Battle Of Hudson

After Monday afternoon’s 4-0 loss to the Islanders where the Devils played as badly as they had all season, coach Jacques Lemaire could have went one of two ways – either acknowledged the taxing schedule and give his team a rest or cracked the whip and let them know this kind of an effort won’t be tolerated. In a way he did both, as he gave the team Tuesday off then after the team went through another bleh practice Wednesday, he sent them home. Also, forwards Nick Palmieri and Patrick Davis were called up from Lowell, replacing not only the injured Patrik Elias but also Vladimir Zharkov and Rod Pelley, who missed the game with allegedly minor injuries.

1. Travis Zajac (goal, +2 and 11/15 in faceoffs)
2. Martin Brodeur (22 saves, SHO)
3. Nick Palmieri (assist, +1 with 5 SOG in 12:43)

The biggest topic making the rounds is what Canucks’ forward Alex Burrows accused referee Stephane Auger of last week following Vancouver’s loss to Nashville.

It’s been well documented that a discussion took place between the two prior to the game with Auger supposedly referencing a prior instance in which Burrows embellished to draw a major, making him look bad and would get back at the Vancouver pest. That he was penalized twice in the deciding stanza, including for diving and phantom interference which led to Shea Weber’s winner makes it the case that much more intriguing. Not surprisingly with just four seconds to spare, a furious Burrows drew an additional unsportsmanlike and misconduct, totaling 16 penalty minutes- all in the final 20 minutes.

Odd. Was it merely a strange coincidence or did Auger really cross the line, violating the code of conduct expected of sports officials? Even a week later with the NHL fining Burrows $2,500 while not disciplining Auger yet, there are still many lingering questions. Why only $2,500 for a player who made such a strong accusation? How come the league remains more quiet than a mouse? Is it too much for Gary Bettman and League VP Of No Objectivity Colin Campbell to discuss this serious manner further? Or are they plain chicken? If only Marty McFly were running things. Come to think of it. We could use Reggie Hammond. This league needs a new sheriff as badly as the Chargers need a new coach. One already signed an extension while the other is not going anywhere.

I’m no expert and don’t pretend to be. I just don’t feel Burrows would make all of it up. Of course, the powers to be want to sweep it under the rug and pretend things are honky dory. This ain’t going away anytime soon. One of my good Tweeps HockeyJoeGM had an interesting tweet:

Is he right? I’m no fan of Bettman Inc. I never bought the whole crap about the lockout just being about the salary cap. Not with owners fattening pockets. This league is full of deception. However, we don’t really know what went down at GM Motor Place on Jan.11. Only two people know the whole truth. Burrows and Auger. I can’t definitely conclude anything other than it’s just the latest sample of substandard officiating. In this instance, was there a motive? I don’t really know. The league has mishandled it. Yet another reason to throw your arms up in the air.

Nothing doing.

It is 5:00pm here in Southern California and I had purchased tickets to see the Buffalo Sabres play at the Honda Center against the Anaheim Ducks. I have a 18 mile ride home and then a 20 minute ride to the arena…piece of cake?

Think again.

Heavy rain and some floods soaked the Long Beach area causing the commute from hell home. And I got home at 640pm, quickly put on jeans and the Sabres jersey, and proceeded to the Honda Center.

I was monitoring the game on the Blackberry as I took the I-5 South to Anaheim.

1-0 Ducks as I exit onto Katella Ave heading to the Honda Center.
2-0 Ducks, entering parking area, great…
3-0 Ducks, parked and walking to the arena…I say ‘are you serious?!’
4-0 Ducks, as my wife and I get something to eat, and then I say ‘Nah, not hungry’

I look at the screen and who do I see laying on his pack after allowing another goal…well well, what a surprise, it was none other then Patrick Lalime! I then said ‘ready to go home now?”

Well after I saw Ryan Miller come into the game with a look on his face as if ‘Thanks Lalime for the off-night’ I figured hey lets sit and watch the rest of the game. And Miller kept the Sabres in the game after 1, still down 4-0.

The Sabres cam out strong in the 2nd period, scoring 2 goals in 51 seconds to make the score 4-2. Then at the 6″13 mark, Steve Montador made a ‘teary’ eyed return to Anaheim by notching his 3rd goal of the season to make it 4-3, and the Ducks fans were stunned and I was suddenly feeling it. Then soon after that, Tomas Vanek had a breakaway and was stoned by Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller, who despite giving up 4 goals, played a solid game for the Ducks.

