National Hockey League news: March 20, 2008

March 20, 2008

There were 7 games played in the National Hockey League on March 19, 2008.

Tampa Bay Lightning @ Buffalo Sabres
put the Lightning on the scoreboard first 2:50 into the first period. put Tampa Bay up by 2 later in the first. Buffalo went on the board with a shorthanded goal by. scored a pair of goals in the second period for the Lightning, giving them a 3 goal lead. Pominville scored his second of the night 5:03 into the third period, then 16 seconds later, scored to bring the Sabres within 1. Buffalo went ahead when scored a natural hat trick. Hecht also added an empty net goal with 6 seconds left in regulation.

left the game after taking a hit into the boards. He did not return, and appeared to be favoring his left arm or shoulder. Ranger had a pair of assists before leaving the game in the third period.

New York Rangers @ New Jersey Devils
scored a power play goal 6:05 into the game for the Devils, which gave them a one goal lead. tied the score with just 4:46 left in regulation, to force overtime. scored the only goal in the shootout, which gave the Rangers the win.

Carolina Hurricanes @ Atlanta Thrashers
scored early in the first for the Hurricanes, putting them ahead. followed up a few minutes later, increasing Carolina's lead to 2. also scored later in the first period. put the Thrashers on the scoreboard early in the second period. The Hurricanes responded less than 2 minutes later when scored his first NHL career goal. brought the Thrashers within 2 goals just about a minute after that. scored a power play goal late in the third for Carolina. added one for Atlanta with under a minute left.

Columbus Blue Jackets @ Detroit Red Wings
broke a scoreless tie for Columbus 7:05 into the second period. In the third period, scored a natural hat trick, three consecutive goals, which put Detroit in a two goal lead late in the game.

Washington Capitals @ Chicago Blackhawks
scored first 1:27 into the first period. 's power play goal put the Blackhawks ahead by 2 3:19 into the first. and each also scored in the opening period, giving Chicago a 4 goal lead going into the first intermission. scored just over halfway through the second period, putting Chicago ahead by 5.

Anaheim Ducks @ Dallas Stars
scored a shorthanded goal over halfway through the first period, giving Dallas their only lead of the game. The Ducks struck back when scored his 7th of the season to tie the score at 1 goal apiece. scored the game winner, a go-ahead goal with 28 seconds left in regulation, which gave the Ducks the win.

Minnesota Wild @ San Jose Sharks
scored his 12th of the season late in the first period, which put the Sharks on the board and in the lead. Minnesota answered back 49 seconds into the second, when put a puck past. put the Sharks back in the lead a few minutes later. scored a power play goal early in the third, tying the score. scored to put San Jose ahead with 2:02 left in regulation. Minnesota was able to re-tie the score when Gaborik scored his second of the night with just 29 seconds left in regulation to force overtime and eventually a shootout. Pavelski and each scored for their respective teams, which tied the shootout in the first round. Roenick scored the deciding shootout goal in the third round, which gave the Sharks their 13th win in 14 games.

was taken off the ice in a stretcher in the second period, after being pushed from behind, losing his balance, and crashing into the boards during a race for the puck in a touch-icing situation. Foster has surgery Thursday to repair damage to a broken leg, and will miss the rest of the 2007-08 season, including the playoffs.

Player of the Day
Today's Player of the Day is Henrik Zetterberg of the Detroit Red Wings. Zetterberg scored a natural hat trick in the third period of Detroit's 3-1 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. He had 6 shots on goal and a couple take aways. He scored the game-tying and game-winning goals.

For information on the selection process of the Player of the Day, see this page.