A very slow Wednesday around the NHL, with only two games, both in the east. Leading off...
The Buffalo Sabres host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Ryan Miller guard the cages. Carolina started with a Jaroslav Spacek goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Jamie McBain and Jussi Jokinen. Buffalo tied it when Tyler Myers made his seventh of the year, with a lone assist by Patrick Kaleta. The Sabres gained the lead on a power play goal by Thomas Vanek, his twenty-third of the season, powered by Christian Ehrhoff and Jason Pominville. Chad LaRose retied it for the Hurricanes on his thirteenth of the year, made possible by Jeff Skinner. Buffalo would take the game 3-2 in overtime when Pominville sank his twenty-fourth of the campaign, a power play goal guided in by Ehrhoff and Vanek. The three stars went to Pominville, Myers, and Vanek, while Ehrhoff gets an honorable mention.
We wrap up the short slate in Pittsburgh, as the Penguins bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Brad Thiessen are protecting the nets. Toronto got things going in the second period as Phil Kessel potted his thirty-fourth of the season, thanks to Jake Gardiner and Tyler Bozak. The Maple Leafs added on with a Carl Gunnarsson netted his fourth of the year, courtesy of Mikhail Grabovski and Clarke MacArthur. Pittsburgh got one back as Pascal Dupuis recorded his sixteenth of the season, coming off of Matt Niskanen and Jordan Staal. Staal tied it in the third period for the Penguins with his twenty-second of the year, via Brooks Orpik and Dupuis. Pittsburgh iced it at 3-2 on another Dupuis goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, fueled by Steve Sullivan and Ben Lovejoy. The three stars were Dupuis, Staal, and Gunnarsson.
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Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
NHL Day 153 2011-2012
After a quiet day yesterday, we have a very packed Tuesday slate of games. We begin our trek in...
Toronto, with the Maple Leafs welcoming the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Jonas Gustavsson get the starts in goal. Toronto began with a Carl Gunnarsson goal, his third of the season, assisted by Tim Connolly and Nikolai Kulemin. Boston answered with a Jordan Caron goal, his fifth of the year, pushed through by Benoit Pouliot and Joe Corvo. The Maple Leafs retook the lead with a John-Michael Liles power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the season, powered by Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel. The Bruins shot back with a Tyler Seguin goal, his twenty-third of the year, guided in by Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. Boston took the lead on a Chris Kelly goal, his sixteenth of the season, thanks to Caron and Pouliot. Toronto retied it on a Kessel power play goal, his thirty-third of the year, set up by Liles and Dion Phaneuf. The Bruins regained the lead on another Caron goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Chara and Patrice Bergeron. Boston got some breathing room with another Seguin goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, via Milan Lucic and Krejci. The Maple leafs got one back in the third period as Mikhail Grabovski recorded his twenty-first of the season, with assists provided by Clarke MacArthur and Jake Gardiner. The Bruins held on from here to win 5-4, and the three stars were given to
Down to Washington, D.C., where the Capitals bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Michal Neuvirth are in the creases. Washington began with a Troy Brouwer goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Keith Aucoin. The Capitals extended the lead in the second period on a Jay Beagle goal, with helpers from Dmitry Orlov and Dennis Wideman. Carolina got one back with a Jiri Tlusty goal, his fifteenth of the year, set up by Jerome Samson and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes tied it on a Chad LaRose goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Tim Gleason and Bryan Allen. Carolina grabbed the lead as Brandon Sutter potted a power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Gleason. Washington tied it on a Brooks Laich goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Marcus Johansson and John Carlson. The Hurricanes won the game in overtime as Justin Faulk sniped his eighth of the year, with help from Sutter. The three stars were awarded to Faulk, Beagle, and Laich, while Gleason and Sutter get honorable mentions.
Into Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Detroit Red Wings. Joey MacDonald and Ilya Bryzgalov are in front of the nets. Henrik Zetterberg got Detroit on the board first with his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler. Philadelphia tied it as Jakub Voracek sank his twelfth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Flyers took the lead with Claude Giroux potting his twenty-fourth of the season, guided in by Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia added on when Max Talbot made his eighteenth of the year in the second period, a shorthanded goal, with Giroux providing the only assist. The Red Wings pulled closer in the third period as Johan Franzen deposited his twenty-fifth of the season, with help from Brendan Smith and Kyle Quincey. This was as close as it got, leaving the final at 3-2, with the three stars being Bryzgalov (37 for 39 in saves), Giroux, and Talbot.
