Wednesday, January 25, 2012
NHL Day 112 2011-2012
Only one game on tonight, as the Montreal Canadiens host the Detroit Red Wings in the last game before the all-star break. Jimmy Howard and Carey Price got the starting nods. Montreal led off with Rene Bourque sinking his fifteenth of the season, assisted by Scott Gomez and Raphael Diaz. The Canadiens added on as Alexei Emelin scored, via Andrei Kostitsyn. Montreal kept going as David Desharnais netted his eighth of the year, courtesy of Erik Cole. The Canadiens extended the lead again on a Tomas Plekanec goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Bourque and Tomas Kaberle. Ty Conklin relieved Howard for the second period onward, but he couldn't stop Max Pacioretty's seventeenth of the year for Montreal, fueled by Desharnais and Cole. The Canadiens rolled on with a Desharnais power play goal, his second of the game and ninth of the season, powered by Pacioretty and Kaberle. Detroit finally got on the board in the third period as Jiri Hudler scored his fourteenth of the year, with the help of Darren Helm. Hudler later got another one back for the Red Wings with his second of the game and fifteenth of the season, with assists by Mike Commodore and Niklas Kronwall. Cole helped ice it at 7-2 with his nineteenth of the year, set up by Lars Eller. The three stars went to Desharnais, Bourque, and Emelin, while Cole, Kaberle, Pacioretty, and Hudler had honorable mentions.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
NHL Day 111 2011-2012
Thirteen games going on tonight, beginning with...
The New Jersey Devils hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Martin Brodeur are all padded up. Buffalo opened with a Jordan Leopold goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Nathan Gerbe and Matt Ellis. New Jersey tied it as Patrik Elias potted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Zach Parise and Kurtis Foster. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Sabres used Jason Pominville and Gerbe to overpower the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk goal for a 2-1 win. The three stars were Miller (27 for 28 in saves), Elias, and Leopold, with honorable mention for Gerbe.
Staying in the region, the New York Rangers host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Henrik Lundqvist earned the starts. New York began as Ryan Callahan netted his seventeenth of the season, with the help of Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle. The Rangers extended the lead in the second period as John Mitchell scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Michael Del Zotto and Derek Stepan. New York iced it at 3-0 in the third period on a Brad Richards goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, fueled by Callahan. The three stars went to Lundqvist (22 save shutout), Callahan, and Mitchell.
Out to the island, as the New York Islanders welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second half of their back-to-back. Jonas Gustavsson and Al Montoya pick up the starts. New York began as John Tavares netted his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Okposo and Dylan Reese. Josh Bailey added on for the Islanders in the second period as he scored his fifth of the year, a shorthanded goal passed by Matt Martin. Toronto got one back with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period as Jake Gardiner scored with help from Grabovski and MacArthur. Toronto took the lead as Grabovski's sixteenth of the year found twine, thanks to Kulemin and Gardiner. New York got the equalizer on a P.A. Parenteau goal, his tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Maple Leafs replied in the overtime period for a 4-3 win as MacArthur netted his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, and Grabovski had the lone assist. The three stars were MacArthur, Grabovski, and Parenteau, while Gardiner and Kulemin also played well.
To the capitals, as the Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Tomas Vokoun wear the masks tonight. Boston began with a Rich Peverley goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Patrice Bergeron and Dennis Seidenberg. Washington answered in the second period on a Cody Eakin goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Joel Ward and Jay Beagle. The Capitals took the lead forty-one seconds later as Mathieu Perreault netted his fifth of the season, thanks to Alexander Semin and Roman Hamrlik. The Bruins retied it again on a Tyler Seguin goal, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Steve Kampfer. Washington retook the lead as Perreault's second of the game and sixth of the season found twine, an unassisted goal. Boston got another equalizer with Brad Marchand potting his seventeenth of the year on the power play, powered by Seidenberg and Bergeron. The Capitals took the lead back in the third period as Perreault finished his hat trick with his seventh of the season, guided in by Hamrlik and Marcus Johansson. Washington iced it at 5-3 with a Dennis Wideman empty net goal, his ninth of the year, with assists from Troy Brouwer and Jeff Halpern. Perreault, Hamrlik, and Bergeron took the three stars, with honorable mention for Seidenberg.
Continuing southward to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning brought in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Mathieu Garon were tasked with stopping the puck. Tampa Bay led off as Mike Angelidis scored an unassisted goal. Columbus answered with Brett Lebda's goal, coming off of Derick Brassard and R.J. Umberger. The Lightning took the lead back in the second period on a Vincent Lecavalier power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Bruno Gervais and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay extended the lead with St. Louis notching his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Lecavalier. The Blue Jackets pulled back with a third period Ryan Johansen goal, his ninth of the season, pushed through by Umberger. The Lightning took it back with a Nate Thompson goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Dominic Moore and Trevor Smith. This was it, leaving the final at 4-2 and the three stars as Lecavalier, St. Louis, and Gervais, and the honorable mention went to Umberger.
Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers took on the Philadelphia Flyers from BankAtlantic Center. Sergei Bobrovsky and Scott Clemmensen did battle in goal as the backups-in-name get their shots. Florida struck first with a Mikael Samuelsson goal, his third of the season coming on the power play from Brian Campbell and Stephen Weiss. Philadelphia answered with Brayden Schenn putting his third of the year away, also a power play goal, powered by Andrej Meszaros and Matt Carle. Jakub Voracek gave the Flyers the lead on his eighth of the season, thanks to Tom Sestito and Kimmo Timonen. The Panthers tied it in the second period as Tomas Fleischmann sank his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Kris Versteeg and Weiss. Philadelphia won 3-2 in the shootout because of Claude Giroux's lone tally. The three stars belonged to Bobrovsky (23 for 25 in saves), Giroux, and Clemmensen (35 for 37 in saves), while Weiss gets honorable mention.
Northwest of here, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Brian Elliott play between the pipes. Pittsburgh led off with a James Neal power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season coming in the second period from Paul Martin and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins added on with a Steve Sullivan goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Deryk Engelland and Matt Cooke. St. Louis got one back when Patrik Berglund deposited his eleventh of the season, with the help of Chris Stewart and Jamie Langenbrunner. The Blues tied it in the third period with another Berglund goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year coming as a penalty shot. The game was decided in the shootout as Pittsburgh utilized Evgeni Malkin and Kunitz to overpower T.J. Oshie and St. Louis for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Fleury (32 for 34 in saves), Berglund, and Malkin, with honorable mention to Kunitz.
Back south again, as the Dallas Stars host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Kari Lehtonen got the green light to play goal. Dallas was first on the board as Alex Goligoski netted his sixth of the season, with guidance from Mike Ribeiro and Loui Eriksson. This held up throughout the rest of the game, resulting in a 1-0 final with three stars as Lehtonen (27 save shutout), Goligoski, and Hiller (15 for 16 in saves).
Into the Midwest again, as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford play from the creases. Nashville struck first with a Craig Smith goal, his eleventh of the season, helped along by Matt Halischuk. The Predators added on with a Mike Fisher goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Patric Hornqvist. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Dave Bolland power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy. Nashville iced it at 3-1 with an empty netter by Colin Wilson, his tenth of the year, assisted by David Legwand and Ryan Suter. The three stars went to Rinne (24 for 25 in saves), Bolland, and Fisher.
Westward to Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jean-Sebastien Giguere play in the blue paint. Colorado drew first blood with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Milan Hejduk and Gabriel Landeskog. Minnesota answered on a Justin Falk power play goal, set up by Devin Setoguchi and Matt Cullen. The Wild took the lead on a Dany Heatley goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Kyle Brodziak and Greg Zanon. The Avalanche retied it as Chuck Kobasew put away his seventh of the season, guided in by Daniel Winnik and Jay McClement. Minnesota shot back with Carson McMillan's third period goal from Brodziak. There was no more scoring from here, resulting in a 3-2 final, and the three stars were McMillan, Brodziak, and Giguere (31 for 34 in saves), with honorable mention for Falk.
