BOSTON - The slumping Boston Bruins took advantage of a three-goal first period before adding two more in the third to down the Detroit Red Wings 5-2 on Monday night.
Five different skaters propelled the Bruins to the winning side of the ledger, entering the first intermission with a 3-1 advantage from which they would hardly look back.
And in the process end Atlantic Division rival Detroit's two-game winning habit.
"They're in our division," Carl Soderberg said, picking up three points off a goal and two assists. "We have to win these games."
Boston's Rielly Smith lit the lamp at 2:44 in the first with a blast from the blue line that landed over Jimmy Howard's left shoulder. Dougie Hamilton took the assist, lingering along the near boards before handing Smith the pass that would float through traffic to open scoring.
"That was a great example of how we need to play for pretty much the rest of the season," Boston captain Zdeno Chara said. "It's pretty simple. We had the right attitude and right approach right from the first drop of the puck."
Justin Abdelkader produced the 1-1 stalemate at 11:21, shooting a clean backhander as he fell to the ice through a twelve-inch space between Tuukka Rask's left leg and the post. Rask stuffed 28-of-30 for Boston on the night otherwise.
But the Bruins are 12-6-2 at home this season, seeking to prove the fact as they notched two goals in a 1:13 span to close the first frame.
Gregory Campbell recorded his 4th goal this season as the recipient of a lucky pass and deflection from Torey Krug, who flung a one-timer that squirted out of a heavy scrum in the crease.
His chance clinked off the right post into the path of Campbell from six inches out, who tapped the leading goal past Howard's left foot at 16:12.
Carl Soderberg took an assist on that shot, and soon after would record a goal of his own, firing from close range to the left side of the Wings net off a pass from Loui Erikkson behind the net.
"That's what I wanted to see from our team," Bruins head coach Claude Julien said afterwards. "It's the kind of game that we need."
Boston's skates cooled in the middle section, allowing the Red Wings back within a goal courtesy of Tomas Tatar, who cashed in on Detroit's third-best power-play.
Chris Kelly tripped Detroit's leading scorer Gustav Nyquist forty seconds earlier, setting up Tatar's 15th strike this season, off an assist from Danny DeKeyser.
But Kelly would add the empty-netter with three minutes left to clinch the win for the home side, who are 3-3-0 in their last six outings.
"I think everyone was focused on going over the boards and doing their job for the 40 or 50 seconds they were on the ice," Kelly said of the Bruins' effort. "It was wave after wave. Every line contributed and played really well."
Boston (19-15-3) was without points-leader Patrice Bergeron and Milan Lucic for undisclosed reasons.
The Bruins enjoyed four power-play chances, and in the third period Seth Griffith would skate past Detroit's second-best penalty killing unit to regain the two-goal advantage.
David Krejci took possession in the left circle deep in the Wings zone, skating backwards along the boards before slipping what became an assist through two Detroit defenders to Griffith, who flung a wrister from the circle past Howard's right arm.
"They threw in a lot of pucks and created chances off that," Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg said. "We tried to do that, too, but we've got to have the puck. We didn't win a lot of faceoffs in the first period and it's tough to start without the puck."
Jimmy Howard stopped 40-of-45 shots in net for Detroit (19-9-9) as the Bruins record their season-high in shots.
"We've been walking that fine line here for a little bit," Howard said of the Wings' recent losing ways. "We have to find a way to start on time. There have been too many times this year where we wait until the second period to get going."
Detroit hosts New Jersey before embarking on a six-game road trip, and Boston will treat Toronto to a New Year's Eve meeting at the Garden.
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Showing posts with label NHL. Show all posts
Monday, December 29, 2014
Red Wings-Bruins preview
BOSTON - Leading the Red Wings with 15 goals this season, Gustav Nyquist notched the game-winner in overtime on Saturday.
He will seek to help Detroit to their third straight victory when they visit the faltering Boston Bruins on Monday night.
Detroit picked up their last two after a 0-2-4 skid over their last six outings while Boston looks to rebound after being handed a 6-2 decision at Columbus on Saturday.
Nyquist has a goal and three assists for the Red Wings in his last two games, and his shot with 47 seconds left in the extra frame over the weekend gave Detroit the 3-2 victory at Ottawa.
He lingered in the Ottawa zone for nearly a half-minute and skated three times ominously around Sens net-minder Craig Anderson before firing from the slot for the win.
"The guys did a good job of creating some space for me," said Nyquist, who has a goal in each of his four career games against Boston. "It was nice to see it go in at the end."
Henrik Zetterberg, whose 27 points lead the team, has three goals in his last five games and four points in his last six. He has four goals and five assists in his last five meetings on Bruins ice.
Detroit (19-8-9) fields the third-best power-play in hockey (24.3 pct) and the second-best penalty killers (88.4 pct). They are 8-1-1 in their last ten contests against Boston.
They have taken the last four in Boston, where, despite their shortcomings, the Bruins this season are 11-6-2.
Boston (18-15-3) won their last two at home, against Buffalo and Nashville. Tuukka Rask allowed three goals in both those games.
He replaced Niklas Svedberg at Columbus after the young Swede allowed three goals against 15 shots, though would himself replicate that feat as Boston left the buckeye state with six goals against them on 30 shots.
"It's hard to find words after a game like this," Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara said afterwards. "We started putting some [victories] together and climbing the standings, and now here we go again."
Rask is 2-5-1 against Detroit all-time with a 3.1 goals-against average, though turned away both shootout chances fired on him against the Wings in Boston's Oct. 15 victory.
That win was only the second against Detroit in ten chances and they are suffering a 4-6-2 stretch over their last 12 contests, allowing 3.1 goals per game.
"We have proven goals scorers on this team," center Chris Kelly said. "We have proven All-Stars on this team. It's not talent that's keeping us from succeeding. It's just a lot of the little things; winning your battles, playing attention to details on a consistent basis."
Both sides have split their season series thus far, both at Joe Louis Arena in October.
He will seek to help Detroit to their third straight victory when they visit the faltering Boston Bruins on Monday night.
Detroit picked up their last two after a 0-2-4 skid over their last six outings while Boston looks to rebound after being handed a 6-2 decision at Columbus on Saturday.
Nyquist has a goal and three assists for the Red Wings in his last two games, and his shot with 47 seconds left in the extra frame over the weekend gave Detroit the 3-2 victory at Ottawa.
He lingered in the Ottawa zone for nearly a half-minute and skated three times ominously around Sens net-minder Craig Anderson before firing from the slot for the win.
"The guys did a good job of creating some space for me," said Nyquist, who has a goal in each of his four career games against Boston. "It was nice to see it go in at the end."
Henrik Zetterberg, whose 27 points lead the team, has three goals in his last five games and four points in his last six. He has four goals and five assists in his last five meetings on Bruins ice.
Detroit (19-8-9) fields the third-best power-play in hockey (24.3 pct) and the second-best penalty killers (88.4 pct). They are 8-1-1 in their last ten contests against Boston.
They have taken the last four in Boston, where, despite their shortcomings, the Bruins this season are 11-6-2.
Boston (18-15-3) won their last two at home, against Buffalo and Nashville. Tuukka Rask allowed three goals in both those games.
He replaced Niklas Svedberg at Columbus after the young Swede allowed three goals against 15 shots, though would himself replicate that feat as Boston left the buckeye state with six goals against them on 30 shots.
"It's hard to find words after a game like this," Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara said afterwards. "We started putting some [victories] together and climbing the standings, and now here we go again."
Rask is 2-5-1 against Detroit all-time with a 3.1 goals-against average, though turned away both shootout chances fired on him against the Wings in Boston's Oct. 15 victory.
That win was only the second against Detroit in ten chances and they are suffering a 4-6-2 stretch over their last 12 contests, allowing 3.1 goals per game.
"We have proven goals scorers on this team," center Chris Kelly said. "We have proven All-Stars on this team. It's not talent that's keeping us from succeeding. It's just a lot of the little things; winning your battles, playing attention to details on a consistent basis."
Both sides have split their season series thus far, both at Joe Louis Arena in October.
Thursday, December 18, 2014
Ducks sink Habs 2-1 as Koivu honored
MONTREAL, Qc. - Hampus Lindholm and Matt Beleskey lit the lamp as the Anaheim Ducks down the Montreal Canadiens 2-1 on Thursday night, putting the axe to the Habs' three-game winning habit.
Lindholm's goal at 8:16 in the first would give the Ducks a 1-0 advantage for the next 37 minutes as Anaheim raced out to an 8-1 shooting lead.
Ryan Getzlaf added his club-best 35th point with the assist, dishing to Lindholm after taking a faceoff in the Habs zone for the one-timer over Carey Price's right shoulder.
Three minutes after letting the Canadiens (20-11-2) produce the tie in the third session, left-winger Beleskey fired his 15th on the season seconds after a Ducks power-play expired.
Lindholm nearly struck on the advantage five seconds earlier with a wrister inches in front of Price in the crease, but his chance bounced away near the boards.
Rickard Rickell was on the ready, chasing down the puck and putting it on Belekskey's stick. The ricochet had Price looking late behind him at what became the game-winner.
Montreal would have chances in the middle frame to level the score, eventually rallying for a 12-11 shots lead, though Frederik Anderson would blockade the Ducks net, and hand the Canadiens their first defeat in four outings.
Michael Bournival and Tomas Plekanec teamed up on a would-be blast near the crease and Andersen's left pad was a step faster than Max Pacioretty. Brandon Prust fired a wrister that flew wide and Brendan Gallagher suffered the other pad with two minutes left after causing a turnover at the Ducks goal line.
"We had good scoring chances," Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said. "I liked our work ethic against a first place team. But we just didn't score on the chances we had."
Andersen would stuff 23-of-24 shots in net for Anaheim (22-7-5) after allowing 4 goals on 20 shots in what became a 6-2 loss to Toronto on Tuesday that killed a seven game winning streak.
His only mistake Thursday came at 5:27 in the third when he let David Desharnais fire a wrist shot past him to give both sides a goal apiece.
Andrei Markov and Alex Galenchyuk teamed up on the assist, the latter's fourth in his last two appearances for Montreal. His three set up Max Pacioretty's hat-trick against Carolina on Tuesday.
But the visitors would take their 49th point after sixty minutes for the best mark in hockey and a victory in their fourth of five contests in Canada.
The Canadiens honored former captain Saku Koivu before the contest. Koivu skated 13 seasons in Montreal starting in 1998 and five more with Anaheim. A video tribute played before he dropped the puck at center ice.
"I will always be a Hab at my heart," the Finn said. "Every NHL player should have the opportunity to play in Montreal in front of the best fans in the world."
Koivu retired in September of this year with 255 goals and 577 assists for 832 points. He fought a successful battle with non-hodgkin's lymphoma in the Canadiens' 2001-02 season.
"He taught us what the word 'courage' really meant," Michel Therrien said of Koivu. "He made us better people."
Lindholm's goal at 8:16 in the first would give the Ducks a 1-0 advantage for the next 37 minutes as Anaheim raced out to an 8-1 shooting lead.
Ryan Getzlaf added his club-best 35th point with the assist, dishing to Lindholm after taking a faceoff in the Habs zone for the one-timer over Carey Price's right shoulder.
Three minutes after letting the Canadiens (20-11-2) produce the tie in the third session, left-winger Beleskey fired his 15th on the season seconds after a Ducks power-play expired.
Lindholm nearly struck on the advantage five seconds earlier with a wrister inches in front of Price in the crease, but his chance bounced away near the boards.
Rickard Rickell was on the ready, chasing down the puck and putting it on Belekskey's stick. The ricochet had Price looking late behind him at what became the game-winner.
Montreal would have chances in the middle frame to level the score, eventually rallying for a 12-11 shots lead, though Frederik Anderson would blockade the Ducks net, and hand the Canadiens their first defeat in four outings.
Michael Bournival and Tomas Plekanec teamed up on a would-be blast near the crease and Andersen's left pad was a step faster than Max Pacioretty. Brandon Prust fired a wrister that flew wide and Brendan Gallagher suffered the other pad with two minutes left after causing a turnover at the Ducks goal line.
"We had good scoring chances," Canadiens coach Michel Therrien said. "I liked our work ethic against a first place team. But we just didn't score on the chances we had."
Andersen would stuff 23-of-24 shots in net for Anaheim (22-7-5) after allowing 4 goals on 20 shots in what became a 6-2 loss to Toronto on Tuesday that killed a seven game winning streak.
His only mistake Thursday came at 5:27 in the third when he let David Desharnais fire a wrist shot past him to give both sides a goal apiece.
Andrei Markov and Alex Galenchyuk teamed up on the assist, the latter's fourth in his last two appearances for Montreal. His three set up Max Pacioretty's hat-trick against Carolina on Tuesday.
But the visitors would take their 49th point after sixty minutes for the best mark in hockey and a victory in their fourth of five contests in Canada.
The Canadiens honored former captain Saku Koivu before the contest. Koivu skated 13 seasons in Montreal starting in 1998 and five more with Anaheim. A video tribute played before he dropped the puck at center ice.
"I will always be a Hab at my heart," the Finn said. "Every NHL player should have the opportunity to play in Montreal in front of the best fans in the world."
Koivu retired in September of this year with 255 goals and 577 assists for 832 points. He fought a successful battle with non-hodgkin's lymphoma in the Canadiens' 2001-02 season.
"He taught us what the word 'courage' really meant," Michel Therrien said of Koivu. "He made us better people."
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Bruins down Wild 3-2 in overtime
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Loui Erikkson tapped the game-winner in the overtime session to give the Boston Bruins a 3-2 decision over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night.
Carl Soderberg dished the assist after skating behind the Wild net, finding Erikkson waiting in front to Niklas Backstrom's unattended right side.
The strike, a minute-thirty into the extra time, ended the Bruins' three-game losing skid and their first victory after losing eight of their last ten outings.
"It's time we got a break," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "People who have watched us, I'm sure a lot of people said, 'Finally it's going our way.'"
A regulation victory looked imminent for Boston (16-13-3) until Jason Pominville's right skate would produce the 2-2 stalemate at 11:39 in the final period, redirecting a failed chance from Ryan Suter in traffic near the Bruins crease.
Boston until then held the 2-1 advantage despite being outshot 37-25. They would end the extra session on a 4-0 shooting spree.
Erikkson and Soderberg would team up on Boston's first goal. Soderberg's one-timer from the circle would fail to sneak past, but Erikkson would corral the rebound back to the defenseman who fired clean from between the circles.
But Kyle Brodziak would only need 27 seconds to respond for the Wild, firing a slapshot past Niklas Svedberg's right shoulder on a give from Brett Sutter.
Svedberg stopped 35-of-37 shots he faced in net for Boston, securing his first win since Dec. 2. He was under siege in the middle frame as the Wild outshot Boston 20-5, though the rookie Swede would keep the home side off the board in that time.
"He's been good," Julien said of his net-minder. "You want that from your backup goaltender. Your No. 1 is going to play most of the games, so when you need him, he needs to be ready to play, and he was tonight. I thought he made some good saves, he battled with a lot of traffic in front of the net, and again gave us that chance to win."
Patrice Bergeron gave Boston the 2-1 advantage into the first intermission, skating along the near boards over the blue line.
He flicked a prayer that bounced halfway to the goal, sneaking through the space between Niklas Backstrom's right arm and midsection.
"It's nice to get those bounces," Bergeron said afterwards. "We'll definitely take the extra point."
"You definitely want to get back on that winning column and that second point was really important for us," he added. "We definitely talked about it, even before the third period, to find a way and battle. Even though we couldn't do it in the third, we found a way to that point. It's definitely a confidence boost for us."
Boston visits Winnipeg before hosting Buffalo and Nashville before Christmas.
Backstrom stuffed 22-of-25 shots in net for the Wild (16-13-1), who hold a 12-3-1 record against Boston all-time though kick off a four-game homestand in defeat.
Carl Soderberg dished the assist after skating behind the Wild net, finding Erikkson waiting in front to Niklas Backstrom's unattended right side.
The strike, a minute-thirty into the extra time, ended the Bruins' three-game losing skid and their first victory after losing eight of their last ten outings.
"It's time we got a break," Bruins coach Claude Julien said. "People who have watched us, I'm sure a lot of people said, 'Finally it's going our way.'"
A regulation victory looked imminent for Boston (16-13-3) until Jason Pominville's right skate would produce the 2-2 stalemate at 11:39 in the final period, redirecting a failed chance from Ryan Suter in traffic near the Bruins crease.
Boston until then held the 2-1 advantage despite being outshot 37-25. They would end the extra session on a 4-0 shooting spree.
Erikkson and Soderberg would team up on Boston's first goal. Soderberg's one-timer from the circle would fail to sneak past, but Erikkson would corral the rebound back to the defenseman who fired clean from between the circles.
But Kyle Brodziak would only need 27 seconds to respond for the Wild, firing a slapshot past Niklas Svedberg's right shoulder on a give from Brett Sutter.
Svedberg stopped 35-of-37 shots he faced in net for Boston, securing his first win since Dec. 2. He was under siege in the middle frame as the Wild outshot Boston 20-5, though the rookie Swede would keep the home side off the board in that time.
"He's been good," Julien said of his net-minder. "You want that from your backup goaltender. Your No. 1 is going to play most of the games, so when you need him, he needs to be ready to play, and he was tonight. I thought he made some good saves, he battled with a lot of traffic in front of the net, and again gave us that chance to win."
Patrice Bergeron gave Boston the 2-1 advantage into the first intermission, skating along the near boards over the blue line.
He flicked a prayer that bounced halfway to the goal, sneaking through the space between Niklas Backstrom's right arm and midsection.
"It's nice to get those bounces," Bergeron said afterwards. "We'll definitely take the extra point."
"You definitely want to get back on that winning column and that second point was really important for us," he added. "We definitely talked about it, even before the third period, to find a way and battle. Even though we couldn't do it in the third, we found a way to that point. It's definitely a confidence boost for us."
Boston visits Winnipeg before hosting Buffalo and Nashville before Christmas.
Backstrom stuffed 22-of-25 shots in net for the Wild (16-13-1), who hold a 12-3-1 record against Boston all-time though kick off a four-game homestand in defeat.
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Hurricanes-Canadiens preview
MONTREAL, Qc. - Enjoying the third of a five-game homestand, the Montreal Canadiens will seek a third straight victory when they host the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night.
That streak comes on the heals of a 3-game skid and a meager 1-5-1 road trip. A return to the Bell Centre was the winning prescription, downing Vancouver and Cup-defending Los Angeles in succession by a score of 9-3 in those two outings.
Montreal (19-10-2) was outshot in ten of its victories this season, and lagged behind the Kings 46-20 as Carey Price made 44 saves, a season-best, and shutout the visitors until Jake Muzzin's strike three minutes into the third.
Price has 16 wins this season and holds a 1.67 goals-against average. His .922 save percentage ranks 10th in hockey.
"He's a great goaltender and he has the ability to make great saves," said Habs blue-liner P.K. Subban. "It's not a surprise to us seeing him do that but to be able to see him do it against one of the best teams in the league, that's what we need."
The Canadiens notched two power-play goals on the Kings, their first two strikes coming on their first five shots on goal. The Kings were held to nothing after their first 28 shots.
Though Nick Bonino nearly had one 90 seconds into the game were it not for the gymnastics of Carey Price, leaping over the crease to his right and extending his glove onto the chance.
"Price is priceless," Jiri Sekac told the Canadiens website. "You don't see a goaltender like him every day. I've been around. I've played in the Finals in the KHL. I've played in World Championships. But I've never seen a goalie like that. He's amazing. He's good every game. He's consistent."
Consistency that is likely to continue when Carolina (8-18-3) come into the Centre.
They fell 5-1 at Philadelphia on Saturday despite posting three more shots and have found the net only once in each of their last five outings, all defeats.
Tied with Edmonton for the fewest points in hockey (19), they began their 2014 campaign 0-6-2 before rattling off four straight victories. A win against Dallas was bookended by three straight losses, though, and they are yet to win since Dec. 2 against Nashville.
"We have to compete, have to be better defensively, have to manage the puck, have to move the puck better and that'll give us a better chance," coach Bill Peters said.
Despite blanking opponents on 15 straight power-play chances, they allowed three goals a man down on five chances in their last five contests, ranking 14th in both penalty-killing and power-play chances.
After an 0-for-14 slump with the advantage, Eric Staal sliced one past Steve Mason in Philadelphia in the second period, the Hurricanes' only goal that day.
"I don't think our execution was very good," he said after that game. "Obviously, it's been frustrating. We've played some good hockey before tonight, but tonight not good enough all around everywhere."
After pulling within 2-1 to the Flyers, they allowed three-straight goals in six minutes.
The Hurricanes will be without goals-leader Jiri Tlusty as he suffers an upper body injury and Elias Lindholm, second-best on goals (7), is yet to score a point in his last five appearances.
That streak comes on the heals of a 3-game skid and a meager 1-5-1 road trip. A return to the Bell Centre was the winning prescription, downing Vancouver and Cup-defending Los Angeles in succession by a score of 9-3 in those two outings.
Montreal (19-10-2) was outshot in ten of its victories this season, and lagged behind the Kings 46-20 as Carey Price made 44 saves, a season-best, and shutout the visitors until Jake Muzzin's strike three minutes into the third.
Price has 16 wins this season and holds a 1.67 goals-against average. His .922 save percentage ranks 10th in hockey.
"He's a great goaltender and he has the ability to make great saves," said Habs blue-liner P.K. Subban. "It's not a surprise to us seeing him do that but to be able to see him do it against one of the best teams in the league, that's what we need."
The Canadiens notched two power-play goals on the Kings, their first two strikes coming on their first five shots on goal. The Kings were held to nothing after their first 28 shots.
Though Nick Bonino nearly had one 90 seconds into the game were it not for the gymnastics of Carey Price, leaping over the crease to his right and extending his glove onto the chance.
"Price is priceless," Jiri Sekac told the Canadiens website. "You don't see a goaltender like him every day. I've been around. I've played in the Finals in the KHL. I've played in World Championships. But I've never seen a goalie like that. He's amazing. He's good every game. He's consistent."
Consistency that is likely to continue when Carolina (8-18-3) come into the Centre.
They fell 5-1 at Philadelphia on Saturday despite posting three more shots and have found the net only once in each of their last five outings, all defeats.
Tied with Edmonton for the fewest points in hockey (19), they began their 2014 campaign 0-6-2 before rattling off four straight victories. A win against Dallas was bookended by three straight losses, though, and they are yet to win since Dec. 2 against Nashville.
"We have to compete, have to be better defensively, have to manage the puck, have to move the puck better and that'll give us a better chance," coach Bill Peters said.
Despite blanking opponents on 15 straight power-play chances, they allowed three goals a man down on five chances in their last five contests, ranking 14th in both penalty-killing and power-play chances.
After an 0-for-14 slump with the advantage, Eric Staal sliced one past Steve Mason in Philadelphia in the second period, the Hurricanes' only goal that day.
"I don't think our execution was very good," he said after that game. "Obviously, it's been frustrating. We've played some good hockey before tonight, but tonight not good enough all around everywhere."
After pulling within 2-1 to the Flyers, they allowed three-straight goals in six minutes.
The Hurricanes will be without goals-leader Jiri Tlusty as he suffers an upper body injury and Elias Lindholm, second-best on goals (7), is yet to score a point in his last five appearances.
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Maple Leafs notch 4th straight, down Wings 4-1
TORONTO, Ont. - It's been a bad four days for the Detroit Red Wings.
After falling to Toronto at home 2-1 in a shootout on Wednesday, they were on the wrong end of a 3-2 decision to lowly Florida two days later.
And though they opened their rematch with Toronto with a 1-0 lead in the first five minutes Saturday night, the Maple Leafs responded with three unanswered goals to clinch the season series against their Original Six rivals.
Toronto notched goals from three different strikers as the Maple Leafs down Detroit 4-1 at the Air Canada Centre.
A victory that gave Toronto (17-9-3) their fourth-straight victory and a stellar 8-1-1 showing in their last ten contests.
"They were way better than us," Wings coach Mike Babcock said afterwards, "way quicker, and executed."
"They were way better than us," Wings coach Mike Babcock said afterwards, "way quicker, and executed."
The first twenty minutes was as even as it was spirited, as both nets were under siege, both facing 12 shots, both allowing 1.
Niklas Kronwall would quiet the crowd on the man advantage after he was held by James van Riemsdyk.
His one-timer from the boards flew past Jonathan Bernier's right arm as the Leafs net-minder was crowded by Darren Helm in his crease.
But van Riemsdyk would respond sixty seconds later, albeit unintentionally.
His skate would produce the 1-1 stalemate after a pass from Leafs points-leader Phil Kessel tapped off the left-winger's boot in the crowded crease area.
The two goals in the first both gave each side their only power-play goals on the evening.
Kessel's point pushes his tally to 30 on the season, for his 15th assist against 15 goals.
The middle frame gave Detroit's penalty-killers a chance to show their second-best ranking as Petr Mezrak stuffed two game chances from Tyler Bozak on the advantage, a bouncer off the back glass that nearly petered in and a scrum in the Wings crease that had the goalie on his back and three men inside the net.
But Richard Panik would give Toronto the 2-1 lead when both sides fielded five men.
Korbinian Holzer took the assist, the first point this season for the 26-year-old German, causing a turnover in the Detroit zone after picking away at Tomas Tatar and flicking it off the far boards to the Leafs blue line.
Panik took the pass in stride on a sudden breakaway, firing clean past Mezrak's right glove for his third goal in eight appearances for the Maple Leafs.
"Suddenly the puck was on my stick and I was happy," Panik said of what would be the game-winner.
"Suddenly the puck was on my stick and I was happy," Panik said of what would be the game-winner.
The goal was Toronto 41st this season in second periods, to opponents' 25, and Saturday night's second session found the Leafs outshoot the Wings 20-5.
Panik fought Detroit's Brendan Smith late in the contest after Smith took offense at Panik's strong forearm check against the glass behind the Toronto net and charged the Leafs right-winger.
Panik would give Smith what the Leafs gave the Wings in the final two periods, landing six confident blows on him before officials separated them.
Morgan Rielly inflated the Toronto scoresheet with a wrister that sailed past Mrazek's right elbow following a turnover in the neutral zone.
"We knew we had to clean it up a bit and as a team we did that," Rielly said. "That's a pretty good team we beat."
"We knew we had to clean it up a bit and as a team we did that," Rielly said. "That's a pretty good team we beat."
Nazem Kadri added the empty-netter with three minutes left in the third, and the three-goal advantage.
Henrik Zetterberg failed to produce a point for Detroit (17-7-7), having notched 16 in his last 13 meetings with Toronto.
Detroit will enjoy a four-game homestand, hosting Columbus on Tuesday, and the Maple Leafs will host the Los Angeles Kings Sunday.
Red Wings-Maple Leafs preview
TORONTO, Ont. - After playing one another four times this season, Saturday night's contest between Toronto and Detroit will decide who takes the season series between these two Original Six programs.
Toronto (16-9-3) seeks a four-game winning streak for the first time this season and the Red Wings (17-6-7) look to end a two game skid that began when these teams last met, Wednesday evening in Detroit.
Leafs net-minder James Reimer stuffed 41 shots against him in that contest, a 2-1 shootout decision to Toronto. Jimmy Howard faced only 19 for the Wings, and only 6 in the final period, though still allowed the tying goal late in regulation.
Mike Santorelli clinched the win in the final round of the shootout, flinging a wrister between Howard's pads. Tyler Bozak added for the Leafs and Pavel Datsyuk gave the Wings their only good goal in that time.
Toronto's Phil Kessel notched his fourth goal in five games that night and leads the team with 29 points (15 G, 14 A), and the side is 10-2-1 when Kessel records a goal.
"We need a couple of bounces here and there, but we're winning. That's the most important," Kessel said this week. "We're working hard. We're doing the little things right."
The Maple Leafs have not played a hockey game since their clash with Detroit, though their opponents come into the Air Canada Centre following a 3-2 shootout loss to lowly Florida Friday night.
Detroit fell to a 1-5-0 record in shootouts as a result, and Jimmy Howard 0-5 in net.
"Right now, when we get to the shootout, we're not a confident group, so we've just got to keep working on it," Wings coach Mike Babcock said Friday. "No sense hanging our heads or getting disappointed."
Nor have any reason to hang their hands about their vital statistics.
They hold the second-best penalty killing group in hockey (88.2 pct) behind only the streaking Chicago Blackhawks, and score 3 goals per game, good for third most.
Detroit converts 22 percent of their power-play chances, the 8th best mark in the game, and scored twice with the extra man Friday against the Panthers. That, after failing to convert on their last three outings.
Henrik Zetterberg tallied four assists in Detroit's 4-1 victory over Toronto on Oct. 17th, and has taken 16 career points in 13 meetings with the Maple Leafs. His added an assist in the Wings' loss to Toronto Wednesday.
His 26 points and 21 assists lead the Wings, who will enjoy a four-game homestand after leaving Toronto.
"They're good," Phil Kessel said of Detroit. "You watch them play, they skate, they work, they got good defense and they got a good goaltender. Every night you play them, it's a tough game."
Petr Mrazek will sit in net for the Red Wings in relief of Howard. The 22-year-old Czech is 3-0 this season and a 2.59 goals-against tally, including a 34 save performance against Carolina, a 3-1 victory for Detroit Dec. 7th.
Detroit took the first two meetings with Toronto on consecutive nights in October before dropping the next two.
Toronto (16-9-3) seeks a four-game winning streak for the first time this season and the Red Wings (17-6-7) look to end a two game skid that began when these teams last met, Wednesday evening in Detroit.
Leafs net-minder James Reimer stuffed 41 shots against him in that contest, a 2-1 shootout decision to Toronto. Jimmy Howard faced only 19 for the Wings, and only 6 in the final period, though still allowed the tying goal late in regulation.
Mike Santorelli clinched the win in the final round of the shootout, flinging a wrister between Howard's pads. Tyler Bozak added for the Leafs and Pavel Datsyuk gave the Wings their only good goal in that time.
Toronto's Phil Kessel notched his fourth goal in five games that night and leads the team with 29 points (15 G, 14 A), and the side is 10-2-1 when Kessel records a goal.
"We need a couple of bounces here and there, but we're winning. That's the most important," Kessel said this week. "We're working hard. We're doing the little things right."
The Maple Leafs have not played a hockey game since their clash with Detroit, though their opponents come into the Air Canada Centre following a 3-2 shootout loss to lowly Florida Friday night.
Detroit fell to a 1-5-0 record in shootouts as a result, and Jimmy Howard 0-5 in net.
"Right now, when we get to the shootout, we're not a confident group, so we've just got to keep working on it," Wings coach Mike Babcock said Friday. "No sense hanging our heads or getting disappointed."
Nor have any reason to hang their hands about their vital statistics.
They hold the second-best penalty killing group in hockey (88.2 pct) behind only the streaking Chicago Blackhawks, and score 3 goals per game, good for third most.
Detroit converts 22 percent of their power-play chances, the 8th best mark in the game, and scored twice with the extra man Friday against the Panthers. That, after failing to convert on their last three outings.
Henrik Zetterberg tallied four assists in Detroit's 4-1 victory over Toronto on Oct. 17th, and has taken 16 career points in 13 meetings with the Maple Leafs. His added an assist in the Wings' loss to Toronto Wednesday.
His 26 points and 21 assists lead the Wings, who will enjoy a four-game homestand after leaving Toronto.
"They're good," Phil Kessel said of Detroit. "You watch them play, they skate, they work, they got good defense and they got a good goaltender. Every night you play them, it's a tough game."
Petr Mrazek will sit in net for the Red Wings in relief of Howard. The 22-year-old Czech is 3-0 this season and a 2.59 goals-against tally, including a 34 save performance against Carolina, a 3-1 victory for Detroit Dec. 7th.
Detroit took the first two meetings with Toronto on consecutive nights in October before dropping the next two.
Friday, December 12, 2014
Canadiens trounce Kings 6-2
MONTREAL, Qc. - Though badly outshot, the Canadiens took early chances and a late scoring burst to secure a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings Friday night.
That, despite being outshot 46-20 by the visitors. But what few chances the Canadiens had, they took.
Five shots into the their offensive attack, they had two goals. And three into their first eleven.
Los Angeles had none into their first 28.
"We had a lot of really good chances," Kings boss Darryl Sutter said. "We totally dominated the first period. I think Carey Price was really, really good, wasn't he?"
Yes, he was.
Carey Price stopped 44 shots in net for the Canadiens (19-10-2) as they take the first two in a four-game homestand, defeating Vancouver three days ago.
"He's a great goaltender and he has the ability to make great saves," P.K. Subban said of Price. "There's only a few goaltenders in the league that can do that and he's definitely one of them."
Jiri Sekac struck first for Montreal on only their third shot against Martin Jones, a power-play chance at 8:16, four seconds after LA's Drew Doughty sat for interfering with Max Pacioretty.
Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban exchanged passes after winning a faceoff in the left circle and Subban fired a one-timer from near the blue line, redirected near the crease by Sekac, who stick was the last to touch before crossing the line.
"I felt it hit my stick," Sekac said, whose goal was originally credited to Subban before a review changed it. "The first one was given to [Subban], but it was still a goal no matter what."
"I'm more comfortable with [Plekanec] in each game," he added. Plekanec shared in the assist. "There's a bit of chemistry there."
Sekac gave the Habs their sixth and final goal at 15:46 in the third, unassisted.
As the middle frame opened, LA enjoyed a 14-4 shots advantage before Andrei Markov shot the Habs' 5th, a power-play goal past Jones.
Montreal would take the 3-0 lead into the second intermission thanks to P.K. Subban's 8th goal on the year, a strike that found his stick after some passing in the the neutral zone that set up the defenseman's slap shot.
David Desharnais and Manny Malhotra assisted on the latter's first point this year.
The Kings (15-10-5) got on the board in the final session when Jake Muzzin fired a wrister over Carey Price's right shoulder.
The goal gave Muzzin his fourth point in two games, after notching a career-best three assists in the Kings' win over Ottawa Thursday.
Muzzin's strike came on the Kings' 34th shot against Price to Montreal's 12 on Jones.
