How’s this for scheduling: One game in the NHL last night, but 11 tonight. If you didn’t catch last night’s game, you can make up for it tonight.
The Night that Was:
It was an all-Canadian matchup as the Winnipeg Jets visited the Toronto Maple Leafs for the first time since the mid-90s. The Jets got themselves on the board first, when Tobias Enstrom scored his first of the year on the power play from Bryan Little and Dustin Byfuglien. Just two minutes later the Leafs made sure the game was tied at one headed to the second when Joffrey Lupul slammed home his third from Phil Kessel and Tyler Bozak (Some doubted that Lupul had scored and thought he had hit a post. It was later revealed he had broken the goal cam with his shot).
The Jets controlled the second period as two-and-a-half minutes in Alexander Burmistrov scored his first, as the success for the Burmistrov-Antropov-Wellwood line continued, and then a little history. Mark Scheifele, in front of 13 friends and family (Or at least those that he knew about), scored his first NHL goal on the power play to put Winnipeg up 3-1. The Jets would carry that lead into the third, but Lupul and then Phil Kessel would score back-to-back power play goals separated by just 28 seconds. Neither team could manage a fourth goal during the third or overtime though, so it was off to a shootout. Welllwood and Burmistrov failed to score for Winnipeg, and while Phil Kessel didn’t score on the Leafs’ first shot, Lupul and Matt Frattin scored to give the Leafs a 4-3 win.
What’s on Tonight?
We go from a one game night to an eleven game night. Both Winnipeg and Toronto are in action again as Toronto goes to Boston and Winnipeg to Ottawa. Philadelphia hosts Washington in what some bill as an Eastern Conference Final preview, while Montreal travels to Pittsburgh. The Islanders hope John Tavares stays hot in Tampa Bay, while the Sabres travel to Florida as well to take on the Panthers. Colorado welcomes the Blackhawks, Tim Erixon and the New York Rangers make their way to Calgary, and Minnesota takes on Edmonton. Nashville visits the Vancouver Canucks and the much-maligned Roberto Luongo, and the L.A. Kings roll into Phoenix.
The Injury Bug:
-An upper-body injury is going to keep Martin Brodeur out 7-10 days. He hurt it against the L.A. Kings last week. The injury will not require surgery.
-Both Clarke MacArthur and Colby Armstrong left last night’s game with injuries. No word was given on MacArthur’s injury, but Armstrong was seen on crutches after the game with a lower body injury after he crashed into the boards. Nazem Kadri (who was demoted yesterday) was recalled this morning to fill-in.
-Adam McQuaid is questionable for tonight’s game against Toronto. David Krejci is doubtful.
-Jochen Hecht is questionable for tonight’s game against Florida. Sean Bergenheim is also questionable on the Florida side of things.
-No guarantees that Sergei Gonchar will be back in the lineup for Ottawa tonight (questionable-bruised ankle), while Bobby Butler is expected to miss the game against Winnipeg.
News and Rumours Around the League:
-Speaking of callups, the Flyers finally called up forward Brayden Schenn after the forward began the season in the AHL. The Flyers demoted Zac Rinaldo and Harrison Zolnierczyk.
The Overlooked Fantasy Line of the Night:
A big deal was made last night before the game about how Dustin Byfuglien was held pointless to this point in the season. Well, he’s pointless no more. Byfuglien notched two assists, an even-rating and three shots in 29:26 of ice time. Both of his assists came on the man advantage.
You can follow Bryan on Twitter at BryanThiel_88