Crossing into Canada, the Calgary Flames host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Miikka Kiprusoff are the Finnish goalies. San Jose opened things in the third period on a Benn Ferriero goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Logan Couture and Dan Boyle. This would be the only goal in the 1-0, and the three stars were Niemi (25 save shutout), Kiprusoff (26 for 27 in saves), and Boyle, with respect to Ferriero.
Well to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Mike Smith guard the goalmouths. Phoenix was first on the board with a Gilbert Brule goal, his third of the season, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Keith Yandle. The Coyotes added on in the second period as Shane Doan sank his fifteenth of the year, via Lauri Korpikoski and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Ottawa replied with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Nick Foligno and Chris Phillips. Phoenix shot back in the third period as Radim Vrbata nailed his twenty-third of the year, helped along by Ray Whitney and Michal Rozsival. Fourteen seconds later, the Senators got back on Chris Neil's ninth of the season, with assists from Erik Condra and Zack Smith. Ottawa never tied it, losing 3-2, with the three stars awarded to Smith (32 for 34 in saves), Doan, and Korpikoski.
Finally, up in Vancouver, the Canucks hosted the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Roberto Luongo tended the twines. Vancouver led off with a Daniel Sedin goal, his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Alexandre Burrows and Dan Hamhuis. Edmonton tied it in the second period as Shawn Horcoff netted his ninth of the year, courtesy of Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky. The Canucks regained the lead in the third period as David Booth made his eighth of the season, with the help of Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins. The Oilers tied the game on a Hall power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Corey Potter and Hemsky. In the shootout, Alexander Edler and Cody Hodgson lifted Vancouver over Edmonton by a 3-2 score when they overpowered a Hemsky tally. The three stars were Kevin Bieksa, Hall, and Hamhuis, while it should include two of Hemsky, Hodgson, or Edler.
The New Jersey Devils hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Martin Brodeur are all padded up. Buffalo opened with a Jordan Leopold goal, his eighth of the season, coming off of Nathan Gerbe and Matt Ellis. New Jersey tied it as Patrik Elias potted his eighteenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Zach Parise and Kurtis Foster. The tie lasted to a shootout, where the Sabres used Jason Pominville and Gerbe to overpower the Devils' Ilya Kovalchuk goal for a 2-1 win. The three stars were Miller (27 for 28 in saves), Elias, and Leopold, with honorable mention for Gerbe.
Staying in the region, the New York Rangers host the Winnipeg Jets. Ondrej Pavelec and Henrik Lundqvist earned the starts. New York began as Ryan Callahan netted his seventeenth of the season, with the help of Anton Stralman and Brian Boyle. The Rangers extended the lead in the second period as John Mitchell scored his fifth of the year, thanks to Michael Del Zotto and Derek Stepan. New York iced it at 3-0 in the third period on a Brad Richards goal, his sixteenth of the campaign, fueled by Callahan. The three stars went to Lundqvist (22 save shutout), Callahan, and Mitchell.
Out to the island, as the New York Islanders welcome the Toronto Maple Leafs in the second half of their back-to-back. Jonas Gustavsson and Al Montoya pick up the starts. New York began as John Tavares netted his twentieth of the season, courtesy of Kyle Okposo and Dylan Reese. Josh Bailey added on for the Islanders in the second period as he scored his fifth of the year, a shorthanded goal passed by Matt Martin. Toronto got one back with a Clarke MacArthur goal, his thirteenth of the season, made possible by Mikhail Grabovski and Nikolai Kulemin. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period as Jake Gardiner scored with help from Grabovski and MacArthur. Toronto took the lead as Grabovski's sixteenth of the year found twine, thanks to Kulemin and Gardiner. New York got the equalizer on a P.A. Parenteau goal, his tenth of the season, an unassisted goal. The Maple Leafs replied in the overtime period for a 4-3 win as MacArthur netted his second of the game and fourteenth of the year, and Grabovski had the lone assist. The three stars were MacArthur, Grabovski, and Parenteau, while Gardiner and Kulemin also played well.
To the capitals, as the Washington Capitals host the Boston Bruins. Tuukka Rask and Tomas Vokoun wear the masks tonight. Boston began with a Rich Peverley goal, his eighth of the season, fueled by Patrice Bergeron and Dennis Seidenberg. Washington answered in the second period on a Cody Eakin goal, his fourth of the year, coming off of Joel Ward and Jay Beagle. The Capitals took the lead forty-one seconds later as Mathieu Perreault netted his fifth of the season, thanks to Alexander Semin and Roman Hamrlik. The Bruins retied it again on a Tyler Seguin goal, his nineteenth of the year, set up by Steve Kampfer. Washington retook the lead as Perreault's second of the game and sixth of the season found twine, an unassisted goal. Boston got another equalizer with Brad Marchand potting his seventeenth of the year on the power play, powered by Seidenberg and Bergeron. The Capitals took the lead back in the third period as Perreault finished his hat trick with his seventh of the season, guided in by Hamrlik and Marcus Johansson. Washington iced it at 5-3 with a Dennis Wideman empty net goal, his ninth of the year, with assists from Troy Brouwer and Jeff Halpern. Perreault, Hamrlik, and Bergeron took the three stars, with honorable mention for Seidenberg.
Continuing southward to Tampa Bay, as the Lightning brought in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Mathieu Garon were tasked with stopping the puck. Tampa Bay led off as Mike Angelidis scored an unassisted goal. Columbus answered with Brett Lebda's goal, coming off of Derick Brassard and R.J. Umberger. The Lightning took the lead back in the second period on a Vincent Lecavalier power play goal, his nineteenth of the season, powered by Bruno Gervais and Martin St. Louis. Tampa Bay extended the lead with St. Louis notching his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Lecavalier. The Blue Jackets pulled back with a third period Ryan Johansen goal, his ninth of the season, pushed through by Umberger. The Lightning took it back with a Nate Thompson goal, his fifth of the year, guided in by Dominic Moore and Trevor Smith. This was it, leaving the final at 4-2 and the three stars as Lecavalier, St. Louis, and Gervais, and the honorable mention went to Umberger.
Staying in the state, the Florida Panthers took on the Philadelphia Flyers from BankAtlantic Center. Sergei Bobrovsky and Scott Clemmensen did battle in goal as the backups-in-name get their shots. Florida struck first with a Mikael Samuelsson goal, his third of the season coming on the power play from Brian Campbell and Stephen Weiss. Philadelphia answered with Brayden Schenn putting his third of the year away, also a power play goal, powered by Andrej Meszaros and Matt Carle. Jakub Voracek gave the Flyers the lead on his eighth of the season, thanks to Tom Sestito and Kimmo Timonen. The Panthers tied it in the second period as Tomas Fleischmann sank his sixteenth of the year, guided in by Kris Versteeg and Weiss. Philadelphia won 3-2 in the shootout because of Claude Giroux's lone tally. The three stars belonged to Bobrovsky (23 for 25 in saves), Giroux, and Clemmensen (35 for 37 in saves), while Weiss gets honorable mention.
Northwest of here, the St. Louis Blues welcome the Pittsburgh Penguins. Marc-Andre Fleury and Brian Elliott play between the pipes. Pittsburgh led off with a James Neal power play goal, his twenty-seventh of the season coming in the second period from Paul Martin and Chris Kunitz. The Penguins added on with a Steve Sullivan goal, his ninth of the year, courtesy of Deryk Engelland and Matt Cooke. St. Louis got one back when Patrik Berglund deposited his eleventh of the season, with the help of Chris Stewart and Jamie Langenbrunner. The Blues tied it in the third period with another Berglund goal, his second of the game and twelfth of the year coming as a penalty shot. The game was decided in the shootout as Pittsburgh utilized Evgeni Malkin and Kunitz to overpower T.J. Oshie and St. Louis for a 3-2 win. The three stars were Fleury (32 for 34 in saves), Berglund, and Malkin, with honorable mention to Kunitz.
Back south again, as the Dallas Stars host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Kari Lehtonen got the green light to play goal. Dallas was first on the board as Alex Goligoski netted his sixth of the season, with guidance from Mike Ribeiro and Loui Eriksson. This held up throughout the rest of the game, resulting in a 1-0 final with three stars as Lehtonen (27 save shutout), Goligoski, and Hiller (15 for 16 in saves).
