth of the year, set up by Couture and Burns, the latter earning a sock trick. The three stars were Pavelski, Couture, and Burns, while Thornton, Marleau, and Ott earned the honorable mentions.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
NHL Day 119 2011-2012
Five games running tonight as we begin the month of the trade deadline. First off...
The Toronto Maple Leafs host their hosts from last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson and James Reimer will relieve their teammates in goal. Toronto got things going in the third period on a Clarke MacArthur goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs hung on to this goal for a 1-0 win, and the three stars were Reimer (25 save shutout), MacArthur, and Johnson (23 for 24 in saves).
Crossing into Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Miller tend the twines. The game was scoreless through 65 minutes, resulting in a shootout, where Buffalo's Jason Pominville tallied, answered by New York's Marian Gaborik, before the Rangers toppled the Sabres for good on a Ryan Callahan goal. The three stars were Lundqvist (34 save shutout), Miller (29 save "shutout"/shootout loss), and Callahan.
Southward to Florida, as the Panthers host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Scott Clemmensen will start. Florida led off with a second period Mikael Samuelsson goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Tyson Strachan and Sean Bergenheim. Washington tied it on a Brooks Laich goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Karl Alzner and Jason Chimera. The Panthers retook the lead in the third period with another Samuelsson goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Brian Campbell and Tomas Fleischmann. Florida added on with a Stephen Weiss goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Tomas Kopecky and Fleischmann. The Capitals got one back as John Carlson netted his sixth of the season, unassisted. The Panthers iced it at 4-2 when Shawn Matthias registered his ninth of the year, an empty net goal, going down unassisted. Samuelsson, Weiss, and Clemmensen (26 for 28 in saves) took the three stars, while Fleischmann deserves a look as well.
Out west, the Los Angeles Kings hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Jonathan Quick guarded the cages. Los Angeles struck first on a Justin Williams power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Drew Doughty. Columbus tied it in the second period when Derek Dorsett sank his ninth of the year, assisted by Derick Brassard and Vinny Prospal. The Kings took the lead back on a Dustin Penner goal, his fourth of the season, an unassisted goal.The Blue Jackets tied it again in the third period when Colton Gillies scored, coming off of Antoine Vermette and John Moore. Los Angeles would end up winning 3-2 with a controversial last second Doughty power play, his fourth of the year fueled by Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar, although it is unclear if it should have counted due to clock problems. The three stars were Doughty, Williams, and Vermette.
In the same metro area, the Anaheim Ducks host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jonas Hiller were between the pipes. Anaheim led off with a Matt Beleskey goal, his third of the season, fueled by Sheldon Brookbank. Dallas tied when Eric Nystrom potted his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Alex Goligoski and Philip Larsen. The Stars gained the lead with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his seventh of the season, an unassisted tally. Dallas extended the lead with Jamie Benn's fourteenth of the year, assisted by Steve Ott and Michael Ryder. The Stars added on in the second period when Stephane Robidas recorded his third of the season, a power play goal coming off of Mike Ribeiro and Goligoski. The Ducks finally answered when Luca Sbisa registered his third of the year, thanks to Teemu Selanne. Dallas stayed on the attack in the third period as Sheldon Souray put away his fifth of the season, via Ryder and Benn. The Stars iced it off at 6-2 with a Ryder goal, his eighteenth of the year, set up by Ott and Benn. The three stars were Benn, Andrew Cogliano, and Souray, while Ryder, Ott, and Goligoski get honorable mentions.
The Toronto Maple Leafs host their hosts from last night, the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson and James Reimer will relieve their teammates in goal. Toronto got things going in the third period on a Clarke MacArthur goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs hung on to this goal for a 1-0 win, and the three stars were Reimer (25 save shutout), MacArthur, and Johnson (23 for 24 in saves).
Crossing into Buffalo, where the Sabres welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ryan Miller tend the twines. The game was scoreless through 65 minutes, resulting in a shootout, where Buffalo's Jason Pominville tallied, answered by New York's Marian Gaborik, before the Rangers toppled the Sabres for good on a Ryan Callahan goal. The three stars were Lundqvist (34 save shutout), Miller (29 save "shutout"/shootout loss), and Callahan.
Southward to Florida, as the Panthers host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Scott Clemmensen will start. Florida led off with a second period Mikael Samuelsson goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Tyson Strachan and Sean Bergenheim. Washington tied it on a Brooks Laich goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Karl Alzner and Jason Chimera. The Panthers retook the lead in the third period with another Samuelsson goal, his second of the game and fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Brian Campbell and Tomas Fleischmann. Florida added on with a Stephen Weiss goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Tomas Kopecky and Fleischmann. The Capitals got one back as John Carlson netted his sixth of the season, unassisted. The Panthers iced it at 4-2 when Shawn Matthias registered his ninth of the year, an empty net goal, going down unassisted. Samuelsson, Weiss, and Clemmensen (26 for 28 in saves) took the three stars, while Fleischmann deserves a look as well.
Out west, the Los Angeles Kings hosted the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Jonathan Quick guarded the cages. Los Angeles struck first on a Justin Williams power play goal, his tenth of the season, powered by Drew Doughty. Columbus tied it in the second period when Derek Dorsett sank his ninth of the year, assisted by Derick Brassard and Vinny Prospal. The Kings took the lead back on a Dustin Penner goal, his fourth of the season, an unassisted goal.The Blue Jackets tied it again in the third period when Colton Gillies scored, coming off of Antoine Vermette and John Moore. Los Angeles would end up winning 3-2 with a controversial last second Doughty power play, his fourth of the year fueled by Jack Johnson and Anze Kopitar, although it is unclear if it should have counted due to clock problems. The three stars were Doughty, Williams, and Vermette.
In the same metro area, the Anaheim Ducks host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Jonas Hiller were between the pipes. Anaheim led off with a Matt Beleskey goal, his third of the season, fueled by Sheldon Brookbank. Dallas tied when Eric Nystrom potted his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Alex Goligoski and Philip Larsen. The Stars gained the lead with a Vernon Fiddler goal, his seventh of the season, an unassisted tally. Dallas extended the lead with Jamie Benn's fourteenth of the year, assisted by Steve Ott and Michael Ryder. The Stars added on in the second period when Stephane Robidas recorded his third of the season, a power play goal coming off of Mike Ribeiro and Goligoski. The Ducks finally answered when Luca Sbisa registered his third of the year, thanks to Teemu Selanne. Dallas stayed on the attack in the third period as Sheldon Souray put away his fifth of the season, via Ryder and Benn. The Stars iced it off at 6-2 with a Ryder goal, his eighteenth of the year, set up by Ott and Benn. The three stars were Benn, Andrew Cogliano, and Souray, while Ryder, Ott, and Goligoski get honorable mentions.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
NHL Day 118 2011-2012
The All-Star game is over and hockey returns to normal with a thirteen game slate. First off, the captains of the most recent game do battle again in...
