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Blog: Friday’s recap
Ottawa Senators 2 @ Boston Bruins 1
Goaltending match-up: Brian Elliott (32/33, .970 SV%) vs. Tim Thomas (21/23, .913 SV%)
Net notes: Elliott was 1-2-3 vs. BOS coming in with 2.94/ .889 splits. Thomas was 16-6-2 vs. OTT with 2.10/ .932 splits and four shutouts.
Nick Foligno Mike Fisher Daniel Alfredsson
Milan Michalek Jason Spezza Jonathan Cheechoo
Ryan Shannon Peter Regin Alex Kovalev
Jarkko Ruutu Chris Kelly Chris Neil
Chris Phillips Erik Karlsson
Chris Campoli Filip Kuba
Matt Carkner Alexandre Picard
Daniel Paille Patrice Bergeron Mark Recchi
Milan Lucic David Krejci Blake Wheeler
Michael Ryder Trent Whitfield Miroslav Satan
Vladimir Sobotka Drew Larman Shawn Thornton
Zdeno Chara Derek Morris
Dennis Wideman Matt Hunwick
Mark Stuart Johnny Boychuk
Key notes: Jason Spezza (1G, +1, 16:14 TOI, 1:16 PP, no PK, 6 SOG, 6-10 FO for 38%) returned to action from his knee injury for this matinee and he had a few quality offensive chances before finally connecting in the middle frame. This easily could have been a multi-point game for the centre, who now has goals in three of his past four starts overall. Daniel Alfredsson (1G, even, 18:02 TOI, 1:16 PP, 0:47 PK, 3 SOG) added to the eight points in four games he had since being activated and that stretch included the hat trick he recorded @BOS.
Nick Foigno (1A, even, 14:04 TOI, no PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has helpers in three of four now after five games without a point. Alex Kovalev (1A, +1, 15:52 TOI, 1:16 PP, 0:09 PK, 1 SOG) extended his point streak to six games and he had 13 points on the month coming in here.
Matt Carkner (1A, +1, 15:10 TOI, no PP, 0:43 PK, no SOG) chips in a point here and there, but his main standard league value clearly lies with his regular PIM donations. It’s just so much better if you can use a fifth defensive spot for a PIM guy, rather than have to waste your last forward slot for a goon. Those fifth or sixth defencemen generally don’t chip in too many points as it is in most averaged-sized leagues, so if you can get your PIM there and keep your forward slots for point-producers then you’ll generally come out ahead of the game.
Top PP times (OTT): Alfredsson (1:16), Spezza (1:16), Kuba (1:16), Kovalev (1:16), Regin (1:16)
Top PP times (BOS): Satan (1:35), Krejci (1:26), Wideman (1:08), Boychuk (1:07) and Wheeler (1:01)
Patrice Bergeron (1A, even, 17:53 TOI, 0:34 PP, 1:15 PK, 2 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) has points in two straight and this was his third game back from injury. Daniel Paille (1G, even, 15:04 TOI, no PP, 0:45 PK, 3 SOG) has come up with points in four of five after nine without one. Dennis Wideman (1A, even, 23:50 TOI, 1:08 PP, 0:45 PK, 1 SOG) had just one January point coming into today.
Carolina Hurricanes 2 @ Philadelphia Flyers 4
Goaltending match-up: Manny Legace (6/7, .857 SV%) & Cam Ward (20/22, .909 SV%) vs. Ray Emery (33/35, .943 SV%)
Net notes: Legace was 2-0-0 vs. PHI coming in with 2.50/ .875 splits. Emery was 4-0-0 vs. CAR with 0.32/ .990 splits and two shutouts.
Ray Whitney Eric Staal Jussi Jokinen
Sergei Samsonov Matt Cullen Tom Kostopoulos
Jiri Tlusty Brandon Sutter Chad LaRose
Stephane Yelle Rod Brind’Amour Pat Dwyer
Joni Pitkanen Aaron Ward
Tim Gleason Niclas Wallin
Andrew Alberts Brett Carson
Simon Gagne Mike Richards Darroll Powe
Scott Hartnell Jeff Carter Danny Briere
James van Riemsdyk Claude Giroux Arron Asham
Daniel Carcillo Blair Betts Ian Laperriere
Matt Carle Chris Pronger
Kimmo Timonen Braydon Coburn
Oskars Bartulis Ole-Kristian Tollefsen
Key notes: Eric Staal (1G, -2, 21:25 TOI, 6:36 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 9-12 FO for 43%) was coming off his hat trick @ATL and he had actually accumulated 27 points in 20 GP coming into this effort. Jussi Jokinen (1A, -2, 19:26 TOI, 6:55 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) had three points in his last game and had eight points in six outings before this game.
Ray Whitney (1A, -2 21:50 TOI, 7:04 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has points in four straiht and 10 of 12. Sergei Samsonov (1A, even, 11:44 TOI, 1:58 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) had just six points in 17 road games before today and he has points in two of three since getting back into the line-up.
Top PP times (CAR): Cullen (7:27), Pitkanen (7:07), Whitney (7:04), Jokinen (6:55) and Staal (6:36)
Top PP times (PHI): Timonen (2:23), Pronger (2:21), Gagne (2:09), Richards (2:09) and Giroux (2:09)
Chris Pronger (1G, 1A, +2, 2 PIM, 25:45 TOI, 2:21 PP, 5:30 PK, 3 SOG) has a PPG in two of three with points in nine of his past 10. Jeff Carter (2G, 1A, +2, 16:42 TOI, 1:41 PP, 1:03 PK, 7 SOG, 8-9 FO for 47%) has been hot for about five weeks now and this was his fourth multi-pointer of the month.
Kimmo Timonen (1A, +1, 24:47 TOI, 2:23 PP, 6:48 PK, 2 SOG) has collected points in seven of 10 now. Daniel Carcillo (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 9:45 TOI, 0:09 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has goals in two of three and he had three points this month coming in.
Los Angeles Kings 3 @ Detroit Red Wings 2
Goaltending match-up: Jonathan Quick (31/33, .939 SV%) vs. Jimmy Howard (30/33, .909 SV%)
Net notes: Quick was 0-5-0 vs. DET coming in with 3.43/ .895 splits. Howard was 2-0-0 vs. LOS with 1.50/ .961 splits.
Brad Richardson Anze Kopitar Wayne Simmonds
Ryan Smyth Jarret Stoll Dustin Brown
Scott Parse Michal Handzus Alexander Frolov
Teddy Purcell Oscar Moller Brandon Segal
Rob Scuderi Drew Doughty
Jack Johnson Peter Harrold
Sean O’Donnell Matt Greene
Henrik Zetterberg Pavel Datsyuk Todd Bertuzzi
Drew Miller Valtteri Filppula Danny Cleary
Kris Draper Darren Helm Patrick Eaves
Ville Leino Justin Abdelkader Kirk Maltby
Nicklas Lidstrom Brian Rafalski
Derek Meech Brad Stuart
Jonathan Ericsson Brett Lebda
Key notes: Anze Kopitar (1G, 2A, +3, 20:50 TOI, 3:29 PP, 2:15 PK, 8 SOG, 6-7 FO for 46%) has collected points in eight of 10 this month. Brad Richardson (1G, 1A, +2, no PP, 1:48 PK, 2 SOG) has points in three of four now, while Wayne Simmonds’ (2A, +2, 2 PIM, 14:48 TOI, no PP, 0:18 PK, 3 SOG) point streak has been extended to five games.
Top PP times (LOS): Johnson (5:41), Doughty (4:50), Kopitar (3:29), Handzus (3:26) and Smyth (3:02)
Top PP times (DET): Rafalski (3:55), Lidstrom (3:43), Zetterberg (2:42), Datsyuk (2:42) and Bertuzzi (2:39)
Todd Bertuzzi (1G, even, 15:56 TOI, 2:39 PP, 1:04 PK, 2 SOG) has points in four of his past six after four without one. Brian Rafalski (1A, -1, 23:31 TOI, 3:55 PP, 0:43 PK, 4 SOG) has come up with points in four of five and Nicklas Lidstrom (1A, even, 26:51 TOI, 3:43 PP, 4:37 PK, 2 SOG) had 17 points in 24 GP before this evening.
Valtteri Filppula (1G, +1, 18:07 TOI, 2:31 PP, 0:44 PK, 3 SOG, 9-3 FO for 75%) had seven points in nine points before this start, while Danny Cleary (1A, even, 18:34 TOI, 2:34 PP, 0:42 PK, 3 SOG, 1-2 FO for 33%) has points in three straight and six of nine now.
New York Rangers 0 @ Montreal Canadiens 6
Goaltending match-up: Henrik Lundqvist (11/15, .733 SV%) & Matt Zaba (14/16, .875 SV%) vs. Jaroslav Halak (32/32)
Net notes: Lundqvist was 10-4-2 vs. MON coming in with 2.88/ .892 splits and one shutout. Halak was 3-3-0 vs. NYR with 3.82/ .883 splits. This was his third shutout of the season and seventh of his career.
Vaclav Prospal Brandon Dubinsky Marian Gaborik
Chris Drury Erik Christensen Ryan Callahan
Christopher Higgins Artem Anisimov Enver Lisin
Sean Avery Brian Boyle Aaron Voros
Marc Staal Michal Rozsival
Michael Del Zotto Daniel Girardi
Wade Redden Matt Gilroy
Michael Cammalleri Tomas Plekanec Travis Moen
Benoit Pouliot Scott Gomez Brian Gionta
Max Pacioretty Glen Metropolit Sergei Kostitsyn
Mathieu Darche Maxim Lapierre Marc-Andre Bergeron
Andrei Markov Josh Gorges
Roman Hamrlik Jaroslav Spacek
Hal Gill Ryan O’Byrne
Key notes:
Top PP times (NYR): Del Zotto (1:50), Gaborik (1:50), Prospal (1:50), Drury (1:50) and Callahan (1:41)
Top PP times (MON): Pouliot (3:29), Cammalleri (2:49), Markov (2:49), Plekanec (2:49) and Bergeron (2:49)
Benoit Pouliot (1G, even, 17:03 TOI, 3:29 PP, no PK, 4 SOG). Back of the net. Again. The kid’s on fire and then some, with goals in seven of his past nine now. Scott Gomez (1G, +1, 16:20 TOI, 2:09 PP, 0:56 PK, 3 SOG, 11-7 FO for 61%) had 40 points in 43 career GP vs. his former team coming in here and he has points in seven of eight overall. Michael Cammalleri (2G, 2A, +2, 18:15 TOI, 2:49 PP, no PK, 4 SOG) has goals in four straight and five of six.
Brian Gionta (1A, +2, 18:40 TOI, 1:29 PP, 0:56 PK, 1 SOG) has points in six in a row. Marc-Andre Bergeron (2A, +1, 11:16 TOI, 2:49 PP, 0:20 PK, 1 SOG) has a point in five of nine now.
Jaroslav Spacek (2A, +2 20:09 TOI, 2:10 PP, 0:20 PK, 2 SOG) has helpers in three of five after nine without a point. Mathieu Darche (1A, +1, 10:11 TOI, 0:20 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has points in two of three on this call-up. Tomas Plekanec (1G, 1A, +2, 17:58 TOI, 2:49 PP, 0:39 PK, 3 SOG, 4-8 FO for 33%) has come up with points in four of five after five without one to open the month.
New Jersey Devils 4 @ New York Islanders 2
Goaltending match-up: Martin Brodeur (20/22, .909 SV%) vs. Rick DiPietro (24/27, .889 SV%)
Net notes: Brodeur was 42-24-4-2 vs. NYI coming in with 2.23/ .913 splits and 10 shutouts. DiPietro was 12-9-1-2 vs. NJD with 2.18/ .923 splits and two shutouts.
Zach Parise Travis Zajac Jamie Langenbrunner
Brian Rolston Dean McAmmond Nick Palmieri
Jay Pandolfo Rob Niedermayer Patrick Davis
Vladimir Zharkov Ben Walter Niclas Bergfors
Andy Greene Bryce Salvador
Colin White Mike Mottau
Johnny Oduya Mark Fraser
Josh Bailey John Tavares Kyle Okposo
Matt Moulson Frans Nielsen Trent Hunter
Blake Comeau Rob Schremp Jon Sim
Doug Weight Richard Park Sean Bergenheim
Mark Streit Andrew MacDonald
Jack Hillen Freddy Meyer
Bruno Gervais Dustin Kohn
Key notes: Jamie Langenbrunner (1G, 2A, +2, 19:10 TOI, 1:07 PP, 3:29 PK, 3 SOG) hadn’t scored in nine games since opening January with a hat trick. He had two points in six games before tonight, as did Travis Zajac (3A, +2, 2 PIM, 19:57 TOI, 1:07 PP, 3:46 PK, 3 SOG, 6-11 FO for 35%). Zach Parise (2G, +2, 17:11 TOI, 1:07 PP, 1:44 PK, 4 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) had 28 points in 24 road games before tonight and he has points in seven of 10.
Top PP times (NJD): Greene (1:07), Parise (1:07), Langenbrunner (1:07), Palmieri (1:07) and Zajac (1:07)
Top PP times (NYI): Streit (6:19), Okposo (5:56), Weight (5:36), Hunter (5:35) and Tavares (4:58)
Kyle Okposo (1G, 1A, -2, 19:22 TOI, 5:56 PP, 0:33 PK, 4 SOG) has at least a point in seven of nine. Mark Streit 1A, -2, 25:29 TOI, 6:19 PP, 0:34 PK, 1 SOG) had seven points in eight games before adding more here, while John Tavares (1A, -2, 15:07 TOI, 4:58 PP, no PK, no SOG, 7-8 FO for 47%) has points in four of seven after seven without one.
Jack Hillen (1G,-2, 25:44 TOI, 3:56 PP, 0:33 PK, 2 SOG) had five points in six games from the back end coming in. Rob Schremp (1A, -1, 15:45 TOI, 3:00 PP, no PK, no SOG, 5-4 FO for 56%) already had eight points in nine January games coming in.
Phoenix Coyotes 2 @ Washington Capitals 4
Goaltending match-up: Ilya Bryzgalov (30/33, .909 SV%) vs. Michal Neuvirth (28/30, .933 SV%)
Net notes: Bryzgalov had never faced the Caps. Neuvirth hadn’t faced the Coyotes either.
Scottie Upshall Matthew Lombardi Shane Doan
Petr Prucha Martin Hanzal Radim Vrbata
Lauri Korpikoski Robert Lang Peter Mueller
Paul Bissonnette Vernon Fiddler Taylor Pyatt
Zbynek Michalek Ed Jovanovski
Jim Vandermeer Adrian Aucoin
Keith Yandle Sami Lepisto
Alex Ovechkin Nicklas Backstrom Mike Knuble
Brooks Laich Tomas Fleischmann Alexander Semin
Jason Chimera Brendan Morrison Eric Fehr
Boyd Gordon Dave Steckel Matt Bradley
Jeff Schultz Mike Green
John Erskine Tom Poti
Shaone Morrisonn Karl Alzner
Key notes: Robert Lang (2A, +1, 14:16 TOI, 3:40 PP, no PK, 2 SOG, 9-8 FO for 53%) had 22 points in 25 career GP vs. WAS before adding more here and he has points in three of seven overall. Peter Mueller (1A, +1, 14:03 TOI, 3:53 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has points in three of seven.
Top PP times (PHO): Yandle (5:13), Doan (4:40), Lombardi (4:33), Mueller (3:53) and Lang (3:40)
Top PP times (WAS): Ovechkin (10:28), Green (10:08), Backstrom (6:57), Semin (6:17) and Fleischmann (5:39)
Alex Ovechkin (1G, 1A, +1, 22:56 TOI, 10:28 PP, no PK, 6 SOG) has points in nine straight; a streak that included 18 points before tonight. Tomas Fleischmann (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 15:16 TOI, 5:39 PP, 2:15 PK, 3 SOG, 1-2 FO for 33%) had nine points in nine affairs before tonight.
Alexander Semin (1G, 3A, +2, 2 PIM, 15:52 TOI, 6:17 PP, 0:34 PK, 2 SOG) had 29 points in 21 home games coming into this tilt and his current point streak is at five games. Brooks Laich (1G, +1, 16:39 TOI, 4:55 PP, 2:40 PK, 5 SOG, 3-5 FO for 38%) had five January points before this one started. Eric Fehr (1G, 1A, -2, 2 PIM, 14:37 TOI, 5:15 PP, 0:22 PK, 3 SOG) has points in six of 10.
Toronto Maple Leafs 0 @ Florida Panthers 2
Goaltending match-up: Jonas Gustavsson (20/22, .909 SV%) vs. Tomas Vokoun (39/39)
Net notes: Gustavsson was 2-0-0 vs. FLA coming in with 3.00/ .902 splits. Vokoun was 6-3-2 vs. TOR with 2.35/ .922 splits and one shutout. This was his sixth shutout of the season already and 37th of his career.
