@Nichols_NHLPool on Twitter for timely NHL & poolie info, along with occasionally snarky comments.
Live blogging nightly: line combos, defensive pairings, analysis, statistical trends and more from every game on the NHL docket. Refresh the 'Live NHL Recap' page while the games are on to get new info as it is added.
Send in a brief fantasy hockey question, including all relevant league info, and it may be included in a future Hockey Hearsay blog during the week. One per person, please. Send it via Twitter for a possible response in the blog, or send via email (include your first name and hometown to represent!) if you'd prefer. chris.nichols@sportsnet.rogers.com
DETROIT RED WINGS 6 @ BOSTON BRUINS 1
Goaltending match-up: Jimmy Howard (25/26, .962 SV%) vs. Tuukka Rask (14/19, .737 SV%) & Tim Thomas (14/15, .933 SV%)
Combos: Johan Franzen - Henrik Zetterberg - Todd Bertuzzi/ Jiri Hudler - Pavel Datsyuk - Danny Cleary/ Drew Miller - Justin Abdelkader - Tomas Holmstrom/ Kris Draper - Darren Helm - Patrick Eaves/ Nicklas Lidstrom - Niklas Kronwall/ Jonathan Ericsson - Brian Rafalski/ Jakub Kindl - Ruslan Salei
Scratches: Mursak, Filppula
Top PP times: Rafalski (5:51), Lidstrom (5:10), Zetterberg (3:53), Kronwall (3:47), Bertuzzi (3:32)
Trending: Henrik Zetterberg (1G, 2A, +2, 4 SOG) had 27 points in 26 road GP before this outing, while Jiri Hudler (1G, 2A, +2, 2:19 PP, 2 SOG) had 10 points in 16 GP coming in. Todd Bertuzzi (2G, +2, 3 SOG) scored only 1:10 in, which helped snap a real dry spell for him lately. He also collected his 700th NHL point in this tilt. Danny Cleary (1G, 1A, +2, 2:44 PP, 4 SOG) has points in each of his past three now and he had 3 SOG in three straight coming in too. Niklas Kronwall (1A, +1, 1 SOG) had been blanked in his last four. Pavel Datsyuk (1A, +2, 3:18 PP, 1 SOG) had 12 points in his 13 roadies coming in here. This was Tomas Holmstrom’s (1G, 1A, 2:31 PP, 1 SOG) second game back from injury and first time in the scoring summary.
Combos: Milan Lucic - David Krejci - Nathan Horton/ Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Mark Recchi/ Blake Wheeler - Zach Hamill - Michael Ryder/ Jordan Caron - Gregory Campbell - Shawn Thornton/ Zdeno Chara - Steve Kampfer/ Dennis Seidenberg - Johnny Boychuk/ Andrew Ference - Adam McQuaid
Scratches: Seguin, Paille, Stuart
Top PP times: Lucic (2:31), Recchi (2:31), Chara (2:31), Bergeron (2:31), Krejci (2:24)
Trending: David Krejci (1G, -1, 3 SOG) had 13A in 13 GP before tonight. Zdeno Chara (1A, -2, 2 PIM, 2 SOG) hit the 30-point plateau for the eighth straight season. Milan Lucic (1A, -1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG) was coming off that monster game against the Habs. 2G, 1A, +5, 16 PIM? Nuts.
SAN JOSE SHARKS 1 @ NEW JERSEY DEVILS 2
Goaltending match-up: Antti Niemi (21/23, .913 SV%) vs. Johan Hedberg (31/32, .969 SV%)
Combos: Ben Eager - Joe Thornton - Devin Setoguchi/ Patrick Marleau - Joe Pavelski - Dany Heatley/ Ryane Clowe - Logan Couture - Kyle Wellwood/ Jamal Mayers - Scott Nichol - Torrey Mitchell/ Douglas Murray - Dan Boyle/ Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Kent Huskins/ Niclas Wallin - Jason Demers
Scratches: Joslin, Niittymaki
Top PP times: Pavelski, Marleau, Heatley, Thornton, Boyle (2:25)
Trending: Patrick Marleau (1G, 2 SOG) scored the game’s first goal 6:08 into the first period and remember that he had a 1G, 3A effort the last time he played the Devils. Joe Pavelski (1A, +1, 3 SOG) had six points in his five February outings headed in here.
