Flyers @ Jets
Jets win 6-4
I absolutely love that Jets' fans booed Chris Pronger every time he touched the puck. Why? Because he deserves it. Pronger is an elite, but mean player.
The Flyers took ten penalties. The Jets had nine. The Jets scored three power play goals. The Flyers contributed two. It may be a small margin, but sometimes that’s a game-changer. A.C. Jim Slater also had a shortie.
Good news for the Flyers: Matt Read is still crushing it. He tallied two goals in the third period but it was too little, too late.
Dustin Byfuglien had another strong performance for his club with a goal and two assists. It’s still amazing to me that he can transition so fluidly from defense to offense and back again. Versatility is a useful skill. Chicago
Ondrej Pavelec extends his win streak to three, consecutive games. Czech him out! These were wins over Tampa Bay , Washington and now Philadelphia
Red Wings @ Kings
Red Wings win 4-1
Mike Richards start this game off with a sexy short-handed goal. I guess that MMA training didn't help Jiri Hudler with his speed.
Jimmy Howard played well for the Wings in this one with 23 saves. The lone goal the got past him came from Mike Richards early in the first. On the other end of the rink, Jonathan Quick was pummeled with a total of 38 shots.
Pavel Datsyuk returned to his true form with two goals. Expectations for him coming into this season were extremely high and thus far, he hasn’t met them. It’s early in the season, so let’s give him some time. Honestly, the same can be said for Henrik Zetterberg. Where have you been sir?
Game-changing moment: Howard’s save on Anze Kopitar’s penalty shot.
Bruins @ Islanders
Bruins win 6-0
Another win for the Boston Bruins makes it eight straight. Tim Thomas gets his first shutout of the season and 28th of his career. This one required 23 saves. C’mon, like Tim can’t handle 23 shots. Pfft.
Chris Kelly has been red hot. The three points in this one bring him to seven in the last four games. Not too shabby. He would have been a nice piece to Ottawa's rebuild. Oh well.
I know Phil Kessel is doing well this season, but so is Tyler Seguin. With plays like his pass to Patrice Bergeron, it's no coincidence. Sorry about the full highlights, but it's early in the game. Relax.
I think it’s safe to say that the Islanders officially suck again this season. Their captain, Mark Streit, was a negative-five. After relishing his new “starting role,” Rick DiPietro let in three goals on 13 shots and was immediately yanked. Anders Nilsson stepped in to fix the leak but failed. It’s been a sad November for Long Island . Hopefully, they can turn it around soon.
Capitals @ Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs win 7-1
It was an eerily similar script for the Capitals, although I wouldn’t say they’re in the same boat as the Isles. Captain Alexander Ovechkin was a negative-three and hasn't registered a point in four games. Michael Neuvirth was pulled after three goals. His replacement, Tomas Vokoun, wasn’t any better and allowed four of his own.
In the second period, Toronto
Joffrey, not Jeffrey, Lupul had a goal and three assists. It looks as though Lupul has finally found his niche in Toronto
Congratulations to Matt Frattin on his first NHL goal.
Jonas Gustavsson or “The Monster” certainly made his presence felt in this game with 40 saves! After an early soft goal, he was stellar. The Leafs appear to have a love/hate relationship with this netminder and for good reason. One night, he’s a superstar. The next game, he’s a sieve. James Reimer, are you better yet? Please say yes. Please say yes.
Rangers @ Canadiens
Canadiens win 4-0
Like the Bruins, the Rangers were looking for their eight straight win. Unlike the Bruins, they failed miserably. They mustered only seventeen shots and Carey Price earned his first shutout of the season – likely the easiest of his career. Other than Brian Gionta's goal, Marty Biron had a pretty, solid game with 27 saves. He doesn't give up a lot of rebounds.
The big names for Montreal
Coyotes @ Sabres
Coyotes win 4-2
Mike Smith continues to stand on his head. In this particular game, he faced 45 shots. Only two beat him. Once again, I had my doubts about this guy, but he’s putting them all to rest. Sheesh!
Jhonas Enroth lost only his second start of the season, but they come within days of each other. Is the pressure of starting every game affecting his play?
Ville Leino: $4.5 million, negative-six and five points. BUST!
Paul Bissonnette got his first goal of the season. His mom, who has yet to see her son play in the NHL, was in attendance. I’m sure he’ll be tweeting about this accomplishment for years. Hooray?
Radim Vrbata tallied two. He now leads the Coyotes in scoring with 15 points. I love sniping with this guy in NHL ’12 – too easy.
Devils @ Lightning
Devils win 4-2
This was just a fun game to review.
Dainius Zubrus starts off the scoring with this beauty. Next time, I don't think Steven Stamkos will be so aggressive on the point.
David Clarkson and Ryan Shannon both had fantastic games for their teams. Clarkson makes this nifty pass to Patrik Elias who slides it five-hole (#backhandswork). He then battles in front of the net to knock one home.
Ryan Shannon does much of the same with a slick pass on Martin St. Louis's goal. After that, he SNIPES Martin Brodeur.
On a side note, Adam Henrique has a point in seven of his last nine games (#fantasyhelp).
Penguins @ Panthers
Panthers win 3-2
Chris Kunitz starts the game off with hard work, intercepting a pass then batting the puck into the net. After that, he takes a break and lets Brian Campbell walk right through the center of the ice for one of his own. Nice move by Campbell by the way. Hey Kun, what's no-man's-land like?
Jose Theodore has another impressive game with 39 saves. I was wrong. It looks like his eyes are focused on the game and not over his shoulder.
It's the little things in hockey that make it epic. Watch Jordan Staal recognize that Pascal Dupuis is taking the puck himself across the blue line. Staal straddles the line, then buries it (#playbytherules).
Blues @ Wild
Wild win 3-2 SO
Mikko Koivu is a leader - enough said.
Jaroslav Halak and Josh Harding both have great games. Harding makes 25 stops for the win and Halak turns away 30. Just look at this save on Cal Clutterbuck! That should have been a game-deciding save. Shucks.
Guess what? David Backes continues to dominate (#NBD).
For each game in Novemeber, the Blues have not allowed more than two goals. Wow.
Blue Jackets @ Predators
Blue Jackets win 4-3 OT
James Wisniewski and Jeff Carter both get their first goals of the season as as Jackets. Carter snipes out Pekka Rinne early and Wisniewski wins it in overtime. For the amount of money they make, it's about damn time!
Curtis Sanford gets his first win of the season with 27 saves. Hey Columbus, Sanford is 1-0-1 and Steve Mason is 3-12-1. Go with the percentages (#fantasyhelp). Look at this save on Weber. Nasty!
Rinne hasn't lost a game in regulation since October 25th. That's ten in a row!
Sharks @ Stars
Sharks win 4-1
Antti Niemi shines again making 31 saves for his 8th win of the season and fourth in a row.
To try and shake things up a bit, the Stars let Kari Lehtonen rest and gave Andrew Raycroft the start. The former Calder Trophy winner was immersed in shots, but will still able to turn away 34 of 38.
Joe Thornton proves why he's one of the best set-up men in the league. Michael Handzus shows off a bit of his own skills as well.
Blackhawks @ Oilers
Oilers win 9-2
Rather than try to explain every goal, here are the highlights.
It's a good thing Ray Emery boxed in his past because he got bashed in this one - seven goals on 27 shots.
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins registered five assists. The first rookie to ever do so!
Taylor Hall gets the second hat trick of his career. For some reason, this surprises me. This kid loves the right side of the power play.
Nikolai Khabibulin made 34 saves for his 8th win of the season. This snapped a three-game losing streak.
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