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OTTAWA SENATORS 2 @ NEW JERSEY DEVILS 1
Goaltending match-up: Craig Anderson (31/32, .969 SV%) vs. Martin Brodeur (19/21, .905 SV%)
Combos: Colin Greening - Jason Spezza - Bobby Butler/ Erik Condra - Ryan Shannon - Marek Svatos/ Nick Foligno - Zack Smith - Chris Neil/ Ryan Potulny - Jesse Winchester - Francis Lessard/ Filip Kuba - Erik Karlsson/ Chris Phillips - Brian Lee/ Derek Smith - Sergei Gonchar
Scratches: Michalek, Alfredsson, Regin, Carkner, Leclaire
Top PP times: Butler (3:13), Spezza (3:13), Gonchar (3:13), Karlsson (3:13), Foligno (2:30)
Trending: Erik Condra (2G, +2, no PP, 2 SOG) had been blanked in his past three games, but had four points in his first six starts of this call-up. Ryan Shannon (1A, +1, 0:48 PP, 2 SOG) had five points in six games before tonight. Jason Spezza (1A, 2 PIM, 1 SOG) did some great work late to set up the GWG and maintained his point-per-game average over 14 games since returning to action.
Combos: Ilya Kovalchuk - Travis Zajac - Nick Palmieri/ Brian Rolston - Patrik Elias - Dainius Zubrus/ Rod Pelley - David Steckel - David Clarkson/ Vladimir Zharkov - Jacob Josefson - Mattias Tedenby/ Colin White - Anton Volchenkov/ Henrik Tallinder - Mark Fayne/ Anssi Salmela - Andy Greene
Scratches: Fraser, Mair
Top PP times: Kovalchuk (4:33), Rolston (3:06), Zubrus (2:42), Elias (2:42), Zajac (2:42)
Trending: Patrik Elias (1G, 2 SOG) had just one goal dating back to the start of February before scoring in the third period. He had just one point in six games coming in here too. Brian Rolston (1A, 2 PIM, 5 SO)G continues to be a great depth source of points and SOG for his poolies, as he has been since the waiving process ended.
TORONTO MAPLE LEAFS 3 @ NEW YORK ISLANDERS 4 (OT)
Goaltending match-up: James Reimer (36/40, .900 SV%) vs. Al Montoya (24/27, .889 SV%)
Combos: Clarke MacArthur - Mikhail Grabovski - Nikolai Kulemin/ Joffrey Lupul - Tyler Bozak - Phil Kessel/ Colby Armstrong - Darryl Boyce - Joey Crabb/ Jay Rosehill - Tim Brent - Mike Brown/ Keith Aulie - Dion Phaneuf/ Carl Gunnarsson - Luke Schenn/ Brett Lebda - Mike Komisarek
Scratches: Sjostrom, Gustavsson
Top PP times: Phaneuf (3:35), Kessel (3:35), Lupul (3:21), Brent (3:19), Bozak (3:14)
Trending: Nikolai Kulemin (1G, 2:31 PP, 2 SOG) came into tonight three points shy of 50 for the season and he has goals in four of five with points in five of six. Mikhail Grabovski (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 2:38 PP, 4 SOG) did hit the 50-point mark in the third period and has points in five of six. Also reaching the 50-point threshold tonight was Phil Kessel (1A, +2, 3:35 PP, 1 SOG). Colby Armstrong (1A, 0:07 PP, 2 SOG) came into this one with 10 points in 13 GP.
Combos: Matt Moulson - John Tavares - P.A. Parenteau/ Michael Grabner - Frans Nielsen - Kyle Okposo/ Blake Comeau - Josh Bailey - Matt Martin/ Justin DiBenedetto - Zenon Konopka - Michael Haley/ Travis Hamonic - Andrew MacDonald/ Jack Hillen - Radek Martinek/ Bruno Gervais - Milan Jurcina
Scratches: Gillies
Top PP times: Parenteau, Okposo, Moulson, Tavares, MacDonald (1:03)
Trending: Frans Nielsen (1G, 1A, +2, 0:43 PP, 2 SOG) had picked up 15 points in 18 GP coming in here, while Andrew MacDonald (1A, +2, 1 SOG) had seven points in eight games before tonight. Michael Grabner (1G, +2, 2 PIM, 0:57 PP, 3 SOG) continues to chip in points for his owners on this great run. Blake Comeau (1G, 1A, +2, 0:57 PP, 3 SOG) reached 40 points for the season and has five points in his past five starts now, including four goals after potting the OT GWG. Beauty tip.