Into the Midwest again, as the Chicago Blackhawks host the Nashville Predators. Pekka Rinne and Corey Crawford play from the creases. Nashville struck first with a Craig Smith goal, his eleventh of the season, helped along by Matt Halischuk. The Predators added on with a Mike Fisher goal, his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Patric Hornqvist. Chicago got on the board in the third period with a Dave Bolland power play goal, his fifteenth of the season, powered by Marian Hossa and Nick Leddy. Nashville iced it at 3-1 with an empty netter by Colin Wilson, his tenth of the year, assisted by David Legwand and Ryan Suter. The three stars went to Rinne (24 for 25 in saves), Bolland, and Fisher.
Westward to Colorado, where the Avalanche welcome the Minnesota Wild. Niklas Backstrom and Jean-Sebastien Giguere play in the blue paint. Colorado drew first blood with a T.J. Galiardi goal, his eighth of the season, assisted by Milan Hejduk and Gabriel Landeskog. Minnesota answered on a Justin Falk power play goal, set up by Devin Setoguchi and Matt Cullen. The Wild took the lead on a Dany Heatley goal, his fifteenth of the year, made possible by Kyle Brodziak and Greg Zanon. The Avalanche retied it as Chuck Kobasew put away his seventh of the season, guided in by Daniel Winnik and Jay McClement. Minnesota shot back with Carson McMillan's third period goal from Brodziak. There was no more scoring from here, resulting in a 3-2 final, and the three stars were McMillan, Brodziak, and Giguere (31 for 34 in saves), with honorable mention for Falk.
Crossing into Canada, the Calgary Flames host the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Miikka Kiprusoff are the Finnish goalies. San Jose opened things in the third period on a Benn Ferriero goal, his sixth of the season, fueled by Logan Couture and Dan Boyle. This would be the only goal in the 1-0, and the three stars were Niemi (25 save shutout), Kiprusoff (26 for 27 in saves), and Boyle, with respect to Ferriero.
Well to the south, the Phoenix Coyotes bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Mike Smith guard the goalmouths. Phoenix was first on the board with a Gilbert Brule goal, his third of the season, assisted by Mikkel Boedker and Keith Yandle. The Coyotes added on in the second period as Shane Doan sank his fifteenth of the year, via Lauri Korpikoski and Oliver Ekman-Larsson. Ottawa replied with a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his seventeenth of the season, fueled by Nick Foligno and Chris Phillips. Phoenix shot back in the third period as Radim Vrbata nailed his twenty-third of the year, helped along by Ray Whitney and Michal Rozsival. Fourteen seconds later, the Senators got back on Chris Neil's ninth of the season, with assists from Erik Condra and Zack Smith. Ottawa never tied it, losing 3-2, with the three stars awarded to Smith (32 for 34 in saves), Doan, and Korpikoski.
Finally, up in Vancouver, the Canucks hosted the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Roberto Luongo tended the twines. Vancouver led off with a Daniel Sedin goal, his twenty-first of the season, thanks to Alexandre Burrows and Dan Hamhuis. Edmonton tied it in the second period as Shawn Horcoff netted his ninth of the year, courtesy of Taylor Hall and Ales Hemsky. The Canucks regained the lead in the third period as David Booth made his eighth of the season, with the help of Ryan Kesler and Chris Higgins. The Oilers tied the game on a Hall power play goal, his sixteenth of the year, powered by Corey Potter and Hemsky. In the shootout, Alexander Edler and Cody Hodgson lifted Vancouver over Edmonton by a 3-2 score when they overpowered a Hemsky tally. The three stars were Kevin Bieksa, Hall, and Hamhuis, while it should include two of Hemsky, Hodgson, or Edler.
Monday, January 23, 2012
NHL Day 110 2011-2012
Six games will roll tonight as the all-star break closes in on us. First up...
The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Mason and Cam Ward are playing in goal. Carolina began with a Jeff Skinner goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes extended the lead as Tim Brent scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Anthony Stewart. Winnipeg got one back in the second period as Kyle Wellwood netted his ninth of the season, assisted by Tobias Enstrom and Niklas Antropov. This was it for the scoring, and in the 2-1 game the three stars went to Ward (29 for 30 in saves), Skinner, and Wellwood.
Up north, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Jonas Gustavsson would guard the cages. Toronto led off as Matthew Lombardi potted his fifth of the season, via Jake Gardiner and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs added on in the third period as Phil Kessel recorded his twenty-sixth of the year, with the help of Joffrey Lupul and Carl Gunnarsson. Toronto iced it at 3-0 with Lombardi's second of the game and sixth of the campaign, fueled by Joey Crabb and Mikhail Grabovski. The three stars went to Gustavsson (25 save shutout), Lombardi, and Dion Phaneuf, while the other point earners deserve recognition.
A little to the west, the Detroit Red Wings welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. St. Louis began with Scott Nichol potting his second of the season, assisted by B.J. Crombeen and Chris Porter. Detroit tied it in the second period as Pavel Datsyuk sank his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings took the lead on a Johan Franzen goal, his nineteenth of the season, made possible by Jonathan Ericsson and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit iced it at 3-1 with Niklas Kronwall depositing his eleventh of the year into the cage on the power play, coming off of Lidstrom and Datsyuk. Datsyuk, Halak (25 for 28 in saves), and Howard (21 for 22 in saves) got the three stars, while Lidstrom earns an honorable mention.
Southward to Nashville, as the Predators host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Pekka Rinne are in the blue paint as five letter names take the spotlight. Nashville led off when Mike Fisher's tenth of the season found twine, thanks to Martin Erat. Columbus tied it on a Rick Nash goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone assist by Antoine Vermette. Fisher got the Predators the lead again with his second of the game and eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. Nashville added on in the third period as the eleventh of the year by Matt Halischuk crossed the goal line, guided in by Craig Smith and Ryan Ellis. The Predators iced it at 4-1 as Patric Hornqvist scored his fourteenth of the campaign, a power play goal fueled by Suter and Erat. The three stars belonged to Fisher, Rinne (25 for 26 in saves), and Halischuk, while Suter and Erat collected the honorable mentions.
Back to Canada again, as the Edmonton Oilers welcome the San Jose Sharks. Thomas Greiss and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Edmonton opened the scoring in the second period with Jordan Eberle depositing his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Jeff Petry and Sam Gagner. San Jose tied it in the third period on a Logan Couture power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton. The Oilers won in the shootout as Gagner and Taylor Hall outweighed a lone Sharks tally from Joe Pavelski for a 2-1 decision. Dubnyk (44 for 45 in saves), Boyle, and Eberle were the three stars.
Finally, the Los Angeles Kings brought in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jonathan Quick were between the irons. Los Angeles led off with a Willie Mitchell goal, his third of the season, assisted by Kyle Clifford and Colin Fraser. Clifford added on for the Kings with his third of the year in the second period, made possible by Fraser and Drew Doughty. Los Angeles kept going with a Jack Johnson power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Doughty and Justin Williams. Trevor Lewis extended the Kings lead with his second of the year, converting a penalty shot. Alex Auld relieved Anderson in the third period. Ottawa ended the gamer behind 4-1 due to a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his sixteenth of the campaign coming on the power play via Erik Karlsson and Sergei Gonchar. Clifford, Doughty, and Fraser took the three stars.
The Carolina Hurricanes hosting the Winnipeg Jets. Chris Mason and Cam Ward are playing in goal. Carolina began with a Jeff Skinner goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Tim Gleason. The Hurricanes extended the lead as Tim Brent scored his sixth of the year, thanks to Anthony Stewart. Winnipeg got one back in the second period as Kyle Wellwood netted his ninth of the season, assisted by Tobias Enstrom and Niklas Antropov. This was it for the scoring, and in the 2-1 game the three stars went to Ward (29 for 30 in saves), Skinner, and Wellwood.
