SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF - Official Pittsburgh …penguins.nhl.com/v2/ext/media/pdf/11 21...

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 11/21/2013

Anaheim Ducks 725207 No joy in Duckville as home streak ends against Devils, 4-3 725208 Final: Devils 4, Ducks 3 (OT) 725209 Ducks are their own worst enemy in loss to the Devils

Boston Bruins 725210 Kevan Miller recalled from Providence on emergency basis 725211 Bruins’ Jim Benning sought by Sabres 725212 Rask and Bruins ruin Nash's return to Rangers, 2-1 725213 Bruins face stiff West challenge from Blues

Buffalo Sabres 725214 Sabres recall McNabb, Adam to face Philly, but Grigorenko placed in limbo 725215 Trip to Philadelphia a test of young Sabres’ character 725216 What are the odds for Latvian gold? Try not very good. 725217 Nolan stresses communication 725218 Grigorenko on lost conditioning assignment: 'I needed to play' 725219 Roster shuffle continues: Adam, McNabb called up while Grigorenko returns after NHL nixes conditioning assignm

Calgary Flames 725220 NHL tiebreaker format continues to be a water cooler talker in the hockey world 725221 Flames wary of smacked-down Blue Jackets 725222 Cam Atkinson's success should give hope to Calgary Flames fans 725223 Reto Berra heroics not enough for Flames

Carolina Hurricanes 725224 Canes' Jeff Skinner antsy to get back on the ice 725225 Muller: Nerves a factor in ailing PP 725226 Skinner may return to lineup

Chicago Blackhawks 725227 Hawks confident of rebound 725228 Thursday's matchup: Blackhawks at Jets 725229 Illinois Racing Board releases details of wagering accord 725230 Blackhawks summon Morin from Rockford 725231 Jets fans, forget 'Helmet Pardy' vs. Blackhawks 725232 Blackhawks' Raanta gets first taste of NHL 725233 Patience pays off with hot streak for veteran Patrick Sharp 725234 'Helmet Pardy' won't be permitted Thursday 725235 Some glitches, but Blackhawks still in a good place 725236 Blackhawks notes: Looking for a bounce back in Winnipeg 725237 Antti Raanta's trial by fire should continue in Winnipeg 725238 Jeremy Roenick, Dan Rosen 'not surprised' with Blackhawks' start 725239 Blackhawks Pulse: A welcome back for Kris Versteeg 725240 Winnipeg fans to mock Blackhawks fan who stole Pardy's helmet

Colorado Avalanche 725241 Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov keeps his thoughts on hockey 725242 Nathan MacKinnon dazzling Avs teammates, including host J.S. Giguere 725243 Matt Duchene, Avs' leading scorer, ruled out for upcoming road trip 725244 Denver Cutthroats forward A.J. Gale called up to Manchester Monarchs 725245 To show fast start wasn't a fluke, Avs must grow up

Columbus Blue Jackets 725246 Blue Jackets 2, Flames 1: Nikitin breaks drought with winner 725247 Blue Jackets notebook: Kekalainen might seek to add veteran 725248 Oilers 7, Blue Jackets 0: Loss hard to fathom 725249 Blue Jackets notebook: Russian goalies are friends, rivals

Dallas Stars 725250 Dallas Stars' Ray Whitney will be a game-time decision vs. New York Rangers 725251 Dallas Stars only NHL club without a power-play goal at home; magic moment could come against New York Rangers 725252 Alex Chiasson, who ranks third in Dallas Stars scoring, injured with puck in face at Wednesday's practice 725253 GameDay: Dallas Stars vs. New York Rangers 725254 Differences over contract could sever Stars, Strangis ties

Detroit Red Wings 725255 Jonathan Ericsson closing in on extension with Detroit Red Wings 725256 Helene St. James: Detroit Red Wings trying to remember joy of winning, after losing Danny DeKeyser 725257 Red Wings' Mike Babcock on Justin Abdelkader: He helps the line he plays with 725258 Predators 2, Red Wings 0: Why the Wings lost on Tuesday night 725259 Red Wings lose Danny DeKeyser (shoulder) for 'a bit' 725260 Here are five reasons behind the Red Wings' struggles 725261 Woeful Red Wings turn to Gustav Nyquist for offensive help 725262 Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser out at least 10 games with separated shoulder 725263 Mike Babcock's recipe for ending prolonged skid: Red Wings need to relax, have fun, don't 'over-work' 725264 Red Wings hope to recall Gustav Nyquist from Grand Rapids; split up Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg 725265 Red Wings place defenseman Danny DeKeyser on long-term injured reserve; out 3-to-6 weeks 725266 Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, players and alumni to attend benefit for injured high school player 725267 Red Wings to recall Nyquist as DeKeyser goes on injured reserve 725268 Detroit Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser out 3-6 weeks 725269 Red Wings ‘have to get better' after Predators deal Detroit 7th consecutive loss

Edmonton Oilers 725270 David Perron disturbingly good addition to Edmonton Oilers lineup 725271 Edmonton Oilers’ Sam Gagner hesitant to panic over scoring slump 725272 Edmonton Oilers ex-GM Steve Tambellini hired by Anaheim Ducks to be part-time professional scout 725273 Mark Arocbello, Ryan Jones having hard time getting back into lineup 725274 David Perron the kind of jerk the Oilers have needed for a long time

Florida Panthers 725275 Florida Panthers nab first win in Vancouver since 1994 725276 Tim Thomas, Florida Panthers savor rare victory in Vancouver 725277 Panthers end 19 years of losing in Vancouver 725278 Preview: Panthers vs. Oilers, 9:30 p.m., Thursday

Los Angeles Kings 725279 Anze Kopitar is carrying a big load for the Kings 725280 Alec Martinez and interesting team stats

725281 Lombardi update on Quick 725282 Waking up with the Kings: November 20

Minnesota Wild 725283 Postgame: Wild beats Ottawa Senators on Mikko Koivu's latest winner 725284 Wild-Ottawa game recap 725285 Heatley haunts ex-team; Koivu's late goal lifts Wild over Ottawa 725286 Koivu has goal, 2 assists as Wild top Senators 4-3 725287 Wild notes: Burning memories of Ottawa 725288 Mike Yeo on why the Wild recalled Jason Zucker; Updates heading into tonight's Ottawa game 725289 Jason Zucker "freed" by the Wild 725290 Minnesota Wild: Leaders step up in bounce-back victory 725291 Wild 4, Senators 3: Mikko Koivu scores late game-winner 725292 Minnesota Wild: Dany Heatley faces off against former team 725293 Minnesota Wild recall Jason Zucker

Montreal Canadiens 725294 Habs prepare for a busy weekend (with video) 725295 Backup goalie Peter Budaj plays key role with Habs 725296 Canadiens get passing grades for first quarter of season 725297 A day in the life of Habs’ goalie coach 725298 Goalie coach Stéphane Waite writing new chapter with Habs’ Carey Price 725299 Habs hold optional practice and blood drive

Nashville Predators 725300 Nick Spaling's worth to Nashville Predators isn't measured in goals 725301 Josh Cooper's hat trick 725302 Preview: Nashville Predators at Toronto Maple Leafs 725303 Nashville Predators decrease minutes for rookie Seth Jones

New Jersey Devils 725304 Devils Rally Past Ducks Late, Winning 4-3 in OT 725305 Devils rally to defeat Ducks in overtime, 4-3, behind Jaromir Jagr's tying goal in regulation 725306 Devils' Stephen Gionta says ankle is okay to play; Jaromir Jagr and Teemu Selanne defy ages 725307 Devils: Rostislav Olesz leaves Albany, will be suspended and given release 725308 Devils' Martin Brodeur: No sadness that Olympic days are probably over 725309 Jaromir Jagr scores tying goal late in third period and Devils beat Ducks in overtime 725310 Devils nip Ducks in OT

New York Islanders 725311 Islanders bemoan lack of defense

New York Rangers 725312 Michael Del Zotto back in NY Rangers lineup, but Alain Vigneault needs to see more 725313 Crushed Ice: Rick Nash on his return; notes on Kreider, Vigneault, Richards, Lundqvist, more from 2-1 Rangers 725314 Del Zotto back in lineup, despite Vigneault’s concerns 725315 Concussion alters Nash’s perspective 725316 Alain Vigneault gives Michael Del Zotto another chance 725317 Rangers confident goals will eventually be achieved 725318 Rangers Report

Ottawa Senators 725319 Game File 725320 Better effort, same result for Senators 725321 Senators insist leadership not an issue 725322 Senators update: Anderson starting against Wild 725323 Gameday preview: Wild at Senators 725324 Ottawa Sens goalies could give nod to Gump 725325 Dany Heatley not the same since leaving Ottawa Senators 725326 Lack of communication concerns Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean 725327 Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray looking to deal

Philadelphia Flyers 725328 An NHL first at Flyers vs. Sabres 725329 Couturier takes good-natured ribbing 725330 Couturier is relieved to finally score a goal 725331 Text from Mike Richards helped Claude Giroux turn things around 725332 Goal puts Couturier in better state of mind 725333 Flyers' progress measured in small steps 725334 First goal of season leaves Couturier feeling ‘lighter' 725335 McCaffery: Flyers were able to fight their way back into contention 725336 Flyers Notes: Was 7-0 loss the turning point? 725337 Berube thinks first goal will get Couturier going 725338 Flyers have come a long way since mid-October 725339 Couturier centering on 'D,' not goals

Phoenix Coyotes 725340 Points piling up for Phoenix Coyotes despite injuries, tough schedule

Pittsburgh Penguins 725341 Caps' Ovechkin: No worries about Pens' Malkin 725342 Defense steps up as Pens blank Capitals 725343 Penguins notebook: Capitals different than in '09 725344 Let's Learn From the Past: Penguins' back-to-back Stanley Cups 725345 Penguins notebook: Scuderi’s absence being felt 725346 Crosby, Fleury lead Penguins over Capitals, 4-0

San Jose Sharks 725347 San Jose Sharks' rookie Tomas Hertl making an impact 725348 Brent Burns could be in San Jose Sharks' lineup Thursday 725349 Sharks hope for boost from Burns, Havlat 725350 Marleau still sore from car accident 725351 Sharks GM Wilson feels good at quarter-pole

St Louis Blues 725352 Bernie: Don't judge Blues by failures of the past 725353 Morrow is beginning to make presence felt with Blues 725354 Blues glad to be receiving secondary scoring lately 725355 Hockey Guy: Blues don't have to lean on Steen

Tampa Bay Lightning 725356 Tonight’s Game: Lightning at Sharks 725357 Bolts hope to reverse fortunes against San Jose 725358 Lessons get harder for Lightning rookies 725359 Cooper fiddling with lines ahead of Thursday's game with the Sharks in San Jose

Toronto Maple Leafs 725360 Mirtle: Leafs not satisfied despite strong first-quarter results 725361 Maple Leafs: Young defencemen Morgan Rielly, Seth Jones on different career curves 725362 NHL: Players split on possible move to 3-on-3 OT: Feschuk 725363 Maple Leafs: Five things to know about the Nashville Predators 725364 Maple Leafs: Kadri back between Kessel and Van Riemsdyk 725365 Maple Leafs: David Clarkson makes the penthouse, Franson contemplates doghouse 725366 Former Maple Leafs goalie Ben Scrivens: By the numbers 725367 Maple Leafs Gameday

725368 Leafs roster will need tweaking 725369 Former Leaf Scrivens starring in Hollywood 725370 Maple Leafs' Kadri set to return against Predators 725371 Why the Toronto Maple Leafs are not afraid of advanced statistics 725372 Toronto Maple Leafs’ Nazem Kadri on return from suspension: ‘I guess I’m on probation right now’ 725373 Toronto Maple Leafs’ David Clarkson finally gets first goal (and monkey off his back)

Vancouver Canucks 725389 Botchford: Luongo is the least of Vancouver’s worries 725390 Botchford: Rest assured with Tortorella 725391 Kuzma: Slump? Speed bump? Something’s gotta give for struggling Canucks 725392 Gallagher: Canucks have a real need for speed 725393 The Provies: Tallon’s revenge, Lu takes blame and the twins with a shocker 725394 Blip or major slip? Five-game losing streak suggests mindset as concerning as scoring 725395 Deja-view? Since San Jose triumph, Canucks look like club that slid after vengeful win in Boston 725396 Canucks Hat Trick: Bless the Blue Jackets, lack of run support for Lu, and it’s time to move the Panthers

Washington Capitals 725374 Braden Holtby’s struggles against Penguins continue 725375 Open thread: Capitals vs. Penguins 725376 Ovechkin and Oates on Evgeni Malkin’s scoring slump 725377 John Erskine still working to regain strength, no timeline for a return 725378 Mike Green won’t play against Penguins 725379 Ovechkin-Crosby: Stars are shining once again as Caps, Pens meet 725380 Caps with an early letdown against the Penguins

Websites 725397 USA TODAY / Penguins dominate Capitals 4-0 725398 USA TODAY / NHL blocks bid to send down Mikhail Grigorenko 725399 YAHOO SPORTS / Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin: The rivalry is real again for NHL's recharged superstars

Winnipeg Jets 725381 Kane appears unfazed by recent dry spell 725382 Three weeks ago Keaton Ellerby was languishing as a healthy scratch in L.A.; now the waiver wire pickup is sal 725383 Jets' D getting healthier, happier 725384 The drought goes on 725385 Jets slow out of gate in practice, can't do same against Blackhawks 725386 Winnipeg Jets treat rookie Mark Scheifele with kid gloves 725387 Pardy poopers: Jets throw cold beer on helmet-wearing fans 725388 Helmet Party kiboshed; fans will have lids confiscated, True North says SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129 725207 Anaheim Ducks

No joy in Duckville as home streak ends against Devils, 4-3

New Jersey's Jagr scores with 1:01 left in regulation to tie it, then Ducks give up an own goal in overtime.

By Lance Pugmire | 10:10 PM PST, November 20, 2013

Sixty two seconds from a 9-0 start at home, the Ducks made a stunning dark turn into misfortune and now find themselves winless in five consecutive games.

First, with his goalie off the ice, New Jersey Devils veteran Jaromir Jagr delivered career goal No. 689 by beating Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller, tying the score with 1:01 left in regulation.

Then, in overtime, Ducks defenseman Ben Lovejoy tried to clear a puck in front of Hiller, only to see it accidentally strike teammate Corey Perry and careen back inside the goal to give the Devils a 4-3 victory Wednesday at Honda Center.

BOX SCORE: New Jersey 4, Ducks 3 (OT)

"Bad-luck play," Lovejoy said. "Rebound in front of the net, I'm trying to clear … fired it right off Corey's shin pads. Obviously, wish it didn't happen.

"It's even tougher to swallow that we're on a losing streak. Up 3-2 with very little time left. … Incredibly unfortunate ending. That's a game we need. We are a desperate team right now and that's an unacceptable way to lose."

The Ducks (15-6-3) went 0-3-1 on a trip that marked a run of 12 of 15 games away, but they were uplifted about being home, and rallied from a flawed call earlier in the game to take a 3-2 lead on center Ryan Getzlaf's 12th goal of the season in the second period.

The Ducks' interest in building upon a 3-2 lead in the third was suspect considering they didn't even take a shot on goal until 6:25 remained in the period.

"Probably played a little too passive," Hiller said.

"We missed two total open nets … you knew something negative was going to happen," Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau said. "Those things happen in sports. It was us tonight."

Getzlaf, Hiller and Boudreau chalked up Lovejoy's play, 1:58 into overtime, as "an accident" and "bad bounce."

"It's not losing games that bugs you so much, it's the way you lose them," Getzlaf said. "We played a pretty solid game, but we've got to be able to be a great team to close those games out."

"It's not that he wasn't working, it's a bad break," Getzlaf said. "Rough way to lose it."

Perry illustrated the Ducks' frustration by swiping the puck, credited as a goal for New Jersey's Travis Zajac, all the way down to the other end of the ice as the Devils improved to 8-8-5.

The Ducks earlier overcame hard feelings when a four-minute high-sticking call on Teemu Selanne in the first period was followed by two New Jersey goals.

Television replays showed Selanne's stick stayed on or near the ice the entire time while New Jersey's Marek Zidlicky smacked teammate Andy Greene in the lip.

Greene impressively sold the accident, barking "Four minutes!" to officials as blood poured from his lip.

With a two-man advantage early in the second, Ducks center Nick Bonino capitalized by making it 2-2 before Getzlaf blasted the go-ahead goal.

Ducks defenseman Francois Beauchemin crashed head-first into the boards during the game and didn't return. Boudreau said the veteran is day-to-day.

LA Times: LOADED: 11.21.2013

725208 Anaheim Ducks

Final: Devils 4, Ducks 3 (OT)

November 20th, 2013, 9:42 pm ·· posted by ERIC STEPHENS

ANAHEIM - The Ducks found quite the inventive way to drop their fifth straight game.

A one-goal lead disappeared at the end of regulation and then a win disappeared when Ben Lovejoy's attempt to clear the puck out of his crease banged off teammate Corey Perry and ricocheted into the net past Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller.

The weird bounce resulted in a 4-3 overtime win for the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, putting the first blemish on the Ducks' home mark at Honda Center. The Ducks were the last team to be perfect in their own barn, entering the game with an 8-0 record.

Jaromir Jagr scored with 1:01 left in regulation, just nine seconds after the Devils pulled goalie Martin Brodeur for an extra attacker. It was Jagr's eighth of the season and 689th of his career.

The Ducks (15-6-3) got power-play goals in the second period from Nick Bonino and Ryan Getzlaf to grab a 3-2 lead. Jonas Hiller made 21 saves while Brodeur made 22 stops, including a big one on Mathieu Perreault in overtime.

Playing in just his fourth game and second since coming back from a broken left thumb, Matt Beleskey provided some early energy for the Ducks and then capitalized on it at 11:31 of the first.

Hampus Lindholm carried the puck into the New Jersey zone and drew a defender his way before throwing a wraparound pass to Beleskey, who snapped a shot through Brodeur for his first goal of the season.

The Devils would tie it and take a 2-1 lead with some good fortune thanks to a blown penalty call. Teemu Selanne was sent to the penalty box for a four-minute double minor after Devils defenseman Andy Greene was hit in the mouth with a high stick.

Television replays showed Selanne's stick down on the ice as New Jersey's Marek Zidlicky clipped Greene. Zidlicky would beat Hiller on the ensuing first power play and then Eric Gelinas easily banged in a one-timer on the second one.

Orange County Register: LOADED: 11.21.2013

725209 Anaheim Ducks

Ducks are their own worst enemy in loss to the Devils

By Elliott Teaford, Daily Breeze Posted: 11/20/13, 10:54 PM PST

The Ducks were only moments away from a cathartic victory over the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday at the Honda Center. They needed only to kill a few more seconds off the clock before extending their home winning streak to nine consecutive.

Then they lost track of Jaromir Jagr in the slot and watched in horror as he sent the game to overtime. Then they missed a pair of open nets in the extra period. Then they played the puck into the back of their own goal to complete a 4-3 loss that had them gnashing their teeth.

Defenseman Ben Lovejoy tried to clear a rebound from the front of Jonas Hiller’s net, but ended up firing the puck off the shin pad of teammate Corey Perry and past the dumbfounded goaltender. The Devils’ Travis Zajac was credited with the game-winning goal.

“It’s even tougher to swallow that we’re on a losing streak right now,” Lovejoy said after the NHL-leading Ducks (15-6-3) fell to 0-3-2 in their last five games. “We’re up 3-2 with very little time left. They get a late goal. We were still trying to win that game.”

The Ducks might have put the Devils away with a late power play, but they were too passive and didn’t create the necessary chances that might have led to a prime scoring opportunity.

Then they were unsteady defensively after the Devils replaced Martin Brodeur with a sixth attacker.

“Obviously, an incredibly unfortunate ending,” Lovejoy said. “That’s a game we need. We are a desperate team right now. I know we’re still doing OK in the standings. That doesn’t matter. We need to step in and win some games. That was an unacceptable way to lose. …

“We’ve got a lot of work to do. We’re not playing great hockey right now. We’re a talented team. We want to be an elite team in this league. We are an elite team in this league, and we’re not playing like it. Certainly not tonight.”

Matt Beleskey, Nick Bonino and Ryan Getzlaf scored for the Ducks, who overcame a 2-1 deficit by the end of second period and held a 3-2 lead in the third. Marek Zidlicky and Eric Gelinas also scored for the Devils (8-8-5).

“It’s not losing games that bugs you so much, it’s the way you lose them,” Getzlaf said. “We played a good, hard hockey team and played a pretty solid game. We had lapses … but when you have it on your stick with a minute left, we have to be able to close it out.”

LA Daily News: LOADED: 11.21.2013

725210 Boston Bruins

Kevan Miller recalled from Providence on emergency basis

By Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff

The Bruins have recalled defenseman Kevan Miller from Providence on an emergency basis. Miller should make his NHL debut tomorrow against St. Louis at TD Garden.

Miller is needed because of injuries to Dennis Seidenberg and Adam McQuaid. Seidenberg played just one shift in yesterday’s 2-1 win over the Rangers. Seidenberg left in the first period because of a lower-body injury. It is unknown how much time Seidenberg will miss.

McQuaid is likely to miss his sixth straight game tomorrow. McQuaid could return for Saturday’s game against Carolina.

This is Miller’s first NHL recall. Miller was the last player cut from training camp. The right-shot Miller is a stay-at-home defenseman. In 12 AHL games this season, the former University of Vermont defenseman has one goal and two assists. The Bruins signed Miller as a free agent on Oct. 21, 2011.

Boston Globe LOADED: 11.21.2013


Bruins’ Jim Benning sought by Sabres

By Fluto Shinzawa | November 20, 2013

NEW YORK — On Tuesday, the Bruins gave Buffalo permission to interview assistant general manager Jim Benning to replace former GM Darcy Regier. Pat LaFontaine, Buffalo’s new president of hockey operations, submitted the formal request.

Benning is on a short list to become Buffalo’s seventh GM in team history. Other known candidates include Pittsburgh assistant GM Jason Botterill and Montreal assistant GM Rick Dudley.

Benning was one of Bruins GM Peter Chiarelli’s first hires in 2006. Benning served as the Bruins’ director of player personnel for one season. He was promoted to assistant GM July 14, 2007. Benning’s strength is in player evaluation at all levels.

Before arriving in Boston, Benning was Buffalo’s director of amateur scouting. Sabres drafted under Benning’s watch include Ryan Miller, Jason Pominville, Derek Roy, Paul Gaustad, Daniel Paille, and Dennis Wideman. Miller is the only player remaining in Buffalo.

If Benning lands the opening, one of his first moves might be trading Miller, who will be an unrestricted free agent after this season.

Regier and coach Ron Rolston were fired last Wednesday. Ted Nolan is the interim coach. The new GM will have the option to fire Nolan and hire a permanent coach.

Seidenberg leaves

Dennis Seidenberg played only one shift in Tuesday night’s 2-1 win over the Rangers before leaving with a lower-body injury. Seidenberg was injured during a net-front tangle with Derek Dorsett. Seidenberg stayed on the ice but left after his shift, favoring his left leg.

Seidenberg was on the ice for 61 seconds. It is unknown whether Seidenberg will be available for Thursday’s home game against St. Louis.

Seidenberg has played in all 21 games. He has no goals and six assists. Seidenberg has been the left-side defenseman on the No. 2 pairing with Torey Krug.

It was the third time this season the Bruins lost a defenseman mid-game. Johnny Boychuk hurt his back in the second period of the 3-2 shootout win over Anaheim Oct. 31. Adam McQuaid was hurt in the first period of the 3-1 win over Toronto Nov. 9 when turning and pursuing a puck.

Because of Seidenberg’s injury, Zdeno Chara played a season-high 31:27. The Bruins matched Chara against the Rangers’ top line of Rick Nash, Brad Richards, and Ryan Callahan. Chara was credited with five hits and three blocked shots.

“It says a lot,” coach Claude Julien said of his five healthy defensemen assuming more shifts. “This is not just a game. This is a back-to-back game with travel. I thought they did a good job. I look at Zdeno at the end and how he was strong, poised, and getting pucks out of our own end. There wasn’t much panic.”

Matt Bartkowski hurt his left knee in the second period. Callahan belted Bartkowski, sending him into the boards. Bartkowski limped off the ice. He recovered on the bench and finished the game (21:13 of ice time, two shots, one hit).

Nash back in

Nash played Tuesday night for the first time since Oct. 8. Nash missed 17 games because of a concussion. The No. 1 left wing had a team-high five shots in 17:55 of play.

“For only having a couple of practices and stepping in tonight, he had three or four Grade-A scoring chances,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “Sooner or later those are going to start going in.”

Nash was injured in the third regular-season game when ex-Bruin Brad Stuart elbowed the former Columbus captain in the head. In the previous game, Nash had two assists and six shots.

Nash has had two concussions this year. On Feb. 12, Nash was injured after Milan Lucic delivered a hard check.

McQuaid skating

McQuaid has skated the last two days. McQuaid, who missed his fifth straight game because of an undisclosed injury, probably will not be available against St. Louis Thursday night. But Julien said it’s possible McQuaid could return Saturday when the Bruins host the Hurricanes . . . Patrice Bergeron played in his 600th career game Tuesday night . . . Krug played only 15:44 despite the departure of Seidenberg. It was the third-lowest amount of time Krug played this season. Krug had trouble on his first shift when Dorsett bumped him off the puck . . . Bergeron won 18 of 23 faceoffs . . . Neither Lucic nor Brad Marchand recorded a shot . . . Jordan Caron was a healthy scratch for the ninth time in the last 10 games. Caron replaced Shawn Thornton against Carolina. In the third period, Caron replaced Marchand on the second line. The Bruins wanted a more defensively responsible presence alongside Bergeron. “Being good on the forecheck, being strong on the puck, making plays down low,” Caron said of the qualities that led to his promotion. “I think that’s what I did tonight. I think that’s why they gave me some time with that line.” . . . Michael Del Zotto was a healthy scratch for the third straight game. The puck-moving New York defenseman has one goal and three assists in 16 games.



Rask and Bruins ruin Nash's return to Rangers, 2-1

By IRA PODELL / AP Sports Writer / November 19, 2013

NEW YORK (AP) — Tuukka Rask had his busiest game of the season, just how he likes it.

Rask, playing on a second straight night, stopped all but one of the season-high 44 shots the Boston Bruins allowed and lifted his club to a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday.

Rask gave up just a rare power-play goal to Derick Brassard in the second period, but made the offense provided by Shawn Thornton and Daniel Paille stand up as the Bruins earned their sixth win in seven games.

‘‘The first two (periods), we were really playing with fire,’’ Rask said of the 33-13 shots edge the Rangers had through 40 minutes. ‘‘We gave them a lot of opportunities, but then in the third we fixed that.

‘‘I usually feel better the second night, but I don’t think you need that many shots every time you play the back to backs.’’

The Rangers put extra heat on the Bruins, who played most of the game with only five defensemen after Dennis Seidenberg was injured early in the first.

Rask was up to the task, and he set the tone when he stopped Chris Kreider’s penalty shot.

‘‘I don’t know if it was any momentum changer,’’ Rask said. ‘‘They had four or five breakaways. It obviously helps, and we kind of felt like we survived that first period being 0-0, so maybe it had something to do with it.’’

Kreider recorded four shots in the game to earn Third Star honors. All he had to show for it was an assist on Brassard’s goal.

‘‘I have to give him a lot of credit. He had a great game, and he is a great goaltender,’’ the 22-year-old Kreider said of Rask. ‘‘I am confident in my ability to shoot a hockey puck. When I hit my spot, it tends to go in.

‘‘When your linemates are giving you opportunities and helping you get chances, you need to finish. You need to reward them.’’

The Bruins (14-6-1) finished a 2-1 road trip, after winning at Carolina on Monday, and spoiled the return to the Rangers lineup of star forward Rick Nash.

Henrik Lundqvist stopped 20 shots, but most of the action was at the other end. The Rangers have only two goals in three games, splitting a pair of 1-0 decisions in the previous two. New York has dropped three in a row at home.

Lundqvist has held opponents to two goals or fewer in nine of his 15 starts, but he is only 6-9 overall and 4-5 at home.

The Rangers had won 11 of 15 against the Bruins, who knocked them out of last season’s playoffs. The teams have played one-goal games in 20 of the past 25 meetings.

‘‘It’s tough,’’ Lundqvist said. ‘‘We have to accept that a lot of games are going to be low-scoring. I just have to try to cut down one goal, but I feel like I'm doing the right things.’’

Rask was still sharp in the third period when the Bruins killed a cross-checking penalty against Brad Marchand, who shoved Mats Zuccarello from behind into the boards in front of the Rangers bench.

Nash skated well and had several scoring chances in his return from a 17-game absence caused by a concussion sustained in New York’s third game of the season on Oct. 8.

He finished with five shots on goal.

‘‘It was disappointing we couldn’t finish, but chances were definitely there,’’ Nash said. ‘‘We didn’t outwork their goalie enough to score.’’

The Bruins recorded only seven shots in the second period — compared to 17 for the Rangers — but cashed in on two to take a 2-0 lead. Thornton broke the seal on the scoreless game at 4:58 when he sent a rising wrist shot over Lundqvist’s glove for his third goal.

The Rangers (10-11) got a chance to get even a few minutes later when they went on their second power play against the vaunted Bruins’ penalty killers, successful in 33 consecutive short-handed situations. Not only did Boston hold New York at bay, Paille gave the Bruins a 2-0 lead.

Ryan McDonagh tried to get the puck to Ryan Callahan just inside the Boston zone at the right point, but Paille broke up the pass and headed the other way alone, with Callahan chasing. Paille moved to his backhand and beat Lundqvist between the pads for a short-handed goal at 11:30.

New York got that one back with only a couple of seconds remaining on the power play when Brassard sent a floating wrist shot from the left circle into the top far corner at 12:31 for his fourth goal, ending Boston’s streak.

The early lead was enough as the Bruins improved to 101-6-6 in games in which they held a two-goal edge, including 11-0-2 this season, dating to the 2010-11 campaign.

Nash saw early action and took part on the first power-play unit after big Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara was called for high-sticking Zuccarello at 4:23. Nash had a prime scoring chance in the closing minutes of the first period when he came in on Rask for a partial breakaway, but was denied.

‘‘I felt OK,’’ Nash said. ‘‘The timing and the speed, that will come. The first couple of shifts, it was tough, but I found (my game) and found some chances.’’

NOTES: Bruins C Patrice Bergeron played in his 600th NHL game, all with Boston. ... The Bruins hadn’t allowed a power-play goal since Oct. 30 at Pittsburgh. ... J.T. Miller was scratched to make room for Nash. D Michael Del Zotto was a healthy scratch for the third straight game.



Bruins face stiff West challenge from Blues

Author(s): Stephen Harris

Bruins Notebook

To the puck patrons of the Eastern Conference, the St. Louis Blues are an unknown entity, a team unlike, say, the San Jose Sharks, not exactly laden with big-name superstars.

But make no mistake, Bruins fans, the St. Louis team that hits the ice tonight at the Garden is one of the strongest and best-balanced in the National Hockey League. And what makes the Blues so interesting is that they are cut from the same mold as the Bruins.

Under veteran coach Ken Hitchcock, the culture of the Blues is founded in sound, all-round team play, not a reliance on superstars and flashy plays.

“They play a lot like we do,” Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli said yesterday. “They’re big and strong and heavy on the puck. I don’t know if they’re the top team (in the NHL) right now, but they’re close to the top. We always have good games with them. It’ll be good.”

The Blues are fourth in the NHL with 31 points (14-3-3), behind Chicago, Anaheim and Minnesota. Their plus-23 goal differential (70 for, 47 against), is tops in the league, while the Bruins are fourth at plus-21.

“I like a lot of players on their team,” Chiarelli said. “I like the way they’re built. They spread the wealth like we do, which I think is important when you’re team-building.”

The Bruins haven’t played great lately, even if they have won six of their past seven and 2-of-3 on their recent road trip to move into the Atlantic Division lead. Tuesday night’s victory against the superior Rangers in New York was pure thievery by goaltender Tuukka Rask, who made a career-high 43 saves.

Eastern Conference teams entered last night 25-46-8 against West teams, but the Bruins have been exceptional in that regard, with victories against powers San Jose and Anaheim. They’re one of only four East clubs with winning records against the West.

“You hear all this talk about Western domination, Chiarelli said. “So it would be good to wave the flag for the East. You’ve got Los Angeles, St. Louis, Anaheim, San Jose, they’re all big and strong and heavy on the puck. Then you’ve got the kind of Chicago style — the puck possession, the quicker transition, a faster model.

“But those (first) four teams, you could throw us in a barrel with them and there wouldn’t be a big difference.”

St. Louis is led by center Alexander Steen, who is second in the league lead in scoring with 26 points (17 goals, nine assists). The former first-round pick of the Toronto Maple Leafs is enjoying a career season, with a plus-11 rating.

The defense is led by Alex Pietrangelo, one of the top all-round blueliners in the game with four goals (two on the power play), 12 assists and a plus-6 rating.

“Well, they’re not household names,” Chiarelli said. “Part of that is we’re in the East and we don’t hear as much about the West, or see them a lot. For a

manager, though, you bet they’re household names. Those are good players.”

Chiarelli compared emerging young defenseman Dougie Hamilton to Pietrangelo.

“Vision, passing, skating, about the same size, both right shots and both actually played (junior) in Niagara,” the GM said.

He got away

Another good Blues player: Ex-Bruins forward Vladimir Sobotka. The smallish, high-energy center was a victim of the B’s depth chart (with Marc Savard, David Krejci and Patrice Bergeron ahead of him) and was dealt to the Blues in June 2010 for the rights to defenseman David Warsofsky.

“I always liked him,” Chiarelli said. “He was a guy who was moving up the charts and we really didn’t have a spot for him. He’s a very rambunctious player. I talked to (Hitchcock) over the summer and he really likes him.

“He’s a versatile player. He has a lot of Bruins-like qualities. He’s strong, he likes to forecheck, he’s gritty. A good kid.”

Miller gets call

The Bruins recalled defenseman Kevan Miller from Providence on an emergency basis because of the lower-body injury to Dennis Seidenberg suffered on his first shift in the Rangers game.

It’s unclear if Adam McQuaid, who has missed the past five games with a suspected groin injury sustained Nov. 9 against the Toronto Maple Leafs, will be able to return tonight. McQuaid has skated this week, but if neither he nor Seidenberg can go tonight, Miller will make his NHL debut.

Miller, a standout at the University of Vermont, was the last cut from the B’s roster in training camp. He has one goal, two assists and 30 penalty minutes in 12 games with Providence.

Boston Herald LOADED: 11.21.2013

725214 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres recall McNabb, Adam to face Philly, but Grigorenko placed in limbo

By Mike Harrington | November 20, 2013 - 10:39 PM

Three prospects arrived from Rochester and skated Wednesday morning with the Buffalo Sabres in First Niagara Center. Two will be in the lineup when the Sabres play the suddenly-streaking Philadelphia Flyers tonight in Wells Fargo Center.

The third seems stuck in limbo.

While Luke Adam and Brayden McNabb took their paces in preparation for making their season debuts, Mikhail Grigorenko had no idea what was next for him. The National Hockey League rejected Grigorenko’s 14-day conditioning assignment to Rochester and the 19-year-old was instructed to return to the NHL.

The Sabres don’t appear to have any plans for using Grigorenko, who has been a healthy scratch for six of the last eight games and all three under interim coach Ted Nolan. And there are obstacles to sending Grigorenko back to his junior team, the Quebec Remparts, because of junior rules about imports on the roster.

Still, a continued seat in the press box doesn’t seem like the best way to develop a former first-round draft pick, either.

In rejecting the conditioning assignment – which is normally used for players coming off injury – the NHL is clearly backing its agreement with the Canadian Hockey League, the governing body of the junior ranks, which prevents its clubs from assigning players to the AHL if they have junior eligibility remaining.

“It’s just one of those situations where I thought we were doing the right thing,” Nolan said after practice. “All of a sudden, it is what it is. We’ll have to sit down and evaluate what the next step is.

“You read the rules, see how they work,” Nolan said. “We thought we were doing it by the rule book. Unfortunately we weren’t.”

Grigorenko had driven to Rochester before receiving a phone call Tuesday night after 10 from Mark Jakubowski, assistant to the vacant general manager’s post, instructing him to drive back to Buffalo for practice the next morning.

“I needed to play. I lost a little bit of my conditioning so I needed to get it back,” said Grigorenko, who had been battling the flu and gave his consent for the Rochester assignment. “There, I would have had a lot of ice time.”

The Sabres did not make new president of hockey operations Pat LaFontaine available for comment on the Grigorenko situation, and said in a brief release that “the team respects the League’s decision.” Still, the club was clearly surprised by the NHL’s ruling.

“We talked about it and thought this could be one of the solutions,” Nolan said. “Unfortunately it didn’t work. We have to go back to the drawing board and see what else might work and what’s the best situation for him to develop his skills and be the dominant player we all think he could be in this organization.”

Nolan said he sympathized with Grigorenko’s predicament moving forward. Grigorenko, who has two goals and an assist in 14 games, insisted he’s ready to play when the Sabres call on him.

“He’s a really intense coach,” Grigorenko said of Nolan. “He wants everyone to play with passion and work hard. He wants everyone to be the best player he could be.”

Adam entered Wednesday tied as the best goal scorer in the AHL with 13 goals in 18 games. He said he’s kept a tunnel vision approach to his game, especially since he fell out of favor with former coaches Lindy Ruff and Ron Rolston, and ex-General Manager Darcy Regier.

“I was focused on what I could control,” said Adam. “I wasn’t focused a whole lot on coming back here, getting back to Buffalo and how Buffalo was doing.”

Adam had 10 goals in 52 games for the Sabres in 2011-12, starting the season red-hot as the center between Thomas Vanek and Jason Pominville and getting chosen for the All-Star rookie festivities in Ottawa. But his play has never matched that hot streak, with Ruff benching him and Regier completely passing him over in camp this year.

“He’s always had his opinions on what type of player I was, how I could help this team, how I couldn’t help this team,” Adam said of Regier. “To have a fresh staff in here, it’s exciting. I see guys in here that are pretty excited and ready to move forward.”

Adam skated on left wing Wednesday, with Steve Ott centering and Zemgus Girgensons at right wing. Nolan said Girgensons, a natural center who has played in the middle the last three games, will move back to the wing tonight and may stay there for the foreseeable future.

McNabb led Rochester defensemen with 12 points in 15 games. He played 25 games for the Sabres in 2011-12 but did not appear in the NHL last season. McNabb set career-highs in goals (5), assists (31) and points (36) while appearing in 62 games for the Amerks last season.

The Sabres completely bypassed McNabb last year as he struggled in Rochester prior to the lockout. It was pretty much the same drill for him in training camp as he fell behind rookies Rasmus Ristolainen and Nikita Zadorov.

“I took it to heart,” McNabb said. “I wanted to be here from the get-go. You face some adversity. I had some last year and you learn a lot from that kind of thing. Last year was a learning curve for my career but I think it’s helped me.”

McNabb shuffled through the defense pairs in practice Wednesday so it’s not clear who he will partner with tonight.

Buffalo News LOADED: 11.21.2013


Trip to Philadelphia a test of young Sabres’ character

Matt Moulson didn’t have much success against the Flyers while he was with the Islanders.

By Amy Moritz | November 20, 2013 - 10:33 PM

Sabres recall McNabb, Adam to face Philly, but Grigorenko placed in limbo

Ted Nolan remembers what it was like to take a young team into Philadelphia.

The Flyers are tough, aggressive and their fans are passionate. It’s not an easy place to play. And back in 1995, during his first stint as the Buffalo Sabres’ head coach, he saw his team reveal its own grit and character in those games.

Nolan hopes to see a bit of that come alive with his current club as the Sabres play in Philadelphia tonight.

“I look back and I think the last time we had this many young kids on our team was 1995 with Jay McKee, Wayne Primeau, Vaclav Varada and Curtis Brown,” Nolan said. “Going into a place like Philly, I was a little bit worried for them at the time, but they showed me what kind of character they really did have. And that was a turning point. We weren’t afraid. We weren’t intimidated. We went down there and competed and all of a sudden we had some rough games with them. I’m hoping this is a similar type of thing. We don’t have to be intimidated. We just have to go down and play.”

A few weeks ago, the Philadelphia faithful were losing patience with their Flyers. The Flyers suffered through their worst start in franchise history (1-7-0) but have rebounded to go 7-3-2 in their last 12 games, including a 5-2 win over Ottawa on Tuesday.

But Nolan isn’t getting too caught up in his opponent’s situation. He’s far more concerned with helping the Sabres figure out themselves.

“Philly’s Philly,” Nolan said. “They’ve had the same type of environment there for years and years and years. I don’t think that’s going to change at all. It’s going to be an aggressive hockey game. We have to be ready but above all, I’m not too concerned with how other teams are playing right now. I’m really concerned with how we have to play. We have to get better defensively. We have to get better moving the puck. We have to get better in a lot of areas.”

Matt Moulson is very familiar with the Flyers, who are in the same division as his former team, the New York Islanders. In 24 career games with the Islanders against the Flyers, he has nine points (four goals, five assists) and is a minus-6.

“They’re always a tough team to play against. The Islanders faced them a lot of times over the last couple of years and they play hard, especially in their own building,” Moulson said. “They have a lot of guys with some pretty good offensive skill and also have guys that play a real gritty game. They’re a tough team to play against.

“It will be good for us to get back to the game we want to play. I think we got away from that last game. I didn’t have much success there in my career in Philly, but it’s good to hear the Sabres did so hopefully we’ll keep that going.”

The Sabres lead the all-time series with the Flyers, 93-57-27, and are 4-5-1 in their last 10 meetings. In their last 10 games in Philadelphia, the Sabres are 4-6-0.

Improving communication has been a theme for Nolan since he took over as interim coach last week. If you want players to talk to each other on the ice, it starts with them engaging with each other in the hallways.

“It’s just good old communication. That’s what we have to teach this team,” Nolan said. “We have to get off the iPads and we have to get off texting and we have to say ‘hello’ and ‘how are you’ and ‘good morning’ and ‘I got this guy, you got that guy.’ We’ve got to communicate better.”

.Rochester forward Patrick Kaleta is “day-to-day” with a lower body injury, Rochester coach Chadd Cassidy said to reporters before the team’s morning skate at Blue Cross Arena on Wednesday. Cassidy said he is hopeful Kaleta can return to the Amerks lineup this weekend. Rochester hosted the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins Wednesday, then faces the Utica Comets on Friday and Saturday.

...

Tyler Ennis missed practice Wednesday.

“He just tweaked a little something there last night. Nothing serious. He’ll be ready to play tomorrow,” Nolan said.



What are the odds for Latvian gold? Try not very good.

November 20, 2013 - 3:27 PM by Amy Moritz

The odds-makers are already setting lines for the upcoming Winter Olympics and the website Bovada has set the odds for the men's hockey winner.

The safe bets are Canada and Russia as both countries are 11-5 favorites to win the gold medal. The United States comes in at 6-1 for gold.

And what about Latvia, the national team led by Sabres interim coach Ted Nolan? They're a 400-1 shot to win the gold medal.

Those aren't the worst odds though. Both Austria and Slovenia are 900-1 long shots.

For the record, Nolan has been the Latvian team coach since 2011, leading them to a qualification for the 2014 Olympics. Latvia finished in 12th place in 2006 and 2010. Their best Olympic finish was ninth in 2002. This will be only the fifth Olympics that the Latvian team will participate.



Nolan stresses communication

by Amy Moritz

Ted Nolan and Ryan Miller had a good long chat after practice Wednesday afternoon.

It wasn't anything major, but a chance for Nolan to get to know his star goaltender a little better, an opportunity to know the man and not just the numbers.

Improving communication has been a theme for Nolan since he took over as the Sabres interim coach last week. And if you want the players to talk to each other on the ice, it starts with them engaging with each other in the hallways.

"It’s just good old communication. That’s what we have to teach this team," Nolan said. "We have to get off the iPads and we have to get off texting and we have to say 'hello' and 'how are you' and 'good morning' and 'I got this guy, you got that guy.' We’ve got to communicate a lot better."



Grigorenko on lost conditioning assignment: 'I needed to play'

November 20, 2013 - 1:36 PM By Mike Harrington

The Sabres thought they were following the rules. The NHL said they were not. And Mikhail Grigorenko thus appears to be stuck in limbo.

There will be no 14-day conditioning assignment to Rochester. The NHL has apparently ruled you can't condition the flu. Grigorenko drove to Rochester yesterday and got a call at 10 p.m. Tuesday to return to Buffalo for practice today.

"You read the rules, see how they work. We thought we were doing it by the rulebook," interim coach Ted Nolan said today. "Unfortunately we weren't. It's just one of those situations where I thought we were doing the right thing. All of a sudden, it is what it is. We'll have to sit down and evaluate what the next step is."

"I needed to play. I lost a little bit of my conditioning so I needed to get it back," Grigorenko said. "There, I would have had a lot of ice time."

Grigorenko is not expected to play Thursday night in Philadelphia while the Sabres investigate what's next. The team's statement said it agreed with the league's decision but it's clear the ruling by the NHL was a surprise. It will be difficult to send Grigorenko to junior hockey with the import logjam in Quebec so now he may have to simply keep practicing in the NHL.

"He's a great kid, a real nice young man," Nolan said. "He's just put in this predicament. It's nothing to do with him. We just want to find the best solution to make him better."

Nolan said callups Luke Adam and Brayden McNabb will both play Thursday in Philadelphia. Adam was on left wing with Steve Ott and Zemgus Girgensons. McNabb floated through the defense pairs. Adam said he's learned a lot during his time in Rochester -- mostly to stop worrying about the Sabres since he was clearly in the doghouse of Darcy Regier, Lindy Ruff and then Ron Rolston.

"I was focused on what I could control," Adam said. "I wasn't focused a whole lot on coming back here, getting back to Buffalo and how Buffalo was doing."

Similarly, McNabb never got a callup last year and didn't get much of a chance in training camp. But he used the snub in a positive way to improve his game.

"I took it to heart. I wanted to be here from the get-go," McNabb. "You face some adversity. I had some last year and you learn a lot from that kind of thing."

In roster notes, Tyler Ennis missed practice today with a minor muscle tweak but Nolan said he should be fine in Philly. The coach also said the team is moving Zemgus Girgensons back to the wing, where he could project to be a star power winger, but leaving the possibility open of playing some center in the future as well.



Roster shuffle continues: Adam, McNabb called up while Grigorenko returns after NHL nixes conditioning assignment

By Mike Harrington

The Sabres made four roster moves yesterday and have just announced three more this morning prior to practice in First Niagara Center, although one is essentially a reversal of one of Tuesday's decisions.

Forward Luke Adam and defenseman Brayden McNabb have joined the club from Rochester while center Mikhail Grigorenko has returned to the club after his conditioning assignment to the Amerks was rejected by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.

Grigorenko consented to the 14-day assignment, as is required by Article 13.8 of the CBA. But he is otherwise ineligible for the AHL because he is a 19-year-old with junior eligibility remaining and Bettman apparently enforced a clause of the article that says:

"If the Commissioner has reason to believe or determines that the Club has used the Conditioning Loan to evade Waivers, or otherwise circumvent any provision of this Agreement, he may take such disciplinary action against the Club, as he deems appropriate."

The team's official release says it complied with all the guidelines around the assignment but adds, "the team respects the League’s decision" in rejecting the assignment.

For now, Grigorenko is back with the Sabres. We'll see if they try to work out an assignment for him back to the Quebec Ramparts.

Adam, 23, is tied for the AHL lead with 13 goals and is the Amerks' top scorer with 18 points in 15 games. He scored one goal in four games for Buffalo last year.

McNabb, 22, leads Rochester defensemen in scoring with 12 points in 15 games. He played 25 games for the Sabres in 2011-12 but did not appear in the NHL last season. McNabb set career-highs in goals (5), assists (31), points (36) and penalty minutes (50) while appearing in 62 games for the Amerks last season.

Both players had clearly fallen out of favor with former coach Lindy Ruff and ex-GM Darcy Regier, so this will be a good opportunity for them to re-establish some footing in the organization.

All three players are on the ice for practice todahy, with Tyler Ennis missing. We'll find out his status after practice. The lines are:

Moulson-Hodgson-Stafford

Foligno-Leino-Grigorenko

Adam-Girgensons-Ott

Tropp-McCormick-Flynn (Scott extra)

The defense pairs are shuffling quite a bit, with only Myers and Tallinder consistently together. McNabb has skated with Ehrhoff and McBain.


725220 Calgary Flames

NHL tiebreaker format continues to be a water cooler talker in the hockey world

Flames players like the concept of three-on-three in overtime

By Scott Cruickshank,

Calgary Flames defenceman Shane O’Brien got driven into the boards by Columbus Blue Jackets centre Boone Jenner during the first period on Thursday.

Coming soon, perhaps, to a rink near you — Overtime 3D.

Although that’s unlikely.

A more probable configuration is Overtime 2F+1D. Or possibly Overtime 1F+2D. Or, heck, even Overtime 3F.

Then again, the world won’t know how coaches align their pawns for three-on-three action until the National Hockey League approves the notion. If ever.

Last week in Toronto, the league’s general managers batted around the idea of overtime featuring the current four-on-four formation — but, halfway through an eight- or 10-minute extra period, shifting to three-on-three.

“A lot of (positional) variables, but, ultimately, there would be a lot of chances and game-winning goals,” says Calgary Flames winger Lee Stempniak. “I’ve been out three-on-three in overtime, because of penalties, in the NHL. Pretty wide-open. There’s a huge emphasis on winning the faceoff — otherwise you could be chasing the entire shift. A missed net or a rebound, and it’s quickly the other way.”

Adds Joe Colborne: “I certainly wouldn’t be against going to a three-on-three format. That’s really exciting. Think of some of the top skill guys in this league — and in the world — going head to head. That would be unbelievable for any fan to see and experience. It’s something that would help sell the game more.”

With fewer skaters and longer overtimes, the frequency of shootouts, no doubt, could be reduced. Which, of course, would cause little griping.

“It’s a team game,” says Stempniak. “The shootout is great. It’s exciting. It’s fun. I completely understand. If it’s on, you’re going to watch the end of the game. I’d just like to see a little more overtime before reaching the shootout.”

Well, suppose the NHL decided to go old-school?

If it’s a stalemate, it stays a stalemate. No worries — and no tiebreakers.

“I think those days are long gone,” says Stempniak. “People like knowing that there’s a winner. There’s very few sports that end in a tie, at least in North America. Football can, but very rarely does. Baseball doesn’t. Basketball doesn’t. People like a definitive winner.

“The shootout is pretty exciting. It’s here to stay.”

The Flames, though, have struggled in the breakaway exercise since its 2005-06 inception. All-time, they are 27-44 — only Carolina and Philadelphia have fewer wins.

The trick, apparently, is identifying cold-blooded finishers.

“As we all know, there are some great practice players,” says Flames coach Bob Hartley. “But when the game’s on the line in front of 18,000 fans? Sometimes the maple syrup is coming out of the stick, they’re squeezing it so hard.”

Monday’s display in Winnipeg — going eight rounds before rookie Sean Monahan heroically ended the madness — had not been without its charm.

“I love shootouts,” says Colborne. “I love having the puck on my stick.”

Television cameras, minutes before the shootout, caught Hartley giving Colborne an enthusiastic earful, a one-way chat that included plenty of hand gestures.

“I told him, ‘I know you will score’ — I had that feeling,” says Hartley. “Colby, for a young player, pressure doesn’t slow him down. He likes it. When I told him he was going first, he was like, ‘All right.’ Almost like he was going for a walk in the park.”

Colborne did go first and he did beat Jets goalie Al Montoya — with precisely the forehand deke his boss had recommended.

“He came up to me and said, ‘Joe, you know that move you’ve used in practice a few times? The one where you go like this?’ ” Colborne says, chuckling. “I was like, ‘Bob, I’ve got this.’ It’s something I felt pretty confident about.”

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 11.21.2013


Flames wary of smacked-down Blue Jackets

November 20, 2013. 12:05 pm • Section: Flames Insider

Kris Russell #4 of the Calgary Flames reaches in to knock away a loose puck from in front of Joey MacDonald #35 of the Calgary Flames as Artem Ansimov #42 of the Columbus Blue Jackets attempts to gain control of the puck during the third period on October 4, 2013 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Calgary defeated Columbus 4-3.

Kris Russell #4 of the Calgary Flames reaches in to knock away a loose puck from in front of Joey MacDonald #35 of the Calgary Flames as Artem Ansimov #42 of the Columbus Blue Jackets attempts to gain control of the puck during the third period on October 4, 2013 at Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. Calgary defeated Columbus 4-3.

Saturday, they collapsed. Up by two to start the third. Down by two at the buzzer.

Monday, Calgary Flames coach Bob Hartley was hoping it wouldn’t happen again. And — thanks to Sean Monahan’s shootout heroics — it did not.

Hartley appreciated the response.

“I felt it was a gutsy effort,” Hartley said of the 5-4 decision in Winnipeg. “Everyone was on their toes. Maybe not from a coaching standpoint, but certainly from a fan’s standpoint, it was a very entertaining game. But we stayed in it all the way. Both teams battled hard.

“That’s a huge win for us. With a young team, especially with what happened here . . . against the Oilers — (losing) two games in a row that way? That could’ve been very damaging. But, hey, we stuck with it and the players deserve lots of credit.”

Tonight’s opposition, the Columbus Blue Jackets, meanwhile, are fresh off Tuesday’s 7-0 hiding at the hands of the home-ice Oilers.

Should the Flames be wary of a kicked dog?

“In our situation right now, like I told you last week, our main focus is on our team,” said Hartley. “But we know exactly — and I warned the players this morning — we know exactly what happened last night in Edmonton. No one

in the NHL likes to get spanked like this. And the good part of this league is you play so many games, you have a chance to redeem yourself right away.

“But, on our side, we don’t control what the Blue Jackets will do. We control what we’ll bring to this game.”

11.21.2013=

11.21.2013=

With the Oilers’ shutout, the Flames are left at the bottom of the defensive rankings.

Their goals-against average of 3.71 is the league’s worst mark.

“To limit turnovers, to limit bad reads, that’s where our focus is right now,” said Hartley. “Most of our videos sessions, drills in practice . . . to get better. We have three young centres. We still have some young defencemen that we’re playing a lot. This is a tough league. There are great skaters. Mistakes will happen, but, obviously, we have to learn quick . . . and try to limit them to a very low number.”

11.21.2013=

11.21.2013=

G Reto Berra starts, his eighth nod in the past nine dates.

“He’s showing us some great things,” said Hartley. “I knew him before he got here to Calgary. I know he’s capable of big performances. Right now, he’s learned the North American hockey, especially the size of the rinks. That makes a big difference for a goalie. He’s learning from playing. Some valuable experiences. He’s learning also the shooters.

“It’s a combination of playing him, doing his homework, lots of video work with Clint (Malarchuk) . . . and I think he’s showing us some great things.”

11.21.2013=

11.21.2013=

The Lines

* Sven Baertschi/Sean Monahan/Jiri Hudler

* Michael Cammalleri/Matt Stajan/Lee Stempniak

* T.J. Galiardi/Joe Colborne/David Jones

* Lance Bouma/Mikael Backlund/Brian McGrattan

Scratch: RW Tim Jackman

=

The Pairings

* Kris Russell/T.J. Brodie

* Chris Butler/Dennis Wideman

* Ladislav Smid/Shane O’Brien

Scratch: D Derek Smith

=

The Goalies

* Reto Berra (2-4-1, 3.66 GAA, .889)

* Karri Ramo (2-4-1, 3.59 GAA, .882)

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 11.21.2013


Cam Atkinson's success should give hope to Calgary Flames fans

By WES GILBERTSON,First posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Atkinson The Blue Jackets' Cam Atkinson should get Flames fans excited.

He’s generously listed at 5-foot-8 and could only tip 200 lb. on the scales if he was wearing a backpack stuffed with bricks.

He posted eye-popping offensive numbers for the Boston College Eagles, but the detractors worried more about his stature than his stats.

No, he’s not Calgary Flames prospect Johnny Gaudreau.

He’s Columbus Blue Jackets winger Cam Atkinson, whose ascent from NCAA star to NHL regular should give Flames fans optimism that the 5-foot-8, 156-lb. Gaudreau can survive at the Saddledome.

“My whole life, I’ve been told I’m never going to be able to make it any level just because of my size,” Atkinson said after Wednesday’s morning skate. “You’ve gotta take that as motivation and fuel for your fire. I like all that — the negative people telling me I can’t make it.”

Atkinson did make it, joining a list of 5-foot-something Eagles alumni in the NHL that also includes Montreal Canadiens captain Brian Gionta and Carolina Hurricanes winger Nathan Gerbe.

The Flames are optimistic Gaudreau will soon add his own name to that list. In fact, they would have preferred if the 20-year-old was already playing professional puck.

Instead, the skinny left-winger they call ‘Johnny Hockey’ is making a convincing case for the Hobey Baker Award with 10 goals and 10 assists in 11 games so far in his junior campaign.

“He’s probably the best player in the NCAA right now. He just finds ways to make plays and score goals. He’s a big-time player,” Atkinson said.

“He’s probably had a lot of critics telling him that he’s never going to make it to the next level, and he’s been proving everyone wrong. I think it’s the same at the pro level. Obviously, he’s going to have to prove people wrong every game and just take each day at a time, but I think he’s going to have a great career. He’s only going to get bigger and stronger every year and mature.

“He’s going to be a fun player to watch.”

Now 24, Atkinson averaged better than a point per game over three winters at Boston College. Although he turned pro before Gaudreau arrived on campus, he keeps close tabs on the powerhouse hockey program and chatted with the Flames prospect while the Blue Jackets were in Beantown last week.

“I just said, ‘Keep it going,’ ” Atkinson said. “He’s playing great, and he’s the backbone to that team, so in order for them to be successful, he has to keep it going.”

AROUND THE BOARDS

If you missed Flames G Reto Berra’s rolling pad-stack on Blue Jackets D Jack Johnson in the first period of Wednesday’s game, tune into the season-end highlight shows in April and you’ll see it ... The easiest way for the Flames to fast-track their rebuild might be to apply for a move to the Eastern Conference. When the hockey world woke up Wednesday morning, the top eight spots in the NHL standings were occupied by Western Conference clubs ... Hard to believe it’s been almost seven weeks since Flames C Sean Monahan scored his first big-league goal Oct. 4 in Columbus. “It honestly feels like yesterday,” Monahan said after Wednesday’s morning skate. “It feels like I just played my first NHL game and now we’re 21 games in. I think you’ve just gotta continue to work hard and stay positive.”

OFF THE GLASS

From the press-box to the penalty box and everywhere in between, a group of fans got an in-depth tour of the Saddledome thanks to Coke Zero’s so-called Flames Moment Zero experience ... I wonder if sluggish starts would be a recurring problem for the Flames if D Mark Giordano (ankle) and LW Curtis Glencross (knee) were on the ice and, just as important, in the locker-room. I doubt it ... According to Oxford Dictionaries, ‘selfie’ was the word of the year. Hey, at least it wasn’t ‘Corsi.’

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 11.21.2013


Reto Berra heroics not enough for Flames

By RANDY SPORTAK,First posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2013

It’s the kind of save Reto Berra’s teammates have to reward him for by pulling out a win.

It didn’t happen.

Instead of paying back their netminder with an all-out-every-shift performance after an early stop that will be in contention for the NHL’s save of the season, the Calgary Flames only managed a 20-minute effort in a 2-1 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on a long, cold Wednesday night.

“I don’t think it was the most exciting game,” said head coach Bob Hartley in a massive understatement. “They scored early, and it seemed they would be happy to go home with a 1-0 road win. We kept plugging. I felt in that third period, that’s where we skated the best. We generated some good pucks at the net. We had decent looks out there.

“But the bottom line is it’s pretty tough to win when you only have one line going. Matt Stajan’s line was, by far, our best line. We didn’t get enough from the other three.”

The Flames (7-11-4) haven’t won consecutive games for more than a month.

On a night meant for hibernating, the Flames spent two periods looking yet again like a team ready to follow the bears to the caves for a long winter.

Even a potential save-of-the-season from Berra in the early-going couldn’t inject some spark.

While the Flames were shorthanded and the game scoreless, Blue Jackets defenceman Jack Johnson stepped in from the point for a glorious chance thanks to a cross-ice pass from Ryan Johansen. Berra slid across, pads stacked and kicked up his right foot in time to deny Johnson when everybody in the Saddledome figured he would open the scoring.

“Never give up,” Berra said. “I was too far out, and I thought he was gonna shoot, and then he passed it, so I was way too late (across). There was nothing else I could do. I just tried to bring something from my body there, and it hit me right on my, I think, skate. It was luck, too.”

Teammate Joe Colborne said of Berra’s save, “We should be watching that one for years to come.”

But the netminder didn’t care too much about the 10-bell save.

“I’d rather want two points — that’s for sure,” Berra said.

The momentum didn’t change, and minutes later, the hosts fell behind, in front of the announced crowd of 19,289 fans at the Dome, when Nick Foligno opened scoring.

Colborne finally gave the Flames — and the Sea of Red — the much-needed jolt of energy early in the third period when he snapped his goal-scoring drought at 12 games. The first on home ice for the Calgary product came on a sweet breakaway move thanks after a nifty pass from teammate David Jones.

“It was awesome,” Colborne said of living a moment he’d spent his life dreaming about. “It was an unbelievable play by Jonsey there to draw a guy into him and dish it off to me. That’s a top-level play by him.”

Still, the Flames couldn’t find the winner with the ice tilted in their favour in the third period and paid for it when Jackets blueliner Nikita Nikitin finished a crazy scramble that saw Berra make a couple of his 16 saves before the puck went in.

“We knew that they didn’t have the effort they wanted (Tuesday in a 7-0 loss to the Edmonton Oilers), so effort wouldn’t be the problem for them,” Colborne said. “We have to give them credit — they played a good, solid game. But we failed to assert our will until the end. It’s big to get that one point coming from behind, but we need every point we can get.”

Bobrovsky stopped 23 shots for the Blue Jackets (8-11-3).

The Flames’ three-game homestand continues Friday against the Florida Panthers (7 p.m., Sportsnet West/Sportsnet Fan 960).

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 11.21.2013

725224 Carolina Hurricanes

Canes' Jeff Skinner antsy to get back on the ice

By Chip Alexander

Carolina Hurricanes winger Jeff Skinner is tired of watching games from the press level or the dressing room.

Being up top during games offers a different perspective, Skinner said Wednesday. Being in the room, watching on TV, gives him the opportunity to see replays.

But Skinner wants to be on the ice. And the Canes need him on the ice.

After missing the past 11 games with an upper-body injury, Skinner may return Thursday for the game against the Detroit Red Wings. A decision, Canes coach Kirk Muller said, will be made after the morning skate.

"He's a game-breaker," Muller said Wednesday. "A lot of our games have been one-goal games. That's where he excelled early in the season.

"He's capable of making that game-breaking play that can put you in the lead or tie a game. He has that different dimension we need right now as far as all these tight games, having a natural goal-scorer. And that's what he is."

Skinner was the Canes' leading scorer with three goals and six assists when he was injured Oct. 24 in the road game against the Minnesota Wild. It was the same game in which goalie Cam Ward left early with a groin injury.

The Canes (8-9-4) lost the game against the Wild and four more before going 4-0-1 on a recent run of five home games. They've now lost the past two and announced Monday that winger Alexander Semin is out indefinitely with a concussion.

During Wednesday's practice, Muller had Skinner on Eric Staal's line opposite winger Jiri Tlusty. He also had Skinner on the power-play unit with Staal, Nathan Gerbe, Chris Terry and Ryan Murphy.

"It's been frustrating. It's tough to watch," Skinner said of the injury. "But the last six, seven games we've been playing pretty well.

"My role will be to chip in offensively. The 11 games I've been out the team has done a great job defending and being responsible in our own end and working out from there. That's something we've taken pride in and want to continue, so I think coming back that will be the main focus, being responsible."

But the Canes need more offense. With Semin sidelined, they need more creativity and craftiness with the puck – things Skinner can do well.

"He has those offensive instincts," Eric Staal said. "Hopefully, Jeff will be with us and do what he does best, find the holes."

Whether five-on-five, five-on-four, four-on-four or four-on-three, the Hurricanes have had problems scoring. They did score two shorthanded goals Saturday in the 4-2 loss to St. Louis.

The Canes are averaging 1.9 goals a game and have not scored three goals in a game since Oct. 19. That ratchets up the pressure on the defense and goaltending.

"Everybody knows the system, everybody knows what they need to do," Eric Staal said. "It's a matter of going out there and executing it. We'd like to think it's going to happen soon but I'd be lying to you if I didn't say guys are pressing trying to score.

"You have to stay up, stay positive and keep working on things to help us in the offensive zone."

Skinner, 21, played all 82 games as a rookie in 2010-2011 and the first 30 games of his second season. He has since had two concussions and what appeared to be a hand injury in the Minnesota game last month.

Skinner won't reveal the nature of the injury but did note, "It's something I couldn't battle through. It was sort of limiting me. The right steps were taken even though when you're coming back it seems to take forever to get through it.

“It's getting close. It's going to bother you for a little while, but as long as it's manageable and you can get in the game it's in the right direction."

On Monday, Skinner took the morning skate at PNC Arena before the Boston Bruins game but then was not in the lineup. He went through full practices Tuesday and Wednesday.

"Obviously coming back you have to get that timing back," Skinner said.

And playing with Staal and Tlusty?

"I should be comfortable playing with them," Skinner said. "Hopefully I can bring something to that line and contribute."

When he does play, that is.

News Observer LOADED: 11.21.2013


Muller: Nerves a factor in ailing PP

Posted by Chip Alexander on November 20, 2013

Canes coach Kirk Muller said there's a change that needs to be made to improve an ailing power play -- more an attitude adjustment than on-ice adjustment.

"We've got to get some guys who aren't afraid to make plays," he said Wednesday. "I think right now we've got some nervous guys who are not simplifying the power play and are just not able to execute."

Trailing the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Monday, the Canes had a 5-on-3 power play for 63 seconds and managed just one shot -- a one-timer by Chris Terry from the slot with one second left in the two-man advantage. Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask easily handled that one.

"On the 5-on-3, one guy doesn't do his job and it doesn't work," Muller said.

In Wednesday's practice, Muller had Eric Staal working with Nathan Gerbe, Jeff Skinner, Terry and defenseman Ryan Murphy on one power-play unit. That's a different look, although Skinner has not yet be completely cleared to play.

Muller also has used defensemen Ron Hainsey and Andrej Sekera on the power play at times, banking on their experience, trying to find the right fit.

The Canes have scored four power-play goals in the past 12 games, going 4-for-41 overall. They're 1-for-21 in the past seven games, although they do have a 4-2-1 record in those games.

"At the end of the day we have to execute during the games like we do in practice," Muller said. "We look great in practice. You have to have confidence you can do the same thing you did in practice in a game and get the job done.

"But we have to simplify it. We're just not playing with authority on it. We need some guys to settle down and just run the plays. … When we ad-lib and do individual stuff and want to be the guy who takes control in the right way, it doesn't work."

With the Canes now having played 21 games, Muller said it's time for some hard-and-fast decisions on power-play personnel.

"It's not always going to be the top five guys that are going to be on the power play," he said. "We've got to make some adjustments and we've got to get production from it."



Skinner may return to lineup

Posted by Chip Alexander on November 20, 2013

Carolina Hurricanes forward Jeff Skinner, who has missed the past 11 games with an upper-body injury, may be able to return to the lineup

Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings, Canes coach Kirk Muller said Wednesday.

Muller said a decision would be reached Thursday after the morning skate.

Skinner was hurt Oct. 24 in the Canes' road game at Minnesota. He has practiced with the team and was at the morning skate Monday before the Boston Bruins game at PNC Arena, but has been unable to play.

"It's been frustrating," Skinner said. "It's tough to watch. But the last six, seven games we've been playing pretty well.

"My role will be to chip in offensively. But coming back the main focus is to make the transition as smooth as possible. The team has done a great job defending and being responsible in our own end and working out from there. That will be main focus coming back, being responsible."

With winger Alexander Semin out indefinitely with a concussion, Skinner was placed on Eric Staal's line with Jiri Tlusty during Wednesday's practice at Raleigh Center Ice.

Skinner had three goals and six assists in the Canes' first 10 games and was the team's top scorer before the injury.

"He's a game-breaker," Muller said Wednesday. "A lot of games have been one-goal games. That's where he excelled early in the season. He's capable of making that game-breaking play that can put you in the lead or tie a game. He has that different dimension we need right now in these tight games, having a natural goal-scorer. And that's what he is."

