Playoff seeds are nearly finalized, if they haven't already begun. Who led you to the promised land this week? Likely one of these fine players...
1. Ryan Miller, 3 W, 1.00 GAA, 114 SV, .974 SV%, 2 SO
2. Kevin Shattenkirk, 2 G, 4 A, +3, 0 PIM, 3 PPP, 16 SOG
3. Eric Staal, 1 G, 6 A, +2, 4 PIM, 3 PPP, 4 SOG
4. Evander Kane, 2 G, 3 A, +3, 2 PIM, 1 PPP, 15 SOG
5. Patrick Sharp, 1 G, 3 A, +2, 2 PIM, 2 PPP, 16 SOG
Best of luck for those of you in the playoffs and those looking to get in. I should make the playoffs on a heavy majority of my teams.
Monday, March 5, 2012
Sunday, March 4, 2012
NHL Day 151 2011-2012
We have seven games spread out on this Sunday, beginning with a big Original Six rivalry game in...
New York, where the Rangers host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York led off with an Anton Stralman goal, his third of the season, guided in by Brian Boyle. The Rangers added on with a Carl Hagelin goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Brad Richards and Dan Girardi. Boston got one back with Benoit Pouliot sinking his tenth of the season, thanks to Jordan Caron. Caron tied it for the Bruins in the second period with his fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. New York retook the lead in the third period as Marian Gaborik registered his thirty-second of the season, with the help of Richards and Michael Del Zotto. Boston tied it again with a David Krejci goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, fueled by Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin. Derek Stepan gave the Rangers a 4-3 lead on his fourteenth of the year, coming off of Del Zotto and Stu Bickel, and this score was upheld to the end to be a final. The three stars ended up being Stepan, Gaborik, and Krejci, while Caron, Del Zotto, and Richards earn honorable mentions.
Across the town, the New York Islanders bring in the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Anders Nilsson will be the goalies. New York got the scoring started in the second period with the fifteenth of the season for Kyle Okposo, and Casey Cizikas had the lone assist. This was the game's only goal, leaving the final as 1-0, and the three stars went to Nilsson (24 save shutout), Okposo, and Cizikas.
Out to the west, with the Detroit Red wings welcoming the Chicago Blackhawks in a big rivalry game. Ray Emery and Jimmy Howard are under the masks. Chicago opened with a Patrick Sharp goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy on the power play. Detroit tied it again with the fourteenth of the year by Niklas Kronwall, courtesy of Darren Helm and Brad Stuart. Joey MacDonald replaced Howard after the first period, presumably as an injury replacement. The Blackhawks gained the lead again in the second period as Patrick Kane netted his sixteenth of the season, with the help of Sharp. After a silent third period, 2-1 was the final, with the three stars going to Sharp, Kane, and Brendan Smith, while any point earner or Emery (23 for 24 in saves) could take the third slot.
Farther west, the Calgary Flames host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Miikka Kiprusoff guard the cages. Calgary was first on the board with a Curtis Glencross second period goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of David Moss and Jay Bouwmeester. Dallas tied it up on Loui Eriksson shorthanded goal, his twenty-second of the year, fueled by Steve Ott and the goalie Lehtonen. The Stars took the lead on a Michael Ryder power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro. The Flames retied it as Jarome Iginla notched his twenty-fifth of the year in the third period, thanks to Michael Cammalleri and Alex Tanguay. The game went to a shootout, where Jamie Benn and Eriksson made quick work of Calgary, leading Dallas to a 3-2 win. The three stars belong to Iginla, Eriksson, and Tim Jackman, while Lehtonen (36 for 38 in saves) and Kiprusoff (38 for 40 in saves) get the honorable mentions.
Southeast of there, the Florida Panthers bring in the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Jose Theodore will be in the blue paint. Ottawa struck first with a Jared Cowen goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Kyle Turris. The Senators extended the lead with a Chris Neil goal, his eleventh of the year, helped along by Jim O'Brien. Florida got on the board in the second period as Marcel Goc potted his seventh of the season, via Mike Weaver and Tomas Kopecky. The Panthers tied it as Krys Barch recorded his second of the year, thanks to Jack Skille and Weaver. Florida gained the lead on a Mikael Samuelsson goal, his ninth of the season, a power play goal powered by Stephen Weiss and Brian Campbell. The Panthers iced it at 4-2 in the third period with a Skille goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Shawn Matthias. The three stars were handed out to Goc, Weaver, and Skille.
Back northwest, the Minnesota Wild host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Matt Hackett are in the creases. Colorado got on the board first with a Jamie McGinn goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Peter Mueller and Stefan Elliott. The Avalanche added on with a McGinn power play goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, powered by Mueller and Elliott. These held up throughout the game for a 2-0 final in which the three stars were Varlamov (30 save shutout), Hackett (34 for 36 in saves), and McGinn, and the honorable mentions were Mueller and Elliott.
Finally, we finish in the east, as the Washington Capitals welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Michal Neuvirth protect the nets. Philadelphia scored first as Eric Wellwood potted his second of the season in the second period, with the help of Pavel Kubina and Matt Carle. This would be it for scoring, leaving the final at 1-0, with the three stars as Bryzgalov (34 save shutout), Wellwood, and Neuvirth (22 for 23 in saves).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
New York, where the Rangers host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Henrik Lundqvist tend the twines. New York led off with an Anton Stralman goal, his third of the season, guided in by Brian Boyle. The Rangers added on with a Carl Hagelin goal, his twelfth of the year, made possible by Brad Richards and Dan Girardi. Boston got one back with Benoit Pouliot sinking his tenth of the season, thanks to Jordan Caron. Caron tied it for the Bruins in the second period with his fourth of the year, an unassisted goal. New York retook the lead in the third period as Marian Gaborik registered his thirty-second of the season, with the help of Richards and Michael Del Zotto. Boston tied it again with a David Krejci goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, fueled by Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin. Derek Stepan gave the Rangers a 4-3 lead on his fourteenth of the year, coming off of Del Zotto and Stu Bickel, and this score was upheld to the end to be a final. The three stars ended up being Stepan, Gaborik, and Krejci, while Caron, Del Zotto, and Richards earn honorable mentions.
Across the town, the New York Islanders bring in the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Anders Nilsson will be the goalies. New York got the scoring started in the second period with the fifteenth of the season for Kyle Okposo, and Casey Cizikas had the lone assist. This was the game's only goal, leaving the final as 1-0, and the three stars went to Nilsson (24 save shutout), Okposo, and Cizikas.
Out to the west, with the Detroit Red wings welcoming the Chicago Blackhawks in a big rivalry game. Ray Emery and Jimmy Howard are under the masks. Chicago opened with a Patrick Sharp goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy on the power play. Detroit tied it again with the fourteenth of the year by Niklas Kronwall, courtesy of Darren Helm and Brad Stuart. Joey MacDonald replaced Howard after the first period, presumably as an injury replacement. The Blackhawks gained the lead again in the second period as Patrick Kane netted his sixteenth of the season, with the help of Sharp. After a silent third period, 2-1 was the final, with the three stars going to Sharp, Kane, and Brendan Smith, while any point earner or Emery (23 for 24 in saves) could take the third slot.
Farther west, the Calgary Flames host the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Miikka Kiprusoff guard the cages. Calgary was first on the board with a Curtis Glencross second period goal, his twenty-second of the season, coming off of David Moss and Jay Bouwmeester. Dallas tied it up on Loui Eriksson shorthanded goal, his twenty-second of the year, fueled by Steve Ott and the goalie Lehtonen. The Stars took the lead on a Michael Ryder power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro. The Flames retied it as Jarome Iginla notched his twenty-fifth of the year in the third period, thanks to Michael Cammalleri and Alex Tanguay. The game went to a shootout, where Jamie Benn and Eriksson made quick work of Calgary, leading Dallas to a 3-2 win. The three stars belong to Iginla, Eriksson, and Tim Jackman, while Lehtonen (36 for 38 in saves) and Kiprusoff (38 for 40 in saves) get the honorable mentions.
Southeast of there, the Florida Panthers bring in the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Jose Theodore will be in the blue paint. Ottawa struck first with a Jared Cowen goal, his fifth of the season, assisted by Kyle Turris. The Senators extended the lead with a Chris Neil goal, his eleventh of the year, helped along by Jim O'Brien. Florida got on the board in the second period as Marcel Goc potted his seventh of the season, via Mike Weaver and Tomas Kopecky. The Panthers tied it as Krys Barch recorded his second of the year, thanks to Jack Skille and Weaver. Florida gained the lead on a Mikael Samuelsson goal, his ninth of the season, a power play goal powered by Stephen Weiss and Brian Campbell. The Panthers iced it at 4-2 in the third period with a Skille goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by Shawn Matthias. The three stars were handed out to Goc, Weaver, and Skille.
