Ten games for the viewing pleasure tonight. We begin with a naturally large Atlantic Division battle as...
The Philadelphia Flyers host the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Ilya Bryzgalov tend the twines. New York was first on the board as Ryan McDonagh shelved his seventh of the season, thanks to Marian Gaborik and Brad Richards. The Rangers added on with a Brian Boyle goal, his tenth of the year, courtesy of McDonagh and Ruslan Fedotenko. New York kept going with an Artem Anisimov power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, coming off of Dan Girardi and Brandon Dubinsky. The Rangers extended their lead as Ryan Callahan notched his twenty-ninth of the year, another power play goal, set up by Richards and Derek Stepan. Philadelphia got one back when Jakub Voracek sank his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux in the second period. New York answered with Gaborik's forty-first of the year, a power play goal powered by Anton Stralman and Marc Staal. The Flyers struck again with a Wayne Simmonds power play goal, his twenty-eighth of the season, from Giroux and Voracek. Philadelphia continued the comeback in the third period with an Andreas Lilja goal, guided in by Giroux, who got a sock trick, and Jaromir Jagr. New York held on from here for a 5-3 win, with Gaborik, Lundqvist (37 for 40 in saves), and Giroux earning the three stars, and McDonagh, Voracek, and Richards getting the honorable mentions.
Speaking of New York, the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Toronto Maple Leafs. Ben Scrivens and Ryan Miller are in the blue paint. Toronto led off with a Tyler Bozak goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Matt Frattin and Phil Kessel. Frattin then dropped the gloves with Marcus Foligno. The Maple Leafs added on with another Bozak goal, his second of the game and eighteenth of the year, assisted by Kessel and Luke Schenn. Toronto kept going with a Frattin goal to complete his Gordie Howe Hat Trick, his eighth of the season, helped along by Bozak and Kessel, the latter getting a sock trick. Buffalo got going in the second period on a Tyler Ennis power play goal, his fifteenth of the year, powered by Alexander Sulzer and Foligno. Sulzer helped the Sabres get closer with his unassisted second of the season. The Maple Leafs took it back in the third period with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his twentieth of the year, via Joey Crabb. Buffalo responded with a power play goal off the tape of Derek Roy, his sixteenth of the season, guided in by Cody Hodgson and Jason Pominville. Toronto shot back with a Jake Gardiner goal, his sixth of the year, helped along by Tim Connolly and Joe Colborne. The Sabres pulled closer again with another Sulzer goal, his second of the game and third of the season, made possible by Thomas Vanek and Brayden McNabb. Buffalo tied it when Jordan Leopold registered his tenth of the year, thanks to Ennis and Foligno. The Sabres completed the comeback with another Roy power play goal in the overtime period, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, with helpers provided by Vanek and Pominville for a 6-5 win. Foligno, Bozak, and Sulzer had the three stars, while Frattin, Roy, Vanek, Pominivlle, Ennis, and Kessel had the honorable mentions.
Down in New Jersey, the Devils host the New York Islanders. Al Montoya and Johan Hedberg get the starting nods. New Jersey struck early on a Patrik Elias goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, assisted by Petr Sykora and Mark Fayne. New York evened it with a Matt Moulson goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Mark Streit and John Tavares. The Devils regained the lead as Travis Zajac netted a second period power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Zach Parise and Elias. New Jersey iced it with a third period empty net goal by Ilya Kovalchuk, his thirty-fifth of the year, coming off of Parise for a 3-1 win. Zajac, Elias, and Parise got the three stars.
Rounding out the fifth active Atlantic team, the Pittsburgh Penguins visit the Boston Bruins. Backups Brent Johnson and Marty Turco are in goal. Pittsburgh was first on the board with a Sidney Crosby goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Pascal Dupuis and Kris Letang. The Penguins extended the lead on a Paul Martin goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Tyler Kennedy and Letang. Boston got going with a Benoit Pouliot goal, his fifteenth of the season, made possible by Chris Kelly and Brian Rolston. The Bruins tied it in the second period on a Milan Lucic goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, with assists by David Krejci and Rich Peverley. Pittsburgh regained the lead when James Neal scored his fortieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Chris Kunitz and Crosby. The Penguins re-established a two-goal lead as Crosby put down his second of the night and seventh of the year, another power play goal, set up by Letang, who got a sock trick, and Evgeni Malkin. Pittsburgh padded their lead in the third period with an Arron Asham goal, his fifth of the season, fueled by Craig Adams and Joe Vitale. Boston shot back on a Peverley goal, his eleventh of the year, guided in by Lucic and Krejci. The final was 5-3, and Crosby, Lucic, and Letang had the three stars, while Peverley and Krejci get the honorable mentions.
Well to the south, the Florida Panthers take on their Southeast Division rivals, the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Jose Thoedore are in between the pipes. Florida began as Marco Sturm potted his third of the season, with the help of Dmitry Kulikov. The Panthers added on when Kris Versteeg recorded his twenty-third of the year, a power play goal powered by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Florida struck again in the second period as Fleischmann deposited his twenty-seventh of the season, thanks to Versteeg. Winnipeg finally got on the board with an Evander Kane goal, his thirtieth of the year, helped along by Spencer Machacek and Zach Bogosian. The Jets pulled a little closer with a Bogosian goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. Andrew Ladd tied it for Winnipeg in the third period as he made his twenty-sixth of the year, guided in by Dustin Byfuglien and Bryan Little. The Jets took the lead with Little's twenty-fourth of the season, a power play goal set up by Blake Wheeler and Byfuglien. The Panthers got an equalizer on a Tomas Kopecky goal, his tenth of the year, with a lone Sturm assist. Winnipeg took the game in overtime with another Ladd goal, his second of the game and twenty-seventh of the season, fueled by Wheeler for a 5-4 win. The three stars of the game were Ladd, Kopecky, and Bogosian, while Fleischmann, Versteeg, Byfuglien, Wheeler, Little, and Sturm get honorable mentions.
Up in Canada, the Ottawa Senators bring in the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Craig Anderson are in the blue paint. Carolina was first on the board with a Brandon Sutter goal, his seventeenth of the season coming in the second period off of Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes extended their lead on a Tuomo Ruutu power play goal, his eighteenth of the year, powered by Jussi Jokinen and Joni Pitkanen. Jason Spezza cut the deficit to 2-1 with thirteen seconds to play, as Ottawa avoided being shut out with his thirty-third of the campaign, via Colin Greening and Daniel Alfredsson. The three stars were named as Ward (38 for 39 in saves), Chris Neil, and Bryan Allen, while better choices would be anyone who actually contributed to the scoring.
Southwest of there, the Nashville Predators welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Anders Lindback are the masked men. Nashville dented the scoreboard first in the second period with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his seventh of the season, helped along by Nick Spaling. Minnesota tied it as Dany Heatley put away his twenty-third of the year, courtesy of Nate Prosser and Mikko Koivu. The Predators won it with a lone Alexander Radulov shootout tally for a 2-1 victory. The three stars were awarded to Lindback (25 for 26 in saves), Bourque, and Heatley.
Continuing the path, we go to a tornado-hit Dallas (thoughts and prayers with those in the big D) as the Stars host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Kari Lehtonen guard the cages. San Jose opened the scoring with a Daniel Winnik goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Andrew Desjardins and Brent Burns. Dallas tied it up on a Brenden Morrow goal, his eleventh of the year, coming off of Mike Ribeiro and Mark Fistric. The Stars took the lead in the second period on an Alex Goligoski goal, his ninth of the season, assisted by Jamie Benn and Philip Larsen. The Sharks retied it with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Dominic Moore and Marc-Edouard Vlasic. San Jose grabbed the lead on a Logan Couture power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, powered by Martin Havlat and Dan Boyle. The Sharks added an insurance marker in the third period as Joe Thornton made his seventeenth of the year, thanks to Joe Pavelski and Patrick Marleau. San Jose iced it at 5-2 with a Ryane Clowe empty net goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, passed from Couture. Couture, Benn, and Galiardi got the three stars.
Northwest from there, the Vancouver Canucks host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Roberto Luongo tend the twines. Anaheim led off with a Ryan Getzlaf goal, his tenth of the season, helped along by Corey Perry. Vancouver tied it on an Alexandre Burrows goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, coming off of Henrik Sedin and Marc-Andre Gragnani. The Ducks got the lead back with a Perry power play goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, powered by Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne. The Canucks retied it on a Chris Higgins goal, his eighteenth of the year, courtesy of Dan Hamhuis and Jannik Hansen. Anaheim took the lead again with a Rod Pelley goal, his second of the season, set up by Ryan and Devante Smith-Pelly. The Ducks extended their lead on a Smith-Pelly goal, his seventh of the year, via Ryan, who got a sock trick, and Saku Koivu. Cory Schneider relieved Luongo from here on out. Vancouver got one back as Burrows put down his second of the night and twenty-seventh of the season, with the help of Hamhuis and Alexander Edler. The Canucks tied it again with a Maxim Lapierre goal, his ninth of the year, pushed through by Sedin and Mason Raymond. The game went to a shootout, where Vancouver won with Burrows, Edler, and Lapierre tallies, all overwhelming Teemu Selanne's lone goal for Anaheim. The three stars of the 5-4 win were Burrows, Ryan, and Sedin, while Edler, Lapierre, Perry, Smith-Pelly, and Hamhuis get the honorable mentions.
Finally, in the desert the Phoenix Coyotes welcome the Columbus Blue Jackets. Allen York and Mike Smith are protecting the nets. Phoenix opened the scoring in the second period with a Boyd Gordon goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Lauri Korpikoski and Taylor Pyatt. The Coyotes added on as Gilbert Brule made his fifth of the year, with the help of Michal Rozsival and Daymond Langkow. This was it for the scoring, with the three stars going to Smith (54 flippin' save shutout), Gordon, and Korpikoski.
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Tuesday, April 3, 2012
Monday, April 2, 2012
NHL Day 180 2011-2012
Only two games, both having some impact on the stretch run. We begin on the East Coast...
As the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Dwayne Roloson tend the twines. Washington opened in the second period as Alexander Semin notched his twentieth of the season, with the help of Mathieu Perreault. Tampa Bay got it back on a Teddy Purcell power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Twenty-five seconds later, Victor Hedman scored to give the Lightning the lead, his fifth of the season coming off of Nate Thompson and Tom Pyatt . The Capitals tied it in the third period with a Jason Chimera goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Semin. Tampa Bay got a lead with a Stamkos goal, his fifty-seventh of the season, fueled by Brett Clark and Brian Lee. Stamkos iced it at 4-2 Lighting on his second of the game and fifty-eighth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Thompson and Eric Brewer. The three stars of the game were Roloson (31 for 33 in saves), Stamkos, and Pyatt, while Semin and Thompson get honorable mentions.
Out west, we end in Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles opened with a third period Slava Voynov goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Brad Richardson. The Kings iced it at 2-0 when Dwight King potted his fifth of the year, with a lone Mike Richards assist. The three stars were given to Quick (19 save shutout), Dubnyk (35 for 37 in saves), and Voynov.
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As the Tampa Bay Lightning host the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Dwayne Roloson tend the twines. Washington opened in the second period as Alexander Semin notched his twentieth of the season, with the help of Mathieu Perreault. Tampa Bay got it back on a Teddy Purcell power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Steven Stamkos and Martin St. Louis. Twenty-five seconds later, Victor Hedman scored to give the Lightning the lead, his fifth of the season coming off of Nate Thompson and Tom Pyatt . The Capitals tied it in the third period with a Jason Chimera goal, his twentieth of the year, courtesy of Semin. Tampa Bay got a lead with a Stamkos goal, his fifty-seventh of the season, fueled by Brett Clark and Brian Lee. Stamkos iced it at 4-2 Lighting on his second of the game and fifty-eighth of the year, an empty net goal set up by Thompson and Eric Brewer. The three stars of the game were Roloson (31 for 33 in saves), Stamkos, and Pyatt, while Semin and Thompson get honorable mentions.
Out west, we end in Los Angeles, with the Kings hosting the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Jonathan Quick guard the cages. Los Angeles opened with a third period Slava Voynov goal, his eighth of the season, made possible by Anze Kopitar and Brad Richardson. The Kings iced it at 2-0 when Dwight King potted his fifth of the year, with a lone Mike Richards assist. The three stars were given to Quick (19 save shutout), Dubnyk (35 for 37 in saves), and Voynov.
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Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 24
Just one more week left, so championships not already determined are on the line this week. Important stuff everyone! Let's see who helped the early-closing leagues wrap things up.
1. Mike Smith, 2 W, 0.00 GAA, 82 SV, 1.000 SV%, 2 SO
2. Evgeni Malkin, 2 G, 5 A, -4, 2 PIM, 4 PPP, 20 SOG
3. Jonathan Quick, 2 W, 0.67 GAA, 56 SV, .966 SV%, 1 SO
4. Jakub Voracek, 3 G, 4 A, +3, 0 PIM, 2 PPP, 15 SOG
5. Derek Dorsett, 2 G, 1 A, +2, 20 PIM, 1 PPP, 14 SOG
Next week we'll bring in some all season stats for your enjoyment and my chagrin, takes a long time to type those up. Good luck for those still doing battle this week.
1. Mike Smith, 2 W, 0.00 GAA, 82 SV, 1.000 SV%, 2 SO
2. Evgeni Malkin, 2 G, 5 A, -4, 2 PIM, 4 PPP, 20 SOG
3. Jonathan Quick, 2 W, 0.67 GAA, 56 SV, .966 SV%, 1 SO
4. Jakub Voracek, 3 G, 4 A, +3, 0 PIM, 2 PPP, 15 SOG
5. Derek Dorsett, 2 G, 1 A, +2, 20 PIM, 1 PPP, 14 SOG
Next week we'll bring in some all season stats for your enjoyment and my chagrin, takes a long time to type those up. Good luck for those still doing battle this week.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
NHL Day 179 2011-2012
Six games on the final Sunday of the season. We begin in Pennsylvania...
As the Pittsburgh Penguins host their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Marc-Andre Fleury started in goal. Pittsburgh began with a Steve Sullivan goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins added on with James Neal recording his thirty-ninth of the year, via Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. Philadelphia got one back when Claude Giroux made his twenty-eighth of the campaign, with the help of Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers tied it in the second period on a Max Talbot goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by Zac Rinaldo and Sean Couturier. Philadelphia took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Wayne Simmonds, his twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Giroux. The Flyers rolled on with a Voracek goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, guided in by Eric Wellwood and Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia extended the lead again with a Marc-Andre Bourdon goal, his third of the season, with Giroux providing the lone helper. Pittsburgh got one back with Sullivan's second of the game and seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Dupuis and Zbynek Michalek. The Flyers got it back when Voracek netted his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Matt Carle and Talbot. The Penguins replied too little, too late, with a power play goal by Kunitz, his twenty-fourth of the season, with assists from Malkin and Crosby. The three stars went to Voracek, Giroux, and Sullivan, while Talbot, Kunitz, Crosby, Dupuis, and Malkin get the honorable mentions.
Down into New York, with the Islanders bringing in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Al Montoya are in the creases. New York struck first with a Mark Streit goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Ottawa tied the game with the eleventh of the year for Kyle Turris, fueled by Milan Michalek and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators took the lead in the second period with a Gonchar power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Michalek and Turris. Ottawa added on with a Michalek goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, coming off of Turris and Bobby Butler. The Senators extended their lead with a Nick Foligno goal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Jesse Winchester and Colin Greening. Ottawa did not relent in the third period, as Turris scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, courtesy of Foligno and Erik Karlsson on the power play. The Senators cruised from here on for a 5-1 win, with the three stars going to Turris, Michalek, and Gonchar, while Foligno gets the honorable mention.
Westward to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Jimmy Howard play in the blue paint. Florida was first to score with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, fueled by Kris Versteeg and Stephen Weiss. Detroit tied it in the third period with a Jiri Hudler goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by Valtteri Filppula and Jakub Kindl. The game went to a shootout, where Pavel Datsyuk and Hudler carried the Red Wings over a lone Wojtek Wolski tally to defeat the Panthers 2-1. The three stars were handed out to Hudler, Howard (27 for 28 in saves), and Clemmensen (31 for 32 in saves).
Down to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Ray Emery get the spot starts. Minnesota got started with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Dany Heatley and Marco Scandella. Chicago answered thirty-four seconds later on a Patrick Sharp goal, his thirty-third of the year, courtesy of Nick Leddy and Marcus Kruger. The Wild took the lead again with a power play goal by Heatley, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Setoguchi. The Blackhawks tied it up again with a second period goal by Viktor Stalberg, his twenty-first of the year, made possible by Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Minnesota again gained the lead with a Clayton Stoner goal, set up by Setoguchi and Koivu just twenty seconds later. The Wild added on with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his twenty-second of the season, thanks to Tom Gilbert and Stephane Veilleux. Chicago got one back with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by Marian Hossa and Leddy. Kane tied it for the Blackhawks late in the third period with his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, fueled by Andrew Shaw. Minnesota took the game in the shootout with Erik Christensen and Setoguchi scoring to overpower Kane's lone tally, giving the Wild a 5-4 win over the Blackhawks. The three stars were awarded to Setoguchi, Heatley, and Leddy, while Kane and Koivu get honorable mentions.
Eastward to New York, with the Rangers hosting the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Henrik Lundqvist tended the twines. Marian Gaborik put New York on the board first with his fortieth of the season, an unassisted goal. Boston replied in the second period when Dennis Seidenberg netted his fifth of the year, via Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand. The Bruins took the lead on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, with a lone Tyler Seguin assist. The scoring ended here, with Boston winning 2-1, and the three stars were Thomas (33 for 34 in saves), Chara, and Gaborik.
Finally, we'll stop in Anaheim as the Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers with only pride on the line. Devan Dubnyk and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Fifteen seconds in, Edmonton was on the board when Teemu Hartikainen scored, with a lone Jordan Eberle assist. The Oilers extended the lead later with another Hartikainen tally, his second of the game, set up by Ryan Whitney and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Anaheim got one back with the slightly more famous Teemu, Mr. Selanne, who scored his twenty-sixth of the season, with the help of Niklas Hagman and Saku Koivu. The second and third periods were silent, so the final was 2-1 Edmonton, and the three stars were Selanne, Dubnyk (32 for 33 in saves), and Lubomir Visnovsky, while Hartikainen gets honorable mention. (Editor's Note: This game lacked neither Ryans (Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf, The Nuge, Smyth, Whitney, Jones) nor Teemus (Hartikainen, Selanne) which is odd to have such a concentration of particular names).