The Canes (8-9-4) have a two-game road trip, facing the Red Wings and then Boston on Saturday before returning to Raleigh for a Sunday game against the Ottawa Senators. The Hurricanes have lost their past two games while the Red Wings are winless in their past eight games at home and their past seven games overall.


725227 Chicago Blackhawks

Hawks confident of rebound

After last road loss, bounced back soundly to stop Sharks and believe they can do same vs. Jets

By Chris Kuc, November 21, 2013

DENVER — The Blackhawks don't have to dig deep into the memory banks to find an example of how they are capable of responding in a positive way after suffering a difficult defeat on the road.

Much like Tuesday night's 5-1 loss to the Avalanche, the Hawks had been hammered by the Predators 7-2 Saturday night in Nashville, but they rebounded with one of their better efforts of the season with an impressive 5-1 victory Sunday over the Sharks at the United Center.

"We came out with a pretty good effort," defenseman Brent Seabrook said. "But we have to nip this. Two out of our last three we have gotten blown out. We have to be better from the start and have a better effort."

The difference now, of course, is the Hawks will look to right the ship while in a hostile environment. When they face the Jets on Thursday night at the MTS Centre in Winnipeg, it will be their second stop of a seven-game trip.

"We just have to forget about (Tuesday night)," Seabrook said. "We have to move on and be ready to play in Winnipeg."

After the Hawks' three losses in regulation this season, they have rebounded to win their next game. Much of that resiliency comes from having the roster stocked with experienced players from their Stanley Cup championships in 2010 and '13.

"Everyone in here has won and knows what it takes to bounce back," winger Kris Versteeg said. "Everyone will be ready to go next game."

A fast start against a Jets team that feeds off the energy of an enthusiastic crowd would benefit the Hawks, who fell behind 3-0 to the Avalanche in the first period and never recovered.

"We showed (Sunday night) we were much more efficient than we were the night before," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "The night before we didn't play with much energy. (Tuesday night), the energy was there but it was tough giving them goals and then trying to fight our way back."

Those Jets fans will have to leave their hockey helmets at home.

After a Winnipeg DJ suggested fans show up to Thursday's game wearing helmets in a "Helmet Pardy" to mock the helmet-stealing incident at the United Center during a Nov. 6 game, the Jets issued a statement Wednesday saying they "will not permit fans to wear such headgear."

During that game, Hawks winger Brandon Bollig drilled Jets defenseman Adam Pardy into the boards and during a melee between players after the glass was dislodged, one fan, identified as car dealer Kevin Mize, yanked Pardy's helmet off and put it on his own head. A female fan then poured beer over Pardy's head.

The Hawks apologized to the Jets and the NHL over the incident and according to the Jets, Mize was "extremely remorseful and has made an unnecessary yet very meaningful donation to the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation."

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 11.21.2013


Thursday's matchup: Blackhawks at Jets

Staff

TV/radio: 7 p.m. Thursday; CSN, WGN-AM 720.

Series: Hawks 2-0.

Last meeting: Hawks won 4-1 on Nov. 6 at the United Center.

Probable goaltenders, rec, gaa

Hawks, Antti Raanta, 0-0-0, 2.55

Jets, Ondrej Pavelec, 8-8-2, 2.74.

Team comparison

Averages per game (NHL rank)

HAWKS(14-4-4) CATEGORY JETS (10-10-3)

3.46 (1) Goals for 2.44 (22)

2.91 (22) Goals against 2.78 (20)

20.8 (8) Power-play pct. 11.2 (29)

74.2 (29) Penalty-kill pct. 82.2 (15)

Statistics through Tuesday

Storyline: The teams are playing for the third time this month. It is the second of a seven-game trip for the Hawks, who are riding the hot stick of Patrick Kane. The winger is on an eight-game points streak during which he has four goals and seven assists. The Jets have lost two games in a row after having won four straight. Defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has five goals in his last five games.



Illinois Racing Board releases details of wagering accord

By Neil Milbert , November 20, 2013

The Illinois Racing Board has released the terms of Tuesday's Advanced Deposit Wagering agreement.

The deal settles a dispute that pitted Arlington International Racecourse and its Internet provider Twinspires against a coalition of the state’s four other racetracks and the collective bargaining agents for the thoroughbred and harness horsemen.

If approved by the legislature and signed by the governor, Tuesday’s three-year accord will provide the statutory funds the racing board needs to perform its regulatory responsibilities and will rectify the board’s $725,000 budget shortfall for the fiscal year that ends June 30.

The shortfall is a consequence of the legislature’s failure to renew the current ADW law until last May after it expired in January.

During this month’s veto session, leaders in the General Assembly asked the various factions in racing to reach an agreement and propose it as an amendment so approval by the lawmakers appears to be a formality.

If there had been no agreement, the Racing Board would have been forced to curtail the 2014 racing schedule.

Terms of the agreement:

A surcharge of 0.2 percent on wagers made on track, at off-track betting locations and through ADW to provide supplemental funding for the racing board.

An optional surcharge of 0.5 percent on wagers made on track, at off-track betting locations and through ADW to be shared equally between horsemen’s purses and racetracks.

Two additional OTB licenses for the three Cook County tracks: Arlington, Hawthorne Race Course and Balmoral Park.

Elimination of the 500-foot restriction for registered voters on the placement of OTB facilities.

Funding of $100,000 for quarter horse racing purses.

Financial accounting by the ADW companies (excluding Twinspires) to the horsemen’s collective bargaining agents.

A requirement that an ADW provider owned by a racetrack licensee receive the consent of the horsemen’s collective bargaining agent in order to operate.



Blackhawks summon Morin from Rockford

Tribune report

In the wake of Bryan Bickell's apparent left leg injury, the Chicago Blackhawks recalled forward Jeremy Morin from Rockford on Wednesday.

Morin, 22, has 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 10 games for the American Hockey League's IceHogs. Morin had two assists in six games in his first stint this season with the Blackhawks

Bickell was injured when he skidded into a post in the first period of Tuesday's 5-1 loss at Coloado. The Hawks were off Wednesday and there was no update on his condition.



Jets fans, forget 'Helmet Pardy' vs. Blackhawks

By Chris Kuc 1:29 PM CST, November 20, 2013

DENVER -- Winnipeg Jets fans, leave your hockey helmets at home.

After a Winnipeg DJ suggested fans show up to Thursday night's game against the Chicago Blackhawks wearing helmets in a "Helmet Pardy" to

celebrate (mock?) the helmet-stealing incident at the United Center during a game Nov. 6, the Jets issued a statement Wednesday saying they "will not permit fans to wear such headgear at tomorrow’s game."

During the Nov. 6 game at the UC, Hawks winger Brandon Bollig drilled Jets defenseman Adam Pardy into the boards and during a melee between players after the glass was dislodged, one fan, identified as car dealer Kevin Mize, yanked Pardy's helmet off and put it on his own head. A female fan then poured beer over Pardy's head.

The Hawks apologized to the Jets and the NHL over the incident and according to the Jets, Mize was "extremely remorseful and has made an unnecessary yet very meaningful donation to the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation."

Here is the full statement from Mark Chipman, Executive Chairman of the Board & Governor, Winnipeg Jets Hockey Club:

“Earlier this week, we learned of a media-promoted stunt to have Winnipeg Jets fans wear helmets to the game on Thursday, November 21st versus the Chicago Blackhawks.

"I would like to let our fans know we in no way endorse this idea and in fact and wish to personally advise that we will not permit fans to wear such headgear at tomorrow’s game.

"The Chicago Blackhawks organization, for whom we hold a great deal of respect, conducted themselves with the highest degree of professionalism in the wake of the unfortunate incident on November 6th. We immediately received apologies from Team President & Governor John McDonough & General Manager Stan Bowman. The Blackhawks organization have also personally expressed their gratitude to Winnipeg Jets defenceman Adam Pardy for the way in which he handled himself in a very difficult situation. As well, the particular individual involved that night has extended a sincere apology to Adam and our organization. He is extremely remorseful and has made an unnecessary yet very meaningful donation to the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.

"I sincerely believe we have the best fans in the entire National Hockey League. Their passion for the game is unequaled. However, this is about professionalism and respect for our great game and for the NHL. These are principles we attempt to follow in all aspects of how we play and present the game of hockey. Adam Pardy exemplified these characteristics and I am confident Winnipeg Jets fans will display that same respect and professionalism this Thursday by refraining from participating in this stunt and not wearing helmets to tomorrow’s game.”



Blackhawks' Raanta gets first taste of NHL

By Chris Kuc , November 20, 2013

DENVER — There was no time for Antti Raanta to become nervous about his first career NHL appearance.

The Blackhawks’ backup goaltender was minding his own business at the end of the bench during Tuesday night’s game against the Avalanche when coach Joel Quenneville called his name to replace the shell-shocked Corey Crawford. It wasn’t the ideal situation for Raanta, who was recalled Sunday from Rockford to replace the injured Nikolai Khabibulin, to see his first action but he still was thrilled with the opportunity.

“Maybe I would want to go from the start,” Raanta said. “Of course, now it’s done so I can put my nerves (away) and be relaxed. There were a couple of times in the game I was thinking a little bit too much about what I’m doing. I was enjoying that too much.”

After Crawford yielded three goals on seven shots in the Avalanche’s 5-1 victory over the Hawks in their first of seven on the road, Raanta held his own. The 24-year-old native of Rauma, Finland, allowed two goals on 16 shots in 46 minutes, 43 seconds of work.

“There are those games where the other team is getting good chances and they’re scoring so you have to be ready every time when you’re sitting on the

bench,” Raanta said. “You never want the other goalie to get that kind of start because you know how it feels when you’re in the net.”

Raanta was signed as a free agent in June and was 7-5-0 with a 2.83 goals-against average and .914 save percentage in 14 games with Rockford. With Khabibulin on the long-term injury list with a lower-body injury after a rough start to the season, Raanta figures to stick around for a while. He could be in line to start for the Hawks against the Jets on Thursday night but Quenneville has yet to announce his starter. Crawford has appeared in 20 of the Hawks first 22 games and has struggled lately, giving up 17 goals in four-plus contests.

What Tuesday night’s outing did for Raanta was confirm in his mind that he can play at the NHL level.

“The target has been all the time that I could play some day in the NHL,” Raanta said.

Winging it: The Hawks were off Wednesday so there was no official update on the status of winger Bryan Bickell, who slid into the post Tuesday night and suffered an apparent left leg injury.

After the game, Quenneville said Bickell could be out “a bit” and further evidence the injury could be significant was the recall Wednesday of forward Jeremy Morin from Rockford.

The status of Marian Hossa also remains up in the air after the veteran missed his third consecutive game with a lower-body injury.

Water world: The Hawks said Wednesday that Chicago Blackhawks Charities had sold all 2,013 of their vials of melted ice for $99 apiece.

Sales began Monday for the ice that United Center staff members collected at the end of the 2012-13 Stanley Cup championship season. The vials come in a box with the Hawks logo and include certificates of authenticity signed by team president John McDonough.

All proceeds benefit Chicago Blackhawks Charities.



Patience pays off with hot streak for veteran Patrick Sharp

BY MARK LAZERUS Staff reporter November 20, 2013 7:41PM

WINNIPEG, Manitoba — Patrick Sharp was always counting. Goals, assists, plus-minus — he knew every stat as it happened, seeing his numbers rising and falling in real time. When the scoresheets were passed around after the game, Sharp didn’t need to pore over the numbers. He -already knew them.

This is how young players, new to the league and trying to make a name for themselves, evaluate themselves. Sharp — a goal scorer by trade — was no different.

“Early in my career,

I was a player that definitely looked at numbers a lot, and based my play on individual numbers,” said Sharp, about a month shy of his 32nd birthday. “Now I know that’s not always the case. You go into a game knowing what you want to accomplish, and those numbers will take care of themselves down the road.”

That veteran perspective is why Sharp wasn’t smashing sticks when he was sitting on one goal and four assists through the first 11 games. And that same veteran perspective is why the red-hot Sharp isn’t patting himself on the back and booking a February flight to Sochi after posting six goals and nine assists in the 11 games since.

The law of averages suggested Sharp — nearly a point-a-game player over the past few seasons — would get his stats. But more importantly to Sharp, the way he was playing made it just as inevitable.

“It’s funny, those first 10 games or so, I felt like I had more chances offensively than I did the last 10 games,” Sharp said before Tuesday’s dismal 5-1 defeat at Colorado. “And the point production isn’t even close. At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter. I’m a player on a good team and we’re competitive every night. That’s the best thing you can ask for.”

Of course, there’s a clear line of demarcation in Sharp’s production — Oct. 28 in Minnesota, the day coach Joel Quenneville bumped him up to the top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa. That was exactly 11 games ago. Before that, Sharp skated on a line with Michal Handzus and Patrick Kane. And while Handzus is a savvy playmaker and responsible defender, he simply didn’t have the speed to keep up with his wingers. Toews does.

The results have been eye-popping.

“He’s playing with guys [with whom] the production’s probably a little higher than when he started,” Quenneville said. “That [second] line earlier on, they were probably getting the chances, but maybe not the quality. … Certainly scorers, they love to score, and they feed off it when you get rolling like that.”

Sharp’s torrid play certainly boosts his chances of making the Canadian Olympic squad in Sochi, a lifelong dream. While he might not be counting the numbers anymore, surely Team Canada’s player evaluators notice when a player hands out four assists in one game, as Sharp did at Dallas, or scores twice against a very good San Jose team, as Sharp did on Sunday.

Sharp said the speculation (and the eventual disappointment of being left out) didn’t affect his play in 2010, and that it won’t this year, either, even as the final roster decisions loom next month.

Again, that temperament comes with age.

“I’m only thinking about the Blackhawks, and doing everything I can for Joel, because Joel has really given me an opportunity to play more and play a bigger role,” Sharp said. “I want to -reward him.

“You hear about it and you read articles, but I’m 31 years old now, I’m going to be 32 pretty soon. It’s not going to affect the way I’m playing on the ice for the Hawks.”

NOTE: The Hawks were off Wednesday. There was no official update on the lower-body injuries of Marian Hossa and Bryan Bickell. However, the Hawks recalled Jeremy Morin from Rockford, meaning Bickell’s likely to miss Thursday’s game at Winnipeg.

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 11.21.2013


'Helmet Pardy' won't be permitted Thursday

By Tim Sassone

The Winnipeg Jets on Wednesday distanced themselves from a local disc jockey's suggestion for fans to wear hockey helmets to Thursday's game against the Blackhawks.

It was called a "Helmet Pardy" by the DJ in response to the incident at the United Center during a game Nov. 6 where Jets defenseman Adam Pardy had his helmet ripped off his head by a fan after he was sent crashing through the glass by a check from Brandon Bollig.

Some glitches, but Blackhawks still tied for first in West

The Jets quickly issued a statement from executive chairman Mark Chipman saying they will not permit fans to wear such headgear at the game.

"Earlier this week, we learned of a media-promoted stunt to have Winnipeg Jets fans wear helmets to the game on Thursday, Nov. 21, versus the Chicago Blackhawks," Chipman said. "I would like to let our fans know we in no way endorse this idea and in fact and wish to personally advise that we will not permit fans to wear such headgear at (Thursday's) game.

"The Chicago Blackhawks organization, for whom we hold a great deal of respect, conducted themselves with the highest degree of professionalism in the wake of the unfortunate incident on Nov. 6. We immediately received apologies from team president and governor John McDonough and general manager Stan Bowman. The Blackhawks organization have also personally expressed their gratitude to Winnipeg Jets defenseman Adam Pardy for the way in which he handled himself in a very difficult situation. As well, the particular individual involved that night has extended a sincere apology to Adam and our organization. He is extremely remorseful and has made an unnecessary yet very meaningful donation to the Winnipeg Jets True North Foundation.

"I sincerely believe we have the best fans in the entire National Hockey League," Chipman continued. "Their passion for the game is unequaled. However, this is about professionalism and respect for our great game and for the NHL. These are principles we attempt to follow in all aspects of how we play and present the game of hockey. Adam Pardy exemplified these characteristics and I am confident Winnipeg Jets fans will display that same respect and professionalism Thursday by refraining from participating in this stunt and not wearing helmets to (the) game."

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 11.21.2013


Some glitches, but Blackhawks still in a good place

By Tim Sassone

While a bit of adversity has crept into the picture for the Blackhawks, they still have reached a quarter of the season just 1 point behind Anaheim for first place in the Western Conference with 32 points.

Injuries are the biggest concern at the moment, with center Michal Handzus, goalie Nikolai Khabibulin and defenseman Michael Kostka all on long-term injured reserve.

The skinny: The Jets are 10-10-3 with 2 of those losses coming at the hands of the Hawks. The Hawks won 5-1 at Winnipeg on Nov. 2. The Jets will be without three of their top defensemen in Jacob Trouba (neck), Mark Stuart (hip) and Zack Bogosian (groin). The Hawks are hoping to have Marian Hossa (lower body) back after three games on the shelf. Bryan Bickell (lower body) is doubtful. Jeremy Morin has been recalled from Rockford to fill in.

Next: Vancouver Canucks at Rogers Arena, 9 p.m. Saturday

— Tim Sassone

Bryan Bickell suffered what appeared to be a left-leg injury in Tuesday's 5-1 loss at Colorado and could be out awhile, according to coach Joel Quenneville.

The Hawks were off Wednesday and, per club policy, no injury updates are provided on off-days. Bickell is expected to miss Thursday's game at Winnipeg.

Following the acquisition of Kris Versteeg last week, the Hawks are up against the salary cap — at least that's what Quenneville told reporters after the loss in Denver, although Capgeek.com listed the Hawks at $2.1 million under the NHL's $64.3 million cap Wednesday due to Handzus, Khabibulin and Kostka being on long-term IR.

"We definitely have business decisions (to make) along with economic decisions with hockey decisions and getting the right fit," Quenneville told reporters in Denver. "That might play into our hands, but we'll see exactly what's available."

To that end, winger Jeremy Morin was recalled from Rockford on Wednesday.

Marian Hossa's return from a lower-body injury also would help. Hossa, who has 15 points in 19 games, has missed the last three games, two of which the Hawks have lost. Quenneville is hoping Hossa can play in Winnipeg on the second stop of the Hawks' seven-game road trip.

The Hawks are 14-4-4 despite ranking second to last in the league in penalty killing with 16 power-play goals allowed.

Biggest disappointment:

The play of 40-year-old backup goalie Nikolai Khabibulin has left a lot to be desired, and not solely because of his 5.00 goals-against average and .811 save percentage.

Before he injured his left leg in Saturday's 7-2 blowout loss at Nashville, Khabibulin hadn't started since Oct. 29 due to his inconsistent play.

As a result, Quenneville has had to overuse No. 1 goaltender Corey Crawford, who made his 20th appearance of the season in 22 games at Colorado. That wasn't part of the plan going into the season.

Antti Raanta was recalled from Rockford and spelled Crawford at Denver after Crawford surrendered 3 goals on 7 shots and was pulled.

Biggest plus:

The return to Norris Trophy form of Duncan Keith has been huge for the Hawks. Keith is fourth on the team in scoring with 16 points (15 of them assists) and is plus-3.

Toughest call:

Replacing Michael Frolik on the penalty kill has been nothing short of impossible.

The Hawks have tried Joakim Nordstrom, Brandon Saad, Ben Smith and Brandon Bollig in that role with Marcus Kruger, so far without much success. Maybe Versteeg will click with Kruger.

"Maybe they miss me, I don't know," said Frolik, who took pride in killing penalties and worked hard at it.

Biggest win:

There haven't been many more complete efforts than the one the Hawks turned in Sunday in beating San Jose 5-1. The Hawks dominated a very good team in the Sharks and showed everyone why they are in the mix to repeat as Stanley Cup champion.

Worst loss:

The win over the Sharks came a day after the Hawks were clobbered 7-2 in Nashville in a game in which everything seemed to go wrong.

Khabibulin got hurt after it was 2-0 for the Predators, and the Hawks were completely outworked and outplayed.

Biggest surprise:

Brandon Pirri has taken the job as No. 2 center and run with it. Pirri has 6 goals and 11 points in 17 games and is getting better at both ends of the ice. He is plus-6 defensively.

"He's still a work in progress," Hawks general manager Stan Bowman said last week. "We're trying not to give him too many responsibilities because you want him to have the confidence and have success. For a young offensive player, the biggest challenge is being comfortable to play both ways.

"I think he's working at it. I'm certainly proud of the way he has hung in there. He's got things to improve on, but we like the offensive part of his game. We know he can score because it's something he has done at every level."

With Pirri finding chemistry with Patrick Kane and Brandon Saad, it has given the Hawks two dangerous scoring lines. The top unit of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Hossa has combined for 54 points and been just as dominating defensively.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 11.21.2013


Blackhawks notes: Looking for a bounce back in Winnipeg

November 20, 2013, 6:45 pm Tracey Myers

DENVER — The Chicago Blackhawks head into Thursday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets a little frustrated.

They’re still fine, sitting atop the Western Conference with a 14-4-4 mark after Tuesday night’s loss to the Colorado Avalanche. But if there’s one thing that bothers the Blackhawks more than losing, it’s losing by self-inflicted mistakes.

The Blackhawks will try to clean things up again when they play the Jets on Thursday night, their second stop on this seven-game Circus Trip. They played some of their cleanest, best hockey on Sunday night against the San Jose Sharks but were error-riddled, mainly in the first period, against the Avs on Tuesday night. The snowball effect was frustrating, especially to head coach Joel Quenneville.

“When we get the puck, we have to make sure we’re more aware,” he said. “(The Pepsi Center) has some active and lively boards, some unpredictable bounces, and we fed into it.”

Whether or not the boards at MTS Centre are just as lively, the Blackhawks want to be cautious. The Jets will be a determined bunch, considering the Blackhawks have outscored them 9-2 in their two victories this season. They also want to avoid an 0-2 start to a Circus Trip that has just begun.

The good news for the Blackhawks is, when they’ve had a rough game, they’ve rebounded nicely in the next one. They plan to do the same on Thursday night.

“Everyone in here has won. They know what it takes to bounce back after a night like this,” Kris Versteeg said. “Everyone will be ready to go next game.”

Morin recalled

Jeremy Morin gets another shot with the Blackhawks, as the team recalled him from Rockford on Wednesday afternoon.

Morin’s call-up isn’t a total surprise, considering the look of Bryan Bickell’s injury against the Colorado Avalanche on Thursday night. The Blackhawks did not update Bickell’s situation on Wednesday — they did not practice before heading to Winnipeg — but it wasn’t expected to be great news. After Tuesday’s game, Quenneville said Bickell’s status “might be more than day-to-day; could be a bit.”

The 22-year-old Morin was in and out of the Blackhawks’ lineup in his last visit, as Quenneville said the forward needed to show more on the defensive side of his game. Sheldon Brookbank played some third-line right wing in Morin’s place.

In other injury news, Quenneville was hopeful Marian Hossa (lower body) could play on Thursday.

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.21.2013


Antti Raanta's trial by fire should continue in Winnipeg

November 20, 2013, 5:45 pm Tracey Myers

DENVER — Corey Crawford wasn’t barraged with a ton of blame for Tuesday night’s 5-1 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. There was plenty to go around the whole Chicago Blackhawks group for that.

Still, it’s a long road trip, one that continues in Winnipeg on Thursday night. And since the Blackhawks want to integrate rookie backup Antti Raanta into the group, why not give him the start against the Jets?

The 24-year-old Finn couldn’t have had a more trial-by-fire start to his NHL career, coming in during the first period after Crawford allowed three goals against the Colorado Avalanche. As Raanta said afterward, “That’s it: The first game is now done. You don’t have to ask about pressure or anything else.” So after that indoctrination, the Blackhawks should throw him right back in there.

When it comes down to it, this really has more to do with Crawford’s need for rest more than anything else. Of the 22 games the Blackhawks have played, Crawford has appeared in 20 of them. He’s started 18 games, but in the last two games Nikolai Khabibulin started, Crawford had to relieve (one for performance, the other for injury).

That’s a lot of work already for Crawford, who played 57 games in each of his first two seasons with the Blackhawks.

Raanta, for his part, got past any anxieties fast on Tuesday because he really had no choice.

“Now I can put my nerves back to the hotel room and come here and be relaxed,” he said following the game. “A couple of times, I was thinking too much. I was feeling pretty good in the third period when I got a couple of saves. It’s OK now.”

The Blackhawks have been successful against the Jets already this season. They’ve played strong games on both sides of the puck, and they need to do that again on Thursday night. Perhaps starting Raanta will give the

Blackhawks the boost they need to correct their mistakes. After all, that’s the biggest reason coach Joel Quenneville put him in on Tuesday night.

“It wasn’t the goalie,” Quenneville said, referring to Crawford. “But we had to do something.”

The Circus Trip is just beginning, and the Blackhawks need to give Crawford a break here and there along the way. Vancouver looms on Saturday, and you’d expect him to get that start. Raanta handled a frenzied situation as good as can be expected on Tuesday. Give him a shot from the start on Thursday.



Jeremy Roenick, Dan Rosen 'not surprised' with Blackhawks' start

November 20, 2013, 4:30 pmBy Paul Roumeliotis

In 22 games played, the Blackhawks have a league-leading 14-4-4 record and 32 points.

Ex-Blackhawk and current analyst Jeremy Roenick and writer Dan Rosen discussed the Blackhawks' hot start on Wednesday. Does it surprise them?

"I'm not surprised at all," Roenick said. "I actually — in the beginning of the season — picked the Chicago Blackhawks to win the Stanley Cup again. I almost kind of believe that it's a little bit of a dynasty-building in Chicago when you have the top four that have been in place and are still in place, and then you surround them with such a great core.

"And I believe that the Chicago Blackhawks have the best starting six defense in the National Hockey League. And follow it up with a goaltender who's coming off a Stanley Cup and has really raised his stock in terms of how people see him as a starting goaltender — in (Corey) Crawford. I think this team is poised and ready to win another Stanley Cup this year, and they're just going right through the motions right now and winning hockey games."

Rosen is on the same page as Roenick.

"You look at their scoring right now and you look at the top, and it's their top guys — their best players — (Jonathan) Toews, (Patrick) Kane, (Marian) Hossa who's been out for a little bit, (Patrick) Sharp, (Duncan) Keith, (Brent) Seabrook," said Rosen. "I mean these are their top guys and their top guys have been producing, and that's why they've been winning. And I think also what it does is it helps the guys like (Ben) Smith and (Marcus) Kruger and (Bryan) Bickell and (Andrew) Shaw to play the games that they need to play because they don't have to worry about the pressure of having to be a top guy on this team right now. The top guys are handling that."

Before the 2009-10 season, Stan Bowman replaced Dale Tallon as the Blackhawks' general manager. After being forced to overhaul some players on the 2010 Stanley Cup-winning team, Bowman's team followed the next two seasons with first-round exits in the 2011 and 2012 playoffs.

But coming off a 2013 Stanley Cup victory, is Bowman considered one of the best GMs in the league?

"I think Stan Bowman's a very good GM right now," said Roenick. "I think he makes the right moves at the right time. I think he manages his cap very well, and he's had to make some tough decisions. I mean it was just crazy the different people that he's had to move, and he's done it at the right time. And then he's filled in the right guys around his core players again. Keeping that strength of your top four like Dan (Rosen) and I were talking about.

"I don't know if he's the best GM in the game, but he's definitely growing and getting into people's heads as being one that needs to be dealt with, needs to be looked after because he is putting some good moves into that Chicago Blackhawks lineup."

Rosen cited previous conversations with Bowman as he explained the general manager's strengths.

"He's not afraid of change." said Rosen. "He's not afraid to make a move even when his team is going well, and this Kris Versteeg move is a perfect example. This season, they've brought in back Versteeg, Ben Smith is now playing a more regular role, Brandon Pirri is up with this team now. It's not a

huge change over but what is it is it's enough to have some extra motivated guys who want to get with what the Blackhawks had last season and when you bring guys like that in, that will help serve Toews, Kane, Keith and Seabrook — the guys who have won in the past and know they have to essentially go through the motions in the regular season.

"But it keeps them motivated throughout the regular season because they want to win for these guys too, and I think that's a big thing. You're bringing in motivated guys — Versteeg has to be a motivated guy. This team won with him, and then it proved it can win without him so he wants to win with him again and that's big for Stan Bowman. He's not afraid of change and that's a very important asset for a general manager."



Blackhawks Pulse: A welcome back for Kris Versteeg

November 20, 2013, 4:00 pm Nina Falcone

After a tough outing in Nashville on Saturday night, Kris Versteeg's return to the United Center the following evening went as well as he could have hoped for as he tallied a goal and an assist in the Blackhawks' 5-1 victory over the Sharks.

Versteeg was thrilled to be back with the team he never wanted to leave, and fans showed the feelings are mutual in the latest Blackhawks Pulse update.

The Blackhawks have kicked off their annual Circus Trip as they're playing seven games in 12 days.

Keep up with the latest Blackhawks news by staying locked into the Pulse and have your voice heard using #HawksTalk on Twitter.



Winnipeg fans to mock Blackhawks fan who stole Pardy's helmet

November 20, 2013, 10:45 am By Charlie Roumeliotis

The last time Winnipeg and Chicago met, the Jets didn't only leave the game with a 4-1 loss, but one of their defenseman, Adam Pardy, also left helmetless after a Blackhawks fan snagged it when Pardy was driven through the glass by Brandon Bollig late in the third period.

The Blackhawks issued an apology for the incident, but Jets fans aren't going to let it go when Chicago comes into town Thursday night.

One Jets fan kick started a movement on Twitter (#HelmetPardy) last week by advocating that Winnipeg fans attending the Blackhawks-Jets game show up sporting hockey helmets.

“Show the Hawks fans that we don't need to steal helmets, we have our own!” he tweeted.

Nov 21 at MTS Centre vs. #Blackhawks is officially #HelmetNight. Show the Hawks fans that we don't need to steal helmets, we have our own!

— Dave Wheeler (@Wheelerj28) November 14, 2013

However, the Jets released an official statement Wednesday advising fans to not wear such headgear. You can read the full statement here.

It's unclear whether Jets fans will start a new campaign for free beers to make up for Pardy's beer shower that occurred seconds after his helmet was stolen.


725241 Colorado Avalanche

Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov keeps his thoughts on hockey

By Adrian Dater Posted: 11/21/2013 12:01:00 AM MST

Avalanche goalie Semyon Varlamov is coming off a 36-save performance against Chicago. (John Leyba, Denver Post file)

If Semyon Varlamov is stressed out, he shows no outward sign of it.

While the Denver District Attorney weighs whether to formally charge the Avalanche goalie after an arrest last month because of allegations of domestic abuse and kidnapping, Varlamov said he remains unworried.

"Believe me, I don't think about the situation anymore," Varlamov said Wednesday. "I have lots of things to do. I have a lot of friends in town, some good Russian friends too. My job is not easy, and I have to stay focused on my job."

The DA's office has until Dec. 2 to charge Varlamov after his Oct. 30 arrest. Varlamov recently hired a new attorney, Saskia Jordan, to represent him. Varlamov denies all allegations and won't get into anything more specific about the allegations.

Semyon Varlamov

Semyon Varlamov (Kathryn Scott Osler, Denver Post file)

Varlamov, who will start Thursday's game against the Phoenix Coyotes at Jobing.com Arena, had a strong game Tuesday against Chicago. He made 36 saves in a 5-1 victory, atoning for a shaky effort — along with the rest of his teammates — Saturday against Florida.

"We got out to that early lead, and that makes it easier for any goalie," Varlamov said. "We had a lot of games like that (earlier) in the season. And so I can only give the credit for that to my teammates."

Duchene sits at home. Avalanche center Matt Duchene did not make the trip with the team and will not play against Phoenix or Los Angeles.

Duchene tried to skate before Wednesday's practice but experienced pain from his oblique injury. He will stay in Denver to recuperate. On Tuesday, Avs coach Patrick Roy said he was optimistic Duchene would return Saturday in Los Angeles, but things changed a day later.

"There's no point in rushing this," Roy said. "We need him at 100 percent, and after skating (Wednesday), he realized he would not be able to play."

Duchene, who leads the Avs in scoring with 20 points in 19 games, suffered the injury Saturday against Florida.

Denver Post: LOADED: 11.21.2013


Nathan MacKinnon dazzling Avs teammates, including host J.S. Giguere

A shot of sports commentary each weekday near quittin' time

By Benjamin Hochman Posted: 11/20/2013 04:15:00 PM MST

Avalanche rookie center Nathan MacKinnon was drafted No. 1 overall in the 2013 NHL draft. (Karl Gehring, Denver Post file)

In the autumn of 1995, the franchise was born, and "The Franchise" was born.

The Quebec Nordiques moved to Denver after the 1994-95 NHL season — and the Colorado Avalanche came to life that fall. And on Sept. 1, 1995, a boy was born who would become the Avalanche's franchise-player-in-waiting, the No. 1 pick in 2013, this wunderkind wonder kid.

"The last four or five games, he's almost been our best player," Avs coach Patrick Roy said of rookie forward Nathan MacKinnon. "Every time he's there, something happens. From a fan perspective, it's got to be fun to watch. He's going to draw a lot of people to our building to watch. Honestly, he's fun

to watch, and he's so receptive to teaching — he wants to learn. I'm very impressed with him."

Hockey is wrapped in tradition like tape on a stick, from drinking out of the Stanley Cup to not stepping on a team's logo on the locker room carpet. Another tradition: A team often has an impressionable rookie live with the family of a veteran. As such, the Gigueres of Cherry Hills Village have four kids — ages 1, 4, 6 and 18.

"I have three boys who probably keep him grounded," said Avs goalie Jean-Sebastien Giguere, who was drafted, sure enough, in 1995. "He has his living area, and obviously it's his job to keep that place tidy. The only thing I ask of him is to be respectful of my wife and kids — and tell us if you're not coming for dinner. He's very respectful, very polite. He's not arrogant."

MacKinnon lives in the basement of their home, which has its own lounge area, bedroom and, perhaps most important, a separate entrance to the main home. The kid spends time with the kids, playing upstairs with the boys, talking hockey, playing with toys. So, who is the kids' favorite player?

"They switch around. Sometimes it's me, sometimes it's Nate," Giguere said after practice Wednesday. "Also Matt Du- chene. And Cody McLeod was in there because he's a fighter."

Avs G Jean-Sebastien Giguere 2012

MacKinnon lives in the basement of the home of Avs veteran goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere, above. "The only thing I ask of him is to be respectful of my wife and kids," said Giguere, "and tell us if you're not coming for dinner." (John Leyba, Denver Post file)

It's the glimpses that get you. The Ty Lawson-like bursts down ice. The body control like a surfer. Tuesday's steal from Chicago Blackhawks stud defenseman Duncan Keith, and the ensuing feathery, perfectly placed pass down ice. It's like watching Andrew Wiggins and Jabari Parker, these college basketball prodigies popping off the screen. You just know they're going to be great.

MacKinnon enters Thursday night's game against the Phoenix Coyotes with 12 points in 20 games, the third-most points of any rookie. Not bad for an 18-year-old. And you might have heard about the Avalanche's avalanche last week — nine shots in a game by MacKinnon against the Carolina Hurricanes. But it's that speed, man. To think that he'll probably get even faster as he develops into his 20s.

"That's the scary part," said Avs captain Gabe Landeskog, whose locker is next to the team's prodigious protégé. "It's unbelievable. I haven't seen this speed from anyone, especially 18 years old. It's fun to watch, and at the same time, he can handle the puck at the speed. At practice, he'll do things and you're just standing there, scratching your head."

MacKinnon is a sponge, and that's actually one of his best skills. Coaches, teammates, broadcasters, they all talk about how he listens to learn. Giguere has become "a mixture of father and older brother," MacKinnon said, before heading on a road trip, hoping to fill the skates of the injured "9-Volt" Duchene. (That's my nickname for No. 9, though one Twitter follower suggested that because Duchene surgically dissects defenses, his nickname should be his initials: "The MD.")

Avs coach Patrick Roy 2013

Avs coach Patrick Roy, above, on MacKinnon: "The last four or five games, he's almost been our best player." (Helen H. Richardson, Denver Post file)

"This is (Giguere's) 17th season and he's won it all, the Cup, Conn Smythe, he's been on great teams, not-so great teams, so he's been in every situation in his career," MacKinnon said. "For me to come in and be lucky to be invited into his home, it's a great help for me.

"And the kids are awesome — I go upstairs and hang out a lot with them. They're young, full of energy."

As is a fourth kid.



Matt Duchene, Avs' leading scorer, ruled out for upcoming road trip

By Adrian Dater Posted: 11/20/2013 01:06:02 PM MST

Matt Duchene will not return sooner than expected after all.

The star Avalanche center hoped to return from an oblique injury by Saturday in Los Angeles, but after trying to skate before Avalanche practice Wednesday, that was ruled out.

"There's no point in rushing this," Avalanche coach Patrick Roy said. "We need him at 100 percent, and after skating today, he realized he would not be able to play."

Duchene, the Avs' leading scorer with 20 points (12 goals) in 19 games, suffered the injury Saturday night against Florida. He will not accompany the team on its two-game road trip to Phoenix and Los Angeles.

That means more ice time, probably, for 18-year-old rookie Nathan MacKinnon.

"I would say, the last four or five games, he might have been our best player out there," Roy said.

Semyon Varlamov will start in goal Thursday against the Coyotes, who are 9-0-1 at home this season. Roy said a goalie determination for the Kings game Saturday has yet to be made.

Cory Sarich will be back in the lineup Thursday after sitting out one game as a healthy scratch. He will replace Nick Holden.



Denver Cutthroats forward A.J. Gale called up to Manchester Monarchs

By Joe Vaccarelli

The Denver Cutthroats will have to do without their leading goal scorer from last season for the time being.

Forward A.J. Gale — who led the Central Hockey League with 46 goals last season — was called up to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League on Monday. The Monarchs are an affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings.

Gale has some AHL experience, appearing in four games last season for the Lake Erie Monsters, the Colorado Avalanche’s AHL affiliate.

“A.J. Gale has been the most prolific goal scorer in this league over the last two years,” head coach Derek Armstrong said in a statement. “It’s tough to lose your best player, but we are in the business of developing players and are proud to see them get called up.”

Armstrong spent four seasons with the Kings from 2005-09.

In 13 games this season, Gale had 5 goals and 12 assists. He did not play in Tuesday’s 4-1 win over the Missouri Mavericks. Gale played on the team’s top line with forwards Troy Schwab and Garett Bembridge.

Also on the move is defenseman Daniel Maggio who appeared one game for the Cutthroats. Maggio returns to Lake Erie where he played 25 games last season.

He began this season on injured reserve for the Monsters before being sent to Denver. He registered an assist in his one game with the Cutthroats, a 3-2 overtime loss to the Quad City Mallards on Saturday.



To show fast start wasn't a fluke, Avs must grow up

By Paul Klee Updated: November 19, 2013

DENVER — The Avs need to grow up.

If they want to be real factors in the NHL's Western Conference, a place where the men are separated from the boys, that's their only hope:

Grow up. Right now some of their best players are too young (or too injured) and it's showing.

It's what Chicago did. The Blackhawks grew up. Once they did, they won two Stanley Cups. They grew up, and it shows.

Chicago plays at Colorado on Tuesday night. It should be a dandy - if the Avs act like grown-ups instead of their own age.

"I'm pretty excited to try Landy with MacKinnon and O'Reilly," coach Patrick Roy said Monday.

That would be the new line of Gabe Landeskog, 20, with Nathan MacKinnon, 18, and Ryan O'Reilly, 22. The latter is in charge of buying the Molson Light afterward.

"I think we have every reason in the world to be confident," Landeskog said.

And every reason to be an afterthought.

But the Avs haven't been.

Credit Roy, executive Joe Sakic and, definitely, the players, for building a belief inside the Avs organization. The day he was hired as Colorado's coach, Roy proclaimed: "Why not us?"

The Avs bought in. The man could sell printer ink to Xerox.

For his second act, Roy faces a tough challenge. He must stop the locker room from second-guessing its success. Even if they won't admit it, the Avs are ice-cold. Colorado has lost three straight, by a combined score of 13-5.

"I don't know if three games is considered a slump," Roy said.

Sorry, not buying that printer ink.

"But at the same time, like I said to the guys, I'm very proud of them. Since the start of the year, we've been working hard. We've been really receptive to teaching," he said. "(From) my standpoint, I haven't changed. I didn't change one bit."

The Blackhawks are what the Avalanche want to be. Chicago developed this mini-dynasty through the NHL draft. Colorado is developing its roster through the NHL draft.

Chicago drafted Patrick Kane with the No. 1 overall pick. He's 25 on Tuesday.

Colorado drafted Landeskog with the No. 2 overall pick. He's 21 on Saturday.

Chicago drafted Jonathan Toews No. 3 overall. He's 25.

Colorado drafted Matt Duchene No. 3 overall. He's 22 and sidelined with an oblique injury for at least one week.

Chicago drafted Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook with high picks; Colorado drafted MacKinnon (No. 1 overall) and O'Reilly with high picks.

See where I'm going with this? The Avs can go somewhere with this.

"I don't know if it's going to be a blueprint (for us)," Roy told me. "But I hope so."

The Blackhawks grew up. The Avs are in the process, they hope.

Is this a guaranteed formula for long-term success for the Avs? Hardly. The Blackhawks drafted lightning and bottled it up. The Avs show flashes. But goodness, they are awesome flashes.

"They (Chicago) are a team that a lot of teams, especially us, we look up at," Roy said.

The Blackhawks have depth, speed, size, leadership, epic sweaters, two Stanley Cup parades in the past four years and a fan base that reappeared out of hibernation and will overwhelm Pepsi Center on Tuesday.

The Avs have a line with an 18-year-old, 20-year-old and 22-year-old.

Right now the West is too wild for the Avs. After a rip-roaring start to Roy's first season as coach, the Avs are sliding. They have 28 points through 19 games.

In the East, that would put them in first place.

In the West that puts them in.... eighth place, which would be the final playoff spot.

The Blackhawks? They're in first place, again.

They grew up.

Colorado Springs Gazette: LOADED: 11.21.2013

725246 Columbus Blue Jackets

Blue Jackets 2, Flames 1: Nikitin breaks drought with winner

By Aaron Portzline

CALGARY, Alberta — Night and day.

One night after suffering a seven-goal loss at Edmonton, the Blue Jackets played a crisp, tenacious game at Calgary, and they were rewarded with a 2-1 overtime victory over the Flames.

Blue Jackets defenseman Nikita Nikitin, who hadn’t scored in 29 games, converted from the slot at 2:25 of overtime to end it. The Jackets also got a goal from Nick Foligno, and goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky had 23 saves.

It wasn’t a perfect performance by the Blue Jackets, but it was starkly different than just hours earlier, when they wandered to one of the worst losses in franchise history. The Jackets did not take any penalties against the Flames, a tribute to how they used the feet and skating to defend, and how they possessed the puck in the Flames’ zone, especially in the first two periods.

Foligno gave the Blue Jackets a 1-0 lead at 9:21 of the first period, a laser-beam of a wrist-shot that beat Flames goaltender Reto Berra under the crossbar. The goal was made possible by R.J. Umberger, who did yeoman’s work at the blue line to hold the puck in the zone. It was Foligno’s fifth goal of the season.

Long before Foligno scored, though, it was clear the Blue Jackets were playing with more resolve and passion than they did just 24 hours earlier in a 7-0 loss at Edmonton. By the first TV timeout last night, the Blue Jackets had won more puck battles than they did the whole game against the Oilers.

The Flames couldn’t find much space or air on the ice against the Blue Jackets’ forecheck in the first two periods, but Calgary made a push in the third. The Flames outshot the Jackets 7-1 in the first 14 minutes of the period, including Joe Colborne’s goal at 3:28 to tie the score at 1.

Calgary’s David Jones chipped the puck to Colborne with speed in the neutral zone. Colborne skated away from Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson and beat Bobrovsky with a high shot off his backhand.

The Blue Jackets went on the power play with 9:09 left, but couldn’t convert. The Jackets were 0 for 3 on the power play.

In overtime, Artem Anisimov carried the puck into the zone and began a sequence that sent the Flames scrambling. Anisimov’s shot was blocked. So was David Savard’s follow-up, but the rebound from Savard went right to Nikitin.

Even on their best night, the Blue Jackets find it hard to score. The Flames entered play allowing 3.76 goals a game, most in the NHL.

Last night was the first time all season the Flames held a team to less than two goals.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 11.21.2013


Blue Jackets notebook: Kekalainen might seek to add veteran

By Aaron Portzline

CALGARY, Alberta — General manager Jarmo Kekalainen said he wouldn’t make any “knee-jerk reactions” amid the Blue Jackets’ disappointing start,

but said the lack of leadership among players has him interested in acquiring a veteran.

A disturbing 7-0 loss at the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night still was resonating with Kekalainen and the club yesterday morning as they prepared for a game last night against the Calgary Flames.

“I always think there’s a good lesson in everything,” Kekalainen said. “It’s hard to see when you lose a game like we lost (at Edmonton). Leadership is being questioned right now. It’s certainly something we’re looking at. Leadership is a full-time job. It’s not a part-time job. It has to be there every day, in every practice and every game.”

The NHL season is only six weeks old. The trade market, Kekalainen noted, is stagnant. But players in the mold that Kekalainen would like to add come at a premium.

“You can never have too much of that, so if there’s a way to improve in that area by adding that kind of player from the outside, sure, we’d love to look at it,” he said. “But at the same time, I think we have enough guys with that kind of potential on the inside.”

Kekalainen echoed the thoughts of coach Todd Richards, who has expressed extreme disappointment at the Blue Jackets’ wild inconsistency. On Sunday, they won 4-1 at Ottawa, perhaps their best game of the season. Forty-eight hours later, they suffered one of their worst losses, generating only 14 shots on goal.

Kekalainen said he believes the Blue Jackets can win consistently.

“I still believe in this team; it’s the same team that went 19-5-5 last year (to end the season), but with the addition of a couple of good, young players,” Kekalainen said. “I don’t see any reason why we shouldn’t be able to do the same things as last year.

“We were a hard team to play against last year, playing defensively, a really tight game; smart, doing all the little things right. Right now, it’s not there for us.”

Kekalainen said the struggles have nothing to do with coaching.

“No, we have the same coaches we had last year, and they had the team playing very disciplined, very hard-working,” he said. “It’s up to the players to look in the mirror and see if they can play the game the same way they did last year.”

Small changes

With Blue Jackets center Brandon Dubinsky out because of a bruised foot, forward Jack Skille played against the Flames.

Skille joined the fourth line with center Michael Chaput and right wing Jared Boll, with Artem Anisimov leaving that line to take Dubinsky’s spot on the No. 1 line between Cam Atkinson and Boone Jenner. Richards opted not to make any changes on defense. Tim Erixon, called up from minor-league Springfield late last week, was a healthy scratch.



Oilers 7, Blue Jackets 0: Loss hard to fathom

After an impressive start to five-game trip, Jackets do a 180 in stunning rout

By Aaron Portzline

EDMONTON, Alberta — The Blue Jackets flew here from Ottawa on Sunday, their chests puffed out with growing confidence after playing their best game of the season and making short work of the Senators.

As player after player said they believed that the club was on the cusp of a turnaround, coach Todd Richards was alone in sounding the alarm of complacency heading into last night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.

To his disappointment, Richards was right to be worried.

The Oilers scored three times in each of the first two periods and rolled to a 7-0 win at Rexall Place, where they had been 1-7-0 and outscored 32-11 this season.

Blue Jackets defenseman Jack Johnson used an expletive to describe the game.

“Disgusting” was how forward Nick Foligno put it.

Richards had more to say.

“We weren’t ready to play the game,” he said. “We weren’t ready to battle, we weren’t ready to do the things necessary to win.

“There was no desperation, no urgency. I don’t know if we get too high on ourselves or what, but we weren’t engaged at all.”

David Perron had two goals and two assists, Ryan Smyth had a goal and two assists, and 11 Oilers players had at least one point.

The Blue Jackets looked utterly unprepared to play. Rather than keeping the ultra-skilled Oilers caged, the Jackets fed the beast with turnovers, wide-open ice, awful penalty-killing and a general malaise not seen since the days of former coach Scott Arniel.

They allowed three power-play goals — one just 14 seconds into the penalty kill, another 32 seconds in — for the first time since Feb. 12, 2012, a span of 95 games.

Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was pulled 8:30 into the second period after Perron scored to make it 4-0.

Bobrovsky, who had played well recently after an early-season slump, stopped only 14 of 18 shots.

At the other end, the Blue Jackets managed only 14 shots on Oilers goaltender Devan Dubnyk, only four in the third.

“The other thing is how we played the third period,” Richards said. “We were just playing to run the clock out. To me, as a coach you watch certain things and certain players to see how they’re going to respond in tough situations. … We had guys who just wanted to get the game over with, which I’m really disappointed with.”

Brandon Dubinsky suffered a foot injury at the end of the second period. He tried one shift in the third, then went to the dressing room.

Richards said tests revealed no broken bones, but more will be known before the club plays tonight at Calgary.



Blue Jackets notebook: Russian goalies are friends, rivals

By Aaron Portzline

EDMONTON, Alberta — The relationship between Sergei Bobrovsky and Ilya Bryzgalov requires some explaining.

The two have maintained a friendship that dates back three seasons when they both played for the Philadelphia Flyers.

But Bobrovsky, the Blue Jackets’ goaltender, has spent most of those three seasons trying to prove to his club and country that he is every bit the goaltender that Bryzgalov is.

That the professional angst between the two hasn’t gotten personal is a credit to both of them.

After flaming out with the Flyers and having his contract bought out last summer, Bryzgalov made it back to the NHL this week when the Oilers recalled him from the minors.

Nobody was happier than Bobrovsky.

“We’re friends, yes,” Bobrovsky said. “He has helped me a lot. When I ask him for some recommendations, he always helps me. He always (took) care of me when I was a young goalie.”

Bobrovsky and Bryzgalov had dinner in Edmonton on Monday, along with Russian players for both the Oilers and the Blue Jackets.

“It’s really good for him to be back (in the NHL),” Bobrovsky said. “He’s a good guy, a good goalie.

“That was a really hard time for him in Philly. It’s good he gets a new opportunity, a new chance to play.”

Bobrovsky started last night for the Blue Jackets, but Bryzgalov backed up Devan Dubnyk.

So their personal rivalry will have to resume later, perhaps when the Oilers visit Nationwide Arena on Nov. 29.

Bobrovsky had a 28-win rookie season for the Flyers in 2010-11, but he struggled in the playoffs and watched his chance at the No. 1 job fizzle the following summer when Philadelphia signed Bryzgalov to a nine-year, $51 million contract.

After a season in Bryzgalov’s shadow, Bobrovsky was traded to Columbus, where he emerged as an NHL star and won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goaltender.

But when Bobrovsky traveled to Sweden to play in the World Championships last spring, he found that Bryzgalov had been promised the No. 1 role by Russian club officials.

Bobrovsky quickly packed his bags for a vacation with his wife in Fiji, another chip placed firmly on his shoulder.

Asked about his lengthy competition with Bryzgalov, Bobrovsky smiled: “We respect each other, and I want to be the best goaltender I can be.”

Asked who paid for dinner on Monday, Bobrovsky smiled even wider: “Fedor Tyutin.”

Family affair

Blue Jackets forward Mark Letestu was raised in Elk Point, Alberta, a farming community of some 1,700 about 21/2 hours northeast of Edmonton.

“I’ve got about 20 people coming to the game,” Letestu said. “My mom (Deanna), dad (Garth), my brother (Lee), my high-school principal …”

What’s that?

“Yeah, my high-school principal, Jim Hawkins. He played college hockey at Colorado College, and he knew I was into hockey, so we just sort of bonded.”


725250 Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars' Ray Whitney will be a game-time decision vs. New York Rangers

GERRY FRALEY Published: 20 November 2013 10:45 PM

Forward Ray Whitney went through a full practice for the second consecutive day and will be a game-time decision, Ruff said. Whitney has not played since Nov. 9 because of a lower-body injury, and Ruff would prefer having him go through a few more practices before returning.

Facing the Rangers gives the Stars a chance to continue the theme in the Western Conference this season: Pound the Eastern Conference clubs. The Stars are 5-2 against the East, and the West began Wednesday at 86-38-14 against the East. “If it keeps going at this pace, you’ll need about 110 points to get in the playoffs,” said Ruff, a career-long Easterner before this season. “It’s incredible. Maybe it’ll all even out by the end.”

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 11.21.2013

725251 Dallas Stars

Dallas Stars only NHL club without a power-play goal at home; magic moment could come against New York Rangers

GERRY FRALEY

FRISCO — The Stars could have their magic moment as soon as Thursday night.

The New York Rangers will take a penalty, and the planets will align. A to-be-determined Star will take advantage of the chance and score … the club’s first power-play goal of the season at American Airlines Center.

The Stars are the only NHL club without a power-play goal at home. To put that into perspective, consider that St. Louis has scored a league-high 13 goals in 12 home games.

“We’re not satisfied as a group with the way our power play has been going,” captain Jamie Benn said. “There’s a lot more room for improvement.”

The Stars have played a league-low seven home games and been “a little bit snake bit” on power-play chances, coach Lindy Ruff said Wednesday. The relevant item is the Stars are 0-for-24 on the power play at home.

This is not a new problem for the Stars. In 2011-12, their last full season, the Stars had 28 home games without a power-play score. It marked the first time since 1996-97 that the Stars had 20-plus home games without a power-play goal.

With six of the next nine games at home, the Stars must solve this peculiar problem as soon as possible or risk squandering an advantageous portion of the schedule.

“It’s a small sample, but it’s something we’ve been working on,” center Tyler Seguin said. “We’re trying to find something that’s going to click, at home and on the road.”

For Ruff, the 0-for at home is part of a bigger problem. On the road, the Stars are a middle-of-the-pack power play with eight goals in 46 opportunities.

“I’m not going to sugarcoat this,” Ruff said. “Overall, we need to be better on special teams as a whole. We’ll continue to work at it.

“The power play at home hasn’t found ways to put it in the back of the net. We need them to finish.”

Center Tyler Seguin and Ruff suggested the power-play groups may be guilty of over-passing, particularly at home. There is a long-standing hockey theory that teams sometimes look for the overly flamboyant play at home.

That is no way to run a power play. Most power-play goals come on second chances from close range. That means going inside, where nothing is pretty.

The Stars have done well on their entry into the offensive zone on the power play, Ruff said. The breakdown starts with too many passes and not enough activity around the net.

“Our success will come once we getting inside and the second-chance opportunities start going in,” Ruff said.

Chaisson may be out: A day after Ruff stressed the need for depth, the Stars may have lost a forward for Thursday’s game. Forward Alex Chiasson had to be helped off the ice during practice after being hit in the face by a hurtling puck.

“We’re concerned that he might have some damage,” Ruff said. “I’m hoping all is well with [Chiasson], but you have to be ready for the adverse effect of what happened.”

Briefly: Forward Ray Whitney went through a full practice for the second consecutive day and will be a game-time decision, Ruff said. Whitney has not played since Nov. 9 because of a lower-body injury, and Ruff would prefer having him go through a few more practices before returning.

Facing the Rangers gives the Stars a chance to continue the theme in the Western Conference this season: Pound the Eastern Conference clubs. The Stars are 5-2 against the East, and the West began Wednesday at 86-38-14 against the East. “If it keeps going at this pace, you’ll need about 110 points to get in the playoffs,” said Ruff, a career-long Easterner before this season. “It’s incredible. Maybe it’ll all even out by the end.”


725252 Dallas Stars

Alex Chiasson, who ranks third in Dallas Stars scoring, injured with puck in face at Wednesday's practice

GERRY FRALEY Published: 20 November 2013 12:22 PM

Dallas Stars forward Alex Chiasson was hit in the face by a puck during practice on Wednesday and could miss Thursday's game against the New York Rangers.

Coach Lindy Ruff said Chiasson was hit hard by the puck. Chiasson was helped from the ice and taken for medical treatment.

"We're concerned that he might have some damage,'' Ruff said.

Chiasson is third on the team with 12 points, and his five goals also rank third for Dallas. The wing is in his second season.


725253 Dallas Stars

GameDay: Dallas Stars vs. New York Rangers

Posted Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013 0

Rangers at Stars

7:30 p.m. Thursday, American Airlines Center, Dallas

TV: FSSW Radio: KTCK/1310 AM, 96.7 FM

Records: Stars 11-7-2, 24 points; Rangers 10-11-0, 20

About the Stars: Dallas is coming off a 2-1 victory over the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday that capped a 3-0 swing through western Canada. … The Stars have won six of the past seven and are 7-2-1 in the past 10 games, but have gained ground on only one team (Colorado) of the four teams ahead of them in the Central Division standings. … The Stars have won six straight on the road, but they return home looking to snap a three-game losing streak on home ice. … Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen (10-3-2) faced 90 shots during the three-game road trip and allowed only four goals. He stopped 42 of 43 shots in Vancouver.

About the Rangers: New York is coming off a 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Tuesday night as it begins a five-game road trip in Dallas. The Rangers, who trail Pittsburgh and Washington in the Metropolitan Division, are 6-6 on the road this season, but they have won four straight outside of Madison Square Garden. … New York is led by former Stars center Brad Richards, who has six goals and 10 assists this season but has only one point (an assist) in the past four games. … Rick Nash returned to the Rangers’ lineup Tuesday after missing 17 games with a head injury. — From online reports

Star-Telegram LOADED: 11.21.2013

725254 Dallas Stars

Differences over contract could sever Stars, Strangis ties

By Mac Engel

engel Dallas Stars play-by-play man Ralph Strangis’ contract expires on July 1, 2014, and like every single one of us, Ralphie wants more. As the late Detroit Pistons coach Chuck Daly once told All-Star Derrick Coleman: “It’s not about what you’re worth, it’s about what you can get.”

The problem: Team owner Tom Gaglardi wants to reduce expenses, and unfortunately for Mr. Strangis this includes his price tag. The haggling could lead to the Stars breaking up their most famous duo — Ralph and Razor.

The Dallas Stars recently gave Strangis’ broadcast partner, Daryl “Razor” Reaugh, a long-term extension. It would be odd for a franchise that actively promotes “Ralph and Razor” to end their partnership, but that scenario is on the table. Basically, the Stars’ actions say they like Razor more than they like Ralph.

I asked Ralph if he feels that way.

“I believe [Stars president] Jim Lites and the Stars love me and they love both of us,” Strangis said. “I believe it’s in everyone’s best interest to figure this thing out. ... Nobody can argue I don’t have a great job and don’t make a lot of money.”

As much of a fixture as Strangis is to the Dallas Stars, their team’s fan base remains stuck in neutral, or reverse. He is pushing, the Stars aren’t budging. I asked him if he thinks he is playing with fire since there are only 30 NHL play-by-play jobs.

“It’s always been my intention to finish my professional broadcasting career with the Dallas Stars,” said Strangis, 52. “I went in to negotiate a deal that would keep me here for a long time. I don’t see how that constitutes playing with fire.”

As important as Strangis is to the Dallas Stars — he has been on their radio and/or telecasts since the team moved to Texas — we are not talking about the Dodgers moving from Brooklyn to Los Angeles and taking Vin Scully with them. Scully may be the only team broadcaster alive who, if there was a legit contract squabble and he threatened to leave, the franchise would cave in fear of backlash.

Would the backlash be great enough from the Stars’ loyal fan base if Ralph indeed left after the season? Some, but how much? It’s all relative, and how much of a headache the team wants to deal with. History says loyal fans always come back, regardless of records, ownership, centers, forwards, lockouts, broadcasters, et al.

“We love Ralph. We pay him really well. It’s not personal. It’s none of that,” Stars president Jim Lites said. “The choice is his.”

Star-Telegram LOADED: 11.21.2013

725255 Detroit Red Wings

Jonathan Ericsson closing in on extension with Detroit Red Wings

1:43 PM, November 20, 2013 | By Helene St. James

Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson never doubted that he'd stay with the only NHL team he's ever known.

Ericsson is closing in on a multiyear deal extension averaging just above $4 million per season with the Detroit Red Wings, he said today.

"I always wanted to be here," he said. "I haven't been anywhere else. If we can get it done soon, that would be great. Then I don't have to think about it anymore. That'd be a great feeling. I want to get it done now."

Ericsson, 29, was eligible for unrestricted free agency this summer, but neither side wanted to part ways. Over the past few seasons, Ericsson has emerged as a shutdown guy for the Wings. At 6-feet-4 and 220-odd pounds, Ericsson is the biggest man on the team, and he regularly logs top minutes as well as being a key to the penalty kill.

In 12 games this season, Ericsson has four points and a plus-2 rating. He recently missed a month nursing a shoulder socket injury.

Contact Helene St. James: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 11.21.2013


Helene St. James: Detroit Red Wings trying to remember joy of winning, after losing Danny DeKeyser

6:55 PM, November 20, 2013 | By Helene St. James

Detroit Red Wings players hoofed it down the hallway toward the delicious, drool-inducing smell of barbecue. A hungry team is a motivated team.

A feast executed by Zamboni master Al Sobotka is always welcome during a long season, but right now, there is nothing for which the Wings have a bigger appetite than a victory. They host the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night at Joe Louis Arena having gone seven straight games without a victory, eight straight at home. Now they also face at least month without one of their best defensemen, Danny DeKeyser, who has a sprained left shoulder.

The Wings have been without one of their top three defensemen — DeKeyser, Niklas Kronwall and Jonathan Ericsson — nearly every game so far, though. DeKeyser just adds to a sick bay that also includes groin-injury sufferers Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss.

The Wings would love to know what kind of team they are at full manpower, but so far, that hasn’t happened.

What has happened is a winless streak that taunts at oddsmakers. The only positive is that the Wings have pushed five of those seven games past regulation, enough to get them to 25 points, only four behind Eastern Conference leader Boston.

“Everybody try to help each other,” Pavel Datsyuk said. “Sometimes we need to have confidence, play hockey. We need win one game, build from win.”

It’s gotten to the point where coach Mike Babcock is flirting with separating Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, because keeping them together seems in violation of the classic “all eggs in one basket” blunders. No other line has worked, which may force giving Datsyuk and Zetterberg a set of wingers each.

The saviour would be defenseman Kyle Quincey — in so far as if Quincey recovers from the soreness that kept him from Wednesday’s practice, then the team can call up Gustav Nyquist, a creative forward who could help forge a legitimate second scoring line. If Quincey can’t go, the team would need to use meager salary cap space on a defenseman, and figure out how best to make the lines work with what’s available.

“You’ve got to have more than two guys going,” Babcock said. “We’re going to take a look at seeing what else we can do.

“We’ve got to get back to playing. As much as you’ve got to play real hard and compete real hard, it’s still play hockey, not work hockey. You’ve got to enjoy what you’re doing.”

Nyquist would be nice to see in the lineup, but the Wings can’t rely on a call-up as a life preserver.

Players are frustrated because while Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to Nashville was an ugly, unwatchable game, the Wings came away from weekend games against the Capitals and Islanders feeling like they should have gotten more than a point a piece. So stick to that work effort, remember to have fun, and unclench those sticks, goes the thinking.

“That feeling that you know you can win the game, throughout the game, it’s not there,” Ericsson said. “I don’t feel like we’re relaxed out there. We’re playing with structure, but we’re making everything hard. We don’t have the energy to go on attack on and on. I don’t know how to change it, but we know we have to find a way. Everyone is trying hard, but sometimes you’re trying too hard, and that might be the thing we’re doing right now.”



Red Wings' Mike Babcock on Justin Abdelkader: He helps the line he plays with

November 20, 2013 | Helene St. James

Detroit Red Wings Justin Abdelkader clears the puck as Washington Capitals Steve Oleksy skates in on the Wings goal in the second period of their hockey game in Detroit on Friday, November 15, 2013. / Julian H. Gonzalez/DFP

As the Detroit Red Wings seek to overturn a stretch that's gone from weird to worse, Justin Abdelkader is filling in where he can.

Abdelkader helped out at center in during Tuesday's 2-0 loss to the Nashville Predators at Joe Louis Arena, the eighth straight time the Wings have lost at home. Abdelkader set a couple of good screens for winger Tomas Tatar, adjusting to yet another group of forwards.

Abdelkader spent the first 10 games this season next to Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg - known within the locker room as winning the lottery - but has since bounced around as coach Mike Babcock searches for consistency on a line other than the top one.

"We've been able to put Abby somewhere else to help some other people," Babcock said. "Abby skates real well, is physical, he brings it every single day. He helps the line he plays with. Now we've got him playing center. When guys get hurt, you do what you've got to do."

Stephen Weiss and Daniel Alfredsson are both sidelined by groin injuries. Weiss could be back within days; when he does return, Babcock said he'd put Abdelkader "with Weisser and he can help Weisser get up and down the ice. Abby skates good and he works hard. So I like him lots of places."

Abdelkader had two goals and four assists after 21 games. He'd been quiet offensively his previous six games, mirroring many of his teammates. More important for Abdelkader is how he plays in his own end.

"You always want to have more points but at the same time I think I'm doing a lot of good things out there," he said. "I just have to make sure I take pucks to the net, be in front of the net. I can do a better job skating up and down with the puck. Just try to play heavy on the puck, strong on the puck, and be all around good player."

Tuesday was a chance for Abdelkader, 26, to audition for Predators general manager David Poile, who wears the same hat for Team USA headed into the 2014 Olympics. Abdelkader was one of three Wings invited to Olympic orientation camp last summer. Abdelkader's current role isn't as eye-catching as his first month, but it's not like Poile doesn't know what Abdelkader is, and what he is not. He is a physical forward who can play with anyone. He isn't a star scorer.

"I think they're going to look at your overall track record and what you've done," Abdelkader said. "Obviously it's important to play good the first 3-4 months, but I do think they'll look at what you've done overall."



Predators 2, Red Wings 0: Why the Wings lost on Tuesday night

November 20, 2013 | By Helene St. James Detroit Free Press Sports

Detroit Red Wings goalie Jimmy Howard gives up power play goal to Nashville Predators Shea Weber in the last seconds of the second period in their hockey game in Detroit on Tuesday, November 19, 2013. Julian H. Gonzalez /Detroit Free Press / Julian H. Gonzalez

At Joe Louis Arena

■ IN THE FIRST PERIOD: Danny DeKeyser left two shifts in after hurting his left shoulder on a hit by Patric Hornqvist. The Red Wings went on a penalty kill at 7:45 when Brian Lashoff went off for high-sticking. Matt Cullen went off at 9:03, leading to 42 seconds of four-on-four play, and then a Detroit power play. There were some great chances down low, lots of puck movement around the crease, but Marek Mazanec got a piece of everything. Jimmy Howard made a big stop on Hornqvist with four minutes left. Shots were 10-7 in favor of Nashville.

IN THE SECOND PERIOD: Tomas Tatar and had a great opportunity in the opening minutes, getting a cross-ice pass from Joakim Andersson. Tatar furiously settled the puck on his stick to get off a shot that Mazanec wobbled in his glove. The Wings went on another penalty kill at 6:22. Tatar had another chance with a hard shot from the right side midway through the period, while Justin Abdelkader screened. A power play arose at 10:59 when Mike Fisher went off for holding Darren Helm. The Wings didn’t get anything going during the man-advantage stretch. Nashville went on a power play at 15:04, with Niklas Kronwall in the box. There was a hairy moment on a very loose rebound, but Howard recovered in time. The Wings went on a fourth PK at 19:00, with Drew Miller called for hooking. Andersson rimmed the puck behind the net and up the side, where Shea Weber turned the puck into a

power-play goal with 4.8 seconds to go. Shots were 17-16 in favor of Nashville.

■ IN THE THIRD PERIOD: Gabriel Bourque scored at 7:13, after the puck bounced out front off the back boards. Howard just missed kicking the puck away with his left leg. The Wings went on another penalty kill at 10:42, when Daniel Cleary went off for four minutes. The Wings ended up with 27 shots to 25 by the Predators.

UP NEXT: Thursday against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Contact Helene St. James: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @helenestjames.



Red Wings lose Danny DeKeyser (shoulder) for 'a bit'

November 20, 2013 | By Helene St. James

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Danny DeKeyser (65) is seen during the third period of an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators in Detroit, Thursday, April 25, 2013. / Carlos Osorio/AP

Danny DeKeyser spent the past several weeks demonstrating just how good and promising a defenseman he is. He will be spending the rest of the month - maybe more - doing very little.