As the 3rd period started, the Sabres were buzzing, and even Ducks fans next to me had a feeling the Sabres would tie the game. Then with about 6 minutes to go, Jason Pominville inexplicably passed the puck in the middle of the ice in his own zone right to Troy Brodie (who? exactly!) and he beat Miller clean to give the Ducks a 5-3 lead. But give the Sabres credit, as they kept fighting to the end, and Jochen Hecht scored late for the Sabres to make it 5-4, but there was just not enough time to pull off a great comeback.

As the stars of the game were announced I could not stop wondering: Why not give Patrick Lalime the 1st star for the Ducks? It would have been a perfect fit!

The Buffalo Sabres still sit 2nd in the Eastern Conference with 66 points, and head up north a bit to play the Los Angeles Kings Thursday Night at the Staples Center, a game which I will also attend live.

Let’s hope the traffic and Lalime, take a back seat.

Say it with me slow—–lll——-yyy. The Rangers scored:

FOU———–RT———-EEN 

over two games!!!!!

Please keep repeating until it sinks in. In two consecutive games, our gang that couldn’t shoot straight has finished, finished and finished. Granted. It came at the expense of a pair of suspect defensive clubs in this topsy turvy conference that changes daily. First, they lit the lamp for six unanswered in a 6-2 victory over Les Canadiens. Another game we sold. Given our luck evidenced by the fact that nobody could recall the last time we saw a Ranger win, what transpired tonight was miraculous. They scored 88888888!!!!!!!!

Okay. So the Bolts were running on fumes, still hungover from their win over the Candy Canes the night before. But c’mon! C’mpuckin on! This was bananas. The eight goals were the highest they’d scored since January 2001 during the Dark Ages. That Justin even knew Jeff Toms recorded a hat trick playing with Lindros and Fleury speaks to his insanity. The most I could remember were seven in a St. Patty’s Day Massacre of the Bruins during Cally’s rookie year. A great memory as our team swept the Kovalchuk/Hossa Thrashers with Marcel outperforming big bro. Hey. We had Buffalo on the ropes before Renney erred. Ah. Didn’t they also roast Hotlanta for 7 in Game Three? Good times.

Getting back to this eight goal eruption, meaning the Rangers have scored a month’s worth in two consecutive wins, this was about as perfect a dismantling as humanly possible. It was Devil-esque. Hell. Hasan is probably a little envious considering how tough Tampa played them. That’s about the only edge we have along with team doctors. Sorry. Couldn’t resist. 😛 In all seriousness, it’s nice to see Tort Reform pay off. Even if it was far from a sellout. Are you listening Jazzy Jim? It was just great to get back on the winning track. Honestly had doubts that we’d ever witness another home win. Haha. Here were the highlights:

–Aaron Voros (yes) stood in there against PIM leader Zenon Konopka and did well 10 seconds in really setting the tone. He had a memorable night later drawing an instigator on Konopka and then scoring on it. A just reward for a great team guy who’s not played a whole lot. When he has, he’s contributed much more than Huggy Bear. Voros also battled Ryan Malone even having his name chanted. Seri—ous—ly! You deserved it. If anyone wants to follow him, please do so on Twitter. He got plenty of love including from us.

-Sixteen different Rangers recorded a point. Even the rejuvenated Tinman, who notched a helper two days removed from his second fight in Ranger Blue.

-For a second straight game since being reunited, Dubi, Prosp and Great Gabby dominated combining for eight points (2-6-8), plus-nine along with Dubi hammering Jeff Halpern. Gaborik matched a career high with four assists, eclipsing 60 points. He’s now up to 61 (29-32-61) or three better than the leading Ranger scorer(s) [Gomez/Zherdev] all last year. So explosive. Before Sunday, Gaborik had just three points this month but in the last two, he has seven (1-6-7). Hope that trend continues Thursday at Philly. In the duh moment of the night, MSG radio announcer Kenny Albert actually asked Prospal what the reason for their line’s success was. Hell-o! They played together with similar results earlier this season. Holy cow!

