Hockey News: Sluggish Monday Edition

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It was a pretty busy weekend in the NHL as it usually is.  Sidney Crosby didn’t light the lamp but had five assists against the Sabres on Saturday.  Several teams continued win streaks bunching the standings in all divisions even more, while a few teams still battle to be in the basement.  In fact there is now a website that has been created to keep track of the teams possibly tanking for the right to draft McDavid or Eichel (McEichel.com).

Lightning Streak to Six

Steven Stamkos scored twice and Ryan Callahan scored in the shootout, propelling the Lightning to the top of the standings with their sixth win in a row.  Stamkos now has 10 goals on the season and 16 points overall in 15 games.  Gustav Nyquist, Darren Helm, and Johan Franzen all scored for Detroit  who now sit third in the Atlantic.

Both of these teams play the Blackhawks their next time on the ice.  Tampa face them on Tuesday and Detroit faces them on Friday.

 

Oilers Skate Past Rangers, 3-1

Jordan Eberle scores the eventual game winning goal in the second period beating Henrik Lundavist.  Former New York Ranger Benoit Pouliot scored as well in the third period sealing the deal for the Oilers.  Edmonton has now been the winner of two straight, while the Rangers have dropped two.

  • Pouliot and Fasth lead Oilers over the Rangers. [Syracuse.com]
  • Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scores for Edmonton pacing Oilers past Rangers. [Edmonton Journal]

Toronto Maple Leafs Take Down Ottawa Senators

James Reimer turns away 38-of-41 shots by Ottawa, and five different players scored goals for Toronto who now have won two games in a row.  Despite outshooting the Maple Leafs 41-30, the Sens drop their second straight and are now six points behind division leader Tampa.

“It’s huge especially with the back-to-back we just had.  Anytime you can get two points against a divisional team it’s a big win. I thought it was a really good game and I thought both teams competed hard. It was great that we came out on top.” – Leaf’s Peter Holland

The Ottawa Senators travel to Vancouver to take on the Canucks on Tuesday, while Toronto plays host to the rival Boston Bruins on Wednesday.

Chicago Blackhawks Beat San Jose Sharks

Trevor van Riemsdyk scored his first NHL goal and two other Blackhawks added goals in the first period to beat the San Jose Sharks.  Brent Seabrook and Niklas Hjalmarsson scored the other two in the big first for the ‘Hawks.

Joe Pavelski scored both goals for the Sharks in the loss.  [Fear the Fin]

Taking a closer look at the win over the San Jose Sharks. [The Committed Indian]

 

Ducks Fall to Canucks in Shootout

Bonino Ducks
Nick Bonino scored shootout winner(Charles LeClaire-USPRESSWIRE)

Emotions ran high Sunday night as Ryan Kesler faced his former team the Vancouver Canucks.  The win wouldn’t come in regulation as both teams needed overtime and a shootout to declare a winner.  When it was all said and done, the Ducks came out victorious thanks to Nick Bonino’s shootout goal.

“It was exciting.  I hadn’t seen most of those guys since last year. It was intense. It was fun. I’m an intense guy and I’m a competitor. I was trying my hardest out there.” – Ryan Kesler on facing his former team

The Faltering Ducks lose to Canucks in shootout. [Pucks of a Feather].  Canucks respond to edge Ducks in shootout. [Vancouver Sun]

 

Other NHL News

  • Sidney Crosby had five assists on Saturday against the Sabres, but hasn’t scored a goal since October 28th
  • Dallas Stars Antoine Roussel was fined the maximum by the league after punching an unsuspecting Justin Braun on Saturday
  • A great piece on Peter Forsberg compliments of Risto Pakirenen. [NHL.com]
  • Montreal has placed Rene Bourque on waivers
  • Anton Volchencov’s suspension is over and he will return to the lineup
  • New York Rangers John Moore’s suspension is over

Two games on the schedule on Monday night.  The New Jersey Devils are in Boston to take on the Bruins and the Calgary Flames are in Raleigh to take on the Carolina Hurricanes.