DeKeyser left two shifts into Tuesday's 2-0 loss at Joe Louis Arena to the Nashville Predators, leaving the Detroit Red Wings without one of their top three defensemen.

DeKeyser suffered an injury to his left shoulder.

"He's out for a bit," coach Mike Babcock said. "He's definitely not playing this week."

General manager Ken Holland said DeKeyser will see a doctor Wednesday: "Tonight we think 1-2 weeks, but we'll know more tomorrow."

DeKeyser was hit into the glass by Predators forward Patric Hornqvist, immediately skating off in pain. The Wings still had six defensemen playing, as they'd dressed seven to compensate for only having 11 forwards.

"It's tough," Henrik Zetterberg said. "Danny is a good defenseman, has been playing well for us. Seeing him go down - I don't know how bad it is or how long he's going to be gone, but obviously it's a piece of time that we're not going to have him."

DeKeyser, 23, has shown impressive growth since joining the Wings straight out of Western Michigan last spring, leapfrogging guys like Kyle Quincey and Brendan Smith on the depth chart. While Jonathan Ericsson nursed a shoulder injury for a good month, DeKeyser used the time to show how much help he can be in getting the puck to the forwards.

"He's a real good player for us, really gets the puck going, is good at transitional D," Babcock said. " If you watch (Seth) Jones for them tonight, you just see what transitional D do to get the puck going so fast."

Babcock included DeKeyser in some heady company while talking after the morning skate, saying that just as with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, DeKeyser makes whoever he plays with a better player. That's how highly the Wings have come to rate DeKeyser.

The Wings are left with six healthy defensemen in Kronwall, Ericsson, Quincey, Smith, Jakub Kindl and Brian Lashoff.

"DK has been great for us all season long," Kronwall said. "He's been huge for us ever since he came in here last season. Obviously, a blow to the team. But at the same time, gives other guys more opportunity to show what they can do."



Here are five reasons behind the Red Wings' struggles

Ted Kulfan

Detroit — They’ve haven’t won in seven games — and now the Red Wings will be without defenseman Danny DeKeyser for about a month.

The Red Wings put DeKeyser (seperated shoulder) on the long-term injured list, and he’ll miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 days.

They called up forward Gustav Nyquist (21 points in 15 games with Grand Rapids), with hopes he’ll jumpstart a stagnant offense.

This is a team that is pressing and needs to relax, coach Mike Babcock said.

“Breathe a little bit,” he said. “Players have to get back to playing. As competitive as it is, it’s still play hockey not work hockey. You have to enjoy what you’re doing.”

How and why are the Red Wings struggling right now?

Here are five reasons:

No secondary scoring

Beyond Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg, this team isn’t getting any offense.

The Red Wings rank 21st at 2.46 goals per game.

Zetterberg has 10 goals and 23 points, Datsyuk 11 goals and 22 points. Then it drops off. Daniel Alfredsson has three goals and 14 points, Todd Bertuzzi and Johan Franzen have five goals each. Then it really drops off.

Stephen Weiss, Tomas Tatar and Justin Abdelkader have two goals each. Daniel Cleary and Mikael Samuelsson have one goal each.

The Red Wings are hoping promoting Nyquist will energize the offense, as well splitting as Datsyuk and Zetterberg to center their own lines.

“We’re not finding ways to get goals,” Babcock said. “We have to have more than two guys going.”

No continuity

All NHL teams suffer injuries and must work around them. The Red Wings rarely have been at full strength.

And with this roster, the Red Wings can’t afford too many injuries.

Franzen, Weiss and Alfredsson were supposed to be the second line, but never played together in the exhibition season. They lacked chemistry and production when the season opened, and then were split up.

Darren Helm only recently returned to the lineup.

On defense, Jonathan Ericsson, Brendan Smith and now DeKeyser have missed extensive playing time.

“What are you going to do?” Babcock said. “People get hurt. That’s hockey. The more depth you have, the less you notice it.”

No shootout success

The Red Wings are 1-7 in overtime this season — and 0-4 in the shootout within that overtime record.

If that 1-7 record were 4-4 instead, the Wings would be one point from the Atlantic Division lead. One more OT victory, and they’re tied with Boston for first place.

For all the hand-wringing, the Red Wings trail the Bruins by only four points for the division lead. So the losses in either overtime or the shootout have been costly.

“Sometimes you doubt yourself and start losing games in the shootouts,” Zetterberg said. “You just have to dig in and just do what you think is best. When you have confidence and everything is going (good) it’s a lot easier to do that.”

Down defense

With the offense struggling, the Red Wings have needed to keep goals allowed to a minimum. And they’ve been average thus far, ranked 16th of 30 teams, allowing 2.64 goals per game.

The days of the Red Wings overwhelming opponents with offense are long gone.

To win, they’re likely going to have to win low-scoring games. So the Red Wings need to be air-tight defensively.

“We have to grind it out, get top-notch goaltending and you can’t give up anything,” said Babcock, adding it’s important to “get timely scoring.”

Regain home-ice

There has been no home-ice advantage at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings are 3-3-6 at home (6-3-1 on the road) and haven’t won at home in eight games (0-2-6).

“We need to win a game,” Babcock said. “I don’t care where that game is. The big thing is just to get going and get playing so you can relax.”

But regaining swagger at The Joe is something that’s important and necessary. Opponents are coming to Detroit with too much confidence.

“We’re a team that prides itself on being a great home team,” Cleary said. “When teams come in to The Joe and they’re saying it’s hard game for them, we need to get back to that.”

Detroit News LOADED: 11.21.2013


Woeful Red Wings turn to Gustav Nyquist for offensive help

Ted Kulfan

Detroit -- The Red Wings hope forward Gustav Nyquist can help a struggling lineup.

With defenseman Danny DeKeyser (shoulder) on the long-term injured list, the team down a forward, and the offense struggling, Nyquist will be recalled from Grand Rapids.

The Red Wings recalled forward Trevor Parkes Wednesday as a paper move, and will recall Nyquist Thursday morning.

Nyquist ($950,000 NHL salary) and DeKeyser ($925,000) have nearly identical salaries, which made the move possible, as the Red Wings have had salary cap problems all season.

The Red Wings have skated with 11 forwards the last two games with Daniel Alfredsson and Stephen Weiss both out with groin injuries (neither are ready to return).

Nyquist has 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 15 games with Grand Rapids this season.

Nyquist, 24, could play on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen, as Babcock has split Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk in an effort to spread the offense around.

Datsyuk could skate with Todd Bertuzzi and Daniel Cleary.

"We're not finding ways to get goals," coach Mike Babcock said. "We have to have more than two guys (Zetterberg, Datsyuk) going."

The Wings’ winless streak reached seven games with Tuesday night’s 2-0 loss at home to Nashville.

Last season with the Red Wings Nyquist had three goals and three assists in 22 games during the regular season, and provided a spark in the playoffs with two goals and three assists in 14 postseason games.

Once Nyquist plays two more NHL games he cannot be sent back down to Grand Rapids without being exposed to waivers, so he'll remain on the roster and the team will be forced to make another personnel move down the road.

The Red Wings will worry about that later, since DeKeyser will be out a minimum of 10 games.

General manager Ken Holland said Wednesday the team has placed DeKeyser on the long-term-injured list, meaning the young defenseman will miss at least 10 games and 24 days. DeKeyser could miss about a month.

"What are you going to do?" Babcock said. "People get hurt. That's hockey. The more depth you have, the less you notice it."

DeKeyser was hit along the boards by Nashville's Patrick Hornqvist in the first period Tuesday.

DeKeyser has two goals and seven assists in 22 games, with a plus-5 rating, while averaging 21 minutes of ice time per game.

Ice chips

Defenseman Kyle Quincey didn't skate Wednesday because of “bumps and bruises,” said Babcock, but will be in the lineup Thursday against Carolina.

… The Red Wings haven't won at Joe Louis Arena the past eight games (since Oct. 15). Overall they haven't won in seven games (0-2-5).

"We need to win a game," Babcock said. "I don't care where that game is. Tomorrow is at home so that would be a good idea.

"The big thing is just to get going and get playing so you can relax."

From The Detroit News: http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20131120/SPORTS0103/311200091#ixzz2lH3JKxr2



Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser out at least 10 games with separated shoulder

Ted Kulfan

Detroit -- The Red Wings will be without defenseman Danny DeKeyser for at least the next three weeks, possibly one month.

General manager Ken Holland said Wednesday the team has placed DeKeyser on the long-term-injured list, meaning the young defenseman will miss at least the next 10 games and 24 days.

Holland said DeKeyser has a shoulder separation, although the degree of separation is still unclear.

DeKeyser was hit along the boards by Nashville's Patrick Hornqvist in the first period of Tuesday's 2-0 loss to the Predators.

It's a big loss for the Red Wings, as DeKesyer has been one of the Red Wings’ most consistent players this season.

DeKeyser has two goals and seven assists in 22 games, with a plus-5 rating, while averaging 21 minutes of ice time per game.



Mike Babcock's recipe for ending prolonged skid: Red Wings need to relax, have fun, don't 'over-work'

Ansar Khan | [email protected] on November 20, 2013 at 7:02 PM

DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings might add a skilled player to their lineup Thursday. They could shuffle their lines by splitting up their best players for more scoring balance.

But more than anything, they just need to relax and have fun.

That was coach Mike Babcock’s message Wednesday to players he believes are over-thinking during a seven-game winless streak (0-2-5).

“Breathe, just play,’’ Babcock said. “We’ve had tough stretches every year that I’ve been here and as much as you have to work real hard and compete real hard it’s still not work-hockey, it’s play-hockey.

“You have to enjoy doing what you’re doing and it’s hard to play the game when you are tentative. When you’re tentative you tend to over-work and you end up duplicating things and guys aren’t doing their own jobs.”

The Red Wings had planned to recall Gustav Nyquist from the Grand Rapids Griffins for Thursday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Joe Louis Arena (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports), after getting salary-cap relief from placing Danny DeKeyser on long-term injured reserve (separated shoulder, three-to-six weeks).

But they need defenseman Kyle Quincey to be able to play, otherwise they must use their available cap space to recall a defenseman. Quincey didn't practice Wednesday due to "bumps and bruises.''

In any event, Babcock appears to be leaning toward splitting Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg in an effort to get production from more lines.

“We heard lots of booing, but that’s life, and it’s emotions. We need to be better.” -- Pavel Datsyuk

“We’re not finding a way to get any goals,’’ Babcock said. “Our best play was from (Datsyuk and Zetterberg) together. You have to have more than two guys going. We thought we had (Darren) Helm and Mule (Johan Franzen) going there pretty good. We’re going to see what else we can do.”

As well as he has clicked with Zetterberg, Datsyuk said, “Sometime (you) need change with different line.

“We had fun with Z, but not really fun when you don’t win game,’’ Datsyuk said. “Sometimes it’s better to (split), maybe we’ll start winning. … If we start winning we have a good chance to come back and play together.”

Datsyuk skated on a line with Todd Bertuzzi and Daniel Cleary while Zetterberg skated just with Franzen in practice (Nyquist might skate on the other wing).

“They’re dynamic together and they can jump-start (teammates’) seasons,’’ Cleary said.

Babcock did not question the team’s work ethic in its 2-0 loss to Nashville Tuesday.

“I thought our guys worked like crazy,’’ Babcock said.

“You have to work hard at the game, but you have to love doing what you’re doing. When things aren’t going good it’s easy to start over-thinking and pressing and then it’s not much fun. Let’s just dig in as a group, let’s trust each other, let’s trust the coaches and trust the structure and we’ll be fine.’’

Goaltender Jimmy Howard echoed those sentiments.

“Everyone go out there and do their own jobs,’’ Howard said. “For me, it's just concentrating on making one save at a time for the guys. For forwards, it’s getting control of that opportunity and for the (defensemen) it’s making that first pass so we can be faster in the neutral zone.

“If everyone just gets back to playing to their strengths we'll be fine."

Told that Zetterberg said they looked like robots against Nashville, Datsyuk said, “Like Transformer. Everybody tries to help each other. We need more confidence and play hockey.”

They need to win at home, where they are 0-2-6 in their past eight.

“We pride ourselves on being a great home team,’’ Cleary said. “When teams come into the Joe and they’re saying it’s a hard game for them … we have to get back to that.’’

Players insist there’s no panic.

“I think frustration is setting in (when) we get down,’’ Cleary said. “Whereas before we didn’t care what (the opponent) did, it was all about what we did.’’

Players noticed the fans’ discontent on Tuesday.

“We heard lots of booing, but that’s life, and it’s emotions,’’ Datsyuk said. “We need to be better.”

Michigan Live LOADED: 11.21.2013


Red Wings hope to recall Gustav Nyquist from Grand Rapids; split up Pavel Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg

Ansar Khan | November 20, 2013 at 1:37 PM

DETROIT – Gustav Nyquist earned a spot on the Detroit Red Wings' roster based on his performance last season but was a victim of the salary cap and the club's roster squeeze.

So the talented young forward started the season with the Grand Rapids Griffins.

But Nyquist could finally get an opportunity to play with the Red Wings on Thursday, when the club hosts the Carolina Hurricanes (7:30 p.m., Fox Sports Detroit).

The Red Wings planned on recalling Nyquist on Thursday. Putting defenseman Danny DeKeyser (separated left shoulder, 3-to-6 weeks) on long-term injured reserve clears enough salary-cap space.

However, an unspecified injury to defenseman Kyle Quincey could cancel that plan. If Quincey, who didn't practice Wednesday due to "bumps and bruises,'' can't play, then the Red Wings would need to use their available cap space to recall a defenseman.

Nyquist leads the Griffins with 21 points (seven goals, 14 assists) in 15 games. Once he plays two more NHL games, he is here to stay, because he would then need to pass through waivers to be sent back to the AHL.

If Nyquist is called up, he might play on a line with Henrik Zetterberg and Johan Franzen, since there was an open space there in practice Wednesday. Pavel Datsyuk skated with Todd Bertuzzi and Daniel Cleary.

Datsyuk and Zetterberg have been terrific together for most of the season, but with the Red Wings struggling, coach Mike Babcock figures it’s time to spread the wealth.

So Datsyuk and Zetterberg were split up during Wednesday’s practice. They’re likely to be on separate lines on Thursday when Detroit will try to end its seven-game winless streak (0-2-5) and eight-game slide at home (0-2-6).

Darren Helm centered a line with Tomas Tatar and Justin Abdelkader. Joakim Andersson centered a line with Drew Miller and Mikael Samuelsson.

Stephen Weiss, out since Nov. 8 with a pulled groin, skated but won't play Thursday.

“I think that’s the plan (return Saturday or Sunday),'' Weiss said. "I felt good again today, no issues. It’s a matter of getting a couple more practices in and hopefully be ready for this weekend.’’

Daniel Alfredsson (groin) skated briefly before practice but isn't ready to return.

The Red Wings recalled forward Trevor Parkes from the Toledo Walleye (ECHL) in a paper move, for the purposes of maximizing their cap space before being able to get relief from DeKeyser's injury. Parkes will be sent back down once Nyquist or a defensman is officially recalled.



Red Wings place defenseman Danny DeKeyser on long-term injured reserve; out 3-to-6 weeks

Ansar Khan | November 20, 2013

DETROIT -- Danny DeKeyser has been one of the Detroit Red Wings' top defensemen this season.

Now they're going to have to made do without him for a while, much like they did in the playoffs last year.

DeKeyser was placed on long-term injured reserve Wednesday due to a separated left shoulder that will idle him for three-to-six weeks, general manager Ken Holland said.

Holland said DeKeyser will not require surgery. He will miss a minimum of 10 games and 24 days. He is not eligible to return until Dec. 14 vs. Pittsburgh, at the earliest.

“He got hurt last year, too, if I’m not mistaken,'' coach Mike Babcock said. "You just got him and started liking him and he got hurt, so people get hurt. That’s hockey.

"The more depth that you have the less you notice it. (Brian Lashoff) is a guy who is supposed to be the seventh D. I don’t know how many games Lash has played? Pretty much every game. So whether it is Smitty (Brendan Smith), whether it is DeKesyer, guys get hurt. That’s life.”

DeKeyser suffered a broken thumb in Game 2 of the first round playoff series against Anaheim last spring and missed the rest of the postseason. He returned to play with the Grand Rapids Griffins in the Calder Cup finals.

This gives the Red Wings some salary-cap relief, which they will use to recall forward Gustav Nyquist from Grand Rapids.

The Red Wings have six healthy defensemen. If they need to recall a defenseman, Xavier Ouellet or Adam Almquist would be the most likely candidates.

DeKeyser was injured less than four minutes into Tuesday's 2-0 loss to Nashville when he was checked into the boards by Patric Hornquist.

Teammate Jonathan Ericsson called it a tough break.

"He’s been playing unbelievable for us.'' Ericsson said. "I thought he started the season really well and I think he’s just been building off of that and gotten even better.

"I’ve been through that (shoulder injury), too. He’s a young guy and will come back quickly.''



Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, players and alumni to attend benefit for injured high school player

Brendan Savage | November 20, 2013

Coach Mike Babcock as well as Detroit Red Wings players and alumni will take part in a benefit tonight for Matt Sorisho, a Detroit Catholic Central senior who suffered spinal cord injuries Oct. 4 during a hockey tournament.

Sorisho's medical bills are expected to be more than $500,000 in the first year after the injury and the Red Wings will help raise money for him during a benefit at 6 tonight at Compuware Arena in Plymouth.

Ticket are $100 and can be purchased online.

"Obviously, his life is going to be different, but he can still have a significant impact on the community and be a significant leader," said Babcock, whose son Michael played with Sorisho at Detroit CC last year. "He's a strong, competitive kid with a great family. They've surrounded him with love now it's time for him to grab his life back.

"He has a great attitude. He's already talking about his ACT score and changing some classes so he can go to (Michigan) State next year. He's interested in getting back to CC as quick as he can."

Sorisho was injured when he collided back-first into the boards.

"He was coming down the wing and got bumped, but he was shooting the puck, twisted his feet, went flying full out into the boards," Babcock said. "It's a freak accident, but since I've been here with the Red Wings he's the third kid in Michigan that I've gone to see who has a spinal injury."

"He's had some moments already and he's going to have some more moments. ... I'm not trying to pretend to know what this is like. I don't think you have to get hit by a car to know this is awful. But you can't dream up the feeling here. So he's going through a lot right now. We're pulling for him.

"I'm a big believer that he has a chance here in life to be a real difference-maker just with his attitude and with how he chooses to live."

Donations are also being accepted online.

"It's important as the CC community – and I'm one of those people – and the Red Wings, too, we can help out any way," Babcock said. "We have to help him out. His life is going to be different, but his life can be great and that to me is the critical thing. Easy for me to say, harder for him to swallow and adjust to.

"But I have no question, with the faith that he has and the family that he has and with the surroundings that he has and the mental toughness that he has that he's going to maximize his potential and be a leader in the community that way."

Also slated to appear at the benefit are Red Wings Danny DeKeyser, Jimmy Howard, Mikael Samuelsson and Stephen Weiss as well as former players Ted Lindsay, Kris Draper, Chris Osgood and Kirk Maltby.

Auction items include two tickets to the Jan. 1 Winter Classic practice as well as a chance to attend Red Wings' practice Jan. 31 at Michigan Stadium; dinner with Babcock, Ken Holland, Chris Chelios and Draper; two lower-bowl tickets to Nicklas Lidstrom Night March 6; four tickets to a home game, a locker-room tour and meet-and-greet with Babcock; a Winter Classic jersey signed by the Red Wings; and six game-used, team-signed sticks.



Red Wings to recall Nyquist as DeKeyser goes on injured reserve

By Dave Pemberton

DETROIT — Gustav Nyquist will finally get his chance with the Detroit Red Wings this season, but it’s at the expense of an injured up-and-coming blue liner.

Nyquist will be in the Wings’ lineup Thursday night against the Carolina Hurricanes after Detroit placed defenseman Danny DeKeyser on long-term injured reserve with an injured left shoulder.

“We have to win a game,” said Wings coach Mike Babcock, who would not comment after practice on whether Nyquist was being recalled from Grand Rapids. Nyquist was scratched from the Griffins’ lineup for Wednesday’s game with Milwaukee.

Nyquist, whose NHL salary is $950,000 compared to DeKeyser’s $925,000, leads Grand Rapids with seven goals and 14 assists.

Once Nyquist plays two games he’ll have to stay in Detroit since he’ll have to pass through waivers in order to be sent back to the Griffins.

First, the Wings needed to recall Trevor Parkes to maximize their cap space for LTIR purposes. He’ll be sent down when Nyquist is recalled.

Nyquist, who may just play one game and get sent back to Grand Rapids if Stephen Weiss (groin) or Daniel Alfredsson (groin) are ready to return, could play in the Wings’ top six forwards Thursday if how they practiced was an indication.

Babcock had Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk split up at practice and dressed only five skaters in Red and six in White.

“Whatever we have to do to win a game and get going from there so everyone can breathe a little bit, we’ll do,” said Babcock, whose team is winless in its last seven (0-2-5) and has gone eight straight games on home ice without a win (0-2-6). “Our best play was from obviously those guys together and in saying that you have to have more than two guys going.”

Datsyuk skated with Todd Bertuzzi and Daniel Cleary, while Zetterberg and Johan Franzen were paired together.

“That’s what they do and that’s why they’re so great,” Cleary said of Datsyuk and Zetterberg. “They’re dynamic together and they can jump start guys’ seasons.”

Darren Helm centered the third line alongside Tomas Tatar and Justin Abdelkader, while Joakim Andersson was in the middle between Drew Miller and Mikael Samuelsson.

“We need to win a game,” Babcock said. “So I don’t care where that game is. And the next one is at home. But the big thing here is let’s get going, let’s get playing so you can relax. (Tuesday) when we gave up the first goal of the game, we had the puck and gave it away on a penalty kill. We could have got it out, we didn’t, but our body language was like, ‘Ugh.’ What is that? So what, we gave up a goal. Play the game, you’ll be fine.”

Alfredsson and Weiss both are out Thursday.

Weiss could return by this weekend, while Alfredsson is still not practicing fully with the team.

DeKeyser, whose shoulder won’t require surgery, will miss 3-6 weeks, which sidelines him a minimum 10 games and 24 days. The earliest he could return would be Dec. 14 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“It’s a bad break for us,” defenseman Jonathan Ericsson said. “He’s been playing unbelievable for us here. I thought he started the season really well and I think he’s just been building off of that and gotten even better.”

Ericsson just returned after missing 10 games with a shoulder injury.

“We had really good momentum going with him,” Ericsson said. “I know he’s sad about being out of the lineup and not being able play for a while. I’ve been through that too with the same thing, he’s a young guy and will come back quickly. The way he skates he’ll be back quickly.”

That leaves Detroit with six healthy defensemen.

“We didn’t have him last year, he got hurt last year too if I’m not mistaken,” Babcock said. “You just got him and started liking him and he got hurt, so people get hurt. That’s hockey. The more depth that you have the less you notice it. (Brian) Lashoff was supposed to be the seventh D. I don’t know how many games Lash has played? Pretty much every game, so whether it is (Brendan Smith), whether it is DeKeyser, guys get hurt. That’s life.”

This and that

Ericsson is close to reaching a contract extension. “I’ve always wanted to be here,” said Ericsson, who’s in the final year of a deal that’s paying him $3.2 million a year. “If we can get it done soon that would be great so I don’t have to think about it anymore. That would be a great feeling. I want to stay, that’s why I wanted to get it done now.” The deal will either be a four- or five-year deal worth around $4 million a season. Ericsson is scheduled to become an unrestricted free agent in July. ... Defenseman Kyle Quincey was given the day off, suffering from “bumps and bruises” according to Babcock.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 11.21.2013


Detroit Red Wings' Danny DeKeyser out 3-6 weeks

By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily

DETROIT – Quick update from Detroit Red Wings practice at Joe Louis Arena.

Defenseman Danny DeKeyser was placed on long-term injured reserve after suffering a separated left shoulder in Tuesday’s 2-0 loss to the Nashville Predators.

According to Wings general manager Ken Holland, DeKeyser will miss 3-6 weeks and won’t require surgery.

DeKeyser will miss a minimum 10 games and 24 days. The earliest he could return would be Dec. 14 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“It’s a bad break for us,” defenseman Jonathan Ericsson said. “He’s been playing unbelievable for us here. I thought he started the season really well and I think he’s just been building off of that and gotten even better.”

Ericsson just returned after missing 10 games with a shoulder injury.

“We had really good momentum going with him,” Ericsson said. “I know he’s sad about being out of the lineup and not being able play for a while. I’ve been through that too with the same thing, he’s a young guy and will come back quickly. The way he’s skates he’ll be back quickly.”

That leaves Detroit with six healthy defensemen.

“We didn’t have him last year, he got hurt last year too if I’m not mistaken,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “You just got him and started liking him and he got hurt, so people get hurt. That’s hockey. The more depth that you have the less you notice it. (Brian) Lashoff was supposed to be the seventh D. I don’t know how many games Lash has played? Pretty much every game, so whether it is (Brendan Smith), whether it is DeKesyer, guys get hurt. That’s life.”

The move gives Detroit some salary-cap relief, with DeKeyser earning $925,000, and means that forward Gustav Nyquist, who leads Grand Rapids this season with seven goals and 14 assists, will be recalled from Grand Rapids.

Nyquist’s NHL salary is $950,000.

The Griffins host Milwaukee, tonight.

For now, the Wings need to recall Trevor Parkes to maximize their cap space for LTIR purposes. He’ll be sent down when Nyquist is recalled.

Babcock had Henrik Zetterberg and Pavel Datsyuk split up at practice.

“We have to win a game,” Babcock said. “So whatever we have to do to win a game and get going from there so everyone can breathe a little bit. It’s pretty evident in the game last night neither team had hardly any scoring chances. They were 8-9 in the game and it was a muddy track like we talked about last night and we’re not finding a way to get any goals. Our best play was from obviously those guys together and in saying that you have to have more than two guys going.”

Babcock only dressed five skaters in red, which likely means Nyquist will be in one of the top six units Thursday at home against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Daniel Alfredsson (groin) and Stephen Weiss (groin) are both out.

If Nyquist plays two games with the Wings he’ll lose his waiver wire exemption.

“We need to win a game,” Babcock said. “So I don’t care where that game is. And the next one is at home so that would be a good idea. But the big thing here is let’s get going, let’s get playing so you can relax. Last night when we gave up the first goal of the game, I think there was 4.8 seconds left, we had the puck and we gave it away on a penalty kill. We could have got it out, we didn’t. But our body language was like ugh. What is that? So what, we gave up a goal. Play the game, you’ll be fine.”



Red Wings ‘have to get better' after Predators deal Detroit 7th consecutive loss

By George Pohly, 11/20/13, 8:03 AM EST | Updated: 16 hrs ago

DETROIT – How bad is it for the Detroit Red Wings?

They can’t even beat the Nashville Predators.

David Legwand had a goal and an assist Tuesday night as the Predators defeated the Red Wings 2-0, handing Detroit its seventh consecutive loss overall, and its eighth straight at Joe Louis Arena.

“Everyone is disappointed,” Red Wings defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. “It’s about winning games, and we’re not doing that.

“We have to get better. No excuses. We have to come out and do a better job.”

The Red Wings used to fatten up against Nashville.

Detroit was 7-2-1 in its previous 10 games against the Predators, and the Red Wings were 29-7-2-5 all-time at home against Nashville before Legwand and Co. kept Detroit on the skids.

But this season has been uncharacteristic of the Red Wings, whose home-ice slide began with a 1-0 shootout loss to San Jose on Oct. 21.

“It’s tough. There’s no way around it,” Detroit goalie Jimmy Howard said.

Detroit had a pair of six-game winless streaks during the 2011-12 season.

The Wings went winless in seven straight games late in the 2001-02 season, which ended with Detroit winning the Stanley Cup.

The Red Wings have not gone eight consecutive games without a win since 1990-91.

“We have to find a way to get through this,” Kronwall said. “You pull together as a team.”

Legwand gave the Predators a 2-0 lead when he scored at 7:13 of the third period.

The center slipped the puck past Howard’s glove after Victor Stalberg’s shot caromed off the end board and wound up on Legwand’s forehand.

“We didn’t generate enough,” Red Wings coach Mike Babcock, whose team outshot Nashville 27-25, said. “They didn’t generate much either. We competed, but we didn’t generate.”

Shea Weber’s power play goal five seconds before the end of the second period gave Nashville a 1-0 lead.

Legwand’s pass set up the shot by Weber, who was alone just inside the blue line, squared up against Howard.

It was Legwand’s team-leading 14th assist of the season.

Nashville finished the game with six power-play opportunities to the Red Wings’ two.

“We can’t take penalties,” Babcock said. “We’ve got to be more disciplined.”

Detroit dressed seven defensemen: Brendan Smith, Jakub Kindl, Brian Lashoff, Kyle Quincey, Jonathan Ericsson, Kronwall and Danny DeKeyser.

DeKeyser was injured during the first period, a Red Wings spokesman said, and did not play in the second and third periods.

“He’s out for a bit,” Babcock said.

Center Stephen Weiss and right wing Daniel Alfredsson did not play because of groin injuries.

Detroit plays at Nashville on Dec. 30, the Red Wings’ final game before the Winter Classic against Toronto at Michigan Stadium.

Entering play Tuesday, seven Eastern Conference teams had scored more goals than the Red Wings, while 11 East clubs had allowed fewer goals.

Detroit, which moved to the Eastern Conference this season, played 11 of its 22 games this season against teams from the Western Conference.

The Red Wings face East opponents in each of their next 13 games, beginning Thursday against Carolina at JLA.

Detroit has not won at home since a 2-1 triumph over Columbus on Oct. 15.


725270 Edmonton Oilers

David Perron disturbingly good addition to Edmonton Oilers lineup

Winger successfully fills role as both irritating NHL opponent, scoring threat

By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal November 20, 2013

EDMONTON - There’s a lot not to like about David Perron’s game if you are on the other side of the rink. He has irritating inclinations to charge the net, run his mouth, utilize his stick for more than goal scoring, which is also something he is prone to do.

All reasons Sam Gagner prefers having the pesky winger in an Edmonton Oilers uniform.

“A guy like Marty St. Louis doesn’t say a word out there. He just plays. Then you have David,” said Gagner. “He gets himself going by chirping and getting in guys faces. It’s definitely effective for him.

“It just allows him to keep his intensity through the game (but) it’s definitely nice to be on this side of it.”

Perron put up a career-high four points in Tuesday’s 7-0 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets, registering a pair of assists and scoring twice, which has since pushed him into the team lead with seven goals.

Ironically, his big night came on the same night that Magnus Paajarvi scored his first goal — first point, actually — as a member of the St. Louis Blues.

The two traded places in the off-season, and it’s been a much easier transition for Perron, who has settled into the Oilers’ top nine and will head into Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers with 17 points, trailing only Jordan Eberle (18) on the team list. Paajarvi has played just six games for the Blues.

“When he’s moving his feet and finishing his checks and is playing with a little bit of agitating game, he’s very effective. It’s almost like his hands light up too,” said coach Dallas Eakins, who will send Perron out again with Boyd Gordon and Ryan Smyth against the Panthers.

It is unlikely there will be any lineup changes given that the head coach said he’s reluctant to mess with a roster that has just strung together consecutive wins.

When Eakins was working for the Toronto Maple Leafs, he scouted Perron at the Memorial Cup and has been keeping tabs on him since.

As for Perron, he said he started polishing his shift-disturbing ways back when he was tagging along after his older brother Pascal.

“I was always playing with him and his friends growing up,” he said. “I hated to play with kids the same age as me because I thought they weren’t good enough. And I was doing the same things back then, slashing them, but no one ever jumped me because I was just the little brother.

“There are just games where things aren’t going as well as you’d like, and you need to get yourself going. And sometimes it’s the other team that gets you going,” continued the 25-year-old who is under contract through the 2015-2016 season. “For some reason, I love when the other team yells at me.”

What has changed for Perron since he relocated, is the position the Oilers find themselves in the standings. The Blues were in the playoffs three of the last five years while Edmonton hasn’t seen a playoff game since the 2005-2006 season.

The Oilers may have scored 11 unanswered goals in the last four periods they have played but they are still in 29th place.

“When I looked at the standings this morning, we were still in the same old place,” Perron said. “We need to get on a streak. St. Louis is a mature team, and they have a chance to go all the way. I wish them good luck, that’s a team I spent six years with. For us, it’s about trying to bring some of that mentality here.

“That winning feeling we’ve had the last few days, we have to get every day. It’s something we talked about three, four years ago in St. Louis, and look at what they’ve done. Once you get that, it seems like you can get on a roll for a few years.

“I have always wanted to win. When I was a kid, I was probably the worst loser. We could drop a ball down the hallway, and I’d be really frustrated if I didn’t get it first. It wasn’t always pleasant for my parents.”

[email protected]

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 11.21.2013


Edmonton Oilers’ Sam Gagner hesitant to panic over scoring slump

Centre has gone 10 games without a goal

By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal November 20, 2013

EDMONTON - Sam Gagner figured it would take some time for him to get his game back up to speed after missing the season’s first 13 with a broken jaw.

Consequently, The Edmonton Oilers centre is not about to start gripping his stick now that he’s gone 10 games without a goal.

“I knew there were going to be some chances that wouldn’t go in this year, and it just so happens it’s all been early when I’m trying to get back from injury,” said Gagner, who had A-1 opportunities to end the skid against both the Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames only to come away with a pair of assists.

“But I’m getting used to playing again. I’m feeling more and more comfortable every game.”

Power play twistHead coach Dallas Eakins sent out a five-forward power-play unit consisting of Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Nail Yakpuov, David Perron and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins against the Blue Jackets and got a pair of goals in return.

Eakins had planned to try out the unit against the Flames, but the opportunity did not present itself.

“We like the feel of that power play,” Hall said. “It’s not going to work that well every night, but if we can get shots and get chances and make sure we’re not breaking the puck out six or seven times, we’ll be fine.

“With a defenceman, their thought is always to defend the net. As a forward — especially the guys we had out there — you want to go to the other end and take chances. Sometimes, you really have to take a deep breath and skate backward a little bit — something I’m really not used to doing.

“As long as we’re in their end, it will be fine, but we have to make sure we’re not giving up the puck easily.”

Win, lose or draw

The Oilers’ faceoff numbers have dipped to the point where the club is converting at 49.5 per cent — something Eakins wants to rectify.

He even went so far as to include a drill at practice on Wednesday that forced the wingers to play an active role.

“It’s on everyone to get in and help, and we need to know what we’re doing off the draw,” Gagner said. “You saw how effective we were last night when we had the puck, so the more we can have it, the more successful we can be.”

Boyd Gordon is still the strongest producer, winning 57.6 per cent of the 476 draws he’s taken.

Joensuu finding his way back

Jesse Joensuu turned some heads early in the season with his game, but then left the lineup with a back injury and missed the next 11 games.

Since returning, he has not been the same effective player, at least not in his first five games back. Eakins said he did see improvement against the Blue Jackets.

“I thought last night he played the best game we’ve seen. He was handling the puck, finishing his checks, the pucks were out of our zone on the wall,” said Eakins. “(That fourth line) played a role. When we got going there, that line was going so well, I wasn’t so concerned about who they were out on the ice against.

“I just really thought he found himself last night.”



Edmonton Oilers ex-GM Steve Tambellini hired by Anaheim Ducks to be part-time professional scout

November 21, 2013. 12:25 am • Staff

After months of silence, former Oilers GM Steve Tambellini was heard from, after a fashion, late Wednesday night, when the Anaheim Ducks announced they had hired him as a part-time pro scout.

Tambellini, 55, served as the Oilers GM from 2008 to 2013 when he was replaced last April by longtime Oilers player and head coach Craig MacTavish.

Tambellini took the wheel of a franchise that had careened into the ditch under president Kevin Lowe and MacTavish as coach, then presided over

the infamous ‘rebuild’ that saw them finish at or near the bottom of the NHL three years running, enabling them to draft Taylor Hall (2010), Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (2011) and Nail Yakupov (2012) first-overall.

On Tambellini’s watch, he also drafted top prospects Magnus Paajarvi (since traded), Anton Lander, Tyler Pitlick, Martin Marincin, Tyler Bunz, Oscar Klefbom and David Musil.

The native of Trail, B.C., a former NHL winger in the 1980s, was less successful with his trades. He brought Ryan Smyth back to Edmonton from Los Angeles, signed free-agent goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who performed well for the Oilers when he was healthy, which was intermittently.

He also brought role players like Eric Belanger, Ben Eager, Andy Sutton, Patrick O’Sullivan, Ales Kotalik, and Jerred Smithson to Edmonton. The results have proven to be mixed to unsatisfactory.

In Sutton’s case, the hulking defenceman added heft to the Oilers smallish defence, but suspensions for illegal hits took him out of the lineup too frequently. Ultimately, a knee injury foreshortened his career.

A key part of Tambellini’s role, at least early on, was overseeing the moral equivalent of site clearance — ridding the club of disgruntled defenceman Sheldon Souray, buying out under-performing winger Robert Nilsson and trying, unsuccessfully, to trade Ales Hemsky.

During Tambellini’s tenure, the Oilers fired four coaches and hired three others. After MacTavish resigned/was fired in 2009, Tambellini hired Pat Quinn, who lasted one season, 2009-10; Tom Renney, who was head man from 2010-2012; and finally Ralph Krueger, who had been Renney’s associate coach, and coached the 2012-13 season.

Krueger was fired via Skype last spring by MacTavish. Ostensibly searching for an associate coach to support Krueger, MacTavish was profoundly impressed with Dallas Eakins, so he hired Eakins and thanked Krueger for his services.

In his five seasons as GM, Tambellini also began the largely unseen but important work of rebuilding the club’s development system and remaking the Oilers dressing room culture. That involved, among other things, dismissing longtime support staff like Barrie Stafford, Ken Lowe and Lyle (Sparky) Kulchisky, all of whom remain beloved characters from the club’s 1980s glory years.

During his time as Oilers GM, Tambellini was criticized as indecisive, a ditherer, and there was something in that. To be fair, it remains murky just how autonomous he was during his tenure, with Lowe, owner Daryl Katz and, latterly, MacTavish lurking over his shoulder. MacTavish departed the Oilers, returned and ultimately replaced Tambellini during his years in Edmonton.

Like many of the players he acquired for the rebuilding Oilers, Tambellini was a transitional piece, in the end, just passing through.

Tambellini is the son of Addie Tambellini, a member of the legendary Trail Smoke Eaters, the last Canadian amateur team to win the World Hockey Championship, a feat they achieved in 1961. Steve played in the NHL for the New York Islanders and was part of their Stanley Cup-winning club in 1980.

Steve’s son, Jeff, played for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championship, and also played 242 NHL games with Los Angeles, the Islanders and the Vancouver Canucks before embarking on a playing career in Europe. He is playing for Modo in Sweden this season.

During his years with the Vancouver Canucks, prior to joining the Oilers, Steve Tambellini was a member of the Hockey Canada management team that led Canada to a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, as well as the 2004 World Cup of Hockey, among other international assignments.

He has been a hockey man his entire life, so it’s no surprise to see him resurface with an NHL club.



Mark Arocbello, Ryan Jones having hard time getting back into lineup

By Robert Tychkowski, First posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 06

EDMONTON - Mark Arcobello and Ryan Jones have played some pretty good hockey for the Oilers of late, but don’t expect either player to draw back into the lineup Thursday against Florida.

With the Oilers on a two-game win streak, head coach Dallas Eakins isn’t all that eager to shake things up.

“I don’t like fooling around with them,” he said of winning lineups. “When you’ve got a mix that can win the game, I don’t know how you change it.

“I really hesitate on it. If you go and mix it up and then it goes south on you, you’re instantly beating yourself up: ‘Why would I change that lineup? It worked, they played well.’

“I think it’s important to reward the group and keep it going for as long as you can.”

Not cause and effect

Nail Yakupov seems a more energized and productive player since he and his agent blew things up last week, but Eakins doubts to the two issues are related.

“When this came up I really felt that it was agent-driven,” he said. “An agent trying to protect, and maybe thinking he was going to have some kind of effect on how our organization handles Nail. I can tell you honestly that it has absolutely zero effect on how I’m going to handle a player.”

Eakins said Yakupov was trending up anyway, before the controversy, and simply played his way to more and better ice.

“He was getting better and he continues to get better, and as you get better you end up in better situations, with more ice.”

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 11.21.2013


David Perron the kind of jerk the Oilers have needed for a long time

By Robert Tychkowski,First posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2013

EDMONTON - David Perron is kind of a jerk.

Which, if you’re the Edmonton Oilers, is kind of awesome.

How long have they been looking for a guy who can play, who nobody really likes playing against? Probably since Esa Tikkanan left.

And Perron, with his hacking at goalies, fencing with opponents, face-washing and running his mouth, as much at home in a scrum as he is around the net, fits the shift-disturber role rather nicely.

And, by nicely, we mean a jerk.

“There are games where if it’s not going the way you like, you try to get yourself going, and sometimes it’s the other team that gets you going,” said Perron, who, like most good agitators, shifts the blame to the other guys. “They chirp you, and for some reason I love when the other team is yelling at me, I get going even more after that. It’s part of my style for sure.”

It’s a style that has Perron in the team lead with seven goals and, if you don’t count tough guy Luke Gazdic, has him leading all Oilers forwards in penalty minutes.

It’s just the way he’s wired. Been like that since he was a kid, chopping away at his older brother in household ball hockey games.

“I was always playing with him and his friends growing up. I hated to play with kids the same age as me, I thought they weren’t good enough. I always wanted to play with the older guys. I was doing the same stuff back then (as he does in the NHL) but no one ever jumped me because I was just a little brother.”

The one with the big mouth who carried his stick a little high.

“The competitive side of me has always been there. I was pretty crazy when I was growing up. I always wanted to win. I was probably the worst loser. I hate losing. We could drop a ball down the hallway and it would be who’s the first to get it. I would be really frustrated if I lost.

“It wasn’t always pleasant for my parents growing up, but here I am now, so hopefully it helped me along the way.”

It never hurts to play with a bit of an edge. Ask any coach.

“When he’s moving his feet and finishing his checks and playing a little bit of an agitating game, he’s very effective,” said Dallas Eakins. “It’s almost like his hands light up, too.”

He and his linemates — Ryan Smyth and Boyd Gordon — have been at the forefront of Edmonton’s recent surge. They’ve been on for four goals in the last two games, and Perron’s been out there for two more on the power play.

“I’ve wanted to play with Perron for quite some time,” said Smyth. “He has an ability to hold onto the puck, and a guy or two, and still find ways to get a shot off or make plays. He’s a guy who’s not afraid to get in the corners. And you’ve got puck possession with Gordo winning the draws. I think the chemistry is going well. We get greasy.”

The Oilers hated to see Magnus Paajarvi leave in the trade that brought Perron here, but how can they not be happy with the deal right now?

“That’s the bad part of the business, having to see friends go, but at the end of the day you look at a guy like Dave and see the amount of skill he has and the level of his compete is second to none,” said Sam Gagner. “He’s a great addition to our lineup.”

One who never seems to be at a loss for words.

“Not really,” said Gagner. “He gets himself going by chirping and getting in guys’ faces. Different guys have different styles but it’s definitely effective for him.”

[email protected]

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 11.21.2013

725275 Florida Panthers

Florida Panthers nab first win in Vancouver since 1994

BY GEORGE RICHARDS

VANCOUVER -- Tim Thomas reminded his teammates that, yes, he had won a game at Vancouver's Rogers Arena before Tuesday's game.

During the game, Thomas made sure everyone wearing the Panthers sweater had as well.

By making 30 total saves, Thomas led Florida to its first win in Vancouver in three decades with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Canucks.

The win was just Florida's second in Vancouver and first since the Canucks moved to what is now known as Rogers Arena in 1995.

Florida last beat the Canucks here during its expansion season of 1993-94.

"After the game, we said 'now we've all won here','' Thomas said with a grin.

"Winning here wasn't a factor. We won two of three coming in to this, we've been putting quality efforts together against good teams. To be able to keep it going .-.-. this was the result we needed no matter who it was against.''

On Tuesday, it was Thomas who was a difference-maker again for the Panthers as they have won three of the past four games and two straight for the first time.

Thomas is 3-3 since coming back from injury as he started the first game with new coach Peter Horachek behind the bench on Nov. 9 and hasn't stopped since. Thomas made 27 saves during the first 65 minutes before stopped all three Vancouver offerings in the shootout.

The Canucks have lost five straight.

"They are a desperate team like ourselves,'' said Thomas, 2-0 in shootouts this season with five saves on five shots. "They've struggled and wanted desperately to break that. We were desperate to keep what we've started going.''

Thomas came out strong in a building he obviously has great memories of. The last time he was here, he led the Bruins to their first Stanley Cup win in four decades in Game 7 of the 2011 Cup Finals.

There wasn't as much on the line this time although the Panthers seem to be finding their way.

Former Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo, who still lives in South Florida during the offseason, was stellar as well.

Luongo, who played for the Panthers from 2000-06, made 34 saves -- including a number in the final minute of regulation that kept the game moving. Florida came hard at Luongo in the opening period as he made 13 saves off 14 shots.

"I thought they had a great first period. They came out hard and had a lot of chances,'' Luongo said. "Once we tied the game, they kept firing pucks at the net. Give them credit. Obviously a shootout can go either way.''

The Panthers trailed 2-1 in the third after Vancouver's Jannik Hansen whipped a shot off a Tomas Fleischmann turnover past Thomas early on. But Florida tied it up with 11:26 left when Shawn Matthias fired a mid-range shot past Luongo.

On Vancouver's first goal, both Dmitry Kulikov and Erik Gudbranson failed to clear the puck from behind the Florida net as Chris Higgins tied the score at 1 in the second.

The Panthers, who had only scored the initial goal four times before Saturday, made it 1-0 after Brad Boyes followed up Barkov's power play shot and put it past Roberto Luongo.

Barkov's shot clipped the goal cage and the puck bounded back toward Boyes -- who collected his eight goal in 21 games. He had 10 for the Islanders last year.

Jonathan Huberdeau led off the shootout with a goal -- and that's all Thomas needed. Luongo stopped Barkov with Florida's second shot although the Panthers wouldn't need a third.

"It's the end result,'' Horachek said. "We bent in the second period but didn't break. In the third, we reacted after they scored with a goal. That was huge. The guys are reacting the right way.''

NEWS, NOTES

• As expected, Vancouver's David Booth wasn't in the lineup for what would have been his first game against his former team.

Booth was traded from the Panthers to the Canucks early in the 2011-12 season but was hurt and didn't play when the two teams met up that year.

On Tuesday, Booth was simply a healthy scratch. The 28-year-old has just two goals over the course of the past two seasons and one in 13 games in this one.

• Florida didn't have Scott Gomez, Sean Bergenheim or Mike Weaver in its lineup.

Miami Herald LOADED: 11.21.2013


Tim Thomas, Florida Panthers savor rare victory in Vancouver

By George Richards

VANCOUVER -- Tim Thomas reminded his teammates that, yes, he had won a game at Vancouver's Rogers Arena before Tuesday's game.

During the game, Thomas made sure everyone wearing the Panthers sweater could make a similar claim.

By making 30 total saves, Thomas led Florida to its first win in Vancouver in three decades with a 3-2 shootout victory over the Canucks late Tuesday night.

The win was just Florida's second in Vancouver and first since the Canucks moved to what is now known as Rogers Arena in 1995.

Florida last beat the Canucks here during its expansion season of 1993-94.

“After the game, we said ‘now we’ve all won here,’” Thomas said with a grin.

“Winning here wasn’t [the biggest] factor. We won two of three coming into this. We’ve been putting quality efforts together against good teams. To be able to keep it going ... this was the result we needed no matter who it was against.’’

On Tuesday, it was Thomas who was a difference-maker again for the Panthers as they have won three of their past four games and two in a row for the first time. Florida is 2-1 on its five-game road trip, one that continues Thursday in Edmonton.

Thomas is 3-3 since coming back from injury, as he started the first game with new coach Peter Horachek behind the bench on Nov. 9 and hasn't stopped since. Thomas made 27 saves during the first 65 minutes before stopping all three Vancouver offerings in the shootout.

The Canucks have lost five in a row.

“They are a desperate team, much like ourselves,’’ said Thomas, 2-0 in shootouts this season with five saves on five shots.

“They’ve struggled and wanted desperately to break that. We were desperate to keep what we’ve started going.’’

Thomas came out strong in a building he obviously has great memories of. The last time he was here, he led the Bruins to their first Stanley Cup win in four decades in Game 7 of the 2011 NHL final.

There wasn’t as much on the line this time, although the Panthers seem to be finding their way.

Former Panthers goalie Roberto Luongo, who still lives in South Florida during the offseason, was stellar as well.

Luongo, who played for the Panthers from 2000 to ’06, made 34 saves — including a number in the final minute of regulation that kept the game moving. Florida came hard at Luongo in the opening period, as he made 13 saves off 14 shots.

“I thought they had a great first period. They came out hard and had a lot of chances,’’ Luongo said. “Once we tied the game, they kept firing pucks at the net. Give them credit. Obviously, a shootout can go either way.’’

Florida led 1-0 after Brad Boyes tapped in a rebound off Aleksander Barkov’s shot past Luongo. But the Canucks bounced back after getting an earfull from coach John Tortorella and scored in the second and early in the third to lead 2-1.

The Panthers weren’t done, however, with Shawn Matthias scoring the equalizer with 11:26 left in the third. Florida came strong at Luongo in the final minute of the game but couldn’t get that third puck through.

Florida also couldn’t capitalize on a rare — for the Panthers — power play in overtime.

Jonathan Huberdeau scored on Florida’s opening shootout attempt — and that’s all Thomas needed. Luongo stopped Barkov with Florida’s second shot, but the Panthers wouldn’t need a third.

“It’s the end result,’’ Horachek said. “We bent in the second period but didn’t break. In the third, we reacted after they scored. That was huge. The guys are reacting the right way.’’

• Rostislav Olesz, the seventh overall pick of the Panthers in 2004, has left the NHL to play in Switzerland. The Devils released Olesz on Wednesday as he was already en route to Europe.

Olesz started with the Panthers as a 19-year-old in 2005 and spent six mostly inconsistent seasons with Florida.

Olesz signed a six-year deal worth $18.75 million with the Panthers in 2008. Chicago was on the hook for the final three years of the deal but bought Olesz out over the summer after acquiring him in exchange for Brian Campbell in 2011.

Former Panthers coach Pete DeBoer was reunited with Olesz in New Jersey this season, although Olesz only played in 10 games with the Devils and just 16 NHL games since leaving the Panthers.

• Florida could see former Flyers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov on Thursday in Edmonton.

Bryzgalov, whom Philadelphia will pay $23 million over the next 14 years after buying him out in June, signed with the Oilers earlier this month and worked out with the team for the first time Tuesday.

Bryzgalov has won five of nine starts against the Panthers.

Miami Herald LOADED: 11.21.2013


Panthers end 19 years of losing in Vancouver

By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel

VANCOUVER —While most of South Florida slept early Wednesday morning, the Panthers continued to awake from a seasonlong slumber with a 3-2 shootout victory over the reeling Canucks.

Panthers rookie Alexsander Barkov wasn't born the last time the Panthers won in Vancouver as Florida ended a 19-year losing streak (0-5-5) with its last win here coming on March 7, 1994 in the old Pacific Coliseum.

Before Tuesday morning's skate at Rogers Arena, recently hired Panthers interim coach Peter Horachek reminded them of that, when goalie Tim Thomas chimed in.

"I have,'' he said, referring to his last game here when he blanked the Canucks in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup finals in 2011 while leading the Bruins to a title.

"That's exactly what we said after the game, now we've all won here,'' laughed Thomas, who had 30 saves, including all three in his 32nd shootout win and second this season. "I don't like shootouts. No goalie does. I've been fortunate to have success in it over my career. It's obviously nervewracking for a goalie.

"They are a desperate team like ourselves. They've struggled and wanted desperately to break that. We were desperate to keep what we've started going.''

Thomas was referring to Florida first modest two-game win streak of the season, while dealing the Canucks their fifth straight loss in which they've scored only six goals to prompt Vancouver coach John Tortorella to rip into his team.

"We sucked,'' Tortorella said. "It was easily our worst game of the year. We didn't deserve a point. It's a lack of respect and we have no business [showing) a lack of respect to any hockey team.''

Horachek, who has brought structure to a team that had been burying itself under an avalance of turnovers, thought the Panthers played a role in Vancouver's woes.

"You wouldn't like to think the only reason we win is that the other team sucks,'' smiled Horachek, who's 3-3 since taking over for Kevin Dineen on Nov. 8. The three losses were all by one goal.

"Sometimes you can help the other team not play so well by taking them out of their strengths, but I'm sure he knows his team better than anybody.''

Despite taking a first-period lead for the second straight game and sixth time this season on Brad Boyes' power-play score, the Panthers found themselves trailing 2-1 2:45 into the third period when a careless pass by Thomas Fleischmann ended up behind Thomas on Jannik Hansen's roofer.

However, Shawn Matthias one-timed a perfect pass from rookie center Nick Bjugstad past Luongo at 8:34. From there the Panthers controlled play and only sterling net work by Luongo forced overtime.

While the Panthers' power-play unit did click in the first period against Vancouver's top-ranked PK, they couldn't convert a two-minute 4-on-3 advantage in OT. But Thomas closed the door on a couple of former Panthers in the shootout, including shootout whiz Mike Santorelli and Chris Higgins, who struck iron to seal the win.

So the Panthers now have a golden chance to end this eight-day, five-game grueling 6,448-mile odyssey at 4-1 with winnable games against Edmonton and Calgary, the two worst teams in the Western Conference.

"We've got good opportunities in the next couple of games, but we got to focus on what we have to do against Edmonton, get the points and continue

to play the way we need to play with our structure and playing 60 minutes,'' said Boyes, who scored his team-leading eighth goal.

"We had a little bump in the second period but when you have Timmy he gives us a chance to keep focused and push through those times.'' …

Panthers defenseman Mike Weaver, who has missed two straight games with a flu bug, practiced with the team Wednesday morning before flying to Edmonton.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 11.21.2013


Preview: Panthers vs. Oilers, 9:30 p.m., Thursday

By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel 4:26 p.m. EST, November 20, 2013

When/Where: 9:30 p.m., Rexall Place, Edmonton

TV: FSF; Radio: 560-WQAM

Scouting report: The Panthers and Oilers both have six victories, second fewest in the NHL, but both are riding modest two-game winning streaks. The Panthers handed the Canucks their fifth straight loss in a 3-2 shootout, while the Oilers routed the Blue Jackets 7-0 at home where they're only 2-7. G Devan Dubnyk had 14 saves. The Oilers recently signed controversial G Ilya Bryzgalov, but he has yet to make an appearance. The Oilers, who are ranked 30th in goals against, beat the Panthers 4-3 in OT on Nov. 5 at BB&T Center behind two goals from Mark Arcobello. Edmonton is led by RW Jordan Eberle's 18 points. G Tim Thomas is 3-0 with an 0.98 GAA vs. the Oilers. D Mike Weaver (ill) is probable.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 11.21.2013

725279 Los Angeles Kings

Anze Kopitar is carrying a big load for the Kings

Center has 10 points in the last nine games and has 21 points and is a plus-nine in 22 games.

By Lisa Dillman

Kings Coach Darryl Sutter had finished his postgame media session at Madison Square Garden in New York.

As if often happens, there was one more request. It was a journalist from Slovenia wanting to talk about center Anze Kopitar. As soon as Sutter heard those words, he looked like someone who had all the time in the world, not someone eager to get on the team bus Sunday night.

Teemu Selanne, Jaromir Jagr square off tonight in Anaheim Teemu Selanne, Jaromir Jagr square off tonight in Anaheim

Big Ben strikes again; Kings make sure Lightning doesn't Big Ben strikes again; Kings make sure Lightning doesn't

Mike Richards carries on for Kings even without Jeff Carter on ice Mike Richards carries on for Kings even without Jeff Carter on ice

"Best player in tonight's game," Sutter said.

Kopitar had been just that, not only against the New York Rangers but frequently sensational in the first quarter of the season. He had a goal and an assist in the Kings' 5-2 victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, completing a stretch of 10 points in the last nine games, five of them goals. In 22 games, Kopitar has six goals, 21 points and is a plus-nine.

"There's plenty of guys we look to in this room, certainly not one guy," forward Justin Williams said after Tuesday's victory. "Kopitar's a guy who plays heavy minutes and is probably our best player, but there's a lot of guys you look to in certain situations when you need them.

"Guys are stepping up right now."

The Kings are off to their second-best start in franchise history, recording 31 points in 22 games, and the contributions have been by committee. Of course, goalie Ben Scrivens has been front and center since starter Jonathan Quick suffered a groin injury Nov. 12 in Buffalo.

Scrivens has won four games in a six-day span, recording a 1.00 goals-against average and a save percentage of .963. Overall, he leads the NHL in goals-against average (1.35), save percentage (.949) and shutouts (three) through Tuesday. Josh Harding of Minnesota, who has two shutouts, is second in goals against at 1.38.

KINGS VS. NEW JERSEY

When: 7:30.

On the air: TV: Fox Sports West. Radio: 1150.

Etc.: The Kings beat New Jersey, 2-0, in Newark on Friday. Goalie Martin Brodeur started for the Devils against the Ducks on Wednesday night. The Kings were off Wednesday.

LA Times: LOADED: 11.21.2013


Alec Martinez and interesting team stats

Staff

Dating back to and including Los Angeles’ 4-1 win at St. Louis on February 11, 2013, the Kings are 27-7-2 with Alec Martinez in the lineup, and 21-19-2 without Alec Martinez in the lineup. These numbers include playoff games. Overtime playoff losses are counted in the loss column, rather than in the overtime/shootout loss column.

Team stats:

13-14 w/ Martinez: 10-1-1 record / 30 GF (2.50 G/G) / 17 GA (1.42 GA/G)

13-14 w/o Martinez: 5-5-0 record / 29 GF (2.90 G/G) / 30 GA (3.00 G/G)

12-13 playoffs w/ Martinez: 6-1 record / 18 GF (2.57 G/G) / 13 GA (1.86 GA/G)

12-13 playoffs w/o Martinez: 3-8 record / 19 GF (1.73 G/G) / 21 GA (1.91 GA/G)

12-13 w/ Martinez, February 11 on: 11-5-1 record / 57 GF (3.35 G/G) / 39 GA (2.29 GA/G)

12-13 w/o Martinez, February 11 on: 13-6-2 record / 53 GF (2.52 G/G) / 45 GA (2.14 GA/G)

Total, w/ Martinez since 2/11/13: 27-7-2 record / 105 GF (2.92 G/G) / 69 GA (1.92 GA/G)

Total, w/o Martinez since 2/11/13: 21-19-2 record / 101 GF (2.40 G/G) / 96 GA (2.29 GA/G)

Notes and observations:

-I didn’t compile these numbers to advocate a more regular role for Alec Martinez. These statistics are solely designed to highlight a statistical anomaly that I find interesting.

-It’s a bit misleading to include the February 11 game, as Martinez logged 1:35 of ice time before succumbing to an upper-body injury that would sideline him until March 4. I included this game because it supports the underlying statistical theme, and because I’ve always included it when tracking the team’s record with Martinez in the lineup, something I’ve done since the team’s road trip through Carolina, Florida, Tampa Bay and Nashville last month.

-It’s interesting that even though Martinez is generally known as a puck-moving offensive catalyst with strong possession and Corsi metrics, Kings games are decidedly higher scoring when he has been out of the lineup this season. Games without Martinez in 2013-14 have averaged 5.90 goals between the two teams, while games featuring Martinez have averaged 3.92 goals.

-It also deserves a mention that Martinez’s effect on these numbers is negligible, as he has generally served the role of a sixth defenseman when in the lineup. He has totaled six assists over the duration of the team’s 27-7-2 record when he has been in the lineup; his last goal came on February 10, the day before the stretch started. This season Martinez is averaging 15:25 of ice time per game, the lowest amongst the team’s defensive corps.

-What do these numbers tell us? Not very much of substance. Once again, this is to highlight a bizarre statistical anomaly. Still, these numbers do indicate that Martinez does seem to have an intangible effect on his teammates, and that the team certainly has won with a much greater frequency when he has been included in the lineup.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 11.21.2013


Lombardi update on Quick

Staff

Kings general manager Dean Lombardi was a guest on Sportsnet 590 The Fan in Toronto today and confirmed what had been reported on this website and other publications last week: Jonathan Quick’s grade two groin strain is likely to keep him out of action well into December.

Quick’s groin injury occurred eight days ago, and the prognosis later that week was that it would sideline the former Conn Smythe winner for three-to-six weeks. Lombardi’s update today is an indication that the injury will gravitate towards the lengthier absence rather than the shorter.

Quick was injured in overtime of Los Angeles’ 3-2 shootout loss to Buffalo on November 12, a game in which Ben Scrivens drew the defeat without having faced a shot prior to the shootout. Los Angeles’ team save percentage entering their November 14 game at the New York Islanders – Scrivens’ first of four consecutive starts to this point – was .905, the 23rd-best percentage in the league. Entering action tonight, the Kings have the eighth-best save percentage in the league at .917, due in large part to Scrivens’ 191:19 scoreless streak, which ended in the second period of Tuesday night’s 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Having admirably patrolled the crease in Quick’s absence, Scrivens has stopped 105 of 109 shots (.963 Sv%) since the starter’s injury.



Waking up with the Kings: November 20

Staff

-The first place Tampa Bay Lightning entered Tuesday’s game having outscored opponents 17-8 in first periods this season, a tally that included a 2-0 lead over the Los Angeles Kings after 20 minutes when the teams met on Florida’s west coast in October. So much for that. The Kings carried much of the early possession Tuesday night and brought a 2-0 lead into the first intermission by virtue of heavy pressure and multiple Grade-A and Grade-B scoring chances. Even before the Kings opened the scoring, Dwight King had a hellacious hit on a forecheck to create a turnover before slipping the puck in front of the net to Tyler Toffoli, who was rebuffed from a sharp angle. Shortly afterwards, Jarret Stoll was denied on a backhand during some quality lateral movement by Ben Bishop. The chances continued, and the Kings were ultimately rewarded. Though they carried a 2-0 lead into the first intermission, this game was put away in the second period, when Los Angeles outscored Tampa Bay 3-1 while out-shooting the visitors 11-2. Though the Bolts are obviously less strong of a group without an active Steven Stamkos, there is still a lot of speed up and down their lineup to go along with defensemen capable of jumping in the rush and activating in the offensive zone, and the Kings’ performance during the first game back after a week-long road trip – a factor that occasionally weighs into a potentially slow start – was among their most impressive efforts of the season.

Noah Graham / National Hockey League

-Erik Karlsson and Zdeno Chara will always be in the conversation for the Norris Trophy, while Ryan Suter and Oliver Ekman-Larsson are certainly offering strong cases this season. If you’re looking for the most dynamic 200-foot defenseman in the game, Drew Doughty needs to be in the forefront of the conversation. His first star performance Tuesday continued an impressive run by a player who is putting to rest a stigma of being someone whose game gradually elevates as the season progresses. In addition to the added penalty killing responsibilities he has inherited with Matt Greene out of the lineup, his four goals, 12 points and plus-5 rating through 22 games represents a stark upgrade over the eight assists and minus-five rating he registered through the first 22 games played last season. In addition to his two assists, he logged a team-high 3:45 of penalty killing time in last night’s win. With five assists and a plus-4 rating in November, his even strength pairing alongside Jake Muzzin certainly hasn’t hurt the team. Muzzin, meanwhile, leads the defense with .59 points per game.

-Speaking of defensive alignments, the pairing of Robyn Regehr with Slava Voynov is paying dividends for both players, as Voynov’s production has increased while Regehr has contributed with perhaps his finest stretch of play as a King. The team is 6-1-1 since adjusting the defensive pairings, with Voynov contributing six points (1-5=6) and a plus-six rating over that span to go along with Regehr’s plus-six rating. Plus-minus is obviously not the most descriptive stat, though in Regehr’s case it does confirm the eye-test, which has indicated that he has effectively used his size and positioning in the defensive zone to block shots, rub out players below the hash marks, and make life easier for Jonathan Quick and Ben Scrivens.


725283 Minnesota Wild

Postgame: Wild beats Ottawa Senators on Mikko Koivu's latest winner

Posted by: Michael Russo under Wild game coverage Updated: November 20, 2013 - 11:52 PM

Mikko Koivu’s winning goal with 2:57 left tonight lifted the Wild to a 4-3 win over Ottawa and as importantly helped the Wild forget a 6-2 pounding the night before in relatively nearby Montreal.

Losses like Tuesday can be lasting if you don’t quickly brush it aside. The Wild, which has lost two in a row in regulation just once this season and that was more than a month ago, avoided that night tonight and improved to 11-2-2 in its past 15.

The Wild gave up a season-high 37 shots and lacked legs in the first period and had some sloppy moments, but the Wild certainly motored through it and pulled out a big W.

Jason Pominville scored a first-period power-play goal, Jonas Brodin scored a goal and assist for his first career multi-point game, Dany Heatley scored a goal and assist in the building that loves to boooooooooo him, Zach Parise had two assists, Justin Fontaine had his first career assist and Josh Harding made 34 saves one night after being pulled for the first time this season.

Oh, and Koivu had three points – the 22nd 3-point game of his career – to continue a string of clutch performances by the Kaptain and his Linemates. Last four wins, that line has scored some huge goals, as I documented in the gamer on www.startribune.com/wild.

I’ll write a lot about Koivu in Friday’s paper. The much-maligned captain by many has been huge lately in leading this team. You know when it started? After Yeo split he and Parise and Koivu said he needed to contribute more. Coincidence or not, that seems to be the turning point.

Heatley, one of the two Ottawa villains on the Wild roster (Matt Cooke is the other), playing his fourth game against the Sens – third in Ottawa – since asking to be traded in 2009. He has a goal and five assists now.

He was appreciative of coach Mike Yeo having his back before the game. The Ottawa press corps peppered Yeo with questions about the former 50-goal scorer playing on the fourth line. Yeo deflected a bunch of questions, stuck up for Heatley, talked about how professional he has been about the whole thing.

He then followed it up with a goal and assist.

On Yeo sticking up for him, Heatley said, “I’ve known that from the time I got here. He’s a good man. I don’t really read what they’re writing. I haven’t been their favorite guy for a lot of years, so I don’t really care what they’re writing. But it is nice to know your coach has your back.”

Yeo went on and on about the Wild’s leadership tonight. He talked about how the vets went out and helped lead the Wild to the W in response to last night.

“Internally, everyone knows it was pretty ugly last night, so it’s on us veteran guys and the captains to lead on the ice and not necessarily vocally, but play the right way and get back to what we were doing well,” Parise said.

Jason Zucker was called up to add speed and energy to a team that lacked it in Montreal. He skated with Mikael Granlund and Pominville, and although he had a couple near costly turnovers like many of his teammates, he had a decent game.

Yeo talked about the one turnover where Zucker didn’t shoot between the circles and tried to force a pass (almost identical spot as the Koivu goal, interestingly), but Yeo said Zucker’s speed was a factor and if he continues to play like this, he’ll make an impact.

Not much of a blog, but it’s after midnight, I’ve got a long drive back to downtown, I think I have a flat tire and an early flight.

Wild is off Thursday, so no blog unless there’s news. Rachel Blount is covering practice Friday in Winnipeg and the game Saturday in Winnipeg. I’ll be on Fox Sports North in studio Saturday before, during and after that game.

On here, you may next hear from me Sunday in St. Louis after practice.

Star Tribune LOADED: 11.21.2013


Wild-Ottawa game recap

Updated: November 20, 2013 - 11:15 PM

MICHAEL RUSSO

Game recap

Star Tribune’s three stars

1. Mikko Koivu, Wild: Scored the winning goal with 2:57 left and had two assists.

2. Dany Heatley, Wild: Doomed his former team with a goal and assist.

3. Clarke MacGregor, Senators: The pass of the year on Kyle Turris’ shortie.

By the numbers

6 Points in four games vs. Ottawa for Heatley since being traded in 2009.

37 Shots allowed by the Wild, a season-high (entered allowed 24.2, first in the NHL).



Heatley haunts ex-team; Koivu's late goal lifts Wild over Ottawa

Article by: MICHAEL RUSSO , Star Tribune

Updated: November 21, 2013 - 12:27 AM

OTTAWA – During last season’s lockout, Mike Yeo took boxing lessons.

That training paid off before Wednesday’s game, because the Wild coach did an amazing job of bobbing and weaving members of the Ottawa media who were peppering him about Dany Heatley returning to the city where he twice scored 50 goals in a season but now was a fourth-line shell of his former self.

Yeo went to bat for his player, doing his best to protect Heatley from the bloodthirsty scribes.

A few hours later, the unpopular ex-Senators star forward left his former rink with a goal and assist to help the Wild rally to a 4-3 victory.

“It’s fun to get booed now,” said Heatley, pointing out the jeers weren’t nearly as forceful as they were in his first return with San Jose after asking to be traded in 2009. “You could almost see it on [the fans’] faces. They just kind of do it for fun now.”

With the Wild trailing 2-1, Heatley assisted on Jonas Brodin’s second-period tying goal and scored the go-ahead goal before Milan Michalek tied the score 8 minutes, 57 seconds into the third on a power play.

But with 2:57 left, heating-up Mikko Koivu drove between the circles, used pinching Jared Spurgeon as a decoy and snapped a bullet by Craig Anderson for the winning goal. It completed the 22nd career three-point night for the Wild’s captain, who has four goals and 12 points in the past eight games.

“It’s a big confidence win for us,” Koivu said. “It was a very important after the game last night in Montreal. We’ve been playing great hockey the last month or so, so we can’t change things based on one game.”

Yeo was confident heading into the game that the Wild would respond from that 6-2 drubbing to the Canadiens because of the team’s leadership. He was concerned though about the Wild’s legs after playing three games in a four nights, and he felt that was a factor during a first period in which the Wild was outshot 18-6 and outscored 2-1.

“But we were able to find another gear,” Yeo said.

Jason Pominville scored a first-period power-play goal, Brodin recorded his first career multipoint game, Zach Parise had two assists and Josh Harding made 34 saves as the Wild, 11-2-2 in its past 15, avoided its first losing streak in a month.

Yeo lauded the Wild’s first line of Parise, Koivu and Charlie Coyle for a string of clutch goals the past four victories.

Against Toronto, Parise scored the tying goal with 4:17 left and the shootout winner. Against Florida, Coyle scored the winning goal with 8:22 left. Against Winnipeg, Koivu scored both goals, including the winner with 3:12 left. And there was Koivu’s late winner Wednesday.

“It’s big. Real big,” Yeo said. “That’s what you want from your leaders.”

The Wild rallied in the second when Brodin took Heatley’s pass and whistled a shot through traffic for his fourth goal and first since Oct. 19. Only 3:15 later, Heatley scored his fourth goal and second in two nights — much to the dismay of Senators fans. He found a loose puck behind the net, and after initially whiffing on a pass, reached past Erik Karlsson from behind the goal line to muscle his own rebound under Anderson for a 3-2 lead.

“This was a difficult game for him to come to, having to answer all the questions about playing on the fourth line,” Yeo said. “That’s tough for anybody. He just responded really well.”

Heatley appreciated his coach sticking up for him with the Ottawa press.

“I haven’t been their favorite guy for a lot of years … but it’s nice to know your coach has your back,” Heatley said.



Koivu has goal, 2 assists as Wild top Senators 4-3

Article by: Associated Press

Updated: November 20, 2013 - 10:55 PM

OTTAWA, Ontario — The Minnesota Wild bounced back quickly from an ugly loss.

Mikko Koivu scored the tiebreaking goal in the closing minutes of the third period and added two assists to lift the Wild to a 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday night.

Koivu netted the winner with 2:57 left, allowing the Wild to rebound from a 6-2 loss in Montreal on Tuesday.

Former Senators forward Dany Heatley had a goal and an assist for the Wild (14-5-4), as did Jonas Brodin. Jason Pominville had the other goal, and Zach Parise had two assists.

"I felt good going into this game," Wild coach Mike Yeo said. "I felt confident that we were going to play really hard because of our leadership and because of the way we've responded in the past.

"I've got a lot of confidence in that leadership, but the one thing I was worried about was our legs after three games in four days. I thought it was a factor in the first period but I thought our guys were able to find another gear."

Milan Michalek scored on the power play as the teams approached the midway point of the third period to pull the Senators even with the Wild. It appeared that goal would at least get the Senators to overtime.

"It's disappointing," Senators coach Paul MacLean said. "We got the game tied up, but again, we're chasing the game. Any time you're chasing the game, it makes the game hard."

Kyle Turris and Mika Zibanejad also scored for the Senators (8-10-4), who have lost three straight and four of five.

"It's very disappointing, it's frustrating," Turris said. "We came out and had our best first period of the year. We played a pretty solid game but again, there's one or two mistakes that we let happen and they capitalized on."

A pair of goals in the second period allowed the Wild to take a 3-2 lead into the third, and Heatley played a part in both.

He earned a primary assist on Brodin's goal that tied it 2-2 exactly three minutes into the period and then jammed in a loose puck while behind the net at 6:05.

Heatley pushed a loose puck to the front of the net and then beat defenseman Erik Karlsson to the puck before banking it off goalie Craig Anderson's right pad and in, all while standing behind the goal line.

"Whether we're in Ottawa or not we're worried about our team and (Tuesday) night wasn't acceptable, and I think everyone thought that way. We needed to come back with a big win, and we did," said Heatley, who had a sour parting of the ways after four seasons with the Senators.

The Wild had the only power play of the first period but it proved to be fruitful for both sides as Jared Cowen sat in the penalty box for interference.

The Senators opened the scoring with a short-handed goal on a nifty pass from Clarke MacArthur to Turris. With his stick between his legs, MacArthur fed Turris in the slot, and his one-timer slowly trickled across the line at 5:54.

Just 59 seconds later, Pominville took a pass at the corner of the circle and beat Anderson with a quick shot inside the near post.

Pominville, who leads the Wild with 13 goals, skated in the warmup but was listed as a scratch on the starting lineup before eventually suiting up.

Zibanejad gave the Senators the lead at 11:11, but the celebration was short-lived.

The Senators outshot the Wild 37-25, making it just the sixth time the season they have outshot their opposition. It was also just the sixth time in 22 games they have allowed fewer than 30 shots.

"On a positive side of it, we look at the stat sheet, and the balance (shots on goal) is starting to go the other way. So that's a positive for us," MacLean said. "We only gave up 25 shots on our net. The scoring chances are unofficially in our favor, we gave up a lot less.

"Are we going in the right direction? We believe so, but we won't know until our next game."

NOTES: The Senators played their 800th home game, and 676th in their current arena. ... The Senators have lost only 15 man-games to injury all season. The Wild have lost 62. ... The Wild recalled forward Jason Zucker from the Iowa Wild of the AHL. Zucker had four goals and eight points in 12 games with Iowa this season. ... Minnesota has allowed an NHL-low 23 5-on-5 goals this season. ... Matt Kassian, Eric Gryba and Joe Corvo were scratches for the Senators while Torrey Mitchell and Mike Rupp didn't dress for the Wild.



Wild notes: Burning memories of Ottawa

Article by: MICHAEL RUSSO , Star Tribune

Updated: November 21, 2013 - 12:36 AM

OTTAWA – Matt Benz answered the phone back in St. Paul and thought former assistant equipment manager Brent Proulx was playing a joke with him.

“The truck’s on fire,” Proulx screamed, according to Benz. “The equipment’s destroyed. We don’t know what’s salvageable, so go to the team store and put a hold on all game-used, signed goalie equipment.

“I ran up there and kept waiting for the call, ‘Ha, joke’s on you.’ ”

That follow-up call never came.

After the Wild practiced in Kanata, Ontario, on Dec. 18, 2009, the back of the Senators’ equipment truck caught fire as trainers transported the Wild’s equipment from a skating rink to the Senators arena.

Wednesday was the Wild’s second trip back to Ottawa since that infamous fire, which was believed to be started by a fallen blowtorch. Josh Harding, Niklas Backstrom, Mikko Koivu, Kyle Brodziak and Clayton Stoner are the only five players that remain from that roster.

The equipment of nine Wild players survived, although it reeked of smoke. Twelve players, including Backstrom and Harding, lost just about or absolutely everything.

Greg Zanon lost everything but his knee brace. Everything of James Sheppard’s melted except his mouth guard. Shane Hnidy lost two left skates but neither of his rights. Only Stoner’s pants survived.

Sticks were disintegrated. Medical supplies were lost. Coaches lost all of their gear.

Back in Minnesota, Benz, now the Wild’s No. 2 equipment manager, frantically gathered equipment because the NHL decided the Wild-Senators game would go on as scheduled the next day.

“I ran to Parade [Ice Garden],” Benz said. “We had a bunch of equipment stored in trash bags. Every 15 minutes, I’d get a call or text from Brent or [equipment manager] Tony [DaCosta] as they worked through the roster saying, ‘This guy needs shin pads and a helmet, this guy needs everything, this guy just needs skates. Slowly but surely, we got through the roster.”

Lance Vogt, an equipment assistant, and then-strength coach Chris Pietrzak-Wegner worked at the arena sizing up helmets and other equipment. Benz drove to some homes, like that of former Wild defenseman Nick Schultz, who left word with his wife to dig up some old skates and shoulder pads for Benz to pick up.

Proulx flew commercially from Ottawa to Minnesota, and by 5 a.m. Dec. 19, Proulx, Benz and Pietrzak-Wegner were on a charter aircraft for Ottawa. By the time players walked into Ottawa’s visiting dressing room for the morning skate, “the room was set up just like it would be every game morning,” Benz said. “Seeing how amazed the guys were that the room was like normal was the coolest thing. It was a pretty good accomplishment that we made it all work.

“The only thing that would have been better is if we won the game.”

Zucker is back

Goalie Niklas Backstrom, who has missed four games because of a concussion, was placed on injured reserve to free a roster spot to add Jason Zucker on Wednesday. Backstrom, who took shots Wednesday and is working out lightly, can come off any time he’s ready to return.

Coach Mike Yeo said the Wild hopes to have a better idea of a time frame after talking to Backstrom.

Zucker, who entered Wednesday’s game with seven points in 27 regular-season games, has scored four goals and four assists in 12 games for AHL Iowa. Yeo said Zucker’s minor league play “warranted” a call-up.

Zucker replaced Torrey Mitchell, who injured his left leg Tuesday in Montreal. Yeo doesn’t think the injury is serious. Defenseman Matt Dumba returned to the lineup and Nate Prosser was scratched.



Mike Yeo on why the Wild recalled Jason Zucker; Updates heading into tonight's Ottawa game

Posted by: Michael Russo under Wild pregame skate Updated: November 20, 2013 - 4:57 PM

Great news. Second trip back to Ottawa since the 2009 Wild equipment fire and no equipment has burned … yet.

I was looking back on yesteryear earlier today, and I found this inventory blog on the Wild’s lost equipment Dec. 18, 2009, in Ottawa. Other amazing thing that went on then? Swine flu was going around and Eric Belanger, Gui Latendresse and Robbie Earl ended up not playing in the game. The Wild had to play short skaters that night in a blah 4-1 loss.

The Wild lost 6-2 last night in Montreal and coach Mike Yeo will be looking for a rebound tonight in Ottawa.

“I feel confident because of our leadership, because of the group that we have,” Yeo said two hours before gametime. “That doesn’t mean there’s any guarantees. We’re playing against a team that’s going to be looking to bounce back as well [after a 5-2 loss at Philadelphia last night], so it’s going to be a challenging game.

“But where my confidence lies is in our leadership and our players to come out and put forth a really great effort. I sit up here and I do believe that. I’d be surprised if we saw otherwise.”

Yeo on recalling Jason Zucker: “From what we’ve heard, he’s played well [in Iowa]. It’s been warranted. … Zuck, with his speed and his skill level, he’s shown he’s capable of being a top-6 forward. If we’re going to call him up, we want to give him an opportunity to play with good players.”

Zucker will skate with Mikael Granlund and Jason Pominville on the second line. Remember, he had success last year with Matt Cullen and Devin Setoguchi, and that line seems to have a similar makeup and identity.

Nino Niederreiter moved to the Matt Cooke-Kyle Brodziak line last night and that’s where he’ll skate to start tonight’s game, while Justin Fontaine will skate with former Senators and no longer a fan favorite, Dany Heatley, and former Senators Zenon Konopka.

Josh Harding will start in goal. Matt Dumba will play. Nate Prosser is scratched.

Yeo on Torrey Mitchell’s leg injury: “I don’t think it’s going to be very serious.”

Also, Niklas Backstrom went on the ice today in Minnesota and took shots. Yeo didn’t have an update on how Backstrom (concussion) felt: “We’ll have to see how things went today. When we get back, tomorrow we’ll have a better idea once we get a chance to talk to him personally.”

The Wild will fly back to Minnesota after tonight’s game. The team has Thursday off before flying to Winnipeg on Friday for practice leading into Saturday’s 2 p.m. matinee vs. the Jets. The Wild then will fly to St. Louis and practice there Sunday before completing its four-game trip against the Blues on Monday.

Talk after the game.



Jason Zucker "freed" by the Wild

Posted by: Michael Russo Updated: November 20, 2013 - 12:35 PM

Wild fans #freezucker campaign (which I believe is ripped off from Allan Walsh's former #freesykora campaign) came to fruition this morning when the Wild recalled Jason Zucker from AHL Iowa to presumably play tonight against the Ottawa Senators.

Torrey Mitchell appeared to injure his left leg last night in Montreal.

Zucker has been Wild fans' BFF for some time, and he's not even from Minnesota. But Wild fans fell for Zucker because of speed, finish and goals like this:

and this:

Zucker seemed to be a shoo-in to make the roster before training camp began, but the emergence of Mikael Granlund and Nino Niederreiter cost Zucker his opening night gig because Zucker would be a waste on the fourth line. Zucker also strained his groin at an inopportune part of training camp. He so wanted to make the team that he probably pushed himself back onto the ice when he was still sore. The rest of camp he lacked that burst we've grown accustomed to seeing.

Zucker burst onto the scene last year with some big goals for Minnesota (four goals, one assist in 20 games) but went the final 10 regular-season games without a point before scoring the overtime winner in Game 3 against Chicago. He also hit the post in overtime in Game 1. Zucker has driven the Wild a bit nuts with his defensive-zone play, ability to read defensively and lack of puck support in the offensive zone.

That's what he was sent to Iowa to work on and he has played well lately. I watched a lot of Saturday's 1-0 loss by Iowa and I thought Zucker was great.

Zucker, 21, has tallied four goals and eight points, including three power-play goals, in 12 games with Iowa this season. Zucker played one scoreless game for the Wild earlier this season. He has recorded seven points (4-3=7) in 27 career games with Minnesota.

The Wild didn't have a morning skate today, so the lines are unknown. I'd think you'd want Zucker in a scoring role, so if that were the case, maybe he goes to the second line and Niederreiter moves to the third and Justin Fontaine the fourth. Of course, if you do that, you're fiddling with a second and third line that's been going pretty well in recent games.

We'll find out later. No confirmation yet, but the hope is for Josh Harding to return to the nets. Talk later.



Minnesota Wild: Leaders step up in bounce-back victory

By Chad Graff

Posted: 11/20/2013 12:01:00 AM CST

Updated: 11/20/2013 11:47:30 PM CST

OTTAWA -- Two hours before his team returned to the ice after suffering its worst loss of the season, Wild coach Mike Yeo stood in a dimly lit hallway and professed confidence in his team.

He was defiant in his assurance his team was primed for a bounce-back after losing 6-2 in Montreal 22 hours earlier.

There was one main reason for his confidence, he said -- leadership.

Yeo relied on the team's leaders and veterans -- Mikko Koivu, Zach Parise, Ryan Suter, Jason Pominville, even Dany Heatley -- in a victory Wednesday night.

Koivu, the team's captain, scored the game-winner with 2 minutes, 57 seconds remaining and the Wild earned at least a point for the 13th time in their past 15 games with a 4-3 victory over the Senators.

After the game, Yeo returned to the same spot in the same hallway, this time after his leaders proved his prediction accurate.

"We talked about it before the game -- I felt good going into it," Yeo said. "I felt confident that we were going to play really hard because of our leadership,

because of the way we've responded in the past. Again, I've got a lot of confidence in that leadership."

The leadership starts, as it often does, with the captain.

Koivu netted the game-winner and assisted on two other goals.

After Tuesday's calamity in Montreal, there was little use for a pep talk from the leaders, they agreed. They needed to lead with their play on the ice.

"It's always what you do on this ice first," Yeo said. "You can say whatever you want, but you've got to walk the walk, and our guys do that."

At times Wednesday night, the game could have gotten away from the Wild. They surrendered 18 first-period shots, trailed 2-1 entering the second period and allowed a tying goal midway through the third period. Through it all, the team's leaders emerged when they needed.

Heatley, the embattled fourth-line winger, scored his fourth goal of the season and added his third assist. It wasn't the prettiest of goals, but it didn't matter -- especially in a building where he was booed every time he touched the puck, stemming from his trade away from the Senators in 2009.

Jonas Brodin scored before him for the Wild, and Pominville before that.

Wednesday marked an important November game for the Wild. A loss would have halted momentum from the team's surge the past four weeks. Their road trip continues with visits to division rivals Winnipeg and St. Louis.

"We were ready and obviously wanted to respond after (Tuesday's) game," Koivu said. "It's a big confidence win for us as well and obviously very important after the game in Montreal."

After the embarrassing 6-2 loss, Koivu said the team wasn't playing "road hockey." It's part of why, he explained, the Wild entered Wednesday with a 3-4-2 record away from St. Paul.

There were things Koivu could have said to the team before Wednesday's game. But the most important thing after a blowout loss was responding on the ice, he said.

"To be honest, it think you just have to let everyone get ready their own way that they've been doing," Koivu said. "We've been playing great hockey the last month or so, so we can't change things based on one game. And I think we showed that."

Pioneer Press LOADED: 11.21.2013


Wild 4, Senators 3: Mikko Koivu scores late game-winner

Chad Graff

Posted: 11/20/2013 12:01:00 AM CST

Updated: 11/20/2013 11:22:12 PM CST

RECAP: Mikko Koivu scored the game-winner with 2:57 to play as Minnesota won in Ottawa. Milan Michalek had scored the equalizer on the power play following a Jason Pominville penalty midway through the third, eight minutes before Koivu's wrist shot decided the game.

Dany Heatley, a former Senator, gave the Wild a brief 3-2 lead and added an assist despite constant boos from the fans. Jonas Brodin and Pominville also scored for the Wild.

MEANING: The Wild pulled back to a .500 record on the road (4-4-2). They have recorded at least one point in 13 of their past 15 games.

ETC.: The Wild surrendered 18 shots on goal in the first period, the most they've allowed in any period this season. ... Kyle Turris' goal in the first period was the first short-handed goal the Wild have allowed since Jan. 17, 2012. ... Brodin has nine points in 12 games with the half-shield on his headgear -- he had zero points in seven games with a full shield after breaking his cheekbone.

UP NEXT: at Jets, 2 p.m. Saturday, FSN, KQQL-FM 107.9



Minnesota Wild: Dany Heatley faces off against former team

By Chad Graff

Posted: 11/20/2013 12:01:00 AM CST

Updated: 11/20/2013 08:59:39 PM CST

OTTAWA -- Back in Dany Heatley's old stomping grounds, where he scored 50 goals for the Senators in back-to-back seasons, coach Mike Yeo was faced with several questions about Heatley's game.

Entering Wednesday's game, Heatley had three goals and two assists in 22 games, and was demoted to the fourth line a month into the season.

"I don't think that's really a fair question," Yeo said when asked how much Heatley's game has changed.

"That's a difficult question," Yeo said moments later when asked why the goals haven't come for Heatley.

The 32-year-old winger was a bit unlucky early in the season, Yeo said, and lost some confidence. And Yeo said younger players pushing for more playing time knocked Heatley down the Wild depth chart.

"We're a deeper team right now," Yeo said. "Obviously, playing him on the fourth line is not ideal for him, (and) it's not ideal for us. But we've got more skill up front. He found himself struggling a bit at the start of the year, but I give him a lot of credit because he's battled through it, and he's putting himself in a position where his game is coming along. And as we all know, if there's an opening, he's going to get a chance."

Heatley is in the final year of his contract. This season, his contract counts for $7.5 million against the team's $63 million salary cap. That a higher figure than everyone on the roster except Ryan Suter and Zach Parise.

The points and chances haven't developed, though, and Heatley returned to Ottawa -- where he played four seasons, from 2005-09 -- on the fourth line.

"He tends to get a little away from the net, tends to look for the big shot opportunity as opposed to getting around the net where traditionally he's scored a lot of goals from," Yeo said. "Not unlike most players, confidence is a huge factor for him now. I think there were some pucks that could have easily went in the net at the start of the year that could have very easily painted a different picture from where we're at right now."

Briefly

Yeo said injured goalie Niklas Backstrom skated and worked out in the net Wednesday for the first time since suffering an head injury Nov. 13. ... Mathew Dumba was slated to play over Nate Prosser on defense, the 12th game of the season for Dumba, 19.



Minnesota Wild recall Jason Zucker

By Chad Graff

Posted: 11/20/2013 12:01:00 AM CST | Updated: about 9 hours ago

OTTAWA -- With Jason Zucker added as a same-day replacement for fourth-liner Torrey Mitchell, the Wild mixed up their lines in Wednesday night's game against the Senators.

Mitchell suffered a lower-body injury in Tuesday's 6-2 loss at Montreal and missed Wednesday's game. His status is day to day.

Rather than recall a fourth-line forward to move into Mitchell's spot, the Wild called up Zucker, a top-6 forward, from their American Hockey League team in Iowa.

When Zucker is with the team, coach Mike Yeo wants him playing on the top two lines, so he moved second-liner Nino Niederreiter to the third line to make room for Zucker. And third-liner Justin Fontaine moved to Mitchell's spot on the fourth line to make room for Niederreiter.

"Obviously Zucker, with his speed and his skill level, has shown he's capable of being a top-6 forward," Yeo said. "If we're going to call him up, we want to give him the opportunity to play with good players."

Zucker, a left winger who scored the winning goal in overtime of the Wild's lone playoff win last season, had appeared in one game this season after being the final player cut in training camp.

He was the final player sent to Iowa because there wasn't a place for him on either of the top two lines. So the Wild sent him to the Iowa Wild to refine his game, specifically in the defensive zone.

In 12 games there, Zucker has four goals (three on the power play) and three assists.

"From what we understand, from what we've heard, he's played well, and it's been warranted," Yeo said.


725294 Montreal Canadiens

Habs prepare for a busy weekend (with video)

By Brenda Branswell, THE GAZETTE November 20, 2013

MONTREAL - A recurring and demanding feature in the Canadiens’ schedule this month are four back-to-back Friday-Saturday games.

The Habs head into their latest weekend series surely encouraged by their 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild Tuesday at the Bell Centre after a stretch where they struggled to score.

The goals came from all four lines against the Wild, and the offence was led by two slumping players and reunited linemates. Max Pacioretty scored a natural hat trick and David Desharnais set up two of those goals while playing alongside Brendan Gallagher.

“You can tell when those two guys are going that we’re a much rounder group,” goaltender Carey Price said of Pacioretty and Desharnais. “It’s really good to see. They’ve been working hard all year and to finally see them get rewarded for their work is good.”

Alexei Emelin, in only his second game back from reconstructive surgery on the knee he injured last April, blocked five shots and threw five hits in 18:06 of ice time.

“It’s not an easy thing to take that much time off and then jump right into this portion of the season,” Price said after the Canadiens’ optional skate Wednesday in Brossard.

“Teams are really well-rounded at this point. Teams are clicking and to be able to jump in and play as well as (Emelin) has so far has been a really positive note.”

The Canadiens play the Capitals in Washington on Friday (7 p.m., TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690) and then return home to play the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday (7 p.m., CBC, RDS, TSN Radio 690) at the Bell Centre.

Seven players were on the ice Wednesday for the optional skate with the others in the gym at the team's training facility. Players also made appearances in the afternoon at the Bell Centre, where the Canadiens held their annual blood drive for Héma-Québec.

Price noted that the Canadiens played well on the offensive side of the puck against the Wild.

“We did a great job of maintaining pressure in their end,” the goaltender said. “It translated to more opportunities and we capitalized on those.”

Rookie Michaël Bournival scored his sixth goal on Tuesday, tying him for third on the team in goals.

“I think my success since the beginning of the season is by working,” he said. “So I work hard whether it’s off the ice or on the ice.

“I try to improve day by day. I know there are a lot of improvements to be made. So I don’t look at statistics ... I want to help the team win.”

George Parros, who has been a healthy scratch for the past five games, was among the small group who skated Wednesday. He didn’t play in any preseason games, recovering from rotator-cuff surgery last May. Then he missed 12 games after suffering a concussion in the Canadiens’ season opener and has struggled in his return to the lineup.

“It’s happened before (in my career). You’re never happy when it does,” Parros said of being a healthy scratch.

“But I’m still happy to be a member of this team and just waiting for my opportunity to come and help out whenever I can.”

Parros added he isn't satisfied with the way he’s played.

“And I wish things had gone better, but they haven’t,” he said. “I just come to the rink with a smile on my face and wait for the next opportunity to get in there and play.”

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 11.21.2013


Backup goalie Peter Budaj plays key role with Habs

By Dave Stubbs, THE GAZETTE November 20, 2013

MONTREAL — If Carey Price, the Canadiens’ No. 1 netminder, has what goalie coach Stéphane Waite describes as arguably the toughest job in professional sports, then the position of backup Peter Budaj isn’t exactly a walk in the park.

While Price has the advantage of playing bunches of games in succession, getting into a groove, Budaj is expected to be razor sharp on those rare occasions when he gets the call.

This season, Budaj has played four games to Price’s 18. But even with limited action, the 30-year-old has shone in the Canadiens net, showing a .945 save percentage and a 1.48 goals-against average.

Expect Budaj to see action this weekend with the Canadiens playing back-to-back games: in Washington on Friday, then back at the Bell Centre on Saturday against Pittsburgh.

Budaj watched the first three games this season from the bench, played one, sat for the next seven, played two of the next four, sat for four, played one, then has sat the past two.

Needless to say, this doesn’t help a goalie find his rhythm.

If Waite’s primary focus in Montreal is shaping Price into the goaltender that the organization needs for the long term, the coach must also do vital work with Budaj.

And Waite speaks glowingly of Price’s backup — of both his talent in goal and the attitude he brings to the rink.

“I have a lot of respect for backup goalies,” said Waite, who worked with plenty during a decade in Chicago.

“You can sit for seven, 10 days and suddenly you have to go in the net and win the game. That’s a tough job. I’ve always said, if the backup doesn’t play a minimum of .500, you don’t make the playoffs. Most of the time, he’s the reason why you make the playoffs or not.”

Waite reinforces the positive with Budaj, whom he says arrives at the rink in perpetually high spirits.

“I say to Peter a lot: ‘Stay positive every day, you’re very important to us,’ ” Waite said. “He’s been unbelievable.

“Peter has a great attitude, he’s always in a good mood and he works hard because he must. After every practice he does extra time, the first on the ice, the last off. He understands his role, which is very important.”

Budaj, he says, will regularly point out little things he sees in Price’s game, always with a genuine desire to help.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen the backup want the No. 1 goalie to be so good,” Waite said. “Peter and Carey have a great relationship.”

Budaj arrived with the Canadiens as a free agent for the 2011-12 season. He played 17 games that year, going 5-7-5, then 13 more last year, with a sterling 8-1-1 record.

Waite envisions Budaj playing 20-25 games this season, Price getting a total of 65, maximum.

“I don’t believe goalies should play 72, 73, 74 games,” Waite said, Price having played a franchise-record 72 in 2010-11, hard-working and supportive backup Alex Auld appearing in 16.

“By the playoffs, a lot of those goalies are tired mentally and physically,” he said of the workhorses. “There’s a lot of pressure in the playoffs. Over the years I’ve seen a lot of goalies have great years, but the last couple of weeks and the playoffs they’ve been too tired, not the same.

“Budes wants to play every game, of course, and I hope he wants to. But he understands his role and wishes good things for Carey.

“That kind of backup goalie is going to be in the league a long time.”



Canadiens get passing grades for first quarter of season

By Pat Hickey, THE GAZETTE November 20, 2013

MONTREAL — With a little more than a quarter of the season in the books, it’s report-card time — and some late-semester cramming had Dean Michel Therrien smiling this week.

The Canadiens’ underachieving offence exploded for six goals against the Minnesota Wild Tuesday, and while it was only one game, it offered a hint of the team’s potential. The Canadiens averaged more than three goals a game last season to rank third in the National Hockey League behind Pittsburgh and Detroit, but this season they are No. 17 with 2.59 goals a game.

Here’s a look at how the Canadiens grade in some key categories:

DEFENCE: Coach Therrien believes in the axiom that defence wins championships, and the Canadiens are solid in this area with goaltenders Carey Price and Peter Budaj leading the way. The team has the second-best goals-against average in the NHL at 2.04,

The Canadiens lead the NHL with 427 blocked shots, although that statistic can be problematic because it suggests the Canadiens aren’t doing enough to take away the opposition’s time and space. They also rank 21st in shots allowed with an average of 31.1 per game.

The next quarter of the season promises to be even better because it appears defenceman Alexei Emelin has made a full recovery from major reconstructive knee surgery. In his second game back, Emelin provided a physical presence with five hits and he blocked five shots. With Andrei Markov, P.K. Subban, Josh Gorges and Alexei Emelin, the Canadiens have a solid top four on the blue line and some experience in the third pair with the mix of Francis Bouillon, the constantly improving Raphael Diaz and Douglas Murray.

Grade: A

OFFENCE: Here’s where the Canadiens need some improvement. Therrien has been searching for the right chemistry up front, and the only consistent point producers among the forwards have been Tomas Plekanec, Lars Eller and youngsters Alex Galchenyuk and Brendan Gallagher.

David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty struggled in the early going, but they’re hoping they had a breakthrough against Minnesota. Pacioretty scored a natural hat trick and two of the goals were the result of great passes from Desharnais.

Plekanec continues to be a two-way iron man, and the key is to find two wingers to play with him on a consistent basis. A healthy Brian Gionta has found a spot on the right wing, while Rene Bourque, Daniel Brière and rookie Michael Bournival have all had a shot on the left. Bournival is making a

determined pitch for a larger role. The rookie has size and speed, and his six goals make him the team leader in terms of goals per minute of ice time.

Grade: C

GOALTENDING: Look for both goalies at the Sochi Olympics, with Price as the No. 1 for Team Canada, while Budaj should be backing Jaroslav Halak for Slovakia. These two complement each other and Price has regained his spot among the league’s elite with a helping hand from goaltender coach Stéphane Waite. One area that still needs improvement is Price’s play in shootouts, but that’s an area in which the shooters need to give him some support.

Grade: A-

SPECIAL TEAMS: Any time you have P.K. Subban and Andrei Markov on the points, you can expect to have a good power play. And the Canadiens rank fourth overall with a success rate of 24.1 per cent, despite the fact the opposition is keying on Subban.

The penalty-killing unit is a major surprise. After ranking 23rd last season, the Canadiens are currently No. 6. They have an efficiency rating of 85 per cent and have scored three short-handed goals. The return of Emelin makes this unit better and Therrien has also thrown in a new wrinkle by giving Subban some PK time.

Grade: A

COACHING: I can’t believe there are some people who felt Therrien’s job was in jeopardy going into this week. Therrien and his staff have done a good job with a team that, if not rebuilding, is still in transition. Despite any rumours to the contrary, Therrien hasn’t lost the room. He’s bringing the young players along nicely and he gets along with Subban. Waite has been a valuable addition to a well-balanced coaching staff and the Canadiens are where they should be in the standings. They’re clinging to a playoff spot heading into the second quarter, and that’s where most people thought they would be.

Grade: B+



A day in the life of Habs’ goalie coach

By Dave Stubbs, The Gazette November 20, 2013

A day in the life of Habs’ goalie coach

On nights when he’s starting, Canadiens goalie Carey Price is given specific drills by goaltending coach Stéphane Waite that are based on what Waite saw in Price’s last game.

In March 2010, InGoal Magazine asked then-Chicago Blackhawks goaltending coach Stéphane Waite to map out a typical day in his life for a 7 p.m. game. This week, Waite reviewed that chronology and tweaked it a little for what he does with the Canadiens, his routine remarkably unchanged in Montreal.

The major difference: instead of scouting the opponent’s goalie at 11:30 a.m., following the Habs’ morning skate — the visitor skates game-day at the Bell Centre downtown, the Canadiens in Brossard an hour earlier — Waite will do that review off video.

8 a.m.: Prepare morning-skate practice, with drills for starting goalie based on his last game and extra drills for the backup.

8:30 a.m.: Watch video of opponent’s goalie to prepare a report for my team’s morning meeting and the coaching staff.

9:15 a.m.: Video session with my starting goalie — just 10 minutes with a positive approach, usually to show him recent saves and good plays he has made.

9:30 a.m.: Meet with my goalies and our penalty-killers.

10:15 a.m.: Warm-up on the ice for the starting goalie.

10:30 a.m.: Morning skate. After the session, I’ll do extra drills with the backup.

5:15 p.m.: Quick review of opposing players’ tendencies.

6 p.m.: Short meeting with my starter to review the three keys of the game, such as beat the pass, be patient, battle, maybe a specific about a particular opponent. But this is very short, two or three minutes, this process having begun in the morning. I don’t want him thinking too much. He’s in the zone by now, this is just to review a few keys.

7 p.m.: Watch the game in the press box. I focus on my goalie, take notes and prepare my next video session and my next practice from the notes I have taken. I meet with the coaching staff between periods and I’ll talk to my goalie between periods only if I notice something very major in his game.



Goalie coach Stéphane Waite writing new chapter with Habs’ Carey Price

By Dave Stubbs, THE GAZETTE November 20, 2013

MONTREAL — In the view of Stéphane Waite, there might be one job in professional sports as difficult as playing goal for the Canadiens.

“Maybe quarterback of the Dallas Cowboys?” the Habs goaltending coach said with a grin. “That’s probably not easy, either.”

Four and a half months into his tenure with the Canadiens, 22 games into the NHL season, Waite laughed at the suggestion that Montreal, as a hockey town, is stark raving, certifiably mad.

“But crazy in a good way,” he said with a laugh. “I really like the hockey atmosphere here. I really enjoy that people love hockey.

“Even those who criticize everything, deep down, they love the Canadiens. They just want us to win. I understand that and I respect it.

“When we win, it’s the best place to play. When we lose, the fans push us to be better. I take that as a good challenge. I love it.”

Waite signed with the Canadiens on July 4, commissioned to write the next chapter — the one on which the full story is likely to hinge — in the development of Carey Price.

A 47-year-old native of Sherbrooke, perhaps destined for his current job by sharing the Canadiens’ Dec. 4 birthday, Waite had earned his NHL salary for a decade in Chicago.

He won two Stanley Cups in four seasons with the Blackhawks, reaching hockey’s pinnacle with two goaltenders for whom the expectations were modest, at best — Antti Niemi in 2010, then Corey Crawford this past June.

“With Niemi and Crawford, it was: ‘If you can just make the playoffs and win a couple of series, we’ll be happy,’ ” Waite said. “Here, Carey is so talented, the expectations are very high. He has the talent to win the whole thing. The expectations are very different compared to Chicago, but I love the challenge of that.

“You need someone very, very special to be the No. 1 goalie for the Montreal Canadiens. You must be a very special character and I think Carey is a special guy.”

Waite is Price’s third goaltending coach in Montreal, the 26-year-old netminder having played his first two seasons under Roland Melanson and his next four under Pierre Groulx.

But Price’s uneven 2012-13 season and lacklustre playoffs prompted Marc Bergevin to make a change, knowing that Price needed to step out of his comfort zone. So the Canadiens GM reached out to Waite, with whom he had worked in Chicago.

And so here he is, doing fine work with Price and his backup, Peter Budaj. Under Waite, Price has found a new level of performance through 18 games, his save percentage at .935 and goals-against at 2.05.

From Chicago, Waite had seen Price selected by the Canadiens, fifth overall, in the 2005 draft. He watched the goalie lead Team Canada to gold in the 2007 world junior championship, then turn pro that spring with the Hamilton Bulldogs before finally arriving in Montreal in the autumn to play here first with Cristobal Huet, then Jaroslav Halak and Alex Auld.

Price was then — and in some ways remains — a construction project. But it seems that now, backed up by Budaj, he’s more finishing nails and trim than crowbars and concrete.

From Day 1 with the Canadiens, Waite has been impressed by the attentive, quick-study pupil whose development has increased sharply this season.

“I’m very impressed by Carey’s work ethic,” Waite said during a 45-minute talk behind the closed door of his Bell Centre office Tuesday afternoon, a few hours before the Canadiens’ 6-2 win over Minnesota.

“He works very hard, he’s willing to change and make some adjustments in his game. He’s very open-minded, which is good for me. And he wants to win more than anyone else here. Carey hates to lose and that’s impressed me very much. It’s very easy to work with him.”

Throughout his coaching career, which began in minor and junior hockey and includes to this day his long-running goaltending school, Waite has adjusted to the game of his goalies, not had his goalies adjust to him. In his first media interview here when he was hired in July, he spoke not of reinventing Price, but of fine-tuning him.

And right out of the gate in training camp, the coach and goalie worked together on Price’s game preparation, something Waite believed was a weakness.

“Game preparation brings consistency,” Waite said. “So far this season, Carey has had 17 starts (18 after Tuesday vs. Minnesota) and they’ve all been good starts. Every one, he’s given us a chance to win and that’s what you want from your No. 1 goalie.”

Waite keyed on a pregame routine that begins the day before a start. He speaks of video study, practice, morning skate and pregame warmups and pregame meetings to discuss the opponent.

The day after a game, Waite and Price will review video, 80 per cent of the coach’s clips illustrating things the goalie has done well. The other 20 per cent isn’t negative, but “adjustments or things we can correct.”

“It’s all about the next game, playing it like it’s going to be Game 7 in a playoff series,” Waite said. “It’s not easy to do that 60 or 65 games a season. That’s a lot of Game 7s.

“Every day, I ask Carey to prepare like it’s Game 7. He has to be very disciplined off the ice — how he eats and rests. Then how he practises for every game. How he stretches pregame and in warmups, focuses in meetings and studies video. That’s a lot of stuff.”

Waite’s first conversations with Price, long before training camp began, explained that the coach had no performance goals mapped out, no benchmarks.

“The approach is, ‘Next game, next game, next game…’ ” he said. “There are no objectives in terms of wins or goals-against or save percentage. The only objective I have is the next game. That’s it, that’s all.

“And Carey loves that. For us, you lose a lot of energy trying to reach goals. The most important thing is the next game. I don’t care about the last game, no matter how good or bad.”

Waite knows that Price takes his own performance very personally “because he wants to win more than anything.”

“I agree with him, but in the end, he has to control what he can. I told him (Monday, after Saturday’s 1-0 loss to the New York Rangers), ‘I don’t expect you to come in with a smile, but you played very well even if you didn’t win. You’ve got to control what you can, and that’s stopping the puck. As long as you give us a chance to win every night, we’ll be fine.’

“We’ll score goals,” Waite said prophetically, the Habs burying six on Tuesday. “Sometimes, Carey is going to give up three or four goals and we’re going to win. At the end of the year, those things will even out.

“When he wins, it’s all about his teammates, and I have a lot of respect for that. He played a great game against the Rangers but he was mad, not that we hadn’t scored, but because he felt he should have stopped the one that beat him.

“He’ll never blame his teammates, I respect him a lot for that and I can feel that teammates respect Carey a lot. He’s a team guy all the time. Even one-on-one with me, he never says: ‘We need to score some goals,’ or get more in the shootout. Never, never, never. It’s all about: ‘I should have stopped just one more.’ ”

It doesn’t hurt their relationship that coach and goalie are, in many ways, cut from the same cloth. Both are private men, and neither speaks just to hear themselves talk.

Chemistry between a coach and athlete, especially in a goaltending coach’s small classroom, can take a long period to develop, if it develops at all. But Waite was impressed, even a little amazed, at how quickly he and Price clicked.

“A lot of people said Carey is not easy to approach, that he’s a little bit on his heels with new people around him,” Waite said. “But he’s like me. He’s not a big talker, we’re very reserved guys. We connected very well right away. We talked a bit about how I work and he liked it right away.

“Carey said: ‘I like that, I like that,’ and I said: ‘You’re sure? You like everything? If you don’t like it, tell me.’ And he said: ‘No, Steph, everything’s good.’

“I showed him some video of last year and proposed a couple changes in his game and he said: ‘Yeah, it makes sense.’ ”

Waite and Price talk very little away from the rink “because he needs to get away from me and me from him,” the coach said. “He’s a very private guy and I am, too. But I think we’re a very good fit. It’s all about business. There’s no bull---- between us.”

Waite had probably heard, from various sources, the pokes at Price suggesting the goalie wasn’t always fully committed to the task at hand, that practices weren’t his forte.

“The thing that has surprised me the most is his work ethic,” Waite said. “He works very hard on the ice. He’s always on time, always early, ready to go every day. He’s a quick learner. I explain something to make an adjustment and boom! right away he’ll do it very well.

“Carey understands the game very well. He’s a natural. He gets it immediately and the next game he can apply it. A lot of goalies can take a couple games, a couple weeks, sometimes a couple months. With Carey, it’s right away, no problem.”

Waite observed Price’s sliding from post to post on his pads in a butterfly position, on his knees. The coach wanted Price up on his skates more, to “beat the pass instead of sliding butterfly automatically as he had been doing.

“I wanted Carey more patient on his skates, more patient one-on-one. I think that’s made him more in control.”

Waite smiles and nods when it’s mentioned to him that Price’s jersey is often scarred with the black smudges of pucks that have struck him in the CH crest, arms and shoulders.

“That’s because he’s square and he’s patient,” he said. “His positioning has been very good, which I think is his biggest improvement so far.”

Price’s much better glove hand, Waite says, is another byproduct of positioning.

“When you’re still on your feet, you just react. Carey is almost always in a good position to make glove and blocker saves, instead of being off-balance,” he added, flailing his arms to illustrate.

“And I like the way Carey is battling more, competing through the screens. I have a lot of respect for goalies like (retired) Dominik Hasek and (Florida’s) Tim Thomas. Technically, they’re not very good. But they’re instinctive goalies and they battle more than anyone.”

Waite’s strength has always been his ability to teach goaltending technique. But since he began instructing in amateur hockey, he has evolved with the game. Where he used to preach butterfly, almost robotic goaltending, Waite has broadened his horizons.

“For me, technique is the basic,” he said. “Everything starts from there. You have to be square, set and patient. But at one point, you have to trust your instincts. Do the first thing that comes to your mind. Don’t think, just react.”

The coach is an intense student of the game, his database huge.

“I have a book on every goalie in the league,” Waite said, files on every NHL goaltender kept in his Brossard office. “I’ve been in the league 11 years so I have a lot of notes on every goalie.”

He grinned.

“None of them have any secrets.”

With that he holds up a heavily highlighted diagram of Minnesota goalie Josh Harding, a heavily marked blueprint of where Canadiens should be shooting that night, margins clogged with his notes.

A year ago, any discussion about Price and the Sochi Olympics would have been about on which beach the Habs goalie would unwind for a couple of weeks in February. Not so now.

“I don’t know if Carey will be in Sochi,” Waite said. “But he should be there, oh yes. So far this season, he’s been unbelievable. And he won world juniors, so he’s played on international stage and he’s won. There’s no doubt for me that he should be there.”

There is more hockey to be played before the Olympics, however, and both coach and goaltender know it.

Our conversation winding down, Waite would soon sit down with Price and review their keys for the game against Minnesota.

Around 10 p.m., the coach stepped aboard an elevator at Bell Centre press-box level and headed down to the dressing room, his debriefing already taking shape.

There was a win in the Canadiens column, a win attached to Price’s name, and a thin smile on Waite’s lips. Already, he was thinking about the next game.

“It wasn’t easy for me to leave,” Waite had said earlier of having pulled up his well-planted Chicago roots. “But to me it was clear that this was a great opportunity and challenge.

“I want to win another Stanley Cup, in Montreal. I grew up with the Canadiens. Ken Dryden was my idol.

“Even though I had a lot of success in Chicago, I always said: ‘One day, I have to be able to coach in Montreal.’ ”

And so here he is, and the early reviews are excellent.



Habs hold optional practice and blood drive

Posted by Stu Cowan

Following Tuesday’s 6-2 victory over the Minnesota Wild at the Bell Centre, the Canadiens held an optional practice Wednesday morning in Brossard with Douglas Murray, Michael Bournival, George Parros, Ryan White, Travis Moen and goalies Carey Price and Peter Budaj the only players to take part.

The Canadiens are also holding their annual blood-donor clinic Wednesday from 8 a.m. until 7 p.m. at the Bell Centre.

Max Pacioretty, who had a hat-trick in the win over the Wild, celebrated his 25th birthday on Wednesday.

The Canadiens are back in action Friday night when they visit the Washington Capitals and Alex Ovechkin and then return home to face Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins Saturday night at the Bell Centre. Both games are 7 p.m. starts.


725300 Nashville Predators

Nick Spaling's worth to Nashville Predators isn't measured in goals

Nov. 20, 2013 11:57 PM

Josh Cooper

TORONTO — There are subtleties in Predators forward Nick Spaling’s game that show a level of improvement beyond statistics.

Is he playing more minutes per night? No, but he has been more effective in his time on ice.

Is he on pace for career highs in any category? No, but he isn’t being asked to be a scorer.

Spaling’s game, in fact, doesn’t show up in stats. It comes from winning battles on the boards, killing off penalties and staying in position. He’s doing all three things well this season.

“He’s one of those guys who is underrated,” defenseman Shea Weber said. “You may not notice him as much and he may not get the credit, but we know he’s a valuable part of our team and a guy who plays those hard minutes, those penalty-kill minutes late in the game. Coaches like him because he sticks to the system and then he’s able to chip in.”

The 6-foot-1, 201-pound, 25-year-old Spaling is on pace for 18 points. He has two goals and two assists in 17 games. He posted his career highs of 10 goals and 12 assists in 77 games in 2011-12, and he had nine goals in 47 games last season.

Spaling has made a concerted effort to not worry about scoring, but to focus on his role as a heady two-way utility forward who is strong defensively.

“He was a skinny kid when he first came up, with good hockey sense — he has a lot of detail to his game,” coach Barry Trotz said. “But over time he has his man-strength and feels comfortable in a lot of roles. Probably one of the most useful players we have in terms of playing multiple positions and multiple roles on our team.”

The understated Spaling shrugged off any notion that his game has changed this season. It’s more of an evolution, he suggested. It means playing the same type of game every night, with more ups than downs.

“Over the summer you want to improve on your game, but I’m trying to stick with a lot of the same things,” Spaling said. “We have a long way to go here, but one of the things I want to work on is consistency. And obviously every night that’s playing hard and staying on teams and creating pressure.”

Tennessean LOADED: 11.21.2013


Josh Cooper's hat trick

Nov. 20, 2013 11:56 PM

Josh Cooper

Can Marek Mazanec help the Predators weather Pekka Rinne’s injury? Perhaps. The shutout win at Detroit was as much a team effort as it was a nice job by Mazanec. The Red Wings had very few opportunities in the 2-0 defeat and fired only 27 shots on goal. Still, Mazanec stopped all of them and was confident in doing so. He doesn’t seem to have any issue with going against some of the NHL’s top offensive players — many of whom he has faced in his first five games. He also is a team-oriented player, which is important. When you talk to him after a game, he normally discusses the Predators first. This is an important attribute to have in a goaltender.

Putting Seth Jones on the second defense pair was a wise move. Though the rookie played well with Shea Weber, he needed time to grow and develop. Playing with Kevin Klein, Jones can learn from one of the team’s more veteran blueliners, as well as take incremental steps in absorbing the NHL game and its second-tier forwards, rather than being thrown on the ice against the best forwards. Jones will be a top-pairing defenseman eventually, but a second-pairing stint this year should pay dividends in the future.

Shea Weber is a game-changing player and he’s showing it. When the Predators needed a goal in a tight game against the Red Wings, Weber wound up and fired a slap shot goal. He and Roman Josi also shut down Detroit’s powerful forwards. When Weber is on his game, there are few defenseman in the NHL better at playing two-way hockey. His past two games were a clinic in this style of the game.



Preview: Nashville Predators at Toronto Maple Leafs

Nov. 20, 2013

Josh Cooper

• When: 6 p.m. today

Where: Air Canada Centre (Toronto)

TV/radio: SportSouth/102.5-FM

Predators keys: 1) Do what you’ve been doing. The Predators have reverted to a defensively stout group, allowing just two goals in the last two games after giving up 17 in the previous four. 2) Do not take penalties: Going into Wednesday’s action, the Maple Leafs had the third best power play in the NHL (24.3 percent). 3) Follow the captain: Defenseman Shea Weber used his power game to pick up three points over the last two games. When he’s on, Weber is unquestionably Nashville’s best player.

Injuries: Predators F Eric Nystrom (upper body) is questionable and F Filip Forsberg (upper body) is out. Maple Leafs F Tyler Bozak (lower body) is probable, D Mark Fraser (lower body) is questionable and F Dave Bolland (ankle) is out.

Next for Predators: 7 p.m. Saturday vs. N.Y. Rangers.



Nashville Predators decrease minutes for rookie Seth Jones

Nov. 20, 2013

Josh Cooper

TORONTO — Much of the talk about defenseman Seth Jones has centered on ice time.

Onlookers marveled at the fact that he calmly played more than 24 minutes per night as a 19-year-old, but the Predators began to understand it was probably too much — way too much.

So two games ago, they decided to move Jones from the first pair with Shea Weber to the second pair with Kevin Klein in order to limit the rookie’s minutes and give him easier matchups.

Jones has responded with more prolific play.

“We were giving him too many minutes … too many minutes for a 19-year-old,” coach Barry Trotz said. “He was playing upwards of 28 minutes per night. We felt it was too much physically, too much mentally. … We have the minutes down to 22-23. That’s more of a fit for him.”

The last two games — both Nashville wins — Jones played 19:57 and 22:23, respectively.

In his previous seven games, Jones fired no shots on goal. He fired three in the past two games.

“I felt really good. I felt like my game got back on track against Chicago and then Detroit as well,” Jones said. “I think I didn’t have a shot on net for five or six games there, which isn’t good, but I got a couple of shots last night so it felt good to get back on track.”

For the season, Jones has 8 points (2 goals, 6 assists) and is a minus-7.

No distractions: It’s easy to think that it’s all fun whenever a hockey team takes to the road.

But it’s part of a job, something many of the Predators have made clear to their families in the Toronto area going into Thursday’s game against the Maple Leafs.

The Predators have seven players from Ontario.

“They know that I don’t have much time. It’s a business trip,” said forward Rich Clune, a Toronto native. “Looks like I’ll be in the lineup tomorrow and I’ll be able to play in front of a lot of people I know, so it will be fun.”

Said Klein, who grew up in nearby Kitchener: “My family is really good about it. I won’t see them until after the game. I mean just put some passes aside and get a few tickets; they’re great, they’re respectful. They know it’s our job.”

Nystrom update: Forward Eric Nystrom, who took a punch to the back of the head last week against the Penguins, skated with the team on Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday’s game.

“I feel fine. You get hit in the right spot, your legs just go,” Nystrom said. “The whole time I was fine in the mind, but you can’t get the legs going. I felt good right after, was alert and sharp. It was just one of those trigger points.”

Chipped tooth: Forward Colin Wilson chipped one of his top front teeth Tuesday after taking a high stick from Red Wings forward Dan Cleary in the third period.

It was a first for Wilson.

“I’m just happy I made it this long,” he said. “Most of the guys have false teeth by now.”


725304 New Jersey Devils

Devils Rally Past Ducks Late, Winning 4-3 in OT

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: November 21, 2013 at 1:47 AM ET

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Nobody had beaten the Anaheim Ducks at home all season long, and they had another late lead until Jaromir Jagr got the New Jersey Devils to overtime.

From there, the Ducks beat themselves.

Jagr scored the tying goal with 1:01 left in regulation, and the Devils ended Anaheim's eight-game home winning streak with a 4-3 victory on Wednesday night.

Travis Zajac got credit for the winning goal at 1:58 of overtime, but the Ducks put it in their own net — a fitting finish to what coach Bruce Boudreau saw as a tentative, reactionary effort. The Devils felt they got the reward they deserved for a gritty finish in the opener of a three-game California trip.

"We knew we had to play better to give ourselves a chance, so we had to come out strong in the third period," Zajac said. "We started to win some forecheck battles and stuck with it right to the end. We got rewarded late in the game on Jagr's goal. It was kind of a lucky one there."

After Jagr converted Patrik Elias' pass from behind the net, with Martin Brodeur pulled for an extra attacker, New Jersey got even more luck on the winner.

Ben Lovejoy hit teammate Corey Perry with the puck while attempting to clear the crease, and it caromed past Jonas Hiller to end the longest season-opening home winning streak in Anaheim history.

"That's obviously an incredibly unfortunate ending," Lovejoy said. "That's a game we need. We're an incredibly desperate team, even though we're still all right in the standings."

With four wins in five games capped by this impressive comeback, the Devils are starting to feel better about their 8-8-5 spot in the standings.

Moments after Brodeur made an exceptional save on Mathieu Perreault's attempt at an overtime goal, the Devils were rewarded with a gift from Lovejoy and Perry.

"It was nice to pull it off because we worked very hard and we battled," said Brodeur, who stopped 22 shots. "When you win, you always look at these kinds of saves. Sometimes the games are ugly, and if you make one save like that, it makes the difference."

Elias had three assists, and Marek Zidlicky and Eric Gelinas scored power-play goals in the first period after an incorrect high-sticking double minor call against Teemu Selanne.

"I think the schedule worked to our advantage tonight," said Jagr, who scored his 689th NHL goal. "They had to travel last night, and we had one extra day of rest here. Maybe in the third period it showed. But they're one of the best teams in the league — maybe the best team — so that's a huge two points for us."

Ryan Getzlaf scored the tiebreaking power-play goal, and Nick Bonino had a goal and an assist for the NHL-leading Ducks, who have lost five straight. Anaheim was the league's only remaining unbeaten home team, but the Ducks are in a skid after playing a league-high 24 games this season.

Matt Beleskey also scored for the Ducks, still on top of the overall NHL standings despite going 0-3-2 in their last five. Hiller made 21 saves in just his second start in seven games.

Boudreau bemoaned his club's soft third-period effort, a creeping problem in recent days.

"That's all I talked about (in) the previous two games," Boudreau said. "We played not to lose in the third period. You can't play the game in your own zone and expect to win. ... I don't even call it a mistake (on the final goal). It was an accident. That's the way the game was going. We missed two open nets. You knew something bad was going to happen."

Dustin Penner had two assists for the Ducks, who stumbled home to friendly Honda Center after a winless four-game East Coast road trip. Anaheim also lost defenseman Francois Beauchemin in the second period to an upper-body injury.

"We need to respond to this," Lovejoy said. "We're not playing great hockey right now. We want to be an elite team in this league, and we're not playing like it."

Until the big finish, New Jersey got all of its offense on a break from a blown call.

Devils defenseman Andy Greene was left with a bloody mouth after a high-stick to the face, and Selanne was whistled for a double minor — but a video replay clearly showed Zidlicky hit his teammate in the face while tussling with Perreault. Selanne's stick was on the ice.

Bonino tied it with his career-best sixth goal, and Getzlaf put the Ducks ahead with a vicious slap shot for the 12th goal of his stellar season.

NOTES: After the game, Anaheim hired former Edmonton GM Steve Tambellini as a part-time pro scout. ... The NHL's competition committee recommended video review of all high-sticking double minor penalties last spring, but the league rejected the idea in September. ... The clubs met for the first time since February 2012.

New York Times LOADED: 11.21.2013


Devils rally to defeat Ducks in overtime, 4-3, behind Jaromir Jagr's tying goal in regulation

Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger

on November 21, 2013 at 12:42 AM, updated November 21, 2013 at 12:48 AM

ANAHEIM, Calif. — In a game featuring three players 41 years or older, it was Jaromir Jagr and Martin Brodeur who prevailed over Teemu Selanne and the Ducks.

Jagr tied the game with Brodeur pulled for an extra skater when he scored with 1:01 remaining in regulation time and the Devils emerged with a 4-3 victory when Ducks forward Dustin Penner scored an own goal at 1:58 of overtime.

Trailing, 2-1, the Devils fought back when Patrik Elias centered the puck from behidn the net to Jagr in front. He scored his eighth goal of the season.

That sent the game into overtime and Travis Zajac was credited with the winning goal when Anaheim’s Ben Lovejoy tried to clear the puck I nfront of

goalie Jonas Hiller but shot it off Penner. It deflected into the net to give the Devils the win.

Martin Brodeur’s personal winning streak reached five in a row as the Ducks lost for the first time at home (8-0-1).

Star Ledger LOADED: 11.21.2013


Devils' Stephen Gionta says ankle is okay to play; Jaromir Jagr and Teemu Selanne defy ages


on November 20, 2013 at 3:31 PM, updated November 20, 2013 at 5:48 PM

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Devils center Stephen Gionta tested his right ankle during the team’s optional morning skate and said he expects to play Wednesday night against the Ducks.

Gionta tweaked the ankle when he hit a rut during practice on Tuesday at Honda Center. He originally suffered the injury Nov. 8 in Toronto and missed the next two games.

“It was good. After Toronto it was a little more sore the next day. It wasn’t like that today,” Gionta said.

He said he isn’t worried that the problem will linger and be prone to re-injury.

“I don’t think so,” Gionta said. “It’s an unlucky break to catch a rut out there. It very well could’ve been the other ankle and I could’ve rolled that one. It just happened to be the same one.”

The Devils-Ducks game will feature three players over the age of 40.

Teemu Selanne is 43 years and four months old.

Jaromir Jagr is 41 years and nine months old.

Martin Brodeur is 41 years and six months old.

"I'm not going to be the oldest guy on the ice," Jagr joked.

Coach Pete DeBoer spoke about what it takes to play beyond 40.

“Obviously elite, elite talent. Even though their bodies don’t get them to places as quickly as they used to, their talent level is so high that even at a diminished rate they’re still very effective,” DeBoer said.

“You don’t play into your 40s unless you’re really working at it, working at your body, working at your conditioning, taking care of yourself. And you have to love the game. It’s a grind. People don’t realize how tough and NHL season is night in and night out. You have to have a real passion and love for the game to keep doing that att his high of a level.”

Jagr recalled first hearing about Selanne from Czech star Otakar Janecky.

"I didn't really follow the Finnish League but we had a guy who was playing for our national team who was very famous in our country," Jagr said. "They were playing on the same line together in Helsinki for Jokerit. Back then nobody knew about (Selanne) but he said there was a great player with a lot of speed. We found out when he came to the NHL and broke the record with 76 goals."

Asked if he has a lot in common with Selanne, Jagr said: "We are different players. Probably the passion for the game. You cannot play that long if you don't love the game or if you don't love to practice. I think the key is to be able to practice. Staying injury-free is the other key. You have to be able to practice hard to keep up with the young guys."

He said Selanne has probably stayed around for another chance to win the Cup.

"Now they have a very good team so he has a chance to win the Stanley Cup. That's another motivation," he said.

For most of their careers, Jagr played in the East and Selanne in the West.

"We never really played against each other much but I was watching him," Jagr said. "He's a totally different player. The way he is, it kind of surprises me he's played this long. I always felt when you get older you lose the speed.

That's the first thing you lose. And he hasn't. He has to do something nobody else does. (I) should ask him about it. Maybe I'll do it next year."

Times have changed.

"Everything has changed," Jagr pointed out. "Twenty years ago the older players were around 30. Now everything had been pushed 10 years.

"There are so many things you have to do. You have to stay healthy. That's the key. I never drink or smoke. I think that helped my body, too, because the recovery is better. I like to sleep. That's what gives you extra energy. And you have to love the pain in practices."

DeBoer spoke about Brodeur’s decision to work out off the ice and practice harder than in the past. He was asked if that is a reason for the goalie’s success so far this season.

“He played at a really high level last year early, too. The first 10 games of the season we were 8-1-1 and he was outstanding,” DeBoer said. “He’s a guy I think would be the first to admit he probably didn’t have to work very hard away from the rink or on off days early in his career. That’s become part of his regimen now."

The Devils were 1-5-4 after the first 10 games this season.

They went 6-3-1 in the lat 10.

The difference?

“Just consistently playing to our identity. We’re realizing now how we have to play in order to give ourselves a chance to win," DeBoer said. "That’s tight defensively, take away time and space, make sure the other team doesn’t have a lot of room and get good goaltending and capitalize on our chances.

“The more consistently you bring that game to the rink the more you get rewarded. It’s not an easy way to play. You’re never blowing anybody out. The games are always tight. Every shift is important. Every decision with the puck is important. But that’s playoff hockey anyway. The quicker you can get your team in that mindset for the longer period of time, the better you’re going to be.”



Devils: Rostislav Olesz leaves Albany, will be suspended and given release


on November 20, 2013 at 2:10 PM, updated November 20, 2013 at 3:29 PM

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Left winger Rostislav Olesz, signed as a free agent last summer, has left the Devils’ minor league affiliate in Albany (AHL) and has returned to Europe to continue his playing career in Switzerland.

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello said Olesz, who was put on waivers, will be suspended and then given his unconditional release. He was signed to a one-year, one-way contract on July 5 for $700,000 with a chance to earn an additional $300,000 bonus.

“Olesz has decided to go back and play in Europe. It’s a decision he has made so we will be giving him his unconditional release,” Lamoriello said Wednesday. “He’s already on waivers.

“It was not our decision. What we will do is suspend him and give him his unconditional release. He left today.”

Although he started the season with the Devils, Olesz cleared waivers and was sent to the minors Nov. 5 after playing 10 NHL games.

“I don’t know if this was a surprise only because of his intent to come and play in the NHL,” Lamoriello said. “He accepted going to play in the American League. He did everything asked of him. We couldn’t keep him from leaving. There are certain countries that don’t have (an agreement with the NHL).”

Olesz did not want to spend another season in the AHL.

“It’s a case where he came over this year with the intent of playing in the NHL and I think he had some substantial situations he could’ve (taken advantage of) in Europe,” Lamoriello explained.

“He wanted to play in the NHL. When it didn’t work out he went to Albany and was outstanding with the players there. This is a quality individual but I think he decided that he played enough in the American League last year and he wanted to go back.”

Coach Pete DeBoer, who was instrumental in bringing Olesz to the Devils and coached him in Florida, said: “I’m happy that he’s found a place and is moving on. I’m disappointed just because I really thought he was an NHL caliber player. It just didn’t happen.”



Devils' Martin Brodeur: No sadness that Olympic days are probably over


on November 20, 2013 at 11:47 AM, updated November 20, 2013 at 4:00 PM

ANAHEIM, Calif. – For the first time since he became one of the world’s elite goaltenders, Martin Brodeur isn’t looking ahead to the Winter Olympics.

It is almost certain that the Devils’ 41-year-old goalie will not be going to Sochi, Russia, with Team Canada, and the two-time Olympic gold medalist has come to terms with the knowledge that his time has passed.

“I’ve put kind of an ‘X’ on it in my head after not being invited to camp in the summer,” said Brodeur, who will be in goal Wednesday night at Honda Center against the Ducks.

“Even though they put me on the long list, I feel it’s time for them to have a younger goalie. If I’m asked to go, I’m probably not going to say no. It’s a great honor to represent your country. I just don’t expect it, regardless of the way I play.”

Devils teammate Cory Schneider, on the other hand, is hoping his time has arrived for earning a spot on the U.S. Olympic squad.

“It crosses your mind a little bit. I’m also trying to play games here and play well,” said Schneider, who is expected to face the Los Angeles Kings Thursday night at Staples Center. “I’m more worried about getting some wins for this team than what it means for me for the Olympics.

“But again, it’s coming up and it’s something that would be really special. I don’t think you realize the impact of saying you’re an Olympic athlete until it happens. That would be a pretty amazing thing. I’m kind of hoping they go hand in hand. If I can play more here and get some wins and play well heading into the announcement of the (U.S.) team, maybe I’ll get a look.”

Schneider is among a deep group of American goalies that includes Jonathan Quick, Ryan Miller, Jimmy Howard and Craig Anderson. Team USA will be announced Jan. 1 at the Winter Classic.

“Look at the depth of goaltending on the American team. There are maybe a couple of guys that are ahead of the pack. There are five or six guys who could make the team,” Schneider said. “To be thought of among the top three or a guy that can help your country win a gold medal is about the highest honor you can get.

“If I make it as the third guy and all I get to do is practice, it’ll still be worth it and an amazing experience. I’m hoping to make it and do what I can to help, but if I’m just there I’ll make the most of it.”

Brodeur is playing extremely well, but he doesn’t think stats will be a factor.

“Everybody is in a different situation with their (NHL) teams, so I don’t think personal records like goals-against has anything to do with it. The scouts, the people who make the decision on the team, will see how you are playing.

“They have the pick of the litter. (Mike) Smith is playing really well. (Marc-Andre) Fleury is having a good year. (Carey) Price is having a good year. (Roberto) Luongo is having a good year. Nobody is injured yet.”

Brodeur won the gold in 2002 at Salt Lake City. He won another in 2010 in Vancouver, but was benched in favor of Luongo after losing to the U.S.

“Luongo is the guy that needs to be in there,” Brodeur said. “He’s having a good season so far. He’s got to keep it up. He’s the one that brought gold to Canada last time. He should have that chance to do it again.

“I know what having expectations is like. I sat behind Patrick (Roy) and I sat behind Cujo (Curtis Joseph) waiting for the opportunity. For four or five years Luongo has been sitting beside me waiting for that opportunity and he got it. It’s a cycle you have in international hockey with your players. Especially in the goalie position. When you don’t win, they’re going to move you. It’s win at all costs.”

Will there be sadness for Brodeur?

“No. When I got pulled in the Olympics in 2010, for me that was almost the end of it. I was prepared for it,” he said. “I had a pretty good run. I was the No. 1 goalie from 2002 to 2010. That’s eight years of being the top goalie in your country. That’s pretty impressive. There aren’t many guys that can say that.”

It’s an accomplishment about which Schneider can only dream.



Jaromir Jagr scores tying goal late in third period and Devils beat Ducks in overtime

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Updated: Thursday, November 21, 2013, 1:58 AM

ANAHEIM, Calif. (AP) — Nobody had beaten the Anaheim Ducks at home all season long, and they had another late lead until Jaromir Jagr got the New Jersey Devils to overtime.


Jagr scored the tying goal with 1:01 left in regulation, and the Devils ended Anaheim’s eight-game home winning streak with a 4-3 victory on Wednesday night.


“We knew we had to play better to give ourselves a chance, so we had to come out strong in the third period,” Zajac said. “We started to win some forecheck battles and stuck with it right to the end. We got rewarded late in the game on Jagr’s goal. It was kind of a lucky one there.”

After Jagr converted Patrik Elias’ pass from behind the net, with Martin Brodeur pulled for an extra attacker, New Jersey got even more luck on the winner.


“That’s obviously an incredibly unfortunate ending,” Lovejoy said. “That’s a game we need. We’re an incredibly desperate team, even though we’re still all right in the standings.”


Moments after Brodeur made an exceptional save on Mathieu Perreault’s attempt at an overtime goal, the Devils were rewarded with a gift from Lovejoy and Perry.

“It was nice to pull it off because we worked very hard and we battled,” said Brodeur, who stopped 22 shots. “When you win, you always look at these kinds of saves. Sometimes the games are ugly, and if you make one save like that, it makes the difference.”


“I think the schedule worked to our advantage tonight,” said Jagr, who scored his 689th NHL goal. “They had to travel last night, and we had one extra day of rest here. Maybe in the third period it showed. But they’re one of the best teams in the league — maybe the best team — so that’s a huge two points for us.”

Ryan Getzlaf scored the tiebreaking power-play goal, and Nick Bonino had a goal and an assist for the NHL-leading Ducks, who have lost five straight. Anaheim was the league’s only remaining unbeaten home team, but the Ducks are in a skid after playing a league-high 24 games this season.


Boudreau bemoaned his club’s soft third-period effort, a creeping problem in recent days.

“That’s all I talked about (in) the previous two games,” Boudreau said. “We played not to lose in the third period. You can’t play the game in your own zone and expect to win. ... I don’t even call it a mistake (on the final goal). It was an accident. That’s the way the game was going. We missed two open nets. You knew something bad was going to happen.”


“We need to respond to this,” Lovejoy said. “We’re not playing great hockey right now. We want to be an elite team in this league, and we’re not playing like it.”


Devils defenseman Andy Greene was left with a bloody mouth after a high-stick to the face, and Selanne was whistled for a double minor — but a video replay clearly showed Zidlicky hit his teammate in the face while tussling with Perreault. Selanne’s stick was on the ice.


