We have nine games going amidst the swirling rumors of trade. We begin on the Atlantic coast with...
The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Justin Peters will get the starting nods. Caroling led off with a Jerome Samson goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Eric Staal and Jiri Tlusty. Anaheim tied it on a Luca Sbisa goal, his fourth of the year, with the help of Nick Bonino and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Hurricanes regained the lead in the second period with a Jamie McBain goal, his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jaroslav Spacek and Anthony Stewart. The Ducks tied it again in the third period with Corey Perry sinking his thirtieth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Ryan Getzlaf and Cam Fowler. The game went to a shootout, where Anaheim took the win with a lone Saku Koivu goal, toppling Carolina 3-2. The three stars were given to Perry, Hiller (30 for 32 in saves), and McBain.
Up in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and James Reimer will play goal. San Jose got going in the second period with a Patrick Marleau goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, coming off of Joe Thornton and Tommy Wingels. The Sharks added on with Marleau scoring his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Logan Couture and Dan Boyle. Toronto got one back in the third period when Jake Gardiner put away his fourth of the season, via Phil Kessel and Luke Schenn. The Maple Leafs failed to tie the game, losing 2-1, with the three stars going to Marleau, Niemi (29 for 30 in saves), and Gardiner.
Back stateside, the Detroit Red Wings welcome the Vancouver Canucks in a Western Conference showdown. Roberto Luongo and Jimmy Howard guard the cages. Detroit took an early lead with Darren Helm recording his seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. Vancouver tied the game in the second period as Daniel Sedin potted his twenty-seventh of the year, with the help of Henrik Sedin and Alexander Edler. The Red Wings retook the lead in the third period with Kyle Quincey depositing his sixth of the season, thanks to Justin Abdelkader and Helm. The Canucks tied it again with a Cody Hodgson goal, his sixteenth of the year, going down unassisted. Detroit took it back with Abdelkader putting his seventh of the season away, via Helm and Drew Miller. Daniel saved the game late for Vancouver, tying it with his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, helped along by Henrik and Ryan Kesler. The Canucks won it in the shootout, with Alexandre Burrows putting the only dagger into the Red Wings' now dead home win streak, as the Canucks take a 4-3 win. The three stars belong to Helm, Daniel, and Howard (40 for 43 in saves), while Henrik and Abdelkader take the honorable mentions.
Down south in Florida, the Panthers host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jose Theodore were in the blue paint. Florida got things going with a second period power play goal off of Mikael Samuelsson's tape, his eighth of the season, made possible by Stephen Weiss and Tomas Fleischmann. Minnesota tied it on Kyle Brodziak's sixteenth of the year, guided in by Dany Heatley and Marek Zidlicky. The Wild took the lead in the third period with a Matt Cullen power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Heatley and Jared Spurgeon. The Panthers tied it late with a Sean Bergenheim goal, his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Brian Campbell and Samuelsson. Minnesota won the game 3-2 in the shootout with Erik Christensen and Cullen scoring to defeat Florida. The three stars were handed out to Christensen, Heatley, and Bergenheim, while Samuelsson and Cullen get the honorable mentions.
Out west a tad, the Nashville Predators bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Pekka Rinne were the masked men. St. Louis opened with a Chris Stewart goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Jason Arnott and Kris Russell. Nashville tied it in the second period as Roman Josi nailed his third of the year, with the help of Brandon Yip and Matt Halischuk. The Predators took the lead with a Colin Wilson goal, his thirteenth of the season, pushed through by Jordin Tootoo and Nick Spaling. The Blues answered with a Vladimir Sobotka goal, his fourth of the year, from David Perron and Patrik Berglund. St. Louis won the game in the shootout with tallies by T.J. Oshie and Andy McDonald for a 3-2 win over Nashville. The three stars were awarded to Sobotka, Wilson, and Josi.
Back north to Winnipeg, with the Jets hosting the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Ondrej Pavelec will play from the creases. Winnipeg started off with an Andrew Ladd goal, his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Bryan Little and Blake Wheeler. The Jets added on with a Tanner Glass goal, his fifth of the year, set up by Chris Thorburn and Mark Flood. Winnipeg rolled on in the second period as Evander Kane netted his twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal powered by Dustin Byfuglien and Ladd. Byfuglien pushed the Jets farther ahead with a power play goal of his own, his tenth of the year, guided in by Wheeler and Ladd. Dwayne Roloson relieved Garon at this time. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period with a Steven Stamkos power play goal, his forty-third of the season, helped along by Ryan Malone and Teddy Purcell. The Lightning pulled closer with fifty-four seconds left in the game as Purcell potted his sixteenth of the year, via Stamkos. Tampa Bay made it 4-3 with nine seconds left as Martin St. Louis recorded his nineteenth of the campaign, a power play goal going in unassisted. The three stars of this chaotic game were Ladd, Byfuglien, and St. Louis, while Stamkos, Purcell, and Wheeler get the honorable mentions.
Southward to Chicago, as the Blackhawks host the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Corey Crawford will try to stop the puck. Chicago was first on the scoreboard with a Marian Hossa goal in the second period, his twenty-fourth of the season, guided in by Jamal Mayers and Michael Frolik. Dallas tied the game in the third period with a Steve Ott goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone assist by Trevor Daley. The Stars took the lead with a Michael Ryder goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, getting assistance from Mike Ribeiro. Dallas iced it at 3-1 with Loui Eriksson notching his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Ryder and Ribeiro. The three stars went to Bachman (26 for 27 in saves), Ryder, and Hossa, while Ribeiro gets an honorable mention.
Northwest to Alberta, where the Calgary Flames play host to the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Miikka Kiprusoff tend the twines. Calgary led off with an Alex Tanguay goal, his eighth of the season, going in unassisted. The Flames extended the lead with a Matt Stajan goal, his second of the year, fueled by Tanguay and Cory Sarich. Phoenix tied it in the second period with a Daymond Langkow goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Ray Whitney and Mikkel Boedker. The Coyotes tied it with Shane Doan scoring his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Keith Yandle. Phoenix gained the lead in the third period with a Whitney goal, his seventeenth of the season, an unassisted tally. Calgary retied it on Olli Jokinen's nineteenth of the year, with Jarome Iginla and Michael Cammalleri recording the assists on the power play goal. The game was decided in the shootout with a lone Whitney tally for a 4-3 Coyotes over Flames result. The three stars were awarded to Tanguay, Whitney, and Lance Bouma, while any other point earner is a viable third slot candidate.
In the same province, we wrap up the day's games in Edmonton, where the Oilers welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Devan Dubnyk are all padded up. Edmonton got things going in the second period with a power play goal by Taylor Hall, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Ryan Whitney and Jordan Eberle. The Oilers added on with an Eberle goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, going in unassisted. These goals held up for a 2-0 Edmonton win, with the three stars being named as Dubnyk (35 save shutout), Eberle, and Whitney.
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Thursday, February 23, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
NHL Day 140 2011-2012
Only three games tonight, beginning with a battle of national capitals in...
Ottawa, where the Senators host the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Craig Anderson managed the nets. Ottawa opened with an Erik Karlsson goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. The Senators added on with a Michalek goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, with a lone assist by Karlsson. Michalek kept Ottawa going in the second period with his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, a power play goal set up by Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson. Chris Phillips helped the Senators chase Vokoun with a power play goal of his, own, his fourth of the year, powered by Nick Foligno and Chris Neil. Michal Neuvirth came on in relief. Washington woke up in the third period when John Carlson put his eighth of the season away, a power play goal with help from Alexander Semin. The Capitals pulled closer with a Mathieu Perreault goal (off his face), his tenth of the year, fueled by Jason Chimera and Semin. Ottawa iced it at 5-2 with Foligno sinking his thirteenth of the campaign into the empty net, with helpers from Neil and Sergei Gonchar. The three stars went to Michalek, Karlsson, and Anderson (33 for 35 in saves), while Foligno, Neil, and Semin get the honorable mentions.