Boston, as the Bruins welcome the Ottawa Senators. In goal we have Craig Anderson and Tim Thomas. Boston led off with a Zdeno Chara goal, his eighth of the season coming on the power play from David Krejci and Milan Lucic. Ottawa tied it as Colin Greening potted his twelfth of the year, with the help of Milan Michalek and Filip Kuba. The Senators gained the lead on a Kyle Turris goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist from Daniel Alfredsson. Ottawa added on with an Erik Karlsson goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Chris Neil and Kuba. The Bruins got one back with a Lucic goal, his eighteenth of the season, set up by Rich Peverley and Chara. Boston got an equalizer with Brad Marchand sinking his eighteenth of the year on the power play, powered by Joe Corvo and Dennis Seidenberg. The Bruins stormed ahead with a Seidenberg goal, his third of the season, with helpers provided by Corvo. This was all they needed to win 4-3, and the three stars were Marchand, Lucic, and Alfredsson, while Kuba, Chara, Corvo, and Seidenberg all get honorable mentions.
Down to New Jersey, as the Devils welcome the New York Rangers. Playing in net will be a battle of the Martins, as Biron opposes Brodeur. New York was first to score as Anton Stralman sank his second of the season, courtesy of Marian Gaborik and Carl Hagelin. New Jersey evened the game on a Zach Parise goal, his sixteenth of the year, set up by Dainius Zubrus. The Rangers regained the lead in the third period as the fourth of the season from Brian Boyle found twine, thanks to Stu Bickel and Brandon Prust. The Devils retied it with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Patrik Elias and David Clarkson. New York broke the tie as Michael Del Zotto shelved his sixth of the season, with the help of Gaborik and Hagelin. New Jersey got another equalizer with Clarkson's seventeenth of the year, assisted by Andy Greene and Adam Larsson. The Devils beat the Rangers in the shootout with a lone Kovalchuk tally. The three stars were awarded to Clarkson, Parise, and Del Zotto, while Kovalchuk, Gaborik, and Hagelin earn honorable mention.
Crossing the river to Philadelphia, as the Flyers welcome the Winnipeg Jets. In the blue paint areas are Ondrej Pavelec and Ilya Bryzgalov. Brayden Schenn opened things up for Philadelphia with a power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Matt Carle and Jaromir Jagr. Winnipeg tied it with a Chris Thorburn goal, made possible by Nik Antropov and Ron Hainsey. The Jets would take this game in the shootout after a long stretch of scorelessness, on a lone Bryan Little tally. The three stars were Little, Pavelec (27 for 28 in saves), and Schenn.
Also in Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Guarding the nets are Jonas Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury. Toronto began with a second period Mikhail Grabovski goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Dion Phaneuf and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs extended the lead on another Grabovski goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, going down with the help of Clarke MacArthur and Luke Schenn. Pittsburgh got one back as Matt Cooke put away his eighth of the season, via Paul Martin and Richard Park. Toronto added back on to their lead in the third period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his eighth of the year, with Jake Gardiner and Carl Gunnarsson assists. Nineteen seconds later, the Maple Leafs struck again as MacArthur put his fifteenth of the season in the cage, thanks to Grabovski and Kulemin. The Penguins responded with a Steve Sullivan goal, his tenth of the year going in unassisted. Pittsburgh continued the unlikely comeback with a Joe Vitale goal, his third of the season, assisted by Pascal Dupuis and Tyler Kennedy. The Penguins got the unlikely equalizer when Evgeni Malkin put away his twenty-seventh of the year as seven seconds hung on the clock, and James Neal and Sullivan helped him do it. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-4 in the shootout with a lone Malkin tally to complete the unbelievable stunner against Toronto. The three stars went to Fleury (35 for 39 in saves), Malkin, and Grabovski, while honorable mentions include MacArthur, Kulemin, and Sullivan.
Farther to the south, the Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders. The masked men are Kevin Poulin and Cam Ward. New York led off with a power play goal by P.A. Parenteau, his eleventh of the season, powered by John Tavares and Mark Streit. The Islanders added on in the second period with a Matt Moulson goal, his twenty-third of the year, fueled by Streit and Parenteau on the power play. Carolina got on the board in the third period with a Brandon Sutter goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes tied it on a power play goal by Tim Brent, his seventh of the year, set up by Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal. New York regained the lead as Tavares potted his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Moulson and Steve Staios. The Islanders added on with a Kyle Okposo goal, his twelfth of the year going into the empty net after being passed from Tavares. New York would win 5-2 due to a Tavares empty netter, his second of the game and twenty-second of the campaign, passed through Okposo and Moulson. The three stars were Tavares, Moulson, and Poulin (21 for 23 in saves), while Okposo, Parenteau, and Streit get honorable mentions.
Continuing south, the Tampa Bay Lightning are hosting the Washington Capitals. In between the pipes are Tomas Vokoun and Mathieu Garon. Washington led off with a Matt Hendricks goal, his second of the season, thanks to Brooks Laich. Tampa Bay tied it on a Teddy Purcell goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Steve Downie and Steven Stamkos. The Lightning took the lead with a second period Martin St. Louis tally, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Brett Clark and Tom Pyatt. Tampa Bay added on with a Nate Thompson goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Dominic Moore and J.T. Wyman. The Capitals got one back as Mathieu Perreault sank his eighth of the season unassisted. Washington tied it in the third period as Troy Brouwer netted his fifteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Lightning came out on top thanks to a Stamkos goal in overtime, his thirty-third of the campaign, courtesy of St. Louis and the goalie Garon. Stamkos, Hendricks, and Pavel Kubina gathered up the three stars, while St. Louis deserves an honorable mention or even an inclusion.
Northward to Canada, as the Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Carey Price are in the creases. Montreal led off as Max Pacioretty made his eighteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Josh Gorges. Ville Leino tied it in the second period for Buffalo on his fourth of the year, courtesy of Paul Gaustad and Christian Ehrhoff. The Sabres gained the lead in the third period on a Gaustad goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Brad Boyes. Buffalo iced it at 3-1 with a Patrick Kaleta empty net goal, fueled by Ehrhoff and Gaustad as his fourth of the year. The three stars belonged to Price (37 for 39 in saves), Erik Cole, and Gaustad, while Ehrhoff can debate that Cole selection.
