The day started with three games being broadcast regionally with a featured game being shown later in the afternoon.
In Buffalo the Sabres got two goals and an assist from Derek Roy as they ended their four game losing streak with a 6-2 win over Pittsburgh.
In Chicago the Blackhawks rallied with three goals in the 3rd period to beat the St. Louis Blues 3-1.
And in Detroit the Red Wings won their 23rd home game in a row as they beat the San Jose Sharks 3-2.
The marquee game took place in St. Paul as the Minnesota Wild hosted the defending Stanley Cup Champion Boston Bruins. To say the last two months have not been kind to the Wild would be an understatement but for one game they did a lot of the things that led them to the great start they had at the beginning of the season.
Nicklas Backstrom turned away all 48 shots he faced while Chad Rau and Matt Cullen scored to give Minnesota a 2-0 win over Boston.
Now I'm not going to say that everything is back on track for the Wild has they have a bit of a hole to dig out of but they are only four points out of the final playoff spot in the West.
But of the 23 games remaining on the schedule 10 of them are against teams they are in contention with for a playoff spot. If they can take care of their business Minnesota just might play their way back into playoff contention.
If so then Sunday is a good starting point.
Here is the Power Poll for Week 18.
1. Detroit 41-17-2 84 points
Win over San Jose had to feel a little special after the last two spring meetings.
2. N.Y. Rangers 38-14-5 81 points
Rangers defeat Columbus 3-2 in overtime. No word if they are the favorite to land Rick Nash.
3. Vancouver 38-15-6 82 points
Canucks extend their point streak to 13 games with a 5-2 win over Edmonton.
4. St. Louis 36-16-7 79 points
After shutting out Minnesota on Saturday, Blues give up three goals in the 3rd period in a loss to Chicago.
5. Boston 35-20-2 72 points
Bruins are now 1-10-1 lifetime against the Minnesota Wild after Sunday's 2-0 loss.
6. Nashville 34-19-6 74 points
Acquisition of Hal Gill from Montreal makes a deep group of defenseman even stronger.
7. New Jersey 34-20-4 72 points
Devils are 8-1-1 since the All-Star break and currently hold the 4th spot in the East.
8. Pittsburgh 33-21-5 71 points
Evgeni Malkin has recorded a point in 12 of his last 16 games on the road.
9. Chicago 32-21-7 71 points
Blackhawks end nine game losing streak with win over New York on Thursday. Have now won three in a row with back to back wins over Columbus and St. Louis.
10. Philadelphia 32-19-7 71 points
Acquisitions of Nicklas Grossman and Pavel Kubina on defense does not cover up the shaky goaltending this team is dealing with right now.
11. San Jose 31-19-7 69 points
Sharks acquire Dominic Moore from Tampa Bay. He'll help on face-offs and penalty kills.
12. Ottawa 30-22-8 68 points
Senators have won three of their last four games to hold on to their playoff spot.
13. Washington 29-24-5 63 points
Four games this week could be what tells us if the Capitals are a playoff team or not.
14. Toronto 29-24-6 64 points
Maple Leafs have lost 10 in a row to Vancouver after 6-2 loss on Saturday.
15. Winnipeg 29-26-6 64 points
I have to tip my hat to all the Jets fans that came to Xcel on Thursday night. One of the best crowds I have seen in a long time.
16. Phoenix 29-21-9 67 points
Coyotes are 7-0-1 in the month of February and look to be in control of their playoff destiny.
17. Dallas 29-26-4 62 points
Trade of Nicklas Grossman doesn't necessarily mean the Stars are throwing in the towel on their playoff quest.
18. Colorado 29-27-4 62 points
Good news for the Avs as Matt Duchene returns to the lineup after missing 20 games with a knee injury.
19. Calgary 28-22-9 65 points
As of right now the Flames are in the final playoff spot in the West. I expect this to change many times before the end of the season.
20. Los Angeles 27-21-11 65 points
If there was a team that could ever use Rick Nash on the wing it's the Kings.
21. Florida 27-20-11 65 points
Panthers have lost three in a row during the current homestand.
22. Tampa Bay 26-26-6 58 points
Trades of Moore and Kubina means the Lightning are officially sellers before Monday's trade deadline.
23. Minnesota 26-24-9 61 points
They lose two games to the worst team in the NHL (Columbus) but they shut out the defending Stanley Cup Champions. (Boston) You try to figure this team out.
24. Anaheim 25-24-10 60 points
Ducks have earned a point in their last nine games.
25. Buffalo 25-27-7 57 points
Sabres defeat Pittsburgh 6-2 in their first afternoon game of the season. The way this year has gone Buffalo should petition the NHL to move the rest of their games to 2 PM starts.
26. N.Y. Islanders 25-25-8 58 points
I have to figure Evgeni Nabokov will be in demand during the next week with teams looking to upgrade their goaltending before the trade deadline.
27. Montreal 24-26-10 58 points
Blake Geofferion, grandson of Canadiens great Boom Boom Geofferion and great grandson of hockey legend Howie Morenz acquired in the deal for Hal Gill. Yeah, no pressure there kid.
28. Carolina 22-26-11 55 points
Eric Staal has 4 goals and 4 assists in his last five games.
29. Edmonton 22-30-6 50 points
Personal opinion here: I wouldn't trade Sam Gagner if I was the Oilers GM.
30. Columbus 17-35-7 41 points
In a week's span Rick Nash becomes the biggest chip available at the trade deadline.
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