NHL Recap: Feb 1, 2013 – Lightning Light Up The Jets, Luongo Does It Again

There were six other games on the NHL schedule besides Ottawa’s 1-0 loss to the Hurricanes.  Here is a quick recap of what went down on Friday night.

Feb 01, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA; Chicago Blackhawks forward Jonathan Toews (19) is defended by Vancouver Canucks defenseman Alexander Edler (23) and goaltender Roberto Luongo (1) during the in the 2nd period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

1. The Philadelphia Flyers find themselves in the basement of the Eastern Conference after their 3-2 loss to the Washington Capitals.  After blowing third period leads in successive games in Ottawa and Toronto, the Capitals managed to hold on to the lead built up by Troy Brouwer and Wojtek Wolski‘s third period markes.  Nicklas Backstrom had the other goal and added an assist for the Capitals, who leapfrogged the Flyers and Florida Panthers to climb out of last place in the East.  Bruno Gervais and Brayden Schenn each scored their first goals of the season for the struggling Flyers.
2. The Tampa Bay Lightning were outscored 3-2 in the third period by the Winnipeg Jets.  Fortunately it mattered not as they built a 6-0 lead on the strength of 3 goals in each of the first two periods to end up with an 8-3 win, vaulting the Lightning over the Senators and Bruins into first place in the Eastern Conference.  Rookie Cory Conacher continues to make the Calder race a two man competition with two goals and an assist, while Vincent Lecavalier and Steven Stamkos each had a goal and two assists  to lead the Lightning attack.  Ondrej Pavelec allowed 5 goals on 14 shots before being replaced by Al Montoya in the Jets net.
3. It was the Henrik Zetterberg show in the Motor City as the Red Wings captain counted on all 5 goals in the Detroit 5-3 win over the St. Louis Blues.  Zetterberg had 3 goals and 2 assists, while fellow countryman Johan Franzen had 3 assists. Jaroslav Halak left the game after taking a shot in the mask late in the first period.
4. Jaromir Jagr scored the shootout clincher to spoil Mike Smith‘s return the to the Phoenix Coyotes net as the Dallas Stars scored a 4-3 win.  Stars defenseman Brendan Dillon had  his first two career points, a goal and an assist, to lead the Dallas offense, while Martin Hanzal scored twice in the loss for the Coyotes.
5. Vancouver Canucks “backup” goalie Roberto Luongo made his third straight start and got the shootout win as the Canucks beat the Chicago Blackhawks 2-1.  Luongo made 27 saves and stopped all 4 shooters in the shootout to secure the win.  Jordan Schroeder clinched the win with his goal in the first extra round.  Alex Edler had given the Canucks the lead in the first period, while Patrick Kane tied it up midway through the third to force the extra sessions.
6. Kyle Palmieri scored the tying and winning goals for the Anaheim Ducks in their 3-1 win over the Minnesota Wild.  Bobby Ryan, who had set up both Palmieri goals, added the insurance marker for a three point night, while Teemu Selanne was also in on all 3 markers, playing set-up man in each Ducks goal. Victor Fasth got his second win of the season, stopping 27 shots fired his way.

So ends the tour of the NHL for Friday night.  The Senators are off on Saturday, but there are 11 games on Saturday, including the Northeast Division matchup between the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs.