Nine games for your viewing tonight. We begin with...
The New York Islanders hosting the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Evgeni Nabokov are the Russian goaltenders. New York opened with a Matt Moulson goal, his thirtieth of the season, assisted by Andrew MacDonald and Kyle Okposo. The Islanders added on with a Travis Hamonic power play goal, his second of the year, guided in by Tavares and Frans Nielsen. New York kept going in the second period on another Tavares goal, his of the twenty-ninth season coming on the power play from Mark Streit and Hamonic. Washington got one back twenty-eight seconds later as Mike Knuble put away his fourth of the year, via Dennis Wideman and Keith Aucoin. The Islanders later replied with a Tavares goal, his second of the game and thirtieth of the season, set up by Okposo and Hamonic. The Capitals answered again with an Alex Ovechkin goal, his twenty-eighth of the year, made possible by Brooks Laich and Marcus Johansson late in the frame. Washington pulled even closer in the third period as Dmitry Orlov sank his third of the season, thanks to Johansson and Aucoin. The Capitals tied it with another Ovechkin goal, his second of the game and twenty-ninth of the year, via Aucoin, who got a sock trick, and Joel Ward. The game went to a shootout, where Tavares and Ovechkin exchanged goals before Washington got a Matt Hendricks tally as the deciding goal for a 5-4 win. The three stars went to Ovechkin, Tavares, and Hamonic, while Aucoin, Johansson, and Okposo got the honorable mentions.
Crossing over to Philadelphia, as the Flyers welcome the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Ilya Bryzgalov started in goal. Philadelphia struck first in the second period on a Sean Couturier goal, his twelfth of the season, made possible Braydon Coburn. The Flyers added on in the third period when Jakub Voracek potted his thirteenth of the year, assisted by Danny Briere. Philadelphia iced it at 3-0 with a Briere empty net goal, his fourteenth of the season, fueled by Voracek and Coburn. The three stars ended up as Bryzgalov (17 save shutout), Voracek, and Eric Wellwood, while Briere and Coburn get the honorable mentions.
Farther south, the Florida Panthers bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. James Reimer and Jose Theodore guarded the cages. Florida opened the scoring early with a Sean Bergenheim goal, his fifteenth of the season, fueled by Mikael Samuelsson and Keaton Ellerby. The Panthers extended their lead in the second period on a Jason Garrison tally, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Marcel Goc and Wojtek Wolski. Toronto got on the board as Tyler Bozak netted his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Clarke MacArthur and Phil Kessel. Florida got it back in the third period with a Tomas Kopecky goal, his seventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Garrison and Ed Jovanovski. The Panthers kept going with a Goc power play goal, his ninth of the season, guided in by Wolski. The Maple Leafs finally answered back again on Mikhail Grabovski's twenty-second of the year, via Luke Schenn and MacArthur. Florida iced it at 5-2 with another Bergenheim goal, his second of the game and sixteenth of the campaign finding the empty net after being passed from Kopecky. Garrison, Goc, and Kopecky got the three stars while MacArthur and Bergenheim get the honorable mentions.
A little farther north in the state, the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Boston Bruins. Marty Turco and Dustin Tokarski got the starting nods. Tampa Bay led off with a Tom Pyatt goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Ryan Malone and Brett Connolly. The Lightning added on with a Nate Thompson goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Adam Hall and J.T. Wyman. Tampa Bay chased Turco when Ryan Shannon's fourth of the season went down on the power play, powered by Victor Hedman and the goalie Tokarski. Tim Thomas came on in relief. The Lightning extended the lead again with an unassisted Hedman goal, his fourth of the year. Tampa Bay continued the blitz in the second period with the forty-ninth of the season for Steven Stamkos, pushed through by Teddy Purcell and Brian Lee. taking Thomas out of the game and reinstating Turco. Boston got on the board in the third period with a Jordan Caron goal, his seventh of the year, thanks to Johnny Boychuk and Zdeno Chara. Stamkos shot back for the Lightning with his second of the game and fiftieth of the season, made possible by Martin St. Louis and Lee. Earning the three stars were Stamkos, Tokarski (33 for 34 in saves), and Hedman, while Lee earns an honorable mention.
Circling back to New York, where the Rangers are hosting the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Martin Biron are in the blue paint. New York got the early lead on the thirty-fourth of the season for Marian Gaborik, courtesy of Dan Girardi and John Mitchell. The Rangers extended the lead with a Brad Richards goal, his twenty-second of the year, fueled by Carl Hagelin and. Richards added on again for New York with his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, set up by Hagelin and Gaborik. Carolina got on the board with a Tim Brent power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Eric Staal and Jeff Skinner. The Hurricanes pulled closer on a Drayson Bowman goal, his third of the season, helped along by Brandon Sutter and Patrick Dwyer. The Rangers got a little separation back with a Hagelin goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Gaborik and Richards. The final here was 4-2, with the three stars going to Richards, Hagelin, and Gaborik.
Westward to Minnesota, where the Wild bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Matt Hackett are under the masks. Dallas started the scoring in the third period on a Jamie Benn goal, his twenty-first of the season, assisted by Brenden Morrow. This was all the scoring this game would see, and Lehtonen (25 save shutout), Hackett (24 for 25 in saves), and Marco Scandella got the three stars while Benn or Morrow deserve the third slot.
A tad south, the Chicago Blackhawks host the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Ray Emery are between the pipes. Chicago struck first on an Andrew Brunette goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane. St. Louis answered quickly with a Jamie Langenbrunner goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Jason Arnott. Andy McDonald gave the Blues a lead with his ninth of the season, thanks to David Perron and Patrik Berglund. St. Louis kept going with a Berglund goal, his sixteenth of the year, helped along by Barret Jackman and McDonald. Corey Crawford relieved Emery for the second period onward. The Blackhawks got one back in the second period as Viktor Stalberg notched his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Marcus Kruger and Johnny Oduya. Chicago tied it on a Brent Seabrook power play goal in the third period, his sixth of the year, powered by Hossa and Patrick Sharp. The Blackhawks won with a lone Kane tally in the shootout, propelling them to a 4-3 win. The three stars went to Seabrook, McDonald, and Dave Bolland, while Kane, Berglund, or Hossa would also earn attention for the third star.
Up into Canada, with the Calgary Flames hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Miikka Kiprusoff are the Finnish goalies. San Jose scored early with a Logan Couture goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, assisted by Brent Burns and Joe Thornton. Calgary tied the game in the second period on a Sven Baertschi goal, his second of the year, guided in by Jarome Iginla and Roman Horak. The Flames took the lead with Iginla potting his thirtieth of the season, thanks to Mark Giordano. Couture tied it back up in the third period for the Sharks with his second of the game and thirtieth of the year, a power play goal powered by Patrick Marleau and Thornton. Calgary won it in the overtime with a Matt Stajan goal, his fifth of the campaign, with a lone helper by Blake Comeau. The three stars were awarded to Iginla, Couture, and Giordano, while Thornton got an honorable mention.
Finally, in southern California, the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Jonathan Quick tend the twines. Justin Williams led off for Los Angeles with his seventeenth of the season, helped along by Drew Doughty and Dustin Brown. The Kings extended the lead with an Anze Kopitar shorthanded goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone Brown assist. Jiri Hudler put Detroit on the board in the second period with his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Henrik Zetterberg and Valtteri Filppula. Doughty shot back for Los Angeles on his ninth of the year, guided in by Dwight King and Jeff Carter. The Kings added on in the third period with a Slava Voynov goal, his sixth of the season coming on the power play, powered by Jarret Stoll and Williams. The Red Wings took one back with a Johan Franzen goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, fueled by Brad Stuart and Danny Cleary. Los Angeles iced it at 5-2 with a Carter empty netter, his twentieth of the campaign, coming off of Kopitar. The three stars were handed out to Doughty, Williams, and Zetterberg, while Carter, Kopitar, and Brown get the honorable mentions.
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Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Monday, March 12, 2012
NHL Day 159 2011-2012
We go with four games tonight, beginning as the...
Buffalo Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Ryan Miller got the starting nods. Montreal opened with an Erik Cole goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by David Desharnais. Buffalo tied it in the second period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Drew Stafford and Marcus Foligno. Ennis gained the lead for the Sabres in the third period with his second of the game and tenth of the season, thanks to Stafford and Alexander Sulzer. Desharnais tied it for the Canadiens with his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Cole and Max Pacioretty. Buffalo won 3-2in overtime with a Tyler Myers goal, his eighth of the campaign, with assists from Derek Roy and Jason Pominville.
Far to the west, the Colorado Avalanche hosted the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Semyon Varlamov are playing in goal. Colorado led off with a Jamie McGinn goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Ryan O'Byrne and David Jones. Anaheim tied it with two seconds left in the second period on a Francois Beauchemin goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Bobby Ryan and Cam Fowler. The Avalanche regained the lead in the third period when Kevin Porter recorded his fourth of the season, via Jan Hejda and Cody McLeod. The Ducks tied it back up on a Teemu Selanne power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Matt Beleskey and Ryan. Colorado took the game 3-2 in overtime with the nineteenth of the campaign by Gabriel Landeskog, pushed through by Matt Hunwick and Steve Downie. Varlamov (38 for 40 in saves), Landeskog, and Selanne got the three stars while Ryan gets an honorable mention.
A bit north, the Edmonton Oilers welcomed the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Devan Dubnyk are in the blue paint. San Jose struck first with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his eighth of the season, with help from Tommy Wingels and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Edmonton tied it as Ryan Whitney netted his third of the year, thanks to Nick Schultz and Eric Belanger. The Sharks retook the lead on a Joe Thornton goal, his fifteenth of the season coming in the second period on the power play, powered by Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski. Taylor Hall retied it for the Oilers on his twenty-sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. San Jose took the lead back early in the third period when Logan Couture potted his twenty-eighth of the season, a power play goal, coming off of Dan Boyle and Thornton. This paced the Sharks to a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Thornton, Whitney, and Boyle.
We finish down in Arizona, as the Phoenix Coyotes host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Mike Smith tend the twines. Nashville was first on the board with a Martin Erat goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Sergei Kostitsyn and Hal Gill. Phoenix tied it in the second period with a Daymond Langkow goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Raffi Torres. The Predators took the lead back when Mike Fisher deposited his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Sergei and Erat. The Coyotes quickly tied the game again as Keith Yandle made his tenth of the year, with the help of Antoine Vermette and Ray Whitney. Nashville reclaimed the lead again with a Francis Bouillon goal, fueled by Erat and Ryan Ellis. The Predators extended their lead in the third period on a Craig Smith goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Paul Gaustad. Phoenix got one back with an Ekman-Larsson goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Michal Rozsival and Radim Vrbata. The Coyotes tied it as Langkow put down his second of the night and tenth of the season, assisted by Torres and Shane Doan. Nashville ended up winning 5-4 in the shootout after a lone Andrei Kostitsyn tally. The three stars were handed out to Ekman-Larsson, Langkow, and Erat, while Sergei and Torres get the honorable mentions.
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Buffalo Sabres host the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Ryan Miller got the starting nods. Montreal opened with an Erik Cole goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by David Desharnais. Buffalo tied it in the second period on a Tyler Ennis goal, his ninth of the year, fueled by Drew Stafford and Marcus Foligno. Ennis gained the lead for the Sabres in the third period with his second of the game and tenth of the season, thanks to Stafford and Alexander Sulzer. Desharnais tied it for the Canadiens with his fifteenth of the year, guided in by Cole and Max Pacioretty. Buffalo won 3-2in overtime with a Tyler Myers goal, his eighth of the campaign, with assists from Derek Roy and Jason Pominville.
Far to the west, the Colorado Avalanche hosted the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Semyon Varlamov are playing in goal. Colorado led off with a Jamie McGinn goal, his seventeenth of the season, coming off of Ryan O'Byrne and David Jones. Anaheim tied it with two seconds left in the second period on a Francois Beauchemin goal, his seventh of the year, fueled by Bobby Ryan and Cam Fowler. The Avalanche regained the lead in the third period when Kevin Porter recorded his fourth of the season, via Jan Hejda and Cody McLeod. The Ducks tied it back up on a Teemu Selanne power play goal, his twenty-second of the year, powered by Matt Beleskey and Ryan. Colorado took the game 3-2 in overtime with the nineteenth of the campaign by Gabriel Landeskog, pushed through by Matt Hunwick and Steve Downie. Varlamov (38 for 40 in saves), Landeskog, and Selanne got the three stars while Ryan gets an honorable mention.
A bit north, the Edmonton Oilers welcomed the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Devan Dubnyk are in the blue paint. San Jose struck first with a Torrey Mitchell goal, his eighth of the season, with help from Tommy Wingels and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Edmonton tied it as Ryan Whitney netted his third of the year, thanks to Nick Schultz and Eric Belanger. The Sharks retook the lead on a Joe Thornton goal, his fifteenth of the season coming in the second period on the power play, powered by Patrick Marleau and Joe Pavelski. Taylor Hall retied it for the Oilers on his twenty-sixth of the year, an unassisted goal. San Jose took the lead back early in the third period when Logan Couture potted his twenty-eighth of the season, a power play goal, coming off of Dan Boyle and Thornton. This paced the Sharks to a 3-2 win, with the three stars being Thornton, Whitney, and Boyle.
We finish down in Arizona, as the Phoenix Coyotes host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Mike Smith tend the twines. Nashville was first on the board with a Martin Erat goal, his seventeenth of the season, made possible by Sergei Kostitsyn and Hal Gill. Phoenix tied it in the second period with a Daymond Langkow goal, his ninth of the year, set up by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Raffi Torres. The Predators took the lead back when Mike Fisher deposited his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Sergei and Erat. The Coyotes quickly tied the game again as Keith Yandle made his tenth of the year, with the help of Antoine Vermette and Ray Whitney. Nashville reclaimed the lead again with a Francis Bouillon goal, fueled by Erat and Ryan Ellis. The Predators extended their lead in the third period on a Craig Smith goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Paul Gaustad. Phoenix got one back with an Ekman-Larsson goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Michal Rozsival and Radim Vrbata. The Coyotes tied it as Langkow put down his second of the night and tenth of the season, assisted by Torres and Shane Doan. Nashville ended up winning 5-4 in the shootout after a lone Andrei Kostitsyn tally. The three stars were handed out to Ekman-Larsson, Langkow, and Erat, while Sergei and Torres get the honorable mentions.
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Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 21
Playoffs are now officially in full force, although a few straggling leagues will be fighting it out for the last slots this week. Here's who gave you a nice boost last week.
1. Ilya Bryzgalov, 3 W, 0.65 GAA, 94 SV, .979 SV%, 2 SO
2. Ilya Kovalchuk, 5 G, 4 A, +4, 0 PIM, 3 PPP, 22 SOG
3. Jeff Skinner, 2 G, 2 A, +6, 14 PIM, 0 PPP, 12 SOG
4. Jaroslav Halak, 3 W, 1.00 GAA, 76 SV, .962 SV%, 0 SO
5. Martin Brodeur, 3 W, 1.00 GAA, 72 SV, .960 SV%, 0 SO
Best of luck in the playoffs this week, and follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion for Fantasy Baseball Draft Recaps during all of my drafts this month.
1. Ilya Bryzgalov, 3 W, 0.65 GAA, 94 SV, .979 SV%, 2 SO
2. Ilya Kovalchuk, 5 G, 4 A, +4, 0 PIM, 3 PPP, 22 SOG
3. Jeff Skinner, 2 G, 2 A, +6, 14 PIM, 0 PPP, 12 SOG
4. Jaroslav Halak, 3 W, 1.00 GAA, 76 SV, .962 SV%, 0 SO
5. Martin Brodeur, 3 W, 1.00 GAA, 72 SV, .960 SV%, 0 SO
Best of luck in the playoffs this week, and follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion for Fantasy Baseball Draft Recaps during all of my drafts this month.
Sunday, March 11, 2012
NHL Day 158 2011-2012
Another eight games rolling this Sunday afternoon. First up...
The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Marc-Andre Fleury got the starting nods. Pittsburgh started off with an Arron Asham goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Ben Lovejoy and Craig Adams. Matt Niskanen extended the Penguins lead with his fourth of the year, guided in by Evgeni Malkin and James Neal. Pittsburgh kept going with a Neal power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Malkin. Thomas was relieved by Marty Turco for the second period onward. Boston got one back with David Krejci recording his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Tyler Seguin and Milan Lucic. The Penguins answered on a Chris Kunitz goal, his twentieth of the campaign, fueled by Neal and Malkin. The Bruins pulled back as Krejci made his second of the game and twentieth of the season, coming off of Lucic and Seguin. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 in the third period with Pascal Dupuis notching his eighteenth of the year, via Jordan Staal and Deryk Engelland. The three stars went to Neal, Malkin, and Krejci, while Lucic and Seguin get the honorable mentions.
Moving along to D.C., as the Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Michal Neuvirth tend the twines. Washington began with a shorthanded and unassisted Brooks Laich goal, his fourteenth of the season. The Capitals added on in the second period with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Alexander Semin and Dennis Wideman. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, and the three stars were given to Neuvirth (23 save shutout), Laich, and Perreault.
