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WASHINGTON CAPITALS 4 @ MONTREAL CANADIENS 2
Goaltending match-up: Braden Holtby (24/26, .923 SV%) vs. Carey Price (37/41, .902 SV%)
Combos: Alex Ovechkin - Brooks Laich - Alexander Semin/ Marco Sturm - Marcus Johansson - Mike Knuble/ Jason Chimera - Jay Beagle - Eric Fehr/ Matt Hendricks - Boyd Gordon - Matt Bradley/ Karl Alzner - John Carlson/ Jeff Schultz - Dennis Wideman/ Tyler Sloan - Scott Hannan
Scratches: Erskine, King, Backstrom, Arnott, Varlamov
Top PP times: Ovechkin (3:57), Wideman (3:54), Semin (2:58), Laich (2:58), Carlson (1:54)
Trending: Brooks Laich (1G, 6 SOG) has scored in B2B games and he drew the opening assignment of centring Alex Ovechkin (1A, +1, 1 SOG) and Alexander Semin (3 SOG). That moved Marcus Johansson (2G, 1:43 PP, 4 SOG) down a line, but he still found a way to get onto the score sheet and has points in four straight. Beauty night for him. Later in the game the Caps seemed to have a reunion of Johansson with Mike Knuble (1G, 2 PIM, 1:30 PP, 3 SOG) and Ovechkin, which pushed Laich with Semin on L2. Too many games for me tonight though. John Carlson (1A, +2, 6 SOG) has points in five of nine. Dennis Wideman (1A, -2, 3 SOG) already had 0-4-4 in 7 GP with WAS coming in. Knuble has goals in B2B games with points in five of seven.
Combos: Michael Cammalleri - Tomas Plekanec - Jeff Halpern/ Travis Moen - Scott Gomez - Brian Gionta/ Andrei Kostitsyn - Lars Eller - Ryan White/ Tom Pyatt - David Desharnais - Benoit Pouliot/ Hal Gill - P.K. Subban/ Roman Hamrlik - James Wisniewski/ Paul Mara - Yannick Weber
Scratches: Picard, Sopel
Top PP times: Gionta (2:44), Eller (2:24), Gomez (2:19), Wisniewski (2:13), Hamrlik (1:56)
Trending: Andrei Kostitsyn (1G, +1, 0:59 PP, 2 SOG) has points in eight of 10 now with nine points in nine starts headed in here. P.K. Subban (1A, -1, no SOG) had only one March point coming in. Lars Eller (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 1 SOG) had four points in six outings coming in. Tomas Plekanec and Jeff Halpern left this game injured.
ATLANTA THRASHERS 2 @ NEW JERSEY DEVILS 4
Goaltending match-up: Ondrej Pavelec (20/23, .870 SV%) vs. Martin Brodeur (18/20, .900 SV%)
Combos: Andrew Ladd - Bryan Little - Blake Wheeler/ Evander Kane - Rob Schremp - Tim Stapleton/ Chris Thorburn - Nik Antropov - Anthony Stewart/ Eric Boulton - Alex Burmistrov - Radek Dvorak/ Tobias Enstrom - Zach Bogosian/ Dustin Byfuglien - Ron Hainsey/ Johnny Oduya - Mark Stuart
Scratches: Welch, Cormier, Maxwell
Top PP times: Enstrom (1:26), Bogosian (1:07), Ladd (0:55), Antropov (0:55), Little (0:55)
Trending: Evander Kane (1A, -1, 0:53 PP, 4 SOG) has really shown flashes this season of what we’re going to get from this future potential stud. He nearly had the GTG in the last minute, but it was ruled knocked in with a high stick. Anthony Stewart (1A, 0:53 PP, 1 SOG) has points in B2B games after four without one.
Combos: Ilya Kovalchuk - Travis Zajac - Nick Palmieri/ Brian Rolston - Patrik Elias - Dainius Zubrus/ Adam Mair - Dave Steckel - Vladimir Zharkov/ David Clarkson - Jacob Josefson - Mattias Tedenby/ Colin White - Anton Volchenkov/ Henrik Tallinder - Mark Fayne/ Anssi Salmela - Andy Greene
Scratches: Fraser, Pelley
Top PP times: Kovalchuk (3:54), Rolston (2:38), Elias (2:04), Zajac (2:05), Zubrus (2:04)
Trending: Patrik Elias (1G, +1, 3 SOG) had five points in five games coming in, while Travis Zajac (1G, +1, 2 SOG) had five points in six affairs. Brian Rolston (1A, +1, 1 SOG) has points in five of six. Jacob Josefson (1G, 1:35 PP, 1 SOG) had three points in four games coming in and Mattias Tedenby (1A, 1:35 PP, 1 SOG) has points in B2B games after a long string of zeroes. Ilya Kovalchuk (1G, +1, 5 SOG) picked up the ENG.
