Twitter: @Nichols_NHLPool/ Email: chris.nichols@sportsnet.rogers.com
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FLORIDA PANTHERS 1 @ CAROLINA HURRICANES 2
Goaltending match-up: Scott Clemmensen (20/22, .909 SV%) vs. Cam Ward (41/42, .976 SV%)
Combos: Stephen Weiss - David Booth - Niclas Bergfors/ Sergei Samsonov - Mike Santorelli - Steve Bernier/ Kenndal McArdle - Marty Reasoner - Michal Repik/ Darcy Hordichuk - Scott Timmins - Hugh Jessiman/ Jason Garrison - Mike Weaver/ Dmitry Kulikov - Alexander Sulzer/ Joe Callahan - Keaton Ellerby
Scratches:
Top PP times: Weiss (1:55), Kulikov (1:30), Repik (1:30), Bergfors (1:20), Reasoner (1:20)
Trending: Stephen Weiss (1G, +1, 3 SOG) had nothing in his prior four starts. Same goes for David Booth (1A, +1, 0:40 PP, 6 SOG). Prominent role for Niclas Bergfors (+1, 17:46 TOI, 4 SOG), which only helps his value to finish out the season.
Combos: Cory Stillman - Eric Staal - Erik Cole/ Jeff Skinner - Tuomo Ruutu - Chad LaRose/ Jussi Jokinen - Brandon Sutter - Jiri Tlusty/ Jerome Samson - Pat Dwyer - Troy Bodie/ Joni Pitkanen - Jamie McBain/ Tim Gleason - Joe Corvo/ Bryan Allen - Jay Harrison
Scratches: Joslin
Top PP times: Pitkanen (2:38), Stillman (2:35), Staal (2:17), Jokinen (2:17), Corvo (2:17)
Trending: Cory Stillman (1G, 1A, +1, 2 SOG) has scored in two of three games with the Canes now. Eric Staal (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG) returned to action here, which only helps Stillman going forward. Erik Cole (1A, +1, 0:35 PP, 1 SOG) had 5-6-11 in 13 GP coming in. Joe Corvo (1A, -1, no SOG) had 19 of his 32 points on the season from the start of January on coming in here. Joni Pitkanen (1A, +1, 4 SOG) had seven February points coming in, although just one point in five games before tonight.
BUFFALO SABRES 3 @ NEW YORK RANGERS 2
Goaltending match-up: Ryan Miller (29/31, .935 SV%) vs. Henrik Lundqvist (23/26, .885 SV%)
Combos: Brad Boyes - Tim Connolly - Tyler Ennis/ Thomas Vanek - Jochen Hecht - Jason Pominville/ Paul Gaustad - Rob Niedermayer - Drew Stafford/ Patrick Kaleta - Cody McCormick - Mike Grier/ Chris Butler - Tyler Myers/ Andrej Sekera - Steve Montador/ Shaone Morrisonn - Mike Weber
Scratches: Leopold, Gerbe
Top PP times: Ennis (2:50), Stafford (2:42), Vanek (2:35), Myers (2:18), Connolly (2:18)
Trending: Drew Stafford (1A, +1, 5 SOG) has points in three in a row and had 13 in 13 coming in. Tyler Myers (1G, 1 SOG) came into tonight three points shy of 40. Brad Boyes (1G, 1:01 PP, 1 SOG) scored in his debut for the Sabres and continued his trend of hot offensive production, this time in the goal department. Jochen Hecht (1G, +1, no PP, 3 SOG) has a four-game point streak rolling with points in seven of 10 too.
