Among the many things that make NHL hockey the greatest game of them all is the fact that you can never figure it out. Just when you write off a team they will get off the mat and vice versa. Thursday night was among the most important of the season so far with results that not only made statements and changed perceptions but also set the stage for a huge weekend of action.
Kings off the Mat?
The King were given up for dead after a 3-2 loss at Florida last week, which ended a 3-12 stretch that put them on the outside looking in for the final Western Conference playoff spot. But Los Angeles scored a must win 5-3 decision over the Calgary Flames, which was their third win in a row. The defending Stanley Cup Champions exploded for three straight goals in the third period capped off with a hat trick by Tyler Toffoli. Los Angeles pummeled Calgary goalie Jonas Hiller for 40 shots and chased him from the game at the 48:18 mark. Los Angeles closed within three points of the Flames for the final playoff spot in the West. Each season the Kings are the proverbial procrastinators that lay on the couch until forced into overdrive.
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It is again looking possible that LA could be making yet another patented charge to the post season but their thin blue line remains a constant concern. “In Dean (Lombardi) I Trust,” is the mantra of Kings fans and they are hoping that the general manager can again make a deal at the NHL Trade deadline of March 2. The win over Calgary capped off a great Legends Night in which former coach and current ESPN commentator Barry Melrose was honored and the team rocked its classic 1967 uniforms.
Blues Jolt Bolts
In a potential Stanley Cup Final, the St. Louis Blues jumped all over the host Tampa Bay Lightning 6-3 in a statement making win that was not at all an accident. The Blues exploded to a 5-1 lead and exposed the Lightning as woefully weak on the back end. St. Louis dominated the play and held a 44-29 shot advantage. The game illustrated why Tampa Bay could be more of a pretender than actual contender for the Stanley Cup. The Bolts have lost four out of their last six while the Blues have won eight out of their last ten even as top defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk remains out with a head injury,
Pens Gain Form
Just when it appeared as if the Pittsburgh Penguins were falling fast and into potential peril of missing the playoffs they have rallied with four wins in their last five games including two in a row. The Penguins scored a 5-4 shootout win at Ottawa that followed a strong 4-1 win over Detroit on Wednesday Rivalry Night. The Pens still seek a forward and a defenseman before the deadline. Sidney Crosby scored two goals against the Senators in an encouraging sign.
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Jets Fail to Take Off at Hockeytonk
Winnipeg proved to be outclassed in a 3-1 loss at Nashville on Thursday night. The Preds remain the top team in the league and again demonstrated why nobody will want to face them in the playoffs. Playoff hockey is won with the combination of top goaltending, deep defense, and a finishing scorer. Nashville has all of those characteristics. Winnipeg lacks defensive depth and has not yet settled on a full time goaltender. Beyond that, the Jets lack a finishing scorer. Nashville defenseman Shea Webber, a Norris Trophy candidate for the NHL’s best defenseman, ripped a shot from the point for an impressive goal. Calder Trophy (Rookie of the Year) contender Filip Forsberg continues to emerge as a finisher, and scored his 19th goal of the season in the win over the Jets.
A Wild Charge
Minnesota has won seven out of their last eight games to jump right back into the thick of the Western Conference playoff race. Minnesota has closed within two points of Vancouver and Calgary for the final playoff spot in the West. “Show me a good goaltender and I’ll show you a good coach,” is the old NHL adage that applies to the Wild. Since Devan Dubnyk was acquired from Arizona, he has posted a .943 save percentage and 9-1-1 record to save the season for Minnesota and the job of head coach Mike Yeo. Minnesota has a winnable home game against Carolina on Saturday before hitting the road for a critical three game trip at Vancouver, Calgary and Edmonton.
