SBNation.com - NHL Thursday: Stars rally late, stun Penguinshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/46737/sbn-fave.png2014-10-22T17:23:24-04:00http://www.sbnation.com/rss/stream/67554102014-10-22T17:23:24-04:002014-10-22T17:23:24-04:00Penguins to honor Ottawa by playing 'O Canada'
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<figcaption>Jana Chytilova/Freestyle Photo</figcaption>
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<h5>UPDATE: You <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/22/7043185/watch-the-pittsburgh-crowd-honor-ottawa-by-performing-o-canada">can now watch the pre-game rendition of "O Canada!"</a> sung by Jeff Jimerson.</h5>
<p><span>★★★</span></p>
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<p>A nice touch from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Penguins?src=hash">#Penguins</a> who host <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Flyers?src=hash">#Flyers</a> tonight: Canadian National anthem will be performed pre-game in support of events in Ottawa.</p>
— Megan Robinson (@RobinsonMegan) <a href="https://twitter.com/RobinsonMegan/status/525012689568161792">October 22, 2014</a>
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<p>They don't need to play the "O Canada!" before tonight's Penguins vs. Flyers game in Pittsburgh, but in light of Wednesday's tragic events in Ottawa, it's a wonderful move by the home team to perform both anthems prior to the contest.</p>
<p>The game will be broadcast nationally in Canada on Sportsnet 360. Let's hope the anthems are televised so Canadians can see the support.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/22/7041925/canadian-anthem-penguins-flyersTravis Hughes2014-10-17T09:00:02-04:002014-10-17T09:00:02-04:00The Islanders can't lose and the Avs can't win
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<figcaption>Alex Goodlett</figcaption>
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<p>The New York Islanders are 4-0 and the Colorado Avalanche can't win anymore. </p> <p>The Colorado Avalanche are not in a good place to start the 2014-15 season.</p>
<p>Not only did they blow a 3-1 lead on Thursday against the Ottawa Senators to lose for the fourth time in their first five games, but they're now to a point where their top two goalies are injured. Starter Semyon Varlamov is on injured reserve with a groin injury, and his backup, <span>Reto Berra</span>, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991563/semyon-varlamov-reto-berra-injury/in/6755410">was knocked out of game after a collision</a> with <span>Kyle Turris</span>.</p>
<p>They're now in a position where rookie <span>Calvin Pickard</span> could be starting games for them. The only other alternative: Patrick Roy as player-coach.</p>
<p>But while the Avalanche can't seem to catch a break, the New York Islanders can seemingly do no wrong. They won their fourth game in a row to start the season with a 4-3 shootout win over the San Jose Sharks in a game that probably shouldn't have been that close. The Islanders played what was perhaps their best game of the season to date and at times were rolling all over the Sharks. John Tavares scored the winner in the shootout while <span>Nick Leddy</span> continued his strong play since coming over from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.secondcityhockey.com/">Chicago Blackhawks</a> by scoring his second goal of the season.</p>
<p>The only negative for the Islanders on Thursday was the injury suffered by forward <span>Mikhail Grabovski</span> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991511/mikhail-grabovski-injured-john-scott-hit/in/6755410">when he was on the receiving end of a huge hit</a> from San Jose's John Scott.</p>
<p>In the late game, the Kings were outshot by St. Louis 41-18 through regulation and overtime but were still 1-0 winners in a shootout thanks to a <span>Jeff Carter</span> goal.</p>
<h4>All the NHL Scores</h4>
<p><a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Islanders</a> 4, <a href="https://www.fearthefin.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sharks</a> 3 (SO)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Stars</a> 3, <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Penguins</a> 2</p>
<p><a href="https://www.japersrink.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Capitals</a> 6, <a href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Devils</a> 2</p>