Back northwest, the Minnesota Wild host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Matt Hackett are in the creases. Colorado got on the board first with a Jamie McGinn goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Peter Mueller and Stefan Elliott. The Avalanche added on with a McGinn power play goal, his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, powered by Mueller and Elliott. These held up throughout the game for a 2-0 final in which the three stars were Varlamov (30 save shutout), Hackett (34 for 36 in saves), and McGinn, and the honorable mentions were Mueller and Elliott.
Finally, we finish in the east, as the Washington Capitals welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Michal Neuvirth protect the nets. Philadelphia scored first as Eric Wellwood potted his second of the season in the second period, with the help of Pavel Kubina and Matt Carle. This would be it for scoring, leaving the final at 1-0, with the three stars as Bryzgalov (34 save shutout), Wellwood, and Neuvirth (22 for 23 in saves).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
NHL Day 150 2011-2012
We have only nine games, a very low amount for a Saturday, beginning with a lone matinee in...
Boston, as the Bruins host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Tuukka Rask are in goal. Boston got going with a Milan Lucic goal, his twenty-second of the season, set up by Brian Rolston and Joe Corvo on the power play. Josh Bailey tied it for New York with his tenth of the year, guided in by Frans Nielsen and David Ullstrom. Rask came out of the game midway through the second period with an injury, and Tim Thomas relieved him. The Islanders took the lead with a Matt Moulson power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Nielsen and John Tavares. The Bruins tied it in the third period with Tyler Seguin notching his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. New York regained the lead when Tavares potted his twenty-sixth of the campaign, via Moulson and Andrew MacDonald. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Nabokov (32 for 34 in saves), Tavares, and Seguin, while Moulson and Nielsen get the honorable mentions.
Starting the games at the usual times, the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Cam Ward had the starts. Tampa Bay got things going on a Tim Wallace goal, set up by Ryan Shannon. Carolina answered in the second period with an Anthony Stewart goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Eric Staal and Jaroslav Spacek. The Hurricanes took the lead with an unassisted Jussi Jokinen goal, his tenth of the year. Carolina extended the lead on another Stewart goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, with helpers provided by Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The Lightning got one back when Steven Stamkos netted his forty-sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. Tampa Bay tied it on a third period Teddy Purcell power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Martin St. Louis and Ryan Malone. The Lightning completed the come-from-behind victory in the overtime, as Stamkos notched his second of the game and forty-seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Purcell. The three stars in the 4-3 game were Stamkos, Stewart, and St. Louis, while Purcell and Staal get the honorable mentions.
Up to Canada, where the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Carey Price received the starting nods. Montreal led off on an Erik Cole goal, his twenty-third of the season, fueled by David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. Toronto answered in the second period when Matt Frattin notched his sixth of the year, via Mikhail Grabovski. The Maple Leafs gained the lead in the third period when Grabovski scored his nineteenth of the season, thanks to Clarke MacArthur and Carl Gunnarsson. Toronto iced it at 3-1 with another Grabovski goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, a power play goal powered by Frattin and Dion Phaneuf. Grabovski, Cole, and Price (39 for 42 in saves), had the three stars, while Frattin gets an honorable mention.
South to Florida, where the Panthers bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Scott Clemmensen played between the pipes. Andrei Kostitsyn gave Nashville an early lead with his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Paul Gaustad and Hal Gill (the all-trade scoring combo). The Predators added on in the second period with a Mike Fisher tally, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Martin Erat. Florida got one back when Wojtek Wolski potted his second of the season, courtesy of Marcel Goc and Tomas Fleischmann. Nashville iced it at 3-1 in the third period with a David Legwand goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Andrei and Ryan Suter. Rinne (39 for 40 in saves), Kostitsyn, and Wolski.
Out to the west, the Phoenix Coyotes host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Mike Smith took care of the nets. Columbus opened the scoring with a Rick Nash shorthanded goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Derek MacKenzie and John Moore. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with another Nash goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, guided in by Derick Brassard. Phoenix got going on a Ray Whitney power play goal, his twentieth of the campaign, powered by Shane Doan and David Rundblad. The Coyotes tied it on a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Doan. Columbus got the lead back in the third period with Nikita Nikitin registering his fourth of the year, with a lone R.J. Umberger assist. Brassard gave the Blue Jackets a bit of breathing room with his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Nash. Columbus iced it at 5-2 with Colton Gillies putting his second of the year into the empty cage, and Jack Johnson collected the assist. The three stars ended up going to Nash, Brassard, and Chris Summers (fight with Gillies in second period), while Doan gets an honorable mention.
North a tad, with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jean-Sebastien Giguere are the French-Canadian goalies. Pittsburgh got thing started on an Arron Asham goal, his third of the season, set up by Craig Adams and Brooks Orpik. The Penguins added on with a Deryk Engelland goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Jordan Staal and Steve Sullivan. Pittsburgh extended the lead again in the second period with the thirty-eighth of the season by Evgeni Malkin, with assists provided by James Neal and Paul Martin. The Penguins rolled on with a Richard Park goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Zbynek Michalek. Colorado got going in the third period when Matt Hunwick scored his second of the season, via Paul Stastny and Gabriel Landeskog. Pittsburgh iced it with a Sullivan empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, with Martin and Orpik collecting the assists. The three stars were awarded to Malkin, Asham, and Orpik, while Martin and Sullivan get the honorable mentions.
Northward again, as the Vancouver Canucks welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Roberto Luongo were the masked men. Buffalo opened with a Ville Leino goal, his fifth of the season, with assists from Patrick Kaleta and Nathan Gerbe. The Sabres added on with another Leino goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, guided in by Kaleta and Tyler Myers. Buffalo kept going, chasing Luongo when Brad Boyes sank his fifth of the season, with the help of Corey Tropp. Cory Schneider came on in relief. Vancouver finally got a goal in the second period, coming off David Booth's tape, his twelfth of the year, thanks to Alexandre Burrows and Kevin Bieksa. The Sabres replied in the third period when Christian Ehrhoff put his fifth of the season away, with helpers provided by Boyes and Matt Ellis. The Canucks shot back with another Booth goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, made possible by Zack Kassian. Vancouver pulled closer when Kassian put his fourth of the season in the twine, courtesy of Ryan Kesler and Dan Hamhuis. Buffalo iced it 5-3 with a Tyler Ennis empty net goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Drew Stafford and Andrej Sekera. Leino, Booth, and Kassian claimed the three stars, while Boyes and Kaleta got the honorable mentions.
Down the west coast, the San Jose Sharks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Antti Niemi will be in the blue paint. St. Louis started the scoring on an Andy McDonald power play goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo. San Jose tied it on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Dominic Moore and Daniel Winnik. The Blues answered on a T.J. Oshie goal, his sixteenth of the season, with helpers from Carlo Colaiacovo and Vladimir Sobotka. St. Louis extended the lead in the second period with a Shattenkirk power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Oshie and Pietrangelo. The third period was quiet, so the final was at 3-1, with the three stars being Oshie, Pietrangelo, and McDonald, with Shattenkirk taking an honorable mention.
We finish the games with a Battle of California match, as the Los Angeles Kings host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Los Angeles struck first when Dustin Brown potted his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Alec Martinez and Slava Voynov. Anaheim tied it on a Sheldon Brookbank goal, his third of the year, made possible by Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne. The Kings took the lead back in the second period with a Jeff Carter power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Dwight King and Mike Richards. Los Angeles added on with another Carter goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, pushed through by Richards and King. The Ducks took one back thirteen seconds later when Devante Smith-Pelly recorded his fourth of the season, assisted by Andrew Cogliano and Toni Lydman. The Kings iced it in the third period as Anze Kopitar sank his nineteenth of the year, an empty net goal, courtesy of Richards, who clinched a sock trick. The three stars went to Carter, Richards, and Francois Beauchemin (Anaheim infected Los Angeles with poor selection of the third star), while King gets an honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Boston, as the Bruins host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Tuukka Rask are in goal. Boston got going with a Milan Lucic goal, his twenty-second of the season, set up by Brian Rolston and Joe Corvo on the power play. Josh Bailey tied it for New York with his tenth of the year, guided in by Frans Nielsen and David Ullstrom. Rask came out of the game midway through the second period with an injury, and Tim Thomas relieved him. The Islanders took the lead with a Matt Moulson power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Nielsen and John Tavares. The Bruins tied it in the third period with Tyler Seguin notching his twenty-second of the year, courtesy of Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. New York regained the lead when Tavares potted his twenty-sixth of the campaign, via Moulson and Andrew MacDonald. This held up for a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Nabokov (32 for 34 in saves), Tavares, and Seguin, while Moulson and Nielsen get the honorable mentions.
