Thursday, March 24, 2011

Anaheim Wins Thriller, All the Goals, and NHL Round-Up



Wednesday Wrap-Up...

Last night's thriller in Dallas where Teemu Selanne scored the tying goal with 5.4 seconds left was the Predators worst posible outcome in the game between the team's next too opponents. By the time Cam Fowler scored the game winner in overtime to give the Ducks a 4-3 win, the damage of another three point game in the West had already been done.

Vancouver went into Detroit and stole a 2-1 win on the strength of two more goals from Hart Trophy candidate Daniel Sedin.

In another big game, Sana Jose moved within a point of Detroit, and the second seed in the West, in a 6-3 win over Calgary that will make it virtually impossible for the Flames to make the playoffs as they are down to six games remaining with a maximum of 97 points. Patrick Marleau and Torrey Mitchell each had a pair of goals.

Chicago had the equivalent of a "bye" game as Cory Crawford stopped all 23 Florida shots in a 4-0 win that was a real snoozer. They must not have missed Patrick Sharp in this one.

Tonight's Battles...

The highlight game in the west for me will be the Ducks coming in to Music City in a battle for seventh place in the West (7 p.m. all times Central). Both teams are on four game in streaks and it should be an all out war.

Two other games that will play heavily into the Western Conference standings have San Jose visiting the Kings at Staples Center (9:30) and the Blue Jackets playing in Phoenix (9:00).

In the East, two games stand out. Montreal will travel to Boston (6:00) in a game where Gary Bettman has warned both teams to keep it clean and Pittsburgh travels to Philadelphia (6:00) in the cross-state rivalry that is always a great game.

Ottawa travels to MSG in a game that the Rangers cannot afford to lose (6:00) and Toronto hopes to keep their playoff hopes alive in Colorado against the hapless Avalanche (8:00).

In games that have no playoff implications Atlanta travels to the Island (6:00) and Edmonton is in St. Louis (7:00) .

More Later...

Buddy Oakes for PredsOnTheGlass

No comments: