Trade deadline day is never easy for players, but for those who did and did not move at the deadline took a deep breath and got back to business last night with 5 games on the schedule that saw the top two teams in the East get upset. Here is a quick tour around the league.
Apr. 3, 2013; New York, NY, USA; New York Rangers left wing Ryane Clowe (29) celebrates after scoring a goal on Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) during the first period at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports
- Three of the four players acquired by the Rangers in the past 24 hours made immediate impacts in their 6-1 dismantling of the top ranked Penguins. After going scoreless in San Jose through 28 games, Ryane Clowe had two goals and added an assist in his debut, while Derick Brassard and John Moore also bulged the twine. Brassard added 3 assists to match new teammate Brain Boyle’s goal and three assist effort. Ryan McDonagh had the other goal for the Rangers, while only Pascal Dupuis could beat Henrik Lundqvist in the Rangers net.
- The Flyers scored 3 times in the final 5:06 to upset the Canadiens 5-3. Simon Gagne and Jakub Voracek each had a goal and an assist for the Flyers, who also got goals from Sean Couturier, Wayne Simmonds and Erik Gustafsson. Alexei Emelin and David Desharnais each scored a goal and an assist as well, with Brandon Prust adding the single.
- Matt Stajan scored the first two goals for the Flames in the first 5:18, but it was all Oilers after that. Edmonton counted 8 unanswered goals, led by Taylor Hall‘s 1G, 4A effort. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins chipped in a goal and 3 assists while Jordan Eberle and Nail Yakupov each had a pair of goals. Sam Gagner and Ryan Whitney had the other Edmonton goals, while Joey MacDonald was left in for all 8 goals against the Flames.
- Ryan Getzlaf had a goal and 2 assists to pace the Ducks to a 5-2 win over the Stars. Radek Dvorak had his first of the season after returning from Europe last week, and Teemu Selanne, Kyle Palmieri and Andrew Cogliano also scored for Anaheim. Newcomer Lane MacDermid scored his first career goal in his first game with the Stars after coming over from the Bruins in the Jaromir Jagr trade. Erik Cole had the other Dallas goal.
- Martin Havlat and Joe Thornton each scored a goal and added an assist in San Jose’s 4-2 win over the Wild. Dan Boyle and TJ Galiardi also scored for the Sharks, who are the hottest team in the league winning their 6th straight game. Dany Heatley, who was traded for Havlat, scored for the Wild as did Charlie Coyle.
That concludes our tour around the NHL for trade deadline Wednesday. Check back tomorrow for a recap of all 10 games on the Thursday night schedule, including the Flyers at Toronto and a big game for the Jets in Montreal and an even bigger one in Washington where the Islanders pay a visit, with both teams having their eyes on a playoff spot.