Combos: Brandon Dubinsky - Artem Anisimov - Ryan Callahan/ Wojtek Wolski - Derek Stepan - Mats Zuccarello/ Vinny Prospal - Erik Christensen - Brian Boyle/ Sean Avery - Kris Newbury - Brandon Prust/ Ryan McDonagh - Dan Girardi/ Bryan McCabe - Mike Sauer/ Matt Gilroy - Steve Eminger
Scratches: Gaborik, Staal, Fedotenko, Biron
Top PP times: McCabe (4:27), Callahan (2:57), Zuccarello (2:42), Prospal (2:39), Stepan (2:17)
Trending: Erik Christensen (1G, -1, 1:39 PP, 2 SOG) had that four-pointer @WAS two games ago, but not much else for awhile. This was Bryan McCabe’s (1A, -1, 6 SOG) second game with the Rangers and first box score appearance. He should continue to see plenty of PP time because he's the only one who has a clue what he's doing at the point. Artem Anisimov (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 1:44 PP, 1 SOG) had drawn blanks in five straight. Ryan Callahan (1A, 5 SOG) had collected seven points in seven games before tonight. Wojtek Wolski (1A, +1, 4 PIM, 1:23 PP, 3 SOG) has a point in three of five.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS 1 @ WASHINGTON CAPITALS 2 (OT)
Goaltending match-up: Nathan Lawson (40/42, .952 SV%) vs. Michal Neuvirth (28/29, .966 SV%)
Combos: Matt Moulson - John Tavares - P.A. Parenteau/ Michael Grabner - Frans Nielsen - Kyle Okposo/ Blake Comeau - Josh Bailey - Justin DiBenedetto/ Matt Martin - Zenon Konopka - Michael Haley/ Travis Hamonic - Andrew MacDonald/ Ty Wishart - Jack Hillen/ Mark Katic - Bruno Gervais
Scratches: Gillies, Martinek, Jurcina
Top PP times: Moulson (5:15), Parenteau (5:15), Tavares (5:09), MacDonald (5:05), Okposo (4:01)
Trending: John Tavares (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 6 SOG) had been blanked in his past three games, but has generally been doing really well since mid-December. P.A. Parenteau (1A, +1, 3 SOG) had three points in eight games before tonight. Matt Moulson (1G, +1, 5 SOG) had a strong 10-3-13 in 14 February GP prior to this outing.
Combos: Alex Ovechkin - Nicklas Backstrom - Marco Sturm/ Brooks Laich - Jason Arnott - Alexander Semin/ Jason Chimera - Marcus Johansson - Mike Knuble/ Matt Hendricks - Boyd Gordon - Matt Bradley/ Karl Alzner - John Carlson/ Scott Hannan - Dennis Wideman/ John Erskine - Jeff Schultz
Scratches: King, Beagle, Sloan, Varlamov
Top PP times: Wideman (3:39), Ovechkin (3:39), Semin (2:16), Knuble (2:16), Laich (1:37)
Trending: Alex Ovechkin's (1G, 1A, +2, 8 SOG) OT winner was a beauty! His game has really been coming on and even though the results have still be so-so by His magnificent standards, he's trending the right way. Jason Arnott (1A, +1, 1:23 PP, 3 SOG) made his debut. I'd classify it like this: he had virtually zero value in Jersey and now at least there's a chance he'll be of use to you, depending on the circumstances. The only downside is, of course, the Caps are scoring fewer goals these days. Brooks Laich (1G, +1, 5 SOG) had seven points on the month coming in here. Looks like, at least initially, that Dennis Wideman (+2, 3 SOG) will be eating up PP minutes over John Carlson (-1, 0:21 PP, 2 SOG) with Mike Green on the shelf.
MONTREAL CANADIENS 3 @ ATLANTA THRASHERS 1
Goaltending match-up: Carey Price (40/41, .976 SV%) vs. Chris Mason (20/22, .909 SV%)
Combos: Michael Cammalleri - Tomas Plekanec - Jeff Halpern/ Max Pacioretty - Scott Gomez - Brian Gionta/ Benoit Pouliot - David Desharnais - Ryan White/ Andrei Kostitsyn - Lars Eller - Travis Moen/ Hal Gill - P.K. Subban/ Roman Hamrlik - James Wisniewski/ Paul Mara - Brent Sopel
Scratches: Picard, Weber, Pyatt
Top PP times: Wisniewski (4:39), Plekanec (3:16), Cammalleri (3:13), Desharnais (3:13), Gionta (2:35)
Trending: Max Pacioretty (1G, 1A, +2, 1:51 PP, 4 SOG) had scored five times in nine outings before tonight. James Wisniewski (1G, +1, 3 SO)G already had 3-15-18 in 24 GP with Montreal. Brian Gionta (1G, +1, 2 SOG) hit for the ENG and that was his seventh goal of the month.