Niklas Hagman Tyler Bozak Phil Kessel
Alexei Ponikarovsky Matt Stajan Jason Blake
Nikolai Kulemin Wayne Primeau Lee Stempniak
John Mitchell Jamal Mayers Colton Orr
Tomas Kaberle Ian White
Carl Gunnarsson Francois Beauchemin
Jeff Finger Luke Schenn
Cory Stillman Stephen Weiss Michael Frolik
Rostislav Olesz Steven Reinprecht Radek Dvorak
Dominic Moore Kamil Kreps Gregory Campbell
Nick Tarnasky Shawn Matthias Kenndal McArdle
Keith Ballard Jordan Leopold
Dennis Seidenberg Bryan McCabe
Bryan Allen Dmitry Kulikov
Key notes:
Top PP times (TOR): Kaberle (6:33), White (4:39), Kessel (4:16), Bozak (4:00) and Hagman (3:51)
Top PP times (FLA): Stillman (2:30), Frolik (2:30), Weiss (2:30), McCabe (2:30) and Kulikov (1:56)
Cory Stillman (1G, even, 17:25 TOI, 2:30 PP, no PK 3 SOG, 1-0 FO for 100%) had been blanked in his past three outings, but had seven in seven before that. Stephen Weiss (1A, even, 4 PIM, 19:46 TOI, 2:30 PP, no PK, no SOG, 7-9 FO for 44%) has a point in five of seven now. Dennis Seidenberg (1A, +1, 20:30 TOI, 1:24 PP, 3:17 PK, 1 SOG) hit the 20-point plateau here and has them in six of 11 this month.
Michael Frolik (1A, +1, 17:00 TOI, 2:30 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) had gone four games without a point. This was Kenndal McArdle’s (1G, +1, 7:29 TOI, no PP, no PK, 1 SOG) 20th NHL start and first goal. He was a first rounder in 2005. Nice kid too. I did an interview with him in his draft year and even back then he seemed to be a pretty grounded guy.
Atlanta Thrashers 1 @ Tampa Bay Lightning 2 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Johan Hedberg (24/25, .960 SV%) vs. Antero Niittymaki (37/38, .974 SV%)
Net notes: Hedberg was 6-5-1-1 vs. TB coming in with 3.27/ .880 splits. Niitty was a perfect 14-0-0 vs. ATL with 1.86/ .935 splits and one shutout.
Ilya Kovalchuk Nik Antropov Bryan Little
Todd White Rich Peverley Maxim Afinogenov
Evander Kane Rich Peverley Colby Armstrong
Eric Boulton Marty Reasoner Chris Thorburn
Tobias Enstrom Pavel Kubina
Ron Hainsey Zach Bogosian
Anssi Salmela Boris Valabik
Martin St. Louis Steven Stamkos Steve Downie
Ryan Malone Vincent Lecavalier Alex Tanguay
Todd Fedoruk Paul Szczechura Jeff Halpern
Nate Thompson Zenon Konopka Kurtis Foster
Victor Hedman Mike Lundin
Mattias Ohlund Matt Smaby
Andrej Meszaros Matt Walker
Key notes: Nik Antropov (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 19:17 TOI, 4:15 PP, 0:10 PK, 3 SOG, 11-13 FO for 46%) had two points the last time he met the Lightning and he stopped a mini-skid of three pointless outings here. Bryan Little (1A, +1, 17:28 TOI, 4:13 PP, no PK, 1 SOG, 0-2 FO for 0%) has points in three of seven, while Pavel Kubina (1A, +1, 4 PIM, 26:09 TOI, 5:08 PP, 2:16 PK, 6 SOG) had gone five games without a point.
Top PP times (ATL): Kovalchuk (7:46), Enstrom (7:08), Afinogenov (5:40), White (5:30) and Kubina (5:08)
Top PP times (TB): Stamkos (5:05), St. Louis (4:43), Malone (4:30), Foster (3:19) and Lecavalier (3:05)
Steven Stamkos (1G, even, 2 PIM, 22:19 TOI, 5:05 PP, 2:09 PK, 5 SOG, 8-10 FO for 44%) had averaged a point-per-game vs. ATL in nine starts before tonight and he had 14 points in January coming in here. Ryan Malone (1A, -1, 2 PIM, 22:21 TOI, 4:30 PP, 2:37 PK, 3 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) has a point in six of 10.
Kurtis Foster (1A, even, 8:15 TOI, 3:19 PP, no PK, no SOG) had six points in eight contests before this evening. Jeff Halpern scored the only goal of the shootout.
