The state of Pennsylvania hosted two afternoon games and fans in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia experienced mixed results. In Pittsburgh, Evgeni Malkin had a five-point performance in an 8-5 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Meanwhile, roughly 300 miles to the east, Philadelphia fans had to experience the frustration of losing to the Rangers again, thanks to a standout showing from Ryan Callahan.
1) Evgeni Malkin, Pittsburgh Penguins - You can make a strong case that linemates James Neal and Chris Kunitz could split the billing with Malkin. That trio combined for 11 points in Pittsburgh's 8-5 win over the Jets. Malkin did his part by scoring his 30th goal and assisting on four others for his third five-point game of the year. Defenseman Kris Letang added his first two-goal game in three years and the Penguins also received goals from Richard Park, Dustin Jeffrey and Jordan Staal in their 10th straight home win over the Winnipeg franchise.
2) Ryan Callahan, New York Rangers - Stop if you've heard this one before: the Rangers beat the Flyers. They're 5-for-5 this season and have won seven straight going back to last year. Callahan had just one goal in the first four meetings, but yesterday he enjoyed a hat trick that featured two power-play goals. Marian Gaborik had the other power-play goal for the Rangers, whose struggling man advantage had its most success of the year. If Callahan's performance was not frustrating enough for Flyer fans, then how do they feel knowing that both of his hat tricks have come against them.
3) Mike Smith, Phoenix Coyotes - Don't low now, but the Coyotes are on a nice roll. Mike Smith can take some credit for allowing three goals in his last four starts, including none in a 3-0 win over the Blackhawks. Smith turned aside 38 shots, including 16 in the third period for the Coyotes, who have won five in a row. Radim Vrbata, Boyd Gordon and Kyle Chipchura scored for Phoenix, which is six points behind San Jose in the Pacific Division.
Game-Winner of the Night
Overtime goals don't often get scored this early but Taylor Hall's backhand just 17 seconds in gave the Oilers a 4-3 victory in Ottawa, ending an eight-game road losing streak.
One-Timer of the Night
The Lightning are rolling a little but Steven Stamkos has been on fire all year. He scored his league-leading 37th goal and extended his points streak to six games in Tampa Bay's 2-1 victory in Buffalo.
Hard-Working goal of the Night
Daniel Paille had gone nine games without scoring. Thanks to this effort in Boston's 4-3 shootout victory over the Predators, Paille did not make it 10 stright.
Save of the Night
Steve Mason commits highway robbery in Minnesota, stealing the puck from the goal mouth just before it can make it across the line.
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