Jagged Little Recap: Rangers 0’fer on the PP

After having only one game yesterday, todays twelve was like Hanukkah for me (or Christmas if you prefer). All day I was looking forward to plopping on the couch and flipping from game to game.

• The New York Islanders win the first battle of New York with a 2-1 victory over the Rangers. Marc-Andre Bergeron had two points, Bryan Berard scored a goal in his return and Rick DiPietro made 36 saves in the win. The Rangers went 0 for 6 on the powerplay and have failed to score a pp goal this year. With all of their offensive firepower they have only managed 1 goal in the past 2 games (@OTT/@NYI). Albeit their scoring woes, the Rangers feel that their scoring will come around.
• Brian Elliot started in goal for the Sens and made 28 saves for the 3-1 win over the Thrashers, extending Ottawa’s winning streak to 5. Marian Hossa did not play for the Thrash, he was out with a groin.
• Pascal Leclaire recorded his second straight shutout for the Blue Jackets, they defeat Gretzky’s Coyotes 3-0. Jason Chimera nets three points for the Jackets.
• In the match-up of the Florida teams, the Lightning edge out the Panthers 2-1. Chris Gratton scores two and Johan Holmqvist made 30 saves for Tampa Bay.
• The reunited Zetterberg, Datsuyk, Holmstrom line combine for 4 points, The Detroit Red Wings take the Calgary Flames 4-2.
  
• Andrei Markov had two points and Carey Price made 26 saves to win his NHL debut, the Canadiens ice the Penguins 3-2. Sidney Crosby has gotten off to a bit of a slow start with only two points in three games, he should catch fire soon.
• Niklas Backstrom earns his second shutout for the Wild, he made 21 saves in a 2-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Minnesota has only allowed 2 goals in their first three games.
• The St. Louis Blues eat up the Nashville Predators 4-1. Brad Boyes notches 2 for the Blues. Last year while in Boston, Boyes scored 34 points in 62 games and had a -17 plus minus. Since being acquired by the Blues, he has put up 13 points in 22 games and a plus one rating.
• Niklas Hagman nets two, and Marty Turco posts 32 saves, the Dallas Stars put the hurt on the LA Kings 5-1.
• In rookie Jonathan Toews’ first NHL game, he scores his goal, but it’s not enough. The Blackhawks get chomped by the Sharks 2-1. Milan Michalek scored both goals for San Jose and goaltender Evegny Nabokov made 16 saves in the win.
• Ryan Getzlaf posts two points and Ilya Bryzgalov gets 18 saves as the Stanley Cup champion Anaheim Ducks win their home opener over the Boston Bruins 2-1.
• MONSTER of the night Mike Richards scores 4 points, including a goal on a 3 on 5 penalty kill. Scoring was plentiful as the Philadelphia Flyers go into GM Place and absolutely embarrass the Canucks 8-2. Ryan Kesler left the game with an injury, he was cross checked in the face by Flyers “tough guy” Jesse Boulerice (who received a match penalty). After the cross check Boulerice dropped his gloves ready to fight Kesler. Ya forsure! The Flyers finish up their Western road trip 2-1, having scored 14 goals in three games.

On Schedule for Tomorrow (all times Eastern)
7:00pm ATL@BUF
7:30pm CAR@OTT, NYI@TOR, NJ@FLA
8:00pm PHX@NSH

Tomorrow’s game stories: Can Carolina can be the team to snap Ottawa’s winning streak? Will the Leafs look just as pathetic vs. the Islanders? Looking forward to those matchups.