A three game night in the NHL, with all of the games featuring a Canadian team playing on home ice. Two of three made the advantage pay off.
The Night that Was:
The early season struggles of the Vancouver Canucks continued yesterday. With Roberto Luongo sitting out after getting pulled in the first of back-to-back games, Corey Schneider got the start in hopes of reversing the Canucks’ fortunes. Things started well for Schneider (although not really for the Canucks) as he stopped all 14 shots in the first period, before Alex Steen’s fourth of the season opened the scoring in the second. Steen would add his second of the game in the third, and Patrik Berglund would seal things off with three minutes to go to give St. Louis a 3-0 win. Steen and Kevin Shattenkirk finished with two points each for the Blues, as Brian Elliott made 32 saves for his tenth career shutout.
Montreal did something Vancouver couldn’t last night, and that’s get themselves back in the win column. Despite Jaromir Jagr opening the scoring in the first period with his third, Yannick Weber made sure the Habs carried the momentum into the second when he scored with just two seconds remaining in the frame on the power play. Things went from good to great for Montreal when Andrei Kostitsyn put his team up 2-1 midway through the second, and then Max Pacioretty made it 3-1 two minutes later. The Canadiens never looked back as Pacioretty’s second and Mike Cammalleri’s third of the season led Montreal to a 5-1 win. Carey Price made 21 saves for the win, his first since October 9th against the Jets. Pacioretty (2g/1a), David Desharnai (2a), and Josh Gorges (2a) all finished with multi-point nights.
Calgary made it two out of three Canadian teams with wins last night as they took down Colorado 4-2. The Avs held the early lead as Kyle Quincey put them up 1-0 before Roman Horak scored his first NHL goal to tie things up. It was another first in the second period as Lee Stempniak’s first as a Flame put them up 2-1, and Rene Bourque made it 3-1 on the power play. Ryan Wilson cut the lead to one when he slammed one home off of a Gabriel Landeskog rebound, but Bourque’s spectacular effort on an empty-netter put the finishing touches on a 4-2 win. Miikka Kiprusoff made 34 saves for the win on his 35th birthday, as Horak added an assist for his first two-point night.
What’s on Tonight?
It’s a busy night so don’t worry about finding something to keep you busy. Montreal and Boston hook up in an always-entertaining matchup. Columbus visits Buffalo, the Rangers entertain the Leafs in the Big Apple, and Winnipeg makes their way to Philadelphia. New York’s other team is in action when the Islanders touch down in Pittsburgh, while Ottawa hosts Florida, Nashville welcomes Tampa Bay, and Minnesota welcomes Anaheim. The L.A. Kings and Dallas Stars battle for in a Pacific Division clash, as Washington gives Edmonton a first-hand look at what the Oilers hope to one day be, and the night wraps up with New Jersey visiting Phoenix.
The Injury Bug:
-Jimmy Howard is set to rejoin the Wings following the birth of his child, as Joey MacDonald has been returned to Grand Rapids of the AHL.
-After playing Tuesday, Evgeni Malkin is expected to play in his second consecutive game after sitting out six games with a sore knee. He went scoreless on Tuesday.
-The Maple Leafs’ are expected to have Tim Connolly in the lineup tonight against the New York Rangers. The free agent acquisition has yet to play this season.
-Mike Green is still listed as questionable due to his swollen ankle.
-Daniel Alfredsson’s hip flexor injury has him listed as questionable for tonight.
News and Rumours Around the League:
-While other Junior players await word on their futures, Mika Zibanejad was told that he will be returned to Djurgarden. Word is he will receive first-line and top power-play minutes.
-The New Jersey Devils claimed forward Ryan Carter off of waivers from the Florida Panthers. He has gone scoreless in seven games this season.
The Overlooked Fantasy Line of the Night:
Max Pacioretty had three points, but Josh Gorges quietly had two assists and a plus-three rating. One of the leaders that the Habs will look to if they expect to turn things around, Gorges had an impact all over the ice last night.
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