Bacon here, and back to bring you guys up to date on a full slate of Saturday games, let's get started:
PHILADELPHIA vs. EDMONTON:
It's only going to get uglier for the Edmonton Oiler's I feel. After having several first round draft picks, and a few years to get acclimated, it hasn't gotten any easier to be a fan. They lost 4-2 yesterday against a very low scoring caliber team, and the goaltending being displayed isn't helping. I don't think going out and signing Ilya Bryzgalov was the answer to their problems, and I think this was an act of desperation. They need to deal a draft pick or one of their, "All-Stars," to get something that will be consistent.
Philly finally looking like the team they should be, scoring four goals and getting offense from those who needed it (Claude Giroux). Giroux potting his first goal of the season, ending a 21 game skid. He hadn't scored a goal since last season, yikes. Scott Hartnell though, netted his second goal of the season and now has goals in back to back games, I'm excited already! Mark Streit finally getting more than a minus, recording 2 assists, and Vinny Lecavalier with his 6th goal of the season helping the Flyers beat the team with the most goals allowed per game.
A bright spot for Edmonton though, David Perron was back and Taylor Hall back in his 2nd game after returning from injury. Both netting a goal a piece, and with those two at least back in the lineup, I think it at least gives them a chance to win.
TAMPA BAY vs. DETROIT:
Valtteri Filppula & Steve Yzerman coming back for their homecoming against the Wings, and beat them 3-2 in a barnburner for an OT victory. Henrik Zetterburg has been a monster as of late, tallying the lone two goals for the Wings last night, to give him his 9th and 10th of the year, and 8 points his last five games.
Steven Stamkos isn't stopping any time soon, he scored his 14th goal of the year, to tie Alexander Steen for the lead in the Rocket Richard Race. Sorry St.Louis, it's a minor blip. Steen isn't going to continue this pace but Stamkos will, I'd put my unborn child's life on that one. As hard as it was for me to swallow this loss, it was even more of a kick to the groin seeing one of my favorites net the winner, Teddy, take a bow my friend.
PHILADELPHIA vs. EDMONTON:
It's only going to get uglier for the Edmonton Oiler's I feel. After having several first round draft picks, and a few years to get acclimated, it hasn't gotten any easier to be a fan. They lost 4-2 yesterday against a very low scoring caliber team, and the goaltending being displayed isn't helping. I don't think going out and signing Ilya Bryzgalov was the answer to their problems, and I think this was an act of desperation. They need to deal a draft pick or one of their, "All-Stars," to get something that will be consistent.
Philly finally looking like the team they should be, scoring four goals and getting offense from those who needed it (Claude Giroux). Giroux potting his first goal of the season, ending a 21 game skid. He hadn't scored a goal since last season, yikes. Scott Hartnell though, netted his second goal of the season and now has goals in back to back games, I'm excited already! Mark Streit finally getting more than a minus, recording 2 assists, and Vinny Lecavalier with his 6th goal of the season helping the Flyers beat the team with the most goals allowed per game.
A bright spot for Edmonton though, David Perron was back and Taylor Hall back in his 2nd game after returning from injury. Both netting a goal a piece, and with those two at least back in the lineup, I think it at least gives them a chance to win.
TAMPA BAY vs. DETROIT:
Valtteri Filppula & Steve Yzerman coming back for their homecoming against the Wings, and beat them 3-2 in a barnburner for an OT victory. Henrik Zetterburg has been a monster as of late, tallying the lone two goals for the Wings last night, to give him his 9th and 10th of the year, and 8 points his last five games.
Steven Stamkos isn't stopping any time soon, he scored his 14th goal of the year, to tie Alexander Steen for the lead in the Rocket Richard Race. Sorry St.Louis, it's a minor blip. Steen isn't going to continue this pace but Stamkos will, I'd put my unborn child's life on that one. As hard as it was for me to swallow this loss, it was even more of a kick to the groin seeing one of my favorites net the winner, Teddy, take a bow my friend.
TORONTO vs. BOSTON:
Boston squeaks out a win, in a very close game by the margin 3-1. It was a close game, but it didn't look as though Toronto could find the offense against a very stingy, defensive team like the Bruins. Zdeno Chara blasting his 3rd goal of the year in, with the assists coming from Igilna & Torey Krug. Krug has been in my eyes, one of the best stories of the year so far. He seems to be a huge staple on that PP unit in Boston and is just lapping up the points with it.
Patrice Bergeron is also on fire, netting 2 goals last night, including the GW with the assists from Loui Eriksson and Brad Marchand, sorry Matty. Joffrey Lupul scored the lone tally for the Leafs, his 8th of the year and James Reimer had a solid outting, stopping 31 of 33 shots faced.
MINNESOTA vs. CAROLINA:
Wild handled the Canes, beating them 3-2 in a shootout and what a game. Jason Pominville netted his 11th goal of the year on a breakaway last night with Ryan Sutter getting his 11th assist of the season on it. Justin Fontaine with the other lone goal for the wild.
Jiri Tlusty finally showing some signs of life with another goal, just his 3rd of the year. Hey, it's progress, right? (trick question). Zach Parise had a shootout goal, which was just filthy. He absolutely walks Justin Peters on this one, can't wait to see these mitts in a USA sweater this year:
Boston squeaks out a win, in a very close game by the margin 3-1. It was a close game, but it didn't look as though Toronto could find the offense against a very stingy, defensive team like the Bruins. Zdeno Chara blasting his 3rd goal of the year in, with the assists coming from Igilna & Torey Krug. Krug has been in my eyes, one of the best stories of the year so far. He seems to be a huge staple on that PP unit in Boston and is just lapping up the points with it.
Patrice Bergeron is also on fire, netting 2 goals last night, including the GW with the assists from Loui Eriksson and Brad Marchand, sorry Matty. Joffrey Lupul scored the lone tally for the Leafs, his 8th of the year and James Reimer had a solid outting, stopping 31 of 33 shots faced.
MINNESOTA vs. CAROLINA:
Wild handled the Canes, beating them 3-2 in a shootout and what a game. Jason Pominville netted his 11th goal of the year on a breakaway last night with Ryan Sutter getting his 11th assist of the season on it. Justin Fontaine with the other lone goal for the wild.
Jiri Tlusty finally showing some signs of life with another goal, just his 3rd of the year. Hey, it's progress, right? (trick question). Zach Parise had a shootout goal, which was just filthy. He absolutely walks Justin Peters on this one, can't wait to see these mitts in a USA sweater this year:
WASHINGTON vs. PHOENIX:
Coyotes rally in the third to beat the Caps, 4-3 in a shootout to stay undefeated at home. I know what you're thinking. Believe me, I'm just as surprised with the Coyotes so far and have to admit, I'm mildly impressed.
Shane Doan showing he's still got some gas left in the tank, potting 2 PPG's, giving him 9 points his last eight games. Keith Yandle also had a great night, with 2 assists and having just a great year to start. John Carlson with another goal, you might wanna brush off the dust on the bandwagon. It's coming. Joel Ward, and Troy Brouwer both with 1 goal a piece, and Ovi and Mike Green just 1 apple. Which is odd for Ovechkin, to not score. Mike, usual. He has yet to record a goal this year but still seeing ample production in the assists.
VANCOUVER vs. LOS ANGELES:
Kings dominated the Canucks, for a 5-1 victory. Youngster, Tyler Toffoli had a big night, with 2 goals and an assist while filling in for Jeff Carter who's missing time due to injury. Mike Richards also had himself a night, with 1 goal and 2 assist, and Dustin King with 2 apples.
Johnathan Quick is slowly starting to find his rhythm, and earned the victory stopping 25 of 26 shots. Pretty quiet night for the Canucks though, with the lone goal from Dan Hamhuis and the assists from Bieksa & Kesler. It was shocking to see Roberto Luongo chased from the crease, and Eddie Lack got to see some time.
QUICK HITS:
James Neal finally making his debut after missing almost 2 months due to an UBI, and was able to record a PPA. Also flattened Barret Jackman on this hit:
Coyotes rally in the third to beat the Caps, 4-3 in a shootout to stay undefeated at home. I know what you're thinking. Believe me, I'm just as surprised with the Coyotes so far and have to admit, I'm mildly impressed.
Shane Doan showing he's still got some gas left in the tank, potting 2 PPG's, giving him 9 points his last eight games. Keith Yandle also had a great night, with 2 assists and having just a great year to start. John Carlson with another goal, you might wanna brush off the dust on the bandwagon. It's coming. Joel Ward, and Troy Brouwer both with 1 goal a piece, and Ovi and Mike Green just 1 apple. Which is odd for Ovechkin, to not score. Mike, usual. He has yet to record a goal this year but still seeing ample production in the assists.
VANCOUVER vs. LOS ANGELES:
Kings dominated the Canucks, for a 5-1 victory. Youngster, Tyler Toffoli had a big night, with 2 goals and an assist while filling in for Jeff Carter who's missing time due to injury. Mike Richards also had himself a night, with 1 goal and 2 assist, and Dustin King with 2 apples.
Johnathan Quick is slowly starting to find his rhythm, and earned the victory stopping 25 of 26 shots. Pretty quiet night for the Canucks though, with the lone goal from Dan Hamhuis and the assists from Bieksa & Kesler. It was shocking to see Roberto Luongo chased from the crease, and Eddie Lack got to see some time.
QUICK HITS:
James Neal finally making his debut after missing almost 2 months due to an UBI, and was able to record a PPA. Also flattened Barret Jackman on this hit:
Patrick Sharp had a huge night, recording 4 assists to help man handle the Stars, 5-2. Youngster, Ryan Johansen and Brandon Dubinsky both having big multi-point nights with 1 goal and 2 assists each to best the Islanders 5-2. News on the injury front, seems Thomas Vanek left the game early and I haven't heard much, but I'll keep you guys updated. Horachek losses his debut as Panther's head coach, 3-2 to the Senators. Speaking of Ottawa, Kyle Turris with 1 goal and 1 assist, giving him 18 points on the year. What. A. Stud.