Heading over to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Steve Mason were all padded up. Columbus struck first as R.J. Umberger made his eleventh of the season, thanks to Derick Brassard and Jack Johnson. Johnson chased Smith by adding on for the Blue Jackets, registering his ninth of the year, with the help of Vinny Prospal and Mark Letestu. Jason LaBarbera came on in relief. Phoenix got one back as Antoine Vermette potted his ninth of the season, assisted by Ray Whitney and Shane Doan. Columbus got it back in the second period when Derek MacKenzie sank his seventh of the year, courtesy of Derek Dorsett and Colton Gillies. The Coyotes shot back on a Keith yandle goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Taylor Pyatt and Mikkel Boedker. Phoenix fell short of tying the game, losing 3-2, and the three stars went to Johnson, Mason (38 for 40 in saves), and MacKenzie.
Heading east again, stopping in New Jersey to see the Devils host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur tend the twines. New Jersey opened with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Zach Parise and Andy Greene. New York tied it in the second period as Derek Stepan put away his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Carl Hagelin and Dan Girardi. The Devils took the lead back in the third period as David Clarkson notched his twenty-sixth of the season, via Petr Sykora and Patrik Elias. New Jersey added on as Ryan Carter sank his third of the year, courtesy of Jacob Josefson and Kovalchuk. Elias iced it at 4-1 for the Devils with his twenty-second of the campaign, an empty net goal with helpers by Dainius Zubrus and Bryce Salvador. The three stars belonged to Kovalchuk, Brodeur (25 for 26 in saves), and Carter, while Elias gets an honorable mention.
Farther to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Ottawa Senators. Ben Bishop and Mathieu Garon started off in the blue paint, but Garon was replaced by Dwayne Roloson early, likely due to injury. Ottawa pounced on the opportunity, as Sergei Gonchar started the scoring with his third of the season, pushed through by Colin Greening and Jared Cowen. Greening extended the Senators lead with his thirteenth of the year, set up by Milan Michalek and Filip Kuba. Ottawa rolled on with an unassisted Kyle Turris goal, his seventh of the season. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with a Ryan Shannon goal, his third of the year going in off of Tom Pyatt and Brett Connolly. The Lightning pulled closer as Tim Wallace made his second of the season, thanks to J.T. Wyman and Pyatt. Things got scrappy when Greening fought with Keith Aulie midway in the period, and this gave Greening a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. The Senators shot back with an Erik Karlsson goal, his sixteenth of the year, an unassisted power play goal. Tampa Bay pulled back when Steven Stamkos put down his forty-eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Teddy Purcell and Ryan Malone. Ottawa re-extended their lead as Michalek recorded his thirtieth of the year, a power play goal passed off the tape of Daniel Alfredsson and Kuba. Michalek added on for the Senators with an empty net goal, his second of the game thirty-first of the season, an unassisted tally. Michalek finished the cheap hat trick with his thirty-second of the year, another empty netter, again unassisted for a 7-3 Ottawa. Greening, Kuba, and Pyatt claimed the three stars, while Michalek gets the honorable mention for being the best janitor.
Northwest a bit, to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Jaroslav Halak are between the pipes. St. Louis got going with a T.J. Oshie goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues extended the lead with an Andy McDonald power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. St. Louis kept going in the second period on a shorthanded Vladimir Sobotka goal, his fifth of the season, passed off the tape of Scott Nichol. Andrew Brunette put Chicago on the board in the third period with his tenth of the year, thanks to Brent Seabrook. The Blues kept going with a McDonald goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, via Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk. St. Louis iced it at 5-1 as Jason Arnott made his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Chris Stewart. The three stars were given to McDonald, Pietrangelo, and Halak (19 for 20 in saves), while Shattenkirk gets the honorable mention.
Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne are your stud netminders of the game. Los Angeles struck first with a Justin Williams goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Willie Mitchell. Nashville answered with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of Andrei Kostitsyn and Ryan Suter. Williams gave the Kings the lead back on his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, via Slava Voynov and Mitchell. The Predators tied it in the second period when Martin Erat registered his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Mike Fisher and Roman Josi. Drew Doughty restored the Los Angeles lead with his eighth of the season, guided in by Jordan Nolan and Colin Fraser. Nashville retied it again on a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his sixteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Kings retook the lead when Matt Greene netted his fourth of the season, assisted by Dustin Penner and Trevor Lewis. Los Angeles added on with Lewis making his third of the year, with assists by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Anders Lindback relieved Rinne at this time. The Predators got one back with another Hornqvist goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the season, helped along by Andrei and Suter. The Kings held on to win 5-4, and the three stars went out to Williams, Hornqvist, and Lewis, while Mitchell, Andrei, and Suter get the honorable mentions.
Westward to Colorado, with the Avalanche hosting the Minnesota Wild. Matt Hackett and Semyon Varlamov are between the posts. Colorado started off with a Jay McClement goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Cody McLeod. Jamie McGinn then dropped the gloves with Kyle Brodziak. The Avalanche extended their lead in the second period as McGinn notched his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by PeterMcMueller and Steve McDownie. Colorado kept going with a Jan Hejda goal, his fifth of the season, made possible by Downie and Gabriel Landeskog. Mark Olver kept up the Avalanche attack with his third of the year, thanks to Paul Stastny and David Jones. Hackett was removed in favor of Josh Harding at this time. Colorado kept up the blitz with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his seventeenth of the season, courtesy of Landeskog and Downie, the latter getting a sock trick. Minnesota got on the board in the third period when Devin Setoguchi scored his seventeenth of the year on a penalty shot after a Matt Hunwick holding call. The Avalanche got it back when Stastny made his seventeenth of the season, with assistance from Jones and McGinn, earning McGinn a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. Colorado finished it at 7-1 with a McLeod goal, his fifth of the year, coming off of Ryan Wilson and Hejda. Landeskog, Downie, and McGinn, while Hejda, Jones, and McLeod get the honorable mentions.
Back up in Canada, the Calgary Flames host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Miikka Kiprusoff guard the cages. Calgary started off with a David Moss goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Mark Giordano and Curtis Glencross. The Flames added on when Jarome Iginla deposited his twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Matt Stajan and T.J. Brodie. Montreal struck late with a Tomas Plekanec power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Lars Eller and Tomas Kaberle. The Canadiens tied it in the second period when Max Pacioretty scored his twenty-seventh of the year, via Chris Campoli and Yannick Weber. Calgary took the lead again on a Giordano goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Glencross and Olli Jokinen. The Flames extended their lead with another Iginla goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, guided in by Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Tanguay. Calgary kept going in the third period on a Glencross goal, his twenty-third of the season, an unassisted goal. Montreal got one back as Eller deposited his fourteenth of the year, and Alexei Elemin had the only helper. The Canadiens pulled even closer with another Pacioretty goal, his second of the night and twenty-eighth of the season, pushed through by P.K. Subban and Erik Cole. The Flames held on from here to win 5-4, with Iginla, Glencross, and Pacioretty getting the three stars, while Giordano and Eller get the honorable mentions.
Heading to the west coast, with the Vancouver Canucks bringing in the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Roberto Luongo get the starting nods. Vancouver busted open the scoring in the second period as Chris Higgins scored his thirteenth of the season, via Jannik Hansen and Samuel Pahlsson. Dallas tied it on a Loui Eriksson goal, his twenty-third of the year, guided in by Trevor Daley and Mike Ribeiro on the power play. The Stars gained the lead with a Ribeiro goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Eriksson and Michael Ryder. Dallas extended the lead in the third period as Jamie Benn sank his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Steve Ott. The Canucks took one back as Alexander Edler netted his ninth of the season, with the help of Kevin Bieksa and Higgins. The Stars took it away as Ribeiro scored again, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, pushed through by Ryder and Stephane Robidas. Robidas iced it with his fifth of the campaign, an empty goal set up by the goalie Bachman. Ribeiro, Eriksson, and Higgins got the three stars while Robidas and Ryder earned the honorable mentions.