NEW YORK ISLANDERS 3 @ NEW YORK RANGERS 6
Goaltending match-up: Al Montoya (31/36, .861 SV%) & Nathan Lawson (10/11, .909 SV%) vs. Henrik Lundqvist (25/28, .893 SV%)
Combos: Matt Moulson - John Tavares - P.A. Parenteau/ Michael Grabner - Frans Nielsen - Kyle Okposo/ Blake Comeau - Josh Bailey - Matt Martin/ Michael Haley - Zenon Konopka - Justin DiBenedetto/ Andrew MacDonald - Travis Hamonic/ Radek Martinek - Jack Hillen/ Bruno Gervais - Milan Jurcina
Scratches: Gillies
Top PP times: MacDonald (3:38), Bailey (2:58), Comeau (2:58), Grabner (2:53), Nielsen (2:53)
Trending: John Tavares (1G, 2A, +1, 1:47 PP, 1 SOG) had 54 points last season and he came into tonight with 57 in 67 starts. P.A. Parenteau (1G, 1A, 1:47 PP, 2 SOG) scored the last time he met the Rangers and had seven points in seven games this month before tonight. Matt Moulson (1G, 2A, 2 PIM, 1:52 PP, 3 SOG) has multi-pointers in two of three after four games without a point.
Combos: Vinny Prospal - Erik Christensen - Marian Gaborik/ Brandon Dubinsky - Artem Anisimov - Ryan Callahan/ Sean Avery - Derek Stepan - Mats Zuccarello/ Ruslan Fedotenko - Brian Boyle - Brandon Prust/ Marc Staal - Dan Girardi/ Ryan McDonagh - Mike Sauer/ Bryan McCabe - Steve Eminger
Scratches: Wolski, Gilroy, Biron
Top PP times: Prospal (4:22), Girardi (4:15), Staal (4:15), Gaborik (3:56), McCabe (3:45)
Trending: Brandon Dubinsky (1A, 2 PIM, 3:41 PP, 2 SOG) has points in three of four after eight without one. Erik Christensen (1G, 1A, +1, 3:04 PP, 4 SOG) has a point in four of five this month. Bryan McCabe (1G, 1A, 3 SOG) only had two points in seven starts with the Rangers before this multi-pointer. Marian Gaborik (2G, +1, 7 SOG) has points in three straight and this was his fourth game back in action. Vinny Prospal (1A, +1, 1 SOG) has points in all seven games of March. Ryan Callahan (1G, 1A, -1, 2 PIM, 3:35 PP, 5 SOG) has been great this month and he came into tonight tied with his career of 40 points. 31 fewer GP too.
BOSTON BRUINS 3 @ COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS 2 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Tuukka Rask (34/36, .944 SV%) vs. Steve Mason (27/29, .931 SV%)
Combos: Milan Lucic - David Krejci - Nathan Horton/ Brad Marchand - Patrice Bergeron - Rich Peverley/ Mark Recchi - Chris Kelly - Tyler Seguin/ Daniel Paille - Gregory Campbell - Shawn Thornton/ Zdeno Chara - Johnny Boychuk/ Tomas Kaberle - Adam McQuaid/ Steve Kampfer - Dennis Seidenberg
Scratches: Ference, Ryder
Top PP times: Kaberle, Recchi, Chara, Bergeron, Peverley (0:05)
Trending: Zdeno Chara (1A, 1 SOG) has goals in three of five now with points in all three games since The Pacioretty Incident. David Krejci (1G, -1, 2 PIM, 3 SOG) collected his 55th point of the season. Shootout: Seguin
Combos: Rick Nash - Derick Brassard - Jakub Voracek/ Jared Boll - Antoine Vermette - R.J. Umberger/ Scottie Upshall - Derek MacKenzie - Matt Calvert/ Ethan Moreau - Samuel Pahlsson - Derek Dorsett/ Craig Rivet - Kris Russell/ Grant Clitsome - Jan Hejda/ Fedor Tyutin - Sami Lepisto
Scratches: Methot, Stralman, Murray, Clark
Top PP times: Umberger (7:06), Nash (6:48), Clitsome (6:29), Tyutin (6:24), Brassard (4:53) Trending: Rick Nash (1A, 4 SOG) came into tonight mired in a nine-game goalless drought. Grant Clitsome (1G, +1, 2 SOG) has a point in four of his past five now. Jakub Voracek (1A, 3 SOG) had five points in five outings headed in here. Scottie Upshall (1G, 3:08 PP, 3 SOG) scored his fourth goal in eight tries with his new team, while Antoine Vermette (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 2:54 PP, 2 SOG) added his 40th of the season. R.J. Umberger (1A, 4 SOG) has a point in four of seven.
