NHL Nightly Recap 10/10/2013

A heavy schedule of games last night on the schedule, with ten games and twenty teams active across the league.  Here is a quick recap of all the contests from last nights NHL action.  Starting off course with our own Buffalo Sabres and working around the league – how did your favorite team or fantasy player do last night to help their (your) team excel in the standings?

Columbus Blue Jackets (2-1-0) vs. Buffalo Sabres (0-4-1)

Oct 10, 2013; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Sabres left wing Thomas Vanek (26) takes a back hand shot on Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the second period at First Niagara Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

The suffering doesn’t get any easier on fans of the blue and gold – this game was over long before it got half over.  With the first goal going behind Ryan Miller just shy of the two minute mark – it was a bad night for pretty much everyone in a dark blue sweater.  Thomas Vanek was able to find the net to tie the game with a pretty between the legs tip in from a Steve Ott feed – but that was about the only highlight as the Buffalo Sabres were treated to boo’s from the stands and plenty of empty seats.  Columbus easily defeated the Buffalo Sabres by a score of 4-1.

Carolina Hurricanes (1-1-1) vs. Washington Capitals (1-2-0)

Oct 10, 2013; Washington, DC, USA; Carolina Hurricanes center Jeff Skinner (53) gets the puck from linesman Steve Barton (59) after Hurricanes center Elias Lindholm (not pictured) scores a goal against the Washington Capitals in the second period at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Carolina gets a win here over the Washington Capitals who are struggling in the new confines of realignment without the buffer of the old Southeast division. In a game of crazy bounces, Elias Lindholm gets his first goal of his NHL career has a puck takes a weird angle behind Braden Holtby. Alex Ovechkin returns the favor with a pinball shot that gets behind the Carolina goalie. Nathan Gerbe also nets a goal in this one, and comes away with first start honors.  Carolina eeked out a 3-2 victory over the Washington Capitals.

Colorado Avalanche (4-0-0) vs Boston Bruins (2-1-0)

USA Today Sports Images

Forget the fact that they are one of the undefeated teams left in the league, the Colorado Avalanche were always one of my favorite teams since joining the league at the demise of the Nordiques. The fact that they blanked the Boston Bruins 2-0 en route to their fourth victory of the season helps as well. Ryan O’Reilly nets the game winner in the closing minute of the first, and Matt Duchene adds an empty netter to seal the Bruins fate.

Phoenix Coyotes (2-2-0) vs. Detroit Red Wings (2-2-0)

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Fear not pundits that are still hopeful that Ryan Miller will make the Olympic roster this year – Jimmy Howard, another Team USA Olympic hopeful saw himself get scored on quite a bit in a loss, although Howard only allowed three goals (the fourth being an empty netter, as the Phoenix Coyotes on Mike Stone’s slapshot dispatch the Detroit Red Wings 4-2, bringing both teams to an even .500. Final score in Detroit was 4-2.

Florida Panthers (1-3-0) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (3-1-0)

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There was a touchdown in Tampa tonight as Steven Stamkos nets himself a hat trick and the Florida Panthers curled under pressure in a 7-2 loss.  Bright spot of the Florida Panthers – Brad Boyes is on their team, and he got them on the board tonight, albeit a little too late.

Toronto Maple Leafs (4-1-0) vs. Nasvhille Predators (1-3-0)

Oct 10, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Toronto Maple Leafs left wing James van Riemsdyk (21) celebrates with right wing Phil Kessel (81) after scoring against the Nashville Predators during the second period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Remember when all the Toronto Maple Leafs could do was blow?  Well this year the only blowing Toronto is doing is blowing by their opponents.  Toronto sits atop the Atlantic with a 4-1-0 record after shutting out the Nashville Predators 4-0.

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Winnipeg Jets (2-2-0) vs. Minnesota Wild (1-1-2)

Oct 10, 2013; Saint Paul, MN, USA; Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin (25), defenseman Ryan Suter (20), and Josh Harding (37) battle for the puck with Winnipeg Jets left wing Eric Tangradi (27) in the first period at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The Minnesota Wild get their first win of the season, playing a scoreless third period to hold off the Winnipeg Jets to punch the ticket into the win column.  That leaves the New Jersey Devils and the Buffalo Sabres as the only teams remaining in the league without a victory.  Winnipeg couldn’t tame the Wild, losing 2-1.

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San Jose Sharks (4-0-0) vs. Vancouver Canucks (3-2-0)

Oct 10, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski (8) congratulates goaltender Antii Niemi (31) after the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The San Jose Sharks won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Is this the year for the San Jose Sharks?  They beat the Canucks last night 4-1 to remain one of three unbeaten teams in the National Hockey League.  And its never a bad thing to see the Canucks lose right?

New York Rangers (1-3-0) vs. Anaheim Ducks (3-1-0)

Oct 10, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Anaheim Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller (1) blocks a shot against the New York Rangers during the third period at Honda Center. The Anaheim Ducks defeated the New York Rangers 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

There’s no place like home, there’s no place like home.  The New York Rangers start on the road for a lengthy road trip – and have to be itching to get into a regular routine that includes MSG.  They get routed by the Ducks 6-0 and are a league worst -14 in goal differential.