Up north, the Toronto Maple Leafs host the New York Islanders. Evgeni Nabokov and Jonas Gustavsson would guard the cages. Toronto led off as Matthew Lombardi potted his fifth of the season, via Jake Gardiner and Cody Franson. The Maple Leafs added on in the third period as Phil Kessel recorded his twenty-sixth of the year, with the help of Joffrey Lupul and Carl Gunnarsson. Toronto iced it at 3-0 with Lombardi's second of the game and sixth of the campaign, fueled by Joey Crabb and Mikhail Grabovski. The three stars went to Gustavsson (25 save shutout), Lombardi, and Dion Phaneuf, while the other point earners deserve recognition.
A little to the west, the Detroit Red Wings welcome the St. Louis Blues. Jaroslav Halak and Jimmy Howard tend the twines. St. Louis began with Scott Nichol potting his second of the season, assisted by B.J. Crombeen and Chris Porter. Detroit tied it in the second period as Pavel Datsyuk sank his fourteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Nicklas Lidstrom and Henrik Zetterberg. The Red Wings took the lead on a Johan Franzen goal, his nineteenth of the season, made possible by Jonathan Ericsson and Todd Bertuzzi. Detroit iced it at 3-1 with Niklas Kronwall depositing his eleventh of the year into the cage on the power play, coming off of Lidstrom and Datsyuk. Datsyuk, Halak (25 for 28 in saves), and Howard (21 for 22 in saves) got the three stars, while Lidstrom earns an honorable mention.
Southward to Nashville, as the Predators host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Steve Mason and Pekka Rinne are in the blue paint as five letter names take the spotlight. Nashville led off when Mike Fisher's tenth of the season found twine, thanks to Martin Erat. Columbus tied it on a Rick Nash goal, his seventeenth of the year, with a lone assist by Antoine Vermette. Fisher got the Predators the lead again with his second of the game and eleventh of the season, a power play goal powered by Shea Weber and Ryan Suter. Nashville added on in the third period as the eleventh of the year by Matt Halischuk crossed the goal line, guided in by Craig Smith and Ryan Ellis. The Predators iced it at 4-1 as Patric Hornqvist scored his fourteenth of the campaign, a power play goal fueled by Suter and Erat. The three stars belonged to Fisher, Rinne (25 for 26 in saves), and Halischuk, while Suter and Erat collected the honorable mentions.
Back to Canada again, as the Edmonton Oilers welcome the San Jose Sharks. Thomas Greiss and Devan Dubnyk are the masked men. Edmonton opened the scoring in the second period with Jordan Eberle depositing his eighteenth of the season, with the help of Jeff Petry and Sam Gagner. San Jose tied it in the third period on a Logan Couture power play goal, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Dan Boyle and Joe Thornton. The Oilers won in the shootout as Gagner and Taylor Hall outweighed a lone Sharks tally from Joe Pavelski for a 2-1 decision. Dubnyk (44 for 45 in saves), Boyle, and Eberle were the three stars.
Finally, the Los Angeles Kings brought in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jonathan Quick were between the irons. Los Angeles led off with a Willie Mitchell goal, his third of the season, assisted by Kyle Clifford and Colin Fraser. Clifford added on for the Kings with his third of the year in the second period, made possible by Fraser and Drew Doughty. Los Angeles kept going with a Jack Johnson power play goal, his eighth of the season, powered by Doughty and Justin Williams. Trevor Lewis extended the Kings lead with his second of the year, converting a penalty shot. Alex Auld relieved Anderson in the third period. Ottawa ended the gamer behind 4-1 due to a Daniel Alfredsson goal, his sixteenth of the campaign coming on the power play via Erik Karlsson and Sergei Gonchar. Clifford, Doughty, and Fraser took the three stars.
Fantasy Hockey All-Stars week 15
Just as a programming note, this feature will next appear on Monday, February 6th due to the all-star break in the NHL. Likewise, due to the break, there will be no posts besides an all-star game recap on Sunday between the 26th and 30th of January. Now, on to the surging players of the week.
1. Scott Hartnell, 6 goals, 0 assists, +1, 6 penalty minutes, 5 power play points, 21 shots on goal
2. Jaroslav Halak, 3 wins, 0.67 goals against average, 56 saves, .966 save percentage, 2 shutouts
3. John Tavares, 4 goals, 2 assists, +3, 0 penalty minutes, 2 power play points, 25 shots on goal
4. Evgeni Nabokov, 3 wins, 0.65 goals against average, 89 saves, .978 save percentage, 1 shutout
5. Claude Giroux, 0 goals, 6 assists, -2, 7 penalty minutes, 5 power play points, 13 shots on goal
6. Evgeni Malkin, 5 goals, 2 assists, +6, 0 penalty minutes, 0 power play points, 20 shots on goal
7. James Neal, 2 goals, 4 assists, +6, 6 penalty minutes, 0 power play points, 18 shots on goal
8. Pekka Rinne, 3 wins, 1.00 goals against average, 94 saves, .969 save percentage, 1 shutout
9. Cam Ward, 1 win, 0.95 goals against average, 101 saves, .971 save percentage, 1 shutout
10. Nik Antropov, 3 goals, 2 assists, +3, 6 penalty minutes, 2 power play points, 9 shots on goal
1. Scott Hartnell, 6 goals, 0 assists, +1, 6 penalty minutes, 5 power play points, 21 shots on goal
2. Jaroslav Halak, 3 wins, 0.67 goals against average, 56 saves, .966 save percentage, 2 shutouts
3. John Tavares, 4 goals, 2 assists, +3, 0 penalty minutes, 2 power play points, 25 shots on goal
4. Evgeni Nabokov, 3 wins, 0.65 goals against average, 89 saves, .978 save percentage, 1 shutout
5. Claude Giroux, 0 goals, 6 assists, -2, 7 penalty minutes, 5 power play points, 13 shots on goal
6. Evgeni Malkin, 5 goals, 2 assists, +6, 0 penalty minutes, 0 power play points, 20 shots on goal
7. James Neal, 2 goals, 4 assists, +6, 6 penalty minutes, 0 power play points, 18 shots on goal
8. Pekka Rinne, 3 wins, 1.00 goals against average, 94 saves, .969 save percentage, 1 shutout
9. Cam Ward, 1 win, 0.95 goals against average, 101 saves, .971 save percentage, 1 shutout
10. Nik Antropov, 3 goals, 2 assists, +3, 6 penalty minutes, 2 power play points, 9 shots on goal
Sunday, January 22, 2012
NHL Day 109 2011-2012
Three games going today, beginning with the media event in...
Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host their rivals, the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh led off with an unassisted power play goal by Kris Letang, his fifth of the season. The Penguins added on with a James Neal goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Evgeni Malkin. Washington got one back in the second period as Brooks Laich potted his ninth of the season, with the help of Dennis Wideman and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals tied it as Alexander Semin's twelfth of the year, from Mathieu Perreault and Ovechkin. Washington grabbed the lead in the third period on an Ovechkin goal, his twentieth of the season, set up by Semin and Perreault. Pittsburgh retied it as Neal sank his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Malkin and Brooks Orpik. The Penguins went on to win the game 4-3 in overtime as Malkin scored his twenty-sixth of the campaign, assisted by Neal and Zbynek Michalek. The three stars were Malkin, Neal, and Ovechkin, while honorable mentions include Perreault and Semin.
Staying in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Ilya Bryzgalov will be between the pipes. Boston struck quickly as Patrice Bergeron netted his fifteenth of the season just fifty seconds in, with helpers provided by Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin. Philadelphia wasted little time in tying the game as Max Talbot recorded his eleventh of the year, with the help of Kimmo Timonen and the goalie Bryzgalov. The Bruins retook the lead with Seguin sinking his eighteenth of the season on the power play from Bergeron and Benoit Pouliot. Boston added on with Milan Lucic registering his seventeenth of the year, guided in by David Krejci and Adam McQuaid. The Flyers got one back in the second period with Scott Hartnell depositing his twenty-third of the season on the power play, powered by Claude Giroux and Timonen. Hartnell struck again to tie it for Philadelphia on his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, courtesy of Giroux. Hartnell completed the natural hat trick on a power play goal later in the period, his twenty-fifth of the season, fueled by Giroux (who got a natural sock trick) and Wayne Simmonds. The Bruins tied it in the third period as Krejci supplied his eleventh of the year, via Rich Peverley and Lucic. Boston gained the lead with a Gregory Campbell goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Daniel Paille and McQuaid. Philadelphia tied it back up as Talbot converted a power play goal, his twelfth of the year, passed through Matt Carle and Matt Read. The game went to a shootout, where the Bruins utilized goals by Krejci and Seguin to overpower a lone tally from the Flyers' Giroux for a 6-5 win. The three stars were Seguin, Hartnell, and Zdeno Chara while the replacements for the third slot would be Bergeron, Krejci, Lucic, McQuaid, Giroux, Talbot, and Timonen.
Finally for hockey today, the Anaheim Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Jonas Hiller are in the blue paint. Anaheim struck first with a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighteenth of the season coming shorthanded and unassisted. The Ducks added on with a third period Ryan Getzlaf goal, his eighth of the year coming on the power play from Teemu Selanne and Lubomir Visnovsky. Anaheim extended the lead as Ryan potted his second of the game and nineteenth of the season, fueled by Getzlaf. Colorado got on the board with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fourteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Avalanche made it 3-2 as Milan Hejduk netted his twelfth of the season on the power play, powered by Gabriel Landeskog and Paul Stastny. The Ducks weathered the rest of the storm and won 3-2, with the three stars being Ryan, Getzlaf, and Hiller (43 for 45 in saves).
Pittsburgh, as the Penguins host their rivals, the Washington Capitals. Michal Neuvirth and Marc-Andre Fleury tend the twines. Pittsburgh led off with an unassisted power play goal by Kris Letang, his fifth of the season. The Penguins added on with a James Neal goal, his twenty-fifth of the year, courtesy of Evgeni Malkin. Washington got one back in the second period as Brooks Laich potted his ninth of the season, with the help of Dennis Wideman and Alex Ovechkin. The Capitals tied it as Alexander Semin's twelfth of the year, from Mathieu Perreault and Ovechkin. Washington grabbed the lead in the third period on an Ovechkin goal, his twentieth of the season, set up by Semin and Perreault. Pittsburgh retied it as Neal sank his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year, thanks to Malkin and Brooks Orpik. The Penguins went on to win the game 4-3 in overtime as Malkin scored his twenty-sixth of the campaign, assisted by Neal and Zbynek Michalek. The three stars were Malkin, Neal, and Ovechkin, while honorable mentions include Perreault and Semin.
Staying in Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Flyers host the Boston Bruins. Tim Thomas and Ilya Bryzgalov will be between the pipes. Boston struck quickly as Patrice Bergeron netted his fifteenth of the season just fifty seconds in, with helpers provided by Brad Marchand and Tyler Seguin. Philadelphia wasted little time in tying the game as Max Talbot recorded his eleventh of the year, with the help of Kimmo Timonen and the goalie Bryzgalov. The Bruins retook the lead with Seguin sinking his eighteenth of the season on the power play from Bergeron and Benoit Pouliot. Boston added on with Milan Lucic registering his seventeenth of the year, guided in by David Krejci and Adam McQuaid. The Flyers got one back in the second period with Scott Hartnell depositing his twenty-third of the season on the power play, powered by Claude Giroux and Timonen. Hartnell struck again to tie it for Philadelphia on his second of the game and twenty-fourth of the year, courtesy of Giroux. Hartnell completed the natural hat trick on a power play goal later in the period, his twenty-fifth of the season, fueled by Giroux (who got a natural sock trick) and Wayne Simmonds. The Bruins tied it in the third period as Krejci supplied his eleventh of the year, via Rich Peverley and Lucic. Boston gained the lead with a Gregory Campbell goal, his sixth of the season, coming off of Daniel Paille and McQuaid. Philadelphia tied it back up as Talbot converted a power play goal, his twelfth of the year, passed through Matt Carle and Matt Read. The game went to a shootout, where the Bruins utilized goals by Krejci and Seguin to overpower a lone tally from the Flyers' Giroux for a 6-5 win. The three stars were Seguin, Hartnell, and Zdeno Chara while the replacements for the third slot would be Bergeron, Krejci, Lucic, McQuaid, Giroux, Talbot, and Timonen.
Finally for hockey today, the Anaheim Ducks host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Jonas Hiller are in the blue paint. Anaheim struck first with a Bobby Ryan goal, his eighteenth of the season coming shorthanded and unassisted. The Ducks added on with a third period Ryan Getzlaf goal, his eighth of the year coming on the power play from Teemu Selanne and Lubomir Visnovsky. Anaheim extended the lead as Ryan potted his second of the game and nineteenth of the season, fueled by Getzlaf. Colorado got on the board with a Ryan O'Reilly goal, his fourteenth of the year, an unassisted goal. The Avalanche made it 3-2 as Milan Hejduk netted his twelfth of the season on the power play, powered by Gabriel Landeskog and Paul Stastny. The Ducks weathered the rest of the storm and won 3-2, with the three stars being Ryan, Getzlaf, and Hiller (43 for 45 in saves).
NFL Championship Sunday
The fight is on to see which two teams will be analyzed, examined, and all around talked about the next two weeks. First up...
The AFC Championship, as the #1 seed New England Patriots host the #2 seed Baltimore Ravens. New England led off with a 29 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal. Baltimore tied it in the second quarter with a Billy Cundiff field goal of 20 yards. The Patriots got the lead back on a 7 yard touchdown run for BenJarvus Green-Ellis, capped off with a Gostkowski extra point. The Ravens retied it as Joe Flacco tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta, and Cundiff converted the extra point. New England shot back with Gostkowski nailing a 35 yard field goal. They would take their 13-10 lead into the locker room. The Patriots extended the lead in the third quarter as Gostkowski kicked a 24 yard field goal. Baltimore took the lead as Flacco found Torrey Smith for a 29 yard touchdown pass, and Cundiff supplied the PAT. The Ravens added on with a 39 yard field goal for Cundiff. New England regained the lead on a 1 yard Tom Brady touchdown run, iced off by Gostkowski making the extra point. The Patriots would weather a furious late rally and hold on for a 23-20 victory, sending them to Super Bowl XLVI in two weeks. Their opponent is the winner of the game below.
In the NFC Championship, the #2 seed San Francisco 49ers host the #4 seed New York Giants. San Francisco struck first with Alex Smith finding Vernon Davis on a 73 yard catch and run touchdown play, and David Akers made the extra point. New York evened it in the second quarter as Eli Manning tossed a 6 yard touchdown to Bear Pascoe, and Lawrence Tynes supplied the extra point. The Giants led 10-7 at halftime thanks to a 31 yard field goal by Tynes. The 49ers took the lead back in the third quarter as Smith and Davis met up again, this time for a 28 yard touchdown connection, and Akers was true with the PAT. New York shot back with Eli Manning finding Mario Manningham for a touchdown reception of 17 yards. San Francisco tied it as Akers nailed a 25 yard field goal. The game would go to the Giants in overtime as Tynes iced a 20-17 victory with a 31 yard field goal. New York will go head-to-head with New England in Indianapolis in two weeks.
The AFC Championship, as the #1 seed New England Patriots host the #2 seed Baltimore Ravens. New England led off with a 29 yard Stephen Gostkowski field goal. Baltimore tied it in the second quarter with a Billy Cundiff field goal of 20 yards. The Patriots got the lead back on a 7 yard touchdown run for BenJarvus Green-Ellis, capped off with a Gostkowski extra point. The Ravens retied it as Joe Flacco tossed a 6 yard touchdown pass to Dennis Pitta, and Cundiff converted the extra point. New England shot back with Gostkowski nailing a 35 yard field goal. They would take their 13-10 lead into the locker room. The Patriots extended the lead in the third quarter as Gostkowski kicked a 24 yard field goal. Baltimore took the lead as Flacco found Torrey Smith for a 29 yard touchdown pass, and Cundiff supplied the PAT. The Ravens added on with a 39 yard field goal for Cundiff. New England regained the lead on a 1 yard Tom Brady touchdown run, iced off by Gostkowski making the extra point. The Patriots would weather a furious late rally and hold on for a 23-20 victory, sending them to Super Bowl XLVI in two weeks. Their opponent is the winner of the game below.
