Puck Daddy - NHL

No. 1 star: Steven Stamkos(notes), Tampa Bay Lightning

The 2008 No. 1 overall pick continued his breakout year as his 15th goal of the season in overtime gave the Lightning a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Thrashers. Currently tied for fourth in the NHL in goals scored with Jarome Iginla(notes), Stamkos, along with Ryan Malone(notes), is carrying the Lightning offensive load as Vincent Lecavalier(notes) and Martin St. Louis(notes) struggle with a combined nine goals. 

No. 2 Star: Antti Niemi(notes), Chicago Blackhawks

The 26-year old Finn backstopped the 'Hawks to a 1-0 win in Vancouver by making 30 saves for his second shutout of the season. Chicago swept the Western Canadian portion of their roadtrip and will finish things up with three games in California beginning Wednesday at Anaheim. With the win, Niemi improves to 4-1-1 on the season.

No. 3 Star: Antero Niittymaki(notes), Tampa Bay Lightning

Making 28 saves on the evening, Niittymaki won his sixth game of the season and his 15th straight over a Southeast Division opponent. Atlanta rallied back with three goals in the third period, but was unable to record a shot in overtime before Stamkos won it. Niittymaki currently owns the NHL's best save-percentage at .936.

Honorable mention: Martin St. Louis had three assists including one on Stamkos' overtime winner ... Stephane Veilleux(notes) and Kurtis Foster(notes) both scored their first goals of the season for the Lightning ...  Evander Kane's(notes) seventh goal for Atlanta puts him in second place behind New York Islanders forward John Tavares(notes) among rookies ...  Bryan Bickell(notes) scored the winner for Chicago 1:12 into the third period. It was his first goal in over two years ... Roberto Luongo(notes) did all he could for the Canucks making 16 saves, but was let down by his offense ... Ben Eager(notes) and Rick Rypien(notes) discussed the MLS Cup Final in their own special way:

Did you know?: With his win against Atlanta, Niittymaki is now 15-0-0 against the Thrashers in his career. (AP)

Dishonorable mention: Atlanta ended their homestand by losing their last three games ... Not a good weekend for Thrashers captain Ilya Kovalchuk(notes). A day after earning 19-penalty minutes against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Kovy couldn't beat Niittymaki on seven shots and finished a minus-3 ...  Even with the win, Joel Quenneville couldn't have been happy that the Blackhawks were 16-for-42 in the faceoff circle.

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13 Comments

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  1. Slazz
    1. Posted by Slazz Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:50 am EST

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    Hawks. Lets get 8.
  2. Daniel
    2. Posted by Daniel Mon Nov 23, 2009 1:57 am EST

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    Marty St-louis struggles? I guess 24 points in 21 games is pretty bad uh
  3. whitesox2015
    3. Posted by whitesox2015 Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:13 am EST

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    Hawks start off the Cali portion of their road trip on Wednesday in San Jose against the Sharks not Anaheim. But anywho, Go Hawks!
  4. pnkwag
    4. Posted by pnkwag Mon Nov 23, 2009 3:36 am EST

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    What whitesox2015 said (except the go hawks bit)
  5. mr t
    5. Posted by mr t Mon Nov 23, 2009 4:05 am EST

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    lol st. louis struggling? i guess at least a point in the first eleven games is bad and points in every game this year except for three is struggling hahaha
  6. Jano
    6. Posted by Jano Mon Nov 23, 2009 4:54 am EST

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    I'm Eager to Rypien to a bag of Oreos right about now.
  7. mrsohel16
    7. Posted by mrsohel16 Mon Nov 23, 2009 6:42 am EST

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    earn money anr creare your free site 100% free. please visit: www.etctips.blogspot.com
  8. C Smith
    8. Posted by C Smith Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:37 am EST

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    Marty's too busy feedin' the sophomore to score himself I guess, tough problem to have ;-)
  9. Mazarin
    9. Posted by Mazarin Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:19 am EST

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    Did you know? : Nitty also swept the Chicago Wolves(Atlanta's AHL affiliate) out of the 2005 Calder Cup Finals as a member of the Phantoms.
  10. Chuck
    10. Posted by Chuck Mon Nov 23, 2009 9:32 am EST

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    Ahh the Sharks are off to another "record setting regular season", the Rangers are faltering, and my Pens are doing mediocre in November.. good to see the league is back to normal.
  11. Ga Hockey
    11. Posted by Ga Hockey Mon Nov 23, 2009 2:28 pm EST

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    I'm not a violent guy or anything, but something really needs to be done about Nittymaki's absolute mastery over Atlanta, I don't see that guy traded out of the eastern conference for the foreseeable future because of that. darn it all to heck!
  12. 5 4 fighting
    12. Posted by 5 4 fighting Mon Nov 23, 2009 5:32 pm EST

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    St.Louis struggles? Without StLouis being the spark plug that he is, this team contends at the bottom 1/3.
  13. megawheel
    13. Posted by megawheel Mon Nov 23, 2009 8:06 pm EST

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    the panthers new jersey is indentical to a hockey night in canada jersey that was released a few years ago. here is the link
    http://www.icejerseys.com/item_details.php?id=1991&zmam=38961598&zmas=11&zmac=53&zmap=2928-2
    right down to the crest. jesus christ.

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