CAROLINA HURRICANES 1 @ BUFFALO SABRES 0
Goaltending match-up: Cam Ward (40/40) vs. Ryan Miller (32/33, .970 SV%)
Combos: Cory Stillman - Eric Staal - Tuomo Ruutu/ Jeff Skinner - Jussi Jokinen - Erik Cole/ Jiri Tlusty - Brandon Sutter - Chad LaRose/ Drayson Bowman - Pat Dwyer - Jerome Samson/ Joni Pitkanen - Joe Corvo/ Derek Joslin - Bryan Allen/ Tim Gleason - Jay Harrison
Scratches: McBain, Bodie
Top PP times: Pitkanen (5:52), Gleason (5:16), Corvo (5:10), Staal (5:10), Jokinen (5:08)
Trending: Brandon Sutter (1G, +1, 0:16 PP, 1 SOG) has points in five of 10 now and he scored tonight's only goal.
Combos: Thomas Vanek - Tim Connolly - Jason Pominville/ Tyler Ennis - Brad Boyes - Drew Stafford/ Nathan Gerbe - Paul Gaustad - Mark Mancari/ Rob Niedermayer - Cody McCormick - Mike Grier/ Andrej Sekera - Tyler Myers/ Jordan Leopold - Steve Montador/ Mike Weber - Shaone Morrisonn
Scratches: Butler, Kaleta, Hecht, Lalime
Top PP times: Leopold (4:41), Stafford (4:06), Vanek (4:06), Ennis (3:38), Myers (3:14)
Trending:
PITTSBURGH PENGUINS 5 @ OTTAWA SENATORS 1
Goaltending match-up: Brent Johnson (21/22, .955 SV%) vs. Craig Anderson (36/41, .878 SV%)
Combos: James Neal - Mark Letestu - Alex Kovalev/ Chris Kunitz - Jordan Staal - Tyler Kennedy/ Matt Cooke - Dustin Jeffrey - Max Talbot/ Mike Rupp - Craig Adams - Pascal Dupuis / Paul Martin - Zbynek Michalek/ Kris Letang - Ben Lovejoy/ Deryk Engelland - Corey Potter
Scratches: Niskanen, Conner, Wagner, Godard
Top PP times: Kovalev (5:44), Kunitz (4:49), Neal (4:48), Letang (4:25), Letestu (4:04)
Trending: Alex Kovalev (1A, +2, 3 SOG) made his return to Ottawa and added a late, nothing point. Insert cheap shot here? Jordan Staal (1G, 1A, +3, 1:42 PP, 1 SOG) has B2B multi-pointers and his keeper league owners are anxiously waiting for next season to begin. Tyler Kennedy (1G, 1A, +2, 2:03 PP, 1 SOG) followed up his three-assist effort vs. EDM with this one, while Paul Martin (2A, +3, 2:12 PP, 1 SOG) made a rare offensive contribution. He started off with a bang this season, but faded quickly.
Combos: Colin Greening - Jason Spezza - Bobby Butler/ Zack Smith - Jesse Winchester - Chris Neil/ Nick Foligno - Ryan Shannon - Erik Condra/ Marek Svatos - Jim O'Brien - Francis Lessard/ Filip Kuba - Erik Karlsson/ Chris Phillips - Brian Lee/ Andre Benoit - Sergei Gonchar
Scratches: Michalek, Alfredsson, Regin, Carkner, Leclaire
Top PP times: Spezza (3:03), Gonchar (2:49), Karlsson (2:49), Butler (2:44), Shannon (2:36)
Trending: Ryan Shannon (1G, -2, 4 SOG) has a point in four of seven, while Nick Foligno (1A, -1, 0:46 PP, 2 SOG) had two March points headed in here.
