NHL Recap – Feb 17, 2013 – Bruins Down Jets, Flames Come Back On Stars, Canucks Lose in Shootout

There were 7 games in the NHL Sunday, including a number of stellar comebacks.  Here is our daily tour around the league:

Feb 17, 2013; Vancouver, British Columbia, CANADA; St. Louis Blues center Scott Nichol (12) crashes the net of Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo (1) during the second period at Rogers Arena. Mandatory Credit: Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

1. Paul Martin scored the winner past a screened Ryan Miller with just over 2 minutes left in regulation to lift the Penguins past the Sabres 4-3.  Pascal Dupuis had 2 goals and and assist and Sidney Crosby had a goal and 2 assists for the Penguins.  Crosby moved one point closer to the Sabres’ Thomas Vanek for the NHL’s scoring lead, as Vanek only managed a goal and an assist in the loss.  Cody Hodgson and Steve Ott had the other goals for Buffalo.
2. The Blackhawks remained on fire, still having not lost a regulation game after beating the defending Stanley Cup Champion Kings 3-2.  The Hawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead on goals from Brent Seabrook, Jonathan Toews and Patrick Sharp, and then hung on to the lead as Mike Richards scored twice on third period power plays to make it close.  Ray Emery improved to 5-0 as he continues to sub for the injured Corey Crawford.
3. Brad Marchand‘s power play goal in the first minute of the third period proved to be the winner as Boston twice erased one goal deficits to beat the  Jets 3-2.  Tyler Seguin and Dan Paille scored the other Boston goals while Alexander Burmistrov and Evander Kane counted for Winnipeg.
4. Calgary scored three times in the third period to come from behind to beat the Stars 4-3.  Michael Cammalleri scored in the first, but Dallas owned the second and got goals from Antoine Roussel, Reilly Smith and Ryan Garbutt to take the lead after 40 minutes.  The Flames got only 6 shots in the third on Richard Bachman, but made the most of them as Roman Horak, Matt Stajan and Steve Begin all bulged the twine for their first goals of the year and the win.  Joey MacDonald made 27 saves for his first win as a Flame.
5. Minnesota erased a two goal Detroit lead with three unanswered 2nd period goals to beat the Wings 3-2.  Jason Zucker‘s first NHL goal was sandwiched between Dany Heatley and Torrey Mitchell‘s markers as the Wild scored 3 times in 4:10 to hand Petr Mrazek his first loss.  Darcy Kuemper won the battle of goalies playing in their second career game, earning his first career victory for the Wild.
6. John Carlson gave the Capitals a 1-0 lead just over a minute into the game, but a second period goal from Carl Hagelin and a third period tally from Derek Stepan gave the Rangers a 2-1 win.  Henrik Lundqvist made 27 saves to earn the win, while Braden Holtby was stellar in the loss, stopping 38 of 40 pucks fired his way.
7. The Blues’ Jake Allen continued to make Brian Elliott irrelevant, moving to 3-0 with a shootout win over Roberto Luongo and the Canucks.  Ryan Kesler scored his first of the season, Henrik Sedin had a goal and an assist and Mason Raymond forced extra time with under 2 minutes left.   T.J. Oshie and Andy MacDonald scored in the shootout while Allen stopped Kesler and Alexandre Burrows for the win.

There is another 7 games on Monday, including the Ottawa – New Jersey matinee.  Toronto makes a Florida swing, starting against the Panthers while Carolina visits Montreal and Calgary travels to Phoenix.  Check back tomorrow for a recap of the action.