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Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:42 am EDT

Friday's three stars: Briere beats boos; Brodeur blanks another

By Greg Wyshynski

No. 1 Star: Danny Briere, Philadelphia Flyers

Mocked all year for an ineffective and injury-plagued season -- and booed mercilessly by Buffalo Sabres fans -- Danny Briere was the difference for the Flyers in their 6-4 victory. Elevated from a fourth line assignment to a line with Jeff Carter and Scott Hartnell, Briere scored two second-period goals to spark a Philly rally: a rebound slap shot past Patrick Lalime (25 saves) to tie the game and then a slapper from the slot to give the Flyers the lead and the momentum.

No. 2 Star: Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils

Brodeur is now just two shutouts away from matching Terry Sawchuk's career mark after blanking the Minnesota Wild, 4-0. Marty made 35 saves, improving to 9-1 with three shutouts since missing 50 games to injury. Patrik Elias had two goals for the Devils, who moved back into second in the East.

No. 3 Star: Chris Mason, St. Louis Blues

The bang-bang goals by Andy McDonald and Jay McClement in a 51-second span of the third period stunned the Calgary Flames, but Mason's 33-save effort was the backbone of the Blues' critical 3-2 road victory. He was brilliant when he needed to be, especially in a third-period save on the goal line, with Jarome Iginla in his face.

Honorable Mention: Matt Cullen and Chad LaRose (two goals) scored in the third period to rally the Carolina Hurricanes past a pesky New York Islanders team, 5-4. ... Calling his reception "more favorable than Pittsburgh," Marian Hossa scored his 36th goal of the season in his return to Atlanta, helping the Detroit Red Wings beat the Thrashers, 6-3. Of course, it does help when half the building is rooting for the Wings. Henrik Zetterberg had four assists in the win. ... Sidney Crosby (28) and Evgeni Malkin (33) scored first-period goals, as the Pittsburgh Penguins improved to 12-1-3 under interim coach Dan Bylsma with a 4-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. ... Ales Kotalik, one of the best shootout performers since the skills competition was implemented, tallied the final goal in the Edmonton Oilers' 5-4 shootout victory at the Chicago Blackhawks.

Did You Know?: The Flames had been 23-0-3 when leading after 40 minutes until the Blues' rally in the third.

Dishonorable Mention: Martin Skoula was a minus-3 in the Wild's loss to New Jersey. ... Garnet Exelby earned a 10-minute misconduct for being third-man-in during a fight between Atlanta's Nathan Oystrick and Detroit's Mikael Samuelsson. ... Jonathan Toews was stopped on a penalty shot and in the shootout by Dwayne Roloson (39 saves). ... Finally, is this un-penalized hit by Malkin (beware NSFW bubbles) on Wayne Simmonds of the Kings a clean shoulder or a head shot that deserves (according to some on the glorious HF Boards) some NHL discipline?

Related: 3 Stars, Puck Videos, Crosby vs. Ovechkin vs. Malkin

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83 Comments

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  1. miah
    1. Posted by miah Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:17 pm EDT

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    I thought the hit was questionable. He doesn't have a reputation for hitting high, but it looks like a shoulder into his face. Malkin needs to learn how to play smarter physically. I don't think he really knows what he can and cannot do.
  2. Tommy
    2. Posted by Tommy Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:55 pm EDT

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    I assume some rags fan is going to say Martys soon to be shut out record is a sham as well.
  3. CoreyB
    3. Posted by CoreyB Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:26 pm EDT

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    Not a cheap shot. Keeps the elbow in. Intends to hit with the shoulder, and the guy ducks him. No penalty at all.
  4. sponger
    4. Posted by sponger Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:32 pm EDT

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    theres nothin illegal about the hit, keep your head up, malkin was playing the puck.
  5. Sean N
    5. Posted by Sean N Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    flyerssssssssssssssss gonna b dangerous come playoff time look out
  6. Garth the Hoser
    6. Posted by Garth the Hoser Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    Leads with his elbow. Should be 2 games. Will be: Are you kidding? It's a star on a plug.
    The puck is that round black thing. The one made of rubber.
  7. Jay
    7. Posted by Jay Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:56 pm EDT

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    The dude was leading with his face, where did he expect to get hit? That said, a hip check would of been so much more spectacular there. He almost put the elbow out, but he tucked it in, no intent to injure. Clean hit. Get your head up!
  8. Zorro caliente
    8. Posted by Zorro caliente Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:23 pm EDT

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    wow! u wrote this urself wysh. this is ground breaking stuff. no romig. WHAT'S THE DEALIO?
  9. Sledge Longfellow
    9. Posted by Sledge Longfellow Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    Honorable mention: Daniel Briere's vulva.
  10. Corey D
    10. Posted by Corey D Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:20 pm EDT

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    Ehhh... the hit is definitely questionable. I hope the guy wasn't hurt too bad. However, I'm gonna say that Malkin didn't really have a choice on the hit. The kings player was skating with his head down and low. Malkin hit at normal level and got his head. I wouldn't really complain about discipline for the hit, however, except that there are FAR FAR more deserving cases.
  11. Tacks
    11. Posted by Tacks Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:51 pm EDT

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    No honorable mention for Knuble's amazing ability to score a goal without touching the puck? Because if he did touch it last it was high sticking right? Right?
    Oh and dishonorable mention to Marouelli - he sucks. A misconduct penalty to the Islanders putting them 2 men down when their player was clearly being hooked? Weak. He probably has a mistress in Kansas City. Or boy toy.
  12. wilsmith
    12. Posted by wilsmith Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:03 pm EDT

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    Leading with his elbow? You know his elbow is a part of his arm, which is attached to his body. It's not like he can just take it off and move it when someone is going to run into it. Get a clue.
    His arm is tucked in, he leads with the shoulder.
    I'm going to thrust my shoulder this way, and if you put your face in front of it, that's your fault.
  13. Bida
    13. Posted by Bida Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:57 pm EDT

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    Are the Pens starting to get a little dirty with their play? Just seems like there's some questionable hits that have come up with the Pens as of late. Regardless, many of you might say it was a clean hit but if it was someone on your team being hit like that, I'll guarantee you'd call for a suspension. And no, I'm not a Kings fan.
    In the end, as the announcer says, "it's a hit to the head" and that is EXACTLY what the league is trying to cut down on.
    Personally I don't see a point of it. He beat the player to the puck easily and could've left him alone. Instead he moves the puck and then goes for a very unneeded hit on a player in a vulnerable position.
    This is just me, and I'm sure many (most being Pens fans) will disagree but I think it should be a game or two. The head shots need to go away no matter WHAT!
  14. Patrick
    14. Posted by Patrick Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    Good game Wings.
  15. miah
    15. Posted by miah Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:17 pm EDT

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    I think Malkin's hit was more of a reaction to try to protect himself more than anything else. Players take runs at him more than anyone I've ever seen, and he always seems to elude them. This seems to be another case of a guy trying to lay him out (leading w/ his face) and getting the worst of the hit.
  16. mikel g
    16. Posted by mikel g Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:19 pm EDT

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    over 2 thousand comments on ovies celebration, many of them sillyass canadian racists, less than 20 actual talking about 3 stars priceless
  17. henry
    17. Posted by henry Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:28 pm EDT

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    if malkin was a flyer he'd get 20 games (flips the record)
  18. wtfk
    18. Posted by wtfk Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:08 pm EDT

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    Let's put it this way. That's not Malkin throwing that shot at the head of an oncoming checker, and the league issues a suspension. "Defending himself" is no excuse for doing it wrong. Mere mortals get benched for that.
  19. lookche
    19. Posted by lookche Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:56 pm EDT

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    Malkin must have thought he was Crosby while he was doing that.
  20. Fill
    20. Posted by Fill Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:59 pm EDT

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    that's the most half-assed attempt of playing the puck i've ever seen from a 100pt scorer.
  21. itsonlyresin
    21. Posted by itsonlyresin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:18 pm EDT

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    Get your head up, rookie! Simmons should have gotten 2 minutes for interference. Illegal head butt to Malkin's shoulder. Is this really an issue?
  22. fanof71
    22. Posted by fanof71 Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:14 pm EDT

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    @zombotical
    What do the flyers have to do with the Pens/Kings?
  23. Dan M
    23. Posted by Dan M Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    Geno definitely looks like he's expecting and bracing for contact- not for Simmonds to drop his head. Thankfully, he doesn't extend the elbow and he doesn't lead his feet.
    If he does get suspended, it's a joke. The league can't have it both ways. Earlier the refs let Jack Johnson mull him for 10 seconds, then they step in with deserving offsetting penalties. A couple games ago they let it slide when he's thrown from behind into the crossbar. If you are going to make Geno protect himself, expect him to brace for contact.
  24. Dan M
    24. Posted by Dan M Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    *leave his feet
  25. David N
    25. Posted by David N Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:43 pm EDT

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    13. Posted by zombotical
    if malkin was a flyer he'd get 20 games (flips the record)
    If Malkin was a Flyer he would have 7 goals and 4 assists and his groin would explode every third game

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