In the NFC Championship, the #2 seed San Francisco 49ers host the #4 seed New York Giants. San Francisco struck first with Alex Smith finding Vernon Davis on a 73 yard catch and run touchdown play, and David Akers made the extra point. New York evened it in the second quarter as Eli Manning tossed a 6 yard touchdown to Bear Pascoe, and Lawrence Tynes supplied the extra point. The Giants led 10-7 at halftime thanks to a 31 yard field goal by Tynes. The 49ers took the lead back in the third quarter as Smith and Davis met up again, this time for a 28 yard touchdown connection, and Akers was true with the PAT. New York shot back with Eli Manning finding Mario Manningham for a touchdown reception of 17 yards. San Francisco tied it as Akers nailed a 25 yard field goal. The game would go to the Giants in overtime as Tynes iced a 20-17 victory with a 31 yard field goal. New York will go head-to-head with New England in Indianapolis in two weeks.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
NHL Day 108 2011-2012
Pretty heavy schedule today with fourteen games running. The first four are matinee games today, starting with a big Eastern Conference matchup in...
Boston, with the Bruins hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Tuukka Rask are in goal. New York got things started in the second period as Ryan Callahan netted his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Brandon Prust. Boston tied it on an Andrew Ference goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by David Krejci and Milan Lucic. The Rangers shot back on a Marian Gaborik goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, fueled by Carl Hagelin and Dan Girardi. The Bruins tied it up again with an Adam McQuaid goal, his second of the year, via Rich Peverley and Ference. New York took it with four seconds remaining in overtime as Gaborik put his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign away on the power play, powered by Brad Richards and Callahan for a 3-2 win. The three stars went out to Gaborik, Ference, and Callahan.
Down a bit to New Jersey, as the Devils host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Martin Brodeur are in front of the goals. Philadelphia scored first in the second period as Matt Read potted his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on with Scott Hartnell on the power play, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux. New Jersey quickly got one back as Alexei Ponikarovsky scored, with the help of Matt Taormina and David Clarkson. Philadelphia answered in the third period with another Hartnell goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, coming off of Giroux and Simmonds. The Flyers iced it with Simmonds depositing his thirteenth of the year in the empty net, going down unassisted for a 4-1 win. The three stars went to Hartnell, Simmonds, and Bryzgalov (30 for 31 in saves), with Giroux earning the honorable mention.
Out to Vancouver, with the Canucks hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Roberto Luongo get the green light to start. Vancouver led off with a David Booth goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Alexander Edler and Chris Higgins. San Jose tied it with a Logan Couture goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming shorthanded from Andrew Desjardins. The Sharks took a second period lead with Couture's second of the game and twentieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. The Canucks retied it as Cody Hodgson potted his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Mason Raymond and Aaron Rome. Ryan Kesler gave Vancouver a lead in the third period with his thirteenth of the campaign, made possible by Booth. San Jose answered on a Dan Boyle goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Pavelski and Desjardins. The Canucks would win 4-3 as Hodgson sank his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, with a helper from Raymond. Hodgson, Couture, and Kesler got the three stars while Booth, Raymond, Pavelski, and Desjardins earn honorable mentions.
South to Anaheim, as the Ducks bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jonas Hiller are in the blue paint. Anaheim got going in the second period as Corey Perry netted his twenty-second of the season, with the help of Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks added on with a Lubomir Visnovsky goal, his fifth of the campaign, fueled by Niklas Hagman and Saku Koivu. Ottawa got as close as 2-1 with a third period Chris Neil goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Nick Foligno and Erik Karlsson. The three stars were given erroneously to Ryan, Hiller (31 for 32 in saves), and Francois Beauchemin, where any goal scorers could be easily substituted in.
Now for the regular game times, we begin in Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Ondrej Pavelec are tasked with stopping the puck. Florida was first on the board with a Kris Versteeg goal, his eighteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Marcel Goc. The Panthers added on when Mike Santorelli put away his sixth of the year, thanks to Krys Barch and Versteeg. Winnipeg got on the board with Nik Antropov nailing his seventh of the season in the second period on the power play, from Kyle Wellwood. The Jets tied it on another Antropov goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year coming in the third period via Andrew Ladd and Wellwood. Florida took the lead again as Versteeg's second of the night and nineteenth of the season found the twine with no assistance. Winnipeg got another equalizer on an Alex Burmistrov goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Tobias Enstrom and Antti Miettinen. The tie lasted into a shootout where Wellwood and Versteeg matched goals, followed by a cancel-out by Blake Wheeler and Santorelli, all before Mikael Samuelsson clinched a victory of 4-3 for the Panthers over the Jets. The three stars were awarded to Versteeg, Antropov, and Zach Bogosian, while Wellwood and Santorelli are justifiable for the third slot.
South a tad to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Jimmy Howard wore the pads. Columbus led off with Ryan Russell scoring his second of the season, assisted by Derek Dorsett and Aaron Johnson. Detroit answered with a Niklas Kronwall goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler. The Blue Jackets regained control in the second period as Nikita Nikitin potted his second of the season, with the help of Antoine Vermette on the power play. The Red Wings got the equalizer as Nicklas Lidstrom put his tenth of the year away on the power play, powered by Kronwall. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Filppula had the lone tally, for a 3-2 Detroit victory over Columbus. The three stars were given to Filppula, Kronwall, and Sanford (29 for 31 in saves).
Eastward, as the New York Islanders host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Evgeni Nabokov are the masked men. Carolina opened with Jeff Skinner sinking his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Zac Dalpe and Bryan Allen. New York tied it with a John Tavares goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, fueled by Kyle Okposo and Mark Streit. The game went to overtime, where Tavares proved to be the hero by potting his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, courtesy of P.A. Parenteau and Travis Hamonic for a 2-1 win. Tavares, Nabokov (32 for 33 in saves), and Skinner earned the three stars.
Into Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jonas Gustavsson will be the guards of the goalmouths. Rene Bourque got Montreal in the led first with his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Tomas Plekanec and Erik Cole. Toronto answered with a Matthew Lombardi goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Tyler Bozak. The Canadiens established a lead again in the third period as Raphael Diaz potted his third of the season, coming off of Scott Gomez. Montreal iced it at 3-1 when Lars Eller registered his tenth of the year, with assist provided by Travis Moen and Andrei Kostitsyn. The three stars were handed to Price (32 for 33 in saves), Lombardi, and Eller.
Westward again, as the St. Louis Blues brought in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. Buffalo began as Mike Weber scored, thanks to Tyler Myers and Ville Leino. St. Louis replied on a B.J. Crombeen goal in the second period, via David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo. David Perron put the Blues in the lead with his fourth of the season, made possible by T.J. Oshie and Backes. Backes finally found twine in the third period with his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Oshie and Pietrangelo. The Sabres got one back when Myers netted his fourth of the season, also a power play goal, set up by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Jason Pominville. Backes iced it at 4-2 for the Blues with his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, an empty net goal passed through Barret Jackman. Backes, Crombeen, and Jackman took the three stars, while Oshie, Pietrangelo, and Myers get honorable mentions.
Southeast a little to Nashville, where the Predators host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne began the game, but Crawford was pulled in favor of Ray Emery partway through the second period. Marian Hossa began the scoring in Chicago's favor, with his nineteenth of the season getting assistance from Andrew Shaw and Brent Seabrook. Craig Smith tied it for Nashville with a power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Ryan Ellis and Sergei Kostitsyn. Kevin Klein gave the Predators a lead in the second period with his third of the campaign, coming off of David Legwand and Gabriel Bourque. Colin Wilson extended the Nashville lead on his ninth of the season, assisted by Legwand and Patric Hornqvist. Kostitsyn added on for the Predators by registering his twelfth of the year, via Mike Fisher and Martin Erat. Hossa got one back for the Blackhawks in the third period with his second of the game and twentieth of the season, fueled by Niklas Hjalmarsson. Nashville iced it 5-2 on Hornqvist's thirteenth of the year, guided in by Klein and Jack Hillen. The three stars were Klein, Kostitsyn, and Hossa, with honorable mention for Legwand and Hornqvist.
