The first really big day for the NHL is today, with eleven games on, starting in...
Boston, as the Bruins host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. Boston began in the first period on a Torey Krug power play goal, made possible by Milan Lucic and David Krejci. Detroit tied it as Henrik Zetterberg scored his second of the season, fueled by Justin Abdelkader and Pavel Datsyuk. The Bruins retook the lead in the second period as Brad Marchand scored, thanks to Johnny Boychuk. Boston added on with a Jordan Caron goal, coming off of Reilly Smith and Adam McQuaid. The Bruins extended the lead with a third period power play goal by Zdeno Chara, powered by Krug and Lucic. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars given to Krug, Rask (25 for 26 in saves), and Lucic.
Crossing into Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with a Brian Gionta goal, via Rene Bourque and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens added on in the third period with Lars Eller's third of the season, guided in by Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk. Montreal extended the lead with a Gallagher goal, coming on the power play with helpers from Galchenyuk and P.K. Subban. Philadelphia got on the board as Vincent Lecavalier scored a power play goal, powered by Brayden Schenn and Mark Streit. The Canadiens answered on a Bourque goal, coming on a power play from Gionta and Eller. They would go on to win 4-1, with the three stars being Eller, Bourque, and Gallagher, while Galchenyuk, Gionta, and Price (22 for 23 in saves) were given the honorable mentions.
Back stateside, the New York Islanders bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Evgeni Nabokov are the Russian goalies. New York got going in the second period with a Lubomir Visnovsky power play goal, powered by Frans Nielsen and John Tavares. The Islanders added on as Matt Moulson scored, with helpers from Tavares and Visnovsky. Columbus got on the board in the third period with a Mark Letestu power play goal, assisted by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets tied the game on a Nick Foligno goal, fueled by R.J. Umberger and Nikita Nikitin. The game went into a shootout, where Moulson and Letestu traded tallies before Atkinson sealed the deal with his shootout goal, leading Columbus to a 3-2 victory. Visnovsky, Atkinson, and Tavares are named the three stars.
West to Pittsburgh, with the Penguins hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Marc-Andre Fleury are called on to start. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period with a Sidney Crosby goal, his second of the season, assisted by Pascal Dupuis and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins added on with a Chuck Kobasew goal, his second of the year, coming off of Brandon Sutter and Niskanen. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Chris Kunitz converted a penalty shot. Buffalo got on the board as Thomas Vanek scored, with the help of Cody Hodgson. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Craig Adams goal, his second of the campaign, sailing into the empty net after being passed from Paul Martin. The three stars were Fleury (20 for 21 in saves), Niskanen, and Kobasew.
Back in Canada again, the Toronto Maple Leafs host their Ontario rivals, the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and James Reimer are between the pipes. Toronto was first to score in the first period with a Mason Raymond goal, his second of the season, guided in by Dave Bolland and Troy Bodie. Ottawa tied it as Kyle Turris scored, thanks to Jared Cowen and Patrick Wiercioch. The Senators took the lead on a Cory Conacher goal, fueled by Turris and Wiercioch. The Maple Leafs tied the game again on a Nazem Kadri power play goal, powered by Raymond and Joffrey Lupul. Ottawa took the lead back as Cowen scored in the second period, via Turris and Clarke MacArthur. The Senators extended the lead on a Jason Spezza goal, set up by Milan Michalek and Bobby Ryan. Jonathan Bernier replaced Reimer at this time. Toronto got one back as Lupul scored a power play goal, with assists provided by Raymond and Kadri. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his second of the year, passed from Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Raymond and Bozak scored to lift Toronto to a 5-4 win. The three stars were awarded to Raymond, Turris, and Bozak, while Kadri, Lupul, Cowen, and Wiercioch get the honorable mentions.
Crossing over to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Corey Crawford show alliteration in the goalie matchup. Chicago opened in the second period on a Patrick Kane goal, his second of the season, assisted by Bryan Bickell and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks added on with a Brandon Saad power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Nick Leddy and goalie Crawford. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period with a Martin St. Louis goal, made possible by Steven Stamkos and Matthew Carle. The Lightning tied it on a Teddy Purcell power play goal, pushed through by St. Louis and Stamkos. Tampa Bay ended up completing the comeback in the shootout with a lone tally by Valtteri Filppula. In the 3-2 game, the three stars were St. Louis, Stamkos, and Bishop (37 for 39 in saves).