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As the Pittsburgh Penguins host their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Marc-Andre Fleury started in goal. Pittsburgh began with a Steve Sullivan goal, his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Sidney Crosby and Pascal Dupuis. The Penguins added on with James Neal recording his thirty-ninth of the year, via Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz. Philadelphia got one back when Claude Giroux made his twenty-eighth of the campaign, with the help of Jaromir Jagr and Scott Hartnell. The Flyers tied it in the second period on a Max Talbot goal, his nineteenth of the season, fueled by Zac Rinaldo and Sean Couturier. Philadelphia took the lead in the third period on a power play goal by Wayne Simmonds, his twenty-seventh of the year, powered by Jakub Voracek and Giroux. The Flyers rolled on with a Voracek goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, guided in by Eric Wellwood and Braydon Coburn. Philadelphia extended the lead again with a Marc-Andre Bourdon goal, his third of the season, with Giroux providing the lone helper. Pittsburgh got one back with Sullivan's second of the game and seventeenth of the year, courtesy of Dupuis and Zbynek Michalek. The Flyers got it back when Voracek netted his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, an empty net goal set up by Matt Carle and Talbot. The Penguins replied too little, too late, with a power play goal by Kunitz, his twenty-fourth of the season, with assists from Malkin and Crosby. The three stars went to Voracek, Giroux, and Sullivan, while Talbot, Kunitz, Crosby, Dupuis, and Malkin get the honorable mentions.
Down into New York, with the Islanders bringing in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Al Montoya are in the creases. New York struck first with a Mark Streit goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Ottawa tied the game with the eleventh of the year for Kyle Turris, fueled by Milan Michalek and Sergei Gonchar. The Senators took the lead in the second period with a Gonchar power play goal, his fifth of the season, powered by Michalek and Turris. Ottawa added on with a Michalek goal, his thirty-fifth of the year, coming off of Turris and Bobby Butler. The Senators extended their lead with a Nick Foligno goal, his fifteenth of the season, set up by Jesse Winchester and Colin Greening. Ottawa did not relent in the third period, as Turris scored his second of the game and twelfth of the year, courtesy of Foligno and Erik Karlsson on the power play. The Senators cruised from here on for a 5-1 win, with the three stars going to Turris, Michalek, and Gonchar, while Foligno gets the honorable mention.
Westward to Detroit, where the Red Wings welcome the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Jimmy Howard play in the blue paint. Florida was first to score with a Tomas Fleischmann goal, his twenty-sixth of the season, fueled by Kris Versteeg and Stephen Weiss. Detroit tied it in the third period with a Jiri Hudler goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, guided in by Valtteri Filppula and Jakub Kindl. The game went to a shootout, where Pavel Datsyuk and Hudler carried the Red Wings over a lone Wojtek Wolski tally to defeat the Panthers 2-1. The three stars were handed out to Hudler, Howard (27 for 28 in saves), and Clemmensen (31 for 32 in saves).
Down to Chicago, as the Blackhawks bring in the Minnesota Wild. Josh Harding and Ray Emery get the spot starts. Minnesota got started with a Devin Setoguchi goal, his nineteenth of the season, assisted by Dany Heatley and Marco Scandella. Chicago answered thirty-four seconds later on a Patrick Sharp goal, his thirty-third of the year, courtesy of Nick Leddy and Marcus Kruger. The Wild took the lead again with a power play goal by Heatley, his twenty-second of the season, powered by Mikko Koivu and Setoguchi. The Blackhawks tied it up again with a second period goal by Viktor Stalberg, his twenty-first of the year, made possible by Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson. Minnesota again gained the lead with a Clayton Stoner goal, set up by Setoguchi and Koivu just twenty seconds later. The Wild added on with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his twenty-second of the season, thanks to Tom Gilbert and Stephane Veilleux. Chicago got one back with a Patrick Kane goal, his twenty-second of the year, guided in by Marian Hossa and Leddy. Kane tied it for the Blackhawks late in the third period with his second of the game and twenty-third of the season, fueled by Andrew Shaw. Minnesota took the game in the shootout with Erik Christensen and Setoguchi scoring to overpower Kane's lone tally, giving the Wild a 5-4 win over the Blackhawks. The three stars were awarded to Setoguchi, Heatley, and Leddy, while Kane and Koivu get honorable mentions.
Eastward to New York, with the Rangers hosting the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Henrik Lundqvist tended the twines. Marian Gaborik put New York on the board first with his fortieth of the season, an unassisted goal. Boston replied in the second period when Dennis Seidenberg netted his fifth of the year, via Zdeno Chara and Brad Marchand. The Bruins took the lead on a Patrice Bergeron power play goal, his twenty-second of the season, with a lone Tyler Seguin assist. The scoring ended here, with Boston winning 2-1, and the three stars were Thomas (33 for 34 in saves), Chara, and Gaborik.
Finally, we'll stop in Anaheim as the Ducks host the Edmonton Oilers with only pride on the line. Devan Dubnyk and Jonas Hiller guard the cages. Fifteen seconds in, Edmonton was on the board when Teemu Hartikainen scored, with a lone Jordan Eberle assist. The Oilers extended the lead later with another Hartikainen tally, his second of the game, set up by Ryan Whitney and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. Anaheim got one back with the slightly more famous Teemu, Mr. Selanne, who scored his twenty-sixth of the season, with the help of Niklas Hagman and Saku Koivu. The second and third periods were silent, so the final was 2-1 Edmonton, and the three stars were Selanne, Dubnyk (32 for 33 in saves), and Lubomir Visnovsky, while Hartikainen gets honorable mention. (Editor's Note: This game lacked neither Ryans (Bobby Ryan, Ryan Getzlaf, The Nuge, Smyth, Whitney, Jones) nor Teemus (Hartikainen, Selanne) which is odd to have such a concentration of particular names).
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Saturday, March 31, 2012
NHL Day 178 2011-2012
Today marks one week left in the regular season, and we have twelve games today to celebrate that. The first two are matinees, beginning in...
New York, with the Islanders hosting the Boston Bruins. Marty Turco and Al Montoya get the starting nods. Boston began on a David Krejci goal, his twenty-second of the season, fueled by Milan Lucic and Andrew Ference. New York evened the score twenty-nine seconds later with the twenty first of the year by Kyle Okposo, coming off of Frans Nielsen and Travis Hamonic. The Bruins got their lead back in the second period as Chris Kelly put down his twentieth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Islanders retied it as P.A. Parenteau made his seventeenth of the year, from John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Boston got the lead back in the third period with a Brad Marchand goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins extended the lead with a Seguin goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, courtesy of Patrice Bergeron and Marchand. New York got one back with Parenteau scoring his second of the day and eighteenth of the season, guided in by Moulson and Tavares. Boston replied on a Bergeron goal, his twenty-first of the year, via Seguin and Marchand. The Bruins kept up the attack with Krejci's seocnd of the game and twenty-third of the season, helped along by Lucic and Chara just twenty-four seconds later. Marchand, Seguin, and Krejci earned the three stars, while Chara, Lucic, Bergeron, Parenteau, Tavares, and Moulson get the honorable mentions.
A little to the north, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Sergei Bobrovsky play in goal. Ottawa started the scoring with the thirty-second of the season by Jason Spezza, assisted by Daniel Alfredsson and Matt Carkner. The Senators added on as Alfredsson deposited his twenty-seventh of the year, courtesy of Erik Karlsson. Ottawa rolled along with a Chris Neil goal, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Rob Klinkhammer. Philadelphia got on the board in the second period with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via Brayden Schenn and Danny Briere. The Flyers pulled closer on a Sean Couturier goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Max Talbot and Nicklas Grossmann. Philadelphia tied it as Braydon Coburn recorded his fourth of the year, with the help of Briere and Eric Wellwood. The Senators spared themselves humiliation when Spezza and Milan Michalek lifted them over the Flyers' lone Matt Read tally for a 4-3 win. The three stars were Spezza, Alfredsson, and Coburn, with Briere getting an honorable mention.
At the regular times, we start in Carolina, with the Hurricanes hosting the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Brian Boucher were picked to start. New Jersey opened with a late first period David Clarkson power play goal, his thirtieth of the season, powered by Patrik Elias and Ilya Kovalchuk. The Devils extended the lead in the second period as Kovalchuk deposited his thirty-fourth of the year, with the help of Petr Sykora and Dainius Zubrus. New Jersey kept going as Ryan Carter netted his fourth of the season, thanks to Steve Bernier and Jacob Josefson. The Devils added on again with a Sykora goal, his nineteenth of the year, made possible by Elias. New Jersey iced it at 5-0 in the third period when Zach Parise put down his thirty-first of the campaign, guided in by Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac. Kovalchuk, Sykora, and Elias got the three stars, and Brodeur (22 save shutout) gets an honorable mention.
Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcomed the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Sebastien Caron were in the blue paint. Tampa Bay was first on the board as Ryan Malone scored his nineteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Winnipeg answered in the second period with an Antti Miettinen goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Evander Kane and Mark Stuart. The Jets took the lead with a Kyle Wellwood goal, his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Dustin Byfuglien and Tim Stapleton. The Lightning got an equalizer in the third period when Malone potted his second of the game and twentieth of the year, a power play goal powered by Teddy Purcell and Victor Hedman. Tampa Bay would end up winning in overtime as Steven Stamkos potted his fifty-sixth of the campaign, with a lone Brian Lee helper. The three stars went to Malone, Pavelec (36 for 39 in saves), and Stamkos.
Well to the north, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ben Scrivens are in the creases. Toronto struck first with a shorthanded and unassisted Joey Crabb goal, his eleventh of the season. Buffalo answered in the second period with a Tyler Ennis tally, his fourteenth of the year, via Drew Stafford and Jordan Leopold. The Maple Leafs replied with a Phil Kessel goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Tyler Bozak and Jake Gardiner. Toronto added on with a John-Michael Liles tally, his seventh of the year, thanks to Clarke MacArthur and Crabb. The Sabres got one back in the third period when Ville Leino made his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Jason Pominville and Alexander Sulzer. The Maple Leafs answered on Matt Frattin's seventh of the season, coming off of MacArthur and Liles. Buffalo got as close as 4-3 before running out of time, coming about when Stafford notched his twentieth of the year, with helpers provided by Marcus Foligno and Ennis. The three stars of the game were Crabb, Stafford, and Scrivens (29 for 32 in saves), while MacArthur, Ennis, and Liles get the honorable mentions.
Back stateside, the Washington Capitals bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Michal Neuvirth will try to keep the puck out of the nets. Washington started with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Alexander Semin and Karl Alzner. The Capitals extended their lead on a Jay Beagle goal, his third of the year, thanks to Matt Hendricks and Mike Knuble. Montreal got one back late in the first period as Erik Cole netted his thirty-second of the season, with a lone Max Pacioretty assist. The Canadiens tied it in the second period with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his sixteenth of the year, set up by Andrei Markov and Frederic St-denis. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Hendricks and Semin tallied for Washington, knocking Montreal off for a 3-2 win. The three stars were awarded to Neuvirth (39 for 41 in saves), Beagle, and Cole, while Hendricks and Semin get honorable mentions.
Out west a tad, the Minnesota Wild host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Bernier and Niklas Backstrom are all padded up. Minnesota opened the scoring quickly with a Darroll Powe goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Nate Prosser and Justin Falk. Los Angeles tied it as Brad Richardson potted his fourth of the year, thanks to Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. Seventeen seconds later, the Wild got it back as Nick Johnson made his eighth of the season, with the help of Jason Zucker and Erik Christensen. The Kings tied it again when Brown recorded his twenty-first of the year, a power play goal powered by Mike Richards and Kopitar. Los Angeles took the lead in the second period with the second of the game and fifth of the season by Richardson, made possible by Kopitar, who got a sock trick, and Brown. Minnesota retied it in the third period when Christensen notched his seventh of the year, guided in by Zucker and Falk. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the Wild downed the Kings on Christensen and Mikko Koivu tallies for a 4-3 win. The three stars were handed to Zucker, Christensen, and Falk, while Kopitar, Brown, and Richardson get honorable mentions.
South to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Chicago began on a Patrick Sharp goal, his thirty-second of the season, a power play goal powered by Andrew Shaw and Nick Leddy. Dave Bolland added on for the Blackhawks in the second period with his own power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, via Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane. Kane kept Chicago going with his twenty-first of the campaign, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook. Viktor Stalberg extended the Blackhawks lead again with his twentieth of the season, made possible by Marcus Kruger. Nashville got going when Martin Erat put his nineteenth of the year down, with the help of Ryan Suter and Mike Fisher on the power play. The Predators got another one back when Shea Weber deposited his eighteenth of the campaign, via Suter and Andrei Kostitsyn. Alexander Radulov dragged Nashville closer on his third of the season in the third period, helped along by David Legwand and Kevin Klein. The Predators tied it on a Weber goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, guided in by Suter, who got a sock trick, and Legwand on the power play. Chicago ended up winning 5-4 with Seabrook's ninth of the campaign being the deciding goal, and the assists were provided by Shaw and Bryan Bickell. Seabrook, Suter, and Weber were named three stars, while Kane, Legwand, and Shaw get honorable mentions.
Into Missouri, as the St. Louis Blues host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Allen York and Jaroslav Halak started in goal. Columbus began on a Jared Boll goal, his second of the season, made possible by Darryl Boyce and Aaron Johnson. St. Louis tied it as David Backes sank his twenty-fourth of the year, courtesy of Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Steen. The Blue Jackets got the lead back on an R.J. Umberger goal, his eighteenth of the season, going down unassisted. Umberger extended the Columbus lead in the second period with his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Cam Atkinson and Rick Nash. The Blues replied with a David Perron goal, his nineteenth of the season, guided in by Andy McDonald and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blue Jackets got it back in the third period with a power play goal by Derek Dorsett, his twelfth of the year, set up by Nash and Jack Johnson. Columbus iced it at 5-2 with a Vinny Prospal empty net goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, with a lone Atkinson assist. The three stars were given to York (34 for 36 in saves), Backes, and Umberger, while Nash and Atkinson get the honorable mentions.
Southwest to Phoenix, where the Coyotes welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jeff Deslauriers and Mike Smith tend the twines. Phoenix got things going with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Michal Rozsival. The Coyotes extended the lead with a second period Antoine Vermette power play goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Derek Morris and Keith Yandle. Phoenix rolled along with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his thirty-third of the season, coming off of Ray Whitney, who got his 1,000th NHL point on the play, and Shane Doan. The Coyotes added on again with Whitney recording his twenty-fourth of the year, another power play goal, powered by Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. The third period was scoreless, so the final was 4-0, and the three stars were awarded to Whitney, Smith (44 save shutout), and Vrbata.
Up in British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Calgary Flames. Henrik Karlsson and Roberto Luongo received the starting nods. Vancouver led off with a Maxim Lapierre goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Alexander Edler. Calgary tied it in the second period with an Olli Jokinen goal, his twenty-third of the year coming on the power play from Jarome Iginla. The Flames gained the lead in the third period on a Michael Cammalleri goal, his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of David Moss and Chris Butler. The Canucks got an equalizer on the second of the year by Marc-Andre Gragnani, set up by Alexandre Burrows and Sedin.Vancouver toppled Calgary in overtime with the fifth of the campaign for Andrew Ebbett, coming off of Sami Salo and Edler. The three stars were given to Lapierre, Cammalleri, and Ebbett, with honorable mentions for Edler and Sedin.
Finally, we end in San Jose, with the Sharks welcoming the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi tended the twines. San Jose started on a Joe Pavelski goal, his thirtieth of the season, courtesy of Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks added on with a Jason Demers power play goal, his third of the year, coming off of Martin Havlat and Ryane Clowe. San Jose rolled along in the second period with a Pavelski goal, his thirty-first of the season and second of the night, made possible by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Thornton. The Sharks held on from there to the end, winning 3-0, with the three stars going to Niemi (22 save shutout), Pavelski, and Justin Braun, while Thornton gets an honorable mention.
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New York, with the Islanders hosting the Boston Bruins. Marty Turco and Al Montoya get the starting nods. Boston began on a David Krejci goal, his twenty-second of the season, fueled by Milan Lucic and Andrew Ference. New York evened the score twenty-nine seconds later with the twenty first of the year by Kyle Okposo, coming off of Frans Nielsen and Travis Hamonic. The Bruins got their lead back in the second period as Chris Kelly put down his twentieth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Islanders retied it as P.A. Parenteau made his seventeenth of the year, from John Tavares and Matt Moulson. Boston got the lead back in the third period with a Brad Marchand goal, his twenty-seventh of the season, assisted by Tyler Seguin and Zdeno Chara. The Bruins extended the lead with a Seguin goal, his twenty-seventh of the year, courtesy of Patrice Bergeron and Marchand. New York got one back with Parenteau scoring his second of the day and eighteenth of the season, guided in by Moulson and Tavares. Boston replied on a Bergeron goal, his twenty-first of the year, via Seguin and Marchand. The Bruins kept up the attack with Krejci's seocnd of the game and twenty-third of the season, helped along by Lucic and Chara just twenty-four seconds later. Marchand, Seguin, and Krejci earned the three stars, while Chara, Lucic, Bergeron, Parenteau, Tavares, and Moulson get the honorable mentions.
A little to the north, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Sergei Bobrovsky play in goal. Ottawa started the scoring with the thirty-second of the season by Jason Spezza, assisted by Daniel Alfredsson and Matt Carkner. The Senators added on as Alfredsson deposited his twenty-seventh of the year, courtesy of Erik Karlsson. Ottawa rolled along with a Chris Neil goal, his thirteenth of the season, helped along by Rob Klinkhammer. Philadelphia got on the board in the second period with a Wayne Simmonds goal, his twenty-sixth of the year, via Brayden Schenn and Danny Briere. The Flyers pulled closer on a Sean Couturier goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Max Talbot and Nicklas Grossmann. Philadelphia tied it as Braydon Coburn recorded his fourth of the year, with the help of Briere and Eric Wellwood. The Senators spared themselves humiliation when Spezza and Milan Michalek lifted them over the Flyers' lone Matt Read tally for a 4-3 win. The three stars were Spezza, Alfredsson, and Coburn, with Briere getting an honorable mention.
