1. Score a hat trick in the third period.
2. Score six unanswered goals.
3. Out shoot your opponent 16-4 in the third.
4. Care about your playoff chances.
5. Respond when the home fans boo you.
6. Ah, well ... You get the point.
The Buffalo Sabres did all of the above and then some on Wednesday night in Western New York. Down 4-1 heading into the third period with their playoff hopes riding on every goal and save, they did what any team with some heart does and, you know, tried to win the game. The 10th place team in the East stormed back against the Lightning to grab victory from the jaws of defeat. Buffalo scored six unanswered goals in the third period which included a natural hat trick from Thomas Vanek to give him 31 goals on the season. I would imagine that's why they pay him the big bucks.
As you know, the standings in the Eastern Conference change faster than the wind and last night's win was a big one for Buffalo. Washington lost, meaning the Sabres jumped over them to move into 9th place in the East and are now only one point behind the idle Flyers for 8th. And now the teams in the 7-10 spots are separated by only 3 points. This race is starting to turn into a daily soap opera for hockey fans. Who's up? Who's down? Who's making out with the maid? OK, maybe not that last one but you know what I mean. FINAL: Buffalo 7, Tampa Bay 4.
You can either stop reading here or try and caulk your wagon and float it across the jump to the rest of Thursday's ice sheet. Choose wisely, pioneer!
Up next: The Rangers continue their dominance over the Devils, Anaheim tops Dallas and another player is run face first into the boards (could you guys please cut that crap out??).
When you can't beat 'em ... Well, it might be time to get a new game plan. The Rangers beat the Devils last night to extend their dominance over the division leaders to an unbeaten 6-0 record on the season. Excuse me while I pile on the Devils for a minute. They also happen to be a combined 1-8-3 against the Rangers and Islanders in the battle of the Tri-State area teams this season. The good news is that they're 41-16-4 against the rest of the NHL which also happens to be good enough to lead them to the best record in the East. And luckily for Brent Sutter his job is safe despite the fact that we are currently smack in the middle of "Lou Lamoriello Coach Firin' Season." FINAL (SO): Rangers 2, New Jersey 1.
March is clearly not a fan of the Dallas Stars. In the biggest matchup out west last night the Stars took on the Ducks looking to turn around what has been a bad month of March for Dallas. The Stars lost what I imagine must of been an absolute slog-fest, as the teams combined for three goals and 40 shots. My grandma can put more pucks on net than that. But the game went into the 'L' column for Dallas, who are now 1-6-0 in the month of March but are still sitting comfortably in fifth place. FINAL: Anaheim 2, Dallas 1.
OK, enough already with the let's-all-go-head-first-into-the-end-boards stuff. Minnesota defender Kyle Foster was taken off the ice in San Jose on a stretcher after he went face first into the boards. Great. Just great. I haven't seen the play yet, so I'll let the AP tell you about it. FanHouse will certainly have more coverage as the story develops.
Foster ... was slightly ahead of [Torrey] Mitchell as they chased a puck toward the boards behind the Minnesota goal. The 5-foot-11 San Jose center put out his arms just enough to disrupt the precarious balance of the 6-foot-5 Foster, who already appeared to be falling when the players' skates collided and he went hard into the boards.
Foster remained on the ice for 12 minutes while medical personnel put a splint on Foster's leg and strapped him to a backboard. Foster was moving his head and talking to paramedics when they lifted him off the ice, and he shook hands with Sharks center Jeremy Roenick.
Obviously, not something anyone wants to happen but has happened all too often this season. The final, which now seems really insignificant, was 4-3 San Jose in a shootout.
Other scores:Carolina 5, Atlanta 3. The Canes are beginning to lock up the Southeast title.
Detroit 3, Columbus 1. Really? Detroit won a game? How about that.
Chicago 5, Washington 0. Not a good time to get shutout.
The picture of the night for kids who can't read good (that will obviously give them nightmares)
The Blackhawks are bringing back all the old timers as Tony Esposito was honor before last night's game. Any and all Halloween jokes are welcome in the comments. Feel free to use either the movie series or the actual holiday.
Your obligatory YouTube
An Alex Ovechkin-like goal from the Minnesota Golden Gophers. You may have seen it before, but it sure as hell is worth seeing again.
