In what had to be the premiere showdown in the NHL last night, the two top teams in the Western Conference faced off in an epic contest. Well, for one period anyway.

The San Jose Sharks visited the Honda Center to meet their division rivals the Anaheim Ducks for the first time this season, and played to a draw in the first period. That was the last period the Sharks looked like an equal to their counterparts, who began to take them apart in the second. Duck's defenceman Chris Pronger and forward Ryan Getzlaf opened the scoring, and Anaheim never looked backed. San Jose Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov recieved no offensive support and little defensive help as he was lit up for 5 goals on 44 shots. Duck's goalie Jean Sebastien Giguere saved all 23 shots he faced and recorded his third shutout of the season, to help his team to the 5-0 rout.

Anaheim's Teemu Selanne scored his 498th, and 499th goals of his career. I know, I know, just one shy of joining the NHL Hat Trick Club.....and the not as esteemed 500 Goal Club (which Mats Sundin joined earlier this season, while silmutaneously joining the NHL HTC). Teemu will have ample opportunity to pot his 500th tomorrow night against the Colorado Avalanche, and if Jose Theodore is in net, most certainly the HTC.....several Ducks players may join the HTC tomorrow night.

Quick Shave:
Bad news for the Nashville Predators, as they lose their hulking center Jason Arnott for almost 6 weeks. Arnott was injured in Columbus on Monday night, and will have to have his knee scoped. I think it's safe to say Jaromir Jagr's shoulder is 100%. The New York Ranger's captain scored 2 goals and goalie Henrik Lundqvist stopped 34 shots to shutout the defending Stanley Cup Champion Carolina Hurricanes 4-0. Ranger's forward Jed Ortmeyer has been cleared to resume practicing (non contact) with the club after being out all season with a pulmonary embolism. Good news for the young player who brought tons of energy to the Rangers last season. Petr Sykora scored 2 goals for the Edmonton Oilers to lift them over the Calgary Flames 2-1. Sykora is having a solid season for the Oil this year, scoring 20 points (9 goals, 11 assists). The Toronto Maple Leafs may get their captain, Mats Sundin back as early as this Saturday as they face off against the Boston Bruins. Sundin has be recovering from a tear in an elbow ligament.

Game of the Night:
Toronto at Buffalo 7:00 PM
Vancouver at Detroit 7:30 PM
Nashville at Dallas 8:30 PM

There are so many good games to be thankful for leading up to this Thanksgiving Day, that I decided to present you with a horn of plenty.....plenty of great games that is. Last time the Leafs and Sabres faced off, the Sabres left with their first regulation loss, and were handily defeated. Perhaps a bit of grudge match? Vancouver and Detroit just looks like it could be fun. Luongo has yet to really be the difference maker the Canucks had hoped he be this season. Beating Detroit would make a good case for him. Even without Arnott, Nashville is a formidable team, and they have called up their wonder baby Alexander Radulov to cover for him. They face off against a Dallas team that had a great come from behind win against the Avs on Monday, and also lost a key player in their captain Brendan Morrow......to what you ask. GROIN GROIN GROIN! Big surprise. Enjoy the games, and hopefully many cold ones my friends!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh