NHL Recap 10-26-09

Stars of the night
--Marian Gaborik 2 goals, 1 assist; Vaclav Prospal 1 goal, 2 assists; Rangers beat Coyotes, 5-2. Gaborik is the league's top goal scorer now but left with an injury. Says it's not related to his hip or groin.
--Several Toronto players. See below.

Undeserved point?
The Islanders scored a late goal and earned a point after losing in overtime, 3-2, to Montreal. On the sequence that led to the tying goal by Jeff Tambellini - his second of the night - New York defenseman Mark Streit seemed to play the puck with a high stick, so much so that he appeared to stop playing briefly, evidently anticipating a whistle. None came and Tambellini scored a few seconds later, but the Canadiens got the second point when Tomas Plekanec fed Roman Hamrlik on a nice pass for the game-winning goal. Jaroslav Halak made his fourth straight start for Montreal, which has won... four straight.

Monster explosion
Was it the return of Jonas Gustavsson? Or the undisciplined play by the Ducks? Either way, Toronto got its first win of the season, emphatically so, 6-3 over Anaheim. Niklas Hagman had a hat trick, with all three goals on the power play. Tomas Kaberle had five points, including a goal, and Lee Stempniak chipped in four points, plus a goal. Matt Stajan had three assists and Gustavsson made 25 saves.

Anaheim had 45 minutes in penalties to Toronto's 31.

Just a feeling
But I think Minnesota wins in Pittsburgh Saturday.

Quote of the night
"He made a nice Czech sausage, that's what we call it. Sometimes in practice when you do a nice flip we call it a Czech sausage."
Hamrlik, describing the pass by Plekanec; both are from the Czech Republic. I don't think further commentary is necessary.

Marquee matchup
Tuesday, Oct. 27 (3 games)
Flyers-Capitals (7 p.m. ET, Versus) should be good, but I'd rather pick Colorado (8-1-2) at Edmonton (6-4-1) at 9:30 p.m. ET to see if the Avalanche can continue their hot play.