Starting the games at the usual times, the Carolina Hurricanes hosted the Tampa Bay Lightning. Mathieu Garon and Cam Ward had the starts. Tampa Bay got things going on a Tim Wallace goal, set up by Ryan Shannon. Carolina answered in the second period with an Anthony Stewart goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Eric Staal and Jaroslav Spacek. The Hurricanes took the lead with an unassisted Jussi Jokinen goal, his tenth of the year. Carolina extended the lead on another Stewart goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, with helpers provided by Staal and Jiri Tlusty. The Lightning got one back when Steven Stamkos netted his forty-sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. Tampa Bay tied it on a third period Teddy Purcell power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Martin St. Louis and Ryan Malone. The Lightning completed the come-from-behind victory in the overtime, as Stamkos notched his second of the game and forty-seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Purcell. The three stars in the 4-3 game were Stamkos, Stewart, and St. Louis, while Purcell and Staal get the honorable mentions.
Up to Canada, where the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Carey Price received the starting nods. Montreal led off on an Erik Cole goal, his twenty-third of the season, fueled by David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. Toronto answered in the second period when Matt Frattin notched his sixth of the year, via Mikhail Grabovski. The Maple Leafs gained the lead in the third period when Grabovski scored his nineteenth of the season, thanks to Clarke MacArthur and Carl Gunnarsson. Toronto iced it at 3-1 with another Grabovski goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the year, a power play goal powered by Frattin and Dion Phaneuf. Grabovski, Cole, and Price (39 for 42 in saves), had the three stars, while Frattin gets an honorable mention.
South to Florida, where the Panthers bring in the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Scott Clemmensen played between the pipes. Andrei Kostitsyn gave Nashville an early lead with his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Paul Gaustad and Hal Gill (the all-trade scoring combo). The Predators added on in the second period with a Mike Fisher tally, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Martin Erat. Florida got one back when Wojtek Wolski potted his second of the season, courtesy of Marcel Goc and Tomas Fleischmann. Nashville iced it at 3-1 in the third period with a David Legwand goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Andrei and Ryan Suter. Rinne (39 for 40 in saves), Kostitsyn, and Wolski.
Out to the west, the Phoenix Coyotes host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Mike Smith took care of the nets. Columbus opened the scoring with a Rick Nash shorthanded goal, his twenty-third of the season, assisted by Derek MacKenzie and John Moore. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with another Nash goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, guided in by Derick Brassard. Phoenix got going on a Ray Whitney power play goal, his twentieth of the campaign, powered by Shane Doan and David Rundblad. The Coyotes tied it on a Lauri Korpikoski goal, his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Doan. Columbus got the lead back in the third period with Nikita Nikitin registering his fourth of the year, with a lone R.J. Umberger assist. Brassard gave the Blue Jackets a bit of breathing room with his twelfth of the season, courtesy of Nash. Columbus iced it at 5-2 with Colton Gillies putting his second of the year into the empty cage, and Jack Johnson collected the assist. The three stars ended up going to Nash, Brassard, and Chris Summers (fight with Gillies in second period), while Doan gets an honorable mention.
North a tad, with the Colorado Avalanche hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Jean-Sebastien Giguere are the French-Canadian goalies. Pittsburgh got thing started on an Arron Asham goal, his third of the season, set up by Craig Adams and Brooks Orpik. The Penguins added on with a Deryk Engelland goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Jordan Staal and Steve Sullivan. Pittsburgh extended the lead again in the second period with the thirty-eighth of the season by Evgeni Malkin, with assists provided by James Neal and Paul Martin. The Penguins rolled on with a Richard Park goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by Zbynek Michalek. Colorado got going in the third period when Matt Hunwick scored his second of the season, via Paul Stastny and Gabriel Landeskog. Pittsburgh iced it with a Sullivan empty net goal, his thirteenth of the year, with Martin and Orpik collecting the assists. The three stars were awarded to Malkin, Asham, and Orpik, while Martin and Sullivan get the honorable mentions.
Northward again, as the Vancouver Canucks welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Roberto Luongo were the masked men. Buffalo opened with a Ville Leino goal, his fifth of the season, with assists from Patrick Kaleta and Nathan Gerbe. The Sabres added on with another Leino goal, his second of the game and sixth of the year, guided in by Kaleta and Tyler Myers. Buffalo kept going, chasing Luongo when Brad Boyes sank his fifth of the season, with the help of Corey Tropp. Cory Schneider came on in relief. Vancouver finally got a goal in the second period, coming off David Booth's tape, his twelfth of the year, thanks to Alexandre Burrows and Kevin Bieksa. The Sabres replied in the third period when Christian Ehrhoff put his fifth of the season away, with helpers provided by Boyes and Matt Ellis. The Canucks shot back with another Booth goal, his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, made possible by Zack Kassian. Vancouver pulled closer when Kassian put his fourth of the season in the twine, courtesy of Ryan Kesler and Dan Hamhuis. Buffalo iced it 5-3 with a Tyler Ennis empty net goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Drew Stafford and Andrej Sekera. Leino, Booth, and Kassian claimed the three stars, while Boyes and Kaleta got the honorable mentions.
Down the west coast, the San Jose Sharks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Antti Niemi will be in the blue paint. St. Louis started the scoring on an Andy McDonald power play goal, his sixth of the season, assisted by Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Pietrangelo. San Jose tied it on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Dominic Moore and Daniel Winnik. The Blues answered on a T.J. Oshie goal, his sixteenth of the season, with helpers from Carlo Colaiacovo and Vladimir Sobotka. St. Louis extended the lead in the second period with a Shattenkirk power play goal, his ninth of the year, powered by Oshie and Pietrangelo. The third period was quiet, so the final was at 3-1, with the three stars being Oshie, Pietrangelo, and McDonald, with Shattenkirk taking an honorable mention.
We finish the games with a Battle of California match, as the Los Angeles Kings host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Los Angeles struck first when Dustin Brown potted his nineteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Alec Martinez and Slava Voynov. Anaheim tied it on a Sheldon Brookbank goal, his third of the year, made possible by Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne. The Kings took the lead back in the second period with a Jeff Carter power play goal, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Dwight King and Mike Richards. Los Angeles added on with another Carter goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, pushed through by Richards and King. The Ducks took one back thirteen seconds later when Devante Smith-Pelly recorded his fourth of the season, assisted by Andrew Cogliano and Toni Lydman. The Kings iced it in the third period as Anze Kopitar sank his nineteenth of the year, an empty net goal, courtesy of Richards, who clinched a sock trick. The three stars went to Carter, Richards, and Francois Beauchemin (Anaheim infected Los Angeles with poor selection of the third star), while King gets an honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Friday, March 2, 2012
NHL Day 149 2011-2012
Only six games tonight, and they should be good ones. First up...
The Ottawa Senators host the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Robin Lehner started in goal. Ottawa opened with a Milan Michalek goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, assisted by Jason Spezza and Matt Gilroy. Chicago tied it with a Bryan Bickell goal in the second period, his seventh of the year, coming off of Patrick Sharp and Marcus Kruger. The Blackhawks took the lead when Marian Hossa notched his twenty-seventh of the season, thanks to Sharp and Jamal Mayers. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, and the three stars went to Hossa, Lehner (37 for 39 in saves), and Emery (25 for 26 in saves), while Sharp gets the honorable mention.
Down to Washington, D.C., where the Capitals welcome the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Michal Neuvirth got the starting nods. New Jersey led off with a Zach Parise goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by David Clarkson and Patrik Elias. The Devils added on when Parise scored again, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Henrique. New Jersey kept going on a Dainius Zubrus goal, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Clarkson. The Devils extended the lead in the second period with Parise finishing his hat trick with his twenty-seventh of the year, coming off of Henrique and Bryce Salvador. Elias kept New Jersey going with his twenty-first of the season, a shorthanded goal passed from Zubrus. The third period was silent, with the final sitting at 5-0, and the three stars going to Parise, Hedberg (23 save shutout), and Zubrus, while Elias, Clarkson, and Henrique get the honorable mentions.
