Jimmy Howard turned in a 34-save shutout and Johan Franzen scored twice as the Detroit Red Wings kept their playoff hopes alive with a 4-0 blanking of Phoenix. Henrik Zetterberg added three assists in the win and Damien Brunner added a goal and an assist.
SPIN: Franzen continues his hot run with a two-goal night in this one. Detroit now sits one point out of the last playoff spot while Phoenix saw its postseason aspirations take a serious hit. The Red Wings went 3-of-5 on the power play in the win and that’s going to be key to their playoff chances.
Pittsburgh won its seventh in a row taking down Ottawa 3-1. Jarome Iginla scored his 12th of the season and Tomas Vokoun made 34 saves in the win as the Penguins wrapped up the top spot in the East.
SPIN: Iginla looks comfortable in black and gold. Vokoun got the start since Marc-Andre Fleury and his wife are expecting their first child.
Keep an eye on the kid curse of this season. Cam Ward’s wife had one during training camp and his season was miserable. Miikka Kiprusoff’s wife had one not too long ago and the Kipper had his worst season as a pro. Will the sleepless nights and diaper changes wreck Fleury?
Daniel Sedin and Zack Kassian scored as Vancouver knocked off Chicago 3-1 to clinch the Northwest Division title and the third seed.
SPIN: Chicago has nothing left to play for in the West so this was more of a throwaway game for them. The Sedins combined for a goal and three assists so they look to be peaking at the right time.
Victor Fasth made a 24-save shutout as Anaheim won the Pacific with a 3-0 shutout over Edmonton.
SPIN: Corey Perry had a pair of assists in the win for the Ducks and continues his strong season. Anaheim is locked into the #2 spot.
Winnipeg knocked off Buffalo 2-1 as the Jets continued their chase of the Southeast Division lead and the last playoff spot. Thomas Vanek scored the lone goal for Buffalo.
SPIN: The Jets are a point behind Washington for the Southeast Division lead. They also stand a point behind the Rangers and Senators for the 7th and 8th spot. They’re only two points behind the sixth-place Islanders. They take on the Capitals Tuesday in a game that will likely decide the division.
Multiple Goal Scorers
Franzen-DET
Stat of the Night-It’s Perfect In Bowling
Tomas Vokoun won his 300th career game when Pittsburgh knocked off Ottawa.
Three Stars of the Night
1 Howard
2 Franzen
3 Vokoun
Tuesday’s Games (all times ET)
Montreal at New Jersey 7pm The Canadiens look to improve their playoff seeding.
Winnipeg at Washington 7pm The #3 seed in the East is up for grabs.
NY Islanders at Carolina 7pm The Islanders should easily prevail so start the Isles.
Buffalo at Pittsburgh 730pm Penguins still in the hunt for the President’s Trophy.
Boston at Philadelphia 730pm The Flyers try to finish at .500.
NY Rangers at Florida 730pm Rangers need to get these two points over a weak foe.
Colorado at St. Louis 8pm This is big one for the Blues as they chase the last spots out West.
Los Angeles at Minnesota 8pm The Kings’ quest for home ice continues while the Wild tries to hang on to a playoff spot.
Calgary at Nashville 9pm Two teams playing out the string.
Dallas at San Jose 10pm Sharks want home ice while the Stars just want in.
