For a recap of the 307 PIM game between the New York Islanders and Pittsburgh Penguins, click here. This post includes a summary of Peter Forsberg’s solid, but ultimately fruitless return to the NHL. Now let’s take a look at the other six contests.
Hopefully the backside of this home-and-home series will be a little more competitive, considering the fact that it’s our Game of the Week on Sunday. The Red Wings scored on their first two shots of the game to absolutely dominate the Bruins in Boston. It’s a good thing that Tim Thomas regained his Vezina Trophy form this season, because Tuukka Rask only has five wins during the 2010-11 season. Henrik Zetterberg had a goal and two assists, Pavel Datsyuk had two helpers and Todd Bertuzzi scored two in this laugher for the Wings.
OK, it’s official: the Devils are red-hot. Ilya Kovalchuk has been the biggest catalyst for New Jersey’s surprising 12-1-2 run, as he scored his second game winning goal in as many nights. The talented but slow-starting Russian also provided an assist, factoring into each of New Jersey’s tallies. This loss hurts the Sharks, who are now firmly behind the Stars for the top spot in the Pacific.
Not only did the Thrashers beat the Rangers, they also made sure that the slumping Blueshirts didn’t take away a point from this game. The come-from-behind win places Atlanta back in eighth place with 60 points, while New York’s spot in seventh is threatened at 62. John Tortorella’s gang is on a six game skid.
Tobias Enstrom (one assist) might have made his return, but Evander Kane was the star of this game, scoring the game-tying and winning goals while also assisting on Anthony Stewart’s tally.
The Wild are quietly one of the hottest teams in the NHL right now. Cal Clutterbuck scored twice while Andrew Brunette scored a goal and an assist while John Madden scored the shootout winner for Minnesota. David Backes was strong in a losing effort, providing two goals of his own for the Blues.
It seemed like the Stars would lose to their former goalie Marty Turco (32 out of 35 saves) when they were down 3-0, but Dallas stormed back into the game to tie it up and eventually win. All three Stars forward scored on Turco in the shootout to win an exciting game between two entertaining teams. Brad Richards scored a goal in regulation and the shootout for Dallas while Patrick Kane produced a goal and two assists for Chicago.
Cam Fowler scored his fourth goal in five games, giving the Ducks the overtime winner. This win pushes the streaking Ducks all the way to fourth place in the West. Teemu Selanne scored a goal and three assists while fellow Finn Saku Koivu provided two goals and one assist himself. Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen had a goal and an assist each for Calgary, who remain in eighth in the West.