ATR: Battle of The Bottom-Feeders

Around the Rink is a daily recap of games, news, links, and video from around the hockey world. E-mail Reid with any questions or comments.

Tim Gleason scored twice in leading the Carolina Hurricanes past the Toronto Maple Leafs.(Photo by Gregg Forwerck/NHLI via Getty Images)

Scores

Carolina Hurricanes 6, Toronto Maple Leafs 5 -- In a game pitting the NHL’s two worst teams against each other, the futility of the Toronto Maple Leafs prevailed, as the Cardiac ‘Canes scored with 1.9 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 5-5, before Tuomo Ruutu and Jussi Jokinen undressed Toronto netminder Jonas Gustavsson on consecutive attempts in the shootout, giving Carolina it’s 4th victory of the season. Toronto, which blew leads of 3-0 and 4-2, falls into last place in the NHL with a record of 3-11-6. Game Recap »

Boston Bruins 4, Atlanta Thrashers 3 -- The Boston Bruins put an end to their three game losing streak last night in Atlanta, beating the Thrashers 4-3 in a shootout. Patrice Bergeron scored the only marker in the game-deciding skills competition, and Boston backstop Tuukka Rask stuffed all 3 shooters he faced, including superstar Ilya Kovalchuk’s top-shelf-targeted wrister. The Bruins continue to tread water with star center Marc Savard on the shelf, but reports have the crafty playmaker due back within the week. Game Recap »

Ottawa Senators 6, Pittsburgh Penguins 2 -- The Ottawa Senators capitalized on their scoring chances in a 6-2 victory over the defending champion Penguins, scoring the six straight goals after falling behind 1-0 early in the first period. Veteran stay-at-home blueliner Chris Phillips tripled his goal total on the year, scoring twice to bring his season total to 3. In Reid’s fantasy team news, Jordan Staal added a marker in a losing effort. Game Recap »

Other scores:

• St. Louis Blues 3, Phoenix Coyotes 2

• Nashville Predators 3, New Jersey Devils 2

• Columbus Blue Jackets 4, Dallas Stars 1

• Chicago Blackhawks 7, Calgary Flames 1

• Anaheim Ducks 4, Tampa Bay Lightning 3

Studs & Duds

Thursday’s Stud -- Tuomo Ruutu, Carolina -- The talented Finn had 4 assists in Carolina’s victory over Toronto, and absolutely undressed Jonas “Monster” Gustavsson in the latter’s first career shootout. 

Thursday’s Dud -- Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh -- Fleury surrendered 5 goals on just 24 shots before vacating the pipes for Brent Johnson with 7:12 gone in the 3rd period.

Outlet Passes

Links from around the hockey blogosphere.

• Eklund makes his picks for Team USA’s forward crop. Not bad, although the RJ Umberger selection is a head-scratcher

• Bob McKenzie tweets that Chicago can’t sign their big three just yet due to “tagging issues.” 

• The NHL is looking into soft shoulder pads, says TSN’s Darren Dreger.

• Looks like the “Intent to Blow” (that’s what she said) issue has reared its ugly head for the 2nd time in two nights.

Parting Shots

Who knew hockey fans in Southern California could be so violent?