Studs & Duds - Friday 3/15/13

[NoWayOut]

Studs


Cowboy up

Curtis Glencross certainly did that on the Flames Western Night. Glencross burnt the Preds for his second career hat trick en route to a 6-3 Flames win, and was showered in Stetsons instead of baseball caps for his efforts. The hattie gives him an even dozen goals on the season and comes on the heels of Wednesday night's two point game against the Red Wings. Curtis now has seven points in his last five games and is a plus-5 in that span.

2x3=4

The Oilers Taylor Hall continued his hot streak against the Red Wings. Hall contributed to both of Edmonton's goals, picking up one of his own and a helper on the other, unfortunately it was in a losing effort. He has two points in each of the last three games, and 25 points in 24 games this season. If this wasn't a strike shortened season we may be witnessing his breakout.


He's going to wind up bow legged from carrying you guys

On a night where the Red Wings really didn't play all that well, Jimmy Howard kept them close until good fortune stepped in and helped guide the Wings to a win. Howard stopped 30-of-32 shots directed at him. One of those was from the aforementioned Taylor Hall who had a clear look at him after the defense made like the red sea and parted leaving Howard in the lurch. Over the last six games Howard has allowed two goals or less in each, even though he only has a 3-1-2 record to show for it thanks to a lackluster offensive output from the team in front of him.




Duds

Well at least he was perfect

If you had told Barry Trotz prior to Friday night's game against the Flames that Pekka Rinne would be perfect I'm sure he'd have been a happy man. And Pekka was perfect, he allowed both shots he faced to go right by him. Yep, he only lasted eight minutes, and took a seat after hanging a 15.00 / .000 stat line on his fantasy owners. Over the last two nights the normally
dependable Finn has been absolutely absymal, allowing six goals on a mere 14 shots.

If you find a lost scoring touch, please contact Mr. Brunner

After getting out of the blocks with 10 goals in his first 19 games, Damien Brunner's scoring touch has completely deserted him. Brunner has now gone without a goal in his last nine games since his four point night against Vancouver. In addition he only has three assists, is a minus-2, and has only topped two shots once, over that same span. The Red Wings and his fantasy owners hope the rookie can quickly re-find his early season form as both battle for the playoffs.

Some days it just doesn't pay to get out of bed

Jeff Petry had one of those against Detroit. The first sign it wasn't going to be a night he'll remember fondly, was when he scored an own goal. Not just any own goal, but one that tied the game late in the third period. Then for good measure in the ensuing overtime, he was schooled Datsyukian-style on the game winner. Cheer up Jeff. Lots of players have scored own goals. And Pavel Datsyuk has done that same thing to some of the best players in the world many times over the course of his career. You just have the unique distinction of being the only one to have suffered both on the same night.


Deep thoughts from a shallow mind

- Curtis Glencross wasn't the only one to post good numbers in Calgary. Matt Stajan tossed in three assists, and Dennis Wideman and Mark Giordano both finished plus-3 with a goal and an assist respectively for their fantasy owners.

- I almost put Pavel Datsyuk in the studs section, but without Howard's efforts in goal, and Petry's helping hand, Pavel never would have gotten the chance to work his magic. The game winner in OT was vintage Datsyuk. Check it out here.

- Ilya Bryzgalov continues his Jeckyll and Hyde ways. Tonight it was the good Doctor who showed up as he stopped 27-of-28 as the Flyers nipped the Devils for a 2-1 shootout win.

- On the losing side of that same game, Johan Hedberg played well to end a streak of really bad starts, even though it didn't end in a win for New Jersey. Hedberg had 21 saves on 22 shots in regulation and overtime.

- This marks the final Friday with just three games on the schedule this season. The rest of the way will be four, five, or six games on Friday nights. Not as good as having a full slate, but it beats the hell out of nights like this. Plus it makes my job easier with this column, more to choose from.

[emustyle]

Great Job!!!! Enjoyed reading it!

[bondon]

Great write up Rex, you've been doing a great job with the material given to you (lack of games).

I'd like to thank Jeff Petry for completely ruining my fantasy night last night, as my opponent owns Kronwall. If not for his blunder my opponent may not have gotten a goal and assist from him. Hell maybe one of my Oils could have gotten an EN goal.

[One87]

Excellent work NWO! Keep it up!!! ;-)