The Columbus Blue Jackets are likely going to have a fire sale sometime between now and Feb. 27 and, while it’s assumed that their star players might be a part of it, Jeff Carter is making a statement with his play of late.
1) Jeff Carter, Columbus Blue Jackets – Carter’s name is getting tossed around the trade block like its going out of style, but the Jackets’ sniper looks like he’s either auditioning for a trade or trying to keep his job in Columbus. With his hat trick on Tuesday, Carter now has five goals and eight points in nine games since returning to the Jackets’ line up. R.J. Umberger, Rick Nash and David Savard also scored for the Jackets’ in their 6-3 win over the San Jose Sharks and Steve Mason stopped 38 of 41 shots.
2) Kari Lehtonen, Dallas Stars – Lehtonen isn’t going to let the Stars go down without a fight this season, stopping 31 shots for the 3-0 shutout over the Montreal Canadiens. Ryan Garbutt, Mike Ribeiro and Tom Wandell scored for the Stars.
3) Radim Vrbata, Phoenix Coyotes – Vrbata continued his fantastic season on Tuesday, scoring twice in the Coyotes 5-4 shootout win over the Los Angeles Kings, including tying the game with time running out in the third. He also assisted on a goal. Shane Doan scored Phoenix’s other two regulation goals and Ray Whitney and Mikkel Boedker scored in the shootout to give Phoenix the win. Mike Smith stopped 25 of 29 shots for the victory.
Play of the Night
Rick Nash dances through the San Jose defense before scoring this beauty of a goal.
Save of the Night
Words simply cannot do this save by Ondrej Pavelec justice. That is, other than Save of the Year.
Fight of the Night
David Clarkson steps up for Zach Parise and throws down with Dion Phaneuf, getting the slight edge in the tilt.
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