Westward, the Minnesota Wild host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Josh Harding received the starting nods. Minnesota struck first as Dany Heatley notched his sixteenth of the season and Nick Johnson picked up the lone assist. Heatley added on for the Wild with a power play goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, powered by Matt Cullen. Minnesota rolled on in the second period as Cal Clutterbuck sank his thirteenth of the season, with assists provided by Cullen and Justin Falk. Nashville got on the board as Matt Halischuk scored his twelfth of the year, thanks to Kevin Klein and Brandon Yip. The Wild quickly got to work in the third period with Kyle Brodziak ripping his fourteenth of the season into the cage, helped along by Johnson and Heatley. The Predators answered again as Yip scored, guided in by Halischuk and Craig Smith. Nashville got another back as Patric Hornqvist recorded his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Sergei Kostitsyn and Shea Weber. The Predators pulled off an improbable equalizer with Mike Fisher scoring twenty-one seconds later, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Colin Wilson and Martin Erat. Nashville made it 5-4 late with another Fisher goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, with no assists. They held on to win by this margin, and the three stars of the thriller were Heatley, Fisher, and Clutterbuck, with honorable mention to Yip, Halischuk, Johnson, and Cullen.
Back into Canada again, as the Calgary Flames welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Miikka Kiprusoff are wearing the pads. Detroit began when Cory Emmerton notched his fifth of the season, assisted by Justin Abdelkader and Jan Mursak. Calgary tied it in the second period as Michael Cammalleri nailed his eleventh of the year on the power play, powered by Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen. The Red Wings gained the lead in the third period on a Jiri Hudler goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Valtteri Filppula. Detroit made it 3-1 with a Drew Miller goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Danny Cleary and Darren Helm. This was a final, and the three stars went to Pavel Datsyuk, Cammalleri, and Filppula, while point earners and Howard (28 for 29 in saves) are also logical choices.
South to the desert, as the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Mike Smith are tending the twines. Phoenix opened on a Ray Whitney goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. Anaheim tied it on a second period Andrew Cogliano goal, his ninth of the year, thanks to Matt Beleskey and Toni Lydman. Cogliano put the Ducks in the lead with his second of the game and tenth of the season, guided in by Nick Bonino. Anaheim extended the lead with Cogliano completing his natural hat trick on his eleventh of the year, fueled by Bonino and Visnovsky. The Ducks iced it at 4-1 with a Teemu Selanne empty net goal in the third period, his sixteenth of the campaign, pushed through by Saku Koivu and Luca Sbisa. The three stars of the game were Cogliano, Bonino, and Whitney.
Backtracking to Alberta again, where the Edmonton Oilers take on the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Devan Dubnyk are playing in front of the twines. Edmonton opened with a Jordan Eberle goal, his nineteenth of the season, courtesy of Sam Gagner and Philippe Cornet. The Oilers extended the lead as Eric Belanger potted his second of the year, a power play goal coming off of Ryan Whitney and Ryan Jones. Colorado got on the board in the second period when Peter Mueller notched his fourth of the season, via Chuck Kobasew and Paul Stastny. Edmonton got it back in the third period with Taylor Hall recording his seventeenth of the year, thanks to Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff. The Avalanche pulled back on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Milan Hejduk and Ryan O'Reilly. They never got the equalizer, losing 3-2, with the three stars being Dubnyk (31 for 33 in saves), Hall, and Landeksog.
To the west coast, as the Vancouver Canucks get to host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and -e Cory Schneider are the puck stoppers. Vancouver led off as Ryan Kesler sank his fourteenth of the season, via Alexander Edler. Chicago tied it with a Jamal Mayers goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Steve Montador and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period on a Viktor Stalberg goal, his fifteenth of the season, with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews helpers. The Canucks evened the score again on a Cody Hodgson goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Jannik Hansen and Dan Hamhuis. The game would tip in favor of Vancouver during overtime, as Daniel Sedin paced his team to 3-2 win with his twenty-second of the campaign, guided in by Henrik Sedin and Edler. The three stars were Schneider (37 for 39 in saves), Stalberg, and Edler.
Finally, we end in San Jose when the Sharks host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Guarding the cages we have Steve Mason and Antti Niemi. San Jose opened on a Patrick Marleau goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Justin Braun and Logan Couture. The Sharks added on with a Joe Thornton goal, his ninth of the year, an unassisted goal. San Jose kept going in the second period as Joe Pavelski made his eighteenth of the season on the power play, powered by Couture and Thornton. The Sharks extended the lead again as Jamie McGinn notched his tenth of the year, fueled by Douglas Murray and Michal Handzus. San Jose rolled on in the third period when Handzus sank his fourth of the season, guided in by McGinn. The Sharks iced it at 6-0 with another Thornton goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, made possible by Pavelski and Andrew Desjardins. The three stars were Thornton, Couture, and Niemi (30 save shutout), while Pavelski, Handzus, and McGinn earn the honorable mentions.
Boston, as the Bruins welcome the Ottawa Senators. In goal we have Craig Anderson and Tim Thomas. Boston led off with a Zdeno Chara goal, his eighth of the season coming on the power play from David Krejci and Milan Lucic. Ottawa tied it as Colin Greening potted his twelfth of the year, with the help of Milan Michalek and Filip Kuba. The Senators gained the lead on a Kyle Turris goal, his fifth of the season, with a lone assist from Daniel Alfredsson. Ottawa added on with an Erik Karlsson goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Chris Neil and Kuba. The Bruins got one back with a Lucic goal, his eighteenth of the season, set up by Rich Peverley and Chara. Boston got an equalizer with Brad Marchand sinking his eighteenth of the year on the power play, powered by Joe Corvo and Dennis Seidenberg. The Bruins stormed ahead with a Seidenberg goal, his third of the season, with helpers provided by Corvo. This was all they needed to win 4-3, and the three stars were Marchand, Lucic, and Alfredsson, while Kuba, Chara, Corvo, and Seidenberg all get honorable mentions.