Combos: Andrew Ladd - Bryan Little - Blake Wheeler/ Evander Kane - Tim Stapleton - Anthony Stewart/ Radek Dvorak - Nik Antropov - Rob Schremp/ Eric Boulton - Ben Maxwell - Chris Thorburn/ Tobias Enstrom - Dustin Byfuglien/ Johnny Oduya - Mark Stuart/ Ron Hainsey - Zach Bogosian
Scratches: Cormier, Pavelec
Top PP times: Enstrom (7:25), Byfuglien (6:32), Antropov (4:09), Ladd (4:07), Wheeler (4:05)
Trending: Nik Antropov (1G, 5 SOG) broke the shutout bid and ended a seven-game goalless streak in the process. He had one helper in that time. Anthony Stewart (1A, -1, 2 PIM, 2:55 PP, 2 SOG) has points in B2B games after five without one.
BOSTON BRUINS 1 @ OTTAWA SENATORS 0
Goaltending match-up: Tuukka Rask (33/33) vs. Craig Anderson (20/21, .952 SV%)
Combos: Milan Lucic - David Krejci - Nathan Horton/ Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Mark Recchi/ Rich Peverley - Chris Kelly - Michael Ryder/ Tyler Seguin - Gregory Campbell - Shawn Thornton/ Zdeno Chara - Johnny Boychuk/ Tomas Kaberle - Dennis Seidenberg/ Steve Kampfer - Adam McQuaid
Scratches: Paille, Ference
Top PP times: Kaberle (3:06), Chara (2:56), Lucic (2:31), Krejci (2:30), Horton (1:44)
Trending: Nathan Horton (1G, +1, 1 SOG) broke a scoreless tie in the third period and his game has really come alive this month after a dry spell. Brad Marchand (1A, +1, 2 PIM, no PP, 1 SOG) had 6-3-9 in 12 GP this month before tonight.
Combos: Colin Greening - Jason Spezza - Bobby Butler/ Erik Condra - Nick Foligno - Marek Svatos/ Nick Foligno - Zack Smith - Chris Neil/ Ryan Potulny - Jesse Winchester - Francis Lessard/ Filip Kuba - Erik Karlsson/ Chris Phillips - Brian Lee/ Derek Smith - Matt Carkner
Scratches: Michalek, Alfredsson, Regin, Carkner, Leclaire
Top PP times: Spezza (3:24), Karlsson (3:24), Butler (2:45), Foligno (2:39), Gonchar (2:21)
Trending: Sergei Gonchar was back in the line-up for the Sens here.
CALGARY FLAMES 6 @ ST. LOUIS BLUES 0
Goaltending match-up: Miikka Kiprusoff (25/25) vs. Ben Bishop (23/29, .793 SV%)
Combos: Alex Tanguay - Brendan Morrison - Jarome Iginla/ Tim Jackman - Matt Stajan - Rene Bourque/ Curtis Glencross - Olli Jokinen - David Moss/ Niklas Hagman - Mikael Backlund - Tom Kostopoulos/ Robyn Regehr - Jay Bouwmeester/ Mark Giordano - Cory Sarich/ Steve Staios - Anton Babchuk
Scratches: Carson, Modin, Mikkelson
Top PP times: Iginla (4:06), Tanguay (4:04), Giordano (3:58), Morrison (3:14), Glencross (2:25)
Trending: This game was 1-0 headed into the third period. Alex Tanguay (1G, 2A, +3, 3 SOG) has always rocked it against the Blues and had 8-27-35 in 34 GP coming in here. Ditto for stud Jarome Iginla (2G, 2A, +3, 5 SOG), who had 61 points in 54 GP vs. STL and dominated again tonight. Brendan Morrison (3A, +3, no SOG) continues to look like he belongs between those two and has been chipping in steadily for poolies. Rene Bourque (1A, 1:54 PP, 3 SOG) had a trio of two-pointers followed by three games without a point coming in here. Mark Giordano (1A, +1, no SOG) had three points this month before tonight. David Moss (1G, 2:06 PP, 3 SOG) has goals in three straight.