At the regular times, we start in Carolina, with the Hurricanes hosting the New Jersey Devils. Martin Brodeur and Brian Boucher were picked to start. New Jersey opened with a late first period David Clarkson power play goal, his thirtieth of the season, powered by Patrik Elias and Ilya Kovalchuk. The Devils extended the lead in the second period as Kovalchuk deposited his thirty-fourth of the year, with the help of Petr Sykora and Dainius Zubrus. New Jersey kept going as Ryan Carter netted his fourth of the season, thanks to Steve Bernier and Jacob Josefson. The Devils added on again with a Sykora goal, his nineteenth of the year, made possible by Elias. New Jersey iced it at 5-0 in the third period when Zach Parise put down his thirty-first of the campaign, guided in by Kovalchuk and Travis Zajac. Kovalchuk, Sykora, and Elias got the three stars, and Brodeur (22 save shutout) gets an honorable mention.
Down in Tampa Bay, the Lightning welcomed the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Sebastien Caron were in the blue paint. Tampa Bay was first on the board as Ryan Malone scored his nineteenth of the season, an unassisted goal. Winnipeg answered in the second period with an Antti Miettinen goal, his fifth of the year, fueled by Evander Kane and Mark Stuart. The Jets took the lead with a Kyle Wellwood goal, his eighteenth of the season, coming off of Dustin Byfuglien and Tim Stapleton. The Lightning got an equalizer in the third period when Malone potted his second of the game and twentieth of the year, a power play goal powered by Teddy Purcell and Victor Hedman. Tampa Bay would end up winning in overtime as Steven Stamkos potted his fifty-sixth of the campaign, with a lone Brian Lee helper. The three stars went to Malone, Pavelec (36 for 39 in saves), and Stamkos.
Well to the north, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Ben Scrivens are in the creases. Toronto struck first with a shorthanded and unassisted Joey Crabb goal, his eleventh of the season. Buffalo answered in the second period with a Tyler Ennis tally, his fourteenth of the year, via Drew Stafford and Jordan Leopold. The Maple Leafs replied with a Phil Kessel goal, his thirty-seventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Tyler Bozak and Jake Gardiner. Toronto added on with a John-Michael Liles tally, his seventh of the year, thanks to Clarke MacArthur and Crabb. The Sabres got one back in the third period when Ville Leino made his seventh of the campaign, assisted by Jason Pominville and Alexander Sulzer. The Maple Leafs answered on Matt Frattin's seventh of the season, coming off of MacArthur and Liles. Buffalo got as close as 4-3 before running out of time, coming about when Stafford notched his twentieth of the year, with helpers provided by Marcus Foligno and Ennis. The three stars of the game were Crabb, Stafford, and Scrivens (29 for 32 in saves), while MacArthur, Ennis, and Liles get the honorable mentions.
Back stateside, the Washington Capitals bring in the Montreal Canadiens. Peter Budaj and Michal Neuvirth will try to keep the puck out of the nets. Washington started with a Mathieu Perreault goal, his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Alexander Semin and Karl Alzner. The Capitals extended their lead on a Jay Beagle goal, his third of the year, thanks to Matt Hendricks and Mike Knuble. Montreal got one back late in the first period as Erik Cole netted his thirty-second of the season, with a lone Max Pacioretty assist. The Canadiens tied it in the second period with a Tomas Plekanec goal, his sixteenth of the year, set up by Andrei Markov and Frederic St-denis. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Hendricks and Semin tallied for Washington, knocking Montreal off for a 3-2 win. The three stars were awarded to Neuvirth (39 for 41 in saves), Beagle, and Cole, while Hendricks and Semin get honorable mentions.
Out west a tad, the Minnesota Wild host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Bernier and Niklas Backstrom are all padded up. Minnesota opened the scoring quickly with a Darroll Powe goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Nate Prosser and Justin Falk. Los Angeles tied it as Brad Richardson potted his fourth of the year, thanks to Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar. Seventeen seconds later, the Wild got it back as Nick Johnson made his eighth of the season, with the help of Jason Zucker and Erik Christensen. The Kings tied it again when Brown recorded his twenty-first of the year, a power play goal powered by Mike Richards and Kopitar. Los Angeles took the lead in the second period with the second of the game and fifth of the season by Richardson, made possible by Kopitar, who got a sock trick, and Brown. Minnesota retied it in the third period when Christensen notched his seventh of the year, guided in by Zucker and Falk. The tie lasted into a shootout, where the Wild downed the Kings on Christensen and Mikko Koivu tallies for a 4-3 win. The three stars were handed to Zucker, Christensen, and Falk, while Kopitar, Brown, and Richardson get honorable mentions.
South to Nashville, as the Predators bring in the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne tend the twines. Chicago began on a Patrick Sharp goal, his thirty-second of the season, a power play goal powered by Andrew Shaw and Nick Leddy. Dave Bolland added on for the Blackhawks in the second period with his own power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, via Marian Hossa and Patrick Kane. Kane kept Chicago going with his twenty-first of the campaign, assisted by Niklas Hjalmarsson and Brent Seabrook. Viktor Stalberg extended the Blackhawks lead again with his twentieth of the season, made possible by Marcus Kruger. Nashville got going when Martin Erat put his nineteenth of the year down, with the help of Ryan Suter and Mike Fisher on the power play. The Predators got another one back when Shea Weber deposited his eighteenth of the campaign, via Suter and Andrei Kostitsyn. Alexander Radulov dragged Nashville closer on his third of the season in the third period, helped along by David Legwand and Kevin Klein. The Predators tied it on a Weber goal, his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, guided in by Suter, who got a sock trick, and Legwand on the power play. Chicago ended up winning 5-4 with Seabrook's ninth of the campaign being the deciding goal, and the assists were provided by Shaw and Bryan Bickell. Seabrook, Suter, and Weber were named three stars, while Kane, Legwand, and Shaw get honorable mentions.
Into Missouri, as the St. Louis Blues host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Allen York and Jaroslav Halak started in goal. Columbus began on a Jared Boll goal, his second of the season, made possible by Darryl Boyce and Aaron Johnson. St. Louis tied it as David Backes sank his twenty-fourth of the year, courtesy of Kevin Shattenkirk and Alex Steen. The Blue Jackets got the lead back on an R.J. Umberger goal, his eighteenth of the season, going down unassisted. Umberger extended the Columbus lead in the second period with his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Cam Atkinson and Rick Nash. The Blues replied with a David Perron goal, his nineteenth of the season, guided in by Andy McDonald and Alex Pietrangelo. The Blue Jackets got it back in the third period with a power play goal by Derek Dorsett, his twelfth of the year, set up by Nash and Jack Johnson. Columbus iced it at 5-2 with a Vinny Prospal empty net goal, his fifteenth of the campaign, with a lone Atkinson assist. The three stars were given to York (34 for 36 in saves), Backes, and Umberger, while Nash and Atkinson get the honorable mentions.
Southwest to Phoenix, where the Coyotes welcome the Anaheim Ducks. Jeff Deslauriers and Mike Smith tend the twines. Phoenix got things going with an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, his thirteenth of the season, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Michal Rozsival. The Coyotes extended the lead with a second period Antoine Vermette power play goal, his eleventh of the year, courtesy of Derek Morris and Keith Yandle. Phoenix rolled along with a Radim Vrbata power play goal, his thirty-third of the season, coming off of Ray Whitney, who got his 1,000th NHL point on the play, and Shane Doan. The Coyotes added on again with Whitney recording his twenty-fourth of the year, another power play goal, powered by Vrbata and Martin Hanzal. The third period was scoreless, so the final was 4-0, and the three stars were awarded to Whitney, Smith (44 save shutout), and Vrbata.
Up in British Columbia, the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Calgary Flames. Henrik Karlsson and Roberto Luongo received the starting nods. Vancouver led off with a Maxim Lapierre goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Henrik Sedin and Alexander Edler. Calgary tied it in the second period with an Olli Jokinen goal, his twenty-third of the year coming on the power play from Jarome Iginla. The Flames gained the lead in the third period on a Michael Cammalleri goal, his eighteenth of the season, courtesy of David Moss and Chris Butler. The Canucks got an equalizer on the second of the year by Marc-Andre Gragnani, set up by Alexandre Burrows and Sedin.Vancouver toppled Calgary in overtime with the fifth of the campaign for Andrew Ebbett, coming off of Sami Salo and Edler. The three stars were given to Lapierre, Cammalleri, and Ebbett, with honorable mentions for Edler and Sedin.