Combos: Ilya Kovalchuk - Travis Zajac - Nick Palmieri/ Brian Rolston - Patrik Elias - Dainius Zubrus/ Vladimir Zharkov - Jason Arnott - Mattias Tedenby/ Rod Pelley - Tim Sestito - David Clarkson/ Colin White - Mark Fraser/ Anssi Salmela - Andy Greene/ Henrik Tallinder - Mark Fayne
Scratches: Mair, Volchenkov, Leach
Top PP times: Elias (2:49), Rolston (2:49), Arnott (2:41), Kovalchuk (2:09), Green (1:54)
Trending: Ilya Kovalchuk (1G, 1A, 1 SOG) has points in seven straight and has been as hot lately as he was cold for much of the season. This was his third GWG in four games and his +/- continues to trend in the right direction too. Brian Rolston (1G, 2 PIM, 7 SOG) had been blanked in his past four, but was quite hot before that. Patrik Elias (1A, 2 SOG) had 16 points in 18 GP headed in here. Travis Zajac (1A, 0:55 PP, 3 SOG) had six points in four games before tonight.
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 3 @ NEW YORK ISLANDERS 9
Goaltending match-up: Brent Johnson (19/26, .731 SV%) & Marc-Andre Fleury (7/9, .778 SV%) vs. Mikkko Koiskinen (35/38, .921 SV%)
Combos: Brett Sterling - Jordan Staal - Nick Johnson/ Eric Tangradi - Craig Adams - Tyler Kennedy/ Mike Rupp - Max Talbot - Pascal Dupuis/ Ryan Craig - Joe Vitale - Eric Godard/ Brooks Orpik - Kris Letang/ Paul Martin - Zbynek Michalek/ Alex Goligoski - Deryk Engelland
Scratches: Lovejoy, Conner, Cooke
Top PP times: Staal (14:00), Kennedy (12:22), Michalek (11:42), Martin (11:03), Johnson (10:41)
Trending: Absolutely monstrous PIM totals in this one: 151 for the Pens and 156 for Isles. Godard (31), Gillies (24), Haley (24), Martin (27) were the goonish standouts tonight, including a situation where Godard came off the bench because Haley and Brent Johnson tangled and Godard wanted to defend his goalie. Kris Letang (1G, 1A, -3, 12 PIM, 8:35 PP, 5 SOG) had one point in 11 GP before tonight, but he still had a boatload of points on the season. Alex Goligoski (1A, -2, 9:46 PP, 6 SOG) has a point in three of seven, while Brett Sterling (1A, -1, 12 PIM, 7:18 PP, 2 SOG) has points on each of his two call-up games. Jordan Staal (1G, -1, 2 SOG) has goals in B2B contests after eight games with two points.
Combos: Matt Moulson - John Tavares - P.A. Parenteau/ Michael Grabner - Frans Nielsen - Kyle Okposo/ Matt Martin - Josh Bailey - Jesse Joensuu/ Michael Haley - Zenon Konopka - Trevor Gillies/ Travis Hamonic - Andrew MacDonald/ Jack Hillen - Milan Jurcina/ Radek Martinek - Bruno Gervais
Scratches: Wishart, Schremp, Poulin
Top PP times: MacDonald (2:33), Jurcina (1:55), Nielsen (1:50), Moulson (1:29), Parenteau (1:29)
Trending: John Tavares (1G, 3A, +2, 2 PIM, 5 SOG) continues to pile on the points, as he’s been doing well since mid-December. P.A. Parenteau (1G, 1A, +2, 3 SOG) has quietly been having a really good season as a depth winger for poolies. Travis Hamonic (1G, 2A, +2, 17 PIM, 0:34 PP, 1 SOG) had chipped in three points in five games before tonight. Michael Grabner (2G, 1A, +3, 8 SOG) has been on a nice little run, while Frans Nielsen (1A, +3, 2 PIM, 1 SOG) had a pair of two-pointers in three tries before tonight. Josh Bailey (1A. +1, 15 PIM, 0:06 PP, 2 SOG) ended an ugly nine-game point streak here. Matt Moulson (2G, 1A, +2, 3 SOG) has points in three of four after four without one.