Southwest now to Phoenix, as the Coyotes welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith received the starting nods. Tamp Bay opened as Steven Stamkos recorded his thirty-second of the season, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Dominic Moore. Teddy Purcell extended the Lightning lead with his twelfth of the year, via Steve Downie and Pavel Kubina. St. Louis added on for Tampa Bay in the second period by making his eleventh of the season, coming off of Trevor Smith and Pierre-Cedric Labrie. Phoenix got on the board as Lauri Korpikoski notched his eleventh of the year, a shorthanded goal passed through Boyd Gordon. Downie got it back for the Lightning on his eighth of the campaign, fueled by Vincent Lecavalier. Kieth Yandle replied back for the Coyotes in the third period with his sixth of the season, made possible by Korpikoski and Ray Whitney. Whitney made it a 4-3 deficit for Phoenix, eventually a final score, on his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Shane Doan. The three stars were given to Korpikoski, Downie, and St. Louis, with honorable mention for Whitney.
Northward to Minnesota, with the Wild welcoming the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Josh Harding took to the creases initially, but Lehtonen had a rough go of it, and Richard Bachman relieved him after the second period. Dallas began the scoring as Eric Nystrom potted his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Stephane Robidas and Vernon Fiddler. Minnesota answered in the second period with a Devin Setoguchi power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Dany Heatley and Nate Prosser. The Stars regained the lead with a Philip Larsen goal, pushed through by Alex Goligoski and Loui Eriksson. The Wild retied it on a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Matt Cullen and Setoguchi. Minnesota took the lead fourteen seconds later when Chad Rau scored, helped along by Carson McMillan and Jed Ortmeyer. The Wild added on with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Heatley and Jared Spurgeon. Minnesota kept going in the third period with a Heatley goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Warren Peters and Greg Zanon. This made the score 5-2, and the three stars went to Rau, Heatley, and Cullen, while Setoguchi earns honorable mention.
Westward to the Battle of Alberta, this time taking place in Edmonton, with the Oilers hosting the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Nikolai Khabibulin guard the cages. Calgary led off with a Mikael Backlund goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Mark Giordano and Lee Stempniak. The Flames extended the lead with a Blake Comeau goal, his third of the year, fueled by Scott Hannan. Calgary added on with a Stempniak goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Jay Bouwmeester and Comeau. The Flames added on again late in the second period as Stempniak made his second of the game and eleventh of the year, with help from Comeau and Bouwmeester. Edmonton got on the board in the third period with the third of the season by Andy Sutton, set up by Jordan Eberle and Ryan Smyth. Calgary shot back with Bouwmeester recording his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen. Smyth struck back for the Oilers with his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Jeff Petry and Ladislav Smid. The Flames iced it at 6-2 with a Stempniak empty net goal, completing his hat trick with his twelfth of the year, with a helper from Jokinen. The three stars went to Stempniak, Comeau, and Bouwmeester, while Jokinen and Smyth earn honorable mentions.
Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere opposes Jonathan Quick in between the pipes. Los Angeles got going in the second period as Anze Kopitar notched his fifteenth of the season, guided in by Dustin Brown and Justin Williams. Colorado tied it with a Cody McLeod goal, his third of the year, fueled by Stefan Elliott and Kyle Quincey. The Avalanche took the lead on a Peter Mueller goal, his third of the season, made possible by T.J. Galiardi and Paul Stastny. Colorado iced it with a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal in the third period, his tenth of the year making it 3-1, powered by Stastny and Quincey. Giguere (25 for 26 in saves), Kopitar, and Elliott got the three stars, with honorable mention for Stastny and Quincey.
Boston, with the Bruins hosting the New York Rangers. Henrik Lundqvist and Tuukka Rask are in goal. New York got things started in the second period as Ryan Callahan netted his sixteenth of the season, courtesy of Brandon Prust. Boston tied it on an Andrew Ference goal, his fourth of the year, made possible by David Krejci and Milan Lucic. The Rangers shot back on a Marian Gaborik goal, his twenty-fourth of the season, fueled by Carl Hagelin and Dan Girardi. The Bruins tied it up again with an Adam McQuaid goal, his second of the year, via Rich Peverley and Ference. New York took it with four seconds remaining in overtime as Gaborik put his second of the game and twenty-fifth of the campaign away on the power play, powered by Brad Richards and Callahan for a 3-2 win. The three stars went out to Gaborik, Ference, and Callahan.
Down a bit to New Jersey, as the Devils host the Philadelphia Flyers. Ilya Bryzgalov and Martin Brodeur are in front of the goals. Philadelphia scored first in the second period as Matt Read potted his fifteenth of the season, thanks to Wayne Simmonds. The Flyers added on with Scott Hartnell on the power play, his twenty-first of the year, powered by Kimmo Timonen and Claude Giroux. New Jersey quickly got one back as Alexei Ponikarovsky scored, with the help of Matt Taormina and David Clarkson. Philadelphia answered in the third period with another Hartnell goal, his second of the game and twenty-second of the season, coming off of Giroux and Simmonds. The Flyers iced it with Simmonds depositing his thirteenth of the year in the empty net, going down unassisted for a 4-1 win. The three stars went to Hartnell, Simmonds, and Bryzgalov (30 for 31 in saves), with Giroux earning the honorable mention.
Out to Vancouver, with the Canucks hosting the San Jose Sharks. Antti Niemi and Roberto Luongo get the green light to start. Vancouver led off with a David Booth goal, his seventh of the season, assisted by Alexander Edler and Chris Higgins. San Jose tied it with a Logan Couture goal, his nineteenth of the year, coming shorthanded from Andrew Desjardins. The Sharks took a second period lead with Couture's second of the game and twentieth of the season, a power play goal powered by Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski. The Canucks retied it as Cody Hodgson potted his twelfth of the year, courtesy of Mason Raymond and Aaron Rome. Ryan Kesler gave Vancouver a lead in the third period with his thirteenth of the campaign, made possible by Booth. San Jose answered on a Dan Boyle goal, his fourth of the season, set up by Pavelski and Desjardins. The Canucks would win 4-3 as Hodgson sank his second of the game and thirteenth of the year, with a helper from Raymond. Hodgson, Couture, and Kesler got the three stars while Booth, Raymond, Pavelski, and Desjardins earn honorable mentions.
South to Anaheim, as the Ducks bring in the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and Jonas Hiller are in the blue paint. Anaheim got going in the second period as Corey Perry netted his twenty-second of the season, with the help of Bobby Ryan and Ryan Getzlaf. The Ducks added on with a Lubomir Visnovsky goal, his fifth of the campaign, fueled by Niklas Hagman and Saku Koivu. Ottawa got as close as 2-1 with a third period Chris Neil goal, his eighth of the year, made possible by Nick Foligno and Erik Karlsson. The three stars were given erroneously to Ryan, Hiller (31 for 32 in saves), and Francois Beauchemin, where any goal scorers could be easily substituted in.
Now for the regular game times, we begin in Winnipeg, as the Jets host the Florida Panthers. Scott Clemmensen and Ondrej Pavelec are tasked with stopping the puck. Florida was first on the board with a Kris Versteeg goal, his eighteenth of the season, with a lone assist by Marcel Goc. The Panthers added on when Mike Santorelli put away his sixth of the year, thanks to Krys Barch and Versteeg. Winnipeg got on the board with Nik Antropov nailing his seventh of the season in the second period on the power play, from Kyle Wellwood. The Jets tied it on another Antropov goal, his second of the game and eighth of the year coming in the third period via Andrew Ladd and Wellwood. Florida took the lead again as Versteeg's second of the night and nineteenth of the season found the twine with no assistance. Winnipeg got another equalizer on an Alex Burmistrov goal, his ninth of the year, guided in by Tobias Enstrom and Antti Miettinen. The tie lasted into a shootout where Wellwood and Versteeg matched goals, followed by a cancel-out by Blake Wheeler and Santorelli, all before Mikael Samuelsson clinched a victory of 4-3 for the Panthers over the Jets. The three stars were awarded to Versteeg, Antropov, and Zach Bogosian, while Wellwood and Santorelli are justifiable for the third slot.