Finally we head to Silicon Valley, as the San Jose Sharks welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Antti Niemi take care of the goals. Edmonton scored first with the thirtieth of the season by Jordan Eberle, assisted by Sam Gagner and Ryan Whitney. San Jose tied it with a Jim Vandermeer goal, via Dan Boyle. The Sharks took the lead in the second period with a Ryane Clowe goal, his twelfth of the year, thanks to Logan Couture. The Oilers quickly retied a Ryan Smyth goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Jeff Petry and Ladislav Smid. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Gagner finished it for a 3-2 Edmonton win. The three stars belonged to Dubnyk (28 for 30 in saves), Niemi (24 for 26 in saves), and Clowe, while Gagner gets an honorable mention.
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Toronto, with the Maple Leafs welcoming the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Jonas Gustavsson get the starts in goal. Toronto began with a Carl Gunnarsson goal, his third of the season, assisted by Tim Connolly and Nikolai Kulemin. Boston answered with a Jordan Caron goal, his fifth of the year, pushed through by Benoit Pouliot and Joe Corvo. The Maple Leafs retook the lead with a John-Michael Liles power play goal in the second period, his fifth of the season, powered by Joffrey Lupul and Phil Kessel. The Bruins shot back with a Tyler Seguin goal, his twenty-third of the year, guided in by Zdeno Chara and David Krejci. Boston took the lead on a Chris Kelly goal, his sixteenth of the season, thanks to Caron and Pouliot. Toronto retied it on a Kessel power play goal, his thirty-third of the year, set up by Liles and Dion Phaneuf. The Bruins regained the lead on another Caron goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by Chara and Patrice Bergeron. Boston got some breathing room with another Seguin goal, his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, via Milan Lucic and Krejci. The Maple leafs got one back in the third period as Mikhail Grabovski recorded his twenty-first of the season, with assists provided by Clarke MacArthur and Jake Gardiner. The Bruins held on from here to win 5-4, and the three stars were given to
Down to Washington, D.C., where the Capitals bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Michal Neuvirth are in the creases. Washington began with a Troy Brouwer goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Keith Aucoin. The Capitals extended the lead in the second period on a Jay Beagle goal, with helpers from Dmitry Orlov and Dennis Wideman. Carolina got one back with a Jiri Tlusty goal, his fifteenth of the year, set up by Jerome Samson and Eric Staal. The Hurricanes tied it on a Chad LaRose goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Tim Gleason and Bryan Allen. Carolina grabbed the lead as Brandon Sutter potted a power play goal, his fourteenth of the year, powered by Gleason. Washington tied it on a Brooks Laich goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Marcus Johansson and John Carlson. The Hurricanes won the game in overtime as Justin Faulk sniped his eighth of the year, with help from Sutter. The three stars were awarded to Faulk, Beagle, and Laich, while Gleason and Sutter get honorable mentions.
Into Philadelphia, where the Flyers host the Detroit Red Wings. Joey MacDonald and Ilya Bryzgalov are in front of the nets. Henrik Zetterberg got Detroit on the board first with his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler. Philadelphia tied it as Jakub Voracek sank his twelfth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Flyers took the lead with Claude Giroux potting his twenty-fourth of the season, guided in by Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia added on when Max Talbot made his eighteenth of the year in the second period, a shorthanded goal, with Giroux providing the only assist. The Red Wings pulled closer in the third period as Johan Franzen deposited his twenty-fifth of the season, with help from Brendan Smith and Kyle Quincey. This was as close as it got, leaving the final at 3-2, with the three stars being Bryzgalov (37 for 39 in saves), Giroux, and Talbot.
Heading over to Columbus, where the Blue Jackets host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Steve Mason were all padded up. Columbus struck first as R.J. Umberger made his eleventh of the season, thanks to Derick Brassard and Jack Johnson. Johnson chased Smith by adding on for the Blue Jackets, registering his ninth of the year, with the help of Vinny Prospal and Mark Letestu. Jason LaBarbera came on in relief. Phoenix got one back as Antoine Vermette potted his ninth of the season, assisted by Ray Whitney and Shane Doan. Columbus got it back in the second period when Derek MacKenzie sank his seventh of the year, courtesy of Derek Dorsett and Colton Gillies. The Coyotes shot back on a Keith yandle goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Taylor Pyatt and Mikkel Boedker. Phoenix fell short of tying the game, losing 3-2, and the three stars went to Johnson, Mason (38 for 40 in saves), and MacKenzie.