Farther south, the Florida Panthers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jose Theodore are in the blue paint. Florida drew first blood with a second period Tomas Fleischmann goal, his twenty-second of the season, fueled by Stephen Weiss and Wojtek Wolski. The Panthers iced it at 2-0 with a Marcel Goc goal, his eighth of the year finding the empty net thanks to Tomas Kopecky and Jason Garrison. Theodore (34 save shutout), Fleischmann, and Ward (31 for 32 in saves) get the three stars.
Northwest to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the St. Louis Blues for the second half of a home-and-home. Jaroslav Halak and Curtis Sanford will play goal. St. Louis got things going in the second period on a Patrik Berglund goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and Andy McDonald. Columbus tied it when Mark Letestu notched his eighth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Johansen and Brett Lebda. The Blues took the lead in the third period as David Perron potted his fourteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Barret Jackman. St. Louis held on to the 2-1 lead from here for the win, with the three stars going to Halak (33 for 34 in saves), Perron, and Letestu.
Following the directional trend, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Matt Hackett wild guard the cages. Calgary opened the scoring with Jarome Iginla notching his twenty-ninth of the season, via Alex Tanguay and Matt Stajan. The Flames extended the lead in the third period as Sven Baertschi scored, with the help of Derek Smith and Tom Kostopoulos. Minnesota got one back as Erik Christensen recorded his second of the year, an unassisted goal just twenty-seven seconds later. The Wild tied it with another Christensen goal, his second of the game and third of the season, coming off of Jared Spurgeon and Stephane Veilleux. Calgary regained the lead when Curtis Glencross registered his twenty-fifth of the year, thanks to Iginla. The Flames got a little separation with an Olli Jokinen goal, his twenty-first of the season, made possible by David Moss and Glencross. Minnesota made it close at the end, pulling up to 4-3 with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his eighteenth of the year, pushed through by Kyle Brodziak and Tom Gilbert. The three stars were awarded to Iginla, Christensen, and Glencross.
Back east, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Martin Brodeur are the masked men. New Jersey struck first with a Patrik Elias goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal coming off of David Clarkson and Ilya Kovalchuk. Philadelphia tied it in the third period with a Claude Giroux goal, just sixteen seconds in, his twenty-fifth of the year, pushed through by Jaromir Jagr and Matt Carle. The Devils took the lead back with the second of the season by Anton Volchenkov, fueled by Kovalchuk and Zach Parise. New Jersey extended the lead on a Kovalchuk goal, his thirtieth of the year, guided in by Marek Zidlicky and Adam Henrique. The Devils added on again with a Parise power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Elias and Zidlicky, making it 4-1. The three stars were handed out to Kovalchuk, Zidlicky, and Elias, while Parise gets the honorable mention.
Near there, the New York Rangers take their turn in hosting the battle of New York by bringing in the New York Islanders. The goalies are Evgeni Nabokov and Henrik Lundqvist. John Tavares put the Islanders on the board first with his twenty-eighth of the season, thanks to P.A. Parenteau and Travis Hamonic. The Rangers tied it with a Brad Richards goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Anton Stralman and the goalie Lundqvist on the power play. The Islanders retook the lead with a Matt Moulson goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mark Streit and Hamonic. The Rangers tied it again on another Richards goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, again on the power play, from Marian Gaborik and Mats Zuccarello. Andrew MacDonald took the lead back for the Islanders with his fifth of the season, made possible by Tavares and Milan Jurcina. The Rangers tied it again on a Brian Boyle goal, his sixth of the year coming in the third period via Ryan McDonagh and Brandon Prust. The Rangers would win 4-3 in overtime as Gaborik put away his thirty-third of the campaign, assisted by Richards and Derek Stepan on the power play. The three stars ended up being Richards, Tavares, and Gaborik, while Hamonic gets an honorable mention.
Finally, in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Ray Emery are between the pipes. Los Angeles opened on a Slava Voynov goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Justin Williams and Dustin Brown. Chicago tied it in the second period with a Marcus Kruger goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Patrick Sharp and Viktor Stalberg. The Kings retook the lead as Jeff Carter put his nineteenth of the season in the cage, with the help of Dwight King and Mike Richards. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period as the eighteenth of the year by Patrick Kane found twine, coming off of Marian Hossa and Brent Seabrook. The tie was broken in the sixth round of the shootout on a Richards tally to lead the Kings to a 3-2 win. The three stars were Quick (35 for 37 in saves), Emery (27 for 29 in saves), and Jarret Stoll, while Richards gets honorable mention.
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The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Marc-Andre Fleury got the starting nods. Pittsburgh started off with an Arron Asham goal, his fourth of the season, assisted by Ben Lovejoy and Craig Adams. Matt Niskanen extended the Penguins lead with his fourth of the year, guided in by Evgeni Malkin and James Neal. Pittsburgh kept going with a Neal power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Malkin. Thomas was relieved by Marty Turco for the second period onward. Boston got one back with David Krejci recording his nineteenth of the year, thanks to Tyler Seguin and Milan Lucic. The Penguins answered on a Chris Kunitz goal, his twentieth of the campaign, fueled by Neal and Malkin. The Bruins pulled back as Krejci made his second of the game and twentieth of the season, coming off of Lucic and Seguin. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-2 in the third period with Pascal Dupuis notching his eighteenth of the year, via Jordan Staal and Deryk Engelland. The three stars went to Neal, Malkin, and Krejci, while Lucic and Seguin get the honorable mentions.
Moving along to D.C., as the Washington Capitals host the Toronto Maple Leafs. Jonas Gustavsson and Michal Neuvirth tend the twines. Washington began with a shorthanded and unassisted Brooks Laich goal, his fourteenth of the season. The Capitals added on in the second period with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his twelfth of the year, guided in by Alexander Semin and Dennis Wideman. This was all they needed for a 2-0 win, and the three stars were given to Neuvirth (23 save shutout), Laich, and Perreault.
Farther south, the Florida Panthers host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Jose Theodore are in the blue paint. Florida drew first blood with a second period Tomas Fleischmann goal, his twenty-second of the season, fueled by Stephen Weiss and Wojtek Wolski. The Panthers iced it at 2-0 with a Marcel Goc goal, his eighth of the year finding the empty net thanks to Tomas Kopecky and Jason Garrison. Theodore (34 save shutout), Fleischmann, and Ward (31 for 32 in saves) get the three stars.
Northwest to Columbus, as the Blue Jackets welcome the St. Louis Blues for the second half of a home-and-home. Jaroslav Halak and Curtis Sanford will play goal. St. Louis got things going in the second period on a Patrik Berglund goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Alex Pietrangelo and Andy McDonald. Columbus tied it when Mark Letestu notched his eighth of the year, courtesy of Ryan Johansen and Brett Lebda. The Blues took the lead in the third period as David Perron potted his fourteenth of the season, a shorthanded goal set up by Barret Jackman. St. Louis held on to the 2-1 lead from here for the win, with the three stars going to Halak (33 for 34 in saves), Perron, and Letestu.
Following the directional trend, the Minnesota Wild bring in the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Matt Hackett wild guard the cages. Calgary opened the scoring with Jarome Iginla notching his twenty-ninth of the season, via Alex Tanguay and Matt Stajan. The Flames extended the lead in the third period as Sven Baertschi scored, with the help of Derek Smith and Tom Kostopoulos. Minnesota got one back as Erik Christensen recorded his second of the year, an unassisted goal just twenty-seven seconds later. The Wild tied it with another Christensen goal, his second of the game and third of the season, coming off of Jared Spurgeon and Stephane Veilleux. Calgary regained the lead when Curtis Glencross registered his twenty-fifth of the year, thanks to Iginla. The Flames got a little separation with an Olli Jokinen goal, his twenty-first of the season, made possible by David Moss and Glencross. Minnesota made it close at the end, pulling up to 4-3 with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his eighteenth of the year, pushed through by Kyle Brodziak and Tom Gilbert. The three stars were awarded to Iginla, Christensen, and Glencross.
Back east, the New Jersey Devils welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Martin Brodeur are the masked men. New Jersey struck first with a Patrik Elias goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal coming off of David Clarkson and Ilya Kovalchuk. Philadelphia tied it in the third period with a Claude Giroux goal, just sixteen seconds in, his twenty-fifth of the year, pushed through by Jaromir Jagr and Matt Carle. The Devils took the lead back with the second of the season by Anton Volchenkov, fueled by Kovalchuk and Zach Parise. New Jersey extended the lead on a Kovalchuk goal, his thirtieth of the year, guided in by Marek Zidlicky and Adam Henrique. The Devils added on again with a Parise power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, powered by Elias and Zidlicky, making it 4-1. The three stars were handed out to Kovalchuk, Zidlicky, and Elias, while Parise gets the honorable mention.