Finally, we end in San Jose, with the Sharks welcoming the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Antti Niemi tended the twines. San Jose started on a Joe Pavelski goal, his thirtieth of the season, courtesy of Joe Thornton and Patrick Marleau. The Sharks added on with a Jason Demers power play goal, his third of the year, coming off of Martin Havlat and Ryane Clowe. San Jose rolled along in the second period with a Pavelski goal, his thirty-first of the season and second of the night, made possible by Marc-Edouard Vlasic and Thornton. The Sharks held on from there to the end, winning 3-0, with the three stars going to Niemi (22 save shutout), Pavelski, and Justin Braun, while Thornton gets an honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Friday, March 30, 2012
NHL Day 177 2011-2012
We have eight games tonight as the season ticks down its final days. We begin with a semi-critical Southeast Division match...
As the Carolina Hurricanes host the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Mason and Cam Ward were in goal. Winnipeg got the first goal when Nik Antropov scored his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Kyle Wellwood and Evander Kane. Carolina answered on a Derek Joslin goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Jeff Skinner. The Hurricanes took the lead as Eric Staal potted his twenty-fourth of the season, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Carolina added on in the second period with a Brandon Sutter goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Patrick Dwyer and Drayson Bowman. The Jets got one back with Jim Slater depositing his eleventh of the season, with the help of Spencer Machacek and Zach Bogosian. Winnipeg tied it in the third period as Wellwood scored his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Antti Miettinen and Bogosian on the power play. The Jets quickly won it, just sixteen seconds into overtime with an Andrew Ladd goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, with a lone Bogosian assist to earn him a sock trick. The three stars of the 4-3 game were Ladd, Staal, and Wellwood, while Bogosian gets the honorable mention.
Out west a bit, the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Allen York were in front of the nets. Columbus struck first on an R.J. Umberger goal, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Derick Brassard and Cam Atkinson. The Blue Jackets added on with a second period goal from Nikita Nikitin, his sixth of the year coming on the power play from Mark Letestu and Vinny Prospal. Columbus extended the lead again in the third period as Nikitin put down his second of the game and seventh of the season, with the help of Derek Dorsett and Ryan Johansen. Florida got on the board with a Tomas Kopecky goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Dmitry Kulikov and Brian Campbell. The Blue Jackets iced it at 4-1 with an Umberger empty net goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, passed from Rick Nash and Nikitin. The three stars ended up with Nikitin, York (30 for 31 in saves), and Umberger.
Up in Detroit, the Red Wings host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Nashville led off in the second period with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Jordin Tootoo and Hal Gill. The Predators added on as Francis Bouillon potted his third of the year, with a lone Alexander Radulov helper. Nashville kept going in the third period with a Radulov goal, his second of the season, fueled by Andrei Kostitsyn and goal Rinne (fifth assist of the year for the talented twine-tender). Detroit got one the board with a Jiri Hudler goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, courtesy of Henrik Zetterberg and Jonathan Ericsson. The Predators iced it at 4-1 with a Shea Weber empty net goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, passed from David Legwand. The three stars went to Rinne (31 for 32 in saves), Sergei Kostitsyn, and Zetterberg, while Radulov deserves the second slot.
Heading east again, as the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson and Ryan Miller got the starting nods. Pittsburgh began with Evgeni Malkin notching his forty-eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Steve Sullivan and Sidney Crosby. Buffalo answered on a Jordan Leopold goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Jason Pominville and Ville Leino. The Penguins regained the lead with Crosby's fifth of the season, made possible by Sullivan and Pascal Dupuis. The Sabres retied it on a Tyler Ennis goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Alexander Sulzer and Mike Weber. Pittsburgh got the lead back again in the second period on a James Neal power play goal, his thirty-eighth of the season fueled by Crosby and Malkin. The Penguins gained a little separation when Sullivan netted his fifteenth of the year, via Dupuis and Crosby, the latter getting a sock trick. Buffalo got one back as Thomas Vanek shelved his twenty-sixth of the season, an unassisted goal. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-3 with a Jordan Staal empty net goal, his twenty-fifth of the year with a lone Brooks Orpik assist. Crosby, Vanek, and Sullivan had the three stars while Malkin and Dupuis get the honorable mentions.
South to New York City, where the Rangers welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist protect the nets. New York started off with a Marian Gaborik goal, his thirty-ninth of the season, assisted by Brad Richards and Carl Hagelin. The Rangers extended their lead with a Richards goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, powered by Derek Stepan and Michael Del Zotto on the power play. New York padded their lead with a third period Del Zotto power play goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Stepan. The Rangers kept going with another Del Zotto goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, via Gaborik and Richards. Montreal avoided the shutout when Rene Bourque cut it to 4-1 with his eighteenth of the campaign, helped along by Tomas Plekanec and Chris Campoli. The three stars were given to Lundqvist (19 for 20 in saves), Del Zotto, and Gaborik, while Richards and Stepan take the honorable mentions.
Way to the west, the Calgary Flames hosted the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Miikka Kiprusoff guard the cages. Colorado started off with a Mark Olver goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Avalanche extended the lead with an David Jones goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog. Colorado added on in the second period as Milan Hejduk potted his fourteenth of the season, with the help of Landeskog and Johnson. Calgary got one back with a Jarome Iginla power play goal late in the third period, his thirty-second of the year, powered by Olli Jokinen and Curtis Glencross. Five seconds later, the Avalanche iced it at 4-1 with a Peter Mueller empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, passed from Shane O'Brien and Jay McClement. Varlamov (38 for 39 in saves), Johnson, and Tim Jackman had the three stars, while Landeskog gets the honorable mention.
North in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Nikolai Khabibulin play between the pipes. Los Angeles started the scoring early with an Anze Kopitar goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Dwight King and Dustin Brown. Edmonton tied it with a Jordan Eberle power play goal, his thirty-third of the year, powered by Jeff Petry and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Kings got the lead back with a Mike Richards shorthanded goal, his seventeenth of the season, passed from Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene. Los Angeles extended their lead with a second period power play goal from the tape of Drew Doughty, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Justin Williams and Kopitar. The Kings added on with an Alec Martinez goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Greene and King. The final stuck at 4-1, and the three stars went to Richards, Kopitar, and King. Greene gets the honorable mention.
We end in British Columbia, as the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Cory Schneider are the masked men. Vancouver opened on a Chris Higgins goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Jannik Hansen. Dallas tied it in the second period with a Steve Ott goal, his eleventh of the year, with a lone Jamie Benn helper. The Canucks got the lead back on a Sami Salo goal, his ninth of the season, thanks to Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. Vancouver extended the lead on an Andrew Alberts goal, his second of the year, coming off of Sedin and Maxim Lapierre. The Canucks added on in the third period as Alexandre Burrows recorded his twenty-fifth of the season, via Sedin for a sock trick and Lapierre. Richard Bachman relieved Lehtonen here. Vancouver kept going with a Lapierre goal, his seventh of the year, with assists provided by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Zack Kassian. The Stars got one back as Jake Dowell notched his second of the season, passed from Tomas Vincour and Philip Larsen. The final stood at 5-2, with the three stars being Sedin, Lapierre, and Higgins.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
As the Carolina Hurricanes host the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Mason and Cam Ward were in goal. Winnipeg got the first goal when Nik Antropov scored his fourteenth of the season, thanks to Kyle Wellwood and Evander Kane. Carolina answered on a Derek Joslin goal, his second of the year, courtesy of Jeff Skinner. The Hurricanes took the lead as Eric Staal potted his twenty-fourth of the season, a shorthanded and unassisted goal. Carolina added on in the second period with a Brandon Sutter goal, his sixteenth of the year, via Patrick Dwyer and Drayson Bowman. The Jets got one back with Jim Slater depositing his eleventh of the season, with the help of Spencer Machacek and Zach Bogosian. Winnipeg tied it in the third period as Wellwood scored his seventeenth of the year, guided in by Antti Miettinen and Bogosian on the power play. The Jets quickly won it, just sixteen seconds into overtime with an Andrew Ladd goal, his twenty-fifth of the campaign, with a lone Bogosian assist to earn him a sock trick. The three stars of the 4-3 game were Ladd, Staal, and Wellwood, while Bogosian gets the honorable mention.
Out west a bit, the Columbus Blue Jackets hosted the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Allen York were in front of the nets. Columbus struck first on an R.J. Umberger goal, his sixteenth of the season, made possible by Derick Brassard and Cam Atkinson. The Blue Jackets added on with a second period goal from Nikita Nikitin, his sixth of the year coming on the power play from Mark Letestu and Vinny Prospal. Columbus extended the lead again in the third period as Nikitin put down his second of the game and seventh of the season, with the help of Derek Dorsett and Ryan Johansen. Florida got on the board with a Tomas Kopecky goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Dmitry Kulikov and Brian Campbell. The Blue Jackets iced it at 4-1 with an Umberger empty net goal, his second of the game and seventeenth of the campaign, passed from Rick Nash and Nikitin. The three stars ended up with Nikitin, York (30 for 31 in saves), and Umberger.
Up in Detroit, the Red Wings host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. Nashville led off in the second period with a Gabriel Bourque goal, his sixth of the season, set up by Jordin Tootoo and Hal Gill. The Predators added on as Francis Bouillon potted his third of the year, with a lone Alexander Radulov helper. Nashville kept going in the third period with a Radulov goal, his second of the season, fueled by Andrei Kostitsyn and goal Rinne (fifth assist of the year for the talented twine-tender). Detroit got one the board with a Jiri Hudler goal, his twenty-fourth of the year, courtesy of Henrik Zetterberg and Jonathan Ericsson. The Predators iced it at 4-1 with a Shea Weber empty net goal, his seventeenth of the campaign, passed from David Legwand. The three stars went to Rinne (31 for 32 in saves), Sergei Kostitsyn, and Zetterberg, while Radulov deserves the second slot.
Heading east again, as the Buffalo Sabres bring in the Pittsburgh Penguins. Brent Johnson and Ryan Miller got the starting nods. Pittsburgh began with Evgeni Malkin notching his forty-eighth of the season, a power play goal powered by Steve Sullivan and Sidney Crosby. Buffalo answered on a Jordan Leopold goal, his ninth of the year, assisted by Jason Pominville and Ville Leino. The Penguins regained the lead with Crosby's fifth of the season, made possible by Sullivan and Pascal Dupuis. The Sabres retied it on a Tyler Ennis goal, his thirteenth of the year, courtesy of Alexander Sulzer and Mike Weber. Pittsburgh got the lead back again in the second period on a James Neal power play goal, his thirty-eighth of the season fueled by Crosby and Malkin. The Penguins gained a little separation when Sullivan netted his fifteenth of the year, via Dupuis and Crosby, the latter getting a sock trick. Buffalo got one back as Thomas Vanek shelved his twenty-sixth of the season, an unassisted goal. Pittsburgh iced it at 5-3 with a Jordan Staal empty net goal, his twenty-fifth of the year with a lone Brooks Orpik assist. Crosby, Vanek, and Sullivan had the three stars while Malkin and Dupuis get the honorable mentions.
South to New York City, where the Rangers welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Henrik Lundqvist protect the nets. New York started off with a Marian Gaborik goal, his thirty-ninth of the season, assisted by Brad Richards and Carl Hagelin. The Rangers extended their lead with a Richards goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, powered by Derek Stepan and Michael Del Zotto on the power play. New York padded their lead with a third period Del Zotto power play goal, his ninth of the season, coming off of Stepan. The Rangers kept going with another Del Zotto goal, his second of the game and tenth of the year, via Gaborik and Richards. Montreal avoided the shutout when Rene Bourque cut it to 4-1 with his eighteenth of the campaign, helped along by Tomas Plekanec and Chris Campoli. The three stars were given to Lundqvist (19 for 20 in saves), Del Zotto, and Gaborik, while Richards and Stepan take the honorable mentions.
Way to the west, the Calgary Flames hosted the Colorado Avalanche. Semyon Varlamov and Miikka Kiprusoff guard the cages. Colorado started off with a Mark Olver goal, his fourth of the season, going in unassisted. The Avalanche extended the lead with an David Jones goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming off of Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog. Colorado added on in the second period as Milan Hejduk potted his fourteenth of the season, with the help of Landeskog and Johnson. Calgary got one back with a Jarome Iginla power play goal late in the third period, his thirty-second of the year, powered by Olli Jokinen and Curtis Glencross. Five seconds later, the Avalanche iced it at 4-1 with a Peter Mueller empty net goal, his seventh of the campaign, passed from Shane O'Brien and Jay McClement. Varlamov (38 for 39 in saves), Johnson, and Tim Jackman had the three stars, while Landeskog gets the honorable mention.
North in Alberta, the Edmonton Oilers host the Los Angeles Kings. Jonathan Quick and Nikolai Khabibulin play between the pipes. Los Angeles started the scoring early with an Anze Kopitar goal, his twenty-fifth of the season, assisted by Dwight King and Dustin Brown. Edmonton tied it with a Jordan Eberle power play goal, his thirty-third of the year, powered by Jeff Petry and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins. The Kings got the lead back with a Mike Richards shorthanded goal, his seventeenth of the season, passed from Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene. Los Angeles extended their lead with a second period power play goal from the tape of Drew Doughty, his tenth of the year, courtesy of Justin Williams and Kopitar. The Kings added on with an Alec Martinez goal, his fifth of the season, thanks to Greene and King. The final stuck at 4-1, and the three stars went to Richards, Kopitar, and King. Greene gets the honorable mention.
We end in British Columbia, as the Vancouver Canucks bring in the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Cory Schneider are the masked men. Vancouver opened on a Chris Higgins goal, his seventeenth of the season, set up by Jannik Hansen. Dallas tied it in the second period with a Steve Ott goal, his eleventh of the year, with a lone Jamie Benn helper. The Canucks got the lead back on a Sami Salo goal, his ninth of the season, thanks to Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler. Vancouver extended the lead on an Andrew Alberts goal, his second of the year, coming off of Sedin and Maxim Lapierre. The Canucks added on in the third period as Alexandre Burrows recorded his twenty-fifth of the season, via Sedin for a sock trick and Lapierre. Richard Bachman relieved Lehtonen here. Vancouver kept going with a Lapierre goal, his seventh of the year, with assists provided by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Zack Kassian. The Stars got one back as Jake Dowell notched his second of the season, passed from Tomas Vincour and Philip Larsen. The final stood at 5-2, with the three stars being Sedin, Lapierre, and Higgins.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
NHL Day 176 2011-2012
Seven games to see tonight, and we begin by wrapping up a certain Atlantic Division home-and-home with the...
New York Islanders hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Al Montoya were between the pipes. New York started with a Marty Reasoner goal, via Mark Streit and Josh Bailey. Pascal Dupuis tied it for Pittsburgh in the second period with his twenty-fourth of the season, coming shorthanded after being passed from Craig Adams and Paul Martin. The Islanders took the lead back on a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Bailey and Travis Hamonic. New York added on as Bailey potted his twelfth of the season, a shorthanded goal made possible by Jay Pandolfo. Okposo kept the Islanders going in the third period with his second of the game and twentieth of the year, courtesy of Bailey for a sock trick and Frans Nielsen. The Penguins took one back with a Jordan Staal goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, via Zbynek Michalek and Martin. Pittsburgh got even closer as Evgeni Malkin shelved his forty-seventh of the year, with the help of Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke. New York iced it at 5-3 with Bailey's second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign going into the empty, an unassisted goal. Bailey, Okposo, and Dupuis got the three stars, while Martin gets an honorable mention.
Up to Toronto, with the Maple Leafs hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jussi Rynnas are in the blue paint. Philadelphia got going with a Brayden Schenn goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Danny Briere. Schenn added on for the Flyers with his second of the game and eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Briere and Jaromir Jagr. Toronto got one back as Mikhail Grabovski netted his twenty-third of the season, thanks to Tim Connolly and Joey Crabb. Simmonds took it back for Philadelphia in the second period on his twenty-fourth of the year, coming off of Briere, who got a sock trick, and Braydon Coburn. The Flyers extended the lead as Matt Read registered his twenty-third of the season, a shorthanded goal passed from Max Talbot and Erik Gustafsson. Philadelphia kept going in the third period with an Eric Wellwood goal, his fifth of the year, with helpers provided by Read and Jakub Voracek. The Flyers rolled along as Voracek put down his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Jagr and Pavel Kubina. Philadelphia continued the attack as Simmonds scored his second of the night and twenty-fifth of the year, via Briere and Jagr, the latter getting a sock trick. The final stood at 7-1, with the three stars being Briere, Schenn, and Simmonds, while the honorable mentions go to Jagr, Read, and Voracek.
Back stateside, the New Jersey Devils host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Martin Brodeur are the masked men. Tampa Bay opened the scoring with a Ryan Malone goal, his sixteenth of the season, via Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. New Jersey answered in the second period when Dainius Zubrus notched his seventeenth of the year, a shorthanded goal made possible by Patrik Elias. The Lightning struck back as Malone recorded his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, with a lone Eric Brewer assist. The Devils retied it as Jacob Josefson made his second of the year, with the help of Ryan Carter and David Clarkson. Malone gave Tampa Bay the lead back when he finished his hat trick on his eighteenth of the season, and the only helper went to Hedman. New Jersey got another equalizer with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his thirty-third of the year, courtesy of Adam Henrique and Zach Parise. The Devils got the lead with the second of the season for Marek Zidlicky, a power play goal, powered by Kovalchuk and Elias. New Jersey extended the lead on a Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, his thirteenth of the year, going in off of Bryce Salvador. The Devils added on again with a Clarkson goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, assisted by Henrique and Ponikarovsky. Sebastien Caron relieved Roloson at this time. The Lightning got as close as 6-4 with the second of the year for Trevor Smith, passed from Tim Wallace and Keith Aulie. The three stars of the game were Elias, Malone, and Kovalchuk, while Ponikarovsky, Hedman, Clarkson, and Henrique get the honorable mentions.
Heading north to Boston, where the Bruins host the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Tim Thomas got the starting nods in goal, but Vokoun was replaced by Michal Neuvirth late in the first period due to injury. Washington cut the game open in the third period with a Dennis Wideman goal, his eleventh of the season, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals extended the lead as Johansson notched his fourteenth of the year, and Ovechkin had the only assist. Boston got one back with the twenty-first of the season for David Krejci, fueled by Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic. The Bruins tied it on the sixth of the year by Andrew Ference, and Krejci tallied the lone helper. Washington took the game by a 3-2 score in the shootout as Matt Hendricks, Alexander Semin, and Brooks Laich scored to overpower Boston's Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. The three stars were given to Johansson and Krejci and Ovechkin.