COLORADO AVALANCHE 1 @ COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 3
Goaltending match-up: Peter Budaj (29/31, .935 SV%) vs. Mathieu Garon (31/32, .969 SV%)
Combos: Peter Forsberg - Matt Duchene - Milan Hejduk/ David Jones - Paul Stastny - Chris Stewart/ Brandon Yip - Kevin Porter - Daniel Winnik/ Cody McLeod - Philippe Dupuis - David Koci/ John-Michael Liles - Ryan O'Byrne/ Ryan Wilson - Kevin Shattenkirk/ Matt Hunwick - Jonas Holos
Scratches: Cumiskey, O'Reilly, Foote
Top PP times: Two PP units virtually even with 1:02/ 0:58 split
Trending: Finally... Peter Forsberg (-2, 17:38 TOI, 0:58 PP, 1 SOG) back in action for the Avs. Don't be discouraged by the -2 because one of them was the ENG. He easily could have had a few points in this game from what I saw, even with a busy night of games to track. It's a start. He'll be heavily involved in the PP and you can't help but love his linemates, so leave him in there and let's see what the guy can do.
Combos: Rick Nash - Derick Brassard - Jakub Voracek/ Kristian Huselius - Antoine Vermette - R.J. Umberger/ Chris Clark - Samuel Pahlsson - Derek Dorsett/ Matt Calvert - Derek MacKenzie - Jared Boll / Kris Russell - Grant Clitsome/ Anton Stralman - Jan Hejda/ Marc Methot - Fedor Tyutin
Scratches: Moore, Murray, Klesla
Top PP times: Tyutin (2:15), Nash (2:01), Voracek (2:01), Brassard (2:01), Clitsome (2:01)
Trending: Rick Nash (1G, 1A, +2, 6 SOG) had 7-10-17 in 26 GP vs. COL before tonight. Jakub Voracek (1A, +2, 2 SOG) had a two-pointer @PIT as his only output in five tries this month coming in here. Derick Brassard (1G, +2, 4 SOG) had chipped in 15 points in 16 GP headed in here. Fedor Tyutin (1A, +2, 2 SOG) had 12 points in 16 GP on the back end before this one began.
NEW YORK RANGERS 2 @ ATLANTA THRASHERS 3
Goaltending match-up: Henrik Lundqvist (32/35, .914 SV%) vs. Ondrej Pavelec (27/29, .931 SV%)
Combos: Vinny Prospal - Erik Christensen - Marian Gaborik/ Brandon Dubinsky - Artem Anisimov - Ryan Callahan/ Wojtek Wolski - Derek Stepan - Mats Zuccarello/ Sean Avery - Brian Boyle - Brandon Prust/ Marc Staal - Dan Girardi/ Ryan McDonagh - Mike Sauer/ Michael Del Zotto - Matt Gilroy
Scratches: Eminger
Top PP times: Gaborik (1:39), Prospal (1:39), Staal (1:39), Wolski (1:39), Callahan (1:15)
Trending: Marc Staal (1G, -1, 4 PIM, 2 SOG) had never scored in 14 prior tries vs. ATL and he had just three points dating back to the start of January. Vinny Prospal (1A, -1, 2 SOG) has points in two of four now. Marian Gaborik (2A, -1, 5 SOG) has struck for points in six of his past seven now. He was stopped on a penalty shot attempt.
Combos: Andrew Ladd - Bryan Little - Niclas Bergfors/ Evander Kane - Nik Antropov - Anthony Stewart/ Patrice Cormier - Alexander Burmistrov - Rich Peverley/ Eric Boulton - Tim Stapleton - Chris Thorburn/ Tobias Enstrom - Dustin Byfuglien/ Johnny Oduya - Brent Sopel/ Ron Hainsey - Zach Bogosian
Scratches: Modin, Meyer, Kulda
Top PP times: Enstrom (6:37), Byfuglien (5:52), Peverley (4:41), Ladd (4:17), Kane (3:32)
Trending: Tobias Enstrom (1 SOG) 1A, was back in the line-up tonight. He had been out since Jan. 22 with a broken finger and both he and Dustin Byfuglien (1A, 5 SOG) were able to make box score appearances here fairly late in the third period. Anthony Stewart (1G, 1A, +2, 2 PIM, 1:36 PP, 1 SOG) has points in three of four after three without one. Evander Kane (2G, 1A, +1, 6 SOG) had three points in four games since his return to action.
