NHL Recap 10/12/2013

A busy schedule for Saturday including a matinee game between the Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets.  A total of eleven games and twenty-two teams on the schedule for today.  The Buffalo Sabres visited the United Center and took on the Chicago Blackhawks as part of the contests – and all three unbeaten teams in the Western Conference – who will blink first?  Here is the recap and video of last nights hockey games.

Boston Bruins (3-1-0) vs Columbus Blue Jackets (2-2-0)

Russell LaBounty-USA TODAY Sports

The Boston Bruins skate to a 3-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets yesterday afternoon in a matinee affair in Ohio.  A goal by Jack Johnson opened things up for the Blue Jackets – but they failed to contain the Bruins who then notched three unanswered goals, one in the second, and two in the third to claim victory.

Edmonton Oilers (1-4-0) vs Toronto Maple Leafs (5-1-0)

Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Edmonton almost handed the Toronto Maple Leafs a loss, but gave up a goal with the Leafs net empty – and then falling quickly in overtime.  Toronto remains the top team in the Eastern Conference.  If you can’t hold onto a lead, your not going to be very successful.  Edmonton and Buffalo could compare notes.

Philadelphia Flyers (1-5-0) vs Detroit Red Wings (3-2-0)

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The Philadelphia Flyers can’t solve their losing ways as they let Detroit get the best of them letting in five goals, while only getting two past Detroit Goaltender Jimmy Howard, sporting some pink pads in support of Breast Cancer this October.  Not that I want to see them solve their problems – but what is wrong in Philly?

Colorado Avalanche (5-0-0) vs Washington Capitals (1-4-0)

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

Colorado remains undefeated through five games of the regular season, dispatching the Washington Capitals 5-1.  How long will Colorado be able to maintain this pace – and should the Western Conference be put on notice?

Buffalo Sabres (0-5-1) vs Chicago Blackhawks (3-1-1)

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Another slow start – the Buffalo Sabres spotted the defending Stanley Cup Champions a two goal lead before Drew Stafford was able to punch one in to keep Cody Hodgson‘s scoring streak alive.  Despite a strong push at the end of the game – Buffalo falls 2-1 in their bid to garner their first win of the season.

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New York Rangers (1-4-0) vs St. Louis Blues (4-0-0)

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Rangers toil away in another frustrating loss – and the St. Louis Blues remain undefeated in the Western Conference.  Their comeback falls short as the St. Louis Blues roll to their fourth straight win 5-3.  The Rangers desperately need to get home.

New York Islanders (2-2-1) vs Nashville Predators (2-3-0)

Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Seth Jones gets his first career goal as the Predators inch closer to .500 as the New York Islanders fall to the Predators 3.2.  Jones’ first career NHL opened up the scoring just one minute into the game; on the power play.

Montreal Canadiens (3-2-0) vs Vancouver Canucks (3-3-0)

Oct 12, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goaltender

(31) during the third period against the Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena. The Montreal Canadiens won 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Carey Price was named the First Star of the Night and enjoyed a victory in his home province as he stopped 39 of 40 shots to lead the Canadiens to a 4-1 victory over the Canucks.  Man – when Price is on, he is hella good.

Ottawa Senators (1-1-2) vs San Jose Sharks (5-0-0)

Oct 12, 2013; San Jose, CA, USA; San Jose Sharks right wing

(88) and center

(19) celebrate at the end of the game against the Ottawa Senators at the SAP Center at San Jose. Sharks won 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie Tomas Hertl continus to find the back of the net, and the Sharks continued winning, as they improved to 5-0 following a hard-fought 3-2 victory against the Senators.

Hertl left the game in the second injury with an apparent shoulder injury.  Let’s hope he doesn’t miss too much action – that kid is a gem.

Pittsburgh Penguins (4-1-0) vs. Tampa Bay Lightning (3-2-0)

David Manning-USA TODAY Sports

Tampa makes a valiant effort in front of their home crowd but fall to the Pittsburgh Pegnuins 5-4.  Don’t you wish that every game could have 9 goals?  They are so much more fun to watch than 2-1 or 1-0 games.  How many games completed so far this year have included one team scoring more goals than the Buffalo Sabres through six games?  Sidney Crosby nets a hat trick and gets a little help from his team to weather the Lightning.