Drew Doughty slapped a one-timer to Price's left from the circle to complete the visitors' scoresheet, the defenseman's third this season, at 10:48.
Los Angeles outshot Montreal 18-9 in the third period, though the Canadiens would convert 3 of those 9 to secure the convincing decision.
David Desharnais gave the Habs a 4-1 lead at 9:47. P.A. Parenteau and Brandon Prust shared the assist after some passing from behind the net.
"I got a perfect pass from P.A. and when you get a chance like that, you're expected to bury it," Desharnais said afterwards.
Second-year man Sven Andrighetto would give Montreal the three-goal lead at 13:59 off a cross-ice pass from Michael Bournival. The Swiss-born right-winger scored his first goal on the year Dec. 6th against Dallas.
The Kings' 46 shots were the most attempted by the team this season. They travel to Toronto to tangle with the Maple Leafs on Sunday.
That, despite being outshot 46-20 by the visitors. But what few chances the Canadiens had, they took.
Five shots into the their offensive attack, they had two goals. And three into their first eleven.
Los Angeles had none into their first 28.
"We had a lot of really good chances," Kings boss Darryl Sutter said. "We totally dominated the first period. I think Carey Price was really, really good, wasn't he?"
Yes, he was.
Carey Price stopped 44 shots in net for the Canadiens (19-10-2) as they take the first two in a four-game homestand, defeating Vancouver three days ago.
"He's a great goaltender and he has the ability to make great saves," P.K. Subban said of Price. "There's only a few goaltenders in the league that can do that and he's definitely one of them."
Jiri Sekac struck first for Montreal on only their third shot against Martin Jones, a power-play chance at 8:16, four seconds after LA's Drew Doughty sat for interfering with Max Pacioretty.
Tomas Plekanec and P.K. Subban exchanged passes after winning a faceoff in the left circle and Subban fired a one-timer from near the blue line, redirected near the crease by Sekac, who stick was the last to touch before crossing the line.
"I felt it hit my stick," Sekac said, whose goal was originally credited to Subban before a review changed it. "The first one was given to [Subban], but it was still a goal no matter what."
"I'm more comfortable with [Plekanec] in each game," he added. Plekanec shared in the assist. "There's a bit of chemistry there."
Sekac gave the Habs their sixth and final goal at 15:46 in the third, unassisted.
As the middle frame opened, LA enjoyed a 14-4 shots advantage before Andrei Markov shot the Habs' 5th, a power-play goal past Jones.
Montreal would take the 3-0 lead into the second intermission thanks to P.K. Subban's 8th goal on the year, a strike that found his stick after some passing in the the neutral zone that set up the defenseman's slap shot.
David Desharnais and Manny Malhotra assisted on the latter's first point this year.
The Kings (15-10-5) got on the board in the final session when Jake Muzzin fired a wrister over Carey Price's right shoulder.
The goal gave Muzzin his fourth point in two games, after notching a career-best three assists in the Kings' win over Ottawa Thursday.
Muzzin's strike came on the Kings' 34th shot against Price to Montreal's 12 on Jones.
Drew Doughty slapped a one-timer to Price's left from the circle to complete the visitors' scoresheet, the defenseman's third this season, at 10:48.
Los Angeles outshot Montreal 18-9 in the third period, though the Canadiens would convert 3 of those 9 to secure the convincing decision.
David Desharnais gave the Habs a 4-1 lead at 9:47. P.A. Parenteau and Brandon Prust shared the assist after some passing from behind the net.
"I got a perfect pass from P.A. and when you get a chance like that, you're expected to bury it," Desharnais said afterwards.
Second-year man Sven Andrighetto would give Montreal the three-goal lead at 13:59 off a cross-ice pass from Michael Bournival. The Swiss-born right-winger scored his first goal on the year Dec. 6th against Dallas.
The Kings' 46 shots were the most attempted by the team this season. They travel to Toronto to tangle with the Maple Leafs on Sunday.
Kings-Canadiens preview
MONTREAL, Qc. - Three days after burying Jean Beliveau, a 10-time winner of the Stanley Cup and former Canadiens captain, Montreal seeks a second straight victory Friday night when the Los Angeles Kings visit the Bell Centre.
Montreal (18-10-2) returned home Tuesday to down Vancouver 3-1 as the Habs kicked off a five-game homestand.
Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Plekanec lit the lamp in a game preceded by a fifteen-minute tribute to Beliveau and a two-minute standing ovation for his widow, Elise, who sat next to the seat her husband occupied during his years as a team executive.
The chair was left open, with his number 4 emblazed into it.
Max Pacioretty leads Montreal with 22 points, notching his 9th goal this season with an empty-netter and an assist in Tuesday's win. He gave the winning puck to Mme Beliveau following the game.
"It was a little bit emotional before the game," Pacioretty said. "But I'm glad we got her a victory."
The Canadiens are 10-3-1 at home, to which they return after suffering their longest losing skid of the season, dropping three in a row to Minnesota, Chicago, and Dallas, all on the road.
"We all knew we needed to do more offensively," Gallagher said, whose strike opened scoring in the second period. "We generated a lot of chances. Every line contributed."
They average 3.1 goals at the Centre against 1.8 on the road, and have scored only 9 first period goals, the worst mark in hockey, outscored 8-2 in opening periods.
Los Angeles (15-9-5) visits the Habs for their third game in five away from home. After dropping two straight, they rebounded with a 5-3 decision over Ottawa Thursday night, after finding only 8 goals in their previous five games.
Jake Muzzin recorded three assists in Canada's capitol, setting up two goals in the third period to lift the Kings to a 4-5-1 record on the road.
His goal came 36 seconds after the Senators produced a 2-2 tie.
"That was big," Muzzin said afterwards. "They [Ottawa] had momentum going their way and we kind of shifted it back into our hands. To come back with a goal right away was huge."
Tyler Toffoli leads the Kings with 21 points (10 G, 11 A), a team that allows the third-fewest goals (2.1) against the Canadiens' 2.4 allowed-average.
The two sides played one another to decide the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. Montreal took the series in five games, the last time the Cup was awarded to a team north of the border.
LA won their previous two meetings with Montreal after losing their last seven.
Montreal (18-10-2) returned home Tuesday to down Vancouver 3-1 as the Habs kicked off a five-game homestand.
Brendan Gallagher and Tomas Plekanec lit the lamp in a game preceded by a fifteen-minute tribute to Beliveau and a two-minute standing ovation for his widow, Elise, who sat next to the seat her husband occupied during his years as a team executive.
The chair was left open, with his number 4 emblazed into it.
Max Pacioretty leads Montreal with 22 points, notching his 9th goal this season with an empty-netter and an assist in Tuesday's win. He gave the winning puck to Mme Beliveau following the game.
"It was a little bit emotional before the game," Pacioretty said. "But I'm glad we got her a victory."
The Canadiens are 10-3-1 at home, to which they return after suffering their longest losing skid of the season, dropping three in a row to Minnesota, Chicago, and Dallas, all on the road.
"We all knew we needed to do more offensively," Gallagher said, whose strike opened scoring in the second period. "We generated a lot of chances. Every line contributed."
They average 3.1 goals at the Centre against 1.8 on the road, and have scored only 9 first period goals, the worst mark in hockey, outscored 8-2 in opening periods.
Los Angeles (15-9-5) visits the Habs for their third game in five away from home. After dropping two straight, they rebounded with a 5-3 decision over Ottawa Thursday night, after finding only 8 goals in their previous five games.
Jake Muzzin recorded three assists in Canada's capitol, setting up two goals in the third period to lift the Kings to a 4-5-1 record on the road.
His goal came 36 seconds after the Senators produced a 2-2 tie.
"That was big," Muzzin said afterwards. "They [Ottawa] had momentum going their way and we kind of shifted it back into our hands. To come back with a goal right away was huge."
Tyler Toffoli leads the Kings with 21 points (10 G, 11 A), a team that allows the third-fewest goals (2.1) against the Canadiens' 2.4 allowed-average.
The two sides played one another to decide the 1993 Stanley Cup Final. Montreal took the series in five games, the last time the Cup was awarded to a team north of the border.
LA won their previous two meetings with Montreal after losing their last seven.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Flyers down Devils 4-1 to begin homestand
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Wayne Simmonds scored his 12th goal of the season as the Philadelphia Flyers defeat the New Jersey Devils 4-1 Thursday night.
Mark Streit and captain Claude Giroux exchanged passes in the attacking zone before Streit fired a long-ranger on goal.
The shot was high and beaten to the ice by Simmonds, who fired his own deflection clean past the Devils net-minder for the go-ahead strike.
"You get that insurance goal, you don't want to go down right to the last two minutes only up one goal there," Simmonds said. "We were getting shots in on the power play and I thought it was only a matter of time before we put one in."
The goal came with an extra man to give the Flyers a 1-for-5 mark on the power-play, where Philly ranks 4th-best in hockey.
Jakub Voracek added an empty-netter at 17:30 when Cory Schneider was pulled to give Jersey the extra man, and the 25-year-old Czech notched his 10th goal and 25th point on the year, the latter mark a team-best.
"We kept putting pressure on their defense in the third up a goal, and we pulled it out," Sean Couturier said afterwards. His goal and assist came in the opening period.
The victory gives Philadelphia (10-13-5) points in four straight games as they open a four-game homestand, that after a meager 1-3-1 road trip.
And gives New Jersey their fifth-straight losing decision, though they came within 2-1 in the second period when Martin Havlat snuck past Ray Emery for his 3rd on the season with an extra man.
Scott Gomez and Jaromir Jagr assisted after exchanging passes from inside the circle, and Havlat took a pass on the tape, flicking it past Emery's left pad.
With that point, Gomez moved into 4th place all-time among Devils with 337 assists.
Emery only faced 18 shots against him for the Flyers to Cory Schneider' 35 for the Devils, stopping 32 before being pulled in the game's final twenty seconds.
Philadelphia raced out to a 2-0 lead after the first period as Sean Couturier and Matt Read exchanged roles on each other's goals.
Their first came in the least likely of places, their 29th-ranked penalty kill.
Couturier notched the Flyers' first shorthanded goal on the season when he and Matt Read skated a sudden 2-on-1 against Schneider.
Read had brought the puck into the Devils zone before darting what would be an assist to Couturier in the crease, who flicked a wrister clean to the goalie's right side.
The goal was the center's 6th strike this year for Broad Street.
"We wanted to get off to a good start and maintain that for sixty minutes," Couturier said.
He and Matt Read switched places on the Flyers' second goal as Couturier assisted on what became Read's third in Philly's ledger this season.
Couturier was handling the puck after some passing behind the Jersey net, finding Read sneaking towards the crease, finding a hole to the Schneider's left side at 13:37.
"Just keep doing the little things right and eventually something's going to go your way," Read said after the game. "It's good to get one but you have to work hard every night and do the little things right and do the little things to help your team win."
Scott Laughton gave the Flyers two chances late, on a pass to Wayne Simmonds in the crease that found Schneider's pad, and a long give to Brayden Schenn who fired from near the blue line that was caught just in time.
"We wanna stay in the playoffs," Couturier said, "and to stay in the right place, we gotta put some wins on the board."
Their next chance comes when they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes to South Philadelphia Saturday.
Mark Streit and captain Claude Giroux exchanged passes in the attacking zone before Streit fired a long-ranger on goal.
The shot was high and beaten to the ice by Simmonds, who fired his own deflection clean past the Devils net-minder for the go-ahead strike.
"You get that insurance goal, you don't want to go down right to the last two minutes only up one goal there," Simmonds said. "We were getting shots in on the power play and I thought it was only a matter of time before we put one in."
