Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our Weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the storylines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.Rangers 4, Capitals 3: Henrik Lundqvist is one of the best goaltenders in the NHL, and even the best are entitled to an occasional mishap. That's what happened to Lundqvist on Thursday night as an innocent looking wrist shot off the stick of Nicklas Backstrom, from the neutral zone, found its way behind the All-Star goaltender early in the third period.
Video after the jump.
Also: Chelios returns to Chicago (sort of), Corey Perry's fluke goal
Now there's something you don't see everyday. Backstrom followed it up with his second goal of the game four minutes later, giving the Capitals a 3-2 lead. Fortunately for the Rangers, forward Marian Gaborik turned into a one-man wrecking crew scoring a pair of goals in just two-and-a-half minutes to give the Rangers the 4-3 win.
Red Wings 3, Blackhawks 2: In a rematch of last year's Western Conference Final, the Detroit Red Wings avoided an 0-3 start thanks to their three goal second period. The Wings received goals from Nicklas Lidstrom, Johan Franzen and Kris Draper just seven minutes apart.
Chris Chelios Returns To Chicago: Well, technically it's true. Chris Chelios will be playing hockey in Chicago once again, it's just that he'll be doing so for the Chicago Wolves of the AHL as opposed to the team he spent parts of nine seasons with (the Blackhawks). The 47-year-old rearguard will skate with the team on Monday, and could sign with the team next week. From Ansar Khan of MLive:
"He has the skills to play. I think that's a good move for him,'' Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "If you're playing, you're a lot more attractive (for NHL teams). He wants to be in the NHL, but Chicago gives him an opportunity in a town he knows real well that gets him going and gets him playing, "So when someone gets an Injury, and they're going to happen -- it's an Olympic year, condensed schedule -- Cheli's a guy who knows how to play, knows how to help your locker room. To me he'll be a perfect fit for someone.''Chelios played 28 gameas for the Red Wings in 2008-09, tallying zero points and 18 penalty minutes.
The Rest Of Thursday's Action
Travis Zajac ties the game with 0.2 seconds to play and the Devils win in a shootout. [Box Score, Recap]
The Thrashers are 2-0 after their 4-2 win against St. Louis. Ilya Kovalchuk also scores goal No. 300. [Box Score, Recap]
Patric Hornqvist scores a pair to lead Nashville over Colorado. [Box Score, Recap]
Anaheim dominates Boston. [Box Score, Recap]
Mike Fisher scores the winner in overtime for Ottawa. [Box Score, Recap]
Thomas Vanek scores the winner with less than four minutes to play. [Box Score, Recap]
Nikolai Khabibulin will never want to play Calgary again. [Box Score, Recap]
Columbus visits San Jose. [Box Score, Recap]
Los Angeles plays host to Minnesota [Box Score, Recap]
Loose Pucks
-- The San Jose Sharks were without forward Brad Staubitz on Thursday after he was issued a one-game suspension for hitting Davis Drewiskie after an icing call on Tuesday night. It costs him $2,950 in salary. [Sports Illustrated]
-- The Detroit Red Wings added some toughness to their lineup on Thursday by signing veteran Brad May to a one-year deal. To make room for the veteran forward on the roster the Wings sent youngster Justin Abdelkader to Grand Rapids of the American Hockey League. [Red Wings]
-- After his first career start, Jonas Gustavsson has been placed on IR with a groin pull, leading to the call up of goaltender Joey MacDonald. Obviously, the folks at Pension Plan Puppets are to blame. [Pension Plan Puppets]
-- Sean Leahy takes a look at the best line combinations in the NHL. [Puck Daddy]
Video Of The Day
Way to use your head, Corey Perry.
Friday's Key Games
Friday's only games, actually...
Panthers vs. Hurricanes: Florida plays its first game in North America this season as it travels to Carolina for some Southeastern Division action. The Hurricanes have been struggling offensively on the young season, scoring just four goals in three games. It's the front end of back-to-back games for the Panthers as they have their official home opener on Saturday against New Jersey.
Stars vs. Flames: Dallas continues its road trip through Western Canada with a contest in Calgary. The Stars are winless on the season, both losses coming by way of the shootout.
