Wouldn’t know Marian Hossa if she made us bong a beer, but Lee Diekemper is familiar with her work. So he’s recapping all the wacky, wild, kool-aid style that went down . Oh, Marian is a he? Kidding.

Pittsburgh 4, New York Islanders 2: Evgeni Malkin had a goal and an assist to snap a Pens two-game skid, but the highlight came hours before the game. The Pens pulled off a ballsy move acquiring Marian Hossa for a ton of young talent (Colby Armstrong, Erik Christensen and highly-touted minor leaguer Angelo Esposito). The great thing about the Pens was they were among the NHL elite while well-stocked with young talent, much of which has yet to crest. Paying such a price for Hossa, whose contract expires after this season, could get the Pens a Stanley Cup this year. Or it could terribly backfire if they don’t win it all and Hossa signs elsewhere. At least for the playoff run this spring, the Pens first two lines should be lethal.

Dallas 3, St. Louis 1: The Stars inched closer to the Wings for the Western Conference race, and very well may have gotten the edge they need by getting Brad Richards. The 2004 Conn Smythe Trophy winner has become something of an enigma. When Richards played on a line with good talent (Vinny Lecavalier, Marty St. Louis, even in the past with Freddie Modin and Ruslan Fedotenko) Richards was a stud. When Richards played on a line with lesser talent, he was a dud. A center pulling $7.8 million a year should raise the level of his linemates, not the other way around, which is what doomed Richards in Tampa Bay. Richards should do great in Dallas and if he plays anywhere close to how he played in the Lightning’s Stanley Cup run, the Stars too could be lifting the Cup in victory again.

Edmonton 4, Detroit 3 (SO): The Oilers won an NHL record 13th shootout while the slumping Wings have now lost 9 of 10. The Wings were looking to bolster their offense in a trade but couldn’t find a suitor. With the Stars now on their heels and adding Richards, it doesn’t appear defenseman Brad Stuart, who the Wings acquired yesterday from the Kings, may be enough.

Carolina 2, New Jersey 1 (OT): Sergei Samsonov’s two goals, including an overtime winner, lifted the Hurricanes. Tuomo Ruutu, of the notorious Ruutu clan, arrives and may give the Hurricanes a lift. If nothing else, Ruutu will mix things up. It’s not likely Ruutu can fill the void left by recently departed Cory Stillman.

Washington 4, Minnesota 1: Alex Ovechkin is still missing in action but the Caps got a big win. The Caps were smart to bolster their goalies by adding Cristobal Huet yesterday but acquiring left wing Matt Cooke is an odd choice. He’s a good penalty killer but lately has been prone to turnovers, which can be lethal in the playoffs.