National Hockey League Game Capsules
Buffalo, NY (SportsNetwork.com) – Brad Boyes scored in regulation and notched a fortunate goal in the shootout as the Florida Panthers edged the Buffalo Sabres, 2-1, in an odd finish at First Niagara Center. The Panthers had a potential go-ahead goal late in regulation denied due to a quick whistle, and Jonathan Huberdeau had his chance in the second round of the shootout waved off when, upon replay, it was ruled he pushed Sabres goaltender Jhonas Enroth into the net as the puck crossed the goal line. Boyes, though, finished off Florida’s second win in three games in the next round, as his wrister hit off the post, then bounced off the back of Enroth’s sweater for the deciding tally. Tim Thomas stopped all three chances he faced in the shootout and finished with 23 saves, and Enroth had his 34-save effort go for naught. Jamie McBain scored the only goal in regulation for the Sabres, who had their five-game home winning streak stopped.
Final Score: New Jersey 1, Dallas 0
Newark, NJ (SportsNetwork.com) – Michael Ryder registered the game’s only goal and Cory Schneider notched a 26-save shutout, as the New Jersey Devils downed the Dallas Stars, 1-0, on Thursday at Prudential Center. Ryder scored his 15th of the season in the second period to provide Schneider with all the support he would need, as the 27-year-old netminder turned away all comers to secure his third shutout of the season and 12th of his career. The victory snapped New Jersey’s three-game slide and sent the Stars to a fourth consecutive setback, despite a solid 33-save effort from goaltender Kari Lehtonen.
Final Score: Carolina 6, Toronto 1
Raleigh, NC (SportsNetwork.com) – Jordan Staal posted a goal and three assists to lead the Carolina Hurricanes in a 6-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. Elias Lindholm had a goal and two assists, Zach Boychuk and Jeff Skinner each had a goal and an assist, while John-Michael Liles and Patrick Dwyer each had a goal for the Hurricanes, who are in the midst of a season-high five-game winning streak. Anton Khudobin made 25 saves in the victory. Joffrey Lupul had the lone goal of the game for the Maple Leafs, who have dropped three straight. James Reimer allowed all six goals on 36 shots in the loss.
Final Score: Washington 4, Tampa Bay 3
Tampa, FL (SportsNetwork.com) – Eric Fehr scored a pair of goals, including the game-winner with 52 seconds left, as the Washington Capitals took a 4-3 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. Marcus Johansson and Mikhail Grabovski also scored while Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin added one assist apiece for the Capitals, who snapped a four-game skid. Philipp Grubauer made 33 saves in the win. Tyler Johnson, B.J. Crombeen and Ondrej Palat scored one goal apiece for the Lightning, who had won three of four entering the contest. Anders Lindback allowed all four goals on 20 shots in the setback.
Final Score: Anaheim 4, Nashville 3
Nashville, TN (SportsNetwork.com) – Teemu Selanne’s goal late in the second period lifted the red-hot Anaheim Ducks over the Nashville Predators, 4-3, on Thursday. Ryan Getzlaf had two goals and an assist for the Ducks, who became the first team to reach the 70-point plateau this season. Corey Perry also lit the lamp. Frederik Andersen stopped 23-of-26 shots for Anaheim, which has scored four-or-more goals in five consecutive games for the first time in club history. The Ducks, who have won five in a row, sit first in the Pacific Division with 71 points. Craig Smith had a goal and an assist for the Predators, who have lost four of five. Marek Mazanec turned aside 24-of-28 shots.
Final Score: St. Louis 5, Calgary 0
Calgary, AB (SportsNetwork.com) – Jaroslav Halak posted 33 stops for his third shutout of the season as the St. Louis Blues thumped the Calgary Flames, 5-0. Vladimir Sobotka and Vladimir Tarasenko each had a goal and an assist, while Chris Stewart, Alex Pietrangelo, and Ian Cole all scored for the Blues, who have won a season-high seven straight. Karri Ramo was tagged for all five goals on 29 shots for the Flames, who have lost six of seven and were shut out for a fifth game during that time.
Final Score: Minnesota 4, Phoenix 1
Glendale, AZ (SportsNetwork.com) – Justin Fontaine recorded his first career hat trick and Niklas Backstrom stopped 39 shots, as the Minnesota Wild earned their fourth straight win with a 4-1 triumph over the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena. Kyle Brodziak broke a 1-1 tie with his fourth of the season 3:21 into the third period before Fontaine found the back of the net twice in the final frame to help the Wild run away with the victory. Mikkel Boedker registered Phoenix’s lone goal, while Mike Smith allowed three goals on 27 shots for the Coyotes, who have lost six of their last eight games.
Final Score: Los Angeles 4, Boston 2
Los Angeles, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Justin Williams posted a goal and an assist as the Los Angeles Kings took a 4-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Thursday. Dustin Brown, Alec Martinez, and Jeff Carter all scored for the Kings, who came into the game having lost six of seven. Jonathan Quick stopped 20 shots in the win. Justin Florek and Matt Fraser scored for the Bruins, who have dropped the first two games of this three-game California swing that will end in San Jose on Saturday. Tuukka Rask was pulled in the second period after allowing three goals on 18 shots. Chad Johnson finished the game in net and stopped 16-of-17 shots.
Final Score: San Jose 4, Detroit 1
San Jose, CA (SportsNetwork.com) – Joe Pavelski potted a pair of goals to help the San Jose Sharks claim a 4-1 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday at SAP Center. Dan Boyle and Andrew Desjardins each scored once, while Antti Niemi made 24 saves for the Sharks, who have won three of their last five games. Tomas Tatar tallied Detroit’s lone goal, while Jimmy Howard allowed all four goals on 23 shots before being replaced by Petr Mrazek to start the third. Mrazek stopped the only three shots he faced in relief for the Red Wings, who have lost three of their last four games.
Categorized in: NHL