PHILADELPHIA FLYERS 3 @ FLORIDA PANTHERS 2
Goaltending match-up: Brian Boucher (20/22, .909 SV%) vs. Tomas Vokoun (28/31, .903 SV%)
Combos: Danny Briere - Claude Giroux - Jeff Carter/ Scott Hartnell - Mike Richards - Ville Leino/ Dan Carcillo - Kris Versteeg - James van Riemsdyk/ Jody Shelley - Blair Betts - Darroll Powe/ Andrej Meszaros - Matt Carle/ Kimmo Timonen - Braydon Coburn/ Sean O'Donnell - Nick Boynton
Scratches: Nodl, Pronger, Gustafsson, Zherdev
Top PP times: Briere (3:43), Giroux (3:06), Leino (3:01), Hartnell (3:01), Timonen (2:49)
Trending: Mike Richards (1A, +1, 2:36 PP, 3 SOG) was coming off a three-pointer and needed two here to hit the 60-point mark on the season. Jeff Carter (2G, +2, 2:47 PP, 3 SOG) also had 58 points before this outing. Scott Hartnell (1G, +1, 3 SOG) has points in B2B games after five without one. Ville Leino (1A, +1, 3 SOG) had a hat trick in his last game. Danny Briere (1A, +2, 1 SOG) had a three-pointer the last time he met this team and his current point streak is at four outings.
Combos: Niclas Bergfors - Stephen Weiss - Sergei Samsonov/ David Booth - Marty Reasoner - Michal Repik/ Mike Duco - Mike Santorelli - Steve Bernier/ Darcy Hordichuk - Ryan Carter - Patrick Rissmiller/ Jason Garrison - Mike Weaver/ Dmitry Kulikov - Keaton Ellerby/ Clay Wilson - Joe Callahan
Scratches: Sulzer, Timmins
Top PP times: Kulikov (3:41), Booth (3:35), Samsonov (3:35), Weiss (3:29), Santorelli (2:05)
Trending: Stephen Weiss (1G, +1, 2 SOG) had five points in seven tilts headed in here, while Dmitry Kulikov (1G, -1, 4 PIM, 3 SOG) has points in four of six. Sergei Samsonov (2A, +1, 2 SOG) had three points in five games coming into this one.
LOS ANGELES KINGS 4 @ NASHVILLE PREDATORS 2
Goaltending match-up: Jonathan Bernier (30/32, .938 SV%) vs. Pekka Rinne (14/17, .824 SV%)
Combos: Dustin Penner - Anze Kopitar - Justin Williams/ Ryan Smyth - Jarret Stoll - Dustin Brown/ Alexei Ponikarovsky - Michal Handzus - Wayne Simmonds/ Kyle Clifford- Trevor Lewis - Brad Richardson/ Willie Mitchell - Drew Doughty/ Jack Johnson - Rob Scuderi/ Alec Martinez - Matt Greene
Scratches: Harrold, Westgarth, Drewiske
Top PP times: Kopitar (1:25), Penner (1:19), Williams (1:19), Doughty (1:03), Johnson (1:03)
Trending: Anze Kopitar (1G, 1A, +3, 2 SOG) began the night 11 points shy of his career mark of 81 points. Dustin Penner (1A, +1, no SOG) had 2-3-5 in 6 GP with LOS coming in here. Dustin Brown (1G, 1A, +1, 2 PIM, added the ENG and has points in two of three after opening the month without one in four. Ryan Smyth (1A, 0:06 PP, no SOG) had one point in seven tilts headed into this one.
Combos: Sergei Kostitsyn - Mike Fisher - Colin Wilson/ Martin Erat - David Legwand - Matt Halischuk/ Nick Spaling - Jerred Smithson - Patric Hornqvist/ J.P. Dumont - Cal O'Reilly - Jordin Tootoo/ Shea Weber - Ryan Suter/ Cody Franson - Shane O'Brien/ Kevin Klein - Jonathon Blum
Scratches: Ward
Top PP times: Erat (1:29), Legwand (1:29), Hornqvist (1:29), Weber (1:11), Suter (1:11), Fisher (1:11)
Trending: Jonathon Blum (1G, +1, 1 SOG) had two points in his 10 NHL starts headed into tonight.
