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Riding the Zamboni - Wednesday, February 9th

Ryan Kesler, Bobby Ryan, Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf, Andy Sutton

Vancouver Canucks’ Ryan Kesler, left, skates past as Anaheim Ducks’ Bobby Ryan (9), Corey Perry, Ryan Getzlaf and Andy Sutton, from left in rear, celebrate Ryan’s goal during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, British Columbia, on Wednesday, Feb. 9, 2011. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darryl Dyck)

AP

For a recap of the bloody and busy Bruins-Habs game, click here. This post covers the Sharks’ 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets, which briefly gave them the Pacific Division lead. Here are summaries of Wednesday’s other six games.

Nashville 4, Detroit 1

Perhaps Barry Trotz should convince that the Predators are playing the Red Wings every night. They’ve beaten Detroit 7-1 in the two clubs’ last two contests, but haven’t been able to beat anyone else since January 23rd (going 2-4-1 in that span including those two victories vs. the Wings). As Trotz pointed out, the Predators are five points out of the Central Division lead yet they’re also five points away from being out of the playoffs altogether.

Nashville scored the game’s first four goals, forcing Detroit to pull Jimmy Howard in the second period. The Red Wings are still in control of the division and their own playoff hopes, but one has to wonder about Howard’s confidence at this point.

Minnesota 3, Colorado 2

If the Avalanche were in NBA Jam, the game’s announcer would say that they “can’t buy a bucket.” Hapless Colorado is now on a six-game losing streak thanks to their 3-2 loss versus the Wild.

Minnesota is now in ninth place while Colorado finds themselves in second-to-last place in the brutal West bubble.

Chicago 4, Edmonton 1

The Blackhawks earned two types of wins tonight. The first one was a subjective one, as many (including myself) believe they got the better end of a trade with Florida. Still, they need objective ones more than subjective ones, so it’s good to see they took care of business against the Oilers.

Phoenix 3, Dallas 2 (OT)

The Pacific is now a big mess, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who follows the NHL’s most top-to-bottom competitive division. The Stars are technically in first but are tied with the Sharks at 66 points while the Coyotes are at 65, the Ducks are at 64 and the Kings are “lagging behind” at 60. (Wipes sweat from forehead.)

It was a business-as-usual game for the Stars, as Brad Richards carried the offense (one goal and one assist) while Kari Lehtonen kept them in the game with 32 saves. Ray Whitney provided two assists while Radim Vrbata scored the overtime game-winner.

Calgary 5, Ottawa 2

The Flames (10-1-2) are just about the polar opposite of the Senators (11 losses in a row), which showed in this game. Anton Babchuk scored a goal and two assists, Tim Jackman scored two goals and Calgary scored four unanswered goals after trailing 2-1 going into the first intermission.

Anaheim 4, Vancouver 3

The Ducks ended the Canucks’ winning streak at six games. Vancouver was also on a nine game streak in which they earned at least a point, something Anaheim stopped as well.

Bobby Ryan scored two goals, Teemu Selanne provided two assists and Ryan Getzlaf provided a beautiful backhand pass for an assist in his Ducks return.

Anaheim built a 3-0 lead and held on as the Canucks made the game interesting in the last 21 seconds. Daniel Sedin had a chance to tie it up in the hectic last moments, but couldn’t get a shot on goal.