Anaheim Ducks 4 @ St. Louis Blues 3 (SO)
Goaltending match-up: Jonas Hiller (18/21, .857 SV%) vs. Chris Mason (34/37, .919 SV%)
Net notes: Hiller was 3-1-0 vs. STL coming in with 2.92/ .896 splits. Mason was 1-7-0 vs. ANH with 3.01/ .899 splits.
Matt Beleskey Ryan Getzlaf Corey Perry
Bobby Ryan Petteri Nokelainen Dan Sexton
Todd Marchant Kyle Chipchura Troy Bodie
Mike Brown Ryan Carter Evgeny Artyukhin
Scott Niedermayer James Wisniewski
Steve Eminger Ryan Whitney
Nick Boynton Sheldon Brookbank
Paul Kariya T.J. Oshie Brad Boyes
Andy McDonald Keith Tkachuk David Perron
Brad Winchester Patrik Berglund Cam Janssen
Alex Steen Jay McClement B.J. Crombeen
Eric Brewer Erik Johnson
Barret Jackman Roman Polak
Mike Weaver Darryl Sydor
Key notes: Bobby Ryan (2G, even, 18:58 TOI, 5:00 PP, no PK, 10 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) has scored in three of five now and he was really active tonight, including scoring in the last minute of regulation to push this game to OT. Scott Niedermayer (1G, +2, 31:22 TOI, 5:00 PP, 1:16 PK, 2 SOG) got his first marker since before Christmas and he has points in three of four. Corey Perry (1A, even, 28:19 TOI, 5:00 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has points in eight of 10 now and he scored in the shootout.
Dan Sexton (1A, +1, 12:55 TOI, 1:00 PP, no PK, 1:00 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has points in five of nine starts after tonight. Ryan Getzlaf and James Wisniewski also scored in the shootout.
Top PP times (ANH): Ryan (5:00), Perry (3:00), Getzlaf (5:00), Niedermayer (5:00) and Wisniewski (5:00)
Top PP times (STL): Johnson (1:27), Kariya (1:11), Winchester (1:11), Berglund (1:11) and Boyes (1:11)
Andy McDonald (1G, even, 16:45 TOI, 0:49 PP, 1:08 PK, 3 SOG, 1-1 FO for 50%) has points in four of five after this evening. Erik Johnson (1A +1, 22:33 TOI, 1:27 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has helpers in two of four after a long dry spell, while David Perron (1A, even, 16:32 TOI, 0:49 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) has a point in three straight and six of 11 overall.
T.J. Oshie (1G, +1, 20:17 TOI, 0:44 PP, 1:05 PK, 2 SOG, 7-6 FO for 54%) has points in five of six and Brad Boyes(1A, +1, 18:55 TOI, 1:11 PP, no PK, 3 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) has a point in five of eight. They each scored in the shootout for STL too. Paul Kariya (1A, +1, 20:44 TOI, 1:11 PP, 1:08 PK, 1 SOG) has recorded a point in three of four and this was his seventh game back in the line-up.
Columbus Blue Jackets 2 @ Minnesota Wild 4
Goaltending match-up: Steve Mason (24/28, .857 SV%) vs. Niklas Backstrom (22/24, .917 SV%)
Net notes: Mason was 2-2-1 vs. MIN coming in with 2.38/ .912 splits. Backstrom was 6-2-0 vs. CBJ with 1.91/ .933 splits.
Kristian Huselius Antoine Vermette Rick Nash
R.J. Umberger Derick Brassard Derek Dorsett
Raffi Torres Andrew Murray Jared Boll
Fredrik Modin Samuel Pahlsson Chris Clark
Anton Stralman Fedor Tyutin
Jan Hejda Mike Commodore
Kris Russell Milan Jurcina
Andrew Brunette Mikko Koivu Antti Miettinen
Guillaume Latendresse Kyle Brodziak Martin Havlat
Owen Nolan Eric Belanger Cal Clutterbuck
Robbie Earl Andrew Ebbett Derek Boogaard
Marek Zidlicky Greg Zanon
Kim Johnsson Nick Schultz
Brent Burns Shane Hnidy
Key notes: It didn’t matter for the result of the game, but the Jackets scored twice in the final 22 seconds to both break the shutout and get a few extra points for fantasy owners.
