Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2009

National Hockey League Game Capsules

Nicklas Kronwall and Justin Abdelkader each scored twice and the Red Wings got goals from seven different players in a 9-1 rout of the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kris Draper, Pavel Datsyuk, Dan Cleary, Ville Leino and Todd Bertuzzi also found the back of the net for Detroit, which had a three-game win streak snapped Saturday in Toronto. Jimmy Howard recorded 25 saves in the victory. It was the most goals the Wings have scored against Columbus since the Blue Jackets joined the league in 2000. Columbus had earned a point in five straight contests (3-0-2) prior to Wednesday's lopsided loss. It was the first matchup between these two Central division clubs since Columbus' first-ever playoff appearance came to a swift end via last season's four-game sweep by the Red Wings. Steve Mason continued his early-season struggles -- beaten three times on six shots over the opening 7 1/2 minutes. After Mathieu Garon came on to make 11 saves to finish out the first, Mason was back in net to start the second. The reigning Calder Trophy winner ended up allowing eight goals on 27 shots in defeat. Rick Nash's 12th goal of the season represented the lone bright spot, spoiling the 1,000th NHL game behind the bench for Columbus coach Ken Hitchcock, who nonetheless became the 16th coach in league history to reach the mark.

Final Score: Buffalo 3, Edmonton 1

Buffalo, NY (Sports Network) - Steve Montador tallied the go-ahead goal in the middle stages of the second period and Buffalo killed off a five-minute major penalty late in the third, as the Sabres escaped with a 3-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers at HSBC Arena. Drew Stafford and Jochen Hecht also scored for Buffalo, which snapped a brief two-game slide. The Sabres have split their last six overall. Ryan Miller turned in a stellar performance, stopping 28- of-29 shots. Patrick O'Sullivan tallied for the Oilers, who dropped a 4-3 shootout decision at Ottawa on Tuesday and have lost five of their last six contests. Nikolai Khabibulin made 23 saves.

Final Score: Los Angeles 5, Carolina 2

Raleigh, NC (Sports Network) - Randy Jones, who was making his Kings debut, scored the eventual game-winning goal early in the third period, as Los Angeles scored three times in the final stanza to defeat the struggling Carolina Hurricanes, 5-2, at RBC Center. Jones, who also had an assist, was claimed off waivers from the Flyers on October 29. Justin Williams, Wayne Simmonds and Ryan Smyth each had a goal and an assist for the Kings, who snapped a two-game skid. Jarret Stoll added a score for Los Angeles, which got 22 saves from Erik Ersberg. Tuomo Ruutu scored twice for the Hurricanes, who extended their longest skid in club history to 13 games. Manny Legace turned aside 26-of-30 shots in his Carolina debut. Legace was signed to a one- year contract on Monday after starting goaltender Cam Ward sustained a left leg laceration on Saturday in Columbus. Ward was placed on injured reserve Wednesday and is expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks.

Final Score: Washington 5, NY Islanders 4 (SO)

Washington, DC (Sports Network) - Chris Clark tallied the deciding goal in the 11th round of the shootout as Washington rallied from an early two-goal deficit to beat the New York Islanders, 5-4, at Verizon Center. Clark opened the 11th and final round with a snapshot under the crossbar, and Semyon Varlamov was able to make a pad stop on Mark Streit to end the contest. Alexander Semin recorded a pair of goals in regulation for the Capitals, who have won three in a row and emerged victorious in the longest shootout this season. Tomas Fleischmann and Eric Fehr also tallied while Varlamov finished the game with 25 saves. Jose Theodore got the start but was pulled after allowing three goals on five shots in less than seven minutes. Streit, Matt Moulson, Sean Bergenheim and Trent Hunter hit the net for the Islanders, who have dropped three of four. Dwayne Roloson let up four goals on 41 shots in the loss.

Final Score: New Jersey 3, Anaheim 1

Newark, NJ (Sports Network) - Martin Brodeur made 31 stops as New Jersey posted a 3-1 win over Anaheim at Prudential Center. Jamie Langenbrunner, David Clarkson and Zach Parise scored for the Devils, who have reeled off six wins in succession despite scoring no more than three goals in each contest. Corey Perry provided the lone offense for the Ducks, who had won two in a row, both at home, coming into Wednesday's game. Jonas Hiller stopped 22 shots in defeat.

Final Score: Chicago 3, Colorado 2 (SO)

Chicago, IL (Sports Network) - Patrick Sharp's goal in the final round of the shootout sent Chicago over Colorado, 3-2, at United Center. Sharp snapped a tie in the shootout by tallying in the final portion of the third round, ripping a forehand shot past Craig Anderson to win the game for Chicago. Patrick Kane and Cam Barker tallied in regulation for the Blackhawks, who have won two in a row and three of five. Cristobal Huet stopped 25 shots for the win. Kyle Cumiskey and Wojtek Wolski scored for the Avalanche, who have lost two in a row and four of six. Anderson finished with 37 stops in the loss.