MINNESOTA WILD 5 @ ST. LOUIS BLUES 4 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Jose Theodore (31/35, .886 SV%) vs. Jaroslav Halak (23/27, .852 SV%)
Combos: Andrew Brunette - Mikko Koivu - Antti Miettinen/ Cal Clutterbuck - Kyle Brodziak - Martin Havlat/ Pierre-Marc Bouchard - Matt Cullen - Chuck Kobasew/ Eric Nystrom - John Madden - Brad Staubitz/ Nick Schultz - Brent Burns/ Clayton Stoner - Greg Zanon/ Jared Spurgeon - Cam Barker
Scratches: Scandella
Top PP times: Koivu (2:20), Havlat (2:08), PMB (2:08), Brunette (2:06), Miettinen (2:06)
Trending: Andrew Brunette (1G, 1A, 1 SOG) had 7-5-12 in 16 GP headed into this start. Mikko Koivu (2A, 4 SOG) had 15 points over the same span, while Brent Burns (1A, 1:55 PP, 2 SOG) has points in B2B starts after four without one. Martin Havlat (1G, 1A, +3, 2 SOG) had 12 points in 16 outings before tonight. Cal Clutterbuck (2G, +2, 1:50 PP, 3 SOG) had accumulated nine points in 16 affairs. Shootout: PMB, Koivu, Madden
Combos: Andy McDonald - David Backes - Brad Boyes/ Alex Steen - Patrik Berglund - T.J. Oshie/ Vladimir Sobotka - Jay McClement - Matt D'Agostini/ Brad Winchester - B.J. Crombeen/ Barret Jackman - Alex Pietrangelo/ Eric Brewer - Erik Johnson/ Nikita Nikitin - Roman Polak/ Carlo Colaiacovo
Scratches: Janssen
Top PP times: McDonald (4:14), Pietrangelo (3:44), Boyes (3:40), Colaiacovo (3:07), Johnson (2:51)
Trending: Patrik Berglund (1G, 2:25 PP, 1 SOG) has been producing well over the past three weeks and a bit, while T.J. Oshie (1A, 1:46 PP, 1 SOG) has points in three of four this month. Andy McDonald (1G, 1A, +2, 4 SOG) has points in three of four. Carlo Colaiacovo (1A, +1, 1 SOG) was back in action tonight after missing time since Jan. 18th. He had no points in six tries before that period too. Brad Boyes (2A, +2, 2 PIM, no SOG) had racked up 15 points over his past 15 starts headed into tonight. David Backes (2G, +1, 5 SOG) has goals in three straight. Alex Pietrangelo (1A, -1, 1 SOG) has points in seven of his past 12 on D. Shootout: Boyes, Steen
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS 3 @ DALLAS STARS 4 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Marty Turco (32/35, .914 SV%) vs. Kari Lehtonen (23/26, .885 SV%)
Combos: Patrick Sharp - Jonathan Toews - Patrick Kane/ Troy Brouwer - Tomas Kopecky - Michael Frolik/ Bryan Bickell - Dave Bolland - Fernando Pisani/ Viktor Stalberg - Jake Dowell - Ryan Johnson/ Duncan Keith - Nick Leddy/ Niklas Hjalmarsson - Brent Seabrook/ Brian Campbell - Jordan Hendry
Scratches: Boynton, Scott, Hossa
Top PP times: Kane (6:04), Sharp (6:04), Toews (5:56), Kopecky (5:27), Seabrook (4:15)
Trending: Michael Frolik (17:20 TOI, 1:57 PP, 5 SOG) played his first game with the Hawks and Marty Turco made his return to Dallas in an exciting tilt. Beauty game for Patrick Kane (1G, 2A, 1 SOG), who was already a point-per-game player on the road headed in here. He had 10-7-17 in 13 GP vs. DAL. Jonathan Toews (2A, +1, 1 SOG) came into this one only four points shy of the point-per-game mark and Brent Seabrook (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 5 SOG) came into tonight tied with last year’s 30 points, which was a mark only two shy of his two-time career high of 32. He was a 14th overall pick in the first round of 2003 by these same Hawks. Patrick Sharp (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 2 SOG) has picked up points in three of five this month. Shootout: Toews
