Riding the Zamboni – Tuesday, December 21st

Joe Yerdon

Dec 22, 2010, 3:20 AM EDT

1 Comment

Los Angeles 5 – Colorado 0

Kings captain Dustin Brown made sure the Avalanche’s six game win streak came to an end with a thud. Brown’s two goal, two assist night lead the way while Jonathan Quick had another special game earning his third shutout of the season stopping 23 shots to do it. Colorado’s Craig Anderson stopped 27 of 32 shots he faced and had an uncharacteristically bad game. Perhaps it’s time to dust off Peter Budaj off the bench to get Anderson a break as he’s started their last eight games in a row.

Dallas 5 – Montreal 2

Take your choice of story line here. Either you focus on the Stars winning another game in impressive fashion and vaulting themselves to the top of the Western Conference. Five different players potted goals for the Stars while Stephane Robidas had three assists and Steve Ott had two helpers.

The not-so positive story line are the problems Habs goalie Carey Price is having of late stopping pucks. In his last five starts, Price has allowed 18 goals an average of just over three a game. For a guy playing goal behind a team that pays strict attention to defense he’s both not getting the same help he was earlier this year nor is he doing his part to bail them out. With just one win in their last six games, expect some fans in Montreal to start looking towards the panic button.

San Jose 2 – Edmonton 1

We think it’s high time we start pushing Logan Couture’s bandwagon for Calder Trophy. The rookie forward scored yet again for the Sharks, his 18th goal of the season. Couture’s goal was followed up just three and a half minutes later in the second period by Dan Boyle’s fourth of the year to seal the deal for San Jose. Dustin Penner scored a goal late in the third to spoil Antero Niittymaki’s shutout bid. Niittymaki stopped 26 shots in the win while Nikolai Khabibulin saved 28 for Edmonton.

Washington 5 – New Jersey 1

It’s an official win streak for the Caps. Back to back wins for Washington after humbling the hapless and pathetic Devils. Of concern for the Caps is that it wasn’t the stars leading the way but rather the guys fresh out of the AHL doing damage. Andrew Gordon scored his first career goal while Jay Beagle and John Carlson also added goals. Veterans Jason Chimera and Mike Knuble also scored for the Capitals. Caps fans were so excited about beating the second-worst team in the NHL they began chanting, “We want Pittsburgh.” They’ll get their wish as the Caps host the Penguins on Thursday. Chances this becomes a focus of the story line on 24/7: 100%

Columbus 3 – Calgary 1

The Jackets have been hoping for better goaltending and Mathieu Garon stepped up and delivered tonight stopping 29 shots to earn the win for Columbus. Jakub Voracek, Jared Boll, and Rostislav Klesla each had goals for Columbus. Olli Jokinen was the only Flame to put one past Garon. Meanwhile, Miikka Kiprusoff was the hard luck loser saving 34 shots.

Buffalo 5 – Anaheim 2

The Sabres were able to take advantage of facing Curtis McElhinney instead of Jonas Hiller and lit up McElhinney for three goals in the first and got out to a 4-0 lead before the Ducks could get on the board. Tyler Ennis had two goals for Buffalo while Craig Rivet had a goal and an assist. Corey Perry had both goals for Anaheim. Ryan Miller had a relatively peaceful night all things considered saving just 21 shots.

St. Louis 4 – Atlanta 2

Atlanta’s hold on first place in the Southeast Division was short lived as they weren’t able to hold off the Blues. Vladimir Sobotka and Alex Pietrangelo each had a goal and an assist for St. Louis while Ty Conklin was stellar in goal saving 37 shots to earn the win. Dustin Byfuglien scored his 12th goal of the season in the third period giving him 36 points on the season, a new career high. Yes, it’s still just December. Chris Mason had a relatively poor outing stopping 23 shots for Atlanta.

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