SPORT-SCAN
DAILY BRIEF
NHL 12/4/2013
Anaheim Ducks
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Boston Bruins
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Torey Krug, Adam McQuaid not on ice for Bruins
Upcoming road stretch a good test for Bruins
Notebook: Injury concerns shake defense for Bruins
Dougie Hamilton’s progress a hit for B’s
McQuaid, Krug missing from practice
Buffalo Sabres
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It’s time for the light to go on for Stafford
Sabres consider options for Grigorenko with McCormick
returning
Low-scoring Sabres on pace for historically bad year
The GM search: Add Sens' (other) Murray to the list
Calgary Flames
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Game Day: Phoenix Coyotes at Calgary Flames
Johnson: Top prospect Gaudreau in another Hobey Baker
race, but Flames are never far from his mind
Flames captain Giordano could return to the lineup as early
as Wednesday night
Flames coach Bob Hartley fires back about being called a
'bully'
Calgary Flames' Giordano inches closer to return from
broken ankle
Calgary Flames won't loan prized youngster Monahan to
Team Canada
Calgary Flames' Reto Berra shows off new mask
Carolina Hurricanes
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Skinner, Peters, Canes make easy work of Caps in
Washington
Canes @ Caps
Peters to start in goal for Canes; Sekera likely to play
Chicago Blackhawks
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Hawks lose 4-3 on penalty shot
Hawks' Kane gets NHL's top honor for November
Ticket sale date set for Hawks-Penguins at Soldier Field
Blackhawks erase three-goal deficit, but edged by Stars
Patrick Kane is NHL’s Mr. November
Another Blackhawks comeback, but no victory
Blackhawks' Kane named month's first star
Stars snap Hawks winning streak with 4-3 victory
Blackhawks' Keith better than ever
Blackhawks can't complete comeback in loss to Stars
Konroyd's keys for Blackhawks-Stars
Five things to watch as Blackhawks host Stars
Blackhawks notes: Roster report, Kane's recognition
Patrick Kane named NHL's first star of the month
Hawks host Stars in return to United Center
Colorado Avalanche
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Columbus Blue Jackets
Kings-Ducks rivalry has a new feel to it
Dwight King ends long scoreless shootout as Kings beat
Ducks, 3-2
Whicker: Penner's reunion tour is a hit
Playoff series would turbocharge Ducks-Kings rivalry
Martin Jones’ NHL debut a winning one as Kings beat Ducks
Avalanche coach Patrick Roy OK with stats, but limits their
value
Semyon Varlamov recovering from injury, to start for Avs on
Thursday
Brett Hull to Sean Avery: “You do not get to talk to Mr. Sakic”
Trusting system key to strong December for CBJ
Before the CBJ puck drops: Tampa Bay
Blue Jackets 1, Lightning 0: Bobrovsky injury hangs over win
Blue Jackets notebook: Foligno flashes skill on highlight-reel
goal
Dallas Stars
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Video: Stars' Antoine Roussel taunts Chicago fans after
goal; nearly takes out linemen in fight
Lindy Ruff says Tyler Seguin could play Thursday
Blackhawks have puck most of game, but Stars have luck
(and Kari Lehtonen)
Stephane Robidas says he is determined to come back from
broken leg
Stars blow three-goal lead but hang on to beat Blackhawks
for first time in 21 months
Dallas Stars to use Kevin Connauton against Chicago
Blackhawks tonight
Stars-Blackhawks, 7 p.m.; Can Dallas end Chicago's series
winning streak?
Lehtonen collects season-high 47 saves to help Stars edge
Blackhawks
Detroit Red Wings
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Red Wings face Flyers minus Zetterberg, Datsyuk
Detroit Red Wings lose Henrik Zetterberg for at least two
weeks
Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg out at least two weeks with
back injury
Red Wings counting on others to continue producing while
Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk are idled
Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg will rest his ailing back for two
weeks and see how it responds
Red Wings recall center Cory Emmerton from Grand Rapids
Griffins
Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg out minimum two
weeks with small herniated disc
Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg out at least two weeks with
herniated disc
Edmonton Oilers
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Phoenix Coyotes roll over Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers forward Tyler Pitlick hopes to be deemed
ready for action by weekend
MacKinnon: One-stop digital shopping, powered by hockey
Rogers secures naming rights for Edmonton’s new arena
John MacKinnon: Edmonton Oilers coach Dallas Eakins
teaches atop recent successes
Edmonton Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins on defenceman
Jeff Petry: “we need more from him.”
Edmonton Oilers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov will be out of action
for a while
Phoenix Coyotes aren't as tough defensively this season, but
finding the net more often
Tyler Pitlick back skating with Edmonton Oilers …
Advantage adds up … Get a few, give a few … Skating with
the
Edmonton Oilers taken down by Phoenix Coyotes in 6-2 loss
After his return to the Oilers from OKC, Ryan Jones has
resumed his crashing attack
Coyotes defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson wants to be a
shutdown player
Downtown Edmonton arena named Rogers Place
Oilers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov out until Thursday ... or
Christmas
Florida Panthers
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Ottawa Senators stop strong start by Panthers, send Florida
to third consecutive loss
SENS AGAIN: Panthers Squander 2-0 Lead, Lose 4-2 to
Ottawa
ATLANTIC ROUGH ON PANTHERS: Florida Searches for
First Division Win v. Sens on Tuesday
KULIKOV BENCHED: Panthers Sit Struggling Defenseman
V Sens
Panthers' fast start ends in 4-2 loss to the Sens
Panthers coach benches error-prone Kulikov
Resurgent Winchester reunites with Senators
Panthers coach benches Dmitry Kulikov
Los Angeles Kings
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Kings-Ducks rivalry has a new feel to it
Dwight King ends long scoreless shootout as Kings beat
Ducks, 3-2
Whicker: Penner's reunion tour is a hit
Jones, Kings stop Ducks in shootout
December 3 postgame notes
December 3 postgame quotes: Darryl Sutter
December 3 postgame quotes: Drew Doughty
December 3 postgame quotes: Martin Jones
Game 29: Los Angeles at Anaheim
Game 29 Preview: Los Angeles at Anaheim
December 3 morning skate quotes: Martinez, Jones
December 3 morning skate quotes: Darryl Sutter
Jeff Schultz to rejoin Kings
Waking up with the Kings: December 3
Stadium Series jersey details, photos
Stadium Series jerseys unveiled
New York Rangers
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Ottawa Senators
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Wild notes: Knowing 'roles' leads to victory
Josh Harding named NHL's Third Star of the Month for
November
Minnesota Wild: Brett Bulmer trying to regain confidence in
AHL
Minnesota Wild: Josh Harding is NHL's third star of
November
Habs’ Parros led the way during Movember
Habs on a roll heading into New Jersey
Nashville Predators
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Nashville Predators lose to Vancouver Canucks
New Jersey Devils
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Devils' players and coaches admit: Goal-scoring is a
problem
Devils' Tim Sestito, kicked by skate, lucky to suffer only a
sore jaw
Devils: Ryane Clowe among seven players to skate in
Newark
Devils' Adam Henrique was unable to play through a lower
body injury
Devils’ Schneider hopes to continue his win streak; Scoring
still a struggle; Sestito feels lucky
Schneider to start against Canadiens Wednesday; Henrique
to be game-time decision
Ryane Clowe taking part in Devils’ small group practice; not
available to talk to media
New York Islanders
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Islanders blow lead, fall to Penguins in OT
Sidney Crosby does it to Islanders again with tying goal in
third, winner in OT
Kyle Okposo finally finds the net twice, but it's not enough
Sidney Crosby's OT goal sinks Islanders
After settling in, Isles rookie Calvin de Haan is beaten by
Sidney Crosby
Flyers need defensemen to get offensive
Flyers unlikely to rush into talks with Mason
Lecavalier likely out vs. banged up Red Wings
Giroux on Flyers' scoring woes: 'Same story'
Flyers at Detroit Red Wings preview
Flyers Notes: Red Wings on roll despite injuries
Will Luukko's successor hold similar qualities?
Leier, Laughton to Canada's World Juniors camp
Flyers Notes: Quick strikes doom Flyers in defeat
Pressure, frustration mounting for Voracek, Flyers' top line
Phoenix Coyotes
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Phoenix Coyotes’ Mike Ribeiro, Mikkel Boedker power rout
of Edmonton Oilers
Poor start dooms Coyotes against road-hot Blackhawks
Pittsburgh Penguins
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Penguins' Crosby nets game-winner in overtime
Penguins notebook: Malkin only No. 2 star for November
Firm recruits Pittsburgh market athletes for celebrity
bookings
Penguins notebook: Creativity key to power play success
Crosby's overtime goal gives Penguins 4th win in row
Malkin named NHL's No. 2 star for November
San Jose Sharks
Montreal Canadiens
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Senators rally past Panthers
Winchester settles into new Florida home
Morning Skate: Anderson to start in goal for Senators
Winchester playing like Ottawa Senators had once hoped
Ottawa Senators dump Florida Panthers, 4-2
Ottawa Senators' Chris Phillips has chance to pass Alfie
Philadelphia Flyers
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Minnesota Wild
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Alain Vigneault issues warning as .500 NY Rangers stall
Vigneault: Big guns have to step up
Time for Vigneault and the Rangers to ride The King
Brassard explains what he saw on his bad pass
Vigneault seeks more from veteran leaders
Alain Vigneault calls on Rangers' core group to step it up
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San Jose Sharks win sixth in a row, beat Toronto Maple
Leafs
Sharks star Joe Thornton says eye is OK
Sharks survive rough patch in win over Maple Leafs
Instant Replay: Sharks open four-game trip with win in
Toronto
Sharks, Maple Leafs going opposite directions
Sharks' Thornton playing through swollen eye
In the Crease: Sharks look to keep rolling in December
St Louis Blues
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Blues hit bump in a long road
Blues have to regroup, master winning formula
Hockey Guy: Kings remind Blues they still need work
Blues still looking for answers against Kings
Tampa Bay Lightning
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Bolts Notebook: Brewer latest player slowed by injury
Bolts scoring drought continues in loss to Columbus
Lightning blanked again, falls to Blue Jackets
Lightning LW Malone out 3-4 weeks
Ryan Malone expected out 3-4 weeks with an ankle fracture
Toronto Maple Leafs
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Struggling Leafs unable to overcome poor first period in loss
to Sharks
Mirtle: Leafs hope they’re ready for the 24/7 spotlight
Maple Leafs: Bozak injured in loss to Sharks
San Jose Sharks take down struggling Leafs: Cox
Mayor Rob Ford pays visit to ACC for Leafs-Sharks game
Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri to miss game against Sharks
Maple Leafs: James Reimer expected to start against San
Jose Sharks
Leafs Beat: Maple Leafs’ defence woes, penalties and
Winter Classic hype
Maple Leafs need to be more disciplined
Maple Leafs' loss to Sharks shows Toronto isn't close to
being an elite team
Leafs snapshots
LEAFS LOCKER
Maple Leafs fall to powerful Sharks
Leafs centre Kadri to miss game against Sharks
Maple Leafs’ slide now at five after loss to San Jose Sharks
Maple Leafs’ struggles about to go under the HBO lens
Toronto Maple Leafs without Nazem Kadri for game against
San Jose Sharks
Vancouver Canucks
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Canucks drop Predators 3-1 to complete successful road trip
Canucks’ Alex Burrows’ tough season gets worse, Alex
Edler also sidelined
Vancouver 3 Nashville 1: Kesler carries Canucks to victory
over Preds
Canucks vs Predators game day: What we learned about
Burrows and the 2011 playoff series. Yeah, that one
Alex Burrows is out at least four weeks after breaking jaw
from friendly fire
Gino Odjick admitted to psychiatric wing of Quebec hospital
Broken jaw will sideline Canucks’ Burrows for a month
Gulutzan happy to provide rhythm to Vancouver ensemble
Washington Capitals
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Braden Holtby struggles in Capitals’ 4-1 loss to Carolina
Eric Fehr confident, making most of his time on Capitals’
second line
Jack Hillen trying to stay positive in spite of another
frustrating injury
Mike Green shouldn’t worry so much about goals, says
Adam Oates
Adam Oates to Mike Green: ‘Goals will come’
Websites
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ESPN / Alexander Burrows out a month
ESPN / Sharks have some tricky decisions to make
ESPN / Sources: NHL to pay Wayne Gretzky
FOXSports.com / Kings ride momentum into matchup vs.
Ducks
NBCSports.com / Preds’ Mazanec named NHL rookie of the
month
NBCSports.com / Kane, Malkin, Harding named NHL’s three
stars for November
USA TODAY / Olympic tracker: Max Pacioretty finds groove
USA TODAY / Wayne Gretzky, NHL reach settlement for
reimbursement
Winnipeg Jets
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Jets 5 Rangers 2, Dec. 2, 2013
Luck be a lady for Jets in NYC
Jets prospects make WJC short list
In the line of fire
Ultimate experience for rookie
Jets Blake Wheeler hopes to build on empty net goal
Once a Panthers bust, Keaton Ellerby has become a solid
Winnipeg Jet
SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129
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Anaheim Ducks
Both teams had trouble on the power play — the Kings were scoreless in five
advantages and the Ducks were one for six — but both had strong penalty
killing. Neither lacked for emotion.
Kings-Ducks rivalry has a new feel to it
"It was intense for sure," Jones said of his first experience with this rivalry.
With both teams playing well at the same time, a rarity, Kings win an intense
shootout in first meeting of the season.
"I wanted to make sure I was as prepared and focused as I could be and try
and enjoy it a little bit if I could. It was an intense game, and a hard-fought
game and we're happy with the extra point."
Helene Elliott
The Kings and Ducks will meet four more times this season, including the
first-ever outdoor game in Southern California at Dodger Stadium on Jan. 25.
11:04 PM PST, December 3, 2013
Less than a year ago, Dustin Penner and Slava Voynov were teammates
who shared the goal of repeating as Stanley Cup champions.
When they faced each other Tuesday at Anaheim, with Penner wearing a
Ducks uniform and Voynov in the Kings' colors, Penner spun Voynov around
by the neck and dumped him like a sack of potatoes behind the Kings' net. He
inflicted the same indignity later on Anze Kopitar, formerly his linemate.
Penner and Jarret Stoll were teammates before Penner left the Kings to sign
with the Ducks as a free agent last summer.
They were friends, no doubt sitting at the same dining tables and in the same
section of the team bus.
That relationship was put on hold Tuesday while they battled for every inch of
ice and yapped at each other in the heat of the teams' first encounter this
season, a 3-2 shootout victory by the Kings in nine tense, dramatic rounds in
the renewal of a rivalry that has reached its highest heights.
"It was a great hockey game. Start to finish it was a great pace," said Stoll,
who praised Penner and said his own verbal and physical jabs at his former
teammate were made in a joking manner.
"The first 10 minutes I don't think there was maybe one whistle. Power plays,
some great goaltending and it went right down to the ending. It was kind of a
fitting way to end the game."
Kings goalie Martin Jones made 26 saves in his NHL debut and was perfect
through the shootout, giving Ben Scrivens a rest after Scrivens had made 10
consecutive starts.
"Nice for Jonesy to stand on his head like he did," said Kings winger Dwight
King, whose glove-side goal
on Jonas Hiller was the only successful shot either team mustered in the
shootout.
King was so tired after the lengthy shootout and second game in as many
days for the Kings that he didn't even know how many rounds the shootout
had gone. He thought 10. Nine, he was told.
"Nine? Way up there," he said.
The Kings (18-7-4) now have 40 points, one behind the Ducks (18-7-5) with
one game in hand. Both teams have had solid starts this season and the
Ducks remain the only NHL team that hasn't lost in regulation at home
(10-0-2).
But for much of their shared history, the two teams seemed to be heading in
opposite directions. When one was successful the other inevitably was
struggling.
The season the Ducks won the Stanley Cup — 2006-07 — the Kings missed
the playoffs. The season the Kings won the Cup — 2011-12 — the Ducks
missed the postseason fun.
Rarely have they met when both teams were playing well enough to rank
among the league's top 10, as both did Tuesday. They entered with a
combined record this season of 35-14-8, a .684 winning percentage, the best
combined record they ever had when they played each other. The Kings
have won 53 of their all-time meetings and the Ducks have won 49.
It doesn't get much closer than that or much more hotly contested than it was
Tuesday.
Scrivens had said the game would be "a good challenge for us, a good
measuring stick for us," but that applied to both teams, not just the Kings.
The only way this rivalry can be any better would be if they met in the
playoffs, and the excellent level of play both have reached this season, the
resilience they've shown in finding ways to win games despite injuries to key
players, bodes well for them to both continue at this level and lead to a playoff
confrontation with each team's season on the line, not just bragging rights for
a week or two.
LA Times: LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Anaheim Ducks
Dwight King ends long scoreless shootout as Kings beat Ducks, 3-2
King's winner, his first-ever shootout attempt, is the difference in rivals'
nine-round shootout. Kings goalie Martin Jones wins in his NHL debut.
By Lance Pugmire
10:16 PM PST, December 3, 2013
Kings goaltender Martin Jones' NHL debut was, of course, going to be
memorable.
Tuesday night against the Ducks, he made it unforgettable.
Jones did not allow the Ducks to score in nine shootout attempts, and
watched teammate Dwight King end the marathon by beating Ducks' goalie
Jonas Hiller for the capper in the Kings' 3-2 victory at Honda Center.
Jones was plugged in as the starter because Ben Scrivens, the backup to the
injured Jonathan Quick, had played in 10 consecutive games.
"We had never seen this goalie before," said Ducks center Nick Bonino, who
joined teammates Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selanne and finally
Mathieu Perreault, who tried and failed to beat the 23-year-old rookie.
"He just played deep in his net, wouldn't let you deke and made some good
saves."
After stopping 26 of 28 shots in regulation, Jones said he approached the
shootout with a clear mind, saying there was "not too much" running through
his mind as the pressure multiplied with each round.
"I've been in that situation before," Jones said. "The shooters are a little bit
higher level. I just wanted to stick with what I've been doing and what I've
been working on, and I was able to make a couple saves there."
King's winner, his first-ever shootout attempt, went to Hiller's right, slipping
between his glove and pad after he had stopped eight straight Kings' shots
and 49 of 51 before the bonus session.
"A lot of guys shot gloves, some guys hit irons … my weapon going down
was to surprise him with a quick shot," King said.
"Tough to lose that way," Hiller said. "All you can do is make as many saves
as you can, and hope the guys up front score at some point."
The Ducks (18-7-5) took a 2-1 lead 2:14 into the third when Corey Perry, on a
power play set up by Slava Voynov's holding, saw a Cam Fowler shot trickle
to him, allowing him to deke Jones, then slipping a backhand over the
goalie's sprawled right leg.
The Kings (18-7-4) responded less than four minutes later when Dustin
Brown bashed a shot off a face-off through Hiller's glove. It was Brown's
second goal in the last 14 games.
Both teams failed to convert power plays in overtime, in which the Ducks
briefly had a two-man advantage.
"We definitely had chances," Hiller said. "Too bad we couldn't take
advantage of it."
The teams exchanged goals in a 46-second span of the second period.
Not only did the Ducks fail to get a shot on goal for more than seven minutes
in a second straight period, Getzlaf turned the puck over to Jeff Carter, and
the Kings' center pounded a shot past the right glove of Hiller for a 1-0 lead.
Getzlaf's redemption was immediate, as he stole the puck along the boards
and moved it up ice to defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who delivered a shot
that bounced off Jones to Getzlaf. He tapped it in for his 14th goal of the
season. Getzlaf has an 11-game scoring streak.
The goalies then continued their battle, with Jones surviving a power play by
covering a Bonino shot from the side and a Teemu Selanne attempt.
Hiller answered by holding up to pressure from defenseman Sami Vatanen's
turnover, which led to a King shot and Carter follow.
LA Times: LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Anaheim Ducks
Whicker: Penner's reunion tour is a hit
He fits in perfectly with Ducks linemates Getzlaf and Perry, although the
Kings overcame them Tuesday.
By MARK WHICKER
ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
ANAHEIM – The Kings and Ducks are a riot in need of witnesses.
Not just a sellout crowd like the one in Honda Center on Tuesday, but maybe
a network audience, in two countries, drawn in by the manic magnetism of a
seven-game playoff series.
Thanks to realignment it has a better chance of happening in 2014 than ever.
The first act was a rail-gripper, a 3-2 shootout victory by Los Angeles despite
the nonstop diligence of Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller, and another large
appearance by the PPG line – Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Dustin Penner.
Getzlaf chopped a goal past Kings goalie Martin Jones, right after his
giveaway had allowed Jeff Carter to put L.A. on the board first. Then Perry's
power-play goal made it 2-1 for Anaheim.
Some thought the Ducks were trying to re-bottle lightning when they signed
Penner to play with Getzlaf and Perry again. The PPG line hadn't been
together for six years. And you know how dissonant a reunion tour can be.
Instead, it's the stuff of Peaches & Herb. Reunited, Penner feels good
enough to come into Tuesday night with 21 points in 22 games, a 0.95
points-per-game pace that is 0.18 better than his previous high for a season.
His plus-17 is third-best in the NHL and ranks No. 1 among forwards.
Meanwhille, Perry has 15 goals and a 1.00 PPG, his best figure since he won
the Hart Trophy in 2011. He is tied for eighth in the league in points.
Getzlaf is tied for third, with 13 goals and 31 points. His 1.19 PPG would be a
career high if maintained, and he has two more goals than he had through
the 2011-12 season.
Chemistry is tough science at high speed. Its genesis is hard to identify, but
not the result.
“We've had it all along, even in the minors,” Penner said Tuesday morning.
“Great camaraderie. You can see us laughing after a goal. We share the
puck, we try to make the right play. There's not a lot of sophistry on this line.”
He was referring to something that might look real but actually isn't. He wasn't
specifically referring to the No. 1 line before he got here, but it's a good object
lesson.
Bobby Ryan was the left wing on the top line for most of the past four
seasons. It would be ludicrous to say that combination didn't work. After all,
Perry's 50-goal season and MVP award came with Ryan on the other side.
And Ryan had four consecutive 30-goal seasons.
But at times it was like a golf bag with three drivers.
Ryan is an offensive force. So is Perry. So, when so inclined, is Getzlaf. But
Penner is a passer of rare skill, and he also obscures the goalie, at 6-foot-5,
and pays attention to staying high and playing defense.
Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725749
Anaheim Ducks
Playoff series would turbocharge Ducks-Kings rivalry
Could Tuesday’s renewal be a preview to a long-awaited playoff series?
By ERIC STEPHENS / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
ANAHEIM – What if the Ducks had faced the Kings in the playoffs?
Teemu Selanne allowed himself a moment to reflect on last spring, bringing
up a memory that was enticing and ultimately painful.
“I think it was maybe one little mistake that we started thinking about the
next round when we’re up 3-2,” Selanne said. “The fourth one is the hardest
one. You want to do that as soon as possible and then move on.”
The Ducks, of course, never did close out Detroit as they should have and
the first postseason battle between the Southern California rivals was put on
hold for another season. Perhaps it could be this one.
Realignment has created a reconfigured Pacific Division and also brought
about the return of the divisional playoff format for 2014. And the chances of
an inaugural Kings-Ducks playoff series are looking better and better.
Never have both had better records when they’ve tangled together in their
113 meetings than Tuesday night, with the Ducks bringing in an 18-7-4
record and .690 winning percentage and the Kings holding a 17-7-4 mark
and .684 win percentage.
The two have more four more matchups, including the Jan. 25 game at
Dodger Stadium. Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf said “you come away with a
sense of the way you need to play to win this league” when facing the Kings.
The fact that both teams are not only division title contenders but have
Stanley Cup visions after actually hoisting it five years apart makes it all the
more interesting.
“That’s where you build rivalries,” Getzlaf said. “This is not a rivalry if
somebody just beats up on the other one the whole time or one of them is
irrelevant.”
Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau is still a relative newcomer to the rivalry but
has also become a fast learner and doesn’t mind turning up the hype.
“You can tell it’s an electric matchup,” Boudreau said. “The games are
always a little more boisterous than normal home crowds. You can see the
intensity on people’s faces. There’s just the general dislike for the opponent.
“When the game starts, there’s no need to pump the guys up. They’re ready
to go. I’m sure the Kings are feeling the same way or I hope they respect us
enough to feel the same way.”
An overflow crowd of 17,294 was in attendance Tuesday with a large number
of them wearing Kings gear. Boudreau would like that to change one day.
“The one thing I like not to notice is seeing as many Kings fans get in our
building as they do,” he said. “But I’m hoping over time that dissipates into all
Ducks fans being here.”
FOWLER STEPS UP
Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725750
Anaheim Ducks
Martin Jones’ NHL debut a winning one as Kings beat Ducks
By Elliott Teaford, Daily Breeze
Posted: 12/03/13, 11:20 PM PST | Updated: 1 min ago
Welcome to the NHL, Martin Jones.
Ben Scrivens couldn’t play every game for the Kings. Scrivens made 10
consecutive starts after No. 1 goaltender Jonathan Quick suffered a groin
injury Nov. 12, but Jones finally got his chance to make his NHL debut
Tuesday against the Ducks.
Dwight King scored the only goal in a nine-round shootout to make Jones
and the Kings 3-2 winners in front of a raucous standing-room-only sellout
crowd of 17,294 at the Honda Center. Jones made 26 saves in regulation
play plus a five-minute overtime before the shootout.
“It was a great experience,” said Jones, 23. “It’s something I’ve dreamed
about for a long time, to play in an NHL game, to get the win. It was
everything it was cracked up to be. It feels good for sure. I wanted to make
sure I made the saves I needed to and give the guys a chance to win.”
Kings coach Darryl Sutter had a pretty good reason for starting Jones.
“Why not?” Sutter said. “I think he’s a pretty poised guy when you watch him.
Hopefully, this is something he can build on. The best part was the linesman
brought the puck over (to Jones after he stopped Mathieu Perreault, the final
Ducks shooter). The best part. Good for him.”
Good for the Kings, too.
The Kings built a defensive fortress in front of Jones for most of the game, but
then the Ducks’ Corey Perry wriggled free and made it clear to Jones that he
wasn’t in the minor leagues any longer. Perry shifted the puck from his
forehand to his backhand and then hit nothing but net.
Perry’s team-leading 16th goal gave the Ducks a 2-1 lead 2 minutes, 14
seconds into the third period. It wouldn’t last long, however, with Dustin
Brown beating Jonas Hiller for the tying goal at 5:43, his fifth of the season,
but first since since Nov. 19.
Jeff Carter of the Kings and Ryan Getzlaf of the Ducks traded second-period
goals 46 seconds apart. Carter intercepted an errant pass from Getzlaf that
was intended for former Kings winger Dustin Penner and snapped a shot
past Hiller. Getzlaf countered with a tap-in moments later.
“We’ve done this,” Sutter said. “How many games have we come back in the
third? … We tied it up in the third period. That’s what we do. Some nights you
don’t. … We’d like to score more goals, but we don’t let it deter us.”
Neither team could score the rest of the way and they headed to overtime
and then a shootout with the Ducks still the last team in the NHL without a
regulation loss at home. They are 10-0-2 at the Honda Center, the best home
start in franchise history.
Hiller made 49 saves, the most he’s had since posting an equal number April
8, 2010. He turned away the Kings again and again, but King beat him to the
glove side with a quick shot in the ninth round, the only one of 18 shooters to
score a goal.
“It’s tough to lose that way,” Hiller said.
Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau didn’t fault Hiller in the least.
“He was tremendous,” Boudreau said. “He was the reason we got a point
tonight.”
Boudreau criticized the rest of the Ducks, particularly their shootout
performance.
“When you have the opportunity on your stick, whether you deserve to win
the game or not, you’ve got to put it away,” he said. “That killer instinct has
been eluding us for a little bit now. We’ve got to find it somewhere. … It’s the
work ethic. It has to get a lot better.”
LA Daily News: LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Boston Bruins
Torey Krug, Adam McQuaid not on ice for Bruins
Posted by Amalie Benjamin December 3, 2013 10:13 AM
WILMINGTON – The Bruins were back on the ice Tuesday at Ristuccia
Arena for their first full practice since Saturday's win over Columbus – at
least, most of them are.
Two notable bodies missing were Adam McQuaid and Torey Krug, likely
solving the mystery of the Bruins' emergency recall of Kevan Miller on
Monday night.
The Bruins had returned the defenseman to Providence of the AHL on
Thanksgiving after he had filled in while McQuaid and Dennis Seidenberg
were sidelined with injuries last month, but both returned to the lineup last
week. It appears that McQuaid may have tweaked the hip/groin that had kept
him out of eight games in November, thus necessitating the recall of Miller.
McQuaid played just 13:45 in Saturday's game, his third game back from
injury.
It's unclear why Krug is not participating in practice.
Boston Globe LOADED: 12.04.2013
725752
Boston Bruins
Upcoming road stretch a good test for Bruins
By Amalie Benjamin
| Globe Staff
December 03, 2013
Asked about those areas, Bergeron said, “The [defensive] zone coverage a
little bit, also taking care of the blue lines on both sides of the rink. Too many
turnovers results in too much time spent in our zone instead of putting the
puck deep, forcing them to turn the puck over and for us to get after them and
create some chances. Every time we do that, it seems like we’re getting the
result that we want.”
After a busy schedule for the last two weeks, the Bruins will have had four
days off before playing in Montreal Thursday. They did not practice Sunday,
then had an optional skate with just six players taking part Monday and some
off-ice conditioning for others.
“I think it’s the perfect time for a break like this, especially with traveling out
West, coming off eight games in the last 14 days,” Lucic said.
WILMINGTON — The temperatures in Edmonton are not the only unfriendly
aspect of the next week or so for the Bruins. While the Boston players will
miss the lows in the negative-20s, they will have to cope with playing on the
road, something they largely have avoided in the first two months of the
season.
“We’ve got to do whatever we can to get re-energized and refocused —
obviously enjoy what we did in the month of November, but then again get
ready for this month of December.”
.
.
.
The Bruins have played the fewest road games in the NHL (10), which likely
has had an effect on the team’s standing at the top of the Eastern
Conference. Carolina (11) is the only other team with fewer than 12 road
games in the East, though two teams (St. Louis and Colorado) in the West
also had played 11 entering Monday night.
The Bruins recalled defenseman Kevan Miller on an emergency basis from
Providence of the AHL. Miller was sent down on Thanksgiving after making
his NHL debut Nov. 21 and appearing in three games. Miller played solid
defense, earning praise from Julien. He had two shots and averaged 17:27 of
ice time.
But that all changes very soon, as the Bruins play five of their next six and
eight of their next 12 on the road. They start with Thursday’s game in
Montreal, then after a home game against the Penguins Saturday, they head
back to Canada for a weeklong trip through Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton, and
Vancouver.
Boston Globe LOADED: 12.04.2013
“That’s when it gets real tough,” forward Milan Lucic said. “In the past, we’ve
always been a good road team. It always seems like we’ve never let an
opposing crowd intimidate us. Obviously with this road trip coming up — I’m
including the Montreal game on Thursday — going into some buildings
where there are some great crowds and tough places to play.
“First time back in Western Canada since 2011, so a lot of games coming
from Thursday to [the following] Saturday, and with a lot of travel. We’ll see
what kind of road team we are this year.”
The road was an issue for the Bruins in the lockout-shortened 2012-13
season, costing them the top spot in the Northeast. Boston went 16-5-3 at TD
Garden, and only 12-9-3 on the road.
But coach Claude Julien, for one, is looking forward to the road games. They
will force some bonding among a team that has a number of new parts this
season.
“It’s probably a welcome thing right now,” Julien said. “I think it’s going to be
good for us to get together on the road and spend a little bit more time as a
team and face some of those challenges and the travel that comes with it.
“I think it’s a great opportunity for us to do this right now. We’ve had a pretty
successful homestand and now it’s time to try and carry that over to the
road.”
Fortunately for the Bruins, they’ve taken advantage of the 17 games on the
home schedule, especially of late, with their last regulation loss at TD Garden
coming Oct. 26 to the Devils. Since then, the Bruins have gone 9-0-2 at
home.
“We’re where we want to be, first place in the East,” Lucic said. “We’ve never
really had a problem playing at home, but I think this year we’ve become a
really good home team. We’ve thrived off our crowd, played well in our
building.
“We’ve been playing well. We’ve been playing the way we want to play, but I
also think we still can get better. I know we still talk about being better, and
heading into December after a good November, you want to keep things
going.”
Being on the road hasn’t gone nearly as well.
Though they won each of their first four games away from home, the Bruins
have gone 2-4-0 since then, including a horrendous 6-1 loss in Detroit last
week. In all, the Bruins are 12-3-2 at home and 6-4-0 on the road.
Overall, the Bruins know they’re playing well, though they do see places
where improvement is needed.
“I think you’re happy but you’re definitely not satisfied,” center Patrice
Bergeron said. “I think there’s still room to get better and to grow.”
725753
Boston Bruins
Notebook: Injury concerns shake defense for Bruins
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
By: Steve Conroy, Bruins Notebook
WILMINGTON — Torey Krug and Adam McQuaid were missing from
yesterday’s practice at Ristuccia Arena. The defensemen were listed as
day-to-day by Bruins coach Claude Julien, though it sounds like Krug is
closer to returning than McQuaid.
McQuaid reaggravated the lower-body injury that sidelined him for eight
games in November. He likely would be replaced by Matt Bartkowski in the
lineup. Julien would not divulge Krug’s injury but held out hope that the
puck-mover will not miss a game.
“When I say day-to-day, it’s more about managing the situation with the
amount of days we have off, so we hope to see him back on the ice (today) or
for Thursday’s game (in Montreal),” Julien said of Krug.
But with no guarantees heading into tomorrow night’s clash with the
Canadiens, Kevan Miller was called up from Providence on an emergency
basis Monday as an insurance policy.
Miller played well during a three-game stretch for the B’s last month when
both McQuaid and Dennis Seidenberg were out. Julien showed a high
comfort level with the 26-year-old, stay-at-home defenseman, an undrafted
free agent out of the University of Vermont who made his NHL debut Nov. 21
against St. Louis. In his third game, Nov. 25 against Pittsburgh, he played
20:13 and was on the ice in the final minute while trying to protect a lead
when Sidney Crosby scored with one second left to force overtime.
“We’re a group of people that don’t care where you’ve been drafted, whether
you’re a first-rounder or a free agent,” Julien said. “If you’re deserving of
playing on that night, if you’re deserving of a call-up, you’re going to get it. If
you’re deserving of more ice time, you’re going to get it.
“It all revolves around your play. There are so many things that happen in our
game where you see guys go from being free agents to Hall of Famers, so we
don’t judge individuals by where they’re drafted. . . . He’s earned that ice time
when he’s had to.”
If he plays tomorrow, it will be Miller’s first regular-season game at the Bell
Centre.
“I got to play there in preseason and I got a little taste,” Miller said. “I’m sure
it’s a lot like the Garden, but it’s definitely a good rink and I have to be ready.”
Hot Habs
The Canadiens have won 6-of-7 — including Monday’s 3-2 victory against
New Jersey — taking 13 of a possible 14 points in that span.
“They’re playing really well,” Julien said. “Sometimes you get on a roll as a
team, and everything seems be going well for them. They’ve scored some
big goals, timely goals, the defense has been pretty stable and (Carey Price)
has been one of the better goaltenders in the league this year.”
Love lost
When asked what his his favorite team was growing up, Julien shook his
head.
“That’s not fair,” he said. “I grew up in Ottawa, and Ottawa didn’t have a team
then, so I was too close to that team we’re playing Thursday. But I don’t like
them anymore.”
Boston Herald LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Boston Bruins
Dougie Hamilton’s progress a hit for B’s
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
By: Steve Conroy
WILMINGTON — When the Bruins selected Dougie Hamilton ninth overall in
the 2011 draft, the expectation was that the 6-foot-5, 212-pound Toronto
product would develop into a top-flight defenseman and potentially be Zdeno
Chara’s heir as the anchor on the team’s blue line.
One-third of the way through his sophomore season, it’s hard to be anything
but encouraged.
His modest seven points (three goals, four assists) don’t quite reflect the way
he has assuredly moved the puck in the offensive zone, especially while
quarterbacking one of the two power-play units. And his real growth this
season has been on the defensive side of the puck. His plus-8 rating is
second on the team among defensemen behind only partner Dennis
Seidenberg (plus-11). Hamilton has had a minus rating in just three games,
one of them the Thanksgiving Eve debacle in Detroit.
“I think it’s a little bit of confidence, which comes with experience, of course,
but defensively he’s getting a little bit better all the time,” B’s coach Claude
Julien said. “Offensively, he’s making some good decisions even under
pressure situations, managing the puck and making the right moves. I think
his confidence on the offensive side of the puck is really good right now and
he’s improving on the defensive side.”
Hamilton still is being brought along carefully in some respects. His 39
seconds per game on the penalty kill is the second-lowest number among B’s
defensemen (Torey Krug is the lowest at 15 seconds). But when Seidenberg
missed four games with an injury, he jumped up to play with Chara and —
facing the best players the opposition had to offer — acquitted himself well.
“Everyone knew that he was really skilled offensively, making plays and
being able to skate up the ice and making nice contributions on the rushes,”
said Chara, who has been impressed with Hamilton’s talent since the first
day he saw him. “But what we’ve seen lately as he’s played against top lines
is that he’s making that adjustment, playing responsibly and playing well
defensively.”
Whether Hamilton ever develops the edge of Rob Blake or Chris Pronger —
similarly sized two-way defensemen — remains to be seen. But at age 20
and with only 67 regular-season games under his belt, he’s handling the
physical rigors of the NHL game better and better.
“He’s been strong in the battles, and he’s getting more consistent, which
comes just by growing up, and that’s the biggest improvement,” Seidenberg
said. “He’s getting stronger, he’s getting better, and that’s what you want
from a young guy.”
Hamilton, whose average ice time of 19:39 is 2:32 more than last season, is
feeling more at ease both on and off the ice.
“I’m just more comfortable,” he said. “I think I’ve gotten better as a hockey
player, too, stronger and better-skilled. I’m more comfortable in the city,
around the team and in the dressing room.
“I think it’s sometimes hard when you come in right away. Last year was such
a short camp (because of the lockout). I didn’t really have time to meet guys
and develop friendships. It’s been a lot better this year coming here with
friends instead of coming here and not knowing anyone.”
And quietly, but most definitely, that comfort level is leading to the
improvement of a very important player for the Bruins, both presently and in
the future.
Boston Herald LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Boston Bruins
McQuaid, Krug missing from practice
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
By: Steve Conroy
WILMINGTON — Adam McQuaid and Torey Krug were both missing from
practice today, which at least partially explains the emergency call-up of
defenseman Kevan Miller on Monday evening.
Coach Claude Julien termed them both day-to-day. He said that McQuaid
had re-aggravated the injury that had kept him out eight games, which
appeared to be some sort of lower core injury. He had returned for three
games before re-injuring himself.
Julien was less clear on what was ailing Krug, though he was hopeful that
Krug wouldn't miss game time.
"When I say day-to-day, it's more about managing the situation with the
amount of days we have off, so we hope to see him back on the ice tomorrow
or for Thursday's game," Julien said of Krug.
With Krug missing from practice, both Brad Marchand and Loui Eriksson
were mixed in with the first power-play unit, with Zdeno Chara going back out
to his old left point position. David Krejci was at the right point.
Boston Herald LOADED: 12.04.2013
725756
Buffalo Sabres
It’s time for the light to go on for Stafford
BY: Bucky Gleason
Published: December 3, 2013, 10:28 PM
Updated: December 3, 2013, 10:28 PM
Drew Stafford wasn’t interested in a blow-by-blow rehashing of the darkest
moments in his career because, really, what would that solve? The torturous
lectures and sit-down meetings with previous management and coaches are
behind him, along with sleepless nights and persistent self-loathing.
Stafford has become a reclamation project, Exhibit A for Nolan and
LaFontaine as they continue sifting through the ruins. LaFontaine is
evaluating every player on the roster while searching for a general manager.
He’s not in a hurry to find a GM and could be several weeks away, perhaps
longer, from hiring one.
In the meantime, he has placed his fragile team into the sturdy hands of
Nolan. The idea is to get players to improve and provide immediate help. But
there’s an added long-term benefit. The better they play, the stronger their
stock on the trade market. Stafford will eventually determine whether he’s a
keeper.
“I’m not going to show Drew too much more,” Nolan said. “He’s been around
for a while. He knows the game. I’m not going to teach him too much more on
his skill-set, which he already has. The one thing hopefully I can help is his
mental mind-set, make him feel better about himself. In return, he’ll be a
better contributor.”
Stafford looked like a different man Tuesday than he did three weeks ago,
before Pat LaFontaine and Ted Nolan arrived to rescue a troubled franchise.
He was smiling and laughing again in the Sabres’ dressing room. His eyes
were bright as he talked about second chances and a promising future.
Here’s the deal: LaFontaine and Nolan have removed the shackles, but they
also have removed excuses. Stafford will either play well here or play for
another team. He’s on the first line with Cody Hodgson and newcomer Matt
Moulson. He’s also quarterbacking the power play from the point, where he
has more time and space.
It was as if Stafford had shackles removed and tasted freedom after a life
sentence in solitary confinement. He was proud of himself for surviving the
experience without becoming institutionalized. And he sounded like a man
who was committed to treasuring his career no matter where it would lead
him.
Stafford still hasn’t scored since Nolan stepped behind the bench, but his
skating has returned. He’s been more active, more engaged. He has shown
flashes of greatness. He made a terrific play against Montreal last week
when he checked P.K. Subban off the puck and sent a perfect backhand
pass to Moulson for a goal.
“It started with a clean slate,” Stafford said. “It was pretty much a reset button.
I felt mentally and physically it was a complete breath of fresh air for pretty
much everyone in the organization but also for me personally. I’ve tried to run
with that feeling and make sure I’m not taking one second for granted.”
Stafford is clearing his head and gaining confidence. He needs to extract
more from his ability and turn it into production. It’s a matter of bridging the
divide between mind and body and becoming a complete player. He’s getting
the fresh start he needed under Nolan. And he’s leaving the past where it
belongs, behind him.
Stafford was convicted in the Court of Public Opinion on several counts that
included laziness and indifference, both sports felonies. Sure, it looked that
way when his feet stopped moving and the goals stopped coming. There
were times in which it appeared that he didn’t care if the Sabres won or lost,
so long as they signed the paychecks.
Looks can be deceiving, however, especially when people can’t see what’s
happening behind the scenes. The whole story may never be told, but
Stafford was among several players, including Derek Roy and Thomas
Vanek, who felt as if they had been beaten over the head with criticism if not
beaten into submission.
This is not intended, in any way, to portray Stafford and the others as poor,
innocent victims of the previous regime. I’m sure much of the criticism was
warranted. Some would argue it was good coaching. But there’s also no
denying that endless needling gets old and tiresome and, after a while, can
be suffocating.
Stafford, by his own admission, became a basket case. His father, Gordon, is
known for building a powerhouse girls’ program at Shattuck-St. Mary’s in
Faribault, Minn., but he also earned a Ph.D. in sports psychology. Drew
Stafford earned his doctorate through first-hand experience. He also refused
to surrender.
“There was a lot of toxicity that crept in over time,” Stafford said. “That toxic
environment can eat away at you. You can’t let external factors eat at you,
but after a while, when it’s nonstop, and it’s over and over, it just sucks the life
out of you.
“It’s part of the job to deal with the external stuff whether it’s the media or the
pressure. You have to face the music sometimes. I’ve been doing this long
enough to be proud of myself for sticking with it and seeing it through.”
Now, with two goals and seven points in 28 games, he needs to resuscitate
his career. He deserves the benefit of the doubt while the Court of Public
Opinion considers his appeal. Players who lack confidence often have slow
feet, which make them look lazy. Is that what happened with him? It’s time to
find out.
Stafford’s problems have never been from the neck down. He’s a good,
powerful skater with good size and good hands. He has the ability to become
a consistent 25-goal, 50-point scorer in the NHL. He had 31 goals and 52
points in 62 games in 2010-11. He followed that with 20 goals and a
career-high 30 assists the following season.
Overall, he has underachieved.
But it’s in there – somewhere.
Finally, out of darkness comes light.
It’s time he lights the lamp.
“I haven’t felt this good in a long, long time,” Stafford said. “The difference
with Teddy is that he gave me some respect. He believes in me. When you’re
not used to that communication, you don’t want to let a guy like that down. I
want to get the job done. I want to put the puck in the net. And I want to win.”
Buffalo News LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Buffalo Sabres
Sabres consider options for Grigorenko with McCormick returning
By Amy Moritz | News Sports Reporter | @TBN_Moritz | Google+
on December 3, 2013 - 10:27 PM
The options for Mikhail Grigorenko keep growing.
The Buffalo Sabres could keep the 19-year-old on their roster. They could
send back to his junior team in Quebec. Or they could loan him to the
Russians.
Grigorenko was not on the roster released Monday night by the Russian
Hockey Federation for the upcoming World Junior Championships. That’s
because he is in the NHL and technically would need to be loaned out to play
in the tournament that begins Dec. 26 in Sweden.
“He’s got to be playing,” interim coach Ted Nolan said. “I’ve never seen a
player develop not playing.”
Playing for the Russian World Juniors team is something Grigorenko would
be interested in. After all, he was a standout for his home country last year.
“It’s always good to represent your country,” Grigorenko said. “Nobody has
spoken with me. If they have put me on the list, I would have been happy. I
would have been happy to play for my own country.”
But the list is not necessarily complete and Nolan said he and Pat
LaFontaine, president of hockey operations, would be talking about
possibilities for Grigorenko, including loaning him to the Russian team.
“We’re not 100 percent sure what we’re going to do,” Nolan said. “We’re
discussing it. We have a lot of possibilities to look at.”
They certainly have possibilities and will likely have to make a roster move
before Thursday’s game with the New York Rangers.
Cody McCormick has been cleared to play after missing four games with an
upper body injury.
For him to come off injured reserve means the Sabres need to make a roster
move.
And those decisions are starting to get more difficult for Nolan, who sees
players adjusting to the mind-set of earning ice time rather than merely taking
their turns.
Among the possible moves:
1. Send Grigorenko back to his junior team or loan him to the Russian World
Juniors team.
2. Send center Brian Flynn to Rochester.
3. Send either defenseman Jamie McBain or Brayden McNabb to Rochester,
although McBain would need to clear waivers.
“First of all, we want to make sure it’s a competitive field here and the people
who are here are really competing for the job versus just giving it to them,”
Nolan said. “We’re starting to turn that table. Guys are starting to earn it.
Now, McBain for example. He’s got to wait for somebody to slip off a little bit
before he has a chance to come back in. It’s not just, it’s your turn.”
...
The injuries are piling up in Rochester. Rasmus Ristolainen won’t be able to
play this week after sustaining injuries in the Amerks’ 5-3 win Friday over the
Lake Erie Monsters. Ristolainen was sucker-punched in the face by
Monsters center Mitchell Heard.
Amerks coach Chadd Cassidy only called it an upper body injury but the
speculation is that Ristolainen is suffering a concussion-related injury caused
by the punch in the head.
The 19-year-old is also hoping to be granted permission by the Sabres to
play for Finland in the World Junior Championships.
...
Add another name to the Buffalo Sabres’ general manager search. The team
received permission to talk with Ottawa assistant GM Tim Murray. He is the
nephew of longtime Senators coach and current GM Bryan Murray.
Tim Murray, 50, began his current job July 5, 2007. He has worked for
Florida, Anaheim and the Rangers and has a resume filled with scouting and
personnel roles.
Murray joins a list that includes several other assistant GMs, among them
Jim Benning (Boston), Jason Botterill (Pittsburgh), Paul Fenton (Nashville)
and Brad Treliving (Phoenix).
...
Alexander Sulzer missed his second day of practice Tuesday after being
given a “maintenance day” on Monday. Nolan said Sulzer was iffy for
Thursday’s game against the New York Rangers. … South Buffalo native
Patrick Kane was named the NHL’s First Star of November after scoring nine
goals with 19 points for the Chicago Blackhawks. Kane ranks third in the
league in goals (16) and is tied for fifth with 30 points in 28 games.
Buffalo News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725758
Buffalo Sabres
Low-scoring Sabres on pace for historically bad year
Season-long slump puts Sabres on pace for historically bad year for goal
scoring
By Mike Harrington | News Sports Reporter | @BNHarrington | Google+
on December 3, 2013 - 10:14 PM, updated December 4, 2013 at 2:06 AM
If it seems to you that the Buffalo Sabres basically never score, you’re not
imagining things.
The Sabres have the NHL’s worst offense, having scored a sickly 1.61 goals
per game over their first 28 contests. Perform any deep analysis you want
about all kinds of factors surrounding this club, but the bottom line is hockey
is about putting the puck in the net.
The Sabres don’t do it and that’s the real reason they’re 6-20-2 so far.
But it gets worse. More than a third of the way through the season, the
Sabres are well ahead of the pace needed to finish historically putrid at
turning on the red light.
The Sabres have just 45 goals in their 28 games, and have been shut out or
scored one goal in 13 of them. Saturday’s 1-0 overtime loss at New Jersey
was the fifth shutout they’ve endured this season. (Buffalo’s team statistics
show 48 goals, counting its three shootout winners).
Keeping their NHL-worst pace over 82 games, the Sabres would finish with
just 132 goals – and that would be by far the lowest total in NHL history in the
expansion era that dates to 1967.
That’s when the league doubled from the Original Six to 12 teams, and it’s
the demarcation line for a lot of the league’s records. The 1997-98 Tampa
Bay Lightning hold the current post-expansion mark for scoring futility with
151 goals.
“It’s been difficult for us,” said Sabres forward Marcus Foligno, who has three
goals in 25 games. “We know we have to score more than one goal in order
to survive in this league and win a game.”
“We’ve got to get to the net-front,” said interim coach Ted Nolan, who has
seen the team score just 12 goals in his eight games at the helm. “It’s all
creating those habits on a daily basis. We have to start doing that. Once we
start doing that, hopefully the pucks will start going in.”
It’s almost certain this year’s edition of the Sabres will finish with the most
offensive offense in the franchise’s 43 seasons. The worst output has been
190 goals by the 2002-03 team that finished 27-37-10-8.
Go back even before expansion and the Sabres compare badly in NHL
annals.
The 1953-54 Chicago Blackhawks had 133 goals in just 70 games while
going 12-51-7. The league went to a 60-game season in 1946 and the New
York Rangers had just 133 goals in the 1948-49 season while going
18-31-11.
Prior to 1946, the schedule was no more than 50 games. The first total lower
than the Sabres’ pace is the 99 goals scored in 48 games by the 1940-41
New York Americans.
So the Sabres are thus on pace for the lowest goal total in the NHL in 73
years. Ouch.
Struggling roster
The Sabres’ leading goal scorer is winger Matt Moulson with 10 but six of
those came with the New York Islanders. So for made-for-Buffalo offense,
the team leader is Cody Hodgson with eight.
You look up and down the lineup and you see Sabres players who are
struggling to score.
• Drew Stafford, who has three 20-plus seasons with a career high of 31, has
just two goals in 28 games.
• Ville Leino, just switched to center to garner more puck possession, has not
scored in 16 games.
• Tyler Ennis has four goals in 28 games, Foligno has three in 25 games and
Brian Flynn has two in 27.
“There’s been situations before where guys have had two or three goals in
November and finished the year with 30. It’s still early, believe it or not,”
Stafford said. “There’s quite a few games left. If we can start burying those
chances, you can get on a roll. That’s how it works for goal scorers. You
score in bunches. Unfortunately, it’s just taken a long time.”
Stafford should know about streak scoring. In his 31-goal campaign three
years ago, he collected 18 of the goals in just seven games, with four hat
tricks and three two-goal outputs.
It’s hard to blame kids as much but they’re not producing, either. Zemgus
Girgensons scored his first NHL goal on opening night in Detroit and hasn’t
scored in his next 26 games. Mikhail Grigorenko has two goals in 18 games
and both came in the dreary Nov. 9 loss in Anaheim.
Another problem is that the defense doesn’t contribute to the offense.
Christian Ehrhoff had not beaten a goaltender all season until Friday’s
overtime winner against Toronto. His only previous goal was an empty netter
in Nolan’s debut victory over the Leafs. Tyler Myers has just two goals in 28
games, Mark Pysyk has none in 27.
Bad teams don’t score
Of course, one key characteristic of bad teams is they don’t score much. The
Sabres are on pace for a franchise record-low 41 points – which would be the
lowest total in the NHL since the shootout began in 2005. That mark is 56
points, set by the 2006-07 Philadelphia Flyers (22-48-12).
Since the NHL started awarding points for overtime losses in 1999, the
lowest total is the 39 points accumulated by the Atlanta Thrashers in
1999-2000 (14-57-7-4, denoting wins, losses, ties and overtime losses).
The Sabres have been outscored, 33-6, in the first period of their games and
their six goals are the fewest for any NHL team in any period this season.
Their play off the hop, however, has been better of late as they’ve been
outscored by just 6-3 in the opening period under Nolan.
“If you don’t get wins, you don’t get the extra goals and things like that that
come from having a lead,” Leino said. “There’s guys who can score here but
nobody’s scoring right now. It’s going to have to start sooner or later.”
The lack of offense produces some astonishing numbers. The Sabres have
scored first in just five of their 28 games and have not held a 2-0 lead all
season. And if they’re trailing after two periods, the game is over. Their
record in such situations? It’s 0-17-0. Not even a single loser point.
Quick fixes
What can the Sabres do short-term to generate offense? There will certainly
be some roster changes, along the lines of former 20-goal man Matt
D’Agostini getting claimed on waivers and fourth-liner Corey Tropp being lost
on waivers to Columbus.
They can do some schematic changes, notably putting Stafford on the right
point on the power play in the same vein in which former captain Jason
Pominville once excelled. Leino’s move to center has greatly increased the
Sabres’ puck possession numbers, and the law of averages says that should
create scoring at some point as well.
“I’m more comfortable in the middle than I was before so I can’t complain,”
said Leino, who asked out of the center slot shortly after his arrival in 2011.
“The only thing I complain about is not getting the puck in the net but that’s
my own fault.”
Nolan is taking a specialized look at the lack of offense in practice. The
Sabres are an often-brutal passing team, so they’ve stepped up those drills
on off days.
“You look at every other sport and golfers go to the driving range every day,”
Nolan said. “Tiger Woods just doesn’t show up and play golf. He practices
that skill. Same thing here. We have to practice that skill. We have to pass a
lot, we have to jump into holes a lot, we have to move our feet a lot, we have
to learn how to battle a lot.”
Nolan is trying more of a traffic approach on the power play, which is
currently 25th in the NHL. It worked great on Friday’s overtime winner, as
D’Agostini screened Toronto goalie James Reimer on Ehrhoff’s shot just
after a Leafs penalty had ended.
“Goaltenders in this league are very, very good,” Nolan said. “You’re not
going to score too many goals with point-blank shots, even from the slot.
They’re that good. You’ve got to get pucks and people in front of the
goaltender and make it difficult for him to see.”
“There’s a lot of chances, a lot of plays. Sometimes it’s going to bounce it and
sometimes it’s not,” Leino said. “Obviously right now it’s the whole team.
There’s an attitude with scoring. When you get a chance, you’ve got to bury
it.”
No Goals
The Buffalo Sabres’ worst offensive seasons
YEAR GF AVG. W-L-OT(T-)-OTL**
2013-14 132* 1.61 6-20-2
2002-03 190 2.31 27-37-10-8
1971-72 203 2.60 16-43-19
1998-99 207 2.52 37-28-17
1997-98 211 2.57 36-29-17
2001-02 213 2.60 35-35-11-1
1999-00 213 2.60 35-32-11-4
1970-71 217 2.78 24-39-15
2000-01 218 2.66 46-30-5-1
2011-12 218 2.66 39-32-11
* - projected total
** - Overtime was adopted for the 1983-84 season and any game not settled
by a goal after five minutes ended in a tie; a shootout to break ties was added
for the 2005-06 season.
Empty Netters
The Buffalo Sabres’ worst offensive seasons
The lowest-scoring NHL teams since the 1967 expansion
(excludes lockout-shortened seasons)
YEAR GF AVG W-L-OT(T-)-OTL
Buffalo Sabres 2013-14 132* 1.61 6-20-2
Tampa Bay Lightning 1997-98 151 1.84 17-55-10
Oakland Seals 1967-68 153 2.07 15-42-17
Columbus Blue Jackets 2001-02 164 2.00 22-47-8-5
Los Angeles Kings 1969-70 168 2.21 14-52-10
Minnesota Wild 2000-01 168 2.05 25-39-13-5
Oakland Seals 1969-70 169 2.22 22-40-14
Atlanta Thrashers 1999-00 170 2.07 14-57-7-4
New York Islanders 1972-73 170 2.18 12-60-6
Carolina Hurricanes 2002-03 171 2.09 22-43-11-6
Carolina Hurricanes 2003-04 172 2.10 28-34-14-6
Philadelphia Flyers 1967-68 173 2.34 31-32-11
* - projected total
Buffalo News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725759
Buffalo Sabres
The GM search: Add Sens' (other) Murray to the list
December 3, 2013 - 9:53 AM
By Mike Harrington
The latest entry into the Sabres' search for a new general manager is Ottawa
assistant Tim Murray, the nephew of longtime Sens coach and current GM
Bryan Murray. The Sabres have asked for permission to talk to Murray and
received it, according to veteran columnist Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa
Sun.
Tim Murray was named to his current post on July 5, 2007 -- four days after
Daniel Briere and Chris Drury left the Sabres in the moment that basically
ended Buffalo's run to the top of the Eastern Conference. Less than two
months earlier, Ottawa had eliminated the Sabres in Game Five of the
Eastern Conference final.
Murray, who turned 50 on Halloween, would seem to be an attractive
candidate for a rebuilding team based on a resume full of scouting/personnel
roles that date to 1993. He's worked for Florida, Anaheim and the New York
Rangers before joining Ottawa. With the Senators, Murray serves as GM of
the Binghamton farm team, and the B-Sens won the AHL's Calder Cup in
2011.
This Ottawa Sun story after that season even talks about why Tim Murray
should have replaced Bryan as general manager of the big-league Senators.
Murray joins a list that includes several other assistant GMs such as Jim
Benning (Boston), Jason Botterill (Pittsburgh), Paul Fenton (Nashville) and
Brad Treliving (Phoenix), who was discussed in John Vogl's Inside the NHL
column on Sunday.
The Sabres also asked for and received permission to talk to Montreal
assistant Rick Dudley, the former Buffalo player and coach. But the Lewiston
resident never interviewed, as he signed a lucrative extension to stay with the
Habs.
Buffalo News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725760
Calgary Flames
*Lauri Korpikoski (upper body), Zbynek Michalek (lower body)
FIVE THINGS TO WATCH
Game Day: Phoenix Coyotes at Calgary Flames
Keep your eyes on Karri Ramo and Michael Stone
By KRISTEN ODLAND, Calgary Herald December 3, 2013
Phoenix Coyotes (15-7-4*) at Calgary Flames (9-13-4)
8 p.m. (MT), Scotiabank Saddledome
TV: Sportsnet West
Radio: The FAN 960
*before Tuesday’s game at Edmonton
THE FLAMES
Keep an eye on
G Karri Ramo — Getting his second straight start in net, the 27-year-old
Finnish netminder is looking for his second win at the Scotiabank
Saddledome. Sporting a newly painted mask (inspired by Edgar Allan Poe’s
poem The Raven), he’s currently 3-4-1 with a .890 save percentage and a
3.23 goals against average.
The Lineup
* M. Cammalleri M. Stajan L. Stempniak
* D. Jones M. Backlund J. Hudler
* S. Baertschi J. Colborne B. Jones
* L. Bouma P. Byron B. McGrattan
* K. Russell T. Brodie
* M. Giordano C. Butler
* S.O’Brien L. Smid
* K. Ramo
* R. Berra
The Injuries
* D Mark Giordano (ankle) (?), LW Curtis Glencross (lower body), LW T.J.
Galiardi (back spams).
THE COYOTES
Keep an eye on
D Michael Stone — As anticipated, the former Calgary Hitmen defender has
rounded into a solid NHL defenceman. Currently leading Phoenix and all
NHL blueliners with a 19.4 shooting percentage. Heading into Tuesday’s
NHL action, he was also tied for the lead league in goals among NHL
defencemen (four of which were scored on the road).
The Lineup
*S. Doan M. Ribeiro D. Moss
*T. Kennedy M. Hanzal R. Vrbata
*R. Klinkhammer A. Vermette M. Boedker
*K. Chipchura J. Halpern J. Szwarz
*M. Stone O. Ekman-Larsson
*K. Yandle D. Morris
*C. Murphy D. Schlemko
*M. Smith
*T. Greiss
The Injuries
1. ABOUT THE ’YOTES — The Flames pivots are in for a challenge against
centre Antoine Vermette who (before Tuesday) was eighth in the league with
a 57.3 face off percentage while his 352 faceoff wins were second in the NHL
. . . The Coyotes have a productive blueline with a combined 19 goals this
season. Heading in to action Tuesday, Oliver Ekman-Larsson (four goals, 14
assists) and Keith Yandle (one goal, 16 assists) were eighth and 11th
respectively in NHL scoring among defencemen while Michael Stone is tied
for the lead in goals among all NHL defencemen with seven.
2. RAMO STARTING — Karri Ramo receives his second straight start
against the visiting Phoenix Coyotes. The 27-year-old Finn stopped 21 of 22
shots in the Flames’ 2-1 win over the L.A. Kings on Saturday. Head coach
Bob Hartley stayed true to his word. “We will probably not announce a No. 1
goalie all year,” he said. “It’s going to be a battle. I’ve said it from Day 1. It’s
basically a three-man battle, Joey MacDonald is part of the mix and right now
we’ve been going with Karri and Reto and they’re doing good and Karri was
excellent in L.A.”
3. RAVING ABOUT RUSSELL — The emergence of Kris Russell on the
Calgary Flames blueline is no secret. The undersized defenceman and
Caroline, Alta., native is fourth in team scoring with three goals and 10
assists in 26 games. “I think that Kris Russell has been one of our most
consistent players since the start of the season,” Hartley said. “He’s the
toughest 166-pounder I’ve ever coached. He shows up to work, you see him
in practice, you see him in games, his speed, his hockey sense I think helps
him. And I think he’s a great competitor.”
4. BYRON IN GOOD BOOKS — Recent Abbotsford Heat call-up Paul
Byron’s impact in Saturday’s win over L.A. was noted by the coaching staff.
The 24-year-old, who now has 35 NHL games under his belt, had set up Blair
Jones’ short-handed goal against the Kings. “He gave us that one goal and
that’s enough,” Hartley said. “We wanted energy and Paul is like that little
‘Buzz Buzz’ that always goes and he wants to do it. Just like Kris Russell,
he’s not the biggest frame out there but he plays big. He’s a great competitor
and I was real happy for him that he got us that short-handed goal.”
5. ODDS ARE — Betting site bodog.com released its’ most recent odds of
winning the Stanley Cup, pegging Pittsburgh with a 6/1 chance. The Flames,
along with the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers, have 100/1 odds . . .
Sidney Crosby has the highest odds to win the Hart Memorial Trophy (NHL
MVP) . . . Flames rookie Sean Monahan is tied with Colorado’s Nate
Mackinnon with 13/2 odds of winning the Calder Trophy (rookie of the year).
The two are behind San Jose’s Tomas Hertl (5/4) and Boston’s Torey Krug
(7/4) . . . Canada’s world junior team (7/4) and Olympic team (2/1) have the
highest odds of winning gold.
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Calgary Flames
Johnson: Top prospect Gaudreau in another Hobey Baker race, but Flames
are never far from his mind
Boston College star continues to draw rave reviews for his hockey vision and
talent despite small size
“Strength is the only issue. Nobody expects him to run over Chara. But the
other kids — Atkinson, Gionta, Gerbe — they’re thick in the legs. Stockier.
John is wiry.”
Gaudreau says he regularly converses with the Flames, through the
long-distance phone lines, texts and e-mails. He worked a hockey camp with
Flames’ coach Bob Hartley this summer in Pennsylvania. The ties are being
insidiously formed.
When asked if, despite the lack of a signed legal document, he feels like a
Flame, the kid doesn’t hesitate in answering.
By GEORGE JOHNSON, Calgary Herald December 3, 2013
BOSTON — Over the course of 796 career NHL games, 91 of those spent in
parts of three seasons in the employ of the Calgary Flames, Marty McInnis
got by on wits and skill.
Listed at 5-11 and 190 pounds, he was nobody’s prototype of a heavyweight,
even by early 1990s to turn-of-the-century Tale of the Tape standards.
“And Johnny Gaudreau,” assures the former Boston College Eagles star, in
his first season as a volunteer coach at his old stomping grounds, Conte
Forum out on Chestnut Hill, “has NHL ability. Now. Right now. He’s not
gonna run anybody over or bully anybody, but, like I say, he has that skill.
Like Theo Fleury, like (Brian) Gionta, those guys. Surprisingly, when he goes
into the corner with big guys he comes out with the puck more often than not.
“He has the mentality to take the puck and drive to the far post. I haven’t seen
him shy away from anything like that. Can he do that at the NHL level? Guys
are gonna be bigger, stronger, smarter, faster and angrier, but he’s brave
enough to take pucks to the net and score beautiful goals at this level. To me,
that’s a great sign.
“He’s really unflappable. I’ve never seen him angry, rarely seen him
frustrated. He’s got that little bit of Zetterberg mentality. Even keel, all the
way. Makes a great play? Not too excited. Gets run over? Not too mad. He’s
got that kind of nice, flat line where it’s tough to tell what he might be thinking.
“If anybody can play at that size, it’s Johnny, in my opinion.”
If it makes you feel any better, Calgary, the scrawny kid from Carneys Point,
NJ, talks like a future Flame. Continues to praise the organization up and
down, front to back, side to side. Agrees that the current rebuilding mode fits
his entry into the NHL perfectly.
He just hasn’t signed yet, is all.
So don’t necessarily go thinking Gaudreau’s planning on waiting it out in
order to run out as a free agent, scurry off in the dead of night carrying
donations to the collection plate or the parson’s daughter.
“Yeah, I definitely hear about it. A lot,” he laughs. “My mom, who doesn’t
know too much about the business side of hockey, is always talking about
that, reading stuff on the Internet. Me? I’m just excited to be a part of Calgary.
“Just seeing how they’re rebuilding, those younger guys stepping into the
lineup makes me feel more comfortable knowing that maybe I’ll get a shot up
there and I can prove myself capable of playing. It’s cool to see how much the
coaching staff uses the young guys, Monahan, Baertschi, and how they’re
trying to reload and rebuild their organization.
“For next year? I’m kinda just playing it by ear. I’m not really sure what to
think right now. I’m just concentrating on finishing up this one and then we’ll
see what happens.”
Gaudreau is off to another Hobey Baker-finalist sort of season at BC with 25
points, including 12 goals, in 14 games on a freshman-laden Eagles team. As
easy to pin down as a ray of sunshine; as hard to find as a shadow in shade.
“I think he’s getting stronger,” reckons BC head coach Jerry York, the
winningest all-time coach in U.S. collegiate history. “And that’s gonna be the
big adjustment: Can he play with those people? The last five or six years
we’ve had pretty good success with players like (Cam) Atkinson, (Nathan)
Gerbe, (Stephen) Gionta, the other (Brian) Gionta. NBC did a little thing
about guys 5-8 or under playing in the NHL from BC. There’s a few.
“It can be done. Has been done. So he’s not breaking a glass ceiling here. He
has such a feel for the game of hockey. So slippery, handles the puck so well.
So he’s got what those other players I mentioned had. And maybe even
more, in the area of a feel for finding other people.
“Definitely. Technically, I’m not signed. But they treat me really, really well.
They always show a lot of interest. Make me feel at home, like I belong. I get
along great with the GM, Jay Feaster, and John Weisbrod, his assistant. So,
yeah, I feel like a part of the organization already.”
During this summer’s prospects camp out at WinSport, Gaudreau shone. His
audacity, that impossible-to-teach hockey sense, the “feel” for the game that
Jerry York mentioned clearly set him apart from the rest. So when this
collegiate season ends, the Flames are going to be uber-eager to get the
wispy left winger signed, sealed and delivered for training camp next
September; to have him become a working part of the rebuild.
Feaster’s patience, after all, must have its limits.
As someone who made a nice career out of living by his wits and skill, Marty
McInnis believes that, nurtured in a certain environment, Johnny Gaudreau
has the goods not only to be a good little man, but a notable pro player.
“Is he an all-star at the NHL level?” he says, anticipating your question. “Well,
he has that type of talent. He’s going to have to find the right coach, the right
linemates and the right situation that’s going to allow him some freedom,
allow him to make mistakes, allow him to make a backhand saucer pass at
the other team’s blueline, ’cause that’s what he does — and, I’ve gotta say,
more often than not he gets away with it.
“He’s gonna be a top-six forward. He’s gonna play on your power play. He’s
gonna play 4-on-4, especially with that extra ice out there in OT. He’ll be
dynamite there.
“You’re gonna put him with a good centreman. Billy Arnold, another Calgary
pick, is his centreman here now, as honest a hockey player as I’ve seen.
Offensively, blocking shots, getting pucks out, making good decisions.
“Put him with a guy like that in Calgary and I’d lay down a bet that they’re both
gonna have all kinds of success.”
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725762
Calgary Flames
Flames captain Giordano could return to the lineup as early as Wednesday
night
Defenceman skates in first full-contact practice since breaking his ankle on
Oct. 21
By Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald December 3, 2013
First, he skated solo.
Then, with the team. And on Tuesday, Calgary Flames captain Mark
Giordano skated with his squad in his first full-contact practice.
The next step is a smooth morning skate ahead of Wednesday’s clash
against the Phoenix Coyotes. If he emerges pain-free, Flames head coach
Bob Hartley said there’s a “strong possibility” of seeing the heart-and-soul
defenceman in the lineup for the first time since breaking his ankle on Oct.
21.
“I know only one Mark Giordano,” Hartley said. “He’s always full speed,
always ready to go, I saw him and Glenny (Curtis Glencross who is still out
with a knee injury) and all those injured guys in the gym every day. The way
they get ready, they want to get back. With the support of our medical staff
and what they’re doing with their players, it seems we always find a way to
get back a little quicker.
“But Gio looked very good (Tuesday) and I asked him after practice and he
had zero pain.”
Which is good news, especially considering he was given an initial ballpark
recovery time of six-to-eight weeks. On Monday, it had been exactly six
weeks on Monday since the injury, which occurred when he blocked a shot in
the second period of the team’s 3-2 win at L.A. back in October.
At the time of his diagnosis, Giordano was tied for third in points on the team
with two goals and seven assists in eight games and the Flames were 5-4-2.
“It’s felt like it’s been a long time, but really it’s been a month and a half,” he
said. “Our trainers, our medical staff, they all put in their time and work with
me. Our docs have given us good advice and it’s gone pretty smoothly, so it’s
pretty positive.”
He happily reported a pain-free skate on Tuesday.
“I feel great,” Giordano said. “I felt better than expected. I felt no pain in the
ankle area. As far as it feels right now, it feels pretty good. I was surprised
with how good I felt (Tuesday).”
Besides his leadership and blue collar mentality, Giordano was logging just
over 25 minutes of ice time per night.
In his absence, the void has been filled by veteran Dennis Wideman, the
smooth-skating T.J. Brodie, Kris Russell, and Chris Butler.
However, the Flames are exercising caution and easing Giordano back into
the lineup.
“Let’s remember one thing,” Hartley said. “If Gio is in the lineup, he didn’t play
for five, six weeks so we can’t expect him to be (the old) Gio. But at the same
time, we’ll start him slow and see how he feels. We need the green light first.”
Giordano fully understands.
“You don’t want to put yourself in a position where you’re going to hurt the
team,” he said. “That’s my No. 1 thing. You want to play, you want to rush
back as fast as you can. (Tuesday) felt pretty good. But overnight, hopefully it
stays the same and (Wednesday) it feels the same.”
ICE CHIPS . . . Also showing progress is injured LW Curtis Glencross (knee)
who skated by himself on Tuesday . . . Prominent TSN hockey analyst Bob
MacKenzie also reported that Flames prospect Pat Sieloff will not be
released to play for the U.S. team at the world juniors. Sieloff, currently with
the Flames’ American Hockey League affiliate Abbotsford Heat, is sidelined
with a lower body injury.
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725763
Calgary Flames
Flames coach Bob Hartley fires back about being called a 'bully'
By James Emery
,Calgary Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 07:33 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 07:36 PM MST
Bob Hartley says he’s only trying to get the best out of his players.
He may be demanding, but he’s not a bully, the Calgary Flames head coach
fired back Tuesday.
Scott Parker, a former NHL tough guy nicknamed ‘The Sheriff’ who played
under Hartley over four seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, was quoted in
a Denver Post article calling out his former coach for allegedly degrading and
belittling him.
In Adrian Dater’s Post article published Sunday that focused on the effects of
concussions, Parker claims Hartley used his position of authority to threaten
him with a demotion to the minors after the rookie said he needed a night off
from scrapping to recover.
“He was a junior B goalie trying to tell me how to fight. He was always just
degrading me. Not to be a (wimp), but he was a bully,” Parker, who claims to
have suffered 20 to 25 concussions during his career, said in the article. “I
remember I thought I had a broken foot and told him about it, and he called
me a (expletive) and said (AHL affiliate) Hershey would love me. Nobody
needed to question my commitment to doing my job. But I was just constantly
belittled by Bob Hartley.”
After a couple days without comment, the current Flames head coach
responded Tuesday.
“I was made aware of that report long ago,” Hartley said after Flames practice
at the Saddledome. “All of us, all coaches, but I’ll speak for myself since my
name is there — we set expectations, we create standards. There’s not a
player that I’ve coached that
I didn’t try to make better. I’ve never bullied no one.
“I might be a demanding coach, but I want the best for my players. I’ll leave it
at this. For me, it’s the end of the story.”
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725764
Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames' Giordano inches closer to return from broken ankle
By James Emery
,Calgary Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 06:22 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 07:27 PM MST
The captain is close.
Almost six weeks to the day since breaking his ankle, Calgary Flames leader
Mark Giordano was back on Saddledome ice Tuesday morning, skating in a
full practice with the team.
Following more than an hour of drills, the 30-year-old Giordano, the NHL
team’s captain, said his ankle was pain-free, making his return to the lineup
against the Phoenix Coyotes on Wednesday night a real possibility (8 p.m.,
Saddledome, Sportsnet West/Sportsnet Fan 960).
“No pain in the ankle area,” Giordano boasted. “It feels pretty good, right now,
but I guess we’ll see (during Wednesday’s) pre-game skate and see after
that.
“I was surprised how good I felt (Tuesday).”
Giordano suffered the injury Oct. 21 on the road against the Los Angeles
Kings.
After being sidelined for weeks, Giordano laced up the skates in late
November for solo ice times before the medical staff gave the defenceman
the nod to return to full-contact practices with the club.
“I got some good reps in playing the rush and playing some offensive zone
situations,” Giordano said. “Those are the things you don’t get when you’re
skating on your own. You never really know until you get into that first game,
but as far as the way
I feel, I feel pretty good right now.”
Flames bench boss Bob Hartley says his captain will be reassessed
Wednesday before a decision is made on whether he’ll suit up against the
Coyotes later that night.
“He’s very close,” Hartley said. “He’ll be re-evaluated by the doctor
(Wednesday), and if the medical staff gives us the green light, he could be a
strong possibility.
“Gio looked very good (Tuesday).”
Hartley hinted Giordano, who averaged more than 25 minutes per game
before the injury, won’t be rushed back to his minute-eating ways when the
blueliner does see game action.
“We’ll start him slow and see how he feels,” Hartley said. “We need the green
light first.”
Prior to the injury, Giordano had nine points in eight outings to start the
2013-14 campaign.
Since being able, Giordano has been working out, lifting weights with wingers
Lee Stempniak, Curtis Glencross, and Flames strength coach Rich Hesketh
to build his conditioning back up to game-shape.
“I’ve been working with Rich in the gym doing a lot of bike and weights,”
Giordano said. “I felt pretty good. You never expect to feel really good
because it’s totally different skating, but I was surprised (Tuesday).
“My wind was pretty good.”
And while injuries are nothing new for the Flames captain, it doesn’t make
sitting in the stands any easier the next time around.
“The big thing is you try and stay upbeat,” Giordano said. “When you’re sitting
out, it’s one of those things — it sucks when things aren’t going well, it sucks
when things are going well and you’re not a part of it. There’s no
sugar-coating it. It’s tough to sit out and watch, but it happens.
“All you can do it try and get back as soon as possible”
It won’t be tough for much longer, now.
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames won't loan prized youngster Monahan to Team Canada
By RANDY SPORTAK
,Calgary Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 06:05 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 07:25 PM MST
If Monahan was to play in the world juniors, Backlund could have the comfort
of knowing he can legitimately skate in a top-nine role for an extended period
with the onus on him to produce offensively. Then, when Monahan returns,
Backlund’s fate with the Flames could be sealed — whether that means he’s
a key part of the rebuild or trade bait for another team.
Speaking of trade bait, it would mean a chance for Blair Jones to keep his
fourth-line role — maybe with more opportunity on the penalty-killing unit —
and be of value come the NHL trade deadline, if that’s a route the Flames
want to go.
Considering how far down the depth chart Jones was just a month ago,
receiving a draft pick for him would be a coup.
A case can be made Sean Monahan is the Calgary Flames best centre.
It doesn’t end there.
The team’s 19-year-old first-round pick of this year’s draft is second on the
team in goals with nine.
His value to the NHL club is extremely high when he’s healthy.
It would also mean a chance to get a look at the likes of prospects Corban
Knight, Markus Granlund, Michael Ferland or Josh Jooris. Unlike last year,
the Abbotsford Heat, the Flames AHL affiliate, should be in playoff
contention, and with the Flames playing out the string, there won’t be the
same airlift we saw last season.
And Flames fans are excited to see him in action during the early days of the
club’s rebuild, especially as the losses mount.
By no means is keeping Monahan with the Flames a bad decision. The
youngster will continue to flourish and build his importance with the team.
Still, the Flames should send their prized prospect to Team Canada for the
world junior hockey championship, provided he’s healthy enough.
But nobody would have lost had he joined Team Canada — least of all him
He’s second on the team with 15 points.
Instead, the Flames have opted to keep Monahan in Calgary.
“The Calgary Flames hockey club will not be assigning Sean Monahan to join
Team Canada for the upcoming world junior championship in Malmo,
Sweden,” GM Jay Feaster said via statement Tuesday. “We have spent a
great deal of time discussing and debating the pros and cons of the situation
in the context of what is best for Sean’s continued professional development
as a hockey player, as well as what is in the best interests of our team, our
fans and our organization. We have concluded that in light of the prominent
role Sean has played on our team to date and the role we project he will
continue to play once he returns from his injury that Sean will remain with our
hockey club. We have informed both Sean and Hockey Canada of our
decision, and we wish Team Canada great success at the world junior
championships.”
As well, defenceman Patrick Sieloff will not play for Team USA at the world
juniors, but that’s because he’s not expected to be back on the ice until
January. Sieloff, a 2012 second-round draft choice, is recovering from an
infection.
In Monahan’s case, it would mean missing a bunch of games — around a
dozen — and the Flames do have a duty to their ticket-buying fans to ice the
best possible team night-in, night-out while chasing a playoff spot.
But the benefits of letting Monahan play in the tournament would be much
more lasting.
Let’s be real about where the Flames are right now. They’re not a playoff
team, so any ‘push’ for a club which has won just three of its last 10 games
and is last in the league in goals against is a pipe-dream.
They will be lucky to finish better than fifth-last in the league. So being without
Monahan, who is currently on the shelf with a fractured foot, for an extended
period of time won’t make a difference between a playoff spot or not.
Instead of being part of a Flames team languishing near the bottom of the
standings, he’d be an integral part and a leader of a favoured team at a
prestigious tournament he spent years dreaming of playing in. Bringing home
a medal from Sweden would be a nice way to close out his junior career for
good.
Who knows? Maybe returning with a gold medal will keep him fired up about
the NHL season when it really becomes the dog days and, down the road,
when the season is in its final months and the club is simply playing out the
string.
Plus, since Monahan would be early in his return to action from his current
injury, playing in the world juniors would help ramp his game back up to NHL
standards.
The benefits don’t end with Monahan, either.
The Flames are at a crossroads with another first-round draft choice, Mikael
Backlund, whose offensive confidence has all but completely disappeared
like a keg at a frat party.
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Calgary Flames
Calgary Flames' Reto Berra shows off new mask
By James Emery
,Calgary Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 06:43 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 06:49 PM MST
Reto Berra has an affinity for feathers.
And since moving to Cowtown to tend the twine for the Calgary Flames, you
can add rodeo, horses and cowboys to the mix, too.
The 26-year-old goaltender unveiled his new Bauer mask this week that
features a bull being pursued by a lasso-wielding cowboy on one side of the
dark-red lid, with Calgary’s skyline and the Saddledome fixated above.
Four white feathers with red tips also weave behind the No. 29 painted on the
chin.
“The first time I was here was at development camp, we went to the
Stampede,” Berra explained when asked about his new mask. “I wanted
something for the city of Calgary. I thought it was a great idea. I wanted
something rodeo from when I was here my first time. We don’t have it in
Switzerland. We don’t have cowboys at all.”
It started with just a bull, but Berra wanted more.
“I said I wanted the cowboy with a horse trying to catch the thing,” Berra said.
And as for the feathers?
“I just really like feathers,” Berra said. “My first mask ever, when I was like 13,
I went in Switzerland to the hockey store, and I could choose a mask. There
were 20 or 30 masks, and I saw a red mask with just white feathers. Right
away, I said, ‘This one is it. I want this one.’ I don’t know, I just like feathers.”
On the other side of the mask, painted by Head Strong Grafx in Belleville, Ill.,
the Flames logo anchors a maple leaf and the Swiss flag that sit above the
Flaming ‘C.’
On the back, his family crest is prominent — something he’s had painted on
every helmet he’s owned — and a small bottle of Cognac (a long story, he
says).
While the Flames resident cowboy Curtis Glencross was unavailable to
chime in on the new helmet, Lance Bouma of Provost, Alta., gave his
approval.
“Obviously, we’re proud to be here playing in Calgary,” Bouma said. “To have
that on his mask is pretty important and pretty cool.”
Flames captain Mark Giordano welcomed the new lid over Berra’s previous
one — a predominantly white helmet that had both the Abbotsford Heat and
the Calgary Flames insignia on it.
“He’s a great character and a funny guy, and it doesn’t surprise me at all that
he’s taken over that theme,” Giordano added. “I like it a lot better than his old
helmet. His new helmet has more of the red. It looks better out on the ice.”
Calgary Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725767
Carolina Hurricanes
Skinner, Peters, Canes make easy work of Caps in Washington
By Chip Alexander
calexander@newsobserver.comDecember 3, 2013 Updated 5 hours ago
WASHINGTON — The Carolina Hurricanes needed a rally to beat the
Washington Capitals the first time the two teams tangled this season at the
Verizon Center.
The second game wasn't close. No rally required.
Jeff Skinner, playing on Eric Staal's line, had two goals and an assist, and
Andrej Sekera and Jiri Tlusty each scored as the Canes rolled to a 4-1
victory.
Justin Peters, getting a start in net, was sharp and the Canes' special teams
were effective as Carolina (11-12-5) ended a two-game losing streak.
Sekera's goal was a power-play score — something of a rarity for the Canes
this season.
"It was a complete game," Canes coach Kirk Muller said. “(Peters) played
really well and made the big saves at the right time. Our power play looked
better, and overall five on five everyone was engaged."
Goaltender Cam Ward had started the past five games but Muller was
looking for a change. Peters responded with 26 saves and kept the explosive
Caps throttled until defenseman Mike Green's power-play score in the third.
By then, it didn't matter. The Canes led 4-0, had knocked Caps goalie Braden
Holtby out of the game and had contained and frustrated Alexander
Ovechkin, the NHL's leading scorer.
"It was a nice confidence booster for myself and for the team," Peters said.
"They came out ready to go, and we answered back pretty good."
Skinner's first goal gave the Canes a 1-0 lead after the first. He beat Holtby
on the short side, finding a tiny hole at the post after taking a pass from Staal,
who had two assists.
Skinner's second was a bullet from the left wing in the second. Sekera, who
had missed the past two games with an upper-body injury, followed with a
shot from the point, and Tlusty grabbed a loose puck in the slot and beat
Holtby with a backhander for his first goal in 11 games.
That was three goals in fewer than four minutes. Sekera and Tlusty scored
53 seconds apart.
Skinner now has nine two-goal games in his 205-game career. He's still
looking for his first hat trick, even though Staal and others kept trying to set
him up in the third.
"I think the line clicked pretty well," Skinner said. "But I think everybody was
moving. We got a good start and kept building on it. There weren't any lulls."
Skinner was disappointed in his play Sunday in a 3-2 loss to the Vancouver
Canucks. But he had seven shotsTuesday and was the most active player on
the ice.
"Our big line came up big," Muller said. "They led the way."
The Canes topped the Caps 3-2 in their first game, on Oct. 10. They're now
chasing the Caps (14-12-2) in the division and needed a win.
This night, scoring four goals and stopping the Caps on four power plays
were the difference. And Skinner. .
"We played 60 minutes as a team and that's the only way you win in this
league," Sekera said.
News Observer LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Carolina Hurricanes
Canes @ Caps
Posted by Chip Alexander on December 3, 2013
WASHINGTON -- Jeff Skinner has a pair of goals and an assist, and Andrej
Sekera and Jiri Tlusty also have scored as the Canes have taken a 4-0 lead
after two periods.
Skinner scored in the first as the Canes led 1-0. His second goal, on a hard
wrister from the left wing, gave the Canes a 2-0 lead at 11:18 of the second.
Sekera and Tlusty then scored 53 seconds apart to make it 4-0.
Sekera scored a power-play goal with a shot from the point. Tlusty then
scored his first goal in 11 games, backhanding a shot past Caps goalie
Braden Holtby.
Skinner scored at 10:20 of the first, taking a pass from Eric Staal from behind
the net and beating Holtby on the short side. Holtby did not completely seal
his left post and Skinner's shot from a tight angle went off Holtby's skate.
Staal also assisted on Sekera's goal.
Skinner had another good scoring chance on the Canes' one power play in
the first. Skinner tried to lift a rebound from the front of the crease but Holtby
made the stop.
Justin Peters, starting in net for the Canes, made some nice stops in the first.
He git his paddle on a Jason Chimera shot in the first four minutes, then
denied Marcus Johansson from the slot late in the period and made a stop on
an Alex Ovechkin shot later in the period.
Canes forward Drayson Bowman was called for hooking with 25.2 seconds
left in the first, giving the Caps their first power play of the game, but the
Canes killed it off.
Sekera missed the past two games with an upper-body injury.
News Observer LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Carolina Hurricanes
Peters to start in goal for Canes; Sekera likely to play
Posted by Chip Alexander on December 3, 2013 Updated 16 hours ago
WASHINGTON — Justin Peters will be in net and defenseman Andrej
Sekera likely will play Tuesday as the Canes face the Washington Capitals at
the Verizon Center.
Cam Ward has been the starting goaltender the past five games, but Canes
coach Kirk Muller said Tuesday he wanted to get Peters back in the mix and
get a start. A final decision on Sekera will be made after the pregame
warmup, Muller said.
"The intent is that he will be in and will be a player tonight," Muller said of
Sekera, who has missed the past two games with an upper-body injury.
Muller said if Sekera is good to go, Mike Komisark likely would be in the
lineup and that Ryan Murphy probably would be a healthy scratch. He said
Komisarek has been "battling the past couple of games" and would give the
Canes more size for the Caps.
Having Sekera back restores the top defensive pairings: Sekera and Justin
Faulk, and Ron Hainsey and Brett Bellemore.
"Just the familiarity of everyone helps," Muller said. "The combinations were
working well earlier with those groups."
Muller said goalie Anton Khudobin and defenseman Tim Gleason were both
on the ice Tuesday morning. Gleason, he said, is "feeling better" and his
status day to day.
"He made a big stride because I didn't think he was going to make this trip,"
Muller said. "But he jumped on and has improved over the last day or two."
The Canes did not have a morning skate Tuesday. Looking at the lines for
the game, Muller said he would have Jeff Skinner on Eric Staal's line with
Tuomo Ruutu -- a combination he used at times Sunday during the
Vancouver game.
"I think it's more where we are right now, to create a little more offense,"
Muller said. "It's more, 'You're our top offensive guys and we're putting you
together and you've got to find a way to get things done.'
"So we felt we'll balance our four lines and put those three together. There's
no reason they can't get the job done offensively."
The other lines are expected to be: Jiri Tlusty-Jordan Staal-Pat Dwyer,
Nathan Gerbe-Riley Nash-Elias Lindholm, and Drayson Bowman-Manny
Malhotra-Radek Dvorak.
The Caps (14-11-2) have won their last two, against Montreal and the New
York Islanders, after a 0-3-1 stretch. Alexander Ovechkin leads the NHL with
21 goals and has scored 44 goals in his last 48 regular-season games.
The Caps are 24-for-103 on the power play (23.3 percent), fourth-best in the
NHL, although just 3-17 in the past six games.
"We've come in and played some good games here," Muller said. "The big
thing is the power play. We've got to really compete. A lot of these games are
one-goal games and the power play is so important and can make the
difference. They have a potent power play. That's the No. 1 thing, to stay out
of the box."
News Observer LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Chicago Blackhawks
Hawks lose 4-3 on penalty shot
Stars snap 6-game winning streak as rally from 3-goal deficit falls short
By Chris Kuc, Chicago Tribune reporter
11:32 PM CST, December 3, 2013
Even with all that momentum a lengthy winning streak generated and a
United Center crowd showering them with affection that had been building for
weeks while they were away, the Blackhawks couldn't keep the good times
rolling.
The defending Stanley Cup champions were back on home ice after a
13-day, seven-game trip but it mattered little as they fell 4-3 to the Stars on
Tuesday night in front of 21,411 hockey-starved fans.
Antoine Roussel scored on a penalty shot three minutes into the third period
to help the Stars snap the Hawks' run of six consecutive victories — all
achieved during their annual circus trip.
The Stars raced to a three-goal lead only to have the Hawks catch them with
an offensive spurt in the second before Roussel's score made a winner of
Stars goaltender Kari Lehtonen, who was spectacular with 47 saves.
"We carried the play most of the game," Hawks winger Kris Versteeg said.
"Kari really stood on his head and kept them it. When you get behind the
8-ball at the start, it's tough coming back but we showed resilience."
In addition to Roussel's score, Valeri Nichushkin had a goal and an assist
while Alex Chiasson and Erik Cole also scored on Hawks goalie Corey
Crawford.
Patrick Sharp, Nick Leddy and Johnny Odyua scored for the Hawks but in the
end it wasn't enough as they fell to 9-2-3 at home and 20-5-4 overall.
"It's nice to be at home from that long road trip but sometimes there's a
letdown and we can't let that happen," Hawks defenseman Duncan Keith
said. "We were guilty of that (Tuesday night). We got our energy back going
in the second and we were right there but for whatever reason it wasn't our
best game."
It wasn't a typical first-game-after-a-long-trip letdown as the Hawks controlled
the pace throughout much of the game and reached the 50-shot plateau for
the second time this season.
"I kept looking up there and there were more and more shots every time,"
Versteeg said. "And (they were) good scoring looks. We could have maybe
gotten to the net a little bit more here and there but we had looks from
everywhere. You have to give (Lehtonen) credit."
Added coach Joel Quenneville: "We were very generous on the first three
goals against us. We had one of those starts where we were trying to get
ourselves into the game. Mentally, I don't think we were as sharp."
Roussel also had a spirited scrap with the Hawks' Andrew Shaw before
eventually scoring the winner on the penalty shot after Niklas Hjalmarsson
hooked him during a breakaway.
"Our goaltender played unbelievable and kept us in the game," said Roussel,
who roofed a backhander past Crawford and then taunted the United Center
crowd en route to the bench to celebrate. "We got some lucky goals (and)
some great bounces. The boys played hard still, but they obviously
dominated us and we'll take the two points."
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Chicago Blackhawks
Hawks' Kane gets NHL's top honor for November
By Chris Kuc
Tribune reporter
8:26 PM CST, December 3, 2013
The accolades keep coming for the NHL’s top team.
A day after defenseman Duncan Keith was named the league’s Third Star of
the Week for stellar play during a seven-game trip, Patrick Kane one-upped
his Blackhawks teammate when the winger was awarded the No. 1 star for
the month of November.
“It’s a pretty cool honor,” Kane said before he notched two assists in the
Hawks' 4-3 loss to the Stars on Tuesday night at the United Center. “It
probably speaks more for what the team has been doing lately and
sometimes when your team is playing well you’re going to have some
personal achievements along the way. I know some other guys had great
months so hats off to them too.”
Kane was second among skaters with nine goals — including four
game-winners — and 19 points in November as the Hawks won 12 of 15
games to move to the top of the NHL standings. During the span, Kane had
points in 13 of the games and had a career-long 12-game points streak.
The 25-year-old ranks third in the league with 16 goals, including an
NHL-leading five game-winners. Kane also is tied for fifth with 30 points in 28
games this season.
“I feel pretty good,” Kane said. “There’s always room for improvement. You
always can do certain things better on the ice. (But) you want to keep it going.
There are certain things you want to turn around, whether it's your defensive
play or your plus-minus. You can always look and try to do more.”
Said coach Joel Quenneville: “He’s playing great. He has had a great start to
the season. The month of November, he was outstanding with the points
streak. It seems like he has the puck more than he had in the past. He’s a
threat off the rush and in the (offensive) zone.”
Medical report: Center Michal Handzus missed Tuesday’s game with an
illness. Sheldon Brookbank moved from defense to the wing to replace the
veteran.
Michael Kostka was on the ice for the Hawks’ morning skate but the
defenseman missed his 21st game with an injured right foot. Quenneville
said Kostka is “real close. Any day now we’ll activate him.”
Outdoor fun: A select number of tickets for the Hawks’ March 1 game against
the Penguins at Soldier Field will go on sale at 10 a.m. Dec. 11 via
www.ticketmaster.com/NHL
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Chicago Blackhawks
Ticket sale date set for Hawks-Penguins at Soldier Field
Tribune report
10:58 AM CST, December 3, 2013
Tickets will go on sale Dec. 11 for the Blackhawks' Soldier Field game
against the Pittsburgh Penguins on March 1, the NHL announced Tuesday.
Tickets can be purchased via www.Ticketmaster.com/NHL and
www.Ticketmaster.ca/NHL, beginning at 10 a.m. CT.
The 7 p.m. game on Saturday, March 1, will air nationally on NBC, making it
the first regular-season game to be shown in prime time since NBC
reacquired NHL rights in 2006.
Chicago Tribune LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks erase three-goal deficit, but edged by Stars
BY HERB GOULD Staff Reporter December 3, 2013 9:50PM
Updated: December 3, 2013 11:05PM
Everybody was talking about a trap game. For the Blackhawks, it was more
like half a trap. But it wasn’t better than none.
The theory: With the Hawks coming home after a terrific 6-1 performance on
their annual circus trip—the possibility of a letdown loomed large. It’s only
human nature to exhale after piling up all those road wins.
The reality: Give a big assist to Dallas goalie Kari Lehtonen, who stopped 47
shots. But know that the Hawks’ six-game winning streak is over. The Stars
took care of that, beating the defending Stanley Cup champions 4-3 before
21,411 at the United Center.
``It’s nice to be home from that long road trip,’’ defenseman Duncan Keith
said. ``But sometimes there’s a letdown. We can’t let that happen. We were
guilty of that tonight. We got our energy going in the second. But for whatever
reason, it wasn’t our best game.’’
The sub-par start was critical. Down 3-0, the Hawks erupted for three goals in
the final 10 minutes of the second period to tie the game 3-3 heading into the
final 20 minutes.
``It certainly wasn’t a dud,’’ said coach Joel Quenneville, dismissing part of
the letdown theory. ``It was a dud at the start, but I thought we got ourselves
in the game and we gave ourselves a chance to at least tie it and play the
third period, where anything can happen. The fact that we didn’t get one in
the thrird period with the opportunities we had--it was just one of those
games. Not tonight.’’
Antoine Roussel gave the Stars their 4-3 advantage on a penalty shot at 3:01
of the third after being hooked on a breakaway by Niklas Hjalmarsson. The
goal was the first Corey Crawford has given up on a penalty shot. He was 10
for 10, including 4 for 4 this year.
From there, the Hawks applied plenty of pressure. But Lehtonen did not yield.
``He really stood on his head tonight,’’ Kris Versteeg said. ``He played really
good. But we should be happy with how we played, especially in the second
and third. I kept looking up there, and there were more and more shots, and
there were good scoring opportunities, too. We had looks from everywhere.
He’s a good goalie. You have to give him credit. He hangs in there. Tonight,
Kari really came to play.’’
Patrick Sharp started the rally with a power-play slapshot from above the
right circle at 9:39. It was his 200th goal as a Blackhawk.
``It’s a special goal,’’ Sharp said. ``Hopefully, there’s a lot more to come. I
wasn’t really thinking about it out there. It was a pretty intense game. I was
trying to get a couple more.’’
Nick Leddy made it 3-2 with a quick little shot from below the right circle that
found the five-hole at 16:09 after some good puck movement.
Just 65 seconds later, Johnny Oduya tied the game 3-3 with a shot from the
left point at 17:14 on an assist from Patrick Kane.
Hawks captain Jonathan Toews is familiar with the tendency of teams to not
play well at home after a long road trip.
``It’s just a matter of keeping this thing going without changing our style,’’
Toews said. ``We’ve been winning games all sorts of ways lately. We need to
be smart, play disciplined. We have to remind ourselves that we’ll get our
offense. But if we have to win a tight game, that’s what we’ll do.’’
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Chicago Blackhawks
Patrick Kane is NHL’s Mr. November
BY HERB GOULD Staff Reporter December 3, 2013 12:28PM
Updated: December 3, 2013 10:46PM
The honors keep coming in for the soaring Blackhawks.
Patrick Kane was named the NHL’s first star for November on Tuesday.
Kane’s award comes one day after Duncan Keith was named the NHL’s third
star of the week ending Dec. 1.
‘‘It’s a pretty cool honor,’’ Kane said. ‘‘It probably speaks more for what the
team’s been doing. When your team’s playing well, you’re going to have
some personal achievements along the way. But, yeah, it’s pretty cool.’’
What Kane did in November had a lot to do with what the Hawks did, though.
The gifted winger had nine goals, including four game-winners, among his 19
points as the Hawks won 12 of 15 games. He had a career-high 12-game
point streak from Nov. 3 to Nov. 27, helping the Hawks surge to a 6-1 record
on their annual circus trip.
‘‘He’s been playing great,’’ coach Joel Quenneville said. ‘‘In November, he
was outstanding. It seems like he has the puck more than he has in the past.
It seems like every time he hits the ice, he has the puck. That’s a good thing.’’
Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin and Minnesota Wild goalie Josh
Harding were the second and third stars, respectively.
Handzus ailing
Michal Handzus didn’t play because of an illness, Quenneville said. Handzus
sat for the first time in five games after missing 14 games with an upper-body
injury.
Brandon Pirri moved back into the second-line center slot he had occupied
for a big chunk of Handzus’ injury. Pirri had six goals and five assists in 23
games before Tuesday.
Sheldon Brookbank dressed in Handzus’ place. Primarily a defenseman,
Brookbank also can line up as a forward.
Crow flies
Corey Crawford was back in goal after taking a break in two of the Hawks’
previous three games. This was his second consecutive game against the
Stars.
Backup Antti Raanta was in net for a 3-2 win in Calgary and a 5-2 win in
Phoenix. In between, Crawford stopped Dallas in a 2-1 shootout victory.
Called up when Nikolai Khabibulin was sidelined by a lower-body injury in
mid-November, Raanta has eased the temptation to overuse Crawford by
going 2-0 in his first two NHL starts.
‘‘He’s had two good, solid starts,’’ Quenneville said. ‘‘He’s fit in real well —
good attitude, good approach in the net.’’
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Chicago Blackhawks
Another Blackhawks comeback, but no victory
By Tim Sassone
The never-say-die Blackhawks couldn't make it all the way back this time.
Returning to the United Center on Tuesday night following a highly
successful road trip during which they won six of seven games — several in
come-from-behind fashion — the Hawks fell 4-3 to the Dallas Stars.
Antoine Roussel's goal on a penalty shot at 3:01 of the third period snapped a
3-3 tie in a game the Hawks once trailed 3-0.
Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen turned away 47 of 50 shots by the Hawks, who
had their six-game winning streak ended.
"We were very generous on the first 3 goals against us," Hawks coach Joel
Quenneville said. "We had one of those starts where we were trying to get
ourselves in the game mentally. I don't think we were real sharp.
"We worked ourselves back with a heck of a second period and had a decent
third period. We had some great opportunities to get the equalizer. We
missed that 5-on-3 and that could have been it there."
The Hawks trailed by a goal when they failed on a 5-on-3 early in the third
period that lasted 74 seconds.
Roussel's penalty shot was awarded after Niklas Hjalmarsson hooked him
from behind on a breakaway.
Earlier, Roussel fought Andrew Shaw, who no doubt remembered last
week's game in Dallas when Roussel took aim at Patrick Kane with several
big hits. Shaw got the better of Roussel in their scrap that didn't end when the
linesmen jumped in as Shaw kept punching.
"I was kind of rusty, you know," Roussel said. "I just wanted to keep going
and I feel like the rivalry between the two teams is building up. I've been hit
really hard tonight, punched really hard, so we got 2 points back and that was
for everybody."
Roussel was unaware the linesmen had stepped in to stop the fight.
"Yeah, well, he (kept) hitting me and, well, why not, huh?" Roussel said. "I
didn't really stop. I wish that fight would have (kept) going for a minute and
then we would've known, like, who was the toughest. We'll see, maybe next
game."
The Hawks and Stars meet again Tuesday in Dallas.
This was the 23rd time in 29 games that the Hawks outshot their opponent.
"We came back and I thought carried the play through most of the game if
you look at the shots," Kris Versteeg said. "Fifty shots. Kari really stood on his
head tonight and kept them in it. We didn't get the full comeback this time, but
we have to be happy with the way we played in the second and third periods."
Trailing 3-0 midway through the second period, the Hawks rallied to tie the
game on goals by Patrick Sharp, Nick Leddy and Johnny Oduya.
Sharp's power-play goal, a blast from the right point, at 9:39 made it a game.
Shaw and Duncan Keith assisted on Sharp's 200th goal as a Hawk as he
became the 18th player in team history to reach that milestone.
Shaw set the play up with a charge into the Dallas zone. He then headed to
the front of the net after feeding Keith to help Jonathan Toews screen
Lehtonen.
Kane set up the goals by Leddy and Oduya.
The Hawks outshot the Stars 16-5 in the first period but trailed 2-0 on Dallas
goals by Valeri Nichushkin at 13:47 and a power-play goal by Alex Chiasson
at 18:50.
Not even the spirited fight between Shaw and Roussel could pump any life
into the Hawks in the first period.
Dallas got a second goal from its fourth line 3:07 into the second period to
make it 3-0 when Nichushkin set up Erik Cole in front.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks' Kane named month's first star
By Tim Sassone
Patrick Kane was rewarded Tuesday for his big November by being named
the NHL's first star of the month.
Kane had 9 goals, including 4 game-winners, and 19 points to help the
Blackhawks win 12 of 15 games. Kane had at least 1 point in 13 of 15 games,
including six multi-point efforts, and he posted a career-long, 12-game points
streak from Nov. 3-27.
"Sometimes you get on a streak and you get some bounces and things start
to fall in the net," Kane said. "Sometimes you're not even playing your best
hockey, but the numbers tend to be there and it looks like you're playing real
well. It was a nice little run to be on and it's kind of sad when it's over."
Kane was a big factor in the Hawks' 6-1 circus road trip.
"It's a pretty cool honor," he said. "It probably speaks more for what the team
has been doing lately, and sometimes when your team is playing well you're
going to have some personal achievements along the way. I know some
other guys had great months, so hats off to them, too.
"It's been a good start to the season. You want to keep it going. There are
certain things you want to turn around, whether it's your defensive play or
your plus-minus. You can always look and try to do more."
Hawks coach Joel Quenneville thought Kane had a special month.
"He played great," Quenneville said. "He's had a great start to the season.
The month of November he was outstanding and got the points streak going.
It looks like he has the puck more than he has in the past. Every time he hits
the ice he has the puck."
The 25-year-old Kane went into Tuesday's games tied for fifth in the league
with 30 points.
Pittsburgh center Evgeni Malkin was named the month's second star and
Minnesota goalie Josh Harding was the third.
Handzus out again:
Just four games into his comeback from an upper-body injury, center Michal
Handzus had to sit out again Tuesday night against Dallas because he was
sick. Handzus previously missed 14 games with the upper-body injury.
Sheldon Brookbank filled in for Handzus on the third line at right wing.
Brandon Pirri went from the third line to the second line to play with Patrick
Kane and Brandon Saad. Pirri went the entire seven-game road trip without a
point. He has struggled on the third line.
"It's not like that's a defined role, him being a checker," Joel Quenneville said.
"No matter what line he's on, we know what he's capable of. We want him to
progress defensively because we know offensively he's going to be fine."
Outdoor game tickets:
A select number of tickets to the March 1 outdoor game at Soldier Field
between the Hawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins will go on sale to the public
next week, the NHL announced Tuesday. Tickets will be available for
purchase via ticketmaster.com/NHL and ticketmaster.ca/NHL, beginning at
10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 11.
Tip-ins:
Joel Quenneville said defenseman Michael Kostka (right foot) could come off
injured reserve at any time. ... There's a good chance Antti Raanta will start in
goal either Thursday at Minnesota or Friday against Anaheim at the United
Center. "He's fit in real well. It's nice to see him take advantage of the
situation," Quenneville said of the rookie, who has won both his starts.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Stars snap Hawks winning streak with 4-3 victory
By Associated Press
CHICAGO — No 11-round shootout this time. Just a series of big stops for
Kari Lehtonen.
Lehtonen had a season-high 47 saves, Antoine Roussel converted a penalty
shot in the third period and the Dallas Stars snapped the Chicago
Blackhawks' six-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory on Tuesday night
"It's fun if it goes well, but if things don't go well it can get kind of ugly,"
Lehtonen said. "I had no problem getting all those shots today. I was feeling
good."
It sure looked that way.
Valeri Nichushkin had a goal and an assist for the Stars, who had dropped
four of five, including consecutive shootout losses at home in their previous
two games. Alex Chiasson and Erik Cole also scored.
Patrick Sharp scored his 200th goal with Chicago in the Blackhawks' first
home game since a 5-1 victory over San Jose on Nov. 17. Patrick Kane had
two assists, giving him 21 points in his last 15 games.
The defending Stanley Cup champions hit the road while the circus took over
the United Center and responded with an impressive 6-1-0 trip, including an
epic tiebreaker during a 2-1 win in Dallas on Friday night that matched the
record for longest shootout for each franchise.
"It's nice to be home from that long road trip, but sometimes there's a
letdown, and you can't let that happen," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "We
were guilty of that tonight."
Second-period goals by Nick Leddy and Johnny Oduya helped the
Blackhawks erase a 3-0 deficit, but they went 1 for 5 on the power play in
their second regulation home loss of the season.
The Stars appeared to be headed for disappointment before Roussel skated
in on Corey Crawford and was awarded a penalty shot after Niklas
Hjalmarsson hacked away at him with his stick.
Roussel then beat Crawford with a backhander into the upper right corner at
3:01, and Lehtonen stepped up with a series of solid saves to help the Stars
hold on for their seventh victory in their last eight road games.
"I felt like we played defense the whole game," Roussel said. "We didn't have
much energy. Our goaltender played unbelievable and kept us in the game."
Dallas was once again without forward Tyler Seguin, who missed his second
straight game with concussion-like symptoms. He leads the team with 12
goals.
The Stars jumped on an ill-timed line change by the Blackhawks to grab a 1-0
lead at 13:47 of the first. Nichushkin got a pass from Cody Eakin and sent a
low wrister past Crawford for his third goal of the season.
Chiasson then tipped home a long slap shot by Alex Goligoski for a
power-play score with 1:10 to go in the period, and Nichushkin found Cole in
front of the goal to make it 3-0 early in the second.
"Very generous on the first three goals against us," Blackhawks coach Joel
Quenneville said. "We had one of those starts where we were trying to get
ourselves into the game mentally. I don't think we were sharp on the plays
and the goals against."
That sure changed in a hurry.
Sharp's long slap shot got by Lehtonen at 9:39 for his third goal in four
games, prompting the Blackhawks to turn up the pressure. Leddy converted
a one-timer and Oduya's slap shot from the boards went off Chiasson's stick
on the way to the net for his third goal.
The goals by the defensemen just 65 seconds apart tied it at 3 with 2:46 left
in the period and led to a standing ovation from the crowd.
The Blackhawks continued to generate quality opportunities in the third, but
Lehtonen was there each time. He had a solid stop on Brandon Saad before
Roussel's penalty shot, and then made a great save on Sharp to keep the
Stars in front midway through the period.
"In the third they were coming hard and we were playing smart," Lehtonen
said. "There were a couple of breakdowns, but nothing crazy. It wasn't a
pretty win, but we'll take it."
• NOTES: Crawford had 14 stops ... Stars C Ryan Garbutt was helped from
the ice after he took a slap shot to his right leg in the first period, but returned
to the game. ... Blackhawks D Michal Rozsival played in his 800th NHL
game. ... Blackhawks C Michal Handzus was scratched due to an illness. ...
In addition to Seguin, the Stars also scratched D Jamie Oleksiak and C
Travis Morin.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks' Keith better than ever
By Tim Sassone
Duncan Keith had a special season in 2009-10 when he won the Norris
Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman.
Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville said Monday he thinks Keith is playing
even better now.
Keith was plus-13 with 24 points through Sunday's games — 23 of those
points assists, which tied Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby for third in the NHL.
Keith on Monday was named the league's third star for last week.
"He's at a different level right now," Quenneville said. "He had an outstanding
year that year, but you get better with age. We like the progress.
"He's playing well. He's defending well, has a great gap. Offensively he's got
the puck a lot, his patience and his play recognition is high end, and he's
getting shots through."
Keith had a great road trip, which was a big reason why the Hawks won six of
the seven games.
"I think our team game was pretty solid, and you want to keep that going," he
said. "It helps when the forwards are backchecking and they're being smart
with the puck.
"It's everybody, not forwards, defensemen — it's everybody out on the ice
working as a unit."
Raving about Raanta:
So far Corey Crawford likes what he has seen from Finnish rookie Antti
Raanta, who won two games on the road trip in two starts.
"I like the fact he lets the play come to him," Crawford said. "Sometimes your
first game you want to do a little too much, but he's been really good just
being in position and letting the play come to him and not looking for saves
when they're not there."
Crawford also was thankful for the rest Raanta provided him.
"I probably have a little more energy," Crawford said. "It worked well for us
last year too with (Ray) Emery, having two guys going. It's nice to have
another guy step in."
Joel Quenneville is happy to be able to use Raanta, particularly with several
sets of back-to-back games on the horizon.
"He's had a good start to his career and has really helped us solidify that
situation for us," Quenneville said. "I think our goaltending situation is fine.
"Crow had a busy workload there, and I know in December we're busy again.
With the back-to-back games you can probably expect (Raanta) to get some
starts in there."
Keeping the red out?
In several stops on their seven-game road trip, the Hawks were greeted with
more cheers than the home team.
Duncan Keith said it was definitely noticed by the players.
"It's awesome," he said. "You skate around in warmup and you see so many
fans at the glass there. It's definitely an honor to be part of this team and this
organization with so many Blackhawks fans.
"Not every team gets that, where they go into the other team's building and
there are fans everywhere and the fans are cheering for you. It's pretty cool to
be part of a team that has that fan base."
Injury report:
Joel Quenneville said left wing Bryan Bickell, out since Nov. 18 with a left-leg
injury, has progressed but that he isn't close to resuming skating.
Quenneville had no update on goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, who remains out
indefinitely with his left-leg injury.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks can't complete comeback in loss to Stars
The Chicago Blackhawks were happy to be home after their lengthy road trip.
But facing the Stars for the second time in a week, they wanted to make sure
they didn’t have a letdown.
Well, they did in the first period. And their comeback effort wasn’t enough to
get completely past the first-period struggles.
Patrick Sharp recorded a power-play goal as part of a Blackhawks three-goal
second period, but Antoine Roussel’s penalty shot was the game-winner in
Dallas’ 4-3 victory at the United Center on Tuesday night. The loss snapped
the Blackhawks’ six-game winning streak, all of which came on their road trip.
Nick Leddy and Johnny Oduya also scored for the Blackhawks. Duncan
Keith had an assist and now has eight consecutive games with at least one
helper. Patrick Kane recorded two assists, and Sharp’s goal was his 200th in
a Blackhawks uniform.
[WATCH: Andrew Shaw fight vs. Antoine Roussel]
Kari Lehtonen allowed three goals, but he was stellar in stopping 47 of 50
shots. It was the second time this season the Blackhawks tallied at least 50
shots on goal; the other time was against Phoenix on Nov. 14, when they
fired 52 en route to a 5-4 shootout victory.
“We know Lehtonen is a world-class goalie, probably one of the more
underrated players. But spotting them a 3-0 lead didn’t help,” Sharp said.
“We simplified our game in the second, got bodies and pucks to the net.”
Overall, it wasn’t the letdown game the Blackhawks were wary they’d get
after that lengthy road trip. But the first 20 minutes certainly weren’t their
best, and the Stars took advantage of every opportunity. Coach Joel
Quennville was fine with the Blackhawks’ second period. Their first, he
could’ve done without.
“We were very generous on the first three goals against us,” he said. “It was
one of those starts where, mentally, we were not sharp on the plays on the
goals against. We worked ourselves back with a heck of a second period and
had a decent third. Great opportunities, but we miss that 5-on-3. That
could’ve been it there.”
Keith agreed.
“(Lehtonen) was pretty good for them. We know he’s a good goalie and he
usually plays good for them, but I don’t think we were as sharp as we could
be,” he said. “We did a good job coming back, being down 3-0. But you can’t
expect to win every game when you dig yourself a hole like that, and they
were able to get ahead again.”
The 5-on-3 came a little more than two minutes after Roussel’s go-ahead
penalty shot, the first Corey Crawford has allowed in his career. The
Blackhawks were on it for 74 seconds but couldn’t score on it. They got just
one shot during that 5-on-3.
“We came back. We thought we carried the play most of the game, (shot)
over 50 shots. Kari really stood on his head and kept them in,” Kris Versteeg
said. “We played well. When you get behind the 8-ball it’s hard to come back,
but we did. We didn’t get the full comeback this time, but obviously we should
be happy with how we played, especially in the second and third.”
[WATCH: Sharp, Keith know slow starts can't happen vs. good teams]
The comeback seemed unlikely early in the second. The Stars were doing a
lot with a little, and taking advantage of Blackhawks miscues. Valeri
Nichushkin put the Stars up 1-0 on a bad Blackhawks line change. Alex
Chiasson had the deft power-play redirect in front on Alex Goligoski’s shot
with 1:10 remaining in the first for a 2-0 lead. Erik Cole made it 3-0 early in the
third.
Then things turned near the game’s midway point, beginning with Sharp’s
goal, which came with Andrew Shaw and Jonathan Toews parked in front of
Lehtonen. Leddy, who was benched for several minutes in the second
period, came back to score his third goal of the season to cut Dallas’ lead to
3-2.
“He played well great rushes in the third, even in the second where he was a
threat,” Quenneville said of Leddy’s response after the benching. “He did
well.”
Oduya’s goal hit a Stars stick en route to being his third of the season, tying
the game at 3-3 just 65 seconds after Leddy’s goal. But Roussel had the final
say with that penalty shot.
The Blackhawks were concerned about a potential letdown. They had the
right pace, push and traffic through the second and part of the third. But that
letdown might have hit them some in the first.
“When you play them, it’s hard work and simplicity,” Quenneville said of the
Stars. “They cashed in on their chances tonight. We weren’t anywhere near
their rate of cashing in.”
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Chicago Blackhawks
Konroyd's keys for Blackhawks-Stars
December 3, 2013, 2:00 pm
Steve Konroyd
1. Welcome Home but don’t relax. We’ve heard it all before. After an
extended road trip — especially a very successful one — a team returning
home finds they have left their game on the road. Comfortable surroundings,
a friendly crowd, and a sense of accomplishment in the dressing room —
these are the ingredients for a “let down” game. Your attitude has to be the
same at home as it was on the road; short shifts, all-out effort, and an “us
versus the world” mentality. And yes, scoring first would really help the
cause.
2. Pressure Dallas' defense. In the Blackhawks' last game against the Stars
just four nights ago, Dallas was dealt a serious blow to their playoff hopes
when defenseman Stephane Robidas suffered a broken leg. He was part of
their No.1 shut-down pairing and he’ll really be missed these next four
months. 6-foot-7 Jamie Oleksiak was his replacement the next game, and
they suffered a loss to the Edmonton Oilers. Put pressure on this group by
getting pucks deep and forcing them with a good fore check.
3. Battle of the fourth lines. Dallas’ trio of Ryan Garbutt, Vern Fiddler and
Antoine Roussel have been the Stars' best line the last three games. They
were also the Stars' fourth line, but have been getting second-line minutes of
late. Chicago’s fourth-line threesome of Marcus Kruger, Ben Smith and
Brandon Bollig were maybe the most consistent line the Blackhawks had
during the Circus Trip. They work hard every shift and do all the little things
right. These three are playing with a lot of confidence right now, and if they
chip in with a goal, it would certainly help the cause.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Five things to watch as Blackhawks host Stars
If the Chicago Blackhawks have a “What, you again?” feeling entering
tonight’s game against the Dallas Stars, it’s for good reason. We’re barely
two months into the season and the two squads play for the third time tonight.
They’ll meet for the fourth time next Tuesday in Dallas.
But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. The Blackhawks are back at home after
that seemingly endless trek on the road, and they want to bring the same
intensity, energy and success back to the United Center. They’ll try to do it
without Michal Handzus, who is sick today. Sheldon Brookbank will be back
on the third-line wing.
So while the Stars and Blackhawks meet once again within a week, we try to
come up with Five (different) Things to watch for in tonight’s game.
1. Bring the road home. The Blackhawks finished their trip by playing a strong
road game, even though they seemed to have a home-crowd edge in a few of
those buildings. They want to bring that road mentality back to the United
Center, avoiding the pretty, over-stylish game. “That’s the dangerous thing.
You don’t want to come home and relax,” goaltender Corey Crawford said.
“We want to make sure we’re ready to go.”
2. Tyler Seguin is out tonight as the former Boston forward/former Patrick
Kane Swiss teammate deals with concussion-like symptoms. But he didn’t
give the Blackhawks the biggest fits in Friday’s game. That honor was shared
by, among others, Rich Peverley and Jamie Benn. The two combined for 10
shots, and Benn had seven of them. The Blackhawks will try to limit their
opportunities tonight.
3. Keep the defense involved offensively. The Blackhawks’ blue liners have
been all over the place, be it blocking shots, keeping opponents off the
scoreboard or getting on the score sheet. The more they factor into things,
the more success the Blackhawks have found — please see Duncan Keith,
among others.
4. Attack the Stars’ defense. The Stars are missing a big piece of their
defensive puzzle in Stephane Robidas, who is out for several months after
suffering that horrible leg fracture against the Blackhawks on Friday. The
Stars will step up in his absence, but his absence is nevertheless a key one.
The Blackhawks need to take advantage of the veteran not being there.
5. Our pick to click this evening: Brent Seabrook, just because we have a
hunch.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Blackhawks notes: Roster report, Kane's recognition
Michal Handzus was out sick for morning skate and is unlikely to play, and
Sheldon Brookbank will probably draw into the open forward spot as the
Chicago Blackhawks host the Dallas Stars tonight at the United Center.
Handzus returned to the lineup on Nov. 23 vs. Vancouver after missing 14
games with an upper-body injury. He did practice on Monday. Brookbank,
who has played some wing for the Blackhawks this season, will be on the
team’s third line tonight.
Corey Crawford gets the start for the Blackhawks.
Defenseman Michael Kostka skated on the team’s third line with Kris
Versteeg and Andrew Shaw, but he is out tonight. Kostka (foot) is still on
long-term injured reserve but coach Joel Quenneville said, “any day now,
we’ll activate him.”
For the Stars, Tyler Seguin (concussion) is out. Kari Lehtonen is the likely
starter in goal.
Meanwhile, Patrick Kane was honored for his stellar November, as the NHL
named him the No. 1 star for that month. Kane had nine goals — four of
which were game-winners — and 19 points in November, which included a
career-best 12-game point streak from Nov. 3-27.
“He’s had a great start to the season and his November was outstanding,”
coach Joel Quenneville said. “It seems like he’s had the puck more than in
the past. He’s a threat off the rush and in the zone, and it seems like every
time he hits the ice he has the puck, and that’s a good thing.”
Kane said his great month could be a byproduct of the Blackhawks’ overall
team game, which has flourished recently.
“We’ve seen that before. It seems like the best teams, the players on teams
that are doing well get recognized a little more,” he said. “So, maybe that’s
the case, I guess.”
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Chicago Blackhawks
Patrick Kane named NHL's first star of the month
December 3, 2013, 11:15 am
Nina Falcone
Patrick Kane's having one heck of a season, and now the reigning Conn
Smythe winner has been named the NHL's First Star of month.
Kane posted 19 points in 15 games throughout November, ranking second
among the league with nine goals — including four game-winners — to help
lead the Blackhawks to first place in the NHL standings.
He tallied at least one point in 13 of those 15 games as he recorded a
career-high 12-game point streak from Nov. 3-27 and ended the month by
recording his ninth multi-point game on Nov. 30 in the Blackhawks' 5-2 win
over the Phoenix Coyotes.
Kane is currently tied for fifth in the league with 30 points in 28 games.
Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin and Wild goaltender Josh Harding finished
in second and third, respectively.
Malkin led the league with 21 assists and 25 points throughout the month,
including a league-high nine power play assists. He tallied at least one point
in 14 of the Penguins' 15 games.
Minnesota goaltender Josh Harding took third after posting an 8-2-2 record
and .926 save percentage and one shutout. He allowed two or fewer goals in
nine of 12 games.
Harding has played in 22 games this season and leads NHL goaltenders with
a 1.45 goals-against average and three shutouts.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Hawks host Stars in return to United Center
December 3, 2013, 8:15 am
Nina Falcone
The Blackhawks have returned home after posting a 6-1 record on their
annual Circus Trip and will host the Dallas Stars tonight. Catch all the action
on Comcast SportsNet beginning at 6:30 with Blackhawks Pregame Live.
It's been just four days since the Blackhawks recorded a 2-1 win in Dallas in
their 11-round shootout on their Circus Trip, and tonight the defending
Stanley Cup champions will aim to build upon their 2-0 record against the
Stars this season.
This year's success against Dallas (12-9-4) is nothing new to the Blackhawks
(20-4-4), who have won their last six matchups against their division rival. If
the Blackhawks can push that number to seven consecutive wins, they'll also
record a season-high seven-game win streak — stemming back to their Nov.
21 win against the Winnipeg Jets.
But unlike the Blackhawks, the Stars have had a far less busy schedule as of
late. Their last game was played Sunday — a 3-2 loss to the Edmonton
Oilers.
Now the Stars are coming into tonight's game after getting some rest and
playing three home games in the last seven days. But after recording four
losses in their last five games, they'll be hungry to get back into the win
column tonight.
Point leaders
Blackhawks: Patrick Kane (16G, 14A), Jonathan Toews (12G, 13A), Duncan
Keith (1G, 23A), Patrick Sharp (10G, 23A), Marian Hossa (11G, 9A)
Stars: Jamie Benn (7G, 17A), **Tyler Seguin (12G, 11A), Alex Chiasson (7G,
7A), Cody Eakin (6G, 8A), Rich Peverley (5G, 7A)
**Seguin in out tonight after suffering from concussion-like systems since the
Stars' previous matchup against the Blackhawks
Goaltender matchup
The Blackhawks announced Monday that Corey Crawford will get the start in
net tonight. Crawford's posted a .913 save percentage this season and a
1.37 goals-against average in his last five wins over Dallas.
The Stars have yet to announce their starting goaltender, but it's likely Kari
Lehtonen will be back in net. Lehtonen's posted a .926 save percentage in 19
games played this season.
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Colorado Avalanche
Avalanche coach Patrick Roy OK with stats, but limits their value
By Adrian Dater
The Denver Post
Posted:
12/04/2013 12:01:00 AM MST1 comments
Michael Lewis, the author of "Moneyball," can cross Patrick Roy off his list of
potential interviewees for a hockey version of his best-selling book.
Roy won't be studying the statistics known as Corsi or Fenwick — two of the
more popular new sabermetrics of hockey that some in the sport value.
"To be honest, I'm not into that," Roy said. "I'd rather go with the very basic
ratings after games."
For the Avalanche coach, that mostly means statistics such as team scoring
chances for and against and plus-minus.
A player who is a minus-2 for three consecutive games, for instance,
probably will draw a meeting with Roy to discuss what is going wrong. A
player at a plus-2 for three consecutive games will be told just to keep doing
what he's doing.
Roy values offensive zone time for his players and team, however, which
partially forms the basis for a statistic known as Corsi — named for Jim Corsi,
a former goalie coach with the Buffalo Sabres. The statistic essentially
measures any shot directed toward the net, giving a plus or minus to the
players on the ice.
"We keep track of how much time we have the puck in the offensive zone,"
Roy said. "But that can be a deceptive stat sometimes. It's not a perfect
science."
Shots for and against don't always equate to team success. The New Jersey
Devils lead the league in fewest shots against this season, but the team's
record is 11-12-5. The Carolina Hurricanes were third in the NHL in shots per
game last season (32.2) but missed the playoffs.
"I think as the Internet gets bigger and social media gets bigger, the stats get
more magnified," Avs center Paul Stastny said. "But in hockey, a lot of stats
stuff is out of your control. You can do everything right and might still get
scored on. I think too much of hockey is still all about character, and that's
something you can't see on paper. In baseball, you have four hours to sit
there and look at stats. I think that's why it's so big." Footnotes. Avs goalie
Semyon Varlamov received a rest day Tuesday. Roy said Varlamov suffered
a slight groin injury in Saturday's game against Minnesota and trainers
thought he should take another day off. But Roy said Varlamov will return to
practice Wednesday and will start Thursday's game at Edmonton. ... Winger
Alex Tanguay (knee) did not skate Tuesday but will do so Wednesday. Out
since Nov. 2, Tanguay is unlikely to play on the Avs' upcoming three-game
Western Canadian road trip, but Roy did not rule it out. ... Defenseman Ryan
Wilson (back) skated for about 40 minutes before practice. His return date
remains indefinite. ... Roy said J.S. Giguere will start in goal Friday at Calgary
and Varlamov will start Sunday in Vancouver.
Denver Post: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725786
Colorado Avalanche
Semyon Varlamov recovering from injury, to start for Avs on Thursday
By Adrian Dater
The Denver Post
Posted:
Updated:
12/03/2013 01:15:50 PM MST4 comments
12/03/2013 01:18:34 PM MST
Neither Semyon Varlamov nor Alex Tanguay was on the practice ice for the
Avalanche on Tuesday, but Avs fans should not fear. Both are expected back
on skates Wednesday and, in Varlamov's case, to play Thursday in
Edmonton.
Avs coach Patrick Roy said Varlamov slightly tweaked his groin in Saturday's
win over the Minnesota Wild, and trainers felt it best for him to take Tuesday
off. Varlamov will start Thursday's game against the Edmonton Oilers,
however.
Tanguay, out since Nov. 2 with a knee injury, also took the day off. He will
resume skating Wednesday but isn't expected to play on the team's
upcoming three-game road trip.
Roy said J.S. Giguere will start Friday in Calgary. The Avs, 19-6 overall, are
anxious to get back to game action.
"It's nice to get some time off, but I think we're looking forward to playing
again and keep what we've been doing going," said center Matt Duchene,
who is over a flu bug he had last week.
The Avs spent a lot of time Tuesday working on defensive zone coverage.
"There were a few too many good scoring chances in front of our net the last
game for my taste," Roy said. "The easy thing to do would have been to come
to practice today and say, 'We're 19-6, let's just have a fun practice,' but there
are things we know we need to be better at and that's what we worked on."
Denver Post: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725787
Colorado Avalanche
Brett Hull to Sean Avery: “You do not get to talk to Mr. Sakic”
By Mike Chambers
The Denver Post
Great read by Adam Proteau of The Hockey News on Monday about the
game’s “code” and respect for its best players. Proteau writes that in Sean
Avery’s rookie year in 2001-02, when he was coming into the league with the
Detroit Red Wings, Avery tried to chirp the Avs’ Joe Sakic before a faceoff in
front of the Detroit bench.
“You do not get to talk to Mr. Sakic,” Brett Hull told Avery, after pulling on the
rookie’s sweater and making him sit down on the bench.
Proteau’s complete story is here. It speaks to our recent two-part series
about hockey fighting and having players police the game, and I’ve always
liked Brett Hull and obviously everyone in Colorado loves Joe Sakic.
As Proteau writes, “this was hockey policing itself without an enforcer.”
“With the guys we had on our team – myself, Brendan (Shanahan) and
Stevie (Yzerman) – guys played hard and played to win, but when we played
Colorado and all the other great teams, we had a lot of respect for them,” Hull
told Proteau. “They were champions and unbelievable players. And I just
never believed in all that chirping anyway.”
Denver Post: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725788
Columbus Blue Jackets
Trusting system key to strong December for CBJ
DAN KAMAL
For Email Marketing you can trust
It's probably safe to say the Blue Jackets were relieved to see November
fade into December as they winged their way from Boston back to Columbus
early Sunday morning, following the 3-1 Saturday night loss to the Bruins.
And it's easy to understand why. The season's busiest month so far was not
kind to the Blue Jackets, who compiled a record of 5-8-3 in November and
now have gone nearly six weeks without winning back-to-back games. In
their last eight games, the Jackets have won and lost in alternating fashion
and been outscored 20-3 in the four defeats.
Granted, it was a tough month for the Blue Jackets, and it wasn't just the
schedule. Along with the 16 games in 30 days, they played in nine different
cities and three different time zones. The team also has been dealing with a
rash of injuries to key players. In that context, the 5-8-3 mark isn't as bad as it
seems on the surface.
But even with a lighter December schedule and some players returning from
injury, isn't it crazy to think by doing more of the same, following the same
script, the Blue Jackets can expect different results? Not according to Mark
Letestu, who believes that's exactly what his team needs to do to turn this
season around.
"I think it's sticking with it," he said of the best way to get the team back on a
winning track. "You just have to trust the systems, trust the coaching staff,
that they're doing what's in the best interest for them as well as us, which is
winning hockey games. Everybody here is working together to win.
"I think it's a matter of buying in fully, kind of putting personal goals and
statistics aside and buying into a common goal. When everybody wins, it's
something special to be a part of, rather than an individual successful
season."
After the game in Boston Saturday, head coach Todd Richards said he
wasn't completely happy with the team's battle level against the Bruins, who
extended their home unbeaten streak to 11 games with the win over
Columbus. For a team whose self-professed identity is never to be
outworked, Letestu agrees that's one element of the Blue Jackets' approach
that does need to change.
"It's obviously something we want to correct," he said. "It's not always an
effort thing; I think the effort's there most nights, the guys' willingness to work.
But sometimes it's getting to battles and just coming out with pucks, and right
now we're not coming out with as many pucks as we'd like.
"It's as much about execution," he continued, "knowing your systems, making
plays in certain areas to allow people to get to work, whether it's maybe
making the correct dumps on forechecks or being back to support
defensemen on breakouts. Doing it right allows everybody to be better and to
win more battles."
While the team may be relieved November is now a memory, the reality is -with one-third of the season already gone -- the Blue Jackets are on the
outside looking in when it comes to playoff positioning.
Is Letestu worried about the season slipping away? Is he focused on the
standings?
"You look at 'em," he noted. "You don't want to dig yourself a big hole; we
learned that lesson last year. At the same time, we're a hot week away from
being in a playoff position. The East has kind of struggled compared to the
West, and we're still in it. I think we're fortunate for that, and we should
probably take the reins here and get ourselves back into a position."
Now, that's definitely not a crazy notion. Not at all.
foxsportsohio.com
725789
Columbus Blue Jackets
Why not run through the top five scorers and goalie numbers?
- St. Louis (10 goals, 14 assists, 24 points)
Before the CBJ puck drops: Tampa Bay
- Stamkos (14-9-23 — IN ONLY 17 GAMES)
- Forward Valterri Filppulla (9-10-19)
By Tom
- Forward Teddy Purcell (7-9-16)
- Forward Alex Killorn (6-10-16)
GAME 28
As for goalies:
TAMPA BAY LIGHTNING
- Bishop – 20 starts, 14-4-1, .931 save percentage
16-9-1
- Lindback – 8 starts, 2-5-0, .876 S%
(4-5-1 in last 10 games)
The Lightning are 10th in the league in Goals For, and 13th in Goals Against.
Nothing to sneeze at.
ABOUT OUR OPPONENT
One of the early 1990′s expansion teams as part of NHL commissioner Gary
Bettman’s “Southward Ho” plan for a nationwide league footprint to grab
television network attention, the Tampa Bay Lightning have had it all.
Suffering through the expansion blues – yet with a plan to emerge from them
as a playoff contender – they won a Stanley Cup in 2004 (with the help of
former Columbus Blue Jackets forward and current Central Ohio youth
hockey assistant coach Freddy Modin) and, not too much later, scraped the
bottom of the NHL barrel.
Bottoming out has its benefits, however, when that means you can draft the
likes of Steven Stamkos. Since being drafted first overall in the 2008 draft,
Stamkos has torn up the league. He has won the Rocket Richard Trophy for
the league’s top scorer twice (2010, 2012), participated in the All-Star Game
twice (2011, 2012) and made a Young Stars appearance in 2009. He’s
pretty much an all-world talent.
And, CBJ Luck being what it is, we won’t get to see Stamkos tonight. He
broke his leg in spectacular fashion against Boston on November 11 and is
recovering. Fortunately for him, the Lightning and the league, he’s already
off crutches:
Doesn’t help for tonight, granted, but still great to see. Here’s to a speedy
recovery.
Back to the Lightning. The “bottoming out” thing also resulted in the
inevitable front office and coaching shakeup. In this case, however, the
shakeup went beyond that to replacing the entertaining yet feckless
ownership team with Boston investment banker Jeff Vinik, who went out and
snagged Steve Yzerman from the Detroit Red Wings to run the team’s
hockey operations. Yzerman, looking for a coach, caught wind that
then-CBJ general manager Scott Howson was at the altar with AHL
wunderkind coach Guy Boucher. A phone call, a flash of Vinik money, a
look at Tampa weather (and no Florida income taxes!)…that’s about all it
took. Boucher was coaching the Lightning. (And Howson went to his Plan
B, Scott Arniel.)
Boucher already had built a legend around his 1-3-1 scheme, which clogged
the neutral zone and dared the opposition to break through. All too often the
opposition did not break through, and the Lightning forced a turnover and
scored. That worked for a while, until then-Philadelphia Flyers coach Peter
Laviolette called Boucher’s bluff on national television:
Yeah, that went over well. (And if you ever wonder why I think that
Laviolette is an awesome coach, watch that video. Forget his Stanley Cup
ring; he had the guts to pull that move. Love it.)
Tampa has become a very solid team, to be sure, and will be a strong test for
the Blue Jackets tonight.
THE REAL IMPORTANT STUFF TO KNOW
The injury cycle is closing. FINALLY. Word is that forward Brandon
Dubinsky will be back tonight, and Derek Mackenzie will be back on Friday
against Minnesota. Not word on return dates for Jared Boll, Marian Gaborik
or Nathan Horton yet.
Past that, the Blue Jackets are still as inconsistent as ever. They weren’t
blown out 7-0 by Boston on Friday night, but the Bruins played like Stanley
Cup contenders and the Blue Jackets did not. If the November yo-yo
performance plays out, we’re due for a dominating CBJ performance tonight.
The Lightning aren’t tired, though, as they, too, have not played since Friday.
WHAT I’LL BE WATCHING FOR
One of the benefits of getting a few days off is the chance to circle around to
some of my favorite sites and see how they’re looking at our team. When it
comes to statistics and analytics, I don’t think anything compares to a site
that just popped up on my radar this year, Extra Skater. Looking at their
Blue Jackets page gives you instant breakdowns of the team’s performance
in even strength, power play and penalty kill situations. They also show how
individual players perform in different situations as well as how they are used
in their shifts. Real, real interesting stuff even if you never figure out what a
Corsi or Fenwick is.
I’m still working through my advanced statistics understandings, so a fair bit
of it is still Greek to me, but the Extra Skater CBJ page stunned me with their
presentation of shooting percentages. Remember, Rick Nash topped out at
a 15% shooting percentage in Columbus, and he was down under 10% by
the time he left town.
Here’s what I saw from this year’s team:
- Jack Skille, 8 shots, 25%
- Nick Foligno, 30 shots, 20%
- Ryan Murray, 18 shots, 16.7%
- Artem Anisimov, 50 shots, 14%
- Ryan Johansen, 76 shots, 13.2%
- R.J. Umberger, 49 shots, 12.2%
- Marian Gaborik, 42 shots, 11.9%
Finally exposed for what it was, the 1-3-1 system fell apart almost as quickly
as Boucher’s shelf life. So Yzerman went to his bench and promoted
perhaps the most successful AHL coach of the 2000′s – Jon Cooper, who
piloted the Lightning’s fam club to an AHL-record 28 straight game winning
streak. Cooper’s in charge now, and while his roster isn’t ideal (especially
with the loss of Stamkos), he’s still sitting in playoff position in the Atlantic
Division.
Yzerman’s biggest failing, however, was in failing to find an NHL-capable
goaltender to start for him. With all sorts of money thrown at the likes of star
forwards Martin St. Louis, Stamkos and the now-departed Vinny Lecavalier,
Stevie Y was forced to shop from the bargain bin and saw results
commensurate with his goalie quality. This year, he’s going with former
Nashville Predators (a goaltending factory, if you were unawares) goaltender
Anders Lindback and the odd man out in St. Louis and Ottawa, Ben Bishop.
Bishop is The Man, and he’s more than holding his own.
Let’s put Skille off to the side as he only has 8 shots in Columbus. The rest
of the names above all are (or, with Gaborik, were) shooting more effectively
than Nash at the end of his days as a Blue Jacket. And I note that – Skille
aside – five Blue Jackets have better shooting percentages than the team’s
high-priced scoring machine, Gaborik.
The name that jumps out at me, however, is Artem Anisimov. Has he really
put 50 shots on goal this season? If so, it’s one of the quietest performances
I’ve seen. He’s clearly proficient, but he needs to be in – or put himself in –
position to score more.
So perhaps this CBJ fan will be amending his aversion to the “SHOOT IT”
guy who inevitably sits next to me at games. If any of the names above
have the puck and are in shooting range, I might very well join him.
YOUR FOX SPORTS OHIO BROADCAST INFORMATION
The puck drops at 7PM, so….
- “Blue Jackets Live” with Brian Giesenschlag and Dan Kamal starts at
6:30PM
- The puck drops at 7PM with Jeff Rimer and Bill Davidge.
- “Blue Jackets Live Postgame” with Brian and Dan starts immediately
following.
Enjoy the game! Go Jackets!
foxsportsohio.com
725790
Columbus Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets 1, Lightning 0: Bobrovsky injury hangs over win
By Aaron Portzline
The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday December 4, 2013 5:04 AM
When Nick Foligno’s second-period, between-the-legs goal was replayed on
the huge scoreboard — its full glory was hard for many to fully appreciate at
live speed — a gasp emanated from the seats of half-filled Nationwide Arena.
During the Blue Jackets’ 1-0 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night,
that noise was exceeded only by the worried, group inhale early in the third
period when goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky lay face-first on the ice, injured.
Bobrovsky put no weight on his left leg as he made it off the ice at 4:13 of the
third with the help of two teammates.
The Blue Jackets would not reveal what he injured, saying only that he would
have an MRI today.
“Obviously, it was a leg injury, and when he comes out like that you’re a bit
unsure,” coach Todd Richards said. “I don’t know if we’ll have an answer
today, but within the next few days we’ll have a better idea.”
Bobrovsky had 18 saves. He was replaced by Curtis McElhinney, who
stopped all eight shots he faced in the final 15:47. It will count as a team
shutout, not credited to either player.
“It’s a tough situation to come into,” McElhinney said. “And it comes with a lot
of responsibility. First and foremost, you want the win. We need the points so
badly. But on a personal level, you also want to finish what the other guy
started. I wanted to pick Bob up right there.”
Bobrovsky had denied Tampa Bay’s J.T. Brown on a breakaway with a glove
save at 4:13 of the third period, and there was no contact on the play. But
Bobrovsky toppled forward in the process of making the save, and his
momentum carried him slowly backward toward the net. His left skate
pressed gently against the post behind him, causing his knee to bend as he
came to a rest.
“It’s not something you want to see,” defenseman Jack Johnson said. “But
you learn pretty quickly in this game that you have to take a deep breath and
keep playing. I thought we responded the right way.”
The mood in the postgame dressing room suggested that the Blue Jackets
weren’t too concerned about Bobrovsky being out an extended period.
Several players, including McElhinney, said they spoke with Bobrovsky
afterward, but not about the injury.
“He’ll bounce back,” Foligno said. “It’s Bob. He’s Gumby.”Foligno’s goal, at
4:30 of the second period, certainly helped the mood. A turnover by Tampa
Bay’s Valtteri Filppula led to a strong push by the Blue Jackets, with Ryan
Johansen passing the puck to Foligno, who was alone in the slot. Foligno
skated from left to right across goaltender Ben Bishop, then pulled the puck
back between his legs and lifted it over Bishop’s extended right pad.
“Our forwards were going after pucks in the second period,” Richards said.
“There was constant pressure. We were able to turn pucks over, and the
momentum started to build after that because it was shift after shift. It wasn’t
one line; it was all four lines.”
Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Columbus Blue Jackets
Blue Jackets notebook: Foligno flashes skill on highlight-reel goal
By Shawn Mitchell
The Columbus Dispatch Wednesday December 4, 2013 5:04 AM
The corner cannon fired just once after Nick Foligno scored the only goal of
the Blue Jackets’ victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning last night in
Nationwide Arena.
The goal, however, likely deserved a battery’s worth of blasts.
“That’s an I-don’t-know-where-it-came-from move,” Foligno said, struggling
to describe his behind-the-back, between-the-legs flip over the pads of
Tampa Bay goaltender Ben Bishop. “You just think of it and go with it.”
The goal, Foligno’s seventh of the season, was destined to hit the highlight
shows. He scored it after Ryan Johansen, driving against traffic, lifted the
puck from Valtteri Filppula in the Lightning zone and zipped it to the top of the
crease for Foligno. The turnover and pass happened in a flash. Foligno, in an
instant, did the only thing he could to put his stick blade on the puck at his
weak side.
“Goalies, they’re expecting you to make a quick play and try to jam it in far
side,” Foligno said. “I tried to wait him out, and it worked.”
Coach Todd Richards said the goal was “pretty because it went in.”
“It just shows you his thought process and the skill set that he has,” Richards
said. “Those are the things that he can do. We don’t have a lot of guys who
can make that play. There aren’t a lot of guys in the league who can make
that play. It was a great play by Johansen, too, to create that turnover and
make that play.”
Solid return
Center Brandon Dubinsky returned to the lineup after missing six games
because of a bone bruise in his left ankle.
Dubinsky took one shot and was credited with four hits in 23 shifts. He won 4
of 8 faceoffs.
“I felt pretty good,” Dubinsky said. “I felt like I was skating pretty good. It’s
about the conditioning and timing aspect when you miss two weeks. These
games are fast, especially with how physical this one was. It’s going to take a
couple of games, but overall I was happy with my wind and my legs.”
Richards said the puck-hounding Dubinsky stepped right back into his role as
the team’s emotional leader.
“When you’re back in the locker room and the coach’s office, you hear the
talking before the game and between periods,” Richards said. “A lot of it was
coming from him. He wasn’t perfect (on the ice). But he brings a lot of good
things that the rest of the team can feed off of.”
Slap shots
The Blue Jackets scratched rookie center Michael Chaput for the first time
since he was recalled from minor-league Springfield 18 games ago. …
Tampa Bay defenseman Eric Brewer was scratched for the first time this
season. Brewer, who participated in the morning skate, was ruled out before
the game because of a lower-body injury. … The Blue Jackets will collect
new and gently used coats of all sizes at home games through Dec. 14 to
donate to the Salvation Army. Fans also can drop off coats at area Chiller
rinks and team Blue Line stores. … The announced attendance of 10,223
was a season low.
Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 12.04.2013
725792
Dallas Stars
Video: Stars' Antoine Roussel taunts Chicago fans after goal; nearly takes
out linemen in fight
SportsDayDFW.com
Published: 04 December 2013 12:25 AM
Updated: 04 December 2013 12:38 AM
Dallas Stars left wing Antoine Roussel really wanted to agitate the
Blackhawks and their fans Tuesday night, and he certainly found a way to do
it.
In the first period, he scrapped with Chicago's Andrew Shaw, nearly taking
out a pair of linesmen as collateral damage.
Then after elbowing Jonathan Toews in the second period, Roussel earned a
penalty shot in the third, scoring the game-winning goal and taunting the
United Center crowd after doing so.
The NBC commentators weren't very happy with the 24-year-old
Frenchman's behavior. Roussel probably doesn't care.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725793
Dallas Stars
Lindy Ruff says Tyler Seguin could play Thursday
MIKE HEIKA
Staff Writer
Published: 04 December 2013 12:00 AM
Updated: 04 December 2013 12:05 AM
Stars center Tyler Seguin on Tuesday missed his second game with
concussion-like symptoms.
Seguin skated on his own in Frisco on Monday, then flew to Toronto to spend
time with his family. The Stars were scheduled to fly to Toronto, then have a
day off Wednesday before Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs.
However, coach Lindy Ruff said Seguin would skate and test himself.
"He's doing well," Ruff said. "He did really well [Monday], he'll be the one guy
who will skate [Wednesday], and there's a possibility he could play in
Toronto."
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725794
Dallas Stars
Blackhawks have puck most of game, but Stars have luck (and Kari
Lehtonen)
MIKE HEIKA
Staff Writer
mheika@dallasnews.com
Published: 03 December 2013 11:06 PM
Updated: 04 December 2013 12:21 AM
CHICAGO — The Stars have been losing a lot lately despite controlling much
of the play. On Tuesday, the hockey gods paid them back.
Kari Lehtonen made a career-best 47 saves and led the Stars to a 4-3 win
over the defending Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks at United
Center.
“It’s been so hard, because it does seem like we’ve been playing well and not
getting rewarded,” Stars defenseman Alex Goligoski said. “But we had a
really rough outing, our goaltender saved us and we ended up with two
points. All you can say is, that’s hockey.”
The Stars moved to 13-9-4 (30 points), while Chicago fell to 20-5-4 (44
points). It was only the second regulation loss at home for the Blackhawks,
where they are 9-2-3, and it stopped a six-game winning streak. The Stars
are 7-1-0 in their last eight road games.
“I don’t know why we win on the road,” Lehtonen said with a sigh. “I wish we
could find out why and then do it at home.”
Though Chicago had a 50-18 edge in shots on goal, Dallas danced out to a
3-0 lead on some great goals.
Valeri Nichushkin scored his third goal of the season when he whipped in a
wrister from the high slot in transition at the 13:47 mark of the first period.
Alex Chiasson followed with a power-play goal at the 18:50 mark of the first
period to make it 2-0.
That was just the fifth shot on Chicago goalie Corey Crawford. The
Blackhawks finished with a 16-5 edge in shots on goal in the first period and a
27-11 advantage in total shot attempts.
Dallas then pushed the score to 3-0 when Nichushkin won a battle along the
boards and flipped a puck into the crease. Erik Cole tapped it in for his third
goal of the season at the 3:07 mark.
The Stars then started playing the majority of the game in their own end of
the ice. Roussel took a bad penalty with an elbow to Jonathan Toews, and
that set up a Patrick Sharp power-play goal. The Blackahwks followed with
two more goals to tie the game after two periods.
However, Roussel scored on a penalty shot to give the Stars a 4-3 lead, and
that stood as the game-winner. Roussel then skated in slowly, faked a
forehand and went to his backhand, scoring his fifth goal of the season. It
was the first penalty shot goal on Crawford on 10 career shots against.
“Usually I know what I am going to do, but this time I was waiting for
something to open up,” Roussel said. “I used the Fiddler move, and it worked
out.”
Vernon Fiddler earlier in the season scored on a backhand on a penalty shot
to win in Boston. The Stars now have road wins at Chicago, Boston, Detroit
and Vancouver.
“By the end of the season, you hope all of these will even out,” said Stars
coach Lindy Ruff. “We had some things go right for us, and we got a couple of
points out of it.”
The Stars were missing leading goal scorer Tyler Seguin, who is out with
concussion-like symptoms and played their second game since losing
defenseman Stephane Robidas for four to six months with a broken leg.
While the performance was shaky, the win was important.
“We’ve been playing pretty well, and you can get frustrated when you don’t
get wins, so this is a really big relief,” Goligoski said. “This is one where you
take the two points, you hurry out of town and you don’t ask any questions.”
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725795
Dallas Stars
Stephane Robidas says he is determined to come back from broken leg
MIKE HEIKA
Staff Writer
Published: 03 December 2013 10:52 PM
Updated: 04 December 2013 12:31 AM
CHICAGO _ Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas has already started his
rehab from a broken leg, and is confident he will be able to come back and
play again _ possibly this season.
"It's bones, and bones heal, so I feel good about it,'' Robidas said in a phone
interview from his home Tuesday. "It would be great if we can make the
playoffs and I can come back this season.''
Robidas had a rod placed in his right tibia _ the weight-bearing bone of his
lower leg _ with screws at his ankle and knee, he said. Doctors told him his
recovery would be four to six months. He said he already is trying to get
movement in his ankle and is doing exercises for his upper leg in therapy.
"You don't want to let it sit and get stiff, so it's just little stuff to get movement,''
he said. "The doctors and trainers have been great, so I'm in good hands.''
Robidas said he broke the bone before he ever hit the wall in Friday's game
against the Blackhawks. He said he got his skate stuck in a rut, and felt the
bone snap. When he twisted and slid into the end wall, it just further
separated the break.
"It was all of it, I guess, but I know I broke it before I ever hit the wall,'' he said.
"I heard it snap.''
Robidas said he talked to Tampa Bay center Steven Stamkos on Tuesday.
Stamkos also is recovering from a broken tibia and already is walking without
crutches and working out.
"He said the first two weeks are hard, but then it gets a lot easier,'' Robidas
said. "It was very encouraging talking to him.''
One of the toughest things for Robidas to deal with will be missing games
and practice time. He is typically one of the last players off the ice, and loves
the dynamic of being around the team.
He also said that the injury caused him to ponder the end of his career. He is
36 and is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.
"I would be lying if I said that didn't enter my thoughts. I thought about it a lot
for a couple of days,'' Robidas said. "But then I decided that it didn't help
anything, and so now I'm just thinking about rehab and getting better and
getting playing again this year.
"I'm a young man, I still want to play a few more years,'' he added. "I haven't
won the Stanley Cup yet, and that's always been my goal, so I think about
that now. I want to come back and win the Stanley Cup. I will focus on my
rehab, I will eat properly, I will take care of myself, I will do everything the
trainers tell me to do, and I'll come back.''
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725796
Dallas Stars
Stars blow three-goal lead but hang on to beat Blackhawks for first time in 21
months
ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHICAGO (AP) — No 11-round shootout this time. Just a series of big stops
for Kari Lehtonen.
Lehtonen had a season-high 47 saves, Antoine Roussel converted a penalty
shot in the third period and theDallas Stars snapped the Chicago
Blackhawks' six-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory on Tuesday night
"It's fun if it goes well, but if things don't go well it can get kind of ugly,"
Lehtonen said. "I had no problem getting all those shots today. I was feeling
good."
It sure looked that way.
Valeri Nichushkin had a goal and an assist for the Stars, who had dropped
four of five, including consecutive shootout losses at home in their previous
two games. Alex Chiasson and Erik Cole also scored.
Patrick Sharp scored his 200th goal with Chicago in the Blackhawks' first
home game since a 5-1 victory over San Jose on Nov. 17. Patrick Kane had
two assists, giving him 21 points in his last 15 games.
The defending Stanley Cup champions hit the road while the circus took over
the United Center and responded with an impressive 6-1-0 trip, including an
epic tiebreaker during a 2-1 win in Dallas on Friday night that matched the
record for longest shootout for each franchise.
"It's nice to be home from that long road trip, but sometimes there's a
letdown, and you can't let that happen," defenseman Duncan Keith said. "We
were guilty of that tonight."
Second-period goals by Nick Leddy and Johnny Oduya helped the
Blackhawks erase a 3-0 deficit, but they went 1 for 5 on the power play in
their second regulation home loss of the season.
The Stars appeared to be headed for disappointment before Roussel skated
in on Corey Crawford and was awarded a penalty shot after Niklas
Hjalmarsson hacked away at him with his stick.
Roussel then beat Crawford with a backhander into the upper right corner at
3:01, and Lehtonen stepped up with a series of solid saves to help the Stars
hold on for their seventh victory in their last eight road games.
"I felt like we played defense the whole game," Roussel said. "We didn't have
much energy. Our goaltender played unbelievable and kept us in the game."
Dallas was once again without forward Tyler Seguin, who missed his second
straight game with concussion-like symptoms. He leads the team with 12
goals.
The Stars jumped on an ill-timed line change by the Blackhawks to grab a 1-0
lead at 13:47 of the first. Nichushkin got a pass from Cody Eakin and sent a
low wrister past Crawford for his third goal of the season.
Chiasson then tipped home a long slap shot by Alex Goligoski for a
power-play score with 1:10 to go in the period, and Nichushkin found Cole in
front of the goal to make it 3-0 early in the second.
"Very generous on the first three goals against us," Blackhawks coach Joel
Quenneville said. "We had one of those starts where we were trying to get
ourselves into the game mentally. I don't think we were sharp on the plays
and the goals against."
That sure changed in a hurry.
Sharp's long slap shot got by Lehtonen at 9:39 for his third goal in four
games, prompting the Blackhawks to turn up the pressure. Leddy converted
a one-timer and Oduya's slap shot from the boards went off Chiasson's stick
on the way to the net for his third goal.
The goals by the defensemen just 65 seconds apart tied it at 3 with 2:46 left
in the period and led to a standing ovation from the crowd.
The Blackhawks continued to generate quality opportunities in the third, but
Lehtonen was there each time. He had a solid stop on Brandon Saad before
Roussel's penalty shot, and then made a great save on Sharp to keep the
Stars in front midway through the period.
"In the third they were coming hard and we were playing smart," Lehtonen
said. "There were a couple of breakdowns, but nothing crazy. It wasn't a
pretty win, but we'll take it."
NOTES: Crawford had 14 stops. .. Stars C Ryan Garbutt was helped from the
ice after he took a slap shot to his right leg in the first period, but returned to
the game. ... Blackhawks D Michal Rozsival played in his 800th NHL game.
... Blackhawks C Michal Handzus was scratched due to an illness. ... In
addition to Seguin, the Stars also scratched D Jamie Oleksiak and C Travis
Morin.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725797
Dallas Stars
Dallas Stars to use Kevin Connauton against Chicago Blackhawks tonight
MIKE HEIKA
Staff Writer
Published: 03 December 2013 01:55 PM
Updated: 03 December 2013 03:59 PM
Kevin Connauton has been patient, and that could pay off tonight.
The 23-year-old defenseman has played in just one game this season and
has been dutifully waiting through healthy scratch after healthy scratch. But
he will be in against Chicago tonight.
"Kevin will be in," said Stars coach Lindy Ruff. "He's worked really hard in
practice. he skates well, he shoots the puck well, he knows our system well. I
told him he was going to play, and now it's up to him to play well."
Connauton has stayed positive while waiting for his chance.
"It's been hard, but I don't think being frustrated or looking frustrated is going
to really benefit you," Connauton said. "I want to play and be a part of this
team and help, and I don't expect anything to be handed to me. But I do think
I'm at the point where I'm ready to play. I have full confidence in myself, and I
believe I deserve to play."
The Stars lost an 11-round shootout to this same Hawks team on Friday, and
Chicago has won seven straight against Dallas (including twice this season,
5-2 and 2-1 SO). The Blackhawks are 20-4-4 and have won six straight (all
on the road). They are returning from a seven-game road trip caused by the
circus being in town, and they tout a 9-1-3 home record.
Patrick Kane was named the 1st Star for the month of November by the NHL.
Here's the outtake from the league press release:
Kane ranked second among skaters with nine goals, including four
game-winners, and 19 points, helping the Blackhawks win 12 of 15 games to
move into first place in the NHL standings (20-4-4, 44 points). He recorded at
least one point in 13 of 15 contests, including six multi-point efforts, and
posted a career-long, 12-game point streak from Nov. 3-27 (8-9-17). Kane
also scored the game-winning goal in consecutive games twice during the
month: Nov. 6 9 versus the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars, and Nov. 25-27
against the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. He capped the month with
1-1-2, his ninth multi-point performance of the season, in a 5-2 victory over
the Phoenix Coyotes Nov. 30. The 25-year-old Buffalo native and reigning
Conn Smythe Trophy winner ranks third in the NHL with 16 goals, including a
League-leading five game-winners, and tied for fifth with 30 points in 28
games this season.
The Stars actually stopped Kane's 12-game point streak the last time these
two teams met. Michal Handzus is ill for Chicago. The Blackhawks lineup
should look something like this:
Patrick Sharp-Jonathan Toews-Marian Hossa
Brandon Saad-Brandon Pirri-Patrick Kane
Kris Versteeg-Andrew Shaw-Sheldon Brookbank
Brandon Bollig-Marcus Kruger-Ben Smith
Connauton said he understands his position. The Edmonton native was in
the Vancouver system and played three seasons in the AHL. The Stars don't
want to send him to the AHL this year, because he requires waivers, and
they're afraid they'll lose him. That says something about Connauton's ability.
He was a strong defender in pre-season, and he had 11 points (4 goals, 7
assists) in 18 games last season with the Texas Stars.
"If I'm in the lineup, it's up to me to prove I deserve to stay there. If not, it's up
to me to prove I need to be in there," he said. "There's a process to this, and
I understand that. You can call it paying your dues or putting in your time, and
I'm certainly willing to do that. It's part of the grind, and you have to push
through it. Its something I'm embracing right now."
Connauton has been practicing with the team and watching games, so he
understand what the coaches want. He said that he likes practicing with the
team as opposed to playing in the AHL.
"I definitely like being around the guys," he said. "The talent level, the
coaching staff, there's a reason they are all up here. It's the best, that's all
there is to it. If it would have been a couple of years ago, I might want to play
every day in the AHL,  but I've got three years in the AHL now, and I
think I'm ready to make the step up."
While Stars coach Lindy Ruff said he still was deciding on defense pairs,
there's a good chance the lineup could look something like this:
Jamie Benn-Cody Eakin-Alex Chiasson
Antoine Roussel-Vern Fiddler-Ryan Garbutt
Ray Whitney-Dustin Jeffrey-Rich Peverley
Erik Cole-Shawn Horcoff-Valeri Nichushkin
Alex Goligoski-Trevor Daley
Brenden Dillon-Sergei Gonchar
Kevin Connauton-Jordie Benn
Kari Lehtonen
You'll notice Tyler Seguin is missing. He's out with concussion-like symptoms
that were created when he was hit Friday against Chicago in Dallas. The
Brampton, Ontario native missed Sunday's game against Edmonton, flew up
to Toronto early, and the Stars will join him after this game. The Stars have
an off-day Wednesday, but Seguin will skate and test himself, Ruff said.
"He's doing well," Ruff said. "He did really well yesterday (skating before
practice in Frisco), he'll be the one guy who will skate tomorrow, and there's a
possibility he could play in Toronto."
Duncan Keith-Brent Seabrook
Johnny Oduya-Niklas Hjalmarsson
Nick Leddy-Michal Rozsival
Corey Crawford
Crawford leads the NHL in wins at 17-4-3 and has a 2.39 GAA and .913 save
percentage. He has a 7-4-0 career record against the Stars with a 2.29 GAA
and .910 save percentage.
Kari Lehtonen will start for the Stars. He is 10-5-4 on the season with a 2.18
GAA and .926 save percentage. In 10 career games against Chicago, he is
4-4-2 with a 2.49 GAA and .919 save percentage.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725798
Dallas Stars
Stars-Blackhawks, 7 p.m.; Can Dallas end Chicago's series winning streak?
SPORTSDAYDFW SPORTS
Staff Writer
Published: 02 December 2013 07:22 PM
Updated: 03 December 2013 11:26 AM
Dallas Stars (12-9-4) at Chicago Blackhawks (20-4-4)
7 p.m. Tuesday (NBC Sports Network, KTCK-AM 1310)
Key Matchup: Jamie Benn vs. Jonathan Toews
The two big forwards like to battle in the offensive zone and are still
defensively responsible. Toews is sixth in the league in faceoff winning
percentage among players with at least 250 draws at 56.5 percent. Benn has
won 62.5 percent of 175 faceoffs for the Stars, and could get more
opportunities with Tyler Seguin out.
Key Number: 34.0
The Blackhawks rank second in the NHL in average shots on goal per game
at 34.0. The Stars rank seventh at 31.6 and have averaged 33.2 in their last
nine games.
Injuries
Stars: C Tyler Seguin (concussion-like symptoms) is doubtful. D Stephane
Robidas (leg) and D Aaron Rome (undisclosed) are out.
Chicago: LW Bryan Bickell (lower body) and G Nikolai Khabibulin (lower
body) are out.
Notable
Tyler Seguin (post-concussion symptom) skated on his own Monday
morning, but is not expected to play Tuesday…The Stars placed D Aaron
Rome on IR and recalled C Travis Morin from the AHL as an extra forward
with Seguin sidelined…The Stars (12-9-4) are coming off a 3-2 shootout loss
to Edmonton on Sunday and are 1-2-2 in their last five games…Chicago
(20-4-4) is coming off a 5-2 win in Phoenix Saturday that ended a six-game
roadtrip. The Blackhawks have won six straight…Chicago has won seven
straight over the Stars, including a 2-1 shootout win in Dallas on Friday…The
Blackhawks lead the NHL in scoring at 3.50 goals per game…Dallas is 1-4-3
against the Central Division this season…Chicago has outscored the
opposition 71-49 in 5-on-5 situations this season.
Dallas Morning News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725799
Dallas Stars
Lehtonen collects season-high 47 saves to help Stars edge Blackhawks
Posted Tuesday, Dec. 03, 2013
The Associated Press
CHICAGO — Kari Lehtonen had a season-high 47 saves, and Antoine
Roussel converted a penalty shot in the third period as the Dallas Stars
snapped the Chicago Blackhawks’ six-game winning streak with a 4-3 victory
on Tuesday night.
Valeri Nichushkin had a goal and an assist for the Stars, who had dropped
four of five, including consecutive shootout losses at home in their previous
two games. Alex Chiasson and Erik Cole also scored.
Second-period goals by Nick Leddy and Johnny Oduya helped the
Blackhawks erase a 3-0 deficit, but they went 1 for 5 on the power play in
their second regulation home loss of the season.
The Stars appeared to be headed for a heartbreaking collapse before
Roussel skated in on Corey Crawford and was awarded a penalty shot after
Niklas Hjalmarsson hacked away at him with his stick.
Roussel then beat Crawford with a backhander into the upper right corner at
3:01, and Lehtonen stepped up with a series of solid saves to help the Stars
hold on for their seventh victory in their last eight road games.
Dallas was once again without forward Tyler Seguin, who missed his second
straight game with concussion-like symptoms. He leads the team with 12
goals.
The Blackhawks continued to generate quality opportunities in the third after
tying the game in the second, but Lehtonen was there each time. He had a
solid stop on Brandon Saad before Roussel’s penalty shot and then made a
great save on Sharp to keep the Stars in front midway through the period.
Stars center Ryan Garbutt was helped from the ice after he took a slap shot
to his right leg in the first period, but he returned.
Star-Telegram LOADED: 12.04.2013
725800
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings face Flyers minus Zetterberg, Datsyuk
December 4, 2013
|
By Helene St. James
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer
Just how much more can the Red Wings rely on their depth?
Players found out at practice Tuesday that they were one teammate short:
Captain Henrik Zetterberg, who estimated he won’t even try to skate for two
weeks after being diagnosed with a small herniated disk.
“I didn’t even know until I didn’t see Z out there,” said Jimmy Howard, who’ll
be starting tonight when the Wings take a four-game win streak up against
the Philadelphia Flyers at Joe Louis Arena.
That stretch has come without Pavel Datsyuk, who didn’t practice and
remains out indefinitely with a concussion. General manager Ken Holland
said told the Free Press Datsyuk is feeling better, but he’ll need three if not
four practices before rejoining the lineup after suffering a concussion Nov.
23. That makes the weekend games doubtful.
Where Datsyuk is the team’s most dynamic forward, and the leader with 12
goals, Zetterberg is the best all-around player, with a team-high 30 points.
“It’s a huge blow for us,” Howard said.
Several guys have softened the blow during Datsyuk’s absence, with Johan
Franzen, Daniel Alfredsson, Darren Helm, Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Tatar
leading the charge up front.
“Gus has been our savior,” said Niklas Kronwall, who has been big on the
back end, with eight points the last four games.
Todd Bertuzzi’s bruised shoulder is nearly healed, but until he’s ready to
return, the Wings have called up center Cory Emmerton, who had played
career 125 games with the Wings before being waived in October. Coach
Mike Babcock indicated Franzen will center the first line, though that was
before it was clear Emmerton was on deck. There’s little choice, however:
Helm already has been pushed from ideal third-line center duty to manning
the second line with Alfredsson and Justin Abdelkader.
“We’re missing our two best players, but the good thing is we’ve been playing
better lately and we kind of got some winning ways,” Franzen said.
“Everyone is playing with a little bit more confidence, so hopefully we can ride
this out without them, and just keep playing the way we’ve been playing.
We’ve got so many lines going right now, I think we will be fine.”
Zetterberg, 33, has a history of back pain, but said this disk hasn’t previously
been affected. Sitting hurts, he said, but being still is basically the order for
the next two weeks, as rest and medication are the first steps to recovery.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 12.04.2013
725801
Detroit Red Wings
Detroit Red Wings lose Henrik Zetterberg for at least two weeks
12:38 PM, December 3, 2013
|
By Helene St. James
Detroit Free Press Sports Writer
The Detroit Red Wings have been making do without Pavel Datsyuk. Now
comes the double whammy: Henrik Zetterberg will be gone for a stretch, too.
General manager Ken Holland said today that Zetterberg "is out a minimum
of two weeks. He has a small herniated disc."
Zetterberg estimated that he wouldn't even be back on the ice for two weeks,
pushing his return deeper into December, at the earliest. Back spasms flared
up Sunday before the game at Ottawa, and while Zetterberg felt OK to play,
the pain got worse, leading to an MRI exam.
"It's kind of been going on the last bit," Zetterberg said. "In Ottawa, I knew
something was not right. Saw the doc, and I have some issues in my back
that need to be taken care of."
For now, that means rest and rehab.
"I've been through this before," Zetterberg said. "Maybe I'm a little bit calmer
than when it happened last time. Just have to put the trust in the docs."
Zetterberg, 33, has a history of back pain, from missing the last 19 games of
the 2006-07 season to a handful of games in seasons afterward. He has not
had previous problems with the disc now herniated.
The pain right now is pervasive. "Sitting is the worst," Zetterberg said. "I think
everyone who has back issues knows that."
Zetterberg leads the Wings with 30 points in 28 games. He is their go-to guy
for all situations and their team captain.
"It's going to affect us," defenseman Niklas Kronwall said. "Hank is our
leader, and he's probably our best player on the ice every night."
The Wings already have been without Datsyuk for four games, as he
recovers from a concussion. He didn't practice today and remains out
indefinitely.
"I think he is getting better," Holland said of Datsyuk. "He went to see a
specialist today. I know he skated Monday."
Holland estimated that Datsyuk would need two or three practices before
rejoining the lineup, making him doubtful for this weekend.
Todd Bertuzzi practiced today, but coach Mike Babcock said Bertuzzi isn't
yet ready to return from a bruised shoulder. It wasn't immediately clear whom
the Wings will bring up from Grand Rapids to fill in at forward.
The Wings will take a four-game winning streak up against Philadelphia on
Wednesday. Coincidentally, the first 7,500 fans through the doors of Joe
Louis Arena will get a Datsyuk bobblehead.
Contact Helene St. James: hstjames@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter
@helenestjames.
Detroit Free Press LOADED: 12.04.2013
725802
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg out at least two weeks with back injury
Forward Todd Bertuzzi (sore shoulder) participated in practice Tuesday but
Babcock said Bertuzzi isn't yet ready to play.
Flyers at Red Wings
When: 8 p.m. Wednesday.
Ted Kulfan
The Detroit News
Where: Joe Louis Arena.
Records: Flyers 12-13-2, 26 points; Red Wings 14-7-7, 35 points.
TV / radio: NBC Sports Network / 97.1 The Ticket.
Detroit -- A Red Wings lineup without Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg?
Get used to it for the near future, as the Red Wings found out Tuesday at
practice that Zetterberg would miss a minimum of two weeks with a small
herniated disc.
Datsyuk continues to be out of the lineup with concussion symptoms and will
miss his fifth consecutive game Wednesday night against Philadelphia -- on
Pavel Datsyuk Bobblehead Night, no less.
"It's getting a little sticky around here,” Wings goalie Jimmy Howard said after
practice on Tuesday. “But injuries are part of the game and sometimes they
happen to your best players. You have to find a way to fill their shoes, and we
have to find a way to do it."
Zetterberg is tied for fourth in the NHL with 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists).
Datsyuk has 12 goals and 11 assists for 23 points in 24 games.
"It affects us because they are good players," coach Mike Babcock said. "But
other players are good players, too. If you haven't liked your share of the pie,
here's a chance to grab some."
The Red Wings have had more balance in their scoring during this recent
three-game win streak. The hope is that balanced, increased offense will
continue even without Zetterberg and Datsyuk.
"We're missing our best two players but the good thing is we've been playing
a lot better and everyone is playing with a lot more confidence," said forward
Johan Franzen, who has excelled since returning from injury. "We just have
to keep playing the way we've been playing."
Zetterberg's back had been troubling him for a period of time, but flared up
more on this recent two-game road trip against the Islanders and Senators.
"Something has been going for the last while but after the Ottawa game I
knew something wasn't right," Zetterberg said. "It's tough to say when it
actually happened. But it felt worse after the Ottawa game."
Zetterberg, 33, has had issues with his back before.
He missed 19 games in 2006-07 with an inflamed disc, seven games in
2007-08 with back spasms and sore back, and three in 2008-09 with back
spasms.
This injury, said Zetterberg, is similar to the inflamed disc in 2006-07 but he
doesn’t believe it's as serious.
"I'm more mobile now, so that's a good sign," Zetterberg said. "We just have
to see how it responds to treatment, give it a couple weeks to settle down and
go from there.
"Once you have issues with your back you learn to live with it and play with it,
but at the same time you know when it's worse than normal, and that's it right
now."
The Red Wings called up forward Cory Emmerton from Grand Rapids to fill
Zetterberg's spot in the lineup.
Emmerton, 25, had 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) in 18 games with
Grand Rapids after being sent down at the start of the season. In four games
with the Red Wings, Emmerton had one assist.
Babcock hadn't determined who would fill Zetterberg's spot on a line with
Franzen and Gustav Nyquist, although Emmerton could be the forward.
Babcock was leaning toward keeping the other three lines intact.
Zetterberg thinks the confidence the Red Wings have been playing with
during this three game win-streak will help the team while they carry on
without their two best players.
"We have a good feel in our group, we're more calm on the ice and making
better decisions," Zetterberg said. “Everyone is contributing."
Notable: The Red Wings are 1-0 against the Flyers this season. … The
Flyers are 6-3-1 over their last 10 games. … C Claude Giroux (18 points) has
rallied from a slow start and G Steve Mason (.934 save percentage) has
been consistent.
Detroit News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725803
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings counting on others to continue producing while Henrik Zetterberg,
Pavel Datsyuk are idled
By Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com
on December 03, 2013 at 7:04 PM, updated December 03, 2013 at 7:05 PM
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings navigated through rough seas without
Pavel Datsyuk, winning four consecutive games.
Now they must keep their heads above water without their two-best players,
as Henrik Zetterberg is out at least two weeks with a herniated disc.
How will they manage? By continuing to get production from Johan Franzen,
Daniel Alfredsson, Darren Helm, Gustav Nyquist and others.
“We are missing our two-best players; the good thing is we’re been playing a
lot better lately and everyone is playing with a lot more confidence,” Franzen
said. “So, hopefully we can ride this out without him.
“We’ve got so many lines going right now, so I think we’ll be fine.”
Zetterberg said he needs rest and treatment for his back, which gave him
trouble in 2006-07 and ’07-08, and that he likely won’t even skate for a couple
of weeks.
“Sitting is the worst,’’ Zetterberg said. “I think anyone with back issues knows
that.’’
Datsyuk will miss his fifth game in a row Wednesday against the Philadelphia
Flyers at Joe Louis Arena (8 p.m., NBC Sports Network) due to a concussion.
General manager Ken Holland said Datsyuk needs a week’s worth of
practices before being cleared.
Datsyuk has been on the ice briefly a couple of times since getting injured on
Nov. 23 but has not started practicing. So it’s unlikely he’ll play this weekend
– Friday at New Jersey and Saturday at home vs. Florida.
Wednesday will mark the first time since April 18, 2006 (a 6-3 loss to
Nashville) that both Datsyuk and Zetterberg will be out of the lineup.
Zetterberg (11 goals, 30 points) and Datsyuk (12 goals, 23 points) rank 1-2
on the team in goals and points and are the club’s top defensive forwards.
“You look at both those guys, probably top-five in the league,” defenseman
Niklas Kronwall said. “Being without two guys like that is going to show, but at
the same time, we just got to come together, play a team game and we
should be just fine.”
Zetterberg also has a good feeling about this group.
“We’re more calm on the ice, making better decisions and everyone is
contributing and playing well,’’ Zetterberg said. “We’re getting goal-scoring
from everyone. If we keep doing that we’ll be fine.”
Said coach Mike Babcock: “They’re good players, but other players are good
players, too. So if you haven’t liked your share of the pie, grab some.”
Zetterberg’s linemates, Franzen and Nyquist, have done that. Franzen has
13 points (five goals, eight assists) in 10 games since returning from an
injury.
“Before the injury I felt great physically, but sometimes the pucks are going in
and sometimes they’re not,” Franzen said. “So it’s as easy as that.”
Said Babcock: “He’s just working and being patient, coming every day and
being professional and leading. Him, Alfredsson and Kronwall they got to
lead for us.”
Nyquist has four goals and an assist in six games since being recalled from
the Grand Rapids Griffins.
“Bringing up Nyquist really helped us and I just think our game was coming,”
Babcock said. “When we lost every night in overtime and I’d tell you that
we’re not that far away you probably didn’t believe me, but now you can. It’s
like anything in life -- just stick to it, you do good things and good things
happen over time.”
The second line also has stepped up. Helm has seven goals and 10 points in
14 games. Alfredsson has seven points (four goals, three assists) in the four
games Datsyuk has missed.
“Helm’s really been a big factor since he came back; he’s got the confidence,
he’s been flying out there,’’ Kronwall said. “That line has really been good for
us. The other lines have been doing well, too, whether that’s scoring goals or
playing really solid defense.
“We’ve been able to spend more time on offense. It’s a work in progress, but
I think we have things moving in the right direction.”
Keeping the ship sailing without Zetterberg and Datsyuk is by far their biggest
challenge.
Michigan Live LOADED: 12.04.2013
725804
Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg will rest his ailing back for two weeks and see
how it responds
By Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com
on December 03, 2013 at 1:25 PM, updated December 03, 2013 at 1:33 PM
DETROIT – It has been a while since Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik
Zetterberg experienced major issues with his back.
But he knew it was only a matter of time before it flared up again.
“Once you have issues with your back you always will and you learn to live
with it and play with it,’’ Zetterberg said Tuesday. “But at the same time you
know when it’s worse than normal. That’s how it is right now.’’
Zetterberg is out a minimum of two weeks with what general manager Ken
Holland said is a small herniated disc. That time frame might be optimistic,
because Zetterberg said he’ll likely stay off the ice for a couple of weeks.
“We just have to see how I respond to the treatment,’’ Zetterberg said.
“We’ve got to give it a couple weeks just to let it settle down and we’ll go from
there.
“I’ve been through this before so maybe I’m a little bit calmer now than when
it happened last time.’’
Zetterberg missed close to two weeks with back spasms in 2008 and had
back issues the previous season, too.
“In a way I’m more mobile know than I was in ’08, so that’s a good sign,’’ he
said.
Zetterberg said this injury is in a similar spot but isn’t the same disc. He said
he can’t pinpoint exactly when it happened.
“It’s kind of felt like something has been going on the last bit here,’’ Zetterberg
said. “At the Islanders (Friday) and definitely in Ottawa (Sunday) I knew
something wasn’t quite right. Saw the doctor (Monday). … That’s when they
found something.
“I’ve been playing with back (issues) for many years now so it comes and
goes.’’
Zetterberg is leading the team with 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists) in 28
games.
The Red Wings also remain without star Pavel Datsyuk (concussion), who
isn’t practicing and will miss Wednesday’s game against the Philadelphia
Flyers at Joe Louis Arena (8 p.m., NBC Sports Network) and likely more
games.
Todd Bertuzzi isn’t ready to return Wednesday from the upper-body injury
that has idled him for five games.
The club has recalled center Cory Emmerton from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
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Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings recall center Cory Emmerton from Grand Rapids Griffins
By Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com
on December 03, 2013 at 1:01 PM, updated December 03, 2013 at 1:24 PM
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have recalled center Cory Emmerton
from the Grand Rapids Griffins.
Henrik Zetterberg is out at least two weeks with a herniated disc and Pavel
Datsyuk remains idled with a concussion. Todd Bertuzzi has skated for
several days but is not ready to return from an upper-body injury that has
idled him for five games.
Emmerton will be in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the
Philadelphia Flyers at Joe Louis Arena (8 p.m., NBC Sports Network).
Emmerton has 14 points (three goals, 11 assists) and a plus-5 rating in 18
games with the Griffins.
The Red Wings waived Emmerton before the season opener. He cleared and
was about to go to Grand Rapids before it was determined Patrick Eaves
needed to go on long-term injured reserve. That enabled Emmerton to stay in
Detroit for four games (he had one assist and an even plus-minus rating).
Before the Red Wings decided to recall Emmerton, coach Mike Babcock said
Johan Franzen would move to center on the line with Gustav Nyquist and
somebody else and the other three lines would remain the same.
Now, he might do some line juggling instead.
Here are the lines and defense pairs they skated with today:
Gustav Nyquist-Johan Franzen-Todd Bertuzzi (out)
Justin Abdelkader-Darren Helm-Daniel Alfredsson
Drew Miller- Joakim Andersson-Tomas Tatar
Daniel Cleary-Stephen Weiss-Mikael Samuelsson
Jonathan Ericsson-Niklas Kronwall
Kyle Quincey-Brendan Smith
Brian Lashoff-Jakub Kindl
Jimmy Howard (starting Wednesday)
Jonas Gustavsson
Michigan Live LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Detroit Red Wings
Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg out minimum two weeks with small
herniated disc
By Ansar Khan | akhan1@mlive.com
on December 03, 2013 at 11:13 AM, updated December 03, 2013 at 1:48 PM
DETROIT -- Detroit Red Wings captain Henrik Zetterberg is out for a
minimum of two weeks with a small herniated disc, general manager Ken
Holland said Tuesday.
Zetterberg is leading the club in scoring with 30 points (11 goals, 19 assists)
in 30 games. His 30 points through 26 games represented his best start since
the 2007-08 season, when he had 35 points through 26 games.
The Red Wings already are without Pavel Datsyuk, who will miss his fifth
consecutive game Wednesday against the Philadelphia Flyers (8 p.m., NBC
Sports Network) due to a concussion. Datsyuk is not practicing today.
Todd Bertuzzi. who missed five games with an upper-body injury, is
practicing again.
The injuries leave the Red Wings with two huge voids at center. Johan
Franzen might move back to center, on a line with Gustav Nyquist and
Bertuzzi.That would enable the club to keep intact its second line of Darren
Helm centering Daniel Alfredsson and Justin Abdelkader.
The third and fourth lines remain the same in practice. Joakim Andersson is
centering Drew Miller and Tomas Tatar. Stephen Weiss is centering Daniel
Cleary and Mikael Samuelsson.
Check back later today for more details and reaction following practice.
Michigan Live LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Detroit Red Wings
“Anytime you take away a team’s two best players you’re obviously going to
miss them, so that’s the situation right now,” Gustav Nyquist said. “We’re
going to have to do the best we can without them.”
Red Wings' Henrik Zetterberg out at least two weeks with herniated disc
Todd Bertuzzi will miss his sixth straight with an upper-body injury.
By Chuck Pleiness, The Macomb Daily
Cory Emmerton was recalled from Grand Rapids and will be in the lineup
against the Flyers.
Posted: 12/03/13, 6:30 PM EST
Macomb Daily LOADED: 12.04.2013
DETROIT – The Detroit Red Wings have done alright dealing without Pavel
Datsyuk in the lineup.
Now they’re going to have to do it without Henrik Zetterberg as well.
Zetterberg, who leads the team in scoring with 30 points (11 goals, 19
assists), will be sidelined a minimum of two weeks with a small herniated
disc.
“I think we’ve got a good feel in our group,” Zetterberg said Tuesday at Joe
Louis Arena. “We’re calmer on the ice, making better decisions and everyone
is contributing and playing well. We’re getting goal scoring from everyone. If
we keep doing that we’ll be fine.”
The Wings’ current four-game win streak, all played without Datsyuk
(concussion-like symptoms), they’ve outscored their opponents 18-4.
“It’s getting a little sticky around here, but injuries are part of the game,” said
Jimmy Howard, who will start in goal Wednesday night at home against the
Philadelphia Flyers. “Sometimes it happens to your best players. You’ve got
to go out there and find a way. It’s tough to fill their shoes but you got to find a
way.”
“We’re a team, it’s a team sport,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “Are those
guys important? No question. (Danny) DeKeyser’s a star for us as well.
Those are three important pieces. We don’t have them. What are we going to
do about it? Let’s get ready to play tomorrow. Philly doesn’t care if they’re
playing or not.”
Zetterberg is off to his best offensive start to a season since 2007-08 when
he had 35 points through 26 games.
“Of course it’s going to affect us, Hank is our leader and he’s probably our
best player on the ice every night,” Niklas Kronwall said. “But at the same
time, again anytime someone goes down it’s another opportunity for
someone else to step up and get some more ice time, take upon some more
responsibility and it’s just about doing the job every night, regardless of who’s
in the lineup. If we can just stick to the process and keep believing in what we
do, we should be fine.”
Wednesday will be the first time Zetterberg and Datsyuk have been out of the
lineup together since April 18, 2006, the final game of the regular season.
Datsyuk sat with a knee injury and Zetterberg was held out to rest for the
upcoming playoffs.
The Wings lost that game to the Nashville Predators, 6-3.
Zetterberg began having issues with his back in 2008, which made him miss
the All-Star break.
In 2007, he injured his vertebra and missed several weeks.
“Once you have issues with your back you always will and you learn to live
with it and play with it,” Zetterberg said. “But at the same time you know when
it’s worse than normal. That’s how it is right now. Sitting is the worst. I think
anyone with back issues knows that. In a way I’m more mobile know than I
was in ’08 so that’s a good sign.”
Datsyuk is still the team’s second leading scorer with 23 points (12 goals, 11
assists).
“We are missing our two best players,” Johan Franzen said. “The good thing
is we’ve been playing a lot better lately and kind of got into the winning ways.
Everyone is playing with a lot more confidence, so hopefully we can ride this
out without him. We’re just going to keep playing the way we’ve been playing.
We’ve got so many lines going right now, so I think we’ll be fine.”
Datsyuk did not practice Tuesday, which means he'll be out at least another
week or two since he needs a good week of practice before he can play
according to Wings general manager Ken Holland.
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Edmonton Oilers
Phoenix Coyotes roll over Edmonton Oilers
Visitors never trailed in 6-2 rout of defensively challenged opponents
It looked like the Oilers had some life heading toward the third when Perron
buried a 15-footer with 52 seconds left in the second to make it 3-2, after the
Coyotes took a too-many-men penalty.
Instead, the Oilers crashed and burned. The Coyotes, who beat the Oilers
5-4 in a late October date in Arizona, never trailed in this one.
“Any time you lose 6-2, there are a lot of question marks,” Oilers winger
Taylor Hall said.
By Jim Matheson, Edmonton Journal December 3, 2013 11:21 PM
EDMONTON - The Edmonton Oilers may be moving to Rogers Place in
2016, but for now, they still call Rexall Place home — and there is no
over-the-counter medicine available for what ails drugstore billionaire Daryl
Katz’s sad-sack defensive team.
The worst home team in the National Hockey League was crushed 6-2 by the
Phoenix Coyotes Tuesday night, giving them a meagre three wins (over the
New Jersey Devils, the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Florida Panthers) in
12 games as hosts.
If you’re going to be bad, be bad on the road, not at home, and while another
Rexall sellout was announced, there were scores of empty seats, so it
appears the fans are voting to stay away even if they’ve paid for the tickets —
never a good thing.
When asked how he’d feel if he was an Oilers fan leaving the building this
season, Ryan Jones took the fifth.
“It’s a question I don’t want to answer, to be honest,” he said.
By biting his tongue, he said it all.
“We need to find a way to push back when other teams come into this
building and lean on us,” he said.
The Coyotes, who have scored 11 goals in two games against the Oilers this
season, picked on some egregious defensive work as Mike Ribeiro had a
goal and two helpers. Shane Doan collected a goal and an assist while Keith
Yandle, David Moss, Mikkel Boedker and Radim Vrbata finished off the rout
for the Coyotes, who have a 7-1-1 record at Rexall since 2009.
David Perron, the best Oilers player by far, scored both goals for his team.
Unfortunately, he didn’t have the lung capacity to play all 60 minutes.
He saw the mistakes turned into goals that make the end-of-night highlight
packages on SportsNet or TSN.
“We didn’t close enough (on the skill Coyotes’ players and the rest of their
cast),” he said. “I’d love to have that time in the zone (offensive) sometimes.
“Obviously, teams that close better don’t allow easy goals like we did
tonight.”
Doan scored on a tip when the Oilers were running around in the second
period, and in the third, Ribeiro slammed one home with Justin Schultz
behind the net and his partner Nick Schultz squeezed to the post trying to
stop a Doan relay to the wide-open Phoenix centre.
Yandle turned Jeff Petry inside out, and ripped a 30-footer that was in and out
of the net faster than you could spell Yandle.
Later, Justin Schultz and Anton Belov were loose against Moss, leaving
Dubnyk hanging out to dry.
Petry, who gets more ice than anybody else on the Oilers, had a very tough
night.
“For the minutes Jeff plays and the responsibility he’s given, we need more
from him,” Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins said.
But he wasn’t fingering just him.
“That’s as bad as we’ve played, three or four defencemen ... it was guys
focused on the puck,” he said.
The Oilers’ play in the first 20 minutes was acceptable, but after that things
snowballed.
“Every play seemed to be so hard. We backed ourselves into a corner way
too many times when we didn’t have to,” said Jones.
“We have to be harder on the battles in our end. They travelled yesterday
(Monday), they’re playing on the road and they come in here and they won a
lot pucks. The 50-50 battles weren’t going our way,”
ON THE BENCH: The Coyotes didn’t have their best defensive blueliner
Zbynek Michalek (knee) and winger Laurie Korpikoski (upper-body) ... Oilers
captain Andrew Ference fought Coyotes rookie Jordan Szwarz in the third ...
Sam Gagner crashed into the end boards after rookie Conor Murphy
appeared to clip Gagner’s skate with his stick.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers forward Tyler Pitlick hopes to be deemed ready for action
by weekend
Winger likely destined for stint with AHL Oklahoma City Barons following
recovery from injury
By Joanne Ireland, Edmonton Journal December 3, 2013
EDMONTON — Before he laces up his skates, Tyler Pitlick will now strap a
knee brace onto his left leg. Essentially, it’s a duplicate of the one’s head had
to wear on his right.
But the Edmonton Oilers forward has since taken both out for a spin without
so much as a slip in his stride.
Pitlick, who went out on Tuesday for his first skate with the team since
injuring his knee, is now hopeful he’ll even be deemed game-ready by the
weekend.
The winger will likely return to the Oklahoma City Barons for his first game
given that he was injured back on Oct. 26 and because the Oilers will have to
open up a roster spot if he stays.
Pitlick said he just wants to play again, wherever that is.
“It was tough in the beginning,” he said before the Oilers hosted the Phoenix
Coyotes at Rexall Place. “I was just thinking ‘here we go again.’ I’ve had a
few injuries the past few years but there’s nothing I can do about it. Hopefully,
I’ve got them out of the way.
“But I’ve always come back from injuries and played just as well or better
than I did when I got hurt. You miss the game when you’re out, and you come
back with a little extra edge.”
Pitlick’s game is all about playing with an edge. The 22-year-old, drafted in
the second round of the 2010 draft, was sidelined last season first with a
concussion then he was out two months to tend to his right knee.
He used the rest of regular season and the Barons’ American Hockey
League playoff run to get back up to speed then reported to the Oilers
training camp this fall intent on making a statement.
And he did, he just needed more time in the AHL.
After 44 games with the Barons, he was called up to play his first NHL game
against the Canadiens in Montreal.
Pitlick was playing his third NHL game when he was hip-checked by the
Coyotes defenceman David Schlemko — a hit that came shortly after he had
scored his first NHL goal.
“I was playing well in OKC. I was just playing steady every night, just doing
my job,” he said. “And I think that’s what got me up here. I just kept it going
until I got hurt.
“I just have to get back to that.”
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725810
Edmonton Oilers
MacKinnon: One-stop digital shopping, powered by hockey
Rogers deal with Oilers goes far beyond arena naming rights
$64.3-million annual salary cap the hockey franchise must meet starts to look
far less daunting, even as it rises to an estimated $70 million next year.
The $5.2-million national deal and Rogers’ $700-million agreement that
includes naming rights for the Edmonton arena were negotiated separately,
but the marketing and content possibilities seem mind-boggling. By happy
coincidence, both deals expire in 2026.
All of that revenue is before the club sells a single ticket.
By John MacKinnon, Edmonton Journal December 3, 2013
EDMONTON - The Oilers players are not just athletes anymore; they are
on-ice pitchmen in a 13-year, $700-million multi-platform play by Rogers
Communications to enhance its Alberta footprint by selling cellphone plans
and much else as they leverage the cultural imperative in the Heartland of
Hockey.
When the Oilers open the 2016-17 National Hockey League season in
Rogers Place, as the yet-to-be-built downtown arena will be called, they’ll be
playing in “one of the most technologically enabled stadiums in North
America,” said John Boynton, Rogers executive vice-president and chief
marketing officer, at a news conference to announce the arena naming rights
deal.
Asked what sorts of wireless possibilities to enhance the fan experience will
be on offer at Rogers Place, Boynton said; “We’re talking about, on game
day, knowing a lot more about the matchup, how that interacts with you
online and on your cellphone; we’re talking about knowing where to park,
which parking lot’s full, how you should get there, how the transit is, what the
weather is like.
“We’re talking about ordering (food and beverage) from your seats; knowing
what the lineup in the bathroom is like; we’re talking about seeing
slow-motion replays on your phone; we’re talking about cameras that might
follow one player the whole game all the way through.
“We’re talking about being able to replay all the goals at the end of the game;
we’re talking about going home and seeing all the stats and how many
players did what, being able to follow certain plays from the game.”
Rogers already owns a 37.5-per-cent stake in Maple Leaf Sports and
Entertainment, which owns the NHL’s Maple Leafs and the Raptors of the
NBA. It has naming rights on the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, where the
Canucks play, and to Toronto’s Rogers Centre, home of the Blue Jays and
Argonauts.
A key driver behind Katz and the Oilers negotiating for four long, often nasty
years with the City of Edmonton on a partnership to build the $480-million
arena was Katz’s contention that without a new, state-of-the-art building and
access to all the revenue from all the events held therein, the team’s future
was uncertain.
But Boynton said Rogers Place in downtown Edmonton will be “the crown
jewel” in its massive investment in sport, hockey broadcasting and wireless
technology across Canada. Boynton would not specify what portion of
Rogers’ $700-million Alberta investment goes to naming rights for the
Edmonton arena, which seems destined to become a high-tech cash box for
Oilers owner Daryl Katz.
“(There) is less dependency on the day-to-day (ticket sales),” LaForge said in
a massive understatement.
Think of the new arena as a big, wireless-enabled TV studio, with the players
providing the programming that Rogers customers can enjoy on TV, their
cellphones, home computers or tablets.
If Rogers has its way, all Oilers fans will be dialed into their team 24/7. And
since Rogers paid a whopping $5.2 billion last week for exclusive Canadian
TV rights to all NHL games for the next 12 years, customers can presumably
be dialed into the team of their choice on whatever platform they choose.
Boynton delivered a couple of “shameless plugs” during his presentation
Tuesday, including: “To celebrate the announcement, between now and
Sunday all of the Rogers customers who upgrade their wireless handset will
get two free tickets to (an) Oilers game. And anybody who wants to switch to
Rogers between now and Sunday will also get two free tickets to (an) Oilers
game.”
Perhaps the quality of the content — that is, the game results — will be
happier by 2016. You have to think Katz, who did not appear at the news
conference, was grinning from ear-to-ear over this announcement.
Rogers is investing in far more than naming rights for the new arena and
marketing rights for the Oilers, the Western Hockey League’s Oil Kings and
Rexall Place through 2016 for its $700 million. The deal was first announced
on Oct. 1. The naming rights were folded into an expanded version of that
agreement.
The telecommunications company also will open new retail outlets, build new
data centres in Calgary and Edmonton, and expand its wireless network by
building new cellphone towers in Alberta.
Meanwhile, the revenue streams flowing to the Oilers have ramped up
dramatically.
The Oilers will receive an estimated $8-9 million annually from the
$5.2-billion deal Rogers struck last week with the NHL for exclusive
Canadian TV rights, including ownership of the iconic Hockey Night in
Canada brand.
The Oilers will continue to earn significant TV money from its existing,
regional deal with Rogers-Sportsnet, which broadcasts 60 regular-season
games. That deal runs through 2020.
The Oilers already derive an estimated $5 million annually from the NHL’s TV
deal with NBC. Add in the unspecified naming rights cash, and the
Oilers president Kevin Lowe described the deal as a “sign of the times.”
“All the media stuff now, they talk about the platforms,” Lowe said. “You
started hearing those catchphrases a few years ago, and why media was
going to push the business of hockey, right?
“Because these guys (Rogers), they need content, they need stuff on there.
But it’s not just television, it’s phones (and tablets and computers).”
With three Rogers deals delivering huge revenue to the Oilers, Lowe said,
“The moons have aligned for Edmonton, with Rogers looking to spread their
wings, the NHL deal, the deal that (LaForge) did on the telecommunications
side and now the building (naming rights) all wrapped into one is convenient.”
Call it one-stop digital shopping, all powered by hockey.
Oh, and about the arena itself. LaForge said he had no reason to believe
ground will not be broken by next spring, as expected, with a construction
schedule of 20-24 months to follow. That would put the facility on track to
open in the fall of 2016.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725811
Edmonton Oilers
Rogers secures naming rights for Edmonton’s new arena
By Bill Mah, Edmonton Journal December 3, 2013 11:49 PM
EDMONTON - Edmonton’s new downtown arena and home of the Edmonton
Oilers will be named Rogers Place.
The Toronto-based conglomerate and the NHL team announced Tuesday
the arena will be called Rogers Place when it opens for the 2016 season.
No financial terms were disclosed but Rogers executive vice-president John
Boynton said it’s part of a four-year, $700-million investment in Alberta.
“Rexall Place is going to be one of the most technologically enabled stadiums
in North America,” Boynton said.
That could mean advances such as ordering food and drink from the seats,
he said. Oilers president Patrick LaForge said the deal is a big step for the
development. “It allows the child to have a name,” he said.
Mayor Don Iveson said the name helps anchor the project in people’s minds
and said Tuesday was a good day for downtown revitalization. along with a
massive provincial investment in Norquest College.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725812
Edmonton Oilers
John MacKinnon: Edmonton Oilers coach Dallas Eakins teaches atop recent
successes
Young team still learning how to play the 200-foot game
By John MacKinnon, Edmonton Journal December 3, 2013
EDMONTON - Whether it’s Olympic men’s team head coach Mike Babcock,
a national junior team representative or, in his own fashion, Oilers head
coach Dallas Eakins, you can’t go two strides without hearing a reference,
direct or oblique, to the importance of the 200-foot game in hockey.
Players won’t be going to the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi, Russia unless
they are demonstrably proficient at it. Same thing for the Under-20 players
invited Monday to the national world junior team’s selection camp.
Defenceman Darnell Nurse, a highly regarded Oilers prospect, for instance,
was left off the list. Team Canada head scout Ryan Jankowski suggested
that Nurse, who plays for the OHL’s Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, has been
trying to do too much, rather than keeping his game simple — up and down
the ice.
So, you can overdo it, apparently.
The Oilers themselves, fresh off an impressive comeback overtime victory
over the Dallas Stars, their fifth victory in seven matches, continue to learn
how to play the 200-foot game.
The returns have been positive lately, which is good. There’s nothing like a
little positive reinforcement to enhance the learning process, especially with
young people.
On Monday, following two brief tune-up sessions with the first and second
power play units, Eakins talked about that process, about the importance of
being “in the battle,” let alone winning it. He liked the way the Oilers gutted
out a victory in Dallas, the way they hung around and found the proverbial
way to win.
Early in the season, in tough times, “We’d kind of go in and half-fight for the
puck,” Eakins said. “I think (assistant coach) Keith Acton said it best: ‘You’ve
got to treat that puck like it’s your wallet, like they’re trying to take your wallet
right now.’
“Well, you’re certainly going to fight somebody for your wallet. We’ve got to
fight the same way for the puck. Again, baby steps. (We’re) not near where
we need to be, but getting better.”
With the Oilers, the tease is the obvious offensive mastery the likes of Ryan
Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall, Jordan Eberle, Sam Gagner, David Perron,
Ales Hemsky et al display during stretches of four-on-four play.
The Oilers dazzled in overtime in Dallas, for example, and would have ended
things before the shootout, absent the heroic goaltending by Kari Lehtonen.
“If we get open ice and we’re playing four-on-four, we’re dangerous,” Eakins
said. “When we get to overtimes, our guys are going, or on four-on-fours
during the game. Our team is good with a lot of open ice.”
Eakins might quibble about the shot frequency, whether it’s four-on-four,
five-on-five or on the power play. But that’s the thing about having won five of
the last seven — issues like shooting the puck seem more like quibbling, like
fine-tuning.
“I still would like us to be a group that is constantly in those mid-30s, I think
that’s a good spot to get to,” said Eakins, whose charges recorded 33 shots
against Dallas. “But you could go through every rush, every power play and
find places where you could shoot the puck more.
“It’s something that we continue to encourage. But the one thing about our
group is they’re more pass-first guys. They’re excellent passers.
“These guys can find people off the back of the net, make seam passes. It’s
not their first inclination to shoot and it’s one of those habits that we’re trying
to add to their bag ... that ‘hey, we’re going to shoot the puck first and look for
second chances.’”
That means more of the old staple of getting pucks and bodies to the
opposing net, which is not lost on Nugent-Hopkins, for one. So, on a line that
includes Hall and Eberle, who draws the short straw and goes to the net?
“I think that’s got to be everybody, at some point,” Nugent-Hopkins said. “I try
to get to the net, I think both the other two try to get to the net, as much as
possible.
“But we’ve got to make a conscious effort to do that, sometimes. We talked
about it a little bit (Sunday), that we were working the cycle play really well,
but then we weren’t getting pucks on net and we weren’t getting guys going
there.
“You’ve got to pick your opportunities, but you have to make sure you get
there.”
Former baseball manager Joe Torre believed the time to get after his players
was when things were going well, not badly.
On Monday, following a road trip in which the club collected four of a possible
six points, it was time for more teaching by Eakins, in a focused sort of way.
He had the club’s first and second power play units on the ice, one at a time,
in an effort to “reset them” after a “bit of a hiccup” on the road. The Oilers are
two-for-20 on the power play the last four games, including a one-for-13
drought on the road trip.
“We ran our breakouts that we normally run, with a bit more detail on where
we we’re going to be,” Eakins said. “And then (in the offensive zone), we
went right to the basics of the power play, the very basics of it.
“I encouraged them to move the puck a little bit quicker. They were in the
right spots and, boy, did it look good five-on-0.”
More baby steps, more teaching. It’s a process.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725813
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins on defenceman Jeff Petry: “we
need more from him.”
December 3, 2013. 11:09 pm
Posted by:
Joanne Ireland
For a team that’s given up as many goals as the Edmonton Oilers have this
season, it says something when the head coach declares that the third period
of Tuesday’s 6-2 loss to the Phoenix Coyotoes may have been the worst
period of hockey for three or four of his defencemen.
Jeff Petry was among the guilty.
When Eakins was asked if he was concerned about Petry’s game, he said:
“With the amount of minutes he plays and the responsbility he’s given, we
need more from him.”
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725814
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov will be out of action for a while
December 3, 2013. 11:56 am
Jim Matheson
Edmonton Oilers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov has concussion-type symptoms after
Dallas Stars winger Ryan Garbutt bowled him over Sunday night as he drove
the net.
Somehow, there was no penalty on the play, but the Oilers are paying for the
check.
The team isn’t saying if he took the brunt of the hit on his head or his neck.
Whatever the case, he’s not even able to back up Devan Dubnyk against the
Phoenix Coyotes Tuesday, which necessitated the call-up of Jason
LaBarbera from the American Hockey League’s Oklahoma City Barons.
For the time being, Bryzgalov will stay on the 23-man roster; he wasn’t put on
injured reserve, a move that would free a spot on the roster.
“He took a wicked blow there,” Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins. “He could
have some whiplash.”
Eakins didn’t know how long Bryzgalov, who started all three games of the
Oilers’ recent road trip, would be out, but the Oilers are erring on the side of
caution. “
It could be two days or two years,” he said.
Bryzgalov was not made available to reporters but was at the rink for the
game-day skate.
Loss of Gordon hurts Oilers on face-offs
Oilers centre Boyd Gordon is also a scratch with a grocery list of medical
problems, a blow considering his 58.3 per cent success rate on face-offs on
544 draws. The Oilers are 21st in the league in winning draws, even counting
him.
The two top offensive Oilers centres — Ryan Nugent-Hopkins (39.7 per cent
success rate on393 draws and Sam Gagner (43.2 per cent) — are not nearly
as good.
“If you are going to play centre in this league, you have to win face-offs,” said
Eakins.
So far, it’s as work in progress for Nugent-Hopkins, who is playing in his third
NHL season. Gagner, while a creative, hard-working pivot, has been in the
league since 2007.
The Coyotes (10th) are one of the NHL’s better teams on face-offs. Antoine
Vermette, their third-liner, is 57.2. The 220-pound Martin Hanzal is 51.5 and
Jeff Halpern is 52.4. Only Mike Ribeiro, their top guy, is lukewarm at 44.8.
**
Eakins has jockeyed his lines somewhat. Ryan Jones, who had a strong,
physical game in Dallas and set up an Ales Hemsky goal, will play with
Hemsky and Gagner after mostly fourth-line work this season. “People
always ask what I’ll be like playing with better, offensive players. I let them do
their thing and I go to the net,” said Jones, who had an average camp and
was sent to Oklahoma City to start the season before a recall, and several
games (seven) as a health scratch.
He admitted he’s had trouble getting over his eye injury during the lockout
break, when a puck hit him while skating in Minnesota. “I was afraid out there
at times,” said Jones, worried about a blow to his face, even with a visor. “I
just realize now that I can take some punches and other things and I’m just
fine.”
Jones knows he has to be an in-your-face player. He has to play like Dwight
King in Los Angeles. Hard on the body, hounding players, strong along the
boards. If so, he’s a very effective player.
Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725815
Edmonton Oilers
Phoenix Coyotes aren't as tough defensively this season, but finding the net
more often
By Derek Van Diest ,Edmonton Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 11:12 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 11:35 PM MST
EDMONTON - The Phoenix Coyotes’ identity has always been in their ability
to defend.
At least it has since Dave Tippett took over behind the bench.
This year, however, the Coyotes are doing their part to fill the net at the other
end, as evident by their 6-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.
“I like to think we’re working hard for our goals,” Tippett said. “We have some
good skill. We continue to pound away to make sure we have a good
defensive base in our game. We have scored more this year, that’s
something that we were going to try to do at the start of the year. That part’s
gone alright, we still have to defend a little better. But games like this, when
you need scoring, it came through.”
The Coyotes went into the game as the fifth-highest scoring team in the
Western Conference.
They haven’t been as tight defensively as they have in the past, but this year,
they are able to run and gun with other teams.
“There is a lot of skill on this team, but lately we have been trying to focus
more defensively and give up less goals,” said Coyotes centre Mike Ribeiro,
who finished with a goal and a pair of assists on the night. “In this league
when you give up three, four and five goals, your chances of winning are not
too good.
“So if you can limit teams to two, maybe three goals, your chance of winning
will increase and that’s what we’re trying to do on this road trip.”
Perhaps the best example of the skill the Coyotes possess this year came on
the club’s fifth goal of the night scored by Keith Yandle.
The Coyotes defenceman went in on a rush and nearly broke Jeff Petry’s
ankles on an inside-outside move then wired a shot over the shoulder of
Devan Dubnyk.
“Keith Yandle is one of those guys in the league that everybody is looking for,
that everybody is trying to find,” said Coyotes captain Shane Doan. “We are
so thankful to have him and any other team in the league would be so
thankful to have a D-man that can make those plays.”
Surprisingly the goal was only Yandle’s second of the season. It was
definitely one of the best of his career.
“It was something that I just tried to make a move to make a play to try to get
the puck to the net,” Yandle said “I was lucky enough to give myself a little bit
of room and find an open area to get a goal.”
Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725816
Edmonton Oilers
Tyler Pitlick back skating with Edmonton Oilers … Advantage adds up … Get
a few, give a few … Skating with the team
By Derek Van Diest ,Edmonton Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 10:50 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 10:57 PM MST
EDMONTON - Tyler Pitlick is back on his feet.
The Edmonton Oilers winger skated with the team Tuesday for the first time
since injuring his knee.
Pitlick, 22, took part in the morning skate prior to the encounter against the
Phoenix Coyotes. He’s hoping to be cleared to play by the weekend.
“I’ve been skating for a week and-a-half, but this is my first time with the
team,” Pitlick said. “It’s good, I’m feeling better. (Tuesday) was the first time I
really felt comfortable. It was good to get out there and do some passing and
not just thinking about my knee.”
The Oilers second pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, Pitlick was called up
from the Oklahoma City Barons in late October. He played in three games
before injuring his knee.
The Minneapolis, Minn., product had scored his first NHL goal in the Oilers
first encounter against the Coyotes in Arizona, before having to leave
moments later due to his injury.
“I went from highest of highs, scoring my first NHL goal, to a torn ACL.” Pitlick
said. “It was tough mentally to take that. But those things happen, you just
have to stick with it. We still have lots of season left and hopefully I can come
back and start off where I left off.”
Having been unable to work out during the first few days of the injury, Pitlick
tried his best to keep in shape during his rehab process. Skating with the
team should help speed up the process.
“I think I still have a little bit of work to do,” he said. “I’m in pretty good shape
for what I’ve done since I’ve been hurt. I spent a lot of time sitting around in
the first few weeks and then I’ve been getting it back up in the last couple. I
think I have a little bit more work to do, but I’m feeling good.”
Finding the power
The Oilers tinkered with their power play prior to Tuesday’s game with
Coyotes and were rewarded for it.
While the team didn’t get a power-play opportunity in the first period, they
finally connected on their fourth late in the second.
David Perron took a pass from Hemsky and beat Mike Smith to cut the
Coyotes lead to 3-2.
Coming into the game, the Oilers had scored once on their previous 19
opportunities.
Something different
Under Dave Tippett, the Coyotes have traditionally been a stingy team.
However, this season the Coyotes have been struggling keeping the puck
out of their own net. They’re making up for it, though, by scoring a lot of goals
of their own.
“There are some areas of our game that we’re not going to survive if we give
up as many chances and if we give up as many shots as we have been,”
Tippett said prior to the contest. “The shots can be deceiving at times, but our
team hasn’t played as well defensively as we’re going to need to play going
into a real, hard playoff push in the spring. Those are things that we continue
to address and those are areas that we’re going to have to improve.”
Heading into Tuesday’s contest, the Coyotes had conceded 84 goals through
their first 26 games. Only the Oilers and Calgary Flames had given up more.
They’ve also scored 85, the fifth-most in the Western Conference.
Itching to get back
Philip Larsen is hoping to be back in the Oilers lineup before the end of the
five-game home stand.
The Oilers defenceman has been out with a back injury since Nov. 19. It was
thought he might be ready to join the club on their recent three-game road
trip, but stayed in Edmonton and skated on his own instead.
“I’m feeling good, it’s been going better,” he said. “I was skating on my own
every day when the team was away. It’s getting stronger. It’s just a matter of
listening to your body, and once I start feeling really good, maybe give it an
extra day to make sure you don’t get a setback. But it feels better than it has
in a long time, so that’s good.”
Larsen was practising with the team before departing on the trip. He’ll be
skating with the Oilers until he’s ready to get back in the lineup.
“It’s different when you’re skating by yourself,” Larsen said. “It’s a lot more
fun when there are other players around. When you’re on the ice with the
team, you’re reading and reacting, which is something you have to get used
to before you can go out there and play again.”
Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725817
you come into the room - it’s not a technical thing, it’s not a bouncing puck,
we literally go out-battled.
Edmonton Oilers
Edmonton Oilers taken down by Phoenix Coyotes in 6-2 loss
“You can’t have that. You’re sick of coming into the room and finding reasons
why we lost. We have to find a way to win.”
Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
By Robert Tychkowski
,Edmonton Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 10:04 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 10:37 PM MST
EDMONTON - The Phoenix Coyotes picked a good time to visit Edmonton.
Sure, the city is knee-deep in snow and getting brutally cold, but the sun
dwellers got to play the Edmonton Oilers.
And when you’re a road team looking for points, there’s nothing better than
an opponent who’s hapless at home.
Which the Oilers were.
They lost on their own ice for the ninth time in 12 games, dropping a 6-2
decision in front of a Rexall Place crowd that’s been dwindling with each
passing defeat.
About 15,000 and change took in the latest loss.
“We should be a lot better here,” said winger David Perron, who scored both
Edmonton goals and was the most engaged Oiler on the ice. “We have to find
a way to have a better performance than that.”
The worst thing about Tuesday’s mess is that there was nothing at all unique
about it. The Oilers were plagued by the same issues that have been
plaguing them for seven years.
Slow start. Low battle level. Sagging after giving up a goal. Defensive
breakdowns. All the usual suspects were out in full force once again as
Edmonton fell to 9-18-2 in being totally outclassed by the eighth-place team
in the West.
“Defensively we weren’t good enough,” said Perron. “When you give these
guys some room they can hurt you, and they did.”
The Oilers were riding high, relatively speaking, winning five of their previous
seven games after that dreadful 4-15-2 start while the Coyotes had two wins
in their last seven (2-3-2) and appeared to be losing a little steam after that
13-4-2 start.
But that’s not quite the way it played out on the ice as Edmonton’s
inconsistency remains a staggering problem.
“It seems like it’s been that way for four years now,” said Taylor Hall. “We
can’t blame this on a young team any more. I don’t think that crutch is still
there. It’s a matter of our attitude — coming into games and starting games
well.
“It’s like we try and do a little too much and against a team like Phoenix, if
you’re not putting pucks behind them they’re going to make you pay. They’re
going to keep in in your end and cycle you to death and that’s kind of what
happened.”
It was close enough for about 20 minutes (1-1 at the intermission), then
Phoenix scored five of the next six to bury the hosts for good. First, Radim
Vrbata and Shane Doan scored 58 seconds apart in the second to make it
3-1, then Ribeiro at 4:46, Yandle at 9:33 and David Moss at 10:15 scored in
the third to send the fans home in an ice-cold funk.
Oilers defenceman after Oilers defenceman were exposed in the avalanche.
“That’s about as bad as I’ve seen three or four of our defencemen play, and it
cost us,” said head coach Dallas Eakins, who has had to shield his eyes
lately when Jeff Petry is on the ice. “With the amount of minutes he plays and
the responsibility he’s given, we need more from him.”
There were culprits all over the place, from Justin Schultz and Jesse Joensuu
both going minus-3 to Sam Gagner’s 33% in the faceoff circle to Devan
Dubnyk’s spotty night to an entire team that remains far too easy to push out
of a game.
“In the third we just got out-battled,” said Jordan Eberle. “You go to every
goal and there was probably a play where they won a battle, got it to our net
and scored. That’s what it came down to. That’s what pisses you off when
725818
Edmonton Oilers
After his return to the Oilers from OKC, Ryan Jones has resumed his
crashing attack
By Robert Tychkowski
,Edmonton Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 07:42 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 07:50 PM MST
EDMONTON - It almost seems like nearly losing an eye and not being able to
skate for several weeks had an affect on Ryan Jones last year.
He seems a new man now, back in the coaching staff’s plans and working his
way up the depth chart after starting his season in the minors.
“He’s doing all the things that we’ve asked of him,” said head coach Dallas
Eakins, who had Jones on a line with Ales Hemsky and Sam Gagner in
Tuesday’s game with Phoenix. “We want him to be hard on the body, we
want him to be in on the forecheck. We want him to do the heavy lifting mostly
for his line, and he’s done that.”
Jones is happy to be an important part of the Oilers again after not being a
part of them at all.
“It’s hockey,” he said of his rough patch. “Everybody goes through the ebbs
and flows of a career. Because of the injury I really haven’t played that much
hockey, 30-something games in the last two full years.
“I’m just trying to get my feet back under me. The things that used to be so
instinctual were missing at the start of the year just because I hadn’t played
that much. I’m getting those things back and I’m starting to play a little bit
more confident, and I think that’s showing.”
It’s been less than a year since an errant puck clipped him by the eye, forcing
emergency surgery and an immediate month-long layoff. When he came
back, not as strong as he was before, the leash of public opinion seemed
rather short.
He admits he wasn’t the same Ryan Jones he was before the injury, or the
same Ryan Jones he’s trying to be right now.
“At the time, I was trying to forget about it, I was trying to treat it like nothing
because that was the easiest way to for me to deal with it,” he said. “I didn’t
want to dwell on something I really couldn’t control.”
Knowing he came millimetres away from the end of his career did have a
subconscious effect, though. He slipped into a self-preservation style of
hockey that didn’t do anyone any good.
“When I look back there was so many psychological things that go into an
injury like that. I think part of my mentality was going into protection mode.
“There were times when I was scared. I found myself flinching, trying to
protect myself from situations I thought would further hurt me.”
Jones vowed to be a more involved and rambunctious player this season, but
Eakins wasn’t impressed with what he saw in training camp and sent him to
Oklahoma City before opening night.
A month later, upon being recalled from the minors, Jones knew it was time
to roll up the sleeves and get back to playing a hard game.
“It’s one of those things you just get over. The more you get into the games,
the more contact you get, the more times you get punched in the head, you
just become comfortable and you realize it’s not going to do anything — I’ve
been through it, things are fixed.”
Now it’s back to being the player they need him to be, and the player he
wants to be.
“If (players on the other team) are like, ‘We didn’t really notice him,’ then I
didn’t do my job. But if somebody over there said that I was a pain in the ass
and they don’t like me and wanted to fight me, that’s me doing my job.”
Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725819
Edmonton Oilers
for The Games and has already represented his country at the world junior
and world championship tournaments.
Coyotes defenceman Oliver Ekman-Larsson wants to be a shutdown player
“That’s in the back of my mind somewhere,” Ekman-Larsson said. “But you
have to play well for your (NHL) team in order to have a good chance to make
the Olympic team.
By Derek Van Diest ,Edmonton Sun
“Of course I want to be on that team. We have a lot of good players here and
in Sweden, so it’s going to be tough to make it.”
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 06:10 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 07:47 PM MST
Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
EDMONTON - Oliver Ekman-Larsson wants to take his game to the next
level.
That’s pretty impressive, considering how far the Phoenix Coyotes
defenceman has already come.
In his fourth year, Ekman-Larsson is considered one of the best
up-and-coming defencemen in the NHL. He’s the Coyotes’ top blue-liner,
leading their defence in scoring and logging almost 26 minutes of ice-time a
night.
“He’s a smart player with real, good skill and a skill package of puck-playing,
defending, skating, all of the above,” said Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett.
“He’s a young player that is continuing to improve with all the experience he’s
getting. He’s a really good all-around player.”
Selected sixth overall by the Coyotes in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft,
Ekman-Larsson made an immediate impact with the team.
The Tingsryd, Sweden, product scored 13 goals and collected 32 points in
his first full season with the Coyotes. He had three goals and 24 points in the
lockout-shortened season last year.
“I think he’s still a young player,” Tippett said. “Defence is a hard position to
play in this league, especially when you’re playing against top players every
night, playing in all situations. He continues to learn, continues to elevate his
game through the experiences he’s got. He’s a very dedicated athlete, wants
to be a top player and will continue to strive to be a top player.”
Heading into Tuesday’s contest against the Oilers, Ekman-Larsson had four
goals and 14 assists in 26 games with the Coyotes. He plays on the team’s
top defensive pairing alongside Michael Stone.
“Things are going pretty well, the last couple of games here, however, have
been pretty bad,” Ekman-Larsson said. “It’s been pretty up and down for the
whole team. We haven’t played great, but we’ve found ways to win, which is
the good thing.
“We have to keep going and I’m just trying to take my game to the next level,
compete hard in practice and in games.”
Ekman-Larsson is considered the cornerstone of the Coyotes blue-line,
which also includes the likes of Keith Yandle and Derek Morris.
He plays with a lot more poise than a 22-year-old should have, and is rarely
fazed by those he’s up against.
“The organization believes in me and they trust me on the ice, so I feel
comfortable on the ice and I just try to do my thing,” Ekman-Larsson said. “I
just have to keep playing my game.
“I’m trying to be a leader on the ice. That’s the next step, I have to be a leader
on the ice and in the locker room.”
While Ekman-Larsson has always been strong offensively, it’s in his own end
of the ice where the six-foot-two, 190-pound blue liner is really making
strides. He takes great pride in being good at both ends of the rink.
“I want to be a shutdown guy and try to score some goals as well,” he said.
Growing up idolizing former Red Wings standout Nicklas Lidstrom,
Ekman-Larsson is drawing comparisons to the future Hall-of-Famer.
“He was my favourite player growing up,” Ekman-Larsson said. “He’s still an
idol of mine. I watched him a lot when I was younger.
“I tried to play like he did. I don’t know if I’ll ever score 50 points like he did,
but that’s one of my goals. I want to score more points and want to score
more goals. But you have to take it one step at a time.”
The next step for Ekman-Larsson may be competing with Sweden at the
Sochi Olympics in February. He participated in Sweden’s orientation camp
725820
Edmonton Oilers
Downtown Edmonton arena named Rogers Place
By Dave Lazzarino
,Edmonton Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 12:27 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 05:54 PM MST
Edmonton's arena may not have a construction start date or even all the
money it needs to be finished. But at least now it's got a name.
An announcement was made Tuesday that the downtown arena complex,
expected to be built by 2016, will be called Rogers Place, joining Rogers
Centre stadium in Toronto and Rogers Arena in Vancouver in the list of
venues under the telecom giant's brand.
The agreement extends the 13-year telecommunications sponsorship deal
already in place to cover advertising and signage, as well as concourse, rink,
in-ice, in-bowl and in-game applications.
"This conversation started in the early summer of 2012," explained Oilers
president Patrick LaForge, when asked how the naming deal came about.
In October, Rogers made a $700 million commitment over the next four years
that included expanding their network coverage in Edmonton as well as
building its sports presence in the city.
Neither LaForge nor Rogers executive vice president John Boynton offered
any details about how much that $700 million went into the naming rights
except to say it was "not in the ballpark" of the $1 million recently paid for the
naming rights of the Pengrowth Saddledome in Calgary.
"We don't actually break all of that up for competitive reasons," said Boynton,
adding the partnership with Rogers promises to incorporate the most
innovative telecommunications technology into the new venue.
The Katz Group, as per the contract with the city, gets all revenue from the
naming rights. When asked if he would have agreed to the arena deal
knowing that the Oilers would be the ones getting a portion of $700 million in
sponsorship money, Mayor Don Iveson said the deal was signed
understanding that any operating profits would be going to the team.
"You can ask what if, but at this point we're happy that there's a deal and that
the building has a name. And if it contributes to the sustainability and success
of the hockey team and the city, then that's good news," said Iveson.
"We expect to have information in the new year and if it comes in within the
budget, then nothing changes, we just carry on to construction and we'll be
able to do a formal groundbreaking in that time."
Should the cost prove to be over the $480 million budget for the building, a
process to work through those cost overruns is in place, he said.
Construction is loosely scheduled to begin in spring 2014 and be ready to
open for the 2016/17 season. In the meantime, the Oilers are negotiating a
lease extension with Northlands so the team can play at Rexall until 2016.
Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725821
Edmonton Oilers
GOALTENDING
Oilers getting solid work from both goalies
Oilers goalie Ilya Bryzgalov out until Thursday ... or Christmas
POWER PLAY
May have suffered a concussion, or whiplash
Visitors power play ranks sixth in the NHL
PENALTY KILL
By Robert Tychkowski
,Edmonton Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 12:56 PM MST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 01:11 PM MST
Phoenix struggling mightily here
COACHING
Dave Tippett is one of the best in the business
OVERALL
Ilya Bryzgalov could be back by Thursday, or he could be out till Christmas.
If the Oilers can take advantage on the power play
The Edmonton Oilers are hoping and expecting their injured netminder will
only be out a few days, but admit there’s no such thing as a time line when
you’re dealing with concussion symptoms.
---
The area is so grey they’re not even sure he actually has one - it could be
whiplash - but they’re taking the precautionary route.
Nail Yakupov
“It might be two days, it might be two years, take your pick,” said head coach
Dallas Eakins, who watched Bryzgalov go down in the second period in
Dallas. “He took a wicked blow when (Ryan) Garbutt was driving the net. It’s
something that unfortunately happens when guys are trying to score goals.
“He’s got the symptoms that go together with a concussion, or whiplash or
whatever way you want to put it. We always treat those immediately as a
concussion, even though we’re not quite sure if that’s what it is or not.”
Edmonton called Jason LaBarbera up from the minors to fill in while
Bryzgalov, who was at the rink Tuesday morning but didn’t speak with
reporters, waits until the symptoms go away.
Edmonton will also be without centre Boyd Gordon for tonight’s game with
the Phoenix Coyotes, leaving the club seriously shorthanded in the faceoff
circle.
Phoenix is one of the NHL’s stronger faceoff teams (10th in the NHL), while
the Oilers, with Boyd Gordon’s 58% success rate, are 21st. Take him out of
the equation and they’re in deep trouble.
“They (the Coyotes) are strong down the middle, it’s a massive challenge for
our centremen,” said Eakins, who needs Sam Gagner, Ryan
Nugent-Hopkins, Mark Arcobello and Will Acton to pick up a lot of slack.
“We’ve got some centremen who haven’t been great on draws. If you’re
going to play centre in this league you have to win faceoffs.
“It’s imperative that you have the puck. If you don’t have the puck off the draw
you’re chasing it for 15 or 20 seconds. It’s going to be a huge challenge for
our centremen and the second part is everyone has to help on those draws,
everyone has to be in there.”
The Coyotes currently hold the last wildcard playoff spot in the West with 34
points, 14 ahead of Edmonton.
ROBERT.TYCHKOWSKI@Sunmedia.ca
TWITTER.com/SUN_TYCHKOWSKI
Oilers (9-17-2) vs Phoenix (15-7-4))
SPECIAL TEAMS
Tuesday, 7:30 pm SportsNet, 630 CHED
OILERS : PP 18th, 18.4%. PK 17th 82.5%.
COYOTES : PP 6th 22%. PK 27th 76.8%.
--HOW THEY MATCH UP
Sun hockey guy ICE T breaks it down
FORWARDS
On paper you have to give it to Edmonton
DEFENCE
Coyotes always strong on team defence
WHO TO WATCH
He has four points in four career games against Phoenix, and needs to start
stepping up his production.
--Edmonton
The Oilers and Coyotes always seem to be locked in a tight battle. Edmonton
won two of three games last season -- one in overtime and one in a shootout
-- while the Coyotes posted a 3-1 victory, scoring the insurance marker with
nine seconds left in regulation ... In their only meeting this season, Phoenix
won 5-4 ... The Coyotes have won six of their last eight trips to Edmonton.
Phoenix
The Coyotes have the better record, but are just 4-4-2 in their last 10 (while
the Oilers are 5-5-0) ... Phoenix is 7-1-3 this year when Keith Yandle gets a
point. They're 7-0-4 in one-goal games and 11-1-1 when scoring first ...
Oliver Ekman-Larsson ranks 8th among the NHL defencemen 18 points in 26
games ... G. Mike Smith is 6-1-1 with a 2.38 GAA and a .919 SV% in nine
career games against the Oilers.
Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725822
Florida Panthers
Ottawa Senators stop strong start by Panthers, send Florida to third
consecutive loss
Florida scored twice early in hopes of shaking a recent funk, but allowed four
unanswered goals to drop its fifth game in six contests.
By George Richards
The Panthers got the start they were hoping for Tuesday night although their
two early power-play goals didn’t hold up for long.
Ottawa, which has struggled almost as badly as Florida this year, scored four
unanswered goals to beat the Panthers 4-2 in front of a friends-and-family
gathering at BB&T Center.
Florida has lost three in a row and five of the past six.
“This is frustrating. It’s not fun,” said defenseman Brian Campbell, whose
team led 2-0 less than nine minutes into the game.
“I feel like we’re close but we keep making major mistakes that cost us. They
don’t seem to leave our game.”
Florida’s power play got things going early with Jonathan Huberdeau scoring
the opening goal on a 5-on-3 chance by following up Tomas Fleischmann
rebound. Fleischmann’s assist marked his first point in 10 games.
Campbell made it 2-0 on the extended power-play chance by roofing a shot
past former Florida goalie Craig Anderson.
Ottawa, which took 21 shots in the opening period, closed the first with goals
from Joe Corvo and Erik Condra. Corvo’s goal was a 55-foot wrister from just
inside the blue line, the puck zipping over Tim Thomas’ right shoulder.
Ottawa spent much of the second on the power play, cashing in late in the
period when another long shot from Corvo hit teammate Colin Greening and
bounced over Thomas’ head.
Greening’s goal served as the game-winner as Bobby Ryan tacked on the
fourth goal with 8:08 left to put the Panthers away.
“We had a great start then got into penalty trouble,” said Scottie Upshall, who
was flagged for three of Florida’s eight infractions. “I thought our penalty kill
did a great job but you can’t build momentum when you are killing and not
creating offense. My two penalties in the offensive zone were unacceptable. I
can’t be doing that.”
KULIKOV BENCHED
Struggling defenseman Dmitry Kulikov watched Tuesday’s game from the
press box after being scratched from the lineup.
“I’m disappointed, that’s the only way to describe it,” said Kulikov, the 14th
overall pick of the 2009 draft who made his NHL debut a few months later.
“I’m going to work hard to get back into the lineup. I think most of this is
mental. The mistakes I’ve made weren’t forced; I shouldn’t have made them.
What happened, happened. I have to work hard to get it out of me and not
worry about it.”
Kulikov, the subject of trade rumors, has been his own worst enemy of late.
On Monday, coach Peter Horachek called Kulikov one of Florida’s most
talented defensive players — but one who needed to get out of this slump.
Horachek said taking a step back Tuesday might be what Kulikov needs.
“I think that’s a good thing for a lot of players. They have to go through this
process,” Horachek said.
“They have to be accountable to their teammates. We’ve decided it’s best for
him to just sit back, to see it and come back with a whole new approach to the
game. … The attitude is key when it comes to adversity. And this is
adversity.”
Mike Mottau replaced Kulikov in the lineup and was hit with a pair of
penalties.
• Tuesday’s announced attendance of 10,074 was the lowest in six seasons.
The Panthers announced a crowd of 10,063 on Halloween night in 2008
against the Hurricanes.
Miami Herald LOADED: 12.04.2013
725823
Florida Panthers
SENS AGAIN: Panthers Squander 2-0 Lead, Lose 4-2 to Ottawa
Posted by George Richards at 10:49 PM | Permalink
The Panthers got the start they were hoping for Tuesday night although their
two early power play goals didn't hold up for long.
Ottawa, which has struggled almost as badly as Florida this year, scored four
unanswered goals to beat the Panthers 4-2 in front of a friends-and-family
gathering at BB&T Center.
Florida has lost three straight and five of the past six.
"This is frustrating. It's not fun,'' said defenseman Brian Campbell, whose
team led 2-0 less than nine minutes into the game.
"I feel like we're close but we keep making major mistakes that cost us. They
don't seem to leave our game.''
Florida's power play got things going early with Jonathan Huberdeau scoring
the opening goal on a 5-on-3 chance by following up Tomas Fleischmann
rebound. Fleischmann's assist marked his first point in 10 games.
Campbell made it 2-0 on the extended power play chance by roofing a shot
past former Florida goalie Craig Anderson.
Ottawa, which took 21 shots in the opening period, closed the first with goals
from Joe Corvo and Erik Condra. Corvo's goal was a 55-foot wrister from just
inside the blue line, the puck zipping over Tim Thomas' right shoulder.
Ottawa spent much of the second on the power play, cashing in late in the
period when another long shot from Corvo hit teammate Colin Greening and
bounced over Thomas' head.
Greening's goal served as the game-winner as Bobby Ryan tacked on the
fourth goal with 8:08 left to put the Panthers away.
"We had a great start then got into penalty trouble,'' said Scottie Upshall, who
was flagged for three of Florida's eight infractions. "I thought our penalty kill
did a great job but you can't build momentum when you are killing and not
creating offense. My two penalties in the offensive zone were unacceptable. I
can't be doing that.''
-- Tuesday's announced attendance of 10,074 was the lowest in six seasons.
The Panthers announced a crowd of 10,063 on Halloween night in 2008
against the Hurricanes.
-- Florida is 0-2 against the Sens this year and just 3-13-1 against Ottawa
since the start of the 2009-10 season.
Miami Herald LOADED: 12.04.2013
725824
Florida Panthers
ATLANTIC ROUGH ON PANTHERS: Florida Searches for First Division Win
v. Sens on Tuesday
Posted by George Richards at 11:51 AM | Permalink
The Panthers enter the heart of their divisional schedule this month with nine
of the next 13 games coming within the Atlantic Division starting with
Tuesday's home game against the Senators.
Florida, to be kind, has struggled in its new division as the Panthers are the
only team in the NHL to not win a divisional game this season.
The Panthers go into Tuesday's game with a 0-5-1 record in the Atlantic.
"I don't spend a lot of time looking at those things because it becomes
frustrating,'' coach Peter Horachek said after Monday's morning practice.
"You can't look at it as a daunting task.''
Although the Panthers have played 27 games this season, only six have
come against fellow teams in the new division.
Florida and Tampa Bay were taken from the old Southeast Division and put
into the Atlantic this season.
The Panthers were members of the Atlantic Division from their expansion
season through 1997-98. The Panthers began the 1998-99 season in the
Southeast Division and stayed there until this year.
Florida's previous Atlantic Division win came on April 9, 1998. The Panthers'
3-2 win over the Flyers was their final victory at Miami Arena.
"How we play in the division will help determine where we're going to be,''
Tomas Fleischmann said. "This is going to be an important stretch for us. We
have to really push it. It's been strange because we haven't played too many
divisional team. But we need points and it doesn't matter who it comes
against.''
-- Jesse Winchester spent four seasons playing for his hometown Ottawa
Senators and had dozens of fans and family members at Florida's game at
Ottawa on Nov. 9.
Winchester didn't play in that game, however, as he was starting a
three-game suspension.
On Tuesday, Winchester will get a chance to go against his former team for
the first time.
"I spent a lot of good years with them and know them pretty well,'' said
Winchester, whose four goals this season are the most he's scored since
tallying four for the Sens in 2010-11.
"I'm excited to get on the ice and compete against them. I wanted to play
before, but my plans fell through.''
-- Tomas Kopecky went through an entire practice Monday for the first time
since injuring his elbow Nov. 21 at Edmonton. Kopecky also participated in
Tuesday's morning skate but will not play.
TUESDAY: SENATORS AT PANTHERS
When, Where: 7:30 p.m.; BB&T Center, Sunrise
TV/Radio: FSNF; WQAM-560
The series: Ottawa leads 45-28-3
The game: Ottawa, which has lost two straight, won the first meeting 3-2 on
Nov. 9 in Peter Horachek's first game behind the Panthers bench. Ottawa
has won the season series against Florida in each of the past four seasons
and in six of the past seven.
Miami Herald LOADED: 12.04.2013
725825
Florida Panthers
KULIKOV BENCHED: Panthers Sit Struggling Defenseman V Sens
Posted by George Richards at 11:44 AM | Permalink
Struggling defenseman Dmitry Kulikov will find himself on the sidelines
Tuesday as he will be a healthy scratch against the Senators.
Kulikov has been his own worst enemy of late. On Monday, coach Peter
Horachek called Kulikov one of Florida's most talented defensive players but one who needed to get out of this slump.
On Tuesday, Kulikov spent extra time after the morning skate with fellow
scratch Scott Gomez and injured captain Ed Jovanovski.
"I'm disappointed, that's the only way to describe it,'' said Kulikov, the 14th
overall pick of the 2009 draft who made his NHL debut a few months later.
"I'm going to work hard to get back into the lineup. I think most of this is
mental. The mistakes I've made weren't forced; I shouldn't have made them.
What happened, happened. I have to work hard to get it out of me and not
worry about it.''
Horachek said taking a step back on Tuesday isn't a bad thing for Kulikov.
"I think that's a good thing for a lot of players. They have to go through this
process,'' Horachek said. "They have to be accountable to their teammates.
We've decided it's best for him to just sit back, to see it and come back with a
whole new approach to the game.
"No one wants to be in this situation but sometimes it's necessary.''
Horachek said he would speak with Kulikov -- "they all get spoken to in that
situation" -- although Kulikov said he that hasn't happened yet.
"He's out there, he knows the situation he's in,'' Horachek said. "How he
approaches it is up to him. If he says 'OK. I'm going to work hard and pay
attention so this doesn't happen anymore.' He could also take a victim's
attitude and that's something a player can't do. Most players take the right
approach. The attitude is key when it comes to adversity.
"And this is adversity.''
When asked if he was surprised to be benched, Kulikov said "a little bit. I
didn't think I was playing bad enough to be kicked out of the lineup but that's
the coach's decision.''
-- Horachek also said that Tomas Kopecky and Matt Gilroy were getting
closer to being in the lineup but they wouldn't play Tuesday against the Sens.
-- Tim Thomas is back between the pipes. This is Thomas' 12th straight start
for the Panthers.
Miami Herald LOADED: 12.04.2013
725826
Florida Panthers
Panthers' fast start ends in 4-2 loss to the Sens
Despite two first-period PPGs, Florida loses third straight
By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel
10:56 p.m. EST, December 3, 2013
SUNRISE —
For the first 10 minutes all looked right in the Panthers' world. Two rare
power-play goals and an even rarer two-goal lead in the first period against a
division opponent with an equally porous defense who was also on a
two-game losing streak.
However, as the reeling Panthers have seemed to forgotten for most of this
miserable season that may have them out of the playoff race by Christmas, is
that a regulation hockey game is 60 minutes long.
For the remaining 50 minutes, the Panthers resorted to undisciplined,
penalty-marred play that paved the way for a 4-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators
Tuesday night in front of a sparse crowd at the BB&T Center.
A five-game homestand that began with promise after a 3-1 victory over the
Flyers has soured into a three-game losing streak in which the Panthers have
been outscored 14-5. They're now 0-6-1 against fellow Atlantic Division foes,
including two losses to the 11-13-4 Senators, who also spoiled Peter
Horachek's coaching debut on Nov. 9.
"We didn't get a lot of breaks on some of their other chances,'' Horachek said.
"They had a seeing-eye goal on the first one and one goal off a knee that
bounced up in the air and go in. Another one a guy gets knocked down
holding his stick and it goes in.
"We've got to work for our breaks. It's frustrating. You got to keep on pushing
forward. We're all in this together.''
Top 20 plays in Miami Dolphins history
After a wide-open 2-2 first period, the second frame was scoreless until 43
seconds remained and Sens defenseman Joe Corvo's slapper caromed off
Colin Greening's body. The puck blooped over Tim Thomas and into the net
for a power-play goal and a 3-2 Sens' lead after two.
Bobby Ryan applied the sleeper hold with a doorstep tapper at 11:52 of the
third.
Although the Panthers' PK unit killed off six of seven Sens' power plays, it
marked the sixth straight game they have allowed at least one PPG.
The Panthers jumped all over the Senators when given a 1:13, 5-on-3
advantage early in the first period. Two slumping forwards combined on the
first PPG as Jonathan Huberdeau swatted in a rebound of Tomas
Fleischmann's slapper just 21 seconds at 6:44.That ended a nine-game
pointless slide for Fleischmann, and a six-game goal drought for Huberdeau.
Then 1:38 later, still with a one-man advantage, the Panthers made it 2-zip
when Scottie Upshall found defenseman Brian Campbell in the faceoff circle
where he uncorked a wrister past Craig Anderson.
"Very frustrated. I feel like we're close but we still make those major mistakes
that cost us all the time,'' Campbell said. "They don't seem to be leaving our
game.
"It's not easy. I think the percentages [of making the playoffs] are pretty low
so … it's not fun.''
The seasaw scoring chances continued with Corvo flicking a riser from the
blue line that hopped over Thomas' shoulder. Thomas, who was coming off
two straight mediocre (8 goals on 34 shots) outings, gave up four goals on a
season-high 45 shots.
"We can't let that change the momentum,'' Thomas said. "We got the 2-0 lead
and it's our job to keep it. I thought I played well tonight.''
Anderson, snapped out of a slump in which he had allowed four goals in each
of his previous four games, to notch 30 saves and improve to 10-1-1 against
his former club.
The only other game this season that the Panthers notched two power-play
goals came in their home-opening 6-3 victory over the Penguins on Oct. 11.
The first-period shooting gallery ended on Erik Condra's stuffer at 18:45 to
forge a 2-2 tie after one.
Apparently, the benching of error-prone defenseman Dmitry Kulikov for the
first time this season didn't do much for the Panthers' porous defense which
was tied with the Sens for most goals against in the Eastern Conference.
"I think most of this is mental,'' said Kulikov, who has three points with a
minus-9 rating and 14 turnovers. "The mistakes I have made weren't forced. I
shouldn't have made them. What happened, happened, just work hard to get
it out of me and not worry about it.
"I don't think I was playing bad enough to get thrown out of the lineup, but it's
the coach's decision.''
Sun Sentinel LOADED: 12.04.2013
725827
Florida Panthers
Panthers coach benches error-prone Kulikov
Young defenseman continues to turn the puck over and come up empty on
offense; Winchester reunites with former team
By Harvey Fialkov, Sun Sentinel
7:24 p.m. EST, December 3, 2013
SUNRISE —
Panthers coach Peter Horachek had seen enough after another turnover by
defenseman Dmitry Kulikov led directly to a goal by the Penguins in
Saturday's 5-1 loss.
Horachek told the Sun Sentinel after the game that he had reached the point
of sitting the mistake-prone defenseman and on Tuesday he lived up to his
word by making Kulikov a healthy scratch for the first time this season
against the Ottawa Senators.
Kulikov, the 14th overall draft pick in 2009 by the Panthers and a projected
top-two defensemen, was replaced by veteran defenseman Mike Mottau,
who spent last season in the minors.
Kulikov, who's only 23 but in his fifth NHL season, was surprised by the
scratch when he met with the media after an extra skating session following
morning skate.
"I think most of this is mental,'' said Kulikov, who has three points in 23
games with a minus-9 on-ice rating and 14 turnovers. "The mistakes I have
made weren't forced. I shouldn't have made them. What happened,
happened, just work hard to get it out of me and not worry about it.
"I don't think I was playing bad enough to get thrown out of the lineup, but it's
the coach's decision. Yeah, so I was surprised.''
Top 20 plays in Miami Dolphins history
Kulikov, in the final year of a two-year deal worth $5 million, has been the
subject of constant trade rumors, but his value has certainly dropped due to a
second straight mediocre season.
For a defenseman known more for his offensive prowess than physical play,
Kulikov has drawn an inordinate amount of penalties, already amassing 35
PIMs or 10 below his career high.
Kulikov's tripping penalty on Saturday set up a Penguins' power-play goal
and his errant pass handed them their final goal which must've been the
proverbial last straw for Horachek.
"They have to be accountable to their teammates, and when we decide that
it's best for him, sometimes it's good just to sit back and see it,'' Horachek told
NHL.com. "And you come back with a whole new approach to the game.
Nobody wants to be in that situation, but sometimes it's just necessary.
"It's definitely mental,'' Horachek said recently. "He's fighting it a little bit; and
he's going to find his way.''
For now, Kulikov will have to find his way from the pressbox with the
popcorn-eating media.
Winchester reunion
Panthers forward Jesse Winchester had sort of a reunion with his first love
Tuesday, as he faced the Senators, the only NHL team he had ever played
for before this season.
Undrafted out of Long Sault, Ontario, the Senators signed Winchester in
2007, and he played there for four-plus seasons, notching 11 goals and 41
assists in 233 games.
A concussion combined with the lockout last year forced Winchester out of
the NHL in 2012-13, until Panthers assistant GM Mike Santos offered him a
two-way deal this summer.
"Obviously, it's special to break into the league with them and spending four
exciting years,'' Winchester said to an Ottawa media throng. "A lot of good
friends. I'm excited to drop the puck.
"It was close to home … a great experience all around, but this one is, too. I
have a great chance to play here and have really enjoyed my time.''
Winchester, 30, immediately impressed the former and current coaching
staff, rendering any thoughts of him going down to the AHL a moot point. He
has eight points in 21 games and has been a staple on the penalty-killing
unit.
"He works hard in all three areas of the rink," Horachek said. "He's not afraid
to go into the hard areas. He's pretty good on the walls. That's one of the
areas before I got here that he was one of the players who were doing what
they needed to do and living up to their responsibilities.''
Winchester credited his time playing in Finland during and after the lockout
for helping him get over his concussion fears as well as getting him back to
the NHL.
"It got me back on the map,'' Winchester said. …
Panthers forward Tomas Kopecky (elbow) continues to skate with the team,
but he is still day to day.
Sun Sentinel LOADED: 12.04.2013
725828
Florida Panthers
Resurgent Winchester reunites with Senators
By Harvey Fialkov Sun Sentinel
1:30 p.m. EST, December 3, 2013
Panthers forward Jesse Winchester had sort of a reunion with his first love
Tuesday, as he prepared to face his former and only NHL team for the first
time.
Undrafted out of nearby Long Sault, the Ottawa Senators signed Winchester
in 2007. He played for them for four-plus seasons, notching 11 goals and 41
assists in 233 games.
A concussion combined with the lockout last year forced Winchester out of
the NHL in 2012-13, until Panthers assistant GM Mike Santos offered him a
two-way deal this summer.
Winchester immediately impressed the former and current coaching staff,
rendering any thoughts of him going down to the AHL a moot point.
“Obviously, it’s special to break into the league with them and spending four
exciting years,’’ Winchester said to an Ottawa media throng after morning
skate. “A lot of good friends. I’m excited to drop the puck tonight.
“It was close to home, so many supporters, a great experience all around, but
this one is, too. I have a great chance to play here and have really enjoyed
my time.’’
Winchester, 30, has eight points in 21 games and has been a staple on the
penalty-killing unit.
Top 20 plays in Miami Dolphins history
“He works hard in all three areas of the rink," Panthers coach Peter Horachek
said. “He's not afraid to go into the hard areas. He's pretty good on the walls.
That's one of the areas before I got here that he was one of the players who
were doing what they needed to do and living up to their responsibilities. He's
a good kid, he works hard, and he's kind of a workhorse that people can
follow and use as an example."
Winchester credited his time playing in Finland during the lockout and after
for helping him get over his concussion fears as well as getting him back to
the NHL.
“It got me back on the map,’’ Winchester said. “I was happy playing a game
I love at a high level. It gave me a better perspective and a good mindset
going into the summer working my way back.
“It took a long time, no so much the concussion symptoms, they were gone. It
was getting ready to get involved in situations you have to deal with in order
to play. You have to put yourself in harm’s way.
"It took me awhile during the lockout but it was probably good that I ended up
playing competitive games in November so when I went into it I was fine.’’
Winchester, who missed the first game against Ottawa on Nov. 9 while
serving a three-game suspension for a high elbow, already has matched his
career high with four goals.
“It’s the way you fit into the lineup,’’ Winchester said. “Playing overseas
helped me grow up a little bit. I’ve been playing hard and been lucky a few
times. I don’t grade myself really on points. I like to be hard to play against, be
smart defensively, be reliable. And if I could put up points it’s way more fun.’’
Panthers forward Scottie Upshall, who is also having a rebound season with
a team-leading 14 points, is a fan of Winchester’s.
“He’s a worker, a good pro, a great teammate,’’ Upshall said. “He’s here
every day to work and get better. As a veteran guy we all feed off what he
does on a daily basis. He’s good to have in the room and always has a smile
on his face.
“His reputation speaks for itself. He’s worked hard, battled through the tough
things, his adversity, and here he is now playing probably his best hockey.’’
Sun Sentinel LOADED: 12.04.2013
725829
Florida Panthers
Panthers coach benches Dmitry Kulikov
By Harvey Fialkov Sun Sentinel
12:13 p.m. EST, December 3, 2013
From day one when Peter Horachek took over for Kevin Dineen, he’s
stressed accountability from every player and his distaste for turnovers.
Clearly, young defenseman Dmitry Kulikov didn’t get the message as his
continuing penchant for committing turnovers in the opposition’s end led to
Horachek benching him for Tuesday’s game against the Senators. “I think
most of this is mental. The mistakes I have made weren’t forced,'' Kulikov
said after working after morning skate. "I shouldn’t have made them. What
happened, happened, just work hard to get it out of me and not worry about it.
“A little bitI don’t think I was playing bad enough to get thrown out of the
lineup, but it’s the coach’s decision. Yeah, so I was surprised.’’ When the Sun
Sentinel asked Horachek at what point is it time to sit Kulikov after another
turnover led directly to a Penguins’ goal Saturday night, he replied: “Yeah. I
think we’re at that point.’’ However, on Monday, Horachek defended Kulikov,
saying he’s one of the most talented defensemen on the team but that he
was in a mental funk. He had captain Ed Jovanovski work with Kulikov on
Monday. Kulikov’s benching means Matt Mottau will return to the lineup.
Jovanovski and Matt Gilroy remain on injured reserve. Also, forward Tomas
Kopecky continues to skate with the team, however, he will not play tonight
and remains day to day with an elbow injury. Forward Scott Gomez bag
skated and will also be scratched. Despite two tough outings in a row, Tim
Thomas will be back in the net tonight. Forward Jesse Winchester, who
played his first four seasons with the Senators before a concussion and the
lockout contributed to him being out of the NHL last season, was surrounded
by the Ottawa media after morning skate. This will be the first time
Winchester will play against the team that gave him his first opportunity to
play in the NHL, as he missed the last game against the Senators while he
was serving a three-game suspension for a high elbow.
Sun Sentinel LOADED: 12.04.2013
725830
Los Angeles Kings
Both teams had trouble on the power play — the Kings were scoreless in five
advantages and the Ducks were one for six — but both had strong penalty
killing. Neither lacked for emotion.
Kings-Ducks rivalry has a new feel to it
"It was intense for sure," Jones said of his first experience with this rivalry.
With both teams playing well at the same time, a rarity, Kings win an intense
shootout in first meeting of the season.
"I wanted to make sure I was as prepared and focused as I could be and try
and enjoy it a little bit if I could. It was an intense game, and a hard-fought
game and we're happy with the extra point."
By Helene Elliott
The Kings and Ducks will meet four more times this season, including the
first-ever outdoor game in Southern California at Dodger Stadium on Jan. 25.
December 3, 2013, 11:04 p.m.
Less than a year ago, Dustin Penner and Slava Voynov were teammates
who shared the goal of repeating as Stanley Cup champions.
When they faced each other Tuesday at Anaheim, with Penner wearing a
Ducks uniform and Voynov in the Kings' colors, Penner spun Voynov around
by the neck and dumped him like a sack of potatoes behind the Kings' net. He
inflicted the same indignity later on Anze Kopitar, formerly his linemate.
Penner and Jarret Stoll were teammates before Penner left the Kings to sign
with the Ducks as a free agent last summer.
They were friends, no doubt sitting at the same dining tables and in the same
section of the team bus.
That relationship was put on hold Tuesday while they battled for every inch of
ice and yapped at each other in the heat of the teams' first encounter this
season, a 3-2 shootout victory by the Kings in nine tense, dramatic rounds in
the renewal of a rivalry that has reached its highest heights.
"It was a great hockey game. Start to finish it was a great pace," said Stoll,
who praised Penner and said his own verbal and physical jabs at his former
teammate were made in a joking manner.
"The first 10 minutes I don't think there was maybe one whistle. Power plays,
some great goaltending and it went right down to the ending. It was kind of a
fitting way to end the game."
Kings goalie Martin Jones made 26 saves in his NHL debut and was perfect
through the shootout, giving Ben Scrivens a rest after Scrivens had made 10
consecutive starts.
"Nice for Jonesy to stand on his head like he did," said Kings winger Dwight
King, whose glove-side goal
on Jonas Hiller was the only successful shot either team mustered in the
shootout.
King was so tired after the lengthy shootout and second game in as many
days for the Kings that he didn't even know how many rounds the shootout
had gone. He thought 10. Nine, he was told.
"Nine? Way up there," he said.
The Kings (18-7-4) now have 40 points, one behind the Ducks (18-7-5) with
one game in hand. Both teams have had solid starts this season and the
Ducks remain the only NHL team that hasn't lost in regulation at home
(10-0-2).
But for much of their shared history, the two teams seemed to be heading in
opposite directions. When one was successful the other inevitably was
struggling.
The season the Ducks won the Stanley Cup — 2006-07 — the Kings missed
the playoffs. The season the Kings won the Cup — 2011-12 — the Ducks
missed the postseason fun.
Rarely have they met when both teams were playing well enough to rank
among the league's top 10, as both did Tuesday. They entered with a
combined record this season of 35-14-8, a .684 winning percentage, the best
combined record they ever had when they played each other. The Kings
have won 53 of their all-time meetings and the Ducks have won 49.
It doesn't get much closer than that or much more hotly contested than it was
Tuesday.
Scrivens had said the game would be "a good challenge for us, a good
measuring stick for us," but that applied to both teams, not just the Kings.
The only way this rivalry can be any better would be if they met in the
playoffs, and the excellent level of play both have reached this season, the
resilience they've shown in finding ways to win games despite injuries to key
players, bodes well for them to both continue at this level and lead to a playoff
confrontation with each team's season on the line, not just bragging rights for
a week or two.
LA Times: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725831
Los Angeles Kings
Dwight King ends long scoreless shootout as Kings beat Ducks, 3-2
King's winner, his first-ever shootout attempt, is the difference in rivals'
nine-round shootout. Kings goalie Martin Jones wins in his NHL debut.
By Lance Pugmire
December 3, 2013, 10:16 p.m.
Kings goaltender Martin Jones' NHL debut was, of course, going to be
memorable.
Tuesday night against the Ducks, he made it unforgettable.
Jones did not allow the Ducks to score in nine shootout attempts, and
watched teammate Dwight King end the marathon by beating Ducks' goalie
Jonas Hiller for the capper in the Kings' 3-2 victory at Honda Center.
Jones was plugged in as the starter because Ben Scrivens, the backup to the
injured Jonathan Quick, had played in 10 consecutive games.
"We had never seen this goalie before," said Ducks center Nick Bonino, who
joined teammates Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry, Teemu Selanne and finally
Mathieu Perreault, who tried and failed to beat the 23-year-old rookie.
"He just played deep in his net, wouldn't let you deke and made some good
saves."
After stopping 26 of 28 shots in regulation, Jones said he approached the
shootout with a clear mind, saying there was "not too much" running through
his mind as the pressure multiplied with each round.
"I've been in that situation before," Jones said. "The shooters are a little bit
higher level. I just wanted to stick with what I've been doing and what I've
been working on, and I was able to make a couple saves there."
King's winner, his first-ever shootout attempt, went to Hiller's right, slipping
between his glove and pad after he had stopped eight straight Kings' shots
and 49 of 51 before the bonus session.
"A lot of guys shot gloves, some guys hit irons … my weapon going down
was to surprise him with a quick shot," King said.
"Tough to lose that way," Hiller said. "All you can do is make as many saves
as you can, and hope the guys up front score at some point."
The Ducks (18-7-5) took a 2-1 lead 2:14 into the third when Corey Perry, on a
power play set up by Slava Voynov's holding, saw a Cam Fowler shot trickle
to him, allowing him to deke Jones, then slipping a backhand over the
goalie's sprawled right leg.
The Kings (18-7-4) responded less than four minutes later when Dustin
Brown bashed a shot off a face-off through Hiller's glove. It was Brown's
second goal in the last 14 games.
Both teams failed to convert power plays in overtime, in which the Ducks
briefly had a two-man advantage.
"We definitely had chances," Hiller said. "Too bad we couldn't take
advantage of it."
The teams exchanged goals in a 46-second span of the second period.
Not only did the Ducks fail to get a shot on goal for more than seven minutes
in a second straight period, Getzlaf turned the puck over to Jeff Carter, and
the Kings' center pounded a shot past the right glove of Hiller for a 1-0 lead.
Getzlaf's redemption was immediate, as he stole the puck along the boards
and moved it up ice to defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who delivered a shot
that bounced off Jones to Getzlaf. He tapped it in for his 14th goal of the
season. Getzlaf has an 11-game scoring streak.
The goalies then continued their battle, with Jones surviving a power play by
covering a Bonino shot from the side and a Teemu Selanne attempt.
Hiller answered by holding up to pressure from defenseman Sami Vatanen's
turnover, which led to a King shot and Carter follow.
LA Times: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725832
Los Angeles Kings
Whicker: Penner's reunion tour is a hit
He fits in perfectly with Ducks linemates Getzlaf and Perry, although the
Kings overcame them Tuesday.
By MARK WHICKER
“Carter and Richards got their goals more on a rush, Getz and Pears more
east-west. It works well for us when we cycle the puck.”
As you might recall, L.A. and Anaheim came within one game of the first
Freeway Series last spring. Then the Ducks forgot to play Game 7 against
Detroit, and so much for that.
But this game illustrated just how transformational that series could have
been. The Kings shook off Monday night's physical victory over St. Louis and
piled up 51 shots but only Carter and Dustin Brown could get pucks past
Hiller.
ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Jones, the Kings' next goaltending prospect, got his first NHL start, with
Jonathan Quick hurt and with Darryl Sutter letting Ben Scrivens rest after
Monday night.
ANAHEIM – The Kings and Ducks are a riot in need of witnesses.
Jones was good but Hiller was right out of Vancouver 2010, when he stoned
the world while playing for the Swiss Olympic team.
Not just a sellout crowd like the one in Honda Center on Tuesday, but maybe
a network audience, in two countries, drawn in by the manic magnetism of a
seven-game playoff series.
Thanks to realignment it has a better chance of happening in 2014 than ever.
The first act was a rail-gripper, a 3-2 shootout victory by Los Angeles despite
the nonstop diligence of Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller, and another large
appearance by the PPG line – Ryan Getzlaf, Corey Perry and Dustin Penner.
Getzlaf chopped a goal past Kings goalie Martin Jones, right after his
giveaway had allowed Jeff Carter to put L.A. on the board first. Then Perry's
power-play goal made it 2-1 for Anaheim.
Some thought the Ducks were trying to re-bottle lightning when they signed
Penner to play with Getzlaf and Perry again. The PPG line hadn't been
together for six years. And you know how dissonant a reunion tour can be.
Instead, it's the stuff of Peaches & Herb. Reunited, Penner feels good
enough to come into Tuesday night with 21 points in 22 games, a 0.95
points-per-game pace that is 0.18 better than his previous high for a season.
His plus-17 is third-best in the NHL and ranks No. 1 among forwards.
Meanwhille, Perry has 15 goals and a 1.00 PPG, his best figure since he won
the Hart Trophy in 2011. He is tied for eighth in the league in points.
Getzlaf is tied for third, with 13 goals and 31 points. His 1.19 PPG would be a
career high if maintained, and he has two more goals than he had through
the 2011-12 season.
Chemistry is tough science at high speed. Its genesis is hard to identify, but
not the result.
“We've had it all along, even in the minors,” Penner said Tuesday morning.
“Great camaraderie. You can see us laughing after a goal. We share the
puck, we try to make the right play. There's not a lot of sophistry on this line.”
He was referring to something that might look real but actually isn't. He wasn't
specifically referring to the No. 1 line before he got here, but it's a good object
lesson.
Bobby Ryan was the left wing on the top line for most of the past four
seasons. It would be ludicrous to say that combination didn't work. After all,
Perry's 50-goal season and MVP award came with Ryan on the other side.
And Ryan had four consecutive 30-goal seasons.
But at times it was like a golf bag with three drivers.
Ryan is an offensive force. So is Perry. So, when so inclined, is Getzlaf. But
Penner is a passer of rare skill, and he also obscures the goalie, at 6-foot-5,
and pays attention to staying high and playing defense.
Chris Kunitz, who was the wingman before he was traded to Pittsburgh in '09,
was an energetic puck retriever in the corner and also liked to hit and
instigate. The styles of Kunitz and Penner allowed Getzlaf and Perry to be
who they must be.
“Obviously they played well when Bobby was here,” Penner said. “Bobby
scores more goals than I have, on the average. But Pears is our goal scorer.
Maybe Bobby also wanted to be the goal scorer.”
Penner had his moments, especially playoff moments, when he played with
Mike Richards and Jeff Carter in Los Angeles.
“Carter was more of a north-south guy than Pears,” he said. “Getz is a
two-way center like Richards, a pass-first guy. But on this line we all have
size.
In the end, Jones stopped nine consecutive Ducks in the shootout, and
Dwight King finally solved Hiller. If it had gone on much longer, Emerson
Etem might have been able to get here from Norfolk.
The Kings and Ducks will stage four more riots this season, one in a baseball
park, with most of Hollywood dropping in.
With any luck, that will only be the trailer.
Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725833
Los Angeles Kings
Jones, Kings stop Ducks in shootout
By ERIC STEPHENS / ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
ANAHEIM -- Martin Jones etched his name into the rivalry between the Kings
and Ducks with an NHL debut for his personal memory book.
The first game for Jones ultimately became a nine-round shootout, but the
North Vancouver native was very much up to the task, stopping nine Ducks
attempts as the Kings pulled out a 3-2 win Tuesday at Honda Center.
Dwight King scored in the ninth round, becoming the first to finally beat a
game Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller. Jones, who made 26 saves through
regulation and overtime, easily turned away Mathieu Perreault's attempt.
“It's still sinking in a little bit,” said Jones, who was 9-2-2 with a 2.24
goals-against average at Manchester in the AHL. “It's something I've worked
for, for a long time. And to get a win in the first start is pretty special. I'm sure
I'm going to enjoy it tonight.”
King’s goal spoiled a stellar effort by Hiller, whose 49 saves were two off his
career regular-season high.
“It's never fun to lose,” Hiller said. “Those games are probably more
disappointing.”
The Ducks (18-7-5) grabbed a 2-1 lead early in the third when Corey Perry
got his 16th of the season with a forehand-to-backhand move past Jones on
the power play.
Kings captain Dustin Brown ended a lengthy scoring drought by snapping a
shot that Hiller couldn't glove cleanly and the puck bounced off and into the
net.
Orange County Register: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725834
Los Angeles Kings
December 3 postgame notes
Posted by JonRosen on December 4, 2013
-Los Angeles improved to 53-40-20 in the all-time series with Anaheim,
including a record of 21-25-11 at Honda Center. The Kings are 6-1-1 in the
teams’ last eight meetings.
-With his third period equalizer, Dustin Brown scored the 186th goal of his
career, tying him with Jim Fox for the ninth most goals in club history. Mike
Murphy ranks eighth in club history with 194 career goals. It was Brown’s first
goal since November 19 (one goal in the last seven games) and second goal
since November 2 (two goals in the last 14 games).
-Excluding shootout goals, the Kings have allowed two goals or less in 14
straight games, a club record. They have allowed 20 goals over the last 14
games.
-Los Angeles has recorded points in each of the last seven road games
(5-0-2).
-The Kings’ penalty killing streak reached 12 consecutive kills before it ended
with Corey Perry’s third period goal. They have killed off 49 of the last 53
power plays, dating back to November 7, and 42 of the last 45 power plays,
dating back to November 15.
-Los Angeles is 0-for-25 on the power play over the last seven games.
-The Kings recorded 51 shots on goal, their highest regular season total
since recording 55 in a 4-3 shootout loss to Edmonton on April 10, 2010.
-Los Angeles attempted 103 shots.
-Anaheim blocked 28 shots. Ben Lovejoy, Ryan Getzlaf and Mark Fistric tied
with a game-high five blocked shots, while Bryan Allen blocked four shots.
-Jeff Carter recorded a game-high seven shots on goal and attempted 13
total shots. Jake Muzzin recorded six shots on goal and attempted 14 total
shots. Dwight King recorded six shots on goal.
-Drew Doughty recorded a game-high 30:49 of ice time, his highest time on
ice total since recording 33:25 in a 2-1 overtime loss in Edmonton on January
24, 2013.
-Jake Muzzin recorded a career-high 26:45 of ice time, breaking his previous
career high of 25:06 by a minute and 39 seconds. His previous high was set
in a 5-2 loss in Phoenix on March 12, 2013.
-The Kings won 35-of-69 faceoffs (51%). Among regular performers, Mike
Richards won 9-of-15, Anze Kopitar won 9-of-17, Colin Fraser won 3-of-5,
Jaret Stoll won 7-of-22 and Jeff Carter won 7-of-10.
The Kings have a scheduled day off on Wednesday, December 4. They will
practice next at the Toyota Sports Center at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday,
December 5.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725835
Los Angeles Kings
December 3 postgame quotes: Darryl Sutter
Posted by JonRosen on December 3, 2013
On a “pretty good rivalry game”:
Yep. It was a pretty good game to watch.
On whether there was a “playoff intensity” in the game:
No. [Reporter: Didn’t feel that, huh?] Not quite there yet.
On Martin Jones’ performance:
It’s good to see a kid in his first game get a win. Won it somehow.
On his decision to start Martin Jones:
Why not? Why not? I mean, the other guy’s not used to playing every game,
and some things are slipping in a little bit.
On “the best thing he saw” from his team:
We’ve done this. How many games have we come back in the third period?
Even the game we lost at home when the sky was falling, if you talk to Jon,
they tied it up in the third period. Hey, it’s what we do. We’d like to score more
goals. But we don’t let it deter us.
On the shots advantage, and how it “came into play”:
Well, ultimately didn’t come into play, because it came to a shootout. So the
other team got one point out of it, and we got two. [Reporter: A little bit
disappointing in that respect, though?] No. How can you be disappointed
when you have 50 shots on goal? The last two games on the road in San
Jose and Anaheim, the two best teams in this division, coming into both
those games, how can you be disappointed? [Reporter: Well, you didn’t get
one more than them, that’s how you can be disappointed.] I don’t really ride
that emotional.
On the power play’s lack of production:
The power play was awesome tonight. They just didn’t score. Gave us some
momentum again.
On Martin Jones’ poise:
I think he is a pretty poised guy, when you watch him. So hopefully this is
something he can build on. The best part was the linesman brought the puck
over. Best part. Good for him.
On showing poise in a nine-round shootout:
Well, generally, goaltenders are poised if you play in the NHL. It doesn’t mke
him any different than anybody else. If you win a game in the NHL, generally
you show some poise.
On whether Jones could draw another start considering there may be “a
couple of weeks” before Quick returns:
We have no idea when Quick’s coming back.
On the penalties in overtime:
They were both penalties…Justin’s was a slashing penalty. Willie Mitchell’s
is a broken penalty. Penner’s is a penalty. What was more confusing in it all
was what was three-on-three, and when was it four-on-three, and when was
it five-on-three, and then wait until the whistle ‘til it’s five-on-four. [Reporter: It
almost felt like they were changing the rules on the fly there.] Well, quite
honest, the reason everybody is talking about it is because everybody was
trying to confirm with each other what it was. [Reporter: It all worked out well
in the end though, right? Two points is two points.] It’s tough. We’re
three-in-four nights. We played a fresh team in their building.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725836
Los Angeles Kings
December 3 postgame quotes: Drew Doughty
Posted by JonRosen on December 3, 2013
On the team coming from a goal down to win in a nine-round shootout:
It’s huge. We don’t like to be giving up points to teams in our division, and
even though that happened, we got the two, they got the one. We’re happy
with that but we’d like to win that in regulation. It was a great job by the boys.
I thought we dominated that third period, besides them getting the power
plays there. The penalty kill did a great job again. I wish we could’ve gotten it
done in regulation.
On Martin Jones’ performance:
That was amazing. He played great for us, and to step up like that in a
shootout and save as many as he did in a row against some of the best
players in the league in Getzlaf and Perry, that’s unbelievable. He’s a great
guy, and I’m really happy for him.
On the bench’s response to the consecutive saves:
Oh boy. You have no idea how happy we are for him, just as an individual,
and happy as a team that he’s doing the job for us. All the chatter after we
won, after we got in the dressing room after the game, it’s all about Jonesy.
He was unbelievable for us tonight. He made huge saves throughout the
whole game, not only in the shootout. Without him in there tonight, we
wouldn’t have won.
On the shootout, and whether he noticed he was being booed:
I did. I don’t know if that was the fans saying ‘Drew’ from LA. No, I’m just
joking. I was happy to get in there. I usually don’t, and I have some pretty
good shootout moves, and I’m disappointed I didn’t score, but hey, we won,
so I’m over it now.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725837
Los Angeles Kings
December 3 postgame quotes: Martin Jones
Posted by JonRosen on December 3, 2013
On when he got word he’d be starting:
Last night after the game.
On whether he was nervous:
Yeah, I mean I was probably more nervous last night than today. Once you
start the day and you start going through your routine, everything’s pretty
familiar. It’s the same game. I felt pretty good out there.
On facing higher caliber shooters in the shootout:
Like you said, the shooters are at a higher level here, and I just wanted to try
and stay patient and stick to what I’ve been doing down there. I was fortunate
on a couple, and came up with saves on a couple.
On facing Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry in the shootout:
It was a great experience, and it’s something I’ve dreamt about for a long
time to play an NHL game, and to get the win. It was everything it was
cracked up to be.
On Darryl Sutter showing confidence in him:
It feels good, for sure. Like I said, I just wanted to make sure I made the
saves that I needed to and give the guys a chance to win, because we’ve got
a great team in here, and they played real hard tonight, and all I had to do
was give them a chance tonight.
On his first career save, which came on a quality Saku Koivu chance:
They made a nice play down low, and I remember I was going to try and
pokecheck. I was a little far out, so it was a bit of a scramble for me. I just tried
to take away as much of the angle as I could, and I came up with a save.
On his realization that he would be taking part in a shootout:
Honestly, be patient and stick to what I’ve been doing, and just like I said,
give these guys a chance, because we have a lot of great shooters.
Obviously goals were tough to come by today, but we were able to get the
win there.
On whether his pre-game nap was more difficult than normal:
A little bit, yeah. It was a little bit of lost sleep last night, and a little bit of
pre-game nap.
On the challenge of stopping nine shots at this level:
You know what? I was just trying to stay patient with those shooters. I was
fortunate a couple of guys missed the net, and I made a couple saves. I
wasn’t focusing on nine straight saves. I was just taking each one at a time. It
worked out for us.
On the “fun factor” of tonight’s game:
It was a lot of fun. Like I said, I was trying to be as prepared as focused as I
could be, but you only get one of those, so I was trying to enjoy it as well.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725838
Los Angeles Kings
LAK: King – GOAL
ANA: Perrault – No goal
Game 29: Los Angeles at Anaheim
-Los Angeles wins shootout, 1-0
Los Angeles Kings (17-7-4) at Anaheim Ducks (18-7-4)
Posted by JonRosen on December 3, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 7:00 p.m. PT
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Los Angeles Kings 3, Anaheim Ducks 2
FOX Sports West, KTLK 1150 AM
Final – Shootout
Referees: #13 Dan O’Halloran, #16 Brian Pochmara
Radio Feed
Linesmen: #76 Michel Cormier, #91 Don Henderson
The Royal Half Gameday
LAK starters: G Martin Jones, D Jake Muzzin, D Drew Doughty, LW Dwight
King, C Anze Kopitar, RW Jeff Carter
LA Kings Insider Preview
Box Score
LAK scratches: F Daniel Carcillo, F Linden Vey, F Jeff Schultz
Ice Tracker
ANA starters: G Jonas Hiller, D Sami Vatanen, D Bryan Allen, RW Daniel
Winnik, C Saku Koivu, RW Andrew Cogliano
SOG: LAK – 51; ANA – 28
ANA scratches: D Nolan Yonkman, D Alex Grant, F Patrick Maroon
PP: LAK – 0/5; ANA – 1/6
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
Attendance: 17,294
Three Stars:
1) LAK – Jeff Carter
2) ANA – Jonas Hiller
3) ANA – Ryan Getzlaf
First Period
No scoring
Second Period
1) LAK – Jeff Carter (7) (unassisted), 7:05
2) ANA – Ryan Getzlaf (14) (Hampus Lindholm, Corey Perry), 7:51
Third Period
3) ANA PPG – Corey Perry (16) (Dustin Penner, Cam Fowler), 2:14
4) LAK – Dustin Brown (5) (Jarret Stoll), 5:43
Overtime
No scoring
Shootout
LAK: Kopitar – No goal
ANA: Perry – No goal
LAK: Carter – No goal
ANA: Getzlaf – No goal
LAK: Richards – No goal
ANA: Bonino – No goal
LAK: Williams – No goal
ANA: Koivu – No goal
LAK: Doughty – No goal
ANA: Selanne – No goal
LAK: Stoll – No goal
ANA: Penner – No goal
LAK: Brown – No goal
ANA: Palmieri – No goal
LAK: Frattin – No goal
ANA: Beleskey – No goal
725839
Los Angeles Kings
Los Angeles Projected Lines
Dwight King – Anze Kopitar – Jeff Carter
Game 29 Preview: Los Angeles at Anaheim
Dustin Brown – Jarret Stoll – Justin Williams
Jordan Nolan – Mike Richards – Tyler Toffoli
Posted by JonRosen on December 3, 2013
Kyle Clifford – Colin Fraser – Matt Frattin
Jake Muzzin – Drew Doughty
Los Angeles Kings (17-7-4) at Anaheim Ducks (18-7-4)
Robyn Regehr – Slava Voynov
Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 7:00 p.m. PT
Willie Mitchell – Alec Martinez
Honda Center, Anaheim, CA
Martin Jones
Referees: #13 Dan O’Halloran, #16 Brian Pochmara
Ben Scrivens
Linesmen: #76 Michel Cormier, #91 Don Henderson
Level of confidence in projected lines: D. Martin Jones left the ice first at the
morning skate, which is an indication that he will make his NHL debut tonight.
I was ready to project Scrivens as the starter – interpreting Jones’ early exit
from the skate as a bit of gamesmanship by Darryl Sutter – but that doesn’t
appear probable. Consider this a soft indication that Jones will start. Because
of the timing of the Stadium Series announcements this morning and the
need to record today’s Waking up with the Kings, I did not get an accurate
read on line rushes. Last night’s lines are projected.
FOX Sports West, KTLK 1150 AM
Los Angeles Projected Starting Goaltender – Martin Jones*
2013-14 Season: First appearance
Career vs Anaheim: First appearance
Last Game vs Anaheim: First appearance
Goals: Justin Williams (10-10=20)
Notes and milestones: Los Angeles is 52-40-20 all-time against Anaheim,
including a record of 20-25-11 at Honda Center. The Kings are 5-1-1 in the
team’s last seven meetings, dating back to Darryl Sutter’s first game as L.A.’s
head coach on December 22, 2011. After tonight, these teams will meet on
January 23 at Honda Center, on January 25 at Dodger Stadium, and on
March 15 and April 12 at STAPLES Center. … The team’s 17-7-4 record (38
points) after 28 games is the fourth-best record in club history, and the best
start since opening the season 19-7-2 (40 points) in 1992-93. … Excluding
shootout goals, the Kings have allowed two goals or less in 13 straight
games, a club record. They have allowed 18 goals over the last 13 games. …
Los Angeles has recorded points in each of the last six road games (4-0-2).
… The Kings have killed off 44 of the last 47 power plays dating back to
November 7, 37 of the last 39 power plays, dating back to November 14, and
11 consecutive power plays. … Los Angeles is 0-for-20 on the power play
over the last six games. … Los Angeles is 52-11-12 in regular season games
in which Mike Richards records a point (for the Kings). … Dustin Brown has
two goals in his last 24 games. With 185 career goals, he is one goal behind
Jim Fox for ninth place on the club’s all-time goal scoring list. … In 40 career
games against Anaheim, Anze Kopitar has recorded 43 points (15-28=43)
and a plus-11 rating.
Assists: Anze Kopitar (7-17=24)
Anaheim Projected Lines
Plus/Minus: Dustin Brown (+10; 4-5=9)
Dustin Penner – Ryan Getzlaf – Corey Perry
Penalty Minutes: Daniel Carcillo (55; 1-1=2)
Kyle Palmieri – Mathieu Perreault – Teemu Selanne
Time On Ice: Drew Doughty (25:41; 5-9=14)
Daniel Winnik – Saku Koivu – Andrew Cogliano
2013-14 Anaheim Leaders
Matt Beleskey – Nick Bonino – Tim Jackman
Total Points: Ryan Getzlaf (13-18=31)
Cam Fowler – Ben Lovejoy
Goals: Corey Perry (15-14=29)
Hampus Lindholm – Alex Grant
Assists: Ryan Getzlaf (13-18=31)
Mark Fistric – Sami Vatanen
Plus/Minus: Dustin Penner (+17; 9-12=21)
Jonas Hiller
Penalty Minutes: Tim Jackman (53; 1-0=1)
Frederik Andersen
Time On Ice: Cam Fowler (23:41; 2-12=14)
Notes: Lines via Curtis Zupke of NHL.com. … Defenseman Bryan Allen
(lower body) will take warm-ups tonight and will be a game-time decision, per
Anaheim radio color commentator Dan Wood. … The Ducks are 10-0-1 at
Honda Center this season and remain the only NHL club not to have lost on
home ice in regulation. … Ryan Getzlaf has points in the last 10 games he
has appeared (7-8=15 total). Because he missed three games with an
upper-body injury, it is not recognized as an “official” 10-game point streak.
… Dustin Penner is tied for second in the NHL with a plus-17 rating in 22
games. He has points in four straight games (5-1=6) and 17 points (7-10=17)
in his last 16 games. … On November 8, Teemu Selanne became the third
player to have played in 1,400 NHL games, joining Nicklas Lidstrom and
Jaromir Jagr. In 102 career games against Los Angeles, Selanne has 52
goals and 118 points. With 678 career goals, he is 12 goals behind Mario
Lemieux (690) for 10th place on the NHL’s all-time list. With 1,437 career
points, he is 30 points behind Stan Mikita (1,467) for 14th place on the NHL’s
all-time list. With 108 career power play goals, he is one goal behind Brendan
2013-14, Away: First appearance
*This is not a confirmation that Jones will draw the start. Please see the
Kings’ projected lineup for additional details.
Anaheim Projected Starting Goaltender – Jonas Hiller
2013-14 Season: 17 GP (17 GS) / 9-4-3 record / 2.70 GAA / .904 Sv% / 2
SHO
Career vs Los Angeles: 19 (17) / 8-8-2 / 2.46 / .920 / 2
Last Game vs Los Angeles: 2/2/13 / 60 MP / 30-34 shots / 7-4 W
2013-14, Home: 7 (7) / 5-0-1 / 1.84 / .937 / 2
2013-14 Los Angeles Leaders
Total Points: Anze Kopitar (7-17=24)
Rankings and Statistics
Goals/Game: LAK – 21 / 2.46; ANA – 5 / 3.10
Goals Against/Game: LAK – 3 / 2.07; ANA – t-14 / 2.55
Power Play: LAK – 20 / 16.7%; ANA – 22 / 15.2%
Penalty Kill: LAK – t-6 / 85.4%; ANA – 19 / 79.8%
Shots/Game: LAK – 12 / 30.9; ANA – 4 / 32.6
Shots Against/Game: LAK – 5 / 26.4; ANA – 9 / 28.2
Faceoffs: LAK – 2 / 54.7%; ANA – 18 / 49.2%
Save Percentage: LAK – 7 / .921; ANA – t-20 / .909
Shanahan (109) for fifth place on the NHL’s all-time list. … With an career
coaching record of 276-130-58, Bruce Boudreau has a career winning
percentage of .657.
Debora Robinson / National Hockey League
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725840
Los Angeles Kings
December 3 morning skate quotes: Martinez, Jones
Posted by JonRosen on December 3, 2013
Alec Martinez, on the importance of establishing a lead against St. Louis:
It was crucial. Obviously they have a really good hockey club in St. Louis and
we’ve had quite a few battles with them over the past few years in the
playoffs and in season. Especially at home, you want to make sure you’re
really getting those points at home when you have the opportunity. We had a
good start and I think that was a big part of the reason why we won the game.
Martinez, on the compete level against St. Louis:
Obviously you are happy to get the win, but I think we can tighten things up a
little bit. I think that it’s no secret we got a little sloppy there and fortunately we
were still able to come out on top, but we have to tighten things up and take a
good focus on our game and regroup here and be ready for Anaheim.
Martinez, on what has led to the one-sided results in the St. Louis rivalry:
To be quite honest with you, I don’t know. It’s always been a real physical
battle with them. It’s no secret that we’re both similar teams in terms of, they
forecheck really had and they’re really physical and that’s we pride ourselves
on. I don’t really know what it is, but I am glad that it’s this way and not the
other. They’re a good hockey club. I think that we rise to the occasion and
met the challenge of the St. Louis Blues and we just have to keep it going.
Martinez, on Anaheim:
They obviously have a lot of depth. They’ve got a high powered offense.
There’s a reason why they’re sitting at the top of the league right now. They
play physical, they have a lot of big guys up front too. We have to focus on
making quick decisions down low as a D-man getting it in the forwards hands
and letting them go to work. They have a good hockey club in Anaheim and
we have to meet the challenge.
Martinez, on Dustin Penner:
He’s a good hockey player. He’s a big guy. He can protect the puck. He’s got
good hands for how big he is and a good shot. He’s playing on that top line
with Getzlaf and Perry and all of three of them are really good hockey
players, probably one of the best lines in the league. Again, we have to be
ready for them and meet the challenge.