Near there, the New York Rangers take their turn in hosting the battle of New York by bringing in the New York Islanders. The goalies are Evgeni Nabokov and Henrik Lundqvist. John Tavares put the Islanders on the board first with his twenty-eighth of the season, thanks to P.A. Parenteau and Travis Hamonic. The Rangers tied it with a Brad Richards goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Anton Stralman and the goalie Lundqvist on the power play. The Islanders retook the lead with a Matt Moulson goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, a power play goal powered by Mark Streit and Hamonic. The Rangers tied it again on another Richards goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, again on the power play, from Marian Gaborik and Mats Zuccarello. Andrew MacDonald took the lead back for the Islanders with his fifth of the season, made possible by Tavares and Milan Jurcina. The Rangers tied it again on a Brian Boyle goal, his sixth of the year coming in the third period via Ryan McDonagh and Brandon Prust. The Rangers would win 4-3 in overtime as Gaborik put away his thirty-third of the campaign, assisted by Richards and Derek Stepan on the power play. The three stars ended up being Richards, Tavares, and Gaborik, while Hamonic gets an honorable mention.
Finally, in Chicago, the Blackhawks host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Ray Emery are between the pipes. Los Angeles opened on a Slava Voynov goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Justin Williams and Dustin Brown. Chicago tied it in the second period with a Marcus Kruger goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Patrick Sharp and Viktor Stalberg. The Kings retook the lead as Jeff Carter put his nineteenth of the season in the cage, with the help of Dwight King and Mike Richards. The Blackhawks tied it in the third period as the eighteenth of the year by Patrick Kane found twine, coming off of Marian Hossa and Brent Seabrook. The tie was broken in the sixth round of the shootout on a Richards tally to lead the Kings to a 3-2 win. The three stars were Quick (35 for 37 in saves), Emery (27 for 29 in saves), and Jarret Stoll, while Richards gets honorable mention.
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Saturday, March 10, 2012
NHL Day 157 2011-2012
Only eleven games on this Saturday, a bit lower than usual, beginning with two matinees. The first takes place in...
Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Tim Thomas are in front of the nets. Washington opened with an Alexander Semin goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Karl Alzner. The Capitals added on with a Matt Hendricks goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Troy Brouwer and Dmitry Orlov. Boston got one back as Milan Lucic recorded his twenty-third of the season, thanks to Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins tied it in the second period as Brad Marchand put down his twenty-third of the year, an unassisted goal. Washington regained the lead with Jay Beagle netting his second of the season, via Semin and Orlov. The Capitals extended the lead with a Brooks Laich power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Dennis Wideman and Alex Ovechkin. Boston got one back in the third period with Johnny Boychuk registering his third of the campaign with the help of Jordan Caron and Marchand. They never got the equalizer, falling 4-3, while the three stars were given to Laich, Vokoun (30 for 33 in saves), and Bergeron, and Semin, Marchand, and Orlov got the honorable mentions.
The other matinee is out west, in Denver, where the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Semyon Varlamov are under the masks. Edmonton got things going as Ryan Smyth netted his nineteenth of the season, with helpers provided by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. Colorado tied it in the second period when Cody McLeod notched his sixth of the year, thanks to Ryan Wilson and Kevin Porter. The Avalanche took the lead as Peter Mueller potted his sixth of the season, with the help of Milan Hejduk and Mark Olver. The Oilers retied it in the third period as Taylor Hall sank his twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by Eberle. The tie was broken in the shootout, falling in Colorado's favor as Hejduk and Mueller paced them to a 3-2 lead. The three stars were Varlamov (28 for 30 in saves), Hejduk, and Eberle, while Mueller earns an honorable mention.
Starting at regularly scheduled times, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jonas Gustavsson are in the creases. The game featured no scoring until the shootout, where Philadelphia escaped with a 1-0 win after a lone Claude Giroux tally. The three stars were awarded to Bryzgalov (29 save shutout), Gustavsson (27 save faux-shutout), and Giroux.
Also in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ben Bishop protect the nets. Erik Condra got Ottawa going with his eighth of the season, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Buffalo tied it in the second period as Nathan Gerbe registered his sixth of the year, thanks to Christian Ehrhoff and Derek Roy. The Senators regained the lead on the seventeenth of the season by Erik Karlsson, made possible by Chris Neil and Nick Foligno. With nineteen seconds left in the middle frame, the Sabres got an equalizer off the tape of Tyler Ennis, his eighth of the year, fueled by Jordan Leopold and Ville Leino. Ottawa took the lead again in the third period as Karlsson potted his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Buffalo retied it again with a Marcus Foligno goal, also an unassisted goal. The tie was broken in favor of the Sabres in the shootout, as Jason Pominville and Ennis overpowered Daniel Alfredsson of the Senators for a 4-3 win. The three stars were given to Miller (33 for 36 in saves), Bishop (38 for 41 in saves), and Karlsson, while Ennis gets the honorable mention.
To the south, as the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Dustin Tokarski got the starting nods. Tampa Bay struck first with a Ryan Malone goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Tom Pyatt and Brett Connolly. Carolina answered as Jaroslav Spacek netted his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jamie McBain and Jussi Jokinen. The Hurricanes gained the lead with a Jeff Skinner goal, his eighteenth of the season, fueled by Jokinen and Chad LaRose. The Lightning retied it when Nate Thompson deposited his eighth of the year, thanks to J.T. Wyman and Adam Hall. Carolina regained the lead in the third period with another Skinner goal, his second of the night and nineteenth of the season, guided in by Bryan Allen. Carolina iced it at 4-2 with a LaRose empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed through Jay Harrison and Justin Faulk previously. Skinner, Ward (36 for 38 in saves), and Malone got the three stars while LaRose and Jokinen got the honorable mentions.
Backtracking a bit to Long Island, as the New York Islanders bring in the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Anders Nilsson relieve the normal starters. New York got things started as John Tavares netted his twenty-seventh of the season in the third period, assisted by P.A. Parenteau and Matt Moulson. New Jersey tied it up with David Clarkson recording his twenty-eighth of the year, thanks to Jacob Josefson and Alexei Ponikarovsky. The Devils took the game 2-1 late with a Marek Zidlicky power play goal powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise. The three stars went to Zidlicky, Clarkson, and Tavares.
Westward a tad, as the Nashville Predators host the Detroit Red Wings. Joey MacDonald and Pekka Rinne guard the cages. Nashville led off on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his twenty-first of the season, with a lone assist by David Legwand. Detroit answered with a Drew Miller tally, his thirteenth of the year, fueled by Danny Cleary and Brad Stuart. The Predators retook the lead as Andrei Kostitsyn recorded his fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Sergei Kostitsyn and Legwand. Nashville extended the lead in the third period with another Andrei power play goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, fueled by Sergei and Legwand, the latter wrapping up his sock trick. The Red Wings got one back as Justin Abdelkader notched his eighth of the season, with helpers provided by Gustav Nyquist and Darren Helm. They couldn't get the equalizer, falling 3-2 in the end. The three stars belonged to Andrei, Legwand, and Sergei.
Southwest of there, the Dallas Stars bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Kari Lehtonen play in between the pipes tonight. Dallas got the first goal in the second period when Brenden Morrow netted his ninth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jamie Benn and Steve Ott. Michael Ryder iced it for the Stars with his thirtieth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro for a 2-0 win. The three stars were given to Lehtonen (21 save shutout), Morrow, and Hiller (21 for 22 in saves).
North again, this time stopping in St. Louis for the Blues hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Brian Elliott will attempt to stop the puck. St. Louis opened the scoring on a David Perron goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Andy McDonald and Patrik Berglund. Columbus tied it as Cam Atkinson registered his second of the year in the second period, coming off of Mark Letestu and Brett Lebda. The Blues retook the lead on a Chris Stewart goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Barret Jackman. St. Louis extended the lead with the eighteenth of the year by T.J. Oshie, a power play goal powered by David Backes and Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues kept rolling on a third period Alex Pietrangelo goal, his eleventh of the season, coming on the power play from McDonald and Kevin Shattenkirk. This was it for the scoring, with a 4-1 score being the final, and the three stars went out to Backes, Pietrangelo, and Elliott (21 for 22 in saves), with McDonald earning an honorable mention.
Heading farther southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Mike Smith tend the twines. Phoenix first dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Mikkel Boedker goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Michael Stone and Marc-Antoine Pouliot. Stone added on for the Coyotes later on, with the help of Pouliot and Gilbert Brule. Phoenix extended the lead again in the third period with Raffi Torres recording his twelfth of the year, via Shane Doan and Keith Yandle. This would be it for the scoring, leaving the three stars to Smith (42 save shutout), Stone, and Pouliot in the 3-0 game.