Westward to Detroit, with the Red Wings bringing in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Jimmy Howard took care of the nets. Detroit started the scoring when Valtteri Filppula netted his twentieth of the season, made possible by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings added on with a Brendan Smith goal, assisted by Justin Abdelkader and Danny Cleary. Detroit extended the lead in the second period on a Darren Helm goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Johan Franzen and Kronwall. The Red Wings struck again with Filppula's second of the game and twenty-first of the season, helped along by Zetterberg and Kronwall, the latter getting a sock trick. Detroit extended the lead again with an Ian White goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Red Wings scared Harding out of the cage in the third period when Zetterberg sank his fifteenth of the season, via Filppula and White. Matt Hackett came on in relief. The final stood at 6-0, with the three stars being Filppula, Zetterberg, and Smith, while Howard (19 save shutout), Kronwall, and White get honorable mentions.
Southeast to Tampa Bay, with the Lightning hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Mathieu Garon tend the twines. New York struck first with an Artem Anisimov goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone Ryan McDonagh assist. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Marian Gaborik power play goal, his thirty-first of the year, powered by Derek Stepan and Brad Richards. Tampa Bay got going with the seventh of the season for Tom Pyatt, set up by Brett Connolly and Brian Lee. The Lightning tied it in the third period on a Teddy Purcell goal, his eighteenth of the year, guided in by Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay gained the lead as Stamkos potted his forty-fifth of the season, with the help of Lee and Purcell. New York retied it with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his seventh of the year, pushed through by Gaborik and Anton Stralman. The Lightning took the game 4-3 in overtime on a Ryan Malone goal, his eleventh of the campaign, coming on a lone Purcell helper. The three stars of the game were
Well to the northwest, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Nikolai Khabibulin will wear the masks. Dallas got things going in the second period with a Radek Dvorak goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Eric Nystrom and Vernon Fiddler. The Stars extended the lead when Tomas Vincour potted his third of the year, thanks to Philip Larsen and Jamie Benn. Dallas added on with a Michael Ryder empty net goal in the third period, his twenty-seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. Edmonton broke up the shutout with Sam Gagner putting his fifteenth of the year down, courtesy of Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth for a 3-1 final. Lehtonen (19 for 20 in saves), Benn, and Jeff Petry took the three stars, while any point earner easilt could take the third slot.
Finally, in southern California, the Anaheim Ducks host the Calgary Flames. Leland Irving and Jonas Hiller will be guarding the cages. Calgary led off with a Curtis Glencross goal, his twenty-first of the season coming on the power play from Olli Jokinen and T.J. Brodie. Anaheim tied it on a Bobby Ryan goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, fueled by Teemu Selanne and Toni Lydman. The Ducks took the lead in the second period on a Corey Perry goal, his thirty-first of the season, made possible by Ryan Getzlaf and Niklas Hagman. The Flames tied it with an Alex Tanguay goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Michael Cammalleri and Jarome Iginla. Anaheim took the game with just forty-six seconds left in regulation, as Getzlaf's ninth of the campaign made it 3-2, with helpers from Perry and Francois Beauchemin. The three stars of the game were Getlzaf, Selanne, and Devante Smith-Pelly (geez, the Anaheim media really likes that guy), while the honorable mention goes to Perry.
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The Ottawa Senators host the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Robin Lehner started in goal. Ottawa opened with a Milan Michalek goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, assisted by Jason Spezza and Matt Gilroy. Chicago tied it with a Bryan Bickell goal in the second period, his seventh of the year, coming off of Patrick Sharp and Marcus Kruger. The Blackhawks took the lead when Marian Hossa notched his twenty-seventh of the season, thanks to Sharp and Jamal Mayers. This was all they needed for a 2-1 win, and the three stars went to Hossa, Lehner (37 for 39 in saves), and Emery (25 for 26 in saves), while Sharp gets the honorable mention.
Down to Washington, D.C., where the Capitals welcome the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Michal Neuvirth got the starting nods. New Jersey led off with a Zach Parise goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by David Clarkson and Patrik Elias. The Devils added on when Parise scored again, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by Ilya Kovalchuk and Adam Henrique. New Jersey kept going on a Dainius Zubrus goal, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Clarkson. The Devils extended the lead in the second period with Parise finishing his hat trick with his twenty-seventh of the year, coming off of Henrique and Bryce Salvador. Elias kept New Jersey going with his twenty-first of the season, a shorthanded goal passed from Zubrus. The third period was silent, with the final sitting at 5-0, and the three stars going to Parise, Hedberg (23 save shutout), and Zubrus, while Elias, Clarkson, and Henrique get the honorable mentions.
Westward to Detroit, with the Red Wings bringing in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Jimmy Howard took care of the nets. Detroit started the scoring when Valtteri Filppula netted his twentieth of the season, made possible by Henrik Zetterberg and Niklas Kronwall. The Red Wings added on with a Brendan Smith goal, assisted by Justin Abdelkader and Danny Cleary. Detroit extended the lead in the second period on a Darren Helm goal, his eighth of the year, guided in by Johan Franzen and Kronwall. The Red Wings struck again with Filppula's second of the game and twenty-first of the season, helped along by Zetterberg and Kronwall, the latter getting a sock trick. Detroit extended the lead again with an Ian White goal, his seventh of the year, going in unassisted. The Red Wings scared Harding out of the cage in the third period when Zetterberg sank his fifteenth of the season, via Filppula and White. Matt Hackett came on in relief. The final stood at 6-0, with the three stars being Filppula, Zetterberg, and Smith, while Howard (19 save shutout), Kronwall, and White get honorable mentions.
Southeast to Tampa Bay, with the Lightning hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Mathieu Garon tend the twines. New York struck first with an Artem Anisimov goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone Ryan McDonagh assist. The Rangers added on in the second period with a Marian Gaborik power play goal, his thirty-first of the year, powered by Derek Stepan and Brad Richards. Tampa Bay got going with the seventh of the season for Tom Pyatt, set up by Brett Connolly and Brian Lee. The Lightning tied it in the third period on a Teddy Purcell goal, his eighteenth of the year, guided in by Martin St. Louis and Steven Stamkos. Tampa Bay gained the lead as Stamkos potted his forty-fifth of the season, with the help of Lee and Purcell. New York retied it with a Brandon Dubinsky goal, his seventh of the year, pushed through by Gaborik and Anton Stralman. The Lightning took the game 4-3 in overtime on a Ryan Malone goal, his eleventh of the campaign, coming on a lone Purcell helper. The three stars of the game were
Well to the northwest, the Edmonton Oilers welcome the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Nikolai Khabibulin will wear the masks. Dallas got things going in the second period with a Radek Dvorak goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Eric Nystrom and Vernon Fiddler. The Stars extended the lead when Tomas Vincour potted his third of the year, thanks to Philip Larsen and Jamie Benn. Dallas added on with a Michael Ryder empty net goal in the third period, his twenty-seventh of the season, an unassisted goal. Edmonton broke up the shutout with Sam Gagner putting his fifteenth of the year down, courtesy of Ales Hemsky and Ryan Smyth for a 3-1 final. Lehtonen (19 for 20 in saves), Benn, and Jeff Petry took the three stars, while any point earner easilt could take the third slot.
Finally, in southern California, the Anaheim Ducks host the Calgary Flames. Leland Irving and Jonas Hiller will be guarding the cages. Calgary led off with a Curtis Glencross goal, his twenty-first of the season coming on the power play from Olli Jokinen and T.J. Brodie. Anaheim tied it on a Bobby Ryan goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, fueled by Teemu Selanne and Toni Lydman. The Ducks took the lead in the second period on a Corey Perry goal, his thirty-first of the season, made possible by Ryan Getzlaf and Niklas Hagman. The Flames tied it with an Alex Tanguay goal, his tenth of the year, assisted by Michael Cammalleri and Jarome Iginla. Anaheim took the game with just forty-six seconds left in regulation, as Getzlaf's ninth of the campaign made it 3-2, with helpers from Perry and Francois Beauchemin. The three stars of the game were Getlzaf, Selanne, and Devante Smith-Pelly (geez, the Anaheim media really likes that guy), while the honorable mention goes to Perry.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
NHL Day 148 2011-2012
Nine games on tonight as the calendar flips to March. First up...