Rick Nash (1G, 1A, even, 7 PIM, 16:54 TOI, 1:09 PP, 1:27 PK, 3 SOG) has five goals in five games with 12 points in 12 GP this month. Antoine Vermette (1G, even, 20:08 TOI, 1:48 PP, 3:31 PK, 4 SOG, 8-11 FO for 42%) has goals back to back with 10 points in January.
Top PP times (CBJ): Umberger (2:39), Tyutin (2:18), Huselius (2:08), Russell (2:02) and Stralman (1:58)
Top PP times (MIN): Havlat (5:58), Zidicky (5:17), Johnsson (4:56), Koivu (4:49) and Brunette (4:45)
Mikko Koivu (2G, +2, 19:42 TOI, 4:49 PP, 1:41 PK, 3 SOG, 9-8 FO for 53%) had scored four times this month coming in. Antti Miettinen (1A, +1, 19:23 TOI, 4:41 PP, 1:03 PK, no SOG) had a pair of three-pointers in five tries before tonight as his offensive output of late, while Andrew Brunette (1A, +2, 17:18 TOI, 4:45 PP, no PK, 1 SOG) has a mini-point streak going with three games in a row.
Eric Belanger (1G, even, 2 PIM, 16:44 TOI, 3:52 PP, 0:44 PK, 4 SOG, 5-7 FO for 42%) had nine points in 10 January games headed in here. Owen Nolan (1A, +1, 18:04 TOI, 4:00, 1:00 PK, 1 SOG, 4-2 FO for 67%) had six points in nine outings headed into this clash.
Chicago Blackhawks 1 @ Vancouver Canucks 5
Goaltending match-up: Antti Niemi (9/12, .750 SV%) & Cristobal Huet (14/16, .875 SV%) vs. Roberto Luongo (43/44, .977 SV%)
Net notes: Niemi was 1-1-0 vs. VAN coming in with 1.51/ .951 splits and one shutout. Luongo was 10-7-1-0 vs. CHI with 2.10/ .927 splits and three shutouts.
Troy Brouwer Jonathan Toews Patrick Kane
Andrew Ladd Patrick Sharp Marian Hossa
Kris Versteeg John Madden Dustin Byfuglien
Ben Eager Colin Fraser Tomas Kopecky
Duncan Keith Brent Seabrook
Cam Barker Brent Sopel
Brian Campbell Niklas Hjalmarsson
Daniel Sedin Henrik Sedin Alex Burrows
Mason Raymond Ryan Kesler Mikael Samuelsson
Pavol Demitra Kyle Wellwood Steve Bernier
Darcy Hordichuk Ryan Johnson Tanner Glass
Shane O’Brien Christian Ehrhoff
Brad Lukowich Aaron Rome
Nolan Baumgartner Alexander Edler
Key notes: Jonathan Toews (1G, -1, 2 PIM, 17:49 TOI, 2:44 PP, 0:35 PK, 4 SOG, 9-12 FO for 43%) had only scored once in 10 prior tries vs. VAN. He had eight points in 11 GP this month before tonight, while Patrick Sharp (1A, even, 16:17 TOI, 3:17 PP, 0:33 PK, 6 SOG, 4-4 FO for 50%) had 10 points in that same span.
Top PP times (CHI): Brouwer (3:46), Campbell (3:45), Kane (3:34), Sharp (3:17) and Keith (3:11)
Top PP times (VAN): Samuelsson (1:05), D. Sedin (0:57), H. Sedin (0:57), Edler (0:57) and Demitra (0:55)
This was Henrik Sedin’s (2G, 1A, +3, 17:44 TOI, 0:57 PP, 0:13 PK, 6 SOG, 8-7 FO for 53%) 51st game and he came into it just 11 points shy of last year’s career high of 82 points, which he got in 82 GP. Not too shabby. Daniel Sedin (1G, 2A, +3, 16:42 TOI, 0:57 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has at least a point in all but eight of his 33 starts this season, including all but four since the beginning of December. Alex Burrows (3A, +3, 18:28 TOI, 0:36 PP, 3:44 PK, 1 SOG) has points in 11 straight and they just don’t come much hotter than this guy.
