Archive for the ‘NHL’ Category
Red Wings defeat Blackhawks despite Ladd Hat Trick
March 7th, 2010
Posted in Krnsports, NHL
Chicago — Andrew Ladd’s hat trick wasn’t even enough to distract the Detroit Red Wings.
The red wings would score 5 2nd period goals to over come a 2-0 deflict to defeat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-4 in a much needed win for the Red Wings, who are trying to stay in eigth place in the Western Conference.
“They seemed to take it off the pedal a little there in the second and we took advantage of it,” Brian Rafalski said. “We got on a little bit of a roll there and just kept coming.”
It was Rafalski who started the surge with a blast from the point on a 4 on 3 power play for the Red Wings, Nicklas Lidstrom would follow up 28 seconds later to tie the game.
Jason Williams, Valtteri Filppula, and Pavel Datsyuk also added goals for the Red Wings.
“We came out and went to town in the second period,” goaltender Jimmy Howard said after making 28 saves. “We really played well in the neutral zone and counterattacked and got something on them.”
Duncan Keith opened the scoring on a shot from the right circle, and after a turnover by Filppula, Ladd would pick up his first of the game.
After scoring 2 in the 3rd period, the Blackhawks had several chances to score in the final minutes of the game, including a great one from ex Red Wing Marian Hossa.
“We’ve got to play a 60-minute game instead of a 50,” Ladd said. “I don’t know if we got too confident, maybe we think it’s an easy game. We stop working. We stop playing simple. We stop winning battles.”
The defining moment came when Patrick Kane scored, but Dustin Byfuglien interfered with Howard, disallowing the goal. No penalty was called on Byfuglien.
“It was huge,” Lidstrom said. “If they get that third one, it could be a different game. They gain a ton of momentum and we have to come from three down.”
Filppula and Williams also scored goals 42 seconds apart, Huet was pulled and replaced by Niemi.
“I’m not blaming Huet there,” Quenneville said. “I called the timeout and that didn’t seem to slow it down. (Detroit) got two tips on cross-ice passes.”
Red Wings hand Senators 2nd loss in 15 games
February 13th, 2010
Posted in Krnsports, NHL
February 13, 2010, 10:45PM
DETROIT — Several Detroit Red Wings are headed to Vancouver to represent their country at the Winter Olympics. Others are traveling to various warmer climates for a much-needed respite.
All of them head into the two-week Olympic break on a positive note. They snapped a four-game winless streak (0-2-2) and cooled off one of the hottest teams in the NHL Saturday night, defeating the Ottawa Senators 4-1 at Joe Louis Arena.
Kirk Maltby, Pavel Datsyuk, Dan Cleary and Johan Franzen (empty net) scored for the Red Wings, who converted twice on the power play.
Jimmy Howard, making his 23rd start in the past 25 games, stopped 28 shots to raise his record to 21-13-8.
“I thought it was important to get the two points. Where we’re at in the standings, we’re in desperate need of points,” Red Wings captain Nicklas Lidstrom said. “The other night against the Sharks (3-2 shootout loss Thursday), we came out with the same effort tonight. We got two goals early and controlled the game from there. I’m very happy with our effort.”
Red Wings forward Tomas Holmstrom left the game late in the first period when his left knee injury flared up. The club had no update on his status after the game. He could be forced to withdraw from the Swedish Olympic team, which would open up a spot for Franzen.
“I’m hoping he’s going to recover and play for Sweden,” coach Mike Babcock said. “He’d be a huge part of their team. He’s a huge part of our team just with his emotion and net-front presence.”
Detroit played the final two periods with only 10 forwards, as Valtteri Filppula missed the game due to a groin injury. Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg were double-shifted and defenseman Derek Meech played forward.
The Senators had won 13 of their past 14 games.
“Realistically, we played well enough to win our last two games,” forward Kris Draper said. “This is what we need, this is how we have to play. And if we can do that we’re going to find ourselves right in the mix in the playoff race.”
Ottawa cut Detroit’s lead to 2-1 on Peter Regin’s goal at 8:13 of the second period. Regin crashed the net and knocked in the rebound after Howard’s save on Alexei Kovalev.
The Red Wings responded with a power-play goal from Cleary at 11:09. He banged in Todd Bertuzzi’s pass through the crease for his 13th goal.
The Red Wings jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first period on goals by Maltby and Datsyuk.
Maltby scored at 9:33, firing in a backhand shot after Meech jarred the puck free from Brian Elliott, who had made a save on Brad Stuart’s shot from the point. Draper made it possible by winning an offensive-zone faceoff.
It potentially was Maltby’s final game of the season. He has been bothered by a chronic shoulder injury and is contemplating season-ending surgery after the Olympic break.
“I’d be lying if I didn’t think about a little bit,” Maltby said. “But it doesn’t change the way I prepare. You got to stay focused and do what you’re supposed to do.”
It was Maltby’s first goal since Oct. 31, his fourth of the season. He had gone 42 games without a point.
“He wasn’t sure coming to the rink this morning what was going to happen. He goes out and get the all-important first goal,” Draper said. “Everyone in here knows what Malts brings to the team. He’s a great teammate. He’s going to go out and play hard and frustrate the other team and he’s going to be a great penalty-killer. He was able to do that and score tonight.”
Datsyuk made it 2-0 at 16:33, on the power play. Standing by the side of the net, he redirected a pass from Lidstrom. Zetterberg set up the play by stealing the puck from Milan Michalek just inside the blue line. Michalek made a bad decision to bring the puck back into his own zone when he had a chance to fire it down the ice.
“He looked like he had the puck on a string,” Lidstrom said of Datsyuk. “He’s deking guys and skating strong.”
Penguins outlast Red Wings in Shootout
January 31st, 2010
Posted in Krnsports, NHL
Sidney Crosby had a goal, and a shootout goal to help the Pittsburgh Penguins to a 2-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday afternoon.
This marks the first of two meetings between the past two Stanley Cup champions, the Penguins lost last year in Mellon Arena, and won at the Joe. The next meeting is March 22nd.
Both teams wasted no time, end to end hockey was played the entire game, both teams getting great chances, and playing good defensive hockey.
Detroit would take two penalties early, and the Penguins couldn’t convert. Neither team scored on any of their power play oppertunities.
The ice would break in the 2nd, when a great feed from Alex Goligoski would hit Sidney Crosby right on the tape, and he would make a backhand move and put it past Red Wings netminder Jimmy Howard.
Both Valteri Filppula and Jordan Staal would miss wide open oppertunities.
Eventually, the Red Wings would tie the game when Brad Stuart ripped one from the point, and it was deflected past Marc-Andre Fleury.
Overtime would be just as exciting, and Sergei Gonchar would take a critical penalty, but the Red Wings were unable to convert and the game would go to a deciding shootout.
The Penguins first shooter would be defenseman Kris Letang, who would not convert on a backhand.
The Red Wings would use shootout phenom Pavel Datsyuk, who lost control of the puck before he could go backhand, and missed the net to the right.
Sidney Crosby, would be the first shooter to convert, he would put a backhand shot top shelf, giving the Penguins the 1-0 advantage.
Jason Williams, would have no luck getting stopped by the glove of Fleury.
With the chance to win the game, Evgeni Malkin made good on his oppertunity, outlasting Jimmy Howard and barely sneaking it in on the right side.
With the point, the Red Wings move into an 8th place tie with Calgary.
Red Wings visit Penguins in clash on NBC
January 31st, 2010
Posted in Krnsports, NHL
It’s a rematch of the past two Stanley Cup champions, and the Red Wings know that every game is important being 1 point out of 8th place.
The Penguins haven’t been the best of teams either, they lost a critical game to the Ottawa Senators on Thursday 4-1, although being well rested.
The Red Wings and Penguins, who will meet again in Motown on March 22, split two regular-season matchups last year with Detroit posting a 3-0 victory at Pittsburgh. The Red Wings have won six of the last eight regular-season meetings and four of their last five at Pittsburgh.
Malkin, who has six goals and five assists over a six-game point streak, won the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP last season after posting 14 goals and 36 assists in the postseason. He had two goals and six assists in the six games versus Detroit.
Zetterberg, meanwhile, was named playoff MVP in 2008 and he posted two goals and four assists in last year’s finals meeting.
Dion Phaneuf traded to the Maple Leafs
January 31st, 2010
Posted in Krnsports, NHL
Two teams in dire need of a shakeup have done just that.
The Calgary Flames have traded defenceman Dion Phaneuf, forward Fredrik Sjostrom, and prospect defenceman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and defenceman Ian White.
The Maple Leafs and Flames have been working on the components of this blockbuster for a week to ten days, but sources say the details of the deal didn’t fall into place until late last night.
“[Phaneuf] is a warrior. He’s got a cannon for a shot,” explained Maple Leafs general manager Brian Burke on Sunday. “He plays the game hard and I want players who play the game hard because they’re hard to play against.”
Red Wings activate Jason Williams off of IR
January 29th, 2010
Posted in Krnsports, NHL
DETROIT SPORTS NETWORK
Detroit, MI (Sports Network) – Detroit Red Wings centre Jason Williams is expected to return Friday after missing 38 games recovering from a broken right leg.
Williams was hurt in a November 7 game against Toronto. He has played just 15 games this season, posting two goals with five assists for seven points.
The 29-year-old veteran is in his second tour of duty with Detroit, having previously skated for the Wings from 2000 until being dealt to Chicago in February 2007.Justin Abdelkader was assigned to the AHL.
Blackhawks down Red Wings in shootout
January 17th, 2010
Posted in Krnsports, NHL
The Red Wings put up what was their best fight of the season, but it wasn’t enough as Patrick Sharp scored the winner in a shootout.
This marked the 4th out of 6 meetings on the season between these two teams, the Blackhawks have now won their third. The only Red Wings win came on a 3-2 victory at Joe Louis Arena on October 8th.
The Red Wings started strong, generating chances on and off. A chance for the Red Wings would result in a play for the Blackhawks the other way, and Troy Brouwer would put it five hole on Jimmy Howard.
The Red Wings were a little frustrated, and took penalties that weren’t necessary. Patrick Kane would move out into open ice, and put one past Jimmy Howard to give the Blackhawks a 2-0 lead.
The Red Wings got their speed back, and a good breakout by Henrik Zetterberg, who made a no look pass to Pavel Datsyuk, who fed it to Niklas Lidstrom who roofed short side to make it 2-1.
The 2nd period would result in a flurry of penalites for the Blackhawks, the Red Wings would apply the pressure, and finally Pavel Datsyuk would feed Henrik Zetterberg who would tie the game at 2.
The tie was short lived, Patrick Sharp would score off the lively Red Wing boards, the Blackhawks took the 3-2 lead into the 3rd.
After some scrambling, a set up face off play would result in Patrick Eaves taking a shot from the right hand boards, and he would beat Annti Niemi glove side. The game was tied at 3.
Just before the game was about to end, Datsyuk took the puck in, and almost put one in, but fanned on the shot.
Overtime was controlled by Detroit, Niemi stayed strong and the game was headed to a shootout.
Pavel Datsyuk would shoot first, and he would once again dazzel the crowd when he flipped the puck in the air after a couple of moves, beating Niemi.
Johnathan Toews would have the answer, beating Jimmy Howard five hole.
Henrik Zetterberg, and Patrick Kane would both be shut down.
Todd Bertuzzi once again came in wide, and did a spin-o-rama back hand move that beat Niemi.
Former Red Wing Marian Hossa had to tie, and he was a sure bet beating Howard on his blocker side.
Dan Cleary would miss, and this would set up the oppertunity for Patrick Sharp to win it for the Blackhawks, he would fake the backhand and then score up high, Howard slammed his stick on the crossbar in frustration.
Howard they doing it
January 10th, 2010
Posted in Krnsports, NHL
SAN JOSE, Calif.—The Detroit Red Wings leave the West Coast in a lot better shape than they arrived a week ago.
Pavel Datsyuk stole a bad pass from Ryane Clowe and turned it into the first of three goals for Detroit in the second period, and the Red Wings went on to beat the San Jose Sharks 4-1 Saturday night.
The Red Wings have won four of five, including three of four out West against some of the top teams in the conference. With wins against Phoenix, Los Angeles and San Jose, Detroit has closed within one point of the Kings for eighth place in the Western Conference.
“We know that the points are so crucial for us right now,” defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom said. “Every point is important. That’s one of the reasons we’re extra pleased with the way we finished the trip, beating one of the top teams in our conference.”
Detroit got Dan Cleary and Henrik Zetterberg back from injuries on the trip and Cleary has delivered two goals in two games. The Red Wings did lose leading goal-scorer Tomas Holmstrom to a broken foot in practice Wednesday, but are in good shape to get rolling in the next month before the Olympic break.
“It’s hard to gain ground,” defenseman Brad Stuart said. “You have to keep winning. This was an important trip for us. We can go back feeling pretty good about it. But we can’t sit back and enjoy it too long because we’re right back out Tuesday.”
Patrick Eaves and Darren Helm also scored for Detroit, which will finish the five game road trip against the New York Islanders, Jimmy Howard made 31 saves.
Patrick Marleau scored his NHL-leading 29th goal in the first period for the Sharks, who have lost two of three following an eight-game winning streak. San Jose allowed 10 goals in the two losses, including six to Los Angeles on Monday.
“They did a lot of simple things to score four goals against us,” coach Todd McLellan said. “They were disciplined. For some reason our team thought we had to play fancy and take risks. We haven’t learned our lesson.”
San Jose appeared to be in good position after Marleau’s goal off the rebound of a shot by Dan Boyle. The Sharks were 17-1-3 when they scored first. But the Red Wings took control in the second, taking advantage of poor play by the turnover-prone Sharks.
It started when Clowe made a bad pass as he skated across the Detroit blue line. Datsyuk came up with the turnover and skated in alone the other way before beating Evgeni Nabokov with a wrist shot from the circle to tie the game early in the second.
That marked the second time that a Sharks turnover at the Red Wings blue had led to a Detroit breakaway. Nabokov stopped Cleary in the first period but couldn’t do the same to Datsyuk.
“We needed to manage the puck better and control the turnovers,” Clowe said. “If you know anything about hockey you know why we lost. Don’t get me wrong, they’re a good team but it was us, not them, tonight.”
The Red Wings took the lead when Eaves deflected Doug Janik’s shot from the point past Nabokov for his fifth goal of the season. Nabokov immediately pleaded with the referees that Eaves deflected the puck with a high stick but the call was upheld on replay, giving Detroit the 2-1 lead with 5:07 left in the period.
Just 69 seconds later, Cleary got his goal when he patiently waited for Kent Huskins to slide by after dropping in an attempt to block the shot before beating Nabokov with a wrister. It was Cleary’s second goal in two games since missing 12 contests with a shoulder injury.
“Obviously he’s a real good player for us,” coach Mike Babcock said. “We need to get him healthy and rolling. When Z and him get skating and playing like they can, we’ll be a lot better hockey club. He scored a big-time goal.”
Helm’s goal early in the third ended any comeback hopes for San Jose. He intercepted a clearing attempt by Boyle and skated in to beat Nabokov for his fifth goal in five games.
NOTES: Sharks F John McCarthy, a seventh-round pick out of Boston University in 2006, made his NHL debut. … With 37 games to go, Marleau is nine goals shy of his career high of 38 set last season. … Lidstrom has gone 41 straight games without a goal, seven shy of the longest drought in his career.
Sturming over the Flyers
January 1st, 2010
Posted in Krnsports, NHL
Marco Sturm tipped the overtime winner 1:57 into overtime, and the Boston Bruins beat the Philidelphia Flyers 2-1, at Fenway Park.
It was a sellout crowd, 38,112 were packed into the park, many stayed standing throughout the enitre game. Orange, gold and black could be seen all through the stadium, and on top of the green monster, as Flyers and Bruins fans mingled together for the Winter Classic.
This game, was by far the most intense, and had more physical play than any other of the previous 3. The first ever fight, between Dan Carcillo and Shawn Thornton, was a once sided bout, and Carcillo would wave to the crowd, once arriving in the penalty box.
Mark Recchi also scored for Boston (21-12-7) while Danny Syvret replied for the Flyers (19-18-3).
The streets around Fenway were at a stand-still more than two hours before the puck drop, as jersey-clad fans created a tailgate atmosphere more commonly seen at NFL games. The smell of hotdogs wafted through the venerable ballpark and fans lined up for souvenir stands usually reserved for Red Sox apparel.
“Awesome,” said Dan Craig, the NHL’s ice guru. “The good lord couldn’t have done better for us.”
The NHL seems to be getting the outdoor game concept down pat. Everything from the ice quality to the experience of fans has improved from Buffalo (2008) to Chicago (2009) to Boston.
“Buffalo, for me, was very stressful,” said Craig. “(I was) praying that we could have a good game.
“Chicago, with our new (ice-making) equipment: Nervous, but confident in our equipment and the crew and knowing we were going to have a good game — which we did. And today, it is a calm confidence that we are going to have an awesome, awesome day at the park.”
Alexander Who?
December 5th, 2009
Posted in Krnsports, NHL
PHILADELPHIA — New coach, same result for the Philadelphia Flyers.
With Peter Laviolette making his Flyers debut behind the bench, Tomas Fleischmann and Mike Green scored two goals apiece, and Nicklas Backstrom added a goal and four assists, leading the streaking Washington Capitals to a 8-2 win over Philadelphia on Saturday night.
It was the seventh loss in eight games for the Flyers, who fired coach John Stevens on Friday and hired Laviolette to replace him.
The Southeast Division-leading Capitals didn’t miss two-time NHL MVP Alex Ovechkin, who served the final game of a two-game suspension. Washington won its fifth straight.
Philadelphia’s poor play continued, as the Capitals took a 1-0 lead just 57 seconds in when Fleischmann knocked in a rebound off Brendan Morrison’s slap shot.
Mika Pyorala tied it at 12:06, knocking a rebound past goalie Jose Theodore and ending Philadelphia’s goal-less streak at 172 minutes, 10 seconds. The Flyers’ previous goal was scored on Nov. 27 in the first period against Buffalo. They were shut out in consecutive losses to Atlanta and Vancouver before Stevens was fired.
Washington stormed ahead with three goals during a 9-minute power play that began at 14:33 of the first period and carried into the second. Dan Carcillo and Matt Bradley got into a shoving match at centre ice, and Philadelphia’s Carcillo landed a big punch as Bradley was dropping his gloves.
Bradley fell to the ice and left the game. Carcillo received 19 minutes of penalties and a game misconduct, resulting in the power play. The Flyers’ 18 penalty minutes per game lead the league.
Fleischmann scored his second goal of the game with 3:20 left in the period, on a wrist shot from just outside the circle, that beat Ray Emery to the glove side.
Just 20 seconds later, Green scored on a wrist shot from the top of the circle that sailed over Emery’s shoulder.
Emery was pulled in the second period after allowing a goal to Chris Clark, and Brian Boucher came on and surrendered three more goals.
NOTES: The eight goals were the most scored by the Capitals this season and allowed by the Flyers.