The Boston Bruins are hosting the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Tim Thomas will be between the pipes. Boston led off with a David Krejci goal, his fourteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Tyler Seguin. The Bruins added on when Seguin potted his twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Milan Lucic and the goalie Thomas. New Jersey dented the scoreboard in the second period as Zach Parise nailed his twenty-fourth of the season, thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk. The Devils tied it on a Patrik Elias goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Petr Sykora and Anton Volchenkov. New Jersey gained the lead on a David Clarkson goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, set up by Jacob Josefson. Boston retied it in the third period with another Krejci goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, guided in by Lucic and Zdeno Chara. Krejci completed his hat trick in overtime, his sixteenth of the campaign sealing a 4-3 Bruins win, with Chara and Patrice Bergeron recording the assists. The three stars were handed to Krejci, Lucic, and Parise, while Seguin and Chara earn honorable mentions.
Down to Carolina, where the Hurricanes welcome the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Cam Ward will take their places in front of the nets. Carolina busted open the scoring in the second period with a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Eric Staal and Justin Faulk. New York tied it when Artem Anisimov put his twelfth of the year in the cage, thanks to Marian Gaborik and Derek Stepan. The Rangers took the lead with Gaborik putting his thirtieth of the season away, assisted by Stepan and Stu Bickel. New York extended the lead with a third period Brandon Prust goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Brian Boyle and Ruslan Fedotenko. The Hurricanes made it interesting near the end with a Jay Harrison goal, his eighth of the campaign coming shorthanded from Jiri Tlusty and Staal, resulting in a 3-2 final. The three stars were Gaborik, Anisimov, and Staal. Stepan gets an honorable mention.
Back north, the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Ilya Bryzgalov are the Russian goaltenders. New York started the scoring with a Josh Bailey goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Casey Cizikas and Mark Streit. Philadelphia answered with a Matt Read goal, his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Andrej Meszaros and Claude Giroux. The Flyers took the lead with a Meszaros power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Read and Jaromir Jagr. The Islanders retied it in the second period when Bailey struck again, his second of the game and ninth of the year, thanks to Frans Nielsen and Streit. Jagr kept Philadelphia going with his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal with helpers from Pavel Kubina and Kimmo Timonen. The Flyers extended lead with Read's second of the game and eighteenth of the year, via Wayne Simmonds. Philadelphia kept going in the third period on a Scott Hartnell goal, his thirty-first of the season, set up by Giroux and Nicklas Grossman. New York got one back when Kyle Okposo registered his fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Cizikas and Milan Jurcina. The Flyers iced it 6-3 when Sean Couturier scored his eleventh into the empty net, and Giroux had the lone assist for a sock trick. The three stars were given to Read, Jagr, and Bailey, while Giroux, Meszaros, Cizikas, and Streit get the honorable mentions.
Up in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Carey Price got the starts, but Josh Harding relieved Backstrom as an injury fill-in early in the first period. Montreal got going with a P.K. Subban power play goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Tomas Kaberle and David Desharnais. The Canadiens extended the lead with a Lars Eller power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Scott Gomez and Chris Campoli. Minnesota got one back with a Matt Kassian goal, assisted by Darroll Powe and Nick Johnson. Montreal answered in the second period as Max Pacioretty nailed his twenty-sixth of the season, another power play goal, guided in by Desharnais and Subban. The Canadiens rolled on in the third period with a Desharnais goal, his fourteenth of the year, helped along by Pacioretty and Kaberle. Kassian got one back for the Wild, and he was helped out by Johnson and Nate Prosser. Minnesota pulled closer with a Dany Heatley goal, his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Brodziak. The Wild tied it with ten seconds left in regulation, as Devin Setoguchi notched his sixteenth of the year, via Matt Cullen and Johnson, the latter getting a sock trick. The Canadiens prevented a meltdown by taking the shootout on a lone Desharnais goal, winning 5-4 over Minnesota. The three stars went to Desharnais, Paciortty, and Subban, while Kassian, Johnson, and Kaberle get the honorable mentions.
Westward to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Ondrej Pavelec will get the starting nods. Winnipeg struck first on an Evander Kane goal, his twenty-fifth of the season going in unassisted. Jim Slater added on for the Jets with his ninth of the year, via Mark Stuart and Chris Thorburn. Winnipeg got going again in the third period as Kyle Wellwood recorded his fourteenth of the season, with the help of Stuart and Kane. The Jets added on with a Bryan Little goal, his nineteenth of the year, made possible by Blake Wheeler and Randy Jones. Theodore was replaced in favor of Scott Clemmensen. Winnipeg was firing on all cylinders, continuing with Nik Antropov's tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Zach Bogosian and Tobias Enstrom. Twelve seconds later, the Jets extended the lead again with a Kane goal, his second of the night and twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Wellwood and Alex Burmistrov. Winnipeg iced it at 7-0 after Wheeler deposited his fourteenth of the campaign, assisted by Kane and Tim Stapleton. Kane, Pavelec (33 save shutout), and Wheeler earned the three stars, while Wellwood and Stuart get the honorable mentions.
Back stateside, the Colorado Avalanche host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Semyon Varlamov go under the masks. Columbus opened with Nikita Nikitin netting his third of the season, with assists from Vinny Prospal and Fedor Tyutin on the power play tally. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with a Tyutin goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Prospal and Derick Brassard. This made it 2-0, and after a silent third period, this was a final. The three stars belonged to Mason (33 save shutout), Nikitin, and Tyutin, while Prospal earns an honorable mention.
Farther to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Mike Smith tend the twines. Calgary led off with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla. The Flames extended the lead when Curtis Glencross potted his twentieth of the year shorthanded, thanks to Mark Giordano and Scott Hannan. Calgary rolled along with an Olli Jokinen goal, his twentieth of the season, an unassisted goal. Phoenix got on the board in the second period with a Raffi Torres goal, his tenth of the year coming on the power play from Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes stormed closer with a Rozsival goal, made possible by Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata. The Flames iced it at 4-2 with an Iginla empty net goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, guided in by Matt Stajan and Tanguay. The three stars were awarded to Kiprusoff (29 for 31 in saves), Rozsival, and Torres, while Iginla and Tanguay also played well.
Northwest of there, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Roberto Luongo will wear the pads. Vancouver got things going in the third period when Alexandre Burrows potted his twenty-third of the season, thanks to Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks iced it at 2-0 with a Chris Higgins empty net goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Burrows and Bieksa. The three stars went to Luongo (29 save shutout), Burrows, and Zack Kassian, while Bieksa earns an honorable mention.
We wrap up the day in San Jose, with the Sharks hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Antti Niemi will be in the blue paint. Buffalo started the scoring on a Drew Stafford goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Tyler Ennis. This held up throughout the rest of the game for a 1-0 Sabres final. The three stars were given to Miller (39 save shutout), Stafford, and Niemi (18 for 19 in saves).
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The Boston Bruins are hosting the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Tim Thomas will be between the pipes. Boston led off with a David Krejci goal, his fourteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Tyler Seguin. The Bruins added on when Seguin potted his twenty-first of the year, courtesy of Milan Lucic and the goalie Thomas. New Jersey dented the scoreboard in the second period as Zach Parise nailed his twenty-fourth of the season, thanks to Ilya Kovalchuk. The Devils tied it on a Patrik Elias goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Petr Sykora and Anton Volchenkov. New Jersey gained the lead on a David Clarkson goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, set up by Jacob Josefson. Boston retied it in the third period with another Krejci goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, guided in by Lucic and Zdeno Chara. Krejci completed his hat trick in overtime, his sixteenth of the campaign sealing a 4-3 Bruins win, with Chara and Patrice Bergeron recording the assists. The three stars were handed to Krejci, Lucic, and Parise, while Seguin and Chara earn honorable mentions.
Down to Carolina, where the Hurricanes welcome the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Cam Ward will take their places in front of the nets. Carolina busted open the scoring in the second period with a Jeff Skinner power play goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Eric Staal and Justin Faulk. New York tied it when Artem Anisimov put his twelfth of the year in the cage, thanks to Marian Gaborik and Derek Stepan. The Rangers took the lead with Gaborik putting his thirtieth of the season away, assisted by Stepan and Stu Bickel. New York extended the lead with a third period Brandon Prust goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Brian Boyle and Ruslan Fedotenko. The Hurricanes made it interesting near the end with a Jay Harrison goal, his eighth of the campaign coming shorthanded from Jiri Tlusty and Staal, resulting in a 3-2 final. The three stars were Gaborik, Anisimov, and Staal. Stepan gets an honorable mention.
