Check out the Hockey Day in Canada game recaps.
Montreal Canadiens center David Desharnais scores the shootout winner over the Maple Leafs.
MONTREAL GAZETTE/TORONTO SUN: David Desharnais scored the game winner as the Montreal Canadiens needed a shootout to down the free-falling Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1. The win gave the Canadiens sole possession of first place in the Eastern Conference. Leafs forward David Clarkson’s efforts to spark his teammates resulted in his ejection for boarding Canadiens defenseman Sergei Gonchar, who left the game with an upper-body injury.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Recently-acquired Tyler Myers and Drew Stafford were instrumental in the Jets overcoming a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Detroit Red Wings 5-4 in a shootout.
CALGARY SUN/THE VANCOUVER SUN: Two goals by Sean Monahan and 28 saves by Karri Ramo lifted the Calgary Flames to a 3-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks, who also lost key defenseman Alexander Edler in the second period to an upper-body injury.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks are already missing veteran blueliner Kevin Bieksa. If Edler should miss significant time it could prove a serious blow to their playoff chances.
OTTAWA CITIZEN/EDMONTON JOURNAL: Milan Michalek, Kyle Turris and Mark Stone combined for seven points as the Ottawa Senators romped to a 7-2 beatdown of the lowly Edmonton Oilers. It was a costly win, however, as Senators winger Chris Neil suffered a broken thumb in a fight with the Oilers Luke Gazdic and could miss three-to-four weeks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Neil was being mentioned of late as a possible trade candidate. This injury could significantly affect his trade value.
The two big trades so far and injuries such as those to Tyler Seguin and Alex Edler could bring on a busy couple of weeks. Trade deadline day could be a flop again because all the big trades will have been done and dusted.
Sorry to see Mike Santorelli and Cody Franson move on – a couple of BC boys who would have looked good with the Canucks down the stretch.
JB has already stated he wont give up picks or prospects to acquire players that may help the Canucks playoff push, but not good enough to get them through the greuling playoff drive. If Edler is out for a significant period of time, the should play the best they can, it most likely wont be enough though. The team really misses Bieksa’s leadership, he may be casual Kev but make no mistake about it, he IS a leader on the team. Tanev is pretty banged up as well, the Canucks keep relying on smaller Defencemen such as Clendenning, he’s not bad, but not great.