New York Daily News LOADED: 11.21.2013


Devils nip Ducks in OT

By Associated Press

November 21, 2013 | 2:19am

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Nobody had beaten the Anaheim Ducks at home all season long, and they had another late lead until Jaromir Jagr got the New Jersey Devils to overtime.


Jagr scored the tying goal with 1:01 left in regulation, and the Devils ended Anaheim’s eight-game home winning streak with a 4-3 victory on Wednesday night.


“We knew we had to play better to give ourselves a chance, so we had to come out strong in the third period,” Zajac said. “We started to win some forecheck battles and stuck with it right to the end. We got rewarded late in the game on Jagr’s goal. It was kind of a lucky one there.”

After Jagr converted Patrik Elias’ pass from behind the net, with Martin Brodeur pulled for an extra attacker, New Jersey got even more luck on the winner.


“That’s obviously an incredibly unfortunate ending,” Lovejoy said. “That’s a game we need. We’re an incredibly desperate team, even though we’re still all right in the standings.”


Moments after Brodeur made an exceptional save on Mathieu Perreault’s attempt at an overtime goal, the Devils were rewarded with a gift from Lovejoy and Perry.

“It was nice to pull it off because we worked very hard and we battled,” said Brodeur, who stopped 22 shots. “When you win, you always look at these kinds of saves. Sometimes the games are ugly, and if you make one save like that, it makes the difference.”


“I think the schedule worked to our advantage tonight,” said Jagr, who scored his 689th NHL goal. “They had to travel last night, and we had one extra day of rest here. Maybe in the third period it showed. But they’re one of the best teams in the league — maybe the best team — so that’s a huge two points for us.”

Ryan Getzlaf scored the tiebreaking power-play goal, and Nick Bonino had a goal and an assist for the NHL-leading Ducks, who have lost five straight. Anaheim was the league’s only remaining unbeaten home team, but the Ducks are in a skid after playing a league-high 24 games this season.


Boudreau bemoaned his club’s soft third-period effort, a creeping problem in recent days.

“That’s all I talked about (in) the previous two games,” Boudreau said. “We played not to lose in the third period. You can’t play the game in your own zone and expect to win. … I don’t even call it a mistake (on the final goal). It was an accident. That’s the way the game was going. We missed two open nets. You knew something bad was going to happen.”


“We need to respond to this,” Lovejoy said. “We’re not playing great hockey right now. We want to be an elite team in this league, and we’re not playing like it.”


Devils defenseman Andy Greene was left with a bloody mouth after a high-stick to the face, and Selanne was whistled for a double minor — but a video replay clearly showed Zidlicky hit his teammate in the face while tussling with Perreault. Selanne’s stick was on the ice.


New York Post LOADED: 11.21.2013

725311 New York Islanders

Islanders bemoan lack of defense

Originally published: November 20, 2013 9:05 PM

Updated: November 20, 2013 9:10 PM

By ARTHUR STAPLE

The Islanders had Wednesday off in Toronto. Perhaps it was time spent by some players to stop thinking about hockey for a few hours. Perhaps others replayed the latest ugly performance, a 5-2 loss to the Leafs on Tuesday that marked the ninth time in the last 15 games the Isles have allowed at least four goals.

The depleted defensive corps had an especially rough go on Tuesday, with too much space given to Leafs forwards as they carried the puck into the

Islanders zone and too little ability to get those same forwards out of Kevin Poulin's face.

"It's not like we make a ton of mistakes," Travis Hamonic said on Tuesday night, "but it seems like every one of 'em costs us."

Islanders general manager Garth Snow has had his usual trade discussions with his fellow GMs around the league, but there aren't many reasonable prices for usable defensemen. Having already surrendered next June's first-round pick (provided it is not a top-10 selection; in that case, the Islanders can defer it to 2015) in the deal that brought in Thomas Vanek, the Islanders don't have any big chips to offer for a defenseman who might be available.

So this group is it, for now, the same way Poulin and recent call-up Anders Nilsson are the goaltending tandem for now, with Evgeni Nabokov out until at least mid-December with a groin injury.

The Islanders held a brief players-only meeting after Tuesday's loss, the second such closed-door session in two weeks, having also held one after a similarly unpleasant loss in Columbus.

"We'll keep all that stuff in here," Hamonic said. "But there isn't much more left to be said."

What fueled last season's turnaround, which began around the same time in the schedule as where the Isles are now, was a group of young players finally connecting belief in and execution of their system with winning. A 9-11-2 team that had allowed four or more goals in half their games finished the shortened season on a 15-6-5 run, playing a tight-knit, aggressive style.

These Islanders are 8-11-3, with 60 games to go. They've given up too many goals and seemingly forgotten what got them noticed last season.

"We know what we have in here," Matt Martin said. "We know what we have and what we need to do. The inconsistency is just unbelievable."

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 11.21.2013

725312 New York Rangers

Michael Del Zotto back in NY Rangers lineup, but Alain Vigneault needs to see more

By Stephen Lorenzo / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

Updated: Thursday, November 21, 2013, 1:16 AM

Michael Del Zotto needs to prove his skills as an offensive defenseman to his new coach.

Alain Vigneault plans to return Michael Del Zotto to the Rangers lineup Thursday against Dallas, but that didn’t keep him from issuing a clear challenge to his veteran defenseman. “I’ve been told that Michael Del Zotto is a much better player than I’ve seen so far,” Vigneault said after Wednesday’s practice.

Pegged as an offensive-minded defenseman, Del Zotto has just four points (1 goal, 3 assists) and has been a healthy scratch in the last three games. Despite Del Zotto’s track record under John Tortorella, Vigneault says he needs to see more. “On our team, the way our defensive corps is playing, he’s fighting for one of the regular six spots,” Vigneault said. “A player like Michael has to play to his strengths. I’ve been told his strengths are his ability to beat the forecheck, join the rush, help out on the power play (and) get his shots through. I have not seen that on a consistent enough basis for him to be able to say that he’s going to be in the lineup every night.”

This is not the first time Vigneault has benched a player to prove a point. Mats Zuccarello was scratched Oct. 24 against the Flyers. The forward responded with a goal in his next game against the Red Wings and now has 10 points on the year.

“I’m hoping that the next time we talk about Michael,” Vigneault said, “I’ll tell you, ‘Yes, I’ve seen him skate, beat the forecheck, join the rush, get shots through, that’s why he’s playing regularly and that’s why his minutes are higher than they were.’”

NOTE: According to Vigneault, F Taylor Pyatt (concussion) will not travel with the team to Dallas, but there's a "good chance" he could join the Rangers at

some point on their five-game road trip if he "continues to progress." Pyatt skated by himself before Wednesday's practice.



Crushed Ice: Rick Nash on his return; notes on Kreider, Vigneault, Richards, Lundqvist, more from 2-1 Rangers loss to Bruins

BY Pat Leonard

Rick Nash got going after a few tentative shifts to open Tuesday night’s game, which was the best news to come out of a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Bruins.

“I felt OK,” Nash said after the game. “I felt a bit slow making plays; I had a couple of chances when I could’ve passed it but I just had my head down. But I think the timing, and the speed, that will come. The first period, the first couple of shifts, it was tough. But I found (my game) and found some chances on offense.”

BLUESHIRTS FALL TO BRUINS IN NASH'S RETURN FROM CONCUSSION

Alain Vigneault played Nash on the left wing of Brad Richards and Ryan Callahan, sliding Carl Hagelin down into a third-line role. Nash tied with Richards with a team-high five shots on goal and also tied with Richards with a team-high 11 shots attempted.

With a couple minutes remaining in the first period, he even broke in alone on Boston goalie Tuukka Rask along the left wing, but Rask steered his near-side wrister to the back boards, one of his 43 saves against a frustrated Blueshirts group.

“We didn’t outwork their goalie enough to score,” Nash said.

Vigneault, more specifically, pointed out that while the Rangers created traffic in front of Rask, they did not get enough second-chance opportunities. Rask didn’t allow rebounds, or shots were blocked or deflected wide and not back out in front.

“Right now, we’re doing all of the things that we’re supposed to do,” Vigneault said. “We are not giving the opposition a lot defensively. We are playing well defensively, and because our gap is good, we were able to have good transition and have a lot of scoring chances on the rush tonight.

“We spent a lot of time in their end with people in front of the net. They did a good job of not giving up second opportunities,” Vigneault continued. “Their goalie made some huge saves, but obviously we haven’t scored a five-on-five goal in three games, and we’re doing everything we are supposed to do to get them. As a player, you have to believe in yourself and keep working hard.”

BONDY: SAME STRUGGLES FOR LOW-SCORING RANGERS

Later, the coach added: “We’re doing a lot of the right things, but one thing we have to start doing is make the opposition start paying for their mistakes. Boston made a lot of mistakes tonight, turned the puck over. We’ve got to start capitalizing on that. I believe we have the skill set and the talent to do it. We’ve got to keep working on those aspects.”

Vigneault said of Nash’s game: “For only having a couple of practices and stepping in tonight, he had three or four grade-A scoring chances, and sooner or later those are going to start going in.”

Indeed, after Richards and Nash failed to click in a sluggish early preseason, Tuesday night was an encouraging sign that as a duo they can create chances off the rush, even if the line tends to get hemmed into the defensive zone if they start drifting.

Vigneault said before the game that he hoped to keep Nash around the 15-minute mark, but he played him almost eight minutes in the third period up to 17:55 total ice time for the game, a good sign Nash didn’t need a minutes restriction keeping him on the bench with the game on the line.

RAPID-FIRE NOTES

1. The following stats make the Rangers’ inability to score extra-frustrating: The Rangers have held opponents to two or fewer goals in 12 of their last 14

games, but they have a below-.500 record on the season … The Blueshirts outshot the Bruins on goal, 44-22, their third game this season of 40 or more shots … Here is the Rangers’ advantage in shot attempts for the game: 85-53 … The Rangers missed the net 18 times. 18! … New York killed off all three Boston power plays and has not allowed a power play goal in the last four games (nine attempts) … Derick Brassard’s second-period power play goal snapped a drought of five straight periods without a goal for the Rangers, going back to Ryan Callahan’s second-period power play tally on Saturday in Montreal. In total time, the Rangers went 127 minutes and six seconds without a goal, due mostly to Sunday’s 1-0 shutout loss to the Kings at the Garden.

2. John Moore’s primary assist on Derick Brassard’s power-play goal in the second period was Moore’s first power-play point of his NHL career.

NASH IS BACK, BUT RANGERS KNOW THEY HAVEN'T BEEN GOOD ENOUGH

3. Chris Kreider was one of the stars of Tuesday night’s game even though he also was the picture of New York’s inability to score. Part of the Rangers’ problem in the second period, when the Bruins scored both of their goals, was that three Boston power plays kept Kreider off the ice. After an active and effective first period, Kreider played fewer than four minutes in the second. Of course, he had ample opportunity to score the goal the Rangers needed and couldn’t do it, but he and Mats Zuccarello were playing off each other beautifully. (By the way, Vigneault’s decision to take Zuccarello off the top power play unit, I believe, cost the Rangers’ some puck possession on the man advantage – though I understand he’s trying to work Nash back onto the PP.)

4. It’s a shame Zuccarello made that ill-advised, cross-ice pass backwards in the offensive zone that led to Shawn Thornton’s goal on a two-on-one the other way. Otherwise, the little Norwegian had a great game.

5. Boston won despite playing basically the entire game with only five defenseman. Mainstay Dennis Seidenberg left the game after his first shift that lasted 1:01 and did not return. So Zdeno Chara logged a game-high 31:27 of ice time on the second night of a back-to-back, which is just unheard of. Boston’s Matt Bartkowski played through a tweak of his knee midway through the game. Dougie Hamilton continued to struggle against the Rangers, but New York couldn’t capitalize on his mistakes.

6. Derek Dorsett took a high stick to the face in Montreal on Saturday, absorbed a slap shot off his chest against the Kings on Sunday, then fought Gregory Campbell in Tuesday’s first period before also injuring himself on a scrum in front when Brian Boyle hit Chara, and both Chara and Bruins defenseman Johnny Boychuk toppled on top of Dorsett, who had slipped down under their weight at the front of the crease. Dorsett’s toughness is not in question. He has the type of physical grit that both Ranger fans and teammates love in Callahan. Still, Dorsett’s second minor penalty, the goaltender interference on Rask after he had just come out of the penalty box, was irresponsible.

7. During one second period penalty-kill, Vigneault put Derek Stepan on the ice to take the defensive zone faceoff, and when the Rangers cleared the puck, Dominic Moore came back on. It was a rare sight, as Stepan typically struggles in the circle and often is not the go-to guy for a defensive zone draw. Stepan was 9-of-21 for the game. Moore was 4-of-7. Brian Boyle took only one faceoff all night and lost it, playing the wing. Brad Richards led the team, winning 10 of 15 at the dot.

8. Defenseman Justin Falk tied for the game-high with four blocked shots and tied for the team-high with four hits in 10:18 of ice time in his third straight game in the lineup. He got caught jumping into the rush on Zuccarello’s turnover that led to Thornton’s goal, but I don’t know if Michael Del Zotto would have recovered on that play either, had he been in the lineup.

9. I wouldn’t be surprised if both Del Zotto and J.T. Miller made their way into Thursday’s lineup in Dallas, despite the amount of chances and shots generated against Boston. I’m not saying it’s going to happen. I’m just saying there’s no harm in giving two players with offensive capabilities another chance when a team is struggling to put the puck in the net.

10. McDonagh tried to make the right play on the power play, passing behind himself off the boards to Callahan, but it was much too strong and therefore the captain couldn’t’ handle it, leading to Daniel Paille’s breakaway goal that became the game-winner. Between that and a third-period sequence in which both McDonagh and Dan Girardi mishandled the puck badly in the defensive zone leading to a near-Brad Marchand insurance goal, there were some worrisome plays back there even though New York mostly kept Boston at arm’s length.

11. No outs for Lundqvist in this loss, even though the goals were a shorthanded breakaway and a two-on-one rush – not when Rask played the way he did on the other end. Not when he saw just 22 shots. The goaltender didn’t hide from the fact that he wasn’t good enough, but he also said he felt he was doing the right things. To me, though, he didn’t look comfortable even on the saves he made, for the most part. Here’s Lundqvist’s reaction to the game:

“It’s tough,” Lundqvist said. “We think as a team we played really well. We created chances and worked really hard. We put a lot of pressure on them to get going. Not to have the lead after the first period was a little tough. Then in the second, I never really touched the puck and then they got two chances there. It was hard to get some flow into this game. In the third I started to get some shots.

“When we’re not scoring, you have to come up with the big save there, but I didn’t,” he continued. “You try right now not to let frustration creep into your game. I look at my last few starts. I think I’m right there. I’m doing the right things. I’m just not getting the wins here (or) helping the guys … It’s just one or two goals a game, but it’s still not getting the job done. So I’ve got to try to be even better.”

Then here is Lundqvist on the team’s lack of scoring: “I think we have to accept that a lot of games are going to be low scoring. A lot of times, two or three goals are going to (win) it. It’s going to be the difference a lot of the nights, if you look at the results we’ve been getting lately. For me, I just have to try to cut down one goal, but I feel like I’m doing the right things here.”

12. Finally, Callahan on the team’s recent play: “You go through this every year. There are stretches where it seems like everything is going in. There are stretches where you can’t put it in. I think the biggest thing is to make sure you are playing well, make sure you are getting those opportunities. You want wins no matter what the case is. by no means are we happy with two losses here, but at the same time, we have to realize that we just have to keep going at it.”

TUESDAY NIGHT’S LINEUP

Vigneault’s lineup looked different Tuesday night against Boston with Nash back in. Here’s a recap of what he deployed: Forwards: Rick Nash-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan, Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Mats Zuccarello, Carl Hagelin-Derick Brassard-Benoit Pouliot, Brian Boyle-Dominic Moore-Derek Dorsett … Defensemen: Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi, Marc Staal-Anton Stralman, John Moore-Justin Falk … Goalie: Henrik Lundqvist … Healthy scratches: D Michael Del Zotto, F J.T. Miller.

DEL ZOTTO OUT VS. BRUINS, A HEALTHY SCRATCH FOR THIRD STRAIGHT GAME

UPCOMING SCHEDULE

The Rangers practiced in Greenburgh Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. before flying to Dallas to begin a five-game road trip. Stephen Lorenzo covered Tuesday’s practice while I fly to Dallas, so check his Twitter updates on @StephenCLorenzo and continue to check the Rangers/Hockey pages for his off-day story.

The Blueshirts play next on Thursday at 8:30 p.m. ET against the Stars, then visit Nashville on Saturday, Tampa Bay on Monday, the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, and the Boston Bruins on Nov. 29 – the day after Thanksgiving – before returning home to host former coach John Tortorella and the Vancouver Canucks for the first time since Tortorella’s firing in May.

The teams met for the first time in the preseason in Vancouver, but on Nov. 30, the result matters.



Del Zotto back in lineup, despite Vigneault’s concerns

By Larry Brooks

November 20, 2013 | 4:58pm

Michael Del Zotto isn’t doing the Rangers any good as a trade chip by watching games in civilian clothes as a healthy scratch the way he has the last three matches.

Of course, Del Zotto hasn’t done the Rangers all that much good on the ice the way he’s played for much of the first quarter of the season, either.

The Rangers aren’t necessarily dangling Del Zotto, but they’re sure taking calls on him. Any number of teams are seeking a puck-moving defenseman to jump-start the offense and join the attack. Of course, the Rangers are one of them.

At this point, the club hasn’t received an offer that has piqued their interest. The only way for the 23-year-old defenseman to increase his value is to improve his play. The thing is, if he does that, there’d be little reason for the Rangers to move him.

Del Zotto will move back into the lineup Thursday night in Dallas. But even as Alain Vigneault confirmed that Wednesday, the coach pointedly refused to name Del Zotto as one of the club’s top defensemen, saying he hadn’t yet earned that designation.

“A player like Michael has to play to his strengths,” Vigneault said. “I’ve been told his strengths are his ability to beat the forecheck, join the rush, help out on the power play and get shots through.

“I have not seen that on a consistent enough basis to say he is going to be in the lineup every day. Some other ‘D’ can have an off-night and you’re going to throw them back in, but Michael, in the 20-odd games I’ve been here, hasn’t shown that consistently enough. As far as what I’ve seen, he’s fighting for one of the top six spots. I’ve been told that Michael Del Zotto is a much better player than I’ve seen so far. We’ll see how he responds and go from there.”

Del Zotto, who has four points (1-3) in 16 games with a minus-four rating and a positive Corsi number, has appeared tentative and too often has been stationary. He has one assist on the power play while getting 2:41 of ice per on the point.

The defenseman, the 20th overall selection in the 2008 Entry Draft who burst onto the scene as the October 2009 Rookie of the Month as a 19-year-old, said he does not want to be traded but that he was “surprised” at sitting out three straight.

“I’m not happy about it,” Del Zotto told The Post. “I could understand maybe one game being a message and getting right back at it like [with Mats Zuccarello], but I wasn’t expecting three games.

“I come to the rink with a smile on my face, work had and try to get better every day. This is where I want to be. Most important, I want to play and contribute to this team.”

Vigneault — who said the three-game benching was not a message but rather a reflection of what he believed would be the club’s best lineup — also referenced the case of Zuccarello, who responded to his Oct. 24 scratch in Detroit with the best hockey of his NHL career and has thus earned a top-six forward’s spot.

“I probably would have had the same conversation about Zuccarello before I sat him out, the same exact thing,” the coach said. “I’d been told he had an offensive game, but I hadn’t seen it.

“All of a sudden he sits out a game, gets another opportunity and this time he jumps on it,” Vigneault said. “I’m hoping the next time we talk about Michael, I can say, ‘Yes, I’ve seen it, seen him beat the forecheck, join the rush, get his shots through, that’s why he’s playing regularly and why his minutes are up.’ ”

Of course, if Del Zotto does pick up his game, it’s also possible Vigneault next will be talking about the player the Rangers obtained in a trade.

Taylor Pyatt, who skated for the second straight day before practice, did not travel with the team to Dallas. But the winger, concussed in Columbus on Nov. 7, may join the club during the trip that continues in Nashville, Tampa Bay and Florida before concluding in Boston on Nov. 29.



Concussion alters Nash’s perspective

By Larry Brooks

November 21, 2013 | 2:30am

Rick Nash was neither surprised nor upset not to hear from Brad Stuart after the Sharks’ defenseman delivered the concussion-inducing headshot in San Jose on Oct. 8 that sidelined No. 61 for six weeks and 17 games.

Still, if the skate had been on the other foot — or, more to the point, if the shoulder had slammed into the other head — Nash on Wednesday told The Post he would have handled it differently.

“Maybe he didn’t think it was so bad, I don’t know; not getting a call or text isn’t anything I’ve thought about,” the Rangers’ winger, who returned to the lineup for Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat to the Bruins, said following practice. “I don’t think he was obligated.

“But for me, I would somehow have reached out to the guy under a similar circumstance. I don’t ever want to be in that spot or put anyone in that situation, but if so, I would do that.

“We’re all in this together.”

Nash said the comparatively lengthy recovery process attached to what was his second concussion in eight months has altered his perspective.

“I’ve come to realize that with all this stuff going on, I’m going to have more than half of my life to live after I retire,” said the 29-year-old. “There’s a lot to life after hockey.

“Headshots are a serious problem in the game. You see them all the time,” said Nash, whose team will play in Dallas on Thursday to open a five-game trip including stops in Nashville, Tampa Bay, Florida and Boston. “You watch the highlights and it seems like there’s a headshot every night.

“Something has to change.”

Stuart was suspended for three games for the blow in question. Nash does not question that. He doesn’t assign the burden of affecting change to VP Brendan Shanahan, the Department of Player Safety or the NHL. The burden, he believes, is on the players to change their behavior.

“As a union, all the players are in it together,” Nash said. “I understand how it happens, the game is so fast, things happen quickly, and I know that I’ve had some hits that have been close calls, but we all have to take responsibility for changing some of the things we do out there.

“I understand that we don’t want to have huge suspensions for plays that are spontaneous and I’m OK with that, but the players as a group and the union have to take more responsibility for stopping these kinds of hits,” he said. “It’s up to the guys to have more respect for each other and our careers.”

Nash, who played 17:55 in his return, said he is playing with a clear mind; unafraid and unencumbered by doubt regarding his well-being on the ice.

“I’m confident. I know we covered every angle,” he said. “The organization made sure that I was checked by specialists, got all the time I needed and all the answers I was looking for.

“A big part of my recovery and me feeling as secure as I do is because the organization was so supportive. I couldn’t ask for more.”



Alain Vigneault gives Michael Del Zotto another chance

Originally published: November 20, 2013 3:50 PM

Updated: November 20, 2013 9:09 PM

By JOHN JEANSONNE

GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Among the levers at Alain Vigneault's disposal, as the Rangers lurch into Dallas Thursday night with a 10-11 record, is the Michael Del Zotto refresh button.

Vigneault on Wednesday confirmed that Del Zotto will be back in uniform after having been assigned the worst seat in the house the last three games as a healthy scratch.

A former first-round pick, the 23-year-old Del Zotto said after Tuesday morning's pregame skate that he had not been given any reason for having to experience the old peacock-to-feather-duster truth of competitive sports. But Vigneault made it quite clear Wednesday that Del Zotto simply had not lived up to expectations.

"I'd been told," the first-year Rangers coach said, "that his strengths are his ability to beat the forecheck, join in the rush, help out on the power play and get his shots through. I've not seen that on a consistent enough basis for him to be able to say he's going to be in the lineup every night."

Del Zotto (one goal, three assists) was benched in favor of career fill-in Justin Falk, whom Vigneault described as an entirely "different type of defenseman. One [Del Zotto] is supposed to be an offensive type and the other's a tough, stay-at-home, technique guy."

Using Falk, then, was simply a function of fielding his best possible lineup, Vigneault said, so Del Zotto's benching was not punitive.

"I can only go by what I've seen and what my coaches are seeing," Vigneault said. "What I've seen [from Del Zotto], I probably would've had the exact same conversation about [forward Mats] Zuccarello before I sat him.

"I had been told that [Zuccarello] had been offensive and I hadn't seen it. All of a sudden, he sits out a game and when he gets another opportunity, he jumps on it."

Zuccarello was scoreless in his first seven games but has 10 points in 13 games since being scratched Oct. 24. During Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Boston, Zuccarello repeatedly created offensive chances and had five shots on goal.

"So I'm hoping," Vigneault said, "that the next time I'm talking about Michael, I'm saying, 'Yes, I've seen it. I've seen him beat the forecheck, join the rush, get his shots through, and that's why he's in the lineup; that's why his minutes are up.'

"So, we'll see how he responds and we'll go from there."



Rangers confident goals will eventually be achieved

Published: November 20, 2013 3:36 PM

By JOHN JEANSONNE

GREENBURGH, N.Y. - Given the Rangers' maddening inability to get more than one of 44 shots past Boston goalie Tuuka Rask in Tuesday night's 2-1 loss -- and the building exasperation of scoring only two goals in their past three games -- they set about liberating their offensive angst by peppering goalie Henrik Lundqvist in a final practice exercise Wednesday.

In a rebound drill, in which Lundqvist is hopefully outnumbered by one shooter, 15 feet away, firing through a corridor of 10 or so teammates waiting to hammer at a deflection, Lundqvist repeatedly was beaten, prompting the offensive players to raise sticks in loud celebration with satisfied whoops.

When the last puck was past Lundqvist, he skated toward the locker room, braking at the bench to hurl all of the extra sticks onto the ice in mock anger. Which led to more offensive rejoicing.

Lundqvist giggled at the suggestion that his mates were taking out their low-scoring frustrations on him. "They were just trying to tick me off," he said. "And they did. That's their goal."

For a team that is 10-11, with considerably balky production lately, the Rangers were noticeably loose as they prepared to embark on a five-game road trip, beginning Thursday in Dallas.

"We can't get down," said Brad Richards, one of six Rangers who put at least four shots on goal Tuesday night, with nothing to show for it.

"I was watching highlights this morning and pucks were going in all different ways," he said. "And you see our highlights, and nothing's going in, going through goalies and posts and everything else. You can't get down on that. We can't script out a better plan than what we did last night."

The consensus of the team, including coach Alain Vigneault, was to keep on keeping on.

"We have to make sure we keep working and keep working properly, keep doing the right things," Vigneault said. "The line between a win and a loss is so fine, and right now we're on the wrong side of that line. But we've been as solid defensively as I've seen any team, and offensively we're getting the Grade-A chances, and the right people are getting the chances. We just have to believe that sooner or later, they're going to go in."

Forward Rick Nash's response to that was "they have to. We need 'em. We just need to produce. It's got to be a mentality of outworking the goaltenders. You've got to love to score, you've got to want to score. You can't just be shooting to shoot. Just keep going. You've got to work; that's the toughest part."

From the other end of the ice, where his job is to guard against scoring, Lundqvist's analysis was "it's better not to think too much about scoring. Just go out there and play our game and things will happen, good things will happen."



Rangers Report

by Rick Carpiniello

21 November 2013, 4:56 am

Pre-game notes courtesy of the Rangers:

NEW YORK RANGERS at DALLAS STARS

Thursday, Nov. 21, 8:30 p.m. ET

American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX

Rangers: 10-11-0 (20 pts)

Stars: 11-7-2 (24 pts)

TONIGHT’S GAME

The Rangers will face-off against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Center (8:30 p.m. — TV: MSG Network; Radio: ESPN 98.7), to begin a five-game road trip. The Blueshirts currently rank third in the Metropolitan Division standings, and eighth in the Eastern Conference, with a record of 10-11-0 (20 pts). The Rangers enter the contest having been defeated by the Boston Bruins, 2-1, on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, in an Original Six matchup. The Stars enter the contest with a 11-7-2 (24 pts) record to rank 10th in the Western Conference, and have won six of their last seven games. Following the contest, the Rangers will return to action when they face-off against the Nashville Predators on Saturday, Nov. 23, at Bridgestone Arena (8:00 p.m.), as they continue their five-game road trip.

RANGERS vs. STARS:

All-Time: 69-38-22-1 overall (37-18-11-0 at home; 32-20-11-1 on the road)

2013-14: Tonight is the first of two meetings this season, and the first and only meeting at American Airlines Center

Last Season: Did not play. In 2011-12, New York was 0-1-0 overall (0-1-0 mark at home; 0-0-0 mark on the road), following a 1-0 loss on Dec. 13, 2011 at Madison Square Garden. The Rangers out-shot the Stars, 34-28, including a 13-8 advantage in the third period. The Blueshirts’ penalty kill was 2-2 (100.0%) in the contest. Henrik Lundqvist stopped 27 of 28 shots.

The Rangers have won two of their last three games against Dallas, having out-scored the Stars, 8-5, over the span

The Blueshirts have registered at least one point in three of their last four games at Dallas, posting a record of 2-1-1-0 over the span dating back to Nov. 29, 2002

New York is 6-6-0 on the road; Dallas is 3-2-2 at home

New York is 1-6-0 vs. Western Conference opponents; Dallas is 5-2-0 vs. Eastern Conference opponents

New York lists one former Star on its roster: Brad Richards (2007-08 – 2010-11)

Dallas lists no former Rangers on its roster

INDIVIDUAL CAREER LEADERS vs. STARS: Henrik Lundqvist – 6 GP, 3-3-0, 1.99 GAA; Rick Nash – 33 GP, 18-9-27; Derick Brassard – 18 GP, 3-4-7; Brad Richards – 8 GP, 4-1-5; Anton Stralman – 7 GP, 1-4-5.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Lead the league with three goals in 5-on-3 situations

The Rangers’ power play has registered a goal in four of the last six games (4-22, 18.2% over the span)

The Blueshirts’ penalty kill has held their opponents scoreless in each of the last four games (nine attempts), and five of the last six (13-14, 92.9% over the span)

Power Play: The Rangers were 1-3 (5:58) on Tuesday vs. Boston. New York ranks 19th in the NHL overall (13-72, 18.1%), and fourth on the road (9-37, 24.3%). The Rangers are 3-9 (3:22) in five-on-three situations (last – 11/17 vs. LAK), and 0-1 (0:30) when four-on-three (last – 10/12 at STL). Shorthanded goals allowed (3): 10/8 at SJS (Vlasic); 10/24 at PHI (Read); 11/19 vs. BOS (Paille).

Penalty Killing: The Blueshirts were 3-3 (6:00) on Tuesday vs. Boston. New York ranks seventh in the NHL overall (60-71, 84.5%), and 13th on the road (36-43, 83.7%). The Rangers are 2-3 (2:49) in three-on-five situations (last – 11/4 vs. ANA), and 1-2 (0:27) when three-on-four (last – 11/2 vs. CAR). Shorthanded goals for (1): 10/7 at LAK (McDonagh).

Four-on-Four: New York did not skate in a four-on-four situation on Tuesday vs. Boston, and are now -1 in 22 four-on-four situations (34:37) this season. Four-on-four goals for (2): 10/16 at WSH (J. Moore); 10/26 at DET (Brassard). Four-on-four goals allowed (3): 10/3 at PHX (Vrbata); 10/7 at LAK (Muzzin); 10/12 at STL (Backes).

SHUTTING THE DOOR: The Rangers have held opponents to two or fewer goals in 12 of the last 14 games, and 13 of the last 16. New York has allowed 23 goals over the last 14 games (1.65 goals against per game), and 27 goals in the last 16 games (1.69 goals against per game). The Blueshirts have allowed three goals in the last 161:32 of play, dating back to the 17:05 mark of the third period against New Jersey on Nov. 12.

SHOOTING GALLERY: The Blueshirts out-shot the Bruins, 44-22, on Tuesday at Madison Square Garden, including a 33-13 advantage after two periods. It was the third time this season New York has registered 40 or more shots in a game. The Rangers have out-shot their opponents in five straight games, posting 179 shots (35.8/gm) while allowing 129 shots against (25.8/gm) during the stretch.

STRONG BACKUP: Cam Talbot turned aside all 22 shots faced to post his first career shutout in the Rangers’ 1-0 win on Saturday at Montreal. Signed by the Rangers as an undrafted free agent on Mar. 30, 2010, Talbot is now 4-1-0 with a 1.58 GAA, .943 Sv%, and one shutout in five career NHL appearances. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, he is one of two goaltenders in franchise history, along with Lorne Chabot in 1926-27, to hold opponents to two or fewer goals in each of his first five NHL starts. Talbot is also the first Rangers’ rookie goaltender to post a win in four straight appearances since Henrik Lundqvist won in four straight games from Feb. 1, 2006 vs. PIT to Feb. 10, 2006 vs. TOR.

THE HOT LIST:

Henrik Lundqvist – 4-5-0 with a 1.68 GAA, .938 Sv%, and 1 SO in his last nine games since returning from injury on Oct. 27 vs. MTL, having held opponents to two or fewer goals in seven of those contests

Cam Talbot – 4-0-0 with a 1.46 GAA, .951 Sv%, and 1 SO in his last four games

Chris Kreider – 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in the last 11 games, and 11 points (two goals, nine assists) in 14 games following his recall on Oct. 20

Mats Zuccarello – 10 points (two goals, eight assists) in 13 games since his healthy scratch on Oct. 24 at PHI

Ryan Callahan – five points (three goals, two assists) in eight games since returning from injury

Brad Richards – six points (one goal, five assists) in the last seven games

Derek Stepan – nine points (four goals, five assists) in the last 11 games

Ryan McDonagh – eight points (three goals, five assists) in the last 11 games

Carl Hagelin – eight points (four goals, four assists) in 11 games since returning from injury

CLOSING TIME: The Blueshirts have registered a point in 99 consecutive regular season games when leading after the second period, dating back to the 2009-10 season, posting a record of 93-0-6 over the span. The Rangers’ last regulation loss in a game when entering the third with the lead was Feb. 4, 2010 (6-5 loss vs. WSH). New York is 7-0-0 when leading after the second period this season, and have held opponents to a league-best, 10 goals against in the final frame.

INJURIES:

Taylor Pyatt (concussion – 11/7, out indefinitely) – 5

Total Man-Games Lost: 50

Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 11.21.2013

725319 Ottawa Senators

Game File

Ottawa Citizen November 20, 2013

WHY THEY LOST

The usual: Weak goaltending and suspect defence. Twice they lost leads, with Anderson giving up two goals he’d probably like to have back.

CHEERS

Mika Zibanejad

The Senators youngster had a goal and an assist despite playing only 12:14. He was tied with several other Senators for the team lead in shots (4) as well.

JEERS

Craig Anderson

He let in a couple of second-period stinkers. He fanned on Jonas Brodin’s wrister from the point and let Heatley beat him with a wraparound at the post. The goaltending controversy is sure to heat up once again.

SHORT-HANDED RARITY

The short-handed goal by Kyle Turris in the first period was the first the Minnesota Wild allowed since Jan. 17, 2012, according to Mike Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. In last year’s lockout-shortened season, the Wild and the Islanders were the only two teams not to allow a short-handed goal.

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 11.21.2013


Better effort, same result for Senators

by Allen Panzeri

on November 20, 2013

Now they’ll have to do more than a little soul searching.

The Ottawa Senators lost their third straight game Wednesday night — and their fourth in five — falling 4-3 to the Minnesota Wild after Mikko Koivu broke a 3-3 tie with only minutes left in the contest.

Kyle Turris, with a short-handed goal, Mika Zibanejad and Milan Michalek, with a third-period power play goal, scored for the Senators. Zibanejad also had an assist.

Jason Pominville, Jonas Brodin, and Dany Heatley, who also had an assist, also scored for the Wild.

Craig Anderson faced 25 shots for Ottawa, while Josh Harding, yanked on Tuesday night in Montreal, faced 37.

The Senators got off to a fast start, outshooting the Wild 7-2 in the opening minutes, but hit a speed bump just five minutes in with a Jared Cowen giveaway to Jason Zucker at the side of the Ottawa net, followed by a penalty to Cowen for interfering with Pominville.

Against the fifth-best power play in the league, that could have been deadly — and it eventually was — but the Senators got a bit of luck first. A two-on-one break by Turris and Clarke MacArthur surprisingly turned it into a 1-0 Ottawa lead.

MacArthur made the pass of the year (so far) to Turris: He pulled the puck back between his legs, then slid it behind Minnesota defenceman to Ryan Suter to Turris in the slot, who beat Harding.

It was only the seventh time in 22 games that the Senators have scored first.

The lead wouldn’t last long, though.

Still on the power play, Pominville got his team-leading 13th a minute later, at 6:53, to tie the game.

The Senators regained the lead five minutes later when Zibanejad got two chances off a rebound from an Erik Condra shot and, from his knees, got the second one past Harding.

The Senators played to form in the second period and Anderson gave up two stinkers.

He fanned on Brodin’s wrister from the right point, then he and Erik Karlsson combined to let Heatley knock one in at the right post. Karlsson didn’t take Heatley and Anderson backed off the post, allowing the former Senators sniper to get two swipes and get the puck in with the second.

There was the usual bad luck, too: On a break as the clock ticked down, Zack Smith had Harding beat but hit the post.

Twitter.com/allenpanzeri2

WHY THEY LOST

The usual: Weak goaltending and suspect defence. Twice they lost leads, with Anderson giving up two goals he’d probably like to have back.

CHEERS

Mika Zibanejad

The Senators youngster had a goal and an assist despite playing only 12:14. He was tied with several other Senators for the team lead in shots (4) as well.

JEERS

Craig Anderson

He let in a couple of second-period stinkers. He fanned on Jonas Brodin’s wrister from the point and let Heatley beat him with a wraparound at the post. The goaltending controversy is sure to heat up once again.

SHORT-HANDED RARITY

The short-handed goal by Kyle Turris in the first period was the first the Minnesota Wild allowed since Jan. 17, 2012, according to Mike Russo of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. In last year’s lockout-shortened season, the Wild and the Islanders were the only two teams not to allow a short-handed goal.



Senators insist leadership not an issue

by Ken Warren


Senators insist leadership not an issue

Jason Spezza of the Ottawa Senators shows his dejection after not scoring on Kari Lehtonen in the shootout and losing to the Dallas Stars at Canadian Tire Centre in Ottawa, November 03, 2013. (Jean Levac/Ottawa Citizen)

“He will be tough to replace. I’ve always said that Alfie is not the most vocal guy in the locker room, but he always led by example, always scoring that big goal or having that big shift or slowing the game down for a shift. You expect your captain back and it changes the whole make up of the locker room.”

— Chris Neil, July 5, 2013

It was inevitable, with the Ottawa Senators treading water, striving to find consistency, that the absence of Daniel Alfredsson would become a hot topic.

After a weak response to an unlucky break in Philadelphia late Tuesday, leading to a 5-2 defeat, Senators players were greeted with fresh questions about a potential leadership vacuum when they arrived at the Canadian Tire Centre Wednesday morning to prepare for their game against the Minnesota Wild.

Yet while fingers are being pointed at new captain Jason Spezza for not doing enough to try and correct the many, sundry mistakes that are being made all around him, defenceman Marc Methot is steadfast in his support for No. 19.

“Spezza does speak up, it’s not like he’s quiet in there,” said Methot. “He’s talking to us and when we need a bit of an earful, he has been giving it to us. I don’t think leadership is an issue at all. I think it’s just that every night, there’s maybe one, two or three guys that aren’t buying in or are not prepared.

“The problem is, with a team like us, you need everybody going. And when that’s not happening, you’re not going to win a lot of hockey games.”

Spezza is part of the internal leadership group that is confused and disturbed about the steady stream of slow starts — the Senators had allowed the first goal in 15 of 21 games and had been behind 2-0 in 11 games before taking on the Wild — anxious to find any type of pre-game routine or approach which will settle the team down.

“We feel like there are answers in our dressing room,” said Spezza, acknowledging that the confidence levels have risen and fallen in keeping with the fortunes of the inconsistent team. “We all have to be better. It starts with me and veteran guys.”

Perhaps where Alfredsson (and to a lesser extent, Sergei Gonchar) is being missed most is on the ice during the key moments within games. Both Alfredsson and Gonchar have that veteran presence, an ability to buy time, holding on to the puck a split second longer during the rough patches when a team needs to calm the waters.

Through the first quarter of the current season, the Senators have been caught chasing the puck far too often in their own zone — especially early in games — unable to find a way to slow down opponents’ momentum.

The relative inexperience has often translated into panic.

Everybody is responsible, but the early goals have put a spotlight on the club’s young defence. It’s becoming increasingly obvious that general manager Bryan Murray is anxious to find a veteran who can help clean things up inside the blue line.

Even if a newcomer arrives, the existing group needs to improve. ASAP.

“It’s time for us to grow up a little bit here and mature defensively and really start playing a lot more sound in our own end,” said Methot.

All that said, Methot has support in his opinion that internal leadership isn’t the issue.

“It’s very strong,” Kyle Turris said, when asked about the core. “(Spezza, Chris Phillips, Chris Neil), all the older guys are great leaders. They’re all pointing us in the right direction. It’s everybody. Even the guys who don’t wear letters, (Methot), all the guys are chipping in, trying to help.”

Just in case fans need a reminder of who the old captain was, the Senators play Detroit twice in the next 11 days.



Senators update: Anderson starting against Wild

by Ken Warren


Craig Anderson will be back in goal and Patrick Wiercioch will replace Eric Gryba on the blueline as the Ottawa Senators aim to end an ugly slide Wednesday against the Minnesota Wild.

The Senators have lost three of their past four games, including a 5-2 defeat in Philadelphia Tuesday where they yielded three late goals following a controversial non-goal call against them.

Neither the Senators nor the Wild, who lost 6-2 to Montreal Tuesday, skated on Wednesday morning.

However, there was no shortage of soul-searching Wednesday morning for the Senators, as everything from leadership to work ethic to consistency to pre-game preparation to the overall talent level of the club has come into question.

“Communication is an issue, in execution,” said MacLean. “We put ourselves on the wrong side of the puck by turning over the puck or not making the play that’s there for the puck and that now makes the defensive side of it harder because you have to work harder get back on the right side of the puck.

“And that takes time and that takes effort and so communication and talking is an important skill to have. But the most important one that I feel we don’t have going on is listening. If someone is talking and nobody is listening…there’s nothing going on.” Anderson was in net for Sunday’s 4-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets, but backed up Robin Lehner against Philadelphia. Wiercioch has been a healthy scratch for the past three games.

“He has been out and he has been working at his game and Patrick is a player we have a lot of confidence in and belief in,” said MacLean. “He’s a puck mover, that is his skill to get the puck moving, get it up the ice and to really help us out on the powerplay. But he’s also got a big long road reach and he’s a big long guy.”

While Wiercioch is clearly not as physical as Gryba, Jared Cowen, Marc Methot or Mark Borowiecki, the Senators need him to be responsible defensively. Defensive zone breakdowns, as well as in inability to move the puck on breakouts, have been central to the Senators struggles.

“I think yes, you can, (make a player more physical),” said MacLean. “Not to the extent that maybe you want them to be, but they can be more physical for sure.”



Gameday preview: Wild at Senators

by Graeme Nichols


Whenever the Minnesota Wild come back to Ottawa things always seem to get heated. Just ask their equipment guys who had to once deal with their team’s van catching fire on the trek from practice at the Kanata Rec Centre to what was then Scotiabank Place.

In what TSN 1200’s Ian Mendes is billing as ‘Villain Night’ at the Canadian Tire Centre, Dany Heatley and Matt Cooke are back in the nation’s capital.

Considering the backstory and recent news of his settlement over a grievance filed by Senators owner Eugene Melnyk back in 2009, you would assume that fans would be itching for another chance to boo their former hero.

It certainly feels like the resentment towards Heatley has calmed. It probably speaks volumes about how far Dany Heatley has fallen. No longer playing a prominent role, Heatley currently averages the 8th-highest amount of

ice-time per game with the Wild and his 3 goals and 5 points in 22 games make him the team’s 12th highest scorer.

Maybe in a roundabout way, fans are realizing that he did the organization a favor by asking to be moved.

Conversely, it still feels like there’s considerable amount of lingering bitterness towards Matt Cooke- the man responsible for putting Erik Karlsson on the sidelines with a partially severed Achilles tendon last season.

Although the Heatley and Cooke incidents will probably dominate the headlines and conversations on sports radio, they should not overshadow Josh Harding’s numbers and what is easily the best and most inspirational story in the NHL.

The Senators on the other hand are coming off another disappointing loss to Philadelphia and the refrain from the coaching staff is the same.

This team simply spends too much time in its own end.

If the Senators’ struggles continue, expect some sort of trade to shake things up.

Interesting Stat #1:

Puck possession has been an issue for the Ottawa Senators all season long, and the uncharacteristic inability of Spezza’s line to drive play has been baffling at times.

Blame injuries, the juggling of linemates, or whatever else suits your fancy, but at five-on-five last night, Jason Spezza struggled.

He was on the ice for 1 Corsi Event For and 13 Corsi Events Against and his linemate Milan Michalek was on the ice for 1 Corsi Event For and 12 Corsi Events Against (Note: Corsi Events are used as a metric for measuring puck possession. More specifically, shots on goal, missed shots and blocked shots all count as a Corsi Event.)


Ryan Suter has the highest number of assists (14) in the NHL for a player who has not scored a goal.


Tonight’s game features a marquee match-up of the league’s top defencemen — Ryan Suter and Erik Karlsson — who average the most ice-time per game in the NHL. Suter’s 29:29 per game is exactly two minutes more than Karlsson’s 27:29 per game.

Should this two-minute margin hold up over the course of the season, it would be the biggest margin of difference between the highest and second highest amount of average ice-time per game since the NHL tracked and publicized the statistic on their website.


According to Statspass.com, the Minnesota Wild are tied with the Boston Bruins for having played in the most games games in which they’ve allowed one goal or fewer.

Here’s the leaderboard below:

Minnesota: 10

Bruins: 10

Canadiens: 9

Avalanche: 9

Kings: 8

Penguins: 8



Ottawa Sens goalies could give nod to Gump

By Don Brennan,Ottawa Sun

First posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 10:19 PM EST | Updated: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 10:38 PM EST

While a New York Ranger so many moons ago, legendary goalie Gump Worsley was once asked which team gave him the most trouble.

"My own," he said.

Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner certainly know the feeling.

Heading into Wednesday's game against Minnesota, the Senators 'tenders had seen more rubber than any other tandem -- an average of 36.2 shots per game. Remarkably, they've been able to refrain from throwing any of their teammates under a bus, either on the ice (after a goal with an obvious glare) or off.

Lehner, in fact, took full fault for Tuesday's 4-2 loss in Philadelphia. All he did was make 38 saves. That should be enough. But to him, it wasn't about the stops but the misses.

"As a goalie you always think, I should have had it," Patrick Lalime, who has the most goalie wins in Senators history and is now an RDS broadcaster, said Wednesday morning. "You don't blame anybody else.

"It's professional. I think in a way he knows at some points he could have been better. I don't know how many times we could have said he hasn't been good or great, since he's been playing in the NHL. Every game I've seen he's been unbelievable. When it's tough times, you just want to make a difference."

Lalime practices what he preaches. Ten years later, he still won't point a finger of blame at Wade Redden or Martin Havlat for the goal by New Jersey's Jeff Friesen that eliminated the Senators from the Eastern Conference final.

"I'm sure if you ask everybody on the ice, they'd say maybe I could have done a little more here, a little more there," said Lalime. "That's how I looked at it too. At the end of the day, you know you could make the save, change the whole thing. When you play hockey that's how you've got to look at it. It's a team game."

Lalime says Lehner has the demeanor of a winner.

"I think he's got all the tools, and even the attitude," said Lalime. "He's got the attitude to go a long way. He's a battler."

The Senators can win with the goaltending they have, but Anderson and Lehner need a little more support.

"I'd like to think we're all committed to playing hard in our own end and wanting to get the puck out," defenceman Marc Methot said before the Senators limited Minnesota to six shots on goal in the first period. "I feel we haven't really been helping out our goaltending much. I'm sure that will catch up to us if we keep going at this rate.

"I think just committing to doing the right things to stop pucks from entering our D zone will help out that much more. You can play 45 seconds in your own end and you're too tired to establish a fore check That's killing us right now too.

"You can't count on your goalie being your savor every single game," added Methot. "I think putting that weight on their shoulders and having them have to stop 40-45 shots a game, that's unacceptable. That's not going to happen every season. We were pretty fortunate last year to have that, but it's time now for us to kind of grow up a little bit here and mature defensively, and really start playing a lot more sound in our own end."

Okay, so I wrote all that before Anderson gave up three goals on the first 11 shots he faced from the Wild. So maybe, like Lehner, his suit of armour is starting to crack under all that pressure.

At the same time, even the Gumper had his off days.

STARTS AND STOPS

Can't remember hearing an Ottawa crowd let go a loud "oooohhhh" when watching a replay on the videoboard, but that's exactly how it responded to the sick pass Clarke MacArthur made to Kyle Turris for Ottawa's first shorthanded goal this season. It was also the first shortie of Turris' career "¦ Cory Conacher was given a roar of approval for running Matt Cooke into the glass during the first period. Still not sure who the locals despise more - Cooke or Dany Heatley. Anyway, the place fell deathly silent when Heatley scored after outbattling Erik Karlsson around the net in the second. It was his

second point in a span of 3:15 for Heatley, who had just five in the first 22 games "¦ Wonder if Clayton Stoner remembered the gargantuan hit he took from Chris Neil behind the net here a couple of seasons ago when he fought Neil in the second period. Guys wearing visors shouldn't fight.

OFF THE CUFF

The Senators have a "Gris" among them and they don't even know it. That's what former teammates nicknamed MacArthur - after National Lampoon's Clark W. Griswold - and it's better than "Mac", which the Senators already have behind the bench, anyway. "This is the first team where nobody has called me that," said MacArthur. "It was started in the minors, by Norm Milley, I think." Told that Cheapseats would expose him to Ottawa as Gris, MacArthur didn't complain. "Good," he said. "I love that name." "¦ Loved the on-air call Tuesday by TSN 1200's Gord Wilson, who blurted that he lost his underwear "just watching" the Bobby Ryan move that set up Turris' shouldabeen. And speaking of the devil, whatever did become of the "Goodies"?

BETWEEN PERIODS

Erik Condra is going to start thinking he's invisible. Tuesday in Philly he took Matt Read's stick in the face in front of a referee, and Wednesday he was tackled in front of a ref. Neither time was a penalty called "¦ Paul MacLean, who picked up his first coaching win against the Wild in 2011, remembers scoring his first and last NHL goals against Grant Fuhr. In between he thinks he had two others - in 10 years. He hopes to have a little more success against Minnesota.

BITS, BYTES AND BUTT ENDS

Methot defended captain Jason Spezza when he was asked Wednesday morning if somebody needs to "tear the paint off the wall" in the Senators dressing room. "Yes and no," said Methot. "Spezz does speak up. It's not like he's quiet in there. He's talking to us, and when we need a bit of an earful he's been giving it to us. I don't think leadership is an issue at all. It's just that every night, there's always maybe one, two or three guys not buying in, or not prepared, I don't know. The problem is, with a team like us, you need everybody going. When that's not happening you're not going to win a whole lot of hockey games." Me, I think somebody needs to have a few words with the one, two or three guys not buying in, not prepared.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 11.21.2013


Dany Heatley not the same since leaving Ottawa Senators



The steady decline of Dany Heatley has reached new lows.

Seven seasons after his second 50-goal campaign with the Senators, the 32-year old winger is a fourth-liner with the Wild.

"Playing him on the fourth line is not ideal," Minnesota coach Mike Yeo said before Wednesday's game. "It's not ideal for him, it's not ideal for us. But we're a deeper team. We've got more skill up front."

And they've got Heatley -- with three goals and two assists in the first 22 games -- taking up $7.5 million of cap space in the final season of his contract.

Heatley's goal scoring numbers have fallen consistently since he became the first (and only) Senator to hit 50, which he did in both 2005-06 and 2006-07. The following two seasons, he scored 41 and 39, respectively. Then, after demanding to be traded by the Senators, he had 39 and 26 in a couple of campaigns with the San Jose Sharks.

After another trade to Minnesota, he had 24 goals in 2011-12 and 11 in last year's lockout shortened season.

Those who watch the team closest say he's done, that his hands have stopped performing magic. It's believed Heatley would have been bought out of his contract by the Wild last season, but he was spared when he suffered a torn labrum. He found security on injured reserve.

"He found himself struggling a little bit at the start of the year, but I give him a lot of credit," said Yeo. "He's battled through it and he's putting himself in a position where his game is coming along. As we all know it's a long year. When there's going to be an opening, he's going to get a chance."

Right now, Heatley's best "opportunity" is on Minnesota's second power play unit.

"There are some parts of his game, when he starts to press, when he starts to focus on scoring goals, he tends to get a little further away from the net, he tends to look for a little bit more of the big shot opportunity, as opposed to getting around the net and scoring, where traditionally he's scored a lot of goals from," Yeo said in justifying his decision. "I'll also say that not unlike most players, confidence is a huge factor for him right now. I think there were some pucks that could have easily went in the net at the start of the year that would have painted a very different picture to where we're at right now."



Lack of communication concerns Ottawa Senators coach Paul MacLean



What we have here, folks, is a failure to communicate.

That was the Senators problem -- mostly between Milan Michalek and Erik Karlsson -- when Kimmo Timonen was allowed to walk right in and score the game winning goal Tuesday in Philly. And it's been an issue for the Senators most of the season.

"We put ourselves on the wrong side of the puck by turning over the puck, or not making the play that's there for the puck, and that makes the defensive part of it harder, because you have to work to get back on the right side of the puck and that takes time and effort," coach Paul MacLean said before Wednesday's game against Minnesota. "So communication, talking, is a really important skill to have, but the most important one that I feel we don't have going on is listening.

"If someone's talking and no one's listening there ain't nothing going on "the tree in the forest hyperbole or whatever."

Have they stopped listening in meetings?

"Just on the ice, communication on the ice," said MacLean. "I think they're hearing me."

Winger Clarke MacArthur said the coaches aren't to blame for the defensive struggles.

"It's definitely a player thing," he said. "Everyone knows their assignment out there. It's definitely about the guys recognizing different plays when they happen out there."

Meanwhile, MacLean has to focus on keeping his cool when his plans aren't being followed. It can't be easy.

"The hardest thing to do is watch it,," he said. "I have to be guarded in my own temperment and how I can be. Believe it or not, I can be a little prickly at times, and I have to really guard against that type of an emotion. Frustration to me is a useless emotion. It's an energy sapping emotion and I fight myself often to not be frustrated, and to be the coach. My job is to be the coach, and I take a lot of pride in being the coach, that's what I try to do is to coach. Frustration is not part of that."



Ottawa Senators GM Bryan Murray looking to deal

By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun


As the Senators search for answers to find their inconsistency, Bryan Murray is searching the trade market.

Two league sources told the Sun the Senators GM has been working the phones to try to make a deal to shake up his struggling club. The priority is to try to find a top four defenceman who will be able to step in immediately.

Preparing to face the Minnesota Wild Wednesday at home, the Senators are coming off two straight losses to Columbus and Philadelphia. The club has struggled mightily in its own zone and needs to clean up its act defensively.

"I get the sense Murray would like to do something," said a league executive before the visit by the Wild. "It might even just be a change for the sake of change."

Yes, the club also needs to find the right fit with a top six forward, but the hope is Milan Michalek will eventually break out of his slump and return to the form that allowed him to have good chemistry with captain Jason Spezza.

The market for defencemen is thin and lots of teams looking for them. As reported by the Sun two weeks ago, the Rangers are willing to move Michael Del Zotta while Pittsburgh's Matt Niskanen and Dallas' Vernon Fiddler are also options.

The Senators have $8.409 million in cap space but if Murray makes a deal he will have to move out another contract. It it's believed at some point the Senators will also call up forward Mike Hoffman from Binghamton and give him a chance.


725328 Philadelphia Flyers

An NHL first at Flyers vs. Sabres

MARCUS HAYES,

Posted: Thursday, November 21, 2013, 3:01 AM

THEIR ANCESTORS helped develop the game centuries ago. There have been Indians in the NHL for 60 years.

But not until today will two Natives meet as head coaches in the NHL.

They are First Nations men, to be precise; that is the correct nomenclature in Canada. Sabres coach Ted Nolan is an Ojibwe from Ontario. Flyers coach Craig Berube is part Cree, and from Alberta.

"It's huge," Nolan said upon his arrival in Philadelphia yesterday. "The significance of it is not really what it means to me, or Craig Berube, but what it means when you think of what our ancestors went through."

"I guess you'd think about it. You'd think there'd be some other Native coach that would've come out by now and been a coach," Berube said. "It's pretty cool."

Bryan Trottier is the only other First Nations head coach in NHL history.

The confluence of Nolan and Berube was first noticed by William Douglas, who runs the Washington-based blog, colorofhockey.com. Even those commissioned with advocating for aboriginals were unaware of the significance of the puck-drop tonight at the Wells Fargo Center.

"These coaches are real trailblazers in sport, especially in the NHL," said Peter Dinsdale, chief executive officer of the Assembly of First Nations (AFN). "It's remarkable, given all the barriers that exist for First Nations peoples."

Dinsdale spoke yesterday morning from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, at the AFN's National Youth Summit, where the focus is on healthy communities for First Nations kids at a greater risk from drugs, alcohol, poverty, poor diet and suicide.

Children growing up on reserves - what Americans call reservations - seldom get the chances afforded Canada's general population.

"I think there would be so many more coaches like Ted and Craig, if more people had access to equipment and resources," Dinsdale said.

Berube, 47, did not grow up on a reserve, but he said he often played for hockey and fast-pitch softball teams on the reserves around Calahoo. He isn't sure how much Cree he has in him - it comes mainly from his grandmother, but he probably isn't even 50 percent Cree - and he isn't particularly sensitive about it.

He has his nickname, "Chief," written on his shower shoes, his alias since he was a 16-year-old in junior hockey. He has never considered it derogatory. He has never experienced racism.

He is indifferent about the Washington football team's nickname: "It doesn't bother me at all."

Nolan has said he considers the term "Redskins" highly offensive. He believes a good old boy network limited chances for First Nations candidates to get jobs, to retain them, to be promoted.

"You had to be tougher than the average bear," Nolan said. "There weren't too many places you went that you didn't take some abuse. And you felt you had to be better than others just to get a chance."

Berube's theory is less pointed.

"There's a lot of Natives that played hockey. Good players over the years," Berube said. "I guess they just weren't interested in coaching. In the NHL, there might be disinterest because you've got to earn it down in the minors, in junior, put your time in, work your way up."

The best First Nations players were Trottier, who scored 500 of his 524 goals with the Islanders, and goalie Grant Fuhr, who anchored the Oilers' dynasty to four Stanley Cups before moving on to five other teams.

The first Native player was Fred Sasakamoose, who played 11 games in the 1953-54 season for the Black Hawks.

The best Flyer aboriginal was Reggie Leach, a key component during the glory years now almost 40 years removed.

George Armstrong coached the Maple Leafs for 47 games in 1988-89.

Nolan, 55, was the second Native coach, hired in 1995 to coach Buffalo, where he won the Jack Adams Trophy as the NHL's top coach in his second season. He was part of a toxic situation in Buffalo, however, which helped the Sabres decide to not to extend his contract. He got sniffs soon thereafter, but did not coach in the NHL again until 2006, lasting two seasons with the Islanders.

Nolan said in his time away from the NHL he suffered from stigmas: "There were innuendos. Spiteful hearsay. It was especially tough, raising two boys. Very emotionally taxing."

Nolan's elder son, Brandon, 30, made it to the NHL for the 2007-08 season. Jordan, 24, won a Stanley Cup as a rookie with the Kings in 2012.

In between Nolan's jobs with the Sabres and Islanders, Trottier coached the Rangers for 54 games of the 2002-03 season. Perhaps Islanders assistant John Chabot, 49, will make it to the top.

"This is the second wave of First Nations players," Dinsdale said.

Perhaps someone like 36-year-old Rocky Thompson will fight his way out of the AHL, where he is an assistant in Oklahoma City. Maybe goaltender Carey Price or right wing Aaron Asham will get the urge to coach. At least the list of candidates is growing.

"They," Dinsdale said, "are real role models for First Nations peoples."

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 11.21.2013


Couturier takes good-natured ribbing

MARCUS HAYES,


After Sean Couturier missed a gaping net in the first period Tuesday night, linemate Matt Read couldn't help teasing him when they went to the bench. By the time the Flyers returned to the ice for the second period, Read turned his needling to encouragement.

" 'Coots', you're due," Read told him. "You're going to get one tonight."

Read couldn't have predicted the one Couturier got: a 90-degree flip from the goal line off Ottawa goalie Rob Lehner. It ended a career-long, 25-game goal-less streak for Couturier.

"It felt like a 20-pound weight was lifted off me," Couturier said.

It's not as if the Flyers count on Couturier to carry a huge scoring load. A first-round pick in 2011, he currently centers a checking line with Steve Downie and Read, which has done stalwart work against other teams' best lines all season.

"He does a great job checking against their top line," coach Craig Berube said. "But it's huge for him to get that goal."

The Flyers are 4-1-2 in their last seven games. Couturier is a plus-2 in that stretch, his mark for the entire season.

"He's one of the real reasons we've had success lately," Read said.

Even more so Tuesday.

Fight, club

Neither Berube nor Read would fully credit the melee at the end of the 7-0 loss to the visiting Capitals 3 weeks ago with making the Flyers instantly formidable, but better results coincide. The Flyers were 3-9-0 after the blowout and are 5-1-2 since. Of course, they also had a spirited, players-only team meeting after the game.

Still, the fight (which included a controversial clobbering of Caps goaltender Braden Holtby by Ray Emery) combined with the meeting might have served to purge a dressing room grown toxic with losing.

" 'Something has to spark this team,' " Read recalls thinking before the brawl. "It shows we're not backing down from anybody."

Berube gave more credit to the team's emphasis on stronger skating and natural growth as it implements his more aggressive system, installed after he took over for Peter Laviolette following the Flyers' 0-3 start. Read believes the fight and the meeting heightened the club's desperation:

"Sometimes you gotta hit rock bottom before you start striving forward."

Slap shots

Former Flyers coach Peter Laviolette will provide pregame and postgame analysis on the NHL Network for the Stadium Series at Yankee Stadium when the Rangers play the Devils on Jan. 26 at 12:30 p.m., then play the Islanders on Jan. 29 at 7:30 p.m.



Couturier is relieved to finally score a goal

Marc Narducci, Inquirer Staff Writer


Third-year center Sean Couturier is known as a solid two-way player, but for the longest time, he was having trouble finding one of those ways.

During a 5-2 Flyers win over the visiting Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, Couturier scored his first goal of the season, ending a 25-game scoreless streak. His last goal had come April 15 against Montreal.

Couturier is among the top defensive players on the Flyers. In the plus/minus category, he leads the forwards at plus-2. Only defenseman Kimmo Timonen (plus-3) has a better rating.

Couturier adeptly kills penalties and frequently is on the checking line against top offensive players.

Although he understands his value to the team, he admitted to being relieved that he finally ended the drought.

"Maybe sometimes you think too much, you tie up your stick and hold it tighter," Couturier said after Wednesday's practice at the Skate Zone. "When you get one of those bounces, the pressure comes off and it feels better."

Couturier, the eighth overall selection in the 2011 NHL draft, needed a morale booster.

"It's definitely good for the confidence," said Couturier, who will turn 21 on Dec. 7.

He pointed out something that his teammates and the coaching staff have been saying all along.

"I haven't been playing bad," Couturier said. "It's a question of putting pucks in the net, and hopefully I will build on that."

Goalie Steve Mason said he admires the role Couturier plays on the team, one that Mason says is less than glamorous.

"It's a very important role on our team, and he shuts down the other team's top players and does a great job at that," Mason said. "He is able to get in their heads and frustrate them, and it's something you can't put enough stock into."

Couturier missed a wide-open net in the first period before finally scoring in the second.

"A lot of guys have had a rough start to the year, and Coots is one of them who was looking for his first goal," Mason said. "And to finally get that first one out of the way, I think he will start feeling better about himself, and it's great to see."

Notes

The Flyers (8-10-2) are 4-0-1 in their last five games and entered Tuesday just two points out of a playoff spot. . . . The Flyers will host the Buffalo Sabres on Thursday; the New York Islanders will visit on Saturday. . . . Adam Hall's empty-net goal against Ottawa snapped a 64-game scoreless streak. He also won 11 of 13 faceoffs. . . . Since a 7-0 home loss to Washington on Nov. 1, the Flyers are 5-1-2.



Text from Mike Richards helped Claude Giroux turn things around

Brian McCardle, Sports Producer

Posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2013, 11:01 AM

Los Angeles Kings center Mike Richards is still finding ways to help his former team. A text message from the former Flyers captain helped turn things around for a struggling Claude Giroux.

"It wasn't going right, and I got a nice text from Mike Richards," Giroux told NHL.com before Tuesday’s win over the Senators. "I think he gave me a boost to relax and play the game."

The 25-year-old could not remember exactly what Richards said, but he did reveal the message came well before he notched his first goal on November 9.

Since Giroux netted his first goal of the season, which ended a 21-game drought that went back to last year, the Flyers are 4-0-1. In those five games, the young captain has two goals and three assists.

"It's easy for people to be like, 'Just go and score a goal,'" Giroux said. "To hear it [from Richards], it kind of made me just relax and think about how I'm lucky enough to play this game for a living. “

Going 15 straight games without a goal to start a season would put pressure on anyone, especially a young captain for a franchise that has gone nearly 40 years without winning a Stanley Cup. Giroux knew his poor play was affecting the team.

"I take things really personal when I don't play well, and I'll be the first one to be hard on myself," he said. "I was disappointed in my game, knowing I could play better."

Giroux and the Flyers are playing better now, but they still have a long way to go. They are currently ranked seventh in their division, one point from last place. However, it seems they are starting to turn things around, with their young captain leading the way.

For Giroux, the credit for his adjustments goes to one of his predecessors.

"I talk to him once in a while," Giroux said of Richards. "It was nice for him to reach out and talk to me a little bit."



Goal puts Couturier in better state of mind

Posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 1:54 pm

Wayne Fish Staff writer

VOORHEES – They pay Sean Couturier to keep pucks out of the net, not put them in.

Still, the Flyers breathed a collective sigh of relief when the third-year player finally notched his first goal in Game No. 20 during Tuesday night’s 5-2 win over Ottawa.

From a defensive standpoint, Couturier is as solid as they come. That’s why his goal drought, which stood at 25 games extending back to last season, wasn’t considered a big deal.

However, in Couturier’s head, it was starting to cause a little bit of an ache.

Repeating a line he used on Tuesday night, Couturier said, “It felt good to finally get that first one out of the way. I feel 20 pounds lighter just getting that in.’’

Couturier admits he was pressing a bit, missing some open nets, including one earlier in the game against the Senators.

Ironically, the streak came to an end when he tossed an innocent-looking shot along the end line and it snuck inside the post.

“Sometimes you think too much when things aren’t going your way,’’ he said after Wednesday’s practice at the Skate Zone. “In the first period, maybe you think too much about that chance I had. For a moment you just think.

“That shot, I just put it on net and I didn’t think and you never know what could happen. That’s the kind of bounce I needed just to get going.’’

The Couturier goal gave the Flyers a 2-0 lead and they went on to a 5-2 victory at the Wells Fargo Center.

There was a little bit of a celebration on the bench, similar to what took place when Claude Giroux got his first against Edmonton a couple Saturdays ago.

“Guys were happy,’’ Couturier said. “It was a big goal. It’s not only that shot, we put some good forecheck just before that to keep the puck in and I just put the puck on net and got a good bounce.’’

Goalie Steve Mason appreciates what Couturier brings to the table defensively.

“Couts’ game doesn’t necessarily always revolve around offense,’’ Mason said. “His game is an extremely sound defensive game. He takes huge faceoffs for us.

“And, just the way that he can shut down key opposition players – what he does to (Pittsburgh’s Evgeni) Malkin, frustrates Malkin beyond belief – so it’s nice to see him get his first one for all the hard work and I’m sure he’ll get more.

“It (defense) is not necessarily the most glamorous job but he gets it done and does an extremely good job at it. A very important role on this team that he has, he shuts down the other team’s top players. He’s able to get into their heads and frustrate them.’’

Coach Craig Berube has been stressing responsible defensive play and Couturier epitomizes that. He leads all Flyer forwards with a plus-2 and, not counting Steve Downie (who came over from Colorado), Jake Voracek is the only other plus forward at plus-1.

