The NHL Hat Trick Club welcomed back Buffalo Sabres forward Daniel Briere for the second time this season following his three goals in his teams total domination of the Boston Bruins 7-1 last night.

Briere got the second hat trick of his career for the second time this season, and helped the Sabres break out of their three game losing streak. Briere has now scored 11 points (5 goals, 6 assists) in his last 6 games. The Sabres also recieved goals from Jason Pominville, Thomas Vanek, Chris Drury, and Paul Gaustad. Maxim Afinogenov pretty much assisted on everything last night. Martin Biron made 25 saves on the evening.

Briere also became the fifth player on the Buffalo Sabres to record 20 or more goals this season, making them the only team to accomplish that feat thus far. This team appears destined for great things come playoff time.

Quick Shave:
Craig Conroy's return to the Calgary Flames was a successful one, much to the dismay of the Los Angeles Kings last night. Facing his old team the day after he was traded from them, Conroy scored twice, and helped the Flames defeat the Kings 4-1. The Atlanta Thrashers handed the New Jersey Devils their second straight loss (I guessed I cursed them with the Brodeur Vezina talk huh Stache?) 5-4 in the shootout last night, and have drawn even with them in the East. Ilya Kovalchuk scored two goals in the match, and Marian Hossa finished the game in the shootout with the game winner. The New York Islanders blew it last night. This was one of those games where you see the 3-0 lead in the third period and say to yourself....they're done. So I thought. The Detroit Red Wings powered back in the third to force overtime where Henrik Zetterberg potted the game winner midway through overtime to give his team the 4-3 victory. Islanders what happened?! Now I wish I hadn't changed the channel. The Columbus Blue Jackets are stealing a page from the Phoenix Coyotes playoff push handbook, as they took their fourth win in a row last night. The Jackets beat Roberto Luongo (who perhaps I just cursed like Brodeur) and the Vancouver Canucks in the shootout 3-2 on a game winner by Zherdev. Marc-Andre Fleury stopped all 32 Florida Panthers shots he faced last night to hand the Pittsburgh Penguins the 3-0 shutout win.... and now that I have commended him....he is officially cursed. Sorry Stache. The Toronto Maple Leafs beat up on the Carolina Hurricanes last night 4-1, thanks to a pair from Nik Antropov. The Hurricanes are crashing and burning lately, losing four of their last five. The Leafs remain in the hunt for the playoffs just sitting outside the playoff bubble. The Dallas Stars tied their game 2-2 against the San Jose Sharks with 2.2 seconds left on a goal by Phillippe Boucher to force overtime and the eventual shootout. Dallas Stars forward Mike Ribiero scored the game winner for Dallas to take the 3-2 victory. Sharks rookies Ryane Clowe, and Joe Pavelski scored on their first ever shootout attempts last night. Pavelski's goal was especially sweet, ringing both posts behind Turco. Mark Messier expressed his desire yesterday to return to the game in a few years in a general management capacity. I've always pictured him in more of a coaching role, but he appears more interested in creating a competitive roster within the new salary cap era of the NHL. I wish him luck with that endeavour.

Game of the Night:
Phoenix at Anaheim 10:00 PM

Oh yeah! Who won't be watching this one. If you told me this would be a great game to watch in November I would have slapped you and shaved your beard. Now....I offer only a hug, while striking you firmly on the back. The Ducks have returned to form, thanks to the return of most of their core players, and the Coyotes seem to be answering the bell against everyone since their mid-season turn around. This is another big test for the Yotes, but one I won't be surprised to see them pass. Enjoy the games!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh