A fun night of hockey with a few surprises and a few darn good battles.
17 Arizona 0 20 Boston 6 NOPE
The score is a big surprise. Back-to-back games for Arizona, was that why they didn't show up? Boston seems really good at taking advantage of teams that are "down". I still haven't given the Bruins enough credit. They aren't bad. More middle-tier than I thought. Krecji is a true finisher - no surprise, he has been his entire career but now he is their best player - not a compliment to others. Good for him - he is doing well. The Coyotes need to throw this one out and go back to working hard.
30 Columbus 3 14 New Jersey 1 NOPE
This is a surprise because New Jersey has been playing really good hockey of late. They gave 3 up in the 3rd period to a Columbus team that is waking up and starting to believe in themselves, maybe.
(I have to watch this one again because I wasn't paying much attention)
28 Buffalo 4 13 Philadelphia 3 NOPE
Buffalo played well and Philly didn't play their game. Definitely a surprise to me. The stuff I saw, the Sabres were doing the small things right - getting in front of the net, moving the puck in transition well, protecting the area in front of their goal. Philly wasn't as good at this - until the end.
(I have to watch this one again because I didn't watch ALL of it)26 Carolina 3 19 Detroit 1 YES
This one went as I thought it should. The big difference between this and the previous two these teams played - Carolina had better shots. It's like they were slightly more patient, instead of just shooting. They got in front of Mrazek. Eric Staal is a really good player when he brings it and he played well. Victor Rask has been working and it's paying off for him. Nice hands of late. Detroit wasn't generating the good chances.
(Need to re-watch but I saw most of it)
25 Colorado 1 18 Florida 4 YES
Florida got a lot of special team goals - even a shorty. Who is this Vincent Trocheck guy? I don't know much about him.
(Need to watch this one - saw none basically)
12 Tampa Bay 0 7 St. Louis 2 NOPE
Tampa Bay- they are reminding me of the Islanders more and more. Stamkos not getting anything is a shock. Another shutout against is a shock. St. Louis is playing well despite some injuries to some good depth players.
(Need to watch this one - saw none)
22 Edmonton 3 10 Minnesota 4 NOPE
Edmonton almost pulled it out. They are playing some fun hockey even when they lose - I think I get excited about the future for these guys. Minnesota should have won this game and they played very well. Minnesota really has to win these games if they want to look like a contender - so despite them letting Edmonton get the lead, they did what they had to do.
This was a battle. I think too it shows that Los Angeles is getting it together nicely. They worked, they gave nothing easy, and they took advantage of Winnipeg's mistakes. Winnipeg played very well. As has been the case in recent seasons, the Jets can play with anyone but the really good teams still end up beating them. I'm not sure what element is missing - no top-end forwards? no depth on defense? They are close when they play a fast aggressive style but even then a team like Chicago or Los Angeles eke out victories. This one wasn't an eking out. LA played patient and smart hockey and won it well.
Funny how these sports go. Anaheim came out attacking and caught Dallas sitting back. Some very nice goals in that first period. But then the Stars' stars started upping the intensity. They say a three goal lead is the worst lead in hockey and I agree - especially when the team in the lead is the lesser team. Anaheim was basically dominated after the first period of this one. Dallas looked great. But they really can't be coming out soft like they did tonight - a lot of West teams win this one.
1 Montreal at 23 Vancouver
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