Down to New Jersey, as the Devils welcome the New York Rangers. Playing in net will be a battle of the Martins, as Biron opposes Brodeur. New York was first to score as Anton Stralman sank his second of the season, courtesy of Marian Gaborik and Carl Hagelin. New Jersey evened the game on a Zach Parise goal, his sixteenth of the year, set up by Dainius Zubrus. The Rangers regained the lead in the third period as the fourth of the season from Brian Boyle found twine, thanks to Stu Bickel and Brandon Prust. The Devils retied it with an Ilya Kovalchuk power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Patrik Elias and David Clarkson. New York broke the tie as Michael Del Zotto shelved his sixth of the season, with the help of Gaborik and Hagelin. New Jersey got another equalizer with Clarkson's seventeenth of the year, assisted by Andy Greene and Adam Larsson. The Devils beat the Rangers in the shootout with a lone Kovalchuk tally. The three stars were awarded to Clarkson, Parise, and Del Zotto, while Kovalchuk, Gaborik, and Hagelin earn honorable mention.
Crossing the river to Philadelphia, as the Flyers welcome the Winnipeg Jets. In the blue paint areas are Ondrej Pavelec and Ilya Bryzgalov. Brayden Schenn opened things up for Philadelphia with a power play goal, his fourth of the season, powered by Matt Carle and Jaromir Jagr. Winnipeg tied it with a Chris Thorburn goal, made possible by Nik Antropov and Ron Hainsey. The Jets would take this game in the shootout after a long stretch of scorelessness, on a lone Bryan Little tally. The three stars were Little, Pavelec (27 for 28 in saves), and Schenn.
Also in Pennsylvania, the Pittsburgh Penguins play host to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Guarding the nets are Jonas Gustavsson and Marc-Andre Fleury. Toronto began with a second period Mikhail Grabovski goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Dion Phaneuf and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs extended the lead on another Grabovski goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, going down with the help of Clarke MacArthur and Luke Schenn. Pittsburgh got one back as Matt Cooke put away his eighth of the season, via Paul Martin and Richard Park. Toronto added back on to their lead in the third period with a Tyler Bozak goal, his eighth of the year, with Jake Gardiner and Carl Gunnarsson assists. Nineteen seconds later, the Maple Leafs struck again as MacArthur put his fifteenth of the season in the cage, thanks to Grabovski and Kulemin. The Penguins responded with a Steve Sullivan goal, his tenth of the year going in unassisted. Pittsburgh continued the unlikely comeback with a Joe Vitale goal, his third of the season, assisted by Pascal Dupuis and Tyler Kennedy. The Penguins got the unlikely equalizer when Evgeni Malkin put away his twenty-seventh of the year as seven seconds hung on the clock, and James Neal and Sullivan helped him do it. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-4 in the shootout with a lone Malkin tally to complete the unbelievable stunner against Toronto. The three stars went to Fleury (35 for 39 in saves), Malkin, and Grabovski, while honorable mentions include MacArthur, Kulemin, and Sullivan.
Farther to the south, the Carolina Hurricanes host the New York Islanders. The masked men are Kevin Poulin and Cam Ward. New York led off with a power play goal by P.A. Parenteau, his eleventh of the season, powered by John Tavares and Mark Streit. The Islanders added on in the second period with a Matt Moulson goal, his twenty-third of the year, fueled by Streit and Parenteau on the power play. Carolina got on the board in the third period with a Brandon Sutter goal, his eleventh of the season, coming off of Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes tied it on a power play goal by Tim Brent, his seventh of the year, set up by Jeff Skinner and Eric Staal. New York regained the lead as Tavares potted his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Moulson and Steve Staios. The Islanders added on with a Kyle Okposo goal, his twelfth of the year going into the empty net after being passed from Tavares. New York would win 5-2 due to a Tavares empty netter, his second of the game and twenty-second of the campaign, passed through Okposo and Moulson. The three stars were Tavares, Moulson, and Poulin (21 for 23 in saves), while Okposo, Parenteau, and Streit get honorable mentions.
Continuing south, the Tampa Bay Lightning are hosting the Washington Capitals. In between the pipes are Tomas Vokoun and Mathieu Garon. Washington led off with a Matt Hendricks goal, his second of the season, thanks to Brooks Laich. Tampa Bay tied it on a Teddy Purcell goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Steve Downie and Steven Stamkos. The Lightning took the lead with a second period Martin St. Louis tally, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Brett Clark and Tom Pyatt. Tampa Bay added on with a Nate Thompson goal, his sixth of the year, assisted by Dominic Moore and J.T. Wyman. The Capitals got one back as Mathieu Perreault sank his eighth of the season unassisted. Washington tied it in the third period as Troy Brouwer netted his fifteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Lightning came out on top thanks to a Stamkos goal in overtime, his thirty-third of the campaign, courtesy of St. Louis and the goalie Garon. Stamkos, Hendricks, and Pavel Kubina gathered up the three stars, while St. Louis deserves an honorable mention or even an inclusion.
Northward to Canada, as the Montreal Canadiens host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Carey Price are in the creases. Montreal led off as Max Pacioretty made his eighteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Josh Gorges. Ville Leino tied it in the second period for Buffalo on his fourth of the year, courtesy of Paul Gaustad and Christian Ehrhoff. The Sabres gained the lead in the third period on a Gaustad goal, his fifth of the season, guided in by Brad Boyes. Buffalo iced it at 3-1 with a Patrick Kaleta empty net goal, fueled by Ehrhoff and Gaustad as his fourth of the year. The three stars belonged to Price (37 for 39 in saves), Erik Cole, and Gaustad, while Ehrhoff can debate that Cole selection.
Westward, the Minnesota Wild host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Josh Harding received the starting nods. Minnesota struck first as Dany Heatley notched his sixteenth of the season and Nick Johnson picked up the lone assist. Heatley added on for the Wild with a power play goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, powered by Matt Cullen. Minnesota rolled on in the second period as Cal Clutterbuck sank his thirteenth of the season, with assists provided by Cullen and Justin Falk. Nashville got on the board as Matt Halischuk scored his twelfth of the year, thanks to Kevin Klein and Brandon Yip. The Wild quickly got to work in the third period with Kyle Brodziak ripping his fourteenth of the season into the cage, helped along by Johnson and Heatley. The Predators answered again as Yip scored, guided in by Halischuk and Craig Smith. Nashville got another back as Patric Hornqvist recorded his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Sergei Kostitsyn and Shea Weber. The Predators pulled off an improbable equalizer with Mike Fisher scoring twenty-one seconds later, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Colin Wilson and Martin Erat. Nashville made it 5-4 late with another Fisher goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, with no assists. They held on to win by this margin, and the three stars of the thriller were Heatley, Fisher, and Clutterbuck, with honorable mention to Yip, Halischuk, Johnson, and Cullen.