“We knew from junior he was going to be that kind of two-way player,’’ Berube said. “That’s what he is.

“It’s huge for him to get a goal. He goes out and does a great job checking for us and playing a good role against team’s top lines and penalty kill, faceoffs and little things.

“To get rewarded with a goal here and there, and he’s had opportunities to score a goal and it hasn’t gone in. I think he’ll start putting it in a little bit now. Sometimes you get that first goal and feel better and more confident.’’

Linemate Matt Read says Couturier’s presence frees up his game to be more aggressive at both ends of the rink.

“In the defensive zone, I just get to my position and let Couts go down low and win the majority of the puck battles,’’ Read said. “So he’s a great player to play with. He’s fun to play with. He’s so smart, even offensively, that his defensive game sure has brought him to the next level.’’

After Couturier missed the open net, Read tried to lighten the mood.

“I gave him a hard time a little, but I think going into the second period, I said, ‘Hey, Couts, you’re due, you’re going to get one tonight. Keep going. Keep going.’ It was good to see him get one and hopefully he will stop gripping the stick too tightly.”

Penalty kill ailing: The Flyers’ penalty kill has sagged of late, allowing seven goals on the last 19 opponent power plays.

Berube said the problem isn’t the kill, it’s the penalties to begin with.

“Stay out of the penalty box,’’ he said. “Look at the penalties the last three games. Just look at that. You can’t take five against the Penguins, can’t take four tripping and holding penalties against Winnipeg and then seven (actually six) penalties last night. They’re going to bite you. You can’t take stupid penalties.’’

Flyers tonight

What: Buffalo Sabres at Flyers.

When: 7:05.

Where: Wells Fargo Center.

TV/Radio: CSN/97.5-FM.

Season series: First meeting.

What to watch: At 5-17-1, the Sabres have the worst record in hockey. This is the Flyers’ first look at new coach Ted Nolan, back for a second tour of duty with Buffalo. . .The Flyers have points in seven of their last eight games since the 7-0 blow-out/fight-filled loss to Washington on Nov. 1. . .Pending the outcome of the late Wednesday night game between New Jersey at Anaheim, the Flyers could move into a playoff spot with a win over the Sabres on Thursday.

Burlington County Times LOADED: 11.21.2013


Flyers' progress measured in small steps

By Jack McCaffery, Delaware County Daily Times

Posted: 11/20/13, 6:56 PM EST |

VOORHEES, N.J. — The Flyers were 0-and-3 when Peter Laviolette was fired. They will lug an 8-10 record into the Wells Fargo Center Thursday, when they will host the Buffalo Sabres.

That means they have gone 8-7 — and, thus, literally have been winners — under Craig Berube.

Small steps …

“It’s great to have a better record since the start of the season and since Chief took over but, at the same time we’re still out of the playoff picture right now,” Steve Mason said Wednesday, after practice at the Skate Zone. “There’s nothing to be smiling about until we get back there and in a more comfortable position.

“But things are starting to look a little more positive right now. At the same time, there’s still tons of work to be done.’’

There is. But there has been progress … progress that can be measured in the record.

“You always expect it. It takes a while to get the system down,” Berube said. “When I took over, I wanted to get the skating up. Right now, I feel and believe our skating is getting to where it needs to be. A lot of that has to do with knowing the system and not thinking so much and just going. There’s always growing pain. It takes time to change things. It’s still going to take time. There is growing pains throughout the year.”

The Flyers have allowed two power-play goals in each of their last two games.

Solution?

“Stay out of the penalty box,” Berube said. “Look at the penalties the last three games. Just look at that. You can’t take five against the Penguins, can’t take four tripping and holding penalties against Winnipeg, and then seven penalties against Ottawa. They’re going to bite you.

“You can’t take stupid penalties.”

Though it took Sean Couturier 20 games to score his first goal, Matt Read appreciated his various contributions.

“Overall, his hockey IQ is high,” Read said. “When he has the puck, he does the right thing 95 percent of the time. He’s solid. He has a heavy stick. In the defensive zone, he wins the majority of the puck battles. I think when he has time and space, he makes the right play. There are a lot of positive things that he does, and it’s something that I have enjoyed playing with him this year and the last couple of years together.”

Among the reasons for the Flyers’ slight resurgence has been the goaltending.

Mason is 3-0-2 in his last five, and has sliced his goals-against average to 2.12, 11th best in the NHL. Ray Emery has won two of his last three.

“It’s nice to hear but at the same time, that’s our job, to make sure we’re that steady force back there,” Mason said. “We just have to continue to work hard in practice and make sure that, regardless of who’s in net, we give ourselves the best chance to win. So far it’s gone well. We just have to make sure it continues that way.’’

Delaware County Times LOADED: 11.21.2013


First goal of season leaves Couturier feeling ‘lighter'


Posted: 11/20/13, 5:33 PM EST | Updated: 11 hrs ago

VOORHEES, N.J. — Sean Couturier had the puck on his stick Tuesday, an empty net in his sights, and one, nagging, dual reality.

He was wide open to score. Yet he was wide open for criticism.

He took his shot and missed.

So Matt Read took another kind of shot … and hit.

“I remember saying something,” said Read, Couturier’s linemate. “I couldn’t tell you what I said. I gave him a hard time a little.”

Read was smiling Wednesday, if just a little, as he shared the moment. Like everyone, he’d realized that Couturier had yet to score his first goal of the season, nor had he scored in the final six games of last season. And while the Flyers hadn’t been short of reasons why they began this season so poorly, Couturier’s slump was somewhere near the front of the catalog.

“But I do remember what I said going into the second period,” Read said. “I said, ‘Hey, Coots, you’re due, you’re going to get one tonight. Keep going. Keep going.’”

Whether from encouragement, embarrassment, the assist of Kimmo Timonen or just time served, Couturier finally scored at 5:18 of the second period in a 5-2 Flyers victory, and thus was able to maneuver about the Skate Zone Wednesday without fear of criticism, good-natured or otherwise.

“It felt good to finally get that first one out of the way,” Couturier said, after practice. “I feel 20 pounds lighter just getting that in.”

Though any 25-game goal-free slump would add a certain weight, Couturier’s other contributions had been welcome as the Flyers had earned at least one standings point in eight of their last nine games. His effort, his defense, his presence — they all mattered.

It’s just that, well, they kind of keep a hockey score by how many times the puck rolls past the goal line.

“Sometimes you think too much when things aren’t going your way,” Couturier said. “In the first period, maybe you think too much about that chance. But you just think, ‘Put it on net and don’t think. You never know what could happen.’”

So, in the second period, he did. And so, he is on a one-game goal-scoring steak.

“That’s the kind of bounce I needed,” he said, “just to get going.”

While Couturier accepted that the price for such a goal-scoring slump was to take some in-house heat, the deeper reality was that his varied contributions were embraced, not diminished.

“Coots’ game doesn’t necessarily always revolve around offense,” Steve Mason said. “His game is an extremely sound defensive game. He takes huge faceoffs for us. And just because of the way that he can shut down key opposition players — what he does to Evgeni Malkin, the way he frustrates Malkin, is beyond belief — it’s nice to see him get his first one. For all the hard work he puts in, I’m sure he’ll get more.

“Defense is not necessarily the most glamorous job, but he gets it done and does an extremely good job at it. That is a very important role on this team that he has. He shuts down the other team’s top players.

“He’s able to get into their heads and frustrate them.’’

The problem was, during the Flyers’ first 20 games this season, Couturier wasn’t just a frustrate-er, but a frustrate-ee.

“It’s huge for him to get a goal,” Craig Berube said. “He goes out and does a great job checking for us and playing a good role against teams’ top lines.

“It’s good to get rewarded with a goal here and there. He’s had opportunities to score a goal and it hasn’t gone in. I think he’ll start putting it in a little bit now. Sometimes you get that first goal and feel better and more confident. He’s had some good opportunities and it hasn’t gone in.

“He’s been a real good player for us.”

Any friendly criticism aside, Couturier was certain of that prevailing in-house sentiment.

“I’ve had a lot of support from the coaches, the organization and my teammates,” he said. “Guys are supportive toward each other.

“It feels good to know that the guys have your back.”



McCaffery: Flyers were able to fight their way back into contention


Posted: 11/20/13, 4:13 PM EST |

VOORHEES, N.J. — The rout was on, thorough and ugly, the Flyers about to lose by a seven-spot to the Washington Capitals, who hadn’t even dressed Alex Ovechkin.

They were about to fall to 3-9-0, were already on their second coach, had a captain unable to score a goal and a chairman pacing the hallways, stunned, staggered.

The general manager had visited the room between periods, and after the game two players had to visit the hospital.

“It can’t get any lower than this,” Craig Berube. “Can it?”

Might have.

Didn’t.

Why?

One theory: The Flyers literally were willing to fight their way out of the problem. So they did. They won fights that night, lost fights and, most of all, picked a fight, Ray Emery skating 25 yards to punch around Caps goalie Braden Holtby.

Because that is the international signal for some who don’t really enjoy hockey anyway to wag fingers and shield eyes and demand that the sport grow up, the 114-penalty-minute rumble could have backfired. The Flyers could have kept losing — losing games, losing respect, losing front-office sorts. But instead, there they were Wednesday, two points out of a playoff spot in the Metro, winners of four of their last five including a complete, two-way, 5-2 victory over the visiting Ottawa Senators Tuesday.

Deal with it.

“Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you start striving forward,” Matt Read was saying, after practice at the Skate Zone. “And that game was embarrassing for our players and our organization. At that point, the mentality was, ‘We have to change things right now or it’s going to be like this all season.’ And we just started to play smarter, simpler hockey, getting pucks deeper, and getting pucks out, and learning how to win puck battles in the offensive zone.

“So things are just starting to go our way, and we are just starting to be smarter and playing closer hockey.”

That’s how it can work in that sport. Not how it automatically will work. Not that it cannot be unsightly. But it is, always has been, and forever should be how it can work: Show passion in a time of crisis and, better still, show a strong right hand. That will never make brawling proper in other sports. But in the sport where it is understood that “fighting” is a penalty, not a reason to convene a panel of concerned grown-ups, a little culturally accepted violence can prove soothing.

It wasn’t even that the Flyers bullied anyone that night. Indeed, it was Steve Downie who was knocked out and concussed, and Vinny Lecavalier who needed his jaw X-rayed. But it was the fact that the Flyers would fight that showed they were not going to accept a disintegration of a hockey season in November. They won their next game, 1-0, in New Jersey, Emery providing the shutout. In the nine games since the rumble, they have earned standings points in eight.

So yell, cringe, invest in soccer tickets, do whatever. But accept that the Flyers have played better, much better, since so many of them lost their tempers.

“I don’t know if that had anything to do with it or not,” Berube said. “That night was just frustration on everybody’s part. They ended up taking their frustrations out on the other team. That happens.

“Sometimes.”

That’s the buffer, the disclaimer, the other reality: Sometimes, it helps. Not always. Not every night. Not to the point where there is no other reason to watch a game than to wait for the guy with the shovel and the mop to make the blood go away.

But in ice hockey, fighting is accepted. And sometimes, as the man said, it works.

“I don’t know if the fight sparked us to start playing better hockey,” Read said. “But it is something that shows that we are not going to back down and sit and take a beating from anybody. We are going to do whatever it takes to get some positive things in the hockey game and build off of that.”

That’s what happened.

And that’s how the Flyers have rescued a hockey season.



Flyers Notes: Was 7-0 loss the turning point?

November 20, 2013, 4:00 pm

Tim Panaccio

Since being thrashed 7-0 at the very start of November by the Washington Capitals, the Flyers have gone 5-1-2.

They’re playing much better in most every phase of their game even though their special teams remain inconsistent.

Did that humiliating defeat on home ice make a difference?

“I don’t know if that had anything to do with it or not,” coach Craig Berube said. “That night was just frustration on everybody’s part. They ended up taking their frustrations out on the other team. That happens. Sometimes.”

No matter, they've gotten results from it.

“So far,” he said. “We’re playing better hockey. That’s why we’re getting points.”

The loss to Washington was the low point of the season.

“Sometimes you have to hit rock bottom before you start striving forward,” Matt Read said. “And that game was embarrassing for our players and our organization. And just the mentality that we have to change things right now or it’s going to be like this all season. And we just started to play smarter, simpler hockey. It’s just getting pucks deeper, and getting pucks out, and learning how to win puck battles in the offensive zone. So things are just starting to go our way, and we are just starting to be smarter and playing closer hockey.”

The Flyers have a five-game point streak (4-0-1) and have outscored their opponent 18-8 in regulation.

Shots

The Flyers' 42 shots against Ottawa was a season high. Their last 40-plus shot game was also against Ottawa, and it also happened at the Wells Fargo Center, on March 2, 2013, when they had 41 shots in a 2-1 win.

Those 42 shots were the most in a game since the Flyers recorded 46 in a 5-2 loss at Toronto on Feb. 11, 2013. Seventeen of the Flyers’ 18 skaters recorded at least one shot on goal on Tuesday against the Senators. Nick Grossmann was the only Flyer without a shot.

Faceoffs

Checking center Adam Hall was 11 for 13 (85 percent) on faceoffs. He has gone 41 for 48 (85.4 percent) on faceoffs in the last six games and is now at 63.3 percent on the season.

Extended

Jakub Voracek extended his scoring streak to five games with an assist. He has two goals and four assists (six points) over that span.



Berube thinks first goal will get Couturier going

November 20, 2013, 1:45 pm

Tim Panaccio

When he missed the open net, well, it was just another night of frustration for Sean Couturier against a different club. In this case, Ottawa.

And his teammates weren’t going to let it go unnoticed, either, when Coots returned to the bench.

“He’s had a couple of those empty netters this year that he’s missed,” Matt Read said. “I gave him a hard time, a little bit.

“Going into the second period, I said, ‘Coots your due and you’re going to get one tonight. Keep going.’ And it happened.”

That’s when the 25-game goal drought ended for Couturier with an impossible angle shot from the left goal line that went short side against Sens’ goalie Robin Lehner.

“I feel 20 pounds lighter just getting that in,” Couturier admitted on Wednesday at Skate Zone. “Sometimes you think too much when things aren’t going your way. In the first period, maybe you think too much about that chance I had.”

Then he got a bad goal that Lehner should not have allowed.

“That shot, I just put it on net and I didn’t think, and you never know what could happen,” Couturier said. “That’s the kind of bounce I needed just to get going.”

Three players scored their first goals of the season, snapping long droughts during the Flyers' 5-2 win over the Senators.

Kimmo Timonen ended his 21-game goal slide while Adam Hall scored his first goal, albeit an empty netter, since Feb. 23, 2012 for Tampa. Hall’s drought lasted a whopping 64 games.

“It feels good for them and for everybody,” coach Craig Berube said of the trio breaking the schneid.

“Nobody wants to not score. Everyone wants to score. It takes a little pressure off. You feel better about yourself. Get that goal, get that monkey off your back.”

Of course, Couturier, whose plus-2 rating is the highest among Flyer forwards who have been here all season, is a different case. He’s expected to score some goals while Hall is not.

“Finally I get a bounce,” Couturier said. “I’ve had some pretty good chances and haven’t put it in. It feels good to finally get one in.”

When you get down to it, Couturier’s shot was a low percentage kind that shouldn’t have had a chance. His reaction when it went in was more or less, 'Are you kidding me?'

“I didn’t have a chance,” Couturier admitted. “I was just putting the puck on net. When you put a puck on net you never know what’s gonna happen. For me, I got that bounce. I’ll take it.”

You can see the difference in Claude Giroux since scoring his first goal on Nov. 9 against Edmonton. Giroux is playing better, attacking and shooting with more confidence, and he picked up his second goal on Tuesday, as well.

Berube is hoping the same thing happens to Couturier.

“It’s huge for [Couturier] to get a goal,” Berube said. “He goes out and does a great job checking for us and playing a good role against teams' top lines and penalty kill, faceoffs and little things.

“To get rewarded with a goal here and there, and he’s had opportunities to score a goal and it hasn’t gone in. I think he’ll start putting it in a little bit now. Sometimes you get that first goal and feel better and more confident.”



Flyers have come a long way since mid-October

November 20, 2013, 11:00 am

Tim Panaccio

You can feel it in the dressing room. You sense it when you see the Flyers on the ice now.

They are finally playing a more relaxed game. That comes with scoring some goals, winning some games and gaining some confidence in themselves.

The Flyers now have a five-game point streak after Tuesday’s 5-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators.

“As long as you get points,” Mark Streit said. “We have three games at home, three really big games for ourselves. Play well, pay attention to detail. I thought our forwards have done a great job managing the puck and not turning it over and chipping pucks by and using our speed up front and forehecking hard. That was the key a little bit.

“We got to keep doing that. As soon as you start playing too open, try to be too cute or complicated, you get in trouble.”

The Flyers were far out of the playoff picture a month earlier but now can visualize it’s not out of the question. They’re only two points back now.

“That’s looking at the big picture and we’re trying not to look at it,” Claude Giroux said. “We’re just trying to look at our game and see what we are doing right and what we are doing wrong and fix it.”

They’re scoring some goals now, getting clutch play from goalie Steve Mason, and have tightened up defensively even though their penalty kill has nose-dived recently.

Regardless, they have come a long way since mid-October.

“Well, the year is a pretty long year, but the way earlier in the year has been going for us, it’s been a lot of bad losses or tight losses, whatever,” Kimmo Timonen said. “But to be able to turn these games, for two points for us in the third period, that’s a good sign. I’m looking forward to moving on. We have a couple of home games coming up here and we go from there.

“The team looks good right now. We’re skating, we’re working, doing the system pretty well. Goalies are playing unbelievable so it’s a lot of good things going for our team right now. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

The three-game homestand continues Thursday when the Buffalo Sabres come into Wells Fargo Center.

“We’ve been playing smarter,” Scott Hartnell said. “Obviously, when you win games, it’s a lot more fun and confidence goes up. You are not as tentative as you were when things not going in for us before. Everyone’s attitude has been better. Everyone is playing together and harder and that is what you need to have a successful team makes a run to get into the playoffs.”

Flyers coach Craig Berube said the boos his club was hearing on home ice didn’t do much for morale, and he's hoping his club gives them a reason to cheer into the weekend.

“Confidence is a big thing,” Berube said. “Especially with your top players producing now and getting some points, feeling good about themselves, going out and playing the way they can.”

Hartnell said the Flyers deserved what they got from fans in recent weeks.

“I don’t think we have played hard at home,” he said. “It starts with our best players on the power play. it’s been awful at home. We’ve spent more time trying to break it out than in our zone passing it around and getting shots. Every team has a great penalty kill and they work hard to defend and we’re not working as hard as they are. It starts with effort, second and third effort on pucks and getting set up and we’ll feed off that.”

The Flyers were 1 for 4 on the power play on Tuesday. And there were no boos, either.

Winning solves a lot of problems.

“It is easier for us to have confidence when we have the lead or are down,” Jakub Voracek said. “If you pull off a couple wins like we did the last five or six games, it’s easier. We play pretty good. Those games were tough and we managed to win. It was a huge game for us. We have a home stretch right now and have to play the same way.”

Walsh to the Olympics

Sources tell CSNPhilly.com that referee Ian Walsh, who was born in Philadelphia, was the only U.S. official picked by the IIHF to work the Sochi Olympics in February. The 41-year-old official has been with the NHL since the start of the 2000-01 season.



Couturier centering on 'D,' not goals

Nov. 21, 2013

Dave Isaac

VOORHEES — From the time he was 16 years old, Flyers center Sean Couturier always remembers thinking defense first.

Whether it was World Juniors or an under-18 team, Couturier’s coaches always trusted him to shut down the opponent’s top line and in his third NHL season, the Flyers’ coaches are no different.

“We knew from junior he was going to be that kind of two-way player,” coach Craig Berube said. “That’s what he is.”

He’s quietly become one of the Flyers’ most valuable players in that role. Most noticed that Couturier could handle the tall order when he shut down Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin in a playoff series two years ago.

Not Berube, though.

“It was before that,” the Flyers’ coach said. “We started using him with 20 games to go in the season in a checking role. I thought our team took off there and started playing really well.”

Because he knows his defense is so valuable, Couturier tried not to let a 25-game scoring drought bother him. It still did until he finally lit the lamp Tuesday night against Ottawa, raised his arms and looked skyward with a toothless grin.

“It felt good to finally get that first one out of the way,” Couturier said. “I feel 20 pounds lighter just getting that in.

“That shot, I just put it on net and I didn’t think and you never know what could happen. That’s the kind of bounce I needed just to get going.”

Earlier in the night, Couturier had a Grade-A opportunity with an open net to shoot at, but his stick got tied up and he shot it between the net and goalie Robin Lehner, who wasn’t even in the same ZIP code as the crease.

“Hey, Coots, you’re due, you’re going to get one tonight,” linemate Matt Read told him on the bench. “Keep going. Keep going.”

Although it looks like a lot to ask, while also shutting down Jason Spezza, Milan Michalek and Cory Conacher, it’s what Read has come to expect of his linemate whose “hockey IQ is high.”

“When he has the puck, he does the right thing 95 percent of the time,” Read said. “He’s solid. He has a heavy stick. In the defensive zone, he wins the majority of the puck battles. I think when he has time and space, he makes the right play.”

Although he’s the third-line center for the Flyers, Couturier is more valuable than his place in the lineup would suggest. He’s winning faceoffs at a 50.3 percent clip, the highest among Flyers who have taken at least 100 draws this year.

Couturier won’t turn 21 until the first week of December. He’s still a young player by NHL standards with a long career ahead of him and plenty of opportunity to grow his game.

So, how does he envision his career?

“For sure, I want to be a solid two-way centerman,” Couturier said, “kind of like Patrice Bergeron or those type of players who strive on their defense and create offense from that.”

It seems Couturier is just fine with thinking defense first, offense later. He had two 96-point seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League, but the NHL is a different galaxy of skill.

Despite his goal-scoring potential, the Flyers want to use him in a shutdown role, and that’s just fine with him.

“When you don’t score, you try helping in another way,” Couturier said. “I try to play a solid, two-way game, kill penalties and take care of faceoffs. All the little things I can do to help the team, I’ll do it.”

Courier-Post LOADED: 11.21.2013

725340 Phoenix Coyotes

Points piling up for Phoenix Coyotes despite injuries, tough schedule

By Sarah McLellan azcentral sports Wed Nov 20, 2013 5:54 PM

The Coyotes have built a healthy stockpile of 14 wins and 31 points to start the season, but their stash is even more respectable considering it wasn’t assembled easily.

The Coyotes have lost 29 man games to injury, have used 19 different lineups through 21 games and have had one of the tougher schedules in the league.

“Every game that you go into, you’re trying to find a way to win, to put the pieces in place that give you the best chance to win,” coach Dave Tippett said. “Players recognize that we’ve got a plan of how we’re going to win. If we execute and get a few things done, it gives us a chance.”

After a four-day break, the Coyotes host the Colorado Avalanche Thursday night. They hoped the time off would help heal some injuries, but they still don’t seem to be at full strength.

Defensemen Derek Morris and David Schlemko practiced Tuesday and Wednesday, suggesting they’ve recovered from their lower-body injuries, but Tippett won’t settle on a lineup until this morning. Morris would have to be removed from injured reserve to be eligible to play, and a corresponding roster move would have to be made.

Defenseman Zbynek Michalek (lower body) skated only briefly Wednesday, and winger Lauri Korpikoski (upper body) was kept off the ice entirely. Tippett is hopeful neither is out long term.

“ ‘Z’ getting out on the ice today was a good sign,” he said. “Korpi, we’ll continue to go day by day with him to see where he’s at.”

Tippet said Korpikoski’s injury is “along the same lines” as the one that kept him out three games in late October.

Just in case Korpikoski can’t play, the Coyotes recalled wing Tim Kennedy from their American Hockey League affiliate, once again tapping into their organizational depth.

“Not consistent lineup but consistent in your system,” center Mike Ribeiro said. “I think everyone knows what we have to do, and it doesn’t really matter who you’re matched with.”

The Coyotes used the same lineup the first two games of the season and a different version for two straight games during that five-game road trip early in the season.

They’ve been able to slot less-experienced players into the lineup and move others around because of a style that doesn’t change.

“When it’s taught a certain way and everything’s drawn out and what’s expected, then you’re able to put in pieces that know what they need to do,” center Jeff Halpern said.

“The system is really the identity of the team.”

What makes their position in the standings even more impressive amid these adjustments is their rigorous schedule. According to ESPN, their strength of schedule ranks seventh in the league.

“Nobody in the room really sees the schedule letting up,” Morris said. “I don’t know if it does anymore.”

But that doesn’t faze the Coyotes. Actually, not much does these days. They have confidence that every player on the roster can contribute.

“On every team, you have a role,” Ribeiro said. “It’s just to define that role, and I think guys are really clear to what they have to do and not do and not really be in the gray zone with what the coach wants from them. Every team they want to create roles for their players, but I think here it’s really defined and everyone knows what they’re doing.”

Up next

Coyotes vs. Avalanche

When: Thursday at 7 p.m.

Where: Jobing.com Arena, Glendale.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR-FM (92.3).

Avalanche update: After a six-game win streak to start the season, the Avalanche have lost three of their past four games. The lone win in that span came Tuesday at home against the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks, with the Avalanche overwhelming the Blackhawks 5-1. Before that game, the Avalanche were outscored 13-5 in three losses. Against the Coyotes, the Avalanche will be without leading scorer Matt Duchene, out with an oblique injury. Goalie Semyon Varlamov will get the start in net, and he’s 10-5 with a .931 save percentage and 2.19 goals-against average.

Arizona Republic LOADED: 11.21.2013

725341 Pittsburgh Penguins

Caps' Ovechkin: No worries about Pens' Malkin

By Rob Rossi

Updated 6 hours ago

ARLINGTON, Va. — Alex Ovechkin usually does something before Evgeni Malkin.

Ovechkin was drafted before Malkin. He was the NHL's top rookie before Malkin. He won a scoring title and MVP before Malkin.

His production tailed off before Malkin, too.

For that reason, Ovechkin is advising Malkin to remember his previous place as one of the NHL's best players.

“Of course, you have to … but you (also) just have to relax and forget about it,” Ovechkin said Wednesday morning after his Washington Capitals practiced for their home game against the Penguins.

A short distance away at Verizon Center, Malkin returned to practice with the Penguins after a taking a maintenance day Tuesday — a career-worst stretch 14 games without a goal on his mind.

Most disconcerting to Penguins coaches, and the reason for Malkin's mandated day off, was his passing up open shots in the offensive zone Monday during a home win over Anaheim.

In fact, coach Dan Bylsma thought Ovechkin's suggestion — basically for Malkin to remember who he was — had “something to it.”

Ovechkin, the NHL co-leader with 17 goals entering Wednesday, said he has not spoken with Malkin about their shared experience of falling from grace. They are not close friends, even though in 2004 they were the first pair of Russians selected atop the NHL Entry Draft and will chase gold together at their country's Winter Olympics in February.

Ovechkin stressed he is not worried about — nor should Malkin — the upcoming Games.

However, Malkin said the pressure of those Games, a new contract that soon will make his salary-cap hit the Penguins' highest and four consecutive playoff disappointments are weighing on him.

Mostly, though, there was this:

He had scored only 12 goals in 52 regular-season games since notching 50 on his way to the MVP and a second points title for the 2011-12 campaign.

Malkin did not view the goal-less streak as merely several bad weeks, even though that was a consensus among the Capitals.

“Trust me, we're not thinking about him in terms of scoring or not scoring. We're worried about the player,” Capitals coach Adam Oates said, noting Malkin's 20 points in 21 games before Wednesday. “It's not like he's not doing anything.”

Ovechkin certainly was doing something before Wednesday, with 37 goals in 42 prior games.

Of course, he had produced only 82 goals in 182 previous contests before this return to prominence. Ovechkin won his third MVP last season, but it started with him notching only 12 goals in 25 contests — a 0.48 per-game average compared to his 0.68 rate from 2005-10.

Ovechkin switched from left to right wing last season.

Malkin remains a center, but his longtime Russian rival suggested tuning out everybody other than his Penguins support group and inner circle.

Also, taking on a new perspective would help. That is what Ovechkin did during his depths.

“When you score goals, when you make assists, when you're name is on the scoring list, everybody thinks you're back,” Ovechkin said, adding that “it's more than goals.”

“Tell (Malkin) it gets better,” he added. “He's fine.”

Tribune Review LOADED: 11.21.2013


Defense steps up as Pens blank Capitals

By Rob Rossi

Updated 6 hours ago

WASHINGTON — Dan Bylsma used a word Wednesday night not often associated with the Penguins.

Maybe never associated with the Penguins.

“Smothering,” Bylsma said after a 4-0 victory over the Washington Capitals at Verizon Center.

Smothering.

Mario Lemieux's Penguins. Sidney Crosby's Penguins. The Penguins, with their 14 individual scoring championships, a “smothering” defensive team.

Alex Ovechkin's Capitals were held to 18 shots — only 46 attempts compared to 60 from the Penguins.

“Smothering is a word we use,” Bylsma said.

It is an expectation for the way they want to play up to and through the Stanley Cup playoffs, too.

They indeed were smothering in earning a second consecutive victory after losing four of five games.

The Capitals were one of eight clubs to average at least three goals per game. They are one of 15 opponents not to score more than two goals against the Penguins, who are allowing 2.18 goals-against per game.

Bylsma had that kind of suffocating defense in mind when he hired reputable guru Jacques Martin as an assistant coach in the summer. Martin has helped implement a left-wing lock system that, when working, forces turnovers in the neutral zone.

The Penguins (14-8-0, 28 points) have spent much of the season creating those turnovers.

What pleases Crosby is the team's ability to make use of those turnovers in the past two games.

“We've been really good defensively, but our offense has helped,” Crosby said. “We've done a lot better (of a) job holding onto the puck in the offensive zone.”

Crosby's 11th goal — scored late in the second period on a power play — finished a pretty passing sequence from Evgeni Malkin, James Neal and Chris Kunitz.

Neal and defenseman Paul Martin, each with their second, and Beau Bennett, with his first, also scored for the Penguins, who had produced only 28 goals in 13 prior contests.

The offense, usually top-five under Bylsma when Crosby and Malkin have been healthy, will come around, defenseman Brooks Orpik predicted.

This defense, said goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, is “like, really good, right?”

Fleury earned his second shutout, and aside from a “few shots on (the Capitals') three power plays,” barely broke a sweat.

His Capitals counterpart, Braden Holtby, was peppered with 40 shots, including 32 over the opening 40 minutes.

Malkin, whose streak of games without a goal is 15, finished with six attempted shots, three of which found their way on Holtby. Bylsma wanted to see that kind of assertiveness from Malkin, who passed on a couple of prime shot opportunities in the third period of a home win over Anaheim on Monday night.

Malkin, who assisted on goals by Bennett and Neal, looked engaged against the Capitals.

His rival, Ovechkin, looked frustrated — perhaps because Bylsma successfully matched his shutdown pairing of Martin and Orpik against arguably the NHL's dominant offensive weapon.

Ovechkin had scored 37 goals in 42 games dating to last season, but he was held to two shots. He misfired on five attempts and had three blocked.

“You could see their skill guys getting frustrated because when they were coming at us they had to come 200 feet,” Orpik said. “For 60 minutes, that's definitely the best we've played defensively.”

The Penguins have allowed only 29 goals in the last 14 games.

“I know a lot has been made of us not being able to score as much as we've wanted to the last few weeks,” Orpik said. “With the talent we have in our room, I don't think that's going to be a chronic problem.

“Our defense has been overlooked in that goal drought.”



Penguins notebook: Capitals different than in '09

By Rob Rossi

WASHINGTON — Penguins coach Dan Bylsma does not believe his old trick will work anymore against the Washington Capitals.

That trick: Allow Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin to get his goals — as Ovechkin did in a 2009 Stanley Cup playoff series, scoring eight — and force somebody else to beat the Penguins.

These Capitals, now in the same division with the Penguins, remain led by Ovechkin, who had scored 17 goals in 19 games before Wednesday. However, the Capitals are “playing differently” under coach Adam Oates than they were five years ago with Bruce Boudreau at the helm.

The Capitals were at 2.76 goals-allowed per game compared to 2.93 in 2008-09.

Another difference is the emergence of center Nicklas Backstrom as a trusted second scoring option compared to now-Carolina winger Alexander Semin, who was a less-consistent No. 2 to Ovechkin in 2009.

Seventh in overall scoring (24 points) as of Wednesday, Backstrom said he is comfortable operating outside the spotlight occupied by Ovechkin, who is second only to Penguins captain Sidney Crosby in NHL visibility.

Also, the addition of center Mikhail Grabovski, formerly of the Toronto Maple Leafs, has bolstered the Capitals' scoring depth. He had scored seven goals and produced 18 points.

“I really don't think it's just a one-man show with Alex Ovechkin, and they'll go how he goes,” Bylsma said. “It's a different team now.”

Go with it

Goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury made his seventh consecutive start Wednesday and his 11th in 12 games. With 19 starts, he is on pace for a career-high 70 appearances.

Jeff Zatkoff has started only three times in 22 games.

Two years ago, on his way to a career-best 67 appearances, Fleury played in 16 of the Penguins' opening 22 games.

Hot spot

Penguins Radio Network broadcaster Phil Bourque and Penguins player development coach Bill Guerin are minority partners in the Blue Line Grille, a restaurant/lounge across the street from Consol Energy Center. A grand opening is scheduled for Thursday morning. Bourque, who played for the Cup-winning Penguins in 1991 and 1992, said Guerin convinced him to enter the risky world of arena-district development. He also cited a targeted upscale clientele, cross promotion with the Penguins and the rooftop bar as reasons for his belief in the project.

Around the boards

The Buffalo Sabres have started requesting permission to interview candidates for the general manager vacancy, but Penguins assistant general manager Jason Botterill was not in the mix as of late Tuesday.



Let's Learn From the Past: Penguins' back-to-back Stanley Cups

November 21, 2013 12:00 AM

By Ned Schano / History Center director of communications

The Pittsburgh Penguins were one of the National Hockey League's most dominant teams of the early 1990s.

The resurgence of the modern Penguins can be traced back to June 9, 1984, when the last-place Penguins used the first overall pick of the NHL Entry Draft to select a 6-foot-4 forward from Montreal. Mario Lemieux was considered the best amateur player since Wayne Gretzky, and despite worries about joining the cellar-dwelling Penguins, he had a Hall of Fame career.

Lemieux's presence immediately ignited a renewed passion for hockey in Pittsburgh, and despite some subpar seasons in the mid-1980s, the organization began assembling a championship club. After a six-year playoff drought, the Penguins finally earned a playoff berth in 1989, reaching the Patrick Division finals before falling to their cross-state rivals, the Philadelphia Flyers.

Although Lemieux missed 21 games due to a back injury the following season and the Penguins missed the playoffs, the team was poised for a long playoff run in the 1990-91 season. After trading for players such as defenseman Paul Coffey and goaltender Tom Barrasso and cultivating young homegrown talent such as forwards Kevin Stevens and Robbie Brown, the Penguins earned their first Stanley Cup Finals appearance against the Minnesota North Stars. The gritty and talented Penguins won the final three games of the series to earn the franchise's first Stanley Cup.

The following season, the Penguins rolled up 88 regular season points and the team added even more talent, including veterans Bryan Trottier, Joe Mullen, Larry Murphy and Ron Francis. The Pens dispatched the Washington Capitals, New York Rangers and Boston Bruins in the playoffs to set up a Stanley Cup Final appearance against the Chicago Blackhawks. Led by Lemieux and his young protege Jaromir Jagr, the Penguins' explosive offense and stellar goaltending proved to be too much as the team swept the Blackhawks four games to none to earn their second straight Stanley Cup trophy.

Visitors to the Western Pennsylvania Sports Museum at the Heinz History Center can learn more about the great players and moments in Penguins history. For more information, visit www.heinzhistorycenter.org.

Post Gazette LOADED: 11.21.2013


Penguins notebook: Scuderi’s absence being felt

November 20, 2013 9:19 PM

By Dave Molinari/Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

WASHINGTON — This is precisely the kind of game in which Rob Scuderi is most valuable, why the Penguins made it a priority to sign him as a free agent in the summer.

Take on an opponent with quick-strike offensive capability and a lethal power play, and Scuderi is a good guy to have on hand for damage-control.

But Scuderi was able to offer nothing more than long-distance moral support when the Penguins faced Washington Wednesday night at Verizon Center because he continues to recover from surgery to repair an ankle fractured in a 4-1 loss Oct. 25 in Toronto.

And he doesn’t figure to be back in the lineup for at least several more weeks.

“His rehab is still off the ice, and not in a high-impact way,” coach Dan Bylsma said. “We’re just [past] the three-week mark of six-to-eight weeks [of projected recovery time].”

Injuries forced Washington to get by without a couple of its regular defenseman, as well.

Mike Green missed his third consecutive game and John Erskine his 11th.

Green had been a candidate to play against the Penguins, but coach Adam Oates told reporters after Washington’s game-day skate that he would be held out as a precaution.

“[Pittsburgh is a] really good team,” Oates said. “And I don’t want to put him in a position where he’s behind the 8-ball a little bit.”

The other keys

When the Penguins and Capitals collide, much of the attention tends to focus on respective big-name, high-end talents.

Guys such as Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin of the Penguins, and Washington’s Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.

Each team has several other guys capable of being a difference-maker, though, and the other side would be foolish to ignore them.

That’s why it’s seems safe to assume that the Capitals spent some time before the game discussing guys such as Pascal Dupuis and Chris Kunitz, and that Capitals winger Jason Chimera’s name came up once or twice while the Penguins were preparing.

Chimera is large (6 feet 3, 213 pounds) and fast, and entered the game tied for fifth in Washington’s scoring race with five goals and nine assists in 21 games, and tied for third in hits with 43.

“He and [Capitals center] Brooks Laich have pretty similar roles, in terms of the value they bring to their team and what they mean to their team,” Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik said. “They’re more skilled than people think they are, but they’re also guys who are really consistent.

“You know what they’re bringing every night, in terms of consistency and physical play and penalty-killing. They do a lot of the dirty [work] that other guys aren’t willing to do.”

Verizon vibes

Washington went into the game with six consecutive victories at home, where the crowd is among the most raucous in the league.

Especially, it seems, when the Penguins are in town.

“This building ranks, probably, in the top three, for sure, and maybe second,” Bylsma said. “This is one [where] you know you’re going to deal with the crowd and the energy in the building.

“You’re going to hear the ‘Rock The Red.’ It’s coming, at some point in time. … It’s a formidable place to play.”

Crosby didn’t argue the point.

“It gets loud, and they’ve got a lot of guys who can score,” he said. “They get the crowd into it [by] scoring goals, create a lot of energy that way.

“They’ve really done a good job of maintaining that home-ice advantage.”

Tip-ins

The Penguins scratched forwards Matt D’Agostini and Zach Sill and defenseman Robert Bortuzzo. … Bylsma said he did not have an update on goalie Tomas Vokoun, who is being treated for blood clots.



Crosby, Fleury lead Penguins over Capitals, 4-0

November 21, 2013 12:16 AM

By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

WASHINGTON -- Listen to the talk before this game, and you would have gotten the impression it was all about the offense.

The guys who score goals. The guys who set them up. The guys who do both.

No surprise there, because any game featuring the likes of Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin, Evgeni Malkin and Nicklas Backstrom figures to put a pretty heavy emphasis on putting pucks in the net.

But not in the Penguins' 4-0 victory against Washington Wednesday night at Verizon Center.

Oh, Crosby had a pretty productive game, with a goal and an assist, and Malkin punctuated a superb performance with a couple of assists, even though his goal-less streak swelled to 15 games.

But as much as anything, this victory was about the Penguins' team defense.

About how they limited the Capitals to 18 shots on goal. Not in a period, but in three.

About how goalie Marc-Andre Fleury was so rarely tested that his reward for earning his second shutout of the season and 25th in the NHL was no better than being selected as the No. 3 star of the game.

"We didn't give up a lot," coach Dan Bylsma said. "We didn't give them opportunities to use their speed and space. I thought it was tough for them to get through there."

The game was the first between the Penguins (14-8) and Capitals since both were placed in the Metropolitan Division, and the victory allowed the Penguins to pad their lead over second-place Washington to three points.

Satisfying as the victory was for the Penguins, however, it wasn't exactly a novelty. They are 9-3-2 in their past 14 games in Washington.

Coincidentally enough, that is the same as Fleury's all-time record at Verizon Center.

Solid as the Penguins were all over the ice, they did their best work between the blue lines.

"They were amazing through the neutral zone," Capitals defenseman Karl Alzner said. "They came with speed every single time, always had three guys, if not three, then four.

"Didn't give us any time to pinch. It was a great game by them and bad game by us. And we didn't possess the puck at all; we didn't get our cycle game going. They were making us turn and chase pucks all night. It was tough, real tough."

Defenseman Paul Martin, who had a terrific two-way game, gave the Penguins the only goal they would need at 6:38 of the opening period, as he wristed a shot past Capitals goalie Braden Holtby from the right point for his second of the season.

"They get one and it kind of deflated us," Washington coach Adam Oates said. "And we seemed to fight uphill battles after that the whole night."

Crosby got the only assist on Martin's goal by winning a faceoff against Capitals center Brooks Laich in the right circle and getting the puck back to Martin.

Crosby has at least one point in 13 of the 14 regular-season games he has played at Verizon Center.

His assist was a good portent for the Penguins, who are 14-3 when Crosby gets a point and 0-5 when he is shut out.

Beau Bennett made it a two-goal lead with his first of the season -- "I was putting a lot of pressure on myself," he said -- at 11:57, beating Holtby low on the stick side with a wrist shot from inside the right circle, and that one

allowed the Penguins to make containing the Capitals offense even more of a priority.

"It always helps to get on the board early," Martin said. "Get a few goals. Play a little more smart defensively and manage the puck a little bit better. If we protect the puck and don't turn it over, our chances are a lot better."

If there was any suspense about the outcome after Bennett scored, Crosby removed it with a power-play goal 29 seconds before the second period ended. He beat Holtby from low in the left circle for his 11th this season to put an exclamation point on a series of excellent passes.

"I was hoping they would show the replay, but I guess they don't show replays of our goals," Bennett said. "It will be fun to watch on the highlights."

Neal rubbed it in by blurring in a wrist shot from just above the left dot at 7:16 of the third, but the outcome had been settled long before his shot slammed into the mesh behind Holtby.

"I think it's as maybe as complete of a game as we've played," Bylsma said." We came out, pushed the pace and the speed of the game.

"The second half of the game, it was a team effort with how we played the game and how we managed the puck, how we shut them down. It's definitely gratifying, shutting them out."


725347 San Jose Sharks

San Jose Sharks' rookie Tomas Hertl making an impact

By David Pollak

[email protected]

Posted: 11/20/2013 05:22:23 PM PST

Updated: 11/20/2013 09:28:31 PM PST

SAN JOSE -- He is no longer a teenager, having turned 20 last week. His English is improving. He's been introduced to sushi. And on the ice, Sharks rookie Tomas Hertl has shown he can bounce back from a cold spell.

Don't underestimate the importance of that last accomplishment.

"A lot of rookies go through it," coach Todd McLellan said of the dry patch in Hertl's season. "Sometimes you don't hear from them again for a long time. At least Tomas has come through it and we're hearing from him again. That's a real positive."

McLellan said big changes in Hertl's life -- new country, new league, new team, a sometimes harsh spotlight -- can take an emotional toll that might explain the eight-game stretch in which the Czech Republic native had one goal and one assist. That and the physicality of the North American game.

But Hertl has been on a point-a-game pace over the last seven with four goals and three assists. And the goals have been timely -- one in the waning seconds in Vancouver that sent the game to overtime, another that proved to be the winner the next night in Edmonton.

"He's opportunistic," McLellan said. "If he has the puck in the offensive zone below the tops of the circles, he's dangerous. If he doesn't have it, he's still dangerous because his linemates are doing a pretty good job of roaming around and finding him."

San Jose's first-round draft pick in 2012, Hertl had the NHL's attention in only his third game with four goals against the New York Rangers, the last one a highlight-reel mainstay that generated a bit of leaguewide controversy.

He would go on to become the NHL's rookie of the month for October. His 12 goals, 18 points and plus-7 lead all first-year players.

But his growth on the ice is only part of his development. Conversations with his teammates show they are also impressed with what he's doing off it.

"We were talking about it the other night, how most days he's exhausted because his brain is working so hard to try and learn the English language," said Logan Couture, who at 24 was the youngest Shark until Hertl arrived.

Backup goalie Alex Stalock probably has spent the most time with Hertl, as the two had been living in the same downtown hotel. That meant shuttling Hertl back and forth to the team's practice rink because he does not have a driver's license, though he is working on that.

Stalock has had a role in improving Hertl's language skills, but he also is providing an education in the patterns of life in the NHL.

"I remember being called up my first time -- not knowing what to wear, how early to be places," Stalock said.

The day before San Jose went on its just completed five-game trip, Hertl moved out of his hotel and into the spare bedroom of a Monte Sereno family, which has provided a homelike environment over the years to other young Sharks, including Brad Stuart and Scott Hannan.

That move means Hertl will be carpooling to work more often than not with Marty Havlat, who lives nearby and is the only other Czech player on the team.

When the season began a month and a half ago, Hertl had very limited responses in English. Now, he says he understands the questions better. And his responses, while not lengthy or complex, do show a growing vocabulary.

Ask him a month ago if he had any favorite restaurants in San Jose, and he would shrug. Now he names a sushi place on Winchester Boulevard and an Italian restaurant downtown.

The language gap during a game, too, seems to be less of a concern. After Joe Thornton set up Hertl for a tap-in against Edmonton, the Sharks captain noted the rookie only had to call out one word to make the play work.

"Just, 'Joe!' That's all he needs," Thornton said.

Tommy Wingels, who has occupied the other wing on Thornton's line during the absence of injured Brent Burns, also minimized any communication problems.

"Not to call our game too easy, but there aren't too many words of communication on the ice," Wingels said. "We're all hockey players, and even with the language barrier I think Tomas has found the necessary words."

Hertl, who leads the Sharks in goals, is very much aware he benefits from playing alongside Thornton.

"Yes, Joe is a very good passer and every game ... a lot of chances for me," Hertl said. "He's been very good for me and Tommy, and it's been easy for me to score."

Thornton knows the challenge of entering the NHL as a teenager because that was his experience in 1997. He said Hertl is handling it well.

"As a young player, the road's going to be a little different for you," Thornton said, "The sleep patterns are different, there's more games than you're used to. But I think he's handling it really well."

Thornton also praises his young linemate's skill set.

"He's not shy to get in the dirty areas," the captain said. "He gets right in. For a young kid, he's really not feeling his way into the league. You can see his excitement coming into practice every day, and it grows on guys."

Hertl seems very content. But he also is looking forward to having his own apartment and car. He mentions that his girlfriend from Prague will be here for Christmas and, maybe next year, she will move to the United States.

The Sharks, of course, are looking forward to his future as well.

THURSDAY'S GAME

Tampa Bay (14-7-0) at Sharks (13-3-5),

7:30 p.m. CSNCA

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 11.21.2013


Brent Burns could be in San Jose Sharks' lineup Thursday

By David Pollak

[email protected]

Posted: 11/20/2013 01:43:09 PM PST

Updated: 11/20/2013 10:29:00 PM PST

SAN JOSE -- Brent Burns could be back in the lineup Thursday night when the Sharks open a season-long, five-game homestand against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Or not.

"I have to talk to the staff first and find out," coach Todd McLellan said after a Wednesday morning practice that saw Burns skate in his usual spot alongside Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl. "There'll be two decisions based on when he'll play -- the medical part, but also the timing and conditioning part."

McLellan said Burns has gotten good news on the medical front.

"I can tell you that he visited a doctor or two, and he got a really good report, so he's real close. Now it's conditioning and timing," the coach said. "But he looks good, he worked real hard while he's been off, so he's close."

San Jose Sharks forward Brent Burns on Nov. 1, 2013 in San Jose. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Burns has been out with a facial injury that started when he was struck in the mouth by the stick of Ottawa Senators goalie Robin Lehner. The converted defenseman played three more games, helping stake the Sharks to a 7-0-1 start, but missed the next 13 games. San Jose has gone 6-3-4 in his absence.

Following team policy, Burns said very little about his condition. But it was clear he was looking forward to returning to the lineup, whenever that might be.

"You don't ever want to miss games. It's always the goal at the start of the year. It's not about points. It's about playing every game, and winning."

Burns skating on the Thornton line likely would bump Tommy Wingels onto a line with Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau.

McLellan also had struggling forward Marty Havlat on the third line with Joe Pavelski and Tyler Kennedy.

Havlat has one goal and one assist in eight games since returning from offseason pelvic surgery and was a healthy scratch in San Jose's 3-1 win over Edmonton last Friday night.

General manager Doug Wilson said Friday that Havlat, a veteran with another year remaining on a contract with a cap hit of $5 million, would have to earn his ice time now that he's healthy because other players have shown what they can do in his absence.

Marleau skated Wednesday morning but said he was still a little sore from a Tuesday afternoon auto accident.

"Just a little bit behind the neck and some other spots. But, pretty lucky I think," Marleau said.

Marleau said the other driver pulled out right in front of him on West Taylor Street near Stockton Avenue.

"I didn't have much time to react," Marleau said. "I just hammered on the brakes and went right into the side of him."

The other driver was taken to a hospital, but witnesses said his injuries did not appear to be serious. A police spokesman said officers took an accident report, and that there likely will be no additional investigation because there were no criminal violations.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 11.21.2013


Sharks hope for boost from Burns, Havlat

Kevin Kurz

November 20, 2013, 1:30 pm

SAN JOSE -- Sharks forward Brent Burns is a man of few words when it comes his unspecified upper body injury and health status. Perhaps that’s why captain Joe Thornton loudly chimed in when he overheard a question directed towards Burns, when Burns was asked if it felt good to get back on the ice with his old linemates on Wednesday morning.

“[Heck] yeah, he’s with Joe Thornton and Tomas Hertl, are you kidding me?” Thornton said.

“What he said,” Burns followed.

The six-foot-five, 230-pound defenseman-turned-forward was back in his previous spot with the captain and the impressive rookie for Wednesday’s practice, the strongest indication yet that he’s ready to resume his season after a 13-game absence. Neither Burns nor Todd McLellan would declare Burns as ready to return on Thursday against Tampa Bay, though.

“I can tell you that he visited a doctor or two and he got a really good report, so he’s real close,” McLellan said. “Now, it’s conditioning and timing. But he looks good, he worked real hard while he’s been off, so he’s close.”

But, is he an option for Thursday? McLellan said that he still had to talk to the team’s medical staff, but also wants to make sure that Burns is ready for the NHL pace after having not played since Oct. 19. Burns has four goals and four assists in eight games.

“Would we like to have him? Absolutely, I think he’ll make a difference,” McLellan said. “But, he has to be prepared to play and play good minutes, and not put himself at any risk for any other type of injury.”

Burns’ return would also affect the rest of the forward lines. Tommy Wingels, who proved to be the best replacement for Burns on the Thornton line, skated on Wednesday with Logan Couture and Patrick Marleau. The third line included Joe Pavelski, Tyler Kennedy and Marty Havlat, while the fourth line was a mish-mash of the remaining forwards.

If that’s the lineup that McLellan goes with against the Lightning, it’s a good chance for Havlat to increase his role on the team after he was a healthy scratch on Friday in Edmonton and a fourth line forward on Sunday in Chicago.

Havlat was removed after an ineffective game in Vancouver last Thursday, when he didn’t have a single statistic in any category on the final game sheet in 11 minutes and 27 seconds of ice time.

“I didn’t do much in those 11 minutes, for sure,” Havlat said. “I didn’t do anything positive, I didn’t do anything negative. It was one of those nights. I was happy I didn’t do anything bad in that time I got on the ice.”

Havlat was asked what he needed to do in order to avoid having a diminished role on the team, which is how it’s been trending lately.

“Just have to play the way I play. Just worry about myself. Other things I can’t control,” he said. “I have to work hard and play my game. It’s not up to me if I’m in the lineup or not.”

McLellan was pleased with Havlat’s reaction to getting scratched for one game.

“Marty is a very professional individual. He did what anybody else would do -- he worked out, he trained, he got himself ready to play in Chicago, had a good morning skate, and was ready to go again,” said the coach.

A healthy Burns, and a more effective Havlat, would be welcome developments for the Sharks as they kick off five-game homestand. The team is coming off of a grueling 3-1-1 road trip, that ended with the most convincing loss of the season in Chicago, 5-1.

Burns said: “I think we’ve got a special group, and there’s a great energy coming every day. It’s tough to be away from it, and it’s good to get back into it in whatever fashion it is.”



Marleau still sore from car accident

Kevin Kurz

November 20, 2013, 1:00 pm

SAN JOSE -- Less than 24 hours later, Patrick Marleau is still feeling the effects of a car accident that occurred on Tuesday afternoon in San Jose. But, it sounds as if he’s fortunate that the two-car collision wasn’t worse.

“I was just driving on a side street, and a guy pulled out right in front of me,” said Marleau, who was driving a Mercedes SUV. “I didn’t have much time to react. I just hammered on the breaks, and went right into the side of him.”

The accident happened on W. Taylor St., not far from the team’s practice facility, where the Sharks had gathered for a workout on Tuesday morning.

Marleau, who has 20 points in 21 games, was back on the ice for practice on Wednesday morning, even though he indicated that he’s suffering from some minor aches and pains.

“Just sore. Just a little bit behind the neck, and some other spots. But, pretty lucky, I think,” he said.

The driver of the other car, described by Marleau as “in his 40s,” wasn’t as fortunate. He “had his legs trapped for a time and appeared to be in a lot of pain,” according to a witness, via NBC Bay Area.

Marleau said: “They pulled him from of the car and the ambulance came and took him. But, there was no blood, or anything like that. From what the paramedics saw there they said he should be OK, but I haven’t heard anything more on it.”



Sharks GM Wilson feels good at quarter-pole

Kevin Kurz

November 20, 2013, 10:00 am

Doug Wilson: “If you look at the quarter-point right now, I think there’s a lot of things to be pleased with.” (USATSI)

Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle all remain vital cogs in the machine, and don’t seem at all affected by their expiring contacts. (USATSI)

Programming note: Lightning-Sharks coverage begins Thursday at 7 p.m. with Sharks Pregame Live on Comcast SportsNet California

SAN JOSE – Reaching the quarter-pole of the NHL regular season, with a five-game homestand on the horizon, provided a good opportunity to check in with the general manager for a brief state-of-the-team of the San Jose Sharks.

Not surprisingly, Doug Wilson seems content. Headed into Wednesday night’s games, the Sharks sit in second place in the best division in hockey and fourth in the Western Conference. The team has integrated a pair of promising young rookies into its lineup in Tomas Hertl and Matt Nieto. Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski, who signed matching five-year, $30 million contract extensions over the summer, are as productive as they’ve ever been in their solid careers.

Veteran pending unrestricted free agents Joe Thornton, Patrick Marleau and Dan Boyle all remain vital cogs in the machine, and don’t seem at all affected by their expiring contacts. A defense anchored by Marc-Edouard Vlasic, although it has had a few issues lately, is still allowing the sixth-fewest goals per game (2.19).

“If you look at the quarter-point right now, I think there’s a lot of things to be pleased with,” Wilson said.

“If you look at what we’re trying to accomplish, to set the identity of fast, hard and supportive, but also integrate some younger players into that reset/refresh – that happened even more with some of the injuries we’ve had.”

And, the injuries are significant. The Sharks are simply a different team with Brent Burns skating as a power forward, going 23-9-2 with him up front since his move from the blue line last March. Raffi Torres, acquired just prior to last

season's trade deadline, injected a speed and grit element that also helped transform the team from a playoff-bubble type club to a legitimate contender.

With those two in the lineup, that’s probably what the Sharks are. Without them, they’re still very good, but Sunday’s 5-1 loss in Chicago was a good reminder that there are certain players on the injured list that are dearly missed and will have to return and be effective if the Sharks are to be considered an elite club.

“Burnzie just has an impact. How we want to play, make them defend, he’s six-foot-five, 230 [pounds], compliments [Thornton]. He’s just a high-end difference maker,” Wilson said. “Raffi has a big impact on our team, too. Taking two guys like that out of the lineup, the reality is it changes the makeup of our lineup a little bit.”

“We look at it as we’ve come through it in a good place, and we look forward to when everybody is back healthy. In the meantime, other guys have got some really good looks, and shown what they can do.”

One of those, of course, is rookie Tomas Hertl. Although it was no surprise that the team’s 2012 first round pick made the team out of training camp, Hertl’s early success has surprised even Wilson. The 20-year-old leads the Sharks with 12 goals, and his 18 points overall is most among NHL rookies.

“I’d be lying, sitting here with the numbers that he’s got, that we would have projected that,” Wilson said. “Did we know that he was a really good player, and that having played with men (in the Czech League) he had the ability to play with top players? That we did believe.”

Still, it’s been the “big four” of Thornton, Marleau, Pavelski and Couture that have led the way. Pavelski and Thornton are tied for the team lead with 22 points, while Couture and Marleau have 20 apiece.

The Sharks are the only team in the NHL with four players with at least 20 points. In fact, only one other team has three players with at least 20 (New York Islanders).

Wilson was asked specifically about Couture and Pavelski, who will be the core of the team for at least the next half-decade after their off-season extensions.

“Those guys, even if they weren’t statistically where they are, they help you win games,” Wilson said. “Those contracts haven’t even kicked in yet. … They are not the type of guys that the contracts make any impact on. They are just going to play. That’s the beauty of them, is they have such great respect for Jumbo and Patty, and Jumbo and Patty understand that these guys make them better, too. They just play.”

Considering the injuries, and the nature of their recent, nonsensical five-game road trip that saw them change time zones before each game, Wilson also was quick to credit Todd McLellan and staff for keeping the team competitive in the loaded Pacific Division.

“Not having much in the way in practice time, I think that tells you how good a job the coaches did, and the players in training camp to establish how we wanted to play,” Wilson said.

“You ask me how I feel right now, I feel pretty good.”


725352 St Louis Blues

Bernie: Don't judge Blues by failures of the past

4 hours ago • Bernie Miklasz • [email protected]

Morrow is beginning to make presence felt with Blues

Two goals in Tuesday's win over Buffalo will go a long way in helping him find a groove with his new club. Read more

Nearly a quarter into the season the Blues are 14-3-3 through 20 games, a record that represents the best start in franchise history. And going into tonight’s game at Boston, the Blues have the top winning percentage in the National Hockey League.

That’s swell. How exciting. But what does it really mean? Didn’t the Blues dash their way to a 6-1 start last season? It’s easy to be cynical, jaded or

downright suspicious. The Blues, after all, have created distrust through the decades with their frequent failures at money time.

I’m going to put all of that aside now. I want to enjoy watching this Blues team. They deserve to be judged by what they’re doing instead of being lumped in with past disappointments.

Feel free to laugh at me later, but I believe this version of the Blues will ultimately prove to have more substance and quality than the recent Blues teams that raised hopes before deflating the party balloons.

This doesn’t mean I think the 2014 Blues will destroy all challengers to win the Stanley Cup. But I refuse to discount their chances by presuming failure up ahead. Why do that? Besides, the truth will emerge a few months from now, in what should be a brutally difficult Western Conference playoffs.

Wednesday I asked Blues GM Doug Armstrong why the current Blues should be viewed as more capable and trustworthy than their recent predecessors.

“We’re a good team,” he said. “But this is a hungry group right now. These players want to prove that they can beat the better teams. Losing to the Kings in the playoffs the last two years has sharpened them. The players worked very hard all summer. Their focus has been lasered on, right from the start.”

There’s more to it than that. The Blues’ depth is impressive. Alexander Steen’s scoring spree aside, the goals are coming from many sources, and on most nights there isn’t much of a performance gap between the Blues’ second, third and fourth lines.

Seventeen Blues have scored goals, with 11 having three or more. Armstrong’s additions of Derek Roy and Brenden Morrow made the top-to-bottom roster strength even more formidable.

“Our four lines are deeper,” Armstrong said. “And when we need to call on replacements, there’s no real drop-off. If there are injuries, we don’t have to move backwards.”

The enhanced depth is revealed in other ways.

The Blues’ average of 3.4 goals a game ranks second in the NHL and would be the highest scoring rate for the franchise in a full season since the 1991-1992 Blues averaged 3.49 goals. And those Blues had a couple of Hall of Famers named Hull and Shanahan combining for 103 goals.

“Teams are built one of two ways,” Armstrong said. “If you’re a team like Pittsburgh, which has star power, you can rely on that. But if you don’t have that caliber of star players, then you build a team that shares the wealth, with the scoring spread around. We have a lot of above-average players who can help us win games in a variety of ways.”

To use the popular hockey parlance, the Blues are a “heavy” team. They’re hard to knock off the puck, hard to dislodge in scrums against the wall, and are basically a pain in the posterior to compete against.

The finesse is layered in through the passing and the precision of the Blues’ defensemen. The excellent Jay Bouwmeester leads NHL defenseman in assists per game. And Kevin Shattenkirk (seventh) and Alex Pietrangelo (ninth) aren’t far behind him. Heck, even the Blues’ human grizzly bear — defenseman Roman Polak — has bagged three goals already.

Bouwmeester’s importance shouldn’t be underestimated. Remember the constant shuffling of left-side defensemen last season? Remember the frustrating challenge of finding a left defenseman to pair with Pietrangelo?

Enter Bouwmeester. Since Armstrong acquired him on April 1 of last season, the Blues are 26-6-3 — the best record in the league over that time. It’s no coincidence; Bouwmeester has made a real difference. Since his arrival, the Blues have the NHL’s best even-strength goal differential at plus-27.

This was the plan.

This is why Blues owner Tom Stillman pumped millions of fresh payroll dollars into defense spending.

Coach Ken Hitchcock implores his team to control the puck and amass a substantial edge in offensive-zone possession time, and the Blues’ defensemen are the initiators. Led by Bouwmeester and Pietrangelo, the D-men make the system go, and flow.

The Blues have the skill to advance the puck through the hazardous neutral zone — that key area where mistakes become the turnovers that lead to odd-man rushes for the other side.

“The defense is the strength of our team,” Armstrong said.

Gazing forward, the Blues face many challenges.

The entire Western Conference is a challenge.

The goaltending must get better; the Blues rank 23rd among 30 teams in save percentage. Shaky goaltending can wreck even the best of teams.

The Blues’ have taken advantage of an early schedule that had them on the road for only eight of the first 20 games. The terrain becomes more treacherous now.

The stretch of schedule that begins tonight will push the Blues to raise their collective game to a higher level. Their next six opponents — Boston, Dallas, Minnesota, Colorado, San Jose and Los Angeles — were a combined 81-32-12 through Tuesday.

We don’t know what the future holds. Given all of the sudden wrong turns that led to demoralizing crashes in previous postseasons, the Blues and their fans should stay on guard.

This is no time to be cocky or arrogant. But so far the Blues are playing with a greater level of commitment. Last season we heard a frustrated Hitchcock frequently challenge his players to buy in.

In the early weeks of the new season, we haven’t heard any sales pitches from the cantankerous coach. As for the Blues being a more serious contender, well, I’m ready to put skepticism aside.

I’m buying in.

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 11.21.2013


Morrow is beginning to make presence felt with Blues

4 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford [email protected] 314-444-7135

Bernie: Don't judge Blues by failures of the past

Nearly a quarter into the season the Blues are 14-3-3 through 20 games, a record that represents the best start in franchise history. Read more

NHL roundup: Penguins blank Capitals

Crosby lifts Penguins past Caps Read more

BOSTON • Brenden Morrow’s two goals Tuesday night in Buffalo were certainly important to the Blues, allowing them to skate past the Sabres 4-1. But on a personal level, the veteran winger was the bigger beneficiary.

Morrow, 34, says he’s still finding himself after signing a one-year, $1.5 million contract with club in the middle of training camp. He recently missed five games with an upper-body injury, but he’s been back in the lineup for the last five. When he suits up tonight against Boston, it will mark his 14th game in 2013-14.

“You think with the years of experience, you pick it up easy, but it does take some time for everyone to get in the groove,” Morrow said. “I’m just starting to feel more and more comfortable every day.”

That’s why his two tallies Tuesday will go a long way in making Morrow feel more needed by the Blues on the ice, and as a leader in the locker room, one looking to make his presence felt as the season unfolds.

“It probably helps me feel more comfortable … you’re chipping in, feeling more part of the team,” Morrow said. “There’s been some games when I felt more comfortable and been rewarded with more ice time and then there’s been some games when you’re not contributing.

“You want to say the right things, but you kind of got to back it up and some games you’re not backing it up. The more comfortable you feel with your own game, the easier it is to voice that opinion. I haven’t been as vocal here yet. I’m just still trying to find my way a little bit.”

Morrow, who finished 2012-13 in Pittsburgh after 13 seasons in Dallas, had other options when he signed with St. Louis. The Blues, he said, offered him a chance to play on a Stanley Cup contender, and that belief has only been bolstered since his arrival.

“I don’t know if I necessarily thought we’d be 14-3-3,” Morrow said. “I just knew playing against this team, how hard they work and how competitive they are. We’ve had lulls in our game, where you get caught on the wrong side of pucks. There have been games where maybe our focus hasn’t been in the right areas and you need a little kick in the (rear) to figure that out. But I think for the most part, it’s a pretty well-oiled team that goes about its business and does the same thing every day.”

There has been opinion outside the Blues’ locker room that the team has trouble handling success and working through on-ice failures. But Morrow, who was the Stars’ captain his last seven years in Dallas, said that he has yet to sense any of those issues, on or off the ice.

“The good thing for us is we really haven’t had a ton of adversity yet,” he said. “I do know from just being in the locker room, when our game does start to tail off, it doesn’t have to be (Blues coach Ken Hitchcock talking) every time. There’s people in our locker room that see those things and try to straighten it out.”

While Morrow admits he hasn’t been as outspoken as he may be in the future, Hitchcock said that his presence has made other players accountable.

“It’s not what he says,” Hitchcock said. “It’s the way he acts and the way he behaves. I don’t want to say that it scares people straight. I think his presence and his stare make you want to play a little bit harder.”

The Blues have had plenty of veterans in the twilight of their careers in the lineup in recent years, from Jamie Langenbrunner to Jason Arnott to Scott Nichol.

While each of those players earned tremendous respect, Morrow is viewed as a player who has more left in the tank at this stage. Three seasons ago, he netted 33 goals and 56 points with Dallas. Although he may never reach those totals again, he does have four goals and six points in 14 games with the Blues.

“Oh yeah, he’s going to end up scoring here,” Hitchcock said. “I think the only worry you have with older players who still have game left are the wear and tear on them. You’ve got to be careful with them because they’ve had a lot of miles on them. But he’s more than capable of getting into holes and he’s got great offensive instincts.

“Those goals he scored (Tuesday), those are typical Brenden Morrow goals. He brings a real edge to our game. But we’ve got to manage his health. He’s been in a lot of battles and he’s been kind of the prime race horse in those battles. You want to take care of him so he can contribute … because when he’s healthy and he’s able to play, he can really help us.”

What matters now for Morrow is establishing himself with a new team and staying fresh, but “what I care more about is April, May and June, how this team is playing then. We’re playing well, but we just need to make sure we’re getting better every day.”

Defenseman Barret Jackman, who helped recruit Morrow to the Blues, said: “April, May and June, come the playoffs, he’s the type of guy that’s like a Claude Lemieux, where you know you’re going to get a big goal out of him or a big play that may be the difference in the series. There’s no substitute for depth and experience when it comes to the playoffs, and he’s a guy that is going to bring that all year and in the postseason.”



Blues glad to be receiving secondary scoring lately

18 hours ago • By Jeremy Rutherford [email protected] 314-444-7135

BOSTON • In Tuesday's 4-1 win over the Buffalo Sabres, the Blues picked up two goals from Brenden Morrow, one from Vladimir Tarasenko and another from Magnus Paajarvi.

It marked the club's highest-scoring game of the season in which none of the goals came from the top line of Alexander Steen, David Backes and T.J. Oshie.

The Blues were glad to finally receive secondary scoring against Buffalo, as Morrow netted Nos. 3 and 4 this season, Tarasenko contributed his seventh

and Paajarvi his first. In addition, Chris Stewart added two assists, setting up both Morrow goals.

In Sunday's 4-1 loss to Washington, Vladimir Sobotka scored the Blues' only goal. But his line accounted for 16 of team's 47 shots on goal, including nine by Sobotka and six from Tarasenko.