EDMONTON OILERS 1 @ PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 4
Goaltending match-up: Devan Dubnyk (23/26, .885 SV%) vs. Sergei Bobrovsky (23/24, .958 SV%)
Combos: Magnus Paajarvi - Shawn Horcoff - Jordan Eberle/ Alexandre Giroux - Andrew Cogliano - Liam Reddox/ Ryan Jones - Sam Gagner - Linus Omark/ Jean-Francois Jacques - Colin Fraser - Steve MacIntyre/ Jim Vandermeer - Alex Plante/ Ladislav Smid - Tom Gilbert/ Jason Strudwick - Kurtis Foster
Scratches: Hall, Peckham, Brule, Hemsky
Top PP times: Paajarvi (3:34), Eberle (3:21), Gilbert (3:17), Horcoff (3:12), Giroux (2:47)
Trending: Blech.
Combos: Darroll Powe - Mike Richards - Kris Versteeg/ James van Riemsdyk - Claude Giroux - Jeff Carter/ Scott Hartnell - Danny Briere - Ville Leino/ Dan Carcillo - Blair Betts - Jody Shelley/ Matt Carle - Chris Pronger/ Kimmo Timonen - Braydon Coburn/ Sean O'Donnell - Andrej Meszaros
Scratches: Nodl, Boynton, Zherdev
Top PP times: Timonen (5:17), Pronger (4:53), Carter (4:46), Briere (4:39), Giroux (4:18)
Trending: Danny Briere (1G, 1A, 2 SOG) came into tonight two points shy of last year’s total of 53 points, so this was the effort for which he was looking. He stopped a five-game pointless slide here. Claude Giroux (2A, +2, 1 SOG) hit the 60-point plateau tonight, but that was virtually money in the bank against these Oilers. Love ‘em, but... Jeff Carter (2G, +1, 5 SOG) had 30 points in 32 home games before tonight. Ville Leino (1A, 2:33 PP, 1 SOG) ended a four-game pointless skid here. Matt Carle (1A, +1, 4:00 PP, 1 SOG) has helpers in five of seven. James van Riemsdyk (1A, +1, 1:29 PP, 2 SOG) had collected seven points in 14 GP before this outing.
BUFFALO SABRES 1 @ PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 3
Goaltending match-up: Ryan Miller (28/31, .903 SV%) vs. Marc-Andre Fleury (29/30, .967 SV%)
Combos: Luke Adam - Brad Boyes - Jason Pominville/ Tyler Ennis - Tim Connolly - Drew Stafford/ Nathan Gerbe - Paul Gaustad - Mark Mancari/ Rob Niedermayer - Cody McCormick - Mark Parrish/ Chris Butler - Tyler Myers/ Andrej Sekera - Steve Montador/ Mike Weber - Jordan Leopold
Scratches: Grier, Vanek, Morrisonn, Kaleta, Hecht, Lalime
Top PP times: Leopold (3:35), Connolly (3:10), Stafford (3:10), Pominville (3:10), Sekera (2:58)
Trending: Tyler Myers (1A, 2:36 PP, 2 SOG) had 48 points last season, but came into tonight with just 28 points.
Combos: James Neal - Mark Letestu - Alex Kovalev/ Chris Kunitz - Jordan Staal - Tyler Kennedy/ Max Talbot - Dustin Jeffrey - Matt Cooke/ Mike Rupp - Craig Adams - Pascal Dupuis/ Paul Martin - Zbynek Michalek/ Matt Niskanen - Kris Letang/ Deryk Engelland - Ben Lovejoy
Scratches: Conner, Godard
Top PP times: Letang (9:31), Martin (8:39), Staal (8:06), Kovalev (8:00), Kennedy (6:09)
Trending: James Neal (1G, 1A, +3, 4:22 PP, 4 SOG) had no points in six tries with the Pens before tonight. The chances had been coming, but nothing had gone in. Mark Letestu (1G, 1A, +2, 5:31 PP, 1 SOG) was blanked in three straight coming in. Jordan Staal (1A, +1, 2 SOG) had chipped in 10 points in 17 GP coming in here.
BOSTON BRUINS 1 @ MONTREAL CANADIENS 4
Goaltending match-up: Tuukka Rask (22/26, .846 SV%) vs. Carey Price (30/31, .968 SV%)
Combos: Milan Lucic - David Krejci - Nathan Horton/ Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Mark Recchi/ Rich Peverley - Chris Kelly - Michael Ryder/ Daniel Paille - Gregory Campbell - Shawn Thornton/ Zdeno Chara - Johnny Boychuk/ Tomas Kaberle - Dennis Seidenberg/ Matt Bartkowski - Adam McQuaid
Scratches: Paille, Ference, Kampfer
Top PP times: Kaberle (6:52), Krejci (4:29), Lucic (4:21), Horton (4:21), Seidenberg (4:09), Chara (3:51)
Trending: The big storyline in hockey tonight, as you’ve no doubt heard, involved Zdeno Chara’s (15 PIM, 1 SOG) hit on Max Pacioretty. See the highlights. Judge for yourself.
Combos: Michael Cammalleri - Tomas Plekanec - Jeff Halpern/ Max Pacioretty - Scott Gomez - Brian Gionta/ Andrei Kostitsyn - Lars Eller - Travis Moen/ Benoit Pouliot - David Desharnais - Ryan White/ Hal Gill - P.K. Subban/ Roman Hamrlik - James Wisniewski/ Paul Mara - Brent Sopel
Scratches: Picard, Weber, Pyatt
Top PP times: Wisniewski (6:08), Kostitsyn (5:46), Plekanec (5:13), Desharnais (4:52), Gomez (4:41)
Trending: Lars Eller (2G, +1, 2 SOG) has multi-pointers in two of three and has points in five of nine. Travis Moen (2A, +1, 0:36 PP, no SOG) has multi-pointers in two of three as well. Brian Gionta (1G, 4:05 PP, 5 SOG) had 7-3-10 in 16 GP coming into this tilt, while Andrei Kostitsyn’s (1A, +1, 3 SOG) point streak has reached seven games. Tomas Plekanec (1A, 2 PIM, 1 SOG) had 11 points in 16 GP before tonight.
CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS 2 @ FLORIDA PANTHERS 3
Goaltending match-up: Corey Crawford (5/8, .625 SV%) & Marty Turco (7/7) vs. Tomas Vokoun (37/39, .949 SV%)
Combos: Patrick Sharp - Jonathan Toews - Patrick Kane/ Bryan Bickell - Dave Bolland - Marian Hossa/ Viktor Stalberg - Ryan Johnson - Tomas Kopecky/ Michael Frolik - Jake Dowell - Troy Brouwer/ Duncan Keith - Nick Leddy/ Chris Campoli - Brian Campbell/ Niklas Hjalmarsson - Brent Seabrook
Scratches: Hendry, Pisani, Scott
Top PP times: Sharp (4:08), Kane (3:55), Kopecky (3:32), Toews (3:22), Seabrook (3:05)
Trending: Patrick Kane (1G, +1, 6 SOG) has points in six straight, but the points have been piling in for awhile now. Like, pretty much all season. Marian Hossa (1G, -1, 2:38 PP, 6 SOG) has a point in each of his past eight now. Brian Campbell (1A, +1, 1:52 PP, 1 SOG) began this one with four points in his past four outings after having two in the prior 13 GP. Dave Bolland (1A, -1, 2:05 PP, 4 SOG) had 13 points in 16 GP coming into this tilt. Bryan Bickell (1A, 0:02 PP, no SOG) had four points in three March tilts before tonight.