-Prospal had a sweet finish versus his ex-team off a nifty Gabby set up, going backhand deke. He nearly pulled it off again later when he had Antero Niittymaki dead to rights but hit the right post. Just how lethal was our transition? Had they not hit posts and Niitty not prevented a couple of others before getting the hook, they easily could’ve reached a cool dozen. Also speaking to how inept the Lightning were.

-After an otherwise invisible Vinny Lecavalier banked one in off Henrik to cut it to 2-1, a quick response by the captain Dru, who rebounded home a Cally shot to score for a second straight game only 73 seconds later. Sticking the Team USA PK tandem together with Christy was smart. So was shifting Avery to the fourth line turning it into a crash line with Boyle and Voros, who both were strong. Seems Tort has finally come to his senses, balancing out things with Artie working with a revitalized Enver Lisin and Higgs. Since being reinserted, all Lisin’s done is work, work and work, finally getting rewarded with his sixth from Higgins and Matt Gilroy, who jumped up contributing two helpers. Even Higgins finished for just the second time at MSG, putting the cherry on top late.

–Marc Staal had another stellar performance, contributing defensively and offensively, finishing his career best fifth while adding his career best 13th assist for you guessed it. Eighteen points. Also a career high in Year Three with still 32 games left. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention how well he works with Rozy, who looks much more comfortable. He’s played better for a while, blocking shots while moving the puck effectively and getting involved offensively. All cause there’s less pressure on him.

-Up two in the second, Dan Girardi’s right point shot eluded Niitty to match his jersey No.5, ending a long 31-game drought. That it came unscreened from way out should tell you how under siege the poor Tampa netminder was, permitting five on 20 shots before 2008 fifth rounder Dustin Tokarski replaced him faring no better (3 GA on 11 shots). It’s awfully hard to win when you don’t compete.

-Our club’s not known to be tough but the past two games (both convincing wins), they’ve fought five times. Even when the gloves haven’t been dropped, our guys are finally standing up for each other as evidenced by Lisin getting in Maxim Lapierre’s face Sunday. A refreshing change for the better!

-Not to sound like a broken record but between all this good stuff, Henrik again was solid, needing just 21 saves after coming off light work (19) the other day. He still made some timely stops before we put it out of reach. That’s now nine in a row of two goals-or-less dating back to a New Year’s Eve 2-1 triumph at Raleigh. In eight starts this month, The King’s 5-1-2 with a miniscule 1.48 GAA, 947 save percentage plus the memorable 0-0 shutout duel with MB30 in a shootout defeat. Not too shabby. How dominant has he been? Lundqvist’s now up to 22 wins with a 2.26 GAA and on pace for a career best save percentage (.925). If he continues this upswing, it’s going to be hard not to include him in the Vezina talk. Once impossible. Still, with Miller Time, Bryzgalov, Marty, Kipper and fantastic frosh Jimmy Howard, it’s going to be awfully tough.

-He had only one assist following a career high four points (2-2-4) but Cally was everywhere. He and Dubi couldn’t be stopped, generating shorthanded chance after shorthanded chance. This American duo is quickly becoming one to watch.

-Hey Ally. Keep trying to figure out why you’re out of the lineup. Stay in the press box!

3rd Star-Brandon Dubinsky, NYR (G, A, fight = Gordie Howe Hat Trick, +3 in 25 shifts-18:36)
2nd Star-Enver Lisin, NYR (6th goal of season, 3 hits, 2 takeaways, +1 in 18 shifts-12:58)
1st Star-Aaron Voros, NYR (1st goal of season, 2 fights, major penalty drawn in 13 shifts-8:08)

What, exactly is going on this season with the Devils and injuries? Have we gone on the cheap and hired the Mets doctors and trainers?! Granted, there’s nothing you can do about the compressed NHL schedule which is increasing injuries for everyone around the league. However, this season there have been at least three glaring faux pas by the medical staff which would almost be unbelievable, except that I’ve seen this kind of nonsense already with my baseball team and all of these mistakes have made the Devils’ situation infinitely worse. To wit:

1. David Clarkson‘s reinjury. The Devils’ gritty winger was off to a nice start this season with 15 points in 23 games before fracturing his right ankle in late November blocking a Zdeno Chara slapshot. His timetable to return iirc was 4-6 weeks and he came back on the short end of that in late December. After barely a game back in the lineup he gets hurt again on the same ankle. While Lou Lamoriello swears he didn’t re-break it the fact is Clarkson’s been out for three more weeks with no return date in sight. I’d like to know what else he did to it to miss this long if it wasn’t a repeat fracture. And assuming it was another fracture, someone screwed up by letting Clarkson on the ice before it had properly healed.