Out west, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Niklas Backstrom protect the nets. Florida was first to score in the second period as Scottie Upshall made his second of the season, a power play goal made possible by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Minnesota tied it in the third period with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone Cal Clutterbuck assist. Fleischmann gave the Panthers the lead again with his twenty-fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jason Garrison and Campbell. The Wild tied it late with an Erik Christensen goal, his sixth of the year, via Tom Gilbert and Mikko Koivu. Minnesota took the game in the overtime period as Koivu put away his twelfth of the season, with the help of Gilbert and Clayton Stoner for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Campbell, Darroll Powe, and Fleischmann, while Koivu or Gilbert could take the second star.
A little to the south, the Chicago Blackhawks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago began with a Bryan Bickell goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Nick Leddy and Sean O'Donnell. St. Louis tied it nine seconds later as Alex Steen notched his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Kris Russell and Kent Huskins. The Blackhawks re-established their lead in the third period on an Andrew Brunette goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. Chicago added on with a Patrick Sharp goal, his thirty-first of the year, courtesy of Viktor Stalberg. The Blues pulled back on an unassisted Jason Arnott goal, his seventeenth of the season. St. Louis tied it late in the third period with a David Perron goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Russell and Chris Stewart. The Blackhawks would win in the shootout as Dave Bolland's lone tally led them 4-3 over the Blues. Brunette, Perron, and Sharp got the three stars, and Russell gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we head to the southwest, where the Phoenix Coyotes host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Mike Smith guard the cages. Phoenix led off with a second period Radim Vrbata power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, made possible by Ray Whitney and Martin Hanzal. Vrbata extended the Coyotes lead in the third period with his second of the game and thirty-second of the year, guided in by Whitney and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The final stood at 2-0, with Vrbata, Smith (38 save shutout), and Whitney getting the three stars.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion and check out this YouTube video of me doing a poem at my school's Grand Slam.
New York Islanders hosting the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Al Montoya were between the pipes. New York started with a Marty Reasoner goal, via Mark Streit and Josh Bailey. Pascal Dupuis tied it for Pittsburgh in the second period with his twenty-fourth of the season, coming shorthanded after being passed from Craig Adams and Paul Martin. The Islanders took the lead back on a Kyle Okposo power play goal, his nineteenth of the year, powered by Bailey and Travis Hamonic. New York added on as Bailey potted his twelfth of the season, a shorthanded goal made possible by Jay Pandolfo. Okposo kept the Islanders going in the third period with his second of the game and twentieth of the year, courtesy of Bailey for a sock trick and Frans Nielsen. The Penguins took one back with a Jordan Staal goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, via Zbynek Michalek and Martin. Pittsburgh got even closer as Evgeni Malkin shelved his forty-seventh of the year, with the help of Tyler Kennedy and Matt Cooke. New York iced it at 5-3 with Bailey's second of the game and thirteenth of the campaign going into the empty, an unassisted goal. Bailey, Okposo, and Dupuis got the three stars, while Martin gets an honorable mention.
Up to Toronto, with the Maple Leafs hosting the Philadelphia Flyers. Sergei Bobrovsky and Jussi Rynnas are in the blue paint. Philadelphia got going with a Brayden Schenn goal, his tenth of the season, assisted by Wayne Simmonds and Danny Briere. Schenn added on for the Flyers with his second of the game and eleventh of the year, a power play goal powered by Briere and Jaromir Jagr. Toronto got one back as Mikhail Grabovski netted his twenty-third of the season, thanks to Tim Connolly and Joey Crabb. Simmonds took it back for Philadelphia in the second period on his twenty-fourth of the year, coming off of Briere, who got a sock trick, and Braydon Coburn. The Flyers extended the lead as Matt Read registered his twenty-third of the season, a shorthanded goal passed from Max Talbot and Erik Gustafsson. Philadelphia kept going in the third period with an Eric Wellwood goal, his fifth of the year, with helpers provided by Read and Jakub Voracek. The Flyers rolled along as Voracek put down his fifteenth of the season, courtesy of Jagr and Pavel Kubina. Philadelphia continued the attack as Simmonds scored his second of the night and twenty-fifth of the year, via Briere and Jagr, the latter getting a sock trick. The final stood at 7-1, with the three stars being Briere, Schenn, and Simmonds, while the honorable mentions go to Jagr, Read, and Voracek.
Back stateside, the New Jersey Devils host the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Martin Brodeur are the masked men. Tampa Bay opened the scoring with a Ryan Malone goal, his sixteenth of the season, via Steven Stamkos and Victor Hedman. New Jersey answered in the second period when Dainius Zubrus notched his seventeenth of the year, a shorthanded goal made possible by Patrik Elias. The Lightning struck back as Malone recorded his second of the game and seventeenth of the season, with a lone Eric Brewer assist. The Devils retied it as Jacob Josefson made his second of the year, with the help of Ryan Carter and David Clarkson. Malone gave Tampa Bay the lead back when he finished his hat trick on his eighteenth of the season, and the only helper went to Hedman. New Jersey got another equalizer with an Ilya Kovalchuk goal, his thirty-third of the year, courtesy of Adam Henrique and Zach Parise. The Devils got the lead with the second of the season for Marek Zidlicky, a power play goal, powered by Kovalchuk and Elias. New Jersey extended the lead on a Alexei Ponikarovsky goal, his thirteenth of the year, going in off of Bryce Salvador. The Devils added on again with a Clarkson goal, his twenty-ninth of the season, assisted by Henrique and Ponikarovsky. Sebastien Caron relieved Roloson at this time. The Lightning got as close as 6-4 with the second of the year for Trevor Smith, passed from Tim Wallace and Keith Aulie. The three stars of the game were Elias, Malone, and Kovalchuk, while Ponikarovsky, Hedman, Clarkson, and Henrique get the honorable mentions.
Heading north to Boston, where the Bruins host the Washington Capitals. Tomas Vokoun and Tim Thomas got the starting nods in goal, but Vokoun was replaced by Michal Neuvirth late in the first period due to injury. Washington cut the game open in the third period with a Dennis Wideman goal, his eleventh of the season, thanks to Marcus Johansson and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals extended the lead as Johansson notched his fourteenth of the year, and Ovechkin had the only assist. Boston got one back with the twenty-first of the season for David Krejci, fueled by Zdeno Chara and Milan Lucic. The Bruins tied it on the sixth of the year by Andrew Ference, and Krejci tallied the lone helper. Washington took the game by a 3-2 score in the shootout as Matt Hendricks, Alexander Semin, and Brooks Laich scored to overpower Boston's Tyler Seguin and Patrice Bergeron. The three stars were given to Johansson and Krejci and Ovechkin.
Out west, the Minnesota Wild welcome the Florida Panthers. Jose Theodore and Niklas Backstrom protect the nets. Florida was first to score in the second period as Scottie Upshall made his second of the season, a power play goal made possible by Tomas Fleischmann and Brian Campbell. Minnesota tied it in the third period with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his twenty-first of the year, with a lone Cal Clutterbuck assist. Fleischmann gave the Panthers the lead again with his twenty-fifth of the season, a power play goal powered by Jason Garrison and Campbell. The Wild tied it late with an Erik Christensen goal, his sixth of the year, via Tom Gilbert and Mikko Koivu. Minnesota took the game in the overtime period as Koivu put away his twelfth of the season, with the help of Gilbert and Clayton Stoner for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Campbell, Darroll Powe, and Fleischmann, while Koivu or Gilbert could take the second star.
A little to the south, the Chicago Blackhawks bring in the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Corey Crawford tend the twines. Chicago began with a Bryan Bickell goal, his ninth of the season, set up by Nick Leddy and Sean O'Donnell. St. Louis tied it nine seconds later as Alex Steen notched his fourteenth of the year, thanks to Kris Russell and Kent Huskins. The Blackhawks re-established their lead in the third period on an Andrew Brunette goal, his twelfth of the season, fueled by Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa. Chicago added on with a Patrick Sharp goal, his thirty-first of the year, courtesy of Viktor Stalberg. The Blues pulled back on an unassisted Jason Arnott goal, his seventeenth of the season. St. Louis tied it late in the third period with a David Perron goal, his eighteenth of the year, coming off of Russell and Chris Stewart. The Blackhawks would win in the shootout as Dave Bolland's lone tally led them 4-3 over the Blues. Brunette, Perron, and Sharp got the three stars, and Russell gets an honorable mention.
Finally, we head to the southwest, where the Phoenix Coyotes host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Mike Smith guard the cages. Phoenix led off with a second period Radim Vrbata power play goal, his thirty-first of the season, made possible by Ray Whitney and Martin Hanzal. Vrbata extended the Coyotes lead in the third period with his second of the game and thirty-second of the year, guided in by Whitney and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. The final stood at 2-0, with Vrbata, Smith (38 save shutout), and Whitney getting the three stars.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion and check out this YouTube video of me doing a poem at my school's Grand Slam.
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