Combos: James Neal - Brad Richards - Loui Eriksson/ Brenden Morrow - Mike Ribeiro - Jamie Langenbrunner/ Steve Ott - Tom Wandell - Tomas Vincour/ Francis Wathier - Aaron Gagnon - Brian Sutherby/ Nicklas Grossman - Stephane Robidas/ Karlis Skrastins - Marc Fistric/ Jeff Woywitka - Trevor Daley
Scratches: Niskanen, Sawada
Top PP times: Richards (7:42), Morrow (5:45), Robidas (5:32), Ribeiro (5:28), Eriksson (5:15)
Trending: Dallas trailed this game 3-0. Brad Richards (1G, -1, 6 SOG) had 23 points in 17 GP vs. CHI coming in here and he has goals in three of four overall. Stephane Robidas (1G, 1A, 2 PIM, 3 SOG) halted a four-game pointless skid, while Brenden Morrow (1G, 5 SOG) has his second four-game point streak going this season. Jamie Langenbrunner (1A, 2:47 PP, 4 SOG) had a three-pointer the last time he met this team. He had nothing in four games overall coming in. Shootout: Morrow, Richards, Ribeiro (filthy)
ANAHEIM DUCKS 5 @ CALGARY FLAMES 4 (OT)
Goaltending match-up: Curtis McElhinney (21/25, .840 SV%) vs. Miikka Kiprusoff (25/30, .833 SV%)
Combos: Bobby Ryan - Ryan Getzlaf - Corey Perry/ Jason Blake - Saku Koivu - Teemu Selanne/ Dan Sexton - Brandon McMillan - Maxim Lapierre/ Todd Marchant - George Parros/ Toni Lydman - Lubomir Visnovsky/ Luca Sbisa - Andy Sutton/ Andreas Lilja - Cam Fowler/ Francois Beauchemin
Scratches: Brookbank, Mara, Chipchura
Top PP times: 11 seconds only for PP1
Trending: Saku Koivu (2G, 1A, +3, 0:11 PP, 3 SOG) has picked up points in five of six now, while Jason Blake (2A, +2, no PP, 4 SOG) has points in three of five. Corey Perry (2A, -2, 0:11 PP, 3 SOG) had 18-13-31 in 28 road GP before adding more here. Teemu Selanne (1G, 3A, +3, 0:1 PP, 3 SOG) added yet another multi-pointer and he also hit the 50-point plateau tonight in his 47th game. What a stud. Ryan Getzlaf (1A, -3, 0:11 PP, no SOG) has points in each of his two games back, but would you expect anything less? Cam Fowler (1G, +1, 0:11 PP, 4 SOG) has goals in four of six and he put home the OT GWG.
Combos: Rene Bourque - Brendan Morrison - Jarome Iginla/ Curtis Glencross - Olli Jokinen - David Moss/ Tim Jackman - Matt Stajan - Niklas Hagman/ Tom Kostopoulos - Mikael Backlund - Lance Bouma/ Robyn Regehr - Jay Bouwmeester/ Steve Staios - Anton Babchuk/ Mark Giordano - Cory Sarich
Scratches: Pardy, Mikkelson, Tanguay
Top PP times: Bouwmeester (4:00), Giordano (3:51), Morrison (3:39), Iginla (3:39), Glencross (3:01)
Trending: Curtis Glencross (1G, 1A, +1, 2 PIM, 6 SOG) has goals in four of five and he had the GWG in B2B games coming in too. Jarome Iginla (1G, 1A, +1, 4 SOG) had 49 points in 53 GP vs. ANH before tonight and Rene Bourque (1G, -1, 2:13 PP, 4 SOG) has goals in two of three after a really cold spell. David Moss (2A, +2, 1:51 PP, 1 SOG) had no February points before tonight.