2. Paul Martin‘s mysterious forearm injury. After breaking his left arm in late October, the Devils’ top defensman still hasn’t returned. When he was slated to make a comeback a few weeks later, the Devils discovered his injury didn’t heal properly and now he’s still on the shelf, also with no return date in sight. Now I’m no doctor but I’ve never heard of something like that before, how exactly does a broken bone not heal properly unless the cast wasn’t set correctly or there was something awry in the diagnosis to begin with?!

3. Patrik Elias‘s concussion. I don’t want to hear that Elias wasn’t showing concussion symptoms in Colorado, Lou admitted he was ‘out of it’ for a long time and clearly his injury was serious enough to strap him to a stretcher. Who then, thought it would be a good idea to fly the Devils’ star winger cross-country with concussion symptoms?! I don’t have a PhD and I could have told the Devils this wouldn’t end well after the Mets’ saga flying Ryan Church out to the West Coast last year with a concussion. After the initial Baghdad Lou analysis that he would only be out ten days, came the more dire admission that Elias was diagnosed with a concussion and placed on IR with orders not to resume hockey activities until further notice.

I’m going to say this in no uncertain terms: At least one doctor or trainer has to be fired for this mess! To have so many mistakes and screwups in one season is just mind-boggling, especially for a franchise that has historically (until last year) been one of the most well-conditioned and healthiest in the league.

Both the Islanders and Rangers are in action tonight. The Isles visit the Pens aiming for five in a row while the Blueshirts host the Lightning at The Garden, looking to follow up a six-goal explosion in a win over the Habs for two straight. Each game goes off at 7:30. We’ll be in our Sec.411 Row F seats and back later with recaps.

Even though the Devils lost two in a row going into today’s Martin Luther King alleged showdown with the Hudson rival Islanders, there wasn’t really cause for alarm other than maybe the fact the team’s gotten off to slow starts lately. Especially given the Devils’ comfortable division lead (still four points up on the Penguins with three in hand). Over their last thirty-five games they’d need to play significantly below .500 to be in any danger at all of missing the playoffs.

All that said, this afternoon’s massacre by the Isles at the Colliseum – incredibly if there’s no score change it would be our third straight four-goal loss there! – might prompt Jacques Lemaire to get stern with his troops for one of the few times all season. As I type, the Isles are outshooting the Devils by a frightening 41-17 margin late in the third as it looks like Rick DiPietro will get his second straight win in his comeback, and a shutout at that. Clearly there was no effort or passion on this afternoon, at least not from the team in white.

To be fair, the Devils have kept such games to a minimum this season, really it’s the first total no-show I can recall other than maybe New Year’s Eve in Chicago. And you have to expect at least a few over the course of an 82-game marathon that can be more like a sprint at times during an Olympic season. Plus the first-place lead has become a bit of a albatross in that as I said we’re in no real danger as far as making the playoffs or even losing the division lead just yet, while all the teams we’ve been playing lately are in desperation mode just to get a playoff berth. Continually playing teams more desperate than you was one of the main reasons for our six-game meltdown in the stretch run last season. In that respect at least this slump is pretty well-timed, not too close to the playoffs for concern but not too early in the season so that you have to struggle to make up points later on.

And let’s be honest, the injury situation is once again at critical mass and now with the team more than halfway through the season all of the effort expended may finally be starting to catch up with us. With Patrik Elias on the shelf for the forseeable future (personally, I don’t buy the ten days thing especially with talk of him seeing a specialist and the whispers he suffered a concussion. I don’t think we’ll see him before the end of the month at least), that only adds to the talent in the trainer’s room we have to compensate for. Andy Greene may finally be starting to show the wear of filling in Paul Martin‘s shoes and with the Zach Parise and Travis Zajac duo continuing to struggle, they miss the secondary scoring of Elias, David Clarkson and even Danius Zubrus.

Of course I could talk about travel too being we’ve played six games in eleven days, taking the ice seven times during that stretch with five road games but let’s be honest, every team’s gotta go through travel at some point with this condensed schedule. Western teams have it far worse than us on a night-in night-out basis, though it is telling that while the Devils did just fine with seven games in eleven nights during a mostly home-laden stretch in December, it’s been a little different with all the traveling this month. While the schedule itself doesn’t ease up with three games in four nights after an off day tomorrow, at least the first two are at home while the other will be another beatdown, er matchup at Long Island on Saturday.