Down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Kari Lehtonen receive the starting nods. Washington started in the first period as Alex Ovechkin scored his fourth goal of the season, a power play goal powered by Mike Green and Marcus Johansson. Dallas tied it on an Erik Cole goal, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. The Stars took the lead in the second period as Alex Chiasson scored his second of the year, courtesy of Cody Eakin and Jordie Benn. They would cruise from here to a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Lehtonen (25 for 26 in saves), Chiasson, and Ovechkin.
Back north a bit, the St. Louis Blues host the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Jaroslav Halak protect the nets. St. Louis led off in the first period as Brenden Morrow scored a power play goal, powered by Derek Roy and Chris Stewart. The Blues added on in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, passed from Jaden Schwartz and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis extended the lead on a Schwartz goal, via Vladimir Sobotka. The Blues padded the lead with a Roy goal, coming off of Stewart and Morrow. St. Louis got another as Alexander Steen scored his second of the season, coming on a penalty shot. The Blues kept going with a Ryan Reaves goal, courtesy of Sobotka. St. Louis iced it on a Patrik Beglund goal, assisted by Tarasenko and Schwartz. Later, Schwartz dropped the gloves with Kris Versteeg to complete his Gordie Howe Hat Trick. This was enough for a 7-0 win, with the three stars being Halak (19 save shutout), Schwartz, and Morrow, while Tarasenko, Roy, Stewart, and Sobotka all get honorable mentions.
Further to the north, the Minnesota Wild host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Niklas Backstrom are the veteran goalies. Anaheim began in the first period with a Saku Koivu goal, courtesy of Francois Beauchemin and Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks added on when Nick Bonino scored a power play goal, with the help of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Minnesota got on the board with a Zach Parise goal, made possible by Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter on the power play. Anaheim replied in the second period as Jakob Silfverberg scored his second of the season, via Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Penner. The Wild answered on a Jason Pominville power play goal, going in unassisted. Minnesota tied it on a third period Parise goal, his second of the game, thanks to Keith Ballard and Jonas Brodin. The game went to overtime, where the Ducks won 4-3 on a Perreault goal, guided in by Beauchemin and Cam Fowler. The three stars were awarded to Perreault, Parise, and Beauchemin.
Northwest to Vancouver, where the Canucks welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Roberto Luongo are the masked men. Edmonton opened in the first period as Jeff Petry scored, with the help of David Perron and Ladislav Smid. Vancouver tied it as Brad Richardson scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Jason Garrison. The Canucks took the lead as Dan Hamhuis scored, with a lone assist by Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead on a Jannik Hansen goal, fueled by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks padded the lead in the second period as Daniel Sedin scored a power play goal, powered by Henrik Sedin, who got a sock trick, and Alexander Edler. Vancouver added on with an unassisted Ryan Kesler goal. Jason LaBarbera relieved Dubnyk at this time. The Oilers took one back on a Boyd Gordon, his second of the season, via Ales Hemsky. The Canucks iced it in the third period on Garrison's second of the year, a shorthanded empty net goal that went in without assistance. The three stars in the 6-2 game were Henrik Sedin, Garrison, and Daniel Sedin.
Finally, down in San Jose, the Sharks host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Antti Niemi tend the twines. San Jose started in the first period as Tomas Hertl scored, thanks to Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Sharks added on with Hertl's second of the game, courtesy of Matt Irwin and Brent Burns on the power play. San Jose extended the lead as Patrick Marleau scored a power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Vlasic and Joe Pavelski. Phoenix got on the board in the second period on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, fueled by Zbynek Michalek. The Sharks iced it at 4-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Logan Couture, set up by Pavelski. The three stars went to Hertl, Niemi (22 for 23 in saves), and Vlasic, while Pavelski gets an honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
Boston, as the Bruins host the Detroit Red Wings. Jimmy Howard and Tuukka Rask guard the cages. Boston began in the first period on a Torey Krug power play goal, made possible by Milan Lucic and David Krejci. Detroit tied it as Henrik Zetterberg scored his second of the season, fueled by Justin Abdelkader and Pavel Datsyuk. The Bruins retook the lead in the second period as Brad Marchand scored, thanks to Johnny Boychuk. Boston added on with a Jordan Caron goal, coming off of Reilly Smith and Adam McQuaid. The Bruins extended the lead with a third period power play goal by Zdeno Chara, powered by Krug and Lucic. This was good for a 4-1 win, with the three stars given to Krug, Rask (25 for 26 in saves), and Lucic.