Out west a bit, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Brian Elliott got the starting nods. Boston led off with a Brad Marchand goal, his twentieth of the season, going down unassisted. The Bruins added on with Milan Lucic netting his twenty-first of the year, thanks to Joe Corvo and Chris Kelly. St. Louis answered with Chris Stewart making his twelfth of the season, with the help of Chris Porter and Jason Arnott. The Blues evened the score with a Ryan Reaves goal, his second of the year, made possible by B.J. Crombeen and Kevin Shattenkirk. Boston took the lead again with Kelly recording his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Lucic and Johnny Boychuk. The Bruins extended their lead in the third period with another Marchand goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. This made it 4-2, a final, with the three stars going to Marchand, Lucic, and Stewart, while Kelly gets the honorable mention.
Finishing off the day, we head to Denver, where the Colorado Avalanche host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Semyon Varlamov are in the creases. Colorado was first to score on a Mark Olver goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by David Jones and Daniel Winnik. The Avalanche added on with an unassisted Paul Stastny goal, his fifteenth of the year. Colorado extended their lead with a Jay McClement goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Ryan O'Reilly and Chuck Kobasew. Jonathan Bernier relieved Quick for the second period onward. Stastny kept the Avalanche going with a power play goal in the second period, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, powered by Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene. Los Angeles got going in the third period with a Dustin Brown goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Mike Richards. The final ended up at 4-1, and the three stars were Varlamov (32 for 33 in saves), Stastny, and Jan Hejda, while any other point earner could slide into the third slot.
Ottawa, where the Senators host the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Craig Anderson managed the nets. Ottawa opened with an Erik Karlsson goal, his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Jason Spezza and Milan Michalek. The Senators added on with a Michalek goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, with a lone assist by Karlsson. Michalek kept Ottawa going in the second period with his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, a power play goal set up by Karlsson and Daniel Alfredsson. Chris Phillips helped the Senators chase Vokoun with a power play goal of his, own, his fourth of the year, powered by Nick Foligno and Chris Neil. Michal Neuvirth came on in relief. Washington woke up in the third period when John Carlson put his eighth of the season away, a power play goal with help from Alexander Semin. The Capitals pulled closer with a Mathieu Perreault goal (off his face), his tenth of the year, fueled by Jason Chimera and Semin. Ottawa iced it at 5-2 with Foligno sinking his thirteenth of the campaign into the empty net, with helpers from Neil and Sergei Gonchar. The three stars went to Michalek, Karlsson, and Anderson (33 for 35 in saves), while Foligno, Neil, and Semin get the honorable mentions.
Out west a bit, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Brian Elliott got the starting nods. Boston led off with a Brad Marchand goal, his twentieth of the season, going down unassisted. The Bruins added on with Milan Lucic netting his twenty-first of the year, thanks to Joe Corvo and Chris Kelly. St. Louis answered with Chris Stewart making his twelfth of the season, with the help of Chris Porter and Jason Arnott. The Blues evened the score with a Ryan Reaves goal, his second of the year, made possible by B.J. Crombeen and Kevin Shattenkirk. Boston took the lead again with Kelly recording his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Lucic and Johnny Boychuk. The Bruins extended their lead in the third period with another Marchand goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. This made it 4-2, a final, with the three stars going to Marchand, Lucic, and Stewart, while Kelly gets the honorable mention.
Finishing off the day, we head to Denver, where the Colorado Avalanche host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Semyon Varlamov are in the creases. Colorado was first to score on a Mark Olver goal, his second of the season, with assists provided by David Jones and Daniel Winnik. The Avalanche added on with an unassisted Paul Stastny goal, his fifteenth of the year. Colorado extended their lead with a Jay McClement goal, his eighth of the season, guided in by Ryan O'Reilly and Chuck Kobasew. Jonathan Bernier relieved Quick for the second period onward. Stastny kept the Avalanche going with a power play goal in the second period, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, powered by Gabriel Landeskog and Matt Duchene. Los Angeles got going in the third period with a Dustin Brown goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Drew Doughty and Mike Richards. The final ended up at 4-1, and the three stars were Varlamov (32 for 33 in saves), Stastny, and Jan Hejda, while any other point earner could slide into the third slot.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
NHL Day 139 2011-2012
After a mid-afternoon trade to shake things up, especially for Steve Downie and Kyle Quincey, we roll with eleven games tonight. The first cluster is led by...
The Columbus Blue Jackets hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Steve Mason guard the goals. Columbus led off with an R.J. Umberger goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Grant Clitsome and Derick Brassard. The Blue Jackets added on with the thirteenth of the year for Jeff Carter, a power play goal set up by Vinny Prospal and Mark Letestu. Columbus kept going with a Rick Nash sinking his twentieth of the season, via Brassard and Umberger. Niemi was pulled in favor of Thomas Greiss at this time. This did little to stop the Blue Jackets, who got another goal on the power play from Carter, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, powered by Prospal and David Savard. San Jose got going in the second period as Joe Thornton netted his thirteenth of the season, with the help of Colin White and Andrew Desjardins. The Sharks pulled closer as Logan Couture scored his twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Michal Handzus and Justin Braun. Columbus answered with Savard potting his second of the season, helped along by Nikita Nikitin and Antoine Vermette, a power play goal. The Blue Jackets remained in control in the third period with a Carter goal, icing his hat trick with his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Nash and Prospal, the latter getting a sock trick as well. San Jose got one back with Couture's second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season coming off of Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle. The final stuck at 6-3, with Carter, Umberger, and Mason (38 for 41 in saves), getting the three stars, while Couture, Nash, Prospal, Savard, and Brassard get the honorable mentions.
Also, the Winnipeg Jets host the Philadelphia Flyers (says prayers no repeats of earlier this season). Ilya Bryzgalov and Ondrej Pavelec were the masked men. Winnipeg led off with a Dustin Byfuglien power play goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Tim Stapleton and Bryan Little. Philadelphia tied it up with a Claude Giroux goal, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Scott Hartnell and Matt Carle. The Flyers took the lead in the second period with Hartnell recording his twenty-eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Wayne Simmonds and Kimmo Timonen. The Jets retied it with Andrew Ladd's eighteenth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Blake Wheeler and Stapleton. Winnipeg took the lead with another Ladd goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the season, fueled by Little and Byfuglien. Philadelphia tied it back up with a Max Talbot goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Andrej Meszaros and Nicklas Grossman. Evander Kane gave the Jets the lead again in the third period by registering his twenty-third of the season, a power play goal with a helper provided by Stapleton, who got a sock trick. The Flyers saved their game late with Simmonds netting his twenty-second of the year, via James van Riemsdyk and Giroux. Philadelphia completed the comeback in overtime as Jaromir Jagr put down his sixteenth of the campaign for a 5-4 win over Winnipeg, and the assist was from the tape of Danny Briere. The three stars were given to Pavelec (50 for 55 in saves, holy cow that's a lot of saves ain't it?), Ladd, and Hartnell, while Stapleton, Giroux, Simmonds, Little, and Byfuglien get the honorable mentions.
A little to the east, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Jonas Gustavsson received the starting nods. New Jersey opened on a Petr Sykora goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Adam Henrique and Matt Taormina. The Devils added on with the twenty-third of the year by David Clarkson, guided in by Patrik Elias and Sykora. Toronto shot back with a Tim Connolly goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Cody Franson and Joey Crabb. The Maple Leafs tied it in the second period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski. New Jersey regained the lead with Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Dainius Zubrus and Anton Volchenkov. Toronto tied it late in the third period on Phil Kessel's thirty-first of the year, assisted by Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul. The Devils toppled the Maple Leafs in the overtime frame with Mark Fayne scoring his fourth of the campaign for a 4-3 victory, and the assists were credited to Henrique and Ilya Kovalchuk. The three stars were awarded to Fayne, Kessel, and Sykora, while Henrique gets the honorable mention.
Crossing into the U.S., the Buffalo Sabres host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Ryan Miller are in the blue paint. Buffalo started the scoring with a Tyler Myers goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Derek Roy Jason Pominville. The Sabres added on in the second period as Thomas Vanek recorded his twenty-second of the year, via Roy and Pominville. New York got as close as 2-1 with Frans Nielsen recording his thirteenth of the campaign, thanks to P.A. Parenteau and the goalie Poulin. The three stars of the game were Myers, Christian Ehrhoff, and Miller (30 for 31 in saves), while Roy and Pominville earn the honorable mentions.
Finishing off the first major wave, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the New York Rangers. Stud goalies Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh opened with a second period Evgeni Malkin goal, his thirty-third of the season, coming off of Kris Letang and Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins added on with a Steve Sullivan goal, his eleventh of the year, a power play goal made possible by Malkin and Matt Cooke. This made it 2-0, a final score after a scoreless third period, with the three stars being selected as Fleury (27 save shutout), Malkin, and Sullivan.
Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Mathieu Garon played between the pipes. Tampa Bay struck just twenty-eight seconds in with Steven Stamkos netting his forty-first of the season on the power play from Ryan Malone and Teddy Purcell. Stamkos helped extend the Lightning lead with his second of the game and forty-second of the year, courtesy of Brett Clark and Purcell. Anaheim got on the board with a Saku Koivu goal in the second period, his eleventh of the season, helped along by Bobby Ryan and Cam Fowler. Tampa Bay took it back with Purcell netting his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Stamkos and Matt Gilroy. The Ducks replied with Ryan notching his twenty-second of the season, with a lone helper by Koivu. The Lightning held on from here to win 3-2, with the three stars being Garon (28 for 30 in saves), Purcell, and Stamkos.
Back north in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Carey Price have control of the nets. Dallas opened with a Ryan Garbutt goal, fueled by Jake Dowell and Toby Petersen. The Stars added on in the third period with a Mike Ribeiro goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Trevor Daley and Mark Fistric. Dallas extended the lead with Tom Wandell recording his fourth of the year, courtesy of Tomas Vincour. This was all for the scoring, ending the game at 3-0, and the three stars belonged to Ribeiro, Lehtonen (31 save shutout), and Garbutt.
Continuing on, the Nashville Predators welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne were in the creases. Mike Fisher got Nashville on the board first with his eighteenth of the season in the second period, a power play goal powered by Ryan Suter and Martin Erat. The Predators added on with a shorthanded Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Fisher and Hal Gill. Vancouver got one back as Dale Weise netted his fourth of the season, with the help of Manny Malhotra and Maxim Lapierre. Nashville iced it in the third period at 3-1 with a David Legwand goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Erat and Fisher. Fisher, Rinne (32 for 33 in saves), and Erat got the three stars.
A little northwest of there, the Chicago Blackhawks host their fiercest rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard returns from injury to oppose Corey Crawford in net. Detroit wasted little time in opening the scoring as Valtteri Filppula netted his seventeenth of the season, with assists from Jakub Kindl and Jiri Hudler on the power play. Chicago tied it up on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Bryan Bickell and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks took a lead in the third period with Marcus Kruger scoring his seventh of the season, helped along by Hayes and Andrew Brunette. This was all it took for Chicago to win 2-1, and the three stars went to Hayes, Kruger, and Howard (27 for 29 in saves).
Southwest of that, the Phoenix Coyotes host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Mike Smith attempted to stop the puck. Los Angeles opened with a Drew Doughty goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Dustin Brown and Dwight King. The Kings extended the lead as Andrei Loktionov registered his third of the year, thanks to Alec Martinez and Matt Greene. Los Angeles kept going with Brown putting his fourteenth of the season into the twine, with the help of Willie Mitchell and Mike Richards. Phoenix got one back with Radim Vrbata recording his twenty-ninth of the year in the second period, a power play goal assisted by Martin Hanzal and Ray Whitney. The Coyotes pulled closer with Shane Doan notching his seventeenth of the season, also a power play goal, powered by Hanzal and Vrbata. The Kings slowed their bleeding with a power play goal off the tape of Justin Williams, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Anze Kopitar and Richards. Phoenix answered with a Doan goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, with Hanzal and Lauri Korpikoski getting the helpers, the former earning a sock trick. Vrbata tied it for the Coyotes in the third period with his second of the game and thirtieth of the year, a power play goal going down unassisted. The game lasted to a shootout, where Whitney and Mikkel Boedker lifted Phoenix to a 5-4 win over Los Angeles, whose only tally came from Brown. The three stars were Vrbata, Doan, and Hanzal, while Whitney, Brown, and Richards also played well.
Finally, we have the battle of Alberta, with the Calgary Flames hosting their northern neighbors, the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Miikka Kiprusoff will be in front of the goalmouths. Calgary started off with Scott Hannan sinking his second of the season, with assists from Paul Byron and Krystofer Kolanos. Edmonton tied it with a Jordan Eberle goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by Sam Gagner and Corey Potter. The Oilers took the lead in the second period as the fifth of the season by Ales Hemsky went across the goal line, thanks to Taylor Hall and Shawn Horcoff. Edmonton extended the lead with an Eric Belanger goal, his third of the year, made possible by Ben Eager. The Oilers added on with Gagner netting his fourteenth of the season, via Eberle and Ryan Smyth. Smyth kept it going for Edmonton with his seventeenth of the year, fueled by Gagner and Jeff Petry. Henrik Karlsson relieved Kiprusoff for the third period. The Oilers iced it at 6-1 with a Hall goal, his twenty-first of the campaign coming on the power play, powered by Eberle and Ryan Whitney. The three stars were given to Eberle, Gagner, and Smyth, while Hall gets an honorable mention.
The Columbus Blue Jackets hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Steve Mason guard the goals. Columbus led off with an R.J. Umberger goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Grant Clitsome and Derick Brassard. The Blue Jackets added on with the thirteenth of the year for Jeff Carter, a power play goal set up by Vinny Prospal and Mark Letestu. Columbus kept going with a Rick Nash sinking his twentieth of the season, via Brassard and Umberger. Niemi was pulled in favor of Thomas Greiss at this time. This did little to stop the Blue Jackets, who got another goal on the power play from Carter, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, powered by Prospal and David Savard. San Jose got going in the second period as Joe Thornton netted his thirteenth of the season, with the help of Colin White and Andrew Desjardins. The Sharks pulled closer as Logan Couture scored his twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Michal Handzus and Justin Braun. Columbus answered with Savard potting his second of the season, helped along by Nikita Nikitin and Antoine Vermette, a power play goal. The Blue Jackets remained in control in the third period with a Carter goal, icing his hat trick with his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Nash and Prospal, the latter getting a sock trick as well. San Jose got one back with Couture's second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season coming off of Joe Pavelski and Dan Boyle. The final stuck at 6-3, with Carter, Umberger, and Mason (38 for 41 in saves), getting the three stars, while Couture, Nash, Prospal, Savard, and Brassard get the honorable mentions.
Also, the Winnipeg Jets host the Philadelphia Flyers (says prayers no repeats of earlier this season). Ilya Bryzgalov and Ondrej Pavelec were the masked men. Winnipeg led off with a Dustin Byfuglien power play goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Tim Stapleton and Bryan Little. Philadelphia tied it up with a Claude Giroux goal, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Scott Hartnell and Matt Carle. The Flyers took the lead in the second period with Hartnell recording his twenty-eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Wayne Simmonds and Kimmo Timonen. The Jets retied it with Andrew Ladd's eighteenth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Blake Wheeler and Stapleton. Winnipeg took the lead with another Ladd goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the season, fueled by Little and Byfuglien. Philadelphia tied it back up with a Max Talbot goal, his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Andrej Meszaros and Nicklas Grossman. Evander Kane gave the Jets the lead again in the third period by registering his twenty-third of the season, a power play goal with a helper provided by Stapleton, who got a sock trick. The Flyers saved their game late with Simmonds netting his twenty-second of the year, via James van Riemsdyk and Giroux. Philadelphia completed the comeback in overtime as Jaromir Jagr put down his sixteenth of the campaign for a 5-4 win over Winnipeg, and the assist was from the tape of Danny Briere. The three stars were given to Pavelec (50 for 55 in saves, holy cow that's a lot of saves ain't it?), Ladd, and Hartnell, while Stapleton, Giroux, Simmonds, Little, and Byfuglien get the honorable mentions.