Mikael Samuelsson (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 16:36 TOI, 1:05 PP, no PK, 3 SOG) has points in 10 of 13 now, while Ryan Kesler (1A, +1, 5 PIM, 17:47 TOI, 0:19 PP, 4:22 PK, 1 SOG, 14-5 FO for 74%) began the evening with 19 points in his past 24 GP, including 23 PIM. This was Pavol Demitra’s (1A, +1, 13:38 TOI, 0:55 PP, 0:17 PK, 3 SOG, 0-2 FO for 0%) fourth start and first time in the scoring summary. It’s just a matter of time until he’s back inside of the top six again.
Christian Ehrhoff (1A, +1, 4 PIM, 26:26 TOI, 0:45 PP, 2:15 PK, 2 SOG) has points in three of five after five without one. Steve Bernier (1G, +1, 2 PIM, 13:55 TOI, 0:53 PP, no PK, 2 SOG) has points back-to-back to reach the 20-point plateau, but had gone nine games without a point before that stretch.
Buffalo Sabres 2 @ San Jose Sharks 5
Goaltending match-up: Ryan Miller (19/23, .826 SV%) vs. Evgeni Nabokov (38/40, .950 SV%)
Net notes: Miller was 2-0-1-0 vs. SJ coming in with 2.55/ .911 splits. Nabby was 2-2-1-1 vs. BUF with 2.49/ .914 splits.
Thomas Vanek Derek Roy Drew Stafford
Jochen Hecht Tim Connolly Jason Pominville
Clarke MacArthur Paul Gaustad Mike Grier
Tim Kennedy Adam Mair Patrick Kaleta
Chris Butler Craig Rivet
Henrik Tallinder Tyler Myers
Toni Lydman Steve Montador
Patrick Marleau Joe Thornton Dany Heatley
Manny Malhotra Joe Pavelski Devin Setoguchi
Ryane Clowe Scott Nichol Jed Ortmeyer
Jody Shelley Torrey Mitchell Brad Staubitz
Douglas Murray Rob Blake
Marc-Edouard Vlasic Jason Demers
Kent Huskins Jay Leach
Key notes: Tim Connolly (1G, -1, 21:56 TOI, 4:49 PP, 2:37 PK, 4 SOG, 11-11 FO for 50%) has a point in 15 straight games; a streak that included 23 points coming in here. Jason Pominville (1G, 1A, even, 18:23 TOI, 4:49 PP, 0:51 PK, 4 SOG) has points in four straight and had six points in that time before this effort. Jochen Hecht (1A, even, 18:01 TOI, 0:11 PP, 2:50 PK, 1 SOG, 2-5 FO for 29%) had 10 January points coming into this affair.
Tyler Myers (1A, even, 24:11 TOI, 3:14 PP, 3:52 PK, 4 SOG) has points in three of four and he had 28 points on the season before tonight. Chris Butler (1A, -2, 23:00 TOI, 3:13 PP, 2:28 PK, 2 SOG) has points in three of five.
Top PP times (BUF): Connolly (4:49), Pominville (4:49), Vanek (4:27), Myers (3:14) and Butler (3:13)
Top PP times (SJ): Marleau (4:01), Heatley (4:01), Thornton (4:01), Demers (3:54) and Vlasic (3:24)
Dany Heatley (1G, even, 19:16 TOI, 4:01 PP, 0:13 PK, 6 SOG, 0-1 FO for 0%) had collected 50 points in 40 GP vs. BUF before scoring more tonight. He had been blanked in his past two starts, which is only the second time this season where he’s gone two or more games in a row (three is the most) without a point. Joe Thornton (1A, even, 18:17 TOI, 4:01 PP, 0:32 PK, 1 SOG, 9-4 FO for 69%) came into this affair with 66 points and 11 had come in 11 games in 2010.
Rob Blake (1A, +1, 22:27 TOI, 2:59 PP, 3:44 PK, 1 SOG) has points in four in a row. Joe Pavelski (2G, +2, 18:29 TOI, 2:52 PP, 2:18 PK, 6 SOG, 8-8 FO for 50%) has scored in two of his past four starts and began the night with seven points in his past four starts.
Manny Malhotra (2A, +2, 15:53 TOI, 1:33 PP, 2:17 PK, no SOG, 8-6 FO for 57%) had five points in four games coming in. Devin Setoguchi (1A, +1, 13:50 TOI, 2:26 PP, 0:16 PK, 1 SOG) had a pair of two-point outings in four starts before tonight. Ryane Clowe (1A, +1, 2 PIM, 16:16 TOI, 2:26 PP, no PK, no SOG) had five points in four games before the puck dropped tonight.
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