Asham lifts Devils to win
Arron Asham's tiebreaking goal with 9:22 left gave the New Jersey Devils a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Penguins in a wild game last night.
Asham scored on a tap-in from just to the left of the net off a pass from Zach Parise, who had three assists. Travis Zajac had two goals, and Jay Pandolfo, John Madden, and David Clarkson each had 2 points for New Jersey, which scored 11 goals in two games after netting only seven in its first four.
"[High-scoring games] don't happen too often with us," reigning Vezina Trophy winner Martin Brodeur said.
Sergei Gonchar had a goal and two assists, and Evgeni Malkin and Gary Roberts added a goal and assist each for the Penguins.
The teams combined to go 5 for 12 on the power play. The Penguins nearly scored another goal but it was disallowed because of a disputed too-many-men-on-the-ice penalty. Pittsburgh argued that Zajac's second goal shouldn't have counted because Brian Gionta fell on top of Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury in the crease.
Stars 3, Blue Jackets 2 - Jussi Jokinen scored in regulation and had the only shootout goal to give Dallas the victory over Columbus before the smallest crowd (11,820) to watch a regular-season NHL game at Nationwide Arena.
Jokinen, who tied it, 1-1, early in the first period, was the second skater during the shootout. He beat Fredrik Norrena with a deke and backhander.
"I have added a couple of moves the last couple of years. That move was pretty new," said Jokinen, 16 for 26 in shootouts. "I pick the right one based on whatever goalie there is."
The Stars forced overtime when Brenden Morrow converted a one-timer from the high slot with 1:11 remaining - seconds after Dallas pulled goalie Mike Smith for an extra attacker.
The Blue Jackets took a 2-1 lead at 8:24 of the third period on Jiri Novotny's diving jam shot after his first shot hit the post.
Ducks 3, Predators 1 - Petteri Wirtanen, the last player cut by Anaheim after training camp, scored the go-ahead goal 4:47 into the third period of his NHL debut in a win over visiting Nashville.
Drew Miller also scored his first goal in his third NHL game, Corey Perry connected in the final minute of the first period, and Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 28 saves for the Ducks.
Blues 3, Blackhawks 1 - Keith Tkachuk had a goal and an assist, and Manny Legace stopped 28 shots to lift visiting St. Louis to its fourth straight win.
Paul Kariya and Bryce Salvador also scored for the Blues.
