NHL Recap: Feb 11, 2013 – Leafs Streak Continues, but Reimer Injured, Elliott Struggles Again

Six games on the NHL schedule included some very interesting results. Here is a quick tour around the league:

February 11, 2013; Toronto, ON, Canada; Toronto Maple Leafs defenceman John-Michael Liles (24) helps goaltender James Reimer (34) off the ice after getting injured during the second period against the Philadelphia Flyers at the Air Canada Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

1. Sometimes the story of a game can be told by looking at the boxscore and the three stars.  The Toronto – Philadelphia game was not one of them.  First star Ben Scrivens didn’t even get the win, coming in to relieve James Reimer after 24 minutes when Reimer left with a lower body injury leading 3-1.  All Scrivens did was make 32 saves on 33 shots.  Second star Colton Orr had a goal but played only 7 minutes while third star Mark Frasor was pointless but was a +5 in Toronto’s 5-2 win.  The game marked the first time James van Riemsdyk and Luke Schenn faced off against their former teams since last summer’s big trade.  Each player got a point but van Riemsdyk got the last laugh with his team coming out on top.  All 4 goalies saw action as Ilya Bryzgalov was pulled in favour of Brian Boucher after allowing 4 goals on 14 shots.
2. Jiri Tlusty and Alexander Semin had big third periods to lead the Hurricanes over the Islanders 6-4.  Tlusty had 2 goals and 2 assists in the final 20 minutes while Semin added a goal and two assists to turn a 3-2 deficit into the 6-4 win.  All 4 of the Islanders’ goals came on the power play, 2 from Matt Moulson and one each from John Tavares and Frans Nielsen.
3. The Blue Jackets shocked the Sharks 6-2 to extend the San Jose winless streak to 5 (0-3-2).  Patrick Marleau scored for the first time in 6 games, since his season opening goal streak was snapped at 6.  Columbus got goals from 6 different players against Thomas Greiss. Brandon Calvert (2 assists), Nick Foligno (2 assists) and Brandon Dubinsky (1 goal, 1 assist) had multiple point games in front of  Steve Mason.
4. Surprise starter Brian Elliott didn’t do much to get back in Ken Hitchcock’s good graces.  Jaroslav Halak was expected to start for the Blues, but re-tweaked his injured groin in warmup forcing Hitchcock to go with the struggling Elliott, against his better judgement. Jeff Carter scored twice while Davis Drewiske and Jarret Stoll added singles in the Kings’ 4-1 win.  Jonathan Bernier got his first win of the season in the Kings net.  Elliott allowed 4 goals on 22 shots.
5. Shane Doan opened the scoring, and more importantly finished the scoring for the Coyotes as they defeated the Avalanche 3-2 in overtime.  Oliver Ekman-Larsson forced the extra time midway through the third period, after Mark Olver and Matt Duchene had given the Avalanche a 2-1 lead.  Mike Smith made 41 saves for the win.
6. Mikko Koivu and Zach Parise scored in the shootout to give the Wild a 2-1 win over the floundering Flames.  Kyle Brodziak scored for the Wild in regulation, while Jiri Hudler‘s early third period goal earned the Flames at least a point, keeping them in a last place tie with Colorado.

Ten games on the schedule for Tuesday, with Buffalo visiting Ottawa being the important one for our readers.  San Jose will try to stop their slide in Nashville, while two teams chasing Ottawa in the East, Montreal and Tampa, will square off in the sunshine state.