"We've had different guys step up," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We had (Derek) Roy's line step up in Buffalo and we had Sobotka's line played very well in Washington. We've had some good performances from other people.

"I think getting those two goals from Morrow (against Buffalo), especially that third one, helped ease the tension of being in a close hockey game."

Morrow scored in a 3-2 win over Winnipeg but then missed five games with an upper-body injury. He acknowledged Wednesday the good feeling that comes with contributing again.

"I've scored some pretty big goals over the years," Morrow said. "Every part of hockey is fun, but there's nothing more enjoyable than scoring goals. Everyone wants to score goals and it feels good and I don't think that's something that I've lost over the years.

"You go through slumps and you're scared to death that you may never score another goal. But it's something I don't feel like I can't do anymore."

The win in Buffalo was only the sixth time in 20 games this season that the no one from the Blues' top line had a goal, although Oshie did set up Tarasenko's power-play goal with an assist.

"We still need (Backes') line to be effective and to create scoring chances," Hitchcock said. "There's going to be nights that they don't get them, but as long as they keep creating the scoring chances, then good things are going to happen."

***

HALAK BACK IN NET

Following his 23-save victory over Buffalo Tuesday, Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak will be back in net Thursday against Boston.

Halak improved his goals-against average to 2.38 and upped his save-percentage to .903. Thursday will be Halak's sixth start in the team's last seven games.

"He was solid (against Buffalo)," Hitchcock said. "He was competing again, he was positionally strong, very good at outleting the puck. He really moved the puck well out of traffic areas. Back engaged where he was before.

"We'll see in Boston... he's going to get a great test. He's going to see more heat against the Bruins, more traffic, more tenacity around the net than he's seen in a while. So it's going to be a game where we really need our goalie."

***

BERGLUND OUT

Center Patrik Berglund didn't skate again Wednesday and will not play against the Bruins Thursday. He's missed the last two games with an upper-body injury.

The Blues are hoping to have Berglund back for Saturday's game against Dallas at Scottrade Center.

"He feels better again today," Hitchcock said. "Didn't skate. We'll see tomorrow morning if he's able to skate tomorrow, then that's Step 1. But he definitely won't play against the Bruins and we're hopefully scheduling him for when we get back home."



Hockey Guy: Blues don't have to lean on Steen

November 20, 2013 5:00 am • By Jeff Gordon [email protected]

The Blues don't need Alexander Steen to score a goal every single night.

Their offense isn’t based around one great goal scorer, like Alex Ovechkin in Washington. Their offense is based on quantity — a lot of guys who can finish, spread over three strong forward lines.

Steen's remarkable start (17 goals in his first 18 games) just sort of happened. He has played great, his line has dominated opponents and pucks have been flying into nets.

He didn't score Tuesday night and the Blues still rolled over the Sabres 4-1 in Buffalo. They are now 14-3-3, their best record after 20 games in team history.

This time it was Brenden Morrow’s turn to step up. He punched in a couple of goals with the help of busy linemate Chris Stewart.

Some fans may have forgotten how well Morrow played in his heyday in Dallas, but Blues general manager Doug Armstrong remembered quite vividly. Morrow was a universally respected leader on some excellent Stars team Armstrong assembled.

Morrow produced a couple of forceful 30-goal seasons for the Stars, most recently in 2010-11. Last season he scored 14 points in 15 games for the Penguins after arriving in a late-season deal.

Like many solid veteran players, he remained unsigned all summer while teams wrestled with salary cap issues. The one-time lowering of the cap — part of the latest collective bargaining agreement — handcuffed many general managers.

Armstrong didn’t really need another Top 9 forward, but he couldn’t resist the opportunity to add strength, leadership, grit and skill. As we noted at the time of his signing, Morrow offered many of the same qualities Scott Mellanby brought some years back.

Coach Ken Hitchcock can move Morrow from line to line and trust him to perform. Morrow may not score in bunches at this late stage of his career, but he still gets into the tough areas and he still has some finish left.

If his presence relegated newcomer Magnus Paajarvi to an extra-man role to start the season, well, so be it.

(And speaking of Paajarvi, how about that missile Magnus blasted past Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller on Tuesday night? The big kid has some upside. Now that he is healthy again, he may push some of the Top 9 guys for some work.)

Hitchcock hasn't had to mess with his top line, David Backes centering Steen and T.J. Oshie. But he can mix and match the rest of his forwards from game to game and shift to shift.

Intrepid Vladimir Sobotka can play all three forward spots on any of the four lines. He stepped up for the injured Patrik Berglund and created a busy line with skilled youngsters Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz.

Veteran Derek Roy can play center and left wing. In this game, he put his puck-moving skills to work with Morrow and Stewart on a most effective line.

The Blues have the size, skill and will to sustain pressure on opponents shift after shift. And unlike some of their previous teams, they have the skill to convert that pressure into goals.

AROUND THE RINKS: First up in Buffalo's GM search is Jim Benning, a former Sabres scout who is currently the assistant GM in Boston . . . The defending Stanley Cup champions got even stronger, with Kris Versteeg returning to Chicago. He adds supplemental scoring to the already strong Blackhawks offense. Right now Chicago is the NHL team to beat . . . How could the Canucks lose to the hapless Panthers at home? That is what volatile coach John Tortorella is wondering . . . Hey, look, David Clarkson scored a goal! That should help the rugged winger relax a bit in Toronto. He has been playing a solid game with good puck possession for the Maple Leafs . . . The Sharks would be willing to part with Martin Havlat, but how many teams have the cap flexibility to take on that risk/reward scenario? . . . The Canadiens knocked Wild goaltender Josh Harding out of the net during a 6-2 victory. That was the first time Harding has been pulled this season . . . The reeling Red Wings sure didn’t need to lose young defenseman Danny DeKeyser to a shoulder injury. He has been one of the steadier players on the Detroit blue line. The Reds Wings have fallen into a 0-6-1 rut. And at Joe Louis Arena, they have lost eight consecutive games. That is hard to imagine . . . Rookie Predators goaltender Marek Mazanec earned his first career shutout at Detroit's expense . . . Michael Del Zotto stock is not trading high in New York right now, but would the Rangers really move the talented offensive defenseman?


725356 Tampa Bay Lightning

Tonight’s Game: Lightning at Sharks

Erik Erlendsson

Published: November 21, 2013

WHERE/WHEN: SAP Center, San Jose; 10:30 p.m.

TV/RADIO: Sun Sports/970 AM

INJURIES: Lightning - D Brian Lee (knee), C Steven Stamkos (broken leg), out; D Keith Aulie (upper body), questionable; D Mark Barberio (upper body), probable. Sharks - RW Raffi Torres (knee), C Adam Burish (lower body), out; LW Brent Burns (upper body), questionable.

NEED TO KNOW: This is the first of two meetings. ...The Lightning are 6-7-1 all time in San Jose, but 1-7-1 in the past nine. ...The Sharks are 5-1-2 at home and have outscored opponents 34-21. ...San Jose has outscored opponents 28-12 in the first period. ...D Victor Hedman has two goals and four points in the past three games. ...Sharks’ C Joe Thornton has 15 goals and 36 points in 32 career games against Tampa Bay. ...The Lightning allowed four power-play goals in the past two games after allowing two in the previous 14 games. ...G Anders Lindback is 1-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in his only career appearance against the Sharks. ...Tampa Bay assigned D Dmitry Korobov to Syracuse of the American Hockey League on Wednesday, one day after he made his NHL debut. ...Aulie (upper body) continued to practice with a red no-contact jersey on Wednesday.

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 11.21.2013


Bolts hope to reverse fortunes against San Jose

By Erik Erlendsson | Tribune Staff

Published: November 21, 2013

SAN JOSE, Calif. — The Lightning landed in Silicon Valley on Wednesday hoping to avoid sliding deeper into the valley created by back-to-back losses.

For the first time this season, Tampa Bay has lost consecutive games heading into today’s meeting with San Jose. During the first six weeks of the season the Lightning showed a resilient attitude that guided the team after a loss with the ability to answer with a victory. Now they hope to tap back into that ability, looking to avoid the first three-game losing streak of the season.

“It’s not panic time, it’s just addressing and correcting the mistakes and making sure we stop this,” Lightning captain Marty St. Louis said. “You don’t want a two-gamer to turn into a four- or five-gamer. Let’s be honest and assess your game, be honest in how you’re playing, and at the end of the day we all have to do more.”

The task certainly will be daunting against San Jose, which sits third in the league in scoring. And through the first half of the four-game road trip through Arizona and California, Tampa Bay has looked a bit out of sorts. The puck poise and ability to make plays in the early going have been absent. Turnovers have been an issue, the goaltending has slipped just enough to show, and perhaps the realization of the absence of Steven Stamkos has finally set in.

“I was hoping that the high of emotion from Steven going down was going to last a little bit longer than two games, but this was to be expected. You go through the high, then the reality sets in that we are not getting a bump,” Lightning head coach Jon Cooper said. “But I think for a good portion of the year our players have really not shown their warts and over the course of the last couple of games we’ve showed our warts. Every team has them, we have them, they just haven’t come out.”

This bit of adversity is the first time Tampa Bay will really be tested. Overcoming the loss of Stamkos certainly tested the mettle of the team, but

with seven rookies on the roster and a total of 10 players who spent part or all of last season in the American Hockey League, it’s a new experience to go through at the NHL level while facing some of the top teams, and top players, for the first time.

In many ways, it’s a trial by fire.

“We (looked) a little bit inexperienced (in the past two losses), and that doesn’t make you a bad team, that doesn’t make you bad hockey players, it’s just the guys have to be put into positions and sometimes you have to get knocked down to pick yourself back up,” Cooper said. “The bad part in this whole thing is we can’t turn to Steven Stamkos to bail us out but at the same time, the good thing about this is we can’t turn to Steven Stamkos to bail us out. ... We have to do it ourselves.”

What has been absent in the past two games, outside of the lack of victories, has been some of the defensive structure that helped Tampa Bay cut down its goals against in the early stages of the season. In the previous two games, against Montreal and Anaheim, it was a completely different story as Tampa Bay had the puck for a majority of the game, created scoring chances and made plays while playing within the confines of the system.

“It’s just keeping things simple and getting back to the things that made us successful early on, and that’s playing good solid team defense,” defenseman Matt Carle said. “I think in both games we got down early and got away from our structure and when we do that we are not a good team. So it’s just get back to our structure and trusting in that no matter what happens in games.”

That’s part of the mentality Tampa Bay wants to have so the slide into the first valley of the season doesn’t sink any further.

“We want to be resilient and bounce back from games (because) we know that once we get on that negative train it might spiral which ever way,” left wing Ryan Malone said. “It’s about us controlling our game and doing what we are supposed to be doing.”

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 11.21.2013


Lessons get harder for Lightning rookies

Damian CristoderoDamian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

Wednesday, November 20, 2013 10:51pm

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Games at Phoenix and Los Angeles the past six days were a revelation for Lightning wing Alex Killorn.

Killorn did not face a Western Conference opponent during the lockout-shortened 2012-13 season, his first season in the league. So the start of a four-game West Coast trip with two losses by a combined score of 11-5 was like an advanced study course, not to mention a slap in the face.

"Teams out in the West, I don't know if they play a different style, it's just different," Killorn said Wednesday. "Teams like L.A., Anaheim, they're pretty big and strong. They hit a lot. You've got to play somewhat of a different game. You've got to keep things simple."

If Killorn, who has played 59 NHL games, feels that way, imagine what it's like for the Lightning's seven rookies — most in the league — all of whom get significant playing time.

Those seven are part of a group of 10 players out of an active roster of 22 who spent either all or part of last season with AHL Syracuse. It is part of a plan to let a talented group of youngsters bond, build and, over time, win together.

But that also means letting them figure out how to deal with adversity at a competitive level with which they have little experience.

Tampa Bay has lost back-to-back games for the first time this season — 6-3 to the Coyotes and 5-2 to the Kings — and looked bad doing it, and it faces potentially even tougher games tonight against the Sharks at the SAP Center and Friday at Anaheim.

It also is without Steven Stamkos, out indefinitely with a broken leg. Stamkos provided scoring, but the defensive attention paid him by opponents also created room for his teammates. With Stamkos gone, opponents can more

evenly allocate their defense. That means everyone has to play at a higher level.

Instead, the Lightning on Tuesday against the Kings was sloppy. It couldn't control the puck and was outshot 31-21.

"You could see that we just made inexperienced mistakes," coach Jon Cooper said. "It doesn't make you a bad team. It doesn't make you bad hockey players. Guys just have to be put in these positions, and sometimes you have to get knocked down to pick yourself back up."

It's a lesson rookie defenseman Radko Gudas said he learned in the 22 games he played last season with Tampa Bay after his promotion from Syracuse.

"The players are way more smarter, and the speed of the game is way different," Gudas said. "The guys know where to go, so it's harder to make a play. You have to make sure you have smart and fast thinking to be able to get the puck to someone."

The thing is, it all seemed to be working so smoothly the first six weeks of the season, when Tampa Bay started 14-5. But the inevitable bumps have begun, and how the young players respond will play a large part in the team's success or failure.

"The bad part to this whole thing is we can't turn to Steven Stamkos to bail us out," Cooper said. "But in saying that, the good thing about this is we can't turn to Steven Stamkos to bail us out. We have to do it ourselves."

"The beginning of this road trip was kind of like a wakeup call," said Killorn, promoted last season from Syracuse. "There's a lot of young guys on this team. If we all start keeping it simple, we'll be fine."

MINOR MOVE: Defenseman Dmitry Korobov was reassigned to Syracuse.

. Tonight

Lightning at Sharks

When/where: 10:30; SAP Center, San Jose, Calif.

TV/radio: Sun Sports; 970-AM

Key stats: The Lightning is 6-7-0 with a tie in San Jose and has lost four straight by a combined score of 22-6. … Sharks C Joe Thornton entered Wednesday with a league-best 20 assists. … C Tomas Hertl's 12 goals and 18 points led league rookies. … Tampa Bay's four short-handed goals allowed entered Wednesday tied for the league lead. … Former Lightning D Dan Boyle has a goal and seven points against Tampa Bay since he was traded to the Sharks in July 2008. … The Sharks have outscored opponents 28-12 in the first period.

Young and restless

The Lightning has seven rookies on its roster:

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 11.21.2013


Cooper fiddling with lines ahead of Thursday's game with the Sharks in San Jose

Damian CristoderoDamian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer

Wednesday, November 20, 2013 9:17pm

After two disappointing games to start a four-game, west-coast road trip -- a 6-3 loss to the Coyotes and a 5-2 loss to the Kings -- Lightning coach Jon Cooper shook up his lines during Wednesday practice.

With Tampa Bay being outshot 31-21 by Los Angeles, Cooper clearly is looking for some offensive energy for Thursday's game with the Sharks in San Jose.

Here is how the line shook out in practice:

Teddy Purcell-Valtteri Filppula-Marty St. Louis

Ryan Malone-Alex Killorn-J.T. Brown

Ondrej Palat-Tyler Johnson-Richard Panik

Pierre-Cedric Labrie-Nate Thompson-B.J. Crombeen with Brett Connolly, who had been centering between Killorn and St. Louis, taking turns at wing.

Asked after practice about the lines, Cooper said, "Just trying some different things, getting some different looks. We'll see about (Thursday)."

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 11.21.2013

725360 Toronto Maple Leafs

Mirtle: Leafs not satisfied despite strong first-quarter results

JAMES MIRTLE

TORONTO — The Globe and Mail

Published Wednesday, Nov. 20 2013, 9:12 PM EST

Last updated Wednesday, Nov. 20 2013, 11:28 PM EST

They have one of the best records in the Eastern Conference, with a 13-7-1 start equating to a 105-point pace that would put them ahead of even last season’s 48-game showing.

But while many teams would be comfortable, even complacent, with that situation, the Toronto Maple Leafs hardly sound anything of the sort.

Toronto Maple Leaf Frazer McLaren (38) and New York Islander Matt Carkner (7) trade punches during second period NHL game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Islanders at the Air Canada Centre on Nov 19 2013.

In pictures

Leafs host Tavares and the Islanders

Edmonton forward Nail Yakupov speaks to media during the Oilers first day of training camp in Edmonton on Sunday, January 13, 2013.

Podcast

The struggling Oilers and the Nail Yakupov conundrum

Video

Video: An Olympic hockey gold medallist's concussion prevention tips

Leafs management, coaching staff and players are all insisting they can be better – and they likely need to be to keep up the pace.

“I don’t think we’re anywhere near as good as we can play yet,” said winger James van Riemsdyk, who is on pace for 38 goals and 67 points in what would be a second consecutive career year. “That’s encouraging, especially because we’ve been able to put some points in the bank in the standings.”

Where Toronto has had success this season isn’t disputed. The Leafs goaltending has been outstanding, the power play is one of the NHL’s best and Phil Kessel has once again been one of the most dangerous scorers in the league.

Where it needs to improve, however, draws a slightly different answer depending on who’s asked.

After last Tuesday’s 5-2 win over the New York Islanders, Kessel argued the Leafs need to allow fewer shots on goal to help their goaltenders more. But teammate Joffrey Lupul explained Wednesday he believes the scoring chance numbers assistant coach Chris Dennis keeps and posts in the dressing room each game are more pertinent.

“Our coaches track scoring chances, not shots,” Lupul said. “After the game, they put up the scoring chances. And if there’s ever a big disparity in that, it’s going to be an issue with the coaches and the players. But if [opponents] get 40 shots and five scoring chances, that doesn’t concern us.”

Not that the players always agree with the numbers on the board.

“Some games, we argue with the stat-taking,” Lupul said. “No matter what happens – shots, chances, faceoffs – we can still make the argument [that they’re wrong].”

Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle, meanwhile, framed his team’s issue as one with giving up the puck, adding another wrinkle to the conversation.

He said his staff breaks down turnovers by whether they were forced or unforced, and early in Tuesday’s win, there were far too many of the unforced variety.

“It’s always something we chart and try to minimize the number of turnovers that we have,” Carlyle said. “The good teams and the teams that win hockey games have less of them. Simple as that.”

Overall, what the talk boils down to is the Leafs aren’t particularly happy with their defensive game, despite the fact they’ve allowed just 2.29 goals per game.

That’s why rumours continue to persist there will be a change made on the blueline, and the names most often in the mix are Jake Gardiner and John-Michael Liles.

One (Gardiner) is of immense value because of his youth and ability to play in the top four on a decent team, while the other (Liles) is a burden on the salary cap management is anxious to move even if they have to eat half of the $3.875-million (U.S.) hit.

(The Carolina Hurricanes are considered the most interested in adding Liles at this point, with vice president of hockey operations Ron Francis reportedly attending some of the Toronto Marlies recent games. Liles has eight points and is plus-6 in 11 games in the AHL.)

Even if a move isn’t made, the Leafs are confident they can keep pace in the Eastern Conference through improvement from within, something their coach has called for repeatedly.

“We feel this hockey club can play to a higher level,” Carlyle said.

Even if a move isn’t made, the Leafs are confident they can keep pace in the Eastern Conference through improvement from within, something their coach has called for repeatedly, even after wins.

“We feel this hockey club can play to a higher level,” Carlyle said.

“Obviously it takes time for the guys to fully realize how to play in different systems and get comfortable in their roles,” van Riemsdyk said of a Leafs lineup that has had plenty of different looks due to off-season changes, injuries and suspensions. “There’s a lot of things at play. But you don’t want to peak in November. That doesn’t do anyone any good. We know we’ve been fairly successful so far, but as long as we continue to get better, that’s all that really matters.”

Globe And Mail LOADED: 11.21.2013


Maple Leafs: Young defencemen Morgan Rielly, Seth Jones on different career curves

By: Mark Zwolinski Sports reporter, Published on Wed Nov 20 2013

Morgan Rielly is expected to play when the Maple Leafs take on Nashville Thursday night at the ACC, and the game could mark a watershed moment in his young NHL career.

It would be natural to compare Rielly with fellow 19-year-old defenceman Seth Jones of the Predators. But while they both represent a growing trend in the NHL — teenagers with NHL experience — their career paths have gone in different directions.

Jones may be the leading candidate for rookie of the year honours at this early juncture of the season. He leads all rookies with just under 24 minutes of ice time per game and has been listed at 39th in SportsPro Magazine’s 50 most marketable athletes in the world.

Rielly ranks sixth among the seven Leafs defenceman in ice time (17:06 per game), and his entry into the high-pressure, high-visibility world of pro hockey has been more guarded than Jones.

Toronto wants its prized youngster to experience the NHL in his first full season, and that means being exposed to the NHL lifestyle, even as a healthy scratch.

Rielly is also playing in the biggest hockey market in the world, a definite contrast to Jones’ market, and the Leafs consequently monitor his development right down to how he spends his time away from the rink.

To that end, Rielly recently took up as a roommate with 23-year-old Jake Gardiner.

“We think it’s a positive thing for young guys to be with other young guys,” Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said.

“It’s a big city (Toronto) for a young guy to kind of strike out on his own in. For him to be with someone his own age is important . . . there are temptations out there, so we like to keep close tabs on our young players and make sure they start out right.”

Jones enters Thursday’s game with a viable shot at the U.S. Olympic team, which is managed by Predators GM David Poile.

Poile said this week his blueline roster is down to 12 players and Jones is still part of the equation.

“I guess I’ve had a pretty decent start to the year, I’m playing my game and I’m feeling confident,” said Jones, who played against Rielly as youngsters in the Brick Novice Hockey Tournament in Edmonton. “I think I play a lot of minutes for a reason, but the organization has been great to me and they’ve made it easy for me to play the game.”

Rielly’s focus is playing among the top six in Toronto; the Leafs have projected him as a future top-two defensive pair.

In the meantime, a little good-natured fun with roommate Gardiner is beneficial to offset the pressure of playing hockey in Toronto.

“We go at it quite a bit on most things, if it’s (an interactive video) on X-Box or something else, and he’s dirtier than I am so I have to get on him about being clean,” Rielly said.

“We do coin flips on who pays and I’m up I think . . . he’s angry over that. He’s messy, ask anyone on the team and they’ll tell you that.”

Rielly has yet to own a car in Toronto, so for now, Gardiner handles all the driving. The two even jokingly purchased matching suits on a recent shopping trip.

Ultimately, the two are the youngest members of the Leafs’ blueline, but the time is rapidly approaching where they will be asked to take some pressure off of the top pairing of Dion Phaneuf and Carl Gunnarsson.

Phaneuf currently leads the Leafs in ice time per game with 24:17 while Gunnarsson leads the team in blocked shots with 63.

Toronto is the only team in the NHL to have three players in the NHL’s top 10 in ice time on the penalty kill; Jay McClement is second, Phaneuf fifth, and Gunnarsson seventh.

Thursday’s game will also mark the return of Leafs centre Nazem Kadri after serving a three-game suspension.

Toronto Star LOADED: 11.21.2013


NHL: Players split on possible move to 3-on-3 OT: Feschuk

By: Dave Feschuk Sports Columnist, Published on Wed Nov 20 2013

Near the end of Maple Leafs practice on Wednesday, the local NHLers partook in a spirited game of 3 on 3.

If you favour a counterpunching speed game wherein odd-man rushes are only slightly more common than breakaways, you would have enjoyed the show. One moment new centreman Peter Holland was in alone and authoring a gorgeous deke to score on James Reimer, the next Jonathan Bernier was leaving his crease to skilfully ignite a rush with another in a line of pinpoint passes. The action was blindingly fast. The spotlight was on skill. But the workout was intense.

As a couple of veterans pointed out after it was over, the session of 3 on 3 might be more fun than coach Randy Carlyle’s go-to conditioning regimens of bag skates and battle drills. But it was still exhausting.

“Some of the guys were saying, ‘This is what the NHL wants in overtime?’” said Mark Fraser, the Leafs defenceman. “It sure is (tiring).”

Indeed, such was the word out of last week’s general managers’ meeting in Toronto. The league’s GMs appear to be united in their wish to extend overtime by a few minutes from its current five-minute, 4-on-4 format. Exactly how to extend it is up for debate. Red Wings GM Ken Holland has long pushed the idea of an additional period of 3 on 3. One of Holland’s former star players, Tampa Bay GM Steve Yzerman, is among a cadre of executives who’d be happy to see more overtime but would like to see it played 4 on 4. The GMs have vowed to discuss the issue further and perhaps recommend a change in league rules when they next meet in March.

Whatever the details, the idea is to ensure more games get decided in “real” hockey situations before the shootout. The league is currently on pace to set a new high for the most shootouts in a season. Some 15.9 per cent of NHL games had ended in the swapping of penalty shots heading into Wednesday’s contests, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. It’s a number that has generally increased since the shootout was introduced in 2005-06, when 11.8 per cent of games were settled with the controversial method.

If it’ll be difficult enough to get 30 GMs to agree on a rule change, it’ll certainly be tricky to reach consensus with the 700-plus members of the NHL players’ association on whether or not it would be worth supporting a rule that would essentially require more toil from the on-ice workforce.

“The game is pretty taxing already, especially for guys who play in those overtime situations, so I’m sure that’ll be the PA’s stance on it,” said Joffrey Lupul, the Leafs forward. “You don’t want to be playing too long. The shootout will be there regardless, so it’ll just make for a long night. But it could also be pretty exciting. It would basically just be back and forth odd-man rushes. It would be good for the fans. . . . Still, people who have problems with the shootout say it’s not a hockey situation. Is 3 on 3 really hockey? I’m cool either way.”

A spokesman for the players’ association said the league has not yet raised the issue with the players, but that a change in format would require their consent.

Surveying a handful of athletes in the home and visiting dressing rooms at Air Canada Centre of late, opinions are wide-ranging and sometimes smilingly self-serving.

“I think I’m 0-for-5 this year on the shootout, so I’d like more overtime,” said John Tavares, the New York Islanders centre.

Cody Franson, the Leafs defenceman, said he’d like to see the extra-time protocols stay as they are.

“But I can understand where Mr. Holland is coming from — he’s got a team that is very creative and they’d probably really benefit from a couple of extra minutes of 3 on 3,” Franson said. “Every team is built a little different. Teams that are built like his are probably more amenable to something like that.”

Leafs centre Nazem Kadri said a possible move to 3 on 3 would bring him back to his minor-hockey heyday. As an 11-year-old member of the London Junior Knights, Kadri said he remembers scoring the winning goal in a tournament in which the overtime format saw each passing minute remove a player from each side. What started out as 4 on 4 turned into 3 on 3 until, eventually, Kadri was the only skater from his team on the ice in a 1 on 1 showdown.

“Being the only person on the ice for your team, to score a goal and have the whole bench clear, it’s just something you don’t see too often. And I’ve never got the opportunity to do it again,” Kadri said. “Even when it’s 3 on 3, you’ve got to play smart, but it’s not a chip-and-chase game. It’s where the playmakers do their best work.”

Leafs forward James van Riemsdyk, a fan of the status quo, made a salient point that has also been put forward by the likes of Pittsburgh’s Sidney Crosby: If the league is bent on seeing more games decided in regulation and overtime, it should simply provide more incentive in the standings.

“In the college standings, you get three points for a regulation or overtime win and a shootout win is two points,” van Riemsdyk said. “That way you put less weight on the shootout, but it’s still a way to decide the games.”

All the talk around a change in overtime format suggests NHL influence-wielders are ignoring a more depressing trend. As esteemed numbers guru Randy Robles pointed out, this season has seen scoring fall to its lowest level since the 2004-05 lockout. Through Tuesday, the average NHL game was producing 5.30 goals — down from 5.31 a season ago despite a much-ballyhooed reduction in the size of goalie pads that was designed to make it easier for shooters to find the twine. Back in 2005-06, when the league was heralded for its crackdown on clutching and grabbing, there were 6.05 goals a game. Even that higher-flying brand is grossly

conservative in history’s grand scheme. The 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers, don’t forget, averaged 5.58 goals a game by themselves.

While the NFL and NBA continually find ways to facilitate fan-friendly offence, the NHL never seems to cease going in another direction. Tinkering with overtime could be fun, but Robles is among those suggesting a targeted increase in the size of nets could produce a long-sought increase in regulation scoring. As the GMs are fond of saying, it’s a topic worthy of further discussion, and hopefully meaningful action.



Maple Leafs: Five things to know about the Nashville Predators

By: Curtis Rush News reporter, Published on Wed Nov 20 2013

Nashville is coming to the Air Canada Centre (7 p.m., LEAFS TV) off an impressive 2-0 shutout of the talented Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena:

1. When the Leafs met the Predators on Oct. 10, the Leafs put up a 4-0 whitewash on Nashville in their own barn. Pekka Rinne, now injured, was in goal for Nashville. He faced 26 shots, while Jonathan Bernier faced 36 shots in getting the shutout.

2. Pekka Rinne is due for an MRI at the end of this month on his ailing hip and the results will tell a lot about what the Predators are going to do going forward. Rinne had arthroscopic hip surgery Oct. 24, but received a setback when a bacterial infection in his hip was discovered. He has been on crutches and antibiotics. Depending on what the MRI reveals, the Predators may make a trade to help the team out in goal. They say they are happy with two young goalies that they have, but the Preds are far below where they should be in standings. Nashville’s backup goalie is Carter Hutton.

3. Marek Mazanec, a 22-year-old goalie from the Czech Republic, got his first NHL shutout, making 27 stops in leading the Predators to a 2-0 victory over the Red Wings on Tuesday night. It was the second straight win for Mazanec in his fourth straight start. At six-foot-four, Mazanec covers a lot of the net.

4. It will be another Canadian homecoming of sorts as Rich Clune, Ryan Ellis, Mike Fisher, Kevin Klein and Nick Spaling all call Southern Ontario home during the off-season.

5. GM David Poile’s assistant, Paul Fenton, is on the radar as the next GM-in-waiting in the NHL. Already Buffalo is said to be interested in him as they search for a new GM following the firing of Darcy Regier.



Maple Leafs: Kadri back between Kessel and Van Riemsdyk

By: Mark Zwolinski Sports reporter, Published on Wed Nov 20 2013

Nazem Kadri was on the Toronto Maple Leafs top line in practice Wednesday as he prepares to return from his three-game suspension.

Kadri says he won’t change the way he bodychecks other players now that he is returning from a suspension.

Kadri ran over Minnesota Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom, and he’s missed the last three games as a result. The Leafs went 2-1 in his absence.

But Kadri, while realizing his fault in the Backstrom hit, isn’t about to tailor his physical play.

“I guess I’m on probation now,” Kadri said, smiling, after the Leafs practiced Wednesday in advance of their home game against Nashville Thursday.

“But I think I’ve been good in my career. When I make a hit I make sure my hands are down and my (elbows and arms) are down. Maybe I have to pay more attention to it but I won’t be paying too much attention to it, I don’t think I have to change the way I hit people.”

Kadri’s return Thursday was foreshadowed Wednesday at practice, where he suited up on the top line between Phil Kessel and James Van Riemsdyk.

Kadri has played with both before, and he is likely to stay there atleast until Tyler Bozak returns from his injury.

Bozak is eligible to come off the long term injured reserve Thursday, but he only began skating fully with the club in practice the past two days. Saturday is a more likely target for him (against Washington).

“They’re good players and they make it easy on me,” Kadri said about playing on the top line.

“We have a bit of a history so there’s that chemistry there too. I’m just eager to get back into the games, and luckily I haven’t been out too long.”

The Leafs will have to make a roster move and it’s a possibility they return Trevor Smith to the Marlies. But Smith has performed admirably well for the Leafs during a span over the past two weeks where they’ve had their top three centers shelved either due to injury or suspension.

“He’s done a heckuva job for us,” Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said of Smith.

“It was doom and gloom when we saw Kadri was out for three games, and Smith … that’s a credit to the Marlies staff and our scouting staff that they make players available to us who can jump in and do the job.”

Smith practiced Wednesday on the second line between Joffrey Lupul and David Clarkson.

The remaining lines shaped up with Peter Holland between Mayson Raymond and Nik Kulemin on the third line, and Jay McClement between Colton Orr and Jerred Smithson (Carter Ashton, Fraser McLaren, and Bozak were the extras).



Maple Leafs: David Clarkson makes the penthouse, Franson contemplates doghouse

By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Wed Nov 20 2013

With the top centres of the Maple Leafs filtering back into the lineup this week, the rest of the team can hold their heads high and say they hung on.

The Leafs were in third place (7-4-0) in the Eastern Conference when Tyler Bozak — the first of the big three centres — got hurt.

Nazem Kadri — his three-game suspension complete — will be back Thursday for a home date against the Nashville Predators. Bozak is eligible to come off the injured reserve whenever he’s ready. Thursday is probably a bit optimistic, but the weekend might be circled.

Dave Bolland is a bit further off.

But without Bozak, the Leafs went 6-3-1 and are keeping pace with the leaders in the Eastern Conference.

The Leafs got that sixth win in 10 games thanks to a convincing 5-2 win over the New York Islanders on Tuesday night that has the penthouse so full we may have to buy another.

The doghouse however is empty, but Cody Franson was on its doorstep.

Penthouse

Let’s start with Trevor Smith, subbing for one of those missing centres and making the most of it. He scored 22 seconds in off a feed from Joffrey Lupul. Then Smith added two more assists in 16 minutes and 42 seconds of action.

“When you get that goal confidence you start to elevate yourself right away,” said Smith. “I felt really good. To be honest, I don’t think the rest of the period I played very well.

“It’s always tough when you lose guys to injuries. It’s everybody around working together and elevating their game to fill those voids.”

Then there’s Phil Kessel.

Four games without a goal, battling the flu, maybe a sore wrist and he comes up with a two-goal night. He used that wrist shot for the Leafs’ second (on the power play) and the game’s final goal.

“To see how quick Phil gets rid of that puck, it’s impressive how quick it gets off his stick,” said linemate James van Riemsdyk. “To see him go down the wing or wind up behind the net, he’s a heck of a hockey player. He’s fun to watch when he gets that puck and makes those plays.”

Add to that mix Mason Raymond with his eighth as a Leaf. It was a quick-response goal making the score 3-1 early in the third after New York scored with 12 seconds to go in the second.

The feel-good ending, however, belongs to David Clarkson.

In his 11th game as a Leaf, he got his first goal. It was a key goal. the clincher really. that put the Leafs up 4-1 and gave them a cushion for when Frans Nielson scored later.

The crowd gave Clarkson a huge ovation.

“It does feel good . . . it gets some people off my back a little bit. It’s all part of the game. When you’re getting chances it is eventually going to come.

“The biggest thing is we won the game” said Clarkson. “I’ve tried to preach that the whole time. I wasn’t brought here to be a 50-goal scorer. I’m going to get my chances and bear down when I do. The big thing is winning games. I came here to win.”

Doghouse

It’s empty for the time being, and rightfully so.

But Franson’s minus-2 performance in a game when the opposition only scored twice might have put him in there. But he does so many other things, and we’re not huge fans of the plus-minus stat. So we’ll leave Franson on the doghouse doorstep this time.



Former Maple Leafs goalie Ben Scrivens: By the numbers

By: Curtis Rush News reporter, Published on Wed Nov 20 2013

Ben Scrivens is writing his own L.A. story as a red-hot fill-in goalie.

It’s enough to make you think he is trying to convince the Maple Leafs they made a mistake by trading him away to the Kings this past summer in the Jonathan Bernier deal.

Two consecutive shutouts and four consecutive victories will do that.

The Leafs are hoping that Scrivens and the Kings cool off before they arrive in Toronto for a date at the Air Canada Centre on Dec. 11.

Scrivens has replaced Jonathan Quick, who is out until Christmas with a groin strain, and he’s been the talk of the NHL heading into a home game against New Jersey on Thursday night.

Scrivens' shutout streak ended at 191 minutes, 19 seconds on Tuesday in a 5-2 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning, but it was Scrivens’ fourth straight win.

Here is what you need to know about Scrivens’ latest hot streak.

TO THE RESCUE: On Nov. 12 against the Buffalo Sabres, Scrivens relieved injured starter Jonathan Quick for the final 1:20 of overtime and was the goaltender of record in a 3-2 shootout loss. Since then, he has won four straight games.

CONSECUTIVE SHUTOUTS: After beating the Islanders 3-2 on Nov. 14, Scrivens blanked the New Jersey Devils last Friday and then New York Rangers last Sunday.

SHOTS STOPPED IN TWO SHUTOUTS: 63

SCORELESS STREAK: Scoreless streak ended at 191 minutes, 19 seconds on Valtteri Filppula's power-play goal late in the second period on Tuesday.

He fell just short of Quick's franchise-record shutout streak of 202 minutes, 11 seconds.

ACHIEVEMENT: First Kings goalie to record back-to-back road shutouts on the same trip.

RECORD IN LAST FOUR: 4-0-0 (5-1-1 overall)

GAA IN LAST FOUR: 1.00 (1.35 overall)

SAVE PERCENTAGE IN LAST FOUR: .963 (.949 overall)

HONOURS: NHL’s first star of the week.

BORN: Spruce Grove, Alta.

NICKNAME: He is nicknamed “The Professor” because of a penchant for using big words. He graduated from Cornell University in hotel management.

SHAKESPEARE: Scrivens has lines from King Lear and Macbeth transcribed onto his goalie mask. From King Lear: “Allow not nature more than nature needs, Man’s life is cheap as beast’s.” From Macbeth: “The cry is still, ‘they come!’ Our castle’s strength will laugh a siege to scorn.”

SCRIVENS ON STREAK: “I want to win more than I want shutouts.”

LOMBARDI ON SCRIVENS: GM Dean Lombardi told Sportsnet 590: “Our goalie coaches had scouted Ben quite a bit before we made the deal. There were some holes in his game and we started to try to clean those up. We've still got some work to do. The one thing about Ben that he has done is he has worked extremely hard. It's nice to see him be rewarded.”



Maple Leafs Gameday

By Lance Hornby ,Toronto Sun


TORONTO - NASHVILLE AT TORONTO

7 p.m., Air Canada Centre, Leafs TV, 590 AM

FIVE KEYS TO THE GAME

1. Keep home fires burning

Leafs are 2-0 on this five-game home stand in which coach Randy Carlyle wants to firmly establish a "protect-this-house" mentality. It certainly worked on Tuesday against the Islanders, but this will be a much harder test.

2. Cats claw crease

The Preds failed to get a puck past Jonathan Bernier in a 4-0 loss in Nashville last month and expect to face him again. But Marek Mazanec is coming off his own shutout on Tuesday in Detroit and could be an X factor for Leaf shooters unfamiliar with him.

3. Weighting game

A steady arms build-up the past few years has made the Leafs a taller and heavier team than the Preds -- and one capable of being hard on the puck to fight through checks. But the Preds still have big boys in Shea Weber and Seth Jones on the blueline.

4. Connect the dots

Nashville ranks third in NHL faceoff percentage, a shade under 55%. Leafs are up to 47% now and have done better since Jerrod Smithson arrived, ironically a former Pred.

5. Put 'em on the ropes

Nashville has not won a game when trailing after two periods 0-9-0, while the Leafs have only lost once in regulation (8-1-1) when up after two.

THE BIG MATCHUP

Shea Weber vs. Phil Kessel

Though he doesn't have last change, Nashville coach Barry Trotz will try and get his top pairing of Weber, a 26-minute performer, and Seth Jones out against Kessel's line. The latter had a goal in Toronto's 4-0 shutout win in Music City on Oct. 10.

SICK BAY

Toronto: D Mark Fraser (knee), C Tyler Bozak (hamstring) are doubtful. C Dave Bolland (ankle) is out.

Nashville: G Pekka Rinne (hip), RW Filip Forsberg (upper body) are out. LW Eric Nystrom (upper body) is doubtful.

SPECIAL TEAMS

LEAFS: PP 24.3% (3rd), PK 84.0% (11th) PREDS: PP 20.0% (13th), PK 82.2% (16th)

Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.21.2013


Leafs roster will need tweaking



TORONTO - When the Leafs do get their lineup close to 100% -- everyone but centre Dave Bolland could be back by next week -- the roster will require some fine-tuning.

Toronto used three centres while Tyler Bozak was hurt and Nazem Kadri recovered from injuries and since Bolland went on long-term IR, they called up Trevor Smith, signed and promoted Jerrod Smithson and then traded for Peter Holland. They also will have an extra defenceman when Mark Fraser comes back from a knee injury.

There might also be rumbles on the trade front as the NHL holiday roster freeze is now less than a month away (Dec. 19-27).

Sportsnet reported Tuesday that Carolina Hurricanes hockey operations VP Ron Francis was scouting the Marlies game on Tuesday at Ricoh against his Charlotte farm club to look at defenceman John-Michael Liles.

OLDIES BUT GOODIES

Here's the Leafs roster so far for the alumni games at the Winter Classic in Detroit:

Forwards -- Darryl Sittler, Mats Sundin, Doug Gilmour, Wendel Clark, Lanny McDonald, Tiger Williams, Dave Andreychuk, Gary Roberts, Dan Daoust, Darcy Tucker, Rick Vaive, Bill Derlago, Mike Walton, Mike Gartner, Mark Osborne, Pat Boutette, Gary Leeman, Russ Courtnall, Stew Gavin, Rob Pearson, Brad May, Kevin Maguire, Claude Loiselle, Tom Fergus, Mike Krushelnyski, Dave McLlwain, Tie Domi, Mike Johnson, Todd Warriner and Dave Reid.

Defence -- Borje Salming, Dave Ellett, Bryan McCabe, Al Iafrate, Jamie Macoun, Bob McGill, Brad Marsh, Greg Hotham and Mike Pelyk.

Goalies -- Curtis Joseph, Felix Potvin, Mike Palmateer, Mark LaForest, Peter Ing and Doug Favell.

TURNOVER A NEW LEAF

Coach Randy Carlyle was in a forgiving mood Wednesday when his team's 19 giveaways were brought up, more than twice the number of the Islanders, whom the Leafs beat for their second straight win. Toronto has been the NHL's worst offenders, at least in terms of numbers.

"We seem to focus on a lot of the negatives as coaches," Carlyle said. "Turnovers are an element of the game that every coach has a problem with. I thought in some situations (Tuesday) there was lack of execution and we outright fumbled it.

"But are they forced or unforced? You break it down and last night was a case of late in the game there were more forced turnovers, as teams mount comebacks and we try to sit back and protect the lead.

"I thought our forecheck has been better the past four or five games."

STRAIGHT A'S FOR SHEA

The Leafs will be spared Shea Weber aiming for a Predators milestone at their expense.

The hard-shooting Sicamous, B.C., native (same hometown as Leaf defenceman Cody Franson, his one-time teammate) became the highest-scoring blueliner in Nashville's 15-year history on Tuesday in Detroit with a power-play goal.

That elevated him to 114 goals and 188 assists for 302 points, one game after he joined David Legwand, Martin Erat and Kimmo Timonen as the fourth Pred to break 300 points.

Weber, who logged almost 30 minutes against the Red Wings, leads all NHL defencemen with five power-play goals. Nashville has a record of 6-0-0 when he scores, but the Leafs have a similar streak going with their captain, Dion Phaneuf. Toronto is 8-0-0 when Phaneuf gets a point, a run extended with his assist against the Isles on Tuesday.

BERNIE HOT FOR LEAFS

Jonathan Bernier's success in Toronto is a relief to agent Pat Brisson. Bernier was able to escape Jonathan Quick's huge shadow in the Los Angeles net and get a new two-year, $5.8 million US contract.

"This was good timing for him, to get an opportunity to play more and (to show) what he learned in L.A.," Brisson said. "He's absorbing everything well and it's a strong market. It's worked out well for him, he's very happy."

LOOSE LEAFS

Morgan Rielly can't wait to play a second game against Seth Jones of the Preds, a minor hockey buddy ... Unfortunately for the Leafs, they have just two more Tuesday games until the New Year. They are 5-1 so far on that day of the week ... Now that David Clarkson has finally scored, he needs two more for 100 NHL goals.



Former Leaf Scrivens starring in Hollywood



TORONTO - The Los Angeles Kings are now saying star goalie Jonathan Quick will be out at least until Christmas, which means ex-Leaf Ben Scrivens is truly centre stage in Hollywood.

His fine relief work for Quick continued Tuesday night, stopping 19 of 21 Tampa Bay shots in the Kings’ 5-2 win. For goalies who have faced at least 175 shots, Scrivens has a league-leading .949 save percentage and a record of 5-1-1.

Every Leaf is pulling for the team’s former chatty back-up, who went to the West Coast in the Jonathan Bernier trade. The deal has worked out superbly for Toronto so far, which makes it easier to wish Scrivens well.

His biggest supporter might be James Reimer, who was Scrivens’ stablemate last season.

“He’s probably the most under-rated goalie in the league,” Reimer said. “Everyone goes through hot streaks and cold streaks, but he’s playing about as well as he can play.

“I think he’ll do really well there. They’re a very solid defensive team in front of him, so obviously you reap the benefits of that. But he’s also a good goalie.”

Scrivens, who many thought would not last beyond this season in California, came to prominence for the same reason Reimer did in 2010-11 — an injury to the No. 1 starter.

“As a player, you never want anyone to get hurt,” said Reimer, whose chance came when Jonas Gustavsson and Jean-Sebastien Giguere went down. “The same thing can happen to you, right?

“But if you get the chance, make the most of it. When Quick comes back, it will most likely be his net again, but at least Ben did well for himself and proved to his team, his general manager and his coaches that he can do the job.

“I think it’s a contract year for him, too (making $550,000 US on the cap-squeezed Kings). So if he does well the rest of the way, other teams are going to notice him.”



Maple Leafs' Kadri set to return against Predators



TORONTO - Attention in the yard, NHL prisoner No. TML-43 is now released.

Just don’t expect Nazem Kadri to fully change his stripes now that he has done hard time under a ‘Shanaban’.

Kadri will be activated for the Maple Leafs’ home game against Nashville on Thursday night, maintaining there was no malicious intent in clobbering Minnesota Wild goalie Nicklas Backstrom, which landed him a three-game suspension. He also knows what helped put him in the league as a first-round pick, a style that belies his 188 pounds and made him an eager young henchman on a team that preaches belligerence.

“I guess I’m on probation now,” Kadri said in a half-joking manner after Wednesday’s practice at the MasterCard Centre. “Sometimes I like to use that physical play to get myself into the game when things maybe aren’t going so well, but in the past I’ve never had an incident like that where my hits are questioned.”

Backstrom, a huge part of the Wild, is on IR with a concussion. Minnesota, which won the game in a shootout, had a record of 2-1 since the injury prior to Wednesday’s game in Ottawa.

“Normally, I’ll hit guys when they are vulnerable, but I’ll make sure my arms and shoulders are down,” Kadri said. “That’s something I have to pay attention to for the rest of the year. I’m not one to go out of my way to try to hurt somebody.”

Kadri claimed he simply “ran out of real estate” as he came in on the Wild cage and ran over the surprised Backstrom. Brendan Shanahan, the league’s player safety monitor, judged him more harshly.

Against the Predators, Kadri must make creativity his main course, with chippy play as dessert, instead of the other way around.

That chance likely comes as centre for Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk, at least for one game until Tyler Bozak’s hamstring heals completely. Kadri wasn’t allowed to get stale on the sidelines, spending his week off doing coach Randy Carlyle’s dreaded bag skates after practice.

“They were terrible,” the 23-year-old Kadri said. “But they certainly helped me stay in shape.”

Bozak who can come off the injured reserve list on Wednesday, is leaning towards returning for Saturday’s game against the Capitals. That sets up an interesting match-up with long-time No. 2 centre Mikhail Grabovski, who was bought out by the Leafs in the summer.

“With Kadri coming back, we’re getting closer to our full lineup again,” Carlyle said. “But those (suspensions and long-term injuries, such as David Bolland’s ankle) is just life in the NHL.”

By early next week, the forward lines will look quite different with Bozak on the first line and Kadri likely going back between David Clarkson and Joffrey Lupul. But what if Trevor Smith keeps making the decision difficult for Carlyle? The Marlies captain scored in his Friday call-up against Buffalo, had an assist the next night against the Sabres and lit up the Islanders for a goal and two helpers in Tuesday’s 5-2 win, albeit in good company with Lupul and Clarkson.

“Smitty’s done a heck of a job,” Carlyle said in the wake of Tuesday’s six-point night for the trio. “It was pretty gloom and doom when we were not going to have Kadri for three games and that’s a credit to the Marlies and our scouts that they brought quality players to us and (Smith) is taking advantage of the situation.”

Smith, who had seen brief time with the Islanders, Penguins and Lightning since leaving the University of New Hampshire almost seven years ago, buried a bold Lupul rush in the opening minute and had a hand in Clarkson’s long awaited first goal as a Leaf.

Kadri’s return definitely bumps recent acquisition Peter Holland from the top line, though Kessel and van Riemsdyk had a couple of goals Tuesday.

Holland, Jay McClement and ex-Predators faceoff specialist Jerrod Smithson will have to be re-assigned, with indications Holland moves between Mason Raymond and Nikolai Kulemin, while McClement will be a fourth-line left wing with Smithson and Colton Orr.

Minus Kadri, the Leafs lost just one of the three games. But it was still hard for him to watch, especially with the Leafs at home.

“That’s what I missed the most,” Kadri said. “You get to game time, you roll into the building with all the Leaf sweaters in the crowd, the puck drops and then you’re on the outside looking in.”

Sounds like a man who has learned his lesson.



Why the Toronto Maple Leafs are not afraid of advanced statistics

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 20/11/13 | Last Updated: 20/11/13 8:03 PM ET

TORONTO — Earlier this month, Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Dave Nonis spoke at a sports management conference in the city, and he offered his views on the evolving role advanced statistics play across the National Hockey League: “The biggest thing we use is going to watch a player play.”

Toronto Maple Leafs’ Kessel allays injury fears with two goals in win over New York Islanders

They had been looking for reliable applications, he said, but remained convinced the best ways were the old ways. As relayed by Sportsnet, Nonis seems less likely to trust what is on a spreadsheet than what is seen on a sheet of ice: “I haven’t seen anything that’s going to stop that from being the primary source of our decisions.”

In the days since he made those remarks, the Leafs have continued to win games; not as many as they did to start the season, but enough to stay out of trouble for the time being, and enough to stay ahead of the numbers.

The team concedes a lot of shots on net, more than it takes at the other end of the ice, and not by a little. In terms of shot differential, Toronto was second worst in the league as of Wednesday, allowing an average of 9.4 more shots on net than what goes the other way.

Only the Buffalo Sabres (-10.5) were worse.

Many of the teams on that end of the spectrum are not headed to the playoffs, at least not without a reversal of fortune. The fact the Leafs have been able to grab hold of a playoff spot, as they did in a lockout-shortened season last year, has made them a case study in the eyes of those who advocate for advanced analytics.

Being outshot is only one facet, with the general theory that taking shots is an indicator of puck possession, and that puck possession has a strong correlation with winning. The shot clock has not been a friend of the Leafs.

As it was again on Tuesday night, when the Leafs rolled to a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders despite being badly outshot. Toronto allowed 37 shots, while taking 24.

We want more puck possession time. There’s been a lot said of our statistics proving out that we’re having success when we shouldn’t be

“Our coaches track scoring chances, not shots,” Leafs winger Joffrey Lupul said. “A guy crosses centre ice and shoots the puck at the net, it’s a shot.

“After the game, when they put up the scoring chances, if there’s ever a big disparity in that, it’s going to be an issue with the coaches and with the players,” he said. “But again, if they get 40 shots and five scoring chances, that doesn’t really matter to us.”

Scoring chances, though, are subjective: “Some games we argue with their stat-taking,” Lupul said with a smile.

What has helped the Leafs so far is the work they have received from the men who play in their nets. James Reimer and Jonathan Bernier are among the statistical elite, second (.936) only to the Boston Bruins (.941) in save percentage as of Wednesday, despite the higher volume of work.

“The goal is to win the game, however it happens,” Lupul said. “We’d love to have a game where they only have to face 15 shots. But right now, that’s not happening for us.”

Bernier stopped 35 of the 37 shots he faced against the Islanders on Tuesday, including 16 of the 17 he faced in the third period.

Mark Blinch/The Canadian Press

“It’s tough to expect them to do that every night,” Lupul said. “There’s going to be a game where it goes the other way, where Bernie or Reims has a bad game, and maybe we’ve got to score six goals to win him the game. That’s what being part of a team is about, really.”

Do the goaltenders ever notice the shot total during games?

“I think what it comes down to is chances, that’s the biggest thing,” Reimer said. “The shot total sometimes gives you an indication of the chances. But in a game like [Tuesday] night, I think the chances were pretty even.”

Toronto has outshot the opposition in only three of its 21 games this season.

“We want more puck possession time,” Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said earlier in the week. “There’s been a lot said of our statistics proving out that we’re having success when we shouldn’t be.”

National Post LOADED: 11.21.2013


Toronto Maple Leafs’ Nazem Kadri on return from suspension: ‘I guess I’m on probation right now’

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 20/11/13 | Last Updated: 20/11/13 8:47 PM ET

TORONTO — Having served the final day of his sentence, a three game suspension issued for reckless behaviour, Toronto Maple Leafs centre Nazem Kadri appeared before a group of reporters on Wednesday and conceded: “I guess I’m on probation right now.”

Leafs' Nazem Kadri says he'll 'be sure to listen' to 'Grandpa Grapes' in wake of Don Cherry's criticism

The 23-year-old served his final game in exile on Tuesday and will be eligible to return to the lineup on Thursday, when the Leafs host the Nashville Predators. Kadri practised on a line with wingers Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk on Wednesday.

“I’ve never had an incident like that, where some of my hits have been questioned,” he said. “Normally, I’ll hit guys when they’re vulnerable, but I’ll make sure my arms are down, and my shoulders are down.”

The NHL suspended him for running over Minnesota Wild goaltender Niklas Backstrom during a game on Nov. 13, a collision that concussed Backstrom. The goaltender has not appeared in a game since the incident.

“I’m not one to go out of my way to try and hurt somebody,” Kadri said on Wednesday.

He forfeited US$44,615.37 in salary with the suspension. If he is called before Brendan Shanahan and the NHL Department of Player Safety again this season, he will not have the benefit of being considered a first-time offender.

“I might have to pay a little extra attention to it,” Kadri said. “But at the same time, it’s not like I’m going to be completely, only, thinking about that. Because I’m really not worried about how I hit people.”

Toronto won two of its three games without Kadri. His absence worsened a shortage that was squeezing the position, with the Leafs having lost centres Tyler Bozak (hamstring) and David Bolland (ankle) to injury.

Get Adobe Flash player

Bozak has resumed skating with the team, and has not ruled out the possibility he will be able to play against the Predators on Thursday. A weekend return still seems more likely.

“Bozak’s getting closer,” Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said.

On Tuesday, Trevor Smith, one of the substitutes at centre, had a goal and two assists in a 5-2 win over the New York Islanders. Kadri had to watch, as he had been for the better part of a week, and he said it was not easy.

“When the puck drops, everybody seems to be ready to go, and you’re kind of on the outside looking in,” he said. “It’s definitely not a fun feeling to be a part of. But it just shows you how much you can miss the game.”



Toronto Maple Leafs’ David Clarkson finally gets first goal (and monkey off his back)

Sean Fitz-Gerald | 20/11/13 | Last Updated: 20/11/13 9:08 AM ET

TORONTO – Twenty weeks after becoming the team’s signature off-season acquisition, and almost a month after making his long-awaited — and delayed — debut with the Toronto Maple Leafs, David Clarkson finally earned a moment in the spotlight on Tuesday.

'Very discouraging': Leafs' Mark Fraser fears his knee injury may have lingering effects

Not a figurative spotlight, because that has been trailing him from the moment he signed his contract in July. The spotlight that found him in the third period was the one they use for goal celebrations, and Clarkson was celebrating his first.

Joffrey Lupul helped to dig the puck out of the corner. Trevor Smith spotted Clarkson in the open. And with about seven minutes to play at home against the New York Islanders, Clarkson snapped a shot past goaltender Kevin Poulin’s glove.

“Holy mackinaw, the wait is over,” Leafs play-by-play announcer Joe Bowen yelled.

Clarkson had gone 10 games without scoring, and that was after he had to sit through the first 10 games with a suspension earned in the pre-season. He had been facing more and more questions about the drought leading up to the faceoff.

“It does feel good to, I guess, get some people off my back a little bit,” Clarkson said with a smile after the game. “But it’s all part of the game. When you’re getting chances, it’s eventually going to come.”

Toronto signed him to a seven-year deal worth US$36.75-million in July, and he carries the second-highest cap hit among the team’s forwards. His debut hit a snag, though, after he left the bench to join a brawl in a pre-season game against the Buffalo Sabres.

The NHL suspended him for 10 games. He was allowed to practise, but nothing more.

“I’ve never been through it,” he said. “It was tough to come back. The good thing was the team was doing well, but it’s tough. You’re coming into a system where you don’t know anybody here — I’ve still got to get to know the coaches, I’ve got to know the guys in this room.

Like I told you guys, I wasn’t brought here to be a 50-goal scorer

“And now that I’m [11] games in, I’m starting to get into that vibe, and starting to get used to things, and my surroundings.”

His goal gave the Leafs a 4-1 lead. Phil Kessel scored his second goal of the night a few minutes later to seal a 5-2 win at Air Canada Centre. Lupul had three assists, while Jonathan Bernier stopped 35 of the 37 shots he faced.

Clarkson was never expected to lead the team in scoring — as he and Leafs coach Randy Carlyle have repeated — but the drought was becoming an unavoidable topic of conversation.

“Like I told you guys, I wasn’t brought here to be a 50-goal scorer,” Clarkson said. “I’m going to get my chances and bear down when I do, but the big thing is winning games. I came here to win.”

“He’s been contributing in a lot of different ways for us out there,” Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk said. “It’s nice to see him get rewarded with a goal, and I’m sure he’s pretty happy about that.”


725374 Washington Capitals

Braden Holtby’s struggles against Penguins continue

By Katie Carrera

November 21 at 12:40 am

Wednesday night, for the fourth time in his career, Braden Holtby faced the Pittsburgh Penguins. And for the fourth time in his career, Holtby came out with a loss.

While many things went wrong for Washington in its 4-0 loss to the Penguins at Verizon Center – from a lack of execution at even strength, inability to consistently set up on the power play to inaccurate passes particularly in the defensive zone – Holtby also didn’t have his best outing.

Holtby, who has .874 save percentage and 4.37 goals-against average against Pittsburgh, finished with 36 saves in the defeat but when the Capitals needed a key save in the first period, it wasn’t there.

Pittsburgh’s first goal came on what should have been a harmless point shot by Paul Martin, but with Steve Oleksy and Chris Kunitz tied up by the hash marks Holtby didn’t catch more than an initial glimpse of the shot.

“Kind of saw the release, knew it was kind of going glove side somewhere. Didn’t really know where,” Holtby said. “That’s one of those that just sometimes go in. I’d like to see again if I could have found a better lane to see the puck. But that’s shoulda, woulda, coulda, you know.”

With 11:57 gone in the second period, the Penguins struck again. This time Holtby had a clear view of the shot as Beau Bennett skated through the defense after a set up from Evgeni Malkin. Bennett fired the puck low blocker side as Holtby tried to come out and cut down the angle.

There’s little Holtby could have done to prevent Sidney Crosby’s goal on the power play, which was the result of a perfect tic-tac-toe passing sequence, or James Neal’s shot off the rush that made it 4-0 in the third period. But by then the Penguins were firmly in control of the contest. Those goals were added cushion to their lead.

“It’s a challenge. I know how skilled they are. They’re at the top of the league for a number of years now,” Holtby said. “Based off tonight we know we have some work to do in order to rebound our next game against them, especially, and against our next game in general. It’s a team. I think we feel we have the players in here that are capable of beating them. It’s just a matter of putting together a 60-minute game where we’re all on the same page and doing things we need to do to win.”

Washington Post LOADED: 11.21.2013


Open thread: Capitals vs. Penguins

By Katie Carrera

November 20 at 5:35 pm

Wednesday night, for the first time since March 28, 1993 the Capitals and Penguins will face off as divisional rivals. They’ll play for first place in the Metropolitan Division with Alex Ovechkin tied for the league lead in goals (17) and Sidney Crosby tied for the league lead in points (26) in what should be an exciting contest.

Braden Holtby (10-6-0, .925 save percentage, 2.62 goals-against average) will start and make his fourth career appearance against the Penguins but is still looking for his first win against them. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh will go with Marc-Andre Fleury (12-6-0, .921 save percentage, 2.00 goals-against average).

Discuss the game right here and pass the time before puck drop with these reads.

Rivalry renewed: Ovechkin, Crosby back on top of their games

Does Caps-Pens need a spark? | Oates, Ovechkin on Malkin’s scoring slump

Wilson, Schmidt grew up with Ovi vs. Crosby | Green won’t face Pens

Erskine discusses injury, rehab

Faceoff: 8 p.m., Verizon Center

TV: NBC SportsNetwork | Radio: 106.7 FM

Here is the Capitals’ lineup.

Forwards

Johansson-Backstrom-Ovechkin

Erat-Laich-Brouwer

Chimera-Grabovski-Ward

Volpatti-Latta-Wilson

Defense

Alzner-Carlson

Schmidt-Strachan

Urbom-Oleksy

Goal: Holtby, Neuvirth

Scratches: Dmitry Orlov, Eric Fehr and Jay Beagle.

IR: Mike Green (lower-body contusion).

LTIR: Jack Hillen (fractured tibial plateau), John Erskine (upper body).



Ovechkin and Oates on Evgeni Malkin’s scoring slump

By Katie Carrera


Pittsburgh Penguins’ Evgeni Malkin tries to backhand a shot past Francois Beauchemin and goalie Viktor Fasth on Monday night. (AP/Gene J. Puskar)

Evgeni Malkin has gone 14 games without scoring a goal heading into Wednesday’s matchup between the Capitals and Penguins at Verizon Center. But that drought doesn’t make him any less dangerous to the Capitals, Coach Adam Oates said.

“The thing to make of it is ignore it,” Oates said following the morning skate. “He gets two helpers every night, he gets five chances every night, he hit a couple posts, but he’s also passed on some golden opportunities that created goals. Trust me, we’re not thinking about him in terms of scoring or not scoring. We’re worried about the player.”

That’s probably a wise approach. He may only have three goals in 21 games this season, but Malkin is ranked fourth in the league with 17 helpers. You

only need to look to Pittsburgh’s 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks Monday night to see the latest example, when Malkin carried the puck from behind the goal line up and around the offensive zone and down to the opposite faceoff circle on the right side before dishing a pass in front for call-up Brian Gibbons.

Malkin’s scoring slump isn’t unlike the one Alex Ovechkin went through last season when he was adjusting to playing right wing. There were chances and he was recording assists, but the goals just weren’t there, and Ovechkin understands how discouraging that can be.

“I watch couple [recent] games, Pittsburgh games, and he was flying out there. He control the puck well, he make good decisions with the puck. Of course he wants to score goal,” Ovechkin said. “What I did, just working hard. Of course it’s frustrating, of course you start thinking and thinking more and more about it, but you just have to relax and forget about it.”

Ovechkin was later asked how he knew when he had found his rhythm again, and he sounded a lot like his coach in saying that it’s not always about when the puck starts finding the back of the net again.

“I always was here, I didn’t go to Miami or Jamaica,” Ovechkin quipped. “When you score goals, when you make assists, when your name not on the score list, of course everybody thinks you’re back. But sometimes you don’t have great game, but you get a point and everybody thinks you play well. Sometimes you have to see in different positions — where you didn’t score goals but you make hard work, make different play for your teammates. It’s more than goals.”



John Erskine still working to regain strength, no timeline for a return

By Katie Carrera


Wednesday marked the first day John Erskine could be activated from long-term injured reserve, but despite reaching that threshold the veteran defenseman still has a ways to go in rebuilding the strength in his surgically-repaired knee.

“It just seems like it’s kind of leveled out and is not going anywhere,” Erskine said after working out for more than an hour Wednesday morning.

“It’s not conditioning, it’s getting the strength up there. My main thing is the explosiveness — to have those first two strides and explode out of the starting blocks,” Erskine added. “It’s something that we’re working on but to do some exercises I’ve got to strengthen the muscles up around the knee and I couldn’t do that all summer. Now I’m starting to try and do it.”

Erskine, 33, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee during the offseason and wasn’t able to train or skate as he normally would in the summer. Even during training camp and exhibition schedule, the veteran defenseman could tell he wasn’t in full game shape.

He was clearly limited in the first four games of the regular season, unable to keep pace with opponents and recover in various on-ice situations. Erskine sat out the next four games before returning to the lineup during Washington’s road trip through Western Canada, but his mobility was still limited in games against Winnipeg, Edmonton and Calgary.

“When I came back, of course I wanted to play but, myself, I felt like I wasn’t ready,” Erskine said. “I played some exhibition games and pretty much just let the coaches decide, but, myself, I could tell I was a couple steps behind with power and just trying to keep up with guys on the rush. Then I aggravated it and now they’re trying to get me some rest. I think I came back too early and it’s frustrating. I’ve just got to wait and see what happens.”

Tonight’s game against the Penguins will mark the 11th Erskine’s missed since being placed on long-term injured reserve in late October. When the Capitals put Erskine on LTIR, Coach Adam Oates acknowledged that the defenseman was playing despite not being completely healthy.

Erskine says he still experiences some pain and swelling in his knee but that’s not his biggest focus. Rather, it’s getting back up to speed, with a stride that doesn’t make him a liability on the ice.

“There’s pain, but I can play with pain. I don’t want to go back out there and be two steps behind and hurt the team,” said Erskine, who in addition to working with Capitals strength and conditioning coach Mark Nemish is training with local power-skating guru Wendy Marco once a week. Marco helped revitalize the stride former Capital and current Phoenix Coyote Jeff Halpern and worked with various Capitals during the NHL lockout last year.

“It’s tough to change your stride when I’ve been doing the same thing for 30 years. There’s little tips she’s given me that are going to help out,” Erskine said. “I’m trying to work out there with different skating techniques to help me out with that explosiveness, but I think the main thing is just getting it stronger and getting it back to where it was last year.”



Mike Green won’t play against Penguins

By Katie Carrera


Defenseman Mike Green will sit out Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, marking the third straight game he’s missed since suffering a lower-body contusion on Nov. 12 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Green was on the ice for more than an hour this morning taking part in the regular morning skate as well as the scratches skate, and the blueliner appears to be moving well around the ice. But Coach Adam Oates didn’t want to put him at a disadvantage against a top opponent and said his concern is primarily based on Green’s conditioning after taking part in only two complete practices in the past week.

“Not ready. Not 100 percent ready,” Oates said. “He could go. [Pittsburgh is] really good team and don’t want to put him in a position where he’s behind the 8-ball a little bit.”

With Green out, the Capitals will stick with the defensive lineup that they used against St. Louis and Detroit, with Karl Alzner and John Carlson anchoring the group, Tyson Strachan skating alongside Nate Schmidt as the second pairing and Alex Urbom with Steve Oleksy as the third.

Green is eligible to be activated off injured reserve at any time and Oates said it’s possible the defenseman returns to the lineup for back-to-back games Friday and Saturday against Montreal and at Toronto, respectively.

“Better than yesterday. Mentally I’m in a good place, when you’re getting better and you can actually get back on the ice and work on your strength,” Green said. “This is my second real day where I’ve actually skated. Yesterday was a good one. Today was even better. I don’t think one practice would have been enough. It’s important I strengthen the leg and also my endurance so I’m ready to go.”

>> In other injury updates, defenseman John Erskine also took part in the lengthy scratches skate and won’t be returning to the lineup quite yet, either. Erskine was placed on long term injured reserve in late October and Wednesday is the first day he could be activated from that list, but he is still working on building up the strength in his surgically-repaired knee. More on Erskine in a little bit.

>> Braden Holtby gets the nod against the Penguins and is expected to be opposed by Marc-Andre Fleury. Against Pittsburgh, Holtby has a career record of 0-3 with a .861 save percentage and 4.53 goals-against average.

>> Healthy scratches will be the same as the St. Louis game with Eric Fehr and Jay Beagle out among forwards and Dmitry Orlov out among the defensemen.

>> Here are the expected lineups for both teams.

