Moscow saw the enemy, and he is Lundqvist. King Henrik was the difference in Game 1 of the Helsinki-Moscow series, as he led the Jokerit to the win despite being outshot 41-17. And that wasn’t even the most lopsided shot total of the two games played Thursday.

Helsinki was revved up and raring to go, and when the game started, they went with a high energy game, hitting Moscow players at every turn. That style backfired at first as the Jokerit were called fro 7 minor penalties int he first period. The result was that the puck was in the Helsinki end most of the period and Lundqvist was under siege the whole time.  Moscow capitalized twice on the their powerplay chances, with Derek Roy and Kevin Dallman scoring goals. But somehow, the scoreboard read 2-2 when the period ended. Jarome Iginla deflected a shot in to start the scoring and Ryan Smyth scored between Moscow’s goals. In the second period, there were no Helsinki penalties, but Moscow dominated anyway and by the start of the third period, Spartak held a 29-12 shot advantage. Twelve more third period shots for Moscow, but Lundqvist stopped them all and with 12:47 to play, Helsinki pulled in front for good on a Paul Stastny powerplay goal. Jaroslav Halak didn’t have a lot of work in the Moscow goal and he didn’t seem ready when the occasional Helsinki shot got through to him.  Anze Kopitar, Moscow’s biggest gun, was the most active forward on the ice Thursday. He had an assist and 7 shots on goal. Game 2: Moscow needs to get one past Helsinki early or his legend will grow in everyone’s minds and that could beat back their competitiveness.  Their defensemen were caught pinching too often in the offensive surges and they need to mind the store better in the next game. Helsinki could stand improvement all areas where the ice isn’t painted blue. Actually, the second and third stars of the game – Stastny and Jack Johnson – both played very well and coach Barry Trotz has to be hoping their play will rub off on their teammates.

The Copenhagen Tridents put together one of the most dominant performances in the EURO League’s history Thursday, beating St. Petersburg 4-1 and outshooting them 56-10. Pekka Rinne, in the Red Stars net, made 52 saves in the loss. His counterpart in the Copenhagen net, Roberto Luongo came away with the win after stopping just 9 pucks. Copenhagen’s first period was their worst of the game. They only outshot St. Petersburg 15-5. The second and third period shot totals were 21-2 and 20-3, respectively. Shea Weber was everything GM Dylan Callow acquired him for and more. The big defenseman with the powerful slapshot, didn’t score, but he fired 4 shots on goal, blocked 3 shots and rocked the Red Stars with 8 hits. Copenhagen’s attack was balanced and relentless and the first star of the game was their fourth-line winger Ville Peltonen. The Finn was the only player with more than 1 point and he had 6 shots on goal in just 9 minutes of playing time.  His linemate Jay McClement also did more than expected, scoring a goal and winning 4 of 5 faceoffs in just 4 minutes of ice time. Erik Cole ruined Luongo’s shutout, but the score was already 4-0 late in the game when that score was registered. Game 2: Brent Burns and Brad Richards played well for St. Petersburg Thursday. Those two veterans and Rinne need to impress upon their teammates that the three of them can’t win this series on their own. St. Petersburg has clawed back from series deficits and won before, they need to be reminded. Copenhagen can’t take their foot off the gas pedal against the Red Stars and Weber can helped them keep the momentum if he can keep throwing his weight around.  The Tridents got a boost from their fourth line in Game 1 and will need the other forwards to carry the ball on Saturday.