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Fri Nov 06, 2009 1:48 am EST

Thursday's Three Stars: Kopitar Kings the Pens

By Ross McKeon

No. 1 star, Anze Kopitar(notes), Los Angeles Kings:
The league's leader in points scored two more goals on Thursday night to help the Kings pin the first road loss of the season on the Penguins, who had won seven straight on foreign ice. Kopitar has 13 goals and 26 points in 16 games as Los Angeles is riding its longest points streak of eight games (6-0-2) since November of 2000. After scoring just 27 seconds after the opening faceoff, Kopitar's second of the night tied the game 2-2 6:17 into a third period in which the Kings scored four unanswered goals. A plus-2 with three hits, Kopitar put seven shots on goals (five other attempts were wide) and won 13 of 23 faceoffs during a forward-leading 22:51 of ice time.

No. 2 star, Jonas Hiller(notes), Anaheim Ducks:
The Ducks' netminder made 40 saves for his fifth career shutout and Anaheim's first blanking since Jan. 17 of last season. Hiller was making his fourth straight start, and spearheaded Anaheim's perfect 5-for-5 night on the penalty kill.

No. 3 star, Jason Spezza(notes), Ottawa Senators:
The veteran center finally found the back of the net for the first time this season and he picked a fine time to do it – scoring 4:17 into sudden death on the power play to send the Senators past the Lightning. Spezza added two assists, too, to enjoy his second three-point game of the season. Spezza put four shots on goal, blocked one shot and won 10 of 18 draws.

Honorable mention: Anaheim's Teemu Selanne(notes) scored two goals, including the game-winner on a power play, and passed Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau to move into 38th place on the all-time scoring list (1,221 points). … Raffi Torres(notes) has eight goals already with two more in Columbus' win. … Rangers goalie Steve Valiquette made 26 saves and Ales Kotalik(notes) chipped in three points during a win at Edmonton. … Ilya Bryzgalov(notes) made 31 saves for a Phoenix win in Glendale. … Evgeni Nabokov(notes) stopped 36 of 37 in regulation before falling in the shootout. The San Jose goalie has permitted only seven goals in the last seven games. … Detroit's Henrik Zetterberg(notes) and Montreal's Michael Cammalleri(notes) each scored shootout winners. … Lars Eller(notes) scored his first goal in his first career game making the 20-year-old the 12th St. Louis Blues' rookie to score in his NHL debut. … Kyle Brodziak(notes) scored two goals in Minnesota's loss. … Alex Burrows(notes) had goal and an assist to support Andrew Raycroft's(notes) 28 saves for Vancouver. … Dion Phaneuf(notes) scored Calgary's game-winning goal in overtime. … Wondering why Patric Hornqvist(notes) at a minus-2 is in this category? He's here because the 22-year-old Nashville forward cranked 10 shots on goal and had 10 shot attempts.

Did you know?: The Sharks have won only four times in 34 all-time regular-season games in Detroit, yet San Jose has won three of nine Stanley Cup playoffs games – including a Game 7 – at Joe Louis Arena.

Dishonorable mention: The Bruins scored a goal for the first time in three games, and only one goal. They went 192:06 between goals, and came within 52 seconds of getting blanked for a third straight game for the first time since Eddie Shore and the 1928-29 team, which did go on and earn Boston its first Stanley Cup the same season. … Chicago's Patrick Kane(notes) and Patrick Sharp(notes) missed consecutive breakaway attempts in the second period against Phoenix. … Minnesota goalie Niklas Backstrom(notes) was pulled for the first time this season after allowing four goals on 17 shots. … A season-low crowd of 10,878 was announced in Atlanta for the Thrashers' game against the Blue Jackets.