A little to the east, the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Jonas Gustavsson received the starting nods. New Jersey opened on a Petr Sykora goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Adam Henrique and Matt Taormina. The Devils added on with the twenty-third of the year by David Clarkson, guided in by Patrik Elias and Sykora. Toronto shot back with a Tim Connolly goal, his ninth of the season, courtesy of Cody Franson and Joey Crabb. The Maple Leafs tied it in the second period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his eighteenth of the year, via Nikolai Kulemin and Mikhail Grabovski. New Jersey regained the lead with Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, his eleventh of the season, made possible by Dainius Zubrus and Anton Volchenkov. Toronto tied it late in the third period on Phil Kessel's thirty-first of the year, assisted by Tyler Bozak and Joffrey Lupul. The Devils toppled the Maple Leafs in the overtime frame with Mark Fayne scoring his fourth of the campaign for a 4-3 victory, and the assists were credited to Henrique and Ilya Kovalchuk. The three stars were awarded to Fayne, Kessel, and Sykora, while Henrique gets the honorable mention.
Crossing into the U.S., the Buffalo Sabres host the New York Islanders. Kevin Poulin and Ryan Miller are in the blue paint. Buffalo started the scoring with a Tyler Myers goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Derek Roy Jason Pominville. The Sabres added on in the second period as Thomas Vanek recorded his twenty-second of the year, via Roy and Pominville. New York got as close as 2-1 with Frans Nielsen recording his thirteenth of the campaign, thanks to P.A. Parenteau and the goalie Poulin. The three stars of the game were Myers, Christian Ehrhoff, and Miller (30 for 31 in saves), while Roy and Pominville earn the honorable mentions.
Finishing off the first major wave, the Pittsburgh Penguins bring in the New York Rangers. Stud goalies Henrik Lundqvist and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh opened with a second period Evgeni Malkin goal, his thirty-third of the season, coming off of Kris Letang and Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins added on with a Steve Sullivan goal, his eleventh of the year, a power play goal made possible by Malkin and Matt Cooke. This made it 2-0, a final score after a scoreless third period, with the three stars being selected as Fleury (27 save shutout), Malkin, and Sullivan.
Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Mathieu Garon played between the pipes. Tampa Bay struck just twenty-eight seconds in with Steven Stamkos netting his forty-first of the season on the power play from Ryan Malone and Teddy Purcell. Stamkos helped extend the Lightning lead with his second of the game and forty-second of the year, courtesy of Brett Clark and Purcell. Anaheim got on the board with a Saku Koivu goal in the second period, his eleventh of the season, helped along by Bobby Ryan and Cam Fowler. Tampa Bay took it back with Purcell netting his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Stamkos and Matt Gilroy. The Ducks replied with Ryan notching his twenty-second of the season, with a lone helper by Koivu. The Lightning held on from here to win 3-2, with the three stars being Garon (28 for 30 in saves), Purcell, and Stamkos.
Back north in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Carey Price have control of the nets. Dallas opened with a Ryan Garbutt goal, fueled by Jake Dowell and Toby Petersen. The Stars added on in the third period with a Mike Ribeiro goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Trevor Daley and Mark Fistric. Dallas extended the lead with Tom Wandell recording his fourth of the year, courtesy of Tomas Vincour. This was all for the scoring, ending the game at 3-0, and the three stars belonged to Ribeiro, Lehtonen (31 save shutout), and Garbutt.
Continuing on, the Nashville Predators welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Roberto Luongo and Pekka Rinne were in the creases. Mike Fisher got Nashville on the board first with his eighteenth of the season in the second period, a power play goal powered by Ryan Suter and Martin Erat. The Predators added on with a shorthanded Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Fisher and Hal Gill. Vancouver got one back as Dale Weise netted his fourth of the season, with the help of Manny Malhotra and Maxim Lapierre. Nashville iced it in the third period at 3-1 with a David Legwand goal, his fourteenth of the year, made possible by Erat and Fisher. Fisher, Rinne (32 for 33 in saves), and Erat got the three stars.
A little northwest of there, the Chicago Blackhawks host their fiercest rivals, the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard returns from injury to oppose Corey Crawford in net. Detroit wasted little time in opening the scoring as Valtteri Filppula netted his seventeenth of the season, with assists from Jakub Kindl and Jiri Hudler on the power play. Chicago tied it up on a Jimmy Hayes goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Bryan Bickell and Duncan Keith. The Blackhawks took a lead in the third period with Marcus Kruger scoring his seventh of the season, helped along by Hayes and Andrew Brunette. This was all it took for Chicago to win 2-1, and the three stars went to Hayes, Kruger, and Howard (27 for 29 in saves).
Southwest of that, the Phoenix Coyotes host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Mike Smith attempted to stop the puck. Los Angeles opened with a Drew Doughty goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Dustin Brown and Dwight King. The Kings extended the lead as Andrei Loktionov registered his third of the year, thanks to Alec Martinez and Matt Greene. Los Angeles kept going with Brown putting his fourteenth of the season into the twine, with the help of Willie Mitchell and Mike Richards. Phoenix got one back with Radim Vrbata recording his twenty-ninth of the year in the second period, a power play goal assisted by Martin Hanzal and Ray Whitney. The Coyotes pulled closer with Shane Doan notching his seventeenth of the season, also a power play goal, powered by Hanzal and Vrbata. The Kings slowed their bleeding with a power play goal off the tape of Justin Williams, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Anze Kopitar and Richards. Phoenix answered with a Doan goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, with Hanzal and Lauri Korpikoski getting the helpers, the former earning a sock trick. Vrbata tied it for the Coyotes in the third period with his second of the game and thirtieth of the year, a power play goal going down unassisted. The game lasted to a shootout, where Whitney and Mikkel Boedker lifted Phoenix to a 5-4 win over Los Angeles, whose only tally came from Brown. The three stars were Vrbata, Doan, and Hanzal, while Whitney, Brown, and Richards also played well.
Finally, we have the battle of Alberta, with the Calgary Flames hosting their northern neighbors, the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Miikka Kiprusoff will be in front of the goalmouths. Calgary started off with Scott Hannan sinking his second of the season, with assists from Paul Byron and Krystofer Kolanos. Edmonton tied it with a Jordan Eberle goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by Sam Gagner and Corey Potter. The Oilers took the lead in the second period as the fifth of the season by Ales Hemsky went across the goal line, thanks to Taylor Hall and Shawn Horcoff. Edmonton extended the lead with an Eric Belanger goal, his third of the year, made possible by Ben Eager. The Oilers added on with Gagner netting his fourteenth of the season, via Eberle and Ryan Smyth. Smyth kept it going for Edmonton with his seventeenth of the year, fueled by Gagner and Jeff Petry. Henrik Karlsson relieved Kiprusoff for the third period. The Oilers iced it at 6-1 with a Hall goal, his twenty-first of the campaign coming on the power play, powered by Eberle and Ryan Whitney. The three stars were given to Eberle, Gagner, and Smyth, while Hall gets an honorable mention.
Monday, February 20, 2012
NHL Day 138 2011-2012
Only two games for your enjoyment on President's Day in the USA. We begin with an early matinee...
On Long Island, where the New York Islanders host the Ottawa Senators. Crag Anderson and Kevin Poulin picked up the starts. Ottawa led off with an early Erik Karlsson goal, his eleventh of the season, an unassisted tally. The Senators chased Poulin twenty-seven seconds later with a Jason Spezza goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, made possible by Nick Foligno and Chris Neil. Al Montoya came on in relief. Ottawa continued the attack with another Karlsson goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, fueled by Daniel Alfredsson and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators padded the lead in the second period as Chris Phillips scored his third of the year, thanks to Kyle Turris and Gonchar on the power play. Ottawa added on in the third period with a Brian Lee goal, set up by Karlsson and Erik Condra. The Senators extended the lead again with Spezza' second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Karlsson and Filip Kuba. This was the last of the scoring, leaving the final at 6-0. The three stars went to Karlsson, Spezza, and Anderson (28 save shutout), and Gonchar gets the honorable mention.
Wrapping up the pair of games tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Justin Peters played in net. Carolina led off with a Justin Faulk power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Tim Brent and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes chased Vokoun with an Anthony Stewart goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Eric Staal and Tlusty, prompting Michal Neuvirth to make a relief appearance. Carolina rolled on with Andreas Nodl sinking his third of the campaign, with a lone assist from Branon Sutter. Staal extended the Hurricanes lead in the second period with his seventeenth of the season, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Staal also iced the game at 5-0 in the third period with his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, made possible by Jaroslav Spacek. The three stars went to Staal, Peters (17 save shutout), and Faulk, while Tlusty earns an honorable mention.
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On Long Island, where the New York Islanders host the Ottawa Senators. Crag Anderson and Kevin Poulin picked up the starts. Ottawa led off with an early Erik Karlsson goal, his eleventh of the season, an unassisted tally. The Senators chased Poulin twenty-seven seconds later with a Jason Spezza goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, made possible by Nick Foligno and Chris Neil. Al Montoya came on in relief. Ottawa continued the attack with another Karlsson goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the season, fueled by Daniel Alfredsson and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators padded the lead in the second period as Chris Phillips scored his third of the year, thanks to Kyle Turris and Gonchar on the power play. Ottawa added on in the third period with a Brian Lee goal, set up by Karlsson and Erik Condra. The Senators extended the lead again with Spezza' second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Karlsson and Filip Kuba. This was the last of the scoring, leaving the final at 6-0. The three stars went to Karlsson, Spezza, and Anderson (28 save shutout), and Gonchar gets the honorable mention.
Wrapping up the pair of games tonight, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Justin Peters played in net. Carolina led off with a Justin Faulk power play goal, his sixth of the season, powered by Tim Brent and Jiri Tlusty. The Hurricanes chased Vokoun with an Anthony Stewart goal, his seventh of the year, coming off of Eric Staal and Tlusty, prompting Michal Neuvirth to make a relief appearance. Carolina rolled on with Andreas Nodl sinking his third of the campaign, with a lone assist from Branon Sutter. Staal extended the Hurricanes lead in the second period with his seventeenth of the season, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Staal also iced the game at 5-0 in the third period with his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, made possible by Jaroslav Spacek. The three stars went to Staal, Peters (17 save shutout), and Faulk, while Tlusty earns an honorable mention.
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Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 18
1. Blake Wheeler, 1 G, 7 A, +4, 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 13 SOG
2. Logan Couture, 2 G, 3 A, -1, 2 PIM, 4 PPP, 20 SOG
3. Jonas Hiller, 3 W, 0.98 GAA, 98 SV, .961 SV%, 1 SO
4. Evander Kane, 3 G, 3 A, +5, 6 PIM, 0 PPP, 18 SOG
5. Mike Smith, 2 W, 0.50 GAA, 58 SV, .981 SV%, 1 SO
People are starting to clinch in earnest now, with only a couple of weeks left before the playoffs get underway. It's looking like a very good season for me, with maybe one or two teams not making the playoffs, so I should have plenty of chances at taking some hardware.
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2. Logan Couture, 2 G, 3 A, -1, 2 PIM, 4 PPP, 20 SOG
3. Jonas Hiller, 3 W, 0.98 GAA, 98 SV, .961 SV%, 1 SO
4. Evander Kane, 3 G, 3 A, +5, 6 PIM, 0 PPP, 18 SOG
5. Mike Smith, 2 W, 0.50 GAA, 58 SV, .981 SV%, 1 SO
People are starting to clinch in earnest now, with only a couple of weeks left before the playoffs get underway. It's looking like a very good season for me, with maybe one or two teams not making the playoffs, so I should have plenty of chances at taking some hardware.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
NHL Day 137 2011-2012
It's Hockey Day in America this Sunday, which means we've got games all day long. We begin with three early games...
The first of which is the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Corey Crawford were rewarded for recent strong performances with the chance to start. St. Louis scored late in the first to take the lead on an Andy McDonald goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jamie Langenbrunner and Patrik Berglund. Chicago got going with a third period Duncan Keith goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks took the lead on a Dave Bolland goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Keith and Bryan Bickell. Chicago iced it at 3-1 as Marian Hossa netted his twenty-third of the year, an unassisted empty net goal. The three stars belonged to Crawford (29 for 30 in saves), Bolland, and Elliott (24 for 26 in saves), while Keith earns an honorable mention.
Also, the Buffalo Sabres host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson and Ryan Miller will play goal. Buffalo opened the scoring quickly with a Jason Pominville goal, his twenty-third of the season, coming just fifty-two seconds in from Tyler Myers and Derek Roy. The Sabres added on with a Roy goal, his twelfth of the year, thanks to Pominville and Christian Ehrhoff. Buffalo extended the lead in the second period with Paul Gaustad putting his seventh of the season away, with the help of Nathan Gerbe and Jordan Leopold. This prompted Marc-Andre Fleury to relieve Johnson. Pittsburgh responded quickly to this call for action as Deryk Engelland scored his third of the year, and Evgeni Malkin had the lone assist. The Penguins kept coming with a third period goal from the tape of Jordan Staal, his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by James Neal and Steve Sullivan. The Sabres answered with Drew Stafford scoring his tenth of the year, guided in by Ehrhoff and Thomas Vanek. Buffalo extended the lead again with Roy's second of the game and thirteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Pominville and Ehrhoff, the latter earning a sock trick. The Sabres iced it at 6-2 with Tyler Ennis registering his sixth of the year, fueled by Zack Kassian and Ville Leino. The three stars were awarded to Roy, Pominville, and Ehrhoff.
Wrapping up the first wave of matinees, the Detroit Red Wings host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Joey MacDonald received the starting nods. Detroit began with Henrik Zetterberg recording his thirteenth of the season, with the help of Jonathan Ericsson and Valtteri Filppula. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a Drew Miller goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Justin Abdelkader. San Jose got one back as Logan Couture put his twenty-fifth of the season away, a power play goal powered by Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. Darren Helm got it back for Detroit in the third period with his sixth of the year, and the lone assist went to Miller. The Sharks got as close as 3-2 before time expired with a Patrick Marleau goal, his twenty-third of the campaign, set up by Brent Burns. The three stars went to MacDonald (31 for 33 in saves), Miller, and Helm.
Later on, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Niklas Backstrom are between the pipes. Minnesota got things started in the second period with a Chad Rau goal, his second of the season, made possible by Dany Healtey and Cal Clutterbuck. The Wild added on with a Matt Cullen power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Devin Setoguchi and Jared Spurgeon. This was it for the scoring, with Minnesota taking the game 2-0. Backstrom (48 save shutout), Rau, and Cullen had the three stars.
Heading into the west coast afternoon, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Carey Price will guard the cages. New Jersey started off with Zach Parise recording his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Henrique. The Devils added on in the second period as David Clarkson put his twenty-second of the year in the twine, courtesy of Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora. Montreal got one back in the third period as Max Pacioretty sank his twenty-fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Tomas Kaberle and David Desharnais. New Jersey took it back on a Matt Taormina goal, made possible by Mark Fayne. This was it for scoring, leaving the final at 3-1, and the three stars were Brodeur (21 for 22 in saves), Parise, and Pacioretty.
At the same time, the Florida Panthers host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jose Theodore will wear the masks. Anaheim opened with a Teemu Selanne goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Bobby Ryan and Saku Koivu. The Ducks iced it at 2-0 in the third period with a Niklas Hagman empty net goal, his ninth of the year, with helpers provided by Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. The three stars went to Hiller (31 save shutout), Selanne, and Theodore (25 for 26 in saves).