Finally, we head northwest to British Columbia, as the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Roberto Luongo guard the goalmouths. Vancouver opened the scoring as Ryan Kesler scored his twenty-first of the season, thanks to David Booth and Chris Higgins. Montreal tied it on a Blake Geoffrion goal, made possible by Louis Leblanc and Yannick Weber. The Canadiens nabbed the lead thirteen seconds into the third period as Erik Cole sank his twenty-fourth of the year, courtesy of Max Pacioretty and Josh Gorges. Montreal extended the lead as P.K. Subban potted his seventh of the season on the power play, powered by Andrei Markov and Tomas Plekanec. Cole struck again to add on for the Canadiens with his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, with Pacioretty getting the lone helper. This left the score at 4-1, with Price (32 for 33 in saves), Cole, and Subban getting the three stars while Pacioretty gets an honorable mention.
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Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Tim Thomas are in front of the nets. Washington opened with an Alexander Semin goal, his eighteenth of the season, assisted by Karl Alzner. The Capitals added on with a Matt Hendricks goal, his fourth of the year, guided in by Troy Brouwer and Dmitry Orlov. Boston got one back as Milan Lucic recorded his twenty-third of the season, thanks to Patrice Bergeron. The Bruins tied it in the second period as Brad Marchand put down his twenty-third of the year, an unassisted goal. Washington regained the lead with Jay Beagle netting his second of the season, via Semin and Orlov. The Capitals extended the lead with a Brooks Laich power play goal, his thirteenth of the year, powered by Dennis Wideman and Alex Ovechkin. Boston got one back in the third period with Johnny Boychuk registering his third of the campaign with the help of Jordan Caron and Marchand. They never got the equalizer, falling 4-3, while the three stars were given to Laich, Vokoun (30 for 33 in saves), and Bergeron, and Semin, Marchand, and Orlov got the honorable mentions.
The other matinee is out west, in Denver, where the Colorado Avalanche welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Nikolai Khabibulin and Semyon Varlamov are under the masks. Edmonton got things going as Ryan Smyth netted his nineteenth of the season, with helpers provided by Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle. Colorado tied it in the second period when Cody McLeod notched his sixth of the year, thanks to Ryan Wilson and Kevin Porter. The Avalanche took the lead as Peter Mueller potted his sixth of the season, with the help of Milan Hejduk and Mark Olver. The Oilers retied it in the third period as Taylor Hall sank his twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by Eberle. The tie was broken in the shootout, falling in Colorado's favor as Hejduk and Mueller paced them to a 3-2 lead. The three stars were Varlamov (28 for 30 in saves), Hejduk, and Eberle, while Mueller earns an honorable mention.
Starting at regularly scheduled times, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Jonas Gustavsson are in the creases. The game featured no scoring until the shootout, where Philadelphia escaped with a 1-0 win after a lone Claude Giroux tally. The three stars were awarded to Bryzgalov (29 save shutout), Gustavsson (27 save faux-shutout), and Giroux.
Also in Ontario, the Ottawa Senators welcome the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ben Bishop protect the nets. Erik Condra got Ottawa going with his eighth of the season, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Buffalo tied it in the second period as Nathan Gerbe registered his sixth of the year, thanks to Christian Ehrhoff and Derek Roy. The Senators regained the lead on the seventeenth of the season by Erik Karlsson, made possible by Chris Neil and Nick Foligno. With nineteen seconds left in the middle frame, the Sabres got an equalizer off the tape of Tyler Ennis, his eighth of the year, fueled by Jordan Leopold and Ville Leino. Ottawa took the lead again in the third period as Karlsson potted his second of the game and eighteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Buffalo retied it again with a Marcus Foligno goal, also an unassisted goal. The tie was broken in favor of the Sabres in the shootout, as Jason Pominville and Ennis overpowered Daniel Alfredsson of the Senators for a 4-3 win. The three stars were given to Miller (33 for 36 in saves), Bishop (38 for 41 in saves), and Karlsson, while Ennis gets the honorable mention.
To the south, as the Tampa Bay Lightning bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Dustin Tokarski got the starting nods. Tampa Bay struck first with a Ryan Malone goal, his thirteenth of the season, coming off of Tom Pyatt and Brett Connolly. Carolina answered as Jaroslav Spacek netted his fifth of the year, a power play goal powered by Jamie McBain and Jussi Jokinen. The Hurricanes gained the lead with a Jeff Skinner goal, his eighteenth of the season, fueled by Jokinen and Chad LaRose. The Lightning retied it when Nate Thompson deposited his eighth of the year, thanks to J.T. Wyman and Adam Hall. Carolina regained the lead in the third period with another Skinner goal, his second of the night and nineteenth of the season, guided in by Bryan Allen. Carolina iced it at 4-2 with a LaRose empty net goal, his fourteenth of the year, passed through Jay Harrison and Justin Faulk previously. Skinner, Ward (36 for 38 in saves), and Malone got the three stars while LaRose and Jokinen got the honorable mentions.
Backtracking a bit to Long Island, as the New York Islanders bring in the New Jersey Devils. Johan Hedberg and Anders Nilsson relieve the normal starters. New York got things started as John Tavares netted his twenty-seventh of the season in the third period, assisted by P.A. Parenteau and Matt Moulson. New Jersey tied it up with David Clarkson recording his twenty-eighth of the year, thanks to Jacob Josefson and Alexei Ponikarovsky. The Devils took the game 2-1 late with a Marek Zidlicky power play goal powered by Ilya Kovalchuk and Zach Parise. The three stars went to Zidlicky, Clarkson, and Tavares.
Westward a tad, as the Nashville Predators host the Detroit Red Wings. Joey MacDonald and Pekka Rinne guard the cages. Nashville led off on a Patric Hornqvist goal, his twenty-first of the season, with a lone assist by David Legwand. Detroit answered with a Drew Miller tally, his thirteenth of the year, fueled by Danny Cleary and Brad Stuart. The Predators retook the lead as Andrei Kostitsyn recorded his fourteenth of the season, a power play goal powered by Sergei Kostitsyn and Legwand. Nashville extended the lead in the third period with another Andrei power play goal, his second of the game and fifteenth of the year, fueled by Sergei and Legwand, the latter wrapping up his sock trick. The Red Wings got one back as Justin Abdelkader notched his eighth of the season, with helpers provided by Gustav Nyquist and Darren Helm. They couldn't get the equalizer, falling 3-2 in the end. The three stars belonged to Andrei, Legwand, and Sergei.
Southwest of there, the Dallas Stars bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Kari Lehtonen play in between the pipes tonight. Dallas got the first goal in the second period when Brenden Morrow netted his ninth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jamie Benn and Steve Ott. Michael Ryder iced it for the Stars with his thirtieth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Loui Eriksson and Mike Ribeiro for a 2-0 win. The three stars were given to Lehtonen (21 save shutout), Morrow, and Hiller (21 for 22 in saves).
North again, this time stopping in St. Louis for the Blues hosting the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Brian Elliott will attempt to stop the puck. St. Louis opened the scoring on a David Perron goal, his thirteenth of the season, fueled by Andy McDonald and Patrik Berglund. Columbus tied it as Cam Atkinson registered his second of the year in the second period, coming off of Mark Letestu and Brett Lebda. The Blues retook the lead on a Chris Stewart goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Barret Jackman. St. Louis extended the lead with the eighteenth of the year by T.J. Oshie, a power play goal powered by David Backes and Carlo Colaiacovo. The Blues kept rolling on a third period Alex Pietrangelo goal, his eleventh of the season, coming on the power play from McDonald and Kevin Shattenkirk. This was it for the scoring, with a 4-1 score being the final, and the three stars went out to Backes, Pietrangelo, and Elliott (21 for 22 in saves), with McDonald earning an honorable mention.
Heading farther southwest, the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Mike Smith tend the twines. Phoenix first dented the scoreboard in the second period on a Mikkel Boedker goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Michael Stone and Marc-Antoine Pouliot. Stone added on for the Coyotes later on, with the help of Pouliot and Gilbert Brule. Phoenix extended the lead again in the third period with Raffi Torres recording his twelfth of the year, via Shane Doan and Keith Yandle. This would be it for the scoring, leaving the three stars to Smith (42 save shutout), Stone, and Pouliot in the 3-0 game.
