Reviewing Monday, previewing Tuesday

Going to combine the recap and preview again.

King Henrik clips Hawks
Henrik Lundqvist made 33 saves, including 14 in the third period, and Erik Christensen's goal 28 seconds after Patrick Kane tied the score early in the final frame gave the Rangers a 3-2 victory over Chicago. Brandon Dubinsky scored twice, assisted both times by Artem Anisimov and Ryan Callahan, for New York. Tomas Kopecky also scored for the Blackhawks. Duncan Keith notched two helpers.

No Briere, no problem
Missing a key member of its offense, Philadelphia didn't miss a beat, getting a pair of goals from Scott Hartnell plus 26 saves from Sergei Bobrovsky to defeat Carolina, 3-2. Jeff Carter had two assists and Claude Giroux scored a power play goal.

Guest report
Tonight's recap of Vancouver's 3-0 victory over New Jersey will be provided in large part by Devils' beat writer Tom Gulitti. The Devils have scored 20 goals in 13 games, a franchise low through 13 games and their lowest output since they scored 29 in the first 13 games in the 1994-95 season. They have seven goals in their last six games. Since scoring two goals in the first period of their first two games, they have not scored more than one goal in any period.

Ilya Kovalchuk has one point, a goal, in seven games. Travis Zajac has one point, an assist, in 11 games. Jamie Langenbrunner has one goal and one assist in nine games. Jason Arnott has a goal and two assists in his last 10 games. Those guys, along with the now-injured Zach Parise and Patrik Elias, are supposed to provide New Jersey's offense.

Thanks, Tom.

As for the game, Raffi Torres, Ryan Kesler and Henrik Sedin scored. It was Sedin's first goal of the season (he has 11 assists) and came on a penalty shot. Roberto Luongo made 30 saves.

Tuesday's action

Ottawa (4-6-1) at Toronto (5-4-1), 7 p.m. EDT

In a statistical oddity, the Senators opened and closed a four-game homestand by being shut out. In the middle two games, they scored five goals in each contest. Ah, screw it. The Senators are a bad hockey team. Let's just move on.

Remember when the Maple Leafs were one of the highest scoring teams in the league? Yeah. About that. In the last six games, Toronto hasn't scored more than three goals in a game (and did that just once) to drop to 26th in goal scoring. The Leafs have been blanked in two straight games. The goaltending and defense have been good enough (just once have they allowed more than three goals in a game.) Jean-Sebastien Giguere is enjoying a resurgence.

The only thing to get excited for in this game is Orr-Carkner VI.

Toronto 3, Ottawa 2, shootout

Montreal (7-3-1) at Columbus (6-4-0), 7 p.m., RDS

The Canadiens had a four-game winning streak snapped by Florida and look to get back on track against an up-and-down Columbus team. Andrei Markov returned from a ligament injury and recorded five shots in 23 minutes. Theoretically, Montreal's offense will start to tick upwards, and the defensive play shouldn't be too shabby as well. Carey Price needs support.

Bad Steve Mason showed up and was a large part in the Blue Jackets having their three-game winning streak end. Will someone tell Rick Nash the season has begun? He's a minus-8. Chris Clark leads this team in points, and that's a very, very bad thing.

Did you hear me? CHRIS CLARK.

Montreal 3, Columbus 1

San Jose (5-3-1) at Minnesota (4-4-2), 8 p.m., Versus

Seriously, Chris effing Clark.

This is bad timing for the Wild. The Joe Thornton-Dany Heatley-Patrick Marleau line is red-hot. I think they have something like 45 points in the last two games. San Jose has won four of five and scored 20 goals in that time (even with a shutout against.) The good news is the Sharks' penalty kill could be vulnerable; it's allowed a power play goal in seven of nine games.

I was asked a few days ago to jinx someone on the Wild. So OK, here it goes. Matt Cullen hasn't scored a goal in five straight games and has just two assists in that time. Not so coincidentally, the Wild's power play went from scorching hot to nearly Penguins-esque, just 2-for-19 in those five games. (The difference? Pittsburgh wouldn't have gotten those two.) Putting two and two together, Cullen seems to be the stir that draws the Wild's power play. Er, the straw that drinks the power play. Errr, the straw that stirs the power play.

Also, Martin Havlat is a waste of a roster spot and Allan Walsh should just be thrilled he's getting a commission off a contract Havlat's size, 'cause he ain't worth it.

(Reverse jinx alert.) Nik Backstrom is playing at the top of his game though, with two goals or fewer allowed in five straight.

San Jose 5, Minnesota 3 (The Backstrom unintended reverse jinx takes precedence.)

Vancouver (5-3-2) at Edmonton (3-4-2), 9 p.m.

The Canucks have won three straight but they've earned only one point out of a possible eight on the road. Ryan Kesler has resumed his goal scoring ways. Alex Burrows appears set to make his return to Vancouver's lineup, so perhaps that kickstarts the other Canucks who are struggling.

Edmonton's kids are starting to figure out the NHL, it seems. Jordan Eberle has three goals in his last four games (six points in five) and Taylor Hall has a goal and assist in each of his last two. Veterans Ales Hemsky and Shawn Horcoff have provided solid production. The Oilers impressively ended a six-game losing streak by knocking off Chicago.

Vancouver 4, Edmonton 2

Chris freaking Clark.