Capitals

Johansson-Backstrom-Ovechkin

Erat-Laich-Brouwer

Chimera-Grabovski-Ward

Volpatti-Latta-Wilson

Alzner-Carlson

Schmidt-Strachan

Urbom-Oleksy

Holtby, Neuvirth

Penguins

Chris Kunitz-Sidney Crosby-Beau Bennett

Pascal Dupuis-Evgeni Malkin-James Neal

Brian Gibbons-Brandon Sutter-Jussi Jokinen

Tanner Glass-Joe Vitale-Craig Adams

Brooks Orpik-Paul Martin

Olli Maatta-Kris Letang

Matt Niskanen-Deryk Engelland

Marc-Andre Fleury, Jeff Zatkoff



Ovechkin-Crosby: Stars are shining once again as Caps, Pens meet

By Lindsay Applebaum

November 20 at 10:19 am

Back at the top of their games, Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby face off as division rivals tonight at Verizon Center. Even if the storyline has grown tired for some, the Penguins captain himself admitted he can’t help but raise his game when he plays his Washington counterpart:

“I think that regardless of where we are, I think that everybody always watches these games. There’s a lot of eyes on them. We know that it brings out the best in both teams, and, I think, both players,” Crosby told the Canadian Press. “I think that we get up for these ones and, as a player, it’s just kind of a natural thing when you know the stage is a little bit bigger, you get up for it.”

Check out Katie Carrera’s story previewing the matchup, complete with Gretzky-Lemieux comparisons and all.

And here’s a look at how the two have fared in games against each other:

6231393600274432



Caps with an early letdown against the Penguins

By Brian McNally

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

It is only November and there are far too many games left in the NHL season to draw conclusions from a single contest.

But the Capitals, after shaking off a rough start to the year, found a worthy measuring stick when the Pittsburgh Penguins visited Verizon Center on Wednesday night.

It didn’t turn out as planned. The Penguins scored twice in the first period and a Sidney Crosby power-play goal late in the second put the game out of reach in a 4-0 Pittsburgh victory.

The win kept the Penguins (14-8, 28 points) on top in the Metropolitan Division and showed the Caps (12-9-1, 25 points) that, no matter their stellar record over the previous 15 games, there are still areas of their game that need improvement.

Winger Brooks Laich said as much after practice on Tuesday. In a way it provided comfort – the Caps are in a relatively good position in what has been a mediocre division so far and yet aren’t entirely happy with their play. They won’t have much practice time to work out the kinks, either, this week with back-to-back games at home against Montreal and on the road at Toronto on Friday and Saturday.

The Penguins dominated the first period, scoring twice to take an early 2-0 lead. Defenseman Paul Martin struck first at 6:38 after a faceoff win. Holtby was screened on the play and lost sight of a high shot that nestled in the top right corner of the net. There was no deflection on the play.

Just 5:19 later the Penguins went up by two when winger Beau Bennett record his first goal of the season. That one came off a rush up the right wing. It looked like Holtby had a solid angle to stop a wrist shot, but the puck slid past him. Washington was outshot 17-6 in the first period despite having three full power plays and 1:25 of a fourth to end the period. The Penguins failed to score on their lone power-play attempt and took a penalty in the midst of it to kill the advantage early.

Pittsburgh put the game away with just 29 seconds left in the second period. Some pretty passing from Evgeni Malkin to Chris Kunitz to James Neal to Crosby at the left faceoff circle led to the clincher. Crosby smashed a shot past Holtby from a bad angle to make it 3-0 Penguins.

James Neal added insult to injury with his wrist shot from the left side midway through the third period. That made it 4-0 and at that time Pittsburgh was leading in shots 36-16. Washington just never had the puck enough to remotely scare the Penguins. Life was pretty easy for goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, who needed to make just 18 saves for his 25th career shutout. Braden Holtby faced 40 shots against in goal for the Caps.

Washington Times LOADED: 11.21.2013

725381 Winnipeg Jets

Kane appears unfazed by recent dry spell

By: Ed Tait

Posted: 11/21/2013 1:00 AM

Nov. 21 at 7 p.m.

IF a nine-game goal drought is eating Evander Kane up inside, he's doing a dang fine job of hiding it.

The Winnipeg Jets' sniper was holding court with the media after practice on Wednesday and left the distinct impression he -- like many in the organization -- is convinced he'll soon be raising his arms in celebration again after sniping another goal.

Especially, it would seem, it he can manage even close to the 10 shots -- tying a career high -- he managed in Monday's shootout loss to the Calgary Flames.

"I thought the last game was a lot more my game than it has been in the last few," said Kane. "Whether I go on a five- or six-game goal streak or don't go without a couple goals... that's the nature of a season and you want to get out of that (a drought) as soon as possible.

"You try and do different things to be a better player and be better than you have been in these last stretch of games. I thought Calgary was a good game for myself. Can I be better than that? Absolutely. But it's a good start for me."

Kane has six goals and seven assists this season, but hasn't scored since Oct. 26 in Dallas.

"Evander's going through some things as well that are a little bit difficult for him, I'm sure this has been an adjustment for him," said Claude Noel. "I have no problems with Evander. The only thing, and he and I have talked about it, is a lot of his game is driven from his skating and his speed and that's where he can really excel.

"I see that, but I don't see it all the time. Last game I thought he was real good and so I think he's on the right track. He'll get through this, this is just another bump that he has to deal with. He's a conscientious defensive player... if he skates he's in really good shape and everything falls into place. Goal scoring is just a byproduct of skating for him."

QUOTABLE: "That's our team, to a degree. I just didn't want it to get any worse. They knew that and they knew that before they hit the ice. We've just got to get better. What league are we in? Peewees? We start like peewees sometimes." -- Noel, when asked about Wednesday's practice, a session in which he seem peeved with his squad's attention to detail and wasn't afraid to let them know about it.

OPENING AN OLD WOUND: For those fans still steaming about the Calgary Flames' short-handed goal by Lance Bouma in the third period Monday -- a goal with put the visitors ahead 3-2 after Bouma seemed to 'pick' Dustin Byfuglien, check out Kerry Fraser's blog at TSN.ca. Here's his take on the Bouma goal: "Lance Bouma clearly eliminated Dustin Byfuglien with illegal body contact that directly resulted in Bouma scoring a short-handed goal. Bouma should have been assessed an interference penalty negating any opportunity to score on the play. The Jets should have then enjoyed a two-man advantage for one minute and forty seconds."

HAWKS PREYING ON JETS: Winnipeg is 0-2 vs. Chicago this season and has been outscored 9-2.

"We haven't played them that great," said Noel. "Turnovers really hurt us all the time and they capitalize. Even if you limit their chances they're a little bit unlike other teams because they can finish on them. When your average is 14 chances against per game... you do that against them and three are in your net. That's something we have to be aware of. They have a good team... but we can't beat them."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 11.21.2013


Three weeks ago Keaton Ellerby was languishing as a healthy scratch in L.A.; now the waiver wire pickup is salvaging his career in Winnipeg

By: Ed Tait

Posted: 11/21/2013 1:00 AM

There's a maturity in Keaton Ellerby's voice, the kind of been-there/done-that experience that comes from bouncing around the NHL from Florida to Los Angeles to right here and right now in River City.

THE ELLERBY FILE

Number: 7

Height: 6-5; Weight: 220

Born: Nov. 5, 1988, Strathmore, Alta.

Drafted: Florida Panthers, first round (10th overall), in the 2007 NHL Draft

Acquired: claimed off waivers by the Jets on Nov. 2, 2013... traded from Florida to Los Angeles on Feb. 8, 2013 for a fifth-round draft choice.

FYI: His first cousin is Shane Doan and is a second cousin of Carey Price. Lists favourite TV show as Game of Thrones and his favourite band is Led Zeppelin.

Coach Noel says: "I've liked him. I did some research on him, watched some video on him. He's been real good, I've been really happy with him. He skates, he's a thinker, his thought process is quick, he gets the puck in the right areas and quickly on the tape, he gets up and down the ice, he plays with some weight and is able to separate people off the puck, positionally he's a good player... yeah, I'm pretty happy with him."

It's far from a cocky or told-you-so tone but, instead, one that still offers both a hint of confidence and a hope that given this latest opportunity with the Winnipeg Jets, his story will be one of promise finally fulfilled.

"You know, it's funny," said Ellerby after Jets' practice on Wednesday, "everybody's drafted when they're 17 or 18 years old and people instantly expect stuff from you that I don't know if a normal 17- or 18-year-old would have that expected of them.

"For some guys it comes easier, for others it takes some time. I spent some time in the minors to build my game, I've gone through the Florida system and learned some stuff there before my amazing experience in L.A. And then you get that phone call and you're off to someplace else.

"You have to live day by day and try to keep learning and not dwell on things that might not have gone well in the past. You've just got to keep moving forward."

And that, in a nutshell, might just be the perfect description of Ellerby's pro career to date. He's been labelled for years -- back to his days in the Western Hockey League with the Kamloops Blazers and Moose Jaw Warriors -- as one of those big dudes dripping with potential.

But while patience is often preached at the NHL level, it's not always practised. And so even though the Florida Panthers made him the 10th overall pick in the 2007 NHL Draft -- picks 11 through 14 were Brandon Sutter, Ryan McDonagh, Lars Eller and Kevin Shattenkirk -- they shipped him to the Kings last February for a fifth-round pick.

And so Ellerby, who turned 25 a couple of weeks ago, had his spot on the depth chart gobbled up by another Panthers first-round draft pick in Erik Gudbrandson (third overall in 2010) and was moved along after all of 125 games in the organization.

But the change of scenery from east to west coast seemed perfect for him, especially after he appeared in 35 regular-season and five playoff games for the Kings last winter and then signed a new contract in July.

Still, with Willie Mitchell and Matt Greene back from injury this year -- those two vets played five games combined due to injury last season -- Ellerby was squeezed out of the starting lineup and into the press box.

And scarfing down popcorn while watching from above is no way for a guy to reach his potential.

"I was still sleeping when I got the call I had been picked up on waivers, to be honest with you, with it being early in the morning with the time change and everything," said Ellerby. "(Kings coach) Darryl Sutter and (assistant GM) Rob Blake both called me and said, 'You're going to Winnipeg. You're going to have a great opportunity there and it sucks to see you leave, but we don't want to hurt you or your career by having you sitting around and not doing much so we're happy for you and best of luck.'

"It's been good for me. You're not getting better sitting in the press box and not playing games. I mean, you can learn some things and see some stuff but, ultimately, you have to be on the ice learning and getting better that way. Being here has been awesome so far. It was cool being in L.A. and being part of that environment right after they won the Cup... it was a good stepping stone for myself and for my career. But I just can't say it enough how thankful I am to be here playing and getting that chance."

And so far, so good. Ellerby has appeared in eight games with the Jets and, with the recent injury to Zach Bogosian -- along with those that have shelved Mark Stuart, Jacob Trouba and Paul Postma -- he's been playing alongside Toby Enstrom in the second defensive pairing.

Not bad for a guy now with his third team after being cast adrift twice in 10 months.

"You can't let stuff like that get you down," said Ellerby. "I'm young still. I just turned 25. I've got some time to keep building my game and learning. I want to be a student of the game and in the short time I've been here the coaching staff has been great, just as was the staff in L.A.

"You never want to doubt yourself. You want to be confident and do what you did to get you to this point and try to learn every day. If I can do that hopefully I'll have a long career."



Jets' D getting healthier, happier

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 11/21/2013 1:00 AM

Is there a longer-term positive in the fact there hasn't been a woe-is-us theme from the Winnipeg Jets regarding the crisis of health among the team's regular defencemen?

The Jets are currently missing Zach Bogosian, Paul Postma, Mark Stuart and Jacob Trouba. Waiver pickup Keaton Ellerby has been thrust into the top two pairings and Adam Pardy and Zach Redmond have become the third pair.

And there may be more shuffling ahead, though in a good way. Both Stuart and Trouba took another step forward on Wednesday in a return to full practice mode, though Jets coach Claude Noel wasn't yet declaring them in for tonight's home game against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Stuart has been out with hip issues since Oct. 29 and has missed nine games.

Trouba's been missing for 15 games since crashing head-first into the boards and injuring his neck on Oct. 18.

"When they're ready to go I'll be ready to go with them," Noel said Wednesday. "It's a good sign that they're able to come back. To me, what it does is create competition, which is good. It keeps everybody a little bit on edge and it's healthy.

"Plus they're good players. But until they're ready to go... they're close. I know Stuart practised today. I'm not sure if he's a player tomorrow against Chicago.

"Trouba, I haven't checked today but I think the signs are pointing pretty good to him. He's close. He's around a week; I don't know if that's a little far out but it's around there. Those are really good signs but I think we've done a really decent job of replacing those players for the term they've been out."

Part of Wednesday's practice for those two in particular included getting in the corners and battling with teammates for pucks. The contact and the jostling was welcome, both said.

"It was fun being out there," Stuart said with a big grin later. "It was a good practice. I got some good battles in and it felt great. I'm not really thinking about it, which is a great."

He said he's feeling like himself once again, and that's being physical.

"It's feeling good and I'm not really thinking about it out there," he declared.

While Trouba might be a game or two farther away -- possibly putting his return into the first game or two of the upcoming six-game road trip -- he's clearly champing at the bit.

Wednesday marked his first practice without the no-contact orange jersey.

"It's nice to be back and be part of things," the 19-year-old rookie said. "It's good to get hit around a little bit. It felt good. So I'll keep trying to get better every day and hopefully we're back sooner than later."

He wouldn't speculate on his return date.

"I don't know," he said again. "It's up to the trainers. They're controlling it. I just listen to them and do what I'm told."

And he said his neck is just fine now, nearly five weeks after the force of his fall sprained ligaments.

"It doesn't feel how it used to," he said, smiling. "It's a good step forward."



The drought goes on

By: Tim Campbell

Posted: 11/21/2013 1:00 AM

Winnipeg Jets coach Claude Noel suspects rookie centre Mark Scheifele's confidence might be waning, but the 20-year-old 2011 first-round draft pick isn't letting on.

Scheifele hasn't scored since the season opener, now 22 straight games without a goal.

"Nothing," said Scheifele when asked what's been happening to his offensive confidence. "I still have faith in myself that I can score goals and make plays.

"I don't think that confidence can ever go away. You just have to keep on doing the simple things and know that it will come when it comes.

"If the NHL was easy and everyone could score, then everyone would be in the NHL. It's not that easy and you have to focus on what you need to do to help the team."

'I'm happy with Mark. I don't measure Mark in goals, assists, points. I measure things in how he's progressing along. Is he learning? Is there growth in his game? That's what I measure by'

-- Jets head coach Claude Noel

The Kitchener, Ont., native said he's not losing any sleep about his one-goal total through 23 games.

"The league isn't about scoring goals," he said. "It's about playing your best to help the team win."

Noel and the Jets are no doubt hoping for more from the youngster who knew how to pile up the points when he played junior. In three OHL seasons, he piled up 84 goals and 217 points in 158 games.

And when it was really crunch time, he had 41 points in 21 OHL playoff games last spring.

This season, though, Scheifele has just a goal and four assists. And he's minus-four, with minus-three in two less-than-perfect games this week.

"Well I would assume it (his confidence) is a little bit below the bar because he's a passionate young player that expects a lot from himself," Noel said Wednesday.

"He'll be no different than anybody else. With Mark, this is probably a little bit of an adjustment, being here longer than nine, 10 games. Now he understands the league, sees the league. That's good experience for him."

Scheifele stayed with the Jets for seven, then four games after his first two pro training camps in 2011 and 2013 after the lockout.

"I'm happy with Mark," Noel said. "I don't measure Mark in goals, assists, points. I measure things in how he's progressing along. Is he learning? Is there growth in his game? That's what I measure by.

"Having said growth you have to understand there are times when there are ups and downs in that growth. They all have them."

Noel made another organizational plea for patience, something that comes frequently from GM Kevin Cheveldayoff when asked about younger players.

"The problem in today's world is that we don't have patience in players," the coach said.

"We want them now and we want them right away. How come he's really good at 18? How come he's great at 19? How come he's not (today)? That's the way it goes.

"I'm happy with Mark. He's growing, he's adjusting, he's going through some adversity and that's just part of growth and it's not a bad thing. He cares about his game and his teammates."

Scheifele said his focus on improving will not decline.

"I think I've been getting better every game," the rookie said. "There are a lot of things I've focused on the last little bit. I think I just have to continue to have that attitude. It's a process. It's not going to come in a day. I think I just have to continue to focus on the things I need to focus on and go from there."



Jets slow out of gate in practice, can't do same against Blackhawks

By Paul Friesen,Winnipeg Sun

First posted: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 09:23 PM CST | Updated: Wednesday, November 20, 2013 09:28 PM CST

It seems it took a little more than a day off to recharge the batteries of the Winnipeg Jets.

The Jets returned to practice, Wednesday, and were a little slow out of the gate, much to the consternation of head coach Claude Noel.

“That’s our team, to a degree,” Noel said after the session. “Just didn’t want it to get any worse.”

Noel compared it to a kids’ practice, where things are a tad sluggish to begin with.

“Just gotta get better,” he said. “What league are we in? Peewees? Cause we start like peewees.”

He paused.

“Sometimes.”

The last thing the Jets want is a slow start, Thursday, against Chicago.

In two previous meetings, the Blackhawks have romped to 5-1 and 4-1 wins.

The defending Stanley Cup champs are likely to be champing at the bit after starting their seven-game, 13-day road trip with a 5-1 loss in Colorado, Tuesday.

“They lost 5-1, but they still have a good team,” Noel said. “We haven’t played them that great. Turnovers hurt all the time, and they capitalize. They’re a little unlike other teams, they can finish on them. If you’re average is 14 chances against per game, do that against them and three are in your net.

“But we can beat ’em.”

His players seconded the notion.

“Yeah, we can,” Mark Scheifele said. “That’s the only thing we can think about. We’re not going to think about what we can’t do.”

Well, except for one thing.

“We can’t turn over pucks,” Scheifele said. “That’s the big thing.”

The Jets are facing a far better team than the one they lost to (Calgary) on Monday.

“It doesn’t feel like we have to climb a mountain here,” winger Anthony Peluso said. “Any team in this league can beat any team on a given night. I don’t think there’s any team that’s really unbeatable.”

RIDER PRIDE: After a visit by Minnesota on Saturday, the Jets launch into a six game, 14-day road trip of their own, starting Grey Cup Sunday.

So James Wright of Saskatoon will have to find a way to watch his favourite football team.

Yes, Winnipeg, Wright is a Riders fan.

“You pretty much have to be, growing up in Saskatchewan,” he said.

Wright’s father and brother are going to the game, and everybody back home is talking about it

“It’s got to be crazy right now. I mean, hosting and getting to be in? That’s awesome.”

Wright doesn’t have any wagers going in the Jets room, though.

“I don’t think we have any Hamilton fans,” he said. “So I don’t think I’ll find any. I don’t think a lot of the guys care.”

KANE MORE ABLE: Evander Kane showed signs of breaking out of his nine-game goal drought against Calgary.

“Last game was a lot more my game than it has been the last few,” Kane said, alluding to the way he skated and hit, Monday. “I didn’t end a drought because I didn’t score. But it was great to be part of the goal that tied the game.”

HELP COMING: Defenceman Jacob Trouba joined Mark Stuart in full contact for Wednesday’s practice.

Noel says Stuart is on the verge of rejoining the lineup, while Trouba is likely around a week away.

QUOTABLE: “Dinosaurs running around in my head. All day.” Noel on how he spent his day off, Tuesday.

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 11.21.2013


Winnipeg Jets treat rookie Mark Scheifele with kid gloves



Scheifele Mark Scheifele says he still has faith in himself that he can score goals and make plays at the NHL level, despite a 22-game scoring drought.

You’re the 20-year-old future phenom, an early first-round draft pick with “can’t miss” written on your back.

So what happens when you can’t score?

I half expected to see dark circles around Mark Scheifele’s eyes, Wednesday, evidence of night after night of tossing, turning and counting missed opportunities, or the lack of opportunities at all.

Scheifele hasn’t scored in so long you can use world events to mark the occasion: his last goal came on the day the U.S. government began a partial shutdown.

In the 22 games since the Jets season opener, he’s come up empty, not even registering as much as an accidental assist in his last seven.

Yet, asked when the last time he went that long without a goal, the first thing out of Scheifele’s mouth was a laugh.

“A pretty long time,” he said through the smile. “That’s not the focus. It’s not about goals and assists. It’s about doing the simple things and doing the things to help the team win.”

The truth is Scheifele has probably never gone 22 game without scoring, at any level.

By the time he left junior he wasn’t far from a goal-a-game pace.

And now this: a rich, young man who’ll eventually own whatever he wants, but can’t buy a goal.

If Scheifele isn’t quite as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as the day he first arrived, he’s not far from it.

He’s no doubt a tad wiser, too, about the miserly ways of the NHL.

“There’s not much to really explain,” he said of the slump. “It’s a process. If the NHL was easy and everyone could score, everyone would be in the NHL. But it’s not that easy.”

While not as robotic with his answers as he used to be, Scheifele does have a default position when it comes to his play: he’s working hard, getting better every day and learning.

If something as silly as a scoring slump is eating at him, he’s certainly not going to let it show.

And what happens to a goal scorer’s confidence at times like this?

“Nothing,” he said. “I still have faith in myself that I can score goals and I can make plays. I don’t think that confidence can ever go away.”

Ask his head coach about Scheifele’s confidence, and you get one of those long, knowing looks.

“I would assume it’s a little bit below the bar,” Claude Noel said. “Because he’s a passionate young player who expects a lot from himself and is driven. This is probably a little bit of an adjustment...

“I’m happy with Mark. I don’t measure Mark with goals and assists and points, I measure things in how he’s progressing.”

It’s another story in the outside world, of course.

“The problem now in today’s world is we don’t have patience in players,” Noel continued. “We want them now.

“He’s going through some adversity and that’s part of growth. He’ll still be a real good player for us.”

Ever since Noel made some pre-season remarks about Scheifele needing to decide what role he wants to fill, it’s been kid gloves for the kid.

Even as he toils on a third line that isn’t producing, as big a factor in the Jets mediocre record as anything.

In Monday’s loss to Calgary, Scheifele, minus-four on the season, saw his second-lowest ice-time total, 9:58, as Noel balances patience with the need to win.

“I don’t have too much trouble balancing that out,” Noel said. “It’s a little bit more difficult here, the spotlight. And the NHL is about winning. There’s more risk involved, more at stake. But that’s the world we’re in.”

Back in the dressing room, Scheifele leans on the man often seated next to him.

Captain Andrew Ladd’s advice is to concentrate not on the big stuff, but on the little things: the breakouts, the forecheck, the defence.

“And eventually it’s going to come,” Scheifele said. “If you’re an offensive guy, it’s going to come.”

If you’re an offensive guy, it has to.



Pardy poopers: Jets throw cold beer on helmet-wearing fans



The Winnipeg Jets are pouring cold water all over a planned helmet party in the stands for Thursday's game against Chicago.

The Jets aren't just discouraging fans from wearing helmets, they're slamming the lid on the idea in a head-scratching case of overreaction.

"Regrettably if you show up with a helmet, you're not going to be allowed to bring it in with you," Jets co-owner Mark Chipman said at a hastily called news conference Wednesday afternoon. "We're just not going to permit it."

The ban is in response to a fan movement to have people bring helmets after what happened the last time these teams met.

YOINK!

You may recall an inebriated-looking fan ripped the helmet off Jets defenceman Adam Pardy, after Pardy was knocked through the glass at the United Center in Chicago on Nov. 6.

Another fan poured her beer all over Pardy, but I don't think the Jets are banning beer sales.

The idea for the mock "retaliation" came from radio host Dave Wheeler, who works for the Jets part-time as an in-game announcer.

The Jets realized it was gaining steam and curiously thought the issue important enough to call in the boss to shut it down.

Before Chipman's rare appearance, the team actually warned the media not to ask players about the issue after practice.

Bizarre.

I can only imagine they didn't want the appearance of players disagreeing with their owner.

Because who wouldn't think it hilarious if fans show up in droves wearing buckets?

Pardy himself thought the whole incident more funny than offensive when it first happened.

So what's the problem?

Chipman said it wasn't about safety.

"It reflects very poorly on the entire situation," he said, citing the professional response of Pardy (he didn't fight the fan), the Blackhawks (they apologized) and the NHL. "It would seem really almost absurd for us to participate ... I just don't think it's appropriate to rub people's noses in it or to in any way participate in something that would promote the initial error that occured."

Over at 92 CITI FM, general manager Scott Armstrong could only shake his head.

"I don't think they should be trying to legislate how their fans support them," Armstrong said. "As long as their fans aren't hurting anyone, which they're not. They really love what their fans do with the national anthem."

Armstrong compares the whole thing to Vancouver's towel-waving tradition, sparked when the late head coach Roger Neilson waved a towel in mock surrender to the officials during a playoff series against the Blackhawks in 1982.

All in good fun, right?

"To quote the Jets, it was fueled by passion," Armstrong said. "It's a game, guys. No one would have got hurt, other than the noses of the Blackhawks. And I don't think it's a coincidence we have a GM who used to work there."

Indeed, the Jets appear more concerned about hurting the feelings of the Hawks than anything. What's next, banning a "Hawks suck" chant? No booing Patrick Kane?

Armstrong suspects there are some politics at play, too.

His station, after all, is not the Jets broadcast partner.

That'd be sad.

The fans pay their share. Let them have their fun.

Or risk their wrath.



Helmet Party kiboshed; fans will have lids confiscated, True North says

By Paul Friesen ,Winnipeg Sun


So much for the helmet party.

The Winnipeg Jets aren’t just discouraging fans from wearing helmets to tomorrow night’s game against Chicago, the team is going one step further.

It’s banning helmets altogether.

“Regrettably if you show up with a helmet tomorrow night, you’re not going to be allowed to bring it in with you,” Jets co-owner Mark Chipman said at a hastily called news conference Wednesday afternoon. “We’re just not going to permit it tomorrow night.”

The ban is aimed at a fan movement to have people wear helmets after what happened the last time these teams met, when a fan ripped the helmet off Jets defenceman Adam Pardy after he was knocked through the glass at the United Center in Chicago, Nov. 6.

YOINK!

The movement was actually begun by local radio host Dave Wheeler, who works for the Jets, part-time, as an announcer during games.

Wheeler has been promoting the idea on the radio and through his Twitter account.

"Nov. 21 at MTS Centre vs. #Blackhawks is officially #HelmetNight. Show the Hawks fans that we don't need to steal helmets, we have our own!" Wheeler tweeted, dubbing it a Helmet Pardy.

“We became aware this week as we monitored the situation that this possibility was becoming real,” Chipman said. “It was important to

communicate to our fans that this is not, or whatever was planned, is not official. It didn’t come from us. And it’s something we would strongly urge people to not do. It reflects very poorly on the entire situation.”

Chipman says safety was not the Jets main concern. Rather, he says the response wouldn’t match the professionalism Pardy, the Blackhawks and the NHL showed after the incident.

Pardy, who also had a beer poured on his head, didn’t react, while the Blackhawks and the fan responsible have apologized.

“It would seem really almost absurd for us to participate in something that brought us down to the base act that caused all this,” Chipman said. “It’s really unfortunate by the way, that I’m actually standing here having to do this. But we live in a world of social media where things like this can gain momentum very quickly.

“I just don’t think it’s appropriate to rub people’s noses in it or to in any way participate in something that would promote the initial error that occured.”

Chipman expressed hope fans would understand. The team is even asking those who normally wear helmets to games to leave them at home this time.

The Jets didn’t allow media to ask players about the issue after practice, today, instead holding the impromptu news conference with Chipman.

The security clampdown brings to mind the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ policy to ban beer snakes — fans stacking long lines of empty beer cups together — at home games two seasons ago.

The Bombers were roundly criticized for what people called heavy-handed security.


725389 Vancouver Canucks

Botchford: Luongo is the least of Vancouver’s worries

By Jason Botchford, The Province November 20, 2013

Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo keeps his eye on the puck during Vancouver’s 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers Tuesday.

There was a time when you couldn’t go an hour without hearing about the Canucks goaltending issues, let alone a day.

Now, it seems it’s been a month.

A lot has happened since Cory Schneider was traded to New Jersey. There is a certain calmness in net, one that hasn’t been there since Roberto Luongo’s first year with the Vancouver Canucks.

A reader sent this message Wednesday: “Do you ever get bored writing about the fact that the Canucks can’t score?”

No, because it wasn’t that long ago when it was all about the goalies.

But people have developed an immunity to Luongo’s slow starts in October. This year, barely an eyebrow raised. He’ll get better, and he has.

People have mostly accepted the odd ugly one he’ll give up, sometimes on his belly. And he’ll regularly, it seems, surrender a goal on the first shot of a game.

Yeah, been there, seen that.

Luongo’s evolution has helped defuse what was often a toxic reaction and relationship with his fans. Whether it’s his twitter persona, and it is, or his willingness to publicly accept more liability in such a public way, he has managed to expand what was once an incredibly thin margin for error.

He’s so bent on being accountable these days, he took responsibility for Tuesday’s shootout loss when he was the best player on the ice for Vancouver.

It’s more difficult to work up a rage over a player who continues to say, “Hey, my bad. I should have had that” like he did with the shootout winner.

There are more pressing issues than goaltending these days, anyway. Like how do the Canucks get assistant coach Newell Brown back?

It’s the current power play and general scoring slump that are challenging the organization, not the goaltending.

Remarkably under the radar, Luongo has recovered from his typically slowish start. He’s put together 10 solid games. He’s been beat for more than two goals only once and has a .923 save percentage.

All of this is encouraging for the player who underwent the biggest change when the team shifted from Alain Vigneault to John Tortorella.

Near the bottom of the NHL in blocked shots under Vigneault, the Canucks are now in the top five. There is no one that impacts more than the goalie. It has changed his sight lines and increased the number of deflections.

When Shawn Matthias scored the tying goal Tuesday, Ryan Stanton was trying to block it.

“It went off his stick and changed direction, and in,” Luongo said. “We seem to be getting one of those per game right now as far as unlucky breaks.”

Even with the change in systems, Luongo is doing what he always does. He’s getting better as the season gets older.

The only problem is the Canucks have won just four of his past 10 games.

He was asked if he felt his best efforts were being wasted on a team that can’t score. His answer was interesting.

“It’s a long season,” he said. “I plan on playing this way and better the rest of the way.

“The run support will be there.”

It was quite the example of bravado. And if history is any guide, he’s right.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 11.21.2013


Botchford: Rest assured with Tortorella

By Jason Botchford, The Province November 20, 2013

Vancouver Canucks head coach John Tortorella wants to give his team the most days off in the NHL.

There are a lot of similarities to be drawn between the Vancouver Canucks and Philadelphia Eagles head coach Chip Kelly.

Both rely heavily on sport science, focusing on diet and sleeping patterns far more seriously than most teams.

Much like Canucks coach John Tortorella, Kelly stresses an up tempo attack for his football team. Both coaches had high octane training camps.

They were designed to take their teams’ physical conditioning to a new level so they could play at a high pace for extended periods of time.

But there is an area they differ significantly in their philosophies. Kelly is big on practice. The Eagles are the only team in the NFL that practises on Tuesdays.

Tortorella believes teams practise too much. He wants to give his team the most days off in the NHL. The Canucks were given Wednesday off, and have scheduled Sunday off as well. That will be three days off in an eight-day stretch.

Now, with that many days off, are the Canucks losing ground on a fitness level?

Can the team continue to effectively play Tortorella’s hard forecheck system for three periods if it leads the league in days off?

Kelly’s philosophy is to practise more than other team, especially in the first half of his season so his team can out-last opponents late in the season.

Tortorella’s philosophy is to Watch video.

“I think we practise too much and I think we over-coach,” Tortorella said Saturday.

“We do a lot of work with the video. I think we get more work done with the video than practise on the ice.”



Kuzma: Slump? Speed bump? Something’s gotta give for struggling Canucks

By Ben Kuzma, The Province November 20, 2013

Florida Panthers centre Jonathan Huberdeau tussles with Canucks left wing Daniel Sedin and centre Mike Santorelli, left, during the third period on Tuesday at Rogers Arena.

If they want to fill a need or send a message that the situation is more serious than a five-game losing streak — you can either spin it as a blip or a major slip — the Vancouver Canucks could sift through the bargain trade bin.

They don’t have the salary cap space or marketable assets to add to a top-six forward mix in flux.

The constant knock that this is a one-line team, and by shutting down Henrik and Daniel Sedin — whether they’re on the same line or not — you can beat the Canucks.

The struggling and often-injured David Booth is off the roster radar and there’s no top-end skill in the system to recall because 2011 first-round pick Nicklas Jensen has yet to score this season with the Utica Comets. The projected second-line NHL winger has two goals in 30 career AHL games and remains a project.

Six goals in the current five-game Canucks’ skid and just two points from the Sedins are concerning enough. So is knowing the bulk of the remaining schedule is against Western Conference competition in which they’re 4-5-2, including a 3-4-2 record in the ultra-tough Pacific Division in which the Canucks don’t physically match up well against Los Angeles or San Jose. They’re also ninth in the conference and 4-4-2 at home.

More importantly, the mindset crept into the conversation Tuesday for all the wrong reasons.

The given under John Tortorella is that effort has seldom been questioned.

A quest for consistency and the bite he demands with an aggressive forechecking system is a high-risk, high-reward approach that requires a strong body and stronger mind.

Giving up odd-man rushes to push the pace means being good at both ends of the ice through an entire shift — not just part of it.

It also meant Daniel Sedin logged 26:15 and Henrik Sedin 25:26 Tuesday in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers, more than their average 22 minutes and much more than the 19 minutes a night under Alain Vigneault.

Tortorella is loathe to use the F-word — as in fatigue — so his summation that the maturity of a veteran-laden team waned Tuesday was telling. It’s like the mind-over-matter credo that coaches carry in their motivational arsenal: ‘If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter’.

The Canucks seemed to mind Tuesday. They were lethargic and heard about it in the first intermission.

“This one kicks me in the side of the head with our mindset,” said Tortorella. “I feel what we really have is a good mindset. It wasn’t there tonight.”

It played into the tying goal after the Canucks took a lead early in the third period and then — inexplicably — sat back after Shawn Matthias evened the count.

The Panthers went on a dominant 11-4 shot advantage and the Canucks had but two shots after Jannik Hansen gave them the 2-1 lead.

They were lucky to escape with the shootout loss point because Matthias nearly won it with 17.3 seconds remaining in regulation time when the centre dove over Chris Tanev and nearly knocked a loose puck past Roberto Luongo.

“After their second goal, we wanted to get the point badly and maybe sat back a bit too much,” admitted Henrik Sedin. “It wasn’t the effort we wanted. We weren’t focused enough, quick enough. We thought it was going to come easy.”

The Matthias goal came off a 4-on-3 rush with Brad Richardson caught up ice. Nick Bjugstad was allowed to thread a pass off the wall to top of the slot — no sticks or bodies in the way — and an unchecked Matthias beat Luongo to the glove side for just his third goal of the season.

“We’ve got to make a better play in the defensive zone than to let them have a rush at that time of the game,” said winger Alex Burrows. “The game is there for you, if you play the right way. We weren’t very good. We looked slow and weren’t very good with the puck. We have lapses and aren’t making the right reads.”

For Burrows, the slight silver linings to zero goals through his 10 games after returning from a fractured foot are hitting posts in consecutive games and drawing penalties in those same outings.

But that’s reaching for a team that looks like it needs an injection of something. Moving Ryan Kesler to wing may improve shooting angles, but it takes size and presence away from the middle. Mike Santorelli works as hard as anybody, but has one goal in his last 18 games and Brad Richardson has one goal in his last dozen.

The Canucks have had past interest in Matthias and he’s a fit on several levels. He stands 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, but the 25-year-old centre struggles with consistency, and is a $1.75 million US cap hit this season and next. Then again, Matthias had a strong third period Tuesday and has either turned a corner or become more movable because he can also play wing.

“After they got that second goal, we responded the right way and he [Matthias] brought us some good energy with a good push there,” said Panthers coach Peter Horacek.



Gallagher: Canucks have a real need for speed

By Tony Gallagher, The Province November 20, 2013

Florida Panthers centre Jonathan Huberdeau scores on Vancouver Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo to win Tuesday's clash 3-2 in a shootout. Vancouver had plenty of scoring chances but couldn't convert.

The last time the Florida Panthers won in Vancouver Slick Willie Clinton was the U.S. president, Lorena Bobbitt was cutting unspeakable appendages from her husband John, and Nancy Kerrigan was being gooned pre-Olympics by the friends of Tonya Harding.

The Canucks were still in the Pacific Coliseum, Pat Quinn was the coach and general manager whose goalie was Kirk McLean, and our Lillehammer Olympic team was adorned by North Vancouver's Paul Kariya, Canuck holdout Petr Nedved and Adrian Aucoin, the ex-Canuck defenceman who ended his 17-year NHL career Tuesday.

That was 1994, of course, but the Panthers' slump-ending win wasn't supposed to come Tuesday night. It was supposed to be a cakewalk for the locals; the fired-up good team that has been struggling was supposed to jump all over the Eastern Conference sluggard spending some $20 million under the league salary cap.

But this local team that had, and perhaps still does have, such lofty goals for this season really doesn't inspire much confidence when it comes to rolling over any team in this league — and the reasons for the struggle are not very hard to figure out. For starters, where has their team speed gone? Seriously, how many guys on this team are fast anymore? Jannik Hansen and Mike Santorelli for sure; Ryan Kesler is still a strong skater, but may have lost a quarter of a step through surgeries.

Niklas Jensen has some speed but seems to be struggling to play the game these days in Utica, N.Y. The defence for the most part is fairly mobile, and Dale Weise is pretty mobile for a fourth-liner, but the days of this crew intimidating teams with their wheels are long gone, and you only have to look at their standing down in the mid-20s in penalties drawn as empirical evidence.

This is not to say they are slow, although they have some players that would qualify there, but the 'speed and skill' Canucks are taking a sabbatical with the slow erosion of speedsters Michael Grabner, Mason Raymond and Christian Ehrhoff from the lineup and the rest of the veterans having just that much more mileage on their odometers.

There may well be some help on the way in their young prospects like Bo Horvat, Brendan Gaunce and Hunter Shinkaruk. But in the meantime scoring goals with this lineup is likely to have the feel of sausage-making at times during the season. It's not like a guy like Raymond was crucial to this team's success by any stretch, but he really did add an element of speed to his line five-on-five, on the second power-play unit and while killing penalties, during the regular season at least.

Perhaps because he had such a great motor here for so long, somehow his absence seems to have changed at least the visual appearance of this team.

"I think our way of playing is that we're a five-man unit working together and we look fast when we play that way," said Daniel Sedin. "Today when we played like we did, we looked slow, but I think we're a fast enough team."

That may be true given the way they looked against the Leafs, for instance. But as Daniel noted they sure looked slow with their play in this one. It appears more and more as if it's going to take the arrival of the Chicago Blackhawks to stir the blood of yesteryear, so that they might invest something of themselves in their work. That way they may at least leave the impression that their speed is adequate to compete.

"This clunker here, it makes no sense to me. This team should be chomping at the bit the way we've been going. It was a total lack of respect (for the opponent)," said Vancouver coach John Tortorella, who unloaded on his team verbally after the first period, although Roberto Luongo insisted "it wasn't anything crazy."

"This one kicked me in the side of the head tonight," Tortorella said. He feels bad? Imagine the fans who had the misfortune of paying to see it.



The Provies: Tallon’s revenge, Lu takes blame and the twins with a shocker

November 19, 2013. 11:23 pm • Section: The White Towel

Jason Botchford

BEST STORY

The Canucks brass slipped post-game into its side of two elevators (one is for the media) and the doors closed right in front of a hustling Dale Tallon who didn’t make it in.

He was chafed and said to his running mate:

“Remember that for next time.”

Next time? What will he do to get revenge? Booby trap the elevators in Florida when the Canucks are there in March or trade Shawn Matthias to Vancouver?

BEST REALITY

I mentioned this on twitter earlier, but I don’t see things getting any better for David Booth and the Vancouver Canucks.

In #canucks Booth's last 30 gms (inc playoffs) he has 2 goals, 5 assists @botchford #becauseitsthecup—

Mr. Belding (@RMGSRY123) November 20, 2013

He lost his offseason and training camp because recovery from his March ankle surgery took longer than anyone expected.

In recent memory, Keith Ballard lost an offseason because of surgery. So did Manny Malhotra and Ryan Kesler.

All of them had brutal starts to the season, and didn’t really get better.

I thought Malhotra summed up the experience best when he said:

“I felt like I could never catch up with my fitness. When I was finally at a level where I’d be ready to start the season, everyone else was in mid-season form. When I was in midseason form, everyone else was in playoff mode.”

In other words, it doesn’t get any better and I don’t think it will for Booth.

His speed is gone. Not sure when he gets that explosiveness back, but next season is a good guess.

Yes, the Canucks will consider waiving him which would save them $925,000 in cap space, while ensuring he isn’t hurt for next summer’s buyout window.

However, I have a hard time believing he can’t help this team, but remain unsurprised Tom Sestito is starting ahead of him.

That’s a Tortorella call.

But that move looked absurd Tuesday. The Panthers have no goons to speak of, and Sestito missed a great chance in the second period.

Would Booth have scored?

Yeah, you’re right, probably not.

But I would have loved to have been there post-game to ask Torts that one.

BEST SHAP

@JohnTortorella2 Number of Selke-winning centres whose coach moved them to the wing: 1 @Ryan_Kesler #endtheexperiment @tg_gman @botchford—

Mack Donahue (@mack_donahue) November 20, 2013

BEST SUM UP

Some loud fan: "It's the Florida Panthers! Come on!"—

Jason Brough (@JasonPHT) November 20, 2013

BEST TIP

The Canucks tell me if they are going to add, it’s going to be a centre.

Maybe that changes as the team continues to prove it needs a sniper. And it does need a sniper. More speed in the top six would help too.

They got Booth for a reason. They thought he could be a 25-30 goal scorer on the wing.

With him seemingly out of the picture, don’t they need to replace that? Or at least try to?

Thing is, Mike Cammalleri would be a candidate. He could be traded this year and with the past he has with Mike Gillis, the Canucks may be able to re-sign him at a rate that’s in line with the team salary structure.

But does anyone believe Brian Burke would let that happen?

Didn’t think so.

BEST MEA CULPA

Roberto Luongo is getting zero help in the shootouts. The Canucks have scored just two times on 15 chances.

You think that’s an indicator the team could use a little more skill?

Luongo still was taking the blame Tuesday, anyway.

Luongo:

“I have to do my job. I have to make the save on the first one there. I knew that was one of his moves and I ended up bitting anyway. I have to be better than that.”

BEST AV REFERENCE

The guy from CTV asking Tortorella if he’s going to let the players figure it out.

BEST MT TORTS

Canucks are on quite a string of almost scoring. Well, Tortorella almost snapped when asked about Tim Thomas.

Torts barked “Why would I comment on other team’s players” and a tiny plume of smoke rose to the ceiling.

Still on watch for the big one.

BEST EXPLANATION

Okay. So Torts has given everybody shit in the intermission and they're going to come out killing it, right? …Please?—

Shaun Stewart (@CanucksClown) November 20, 2013

So, what the hell did Torts say in the first intermission?

Well, you basically got it after the game when he said in his team showed the Panthers no respect.

“We had played so-called good teams and everyone was really focused,” Daniel Sedin explained when asked about it.

“In the first period, we weren’t focused. He let us know about it. He was right too. You could tell. We were kind of there, but not really there.”

Luongo put it this way:

“They are never easy. As soon as you start thinking that, it’s game over for us … Given the fact we lost four in a row, I don’t know why we would be thinking it was going to be easy.”

BEST QUESTION

Is this team watching the standings already, desperate for points?

“That was the mentality. We talked about not sitting back. We got too spread out because our Ds were sitting back. It gave them so much room and that’s what happens.”

BEST SHOCKER

Both twins admitting the Canucks sat back hoping for a point. In November. Against Florida.

“This is how it looks when it is spread out.”

Ugly, ya.

BEST CALLBACK

Cant wait until the Canucks fire AV and his sitting on one goal leads. Wait…what? Oh, fuck. Oh.—

Mitch (@MitchEmDee) November 15, 2013

BEST PICK-ME-UP

Torts should've never been fired. AV's system is garbage, no wonder he's not in Vancouver anymore.—

Andy (@Fabio227) November 20, 2013

BEST STAT

Jason Garrison got a shot on net 7:34 into the third. The Canucks did not get another until Garrison’s next shot on net. That was with a minute left of overtime. It spanned 16:26 where the Canucks did squat except get run over.

BEST RUN

@botchford Canucks revolutionizing nhl ! Four checking lines.—

Warren Latham (@FAorthopod) November 20, 2013

BEST UGH

Stop me if you've heard this before – @Canucks give up tying goal in the 3rd, only to lose in overtime or shootout. Ugh!—

Vancouver Events Gal (@catherinebarr) November 20, 2013



Blip or major slip? Five-game losing streak suggests mindset as concerning as scoring


Ben Kuzma

If they want to fill a need or send a message that the situation is more serious than a five-game losing streak — you can either spin it as a blip or a major slip — the Vancouver Canucks could sift through the bargain trade bin.

They don’t have the salary cap space or marketable assets to add to a top-six forward mix in flux. The constant knock that this is a one-line team and by shutting down Henrik and Daniel Sedin — whether they’re on the same line or not — you can beat the Canucks has merit. The struggling and often-injured David Booth is off the roster radar and there’s no top-end skill in the system to recall because 2011 first-round pick Nicklas Jensen has yet to score this season with the Utica Comets. The projected second-line NHL winger has two goals in 30 career AHL games and remains a project.

Six goals in the current five-game Canucks skid and just two points from the Sedins are concerning enough. So is knowing the bulk of the remaining schedule is against Western Conference competition in which they’re 4-5-2, including a 3-4-2 record in the ultra-tough Pacific Division in which the Canucks don’t physically match up well against Los Angeles or San Jose. They’re also ninth in the conference and 4-4-2 at home.

More importantly, the mindset crept into the conversation Tuesday for all the wrong reasons.

The given under John Tortorella is that effort has seldom been questioned. A quest for consistency and the bite he demands with an aggressive forechecking system is a high-risk, high-reward approach that requires a strong body and stronger mind. Giving up odd-man rushes to push the pace means being good at both ends of the ice through an entire shift — not just part of it. It also meant Daniel Sedin logged 26:15 and Henrik Sedin 25:26 Tuesday in a 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers, more than their average 22 minutes and much more than the 19 minutes a night under Alain Vigneault. Tortorella is loathe to use the F-word — as in fatigue — so his summation that the maturity of a veteran-laden team waned Tuesday was telling. It’s like the mind-over-matter credo that coaches carry in their motivational arsenal: ‘If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter’. The Canucks seemed to mind Tuesday. They were lethargic and heard about it in the first intermission.

“This one kicks me in the side of the head with our mindset,” said Tortorella. “I feel what we really have is a good mindset. It wasn’t there tonight.”

It played into the tying goal after the Canucks took a lead early in the third period and then — inexplicably — sat back after Shawn Matthias evened the count. The Panthers went on a dominant 11-4 shot advantage and the Canucks had but two shots after Jannik Hansen gave them the 2-1 lead. They were lucky to escape with the shootout loss point because Matthias nearly won it with 17.3 seconds remaining in regulation time when the centre dove over Chris Tanev and nearly knocked a loose puck past Roberto Luongo.

“After their second goal, we wanted to get the point badly and maybe sat back a bit too much,” admitted Henrik Sedin. “It wasn’t the effort we wanted. We weren’t focussed enough, quick enough. We thought it was going to come easy.”

The Matthias goal came off a 4-on-3 rush with Brad Richardson caught up ice. Nick Bjugstad was allowed to thread a pass off the wall to top of the slot — no sticks or bodies in the way — and an unchecked Matthias beat Luongo to the glove side for just his third goal of the season.

“We’ve got to make a better play in the defensive zone than to let them have a rush at that time of the game,” said winger Alex Burrows. “The game is there for you, if you play the right way. We weren’t very good. We looked slow and weren’t very good with the puck. We have lapses and aren’t making the right reads.”

For Burrows, the slight silver linings to zero goals through his 11 games after retuning from a fractured foot are hitting posts in consecutive games and drawing penalties in those same outings. But that’s reaching for a team that looks like it needs an injection of something. Moving Ryan Kesler to wing may improve shooting angles, but it takes size and presence away from the middle. Mike Santorelli works as hard as anybody but has one goal in his last 18 games and Brad Richardson has one goal in his last dozen.

The Canucks have had past interest in Matthias and he’s a fit on several levels. At 6-foot-4, 220 pounds, the 25-year-old centre struggles with consistency, but is a $1.75 million US cap hit this season and next. Then again, Matthias had a strong third period Tuesday and has either turned a corner or become more movable because he can also play wing.

“After they got that second goal, we responded the right way and he [Matthias] brought us some good energy with a good push there,” said Panthers coach Peter Horacek.



Deja-view? Since San Jose triumph, Canucks look like club that slid after vengeful win in Boston


Ben Kuzma

When the Vancouver Canucks exorcized their Stanley Cup demons with an emotionally-charged 4-3 decision in Boston on Jan. 7, 2012, it felt like a championship victory.

Dale Weise and Maxim Lapierre fought the burly Bruins. Brad Marchand and Milan Lucic received game misconducts. Sami Salo and Andrew Ebbett were lost to injury but the Canucks prevailed because their rekindled power play struck four times. Cory Schneider stopped a penalty shot and finished with 36 saves for a happy homecoming. It felt like a banner should be raised and champagne uncorked. But it never felt the same after that.

The Canucks got by on great goaltending because 26 of their final 40 regular-season games were decided by one goal. Oh, they could score en route to another Northwest Division title. There was a six-goal game and three five-goal outings, but they were sloppy and dispatched in five games of the opening round of the playoffs by Los Angeles and managed but eight goals.

You can argue it might be too early to draw a parallel, but the Canucks haven’t looked like the club that ended a nine-game losing streak against the Sharks with a inspirational 4-2 win in San Jose on Nov. 7. Brad Richardson, Mike Santorelli, Chris Higgins and Zack Kassian scored that night while Henrik and Daniel Sedin were held pointless. It felt like a weight had been lifted off the team’s shoulders. However, to finish off a four-game road trip, they faded in a 5-1 loss at Los Angeles and then dominated yet couldn’t get the crucial second goal in a 3-1 loss at Anaheim in which they held a 23-8 shot advantage in the second period. Add back-to-back 2-1 losses on home ice to San Jose and Dallas before Tuesday’s lethargic 3-2 shootout loss to the Florida Panthers and it’s safe to ask has the will gone away with the skill? In a five-game losing streak, the Canucks have had 26, 36, 35, 43 and 29 shots but just six goals. And coach John Tortorella questioned the mindset of the veteran-laden team.

“Right now, it seems like we’re not making that play to win games to score the goal to make it 3-1 or defending on the 2-2 goal,” Kevin Bieksa said of the loss to the Panthers. “We’re close. We’ve been close in five games, but it still sucks.”

In the third period, the Canucks were outshot 11-4 and looked like they were hanging on to gain a point rather than push for two. Henrik Sedin admitted as much. Not Bieksa.

“I don’t think we were holding on — they had sustained pressure in our end and it’s better to hold on tight — especially in the last minute of the game,” he said. “It was a sloppy game a lot of 50-50 puck battles and we’re not quite on the right side of them.”



Canucks Hat Trick: Bless the Blue Jackets, lack of run support for Lu, and it’s time to move the Panthers

November 20, 2013. 11:25 am • Section: The White Towel

Tony Gallagher

Canucks Hat Trick: Gallagher on the woeful fourth line, Darren Mattocks’ candour, and dreaming the impossible dream in San JosePosted on Nov 7, 2013

Gallagher: Sedins’ twin deals a great-news story for Canucks, fans, cityPosted on Nov 1, 2013

If the Vancouver Canucks showed a lack of respect to the hideous Florida Panthers Tuesday night, to the horror of their coach John Tortorella, help is perhaps on the way. Perhaps an even more paralytic squad is coming Friday for the writhing Canucks, the latter a team which seems so much like a mother trying to birth a baby when looking for goals these days. And as we consider our Hat Trick of issues around this team today, let us be thankful for the Columbus Blue Jackets.

1. Not quite the elixir of life they were while members of the Western Conference, the Jackets are arriving at just the right time without just the right person. That would be Marian Gaborik, the man who is expected to be moved at the trading deadline, given the Jackets are going absolutely nowhere this year. He will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season, and if he re-signs in the Buckeye State, John Davidson will be up there with Woody Hayes as one of the all-time Columbus sporting heroes. Gaborik has been, of course, a Canuck killer over the years, but the Slovak winger is out some four to six weeks with a knee sprain and will not be here Friday to torment the Canucks. The Jackets play in Calgary tonight, so Vancouver won’t be getting a team on the second game of a back-to-back. But even if the Jackets bounce back well against the Flames, any team that loses 7-0 to Dallas Eakins’ Edmonton Oilers, as the Jackets did Tuesday night, has to be in considerable disarray. It may not be your classic matchup Friday, but the humour value could be priceless.

2. Roberto Luongo says he doesn’t feel as if his great goaltending the past little while is being wasted by his teammates, but you know the thought has to have crossed his mind once or twice. In only one game in his last 10 has Luongo surrendered more than two goals, and his performance Tuesday literally won a point for his team; Tortorella noted in his press conference after the loss that his team “didn’t deserve a point” and “had it not been for Lui the score could have been 3- or 4-nothing after the first period.” The last quote was a bit of a dramatic embellishment on Torts’ part, but he meant to underline that his own team did the square root of sweet fanny adam in that period. “I feel like I’m playing well, but I also feel I’m going to be playing this way or better the rest of the season, so the important thing is for us to get a win,” said Luongo when asked if his solid run was going down the drain due to a lack of run support. When asked the same question, Daniel Sedin said: “Yeah, in a way, but we need Lu right now. He’s keeping us in game we otherwise wouldn’t be in.” What’s going to be interesting is whether Tortorella keeps with his pattern of using Eddie Lack in the second game of back-to-backs as he’s done every time so far. If he were to do that, it would mean Luongo would not play against the Chicago Blackhawks Saturday, and that’s hard to imagine. Perhaps he’ll switch them, playing Lack the first night against the Jackets, and Lui the following night.

3. Now that they’ve left, it might be safe to mention. It’s about the Panthers franchise. These teams tend to get a little snarly when you mention it when they’re in town, but seriously, why bother? Move them already. They haven’t been any good since Ed Jovanovski was first with their team, but far more important than how good the team is on the ice is the degree of support the team receives in South Florida. The Panthers are once again right near the bottom of the league (28th overall) in attendance, at just over 13,000 fans per, but far worse than the actual attendance figures is the revenue generated. Consider you can buy a ticket to the Philly game, when the Panthers return home, for less than $10, and when those seats are available, why would you ever pay more? Sure, at that price you get a bad seat, but when the crowds are that sparse you can just move into a better seat the moment the game starts. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman evidently seems to have found a new owner, Vinny Viola, who seems to think there’s a long-term future in Sunrise for the Panthers, and perhaps he’s right. But that future always includes sopping up huge wads of revenue-sharing cash from the real teams. Maybe like in baseball, where the likes of the sad-sack Tampa Rays became a team with a following, and Pittsburgh did well this year, the same thing will happen in hockey. And maybe Viola will open the wallet and give his general manager, whether it’s to be Dale Tallon or not, a lot more money to work with. All those things could happen. But pigs might also fly. The problem, just like it will be in Phoenix, is that no matter how good your team might become, how long does it take to recalibrate the market so that it will accept and pay for tickets that are priced much higher than the going rate at the moment?

Vancouver Province LOADED: 11.21.2013

725397 Websites

USA TODAY / Penguins dominate Capitals 4-0

Jimmy Hascup, USA TODAY Sports 1:32 a.m. EST November 21, 2013

WASHINGTON — The Pittsburgh Penguins entered their first game against the Washington Capitals this season leading their Metropolitan Division rival by one point.

After Wednesday night's clinic, the difference between the two teams seems way more than that.

The Penguins came into Verizon Center and thoroughly outplayed Washington in all ends of the ice, using two-point performances from four different players to knock off the Capitals 4-0 in their first matchup as division rivals since 1993.

"I think this was as complete a game as we played," Penguins coach Dan Bylsma said. "We came out and pushed the pace (and) the speed of the game.

Marc-Andre Fleury, who wasn't tested much, made 18 saves for his 25th career shutout.

But the goal that captured the Penguins' dominance — not to mention a 40-18 shot differential — best was the power-play one from Penguins captain Sidney Crosby with 29 seconds left in the second period. It was tic-tac-toe passing at its finest.

Evgeni Malkin took the puck from the half wall in the Capitals' zone and drew the attention of two defenders. He feathered a pass to Chris Kunitz, who redirected the pass to James Neal, standing at the right side of the crease. Neal then slid a cross-ice pass to Crosby, who sniped one home from a bad angle past Capitals goalie Braden Holtby for a goal that Bylsma called "awesome."

"I saw Geno (Malkin) had the puck and I think (Neal) went down low, (Kunitz) was kind of middle there," Crosby said. "I just tried to kind of find the open ice and saw the puck coming quick from Nealer on the goal line. There was a little room there on the blocker side, and I tried to get it away."

MORE: Penguins' precision passing

The best news for the Penguins is that Malkin, despite not scoring for a career-worst 15th game in a row, still knows how to take over a game.

Sitting at three goals for the season, Malkin was on the ice for all four goals Wednesday, setting up Beau Bennett's tally at 11:57 of the second period after he drove into the zone and back-handed a pass to the rookie winger for the goal that put the Penguins ahead 2-0 in the first period.

But Malkin is now passing up shots that he should take, prompting questions about his confidence.

"I don't feel that (Malkin lacks confidence)," Crosby said. "I think that when a guy's not scoring, everyone's obviously looking at reasons why. That's normal. I don't think he lacks confidence in his shot, and he definitely shouldn't. There's a lot of goalies who fear him when he gets the puck there. He's been playing really well, and unfortunately that puck hasn't gone in, but he's been doing a lot of other good things."

Malkin recorded his 19th assist of the season on Neal's goal 7:16 into the third period, with defenseman Paul Martin assisting for his second point of the night.

The Capitals had no answer for the Penguins' aggressiveness. They didn't possess the puck nearly enough and they couldn't make that clean first pass out of the zone to jump start the offense.

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin was held scoreless for the second time in eight games as the Penguins played him physically and limited his space. Ovechkin ended the game with two shots on goal.

"I think it was not our day at all, on power play, (penalty kill), five-on-five, that kind of games happen," Ovechkin said. "Blame on us but it is what it is."

Despite 5:25 of power-play time in the first period, the Capitals managed six shots. They went 9:22 in the period without getting a shot on Fleury, who might have faced his toughest challenge during his team's power play midway through the second courtesy of careless puck control from his

teammates. Washington's vaunted power play went 0-for-3 and didn't get a chance after 35 seconds of the second period.

"Their power play is a special power play and we had to dig down with three of those kills there in the first half of the game, which were really big," Bylsma said. "The second half of the game was a team effort — how we played the game, managed the puck and shut them down. It's definitely gratifying to get the shutout."

Holtby, on the other hand, didn't make enough big saves early to fluster the Penguins and shift momentum. Martin's fluttering shot with no traffic in front at 6:38 of the first period should have been stopped. The same thing could have been said for Bennett's a little more than five minutes later.

Instead, the Capitals' three-game winning streak is over, while the Penguins strengthen a Metropolitan Division lead that seems much larger than three points.

"I think we feel we have the players in here that are capable of beating them," Holtby said. "It's just a matter of putting together a 60-minute game where we're all on the same page and doing things we need to do to win."

USA TODAY LOADED: 11.21.2013

725398 Websites

USA TODAY / NHL blocks bid to send down Mikhail Grigorenko

Mike Brehm, USA TODAY Sports 2:04 p.m. EST November 20, 2013

Rookie Mikhail Grigorenko is back in the NHL after the league blocked the Buffalo Sabres' bid to send to the American Hockey League on a conditioning assignment.

Under NHL rules, a player under 20 who was drafted out the Canadian Hockey League can't be sent outright to the AHL. The Sabres announced on Tuesday that it was sending Grigorenko, 19, to Rochester, N.Y., on a conditioning assignment, which would have allowed him to go to the minors for 14 games.

The NHL saw otherwise.

''We determined that the assignment would not have been consistent with our obligations under the league's agreement with the CHL,'' NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said by email.

Tweeted the Sabres: "The team respects the league's decision."

The Sabres had drafted Grigorenko 12th overall in 2012 and recalled him from the Quebec Remparts after the lockout. He played for 25 games last season, burning the first year of his entry-level contract before being returned to Quebec because he wasn't NHL-ready.

This season, he had two goals and an assist in 15 games while averaging a little more than 11 minutes a game. But he was a healthy scratch the past two games and six total.

Newly hired president of hockey operations Pat LaFontaine changed the team's philosophy on player development from fired general manager Darcy Regier's approach and on Tuesday, sent defenseman Nikita Zadorov to his junior team and youngsters Johan Larsson and Rasmus Ristolainen to the AHL to give them the opportunity to play more.

Buffalo has two options for Grigorenko: Keep him on the roster or return him to Quebec.

The Sabres also announced on Wednesday that they recalled center Luke Adam and defenseman Brayden McNabb from Rochester.

USA TODAY LOADED: 11.21.2013

725399 Websites

YAHOO SPORTS / Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin: The rivalry is real again for NHL's recharged superstars

By Nicholas J. Cotsonika 18 hours ago Yahoo Sports

Minutes after the Pittsburgh Penguins’ game Monday night, NBCSN began hyping their next game – against the Washington Capitals, on “Wednesday Night Rivalry,” the latest episode of Sidney Crosby vs. Alex Ovechkin.

For first time since 2011 Winter Classic, the rivalry between Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin is heating up. ( …

“Who’s better?” the host asked the analysts.

The answer meant less than the question itself.

Just two years ago, we were wondering whether Crosby could come back from concussion symptoms. Just nine months ago, we were wondering if Ovechkin could recapture his form. And now, for the first time in a long time, the rivalry or the debate or whatever you want to call it has some legitimacy, and it has the potential to become big again.

Crosby was the runaway favorite to win the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player last season. But he suffered a broken jaw with a quarter of the lockout-shortened schedule to go, and he settled for the Ted Lindsay Award, which goes to the most outstanding player as voted by the NHL Players’ Association.

To whom did the Professional Hockey Writers’ Association give the Hart instead? Ovechkin.

Crosby and Ovechkin are neck-and-neck among the scoring leaders this season – with Crosby tied for the NHL lead in points with 26 and Ovechkin tied for the league lead in goals with 17.

[It's not too late to play fantasy hockey on Yahoo Sports!]

Their teams are in the same division thanks to realignment. They’re fighting for first place Wednesday night and should have a better chance of facing each other in the playoffs, when rivalries are really forged. Their nations are about to face off at the Olympics, too. Bovada has Canada and Russia as the co-favorites at 11/5 odds.

“I think some people really thought that was contrived when it first started to happen, the Magic-and-Bird analogy and everything else,” said Capitals GM George McPhee. “But it was really intense there for a while, and maybe we’re coming back to it, which is healthy for both franchises and the league.

“I think the rivalry’s real. There’s a real competition there between the two of them.”

Some of the rivalry has been forced, starting with the simple fact that Crosby is a centerman, Ovechkin is a winger and this is a team game in which stars have less influence than in, say, basketball. Apple and Orange might be more apt than Magic and Bird.

“Crosby you see every shift because he plays in the middle, Ovechkin you don’t see him and then he buries it,” said Detroit Red Wings and Team Canada coach Mike Babcock. “The guy playing in the middle gets way more touches than the guy on the wall. The guy on the wall’s counting on the guy in the middle to get him the puck.”

How much have Crosby and Ovechkin ever really looked at each other as rivals?

“When people start saying it’s a rivalry, I don’t think it’s a rivalry,” Ovechkin told Yahoo Sports in September 2010. “We just, I think, enjoy playing against each other.”

Still, there is no question Crosby and Ovechkin helped sell the NHL the way Magic Johnson and Larry Bird once sold the NBA. Crosby and Ovechkin broke into the league after a lockout canceled the 2004-05 season. Ovechkin won the Calder Trophy as the NHL’s rookie of the year; Crosby was the runner-up. Crosby won the Hart the next year; Ovechkin won the Hart the next two years after that.

They met in the playoffs in 2009, and it was everything it was supposed to be – back and forth, seven games, Magic and Bird, Sid and Ovi. Crosby had eight goals and 13 points in the series. Ovechkin had eight goals and 14 points.

“For a few years there, that was one of the biggest things people were looking forward to watching – two of the best players in the world going head-to-head – and the results that they put up while going head-to-head was pretty fun to watch,” said Nashville Predators defenseman Shea Weber. “I’m sure people are going to enjoy it if it gets back to the way it was.”

Crosby went on to win the Cup in 2009; Ovechkin didn’t. You can say their paths diverged there. Crosby went on to win gold in Vancouver in 2010; Ovechkin didn’t. You can say their paths diverged there. While Ovechkin had more individual awards, Crosby had more team accomplishments.

But their paths really diverged in the 2010 playoffs. Both the Penguins and the Capitals were upset in seven-game series by the same suffocating defensive team (the Montreal Canadiens) and the same hot goalie (Jaroslav Halak). Ovechkin put up better numbers against the Habs. He had five goals and 10 points. Crosby had one goal and five points.

The difference was that Crosby's Penguins lost in the second round and had won the Cup the year before, while Ovechkin's Capitals lost in the first round – the top regular-season team falling to an eighth seed – blowing a two-game series lead early in the playoffs for the second straight year. The Penguins stuck with their plan; the Capitals ended up changing theirs.

Crosby separated himself from his peers – Ovechkin and otherwise – during the first half of the 2010-11 season. Meanwhile, the Capitals struggled and decided to switch from a high-flying offensive team to a more conservative defensive team, all while HBO cameras rolled for a new behind-the-scenes show leading up to a Caps-Pens Winter Classic.

Just as the rivalry reached the peak of its hype – with Crosby and Ovechkin featured in TV commercials, with their faces on the side of the truck that made the outdoor ice – the rivalry stopped living up to the hype. Crosby took a hit to the head in the Winter Classic, the genesis of his concussion problems. Ovechkin’s production declined under the Caps’ new approach, first under Bruce Boudreau, then under Dale Hunter in 2011-12.

Crosby and Ovechkin have played only four times since Jan. 1, 2011. That’s it, because of Crosby’s injuries and a lockout. How can you have a rivalry when you don’t play each other?

But after another lockout came Crosby and Ovechkin again, Crosby looking like the Crosby of old, Ovechkin looking like the Ovechkin of old – at least after he adjusted to his latest new coach, Adam Oates, who shifted him from left wing to right wing and let him focus on what he does best. Ovechkin scored like crazy and carried the Capitals into the playoffs.

“It was almost like a breath of fresh air for Alex that, ‘Hey, I’m going to get back to where I was before,’ ” said Predators forward Matt Hendricks, a former Capital. “The way Ovi’s being coached, with Oates trying to do anything he can to get Ovi the puck in scoring situations, you’re just going to see that rivalry blossom even more.”

The NHL doesn’t necessarily need Magic and Bird the way it did. The league survived – no, thrived – while Crosby was concussed and Ovechkin was scoring 30-something goals instead of 60-something. It has more players to market and more ways to market them than ever before. Many feel Crosby is the best player in the world and Ovechkin is not No. 2, even as the reigning Hart winner.

But make no mistake: Fans connect to stars. Stars are harder to market in hockey, because top forwards play little more than a third of the game. And when it comes to merchandising and sponsorships – from skates to shoes to sports drinks – Crosby and Ovechkin remain the faces of the game to the mass audience.

“They are no doubt the most marketable players,” said Brian Jennings, the NHL’s chief marketing officer. “I don’t think there’s anybody else that’s even close to those guys.”

Some are sick of the Sid-Ovi thing, of the NHL’s promotion of them, of sponsors’ selling of them, of the media’s coverage of them. But the truth is, no one attracts more interest than they do. Why do you think NBCSN puts the Penguins on TV all the time? Because Pierre McGuire used to be a Pens assistant coach? If Crosby turned people off, people would turn off their TVs. They don’t tune out. They tune in.

“It’s not a question if we think we do too much with it,” Jennings said. “We want to do even more with it. It’s not diminishing what we want to do with the other athletes. We think when you look at ‘Q’ ratings – likeability, awareness, stuff like that – we have a ways to go. As a marketer, I want our guys to continue to go farther, and the two best horses that we have in the race to do that are Sid and Alex, and we’re going to pull everybody else as well.”

The two best horses are back on track together.

“It’s what we all want,” McPhee said. “We want our best players playing as well as they can.”

YAHOO.COM LOADED: 11.21.2013

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF - Official Pittsburgh …penguins.nhl.com/v2/ext/media/pdf/11 21...

Documents

Transcript of SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF - Official Pittsburgh …penguins.nhl.com/v2/ext/media/pdf/11 21...