And now the final horn’s mercifully sounded with the Devils losing 4-0. Was there any good news today? Well, no new injuries at least none that I heard of. Plus Brodeur actually got a whole period’s worth of rest after being lifted for Yann Danis in the second intermission…whoopee. Of course he got a game’s worth of work in two periods, facing 32 shots but only stopping 28. Being outshot 46-20 overall just adds to the ignominy of this afternoon.

Still, there’s no reason to panic. To reiterate, it’s January, a lousy three-game streak and we’re on top of the division. If anything makes me nervous it’s the overplaying of Brodeur and the checking line along with the misuse of Parise. However it’s not totally fair to form a final judgement on the latter two until (if?) everyone is back in the fold.

The Islanders gave their fans plenty to cheer about this afternoon in the annual Martin Luther King game, defeating the Devils 4-0 at a sold out Nassau Coliseum. With Hasan likely recapping it from the Devil perspective, we’re just going to assess what’s gone so right lately for Scott Gordon’s hot club that’s now won four straight. That includes impressive victories over the Red Wings (6-0), Sabres (3-2 in shootout) and now the Devils by a 4-zip KO helping Rick DiPietro to his first shutout of the season and more “D—P” chants.

Here are today’s highlights that put the eighth seeded Isles at 52 points trailing archrival Rangers by one:

–Matt Moulson scored twice for his club-leading 18th and 19th. It was his first multi-goal effort since a Dec.3 hat trick at Atlanta (21 games). After hitting a wall in mid-December, the free agent steal has three goals in the last four and six points in seven contests this month. A great sign.

–Josh Bailey notched his 12th continuing to rip it up. Over the past 10 games, the improving sophomore has 13 points (5-8-13). Since Dec.21, the 20 year-old pivot has 15 of his 25 points (12-13-25) this season. Prior, he’d gone 10 games w/o a point. The 2008 ninth overall selection is finally demonstrating why Garth Snow picked him, giving the Islanders two scoring lines.

-With an assist on Mark Streit’s first period power play goal, Kyle Okposo extended to a six-game point streak (4-2-6). Since a three-point performance in a Dec.26 road win at the Rangers, the 21 year-old emerging power forward is 5-5-10 over the last 11 games. Last year, the St. Paul native struggled mightily in the first half before finishing strong. Looks like the same thing’s happening. Only this time, the stakes are higher with the Islanders fighting for a playoff berth.

-With a PPG, Streit has points in four straight including three goals and two helpers. Since 12/26, the Isles’ No.1 defenseman is 3-7-10, plus-eight. He’s heating up at the right time.

-Saturday’s hero Trent Hunter followed up with two assists in the win. His first multi-point game since Dec.3. The grinding checking wing doesn’t always show up on the score sheet but always gives an honest effort leading by example.

–Andy Sutton tallied an assist and went plus-three on the day, continuing to play his best hockey.

-With a primary helper on Streit’s marker, John Tavares made it two consecutive games with a point and three of the last four. Prior, the 19 year-old wiz kid was blank in seven straight. It’s easy to forget that JT91 is in Year One with tons of expectations. The centerpiece of the franchise is finally snapping out of it which could bode well.

-Also getting on the score sheet was Jack Hillen, who with an assist finished plus-three. That’s three assists in the last four for the second-year undrafted defenseman, who’s quietly contributed a goal and 12 helpers along with a plus-eight rating in 45 games this season.

-Shootout ace Frans Nielsen added a helper and finished plus-two. The 2002 third round gem has seven points (1-6-7) this month.

-Though he didn’t get much work, how about DP. His first two home games in more than a year and victorious in both while permitting only two goals on 53 shots (.962 save percentage). With 20 saves, the 28 year-old former 2000 No.1 overall pick recorded his third shutout versus the Devils and 15th career. His first SHO since Feb.21, 2008 against the Lightning. Storybook.

All this added up to a great day off the Meadowbrook for the orange and navy blue. It won’t get much easier as the Islanders (22-19-8, 52 Pts) pay a visit to Mellon Arena and the Penguins Tuesday night where they’ll go for five in a row.

It had been a long time since Rick DiPietro felt the love on home ice. After all, it was only his second start since returning and first at Nassau Coliseum in over a year. Against one of the conference’s better teams, he outdueled Vezina candidate Ryan Miller in a thrilling 3-2 shootout victory before a happy crowd who showed him the love with the familiar, “D—P, D—P” chants.

“Always in the back of my mind I knew I’d be back to this point, sitting in front of you guys after a big win,” an emotional DiPietro said while repeatedly thanking everyone for their overwhelming support. “I am sure when I get a chance over the next couple of days to let it sink in I’ll be pretty excited.”

Fittingly, his first win didn’t come easy. Not with the Sabres rallying back from a two-goal deficit on goals by Mike Grier and Drew Stafford. But DP didn’t allow Stafford’s putback with 11:25 left in regulation to spoil his much anticipated comeback in front of the hometown fans who supported him in unison. Facing his 2006 USA Olympic teammate, the 28 year-old who was making just his seventh start over two years kept the Islanders alive, stopping 11 of 12 shots in a third controlled by Buffalo. Their forecheck pinned the Isles deep, generating chances along with a 12-4 SOG edge. Only some sharp netminding allowed the hosts to reach extras.

Neither club could get one by the two American goalies, taking it to the skill competition. Here, DiPietro’s mettle was really tested. After Rob Schremp went backhand deke upstairs in Round One, Jason Pominville went five-hole to tie it in the second frame. Following a Josh Bailey miss, Thomas Vanek’s short side high shot missed a chance to clinch it for Buffalo. The drama continued when Matt Moulson beat Miller with a perfect forehand but DiPietro couldn’t stop Stafford, who picked five-hole forcing another round. DP atoned by thwarting Derek Roy’s bid with a strong pad stop from in tight, earning more “D—P” chants.

In Round Six, this time rookie John Tavares– who ended a 10-game drought with a putback of a Kyle Okposo shot-  easily beat Miller forehand top shelf to once again give DiPietro the chance to clinch it. This time, it was Jochen Hecht who extended it by shooting over a sprawled DP, who committed too early to groans. Both Okposo and Clarke MacArthur were denied forcing it into Round Eight. Scott Gordon sent out Trent Hunter and he didn’t disappoint, moving in tight before wiring one off the bar and in. With the Isles one big save away from jumping back into the top eight, the spotlight was all DiPietro’s. Curiously, Lindy Ruff chose instigator Patrick Kaleta over Tyler Myers. With it on the line, Kaleta made a good move but his forehand deke try was forced wide by a quicker DP, who pumped his fists before teammates mobbed the emotional goalie.

“I was trying not to cry on the ice,” DiPietro expressed while sporting a neat mustache and goatee. “That’s the one thing I told myself. I wouldn’t cry. It’s an emotional time for me. It’s been a long time coming, been a rough road. Just to get the win was amazing.”

 “I can’t tell you how good this feels,” he added of putting the Islanders in eighth a point behind the Rangers. “It’s satisfying, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. You can’t get complacent.”

Now that he’s back, the bigger question is can he sustain it. The good news for the Islanders is they have Dwayne Roloson, who’s done a great job. That should make Gordon’s job easier as he won’t have to overplay DiPietro.

“When we can stop talking about this, it will be a great day, but it’s on me to stay healthy and prove to everyone that I’m back at 100 percent,” DP assessed. “It’s up to me to try to avoid situations where I put myself in danger of getting hurt, but I’m gonna play the way I’m accustomed to playing.”

As for the coach, he praised his guy for being more patient after all the knee surgeries.

“Looking back on it, I never felt I really knew how bad he was hurt,” Gordon said. “He did a good job of making us believers and to his credit, he wanted to play. Unfortunately, he had an injury where you couldn’t fool your body. It just wouldn’t allow him to do the things he needed. This year he didn’t try to hurry it up, he went about it the right way.”

Now, maybe the Islanders will reap the benefits.

3rd Star-Drew Stafford, Buf (tying goal w/11:25 left in regulation, SO goal, +1 in 14:04)
2nd Star-John Tavares, NYI (goal ended 10-gm drought, SO goal, 5 SOG in 16:55)
1st Star-Rick DiPietro, NYI (31 saves incl.11/12 in 3rd, 5/8 in shootout)