South a tad to Detroit, as the Red Wings host the Columbus Blue Jackets. Curtis Sanford and Jimmy Howard wore the pads. Columbus led off with Ryan Russell scoring his second of the season, assisted by Derek Dorsett and Aaron Johnson. Detroit answered with a Niklas Kronwall goal, his tenth of the year, fueled by Valtteri Filppula and Jiri Hudler. The Blue Jackets regained control in the second period as Nikita Nikitin potted his second of the season, with the help of Antoine Vermette on the power play. The Red Wings got the equalizer as Nicklas Lidstrom put his tenth of the year away on the power play, powered by Kronwall. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Filppula had the lone tally, for a 3-2 Detroit victory over Columbus. The three stars were given to Filppula, Kronwall, and Sanford (29 for 31 in saves).
Eastward, as the New York Islanders host the Carolina Hurricanes. Cam Ward and Evgeni Nabokov are the masked men. Carolina opened with Jeff Skinner sinking his thirteenth of the season, thanks to Zac Dalpe and Bryan Allen. New York tied it with a John Tavares goal, his eighteenth of the campaign, fueled by Kyle Okposo and Mark Streit. The game went to overtime, where Tavares proved to be the hero by potting his second of the game and nineteenth of the year, courtesy of P.A. Parenteau and Travis Hamonic for a 2-1 win. Tavares, Nabokov (32 for 33 in saves), and Skinner earned the three stars.
Into Canada, as the Toronto Maple Leafs welcome the Montreal Canadiens. Carey Price and Jonas Gustavsson will be the guards of the goalmouths. Rene Bourque got Montreal in the led first with his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Tomas Plekanec and Erik Cole. Toronto answered with a Matthew Lombardi goal, his fourth of the year, set up by Tyler Bozak. The Canadiens established a lead again in the third period as Raphael Diaz potted his third of the season, coming off of Scott Gomez. Montreal iced it at 3-1 when Lars Eller registered his tenth of the year, with assist provided by Travis Moen and Andrei Kostitsyn. The three stars were handed to Price (32 for 33 in saves), Lombardi, and Eller.
Westward again, as the St. Louis Blues brought in the Buffalo Sabres. Ryan Miller and Jaroslav Halak tend the twines. Buffalo began as Mike Weber scored, thanks to Tyler Myers and Ville Leino. St. Louis replied on a B.J. Crombeen goal in the second period, via David Backes and Alex Pietrangelo. David Perron put the Blues in the lead with his fourth of the season, made possible by T.J. Oshie and Backes. Backes finally found twine in the third period with his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal, powered by Oshie and Pietrangelo. The Sabres got one back when Myers netted his fourth of the season, also a power play goal, set up by Marc-Andre Gragnani and Jason Pominville. Backes iced it at 4-2 for the Blues with his second of the game and sixteenth of the year, an empty net goal passed through Barret Jackman. Backes, Crombeen, and Jackman took the three stars, while Oshie, Pietrangelo, and Myers get honorable mentions.
Southeast a little to Nashville, where the Predators host the Chicago Blackhawks. Corey Crawford and Pekka Rinne began the game, but Crawford was pulled in favor of Ray Emery partway through the second period. Marian Hossa began the scoring in Chicago's favor, with his nineteenth of the season getting assistance from Andrew Shaw and Brent Seabrook. Craig Smith tied it for Nashville with a power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Ryan Ellis and Sergei Kostitsyn. Kevin Klein gave the Predators a lead in the second period with his third of the campaign, coming off of David Legwand and Gabriel Bourque. Colin Wilson extended the Nashville lead on his ninth of the season, assisted by Legwand and Patric Hornqvist. Kostitsyn added on for the Predators by registering his twelfth of the year, via Mike Fisher and Martin Erat. Hossa got one back for the Blackhawks in the third period with his second of the game and twentieth of the season, fueled by Niklas Hjalmarsson. Nashville iced it 5-2 on Hornqvist's thirteenth of the year, guided in by Klein and Jack Hillen. The three stars were Klein, Kostitsyn, and Hossa, with honorable mention for Legwand and Hornqvist.
Southwest now to Phoenix, as the Coyotes welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Dwayne Roloson and Mike Smith received the starting nods. Tamp Bay opened as Steven Stamkos recorded his thirty-second of the season, assisted by Martin St. Louis and Dominic Moore. Teddy Purcell extended the Lightning lead with his twelfth of the year, via Steve Downie and Pavel Kubina. St. Louis added on for Tampa Bay in the second period by making his eleventh of the season, coming off of Trevor Smith and Pierre-Cedric Labrie. Phoenix got on the board as Lauri Korpikoski notched his eleventh of the year, a shorthanded goal passed through Boyd Gordon. Downie got it back for the Lightning on his eighth of the campaign, fueled by Vincent Lecavalier. Kieth Yandle replied back for the Coyotes in the third period with his sixth of the season, made possible by Korpikoski and Ray Whitney. Whitney made it a 4-3 deficit for Phoenix, eventually a final score, on his fifteenth of the year, a power play goal powered by Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Shane Doan. The three stars were given to Korpikoski, Downie, and St. Louis, with honorable mention for Whitney.
Northward to Minnesota, with the Wild welcoming the Dallas Stars. Kari Lehtonen and Josh Harding took to the creases initially, but Lehtonen had a rough go of it, and Richard Bachman relieved him after the second period. Dallas began the scoring as Eric Nystrom potted his fourteenth of the season, assisted by Stephane Robidas and Vernon Fiddler. Minnesota answered in the second period with a Devin Setoguchi power play goal, his tenth of the year, powered by Dany Heatley and Nate Prosser. The Stars regained the lead with a Philip Larsen goal, pushed through by Alex Goligoski and Loui Eriksson. The Wild retied it on a Cal Clutterbuck goal, his twelfth of the season, coming off of Matt Cullen and Setoguchi. Minnesota took the lead fourteen seconds later when Chad Rau scored, helped along by Carson McMillan and Jed Ortmeyer. The Wild added on with a Kyle Brodziak goal, his thirteenth of the year, guided in by Heatley and Jared Spurgeon. Minnesota kept going in the third period with a Heatley goal, his fourteenth of the season, made possible by Warren Peters and Greg Zanon. This made the score 5-2, and the three stars went to Rau, Heatley, and Cullen, while Setoguchi earns honorable mention.
Westward to the Battle of Alberta, this time taking place in Edmonton, with the Oilers hosting the Calgary Flames. Miikka Kiprusoff and Nikolai Khabibulin guard the cages. Calgary led off with a Mikael Backlund goal, his fourth of the season, courtesy of Mark Giordano and Lee Stempniak. The Flames extended the lead with a Blake Comeau goal, his third of the year, fueled by Scott Hannan. Calgary added on with a Stempniak goal, his tenth of the season, made possible by Jay Bouwmeester and Comeau. The Flames added on again late in the second period as Stempniak made his second of the game and eleventh of the year, with help from Comeau and Bouwmeester. Edmonton got on the board in the third period with the third of the season by Andy Sutton, set up by Jordan Eberle and Ryan Smyth. Calgary shot back with Bouwmeester recording his third of the year, a power play goal powered by Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen. Smyth struck back for the Oilers with his sixteenth of the season, assisted by Jeff Petry and Ladislav Smid. The Flames iced it at 6-2 with a Stempniak empty net goal, completing his hat trick with his twelfth of the year, with a helper from Jokinen. The three stars went to Stempniak, Comeau, and Bouwmeester, while Jokinen and Smyth earn honorable mentions.
Finally, in Los Angeles, the Kings host the Colorado Avalanche. Jean-Sebastien Giguere opposes Jonathan Quick in between the pipes. Los Angeles got going in the second period as Anze Kopitar notched his fifteenth of the season, guided in by Dustin Brown and Justin Williams. Colorado tied it with a Cody McLeod goal, his third of the year, fueled by Stefan Elliott and Kyle Quincey. The Avalanche took the lead on a Peter Mueller goal, his third of the season, made possible by T.J. Galiardi and Paul Stastny. Colorado iced it with a Gabriel Landeskog power play goal in the third period, his tenth of the year making it 3-1, powered by Stastny and Quincey. Giguere (25 for 26 in saves), Kopitar, and Elliott got the three stars, with honorable mention for Stastny and Quincey.
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