The goal came with an extra man to give the Flyers a 1-for-5 mark on the power-play, where Philly ranks 4th-best in hockey.
Jakub Voracek added an empty-netter at 17:30 when Cory Schneider was pulled to give Jersey the extra man, and the 25-year-old Czech notched his 10th goal and 25th point on the year, the latter mark a team-best.
"We kept putting pressure on their defense in the third up a goal, and we pulled it out," Sean Couturier said afterwards. His goal and assist came in the opening period.
The victory gives Philadelphia (10-13-5) points in four straight games as they open a four-game homestand, that after a meager 1-3-1 road trip.
And gives New Jersey their fifth-straight losing decision, though they came within 2-1 in the second period when Martin Havlat snuck past Ray Emery for his 3rd on the season with an extra man.
Scott Gomez and Jaromir Jagr assisted after exchanging passes from inside the circle, and Havlat took a pass on the tape, flicking it past Emery's left pad.
With that point, Gomez moved into 4th place all-time among Devils with 337 assists.
Emery only faced 18 shots against him for the Flyers to Cory Schneider' 35 for the Devils, stopping 32 before being pulled in the game's final twenty seconds.
Philadelphia raced out to a 2-0 lead after the first period as Sean Couturier and Matt Read exchanged roles on each other's goals.
Their first came in the least likely of places, their 29th-ranked penalty kill.
Couturier notched the Flyers' first shorthanded goal on the season when he and Matt Read skated a sudden 2-on-1 against Schneider.
Read had brought the puck into the Devils zone before darting what would be an assist to Couturier in the crease, who flicked a wrister clean to the goalie's right side.
The goal was the center's 6th strike this year for Broad Street.
"We wanted to get off to a good start and maintain that for sixty minutes," Couturier said.
He and Matt Read switched places on the Flyers' second goal as Couturier assisted on what became Read's third in Philly's ledger this season.
Couturier was handling the puck after some passing behind the Jersey net, finding Read sneaking towards the crease, finding a hole to the Schneider's left side at 13:37.
"Just keep doing the little things right and eventually something's going to go your way," Read said after the game. "It's good to get one but you have to work hard every night and do the little things right and do the little things to help your team win."
Scott Laughton gave the Flyers two chances late, on a pass to Wayne Simmonds in the crease that found Schneider's pad, and a long give to Brayden Schenn who fired from near the blue line that was caught just in time.
"We wanna stay in the playoffs," Couturier said, "and to stay in the right place, we gotta put some wins on the board."
Their next chance comes when they welcome the Carolina Hurricanes to South Philadelphia Saturday.
Devils strike back, trail Flyers 2-1 after two periods
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Martin Havlat notched his 3rd goal this season as the Devils come within a 2-1 deficit to the Flyers after two periods Thursday night.
The goal came when the Devils took the man advantage after Philadelphia's Nick Schultz was booked for tripping Scott Gomez.
Gomez would assist on the score, taking a pass from Damon Severson from the blue line into the circle, flicking a wrist pass onto Jaromir Jagr's stick that bounced off Havlat and past Ray Emery's left pad.
Until then, the Devils were outshot 9-6 in the period, a slow moving twenty minutes that ended with the visitors behind in shots 22-11.
Ray Emery stopped 10-of-11 for Philadelphia, who returns home from a forgetful 1-3-1 road trip, tonight's game beginning a four-game homestand.
Devils right-winger Mike Sisso sat at 10:05 for holding Niklas Grossman, giving the Flyers their third chance on the night in 5-on-4 action.
Wayne Simmonds tried Cory Schneider from close range early with the advantage from inside the crease, but was batted away by the goalie's right pad.
Brayden Schenn tried again after the Flyers regained possession from between the circles, stopped easily by his glove.
Philly brought out their second unit with a minute left in the power-play, though they would prove little better.
Andrew Macdonald tried two shots, from close in a scrum near the goal line and a slap shot from outside the circle, both stuffed by the Jersey net-minder.
That would end the Flyers' 4th-best power-play opportunity as the team fell to an 0-for-4 mark with the extra man.
Cory Schneider faced 22 shots, stopping 20 in forty minutes for Jersey.
New Jersey (11-13-5) came out quickly, but shortly, against Ray Emery to start the second.
Jaromir Jagr tried Emery at 2:30 after skating brilliantly through traffic, but was deflected wide.
Steve Bernier took a long pass and ventured a backhander against Emery that only found the goalie's chest.
Flyers captain Claude Giroux responded, taking a pass from Braydon Coburn, then breaking away for a chance on Schneider that ended up in his glove.
Ray Emery stood against a game 3-on-1 chance from the Devils, batting away two chances in succession in his crease seven minutes into the middle frame.
R.J. Umberger nearly snuck one past Schneider a minute later in the Jersey crease when he took a pass from behind the net, but the net-minder was a step quicker for the visitors.
The period began with 23 seconds remaining on New Jersey's Martin Havlat's tripping penalty against Mark Streit.
Sean Couturier and Matt Read both scored and assisted in the first period, including the Flyers' first shorthanded goal this season for a 2-0 lead after twenty.
Thursday night's game is the second of four in which the Flyers and Devils will meet. New Jersey took the first a, 6-4 decision Oct. 9th, and lead the Flyers by four points in the Metropolitan Division standing.
The goal came when the Devils took the man advantage after Philadelphia's Nick Schultz was booked for tripping Scott Gomez.
Gomez would assist on the score, taking a pass from Damon Severson from the blue line into the circle, flicking a wrist pass onto Jaromir Jagr's stick that bounced off Havlat and past Ray Emery's left pad.
Until then, the Devils were outshot 9-6 in the period, a slow moving twenty minutes that ended with the visitors behind in shots 22-11.
Ray Emery stopped 10-of-11 for Philadelphia, who returns home from a forgetful 1-3-1 road trip, tonight's game beginning a four-game homestand.
Devils right-winger Mike Sisso sat at 10:05 for holding Niklas Grossman, giving the Flyers their third chance on the night in 5-on-4 action.
Wayne Simmonds tried Cory Schneider from close range early with the advantage from inside the crease, but was batted away by the goalie's right pad.
Brayden Schenn tried again after the Flyers regained possession from between the circles, stopped easily by his glove.
Philly brought out their second unit with a minute left in the power-play, though they would prove little better.
Andrew Macdonald tried two shots, from close in a scrum near the goal line and a slap shot from outside the circle, both stuffed by the Jersey net-minder.
That would end the Flyers' 4th-best power-play opportunity as the team fell to an 0-for-4 mark with the extra man.
Cory Schneider faced 22 shots, stopping 20 in forty minutes for Jersey.
New Jersey (11-13-5) came out quickly, but shortly, against Ray Emery to start the second.
Jaromir Jagr tried Emery at 2:30 after skating brilliantly through traffic, but was deflected wide.
Steve Bernier took a long pass and ventured a backhander against Emery that only found the goalie's chest.
Flyers captain Claude Giroux responded, taking a pass from Braydon Coburn, then breaking away for a chance on Schneider that ended up in his glove.
Ray Emery stood against a game 3-on-1 chance from the Devils, batting away two chances in succession in his crease seven minutes into the middle frame.
R.J. Umberger nearly snuck one past Schneider a minute later in the Jersey crease when he took a pass from behind the net, but the net-minder was a step quicker for the visitors.
The period began with 23 seconds remaining on New Jersey's Martin Havlat's tripping penalty against Mark Streit.
Sean Couturier and Matt Read both scored and assisted in the first period, including the Flyers' first shorthanded goal this season for a 2-0 lead after twenty.
Thursday night's game is the second of four in which the Flyers and Devils will meet. New Jersey took the first a, 6-4 decision Oct. 9th, and lead the Flyers by four points in the Metropolitan Division standing.
Flyers leading Devils 2-0 after first period
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Sean Couturier and Matt Read both scored and assisted on each other's goals as the Flyers take a 2-0 lead over the New Jersey Devils after one period Thursday night.
Their first came as a pleasant surprise for their 29th-ranked penalty killers.
Couturier notched the Flyers' first shorthanded goal on the year when he and Matt Read skated a sudden 2-on-1 development.
Read brought the puck himself into the Devils zone before darting the assist to Couturier in the crease, who flicked a wrist shot clean past Cory Schneider's right side for his 6th goal this season.
New Jersey was a man down at 3:04 after putting a sixth man into play. Jordin Tootoo served the penalty for the visitors.
Couturier and Read would strike again for the home side, with their roles reversed, the former assisting and the latter scoring.
After some passing near the Devils net, Nick Schultz fired the puck behind Schneider, finding its way to Couturier, nestled along the near boards outside the circle.
He fired to Read, who came open suddenly and snuck into the crease, finding a hole to the goalie's left side for the advantage at 13:37.
Cory Schneider stopped 8-of-10 after twenty minutes for the Devils, who are 2-4-2 in their last 8 outings, though have taken four straight from the Flyers in Philadelphia.
He nearly allowed a late power-play chance from inside his crease when Wayne Simmonds overpowered him with a minute remaining, and again thirty seconds later when Brayden Schenn tried a one-time blast from near the blue line.
Jersey's Martin Havlat was serving two minutes for tripping Mark Streit.
Philadelphia (9-13-5) returns to Wells Fargo Center after a 1-3-1 road trip over five contests, the sole victory a 2-1 decision over Los Angeles last Saturday.
Their first came as a pleasant surprise for their 29th-ranked penalty killers.
Couturier notched the Flyers' first shorthanded goal on the year when he and Matt Read skated a sudden 2-on-1 development.
Read brought the puck himself into the Devils zone before darting the assist to Couturier in the crease, who flicked a wrist shot clean past Cory Schneider's right side for his 6th goal this season.
New Jersey was a man down at 3:04 after putting a sixth man into play. Jordin Tootoo served the penalty for the visitors.
Couturier and Read would strike again for the home side, with their roles reversed, the former assisting and the latter scoring.
After some passing near the Devils net, Nick Schultz fired the puck behind Schneider, finding its way to Couturier, nestled along the near boards outside the circle.
He fired to Read, who came open suddenly and snuck into the crease, finding a hole to the goalie's left side for the advantage at 13:37.
Cory Schneider stopped 8-of-10 after twenty minutes for the Devils, who are 2-4-2 in their last 8 outings, though have taken four straight from the Flyers in Philadelphia.
He nearly allowed a late power-play chance from inside his crease when Wayne Simmonds overpowered him with a minute remaining, and again thirty seconds later when Brayden Schenn tried a one-time blast from near the blue line.
Jersey's Martin Havlat was serving two minutes for tripping Mark Streit.
Philadelphia (9-13-5) returns to Wells Fargo Center after a 1-3-1 road trip over five contests, the sole victory a 2-1 decision over Los Angeles last Saturday.
Wednesday, December 10, 2014
Leafs come back to top Wings in shootout
DETROIT, Mich. - Sixty-five minutes would not be enough between the Red Wings and Maple Leafs in Detroit Wednesday night.
But Mike Santorelli's wrister from twenty feet out on the final attempt in the shootout would clinch an extra point for the visiting Leafs, whose 2-1 decision over Detroit gives them their seventh win out of nine games.
And put the axe to the Wings' three-game winning streak.
Pavel Datsyuk notched Detroit's only strike in the shootout, a slicing backhander from nine feet, but Gustav Nyquist would shoot high and Tomas Tatar found only James Reimer's pad.
Toronto secures the two points despite being outshot 42-19 from a Red Wings side that had young Reimer under attack most of the evening, as Detroit enjoyed a 40-16 shooting advantage through sixty minutes.
"They played really hard," Reimer said after of his opponents, "but we were poised. We battled hard, and we were lucky enough to get the win."
He was brilliant in net, stopping 41-of-42 for Toronto (16-9-3), including a third period in which he stopped every one of 18 shots to the 6 his foe Jimmy Howard faced.
Despite that lowly number, Detroit's net-minder would still let one through, and at the worst possible time.
Largely unharassed in that period, Howard allowed the tying goal at 5:09, when Phil Kessel put himself on the scoresheet with his 15th on the season.
James van Riemsdyk relieved his goalie of the Red Wings' tyranny momentarily, causing a turnover in the neutral zone and skating himself along the far boards.
His pass landed right on Kessel's stick inside the crease despite his being blanketed by Detroit's stalwart defenders, bouncing off the tape past Howard's left pad.
Kessel's goal gave the right-winger his 29th point, a Maple Leafs-best.
Reimer would charge from his own net to stop a daring chance from Darren Helm seconds later.
The Leafs nearly took the two points in the overtime session when a fluttering shot danced through Jimmy Howard's legs. It would have slid over the line were Gustav Nyquist not there to flick it out in time.
After a scoreless opening period, the middle framed looked to be the prelude to an inevitable Red Wings victory as the hosts put James Reimer on high alert through the first seven minutes of that period.
Detroit (17-6-6) fired six shots to Toronto's none in that time, and it wasn't until with 12 minutes left that Jake Gardiner dared to try Howard from the circle.
The Wings outshot the Leafs 22-10 in that period, an advantage that produced the result at 17:52, when Nyquist fired his 13th on the year.
It began when Henrik Zetterberg held the puck in the right circle. His darting pass to Tomas Jurco in stride to Reimer's right nearly produced the score, but Jurco's shot bounced off the goalie's chest.
And into the path of Nyquist, who was harassing Reimer in the crease. He spun out of a tackle with Morgan Rielly and flicked the easy backhander when the goalie left the right side open.
Zetterberg's work on the goal gave him his 16th point in 13 meetings with the Maple Leafs, against whom Detroit will face again in three days in Toronto.
But Mike Santorelli's wrister from twenty feet out on the final attempt in the shootout would clinch an extra point for the visiting Leafs, whose 2-1 decision over Detroit gives them their seventh win out of nine games.
And put the axe to the Wings' three-game winning streak.
Pavel Datsyuk notched Detroit's only strike in the shootout, a slicing backhander from nine feet, but Gustav Nyquist would shoot high and Tomas Tatar found only James Reimer's pad.
Toronto secures the two points despite being outshot 42-19 from a Red Wings side that had young Reimer under attack most of the evening, as Detroit enjoyed a 40-16 shooting advantage through sixty minutes.
"They played really hard," Reimer said after of his opponents, "but we were poised. We battled hard, and we were lucky enough to get the win."
He was brilliant in net, stopping 41-of-42 for Toronto (16-9-3), including a third period in which he stopped every one of 18 shots to the 6 his foe Jimmy Howard faced.
Despite that lowly number, Detroit's net-minder would still let one through, and at the worst possible time.
Largely unharassed in that period, Howard allowed the tying goal at 5:09, when Phil Kessel put himself on the scoresheet with his 15th on the season.
James van Riemsdyk relieved his goalie of the Red Wings' tyranny momentarily, causing a turnover in the neutral zone and skating himself along the far boards.
His pass landed right on Kessel's stick inside the crease despite his being blanketed by Detroit's stalwart defenders, bouncing off the tape past Howard's left pad.
Kessel's goal gave the right-winger his 29th point, a Maple Leafs-best.
Reimer would charge from his own net to stop a daring chance from Darren Helm seconds later.
The Leafs nearly took the two points in the overtime session when a fluttering shot danced through Jimmy Howard's legs. It would have slid over the line were Gustav Nyquist not there to flick it out in time.
After a scoreless opening period, the middle framed looked to be the prelude to an inevitable Red Wings victory as the hosts put James Reimer on high alert through the first seven minutes of that period.
Detroit (17-6-6) fired six shots to Toronto's none in that time, and it wasn't until with 12 minutes left that Jake Gardiner dared to try Howard from the circle.
The Wings outshot the Leafs 22-10 in that period, an advantage that produced the result at 17:52, when Nyquist fired his 13th on the year.
It began when Henrik Zetterberg held the puck in the right circle. His darting pass to Tomas Jurco in stride to Reimer's right nearly produced the score, but Jurco's shot bounced off the goalie's chest.
And into the path of Nyquist, who was harassing Reimer in the crease. He spun out of a tackle with Morgan Rielly and flicked the easy backhander when the goalie left the right side open.
Zetterberg's work on the goal gave him his 16th point in 13 meetings with the Maple Leafs, against whom Detroit will face again in three days in Toronto.
Nyquist strikes late, Wings lead Leafs 1-0 after 2nd
DETROIT, Mich. - Gustav Nyquist lit the lamp for the Red Wings to end a long-last scoreless stalemate, giving Detroit the 1-0 lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs after two periods Wednesday evening.
Henrik Zetterberg had put the puck into play from the left circle on a sudden development, flicking a hopeful pass in on Tomas Jurco.
His shot was stuffed easily by James Reimer, but then bounced off his chest into the crease. By that time, Nyqyust made his way there, spinning out of a tackle with Morgan Rielly and darting it clean past the Manitoban for the lead.
The goal was his 13th on the season, taking hold of the best scoring mark on the Red Wings roster.
James Reimer found himself under siege for Toronto as the second period began.
Gustav Nyquist and Riley Sheahan tried a 2-on-1 seconds into the middle period, but the latter's shot was pecked at by Dion Phaneuf and went high.
Reimer went to work again for Toronto against Tomas Tatar two minutes in after Tatar took a pass from Darren Helm and found himself facing the goalie alone. Reimer would deflect the chance away.
Pavel Datsyuk caused the latter attack after forcing a defensive turnover in the neutral zone.
Riley Sheahan nearly struck four minutes in with a convincing shot from very close range. It bounced off Reimer's left pad and died in the crease, soon covered for the visitors.
Nyquist tried again, taking a pass from Henrik Zetterberg from the right circle and shooting from outside the crease, though stuffed by the resilient Leafs goalie.
Toronto notched their first shot on goal a long eight minutes into the second period when Jake Gardiner tried Jimmy Howard on a one-time blast from the circle, to no avail.
Detroit had outshot the Leafs 6-0 until then to opening seven minutes of the session, finishing with 22 shots to Toronto's 10.
Not that the visitors had no chances.
Toronto took the man-advantage after Riley Sheahan hooked the Leafs' David Booth at 9:19.
Forty seconds into the advantage, however, the Leafs had failed to even cross their own blue line. Matters grew worse when they went down two men for 1:10 after Danny DeKeyser closed his hand on the puck.
Kessel and Phaneuf exchanged passes before the latter fired for Howard, though wide. Kessel gave to Phenauf again, then to Franzen, though was deflected to the other end of the ice.
With three seconds left in the 4-on-4, the Wings pushed the puck from their own end as Riley Sheahan returned to play.
Toronto fared little better in the next 5-on-4. Detroit's Kyle Quincey stole the puck behind the net, flinging a backhander down the ice, but was hit by Joffrey Lupul, giving the game a brief 4-on-4 session before the Wings took the extra man.
Toronto could not secure a shot on goal during their advantage as Detroit has now killed 15 of their last 16 penalties as they hold the 3rd-best penalty-killing unit in hockey (87.1 percent).
Franzen fired a long-range one-timer with 45 seconds left in the Wings power-play, the 7th best in the league. Stephen Weiss tried from close range against Reimer but was deflected wide.
Nyquist fired to the side of the net off a promising cross-ice pass as the power-play vanished, and Phil Kessel nearly had a chance alone against Howard after some Detroit passing went wrong in their zone, but the puck slid from his grasp.
Pavel Datsyuk ventured a chance alone to Reimer's left side with three minutes left, but the Leafs goalie by then had plenty of practice, stuffing the chance in the crease.
Detroit (17-6-5) is seeking their eighth victory in nine attempts.
Henrik Zetterberg had put the puck into play from the left circle on a sudden development, flicking a hopeful pass in on Tomas Jurco.
His shot was stuffed easily by James Reimer, but then bounced off his chest into the crease. By that time, Nyqyust made his way there, spinning out of a tackle with Morgan Rielly and darting it clean past the Manitoban for the lead.
The goal was his 13th on the season, taking hold of the best scoring mark on the Red Wings roster.
James Reimer found himself under siege for Toronto as the second period began.
Gustav Nyquist and Riley Sheahan tried a 2-on-1 seconds into the middle period, but the latter's shot was pecked at by Dion Phaneuf and went high.
Reimer went to work again for Toronto against Tomas Tatar two minutes in after Tatar took a pass from Darren Helm and found himself facing the goalie alone. Reimer would deflect the chance away.
Pavel Datsyuk caused the latter attack after forcing a defensive turnover in the neutral zone.
Riley Sheahan nearly struck four minutes in with a convincing shot from very close range. It bounced off Reimer's left pad and died in the crease, soon covered for the visitors.
Nyquist tried again, taking a pass from Henrik Zetterberg from the right circle and shooting from outside the crease, though stuffed by the resilient Leafs goalie.
Toronto notched their first shot on goal a long eight minutes into the second period when Jake Gardiner tried Jimmy Howard on a one-time blast from the circle, to no avail.
Detroit had outshot the Leafs 6-0 until then to opening seven minutes of the session, finishing with 22 shots to Toronto's 10.
Not that the visitors had no chances.
Toronto took the man-advantage after Riley Sheahan hooked the Leafs' David Booth at 9:19.
Forty seconds into the advantage, however, the Leafs had failed to even cross their own blue line. Matters grew worse when they went down two men for 1:10 after Danny DeKeyser closed his hand on the puck.
Kessel and Phaneuf exchanged passes before the latter fired for Howard, though wide. Kessel gave to Phenauf again, then to Franzen, though was deflected to the other end of the ice.
With three seconds left in the 4-on-4, the Wings pushed the puck from their own end as Riley Sheahan returned to play.
Toronto fared little better in the next 5-on-4. Detroit's Kyle Quincey stole the puck behind the net, flinging a backhander down the ice, but was hit by Joffrey Lupul, giving the game a brief 4-on-4 session before the Wings took the extra man.
Toronto could not secure a shot on goal during their advantage as Detroit has now killed 15 of their last 16 penalties as they hold the 3rd-best penalty-killing unit in hockey (87.1 percent).
Franzen fired a long-range one-timer with 45 seconds left in the Wings power-play, the 7th best in the league. Stephen Weiss tried from close range against Reimer but was deflected wide.
Nyquist fired to the side of the net off a promising cross-ice pass as the power-play vanished, and Phil Kessel nearly had a chance alone against Howard after some Detroit passing went wrong in their zone, but the puck slid from his grasp.
Pavel Datsyuk ventured a chance alone to Reimer's left side with three minutes left, but the Leafs goalie by then had plenty of practice, stuffing the chance in the crease.
Detroit (17-6-5) is seeking their eighth victory in nine attempts.
Red Wings and Maple Leafs scoreless after 1st
DETROIT, Mich. - Detroit and Toronto hold the 4th and 2nd best scoring offenses respectively in hockey, but both finished the opening period with no score after twenty minutes at Joe Louis Arena Wednesday night.
James van Riemsdyk struck the back of Detroit's net as time expired off a quick pass from Tyler Bozak, but officials immediately ruled the goal came after the bell.
Both sides played 4-on-4 hockey with three minutes remaining after Toronto's Dion Phaneuf sat for interfering with Tomas Jurco, and Detroit's Tomas Tatar slashed Daniel Winnik when the latter had a sudden shorthanded scoring chance for the Leafs.
Phil Kessel finished the period with one shot on goal in nine shifts for Toronto, who come in to the game winners of 6 of their last 8 games. Kessel's 28 points lead the Leafs.
Jimmy Howard had an easy time in net for the Red Wings during the opening session, including an eleven-minute stretch during which he did not face a single shot against him. He saved all 7 shots he faced from the visitors.
Howard has won four of his last five meeting with Toronto.
James Reimer stopped 12-of-12 in net for Toronto (15-9-3) in relief of Jonathan Bernier, who stopped 32 shots in victory against Calgary Tuesday night. He faced a Red Wings shooting flurry near the 12 minute mark when the hosts outshot Toronto 6-0 over two minutes.
Detroit's Riley Sheahan and Niklas Kronwall tried Reimer in succession early on, both going high at the 15 minute mark.
Drew Miller ventured a wrist shot from close range minutes later after a turnover in the Leafs zone, but went high on Reimer. Darren Helm brought the puck up ice himself a minute later, firing wide on Reimer from the right circle.
Pavel Datsyuk had a sudden 1-on-1 chance against Reimer after taking a pass from Kronwall deep in the Toronto zone, but his wrister went high and wide of the Leafs net. Datsyuk has seven goals and 4 assists in his last six appearances for Detroit (17-6-5) after missing eleven games with a groin injury.
The contest is the first of a home-and-home series, the second of which is to be played Dec. 13th in Toronto.
James van Riemsdyk struck the back of Detroit's net as time expired off a quick pass from Tyler Bozak, but officials immediately ruled the goal came after the bell.
Both sides played 4-on-4 hockey with three minutes remaining after Toronto's Dion Phaneuf sat for interfering with Tomas Jurco, and Detroit's Tomas Tatar slashed Daniel Winnik when the latter had a sudden shorthanded scoring chance for the Leafs.
Phil Kessel finished the period with one shot on goal in nine shifts for Toronto, who come in to the game winners of 6 of their last 8 games. Kessel's 28 points lead the Leafs.
Jimmy Howard had an easy time in net for the Red Wings during the opening session, including an eleven-minute stretch during which he did not face a single shot against him. He saved all 7 shots he faced from the visitors.
Howard has won four of his last five meeting with Toronto.
James Reimer stopped 12-of-12 in net for Toronto (15-9-3) in relief of Jonathan Bernier, who stopped 32 shots in victory against Calgary Tuesday night. He faced a Red Wings shooting flurry near the 12 minute mark when the hosts outshot Toronto 6-0 over two minutes.
Detroit's Riley Sheahan and Niklas Kronwall tried Reimer in succession early on, both going high at the 15 minute mark.
Drew Miller ventured a wrist shot from close range minutes later after a turnover in the Leafs zone, but went high on Reimer. Darren Helm brought the puck up ice himself a minute later, firing wide on Reimer from the right circle.
Pavel Datsyuk had a sudden 1-on-1 chance against Reimer after taking a pass from Kronwall deep in the Toronto zone, but his wrister went high and wide of the Leafs net. Datsyuk has seven goals and 4 assists in his last six appearances for Detroit (17-6-5) after missing eleven games with a groin injury.
The contest is the first of a home-and-home series, the second of which is to be played Dec. 13th in Toronto.
Tuesday, December 9, 2014
Canadiens honor Beliveau, down Canucks 3-1
MONTREAL, Qc. - Tomas Plekanec lit the lamp late for the Canadiens, who took and held a 3-1 decision over the Vancouver Canucks Tuesday night.
It was an occasion first somber, then joyous, as the team paid tribute to their former captain, Jean Beliveau, who died this week at the age of 83.
Plekanec would give the game-winning puck to Madame Elise Beliveau, the great center's widow, who was in attendance as her husband was honored.
A puck that, minutes before, Plekanec would fire top shelf on Vancouver's Ryan Miller after a development in the neutral zone.
Jiri Sekac and would dart a quick pass in that space to Sven Andrighetto along the far boards in the Canucks zone as the right-winger skated towards Miller.
He would flick a pass over to Plekanec in stride, who streaked through the attacking zone after splitting two defenders and shot good from close range.
It would break a stubborn 1-1 tie that held for most of the final session.
Montreal (18-10-2) returned to the Bell Centre after a wobbly four-game road trip, coming up with a 1-3 record in that time. The Canucks concluded a seven-game road campaign in defeat, returning to Canada's west coast with a 3-3-1 record in that stretch.
After a scoreless opening session, Brendan Gallagher would put the Canadiens on the board, assisted by Max Pacioretty and Tom Gilbert.
Gilbert brought the puck up the boards and dished across the ice to Gallagher, who flung a snap shot over Miller's right shoulder at 6:56.
Montreal had outshot Vancouver 7-0 up to that time in the second, and still held an 8-1 advantage halfway through that period.
But Derek Dorsett would answer for Vancouver (18-9-2) with a man down, cashing in on the Canucks' 6th-best penalty killing group, the only positive mark for the visitors on the evening.
Brad Richardson was sitting two minutes after giving a high stick to Brendan Gallagher, but it would be Dorsett, taking a puck that deflected off the skate of Plekanec deep in the Montreal zone, and firing from the left circle past Carey Price to produce the 1-1 stalemate.
Carey Price saved 15-of-16 shots he faced in net for the Canadiens. He kept the home side from an early deficit, launching himself post-to-post 90 seconds into the contest to stop a quick shot from Canucks center Nick Bonino.
The Habs fired 13 shots on Miller to the Canucks' 5 against Price in the second, and finished the night with a 25-16 shooting advantage. Ryan Miller stopped 22-of-24 for Vancouver.
Max Pacioretty nearly gave the Habs a lead in the middle frame when a sudden 2-on-1 chance developed the right circle, but his wrister clanged off the right post.
He added an empty-netter for his 13th goal this season with 1 second left.
Former Canadiens captain Jean Beliveau was honored in a fifteen minute ceremony before the puck drop Tuesday night.
"It was a little bit emotional before the game," Pacioretty said afterwards. "But I'm glad to be part of this night, and I'm glad we got her (Mrs. Beliveau) a victory."
Beliveau starred for the Habs from 1950 to 1971, winning 10 Stanley Cups, including a stretch from 1956-1960 of five straight titles. He added seven more as an executive, notching 17 Cups to his name, the most of any man in hockey.
Images of his life and hockey career were projected onto the ice for several minutes, followed by a moment of silence. A video tribute was shown as both teams took the ice.
A spotlight was shone on his wife, Elise, and daughter, Helene, to a long standing ovation as they both wept.
The seat beside Madame Beliveau was left open, with Beliveau's number 4 draped over it. The seat, three rows behind the Canadiens bench, was occupied by Beliveau nearly every home game when he served as the team's vice president and public relations director following his retirement as player.
The Canadiens honored their legend and friend the way he had for so many years, in convincing victory.
"We played one of our best games tonight," Habs coach Michel Therrien said of the occasion. "It gave me great satisfaction ending this slump after the commemoration."
Beliveau will be given a public funeral mass Wednesday at Montreal's Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, seat of that city's Archdiocese, two blocks from the Canadiens' home arena.
It was an occasion first somber, then joyous, as the team paid tribute to their former captain, Jean Beliveau, who died this week at the age of 83.
Plekanec would give the game-winning puck to Madame Elise Beliveau, the great center's widow, who was in attendance as her husband was honored.
A puck that, minutes before, Plekanec would fire top shelf on Vancouver's Ryan Miller after a development in the neutral zone.
Jiri Sekac and would dart a quick pass in that space to Sven Andrighetto along the far boards in the Canucks zone as the right-winger skated towards Miller.
He would flick a pass over to Plekanec in stride, who streaked through the attacking zone after splitting two defenders and shot good from close range.
It would break a stubborn 1-1 tie that held for most of the final session.
Montreal (18-10-2) returned to the Bell Centre after a wobbly four-game road trip, coming up with a 1-3 record in that time. The Canucks concluded a seven-game road campaign in defeat, returning to Canada's west coast with a 3-3-1 record in that stretch.
After a scoreless opening session, Brendan Gallagher would put the Canadiens on the board, assisted by Max Pacioretty and Tom Gilbert.
Gilbert brought the puck up the boards and dished across the ice to Gallagher, who flung a snap shot over Miller's right shoulder at 6:56.
Montreal had outshot Vancouver 7-0 up to that time in the second, and still held an 8-1 advantage halfway through that period.
But Derek Dorsett would answer for Vancouver (18-9-2) with a man down, cashing in on the Canucks' 6th-best penalty killing group, the only positive mark for the visitors on the evening.
Brad Richardson was sitting two minutes after giving a high stick to Brendan Gallagher, but it would be Dorsett, taking a puck that deflected off the skate of Plekanec deep in the Montreal zone, and firing from the left circle past Carey Price to produce the 1-1 stalemate.
Carey Price saved 15-of-16 shots he faced in net for the Canadiens. He kept the home side from an early deficit, launching himself post-to-post 90 seconds into the contest to stop a quick shot from Canucks center Nick Bonino.
The Habs fired 13 shots on Miller to the Canucks' 5 against Price in the second, and finished the night with a 25-16 shooting advantage. Ryan Miller stopped 22-of-24 for Vancouver.
Max Pacioretty nearly gave the Habs a lead in the middle frame when a sudden 2-on-1 chance developed the right circle, but his wrister clanged off the right post.
He added an empty-netter for his 13th goal this season with 1 second left.
Former Canadiens captain Jean Beliveau was honored in a fifteen minute ceremony before the puck drop Tuesday night.
"It was a little bit emotional before the game," Pacioretty said afterwards. "But I'm glad to be part of this night, and I'm glad we got her (Mrs. Beliveau) a victory."
Beliveau starred for the Habs from 1950 to 1971, winning 10 Stanley Cups, including a stretch from 1956-1960 of five straight titles. He added seven more as an executive, notching 17 Cups to his name, the most of any man in hockey.
Images of his life and hockey career were projected onto the ice for several minutes, followed by a moment of silence. A video tribute was shown as both teams took the ice.
A spotlight was shone on his wife, Elise, and daughter, Helene, to a long standing ovation as they both wept.
The seat beside Madame Beliveau was left open, with Beliveau's number 4 draped over it. The seat, three rows behind the Canadiens bench, was occupied by Beliveau nearly every home game when he served as the team's vice president and public relations director following his retirement as player.
The Canadiens honored their legend and friend the way he had for so many years, in convincing victory.
"We played one of our best games tonight," Habs coach Michel Therrien said of the occasion. "It gave me great satisfaction ending this slump after the commemoration."
Beliveau will be given a public funeral mass Wednesday at Montreal's Mary Queen of the World Cathedral, seat of that city's Archdiocese, two blocks from the Canadiens' home arena.
Saturday, December 6, 2014
Flyers GM: Berube is safe
PHILADELPHIA, Pa. - Flyers head coach Craig Berube will not be released from duty, according to general manager Ron Hextall.
There had been speculations into the contrary as the team is suffering a 1-7-2 mark in their last ten outings, including an 0-4-2 result in their last six.
"Everybody's in this and we all have to do a better job," Hextall said Friday. "I have no plans of replacing the coach."