Combos: Andy McDonald - David Backes - Matt D'Agostini/ T.J. Oshie - Patrik Berglund - Chris Stewart/ Kevin Porter - Alex Steen - B.J. Crombeen/ Ryan Reaves - Adam Cracknell - Cam Janssen/ Barret Jackman - Roman Polak/ / Alex Pietrangelo - Kevin Shattenkirk/ Carlo Colaiacovo - Tyson Strachan
Scratches: Sobotka, Nikitin
Top PP times: McDonald (2:27), Shattenkirk (2:19), Stewart (2:19), Steen (2:04), Berglund (1:56)
Trending:
DALLAS STARS 3 @ PHOENIX COYOTES 2
Goaltending match-up: Kari Lehtonen (25/27, .926 SV%) vs. Ilya Bryzgalov (27/30, .900 SV%)
Combos: Brenden Morrow - Mike Ribeiro - Adam Burish/ Loui Eriksson - Jamie Benn - Tomas Vincour/ Krys Barch - Steve Ott - Jamie Langenbrunner/ Toby Petersen - Tom Wandell - Jason Williams/ Alex Goligoski - Stephane Robidas/ Mark Fistric - Karlis Skrastins/ Jeff Woywitka - Trevor Daley
Scratches: Grossman, Richards, Sutherby
Top PP times: Goligoski (5:21), Robidas (4:55), Morrow (4:55), Eriksson (4:33), Ribeiro (4:33)
Trending: Jamie Benn (1G, -1, 2 PIM, 1:43 PP, 7 SOG) scored the GWG with four seconds left after Dallas had blown a late 2-0 lead. Crazy finish. Welcome to stretch drive hockey. Benn has points in two of four since returning to the line-up. Loui Eriksson (1A, no SOG) added his 59th point and Mike Ribeiro (1A, 5 SOG) is up to 52 on the season. Jamie Langenbrunner (1G, -1, 1:13 PP, 1 SOG) has scored in three of six now. Steve Ott (1A, -1, 1:35 PP, 4 SOG) had 1-3-4 with 26 PIM in his 12 GP this month coming in.
Combos: Mikkel Boedker - Eric Belanger - Shane Doan/ Ray Whitney - Martin Hanzal - Radim Vrbata/ Taylor Pyatt - Vernon Fiddler - Lee Stempniak/ Paul Bissonnette - Kyle Turris - Lauri Korpikoski/ Keith Yandle - Derek Morris/ David Schlemko - Adrian Aucoin/ Rostislav Klesla - Michal Rozsival
Scratches: Ekman-Larsson, Ebbett
Top PP times: Yandle (3:26), Whitney (2:34), Hanzal (2:34), Boekder (2:20), Doan (1:41)
Trending: Rostislav Klesla (1G, no PP, 2 SOG) isn't much of a fantasy option, but he broke the shutout bid late in the third to make this an interesting finish in his first game with the Coyotes. Shane Doan (2A, +1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG) had 3-6-9 in 13 GP coming in here, while Kyle Turris (1A, +1, 1:25 PP, 2 SOG) has points in three of five. Ray Whitney (1G, -1, 3 SOG) has been on a tear and he tied the game up in the last minute.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS 1 @ EDMONTON OILERS 2 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Pekka Rinne (24/25, .960 SV%) vs. Martin Gerber (34/35, .971 SV%)
Combos: Colin Wilson - David Legwand - Patric Hornqvist/ Sergei Kostitsyn - Mike Fisher - Martin Erat/ Nick Spaling - Jerred Smithson - Joel Ward/ Matt Halischuk - Blake Geoffrion - Jordin Tootoo/ Shea Weber - Ryan Suter/ Cody Franson - Shane O'Brien/ Kevin Klein - Jonathon Blum
Scratches: Dumont
Top PP times: Suter (4:17), Weber (4:01), Kostitysn (3:04), Fisher (3:04), Erat (3:04)
Trending: Blake Geoffrion (1G, no PP, 3 SOG) scored his first NHL goal here in his third start. Ryan Suter (1A, +1, 2 SOG) has points in three straight after four without one. Shootout: Erat
Combos: Magnus Paajarvi - Shawn Horcoff - Ales Hemsky/ Taylor Hall - Andrew Cogliano - Jordan Eberle/ Ryan Jones - Sam Gagner - Linus Omark/ Jean-Francois Jacques - Gilbert Brule - Liam Reddox/ Ladislav Smid - Tom Gilbert/ Jason Strudwick - Kurtis Foster/ Richard Petiot - Jim Vandermeer
Scratches: Fraser, MacIntyre, Peckham
Top PP times: Foster (3:29), Hemsky (3:04), Horcoff (3:04), Hall (3:01), Omark (3:00)
Trending: Sam Gagner (1A, 2 PIM, 2:56 PP, 4 SOG) has picked up a point in five of eight now. Check Ales Hemsky’s injury status. He got dinged up in this one. Shootout: Eberle, Omark (filthy!)
COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 1 @ VANCOUVER CANUCKS 2 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Steve Mason (25/26, .962 SV%) vs. Roberto Luongo (30/31, .968 SV%)
Combos: Rick Nash - Antoine Vermette - Jakub Voracek/ Matt Calvert - Derek McKenzie - R.J. Umberger/ Derek Dorsett - Samuel Pahlsson - Scottie Upshall/ Ethan Moreau - Andrew Murray - Jared Boll/ Kris Russell - Grant Clitsome/ Sami Lepisto - Jan Hejda/ Marc Methot - Fedor Tyutin
Scratches: Stralman, Rivet, Clark
Top PP times: Clitsome (4:15), Vermette (4:08), Nash (4:05), Russell (4:02), Voracek (3:56)
Trending: Scottie Upshall (1G, +1, 4 PIM, 6 SOG) scored in his debut for the Jackets. He had just two February points coming in., but also almost scored the winner in OT. Really versatile guy that should do well with his new team. Shootout: Nash, Vermette
Combos: Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin - Alexandre Burrows/ Mason Raymond - Ryan Kesler - Mikael Samuelsson/ Raffi Torres - Manny Malhotra - Jannik Hansen/ Tanner Glass - Maxim Lapierre - Jeff Tambellini/ Dan Hamhuis - Christian Ehrhoff/ Sami Salo - Keith Ballard/ Aaron Rome - Chris Tanev
Scratches: Bieksa
Top PP times: D. Sedin (4:13), H. Sedin (4:07), Kesler (4:07), Ehrhoff (3:56), Samuelsson (2:46)
Trending: Mason Raymond (1G, +1, 1:23 PP, 4 SOG) hadn’t scored since Feb. 2. Ryan Kesler (1A, +1, 2 PIM, no SOG) came into this with 15 points in 21 GP vs. CBJ and came into tonight with 57 points overall. Sami Salo (1A, -1, 2:34 PP, 3 SOG) has points in four of eight now. Shootout: Raymond, Burrows, Torres
COLORADO AVALANCHE 1 @ SAN JOSE SHARKS 2 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Brian Elliott (34/35, .971 SV%) vs. Antti Niemi (18/19, .947 SV%)
Combos: Ryan Stoa - Paul Stastny - David Jones/ Kevin Porter - Matt Duchene - Milan Hejduk/ Cody McLeod - Jay McClement - Philippe Dupuis/ Daniel Winnik - Ryan O'Reilly - David Koci/ John-Michael Liles - Jonas Holos/ Ryan Wilson - Erik Johnson/ Matt Hunwick - Cameron Gaunce
Scratches: O'Byrne, Yip
Top PP times: Hejduk (1:59), Johnson (1:52), Liles (1:36), Stastny (1:22), Jones (1:18)
Trending: Erik Johnson (1G, 4 SOG) already had 1-2-3 in 5 GP with his new team before breaking open a scoreless game early in the third period.
Combos: Logan Couture - Joe Thornton - Devin Setoguchi/ Ryane Clowe - Patrick Marleau - Dany Heatley/ Torrey Mitchell - Joe Pavelski - Kyle Wellwood/ Brandon Mashinter - John McCarthy - Jamal Mayers/ Douglas Murray - Justin Braun/ Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Jason Demers/ Niclas Wallin - Ian White
Scratches: Boyle, Eager
Top PP times: Heatley (4:49), Thornton (4:35), White (4:15), Marleau (4:14), Demers (4:14)
Trending: Joe Thornton (1G, +1, 3 SOG) had six points in six games headed into this one and also had 35 points in 31 GP vs. COL coming in. Jason Demers (1A, +1, 3 SO)G has helpers in three of five. Devin Setoguchi (1A, +1, 6 SOG) already had 8-5-13 in 13 GP this month prior to his contribution here. 45 SOG and a +6 rating in that time too. Shootout: Clowe