Crossing into Quebec, the Montreal Canadiens welcome the Philadelphia Flyers. Ray Emery is mismatched with Carey Price in goal. Montreal led off in the first period with a Brian Gionta goal, via Rene Bourque and Tomas Plekanec. The Canadiens added on in the third period with Lars Eller's third of the season, guided in by Brendan Gallagher and Alex Galchenyuk. Montreal extended the lead with a Gallagher goal, coming on the power play with helpers from Galchenyuk and P.K. Subban. Philadelphia got on the board as Vincent Lecavalier scored a power play goal, powered by Brayden Schenn and Mark Streit. The Canadiens answered on a Bourque goal, coming on a power play from Gionta and Eller. They would go on to win 4-1, with the three stars being Eller, Bourque, and Gallagher, while Galchenyuk, Gionta, and Price (22 for 23 in saves) were given the honorable mentions.
Back stateside, the New York Islanders bring in the Columbus Blue Jackets. Sergei Bobrovsky and Evgeni Nabokov are the Russian goalies. New York got going in the second period with a Lubomir Visnovsky power play goal, powered by Frans Nielsen and John Tavares. The Islanders added on as Matt Moulson scored, with helpers from Tavares and Visnovsky. Columbus got on the board in the third period with a Mark Letestu power play goal, assisted by Cam Atkinson and Brandon Dubinsky. The Blue Jackets tied the game on a Nick Foligno goal, fueled by R.J. Umberger and Nikita Nikitin. The game went into a shootout, where Moulson and Letestu traded tallies before Atkinson sealed the deal with his shootout goal, leading Columbus to a 3-2 victory. Visnovsky, Atkinson, and Tavares are named the three stars.
West to Pittsburgh, with the Penguins hosting the Buffalo Sabres. Jhonas Enroth and Marc-Andre Fleury are called on to start. Pittsburgh struck first in the first period with a Sidney Crosby goal, his second of the season, assisted by Pascal Dupuis and Matt Niskanen. The Penguins added on with a Chuck Kobasew goal, his second of the year, coming off of Brandon Sutter and Niskanen. Pittsburgh extended the lead as Chris Kunitz converted a penalty shot. Buffalo got on the board as Thomas Vanek scored, with the help of Cody Hodgson. The Penguins iced it at 4-1 with a Craig Adams goal, his second of the campaign, sailing into the empty net after being passed from Paul Martin. The three stars were Fleury (20 for 21 in saves), Niskanen, and Kobasew.
Back in Canada again, the Toronto Maple Leafs host their Ontario rivals, the Ottawa Senators. Craig Anderson and James Reimer are between the pipes. Toronto was first to score in the first period with a Mason Raymond goal, his second of the season, guided in by Dave Bolland and Troy Bodie. Ottawa tied it as Kyle Turris scored, thanks to Jared Cowen and Patrick Wiercioch. The Senators took the lead on a Cory Conacher goal, fueled by Turris and Wiercioch. The Maple Leafs tied the game again on a Nazem Kadri power play goal, powered by Raymond and Joffrey Lupul. Ottawa took the lead back as Cowen scored in the second period, via Turris and Clarke MacArthur. The Senators extended the lead on a Jason Spezza goal, set up by Milan Michalek and Bobby Ryan. Jonathan Bernier replaced Reimer at this time. Toronto got one back as Lupul scored a power play goal, with assists provided by Raymond and Kadri. The Maple Leafs tied it in the third period on a James van Riemsdyk goal, his second of the year, passed from Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak. The tie lasted into a shootout, where Raymond and Bozak scored to lift Toronto to a 5-4 win. The three stars were awarded to Raymond, Turris, and Bozak, while Kadri, Lupul, Cowen, and Wiercioch get the honorable mentions.
Crossing over to Chicago, where the Blackhawks welcome the Tampa Bay Lightning. Ben Bishop and Corey Crawford show alliteration in the goalie matchup. Chicago opened in the second period on a Patrick Kane goal, his second of the season, assisted by Bryan Bickell and Niklas Hjalmarsson. The Blackhawks added on with a Brandon Saad power play goal, his second of the year, powered by Nick Leddy and goalie Crawford. Tampa Bay got on the board in the third period with a Martin St. Louis goal, made possible by Steven Stamkos and Matthew Carle. The Lightning tied it on a Teddy Purcell power play goal, pushed through by St. Louis and Stamkos. Tampa Bay ended up completing the comeback in the shootout with a lone tally by Valtteri Filppula. In the 3-2 game, the three stars were St. Louis, Stamkos, and Bishop (37 for 39 in saves).
