Stamkos, Crosby, Emery named ‘Stars’ for February

NEW YORK – Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Chicago Blackhawks goaltender Ray Emery have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of February.

FIRST STAR – STEVEN STAMKOS, C, TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING

Stamkos posted 10-10—20 in 14 February games, tying for first in the League in goals (with Winnipeg’s Andrew Ladd) and ranking third in points. He scored goals in six straight contests from Feb. 16-26 (seven total), the longest such streak in the NHL this season. Stamkos also had six multi-point outings and recorded at least one point in 11 of 14 games. He ended the month on an eight-game point streak (7-7—14), propelling him to first in the League in goals (14) and points (31). Currently in his fifth NHL season, all with the Lightning, the two-time Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy winner has 193-167—360 in 345 career games.

 

SECOND STAR – SIDNEY CROSBY, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Crosby led the NHL with 18 assists and 24 points in 14 games. He recorded six three-point performances during the month and registered at least one point in 11 of 14 contests. Crosby finished February with points in three straight games (2-4—6), his fourth stretch this season with points in at least three consecutive contests. Through 21 games, he leads the NHL with 22 assists and is on pace to become the first player to average at least one helper per game since Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin in 2009-10. The 25-year-old Cole Harbour, N.S., native has played in 455 career NHL games, all with the Penguins, totaling 232-408—640 (1.41 points per game).

THIRD STAR – RAY EMERY, G, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS

Emery posted a 7-0-0 record, 1.66 goals-against average and .941 save percentage in eight games as the Blackhawks continued their record-setting start to the season. He allowed two goals or fewer in seven of his eight appearances and secured shootout victories over the Calgary Flames Feb. 2 and Vancouver Canucks Feb. 19. Emery has played in nine games overall this season, ranking in the top 10 in the League in wins (eight), goals-against average (1.92) and save percentage (.931). In 216 career NHL appearances, the Hamilton, Ont., native has a 117-62-19 record with a 2.66 goals-against average, .908 save percentage and 11 shutouts.

Bruins-Lightning moved to 7 p.m. tomorrow

(Photo Credit: Joe Makarski/Bruins Daily) Due to Superstorm Nemo, Nathan Horton and the Boston Bruins will play the Tampa Bay Lightning at 7 p.m. (instead original start time of 1 p.m.)

What’s Brewin with the Bruins by Bruins Daily 

by Tim Rosenthal

We here at Bruins Daily hope everyone stays safe during today’s blizzard!With Superstorm Nemo hitting New England, and a ban of all motor vehicles issued by Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick earlier today, the Boston Bruins have postponed tomorrow’s start time against the Tampa Bay Lightning from a 1 p.m. matinee to 7 at the TD Garden.

Bruins beat Lightning; pick up first win of the season

by Anthony http://bruinsdaily.com

Rich Peverley scored twice helping the Bruins pick up their first win of the season beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1

After a late first period letdown two days ago in the home opening loss against the Philadelphia Flyers, the Bruins rebounded nicely picking up their first win of the year beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-1.

Rich Peverley scored twice, and Tim Thomas made 25 saves en route to the first Bruins win of the season.

After a scoreless first period, things got interesting early in the first. Rich Peverley got his first of the year when he put home a loose puck after a Brad Marchand shot rang the post.

 

It was a lucky bounce for the Bruins, and Marchand was not afraid to admit it.

“Yeah. I just think getting a couple of lucky bounces. You saw on Pev’s (Rich Peverley) goal there–the first one—hit the post, it could have went anywhere. It just dropped in front for him to tap in, so we’re just getting lucky bounces right now” said Marchand.

Tampa Bay answered just over a minute later when a Nathan Horton turnover led way to a Martin St Louis breakaway. St. Louis beat Tim Thomas blocker side for his 300^th career goal tying things up at one.

The only Tampa Bay lead of the evening was short lived as an Adam McQuaid shot from the point would deflect off of the body of Daniel Pallie and sneak past Lightning goalie Mathieu Garon.

David Krejci and Rich Peverley’s third period goals would secure the win for the Bruins in front of a sold out TD Garden crowd.

As good as Thomas was for the Bruins tonight, the Bruins second line stole the show. The trio combined for five points and finished the night a combined plus-6.

After scoring twice tonight, Peverley was happy with his lines performance.

“Our line played with speed and we were shooting the puck a lot more and I think it paid off. We had some good rebounds” said Peverley.

It’s no secret that Peverley brings a different type of style then the one Mark Recchi brought to the Bruins second line last season. Recchi was more of a “crash-the-net type of guy” whereas Peverley uses his speed to create scoring chances, and that works well for Patrice Bergeron.

” Yeah, it is. I mean I feel we are creating a lot of chances off the rush and even in zone by our forecheck and by the way we keep moving our feet” said Bergeron. “And it’s been, I thought we had a lot of chances last game as well and we didn’t finish and tonight same thing and we found a way.”

If the Bruins second line can stay consistent throughout the season, it will be another fun hockey season in Boston.