Back into Canada again, as the Calgary Flames welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Miikka Kiprusoff are wearing the pads. Detroit began when Cory Emmerton notched his fifth of the season, assisted by Justin Abdelkader and Jan Mursak. Calgary tied it in the second period as Michael Cammalleri nailed his eleventh of the year on the power play, powered by Alex Tanguay and Olli Jokinen. The Red Wings gained the lead in the third period on a Jiri Hudler goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Valtteri Filppula. Detroit made it 3-1 with a Drew Miller goal, his eighth of the year, courtesy of Danny Cleary and Darren Helm. This was a final, and the three stars went to Pavel Datsyuk, Cammalleri, and Filppula, while point earners and Howard (28 for 29 in saves) are also logical choices.
South to the desert, as the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Mike Smith are tending the twines. Phoenix opened on a Ray Whitney goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. Anaheim tied it on a second period Andrew Cogliano goal, his ninth of the year, thanks to Matt Beleskey and Toni Lydman. Cogliano put the Ducks in the lead with his second of the game and tenth of the season, guided in by Nick Bonino. Anaheim extended the lead with Cogliano completing his natural hat trick on his eleventh of the year, fueled by Bonino and Visnovsky. The Ducks iced it at 4-1 with a Teemu Selanne empty net goal in the third period, his sixteenth of the campaign, pushed through by Saku Koivu and Luca Sbisa. The three stars of the game were Cogliano, Bonino, and Whitney.
Backtracking to Alberta again, where the Edmonton Oilers take on the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Devan Dubnyk are playing in front of the twines. Edmonton opened with a Jordan Eberle goal, his nineteenth of the season, courtesy of Sam Gagner and Philippe Cornet. The Oilers extended the lead as Eric Belanger potted his second of the year, a power play goal coming off of Ryan Whitney and Ryan Jones. Colorado got on the board in the second period when Peter Mueller notched his fourth of the season, via Chuck Kobasew and Paul Stastny. Edmonton got it back in the third period with Taylor Hall recording his seventeenth of the year, thanks to Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff. The Avalanche pulled back on a Gabriel Landeskog goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Milan Hejduk and Ryan O'Reilly. They never got the equalizer, losing 3-2, with the three stars being Dubnyk (31 for 33 in saves), Hall, and Landeksog.
To the west coast, as the Vancouver Canucks get to host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and -e Cory Schneider are the puck stoppers. Vancouver led off as Ryan Kesler sank his fourteenth of the season, via Alexander Edler. Chicago tied it with a Jamal Mayers goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Steve Montador and Brent Seabrook. The Blackhawks took the lead in the third period on a Viktor Stalberg goal, his fifteenth of the season, with Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews helpers. The Canucks evened the score again on a Cody Hodgson goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Jannik Hansen and Dan Hamhuis. The game would tip in favor of Vancouver during overtime, as Daniel Sedin paced his team to 3-2 win with his twenty-second of the campaign, guided in by Henrik Sedin and Edler. The three stars were Schneider (37 for 39 in saves), Stalberg, and Edler.
Finally, we end in San Jose when the Sharks host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Guarding the cages we have Steve Mason and Antti Niemi. San Jose opened on a Patrick Marleau goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Justin Braun and Logan Couture. The Sharks added on with a Joe Thornton goal, his ninth of the year, an unassisted goal. San Jose kept going in the second period as Joe Pavelski made his eighteenth of the season on the power play, powered by Couture and Thornton. The Sharks extended the lead again as Jamie McGinn notched his tenth of the year, fueled by Douglas Murray and Michal Handzus. San Jose rolled on in the third period when Handzus sank his fourth of the season, guided in by McGinn. The Sharks iced it at 6-0 with another Thornton goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, made possible by Pavelski and Andrew Desjardins. The three stars were Thornton, Couture, and Niemi (30 save shutout), while Pavelski, Handzus, and McGinn earn the honorable mentions.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
NHL Day 116 2011-2012: The All-Star Game
After a few days full of festivities in Ottawa, the game will finally occur. Team Alfredsson is hosting Team Chara, with the goalies being Henrik Lundqvist for the Alfies and Jimmy Howard for the Big Z's in the first period. Team Chara led off with a Marian Gaborik goal, with a lone assist by Pavel Datsyuk. The Big Z's added on as Evgeni Malkin scored with the help of Jarome Iginla. Team Chara followed it up on another Gaborik goal, via Marian Hossa and Ryan Suter. Team Alfredsson got one back with a Jason Spezza goal, fueled by Dan Girardi and Milan Michalek. The Alfies pulled within one as Henrik Sedin sank a goal from Scott Hartnell and Kris Letang. Team Alfredsson tied it at 3 with a John Tavares goal, coming off of Jason Pominville and Keith Yandle, and that's where the score sat at the first intermission. The goalies in the second period were Carey Price for the Big Z's and Jonathan Quick for the Alfies. The Big Z's got the lead again with Gaborik completing his hat trick thanks to Hossa and Datsyuk. Team Chara extended the lead on a Joffrey Lupul goal, with a lone helper by Phil Kessel. The Alfies struck back on a Jason Pominville goal, powered by James Neal and Steven Stamkos. Team Alfredsson tied it up on Daniel Alfredsson's goal, an unassisted goal. Alfredsson helped the Alfies take a lead when his second of the game found twine from his twin countrymen Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The game would again be tied at intermission when the Big Z's got an equalizer off the tape of Patrick Kane, set up by Jordan Eberle. Tending the twines in the third period were Tim Thomas for the Big Z's and Brian Elliott for the Alfies. Team Chara regained the lead again on a Kessel goal, courtesy of Brian Campbell. Team Alfredsson retied it as Michalek netted the puck thanks to Tavares and Jason Spezza. The Big Z's answered with an Iginla goal off of Malkin and Corey Perry. Claude Giroux shot back for the Alfies with helpers provided by Hartnell and Logan Couture. Team Chara again took the lead as Hossa scored, passed through by Datsyuk for a sock trick. The Big Z's added some separation when Chara blasted a puck in, and the only assist belonged to Gaborik. Perry kept Team Chara strong with a goal of his own, guided in by Iginla and Dennis Wideman. Team Alfredsson attempted to key a comeback on a Daniel Sedin goal made possible by Henrik Sedin and Alfredsson. The Big Z's would ice it at 12-9 with another Lupul goal, coming from the tape of Tyler Seguin and Kessel previously. Without the official three stars, I would like to recognize the following players for their contributions: Gaborik of Team Chara with four points; Datsyuk, Hossa, Iginla, and Kessel of Team Chara and Alfredsson and Henrik Sedin of Team Alfredsson with three points each; Lupul, Malkin, and Perry of the Big Z's and Hartnell, Michalek, Pominville, Daniel Sedin, Spezza, and Tavares of the Alfies with two points each; Campbell, Chara, Eberle, Kane, Seguin, Suter, and Wideman of Team Chara and Couture, Girardi, Giroux, Letang, Neal, Stamkos, and Yandle of Team Alfredsson with a point each; and special thanks to the unrewarded heroes of the game with no points: Jamie Benn, Dion Phaneuf, and Kimmo Timonen of the Big Z's and Alexander Edler, Erik Karlsson, and Shea Weber of the Alfies. Also, special thanks to the goalies Lundqvist, Howard, Thomas, Elliott, Price, and Quick for their taking of the abuse during this game. Next post will be on Tuesday with the resumption of regular season NHL action. Until then, thank you all for your continued support.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