Philadelphia (8-13-4) is coming off a 5-4 shootout loss at Anaheim Wednesday, a game in which they held a two-goal lead.
And they are in the midst of a five-game road trip, visiting all three California hockey clubs, though the Flyers are 2-9-2 away from home this season.
"I can say this, there's culpability from all of us," Hextall added, "from myself, Chief [Berube], the assistant coaches, the players, everybody."
They are 0-3 this season against their arch-rival New York Rangers, being outscored 10-2 in that time, dropping two games to them in as many days.
Sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division (20 pts), the Flyers are still in postseason contention.
"We're not done by any stretch of the imagination," the defiant GM said. "We gotta put a streak together."
Their first chance will come Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.
There had been speculations into the contrary as the team is suffering a 1-7-2 mark in their last ten outings, including an 0-4-2 result in their last six.
"Everybody's in this and we all have to do a better job," Hextall said Friday. "I have no plans of replacing the coach."
Philadelphia (8-13-4) is coming off a 5-4 shootout loss at Anaheim Wednesday, a game in which they held a two-goal lead.
And they are in the midst of a five-game road trip, visiting all three California hockey clubs, though the Flyers are 2-9-2 away from home this season.
"I can say this, there's culpability from all of us," Hextall added, "from myself, Chief [Berube], the assistant coaches, the players, everybody."
They are 0-3 this season against their arch-rival New York Rangers, being outscored 10-2 in that time, dropping two games to them in as many days.
Sitting sixth in the Metropolitan Division (20 pts), the Flyers are still in postseason contention.
"We're not done by any stretch of the imagination," the defiant GM said. "We gotta put a streak together."
Their first chance will come Saturday afternoon in Los Angeles.
NHL Capsules (Dec. 5th)
A review of this evening's NHL action:
Blackhawks 4, Canadiens 3
CHICAGO, Ill. - Brandon Saad broke a 3-3 tie with 27 seconds left in regulation to sneak the Chicago Blackhawks past the struggling Montreal Canadiens 4-3 Friday night.
"It got deflected and ended up right on my stick, so I'm thankful for that," Saad said afterwards of his shot.
Chicago (17-8-1) secured their fifth-straight victory as the Canadiens drop the fifth of their last six outings.
The Blackhawks' 1st-ranked penalty-kill was on duty for eight minutes of the second period, eventually allowing P.K. Subban's goal on the advantage and the brief 3-2 Montreal lead.
But captain Jonathan Toews would help secure the win, adding two more points on the night, including his 11th goal this season that evened it at 3 per side.
His assist, alongside Patrick Kane, preceded Saad's game-winner.
Carey Price allowed 4-of-36 shots in net for the Canadiens (17-9-2), who travel to Dallas tomorrow.
/
Anaheim 5, Minnesota 4
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Ducks center Ryan Kesler left the ice Friday night with three points, scoring two goals and assisting a third as Anaheim skated past Minnesota 5-4.
Kesler needed all of 1:31 to strike for the visitors, and Jakob Silfverberg gave the Ducks a 2-0 lead after the first period.
Kesler added again at 2:28 of the second, flinging one past Darcy Kuemper for the three-goal advantage.
But the Wild weren't through, and their comeback bid began from an unlikely source: their 29th-ranked power-play.
Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise both found the net within 11 seconds of each other in two 5-on-4 sessions, bringing the home side within a goal.
Jonas Brodin scored his first this season and Justin Fontaine gave the Wild a 4-3 lead near the start of the third period, but Tim Jackman and Matt Beleskey would finish the frame, and the Wild.
Anaheim downed the Wild in their last contest, and the two teams will meet again on March 13th in St. Paul.
/
Jets 6, Avalanche 2
WINNIPEG, Mb. - Bryan Little's hat-trick swept the Winnipeg Jets to a 6-2 decision over the Colorado Avalanche Friday night.
He scored halfway through the first period and twice within a 32 second span in the third, all assisted by Blake Wheeler.
Little would assist on Andrew Ladd's strike 45 seconds into the middle frame for the 3-1 Jets lead.
Host Winnipeg outshot Colorado 16-4 in the first period, and 26-9 through the second, finishing with 37 shots to Colorado's 22 on goal.
Michael Hutchinson saved 20 shots for Winnipeg (14-9-4) in victory.
Jerome Iginla gave the Avalanche (9-12-6) their two goals, his 5th and 6th on the season, assisted each time by Gabriel Landeskog.
Blackhawks 4, Canadiens 3
CHICAGO, Ill. - Brandon Saad broke a 3-3 tie with 27 seconds left in regulation to sneak the Chicago Blackhawks past the struggling Montreal Canadiens 4-3 Friday night.
"It got deflected and ended up right on my stick, so I'm thankful for that," Saad said afterwards of his shot.
Chicago (17-8-1) secured their fifth-straight victory as the Canadiens drop the fifth of their last six outings.
The Blackhawks' 1st-ranked penalty-kill was on duty for eight minutes of the second period, eventually allowing P.K. Subban's goal on the advantage and the brief 3-2 Montreal lead.
But captain Jonathan Toews would help secure the win, adding two more points on the night, including his 11th goal this season that evened it at 3 per side.
His assist, alongside Patrick Kane, preceded Saad's game-winner.
Carey Price allowed 4-of-36 shots in net for the Canadiens (17-9-2), who travel to Dallas tomorrow.
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Anaheim 5, Minnesota 4
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Ducks center Ryan Kesler left the ice Friday night with three points, scoring two goals and assisting a third as Anaheim skated past Minnesota 5-4.
Kesler needed all of 1:31 to strike for the visitors, and Jakob Silfverberg gave the Ducks a 2-0 lead after the first period.
Kesler added again at 2:28 of the second, flinging one past Darcy Kuemper for the three-goal advantage.
But the Wild weren't through, and their comeback bid began from an unlikely source: their 29th-ranked power-play.
Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise both found the net within 11 seconds of each other in two 5-on-4 sessions, bringing the home side within a goal.
Jonas Brodin scored his first this season and Justin Fontaine gave the Wild a 4-3 lead near the start of the third period, but Tim Jackman and Matt Beleskey would finish the frame, and the Wild.
Anaheim downed the Wild in their last contest, and the two teams will meet again on March 13th in St. Paul.
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Jets 6, Avalanche 2
WINNIPEG, Mb. - Bryan Little's hat-trick swept the Winnipeg Jets to a 6-2 decision over the Colorado Avalanche Friday night.
He scored halfway through the first period and twice within a 32 second span in the third, all assisted by Blake Wheeler.
Little would assist on Andrew Ladd's strike 45 seconds into the middle frame for the 3-1 Jets lead.
Host Winnipeg outshot Colorado 16-4 in the first period, and 26-9 through the second, finishing with 37 shots to Colorado's 22 on goal.
Michael Hutchinson saved 20 shots for Winnipeg (14-9-4) in victory.
Jerome Iginla gave the Avalanche (9-12-6) their two goals, his 5th and 6th on the season, assisted each time by Gabriel Landeskog.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Canadiens-Blackhawks preview
CHICAGO, Ill. - United Center will host the Chicago Blackhawks' bid for a fifth-straight victory Friday night when they host the slumping Montreal Canadiens in a battle of Original Six programs.
Chicago (16-8-1) went 4-1 on a recent road trip while the circus invaded their arena, and their winning ways continued Wednesday night when they returned home, handing a 4-1 decision to their rival St. Louis Blues.
It would be a flurry of scoring in the third period of that game that decided the outcome, a three-goal final session for the Blackhawks, including two scores from Patrick Kane.
The first of those three came 59 seconds into the period, from Kris Versteeg, before Kane struck twice within five minutes.
Kane has eight goals and seven assists over his last nine appearances for Chicago, and his 12 goals and 25 points lead the team.
The Blackhawks have outscored opponents 15-5 during their four-game winning streak, all against top teams in the Western Conference.
"We've been playing the right way, particularly lately," head coach Joel Quenneville said. "Eventually, you get your turn."
A turn that includes the best penalty-kill in hockey (92 pct), and which held St. Louis to a 0-for-6 mark when skating a man down Wednesday.
Antti Raanta (2-2-0) will sit in net for the Blackhawks after starter Corey Crawford hurt his foot at a recent concert and will miss at least two weeks.
He stopped 40-of-41 shots he faced against the Blues in his first start since falling to that team Oct. 25th.
"I like how he challenged," Quenneville said of Raanta. "I think he was comfortable meeting pucks. I thought he was good finding pucks."
Montreal (17-8-2) will be seeking revenge after falling to the Blackhawks 5-0 at the Bell Centre Nov. 4th, and have lost three of their last four meetings.
They recorded six-straight victories since that shutout loss, though have gone 1-3-1 in their last five and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Minnesota Wednesday, a game in which they were outshot 35-19.
Max Pacioretty holds the Canadiens' most points (20) and goals (12).
"When we have success, it's for a reason," Pacioretty said Thursday. "We're all on the same page, and we all play a certain way."
Montreal would have been shutout by the Wild were it not for Alex Galenchuyk, putting the Canadiens on the board with 58 seconds left in the game.
Tomas Plekanec is second for the Canadiens with 18 points, though has none in his last five games, and Montreal as a team has averaged only 1.88 goals per game in their last eight, after scoring 2.68 before then.
"When we get away from that," Pacioretty said, "we're just another team. When we play the way we're capable of, that's when we have success and that's when we're a great team."
Chicago (16-8-1) went 4-1 on a recent road trip while the circus invaded their arena, and their winning ways continued Wednesday night when they returned home, handing a 4-1 decision to their rival St. Louis Blues.
It would be a flurry of scoring in the third period of that game that decided the outcome, a three-goal final session for the Blackhawks, including two scores from Patrick Kane.
The first of those three came 59 seconds into the period, from Kris Versteeg, before Kane struck twice within five minutes.
Kane has eight goals and seven assists over his last nine appearances for Chicago, and his 12 goals and 25 points lead the team.
The Blackhawks have outscored opponents 15-5 during their four-game winning streak, all against top teams in the Western Conference.
"We've been playing the right way, particularly lately," head coach Joel Quenneville said. "Eventually, you get your turn."
A turn that includes the best penalty-kill in hockey (92 pct), and which held St. Louis to a 0-for-6 mark when skating a man down Wednesday.
Antti Raanta (2-2-0) will sit in net for the Blackhawks after starter Corey Crawford hurt his foot at a recent concert and will miss at least two weeks.
He stopped 40-of-41 shots he faced against the Blues in his first start since falling to that team Oct. 25th.
"I like how he challenged," Quenneville said of Raanta. "I think he was comfortable meeting pucks. I thought he was good finding pucks."
Montreal (17-8-2) will be seeking revenge after falling to the Blackhawks 5-0 at the Bell Centre Nov. 4th, and have lost three of their last four meetings.
They recorded six-straight victories since that shutout loss, though have gone 1-3-1 in their last five and suffered a 2-1 defeat to Minnesota Wednesday, a game in which they were outshot 35-19.
Max Pacioretty holds the Canadiens' most points (20) and goals (12).
"When we have success, it's for a reason," Pacioretty said Thursday. "We're all on the same page, and we all play a certain way."
Montreal would have been shutout by the Wild were it not for Alex Galenchuyk, putting the Canadiens on the board with 58 seconds left in the game.
Tomas Plekanec is second for the Canadiens with 18 points, though has none in his last five games, and Montreal as a team has averaged only 1.88 goals per game in their last eight, after scoring 2.68 before then.
"When we get away from that," Pacioretty said, "we're just another team. When we play the way we're capable of, that's when we have success and that's when we're a great team."
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