Combos: Niclas Bergfors - Stephen Weiss - Sergei Samsonov/ David Booth - Marty Reasoner - Michal Repik/ Tim Kennedy - Mike Santorelli - Steve Bernier/ Darcy Hordichuk - Scott Timmins - Bill Thomas/ Jason Garrison - Mike Weaver/ Dmitry Kulikov - Keaton Ellerby/ Clay Wilson - Joe Callahan
Scratches: Sulzer
Top PP times: N/A
Trending: David Booth (1G, 1A, +1, 3 SOG) has scored in three straight with points in four of five this month. Niclas Bergfors (1A, +1, no SOG) has points in two of five since joining his new team. Sergei Samsonov (1A, +1, no SOG) had 1-1-2 in 4 GP with FLA before tonight.
COLORADO AVALANCHE 2 @ MINNESOTA WILD 5
Goaltending match-up: Peter Budaj (20/24, .833 SV%) vs. Niklas Backstrom (28/30, .933 SV%)
Combos: Kevin Porter - Paul Stastny - David Jones/ Jay McClement - Matt Duchene - Milan Hejduk/ Cody McLeod - Ryan O'Reilly - Daniel Winnik/ David Koci - Philippe Dupuis - Brandon Yip/ Ryan O'Byrne - John-Michael Liles/ Ryan Wilson - Erik Johnson/ Adam Foote - Matt Hunwick
Scratches: Stoa, Holos
Top PP times: Johnson (4:10), Hejduk (3:57), Stastny (3:47), Jones (3:20), Duchene (3:12)
Trending: Paul Stastny (1G, 1A, +1, 4 PIM, 3 SOG) has been ok this season, but certainly not at the level his poolies expected after tallying 79 points in 81 GP last year. Milan Hejduk (1A, -3, 2 SOG) ended a four-game pointless streak here and Matt Duchene (1A, -3, 2 PIM, 2 SOG) came into tonight six points shy of last year's rookie total of 55 points. Kevin Porter (1G, 2:13 PP, 2 SOG) has points in two of four after five without one.
Combos: Martin Havlat - Kyle Brodziak - Pierre-Marc Bouchard/ Andrew Brunette - Warren Peters - Antti Miettinen/ Matt Cullen - John Madden - Chuck Kobasew/ Guillaume Latendresse - Eric Nystrom - Brad Saubitz/ Nick Schultz - Brent Burns/ Marek Zidlicky - Greg Zanon/ Jared Spurgeon - Cam Barker
Scratches: Stoner, Clutterbuck
Top PP times: PMB (5:24), Havlat (4:31), Brodziak (3:59), Zidlicky (3:48), Spurgeon (3:15)
Trending: Guillaume Latendresse (+1. 10:14 TOI, 0:39 PP, 3 SOG) made his return to action here. Martin Havlat’s (1G, 1A, +1, 6 PIM, 5 SOG) point streak is at five games with points in nine of 10 now. Brent Burns (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 3:09 PP, no SOG) entered this evening only two points shy of the 43-point plateau, which was his career high of ’07-8. Kyle Brodziak (1G, 1A, +1, 1 SOG) had 12 points in 15 GP before tonight. Pierre-Marc Bouchard (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG) had 22 points in 29 GP coming in here. Andrew Brunette (1G, 2:15 PP, 2 SOG) hadn't scored since Feb. 11.
VANCOUVER CANUCKS 4 @ PHOENIX COYOTES 3 (OT)
Goaltending match-up: Roberto Luongo (31/34, .912 SV%) vs. Ilya Bryzgalov (35/39, .897 SV%)
Combos: Daniel Sedin - Henrik Sedin - Alexandre Burrows/ Jeff Tambellini - Ryan Kesler - Mikael Samuelsson/ Raffi Torres - Manny Malhotra - Jannik Hansen/ Tanner Glass - Maxim Lapierre - Victor Oreskovich/ Dan Hamhuis - Christian Ehrhoff/ Aaron Rome - Sami Salo/ Keith Ballard - Chris Tanev
Scratches: Raymond
Top PP times: Samuelsson (1:58), Sedins (1:46), Kesler (1:46), Ehrhoff (1:46)
Trending: Alexandre Burrows was awarded a penalty shot in overtime, but couldn't convert. Dan Hamhuis (2G, +2, 0:36 PP, 5 SOG) scored the winner, which was his second of the game. He had no points in nine games before this multi-pointer. Henrik Sedin (1G, 1A, +1, 2 PIM, 3 SOG) came into tonight with 30 points in 38 GP vs. PHI, while Daniel Sedin (2A, +1, 2 PIM, 4 SOG) had 26 in 37. Ryan Kesler (1A, 4 SOG) only had one point in six outings headed in here. Mikael Samuelsson (1A, +1, 2 SOG) finished last season with 53 points and he came into tonight with 44. Christian Ehrhoff (1A, +2, 3 SOG) recorded his 40th point in this one, marking his third straight campaign with at least that many.
Combos: Lauri Korpikoski - Eric Belanger - Shane Doan/ Mikkel Boedker - Kyle Turris - Radim Vrbata/ Taylor Pyatt - Vernon Fiddler - Lee Stempniak/ Paul Bissonnette - Andrew Ebbett - Brett MacLean/ Keith Yandle - Adrian Aucoin/ Rostislav Klesla - Michal Rozsival/ Oliver Ekman-Larsson - David Schlemko
Scratches: Hanzal, Whitney, Morris
Top PP times: Yandle (3:56), Pyatt (3:19), Turris (3:07), Boekder (3:06), Doan (2:50)
Trending: Eric Belanger (1G, 2A, 2 PIM, 2:31 PP, 3 SOG) ended a six-game pointless skid here and vaulted himself to the 30-point plateau in the process. Shane Doan (1G, +1, 5 SOG) had gone six games without a goal and Lauri Korpikoski (1G, -1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG) had nadda in four before tonight.
NASHVILLE PREDATORS 2 @ SAN JOSE SHARKS 3 (OT)
Goaltending match-up: Pekka Rinne (30/33, .909 SV%) vs. Antti Niemi (23/25, .920 SV%)
Combos: Sergei Kostitsyn - Mike Fisher - Colin Wilson/ Martin Erat - David Legwand - Joel Ward/ Matt Halischuk - Jerred Smithson - Patric Hornqvist/ J.P. Dumont - Nick Spaling - Jordin Tootoo/ Shea Weber - Ryan Suter/ Cody Franson - Shane O'Brien/ Kevin Klein - Jonathon Blum
Scratches: Geoffrion
Top PP times: Weber (3:54), Suter (3:53), Ward (3:22), Erat (3:22), Legwand (3:22)
Trending: Shea Weber (1G, 1A, -1, 3 SOG) had been blanked in his past three outings. Martin Erat (2A, -1, no SOG) has been an excellent bargain in fantasy leagues over the past few months, while Joel Ward (1G, -1, 4 SOG) has points in three of five. He had no points in seven before that. David Legwand (1A, -1, 3 SOG) came into tonight with 11 points in his past 12 outings.
Combos: Patrick Marleau - Joe Thornton - Devin Setoguchi/ Ryane Clowe - Logan Couture - Dany Heatley/ Torrey Mitchell - Joe Pavelski - Kyle Wellwood/ Ben Eager - Andrew Desjardins - Jamal Mayers/ Douglas Murray - Justin Braun/ Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Jason Demers/ Niclas Wallin - Ian White
Scratches: Boyle
Top PP times: Clowe (2:24), Couture (2:24), Heatley (2:24), White (2:16), Pavelski (2:16)
Trending: Patrick Marleau (1G, +1, 1:19 PP, 1 SOG) has been so clutch for the Sharks and he delivered the OT GWG tonight. Great speed. Great hustle. Dany Heatley (2A< +1, 3 SOG) has points in three straight for the first time since mid-January. Another solid bottom line for Ryane Clowe (1G, 1A, +1, 2 PIM, 7 SOG), who now has 50 points or more in each of his past three seasons. Jason Demers (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 1:27 PP, 1 SOG) has points in four of eight from the back end, while Justin Braun (1G, 1:27 PP, 3 SOG) got his first point on this most recent call-up.