SAN JOSE SHARKS 6 @ DALLAS STARS 3
Goaltending match-up: Antti Niemi (34/37, .919 SV%) vs. Kari Lehtonen (33/37, .892 SV%)
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 - Dan Boyle/ Marc-Edouard Vlasic - Ian White/ Niclas Wallin - Justin Braun
Scratches: Demers
Top PP times: Heatley (3:32), Marleau (3:25), Thornton (3:20), Boyle (3:09), Pavelski (3:06)
Trending: Dany Heatley (2G, +2, 2 PIM, 4 SOG) hadn't scored in his past five games, but the assists have been there. He had six points in six games headed in here. Joe Thornton (2G, +1, 5 SOG) has scored in B2B games for the first time since mid-January. Patrick Marleau (2A, -1, 2 PIM, 4 SOG) has three different multi-pointers in what has been a productive March. Joe Pavelski (3A, +2, 4 SOG) has points in B2B starts after having two in six. Dan Boyle (1A, +1, 1 SOG) has produced points in all three games in which he's been back.
Combos: Tom Wandell - Brad Richards - Loui Eriksson/ Brenden Morrow - Mike Ribeiro - Jason Williams/ Steve Ott - Jamie Benn - Jamie Langenbrunner/ Tomas Vincour - Toby Petersen - Krys Barch/ Alex Goligoski - Stephane Robidas/ Karlis Skrastins - Nicklas Grossman/ Jeff Woywitka - Trevor Daley
Scratches: Burish, Sutherby, Fistric
Top PP times: Goligoski (5:45), Richards (5:18), Ribeiro (4:43), Morrow (4:28), Benn (3:21), Robidas (3:21)
Trending: This is one hell of a month for Jamie Benn (1G, 2A, -1, 2 PIM, 8 SOG). Points in all eight games. Goals in all but one of them. Suh-weet. Steve Ott (17 PIM) had a major PIM night, while Mike Ribeiro (1G, -2, 3 SOG) continued his steady point production. Jamie Langenbrunner (1A, -1, 1:56 PP, no SOG) has six points in seven games this month.
PHOENIX COYOTES 4 @ CALGARY FLAMES 3
Goaltending match-up: Ilya Bryzgalov (24/27, .889 SV%) vs. Miikka Kiprusoff (21/25, .840 SV%)
Combos: Lauri Korpikoski - Eric Belanger - Shane Doan/ Ray Whitney – Kyle Turris - Radim Vrbata/ Paul Bissonnette – Andrew Ebbett - Mikkel Boedker/ Taylor Pyatt - Vernon Fiddler - Lee Stempniak/ Keith Yandle - Derek Morris/ David Schlemko - Michal Rozsival/ Rostislav Klesla- Adrian Aucoin
Scratches: Hanzal, Ekman-Larsson, MacLean
Top PP times: Yandle (1:22), Whitney (1:22), Vrbata (1:22), Doan (1:22), Korpikoski (1:11)
Trending: Keith Yandle (1G, +1, 2 SOG) entered tonight only four points shy of a 60-point campaign. 60 Jerry! 60! Eric Belanger (1G, +1, no PP, 2 SOG) had four points in three games before tonight. Shane Doan (1A, +1, 2 SOG) has points in five in a row and had 3-5-8 in 6 GP this month before this affair. Lauri Korpikoski (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 3 SOG) had netted three goals in three games coming in.
Combos: Alex Tanguay – Mikael Backlund – Jarome Iginla/ Curtis Glencross – Olli Jokinen – Rene Bourque/ Tom Kostopoulos – Matt Stajan – Tim Jackman/ Niklas Hagman – Lance Bouma – Brett Carson/ Robyn regehr – Jay Bouwmeester/ Mark Giordano – Cory Sarich/ Steve Staios – Anton Babchuk
Scratches: Modin, Moss, Mikkelson
Top PP times: Iginla (2:05), Jokinen (1:47), Tanguay (1:47), Bourque (1:47), Babchuk (1:14)
Trending: Olli Jokinen (1G, +2, 2 PIM, 5 SOG) came into tonight two points shy of the 50-point plateau, which is where he finished with Calgary and the Rangers combined last season. Rene Bourque (2A, +1, 2 SOG) began March with five points in three tilts, but then had one in four before this game. Jarome Iginla (1A, -1, 2 SOG) had tallied 49 points in 54 GP vs. this franchise before adding more here. Mark Giordano (1A, +1, 1:09 PP, 1 SOG) has points in four of eight this month and Mikael Backlund (1G, -2, 0:18 PP, 1 SOG) has a point in four of his seven starts this month. Alex Tanguay (1G, -1, 3 SOG) came into tonight with 55 points and 18 of them had come in his past 18 GP before this one.
