Saturday 1/19

I need a damn Saturday off......

Boston 4 Rangers 3 (SO): I got to watch the third period and the shootout this afternoon before work. I didn't realize how much of an asset Zdeno Chara is in the shootout with his wicked shot. He just skated right up there and ripped it. Nothing fancy, but it works!

Dallas 3 Columbus 1: Dallas only allowed 14 shots in this game and shut 'em down for 6o minutes, getting a much needed victory. Look out for Columbus, though. They're up to the 9th spot in the west and have been playing well despite this one.

Nashville 5 St. Louis 2: This game was over by the end of the second. The Preds, who have come alive of late, forced Manny Legace out of the game early. Nashville's second goal was horrible, as Legwand banked it in of legace from a 180 degree angle. He probably should have stopped the third goal, a shorthanded one, as well.

Toronto 4 Buffalo 2: Well it didn't take Buffalo long to get back to losing-streak form following their 10 goal spurt the other night. A couple of power play goals and a below average game from Ryan Miller get the Leafs going, as they tie Buffalo for the basement of the Northeast standings.

Pittsburgh 2 Montreal 0: Good start for the Pens in the 1-2 month Crosby-less era of this season. Unknown Jeff Taffe gets an early goal, and that was about all this game had to offer. The Pens are getting some outstanding goaltending from Sabourin. He stopped 31 in this game and 17 in the second.

Tampa Bay 2 Ottawa 0: Kind of like the 2-0 game above. A first period goal and an empty netter. Sens have fallen a bit in the injury department and the win column since their win over the Wings.

Philadelphia 5 Islanders 3: More Scott Hartnell! A hat trick tonight! He's the best player in the NHL right now! Ok, maybe not that far, but every time I comment on a flyer game he's involved in the scoring column.

Washington 5 Florida 3: These caps won't go away! Now they're 3 points out of first in the Southeast. This was probably the most fun game from a viewer's perspective. Caps went up 3-0, Panthers rally with 3 of their own, and Ovechkin and Semin lock it up with one in the late second and one in the third. 5 of the 8 goals were on the power play.

Chicago 2 Phoenix 1 (SO): Hawks get another shootout win (had one in Colorado the other night). Patrick Lalime gets the goalie-of-the-night award, with 38 saves on 39 shots to steal one for the Hawks. Two points now separate the 2nd to the last place teams in the Central.

Los Angeles 4 Vancouver 3: Nice job by Michigan grad Jack Johnson getting his 2nd career goal on a big blast. The Canucks outshot the Kings 46-24 in this one, but allowed LA to capitalize on some early opportunities to go up 3-0.