NHL Three Stars: Datsyuk hits 900 points; Devils in playoff spot
No. 1 Star: Keith Kinkaid, New Jersey Devils
Kinkaid got the start in the second game of back-to-backs for the Devils. He pitched a 28 save shutout, the first of his NHL career, against the always dangerous Los Angeles Kings. With the win, New Jersey is now in third place in the Metro.
No. 2 Star: Robby Fabbri, St. Louis Blues
Big night for the 20-year-old. He earned his first NHL fight in a tilt with Vladislav Namestnikov and scored a breakaway goal on a defensive brain fart by the Tampa Bay Lightning. (If he only had an assist he would have secured the Gordie Howe Hat Trick.)
No. 3 Star: Pavel Datsyuk, Detroit Red Wings
Crazy game between the Red Wings and Boston Bruins. The two teams combined for 11 goals in Detroit’s 6-5 victory. Of the Red Wings half dozen goals, Datsyuk had 2 of them, both on the power play, and 1 assist for career points 900, 901, and 902.
Honorable Mention: David Schlemko scored the lone goal of the game on the power play for the Devils … Robin Lehner earned his third win of the season on the back of a 34 save performance against the Colorado Avalanche. Jack Eichel reminds the hockey world he is really good with an unassisted goal to open the game. Sam Reinhart and Ryan O’Reilly had 2 points each in the Sabres 4-1 victory … Down 3-1 to Boston, Detroit scored 4 unanswered goals to take the lead. Dennis Seidenberg scored his first goal in 100 games to bring the B’s within one. Joonas Kemppainen netted a shorty 38 seconds into the third to tie the game. Henrik Zetterberg would win it for the Red Wings with his second tally of the game
… Brian Elliott made 37 saves against the Lightning to improve to 14-7-6 on the year. Nikita Kucherov scored the lone goal for the Bolts with 52 seconds left in the game. Patrik Berglund’s goal was originally waived off on account it was kicked in. After chatting with Toronto, it was over-ruled and switched to a good goal.
… Henrik Lundqvist stopped all but one shot in Rangers 3-1 victory against Philly. Shayne Gostisbehere extended his rookie defenseman point streak to 12 games with an assist on Brayden Schenn’s late goal. Good night for New York Rangers named Derek (or Derick). Derick Brassard opened the scoring for the game. Derek Stepan followed it up with 2 goals in third period, breaking the 100 goal plateau in his career.
Did You Know? Brad Marchand scoring 8 seconds into the game set a new record for the Bruins.
Dishonorable Mention: Jhonas Enroth got the start for Jonathan Quick who was out again with an injury … Semyon Varlamov was pulled after allowing 2 goals on 2 shots in less than five minutes. Tyson Barrie, Nick Holden, Blake Comeau, and Carl Soderberg all a minus-3 for Colorado … Tuukka Rask was given the hook after 5 goals on 24 shots. Despite getting the win, Petr Mrazek let in 5 goals on 22 shots … Wayne Simmonds and Tanner Glass fought, but not each other as originally planned. Andrew MacDonald, brought in to replace injured Michael Del Zotto, was a minus-2 in 17:40 TOI.
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Jen Neale is an editor for Puck Daddy on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter! Follow @MsJenNeale_PD.
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