Heading east again, stopping in New Jersey to see the Devils host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Martin Brodeur tend the twines. New Jersey opened with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Zach Parise and Andy Greene. New York tied it in the second period as Derek Stepan put away his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Carl Hagelin and Dan Girardi. The Devils took the lead back in the third period as David Clarkson notched his twenty-sixth of the season, via Petr Sykora and Patrik Elias. New Jersey added on as Ryan Carter sank his third of the year, courtesy of Jacob Josefson and Kovalchuk. Elias iced it at 4-1 for the Devils with his twenty-second of the campaign, an empty net goal with helpers by Dainius Zubrus and Bryce Salvador. The three stars belonged to Kovalchuk, Brodeur (25 for 26 in saves), and Carter, while Elias gets an honorable mention.
Farther to the south, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Ottawa Senators. Ben Bishop and Mathieu Garon started off in the blue paint, but Garon was replaced by Dwayne Roloson early, likely due to injury. Ottawa pounced on the opportunity, as Sergei Gonchar started the scoring with his third of the season, pushed through by Colin Greening and Jared Cowen. Greening extended the Senators lead with his thirteenth of the year, set up by Milan Michalek and Filip Kuba. Ottawa rolled on with an unassisted Kyle Turris goal, his seventh of the season. Tampa Bay got on the board in the second period with a Ryan Shannon goal, his third of the year going in off of Tom Pyatt and Brett Connolly. The Lightning pulled closer as Tim Wallace made his second of the season, thanks to J.T. Wyman and Pyatt. Things got scrappy when Greening fought with Keith Aulie midway in the period, and this gave Greening a Gordie Howe Hat Trick. The Senators shot back with an Erik Karlsson goal, his sixteenth of the year, an unassisted power play goal. Tampa Bay pulled back when Steven Stamkos put down his forty-eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Teddy Purcell and Ryan Malone. Ottawa re-extended their lead as Michalek recorded his thirtieth of the year, a power play goal passed off the tape of Daniel Alfredsson and Kuba. Michalek added on for the Senators with an empty net goal, his second of the game thirty-first of the season, an unassisted tally. Michalek finished the cheap hat trick with his thirty-second of the year, another empty netter, again unassisted for a 7-3 Ottawa. Greening, Kuba, and Pyatt claimed the three stars, while Michalek gets the honorable mention for being the best janitor.
Northwest a bit, to St. Louis, as the Blues welcome the Chicago Blackhawks. Ray Emery and Jaroslav Halak are between the pipes. St. Louis got going with a T.J. Oshie goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues extended the lead with an Andy McDonald power play goal, his seventh of the year, powered by Alex Pietrangelo and Kevin Shattenkirk. St. Louis kept going in the second period on a shorthanded Vladimir Sobotka goal, his fifth of the season, passed off the tape of Scott Nichol. Andrew Brunette put Chicago on the board in the third period with his tenth of the year, thanks to Brent Seabrook. The Blues kept going with a McDonald goal, his second of the game and eighth of the season, via Pietrangelo and Shattenkirk. St. Louis iced it at 5-1 as Jason Arnott made his sixteenth of the year, courtesy of Chris Stewart. The three stars were given to McDonald, Pietrangelo, and Halak (19 for 20 in saves), while Shattenkirk gets the honorable mention.
Backtracking to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Pekka Rinne are your stud netminders of the game. Los Angeles struck first with a Justin Williams goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Willie Mitchell. Nashville answered with a Patric Hornqvist goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of Andrei Kostitsyn and Ryan Suter. Williams gave the Kings the lead back on his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, via Slava Voynov and Mitchell. The Predators tied it in the second period when Martin Erat registered his fifteenth of the year, thanks to Mike Fisher and Roman Josi. Drew Doughty restored the Los Angeles lead with his eighth of the season, guided in by Jordan Nolan and Colin Fraser. Nashville retied it again on a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his sixteenth of the year, going in unassisted. The Kings retook the lead when Matt Greene netted his fourth of the season, assisted by Dustin Penner and Trevor Lewis. Los Angeles added on with Lewis making his third of the year, with assists by Anze Kopitar and Dustin Brown. Anders Lindback relieved Rinne at this time. The Predators got one back with another Hornqvist goal, his second of the game and twentieth of the season, helped along by Andrei and Suter. The Kings held on to win 5-4, and the three stars went out to Williams, Hornqvist, and Lewis, while Mitchell, Andrei, and Suter get the honorable mentions.
Westward to Colorado, with the Avalanche hosting the Minnesota Wild. Matt Hackett and Semyon Varlamov are between the posts. Colorado started off with a Jay McClement goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Cody McLeod. Jamie McGinn then dropped the gloves with Kyle Brodziak. The Avalanche extended their lead in the second period as McGinn notched his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Peter
Back up in Canada, the Calgary Flames host the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Miikka Kiprusoff guard the cages. Calgary started off with a David Moss goal, his second of the season, courtesy of Mark Giordano and Curtis Glencross. The Flames added on when Jarome Iginla deposited his twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Matt Stajan and T.J. Brodie. Montreal struck late with a Tomas Plekanec power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, powered by Lars Eller and Tomas Kaberle. The Canadiens tied it in the second period when Max Pacioretty scored his twenty-seventh of the year, via Chris Campoli and Yannick Weber. Calgary took the lead again on a Giordano goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Glencross and Olli Jokinen. The Flames extended their lead with another Iginla goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the year, guided in by Jay Bouwmeester and Alex Tanguay. Calgary kept going in the third period on a Glencross goal, his twenty-third of the season, an unassisted goal. Montreal got one back as Eller deposited his fourteenth of the year, and Alexei Elemin had the only helper. The Canadiens pulled even closer with another Pacioretty goal, his second of the night and twenty-eighth of the season, pushed through by P.K. Subban and Erik Cole. The Flames held on from here to win 5-4, with Iginla, Glencross, and Pacioretty getting the three stars, while Giordano and Eller get the honorable mentions.
Heading to the west coast, with the Vancouver Canucks bringing in the Dallas Stars. Richard Bachman and Roberto Luongo get the starting nods. Vancouver busted open the scoring in the second period as Chris Higgins scored his thirteenth of the season, via Jannik Hansen and Samuel Pahlsson. Dallas tied it on a Loui Eriksson goal, his twenty-third of the year, guided in by Trevor Daley and Mike Ribeiro on the power play. The Stars gained the lead with a Ribeiro goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Eriksson and Michael Ryder. Dallas extended the lead in the third period as Jamie Benn sank his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Steve Ott. The Canucks took one back as Alexander Edler netted his ninth of the season, with the help of Kevin Bieksa and Higgins. The Stars took it away as Ribeiro scored again, his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, pushed through by Ryder and Stephane Robidas. Robidas iced it with his fifth of the campaign, an empty goal set up by the goalie Bachman. Ribeiro, Eriksson, and Higgins got the three stars while Robidas and Ryder earned the honorable mentions.
Finally we head to Silicon Valley, as the San Jose Sharks welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Antti Niemi take care of the goals. Edmonton scored first with the thirtieth of the season by Jordan Eberle, assisted by Sam Gagner and Ryan Whitney. San Jose tied it with a Jim Vandermeer goal, via Dan Boyle. The Sharks took the lead in the second period with a Ryane Clowe goal, his twelfth of the year, thanks to Logan Couture. The Oilers quickly retied a Ryan Smyth goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Jeff Petry and Ladislav Smid. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Gagner finished it for a 3-2 Edmonton win. The three stars belonged to Dubnyk (28 for 30 in saves), Niemi (24 for 26 in saves), and Clowe, while Gagner gets an honorable mention.
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Monday, March 5, 2012
NHL Day 152 2011-2012
Only three games on a quiet Monday. We begin in...
