(Photo Credit: AP)Devils Get Their First Win In Their 2nd Game Without Martin Brodeur
New Jersey Devils (7-3-2) over the Tampa Bay Lightning (4-3-4) 4-3 (SO)
AP Link: http://www.nhl.com/ice/recap.htm?id=2008020178
-I don't think anyone can "replace" Martin Brodeur, but as long as the Devils can win games, Kevin Weekes will keep everyone happy. Weekes came up with some big saves in the shootout to get the Devils the victory over the Lightning last night.
The teams would exchange leads in this game. Jussi Jokinen opened the scoring for Tampa Bay in the first period. The Devils would take the lead in the 2nd period courtesy of goals from David Clarkson and Patrick Elias (PPG for Elias). Those Devils goals would end a scoring drought for the Devils that almost lasted two full games. Jussi Jokinen would get his 2nd goal of the game (PPG) to tie things up in the 3rd. Jay Pandolfo would give the Devils the lead again, but it would only last for a minute as Martin St. Louis knotted things at 4 on the power play.
Both teams had four shots in overtime. Lightning G Mike Smith made 35 saves overall, and Weekes had 24. In the shootout, Weekes allowed Lecavalier to score, but shut down Jokinen and Vinny Prospal. Patrick Elias and Jamie Langebrunner scored the two shootout goals for New Jersey.
This was a nice rebound for New Jersey after being shutout by the Sabres at home on Monday night. The win rights the ship for them before they get a real tough test on Saturday night when they head to Detroit. The Lightning play game #2 of their five game road trip tonight when they play the Rangers @ MSG. No word on whether RW Radim Vrbata will return to the lineup. He's missed five straight games due to a groin injury.
RUMOR MILL
-Sundin Update: The Ducks are now a runner in the Mats Sweepstakes. How they plan to pull this off with only $400,000 of cap space, I have no idea. To fit Selanne and Scott Niedermayer last year, they had to trade Andy McDonald. Who would get the ax this time?
-Teams in the running for Brendan Shanahan: Pittsburgh, Philly & Montreal
-Teams that are hot for Marian Gaborik: Los Angeles, NY Islanders, Toronto & Ottawa. Ottawa is also a player for Mats Sundin.
LAST NIGHT'S RECAP
Columbus Blue Jackets (5-6-2) over the Edmonton Oilers (6-5-1) 5-4
-Talk about an exciting game. Columbus had a 2-0 lead in the 2nd period thanks to goals from Kristian Huselius (PPG) and October Rookie of the Month Derrick Brassard. Edmonton would tie it up by the end of the period by goals from Andrew Cogliano (PPG) and Ethan Moreau (SHG). The Oilers would jump out to a 4-2 lead early in the 3rd period (Ales Hemsky, Kyle Brodziak), but RJ Umberger and Fredrik Modin would tie it right back up (the 4 goals coming in a 4 minute span). Manny Malholtra, who hadn't scored a game-winning goal in a year, potted the winner with just over a minute remaining. D Mike Commodore had two assists for Columbus. The big story in this game was Blue Jackets' Goalie Prospect Steve Mason making 22 saves to get his first win in his NHL debut. It was the 2nd Columbus victory since Pascal Leclaire was injured. Columbus F Jason Chimera was hit in the middle of the chest by a hard shot late in the game and immediately skated off to the dressing room (no injury to report).
Anaheim Ducks (9-5-1) over the St. Louis Blues (5-6-0) 5-2
-The Ducks have won 8 of their past 9 and have now taken over the league lead in scoring with 49 goals. Ryan Getzlaf scored two goals for Anaheim while Rob Niedermayer, Corey Perry, and Teemu Selanne (who extended his point streak to 8 games) had the others. Ducks defenseman Chris Pronger also tied Montreal's Andrei Markov and Ottawa's Filip Kuba for the scoring lead among NHL defenseman by generating his 13th point. He assisted on Selanne's second-period goal. Backup G Jonas Hiller made 31 saves in the win. Patrik Berglund and Andy McDonald (PPG - against his former team) scored the two St. Louis goals.
AROUND THE BOARDS
-The Columbus Blue Jackets recalled goaltender Steve Mason from their AHL affiliate in Syracuse on Tuesday, and assigned goaltender Dan LaCosta to the Crunch. The moves were made because goaltender Pascal Leclaire is still sidelined with a sprained ankle that may keep him out for at least another week. The 20-year-old Mason has gone 2-1-0 with a 1.63 GAA in three games with Syracuse this season. He was the Blue Jackets' second pick and the 69th overall selection in the 2006 draft. LaCosta saw action in just one Blue Jackets game this season.
-Forward David Desharnais has signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Montreal Canadiens. He has nine points in 11 games this season with the Hamilton Bulldogs (AHL).
Desharnais, a five-foot-six centre, was scoring champion of the ECHL last season with 29 goals and 106 points. The Quebec City native was also named most valuable player and rookie of the year while leading the Cincinnati Cyclones to a Kelly Cup championship.
-NHLPA Files Unfair Labor Practice Charge Over Europeans (courtesy of Canadian Press): http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=254847&lid=sublink07&lpos=headlines_nhl
GAME OF THE NIGHT
Carolina Hurricanes (7-3-2) @ Washington Capitals (5-4-2) - 7PM
-Whenever these teams meet, it will have huge implications come late March and early April for the Southeast Division title. The Hurricanes have gotten off to a very good start this year while the Capitals have struggled early on. Carolina comes in on a two game winning streak while the Caps are on a two game losing streak. Washington's struggles are directly related to Alexander Ovechkin. The Caps will go as he goes. He's missed two games and only has five points (2G 3A) in the eight games he's played so far this season. Facing Carolina could be what Ovechkin needs to break his slump. Ovie had seven goals against Carolina; the most he had against any opponent last season. Look for the Caps to start Brent Johnson in net over a struggling Jose Theodore. Washington won three of four meetings at home with the Hurricanes in 2007-08, outscoring them 12-5.
Other Action:
Toronto (5-4-4) @ Boston (6-3-3) - 7PM
Tampa Bay (4-3-4) @ NY Rangers (10-4-1) - 7PM
Edmonton (6-5-1) @ Pittsburgh (6-4-2) - 7:30PM
NY Islanders (4-7-1) @ Atlanta (3-7-2) - 7:30PM
Philadelphia (4-4-3) @ Ottawa (5-5-2) - 7:30PM
Minnesota (7-3-1) @ Colorado (5-7-0) - 9PM
Nashville (6-5-1) @ Calgary (7-5-1) - 9:30PM
Phoenix (5-5-0) @ Vancouver (7-6-0) - 10PM
Florida (4-6-1) @ Los Angeles (3-6-2) - 10:30PM
St. Louis (5-6-0) @ San Jose (11-2-0) - 10:30PM
^ALL TIMES EASTERN
*My weekly power rankings, "PLUS/MINUS", comes out on Monday evenings
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out Wednesday evenings
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