Down in Dallas, the Stars bring in the Washington Capitals. Braden Holtby and Kari Lehtonen receive the starting nods. Washington started in the first period as Alex Ovechkin scored his fourth goal of the season, a power play goal powered by Mike Green and Marcus Johansson. Dallas tied it on an Erik Cole goal, coming off of Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn. The Stars took the lead in the second period as Alex Chiasson scored his second of the year, courtesy of Cody Eakin and Jordie Benn. They would cruise from here to a 2-1 win, with the three stars going to Lehtonen (25 for 26 in saves), Chiasson, and Ovechkin.
Back north a bit, the St. Louis Blues host the Florida Panthers. Tim Thomas and Jaroslav Halak protect the nets. St. Louis led off in the first period as Brenden Morrow scored a power play goal, powered by Derek Roy and Chris Stewart. The Blues added on in the second period with a Vladimir Tarasenko goal, passed from Jaden Schwartz and Alex Pietrangelo. St. Louis extended the lead on a Schwartz goal, via Vladimir Sobotka. The Blues padded the lead with a Roy goal, coming off of Stewart and Morrow. St. Louis got another as Alexander Steen scored his second of the season, coming on a penalty shot. The Blues kept going with a Ryan Reaves goal, courtesy of Sobotka. St. Louis iced it on a Patrik Beglund goal, assisted by Tarasenko and Schwartz. Later, Schwartz dropped the gloves with Kris Versteeg to complete his Gordie Howe Hat Trick. This was enough for a 7-0 win, with the three stars being Halak (19 save shutout), Schwartz, and Morrow, while Tarasenko, Roy, Stewart, and Sobotka all get honorable mentions.
Further to the north, the Minnesota Wild host the Anaheim Ducks. Jonas Hiller and Niklas Backstrom are the veteran goalies. Anaheim began in the first period with a Saku Koivu goal, courtesy of Francois Beauchemin and Andrew Cogliano. The Ducks added on when Nick Bonino scored a power play goal, with the help of Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf. Minnesota got on the board with a Zach Parise goal, made possible by Mikko Koivu and Ryan Suter on the power play. Anaheim replied in the second period as Jakob Silfverberg scored his second of the season, via Mathieu Perreault and Dustin Penner. The Wild answered on a Jason Pominville power play goal, going in unassisted. Minnesota tied it on a third period Parise goal, his second of the game, thanks to Keith Ballard and Jonas Brodin. The game went to overtime, where the Ducks won 4-3 on a Perreault goal, guided in by Beauchemin and Cam Fowler. The three stars were awarded to Perreault, Parise, and Beauchemin.
Northwest to Vancouver, where the Canucks welcome the Edmonton Oilers. Devan Dubnyk and Roberto Luongo are the masked men. Edmonton opened in the first period as Jeff Petry scored, with the help of David Perron and Ladislav Smid. Vancouver tied it as Brad Richardson scored a shorthanded goal, set up by Jason Garrison. The Canucks took the lead as Dan Hamhuis scored, with a lone assist by Henrik Sedin. Vancouver extended the lead on a Jannik Hansen goal, fueled by Daniel Sedin and Henrik Sedin. The Canucks padded the lead in the second period as Daniel Sedin scored a power play goal, powered by Henrik Sedin, who got a sock trick, and Alexander Edler. Vancouver added on with an unassisted Ryan Kesler goal. Jason LaBarbera relieved Dubnyk at this time. The Oilers took one back on a Boyd Gordon, his second of the season, via Ales Hemsky. The Canucks iced it in the third period on Garrison's second of the year, a shorthanded empty net goal that went in without assistance. The three stars in the 6-2 game were Henrik Sedin, Garrison, and Daniel Sedin.
Finally, down in San Jose, the Sharks host the Phoenix Coyotes. Mike Smith and Antti Niemi tend the twines. San Jose started in the first period as Tomas Hertl scored, thanks to Marc-Edouard Vlasic. The Sharks added on with Hertl's second of the game, courtesy of Matt Irwin and Brent Burns on the power play. San Jose extended the lead as Patrick Marleau scored a power play goal, his second of the season, powered by Vlasic and Joe Pavelski. Phoenix got on the board in the second period on an Oliver Ekman-Larsson goal, fueled by Zbynek Michalek. The Sharks iced it at 4-1 in the third period with an empty net goal by Logan Couture, set up by Pavelski. The three stars went to Hertl, Niemi (22 for 23 in saves), and Vlasic, while Pavelski gets an honorable mention.
Follow me on Twitter @KipperScorpion.
