ANAHEIM vs. DALLAS:
Well in a game that I thought that was going to be close, ended up being a blowout in the third period when Dallas decided to pot 5 goals, 3 of which game in just a 53 second time frame.
Want to know what really caught my eye about this game though? Jamie Benn and Tyler Sequin weren't associated with any of the offensive production. No goals, no assists, not even a + rating, just zeroes across the board, except in SOG, it was all secondary production for Lindy Ruff's squad.
Emerson Etem started the scoring early in the first when he scored his sixth goal of the year with some puck movement that resulted in the assists from Daniel Winnik and Hampus Lindholm. Dustin Penner managed another goal in this contest, which now gives him 5 points his last 4 games, and 3 goals the last 2 games. The top line for Anaheim had a rough night going a combined -8 rating on the night, ouch. Penner's goal came late in the third on the PP with the assists from Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.
After the second period the game was still in reach and up for grabs, but Dallas laid on the gas and embarrassed Jonas Hiller who gave up 5 goals on 32 shots, after having such a strong performance the game before. Ryan Garbutt had a multi-point night in which he scored a goal and added 2 assists for good measure. Antoine Roussel erupted for 2 goals and the multi-point playing didn't stop there. Vernon "Diddle" Fiddler also managed 2 assists for Dallas, and the same for Erik Cole.
Ray Whitney was activated off IR earlier in the day and was back in the line-up to make sure he found his way onto the score sheet, tallying just an assist but still still a good performance for his first night back. Alex Chiasson found the back of the net to now give him 3 points his last 4 games. He could be turning on the magic that we all saw flashes of last season, and that we all praised at the beginning of this one. I think he's going to be a great player in the future, but just a mid-level guy this year. I'd say mark him down for 30 points, 40 if he finds his way back to the top line.
Dan Ellis was in net to give Lehtonen the night off, and backstopped his team to make 28 saves on 31 shots.
Well in a game that I thought that was going to be close, ended up being a blowout in the third period when Dallas decided to pot 5 goals, 3 of which game in just a 53 second time frame.
Want to know what really caught my eye about this game though? Jamie Benn and Tyler Sequin weren't associated with any of the offensive production. No goals, no assists, not even a + rating, just zeroes across the board, except in SOG, it was all secondary production for Lindy Ruff's squad.
Emerson Etem started the scoring early in the first when he scored his sixth goal of the year with some puck movement that resulted in the assists from Daniel Winnik and Hampus Lindholm. Dustin Penner managed another goal in this contest, which now gives him 5 points his last 4 games, and 3 goals the last 2 games. The top line for Anaheim had a rough night going a combined -8 rating on the night, ouch. Penner's goal came late in the third on the PP with the assists from Corey Perry and Ryan Getzlaf.
After the second period the game was still in reach and up for grabs, but Dallas laid on the gas and embarrassed Jonas Hiller who gave up 5 goals on 32 shots, after having such a strong performance the game before. Ryan Garbutt had a multi-point night in which he scored a goal and added 2 assists for good measure. Antoine Roussel erupted for 2 goals and the multi-point playing didn't stop there. Vernon "Diddle" Fiddler also managed 2 assists for Dallas, and the same for Erik Cole.
Ray Whitney was activated off IR earlier in the day and was back in the line-up to make sure he found his way onto the score sheet, tallying just an assist but still still a good performance for his first night back. Alex Chiasson found the back of the net to now give him 3 points his last 4 games. He could be turning on the magic that we all saw flashes of last season, and that we all praised at the beginning of this one. I think he's going to be a great player in the future, but just a mid-level guy this year. I'd say mark him down for 30 points, 40 if he finds his way back to the top line.
Dan Ellis was in net to give Lehtonen the night off, and backstopped his team to make 28 saves on 31 shots.
MINI MORSELS:
Zach Parise is out for 2-3 weeks after taking a shot to the foot, suffering a foot contusion. Reports today according to Rotoworld, is that he was at the morning skate and is possibly playing tonight? I hate the mixed signals, I have him in my fantasy league and want to know if I can activate him off IR.
In other injury news, Penguins Paul Martin is sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks. Tough break as he just got a crack at the top PP unit after that lack of production from Letang. That should help buy Letang some time to find his touch, for now.
Pavel Datsyuk is being held out of tonight's contest against the Bruins after suffering a possible, small concussion. I think they're doing this just as more of a precautionary thing due to protocol. He's possible to suit up Sunday when the Wings play Ottawa again. Returning to the scene of the crime.
How about the Isles new threads for the stadium series? They look pretty sick, and I would not hesitate one bit to buy a Tavares one. Hell of a lot better than Buffalo's.
Zach Parise is out for 2-3 weeks after taking a shot to the foot, suffering a foot contusion. Reports today according to Rotoworld, is that he was at the morning skate and is possibly playing tonight? I hate the mixed signals, I have him in my fantasy league and want to know if I can activate him off IR.
In other injury news, Penguins Paul Martin is sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks. Tough break as he just got a crack at the top PP unit after that lack of production from Letang. That should help buy Letang some time to find his touch, for now.
Pavel Datsyuk is being held out of tonight's contest against the Bruins after suffering a possible, small concussion. I think they're doing this just as more of a precautionary thing due to protocol. He's possible to suit up Sunday when the Wings play Ottawa again. Returning to the scene of the crime.
How about the Isles new threads for the stadium series? They look pretty sick, and I would not hesitate one bit to buy a Tavares one. Hell of a lot better than Buffalo's.