A Day in the NHL: Panthers Take Down Canucks, Kings Sink Capitals
By Editorial Staff
The Night that Was:
In a rare game against the Florida Panthers in Florida, Roberto Luongo and the Canucks were looking for a big win. Dale Weise got things started in the first just three minutes in when he converted the Manny Malhotra feed on a 2-on-1 for his third goal of the season. That would be the only goal of the first, but five minutes into the second Dmitry Kulikov would tie it up as he snuck one through Luongo from just below the point. Five minutes later, on a scramble in front, Marcel Goc would slide his fourth just inside the post for a 2-1 lead. The third would end up scoreless, as the Panthers held on for the 2-1 lead. Goc would finish with a goal and an assist as Scott Clemmensen made 25 saves for the win. Roberto Luongo made 20 saves in a losing effort.
In Los Angeles, both the Capitals and Kings were looking for a win to move themselves into a playoff position. At first, just 1:34 in, it was the Capitals on top with Marcus Johansson’s eighth of the season. Kyle Clifford would slide one through for the Kings 10 minutes later, and with 34 seconds left in the opening period Anze Kopitar scored just his second goal since November 23rd. Jack Johnson would add his sixth (along with a Tebow) and Jarret Stoll his fifth in the second, before Justin Williams and Johansson traded goals in the third after Michal Neuvirth came in for Tomas Vokoiun, in a 5-2 Kings final. Johnson and Clifford each had a goal and an assist and Trent Hunter added two helpers. Dustin Penner also added an assist in his return from a pancake injury. Jonathan Bernier made 20 saves for the victory.
What’s on Tonight?
The Winnipeg Jets travel to Boston to take on the Bruins, while Buffalo plans to give Toronto a tough time at the ACC. Detroit heads to the Island, while the Rangers host Phoenix and Pittsburgh welcomes Ottawa. Philadelphia travels to Carolina as San Jose and Minnesota go head-to-head, and Vancouver continues their Florida travels in Tampa Bay. Jaroslav Halak makes his return to Montreal with the St. Louis Blues, Columbus looks for a rare win against Chicago, and Nashville stops off in Colorado against the Avalanche. Jarome Iginla looks for 501 when the Devils come to town and Dallas hopes to bury Anaheim a little more in the Pacific.
The Injury Bug:
-Oilers’ forward Jordan Eberle had an MRI on his knee yesterday. It’s reported that Eberle hurt his knee in a game against the Stars when he got tangled up with Jamie Benn. As a precaution the Oilers recalled Magnus Paajarvi and Ryan O’Marra and placed Gilbert Brule on re-entry waivers.
-Patrick Sharp will be out 3-to-4 weeks with an upper-body injury suffered Sunday. There have been whispers that it is a wrist or hand injury.
-Both David Booth and Aaron Rome are on Vancouver’s four-game road trip, but neither played last night.
-We are still awaiting word on a hand injury Colorado defenseman Erik Johnson suffered over the weekend. He’ll probably be a game-time decision tonight.
News, Notes, and Rumours
-Brad Marchand was handed a five-game suspension for his hit on Vancouver’s Sami Salo. Marchand undercut Salo in Saturday’s game, a hit that led to a reported concussion for Salo.
-Brendan Shanahan handed down another suspension yesterday. J.F. Jacques was suspended for three games after he targeted the head of RJ Umberger on Sunday night. Francois Beauchemin did not receive a suspension or fine for his hit, that separated Jeff Carter’s shoulder.
The Overlooked Fantasy Line(s) of the Night:
Trent Hunter had a two-assist game last night, his first multi-point game of the season. Both of Hunter’s assists came even-strength, as he finished with a plus-two rating and one shot.