Martinez, on if it will be strange playing a regular season game against
Penner:
Not really. Once you get out there, he’s a Duck and that kind of thing doesn’t
matter. I have played against guys that I’ve played with before, so it’s no
different. Like what Darryl says, there are no friends out there.
Martin Jones, on the possibility of making his first NHL start:
It’d be exciting. I feel like I’ve had a couple good weeks of practice here and
whenever I’m called upon I’m going to be ready to go. It’s exciting for sure.
Jones, on working with Ben Scrivens:
It’s been great. Scrivs is a great guy and he’s a good teammate, helping me
out with little things here and there. Just watching those guys-the way the
practice, the detail in their game-you pick up a lot for sure.
Jones, on what he has seen from Anaheim:
Obviously they’re right at the top of the standings. They have a really good
team. A lot of big, strong forwards with skill, so we have to make sure we do a
good job in our own end, down low containing those guys and turning that
into offense.
Jones, on what he has been working on with Bill Ranford:
Nothing specific, I don’t think, just little things – getting up to speed with the
game and the pace and the shots. I felt good with it the last couple weeks so
we’ll see what happens.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725841
Los Angeles Kings
December 3 morning skate quotes: Darryl Sutter
Posted by JonRosen on December 3, 2013
On aspects of Monday’s win over St. Louis that stuck out to him:
We got the lead. It’s easier with the lead. It’s probably the only difference
from the game before.
On Tyler Toffoli’s performance Monday night:
Bounced back. He’s had a tough four or five games. I think he came up and
had the energy early when we called him up, and then that really dropped off.
So it was good to see him respond.
On the Kings-Ducks rivalry:
There [has] been zero rivalry. Our guys all skate together in the summer. The
rivalry might be a fan rivalry, but there certainly hasn’t been one between the
players. We haven’t played ‘em yet, and they’re off to the same start that they
had last year.
On players around Anze Kopitar raising their game, given yesterday’s
comments:
I liked Stolly and Brownie and Willie, and I liked Mike and Jordy and Tyler,
and I liked Cliffy and Frattin and Fras. [Reporter: Team-wide effort?] Kopi’s
line had a tough night.
On whether Martin Jones will draw the start tonight:
No goalie announcements.
On what he saw from Mike Richards’ line in the win over St. Louis:
Just trying to get Mike away – get him some energy with him. Obviously
Toffoli and him – it’s not really moving around. They played together until
three games ago, every game since Tyler’s been up. They get last change at
home, and we literally did it every shift last night, so it was keeping Mike away
from having to play against such big, strong guys, because it’s a lot of games
in a short period of time.
On Robyn Regehr’s status:
Robyn’s ready to go.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725842
Los Angeles Kings
Jeff Schultz to rejoin Kings
Posted by JonRosen on December 3, 2013
As detailed in the banner photo and announced in John Hoven’s tweet, Jeff
Schultz is on his way to rejoining Los Angeles Kings. No official roster move
has been announced.
Schultz, signed to a one-year, $700,000 contract in July, had one goal, two
points and an even rating in 23 games with the Manchester Monarchs. The
6-foot-6, 27-year-old defenseman posted a three-goal, 23-point, plus-50
season with the Washington Capitals in 2009-10, his most productive NHL
campaign. Selected 27th overall by Washington in 2004, Schultz had three
assists in 26 games a season ago.
As previously noted, the Kings were likely to make a move to add an extra
defenseman. The defensive corps was reduced to six healthy skaters when
Matt Greene was placed on injured reserve, and Schultz’s recall could be a
precautionary maneuver due to Robyn Regehr leaving last night’s game
briefly towards the end of the first period with what appeared to be an arm or
an upper-body injury. Regehr returned to action and logged 16:26 in the 3-2
win over St. Louis.
“Robyn’s ready to go,” Darryl Sutter said after this morning’s skate.
Left wing Tanner Pearson was not on the ice this morning, and did not have a
designated locker in the team’s room, so it appears he will be a part of the
impending roster move. In six games, Pearson had one goal and a minus-1
rating while averaging 10:06 of ice time.
News and confirmation on the impending roster move will be posted here.
UPDATE, 12:01 p.m.: The move is official. Schultz has been recalled, and
Pearson has been reassigned.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725843
Los Angeles Kings
Waking up with the Kings: December 3
Posted by JonRosen on December 3, 2013
Because of the busy morning, today’s WUWTK has been compressed into
eight minutes and 15 seconds of easy listenin’ as Los Angeles Kings
television color commentator Jim Fox and I discuss the factors that led to a
3-2 Los Angeles win over St. Louis Monday night and preview Tuesday’s tilt
in Anaheim.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725844
Los Angeles Kings
Stadium Series jersey details, photos
Posted by JonRosen on December 3, 2013
Kings Chief Operating Officer Kelly Cheeseman answered several Stadium
Series-related questions from LAKings.com:
LAK.com: Can you talk about the process that it takes to create this “look” for
the Outdoor Game?
KC: This jersey was a collaboration with our partners at the NHL and
Reebok. A few brainstorm conversations about colors and concepts led to an
initial proposal of look and feel options designed by Reebok. Three options
were presented to us, along with a scope of logos within our current brand
profiles. This logo was part of the revealed chrome series for the Stadium
Series. Because of the design of the chrome logo we felt our crown was the
best choice for our jersey and was a nice acknowledgment to our history.
As a group we chose a pattern of look and feel we liked best that was an
adaptation of various designs and our current jerseys. We then received
color swatch samples and follow up final designs for sign off. The final jersey
was provided to us before production. We show our ownership group as well
as a few members of the team for final opinion. The whole process took
about three months.
LAK.com: Who is all involved in that process?
KC: The NHL Marketing and Jersey Department, various Kings executives,
equipment staff and Reebok all worked together for the whole uniform
design.
More: Jersey Q & A with Kelly Cheeseman
More: Jersey Unveil – The Facts
Stadium-Series-Jersey-Promo-BROWN-06_std
Shoulder
Logo
LA Jersey
Kopitar Jersey
Kopi Jersey
LA Patch
ANA Jersey
Stadium Series jerseys are currently on sale at the TeamLAStore.
If you missed the Stadium Series conversation with Willie Mitchell, click play
and enjoy the next two minutes:
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725845
Los Angeles Kings
Stadium Series jerseys unveiled
-Kings season ticket members right now are getting a first-look at this
specially produced video that unveils the game jerseys for Jan. 25. More info
to come later this morning/today.
Willie Mitchell recently shared his excitement for the Stadium Series game –
and jokingly almost tipped off reporters to where first baseman-slash-good
friend Justin Morneau will sign as a free agent.
“I think [the way] we got excited about it is just our fathers trip. All the fathers
were talking about it, ‘Hey, are you coming? Are you coming?,’ or whatever,
and then we don’t think about it because you’re so engulfed in the season
and next game, and whether it’s getting better, or your injury, or your own
play, or your own things you’re focused on. So when they came, they’re all
talking about the outdoor game,” he said.
This is a great listen:
Stadium Series jerseys can be ordered here.
More to come throughout the morning.
LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725846
Minnesota Wild
Wild notes: Knowing 'roles' leads to victory
Article by: Michael Russo
Star Tribune
December 4, 2013 - 1:22 AM
After the Wild fell to Colorado on Friday, losing its third consecutive game in
regulation for the first time this season, coach Mike Yeo stood behind his
podium. He lamented about a lineup that was in flux, sometimes from shift to
shift.
“We’ve got to figure it out as coaches, figure it out matchup-wise, figure it out
role and identity-wise, but more importantly, regardless of who you’re out
there with, what’s your job, what are you supposed to do, what do we need
from you?” Yeo said at the time. “That’s what we need right now.”
The Wild is 1-0-1 since, and after each of the games — the latest being a 2-0
victory Monday over Philadelphia — the Wild third-year coach talked about
the importance of “roles” in the lineup.
He raved about leaders Zach Parise, Mikko Koivu and Jason Pominville, who
make up the most recent first line, helping the Wild revive how it “needs to
play to be successful” both Saturday at Colorado and Monday against the
Flyers. Yeo pumped the tires of the reunited checking line of Matt Cooke,
Kyle Brodziak and Torrey Mitchell, who were so good in training camp,
proving that the best defense is when you play the entire night in the
offensive zone.
He also made note Monday about how important Mike Rupp and Zenon
Konopka were to Monday’s victory. In limited ice time, Rupp stood up for
teammates by fighting Jay Rosehill and Konopka won “big faceoffs” in a
game the Wild was lousy in the faceoff circle.
“It’s important to have guys in roles,” Yeo said. “Everybody’s got a different
piece of the puzzle, and you put it together to the make the picture that you
want.”
These identified roles are why Yeo has opted in two of the past three games
to scratch rookie winger Justin Fontaine, who has six goals this season.
Mitchell always seems to have chemistry with Cooke and Brodziak. In
addition, besides being key penalty killers, Yeo often trusts them as the three
forwards to throw over the boards with the task of regaining momentum if the
Wild fails to score on its power play.
Rupp gives the Wild some ruggedness and a player who is willing to stand up
to opponents taking liberties. Konopka kills penalties and has the highest
career faceoff winning percentage (.650) of any active NHLer.
A star again
Goalie Josh Harding was named the NHL’s Third Star of the Month for
November. Chicago’s Patrick Kane and Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin were the
First and Second Stars, respectively.
Harding went 8-2-2 in November with a 1.88 goals-against average, .926
save percentage and one shutout in helping the Wild go 9-4-2.
Monday, in his first start in December, Harding improved to 14-4-3, setting
career-highs with 14 victories and three shutouts in 22 games. Harding leads
the NHL with a 1.45 goals-against average and is second with a .939 save
percentage.
“Right now there’s no time to look back on what you did,” Harding said. “You
can’t look back on the [past], otherwise it’s going to come back to haunt you.
I’m just trying to keep the guys in it every night.”
Clutch goals
It even drives Pominville nuts that, since his acquisition from Buffalo, the line
combination of Parise-Koivu-Pominville doesn’t score as often as it should.
But for the second game in a row Monday, that line came through in the
clutch. Saturday at Colorado, Pominville and Parise assisted on Koivu’s tying
goal with six seconds left. Monday, Koivu set up Pominville for his
team-leading 14th goal and fourth winning goal.
“It’s been kind of weird … when we’re put together, we’ve done a lot of good
things but have had a tough time putting them in net,” Pominville said. “But
it’s two nights in a row where we get rewarded with goals. I figured it was only
a matter of time before we put some away.”
Said Yeo of the line: “If you’re putting money on somebody to go out and
score that big goal for us, the leaders, the way they’ve been playing, the way
they’ve been helping us get back to our game, it’s great for those guys to get
rewarded.”
Star Tribune LOADED: 12.04.2013
725847
Minnesota Wild
Josh Harding named NHL's Third Star of the Month for November
Post by: Michael Russo
December 3, 2013 - 11:07 AM
The Wild has the day off Tuesday and will be back on the ice Wednesday in
preparation for back-to-back games Thursday (vs. Chicago) and Friday (at
Columbus).
But the accolades keep coming for Josh Harding, who won his career-high
14th game last night. He leads the league with a 1.45 goals-against average
and is second with a .939 save percentage. Today he was named the NHL's
Third Star for the month of November.
FIRST STAR – PATRICK KANE, RW, CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS
Kane ranked second among skaters with nine goals, including four
game-winners, and 19 points, helping the Blackhawks win 12 of 15 games to
move into first place in the NHL standings (20-4-4, 44 points). He recorded at
least one point in 13 of 15 contests, including six multi-point efforts, and
posted a career-long, 12-game point streak from Nov. 3-27 (8-9—17).
Kane also scored the game-winning goal in consecutive games twice during
the month: Nov. 6-9 versus the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars, and Nov.
25-27 against the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames. He capped the
month with 1-1—2, his ninth multi-point performance of the season, in a 5-2
victory over the Phoenix Coyotes Nov. 30. The 25-year-old Buffalo native
and reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner ranks third in the NHL with 16
goals, including a League-leading five game-winners, and tied for fifth with 30
points in 28 games this season.
SECOND STAR – EVGENI MALKIN, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS
Malkin led all players with 21 assists and 25 points, including a
League-leading nine power-play assists and 10 power-play points, as the
Penguins went 9-5-1 to remain in the top spot in the Metropolitan Division
(18-9-1, 37 points). He registered at least one assist/point in 14 of 15 games,
including each of Pittsburgh’s last eight contests (4-13—17). Malkin also
posted eight multi-point performances, capped by a season-high 1-3—4
effort in a 5-1 triumph over the Florida Panthers Nov. 30. According to the
Elias Sports Bureau, his 21 assists were the most by an NHL player in one
calendar month since January 1996, when Wayne Gretzky recorded 21
helpers for the Los Angeles Kings. The 27-year-old Magnitogorsk, Russia,
native leads the League with 28 assists and ranks second with 35 points,
onebehind teammate Sidney Crosby (13-23—36), in 28 games this season.
THIRD STAR – JOSH HARDING, G, MINNESOTA WILD
Harding posted an 8-2-2 record with a 1.88 goals-against average,
.926 save percentage and one shutout in helping the Wild go 9-4-2 and move
into the first Wild Card spot in the Western Conference (16-8-5, 37 points).
He recorded his second shutout of the season (19 saves) in a 4-0 victory over
the New Jersey Devils Nov. 3 and allowed two or fewer goals in nine of 12
appearances. Harding also went 6-1-0 in seven games at Xcel Energy
Center, where he has a 32-10-2 record in 44 career starts. The 29-year-old
Regina, Sask., native has appeared in 22 games this season, leading the
NHL with a 1.45 goals-against average and three shutouts (tied) while also
placing in the top three in the League in save percentage (.939) and wins
(14).
Star Tribune LOADED: 12.04.2013
725848
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild: Brett Bulmer trying to regain confidence in AHL
By Chad Graff
cgraff@pioneerpress.com
Posted:
Updated:
12/04/2013 12:01:00 AM CST
12/04/2013 12:06:03 AM CST
Brett Bulmer admits his game is built on confidence, and the 21-year-old
Iowa Wild winger hasn't had a lot of that the past couple of seasons.
The Wild's 2010 second-round draft pick produced just seven points and was
a minus-18 in 43 games in the American Hockey League last season. The
year before, after nine games with the Minnesota Wild, he was sent back to
his junior team in the Western Hockey League for seasoning.
The NHL lockout kept him out of the Wild's training camp last year. Then a
knee injury sidelined him for the team's prospect camp this summer and
slowed him in the early part of training camp.
But he seems to have put all that behind him. He leads the Iowa Wild with six
goals in 17 games and is playing on a skilled line with Jason Zucker on the
other wing.
"That's one of the words I tell myself every day: confidence," Bulmer said.
"I'm a very confident player now. You have to be confident every night. If you
don't have the right mind-set going in, you're not going to do anything."
After Bulmer recorded three points in nine games with the Wild in the early
part of the 2011-12 season, the Wild sent him back to the juniors, where he
put up 62 points in 53 games. But he said he learned the most during his
short stint with the Wild.
"That was the most amazing time for me," Bulmer said. "I thought I fit in well
there and thought I could play at that level."
He still thinks he's ready to play in the NHL. That's part of the confidence he
talks about. But the 6-foot-2, 205-pound forward has to prove himself in Iowa
first, under new coach Kurt Kleinendorst.
"What I've seen from day one is a player that's growing -- like, genuinely
growing," Kleinendorst said. "He's a big, strong kid. He's got some areas
we're trying to have him work through. But his confidence is there. He's really
starting to play with confidence. I think we're going to see even more coming
from him because his confidence is starting to come."
Iowa is 7-11 this season after losing eight of its past 10 games, and the
problem has been scoring goals. The Wild are last in the Western
Conference of the AHL with 40 goals.
"There have been some positives and some disappointments to this point,"
Kleinendorst said. "The priority here -- and it was made perfectly clear, and
I'm totally OK with it -- is the development part is first. I like a lot of what I've
seen there. It's unfortunate that development hasn't turned into wins, but it
will."
Kleinendorst said Bulmer is beginning to position himself for a possible
call-up. And Bulmer realizes he's at the point where he wants to be a leader
on the team.
"This is definitely a huge year for me," Bulmer said. "It's only the first part of
the season, though. Obviously I want to be up in Minnesota. I just have to
keep working hard. I just want to be a guy they can count on."
Pioneer Press LOADED: 12.04.2013
725849
Minnesota Wild
Minnesota Wild: Josh Harding is NHL's third star of November
By Chad Graff
cgraff@pioneerpress.com
Posted:
Updated:
12/03/2013 12:01:00 AM CST
12/03/2013 11:49:04 AM CST
Josh Harding followed up his third shutout of the season Monday night with
some accolades.
The Wild goalie was named the NHL's third star of the month after posting an
8-2-2 record with a 1.88 goals-against average and .926 save percentage in
November.
Harding's 14 wins this season are a career-high, and his .939 save
percentage and three shutouts are tops in the league.
Chicago's Patrick Kane was named the first star of the month, and
Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin was named the second star.
Harding and the Wild play Kane and the Blackhawks on Thursday night at
Xcel Energy Center.
Pioneer Press LOADED: 12.04.2013
725850
Montreal Canadiens
Habs’ Parros led the way during Movember
By BRENDA BRANSWELL, THE GAZETTE December 3, 2013
Habs’ 3-2 victory over the Devils on Monday. The odds seem good that two
different goaltenders — Budaj and Cory Schneider — might be in net for
Wednesday’s rematch with the Devils at Prudential Center in Newark. The
Canadiens, who are on an impressive roll with only one loss in regulation in
their last 11 games, are back at the Bell Centre on Thursday night to play the
Boston Bruins (7:30 p.m. TSN-HABS, RDS, TSN 690 Radio). It’s the first
time the division rivals meet this season.
Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.04.2013
MONTREAL - As the end of November — and Movember — neared last
week, George Parros tweeted some fundraising news.
Canada was first worldwide in money raised for the annual Movember
campaign and the Canadiens were first among National Hockey League
teams.
There’s another statistic that can be added: Parros led Movember
fundraising among participating NHL players with a tally of $8,729.
Parros, who sports a distinctive, thick moustache, has been taking part in
Movember for several years. It raises awareness about — and money for —
men’s health issues, including prostate cancer.
Parros had his moustache shaved off in front of the media for the beginning
of Movember, when men start growing a ’stache for 30 days.
“Day 1 is always a sad day. ... Donate in memory of my former facial hair,”
Parros tweeted afterward.
The Canadiens had raised, as of Tuesday afternoon, $59,493 in donations.
“I was really impressed with the organization-wide support we had for
Movember here,” Parros said Tuesday before the team left for New Jersey to
wind up their home-and-home series with the Devils on Wednesday (7 p.m.,
TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690).
“Obviously, from our owner on down, Geoff Molson raised an incredible
amount,” Parros added. “Our GM (Marc Bergevin) got involved as well.
Everyone was growing moustaches. We had a contest with the Canucks. We
had all sorts of things going on, so it’s a great team effort here.”
Parros was labelled a ‘team captain’ on the Movember website.
“There’s nothing too much more than that, just a word,” he said. “But I like to
take charge during this month anyway.”
Some Canadiens players were “lightning quick” in getting rid of their
moustaches once Movember ended, but Brandon Prust and David
Desharnais kept theirs, Parros noted.
“There were some great ones. (Francis Bouillon) comes to mind. … He had
an incredible one — it looked like a third eyebrow, which was kind of funny,”
Parros joked.
Parros auctioned off on Twitter sport video games and sticks used in games
to people who donated.
“Yeah, for a while there it was tough,” he laughed. “Missed a few games so
the game-used sticks came at a minimum. But I ended up squeezing all of
them into my last game. So the people who ended up winning the auction for
the game-used sticks all got into the game, all the sticks did.”
Parros, who has just over 107,000 followers on Twitter, said he received a
big response on the social media and thanked his Twitter fans.
“With breast cancer they always have their pink ribbon and all that,” he said.
“Movember now with prostate cancer and men’s health issues has the
moustache and it’s become a worldwide thing. And it’s something that
everyone has a lot of fun with, too. It’s kind of lighthearted as well. So it’s a
great way to raise funds and reach out to fans.”
Parros and San Jose Sharks forward Mike Brown had a Movember
competition last year that required the person who raised the least amount of
money to wear a tie chosen by the winner to the first game of the season.
“I still haven’t done that,” said Parros, who won.
“So he has a debt to pay. And he’s willing to pay it. So I just have to go out
there and find the world’s ugliest tie.”
Notes: There was no official media availability on Tuesday before the
Canadiens left for New Jersey to conclude their home-and-home with the
Devils. Eight players skated in Brossard in the morning, including Parros,
Tomas Plekanec, Brandon Prust and goaltender Peter Budaj following the
725851
Montreal Canadiens
Habs on a roll heading into New Jersey
Posted by Stu Cowan
Most of the Canadiens enjoyed a day away form the ice Tuesday following
Monday’s 3-2 win over the New Jersey Devils at the Bell Centre.
Only eight players skated in Brossard Tuesday morning before the team
headed to New Jersey to face the Devils again Wednesday night (7 p.m.,
TSN, RDS, TSN Radio 690). Goalie Peter Budaj was joined by Ryan White,
Michael Bournival, Tomas Plekanec, Brandon Prust, Francis Bouillon,
George Parros and Douglas Murray.
The Canadiens have a busy week with four games in six nights, starting with
Monday’s win over the Devils. After the trip to New Jersey, the Canadiens
return home to face the Boston Bruins Thursday night and the Buffalo Sabres
Saturday night.
The Canadiens are on a roll, going 8-1-2 in their last 11 games, while
allowing only 19 goals during that span. Excluding shootouts, they have not
allowed more than two goals in any of those games.
Max Pacioretty has scored eight goals in the last seven games, while David
Desharnais has eight points (two goals, six assists) in his last seven games.
Desharnais had only one assist in his first 21 games this season.
“He’s a great playmaker,” Pacioretty told reporters after the game about his
linemate Desharnais. “He’s the most generous player I know, and he’s
always doing his best to make you look good on the ice.”
Goalie Carey Price, who has a 12-8-2 record with one shutout, has allowed
two goals or less in his last eight starts, lowering his goals-against average to
2.00, ranking him sixth in the NHL, and his save percentage to .937, ranking
him third in the NHL.
Coach Michel Therrien did not speak with the media on Tuesday, but Budaj is
expected to start in goal for the Canadiens in New Jersey. Budaj, who has a
4-1-1 record with one shutout, has a 1.63 goals-against average and .939
save percentage.
The Canadiens have the second-best defensive record in the NHL, allowing
an average of 2.00 goals per game. The only team with a better defensive
record is the Bruins, who give up 1.96 goals per game.
On offence, the Canadiens rank 14th, scoring an average of 2.68 goals per
game. The Chicago Blackhawks have the No. 1 offence, averaging 3.50
goals per game.
In other news, the Canadiens signed free-agent forward Jack Nevins to a
three-year contract on Tuesday running through the 2015-16 season. In 30
games with the QMJHL’s Charlottetown Islanders, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound
forward has 11-19-30 totals, 85 penalty minutes and is plus-7.
While there was no official media availability from the Habs on Tuesday,
George Parros did speak with The Gazette’s Brenda Branswell about the
Movember fund-raising campaign for men’s health issues.
Parros led Movember fundraising among participating NHL players with a
tally of $8,729. The Canadiens had raised as of Tuesday afternoon $59,493
in donations.
“I was really impressed with the organization-wide support we had for
Movember here,” Parros said. “Obviously, from our owner on down, Geoff
Molson raised an incredible amount. Our GM (Marc Bergevin) got involved
as well. Everyone was growing moustaches. We had a contest with the
Canucks. We had all sorts of things going on, so it’s a great team effort here.”
Montreal Gazette LOADED: 12.04.2013
725852
Nashville Predators
Nashville Predators lose to Vancouver Canucks
Loss to Vancouver makes three in row
Dec. 3, 2013
|
Written by
Josh Cooper
Talk to people around the Predators these days, and the mantra is simple:
close the gap in the standings.
The Predators usually can do that at home, but on this four-game homestand
they’ve been having difficulty.
The Vancouver Canucks used a strong third period to send the Predators to
their third straight loss, 3-1 on Tuesday night in front of a crowd of 15,330 at
Bridgestone Arena.
The Predators (13-12-3) have picked up only one point in three games of this
homestand, and overall, the home record simply hasn’t been great. Nashville
is just 6-5-2 at Bridgestone Arena, a place where it historically has played
well.
“We have to start winning at home. That’s the bottom line,” Predators forward
Colin Wilson said. “We should be getting points here, and we should be
winning.”
It didn’t help that the Predators were without key components against the
savvy and veteran Canucks. Goaltender Pekka Rinne is still out with a hip
infection, and defensemen Shea Weber (eye) and Kevin Klein (foot) did not
play. Even so, the Predators did not use those absences as an excuse.
“We need to get some points, plain and simple,” coach Barry Trotz said. “Is
there urgency? Absolutely I think there should be. If there’s not, there’s a
problem.”
Canucks forward Ryan Kesler notched the game-winner with 12:23 left in the
third period. His score, which put the Canucks up 2-1, came on a rebound off
a shot from defenseman Jason Garrison. Kesler added another score with
5:45 left in the third period off a scrum in front of Predators rookie goaltender
Marek Mazanec.
(Kesler) “got those two goals to put them ahead,” Wilson said. “We could
have taken care of him a little bit better. But yeah, he’s a strong guy.”
Tennessean LOADED: 12.04.2013
725853
New Jersey Devils
Devils' players and coaches admit: Goal-scoring is a problem
By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on December 03, 2013 at 1:15 PM, updated December 03, 2013 at 9:22 PM
There are the occasional nights when goal-scoring does not seem to be an
issue for the Devils. Whether by design, with their low-scoring defensive
approach, or simply an inability to finish, those nights are rare.
Although they’ve lost four of their last six games, the Devils are just one point
out of a Metropolitan Division playoff spot. But can they play an entire season
and hope to make the playoffs without getting more offense?
"Obviously the scoring is an issue. We don’t have enough of it," veteran
Patrik Elias told The Star-Ledger. "We have great goaltending, and the way
we play defense we can therefore get away with a 1-0 win or 2-1 win a lot of
the time. But you cannot go through a season like that."
The reason is simple.
"It’s too hard to play hockey all the time with one goal or always catching up.
It’s too tough," Elias explained. "It’s such a grind with so many games. It
would be nice to be three up in the first period. Then you could just play your
game, play more safe."
Coach Pete DeBoer admitted yesterday that lack of offense is a worrisome
issue.
"Sure. I think if you had to look at what areas I would red flag as a coach right
now, it would be our offense," DeBoer said. "That includes creating on the
power play. I like our defensive game, I like our attention to detail, I like how
tight we’re playing and how hard we are to play against defensively.
Naturally, sitting where we’re sitting in goals-for in the league, that’s
something that keeps rearing its head."
The Devils rank 26th in the league with 61 goals-for in 28 games.
They are 12th in the Eastern Conference.
"I look at it and I don’t think we’re taking our foot off the gas," DeBoer said. "I
thought (Monday) night was one of our best games maybe of the year. I don’t
have an answer for it. You have to tip your hat to (goalie) Carey Price. I
thought he made a handful of outstanding saves."
"We just have to find a way. I know we just have to stick with it. If we can keep
creating those type of opportunities every night and giving up that few shots
(17), you know good things are going to happen over the long run."
Perhaps general manager Lou Lamoriello needs to obtain some offense via a
trade.
"I don’t know," Elias said, "but it sure would help to create more scoring.
Obviously it’s on us that are here right now."
Notes: Ryane Clowe, who has played only six games for the Devils because
of a concussion suffered Oct. 13 in Winnipeg. practiced with a group of six
others yesterday. However, Clowe was not allowed to speak to the media …
Cory Schneider will start in goal tonight … DeBoer said Adam Henrique, who
suffered a lower body injury in the first period Monday night, "is a possiblity"
for the rematch with the Canadiens at Prudential Center. It will be a game
time decision.
Tim Sestito, accidentally kicked in the jaw by Montreal’s Brandon Prust
during the first period Monday night, suffered only bruises. Prust was
upended and his skate came up and hit Sestito as the two players came
together in the neutral zone.
"Just some bruising. I got pretty lucky," Sestito said. "I didn’t really see what
hit me until some guys told me after and I watched the replay (yesterday). I
think I just got the heel of his boot. That could have been really bad, but lucky
it was very minimal damage. Sore jaw, almost like if you bit into a hard piece
of candy. Nothing terrible. Just a little swelling."
"I wasn’t going to watch the replay. I didn’t see it during the game or anything.
I actually caught it (yesterday) and watched. That was close."
The initial impact and then afterwards the blade couldn’t have been too far
away. It came up and hit me underneath. I think when it hit me it changed the
angle of his blade."
Star Ledger LOADED: 12.04.2013
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New Jersey Devils
Devils' Tim Sestito, kicked by skate, lucky to suffer only a sore jaw
By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on December 03, 2013 at 12:44 PM, updated December 03, 2013 at 1:01 PM
Devils forward Tim Sestito, accidentally kicked in the jaw by Montreal's
Brandon Prust during the first period of Monday night's game, said he
suffered only bruises and is available to play in Wednesday night's rematch.
Prust was upended and his skate came up and hit Sestito as the two players
came together in the neutral zone. Sestito remained face down for several
minutes and was attended to by trainer Rich Stinziano, but he was able to
skate off to the bench on his own and was not bleeding. He played the
remainder of the game.
"Just some bruising. I got pretty lucky," Sestito said. "I didn't really see what
hit me until some guys told me after and I watched the replay today. I think I
just got the heal of his boot. That could have been really bad, but lucky it was
very minimal damage. Sore jaw, almost like if you bit into a hard piece of
candy. Nothing terrible. Just a little swelling."
It may have been worse for his wife, who was watching on TV. She watched
as Sestito remained down on the ice and cameras did not zoom in.
"My wife had a heart attack seeing that. It could've been really bad. You don't
necessarily know where all your veins are in your neck," Sestito said. "I just
kind of collected myself. It's almost like getting sucker-punched. I wasn't
seeing stars or anything, but I was wondering how I got there and just kind of
feeling around and seeing what was going on. i heard the crowd go, 'Oooh.'
"I wasn't going to watch the replay. I didn't see it during the game or anything.
I actually caught it today and watched it this morning. That was close. The
initial impact and then afterwards the blade couldn't have been too far away.
It came up and hit me underneath. I think when it hit me it changed the angle
of his blade."
It was Sestito's second shift of the game.
***
Adam Henrique, who got tangled up with Montreal's Alexei Emelin with 2:29
left in the first, played the second period before calling it quits.
He is possible for Wednesday night.
"I think it's a possibility," coach Pete DeBoer said. "I'd term it game time."
Cory Schneider will start in goal.
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New Jersey Devils
Devils: Ryane Clowe among seven players to skate in Newark
By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on December 03, 2013 at 11:22 AM, updated December 03, 2013 at 12:25
PM
The Devils held a very limited practice Tuesday at AmeriHealth Pavilion as
they await the second of home and home games against the Montreal
Canadiens, but Ryane Clowe was one of the seven players that were on the
ice.
Clowe has played only six games for the Devils. He suffered a head injury
from a hit in Winnipeg on Oct. 13 and has been on injured reserve with
concussion-like symptoms.
Even general manager Lou Lamoriello watched Clowe for a shirt time from
the runway leading to the bench.
However, a Devils spokesman said Clowe would not be available to the
media. The left winger will not be made available to the media until he takes
part in a full team practice.
The Canadiens, who skated to a 3-2 victory over the Devils Monday night in
Montreal, visit Prudential Center Wednesday night.
Forwards Tim Sestito, Jacob Josefson, Cam Janssen, Mattias Tedenby and
Clowe skated along with defenseman Peter Harrold and goalie Cory
Schneider.
***
Cory Schneider will start Wednesday night against the Canadiens.
Coach Pete DeBoer says Adam Henrique (lower body) is "a possibility" to
play Wednesday night.
"I'd term it game time," DeBoer said of the decision on Henrique.
DeBoer on Clowe: "There's been no setbacks from what I've heard. That's
good news."
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New Jersey Devils
Devils' Adam Henrique was unable to play through a lower body injury
By Rich Chere/The Star-Ledger
on December 02, 2013 at 11:37 PM, updated December 02, 2013 at 11:47
PM
MONTREAL – The Devils could be without forward Adam Henrique after he
suffered a lower body injury early in Monday night’s game.
With 2:29 remaining in the first period, Henrique and Montreal's Alexei
Emelin got tangled up near the net and the Devils' forward fell. He was in
discomfort when he finally left the ice on his own and played the second
period befire shutting it down.
“I just got tangled up there. I tried to play through it in the second and it didn’t
really get any better,” Henrique explained.
He is questionable for tomorrow night’s rematch with the Canadiens in New
Jersey.
“We’ll see. I’ll just kind of take it a day at a time, see how I feel tomorrow and
go from there,” Henrique said.
Tim Sestito, recalled from Albany (AHL) on Sunday after Ryan Carter was
hurt in a fight with Buffalo’s Marcus Foligno, escaped a serious injury when
he was kicked in the jaw by Brandon Prust. The Montreal winger was
upended and his skate came up and hit Sestito as they came together in the
neutral zone.
Uncut, Sestito played the entire game.
***
Canadiens captain Brian Gionta was furious when no penalty was called with
14:20 left in the second period after he was tripped along the boards by Patrik
Elias.
"I actually went for his stick," Elias explained. "I don't know if I got his stick or
missed it and went for his feet. I know him. I played with him. He likes to jump.
His little legs."
***
Rookie defenseman Eric Gelinas grew up in Vanier, Ontario, and attended
Canadiens games as a kid. Although he played an exhibition game in Bell
Centre this fall, this was his first game that counted.
“It was pretty special,” Gelinas said. “I didn’t think I was going to start,
actually. But I guess it was pretty smart to get the nerves out of the way and
get the first shift out of the way.”
***
Martin Brodeur, who was playing his first game in his hometown since his
father passed away on Sept. 26, said emotions were not an issue.
“It was fine. Nothing different than other games,” Brodeur said. “It’s still a
hockey game.”
He faced only nine shots through the first two periods before he truly felt
sharp.
“It was hard to get going, to get into the game,” Brodeeur explained. “It wasn’t
until the third period that I felt good and I started making some saves. But we
needed to have some breakdowns for me to feel good. I don’t know if I’m
really wishing for that all the time.
“We didn’t make many mistakes but the ones we made we paid the price for
them.”
Asked if the Devils were tired late in the game, Brodeur said: “A little bit. It’s
been a long stretch for us as far as games. We’ve pushed really hard
offensively, especially in the first period. You could tell it was harder on guys
at the end. I thought our effort was not the reason why we didn’t come up with
wins.”
Brodeur’s personal losing streak is now four games.
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725857
New Jersey Devils
Devils’ Schneider hopes to continue his win streak; Scoring still a struggle;
Sestito feels lucky
Cory Schneider will be back in net for the Devils Wednesday night when they
take on the Montreal Canadiens in the second game of a home-and-home
series. The Canadiens won 3-2 Monday night in Montreal with Martin
Brodeur in net for the Devils.
It will be Schneider’s first career start against the Canadiens, so he was
watching Monday night to pick up whatever he could about an unfamiliar foe.
“I’m not as familiar with Montreal,” he said. “So, (he paid attention to)
especially the power play and some of the things they like to do and some of
their players I’m not as familiar with. It had been a while since I’d seen them
play and it’s good to sort of take a look at them before you get in there.”
Schneider has a personal three-game winning streak, during which he’s
allowed only three goals on 68 shots, after a 0-3-2 slide that was mostly due
to a lack of offensive support. He’s coming off a 15-save shutout over Buffalo
on Saturday after he allowed two goals on just 18 shots in Friday’s 5-2 win in
Carolina.
“It’s nice to feel like you played well and get a win,” Schneider said. “It’s sort
of a hollow feeling if you play well and you still lose. It’s not very satisfying, so
to help the team get some points has been good. I thought we played well
last night in Montreal. It was just they got some pretty good chances and
capitalized and, unfortunately, we just couldn’t quite get that last goal.
“We know they’re going to come out and probably be a little better than they
were in Montreal, but I’ve liked the way we’ve played the past few games and
I think if we play the way we did last night, then, hopefully, we’ll have a good
chance.”
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New Jersey Devils
Schneider to start against Canadiens Wednesday; Henrique to be game-time
decision
Posted by Tom Gulitti on 12/03 at 01:23 PM
Devils coach Pete DeBoer said today that Cory Schneider will get the start in
net Wednesday night at Prudential Center for the second game of the team’s
home-and-home series with the Montreal Canadiens.
Martin Brodeur played in Mondays’ 3-2 loss in Montreal, allowing three goals
on 17 shots.
DeBoer said “there’s a possibility” that Adam Henrique will be able to play
Wednesday after leaving Monday night’s game with what the team is calling
a “lower-body” injury.
“I would term it a game-time (decision),” DeBoer said.
DeBoer said none of the team’s other injured players will be ready to play
Wednesday.
That group includes left wing Ryan Carter, who was injured in a fight with
Buffalo’s Marcus Foligno on Saturday.
***
As I mentioned in the previous post, left wing Ryane Clowe practiced with the
group of seven Devils who skated today, but was not permitted by the team
to speak to the media.
Even DeBoer was tight-lipped when I asked him about the positive step of
Clowe practicing today.
“There’s been no setbacks from what I’ve heard so that’s good news,”
DeBoer said.
Bergen Record LOADED: 12.04.2013
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New Jersey Devils
Ryane Clowe taking part in Devils’ small group practice; not available to talk
to media
Posted by Tom Gulitti on 12/03 at 12:39 PM
Devils left wing Ryane Clowe practicing today.
Left wing Ryane Clowe is among seven Devils’ players practicing today at
Prudential Center.
The rest of the team has the day off.
Clowe has been sidelined since Oct. 13 with concussion symptoms. He has
been skating on his own for the last two weeks, but this is the first time he’s
been on the ice for any kind of practice.
Clowe was injured when he was elbowed in the head by Jets defenseman
Jacob Trouba in the third period of a 3-0 loss in Winnipeg on Oct. 13.
A Devils’ spokesperson said Clowe is unavailable to speak to the media
today. That announcement was made while Clowe was still on the ice.
Also skating today are goaltender Cory Schneider, forwards Jacob Josefson,
Mattias Tedenby, Tim Sestito and Cam Janssen and defenseman Peter
Harrold.
Bergen Record LOADED: 12.04.2013
725860
New York Islanders
Islanders blow lead, fall to Penguins in OT
By Brett Cyrgalis
December 3, 2013 | 10:18pm
It’s not last spring. Not by a long shot.
As much as parts of Tuesday night seemed to be ripped from the annals of
last season’s first-round playoff series between the Islanders and Penguins,
the result was a reminder of who won that series, and why.
The Islanders could do little but sit and watch as Sidney Crosby took over the
third period and then settled it in overtime, the game-winner coming 3:44 into
the extra frame when Crosby just burglarized Thomas Vanek and then split
Calvin de Haan and Travis Hamonic to chip in his second goal of the night,
giving Pittsburgh the 3-2 win at Nassau Coliseum.
“There are elite players in this league, and we talk about it a lot — you’re not
going to stop them, you just have to try and contain them,” coach Jack
Capuano said. “I thought we did a really good job of eliminating some of his
chances. But he came up big for them.”
It was about six months ago when the Islanders had all the hope in the world,
an exciting young team that broke a six-year postseason drought and pushed
the top-seeded Penguins in a spirited six-game affair. Yet that couldn’t seem
further away now, as the Islanders (8-15-5) have lost two in a row in
overtime, seven in a row overall, and 12 of their past 14.
“To me, you try to get the most out of your players and you want your guys to
work,” said Capuano, whose team is digging a deep hole in the basement of
the Metropolitan Division, and who is putting himself closer to the edge of
losing his job with every mounting loss. “And they’re working.”
There is little question Capuano still is getting top effort out of his players, but
that effort is just not enough. After Kyle Okposo put two easy goals past
Marc-Andre Fleury within the first 12:55, the 13,915 in attendance could see
in vivid recollection how Fleury choked away two of the first four games of
that series.
“I thought we played a pretty good hockey game,” said Okposo, who broke
an eight-game scoreless streak. “The third period, for whatever reason, I
don’t think we had the same pizzazz, the same jam. We’ve got to do a better
job of closing out games.”
Just as in that playoff series, the Islanders couldn’t keep up the pressure and
were undermined by their penalty kill. The Penguins (19-9-1) are first in the
division, and have the league’s top-ranked power play. So they got one goal
on the man-advantage from James Neal in the final minute of the second to
cut it to 2-1, and then another from Crosby with 8:00 gone by in the third to tie
it.
They sandwiched a penalty shot from Frans Nielsen, the result of a
shorthanded breakaway just before Crosby’s goal, but one that Fleury
denied.
“For whatever reason, against this team, our penalty kill, we just can’t stop
them,” said Capuano, whose man-down unit is dead last in the league.
Capuano did get a terrific performance from third-string goalie Anders
Nilsson, who made 31 impressive stops in his second straight start. There
also were some swallowed whistles from the referees down the stretch, most
notably when Vanek was taken down twice in front of the Penguins net on a
pivotal Islanders power play late in the third.
But, as Capuano pointed out, his team is now 0-14-2 when it scores two or
less goals, and won’t find it any easier to score on the upcoming five-game
road trip through the rugged west coast, starting Thursday in St. Louis.
“My frustration is what the players are feeling like,” Capuano said. “That’s the
tough thing.”
New York Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
725861
New York Islanders
Sidney Crosby does it to Islanders again with tying goal in third, winner in OT
Originally published: December 3, 2013 11:54 PM
Updated: December 4, 2013 12:08 AM
By MICHAEL LEWIS. Special to Newsday
Two things stayed consistent at the Coliseum Tuesday night: the Islanders
keep finding ways to lose and Sidney Crosby keeps finding ways to beat
them.
Exhibit A was the Islanders' 3-2 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The hosts
squandered a two-goal advantage, as Crosby connected for the final two
goals, including the overtime winner.
"You're not going to stop him," coach Jack Capuano said. "You're going to try
to contain him. I thought we did a very good job of eliminating some of his
chances, but he came up big for them."
When he eventually is inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, Crosby might
want to give a big thank you to the Islanders in his speech because he has
made a career feasting on them.
After missing 320 days because of a concussion, Crosby scored on his third
shift and finished with two goals and two assists in a 5-0 win November 2011.
During last spring's playoffs, he came back from a broken jaw that sidelined
him for a month and scored two goals in a 4-3 defeat. And he tallied his 250th
career goal for the winner in a 4-3 win Nov. 22 of this year.
Tuesday night he left his heroics late, scoring off a power play, beating
goaltender Anders Nilsson from the middle of the left-wing circle at 8:00 of
the third period to tie the score at 2.
Then came the winner, a wrist shot at 3:43 of OT for his 15th goal this
season.
"I just got the puck around their blue line and I got some speed," Crosby said.
"I had time to wind it up. I was waiting for him [Nilsson] to come out. They
were pretty flat-footed."
Before the game, Crosby warned that the Penguins should "just be ready for
a desperate team." He was correct as Kyle Okposo gave the Islanders a 2-0
first-period lead.
"They started pretty hard," Crosby said. "They capitalized on their chances . .
. We stayed patient."
Crosby also had some advice and words of wisdom for Islanders captain and
probable Canadian Olympic teammate John Tavares: Keep plugging away
and don't change a thing.
"I think all you can do is stick with it," he said. "He's a big part of their team, a
big leader. He's a guy who leads by example, no matter whether they're
winning or losing. Just doing the same thing."
Crosby heeded his own advice, doing what he does best and making life
miserable for the Islanders again.
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New York Islanders
Kyle Okposo finally finds the net twice, but it's not enough
Published: December 3, 2013 11:04 PM
By MICHAEL LEWIS. Special to Newsday
After connecting for six goals in the Islanders' opening 19 games this season,
it took Kyle Okposo nine games to score his seventh.
It then took the right wing all of 3:02 to connect for his eighth in the Islanders'
3-2 overtime loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins Tuesday night at the Coliseum.
Okposo's play was one of the few bright spots for the Islanders, who
squandered a two-goal advantage by surrendering two power-play scores in
regulation and Sidney Crosby's game-winner in overtime.
Okposo, who hadn't managed a goal since Nov. 12 in a 3-1 home win over
the Nashville Predators, rediscovered his scoring touch. He opened the
scoring in the first period when he took a pass from John Tavares and beat
Marc-Andre Fleury at 9:53 while there was a scramble in the crease.
He made it 2-0 when he fired home a slap shot from atop the right-wing circle
at 12:55.
This wasn't the first time the 6-foot, 216-pound Okposo made his presence
felt against the Penguins. But this time he did it with his stick instead of his
fists, which he used on Matt Niskanen in the second game of the playoffs last
May 3.
Not only did Okposo bloody his opponent in that game, he woke up the
Islanders, who were trailing by two goals at the time. They went on to win,
4-3.
Okposo has been inconsistent throughout his career. The first-round pick in
the 2006 draft had a five-game point streak in October and a three-assist
game against Boston Nov. 2.
But he has done little since -- until Tuesday night. Unfortunately for the
Islanders, his teammates could not follow suit.
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New York Islanders
Sidney Crosby's OT goal sinks Islanders
Originally published: December 3, 2013 10:45 PM
Updated: December 4, 2013 12:04 AM
By ARTHUR STAPLE arthur.staple@newsday.com
The Islanders continue to find new, crushing ways to lose. Tuesday night a
familiar foe, Sidney Crosby, did them in.
After scoring the tying goal on a power play with 12 minutes left in the third
period, Crosby danced past rookie defenseman Calvin de Haan and flicked a
backhand past Anders Nilsson at 3:44 of overtime, a 3-2 loss that was
somewhat different than Saturday's overtime defeat by the same score, but
similarly painful.
The Islanders grabbed the lead late on the Capitals on Saturday, only to
cough it up in the final minute on a shorthanded goal and lose in OT. Tuesday
night, Kyle Okposo scored twice to stake the Islanders to a 2-0 lead after a
period, but the Penguins, led by Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, chipped away
and left the Isles 0-5-2 in their last seven as they head out for a grueling,
five-game road trip to five of the Western Conference's toughest spots.
"We've got to find a way to get two points," Okposo said. "We got a big
[penalty] kill in OT and we've got to find a way to pull one out."
With John Tavares off for a cross-checking penalty in the final minute of the
second, Malkin made a flip pass behind the Islanders net to James Neal, who
beat Nilsson before the Islanders goaltender even knew where the puck was.
There were 15.6 seconds remaining in the second.
The Penguins pushed the Islanders back on their heels in the third. Nilsson
was sharp -- he finished with 31 saves -- but the Penguins got another
opening when Aaron Ness clipped Malkin with a high stick.
Frans Nielsen was denied on a penalty shot during the Isles penalty kill, his
stuff shot stopped by Marc-Andre Fleury.