Related: Patric Hornqvist, Patrick Kane, Teemu Selanne, Jonas Hiller, Niklas Backstrom, Alex Burrows, Anze Kopitar, Dion Phaneuf, Patrick Sharp, Michael Cammalleri, Jason Spezza, Ales Kotalik, Evgeni Nabokov, Andrew Raycroft, Raffi Torres, Henrik Zetterberg, Ilya Bryzgalov, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Ottawa Senators, St. Louis Blues

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53 Comments

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  1. Earl Sleek
    1. Posted by Earl Sleek Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:04 am EST

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    "Anaheim's first blanking since Jan. 17 of last season."
    Well, if you neglect playoff games against the Sharks, that is. :)
  2. lol_blackpeople
    2. Posted by lol_blackpeople Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:22 am EST

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    no Brewer? He scored an own goal. video - http://nhlsarok.blog.hu/2009/11/06/brewer_golt_lo_rossz_kapuba
  3. Guy F
    3. Posted by Guy F Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:41 am EST

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    Henrik Sedin got tangled up with Cal Gutlessbuck and Sedin walked away with the only penalty...a roughing minor no less. Yes, Henrik Sedin. He scored a shorty as well, the winner as it turned out.
  4. sportomatic9
    4. Posted by sportomatic9 Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:57 am EST

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    So...Cammalleri scores in a shoot-out after having an off game and gets an honorable mention, but Price stonewalls the Bruins for all but one unlucky goal and he gets nothing? Stellar as always, Ross.
  5. puck it dano
    5. Posted by puck it dano Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:13 am EST

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    Oh, a fun time at the Stapler tonight....
  6. HotStacey
    6. Posted by HotStacey Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:20 am EST

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    i knew thrashers weren't making any money. that city doesn't even need them either
  7. Josh G
    7. Posted by Josh G Fri Nov 06, 2009 3:36 am EST

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    FTF FTW Sleek.. go sharks
  8. Matthew J
    8. Posted by Matthew J Fri Nov 06, 2009 4:12 am EST

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    I cannot wait until the Queens self destruct. The are the Clippers of the NHL. They always get their hopes up but in the end they will always be a horrible franchise that has nothing.
  9. Brian C
    9. Posted by Brian C Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:02 am EST

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    Sportomatic - was just about to say the same thing. Shootout goal - great we won, but really whoop-de-doo. They don't even count in the stats. Price, and Thomas, had phenomenal games.
  10. wtfk
    10. Posted by wtfk Fri Nov 06, 2009 5:18 am EST

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    Don't hold your breath, Matthew J. This isn't a post-McNall fire-sale team. This one was built to say "eff you, Matthew J" for years into the future. Deal with it!
  11. kev c
    11. Posted by kev c Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:17 am EST

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    Kinda scary how so many places are having record low attendance this season....
  12. Pensfan71
    12. Posted by Pensfan71 Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:37 am EST

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    How about a dishonorable mention to the Pens defense last night. The Kings played great, but the Pens were just terrible. First time they've given up more than 4 all season. Kopitar is a beast, The Kings looked for real last night. Three very good lines, but that first line was just unstoppable.
  13. tmr
    13. Posted by tmr Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:44 am EST

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    It's hard to believe that the Western Conference Central Division leading Columbus Blue Jackets did not draw more people to their game in Atlanta.
    I only posted that because for once in my life I wanted to say, "Western Conference Central Division leading Columbus Blue Jackets". It just rolls right off the tongue, doesn't it? I know they've played more games than the Hawks and Wings, but why quibble? Somewhere out there is a large gentleman from Ohio that is very happy.
    Go Wings !!
  14. lowerNC
    14. Posted by lowerNC Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:07 am EST

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    @14....do those billionaires like bald, bitter, broke guys who still root for the Canes?????????
  15. McLean
    15. Posted by McLean Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:12 am EST

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    sportomatic: i agree, the same goes with kipprusoff. 30 saves, and only a weak defelction goal gets past him but no hm. i guess putting 10 shots on goal, regardless if they were quality chances is considered having a better night.
  16. beer_man_beer_here
    16. Posted by beer_man_beer_here Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:14 am EST

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    RED WINGS....
    We are rolling now....Something is not as sweet as winning in a shootout though, but you take um as they come...
  17. Chuck Smith
    17. Posted by Chuck Smith Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:16 am EST

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    Not even an honourable mention for Price?!? 42 saves in a SO win against a team that has flat-out owned the Habs for over a year?
    I declare shenanigans!
  18. Greezeman
    18. Posted by Greezeman Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:23 am EST

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    Hey McKeyhole, WTF, the reason the teams like the san jose carp and penquins do real good in the playoffs, if they get by the first round, is the f-ing zebras bury the whisle DEEP in their pockets, and DON'T call obstruction, interference, hooking, tripping, unless it is a felony type, near death or serious injury situation. In the finals last year the ba$tard Refs couldn't COUNT when the penquins had 6 goons on the pond. The interference and obstruction wasn't even the worse crap, they let the goons like Prong [profane] and the crack hawks nut wack, to the extreme, that ruptured a future hall of fame player (Nick Lindstrom) and had Hossa, and the Euro Twins hurt and slowed down where they had a chance to win.Other NO TALENT & NO CLASS stuff like elbowing, cheap shot checks (mostly from behind and blind side) players with out the puck determined the final out come more than the slower skills of Cindy Crosby and the oversized and slow penquin d-men , and ONLY called a penalty on the Wings, if they made the mistake of taking issue with the behind-the-ontario garage crap type of hockey. IF THE A$$HOLE ZEBRAS SEE THE PAY BACK, THE BA$TARDS ALSO SAW THE CHEAP SHOT, THEY DIDN'T CALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  19. Stryker
    19. Posted by Stryker Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:46 am EST

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    Sounds like Matthew J has some envy of the Kings since his Ducks are sitting in last place. I guess it's harder to win without the elbow machine on your blue line. Sure, sure, the Ducks won the cup, but the tide appears to be turning in SoCal. He probably cries himself to sleep at night.
  20. DON_DOC_IN
    20. Posted by DON_DOC_IN Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:51 am EST

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    Greezeman..............Are you ever going to let it go? Your constant crying is embarrassing for the rest of us Detroit fans. We get grouped in with blind fanatics like yourself. Cheer your team on, but let all of the "refs screwed us" stuff go. It is old, tired and mostly false. You sound like the kind of guy that won't talk on the phone cause ya think Big Brother is listening. It is just a game dude, enjoy it!
  21. Pensfan71
    21. Posted by Pensfan71 Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:01 am EST

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    Greezeman- the ref burying the whistles in the playoffs helped the red wings way more than it helped the Pens. Its not even a question. Theres no doubt the 6 guys on the ice was a joke. But Detroit knows what they can get away with in the playoffs better than anybody. To say that hurt the Redwings is just crazy. Besides that, does it annoy anyone else that the playoff are officiated completely different than the reg. season. Reg. season hockey is wide open fast hockey. Come playoff time its back to the clutch and grab garbage the NHL tried to do away with.
  22. McLean
    22. Posted by McLean Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:01 am EST

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    hey doc lay off greezeman, after all it took him all night to come up with gems like "cindy crosby", and "crack hawks". the lack of sleep may affect his big addition and subtraction test this morning. more evidence that children shouldnt be allowed on the net.
  23. Hans Gruber
    23. Posted by Hans Gruber Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:02 am EST

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    Don't get two jealous folks, but I have tickets to the showdown of the losers, Leafs vs. Canes tonight. May the worst team lose.
  24. Pensfan71
    24. Posted by Pensfan71 Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:03 am EST

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    DON_DOC_IN is right. are you really still that bitter about last season, get over it man.
  25. DON_DOC_IN
    25. Posted by DON_DOC_IN Fri Nov 06, 2009 9:07 am EST

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    And then Pensfan71 comes and takes Greezerman bait............and even adds that the refs helped the wings? Ok, I tried. You two go back and forth. You deserve each other..............
    Andrew V.....Enjoy that tilt! BTW, how much did you get paid to take on those tickets... : }

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