NHL Day 112 2011-2012
Only one game on tonight, as the Montreal Canadiens host the Detroit Red Wings in the last game before the all-star break. Jimmy Howard and Carey Price got the starting nods. Montreal led off with Rene Bourque sinking his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Scott Gomez and Raphael Diaz. The Canadiens added on as Alexei Emelin scored, via Andrei Kostitsyn. Montreal kept going as David Desharnais netted his eighth of the year, courtesy of Erik Cole. The Canadiens extended the lead again on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Bourque and Tomas Kaberle. Ty Conklin relieved Howard for the second period onward, but he couldn't stop Max Pacioretty's seventeenth of the year for Montreal, fueled by Desharnais and Cole. The Canadiens rolled on with a Desharnais power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, powered by Pacioretty and Kaberle. Detroit finally got on the board in the third period as Jiri Hudler scored his fourteenth of the year, with the help of Darren Helm. Hudler later got another one back for the Red Wings with his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, with assists by Mike Commodore and Niklas Kronwall. Cole helped ice it at 7-2 with his nineteenth of the year, set up by Lars Eller. The three stars went to Desharnais, Bourque, and Emelin, while Cole, Kaberle, Pacioretty, and Hudler had honorable mentions.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
NHL Day 111 2011-2012
Thirteen games going on tonight, beginning with...
The New Jersey Devils hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Martin Brodeur are all padded up. Buffalo opened with a Jordan Leopold goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Nathan Gerbe and Matt Ellis. New Jersey tied it as Patrik Elias potted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Zach Parise and Kurtis Foster. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Sabres used Jason Pominville and Gerbe to overpower the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk goal for a 2-1 win. The three stars were Miller (27 for 28 in saves), Elias, and Leopold, with honorable mention for Gerbe.
Staying in the region, the New York Rangers host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Henrik Lundqvist earned the starts. New York began as Ryan Callahan netted his seventeenth of the season, with the help of Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle. The Rangers extended the lead in the second period as John Mitchell scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Michael Del Zotto and Derek Stepan. New York iced it at 3-0 in the third period on a Brad Richards goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, fueled by Callahan. The three stars went to Lundqvist (22 save shutout), Callahan, and Mitchell.
Out to the island, as the New York Islanders welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second half of their back-to-back. Jonas Gustavsson and Al Montoya pick up the starts. New York began as John Tavares netted his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Okposo and Dylan Reese. Josh Bailey added on for the Islanders in the second period as he scored his fifth of the year, a shorthanded goal passed by Matt Martin. Toronto got one back with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period as Jake Gardiner scored with help from Grabovski and MacArthur. Toronto took the lead as Grabovski's sixteenth of the year found twine, thanks to Kulemin and Gardiner. New York got the equalizer on a P.A. Parenteau goal, his tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Maple Leafs replied in the overtime period for a 4-3 win as MacArthur netted his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, and Grabovski had the lone assist. The three stars were MacArthur, Grabovski, and Parenteau, while Gardiner and Kulemin also played well.
To the capitals, as the Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Tomas Vokoun wear the masks tonight. Boston began with a Rich Peverley goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Patrice Bergeron and Dennis Seidenberg. Washington answered in the second period on a Cody Eakin goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Joel Ward and Jay Beagle. The Capitals took the lead forty-one seconds later as Mathieu Perreault netted his fifth of the season, thanks to Alexander Semin and Roman Hamrlik. The Bruins retied it again on a Tyler Seguin goal, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Steve Kampfer. Washington retook the lead as Perreault's second of the game and sixth of the season found twine, an unassisted goal. Boston got another equalizer with Brad Marchand potting his seventeenth of the year on the power play, powered by Seidenberg and Bergeron. The Capitals took the lead back in the third period as Perreault finished his hat trick with his seventh of the season, guided in by Hamrlik and Marcus Johansson. Washington iced it at 5-3 with a Dennis Wideman empty net goal, his ninth of the year, with assists from Troy Brouwer and Jeff Halpern. Perreault, Hamrlik, and Bergeron took the three stars, with honorable mention for Seidenberg.
Continuing southward to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning brought in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Mathieu Garon were tasked with stopping the puck. Tampa Bay led off as Mike Angelidis scored an unassisted goal. Columbus answered with Brett Lebda's goal, coming off of Derick Brassard and R.J. Umberger. The Lightning took the lead back in the second period on a Vincent Lecavalier power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Bruno Gervais and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay extended the lead with St. Louis notching his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Lecavalier. The Blue Jackets pulled back with a third period Ryan Johansen goal, his ninth of the season, pushed through by Umberger. The Lightning took it back with a Nate Thompson goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Dominic Moore and Trevor Smith. This was it, leaving the final at 4-2 and the three stars as Lecavalier, St. Louis, and Gervais, and the honorable mention went to Umberger.
Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers took on the Philadelphia Flyers from BankAtlantic Center. Sergei Bobrovsky and Scott Clemmensen did battle in goal as the backups-in-name get their shots. Florida struck first with a Mikael Samuelsson goal, his third of the season coming on the power play from Brian Campbell and Stephen Weiss. Philadelphia answered with Brayden Schenn putting his third of the year away, also a power play goal, powered by Andrej Meszaros and Matt Carle. Jakub Voracek gave the Flyers the lead on his eighth of the season, thanks to Tom Sestito and Kimmo Timonen. The Panthers tied it in the second period as Tomas Fleischmann sank his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Kris Versteeg and Weiss. Philadelphia won 3-2 in the shootout because of Claude Giroux's lone tally. The three stars belonged to Bobrovsky (23 for 25 in saves), Giroux, and Clemmensen (35 for 37 in saves), while Weiss gets honorable mention.
Northwest of here, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Brian Elliott play between the pipes. Pittsburgh led off with a James Neal power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season coming in the second period from Paul Martin and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins added on with a Steve Sullivan goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Deryk Engelland and Matt Cooke. St. Louis got one back when Patrik Berglund deposited his eleventh of the season, with the help of Chris Stewart and Jamie Langenbrunner. The Blues tied it in the third period with another Berglund goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year coming as a penalty shot. The game was decided in the shootout as Pittsburgh utilized Evgeni Malkin and Kunitz to overpower T.J. Oshie and St. Louis for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Fleury (32 for 34 in saves), Berglund, and Malkin, with honorable mention to Kunitz.
Back south again, as the Dallas Stars host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Kari Lehtonen got the green light to play goal. Dallas was first on the board as Alex Goligoski netted his sixth of the season, with guidance from Mike Ribeiro and Loui Eriksson. This held up throughout the rest of the game, resulting in a 1-0 final with three stars as Lehtonen (27 save shutout), Goligoski, and Hiller (15 for 16 in saves).
Into the Midwest again, as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford play from the creases. Nashville struck first with a Craig Smith goal, his eleventh of the season, helped along by Matt Halischuk. The Predators added on with a Mike Fisher goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Patric Hornqvist. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Dave Bolland power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy. Nashville iced it at 3-1 with an empty netter by Colin Wilson, his tenth of the year, assisted by David Legwand and Ryan Suter. The three stars went to Rinne (24 for 25 in saves), Bolland, and Fisher.
Westward to Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jean-Sebastien Giguere play in the blue paint. Colorado drew first blood with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Milan Hejduk and Gabriel Landeskog. Minnesota answered on a Justin Falk power play goal, set up by Devin Setoguchi and Matt Cullen. The Wild took the lead on a Dany Heatley goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Kyle Brodziak and Greg Zanon. The Avalanche retied it as Chuck Kobasew put away his seventh of the season, guided in by Daniel Winnik and Jay McClement. Minnesota shot back with Carson McMillan's third period goal from Brodziak. There was no more scoring from here, resulting in a 3-2 final, and the three stars were McMillan, Brodziak, and Giguere (31 for 34 in saves), with honorable mention for Falk.
Crossing into Canada, the Calgary Flames host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Miikka Kiprusoff are the Finnish goalies. San Jose opened things in the third period on a Benn Ferriero goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Logan Couture and Dan Boyle. This would be the only goal in the 1-0, and the three stars were Niemi (25 save shutout), Kiprusoff (26 for 27 in saves), and Boyle, with respect to Ferriero.
Well to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Mike Smith guard the goalmouths. Phoenix was first on the board with a Gilbert Brule goal, his third of the season, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Keith Yandle. The Coyotes added on in the second period as Shane Doan sank his fifteenth of the year, via Lauri Korpikoski and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Ottawa replied with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Nick Foligno and Chris Phillips. Phoenix shot back in the third period as Radim Vrbata nailed his twenty-third of the year, helped along by Ray Whitney and Michal Rozsival. Fourteen seconds later, the Senators got back on Chris Neil's ninth of the season, with assists from Erik Condra and Zack Smith. Ottawa never tied it, losing 3-2, with the three stars awarded to Smith (32 for 34 in saves), Doan, and Korpikoski.
Finally, up in Vancouver, the Canucks hosted the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Roberto Luongo tended the twines. Vancouver led off with a Daniel Sedin goal, his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Alexandre Burrows and Dan Hamhuis. Edmonton tied it in the second period as Shawn Horcoff netted his ninth of the year, courtesy of Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky. The Canucks regained the lead in the third period as David Booth made his eighth of the season, with the help of Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins. The Oilers tied the game on a Hall power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Corey Potter and Hemsky. In the shootout, Alexander Edler and Cody Hodgson lifted Vancouver over Edmonton by a 3-2 score when they overpowered a Hemsky tally. The three stars were Kevin Bieksa, Hall, and Hamhuis, while it should include two of Hemsky, Hodgson, or Edler.
The New Jersey Devils hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Martin Brodeur are all padded up. Buffalo opened with a Jordan Leopold goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Nathan Gerbe and Matt Ellis. New Jersey tied it as Patrik Elias potted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Zach Parise and Kurtis Foster. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Sabres used Jason Pominville and Gerbe to overpower the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk goal for a 2-1 win. The three stars were Miller (27 for 28 in saves), Elias, and Leopold, with honorable mention for Gerbe.
Staying in the region, the New York Rangers host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Henrik Lundqvist earned the starts. New York began as Ryan Callahan netted his seventeenth of the season, with the help of Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle. The Rangers extended the lead in the second period as John Mitchell scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Michael Del Zotto and Derek Stepan. New York iced it at 3-0 in the third period on a Brad Richards goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, fueled by Callahan. The three stars went to Lundqvist (22 save shutout), Callahan, and Mitchell.
Out to the island, as the New York Islanders welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second half of their back-to-back. Jonas Gustavsson and Al Montoya pick up the starts. New York began as John Tavares netted his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Okposo and Dylan Reese. Josh Bailey added on for the Islanders in the second period as he scored his fifth of the year, a shorthanded goal passed by Matt Martin. Toronto got one back with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period as Jake Gardiner scored with help from Grabovski and MacArthur. Toronto took the lead as Grabovski's sixteenth of the year found twine, thanks to Kulemin and Gardiner. New York got the equalizer on a P.A. Parenteau goal, his tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Maple Leafs replied in the overtime period for a 4-3 win as MacArthur netted his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, and Grabovski had the lone assist. The three stars were MacArthur, Grabovski, and Parenteau, while Gardiner and Kulemin also played well.