Finally, we head northwest to British Columbia, as the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Roberto Luongo guard the goalmouths. Vancouver opened the scoring as Ryan Kesler scored his twenty-first of the season, thanks to David Booth and Chris Higgins. Montreal tied it on a Blake Geoffrion goal, made possible by Louis Leblanc and Yannick Weber. The Canadiens nabbed the lead thirteen seconds into the third period as Erik Cole sank his twenty-fourth of the year, courtesy of Max Pacioretty and Josh Gorges. Montreal extended the lead as P.K. Subban potted his seventh of the season on the power play, powered by Andrei Markov and Tomas Plekanec. Cole struck again to add on for the Canadiens with his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the year, with Pacioretty getting the lone helper. This left the score at 4-1, with Price (32 for 33 in saves), Cole, and Subban getting the three stars while Pacioretty gets an honorable mention.
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Friday, March 9, 2012
NHL Day 156 2011-2012
Four games on this Friday evening. First up...
The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Marc-Andre Fleury guarded the cages. Florida got things started in the second period with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Wojtek Wolski. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period as Steve Sullivan sank his fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Jordan Staal and Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins ended up winning 2-1 after shootout goals by James Neal and Evgeni Malkin. The three stars went to Fleury (28 for 29 in saves), Theodore (33 for 34 in saves), and Sullivan.
Out west a bit, the Detroit Red Wings host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Joey MacDonald got the starts in goal. Los Angeles led off with a Jeff Carter power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Anze Kopitar. Detroit answered on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his seventeenth of the year, fueled by Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler. The Kings regained the lead with a Justin Williams goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Dustin Brown. The Red Wings retied it in the second period on another Zetterberg goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, pushed through by Filppula and Niklas Kronwall. Los Angeles took the lead in the third period as Dwight King nailed his third of the season, via Carter. Detroit quickly tied it as Filppula put away his twenty-second of the year, thanks to Brendan Smith and Zetterberg. The Red Wings iced it at 4-3 with a Darren Helm goal, his ninth of the campaign, coming off of Johan Franzen and Gustav Nyquist. Filppula, Zetterberg, and Helm got the three stars while Carter earned an honorable mention.
A little bit south, the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ray Emery tend the twines. New York struck first on an Artem Anisimov goal, his fourteenth of the season, with a lone assist by John Mitchell. Chicago tied it in the second period with an Andrew Shaw goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Johnny Oduya and Bryan Bickell. The Rangers took a third period lead on a Brandon Prust goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Ryan McDonagh. The Blackhawks tied it back up on a Patrick Sharp goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane. Oduya gave Chicago a lead on his third of the season, made possible by Marcus Kruger. The Blackhawks extended their lead with an empty net goal by Kane, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Sharp and Hossa. Twelve seconds later, New York got one back when Brad Richards recorded his nineteenth of the campaign, with helpers by Carl Hagelin and Marian Gaborik. Chicago held on from here for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Oduya, Prust, and Kane, while Sharp and Hossa get honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Calgary, with the Flames hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Miikka Kiprusoff are in the blue paint. Calgary led off with a Mark Giordano goal, his seventh of the season coming on the power play from Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay. The Flames added on when Jarome Iginla potted his twenty-eighth of the year on the power play, powered by Jokinen and Giordano. Calgary kept going with a Matt Stajan goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Iginla and Tanguay. Winnipeg got on the board as Evander Kane scored his twenty-seventh of the year, with the help of Bryan Little and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets pulled closer on a Blake Wheeler goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Grant Clitsome and Mark Stuart. Tanguay got one back for the Flames as he sank his eleventh of the year, thanks to Iginla and Stajan. Calgary extended the lead again in the third period when Curtis Glencross put down his twenty-fourth of the season on the power play, thanks to Tanguay and Jokinen, both of whom got sock tricks. Enstrom got one back for Winnipeg with his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Jim Slater and Dustin Byfuglien. The Flames held on for a 5-3 victory, with the three stars awarded to Tanguay, Iginla, and Kiprusoff (42 for 45 in saves).
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The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Marc-Andre Fleury guarded the cages. Florida got things started in the second period with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his twenty-first of the season, coming off of Wojtek Wolski. Pittsburgh tied it in the third period as Steve Sullivan sank his fourteenth of the year, courtesy of Jordan Staal and Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins ended up winning 2-1 after shootout goals by James Neal and Evgeni Malkin. The three stars went to Fleury (28 for 29 in saves), Theodore (33 for 34 in saves), and Sullivan.
Out west a bit, the Detroit Red Wings host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Joey MacDonald got the starts in goal. Los Angeles led off with a Jeff Carter power play goal, his eighteenth of the season, made possible by Anze Kopitar. Detroit answered on a Henrik Zetterberg goal, his seventeenth of the year, fueled by Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler. The Kings regained the lead with a Justin Williams goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Dustin Brown. The Red Wings retied it in the second period on another Zetterberg goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, pushed through by Filppula and Niklas Kronwall. Los Angeles took the lead in the third period as Dwight King nailed his third of the season, via Carter. Detroit quickly tied it as Filppula put away his twenty-second of the year, thanks to Brendan Smith and Zetterberg. The Red Wings iced it at 4-3 with a Darren Helm goal, his ninth of the campaign, coming off of Johan Franzen and Gustav Nyquist. Filppula, Zetterberg, and Helm got the three stars while Carter earned an honorable mention.
A little bit south, the Chicago Blackhawks welcome the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ray Emery tend the twines. New York struck first on an Artem Anisimov goal, his fourteenth of the season, with a lone assist by John Mitchell. Chicago tied it in the second period with an Andrew Shaw goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Johnny Oduya and Bryan Bickell. The Rangers took a third period lead on a Brandon Prust goal, his fifth of the season, helped along by Ryan McDonagh. The Blackhawks tied it back up on a Patrick Sharp goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane. Oduya gave Chicago a lead on his third of the season, made possible by Marcus Kruger. The Blackhawks extended their lead with an empty net goal by Kane, his seventeenth of the year, set up by Sharp and Hossa. Twelve seconds later, New York got one back when Brad Richards recorded his nineteenth of the campaign, with helpers by Carl Hagelin and Marian Gaborik. Chicago held on from here for a 4-3 win, with the three stars being Oduya, Prust, and Kane, while Sharp and Hossa get honorable mentions.
Finally, we end in Calgary, with the Flames hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Miikka Kiprusoff are in the blue paint. Calgary led off with a Mark Giordano goal, his seventh of the season coming on the power play from Olli Jokinen and Alex Tanguay. The Flames added on when Jarome Iginla potted his twenty-eighth of the year on the power play, powered by Jokinen and Giordano. Calgary kept going with a Matt Stajan goal, his fourth of the season, guided in by Iginla and Tanguay. Winnipeg got on the board as Evander Kane scored his twenty-seventh of the year, with the help of Bryan Little and Tobias Enstrom. The Jets pulled closer on a Blake Wheeler goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Grant Clitsome and Mark Stuart. Tanguay got one back for the Flames as he sank his eleventh of the year, thanks to Iginla and Stajan. Calgary extended the lead again in the third period when Curtis Glencross put down his twenty-fourth of the season on the power play, thanks to Tanguay and Jokinen, both of whom got sock tricks. Enstrom got one back for Winnipeg with his fifth of the year, with assists provided by Jim Slater and Dustin Byfuglien. The Flames held on for a 5-3 victory, with the three stars awarded to Tanguay, Iginla, and Kiprusoff (42 for 45 in saves).
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Thursday, March 8, 2012
NHL Day 155 2011-2012
Another busy night with twelve games on. We begin in...
Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Tim Thomas play in goal. Buffalo started off with a Jason Pominville goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Thomas Vanek. Boston tied it in the second period as Gregory Campbell sank his seventh of the year, via Shawn Thornton. The Bruins gained the lead as Johnny Boychuk potted his fourth of the season, with the help of Jordan Caron. Boston extended the lead with the eighteenth of the year by David Krejci, courtesy of Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin. This was it for scoring in the 3-1 game, with the three stars as Boychuk, Krejci, and Thomas (19 for 20 in saves).
Moving along to Philadelphia, as the Flyers bring in the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Ilya Bryzgalov played in between the pipes. Philadelphia opened with a Brayden Schenn goal, his ninth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Claude Giroux and Matt Carle. The Flyers added on in the second period with a Matt Read goal, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Wayne Simmonds and Danny Briere. Philadelphia extended the lead again with a Scott Hartnell goal, his thirty-second of the season, an unassisted goal. The Flyers kept going in the third period as Jaromir Jagr potted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Briere and Giroux. Philadelphia iced it at 5-0 with an Eric Wellwood goal, his third of the campaign, fueled by Erik Gustafsson. Bryzgalov (28 save shutout), Briere, and Giroux claimed the three stars.