Out west, the Dallas Stars host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Kari Lehtonen protect the goals. Dallas began the scoring as Michael Ryder netted his twenty-third of the season, with the help of Mike Ribeiro and Loui Eriksson. Nashville tied it as Gabriel Bourque made his third of the year, thanks to David Legwand and Matt Halischuk. The Predators took the lead with one second left in the first period as Shea Weber scored his twelfth of the season, a power play goal powered by Ryan Suter and Sergei Kostitsyn. Colin Wilson kept Nashville going with his twelfth of the year in the second period, coming off of Jordin Tootoo and the goalie Rinne. The Stars got one back as Alex Goligoski deposited his eighth of the campaign, an unassisted goal making the score 3-2, which was a final after they failed to tie. The three stars ended up as Weber, Ryder, and Rinne (22 for 24 in saves).
Back northeast, the New York Rangers are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Henrik Lundqvist guard the goalmouths. New York struck first as Brad Richards scored his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of Carl Hagelin and Michael Del Zotto. Columbus tied it as Derick Brassard netted his eleventh of the year, thanks to Antoine Vermette on the power play in the second period. The Rangers got the lead back with an Artem Anisimov goal, his eleventh of the season, set up by Dan Girardi and John Mitchell. The Blue Jackets got an equalizer with Rick Nash scoring his nineteenth of the year in the third period, and the assists came from Jeff Carter and R.J. Umberger. New York ended up winning in overtime by a 3-2 score when Derek Stepan recorded his twelfth of the campaign, guided in by Del Zotto and Marian Gaborik. Ryan Callahan, Anisimov, and Stepan had the three stars, while Del Zotto earns an honorable mention.
Northwest to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Ondrej Pavelec are in the blue paint. Winnipeg got going in the second period with an Evander Kane goal, his twenty-second of the season, fueled by Alex Burmistrov and Kyle Wellwood. The Jets added on with a Bryan Little, his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler. Colorado got one back with Gabriel Landeskog potting his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Erik Johnson. Winnipeg took it back quickly with a Wellwood goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Kane and Wheeler. The Jets extended the lead with a third period Ladd goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Wheeler, for a sock trick, and Dustin Byfuglien. Winnipeg iced it at 5-1 with a Little power play goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, assisted by Wheeler and Byfuglien. The three stars went to Wheeler, Pavelec (31 for 32 in saves), and Ladd, while Byfuglien, Wellwood, Kane, and Little get the honorable mentions.
Finally, we go a little west to Edmonton, where the Oilers take on the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Nikolai Khabibulin will be between the pipes. Vancouver struck early with the thirteenth of the season for Henrik Sedin, assisted by Daniel Sedin and Alexandre Burrows. The Canucks added on with a Sami Salo power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Henrik and Ryan Kesler. Devan Dubnyk relieved Khabibulin for the second and third periods. Edmonton got on the board in the second period as Shawn Horcoff scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Ryan Smyth and Tom Gilbert. Vancouver took it back as Kevin Bieksa put away his seventh of the year, made possible by Dale Weise and Manny Malhotra. The Canucks extended their lead as Chris Higgins notched his eleventh of the season, via Jannik Hansen.The Oilers got one back with Magnus Paajarvi registering his second of the year, coming off of Ales Hemsky and Ladislav Smid. Daniel kept Vancouver strong with his twenty-sixth of the season in the third period, and Burrows had the lone assist. The final was 5-2, and Daniel, Henrik, and Paajarvi had the three stars while Burrows gets the honorable mention.
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The first of which is the Chicago Blackhawks hosting the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Corey Crawford were rewarded for recent strong performances with the chance to start. St. Louis scored late in the first to take the lead on an Andy McDonald goal, his third of the season, assisted by Jamie Langenbrunner and Patrik Berglund. Chicago got going with a third period Duncan Keith goal, his fourth of the year, courtesy of Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane. The Blackhawks took the lead on a Dave Bolland goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Keith and Bryan Bickell. Chicago iced it at 3-1 as Marian Hossa netted his twenty-third of the year, an unassisted empty net goal. The three stars belonged to Crawford (29 for 30 in saves), Bolland, and Elliott (24 for 26 in saves), while Keith earns an honorable mention.
Also, the Buffalo Sabres host the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson and Ryan Miller will play goal. Buffalo opened the scoring quickly with a Jason Pominville goal, his twenty-third of the season, coming just fifty-two seconds in from Tyler Myers and Derek Roy. The Sabres added on with a Roy goal, his twelfth of the year, thanks to Pominville and Christian Ehrhoff. Buffalo extended the lead in the second period with Paul Gaustad putting his seventh of the season away, with the help of Nathan Gerbe and Jordan Leopold. This prompted Marc-Andre Fleury to relieve Johnson. Pittsburgh responded quickly to this call for action as Deryk Engelland scored his third of the year, and Evgeni Malkin had the lone assist. The Penguins kept coming with a third period goal from the tape of Jordan Staal, his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by James Neal and Steve Sullivan. The Sabres answered with Drew Stafford scoring his tenth of the year, guided in by Ehrhoff and Thomas Vanek. Buffalo extended the lead again with Roy's second of the game and thirteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Pominville and Ehrhoff, the latter earning a sock trick. The Sabres iced it at 6-2 with Tyler Ennis registering his sixth of the year, fueled by Zack Kassian and Ville Leino. The three stars were awarded to Roy, Pominville, and Ehrhoff.
Wrapping up the first wave of matinees, the Detroit Red Wings host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Joey MacDonald received the starting nods. Detroit began with Henrik Zetterberg recording his thirteenth of the season, with the help of Jonathan Ericsson and Valtteri Filppula. The Red Wings added on in the second period with a Drew Miller goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Justin Abdelkader. San Jose got one back as Logan Couture put his twenty-fifth of the season away, a power play goal powered by Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. Darren Helm got it back for Detroit in the third period with his sixth of the year, and the lone assist went to Miller. The Sharks got as close as 3-2 before time expired with a Patrick Marleau goal, his twenty-third of the campaign, set up by Brent Burns. The three stars went to MacDonald (31 for 33 in saves), Miller, and Helm.
Later on, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Niklas Backstrom are between the pipes. Minnesota got things started in the second period with a Chad Rau goal, his second of the season, made possible by Dany Healtey and Cal Clutterbuck. The Wild added on with a Matt Cullen power play goal, his twelfth of the year, powered by Devin Setoguchi and Jared Spurgeon. This was it for the scoring, with Minnesota taking the game 2-0. Backstrom (48 save shutout), Rau, and Cullen had the three stars.
Heading into the west coast afternoon, the Montreal Canadiens bring in the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Carey Price will guard the cages. New Jersey started off with Zach Parise recording his twenty-second of the season, coming off of Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Henrique. The Devils added on in the second period as David Clarkson put his twenty-second of the year in the twine, courtesy of Patrik Elias and Petr Sykora. Montreal got one back in the third period as Max Pacioretty sank his twenty-fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Tomas Kaberle and David Desharnais. New Jersey took it back on a Matt Taormina goal, made possible by Mark Fayne. This was it for scoring, leaving the final at 3-1, and the three stars were Brodeur (21 for 22 in saves), Parise, and Pacioretty.
At the same time, the Florida Panthers host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jose Theodore will wear the masks. Anaheim opened with a Teemu Selanne goal, his twentieth of the season, assisted by Bobby Ryan and Saku Koivu. The Ducks iced it at 2-0 in the third period with a Niklas Hagman empty net goal, his ninth of the year, with helpers provided by Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. The three stars went to Hiller (31 save shutout), Selanne, and Theodore (25 for 26 in saves).
Out west, the Dallas Stars host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Kari Lehtonen protect the goals. Dallas began the scoring as Michael Ryder netted his twenty-third of the season, with the help of Mike Ribeiro and Loui Eriksson. Nashville tied it as Gabriel Bourque made his third of the year, thanks to David Legwand and Matt Halischuk. The Predators took the lead with one second left in the first period as Shea Weber scored his twelfth of the season, a power play goal powered by Ryan Suter and Sergei Kostitsyn. Colin Wilson kept Nashville going with his twelfth of the year in the second period, coming off of Jordin Tootoo and the goalie Rinne. The Stars got one back as Alex Goligoski deposited his eighth of the campaign, an unassisted goal making the score 3-2, which was a final after they failed to tie. The three stars ended up as Weber, Ryder, and Rinne (22 for 24 in saves).
Back northeast, the New York Rangers are hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Henrik Lundqvist guard the goalmouths. New York struck first as Brad Richards scored his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of Carl Hagelin and Michael Del Zotto. Columbus tied it as Derick Brassard netted his eleventh of the year, thanks to Antoine Vermette on the power play in the second period. The Rangers got the lead back with an Artem Anisimov goal, his eleventh of the season, set up by Dan Girardi and John Mitchell. The Blue Jackets got an equalizer with Rick Nash scoring his nineteenth of the year in the third period, and the assists came from Jeff Carter and R.J. Umberger. New York ended up winning in overtime by a 3-2 score when Derek Stepan recorded his twelfth of the campaign, guided in by Del Zotto and Marian Gaborik. Ryan Callahan, Anisimov, and Stepan had the three stars, while Del Zotto earns an honorable mention.
Northwest to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Ondrej Pavelec are in the blue paint. Winnipeg got going in the second period with an Evander Kane goal, his twenty-second of the season, fueled by Alex Burmistrov and Kyle Wellwood. The Jets added on with a Bryan Little, his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Andrew Ladd and Blake Wheeler. Colorado got one back with Gabriel Landeskog potting his fifteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Erik Johnson. Winnipeg took it back quickly with a Wellwood goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Kane and Wheeler. The Jets extended the lead with a third period Ladd goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Wheeler, for a sock trick, and Dustin Byfuglien. Winnipeg iced it at 5-1 with a Little power play goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, assisted by Wheeler and Byfuglien. The three stars went to Wheeler, Pavelec (31 for 32 in saves), and Ladd, while Byfuglien, Wellwood, Kane, and Little get the honorable mentions.
Finally, we go a little west to Edmonton, where the Oilers take on the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Nikolai Khabibulin will be between the pipes. Vancouver struck early with the thirteenth of the season for Henrik Sedin, assisted by Daniel Sedin and Alexandre Burrows. The Canucks added on with a Sami Salo power play goal, his eighth of the year, powered by Henrik and Ryan Kesler. Devan Dubnyk relieved Khabibulin for the second and third periods. Edmonton got on the board in the second period as Shawn Horcoff scored his eleventh of the season, thanks to Ryan Smyth and Tom Gilbert. Vancouver took it back as Kevin Bieksa put away his seventh of the year, made possible by Dale Weise and Manny Malhotra. The Canucks extended their lead as Chris Higgins notched his eleventh of the season, via Jannik Hansen.The Oilers got one back with Magnus Paajarvi registering his second of the year, coming off of Ales Hemsky and Ladislav Smid. Daniel kept Vancouver strong with his twenty-sixth of the season in the third period, and Burrows had the lone assist. The final was 5-2, and Daniel, Henrik, and Paajarvi had the three stars while Burrows gets the honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
NHL Day 136 2011-2012
Eight games on this Saturday, a surprisingly low amount that will be compensated for tomorrow. We begin with an ample dose of matinees, starting in...
Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Steve Mason will be in front of the goals. Columbus led off with a Derick Brassard goal, his tenth of the season, requiring no assistance. Chicago got on the board with a Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, coming off of Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith. Viktor Stalberg gave the Blackhawks a lead with his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Bryan Bickell and Dylan Olsen. Sharp helped Chicago extend the lead in the second period with his twenty-fourth of the year, guided in by Patrick Kane and Toews. Kane added on for the Blackhawks with his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Toews and Sharp. This prompted Allen York to relieve Mason. Chicago stayed relentless heading into the third period as Marcus Kruger potted his sixth of the year, with the help of Andrew Brunette and Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks kept going when Sami Lepisto scored, thanks to Dave Bolland. They held on from here on out for a 6-1 win, and the three stars went to Toews, Sharp, and Keith, with an honorable mention for Kane.
Back east a bit, the Battle of Pennsylvania is renewed with the Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ilya Bryzgalov tended the twines. Pittsburgh opened with a Matt Cooke goal, his tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Philadelphia tied it when Jaromir Jagr netted his fourteenth of the year, via Danny Briere. The Flyers took the lead on another Jagr goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen on the power play. The Penguins retied the game in the second period as Jordan Staal scored his eighteenth of the year shorthanded, with the help of Craig Adams. Pittsburgh gained the lead when Cooke busted loose for his second of the game and eleventh of the season, another shorthanded goal while down 5-on-3, an unassisted goal. Bryzgalov was pulled in favor of Sergei Bobrovsky at this time. Eric Wellwood helped tie things back up for the Flyers, and his goal also needed no assists. The Penguins took the lead back in the third period with the fourth of the year by Dustin Jeffrey, assisted by Cooke. Pittsburgh got some breathing room when Pascal Dupuis netted his thirteenth of the season, set up by Staal and Steve Sullivan. The Penguins were unstoppable, with James Neal depositing his thirtieth of the year, guided in by Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. The Flyers did get a late goal to end at 6-4, with Wayne Simmonds putting his twenty-first of the campaign in the cage, and the lone helper belonged to James van Riemsdyk. The three stars ended up as Cooke, Jagr, and Staal.
Finishing off the matinee games, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Brian Elliott will try to stop the puck. St. Louis led off on a Ryan Reaves goal, made possible by Scott Nichol and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues added on in the second period as Barret Jackman scored, with the help of Patrik Berglund and Jamie Langenbrunner. St. Louis extended the lead with an Andy McDonald power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk. The Blues kept going in the third period as Vlaidmir Sobotka nailed his third of the year, guided in by David Perron and Pietrangelo. This was all for the scoring with a final sitting at 4-0. The three stars were Jackman, Sobotka, and Reaves, while Elliott (13 save shutout), Pietrangelo, and Shattenkirk all deserve honorable mentions.
At the regular times, the Tampa Bay started us off by hosting the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Mathieu Garon were in the creases. Tampa Bay opened with a Tom Pyatt goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Teddy Purcell. The Lightning added on in he second period as Steven Stamkos netted his fortieth of the year, an unassisted goal. Washington cut it to 2-1 with a Brooks Laich goal, his eleventh of the campaign, made possible by Mathieu Perreault and Alexander Semin. There was no scoring in the third period, so this was a final, and Stamkos, Garon (23 for 24 in saves), and Purcell got the three stars.
Up to New York, with the Islanders welcoming the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Kevin Poulin began the game in goal, but Justin Peters relieved Ward for the third period. New York began with a Kyle Okposo goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Michael Grabner and Mark Streit. Carolina tied it with a Brandon Sutter goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Patrick Dwyer. The Hurricanes took the lead fifteen seconds into the second period as Jiri Tlusty sank his fourteenth of the season, via Jerome Samson. The Islanders tied it again with John Tavares making his twenty-third of the year, thanks to Andrew MacDonald and P.A. Parenteau. New York gained the lead with Frans Nielsen netting his twelfth of the campaign on the power play, powered by Tavares and Parenteau. Carolina got another equalizer with Jaroslav Spacek scoring his third of the season, with a lone assist by Eric Staal. The Islanders made it 4-3 just thirty-eight seconds into the third period, as Tavares scored his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, assisted by Matt Moulson and Streit. This was a final score, with the three stars being Tavares, Parenteau, and Sutter, while honorable mention is in place for Streit.
