Hockey News: Rivalry Wednesday Roundup

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It was “Rivalry Wednesday” in the NHL which always proves to be exciting.  It is almost if the league tells the teams to shoot more often, skate a bit harder, and score a lot more when there are only two games on the schedule to help boost ratings.  Well that was certainly the case Wednesday night in Toronto and Anaheim.

Kessel and the Boys Knock the B’s Around

 

The Boston Bruins are a much different team without “Big Z” in the lineup say Captain Obvious.  Toronto did there best to show everyone in the hockey community that Wednesday.  The Leafs used a four-goal second period to put the Bruins away and embarrass them on National Television.  Phil Kessel’s two-goal night gave him 10 on the season moving him into 4th in the league in goals and third in the league in points.  James van Riemsdyk added three points of his own with a goal and two assists as did Tyler Bozak.  Toronto and Boston are now tied for third in the Atlantic Division with 20 points.

Boston’s lone goal came in the second period when defenseman Dennis Seidenburg beat Jonathan Bernier, but Toronto was in total control at that point leading 5-0.

 

 

The Maple Leafs have picked a pretty good time to start playing their best hockey this season.  It doesn’t get any easier for them as the Pittsburgh Penguins come to town on Friday.  For the Bruins, they don’t have time to sit and reflect on what was in Toronto.  The B’s are back in action Thursday as they travel to meet another Original Six member, the Montreal Canadiens.

 

Ducks Erase 5-3 Deficit to Beat Kings in Shootout

 

The first game in the “Freeway Faceoff” did not disappoint fans on Wednesday night.  The Anaheim Ducks trailed the Los Angeles Kings 5-3 in the third period before things got serious.  The two Ryan’s (Kesler and Getzlaf) scored goals just a few minutes a part to tie the game at five late in the third period.  The game would remain tied through the overtime period and would end in a shootout.  Jakob Silfverberg would score the shootout winner over the Kings’ Jonathan Quick to end the comeback in grand fashion.

Anaheim sits atop the Pacific with 25 points, while Los Angeles sits in third, five points behind the Ducks.  The best way for a team to get over a disappointing loss is to get back in there the next day and do it again.  The Kings host the underperforming Dallas Stars at the Staple Center on Thursday night, while the Ducks have a few days to savior their win until Sunday when these two teams square off again.

 

News Around the League

  • Anaheim’s Corey Perry and Francois Beauchemin have been diagnosed with the mumps. [Puck Daddy]
  • Could Nathan Horton’s career be over after surgery? [Pro Hockey Talk]
  • Possible first overall draft pick Connor McDavid sidelined with fracture. [Sportsnet.ca]
  • Kaberle continues possible comeback possibly playing for Rangers AHL affiliate Hartford. [The Score]
  • Blue Jackets Johnson suspension is over and will return to the team.
  • San Jose Sharks place Alex Stalock on injured reserve. [Mercury News]
  • Minnesota Wild recall Jordan Schroeder from AHL. [Gone Puck Wild]
  • New York Rangers expect Dan Boyle to lace the skates on Thursday. [NHL.com]

With nine games on the schedule Thursday, who do you have?