Pittsburgh, with the Penguins hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Marc-Andre Fleury tended the twines. Pittsburgh struck first as Zbynek Michalek scored his second of the season, thanks to Jordan Staal. The Penguins added on with a Chris Kunitz goal, his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of Evgeni Malkin and Paul Martin. Phoenix got on the board in the third period as Ray Whitney potted his twenty-first of the season, set up by Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes never tied it up, losing 2-1, with Fleury (36 for 37 in saves), Michalek, and Smith (26 for 28 in saves) claiming the three stars.
Out northwest a bit, the Winnipeg Jets host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ondrej Pavelec were under the masks. Winnipeg was first to score as Andrew Ladd netted his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Bryan Little. Buffalo tied it in the second period as Corey Tropp notched his second of the year, guided in by Matt Ellis and Brad Boyes. The Jets gained the lead again in the third period as Blake Wheeler recorded his fifteenth of the season, and Little had the only assist. Winnipeg extended the lead with a Chris Thorburn goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Little, who got a sock trick, and Tobias Enstrom. This was all that was needed for a 3-1 win, and the three stars were Little, Wheeler, and Thorburn.
Southwest of there, we wrap up in Anaheim, with the Ducks welcoming the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Jonas Hiller guarded the goals. Anaheim scored first as Jason Blake registered his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Bobby Ryan and Cam Fowler. Edmonton tied it late in the second period with a Shawn Horcoff goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Nick Schultz. The Ducks retook the lead in the third period as Bobby Ryan put away his twenty-fifth of the season, thanks to Teemu Selanne. Corey Perry extended the Anaheim lead with his thirty-second of the year, with a lone Niklas Hagman assist. The Oilers got one back on the power play when Jordan Eberle sank his twenty-ninth of the season, with the help of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Horcoff. The Ducks iced it at 4-2 on a Perry empty net goal thirty-two seconds later, his second of the game and thirty-third of the year. Hiller (34 for 36 in saves), Perry, and Ryan had the three stars while Horcoff gets the honorable mention.
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Pittsburgh, with the Penguins hosting the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Marc-Andre Fleury tended the twines. Pittsburgh struck first as Zbynek Michalek scored his second of the season, thanks to Jordan Staal. The Penguins added on with a Chris Kunitz goal, his nineteenth of the year, courtesy of Evgeni Malkin and Paul Martin. Phoenix got on the board in the third period as Ray Whitney potted his twenty-first of the season, set up by Radim Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. The Coyotes never tied it up, losing 2-1, with Fleury (36 for 37 in saves), Michalek, and Smith (26 for 28 in saves) claiming the three stars.
Out northwest a bit, the Winnipeg Jets host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ondrej Pavelec were under the masks. Winnipeg was first to score as Andrew Ladd netted his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Bryan Little. Buffalo tied it in the second period as Corey Tropp notched his second of the year, guided in by Matt Ellis and Brad Boyes. The Jets gained the lead again in the third period as Blake Wheeler recorded his fifteenth of the season, and Little had the only assist. Winnipeg extended the lead with a Chris Thorburn goal, his fourth of the year, fueled by Little, who got a sock trick, and Tobias Enstrom. This was all that was needed for a 3-1 win, and the three stars were Little, Wheeler, and Thorburn.
Southwest of there, we wrap up in Anaheim, with the Ducks welcoming the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Jonas Hiller guarded the goals. Anaheim scored first as Jason Blake registered his sixth of the season, a power play goal powered by Bobby Ryan and Cam Fowler. Edmonton tied it late in the second period with a Shawn Horcoff goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Nick Schultz. The Ducks retook the lead in the third period as Bobby Ryan put away his twenty-fifth of the season, thanks to Teemu Selanne. Corey Perry extended the Anaheim lead with his thirty-second of the year, with a lone Niklas Hagman assist. The Oilers got one back on the power play when Jordan Eberle sank his twenty-ninth of the season, with the help of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Horcoff. The Ducks iced it at 4-2 on a Perry empty net goal thirty-two seconds later, his second of the game and thirty-third of the year. Hiller (34 for 36 in saves), Perry, and Ryan had the three stars while Horcoff gets the honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 20
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.
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.
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.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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.
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