Crossing into New Jersey, with the Devils hosting the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Brodeur are the masked men. New Jersey began on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, guided in by Zach Parise and Adam Henrique. Kovalchuk added on for the Devils in the second period with his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Marek Zidlicky and Patrik Elias. New York got on the board with an Andrew MacDonald goal, his fourth of the season, via Josh Bailey and David Ullstrom. New Jersey took it back in the third period on an Elias goal, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Ryan Carter and Adam Larsson. The Devils added on again shortly after with Kovalchuk finishing his hat trick on his twenty-ninth of the season, assisted by Parise and Henrique.New Jersey rolled along as David Clarkson notched his twenty-seventh of the year, thanks to Zidlicky and Jacob Josefson. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars as Kovalchuk, Parise, and Elias, while Henrique and Zidlicky get the honorable mentions.
A little south, the Washington Capitals host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dustin Tokarski and Tomas Vokoun are in front of the nets. Washington began on a Keith Aucoin goal, his second of the season, assisted by Karl Alzner and Jeff Halpern. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with a Ryan Malone goal, his twelfth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Steven Stamkos and Teddy Purcell. The Lightning gained the lead on a Purcell power play goal powered by Martin St. Louis and Brett Clark as his twentieth of the season. The Capitals tied it in the third on a Marcus Johansson, his thirteenth of the year, via Dennis Wideman. Washington won 3-2 in overtime on a goal by Alex Ovechkin, his twenty-seventh of the campaign, guided in by Dmitry Orlov and Jason Chimera. The three stars ended up with Ovechkin, Purcell, and Johansson.
Out west, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Los Angeles Kings in an awkward homecoming game. Jonathan Bernier and Steve Mason wear the pads. Columbus led off with a Mark Letestu goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by James Wisniewski and Vinny Prospal. Los Angeles tied it on a shorthanded Anze Kopitar goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Dustin Brown. The Blue Jackets reclaimed the lead with a Jack Johnson goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Derick Brassard and R.J. Umberger. Columbus extended the lead in the second period as Letestu scored again, his second of the game and seventh of the year, with help from Maksim Mayorov and Prospal. Mason left due to injury, replaced by Curtis Sanford midway through the second period. The Blue Jackets held on from here for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Letestu, Johnson, and Prospal.
Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators welcome the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Ben Bishop will take of the goaltending. New York began with a Ryan Callahan goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, made possible by Brad Richards and Anton Stralman. Ottawa answered with a Zack Smith goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Erik Condra. The Senators took the lead as Nick Foligno potted his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Jim O'Brien. Ottawa added on in the third period with a Kyle Turris goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Daniel Alfredsson and Rob Klinkhammer. The Senators iced it at 4-1 on a Jason Spezza empty net goal, his twenty-ninth of the campaign, set up by Milan Michalek and Filip Kuba. The three stars were handed out to Bishop (25 for 26 in saves), Jared Cowen, and Klinkhammer, while all point earners can argue about the second star.
Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jaroslav Halak guard the cages. Anaheim got things flowing in the second period as Corey Perry sniped his thirty-fourth of the season, thanks to Matt Beleskey and Ryan Getzlaf. St. Louis tied it on a David Backes power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Davin Perron and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues gained the lead in the third period when Patrik Berglund put down his fourteenth of the season, via Andy McDonald and Ian Cole. St. Louis extended the lead with another Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, a power play goal made possible by Perron and Backes. This was enough to win 3-1, with the three stars going to Halak (24 for 25 in saves), Backes, and Berglund, while Perron earns an honorable mention.
A little back east, the Nashville Predators host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Pekka Rinne will be in the blue paint. Colorado first dented the scoreboard on a Jamie McGinn goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by David Jones and Paul Stastny. Nashville evened it with a Mike Fisher goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. The Predators took the lead as Brandon Yip made his second of the season, thanks to Roman Josi and Gabriel Bourque. Nashville struck late in the second period to extend the lead on a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Matt Halischuk. The Avalanche got one back in the third period with a Stastny goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Peter Mueller and McGinn. The Predators iced it at 4-2 with a Martin Erat empty net goal, his sixteenth of the year, fed to him by Paul Gaustad. Suter, Kostitsyn, and Stastny got the three stars while McGinn gets an honorable mention.
Southwest of there, the Dallas Stars welcomed the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen get the starting nods. Dallas opened the scoring in the second period with a Michael Ryder goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, fueled by Jake Dowell and Trevor Daley. San Jose tied it on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Joe Thornton and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Sharks took the lead in the third period when Patrick Marleau sunk his twenty-seventh of the season, via Thornton. The Stars tied it with a Jamie Benn goal, his twentieht of the year, made possible by Adam Burish and Stephane Robidas. San Jose regained the lead with a Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Dan Boyle and Thornton, the latter getting a sock trick. Dallas saved their game with a Tomas Vincour tally, his fourth of the year, coming off of Robidas and Benn. Vincour continued the heroics in the shootout, netting the only tally for a 4-3 Stars victory over the Sharks. Lehtonen (45 for 48 in saves), Vincour, and Marleau had the three stars while Thornton, Benn, and Robidas get the honorable mention.
A bit farther west, the Phoenix Coyotes host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Jason LaBarbera are standing between the irons. Minnesota led off with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his seventeenth of the season,with a lone assist from Darroll Powe. The Wild added on when Steve Kampfer scoring, thanks to Matt Cullen and Devin Setoguchi. Matt Hackett relieved an injured Harding in the second period. Phoenix got going in the third period with a Raffi Torres goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Michael Stone. The Coyotes tied it when Lauri Korpikoski netted his fifteenth of the year, via Antoine Vermette and Adrian Aucoin. The Wild took it in the shootout as Erik Christensen, Setoguchi, and Dany Heatley outmatched Ray Whitney and Shane Doan for a 3-2 win. The three stars were given to Torres, Korpikoski, and LaBarbera (22 for 24 in saves).
Way north, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Nikolai Khabibulin are the masked men. Edmonton took the first lead on a Shawn Horcoff power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Corey Potter and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Montreal tied it with a P.K. Subban power play goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens gained the lead with a Pacioretty goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, fueled by Scott Gomez and Subban. The Oilers retied it on a Linus Omark tally, an unassisted goal. Montreal took the lead again in the third period as Tomas Kaberle potted his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Rene Bourque and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens extended the lead on a Lars Eller goal, his fifteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Ryan White. Edmonton pulled back with a Taylor Hall goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, pushed through by Nick Schultz and Ryan Whitney. Pacioretty iced it at 5-3 for the Canadiens with his second of the game and thirtieth of the campaign, the empty net goal being set up by Subban. The three stars were awarded to Pacioretty, Eller, and Hall, while Subban gets the honorable mention.
Out on the coast, the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Winnipeg Jets to wrap the day up. Ondrej Pavelec and Cory Schneider tend the twines. Vancouver opened the scoring in the second period with a Ryan Kesler shorthanded goal, his twentieth of the season going in unassisted. Winnipeg tied it with a Kyle Wellwood goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Evander Kane. The Jets took the lead when Blake Wheeler netted his sixteenth of the season, with the help of Andrew Ladd. The Canucks retied it on an Alexander Edler goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Sami Salo and Chris Higgins. Vancouver gained a lead with a Samuel Pahlsson goal, his third of the season, made possible by Kevin Bieksa and Jannik Hansen. This was all the Canucks needed to win 3-2, and the three stars were Kesler, Higgins, and Wheeler.
Thanks for getting me to 3,000 views, and remember to follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Boston, with the Bruins hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Tim Thomas play in goal. Buffalo started off with a Jason Pominville goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, with a lone assist by Thomas Vanek. Boston tied it in the second period as Gregory Campbell sank his seventh of the year, via Shawn Thornton. The Bruins gained the lead as Johnny Boychuk potted his fourth of the season, with the help of Jordan Caron. Boston extended the lead with the eighteenth of the year by David Krejci, courtesy of Milan Lucic and Tyler Seguin. This was it for scoring in the 3-1 game, with the three stars as Boychuk, Krejci, and Thomas (19 for 20 in saves).
Moving along to Philadelphia, as the Flyers bring in the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Ilya Bryzgalov played in between the pipes. Philadelphia opened with a Brayden Schenn goal, his ninth of the season, a power play goal made possible by Claude Giroux and Matt Carle. The Flyers added on in the second period with a Matt Read goal, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Wayne Simmonds and Danny Briere. Philadelphia extended the lead again with a Scott Hartnell goal, his thirty-second of the season, an unassisted goal. The Flyers kept going in the third period as Jaromir Jagr potted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Briere and Giroux. Philadelphia iced it at 5-0 with an Eric Wellwood goal, his third of the campaign, fueled by Erik Gustafsson. Bryzgalov (28 save shutout), Briere, and Giroux claimed the three stars.
