Spartans in the NHL: Playoff Race Edition Part 1

Spartans in the NHL: Playoff Race Edition Part 1 The playoff race heated up for the Sabres this week, as Buffalo fought to gain possession of a playoff spot in

Spartans in the NHL: Playoff Race Edition Part 1

The playoff race heated up for the Sabres this week, as Buffalo fought to gain possession of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Goaltender Ryan Miller, who has been critical to the team’s success, was stellar in a big battle with the Washington Capitals on Monday night. Miller earned second star honors in the 5-1 trouncing, allowing only one goal out of 44 shots. Teammate Corey Tropp added an assist in the contest, contributing to Thomas Vanek’s 25th goal of the season, which made the game a 3-0 affair in the second period. The Sabres faltered as the week progressed, however, as Miller allowed three or more goals in back-to-back losses.

Fellow Spartan John-Michael Liles of the Maple Leafs caused particular pain for Miller, netting a goal and an assist in a 4-3 victory on Saturday. The win caused Buffalo to fall out of eighth place with three games left to play. Liles scored on a great close range wrist shot as time expired in the second period. His seventh goal of the year made the game 3-1. He also added a helper on the game winning goal in the third period, which was his 20th of the season.

David Booth and the Canucks caught fire this week, winning four straight games to clinch a playoff spot in the Western Conference. Booth did not have any goals or assists this week, but he was quite active. The highlight of his week came on Wednesday in a 1-0 win over the Avalanche, in which the left winger had three shots and two takeaways.

The Red Wings had an average week, but still clinched a Western Conference playoff spot, as the team was 2-2. Drew Miller and Justin Abdelkader were also quiet, though Miller had three hits in a 4-1 defeat to the Predators on Thursday.

Center Jim Slater will not experience the playoffs this year, as the Winnipeg Jets have been eliminated from the race. Slater did receive good news this week, though, as he was informed that he is the Jets’ nominee for the Bill Masterson Award. Handed out in June, the award goes to the NHL player who “best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship, and dedication to hockey.” Slater earned the distinction in part because of his comeback from a concussion he sustained last year. Another key reason is his community outreach program, “Take Jim Slater to Work Day”. In an interview with Cisco NHL Live, the veteran explained his reasoning for creating the program: “This year, I really wanted to make an effort to get to know the individuals of the city of Winnipeg and see what they do on an everyday basis. It is more centered around the hard-working people of Winnipeg.” Slater also gushed about the city of Winnipeg and its fans: “I couldn’t ask for anything more from the city of Winnipeg. The fans have been great, the city has been great.”

The popular veteran center also had a goal and assist this week for Winnipeg. He scored his 11th goal of the season on a tip-in, which came in the 2nd period of a 4-3 victory over the Hurricanes on Friday. His assist came on Monday in a 6-4 loss to the Senators.

The Panthers struggled to hold onto the third seed in the Eastern Conference this week, as the squad went 1-1-2. Defenseman Mike Weaver was quiet most of the week, as he did not manage any points.

The Spartan-Oiler trio of Shawn Horcoff, Jeff Petry, and Corey Potter had a decent week. Both Petry and Potter managed an assist this week. Petry notched his 22nd of the year in a 4-1 loss to the Kings on Friday, a game in which he was also hit in the face with the puck. He did not make the trip to Anaheim on Sunday, but could play in Edmonton’s final two games. Potter added his 17th assist of the season on Wednesday in a 3-1 defeat to the Stars. Horcoff did not score any points this week, but he did have a nice performance on Sunday in a 2-1 triumph over the Ducks, with one shot, five hits, and a 65% success rate on faceoffs.

Notes:

Lightning right winger Adam Hall remained out this week with an upper body injury. He is still listed day-to-day.

Blackhawks’ defenseman Duncan Keith served his five game suspension this week, as Chicago clinched a playoff spot in the Western Conference. He will return to action on Thursday against the Wild.

Recently signed defenseman Torey Krug of the Bruins was a healthy scratch for the team in all of Boston’s games this week.