<p><a href="https://www.blueshirtbanter.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Rangers</a> 2, <a href="https://www.canescountry.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Hurricanes</a> 1 (SO)</p>
<p><a href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Canadiens</a> 6, <a href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Bruins</a> 4</p>
<p><a href="https://www.silversevensens.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Senators</a> 5, <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Avalanche</a> 3</p>
<p>Kings 1, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stlouisgametime.com/">Blues</a> 0 (SO)</p>
<h4>Three Things We Learned</h4>
<p>1. No lead is safe around <span>Tyler Seguin</span> and Jamie Benn. The Stars weren't anything special for 57 minutes on Thursday night, but their top-line duo only needed three minutes to stun the Penguins in the third period, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991879/tyler-seguin-goal-dallas-stars-comeback">tying the game late and then winning with 2.9 seconds to play</a> on Seguin's power play goal, his fifth goal of the season.</p>
<p>2. Sometimes you need to be lucky, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991783/cory-schneider-butt-goal-capitals-devils/in/6755410">like when you score a potential butt goal off the goalie</a>. Just ask <span>Joel Ward</span>, who netted his second goal of the year in Washington's 6-2 win over New Jersey, and it was easily the weirdest goal of the young season.</p>
<p>3. <span>Milan Lucic</span> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6990441/milan-lucic-vs-dale-weise-kill-you-bruins-canadiens">didn't do anything</a> to <span>Dale Weise</span> (<a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2014/10/16/6991497/dale-weise-will-not-play-for-montreal/in/6755410">mainly because Weise didn't play</a>), but he still made a scene. And there is a good chance <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6992401/milan-lucic-obscene-gesture-canadiens-fans">that his little gesture</a> for the Montreal crowd could probably cost him a game or two.</p>
<h4>Impact Moment</h4>
<p>It was a difficult night for the Pittsburgh Penguins. Not only did they lose a 2-0 lead and lose to the Dallas Stars, but they also lost forward <span>Pascal Dupuis</span> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991649/pascal-dupuis-stretcher-injury/in/6755410">during a strange sequence</a> when he was knocked to the ice by an <span>Alex Goligoski</span> cross check, and was then struck by a puck. Dupuis had to leave the game on a stretcher. He apparently <a href="https://twitter.com/penguins/status/522929122977538048">had some numbness in his arm but the feeling was starting to return</a>. There was no other update at that moment.</p>
<h4>Stat of the Night</h4>
<p>The Colorado Avalanche have lost four of their first five games this season. They didn't lose their fourth game last season until their 18th game of the year.</p>
<h4>Post to Post</h4>
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<li><span>The <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6977377/dancing-kevin-columbus-blue-jackets-story">legend of dancin' Kevin</a>.</span></li>
<li><span>The Connor McDavid <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6981251/connor-mcdavid-power-rankings-panthers-hurricanes-bruins-flyers">power rankings</a>.</span></li>
<li><span><a href="https://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kings</a> coach Darryl Sutter <a href="http://www.jewelsfromthecrown.com/2014/10/16/6990591/darryl-sutter-on-las-use-of-analytics">discusses their use of analytics</a>. </span></li>
<li><span>Does <a href="https://www.coppernblue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Edmonton Oilers</a> coach Dallas Eakins <a href="http://www.coppernblue.com/2014/10/16/6991553/oilers-dallas-eakins-coaching-change">have seven games to save his job</a>?</span></li>
<li>Curtis Lazor of the Ottawa Senators <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991643/zack-smith-jerk-curtis-lazar-first-goal-nah/in/6755410">thought he had his first career NHL goal</a> until teammate <span>Zack Smith</span> stole it. </li>
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https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/17/6992617/nhl-scores-islanders-win-avalanche-lose-stars-comeback-pascal-dupuis-injuryAdam Gretz2014-10-16T23:08:37-04:002014-10-16T23:08:37-04:00Lucic taunts fans with obscene gesture
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<p>Milan Lucic had a message for the Montreal fans on Thursday night. It was not nice. </p> <p><iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/BxYUEyYmMyo"></iframe></p>
<p>The big story heading into Thursday's Montreal-Boston game -- which the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.habseyesontheprize.com/">Canadiens</a> won, 6-4 -- centered around <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Bruins</a> forward <span>Milan Lucic</span> <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6990441/milan-lucic-vs-dale-weise-kill-you-bruins-canadiens">and his handshake words</a> for <span>Dale Weise</span> after last season's second-round playoff series between the two teams.</p>
<p>Would anything come out of it? Would there be anarchy on ice?</p>
<p>Well, sort of. But not the way it was all expected to go down. Weise <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/2014/10/16/6991497/dale-weise-will-not-play-for-montreal/in/6755410">ended up not playing in the game</a>, but Lucic still found a way to cause a bit of controversy.</p>
<p>With less than two minutes to play in regulation and the Bruins down by a goal, Lucic was sent off for boarding and on his way to the penalty box decided to, well, make some potentially obscene gestures toward the Montreal crowd that was enjoying his penalty.</p>
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<p>That's probably not going to go over well with the league offices. Lucic was not made available for comment after the game. There was also a mock Stanley Cup raise in there, which is an odd thing to do to a fan base whose team has won more Stanley Cups than any other team in NHL history.</p>
<p>The NHL has suspended players for obscene gestures before, <a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nhl/news/story?id=5678547">including a two-game ban</a> for then-<a href="https://www.lighthousehockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Islanders</a> defenseman <span>James Wisniewski</span> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dI1Q2AY1-Eo">for a gesture he made towards Sean Avery</a>.</p>
<p><b>Update</b>: Lucic has been fined $5,000 -- the maximum allowed under the league's collective bargaining agreement -- for the gesture.</p>
<blockquote lang="en" class="twitter-tweet">
<p>Milan Lucic has been fined $5,000 for what he did last night in Montreal: <a href="http://t.co/Y6kYyA3F81">http://t.co/Y6kYyA3F81</a> <a href="http://t.co/XLHpVCBC6D">pic.twitter.com/XLHpVCBC6D</a></p>
— Travis Hughes (@TravisSBN) <a href="https://twitter.com/TravisSBN/status/523138525097496576">October 17, 2014</a>
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<p><i>GIF via <a href="http://www.twitter.com/myregularface">@MyRegularFace</a></i></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6992401/milan-lucic-obscene-gesture-canadiens-fansAdam Gretz2014-10-16T21:54:33-04:002014-10-16T21:54:33-04:00Seguin completes comeback with last second goal
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<figcaption>Kirk Irwin</figcaption>
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<p>No lead is going to be safe against the Dallas Stars. </p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p>The <a href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Dallas Stars</a> are one of the most exciting up-and-coming teams in the NHL, and the duo of <span>Tyler Seguin</span> and <span>Jamie Benn</span> are going to be the guys driving the bus for them this season.</p>
<p>On Thursday, they helped lead a spirited third-period rally in Pittsburgh that saw Dallas erase an early two-goal deficit to pick up a thrilling 3-2 win. Trailing by a goal late in the game, the Stars had what appeared to be a game-tying goal taken away on a blown goaltender interference penalty. But off the ensuing faceoff, the Stars were able to get the equalizer anyway thanks to Benn's second goal of the season.</p>
<p>Then, just as the game seemed to be on its way to overtime, <a href="https://www.pensburgh.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Penguins</a> captain <span>Sidney Crosby</span> was sent off for tripping with just nine seconds to play, and that was more than enough time for Seguin to score.</p>
<p>The score is already Seguin's fourth goal of the season. One of these days, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stanleycupofchowder.com/">Boston Bruins</a> are really going to regret that trade.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991879/tyler-seguin-goal-dallas-stars-comebackAdam Gretz2014-10-16T21:23:26-04:002014-10-16T21:23:26-04:00Does this count as a butt goal?
