Notes from Friday, Oct. 9
Stars of the night
--Jussi Jokinen had the game-winning goal and pitched in two assists in Carolina's 7-2 walloping of Florida.
--Mike Ribeiro scored the opening goal and assisted on another as Dallas handed Calgary its first loss - regulation or overtime - of the season, 5-2.
Someone in the NHL can play goal
In the midst of so many struggles by big-name goaltenders, one of the more consistent through the first week of the season is Carolina's Cam Ward. Yes, he did give up four goals in just 30 minutes to Boston, but in his other three appearances, Ward has allowed two goals or less.
Quick strikes
The Stars got two early jumps on the Flames Friday night. Ribeiro's goal came just 1:02 into the game. Dallas made the score 2-0 just 55 seconds into the second period on a goal by Brian Sutherby.
Battle of the backups
Starting goaltenders Marty Turco of Dallas and Calgary's Miikka Kiprusoff each received their first night off Friday. Alex Auld manned the net for the Stars and Curtis McElhinney was between the pipes for the Flames. Auld made 21 saves in the win while McElhinney gave up four goals on 29 shots.
Quote of the night
"When you go three games and people you expect to score don't, they feel it. And they feel it right away. Hopefully those guys have just a little more confidence with the puck now."
Carolina head coach Paul Maurice, on his team's new-found offense. Six of the Hurricanes' seven goal scorers netted their first goal of the season Friday. Carolina previously had scored just three regulation goals in three games.
Marquee matchup
A quick editorial: Am I the only one mildly annoyed at this all-or-nothing the NHL schedule has going on? Most nights have been either two games or 12-14 games. I'd enjoy a nice, six- or seven-game night like Tuesday. That was fun. Something in between two and 14, rather than just two or 14. Anyway.
Saturday, Oct. 10 (13 games)
Kings (2-1-0) at Blues (2-1-0), 8 p.m. ET. A big collection of some mighty fine talent, young and old. Anze Kopitar, Dustin Brown, Justin Williams, Ryan Smyth, Drew Doughty, Jack Johnson just to name a few Kings, against Andy McDonald, Keith Tkachuk, Paul Kariya, Brad Boyes, T.J. Oshie and Erik Johnson just to name a few Blues.
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