Back north, the Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Ilya Bryzgalov are the Russian goaltenders. New York started the scoring with a Josh Bailey goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Casey Cizikas and Mark Streit. Philadelphia answered with a Matt Read goal, his seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Andrej Meszaros and Claude Giroux. The Flyers took the lead with a Meszaros power play goal, his seventh of the season, powered by Read and Jaromir Jagr. The Islanders retied it in the second period when Bailey struck again, his second of the game and ninth of the year, thanks to Frans Nielsen and Streit. Jagr kept Philadelphia going with his seventeenth of the season, a power play goal with helpers from Pavel Kubina and Kimmo Timonen. The Flyers extended lead with Read's second of the game and eighteenth of the year, via Wayne Simmonds. Philadelphia kept going in the third period on a Scott Hartnell goal, his thirty-first of the season, set up by Giroux and Nicklas Grossman. New York got one back when Kyle Okposo registered his fourteenth of the year, with assists provided by Cizikas and Milan Jurcina. The Flyers iced it 6-3 when Sean Couturier scored his eleventh into the empty net, and Giroux had the lone assist for a sock trick. The three stars were given to Read, Jagr, and Bailey, while Giroux, Meszaros, Cizikas, and Streit get the honorable mentions.
Up in Canada, the Montreal Canadiens host the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Carey Price got the starts, but Josh Harding relieved Backstrom as an injury fill-in early in the first period. Montreal got going with a P.K. Subban power play goal, his fifth of the season, coming off of Tomas Kaberle and David Desharnais. The Canadiens extended the lead with a Lars Eller power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Scott Gomez and Chris Campoli. Minnesota got one back with a Matt Kassian goal, assisted by Darroll Powe and Nick Johnson. Montreal answered in the second period as Max Pacioretty nailed his twenty-sixth of the season, another power play goal, guided in by Desharnais and Subban. The Canadiens rolled on in the third period with a Desharnais goal, his fourteenth of the year, helped along by Pacioretty and Kaberle. Kassian got one back for the Wild, and he was helped out by Johnson and Nate Prosser. Minnesota pulled closer with a Dany Heatley goal, his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Brodziak. The Wild tied it with ten seconds left in regulation, as Devin Setoguchi notched his sixteenth of the year, via Matt Cullen and Johnson, the latter getting a sock trick. The Canadiens prevented a meltdown by taking the shootout on a lone Desharnais goal, winning 5-4 over Minnesota. The three stars went to Desharnais, Paciortty, and Subban, while Kassian, Johnson, and Kaberle get the honorable mentions.
Westward to Winnipeg, where the Jets welcome the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Ondrej Pavelec will get the starting nods. Winnipeg struck first on an Evander Kane goal, his twenty-fifth of the season going in unassisted. Jim Slater added on for the Jets with his ninth of the year, via Mark Stuart and Chris Thorburn. Winnipeg got going again in the third period as Kyle Wellwood recorded his fourteenth of the season, with the help of Stuart and Kane. The Jets added on with a Bryan Little goal, his nineteenth of the year, made possible by Blake Wheeler and Randy Jones. Theodore was replaced in favor of Scott Clemmensen. Winnipeg was firing on all cylinders, continuing with Nik Antropov's tenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Zach Bogosian and Tobias Enstrom. Twelve seconds later, the Jets extended the lead again with a Kane goal, his second of the night and twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Wellwood and Alex Burmistrov. Winnipeg iced it at 7-0 after Wheeler deposited his fourteenth of the campaign, assisted by Kane and Tim Stapleton. Kane, Pavelec (33 save shutout), and Wheeler earned the three stars, while Wellwood and Stuart get the honorable mentions.
Back stateside, the Colorado Avalanche host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Semyon Varlamov go under the masks. Columbus opened with Nikita Nikitin netting his third of the season, with assists from Vinny Prospal and Fedor Tyutin on the power play tally. The Blue Jackets added on in the second period with a Tyutin goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Prospal and Derick Brassard. This made it 2-0, and after a silent third period, this was a final. The three stars belonged to Mason (33 save shutout), Nikitin, and Tyutin, while Prospal earns an honorable mention.
Farther to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Mike Smith tend the twines. Calgary led off with a Michael Cammalleri goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Alex Tanguay and Jarome Iginla. The Flames extended the lead when Curtis Glencross potted his twentieth of the year shorthanded, thanks to Mark Giordano and Scott Hannan. Calgary rolled along with an Olli Jokinen goal, his twentieth of the season, an unassisted goal. Phoenix got on the board in the second period with a Raffi Torres goal, his tenth of the year coming on the power play from Keith Yandle and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The Coyotes stormed closer with a Rozsival goal, made possible by Martin Hanzal and Radim Vrbata. The Flames iced it at 4-2 with an Iginla empty net goal, his twenty-fourth of the campaign, guided in by Matt Stajan and Tanguay. The three stars were awarded to Kiprusoff (29 for 31 in saves), Rozsival, and Torres, while Iginla and Tanguay also played well.
Northwest of there, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Brian Elliott and Roberto Luongo will wear the pads. Vancouver got things going in the third period when Alexandre Burrows potted his twenty-third of the season, thanks to Dan Hamhuis and Kevin Bieksa. The Canucks iced it at 2-0 with a Chris Higgins empty net goal, his twelfth of the year, helped along by Burrows and Bieksa. The three stars went to Luongo (29 save shutout), Burrows, and Zack Kassian, while Bieksa earns an honorable mention.
We wrap up the day in San Jose, with the Sharks hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Antti Niemi will be in the blue paint. Buffalo started the scoring on a Drew Stafford goal, his thirteenth of the season, with a lone assist from Tyler Ennis. This held up throughout the rest of the game for a 1-0 Sabres final. The three stars were given to Miller (39 save shutout), Stafford, and Niemi (18 for 19 in saves).
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
NHL Day 147 2011-2012
Only four games on Leap Day 2012. We begin with...
The Dallas Stars hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. Jamie Benn opened the scoring for Dallas with his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Steve Ott and Adam Burish. Pittsburgh answered with a Steve Sullivan goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Pascal Dupuis and Brooks Orpik. Sheldon Souray gave the Stars a second period lead with his sixth of the season, set up by Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro. The Penguins tied it again in the third period as Craig Adams notched his fourth of the year, thanks to Jordan Staal. Pittsburgh took the lead with a Chris Kunitz goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Paul Martin and Evgeni Malkin. Dallas retied it as Michael Ryder registered his twenty-sixth of the year, with assists provided by Eriksson and Trevor Daley. The tie was broken in the shootout, but not before James Neal traded tallies with Eriksson and Kunitz did the same with Benn, allowing Dupuis to lift the Penguins over the Stars 4-3. Malkin, Eriksson, and Fleury (30 for 33 in saves) got the three stars, while the honorable mention belongs to Dupuis.
North of there, the Chicago Blackhawks welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Corey Crawford got the starting nods. Toronto led off with a Tyler Bozak goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Joffrey Lupul. Chicago answered with an Andrew Shaw goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland. The Maple Leafs took it back with Lupul's twenty-fifth of the season, set up by Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf on the power play. Toronto added on with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of Mikhail Grabovski and Cody Franson. The Blackhawks got one back when Marcus Kruger sank his eighth of the season, thanks to Nick Leddy and Duncan Keith. Ray Emery relieved Crawford for the second period onward. Chicago tied it in the second period with a Patrick Kane goal, his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Andrew Brunette and Sami Lepisto. The Blackhawks took the lead as Marian Hossa recorded his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Kane and Leddy. Chicago got Hossa to supply an insurance marker late in the third period, his twenty-sixth of the campaign and second of game finding the empty twine with no assistance. The Maple Leafs made it interesting with four seconds to go as Mike Brown deposited his second of the year, and Joey Crabb had the only helper, but they did not tie it and lost 5-4. The three stars were given to Kane, Leddy, and Emery (23 for 24 in saves in relief victory), while Hossa and Lupul get the honorable mentions.
Westward to Anaheim, where the Ducks host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jonas Hiller are in between the pipes. Buffalo started the scoring when Derek Roy notched his fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Tyler Myers and Christian Ehrhoff. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Brad Boyes goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Ehrhoff and Tyler Ennis. This was all the scoring we'd see, resulting in a 2-0 final, with Miller (43 save shutout), Corey Perry, and Ryan Getzlaf getting the three stars, while Roy, Boyes, or Ehrhoff are far more deserving of the last two slots; dishonorable mention to Anaheim for their picking.