To the capitals, as the Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Tomas Vokoun wear the masks tonight. Boston began with a Rich Peverley goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Patrice Bergeron and Dennis Seidenberg. Washington answered in the second period on a Cody Eakin goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Joel Ward and Jay Beagle. The Capitals took the lead forty-one seconds later as Mathieu Perreault netted his fifth of the season, thanks to Alexander Semin and Roman Hamrlik. The Bruins retied it again on a Tyler Seguin goal, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Steve Kampfer. Washington retook the lead as Perreault's second of the game and sixth of the season found twine, an unassisted goal. Boston got another equalizer with Brad Marchand potting his seventeenth of the year on the power play, powered by Seidenberg and Bergeron. The Capitals took the lead back in the third period as Perreault finished his hat trick with his seventh of the season, guided in by Hamrlik and Marcus Johansson. Washington iced it at 5-3 with a Dennis Wideman empty net goal, his ninth of the year, with assists from Troy Brouwer and Jeff Halpern. Perreault, Hamrlik, and Bergeron took the three stars, with honorable mention for Seidenberg.
Continuing southward to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning brought in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Mathieu Garon were tasked with stopping the puck. Tampa Bay led off as Mike Angelidis scored an unassisted goal. Columbus answered with Brett Lebda's goal, coming off of Derick Brassard and R.J. Umberger. The Lightning took the lead back in the second period on a Vincent Lecavalier power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Bruno Gervais and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay extended the lead with St. Louis notching his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Lecavalier. The Blue Jackets pulled back with a third period Ryan Johansen goal, his ninth of the season, pushed through by Umberger. The Lightning took it back with a Nate Thompson goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Dominic Moore and Trevor Smith. This was it, leaving the final at 4-2 and the three stars as Lecavalier, St. Louis, and Gervais, and the honorable mention went to Umberger.
Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers took on the Philadelphia Flyers from BankAtlantic Center. Sergei Bobrovsky and Scott Clemmensen did battle in goal as the backups-in-name get their shots. Florida struck first with a Mikael Samuelsson goal, his third of the season coming on the power play from Brian Campbell and Stephen Weiss. Philadelphia answered with Brayden Schenn putting his third of the year away, also a power play goal, powered by Andrej Meszaros and Matt Carle. Jakub Voracek gave the Flyers the lead on his eighth of the season, thanks to Tom Sestito and Kimmo Timonen. The Panthers tied it in the second period as Tomas Fleischmann sank his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Kris Versteeg and Weiss. Philadelphia won 3-2 in the shootout because of Claude Giroux's lone tally. The three stars belonged to Bobrovsky (23 for 25 in saves), Giroux, and Clemmensen (35 for 37 in saves), while Weiss gets honorable mention.
Northwest of here, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Brian Elliott play between the pipes. Pittsburgh led off with a James Neal power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season coming in the second period from Paul Martin and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins added on with a Steve Sullivan goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Deryk Engelland and Matt Cooke. St. Louis got one back when Patrik Berglund deposited his eleventh of the season, with the help of Chris Stewart and Jamie Langenbrunner. The Blues tied it in the third period with another Berglund goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year coming as a penalty shot. The game was decided in the shootout as Pittsburgh utilized Evgeni Malkin and Kunitz to overpower T.J. Oshie and St. Louis for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Fleury (32 for 34 in saves), Berglund, and Malkin, with honorable mention to Kunitz.
Back south again, as the Dallas Stars host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Kari Lehtonen got the green light to play goal. Dallas was first on the board as Alex Goligoski netted his sixth of the season, with guidance from Mike Ribeiro and Loui Eriksson. This held up throughout the rest of the game, resulting in a 1-0 final with three stars as Lehtonen (27 save shutout), Goligoski, and Hiller (15 for 16 in saves).
Into the Midwest again, as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford play from the creases. Nashville struck first with a Craig Smith goal, his eleventh of the season, helped along by Matt Halischuk. The Predators added on with a Mike Fisher goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Patric Hornqvist. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Dave Bolland power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy. Nashville iced it at 3-1 with an empty netter by Colin Wilson, his tenth of the year, assisted by David Legwand and Ryan Suter. The three stars went to Rinne (24 for 25 in saves), Bolland, and Fisher.
Westward to Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jean-Sebastien Giguere play in the blue paint. Colorado drew first blood with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Milan Hejduk and Gabriel Landeskog. Minnesota answered on a Justin Falk power play goal, set up by Devin Setoguchi and Matt Cullen. The Wild took the lead on a Dany Heatley goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Kyle Brodziak and Greg Zanon. The Avalanche retied it as Chuck Kobasew put away his seventh of the season, guided in by Daniel Winnik and Jay McClement. Minnesota shot back with Carson McMillan's third period goal from Brodziak. There was no more scoring from here, resulting in a 3-2 final, and the three stars were McMillan, Brodziak, and Giguere (31 for 34 in saves), with honorable mention for Falk.
Crossing into Canada, the Calgary Flames host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Miikka Kiprusoff are the Finnish goalies. San Jose opened things in the third period on a Benn Ferriero goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Logan Couture and Dan Boyle. This would be the only goal in the 1-0, and the three stars were Niemi (25 save shutout), Kiprusoff (26 for 27 in saves), and Boyle, with respect to Ferriero.
Well to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Mike Smith guard the goalmouths. Phoenix was first on the board with a Gilbert Brule goal, his third of the season, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Keith Yandle. The Coyotes added on in the second period as Shane Doan sank his fifteenth of the year, via Lauri Korpikoski and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Ottawa replied with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Nick Foligno and Chris Phillips. Phoenix shot back in the third period as Radim Vrbata nailed his twenty-third of the year, helped along by Ray Whitney and Michal Rozsival. Fourteen seconds later, the Senators got back on Chris Neil's ninth of the season, with assists from Erik Condra and Zack Smith. Ottawa never tied it, losing 3-2, with the three stars awarded to Smith (32 for 34 in saves), Doan, and Korpikoski.
Finally, up in Vancouver, the Canucks hosted the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Roberto Luongo tended the twines. Vancouver led off with a Daniel Sedin goal, his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Alexandre Burrows and Dan Hamhuis. Edmonton tied it in the second period as Shawn Horcoff netted his ninth of the year, courtesy of Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky. The Canucks regained the lead in the third period as David Booth made his eighth of the season, with the help of Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins. The Oilers tied the game on a Hall power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Corey Potter and Hemsky. In the shootout, Alexander Edler and Cody Hodgson lifted Vancouver over Edmonton by a 3-2 score when they overpowered a Hemsky tally. The three stars were Kevin Bieksa, Hall, and Hamhuis, while it should include two of Hemsky, Hodgson, or Edler.
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