National Hockey League Game Capsules
Newark, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) – Patrick Sharp posted his fourth career hat trick and second in Chicago’s last five games, as the Blackhawks used a four- goal third period to take a 5-3 triumph over the New Jersey Devils on Friday at Prudential Center. Brandon Saad and Marian Hossa each scored once, Duncan Keith collected three assists, and Brent Seabrook and Jonathan Toews tallied two helpers apiece for the Blackhawks, who have won four of their last six games. Antti Raanta, fresh off being named the NHL’s co-rookie of the month for December, turned aside 24 shots to backstop the victory. Marek Zidlicky lit the lamp twice in the third, while Andy Greene registered the other goal for New Jersey, which was coming off consecutive 2-1 wins. Martin Brodeur allowed all five goals on 24 shots in the setback.
Final Score: Pittsburgh 5, NY Rangers 2
Pittsburgh, PA (SportsNetwork.com) – Chris Kunitz and Jussi Jokinen each scored twice to fuel Pittsburgh’s 5-2 win over the New York Rangers at CONSOL Energy Center. Sidney Crosby added a goal and two helpers for the Penguins, who have won 11 straight on home ice. Brian Gibbons added assists on both Jokinen scores, while Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 33 shots. Mats Zuccarello picked up a goal and assist for the Rangers, who lost for the second time in their last six. Henrik Lundqvist made 23 saves in defeat.
Final Score: Tampa Bay 2, Calgary 0
Calgary, AB (SportsNetwork.com) – Ben Bishop stopped 19 shots for his fourth shutout of the season, as Tampa Bay topped Calgary, 2-0, at the Saddledome. Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov for the Lightning, who have won four of their last five games in southern Alberta since 2004. Karri Ramo made 27 saves for the offensively-challenged Flames, who skidded to their fourth straight loss and eighth in the last nine. Calgary has been blanked in three of its last four games, scoring just once in that span.
Final Score: Anaheim 5, Edmonton 2
Anaheim, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Ben Lovejoy’s first career two-goal effort kept the Anaheim Ducks red-hot as the Pacific Division leaders rolled to a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers at Honda Center. Kyle Palmieri notched a goal and an assist in Anaheim’s 12th win in 13 games, with Tim Jackman and Andrew Cogliano also lighting the lamp in the triumph. Jonas Hiller needed to make just 16 saves for the Ducks, who outshot the Oilers by a commanding 37-18 margin on the night. Boyd Gordon and Nail Yakupov had first-period goals and Ilya Bryzgalov recorded 32 saves in the loss, the Oilers’ fourth straight.
Categorized in: NHL