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Speed Skate: NHL Highlights of the Night

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Onto Washington where the New York Rangers were looking to avenge last year's 3-1 playoff collapse to the Caps.  Ovie was kept in check on the night.  It was 2-1 Rangers heading into the third when Nicklas Backstrom struck back for the Capitals with a goal from center ice past King Henrik tying the score.  Backstrom was back for more on the power play with a nifty pass from Brooks Laich for his second on the game and on the season.  But Marian Gaborik already looking like the signing of the year if not comeback player of the year, took over for the Blueshirts.  Gaborik scored two goals of his own in the third to tie and take the lead for the Rangers, the final coming on the power play and it was New York over Washington 4-3. 

Well they broke up the Coyotes as the Buffalo Sabres beat Phoenix late in the third on a Thomas Vanek power play goal 2-1. 

In Ottawa Martin Biron got his first start for the Isles making 25 saves, but Mike Fisher and the Sens scored within the first minute of OT and Ottawa topped New York 3-2.

The battle of Pennsylvania was a high scoring affair between the Flyers and Penguins.  Pittsburgh struck in the first minute on a Evgeni Malkin goal in the first period.  Danny Briere chipped in two goals for Philadelphia as did Jeff Carter, but Marc-Andre Fleury made the saves when he needed to as Pittsburgh hung on for the 5-4 victory.

The hockey version of Anaheim and Boston didn't go any better for Beantown Thursday night.  After Marco Sturm put the B's up 1-0 in the first, it was all downhill from there.  The Ducks scored three in the second and three in the third, including two power play goals from Teemu Selanne and two goals (one short-handed) and a helper from Corey Perry as the Ducks beat the Bruins 6-1.

In Detroit three second period goals were good enough for the Red Wings to top the Chicago Blackhawks.  After his benching former Adirondack Red Wings goalie Chris Osgood was sharp for the Wings with 32 stops.  Former A-Wing forward Kris Draper scored Detroit's second goal and another former A-Wing Tomas Holmstrom picked up an assist one Johan Franzen's eventual game winner.  Red Wings win 3-2.

Down in Tampa it was a good night to be a former Albany River Rat.  Former Albany forward  Zach Parise who had 45 goals last year got some help from Lightning goalie Mike Smith who knocked the puck into his own net off the butt end of the stick giving the Devils a 1-0 lead.  Former River Rat Travis Zajac picked up an assist on Parise's first of the season on the power play, more on Zajac later.  Tampa Bay struck back in the second on a goal from standout Steven Stamkos.  New Jersey answered when ex-River Rat Jay Pandolfo scored on an assist from another former Rat David Clarkson.  After Stamkos netted another on the power play in the third and Todd Fedoruk put the 'Ning ahead 3-2, Zajac scored with one tick left on the clock from former Rats Brian Rolston and Parise to send the game to OT.  In the shootout Marty Brodeur who had 41 saves came up big as Parise and Jamie Langenbrunner scored and the Devils went on for the 4-3 win.

The Nashville Predators beat the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 on the strength of two Patric Hornqvist goals.  Former Rats sniper Steve Sullivan picked up a helper on the night.

Atlanta beat St. Louis 4-2 on the strength of two Ilya Kovalchuk goals.  Former Rats goalie Chris Mason had 18 saves in the loss for the Blues.

Calgary knocked off Edmonton in a shootout 4-3 with Nigel Dawes netting the winner.

After doing it to the Sharks, the Kings put up another six spot on the Wild.  Los Angeles beat Minnesota 6-3 on the strength of two Ryan Smyth goals

Speaking of San Jose they posted a six pack of their own against the Columbus Blue Jackets.  Dany Heatley blew up the Blue Jackets for a hat trick and Joe Thornton notched four assists as a four goal second was the difference as the Sharks rolled 6-3.