NHL Recap: Wings Clip 'Hawks, Sabres Beat Rangers

It was a busy day in the National Hockey League yesterday and, therefore, a busy day for NHL hockey betting enthusiasts out there. Let’s take a look back at the day that was on ice:

Detroit 5, Chicago 4

Despite heading into the United Center as a moneyline underdog to the white-hot Blackhawks, the Red Wings came away with a 5-4 victory in a crucial Central Division clash. Paced by the play of future Hall-of-Fame defenceman Nicklas Lidstrom — who finished the game with a goal and an assist — Detroit parlayed a huge second period explosion to remain in the 8th and final playoff spot in the Western Conference.

The Wings chased Chicago netminder Cristobal Huet midway through the second, scoring five goals in just over six minutes to turn the game completely on its head. Lidstrom, Brian Rafalski, Jason Williams, Valtteri Filppula and Pavel Datsyuk all tallied for Detroit, while Chicago was paced by a hat-trick from Andrew Ladd and a single marker from blueliner Duncan Keith.

Buffalo 2, New York Rangers 1 (OT)

It was a thriller at Madison Square Garden as two of the NHL’s finest netminders — Buffalo’s Ryan Miller and New York’s Henrik Lundqvist — went head-to-head in an impressive display. Lundqvist made 30 saves and Miller 35, but the hero was Buffalo super-pest Patrick Kaleta, who scored in overtime to secure two points for the Sabres.

The loss was a particularly tough one for the Rangers, who have now dropped four straight and fell further behind in the chase for the final playoff spot in the East. For Buffalo, the two points were crucial as they look to re-establish themselves atop the conference.  With the win, the Sabres moved back into third spot in the conference, tied on points (79) with New Jersey but ahead due to their lead in the Northeast Division.

In other NHL action from Sunday…

Vancouver 4, Nashville 2 — Jannik Hansen scored on a rebound off his own breakaway and Roberto Luongo finished with a .943 save percentage as the Canucks continued to impress on their NHL-record 14-game road trip. The Canucks now sit at 7-5 with two roadies left before returning home to General Motors place on March 13th.

Philadelphia 3, Toronto 1 — Simone Gagne had a goal and an assist while Michael Leighton made 27 saves as the Flyers took care of business at home against the Maple Leafs. Toronto was hampered throughout the game by the undisciplined nature of Colton Orr, who took three minor penalties in the first 12 minutes of the game.

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