NHL Recap: March 8, 2013 – Hawks Streak Snapped, Alberta Teams Shut Out

Aside from the Senators win over the Rangers, there were 4 other games around the NHL Friday night.  The Hawks record points streak was snapped, while the Jets won in the Sunshie State.  It was a tough night for Alberta based teams.  Here is a tour around the league

March 8 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford (50) reacts after giving up four goals during the second period to the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

1. All good things must come to an end, and it is hard to beat a team twice in back to back games.  For the first time this season, the Blackhawks fell in regulation, and it was the Avalanche who jumped up and bit them to the tune of 6-2.  Matt Duchene led the was with a goal and three assists while P.A. Parenteau and Paul Stastny each had a goal and two assists.  Ryan O’Reilly and John Mitchell had the singles as Corey Crawford was victimized for 5 goals on 19 shots before being replaced by Ray Emery.  Semyon Varlamov kicked away 31 shots and  allowed goals from Jonathan Toews and Bryan Bickell.
2. Winnipeg jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but needed an overtime goal from Dustin Byfuglien to escape with a 3-2 win over the Panthers.  Andrew Ladd had a goal and an assist  in the first period, and Blake Wheeler had the other for the Jets as they jumped on Florida rookie Jacob Markstrom quickly.  Before the first was over, rookie Jonathan Huberdeau got the Panthers on the board with his 12th of the season before Shawn Matthias knotted it up just before the 6 minute mark of the third.  Byfuglien’s great individual effort in the Panthers zone mesmerized everyone on the ice and he had a relatively simple shot for the winner.
3. Devan Dubnyk allowed a bouncer from center ice off the stick of David Legwand to get past him late in the first period and he was promptly pulled after 20 minutes and 2 goals against.  The change didn’t help the Oilers as the Predators racked up 4 against Yann Denis en route to the 6-0 win.  Pekka Rinne made 24 shots for the shutout, a good sign after showing signs of struggling over the last couple of weeks.  Colin Wilson had 2 goals and 2 assists and Shea Weber had three assists and Mike Fisher had a pair of helpers.  Zach Boychuk scored in his Predators debut after being picked up on waivers, and they also got a goal from Patric Hornqvist, who opened the scoring.
4. Newly signed Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and an assist  as did Bobby Ryan in Anaheim’s 4-0 dismantling of the Flames.  Viktor Fasth made 29 saves for the shutout, and the Ducks also got goals from Daniel Winnik and Sheldon Souray in the win.  Miikka Kiprusoff allowed 4 goals on 24 shots.

Ten games on the schedule for Saturday, including the Maple Leafs hosting the Penguins and the Canadiens visiting the Lightning.  Check back tomorrow for a full recap of all the action.