The three-game sweep of the NHL ahead of the big blizzard starts in Sunrise where the Florida Panthers found their “A” game and defeated the Chicago Blackhawks, 4-0.
“It’s a great win for us,” defenseman Brian Campbell said. “We got our game back. Complete game. We played a complete 60 minutes, which we were doing on our win streak there. Everybody contributed. We took care of the puck finally. Obviously when they do get chances, [Luongo] is going to be there for us.”
Roberto Luongo picked up 4th shutout of the season in win over Chicago – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
Roberto Luongo made 27 saves to earn his fourth shutout of the season.
“He had to make three or four great saves,” Panthers coach Gerard Gallant said. “It was a 4-0 win, but he had to earn that shutout.”
Aaron Ekblad returned to the lineup and scored in the third period and Reilly Smith, Campbell and Quinton Howden all scored in the first period to set up a 3-0 lead into the final frame.
It was the Hawks’ second straight loss in two nights after losing to the Tampa Bay Lighting on Thursday.
“There was a loss of a little enthusiasm after last night’s game,” Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “We didn’t start well. Let a couple goals go in and you’re down 4-0 before you know it. There was no push and there was not a lot of energy tonight. It was one of those games where they started well and they were the better team.”
Scott Darling made 28 saves in the loss.
Chicago has lost two straight after winning 12 in a row.
“If you can win that many games in the row, especially against the teams we were playing against, you can take a lot of good things away from it,” Chicago captain Jonathan Toews said. “We didn’t do the right things the last couple of games and you see what happens.”
Semyon Varlamov was stellar in win over Blues – file photo be Lewis Bleiman
In Denver, Semyon Varlamov was sensational in a 2-1 win over the St Louis Blues after the skills competition. He had 33 saves through 65 minutes and then stopped all three Blues shooters.
“I’ve been waiting a long time for those shootouts,” Varlamov said. “The guys did an unbelievable job of scoring there at the end of the game.”
Nathan MacKinnon scored for the Avs in regulation.
“Usually goals to tie it in those empty-net games are kind of ugly,” said MacKinnon, who had gone five games without a goal. “This one was, I guess, pretty. It’s a huge goal for our team and Varly was big in the shootout and Gabe had a big goal as well.
“It was nice, I got a wide-open look from [Duchene], a nice pass from Tyson as well. I got a lucky bounce the last time I tied it up [against the Blues]. It was a great play by my teammates and I’m just happy it hit the net. Elliott was awesome, he made some tough saves. We peppered him.”
Alexander Steen was the lone Blues goal scorer on the night.
“We’re getting points,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. “That’s all that matters. Right now we’re getting points. Got to take this one when it gets to a shootout on the road with what we’re dealing with. Pretty happy.”
In Raleigh, the New York Rangers had a chance to get a little healthier at the expense of the Carolina Hurricanes.
J.T. Miller scored two goals in the middle frame in a span of 2:10 including a theft between the faceoff circles in Canes zone and deft deke of Eddie Lack for the 4-1 lead and eventual final score.
“The energy, the speed; we look so fast,” said goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, who made 30 saves. “We look like the team we were in October. The timing is there, the confidence is building. We’re playing really good hockey.”
Henrik Lundqvist made 30 saves in win over Carolina – file photo by Lewis Bleiman
The win marked the first time since November the Rangers had won back-to-back; they defeated the Vancouver Canucks earlier in the week.
Ryan McDonagh and Keith Yandle scored in the first period for New York.
“They got two unassisted goals on the night and one dumped in right behind us and we turn it over and it’s in the net,” Carolina coach Bill Peters said. “They were quicker on the forecheck. They established their game early and got the lead and played with the lead all night.”
Lundqvist had 30 saves in the win.
“I felt like I was in control tonight,” Lundqvist said. “The last seven or eight games, I feel like I’m playing my game. That gives me a lot of confidence, knowing I’m doing the right things. It’s going to give me an opportunity to have more good games, more consistently.”
Lack made 28 saves in the loss.
You must be logged in to post a comment.