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<figcaption>Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Important question: Does this count as a butt goal?</p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p><span>Joel Ward's</span> goal in the third period on Thursday night to give the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.japersrink.com/">Washington Capitals</a> a 5-2 lead over the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.allaboutthejersey.com/">New Jersey Devils</a> was the 80th of his NHL career. It's a good bet that none of the previous 79 were as weird as this one.</p>
<p>As Ward skated with the puck across the New Jersey blue line, he fired an innocent looking shot that took a crazy bounce off the glass. From there, it bounced off the back of <span>Cory Schneider's</span> skate and slowly rolled across the line as he helplessly fell to the ice.</p>
<p>That is some mighty fine puck luck for Mr. Ward.</p>
<p>But the real question here is whether or not this qualifies as <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2013/12/23/5240598/sabres-vs-coyotes-mike-smith-loses-puck-in-his-pants-carries-it-into">Butt Goal v. 2.0</a>.</p>
<p>Does the puck get its final push across the line because it bounced off of Schneider's backside? Or was the puck already safely across the line by the time Schneider's butt made contact?</p>
<p>These are the important questions in today's NHL, people. And it's up to you to decide.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991783/cory-schneider-butt-goal-capitals-devilsAdam Gretz2014-10-16T20:41:59-04:002014-10-16T20:41:59-04:00Zack Smith steals Lazar's first goal
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<figcaption>Bruce Fedyck-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Awesome job, Zack.</p> <p>Congratulations are in order! <a href="https://www.silversevensens.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Ottawa Senators</a> rookie <span>Curtis Lazar</span> has scored his first career NHL goal during the Senators home opener on Thursday!</p>
<p>With Ottawa trailing 2-0, center Zack Smith won an offensive zone faceoff and directed the puck to Lazar, who quickly fired the puck at the <a href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Avalanche</a> net.</p>
<p>Rookie goaltender Calvin Pickard made the initial save but the puck deflected into the air, behind Pickard and into the net.</p>
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<p>Man, this is so awesome! Lazar gets to score his first career goal in front of the home crowd and <span>Milan Michalek</span> even got the puck so they can give it to him and he can frame it. Nothing could ever bring this moment do -- wait a minute.</p>
<p>Wait.</p>
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<p>OH, WHAT THE HELL ZACK.</p>
<p>Zack Smith has now scored his 38th career goal. Everyone's pissed.</p>
<p>The Avalanche lead the Senators, 3-1, after the first period.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991643/zack-smith-jerk-curtis-lazar-first-goal-nahMatt Brigidi2014-10-16T20:40:17-04:002014-10-16T20:40:17-04:00Pascal Dupuis leaves game on stretcher
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<figcaption>Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sport</figcaption>
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<p>A cross-check from Alex Goligoski and a shot from Kris Letang resulted in a scary situation for Pascal Dupuis on Thursday night. </p> <p><iframe src="https://vine.co/v/OqQdzvvi9UE/embed/simple" class="vine-embed" frameborder="0" height="480" width="480"></iframe>
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<p>Scary moment late in the second period of Pittsburgh's game against Dallas on Thursday night when <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.pensburgh.com/">Penguins</a> forward <span>Pascal Dupuis</span> had to be taken off the ice on a stretcher following a strange sequence of events in front of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.defendingbigd.com/">Stars</a>' net.</p>
<p>After taking a cross-check to the back from Stars defenseman <span>Alex Goligoski</span>, Dupuis fell to the ice and was then almost immediately struck by a shot off the stick of Penguins defenseman Kris Letang. Whether it was due to the cross-check (which was not penalized), the shot, or a combination of the two, he remained on the ice for several minutes while being tended to by team doctors and trainers. He gave a thumbs up to the crowd as he was being removed from the game.</p>
<p>Dupuis missed half of the 2013-14 season due to a knee injury and was off to a great start for the Penguins this season, recording four points (one goal, three assists) over the first two games of the season.</p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991649/pascal-dupuis-stretcher-injuryAdam Gretz2014-10-16T20:16:33-04:002014-10-16T20:16:33-04:00Reto Berra injured, Avs running out of goalies
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<figcaption>Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Sooner or later, this is going to end with Patrick Roy back in net for the Colorado Avalanche. </p> <p> <figure class="e-image">
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<p>Just hours after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.milehighhockey.com/">Colorado Avalanche</a> put starting goaltender <span>Semyon Varlamov</span> on injured reserve with a groin injury, backup goalie <span>Reto Berra</span> was knocked out of their game against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.silversevensens.com/">Ottawa Senators</a> on Thursday night when he was run over by <span>Kyle Turris</span> early in the first period before he even faced a shot on goal.</p>
<p>Berra had to be replaced by rookie <span>Calvin Pickard</span>, a 2010 second-round draft pick by the Avalanche who was just called up from the American Hockey League earlier in the day.</p>
<p>Eventually the Avalanche might have to see if coach Patrick Roy can still fit into a uniform because things are starting to get ugly, and we're not even two weeks into the season.</p>
<p>GIF via <a href="http://www.twitter.com/peteblackburn">@PeteBlackburn</a></p>
https://www.sbnation.com/nhl/2014/10/16/6991563/semyon-varlamov-reto-berra-injuryAdam Gretz