Studs
Dupuis Or Not Dupuis
Pascal Dupuis had a 3 point night, netting a goal and 2 assists. He took 3 shots and threw 3 hits as well. Mark Eaton and Chris Kunitz both ended up a +3 on the night as well and Brooks Orpik finished a +4. The 5-3 victory for Pittsburgh over Carolina locked up the divisional title for the Pens.
Fiddler On The Roof
Vern Fiddler scored 2 goals and added 1 assist for a 3 point night as Dallas beat Los Angeles 5-1. He was a +3 and took 4 shots as well. Erik Cole and Eric Nystrom also finished a +3 with Nystrom getting an assist and Trevor Daley and Stephane Robidas finished a +4, getting 2 assists and 1 assist respectively. Dallas keeps their playoff hopes alive but are still sitting 2 points outside of the final spot.
Nothing Will Come Of Nothing
Sergei Bobrovsky made 30 of 30 saves against San Jose leading Columbus to a 4-0 win. It was Bob's 4th shutout of the season, bringing his GAA to 2.05 and SV% to .930. Columbus is 2 points out of a playoff spot and will need Bob to continue this kind of play to make the playoffs. Ray Emery stopped 20 of 20 shots in Chicago's 1-0 victory over Minnesota. With 3 shutouts and a 1.90 GAA and .924 SV% in 16 games he is becoming very relevant as a goalie again. Brian Elliott had an easy night turning aside 15 of 15 in St. Louis' 1-0 win over Nashville. Elliott struggled to start the season, however he now has 2 shutouts in his last two outings and has given up 4 goals in his last 4 games. Looks like St. Louis will not be settling it's goaltending controversies anytime soon.
Honorable Mentions
Alex Ovechkin scored 1 goal, was a +2, had 2 PIMs, took 2 shots, blocked 2 shots, and threw 8 hits for a solid multicat night.
Grant Clitsome didn't get on the score sheet but managed to be a +3.
Duds
The Peg Is Mightier Than The Sabre
Five Buffalo players combined for a -18 in the team's 4-1 loss to Winnipeg. Christian Ehrhoff and Tyler Myers were both -3 and Tyler Ennis, Drew Stafford and Thomas Vanek were -4. So those of us who were waiting for Vanek to stop being DTD and get into a game, lucky us.
Misery Acquaints A Man With Strange Bedfellows
Justin Faulk and Alexander Semin were both a -3 on the night as Carolina lost 5-3 to Pittsburgh. Justin Peters allowed 4 goals on 32 shots finishing with a .875 SV% on the night. The Hurricanes look to be finished at this point as it would be nearly impossible for them to make the playoffs.
Uneasy Lies The Head That Wears A Crown
Jonathan Quick allowed 5 goals on 31 shots for a .839 SV% in the Kings 5-1 loss to the Stars. Dustin Brown and Anze Kopitar were both a -4 on the night and Robyn Regehr and Justin Willaims were both -3. Los Angeles is hanging tough in the 4 spot and looks a lock to make the playoffs even with all of the up and down play this season, but it would likely take a bigger miracle and hot streak than last year for them to repeat as cup champs.
Odds & Ends
I Dote On His Very Absence
Marian Gaborik had 1 goal and 1 assist in the Blue Jackets win over the Sharks tonight. That gives him 5 points in 4 games since joining Columbus. As long as they don't decide to extend his contract past his give a shit by date the Blue Jackets should see a nice benefit from this trade.
VERY enjoyable. Great Job, luc.