Northeast of there, we end in Edmonton, with the Oilers welcoming the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Devan Dubnyk play goal. St. Louis opened with an Andy McDonald goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of T.J. Oshie and David Backes. Scott Nichol added on for the Blues in the second period with his third of the year, made possible by David Perron and Kevin Shattenkirk. McDonald extended the St. Louis lead with his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Oshie and Shattenkirk, chasing Dubnyk in favor of Yann Danis. Edmonton got one back with a Corey Potter goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Darcy Hordichuk. The Oilers pulled closer with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins recording his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Taylor Hall and Nick Schultz. The Blues shot back in the third period with a Shattenkirk goal, his eighth of the year coming on the power play, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Jason Arnott. St. Louis kept going with a Chris Stewart goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming on a penalty shot after a Hall hooking call. This provided the final score, a 5-2 margin, with the three stars as McDonald, Shattenkirk, and Nugent-Hopkins, while Oshie earns the honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
The Dallas Stars hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. Jamie Benn opened the scoring for Dallas with his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Steve Ott and Adam Burish. Pittsburgh answered with a Steve Sullivan goal, his twelfth of the year, coming off of Pascal Dupuis and Brooks Orpik. Sheldon Souray gave the Stars a second period lead with his sixth of the season, set up by Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro. The Penguins tied it again in the third period as Craig Adams notched his fourth of the year, thanks to Jordan Staal. Pittsburgh took the lead with a Chris Kunitz goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Paul Martin and Evgeni Malkin. Dallas retied it as Michael Ryder registered his twenty-sixth of the year, with assists provided by Eriksson and Trevor Daley. The tie was broken in the shootout, but not before James Neal traded tallies with Eriksson and Kunitz did the same with Benn, allowing Dupuis to lift the Penguins over the Stars 4-3. Malkin, Eriksson, and Fleury (30 for 33 in saves) got the three stars, while the honorable mention belongs to Dupuis.
North of there, the Chicago Blackhawks welcomed the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Corey Crawford got the starting nods. Toronto led off with a Tyler Bozak goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Joffrey Lupul. Chicago answered with an Andrew Shaw goal, his sixth of the year, guided in by Bryan Bickell and Dave Bolland. The Maple Leafs took it back with Lupul's twenty-fifth of the season, set up by Phil Kessel and Dion Phaneuf on the power play. Toronto added on with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of Mikhail Grabovski and Cody Franson. The Blackhawks got one back when Marcus Kruger sank his eighth of the season, thanks to Nick Leddy and Duncan Keith. Ray Emery relieved Crawford for the second period onward. Chicago tied it in the second period with a Patrick Kane goal, his fifteenth of the year, courtesy of Andrew Brunette and Sami Lepisto. The Blackhawks took the lead as Marian Hossa recorded his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Kane and Leddy. Chicago got Hossa to supply an insurance marker late in the third period, his twenty-sixth of the campaign and second of game finding the empty twine with no assistance. The Maple Leafs made it interesting with four seconds to go as Mike Brown deposited his second of the year, and Joey Crabb had the only helper, but they did not tie it and lost 5-4. The three stars were given to Kane, Leddy, and Emery (23 for 24 in saves in relief victory), while Hossa and Lupul get the honorable mentions.
Westward to Anaheim, where the Ducks host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jonas Hiller are in between the pipes. Buffalo started the scoring when Derek Roy notched his fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Tyler Myers and Christian Ehrhoff. The Sabres added on in the second period with a Brad Boyes goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Ehrhoff and Tyler Ennis. This was all the scoring we'd see, resulting in a 2-0 final, with Miller (43 save shutout), Corey Perry, and Ryan Getzlaf getting the three stars, while Roy, Boyes, or Ehrhoff are far more deserving of the last two slots; dishonorable mention to Anaheim for their picking.
Northeast of there, we end in Edmonton, with the Oilers welcoming the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Devan Dubnyk play goal. St. Louis opened with an Andy McDonald goal, his fourth of the season, coming off of T.J. Oshie and David Backes. Scott Nichol added on for the Blues in the second period with his third of the year, made possible by David Perron and Kevin Shattenkirk. McDonald extended the St. Louis lead with his second of the game and fifth of the season, assisted by Oshie and Shattenkirk, chasing Dubnyk in favor of Yann Danis. Edmonton got one back with a Corey Potter goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Darcy Hordichuk. The Oilers pulled closer with Ryan Nugent-Hopkins recording his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Taylor Hall and Nick Schultz. The Blues shot back in the third period with a Shattenkirk goal, his eighth of the year coming on the power play, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Jason Arnott. St. Louis kept going with a Chris Stewart goal, his fourteenth of the season, coming on a penalty shot after a Hall hooking call. This provided the final score, a 5-2 margin, with the three stars as McDonald, Shattenkirk, and Nugent-Hopkins, while Oshie earns the honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
NHL Day 146 2011-2012
Nine games on as the playoff push gains its full steam. First up, the Northeast Division battle in...
Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Tim Thomas are in goal. Ottawa led off with an Erik Karlsson goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza on the power play. This goal held throughout the game for a 1-0 win, and the three stars were awarded to Lehner (32 save shutout), Thomas (37 for 38 in saves), and Karlsson.
Down the coast, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Nashville Predators. Anders Lindback and Cam Ward will play in front of the goalmouths. Nashville struck first as Craig Smith netted his twelfth of the season, with the help of Matt Halischuk and Gabriel Bourque. Carolina tied it on a Jamie McBain goal in the second period, his seventh of the year, pushed through by Anthony Stewart. The Predators retook the lead with Colin Wilson making his fifteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Hurricanes retied it with a Eric Staal goal, his nineteenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Jeff Skinner and Jussi Jokinen. Carolina took a lead on Tim Brent power play goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Skinner and Staal. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the third period when Bryan Allen scored, thanks to Staal. Nashville got one back with a Bourque goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and David Legwand. Carolina held on for a 4-3 win, with Staal, Allen, and Skinner getting the three stars, and Bourque gets the honorable mention.
To the Midwest, as the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings. Joey MacDonald and Curtis Sanford received the starting nods. Detroit started the scoring with the twenty-fourth of the season by Johan Franzen, courtesy of Jakub Kindl and Danny Cleary. Columbus evened it on a Rick Nash power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Derick Brassard and James Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period with a Derek MacKenzie shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Red Wings retied it on the power play, when Niklas Kronwall made his thirteenth of the year, with the help of Henrik Zetterberg and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit got the lead on a Zetterberg goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Valtteri Filppula and Kronwall. The Red Wings kept going with Jan Mursak's goal, coming off of Cory Emmerton and Tomas Holmstrom. Detroit kept up the blitz with a Filppula goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Franzen and Kronwall. The final stuck at 5-2, and the three stars were Kronwall, Zetterberg, and MacKenzie, while Filppula and Franzen get the honorable mentions.
Up in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and James Reimer take to the nets. Florida got going thirteen seconds in with a Marcel Goc goal, his sixth of the season, coming from Wojtek Wolski. The Panthers added on with Mike Santorelli sinking his eighth of the year, thanks to Jack Skille and Erik Gudbranson. Toronto got one back in the second period when Phil Kessel put away his thirty-second of the season, a power play goal powered by Dion Phaneuf and Joffrey Lupul. Florida got it back as Santorelli made his second of the game and ninth of the year, a power play goal guided in by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. The Panthers extended the lead in the third period with a Jason Garrison power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs got one back when Nikolai Kulemin scored his seventh of the year with Phaneuf and Clarke MacArthur getting the assists. Florida shot back with a Stephen Weiss goal, his sixteenth of the season, and Sean Bergenheim had the only helper. Lupul pulled Toronto to a 5-3 loss with his twenty-fourth of the year, a power play goal from Kessel and Phaneuf, the latter earning a sock trick. Earning the three stars were Santorelli, Goc, and Garrison. Kessel, Lupul, and Phaneuf earned the honorable mentions.
Back stateside, the Washington Capitals host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Michal Neuvirth are the Russian goaltenders. New York began with a Josh Bailey goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Frans Nielsen and Andrew MacDonald. The Islanders extended their lead in the third period as Matt Moulson recorded his twenty-seventh of the year with the help of Steve Staios and P.A. Parenteau. Washington got on the board with a Troy Brouwer goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Mathieu Perreault and Jason Chimera. The Capitals tied it with another Brouwer goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, guided in by Brooks Laich and Dennis Wideman to force overtime. It was in this extra frame that Alex Ovechkin completed the Washington comeback with his twenty-sixth of the campaign, an unassisted goal for a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Ovechkin, Brouwer, and Neuvirth (22 for 24 in saves).
Well to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning are hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mathieu Garon will be between the pipes. Tampa Bay opened the scoring on the forty-fourth of the season for Steven Stamkos, fueled by Teddy Purcell and Martin St. Louis. Montreal tied it with a David Desharnais goal, his thirteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Lightning took the lead back in the second period when Adam Hall made his second of the season, thanks to Ryan Malone and J.T. Wyman. This held up through the rest of the game, and Tampa Bay won 2-1, with the three stars going to Garon (23 for 24 in saves), Hall, and Eric Brewer, while any other point earner can take the third star.
Northwest of that, the Minnesota Wild host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Bernier and Niklas Backstrom will keep the puck out of the mesh. Los Angeles struck early with a Justin Williams goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Slava Voynov and Dustin Brown. The Kings added on with a Dwight King goal, his second of the year, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Williams. Los Angeles rolled on with a Kopitar goal, his eighteenth of the season, set up by Brown and Matt Greene. The Kings extended the lead in the second period as Alec Martinez potted his third of the year, via Colin Fraser and Greene. This made it 4-0, which, after the third period ended, was a final, with the three stars as Bernier (26 save shutout), Kopitar, and Matt Cullen, while the following players could take the third star: Williams, Brown, or Greene.
Southwest, as follow a zig-zag pattern, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Mike Smith tend the twines. Vancouver struck first with an Alexander Edler goal, his eighth of the season coming on the power play from Sami Salo and Daniel Sedin. Phoenix tied it when Ray Whitney netted his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Keith Yandle and Adrian Aucoin. The Coyotes beat the Canucks with Whitney and Mikkel Boedker tallying in the shootout for a 2-1 win. The three stars belonged to Smith (39 for 40 in saves), Whitney, and Boedker, while Schneider (34 for 35 in saves) gets an honorable mention.
We end the day's games in San Jose, where the Sharks host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Antti Niemi stand in the creases. San Jose opened with a Ryane Clowe goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. This held up through the rest of the game, resulting in a 1-0 final with the three stars being Niemi (26 save shutout), Clowe, and Daniel Winnik, while Bryzgalov (22 for 23 in saves) earns the honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Ottawa Senators. Robin Lehner and Tim Thomas are in goal. Ottawa led off with an Erik Karlsson goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza on the power play. This goal held throughout the game for a 1-0 win, and the three stars were awarded to Lehner (32 save shutout), Thomas (37 for 38 in saves), and Karlsson.
Down the coast, the Carolina Hurricanes welcome the Nashville Predators. Anders Lindback and Cam Ward will play in front of the goalmouths. Nashville struck first as Craig Smith netted his twelfth of the season, with the help of Matt Halischuk and Gabriel Bourque. Carolina tied it on a Jamie McBain goal in the second period, his seventh of the year, pushed through by Anthony Stewart. The Predators retook the lead with Colin Wilson making his fifteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Hurricanes retied it with a Eric Staal goal, his nineteenth of the year, a power play goal made possible by Jeff Skinner and Jussi Jokinen. Carolina took a lead on Tim Brent power play goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Skinner and Staal. The Hurricanes extended the lead in the third period when Bryan Allen scored, thanks to Staal. Nashville got one back with a Bourque goal, his fourth of the year, assisted by Patric Hornqvist and David Legwand. Carolina held on for a 4-3 win, with Staal, Allen, and Skinner getting the three stars, and Bourque gets the honorable mention.
To the Midwest, as the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Detroit Red Wings. Joey MacDonald and Curtis Sanford received the starting nods. Detroit started the scoring with the twenty-fourth of the season by Johan Franzen, courtesy of Jakub Kindl and Danny Cleary. Columbus evened it on a Rick Nash power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Derick Brassard and James Wisniewski. The Blue Jackets took the lead in the third period with a Derek MacKenzie shorthanded goal, his sixth of the season, going in unassisted. The Red Wings retied it on the power play, when Niklas Kronwall made his thirteenth of the year, with the help of Henrik Zetterberg and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit got the lead on a Zetterberg goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Valtteri Filppula and Kronwall. The Red Wings kept going with Jan Mursak's goal, coming off of Cory Emmerton and Tomas Holmstrom. Detroit kept up the blitz with a Filppula goal, his nineteenth of the year, guided in by Franzen and Kronwall. The final stuck at 5-2, and the three stars were Kronwall, Zetterberg, and MacKenzie, while Filppula and Franzen get the honorable mentions.
Up in Canada, the Toronto Maple Leafs bring in the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and James Reimer take to the nets. Florida got going thirteen seconds in with a Marcel Goc goal, his sixth of the season, coming from Wojtek Wolski. The Panthers added on with Mike Santorelli sinking his eighth of the year, thanks to Jack Skille and Erik Gudbranson. Toronto got one back in the second period when Phil Kessel put away his thirty-second of the season, a power play goal powered by Dion Phaneuf and Joffrey Lupul. Florida got it back as Santorelli made his second of the game and ninth of the year, a power play goal guided in by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. The Panthers extended the lead in the third period with a Jason Garrison power play goal, his fourteenth of the season, going in unassisted. The Maple Leafs got one back when Nikolai Kulemin scored his seventh of the year with Phaneuf and Clarke MacArthur getting the assists. Florida shot back with a Stephen Weiss goal, his sixteenth of the season, and Sean Bergenheim had the only helper. Lupul pulled Toronto to a 5-3 loss with his twenty-fourth of the year, a power play goal from Kessel and Phaneuf, the latter earning a sock trick. Earning the three stars were Santorelli, Goc, and Garrison. Kessel, Lupul, and Phaneuf earned the honorable mentions.
Back stateside, the Washington Capitals host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Michal Neuvirth are the Russian goaltenders. New York began with a Josh Bailey goal, his seventh of the season, set up by Frans Nielsen and Andrew MacDonald. The Islanders extended their lead in the third period as Matt Moulson recorded his twenty-seventh of the year with the help of Steve Staios and P.A. Parenteau. Washington got on the board with a Troy Brouwer goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by Mathieu Perreault and Jason Chimera. The Capitals tied it with another Brouwer goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the year, guided in by Brooks Laich and Dennis Wideman to force overtime. It was in this extra frame that Alex Ovechkin completed the Washington comeback with his twenty-sixth of the campaign, an unassisted goal for a 3-2 win. The three stars went to Ovechkin, Brouwer, and Neuvirth (22 for 24 in saves).
Well to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning are hosting the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Mathieu Garon will be between the pipes. Tampa Bay opened the scoring on the forty-fourth of the season for Steven Stamkos, fueled by Teddy Purcell and Martin St. Louis. Montreal tied it with a David Desharnais goal, his thirteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Lightning took the lead back in the second period when Adam Hall made his second of the season, thanks to Ryan Malone and J.T. Wyman. This held up through the rest of the game, and Tampa Bay won 2-1, with the three stars going to Garon (23 for 24 in saves), Hall, and Eric Brewer, while any other point earner can take the third star.
Northwest of that, the Minnesota Wild host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Bernier and Niklas Backstrom will keep the puck out of the mesh. Los Angeles struck early with a Justin Williams goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Slava Voynov and Dustin Brown. The Kings added on with a Dwight King goal, his second of the year, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Williams. Los Angeles rolled on with a Kopitar goal, his eighteenth of the season, set up by Brown and Matt Greene. The Kings extended the lead in the second period as Alec Martinez potted his third of the year, via Colin Fraser and Greene. This made it 4-0, which, after the third period ended, was a final, with the three stars as Bernier (26 save shutout), Kopitar, and Matt Cullen, while the following players could take the third star: Williams, Brown, or Greene.
Southwest, as follow a zig-zag pattern, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Vancouver Canucks. Cory Schneider and Mike Smith tend the twines. Vancouver struck first with an Alexander Edler goal, his eighth of the season coming on the power play from Sami Salo and Daniel Sedin. Phoenix tied it when Ray Whitney netted his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Keith Yandle and Adrian Aucoin. The Coyotes beat the Canucks with Whitney and Mikkel Boedker tallying in the shootout for a 2-1 win. The three stars belonged to Smith (39 for 40 in saves), Whitney, and Boedker, while Schneider (34 for 35 in saves) gets an honorable mention.
We end the day's games in San Jose, where the Sharks host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Antti Niemi stand in the creases. San Jose opened with a Ryane Clowe goal, his eleventh of the season, guided in by Joe Thornton and Brent Burns. This held up through the rest of the game, resulting in a 1-0 final with the three stars being Niemi (26 save shutout), Clowe, and Daniel Winnik, while Bryzgalov (22 for 23 in saves) earns the honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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