Out to the west, where the Vancouver Canucks host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Roberto Luongo guarded the cages. Vancouver opened with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Daniel Sedin. The Canucks added on with Manny Malhotra potting his sixth of the year, thanks to Maxim Lapierre and Byron Bitz. Burrows kept Vancouver in charge in the second period with his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, fueled by Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Toronto got one back as Dion Phaneuf recorded his ninth of the year, with the help of Phil Kessel and John-Michael Liles. The Canucks took it back with a Daniel goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, on a lone Henrik helper, chasing Reimer in favor of Jonas Gustavsson. Vancouver extended the lead with a Sami Salo power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Daniel and Henrik, both of whom collected sock tricks. The Canucks stayed strong in the third period as Kevin Bieksa netted his sixth of the season, via Jannik Hansen and Henrik. The Maples Leafs cut the loss down to 6-2 with just twenty seconds left in the game as Nikolai Kulemin put away his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Luke Schenn and Clarke MacArthur. The three stars here went to Daniel, Henrik, and Burrows.
Down in Phoenix, the Coyotes welcomed the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Mike Smith are between the pipes. Phoenix led off with a Mikkel Boedker goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Lauri Korpikoski and Keith Yandle. Dallas tied it in the second period when Michael Ryder scored his twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro. The Coyotes took the game by a 2-1 score in overtime as Radim Vrbata made his twenty-eighth of the campaign, and Ray Whitney had the only assist. The three stars were Smith (30 for 31 in saves), Vrbata, and Boedker.
Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Jonathan Quick are in the blue paint. Calgary gained a 1-0 lead in the third period as Michael Cammalleri potted his fourteenth of the campaign, with Tom Kostopolous getting the only helper. This was all for the scoring, and Kiprusoff (28 save shutout), Quick (17 for 18 in saves), and Cammalleri had the three stars.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Steve Mason will be in front of the goals. Columbus led off with a Derick Brassard goal, his tenth of the season, requiring no assistance. Chicago got on the board with a Jonathan Toews goal, his twenty-ninth of the year, coming off of Patrick Sharp and Duncan Keith. Viktor Stalberg gave the Blackhawks a lead with his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Bryan Bickell and Dylan Olsen. Sharp helped Chicago extend the lead in the second period with his twenty-fourth of the year, guided in by Patrick Kane and Toews. Kane added on for the Blackhawks with his thirteenth of the season, courtesy of Toews and Sharp. This prompted Allen York to relieve Mason. Chicago stayed relentless heading into the third period as Marcus Kruger potted his sixth of the year, with the help of Andrew Brunette and Marian Hossa. The Blackhawks kept going when Sami Lepisto scored, thanks to Dave Bolland. They held on from here on out for a 6-1 win, and the three stars went to Toews, Sharp, and Keith, with an honorable mention for Kane.
Back east a bit, the Battle of Pennsylvania is renewed with the Philadelphia Flyers hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Ilya Bryzgalov tended the twines. Pittsburgh opened with a Matt Cooke goal, his tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Philadelphia tied it when Jaromir Jagr netted his fourteenth of the year, via Danny Briere. The Flyers took the lead on another Jagr goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, powered by Claude Giroux and Kimmo Timonen on the power play. The Penguins retied the game in the second period as Jordan Staal scored his eighteenth of the year shorthanded, with the help of Craig Adams. Pittsburgh gained the lead when Cooke busted loose for his second of the game and eleventh of the season, another shorthanded goal while down 5-on-3, an unassisted goal. Bryzgalov was pulled in favor of Sergei Bobrovsky at this time. Eric Wellwood helped tie things back up for the Flyers, and his goal also needed no assists. The Penguins took the lead back in the third period with the fourth of the year by Dustin Jeffrey, assisted by Cooke. Pittsburgh got some breathing room when Pascal Dupuis netted his thirteenth of the season, set up by Staal and Steve Sullivan. The Penguins were unstoppable, with James Neal depositing his thirtieth of the year, guided in by Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. The Flyers did get a late goal to end at 6-4, with Wayne Simmonds putting his twenty-first of the campaign in the cage, and the lone helper belonged to James van Riemsdyk. The three stars ended up as Cooke, Jagr, and Staal.
Finishing off the matinee games, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Brian Elliott will try to stop the puck. St. Louis led off on a Ryan Reaves goal, made possible by Scott Nichol and Kevin Shattenkirk. The Blues added on in the second period as Barret Jackman scored, with the help of Patrik Berglund and Jamie Langenbrunner. St. Louis extended the lead with an Andy McDonald power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk. The Blues kept going in the third period as Vlaidmir Sobotka nailed his third of the year, guided in by David Perron and Pietrangelo. This was all for the scoring with a final sitting at 4-0. The three stars were Jackman, Sobotka, and Reaves, while Elliott (13 save shutout), Pietrangelo, and Shattenkirk all deserve honorable mentions.
At the regular times, the Tampa Bay started us off by hosting the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Mathieu Garon were in the creases. Tampa Bay opened with a Tom Pyatt goal, his sixth of the season, with a lone assist by Teddy Purcell. The Lightning added on in he second period as Steven Stamkos netted his fortieth of the year, an unassisted goal. Washington cut it to 2-1 with a Brooks Laich goal, his eleventh of the campaign, made possible by Mathieu Perreault and Alexander Semin. There was no scoring in the third period, so this was a final, and Stamkos, Garon (23 for 24 in saves), and Purcell got the three stars.
Up to New York, with the Islanders welcoming the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Kevin Poulin began the game in goal, but Justin Peters relieved Ward for the third period. New York began with a Kyle Okposo goal, his thirteenth of the season, guided in by Michael Grabner and Mark Streit. Carolina tied it with a Brandon Sutter goal, his thirteenth of the year, set up by Patrick Dwyer. The Hurricanes took the lead fifteen seconds into the second period as Jiri Tlusty sank his fourteenth of the season, via Jerome Samson. The Islanders tied it again with John Tavares making his twenty-third of the year, thanks to Andrew MacDonald and P.A. Parenteau. New York gained the lead with Frans Nielsen netting his twelfth of the campaign on the power play, powered by Tavares and Parenteau. Carolina got another equalizer with Jaroslav Spacek scoring his third of the season, with a lone assist by Eric Staal. The Islanders made it 4-3 just thirty-eight seconds into the third period, as Tavares scored his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, assisted by Matt Moulson and Streit. This was a final score, with the three stars being Tavares, Parenteau, and Sutter, while honorable mention is in place for Streit.
Out to the west, where the Vancouver Canucks host the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Roberto Luongo guarded the cages. Vancouver opened with an Alexandre Burrows goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Daniel Sedin. The Canucks added on with Manny Malhotra potting his sixth of the year, thanks to Maxim Lapierre and Byron Bitz. Burrows kept Vancouver in charge in the second period with his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, fueled by Daniel and Henrik Sedin. Toronto got one back as Dion Phaneuf recorded his ninth of the year, with the help of Phil Kessel and John-Michael Liles. The Canucks took it back with a Daniel goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, on a lone Henrik helper, chasing Reimer in favor of Jonas Gustavsson. Vancouver extended the lead with a Sami Salo power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Daniel and Henrik, both of whom collected sock tricks. The Canucks stayed strong in the third period as Kevin Bieksa netted his sixth of the season, via Jannik Hansen and Henrik. The Maples Leafs cut the loss down to 6-2 with just twenty seconds left in the game as Nikolai Kulemin put away his sixth of the year, with assists provided by Luke Schenn and Clarke MacArthur. The three stars here went to Daniel, Henrik, and Burrows.
Down in Phoenix, the Coyotes welcomed the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Mike Smith are between the pipes. Phoenix led off with a Mikkel Boedker goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Lauri Korpikoski and Keith Yandle. Dallas tied it in the second period when Michael Ryder scored his twenty-second of the year, a power play goal powered by Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro. The Coyotes took the game by a 2-1 score in overtime as Radim Vrbata made his twenty-eighth of the campaign, and Ray Whitney had the only assist. The three stars were Smith (30 for 31 in saves), Vrbata, and Boedker.
Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Jonathan Quick are in the blue paint. Calgary gained a 1-0 lead in the third period as Michael Cammalleri potted his fourteenth of the campaign, with Tom Kostopolous getting the only helper. This was all for the scoring, and Kiprusoff (28 save shutout), Quick (17 for 18 in saves), and Cammalleri had the three stars.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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