Crossing into New Jersey, with the Devils hosting the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Martin Brodeur are the masked men. New Jersey began on an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, guided in by Zach Parise and Adam Henrique. Kovalchuk added on for the Devils in the second period with his second of the game and twenty-eighth of the year, a power play goal powered by Marek Zidlicky and Patrik Elias. New York got on the board with an Andrew MacDonald goal, his fourth of the season, via Josh Bailey and David Ullstrom. New Jersey took it back in the third period on an Elias goal, his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Ryan Carter and Adam Larsson. The Devils added on again shortly after with Kovalchuk finishing his hat trick on his twenty-ninth of the season, assisted by Parise and Henrique.New Jersey rolled along as David Clarkson notched his twenty-seventh of the year, thanks to Zidlicky and Jacob Josefson. The final stood at 5-1, with the three stars as Kovalchuk, Parise, and Elias, while Henrique and Zidlicky get the honorable mentions.
A little south, the Washington Capitals host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dustin Tokarski and Tomas Vokoun are in front of the nets. Washington began on a Keith Aucoin goal, his second of the season, assisted by Karl Alzner and Jeff Halpern. Tampa Bay tied it in the second period with a Ryan Malone goal, his twelfth of the year, a power play goal coming off of Steven Stamkos and Teddy Purcell. The Lightning gained the lead on a Purcell power play goal powered by Martin St. Louis and Brett Clark as his twentieth of the season. The Capitals tied it in the third on a Marcus Johansson, his thirteenth of the year, via Dennis Wideman. Washington won 3-2 in overtime on a goal by Alex Ovechkin, his twenty-seventh of the campaign, guided in by Dmitry Orlov and Jason Chimera. The three stars ended up with Ovechkin, Purcell, and Johansson.
Out west, the Columbus Blue Jackets host the Los Angeles Kings in an awkward homecoming game. Jonathan Bernier and Steve Mason wear the pads. Columbus led off with a Mark Letestu goal, his sixth of the season, made possible by James Wisniewski and Vinny Prospal. Los Angeles tied it on a shorthanded Anze Kopitar goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Dustin Brown. The Blue Jackets reclaimed the lead with a Jack Johnson goal, his tenth of the season, fueled by Derick Brassard and R.J. Umberger. Columbus extended the lead in the second period as Letestu scored again, his second of the game and seventh of the year, with help from Maksim Mayorov and Prospal. Mason left due to injury, replaced by Curtis Sanford midway through the second period. The Blue Jackets held on from here for a 3-1 win, with the three stars going to Letestu, Johnson, and Prospal.
Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators welcome the New York Rangers. Martin Biron and Ben Bishop will take of the goaltending. New York began with a Ryan Callahan goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, made possible by Brad Richards and Anton Stralman. Ottawa answered with a Zack Smith goal, his fourteenth of the year, guided in by Erik Condra. The Senators took the lead as Nick Foligno potted his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Jim O'Brien. Ottawa added on in the third period with a Kyle Turris goal, his eighth of the year, fueled by Daniel Alfredsson and Rob Klinkhammer. The Senators iced it at 4-1 on a Jason Spezza empty net goal, his twenty-ninth of the campaign, set up by Milan Michalek and Filip Kuba. The three stars were handed out to Bishop (25 for 26 in saves), Jared Cowen, and Klinkhammer, while all point earners can argue about the second star.
Back stateside, the St. Louis Blues bring in the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Jaroslav Halak guard the cages. Anaheim got things flowing in the second period as Corey Perry sniped his thirty-fourth of the season, thanks to Matt Beleskey and Ryan Getzlaf. St. Louis tied it on a David Backes power play goal, his twentieth of the year, powered by Davin Perron and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blues gained the lead in the third period when Patrik Berglund put down his fourteenth of the season, via Andy McDonald and Ian Cole. St. Louis extended the lead with another Kevin Shattenkirk goal, his second of the game and twenty-first of the year, a power play goal made possible by Perron and Backes. This was enough to win 3-1, with the three stars going to Halak (24 for 25 in saves), Backes, and Berglund, while Perron earns an honorable mention.
A little back east, the Nashville Predators host the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Pekka Rinne will be in the blue paint. Colorado first dented the scoreboard on a Jamie McGinn goal, his sixteenth of the season, fueled by David Jones and Paul Stastny. Nashville evened it with a Mike Fisher goal, his twentieth of the year, guided in by Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. The Predators took the lead as Brandon Yip made his second of the season, thanks to Roman Josi and Gabriel Bourque. Nashville struck late in the second period to extend the lead on a Sergei Kostitsyn goal, his seventeenth of the year, made possible by Matt Halischuk. The Avalanche got one back in the third period with a Stastny goal, his seventeenth of the season, assisted by Peter Mueller and McGinn. The Predators iced it at 4-2 with a Martin Erat empty net goal, his sixteenth of the year, fed to him by Paul Gaustad. Suter, Kostitsyn, and Stastny got the three stars while McGinn gets an honorable mention.
Southwest of there, the Dallas Stars welcomed the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen get the starting nods. Dallas opened the scoring in the second period with a Michael Ryder goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, fueled by Jake Dowell and Trevor Daley. San Jose tied it on a Torrey Mitchell goal, his seventh of the year, guided in by Joe Thornton and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Sharks took the lead in the third period when Patrick Marleau sunk his twenty-seventh of the season, via Thornton. The Stars tied it with a Jamie Benn goal, his twentieht of the year, made possible by Adam Burish and Stephane Robidas. San Jose regained the lead with a Joe Pavelski goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, assisted by Dan Boyle and Thornton, the latter getting a sock trick. Dallas saved their game with a Tomas Vincour tally, his fourth of the year, coming off of Robidas and Benn. Vincour continued the heroics in the shootout, netting the only tally for a 4-3 Stars victory over the Sharks. Lehtonen (45 for 48 in saves), Vincour, and Marleau had the three stars while Thornton, Benn, and Robidas get the honorable mention.
A bit farther west, the Phoenix Coyotes host the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Jason LaBarbera are standing between the irons. Minnesota led off with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his seventeenth of the season,with a lone assist from Darroll Powe. The Wild added on when Steve Kampfer scoring, thanks to Matt Cullen and Devin Setoguchi. Matt Hackett relieved an injured Harding in the second period. Phoenix got going in the third period with a Raffi Torres goal, his eleventh of the season, fueled by Michael Stone. The Coyotes tied it when Lauri Korpikoski netted his fifteenth of the year, via Antoine Vermette and Adrian Aucoin. The Wild took it in the shootout as Erik Christensen, Setoguchi, and Dany Heatley outmatched Ray Whitney and Shane Doan for a 3-2 win. The three stars were given to Torres, Korpikoski, and LaBarbera (22 for 24 in saves).
Way north, the Edmonton Oilers bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Nikolai Khabibulin are the masked men. Edmonton took the first lead on a Shawn Horcoff power play goal, his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Corey Potter and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Montreal tied it with a P.K. Subban power play goal, his sixth of the year, made possible by David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty. The Canadiens gained the lead with a Pacioretty goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, fueled by Scott Gomez and Subban. The Oilers retied it on a Linus Omark tally, an unassisted goal. Montreal took the lead again in the third period as Tomas Kaberle potted his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Rene Bourque and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens extended the lead on a Lars Eller goal, his fifteenth of the season, with a lone helper by Ryan White. Edmonton pulled back with a Taylor Hall goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, pushed through by Nick Schultz and Ryan Whitney. Pacioretty iced it at 5-3 for the Canadiens with his second of the game and thirtieth of the campaign, the empty net goal being set up by Subban. The three stars were awarded to Pacioretty, Eller, and Hall, while Subban gets the honorable mention.
Out on the coast, the Vancouver Canucks hosted the Winnipeg Jets to wrap the day up. Ondrej Pavelec and Cory Schneider tend the twines. Vancouver opened the scoring in the second period with a Ryan Kesler shorthanded goal, his twentieth of the season going in unassisted. Winnipeg tied it with a Kyle Wellwood goal, his fifteenth of the year, fueled by Evander Kane. The Jets took the lead when Blake Wheeler netted his sixteenth of the season, with the help of Andrew Ladd. The Canucks retied it on an Alexander Edler goal, his tenth of the year, guided in by Sami Salo and Chris Higgins. Vancouver gained a lead with a Samuel Pahlsson goal, his third of the season, made possible by Kevin Bieksa and Jannik Hansen. This was all the Canucks needed to win 3-2, and the three stars were Kesler, Higgins, and Wheeler.
Thanks for getting me to 3,000 views, and remember to follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
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