Just 1:07 later, on the same Islanders minor, it was tied.
Malkin had a shot blocked, but he gathered it and sent it to Crosby, whose
one-timer went through Nilsson's pads.
"We sat back too much," Okposo said, "and when it got to 2-2, we said, 'Time
to go play again.'"
The Isles remained aggressive after the tie and seemed to get a break with
1:47 left in regulation, when Malkin took issue with a whack from Tavares and
dumped the Isles captain in full view of the officials, taking a cross-checking
minor that would last the rest of regulation.
The Islanders generated very little with that power play and then handed all
the momentum back to Pittsburgh. Thomas Vanek, dumped in the slot twice
by hacks from Kris Letang, took out his frustrations with a two-handed slash
on Matt Niskanen, nullifying the power play with 23.4 seconds left in
regulation and setting the Penguins up for a four-on-three advantage in OT.
"That one is probably on me," Vanek said. "I lost my cool. It's frustrating when
you see the ref 15 feet away and two blatant slashes on me, but I shouldn't
have lost my cool. I cost our team the win."
The Islanders did kill off the penalty, but they could not hold off Crosby. He
stole a clearing pass by Thomas Hickey meant for Tavares, circled quickly
and had de Haan, playing just his second game of the year, on his heels.
Crosby put the puck through the young defenseman and, with a quick flick of
his wrist, had the puck behind Nilsson.
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New York Islanders
After settling in, Isles rookie Calvin de Haan is beaten by Sidney Crosby
Originally published: December 3, 2013 9:55 PM
Updated: December 4, 2013 12:08 AM
By ARTHUR STAPLE arthur.staple@newsday.com
Calvin de Haan's ability to play a smooth, calm game in his season debut
Saturday was happily noted by several members of the Islanders' front office.
De Haan has had to live up to the pedigree of being a first-round pick, and his
numbers in Bridgeport have been decidedly unflashy -- he had a goal and
two assists in 17 games before his recall.
But his game is perhaps better suited to the NHL level, where he's still a
rookie trying not to do too much and is being placed in position to succeed,
rather than trying to do everything to be noticed in Bridgeport.
"It's a little easier game up here, but it's also harder, if you know what I
mean," de Haan said. "You're playing with the best in the world, so when you
look for an outlet, you know your guy's going to be there. But you're also
playing against the best, so you have to work twice as hard to win pucks and
be in the right position to make plays."
De Haan had his "Welcome to the NHL" moment Tuesday night, getting beat
by Sidney Crosby in overtime for the winning goal.
But de Haan started the game facing off against Crosby's line and had done a
good job of keeping the Penguins star in check at even strength all night
before the quick turnover in the overtime.
Same lineup
Jack Capuano saw enough good from Saturday's game to keep the same
lineup, meaning Brock Nelson, Eric Boulton and Radek Martinek were the
healthy scratches and Anders Nilsson made his second consecutive start in
goal.
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725865
New York Rangers
Alain Vigneault issues warning as .500 NY Rangers stall
It is time, Vigneault said, for the core players to lift the team out of nearly 30
games of middling .500 play.
By Peter Botte / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Wednesday, December 4, 2013, 12:43 AM
Alain Vigneault already has shown no inclination to play favorites with his star
players on the Rangers, sitting Henrik Lundqvist in two consecutive games
earlier this week.
The first-year coach issued another message – or warning, perhaps – to the
other “core” Blueshirts following practice on Tuesday. It is time, Vigneault
said, for those players to lift the team out of nearly 30 games of middling .500
play, with a 14-14-0 record through Monday’s home loss to Winnipeg.
“We are no different from any other team in the NHL, if we are going to get
some traction and get past that .500 level, we need our top players to play
consistently like top players,” Vigneault said after more than an hour on the
ice at the team’s Greenburgh practice facility. “Not a period in, a period out.
Not a game in, a game out. We need that core group, the leaders of this
room, to perform accordingly.
“We have not done that on a consistent basis, and on a game to game basis.
Just look at our lineup, look at our core group and look at our key guys and
there’s the answer.”
Vigneault, who went with rookie goalie Cam Talbot for a second straight
game on Monday, added that he’s “not at that point yet” of benching other top
players. But the Rangers are averaging just 2.21 goals per game, 25th in the
NHL entering Thursday’s game in Buffalo. And they have gone 5-6-0 since
Nov. 12 — alternating wins and losses in the last six — following a 6-1-0
stretch that had offset a 3-7-0 start.
“I’m hoping that with the experience that the players I’m talking about have,
the sense of accountability and the sense of the responsibility that they
should have, that I won’t need to get to that,” Vigneault said of potential
benchings. “If we are going to get some traction, they’ve got to figure it out.
“I feel we’re all being tested right now, the coaches and that group and we
need to find a way to get some traction consistently and respond.”
Lundqvist seemingly has handled his two-game respite well, marking the first
time he’s been on the bench when healthy for consecutive games since
February 2011. The 2012 Vezina Trophy winner is 8-11-0 with a career-worst
2.51 goals against average in 20 appearances.
One move Vigneault does appear to be considering for Thursday is sitting
winger Benoit Pouliot; Taylor Pyatt skated alongside Carl Hagelin and Derick
Brassard in practice on Tuesday.
New York Daily News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725866
New York Rangers
Vigneault: Big guns have to step up
By David Satriano
December 3, 2013 | 7:55pm
During his tenure as Rangers coach, John Tortorella had no problem
benching his stars when they weren’t playing well. So far, 28 games into the
season, current coach Alain Vigneault has given his players longer leashes,
but said if they don’t start producing, they could find themselves out of the
lineup.
“That’s always a possibility,” Vigneault said after practice Tuesday, and on
the heels of the teams 5-2 loss to the Jets on Monday.
“I’m not at that point yet. I’m hoping that with the experience the players that
I’m talking about have, the sense of accountability, the sense of responsibility
that they should have, then I won’t need to get into that.”
Brad Richards has two goals in 20 games. Captain Ryan Callahan has one in
nine games, and Carl Hagelin — who had four goals in the first six games of
the season — has one in 12 games since.
Nevertheless, the Rangers scoring woes go beyond these three players, as
they have averaged 2.2 per game, which ranks toward the bottom of the
league.
“We need the leaders of this group to perform accordingly, and we have not
done that on a consistent basis, and on a game-to-game basis,” Vigneault
said. “Just look at our lineup, look at our core group and look at our key guys
and there is the answer.”
Monday’s loss followed up a 5-2 Rangers win over the Canucks on Saturday.
They have alternated wins and losses the past six games.
The Rangers killed off both penalties Monday and have allowed one power
play goal in their past six games, which ranked fifth in the league before
Tuesday’s games. Defenseman Marc Staal attributed the success to one
thing in particular.
“Solid goaltending is always a huge thing on your penalty kill,” he said.
Last season, the Rangers penalty killing unit ranked 15th including allowing a
league-high 11 shorthanded goals. This season, they have allowed just one.
After Thursday night’s game in Buffalo, the Rangers have a nine-game
homestand. They are in a stretch where they have one road game in 12
games and don’t leave the state of New York until Dec. 27 in Washington.
“It will be good to get some home games in,” Staal said. “Obviously we want
to make MSG a fearful place to come into. We can put a start to that
reputation this month and make it a hard rink to play in.”
The Rangers are just 5-6-0 at the Garden.
In the 48-game season last year, the Rangers were involved in 12 overtime
games, including eight shootouts.
Through 28 games this season, they have had one overtime game (a 3-2 win
at Detroit) and no shootouts. They are the only team to not be involved in a
shootout this season.
“There haven’t been that many overtime games for us so far, but over the
whole season, that will probably even out,” said goaltender Henrik Lundqvist,
who is second all-time in shootout victories with 45.
New York Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
725867
New York Rangers
Time for Vigneault and the Rangers to ride The King
What is good for Lundqvist is good for the Rangers.
No disrespect to Talbot intended, but if there is a two-goalie system here, the
Blueshirts are doomed. Vigneault may not have many thoroughbreds on his
roster, but we sure know he’s got at least one. It is Lundqvist.
And it is time to ride the King.
By Larry Brooks
December 3, 2013 | 1:17pm
All right, Alain Vigneault has had his little romance with Cam Talbot, and it is
difficult to blame the coach for sticking with the hot hand for Monday’s game
against the Jets even if it meant sticking Henrik Lundqvist on the bench
again.
But the dalliance with the backup and the genetic engineering being applied
the Rangers’ goaltending situation has to end, and end now.
This isn’t a reflex response to Winnipeg 5, Blueshirts 2 at the Garden. This is
simply stipulation that the Rangers have no chance to reach their ceiling —
whatever that may be — without Lundqvist at his best, and in order to be his
best, Lundqvist needs to play … and play … and play in order to get into the
rhythm to which he and we have become accustomed over the last eight
seasons.
For it is not about one game, not about giving the team its best chance to win
one game, not in December it’s not, and not if winning the battle might
ultimately undermine efforts to win the war. It is about giving the team its best
chance to win over 82 games, even if that means taking one step back to
take two steps forward.
The Rangers are stuck in the middle. They don’t have enough top-end talent
to play a skill-oriented game. They don’t have anywhere near enough size or
muscle to impose their will on anyone. Their identity is anybody’s guess.
Actually, for the last two games and three of the last six matches, their
identity has been on the bench. Yes, two years ago, for one brief shining
season, the Rangers were Black-and-Blueshirts, but more than that, and
ever since the middle of Lundqvist’s 2005-06 rookie season, the face of the
Rangers has been Lundqvist’s.
The idea going into the season as expressed by Vigneault was to get
Lundqvist between 62 and 66 starts. But the combination of Talbot’s
excellence and Lundqvist’s inconsistency seems to have altered the formula.
When the Rangers started a stretch of nine games in 16 nights on Nov. 23 —
not a terribly burdensome schedule by any means — that continues
Thursday in Buffalo, the coach said the plan was to give Talbot three of those
starts.
That equates over the long haul to 54 or 55 starts for the No. 1, not nearly
enough given Lundqvist’s need to be a workhorse and not nearly enough to
give the goaltender the work he needs to build his game to its customary elite
level and carry his team.
You think if Patrick Roy had a blip or two in Colorado he suddenly started
splitting the schedule with Craig Billington?
Lundqvist hasn’t started fewer than 31 games in the first half of a non-lockout
season since 2006-07, when he got 30 on his way to a full-season workload
of 69 starts. Now he has 19 starts in 28 games. Lundqvist has played both
ends of just one of the Rangers’ five sets of back-to-backs, that during the
calamitous first week of the season in Los Angeles and San Jose.
Who told Vigneault that Lundqvist couldn’t or shouldn’t play back-to-back?
The fellow fibbed to the coach. Over the previous three seasons, the
Rangers had 34 sets of back-to-back games. Lundqvist started both ends 28
times, going 20-6-2 with seven shutouts in the second game, including last
spring’s playoff Game 7 whitewash of the Capitals.
Beginning Thursday, the Rangers play eight games in 16 nights, including a
back-to-back at the Garden this weekend against the Devils on Saturday and
the Caps on Sunday. Lundqvist should start them all. Doesn’t matter if he
allows a bad one or two or even has a clunker or two. He should start them
all.
Vigneault at the moment has one primary mission: to do whatever is
necessary to create the environment in which Lundqvist can flourish. It is the
coach’s responsibility to get the best out of his No. 1 goaltender. You know
what that entails? Giving him the net, night in and night out, and getting out of
the way.
New York Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
725868
New York Rangers
Brassard explains what he saw on his bad pass
Posted by Andrew Gross on 12/03 at 08:53 PM
In a game filled with Rangers’ turnovers, one of the most obvious was Derick
Brassard’s second-period pass that was intercepted by defenseman Dustin
Byfuglien and turned into rookie John Albert’s first NHL goal - in his first NHL
game - as the Jets won, 5-2, Monday night at Madison Square Garden.
Still catching his breath after coach Alain Vigneault - who immediately
dropped Brassard from centering the second line to the fourth line as the
result of his mistake - put the Rangers through a high-intensity practice
today, Brassard explained what he saw on the ice and how Byfuglien broke
up his attempted pass.
Brassard, standing near the right point in the Jets’ zone, tried to go cross-ice
with the puck but a stationary Byfuglien, maybe just a titch under two-thirds of
the way across the ice, stepped up, took the puck and started the Jets in
transition through the neutral zone, getting the puck ahead to Albert at the
Rangers’ blue line as the rookie broke in on Cam Talbot for a 2-1 lead, the
Jets’ second goal in 1:44.
“When I received the puck at the blue line, my first read was a four on two but
I saw Richie (Brad Richards) on the far blue line and usually when we have a
middle drive, the d-man is going to go with the guy,” Brassard said.
“Byfuglien, I don’t know if it was obvious, but he just stood there. If I kept the
puck there, it would be a two on one to the net with Cally (Ryan Callahan) or
even a three on one because he just stopped there at the blue line. Usually,
the defensemen, they’re going to take the rush. It’s one of those plays, if the
pass goes through and we make a play, it’s fine. But it can’t end up in our net
and I just need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. It’s like when a
quarterback goes back and throws a pick, he focuses on the next play and
that’s what I’m trying to do.”
However, Brassard admitted it’s not easy to try to move on and forget.
“No, it’s obviously not because you feel like you let your teammates down,”
Brassard said. “It’s kind of your fault they scored a goal. On the bench, I was
just trying to make sure I stayed confident and move on. I wish I could make a
different play but that’s the play I made. Hockey is a game of mistakes,
there are a lot of mistakes in the game and everyone makes it, as players,
they make mistakes.”
Brassard centered a third line in practice today with left wing Carl Hagelin
and Taylor Pyatt, that Vigneault cautioned that today’s lines would be used
Thursday at Buffalo.
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725869
New York Rangers
Vigneault seeks more from veteran leaders
Alain Vigneault put the Rangers through a spirited, high-paced practice that
lasted nearly an hour today and then put the onus on his veteran group of
leaders to play consistently in order for the team to finally become more than
a .500 hockey club.
“If we are going to get some traction and get past that .500 level, we need our
top players to consistently play like top players,” Vigneault said. “Not a period
in, a period out. Not a game in, a game out. We need that core group, the
leaders of this group, to perform accordingly. And we have not done that on a
consistent basis and on a game to game basis. Just look at our lineup, look at
our core group and look at our key guys and there’s the answer.”
And when asked about franchise goalie Henrik Lundqvist, who has an
uncharacteristic 8-11-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average and .917 save
percentage after Cam Talbot started for the second straight game in Monday
night’s 5-2 loss to the Jets - marking the first time he has sat more than one
more while healthy since Feb. 5-7, 2011, Vigneault was equally succinct.
“Hank is getting more than a decent share of games to find his rhythm,”
Vigneault said. “Him, just like our other top guys, they’re getting the ice time
that players need to find a groove, to find the timing, to find the execution.
Those guys need to put it together and they need to put it together
consistently.”
Lundqvist said Monday after finding out Talbot would start that this season
has been a different one, a challenging one in terms of finding “the flow.”
Based on today’s line rushes, it appears Benoit Pouliot and defenseman
John Moore might be the extras for Thursday’s game at Buffalo but Vigneault
said he would not make that determination until Wednesday, at the earliest.
The lines/d-pairs:
Chris Kreider-Derek Stepan-Rick Nash
Mats Zuccarello-Brad Richards-Ryan Callahan
Carl Hagelin-Derick Brassard-Taylor Pyatt
Brian Boyle-Dominic Moore-Derek Dorsett
Ryan McDonagh-Dan Girardi
Marc Staal-Anton Stralman
Michael Del Zotto-Justin Falk
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725870
New York Rangers
Alain Vigneault calls on Rangers' core group to step it up
Originally published: December 3, 2013 7:14 PM
Updated: December 3, 2013 9:48 PM
By STEVE ZIPAY steve.zipay@newsday.com
GREENBURGH, N.Y. -- Unlike some coaches, Alain Vigneault simmers in
public before reaching a full boil, making his point, then lowering the
temperature.
But with one-third of the season by the boards, the Rangers coach is feeling
the pressure of a lukewarm 14-14 record and Tuesday challenged his top
players and leadership group to play with consistent fire before he resorts to
cutting ice time and benchings.
"I feel we're all being tested right now," Vigneault said after practice, "the
coaches and that group . . . If we are going to get some traction and get past
that .500 level, we need our top players to consistently play like top players.
Not a period in, a period out. Not a game in, a game out. We need that core
group, the leaders of this group, to perform accordingly. We have not done
that. Just look at our lineup, look at our core group and look at our key guys
and there's the answer."
Of the group, only stellar defenseman Ryan McDonagh, who has points in
five of the last six games, and Rick Nash, who is 4-2-6 in eight games since
returning from a concussion, might be exempt from criticism. Captain Ryan
Callahan has scored once in nine games; Marc Staal (2-1-3, minus-7) has
struggled to regain his form since his eye injury last season, and the other
veteran wearing an "A", Brad Richards, who started the season producing at
a terrific pace, has one goal in 11 games. Derek Stepan, Dan Girardi and
Henrik Lundqvist haven't been stringing any streaks together, either.
"Hank is getting more than a decent share of games to find his rhythm,"
Vigneault said of Lundqvist, who is 8-11-0 with a 2.51 goals-against average
and a .917 save percentage. "Him, just like our other top guys, they're getting
the ice time that players need to find a groove, to find the timing, to find the
execution. Those guys need to put it together consistently."
As for playing less or sitting them out, Vigneault, who arrived from Vancouver
last summer, said: "I'm not at that point yet. I'm hoping that with the
experience that the players I'm talking about have, the sense of
accountability and the sense of the responsibility that they should have, I
won't need to get to that."
Notes & quotes: Lundqvist is expected to start in Buffalo on Thursday night,
his first action since the 3-2 loss in Boston on Friday . . . Based on practice
lines, Benoit Pouliot could be a healthy scratch against the Sabres for the first
time this season. Taylor Pyatt skated in his spot with Carl Hagelin and Derick
Brassard, and John Moore wasn't in the top three defense pairs.
Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725871
Ottawa Senators
Senators rally past Panthers
Perhaps all those pre-game soccer warm-up drills have a purpose, after all.
Anderson made huge saves off Scottie Upshall and Nick Bjugstad to keep
the game within reach and then the Senators fought back, finishing the first
period with a 21-10 edge in shots.
The Senators are now in position to complete the Florida sweep in Tampa
Thursday, but Tampa presents a more formidable challenge, with former
Senators netminder Big Ben Bishop backstopping the Lightning.
GAME FILE
by Ken Warren
on December 3, 2013
Perhaps all those pre-game soccer warm-up drills have a purpose, after all.
Just ask Colin Greening after the Senators much needed 4-2 victory over the
Florida Panthers here Tuesday.
Greening scored the winner with 43 seconds left in the second period, in a
game which was full of unlikely heroes, unlikely bounces and unlikely line
combinations.
With the Senators on a power play in the final minute of the second period,
Joe Corvo’s point shot deflected off Greening’s leg, popped high in the air,
over the head of Panthers goaltender Tim Thomas and into the net. Bend it
like Beckham, indeed.
Bobby Ryan provided the third period insurance, all alone at the side of the
net to finish off a Jared Cowen pass.
At the other end of the ice, Senators goaltender Craig Anderson added to his
mastery over the Panthers, improving his career record over Florida to
10-1-1. Anderson, who came into the game fresh from being pulled last
Thursday against Vancouver, rebounded impressively after a shaky start,
ending up with 30 saves.
After losing six of their previous eight games, the Senators desperately
needed a victory here to try and climb back up the Eastern Conference
ladder towards a playoff spot. Coupled with Toronto’s loss to San Jose
Tuesday, the Senators are now five points behind the Maple Leafs for the
final wild card spot in the East.
Desperate to find a winning combination, Senators coach Paul MacLean
made like a mad scientist in shaking up his lines this way and that.
After the Senators handed the Panthers an early 2-0 lead on a pair of early
Florida power-play goals, MacLean’s roster-shuffling paid off.
Corvo got the comeback started when his floating wrist shot from the
blue-line cleared a pack of players in the slot and caught the top corner past a
stunned Thomas.
With 1:15 left in the first period, Erik Condra tied the game 2-2, finishing off a
pretty passing play with Clarke MacArthur and Jason Spezza. Condra is
normally a fourth-line checking winger, but MacLean’s hunch to put him with
Spezza and MacArthur paid off.
Newcomer Mike Hoffman was on a unit with Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan,
while Greening was with Zack Smith and Chris Neil. Mika Zibanejad centered
another line with Corey Conacher and Milan Michalek on his wings.
Like the Senators, the Panthers came into the game in a tailspin, with a
record of 1-3-1 in their previous five games, outscored 10-3 in the previous
two.
The Senators and Panthers have both allowed a boatload of first-period
goals this season — Ottawa had yielded 30 and Buffalo 26 before the game
— and they were up their old tricks again Tuesday.
After Mike Hoffman and Jason Spezza took penalties 47 seconds apart to
give the Panthers a 5-on-3 edge, Jonathan Huberdeau beat Anderson,
cashing in on his own rebound. With Spezza still in the penalty box, Brian
Campbell jumped in from the point, streaked to the net and ripped a wrist
shot over Anderson’s trapper. The Senators have yielded 13 power-play
goals in their past nine games.
After Campbell’s goal, the Senators looked as dismal as the crowd, which
numbered somewhere around 5,000 in the cavernous 20,737-seat BB & T
Center.
Give the Senators credit.
WHY THEY WON: The Senators bounced back after a terrible start, which
included a pair of Florida power play goals in the opening 8:22, and directed
pucks and more pucks at Panthers goaltender Tim Thomas. A lucky bounce
or two didn’t hurt, either.
CHEERS: Joe Corvo, Senators: They don’t say how, they say how many.
Corvo got the Senators back into the game with a floater past Tim Thomas in
the first period. He helped put the Senators ahead when his point shot late in
the final minute of the second bounced off Colin Greening’s leg, popped in
the air and over Thomas’s head into the net.
JEERS: Penalty killing, Senators: Yes, they survived, but against a better
team, the two early power play goals they gave up Tuesday would have
buried them for good. The Senators penalty killers have given up 13 goals in
the past nine games. That’s not close to good enough.
BIG NIGHT FOR BIG RIG: Chris Phillips hit the 1,100 regular season game
mark Tuesday, only 78 shy of Daniel Alfredsson’s franchise record for most
games played. Now in his 16th season with the Senators, Phillips has one
goal and 10 assists in 27 games and is on pace for a career-high point total.
Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 12.04.2013
725872
Ottawa Senators
The Senators are now in position to complete the Florida sweep in Tampa
Thursday, but Tampa presents a more formidable challenge, with former
Senators netminder Big Ben Bishop backstopping the Lightning.
Senators rally past Panthers
GAME FILE
By Ken Warren, Ottawa Citizen December 3, 2013
WHY THEY WON: The Senators bounced back after a terrible start, which
included a pair of Florida power play goals in the opening 8:22, and directed
pucks and more pucks at Panthers goaltender Tim Thomas. A lucky bounce
or two didn't hurt, either.
Perhaps all those pre-game soccer warm-up drills have a purpose, after all.
Just ask Colin Greening after the Senators much needed 4-2 victory over the
Florida Panthers here Tuesday.
Greening scored the winner with 43 seconds left in the second period, in a
game which was full of unlikely heroes, unlikely bounces and unlikely line
combinations.
With the Senators on a power play in the final minute of the second period,
Joe Corvo’s point shot deflected off Greening’s leg, popped high in the air,
over the head of Panthers goaltender Tim Thomas and into the net. Bend it
like Beckham, indeed.
Bobby Ryan provided the third period insurance, all alone at the side of the
net to finish off a Jared Cowen pass.
At the other end of the ice, Senators goaltender Craig Anderson added to his
mastery over the Panthers, improving his career record over Florida to
10-1-1. Anderson, who came into the game fresh from being pulled last
Thursday against Vancouver, rebounded impressively after a shaky start,
ending up with 30 saves.
After losing six of their previous eight games, the Senators desperately
needed a victory here to try and climb back up the Eastern Conference
ladder towards a playoff spot. Coupled with Toronto’s loss to San Jose
Tuesday, the Senators are now five points behind the Maple Leafs for the
final wild card spot in the East.
Desperate to find a winning combination, Senators coach Paul MacLean
made like a mad scientist in shaking up his lines this way and that.
After the Senators handed the Panthers an early 2-0 lead on a pair of early
Florida power-play goals, MacLean’s roster-shuffling paid off.
Corvo got the comeback started when his floating wrist shot from the
blue-line cleared a pack of players in the slot and caught the top corner past a
stunned Thomas.
With 1:15 left in the first period, Erik Condra tied the game 2-2, finishing off a
pretty passing play with Clarke MacArthur and Jason Spezza. Condra is
normally a fourth-line checking winger, but MacLean’s hunch to put him with
Spezza and MacArthur paid off.
Newcomer Mike Hoffman was on a unit with Kyle Turris and Bobby Ryan,
while Greening was with Zack Smith and Chris Neil. Mika Zibanejad centered
another line with Corey Conacher and Milan Michalek on his wings.
Like the Senators, the Panthers came into the game in a tailspin, with a
record of 1-3-1 in their previous five games, outscored 10-3 in the previous
two.
The Senators and Panthers have both allowed a boatload of first-period
goals this season — Ottawa had yielded 30 and Buffalo 26 before the game
— and they were up their old tricks again Tuesday.
After Mike Hoffman and Jason Spezza took penalties 47 seconds apart to
give the Panthers a 5-on-3 edge, Jonathan Huberdeau beat Anderson,
cashing in on his own rebound. With Spezza still in the penalty box, Brian
Campbell jumped in from the point, streaked to the net and ripped a wrist
shot over Anderson’s trapper. The Senators have yielded 13 power-play
goals in their past nine games.
After Campbell’s goal, the Senators looked as dismal as the crowd, which
numbered somewhere around 5,000 in the cavernous 20,737-seat BB & T
Center.
Give the Senators credit.
Anderson made huge saves off Scottie Upshall and Nick Bjugstad to keep
the game within reach and then the Senators fought back, finishing the first
period with a 21-10 edge in shots.
CHEERS: Joe Corvo, Senators: They don't say how, they say how many.
Corvo got the Senators back into the game with a floater past Tim Thomas in
the first period. He helped put the Senators ahead when his point shot late in
the final minute of the second bounced off Colin Greening's leg, popped in
the air and over Thomas's head into the net.
JEERS: Penalty killing, Senators: Yes, they survived, but against a better
team, the two early power play goals they gave up Tuesday would have
buried them for good. The Senators penalty killers have given up 13 goals in
the past nine games. That's not close to good enough.
BIG NIGHT FOR BIG RIG: Chris Phillips hit the 1,100 regular season game
mark Tuesday, only 78 shy of Daniel Alfredsson's franchise record for most
games played. Now in his 16th season with the Senators, Phillips has one
goal and 10 assists in 27 games and is on pace for a career-high point total.
Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 12.04.2013
725873
Ottawa Senators
Winchester settles into new Florida home
by Ken Warren
on December 3, 2013
SUNRISE, Florida – Jesse Winchester couldn’t resist the joke at his own
expense.
Asked if he might do anything different while playing against his old Ottawa
Senators teammates for the first time here Tuesday, he replied, “ah, keep my
elbows down.”
That, of course, was in reference to the three-game suspension he received
for elbowing Chris Kelly of the Boston Bruins last month, the same Chris
Kelly he shared a dressing room with while both were playing for the
Senators. That suspension cost Winchester a chance to play against the
Senators when the Florida Panthers visited the Canadian Tire Centre on
November 9.
Other than that, however, Winchester has seemingly done little wrong since
earning a spot on the Panthers roster out of training camp, despite the
disadvantage of owning a two-way contract ($600,000 in the NHL, $125,000
in the minors), earning raves from new coach Peter Horachek and old coach
Kevin Dineen for his consistent, determined work ethic as a fourth line centre
and penalty killer. On top of that, Winchester had chipped in with four goals
and four assists in 21 games before meeting the Senators Tuesday.
After dealing with major concussion problems with the Senators during the
2011-12 season, Winchester couldn’t find a home in North America during
the lockout season, but worked his way back thanks to success with a pair of
teams in Finland, where he says he grew up quite a bit.
“It got me back on the map,” said Winchester, 30, the Long Sault native who
was originally signed by the Senators as a free agent out of Colgate in 2008
and spent four seasons with the Senators.
“I was happy playing a game I love at a high level. It gave me a better
perspective and a good mindset set going into the summer, working my way
back. It took a long time (to get comfortable). Not so much the concussion
symptoms, they were gone. It was getting ready to get involved in situations
you have to deal with in order to play. You have to put yourself in harm’s
way.”
Horachek says Winchester is a role model for the style he wants the
Panthers to play.
“He’s not afraid to go into the hard areas,” he said. “He’s pretty good on the
walls. Before I got here, he was one of the players who was doing what he
needed to do and living up to his responsibilities.”
While Winchester’s first game against his old team didn’t carry quite the
same hype as Daniel Alfredsson’s first game, he acknowledges game
brought back countless memories.
“It was special to break into the league with them and spend more exciting
years there,” he said. “There are a lot of good friends (there). It was close to
home, there were so many supporters. It was a great experience, but this one
is, too.”
There are a few fringe benefits, too. Tuesday morning he talked to his
parents back home, hearing about the freezing rain. When the morning skate
ended Tuesday, he walked out into the sunshine and the 27-degree heat.
GOALIE REUNION ON TAP: Robin Lehner figures he’ll touch base with Ben
Bishop at some point Wednesday, in advance of Thursday’s game between
the Senators and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Even as they battled for playing
time with the Ottawa and Binghamton Senators before Bishop was traded to
Tampa for Cory Conacher last March, they were friends as well as
competitors.
Bishop has taken full advantage of his chance to become a number one
goaltender. Before Tuesday’s games, he was tied for third in the NHL with 14
wins, was ninth with a 2.08 goals against average and 11th with a .931 save
percentage.
Lehner, who served as a back-up to Craig Anderson Tuesday in Florida,
owns a .933 save percentage, eighth in the NHL.
KULIKOV TAKES A SEAT: Dmitry Kulikov has some idea what Jared Cowen
went through last week. Kulikov, a mainstay on the top four of the Panthers
defence for the past couple seasons, was a healthy scratch against the
Senators as Horachek grew impatient with his mistakes. Kulikov, 23, was
selected 14th overall in the 2009 entry draft, five spots after the Senators
chose Cowen. Cowen was a healthy scratch Thursday against Vancouver
and only played in Sunday’s game against Detroit because Marc Methot was
suffering from the flu.
“I think most of this is mental, the mistakes I made weren’t forced,” Kulikov
told Florida reporters. “I shouldn’t have made them, but what happened
happened and I just have to work hard to get it out of me and not worry about
it.”
Horachek’s decision didn’t sit well with him, however. “I didn’t think I was
playing bad enough to get thrown out of the lineup, but it is the coach’s
decision. Yeah, I was surprised.”
Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 12.04.2013
725874
Ottawa Senators
Morning Skate: Anderson to start in goal for Senators
by Ken Warren
on December 3, 2013
SUNRISE, Fla. — Craig Anderson will return to the Ottawa Senators net and
Marc Methot is expected back to be back on defence after missing Sunday’s
game with the flu as the team faces the Florida Panthers on Tuesday night.
Anderson hasn’t played since the Senators’ 5-2 loss to the Vancouver
Canucks last Thursday, when he was pulled after allowing four goals on 15
shots.
He is, however, 9-1-1 against the Panthers during his National Hockey
League career, and he lives in Florida during the off-season.
Tuesday’s game will also feature the return of forward Mike Hoffman to the
NHL. Hoffman ranked second in American Hockey League scoring when
recalled from the Binghamton Senators on Monday.
He has no points in four previous NHL games, but is expected to get a shot at
playing left wing on a line with centre Kyle Turris and right-winger Bobby
Ryan.
Senators coach Paul MacLean said he would make a decision on the healthy
scratch on defence just before the game. The team is carrying seven
defenceman on the roster.
Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 12.04.2013
725875
Ottawa Senators
Winchester playing like Ottawa Senators had once hoped
By Don Brennan
,Ottawa Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 08:28 PM EST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 08:42 PM EST
SUNRISE, Fla. -- The big picture above Jesse Winchester's stall in the home
dressing room at BB&T Center is of former Florida Panther great Kirk Muller.
Apparently, it's all just a coincidence.
'I've still got to grow a little bit (as a player), I think," Winchester said with a
laugh when asked if he was put there because he reminds the team of Muller,
a veteran of 1,349 NHL games before retiring in 2003.
In Florida, Winchester has become what the Senators thought he would
when they signed him as a sought after free agent out of Colgate in 2008.
Along with his usual sound defensive play, he has already matched his
career high in goals, with four in 21 games. He's on pace for 14 goals, 28
points and 90 penalty minutes.
"He was one of the most consistent guys from the start," Florida coach Peter
Horachek said before Tuesday's game against the Senators - Winchester's
first against his old team. "What he did in practice, he did in games."
Winchester remembers to his time in Ottawa as "four exciting years" that
ended with concussion problems in 2012. He was one of many free agents
who couldn't find a job after the lockout, so he went to Finland, where he had
to play for next to nothing in the second division. In Europe, he says, he grew
up a bit, and also gained some confidence. He finished the season with
Jokerit in the Finnish Elite league as a teammate of former Senator Jarkko
Ruutu.
The Panthers signed him to a two-way deal last summer, and he is now the
team's lowest paid player at $600,000.
"It took a long time before"¦not so much the concussion symptoms to stop,
but just getting ready to get involved in situations that you have to do to play "¦
put yourself in harm's way," said Winchester, a 30-year old native of Long
Sault. "The lockout was probably good for that. I didn't end up playing a
competitive game until mid-November last year, and then when I went into it I
was fine.
"Then it became a case where I wanted to work my way back and battle with
the best."
The Senators, whose biggest problem on too many nights has been a lack of
"battle", could use Winchester on their side now.
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.04.2013
725876
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators dump Florida Panthers, 4-2
By Don Brennan
,Ottawa Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 10:52 AM EST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 11:14 PM EST
Add one more in the plus for the Senators, and one more to the negative for
the Panthers.
Penalties put the Senators in an early first period hole. They were at a 5-on-3
disadvantage for 1:13, with Mike Hoffman and Jason Spezza in the box, and
they did not kill off either.
In fact, it took Huberdeau just 21 of the 73 seconds to bank a shot in off
Anderson to put the Panthers in the lead. Then, Brian Campbell snuck in
from the point and fired a wrist shot over Anderson’s left shoulder to make it
2-0 with one second still left on the Spezza penalty.
But the Senators recovered well from the early deficit.
SUNRISE, Fla. — Next time Craig Anderson is in a slump, he might want to
try losing his stick.
And next time somebody makes fun of hockey players for warming up with a
soccer ball, well, just tell them the Colin Greening story.
While outshooting the Panthers 21-10 in the first, they received a couple of
goals from unlikely sources. Joe Corvo scored his second of the season with
a wrist shot from the point that somehow made it past Thomas on the stick
side. Condra added his second with 1:15 left in the period, tapping in a cross
crease pass from Spezza.
Greening scored what proved to be the winner in a very much needed, 4-2
Senators victory over the Florida Panthers at BB&T Center Tuesday night —
and he did so with a move that would have made Cristiano Ronaldo proud.
“I thought we responded very good,” MacLean said of the comeback from a
two goal deficit. “From that point forward I thought we played harder, and with
much more determination in our game than we had in previous games.
The Senators were on a power play in the last minute of the second period
when Joe Corvo fired a wrist shot from the point that was heading towards
Greening as he battled for position in front. Instinctively, the big winger raised
his left leg. The puck hit him just under the knee, popped straight up in the air
and floated in slow motion over goalie Tim Thomas’ head before rolling over
the goal line.
“So we’re showing some good signs of being consistent, but right now it’s
only one in a row. We have to come back tomorrow and work to get better
again.”
The play was reviewed to determine if Greening kicked in it before being
ruled a good goal.
“I thought (Thomas) was going to put a block on it, and I tried to position
myself so the puck would come out and hit me. Luckily it just hit my knee, and
I saw it go up and flutter in the air.”
So it was not a planned re-direct?
“No, I’m not that good of a soccer player,” he said.
Bobby Ryan added his 14th of the season in the third period, on a setup by
Jared Cowen, to seal things.
Corvo also scored to give him a two-point night, while Erik Condra had the
other Senators goal. Clarke MacArthur added two assists.
“Obviously this was a real important, focused game for us, to try and get
things back on track,” said Corvo. “Just play simple, and get a greasy road
win.”
The win allowed the Senators to move to within five points of the Toronto
Maple Leafs for the last wildcard spot in the Eastern Conference.
The Senators would have never been in position to get there had Anderson
not been able to recover from a shaky start.
After allowing a couple of goals early in the first on shots he probably would
have stopped last year, Anderson was given a reprieve as the Senators tied
the game on goals by goals by Corvo and Erik Condra.
In between the Corvo and Condra goals, on a series that saw him lose his
goalie stick, Anderson made spectacular pad saves on Scottie Upshall and
Nick Bjugstad to keep the game knotted going into the first intermission.
From there, Anderson resembled his old self, stopping everything else that
came his way.
“It’s one of those things where you’re definitely at a disadvantage.
Sometimes the forwards want to give you a stick, and they’re better off
having a stick than I am. You just try to make due, and you battle your way to
make saves.”
Anderson said he got angry after giving up the first two goals.
“I wasn’t happy. If you’re satisfied giving up a 2-0 lead, you shouldn’t be
playing this game. For me, you get pissed off, hit the reset button and go out
there and do a job.”
Heading into the game, there had been one glaring difference during similarly
disappoints for the Senators and the Panthers. The Senators were 6-1-1
against Atlantic Division rivals, while the Panthers were 0-5-1 versus teams
in the same division.
Team owner Eugene Melnyk was in attendance, wearing a Senators jersey.
After the game, the Senators travelled to Tampa, where they will play the
Lightning Thursday.
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.04.2013
725877
Ottawa Senators
Ottawa Senators' Chris Phillips has chance to pass Alfie
at least had his little brother/roommate Matthieu there to help him recover,
right? "No, one of my best buddies came over and brought me some soup
that night, so it was really nice of him. He sat at the other end of the couch "¦
it was cool. My brother is never really there for me when I actually need him,"
he added with a grin. "But he still conveniently lives in my house."
OFF THE CUFF
By Don Brennan
,Ottawa Sun
"That's the only record I'm going to come close to," Phillips said with a laugh
Tuesday morning, hours before suiting up for No. 1,100 of his career. "It
would be a great achievement and something I'd be very proud of, to be atop
of a list, for sure."
After the morning skate MacLean reminded all that Binghamton call up Mike
Hoffman was not counted on to be a savior. "We just expect him to do what
he does and be himself," said MacLean. "He's not Guy Lafleur." A pause.
"Anyone know who that is?" said MacLean. "¦ Greening and Brian Campbell
are workout buddies in Chicago during the offseason. "I can't keep up to that
guy in the gym," said Campbell. Greening begged to differ. "I don't know, e
works really hard," he said. "When we do runs and stuff, it's always me and
him that are competing. He's a great runner and he actually works extremely
hard. He should give himself a little more credit." "¦ Does it sound too weird if
I say that, just before the game started, I noticed that myself and the greatest
defenceman of all time were the only two people in the pressbox men's
room? What the hell, I don't care if it does. Bobby Orr was my childhood idol
and it's still a big deal every time I see him.
It could happen, and it should happen.
Ottawa Sun LOADED: 12.04.2013
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 09:12 PM EST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 09:19 PM EST
SUNRISE, Fla. -- Chris Phillips would like nothing more than to claim a
Senators franchise record. He'd like to surpass Daniel Alfredsson in the
"most games played" category.
Phillips, who is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July, has had
initial chats with the Senators on a new contract. He's now 79 games from
surpassing Alfredsson as the franchise leader in games played, which
means a one-year deal, at least, should do it.
Signing a new pact with the only team he has ever wanted to play for is not
something that pre-occupies Phillips' mind, however.
"Not a lot," he said. "It's something I'm hopeful can happen sooner than later,
but my focus is on getting things straightened around here."
At 35, Phillips has no set timetable on how long he'll keep playing.
"As long as I can," he said. "That's what I hear from everybody who stops
playing, is 'play as long as you can,' I'm hopeful and thankful of everything,
and I guess at this point I'm going to take it a year at a time, but there's no
signs of stopping right now."
The Senators have a lot of young defenceman who need some guidance and
time to develop. They're currently shopping for a puck moving blue liner to
buy a guy like Patrick Wiercioch some more time. If they don't re-sign Phillips,
their wish list will also include a veteran defensive defenceman who can
stabilize the backend.
For all he's done, for all he's can still do, and for his leadership abilities,
Phillips should be that guy for at least another year or two.
STARTS AND STOPS
Senators assistant GM Tim Murray is still expected to get an interview for the
vacant GM job in Buffalo and, with new team president Pat LaFontaine
seemingly not overwhelmed with candidates he has already talked to, it's
believed Murray could soon find himself on a short list. "¦ Robin Lehner wore
his trademark death stare as he entered the dressing room after the morning
skate, but it had nothing to do with the fact he was being placed back on the
bench that night. Apparently, Cory Conacher was being a goalie pest again,
even though it was just a practice. Chris Neil dared to venture over to talk to
the big Swede while he was still steaming. Not intimidated by the Lehner
Eyes, Chris? "No," said Neil. "Ever seen the movie Of Mice and Men? You
know Lennie, the gentle giant? That's him." And here we thought Lennie was
just another mindless "ie" nickname they came up with"¦. About all those new
line combinations we told you the Senators would introduce Tuesday. Uh,
never mind. Paul MacLean started the game with Erik Condra on the right
side with Jason Spezza and Clarke MacArthur. Colin Greening didn't play
centre but left wing with old linemates Zack Smith and Neil. And Mika
Zibanejad was centring a third/fourth line with Milan Michalek and Conacher
"¦ Anderson looked like he might not make it to the eight minute mark. He had
his bell rung pretty good when a backchecking MacArthur ran Brad Boyes
into goalie.
BETWEEN PERIODS
Marc Methot recovered enough from the flu to play against the Panthers. "I
was just rockin a bit of a fever "¦muscle soreness, standard stuff most people
go through," Methot said. "Finally got a few meals in me last night when we
landed in Florida. Felt a lot more energetic this morning." "¦ Methot was
naturally disappointed to miss the Daniel Alfredsson Homecoming game
Sunday. "I felt maybe taking a bunch of Dayquil and some pills, maybe that
would help out, but it didn't seem to do the trick," said Methot, a bachelor who
725878
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers need defensemen to get offensive
Sometimes you see a player with those skills play solid like that for so long,
they just take off."
Settling in after a 5-year run on Long Island, Streit hopes that is the case.
FRANK SERAVALLI, Daily News Staff Writer seravaf@phillynews.com
"I want to move the puck quick, jump into the play and be a fourth forward,"
Streit said. "That's something I want to do every night. I also know I will get
better as the season goes on. I think I'm pointed in the right direction."
Posted: Wednesday, December 4, 2013, 3:01 AM
Slap shots
DETROIT - It is no secret the Flyers have been better in all three zones
during their recent turnaround. But if you ask coach Craig Berube about one
thing that could surely be better, he will point you toward defense
participation in the offensive zone.
The Flyers have won only once (1-16-3) at Joe Louis Arena since Nov. 4,
1988 . . . Vinny Lecavalier (back spasms) seems likely to miss tonight's
game. He did not skate yesterday for the second day in a row. Kimmo
Timonen also did not participate in the 50-minute practice, but is expected to
be available to play . . . Detroit is without top line Pavel Datsyuk (concussion),
Henrik Zetterberg (herniated disk), Todd Bertuzzi (shoulder) and stud
defenseman Dan DeKeyser (separated left shoulder). The Red Wings have
quietly won four straight.
Only pingpong ball leader Buffalo has gotten less scoring (26 points) from its
blue line this season than the Flyers (31).
Summer acquisition Mark Streit, who signed a hefty $21 million deal after
being acquired from the Islanders, was supposed to solve that problem.
Instead, both Streit and Kimmo Timonen are on pace for the least productive
seasons of their careers.
"I think [Streit] is capable of more. He knows that he is, too," Berube said after
the Flyers' 50-minute practice at Joe Louis Arena yesterday. "I think he's
coming. I've liked a lot of things that he's done, too. He gets up and he joins
the rush really well. I still think we can have our 'D' being more aggressive."
Look at the defensive point totals of the true Stanley Cup contenders and a
picture emerges of not only their top-flight talent, but their involvement in the
game plan. Chicago (77 points), St. Louis (70) and Phoenix (68) all more
than double the Flyers' blue-line production. Eleven of the top 16 defensive
scoring teams began last night as playoff teams - and that list doesn't include
offensive juggernauts such as Pittsburgh, Washington and San Jose, who
don't really count on their defense to score.
Streit has nine points (0.33 points per game), well below his career average
of 0.57. Timonen has five points (0.19 points per game), a significant dip from
his career average of 0.52. Combined, only four of their points have come at
even strength.
By comparison, Montreal defenseman P.K. Subban not only leads the
Canadiens in scoring with 24 points, but he's nearly outscored the entire
Flyers' defense corps by himself.
"I think in today's game, pretty much all of the top teams, their 'D' is jumping
into the play to create offense," said Streit, a 62-point scorer in 2007-08.
"They all have at least one guy on every play doing it. We have some guys
that can skate and do it, but we need to do it on a consistent basis.
"Some nights, things are happening a little bit easier. But other nights, you
need to try a little bit harder or get involved in a smart way."
The one difference from the beginning of the season until now is that Berube
is giving his defensemen the green light. Previously, there was perhaps a
complacency along the blue line; a team so dogged from play in its own end
that contributing at the other end was merely a pipe dream.
But the defenseman can be a big boost to an offense that has scored two or
fewer goals 20 times in 27 games. Andrej Meszaros ran a set play down low
along the boards in the third period of Saturday night's win in Nashville that
delivered the game's tying goal from Sean Couturier.
"It's something you have to practice," Berube said. "They haven't done it.
They aren't used to it."
Streit, 36, said part of the onus is also on forwards to communicate and
involve the defense. Play from the point isn't an option without consent from
the forwards.
"The forwards need to get used to it, too," Streit said. "If the play goes too
deep, we can bring it out and try to create some more offense."
So far, Streit acknowledges it's a work in progress. Frequent defensive
partner Nick Grossmann joked that's because Streit is used to carrying a
240-pound weight on his back during games.
"He's a hell of a player, but I still don't think we've seen the best of him yet,"
Grossmann said. "He's so effortless on his skates. It seems like whenever he
gets the puck, he always has time, even when he's under pressure. He's
really smart with the puck. He has more to give. I think his best is still to come.
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725879
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers unlikely to rush into talks with Mason
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Wednesday, December 4, 2013, 1:08 AM
DETROIT - Flyers goalie Steve Mason can become an unrestricted free
agent after this season, but "this is where I want to be," he said the other day.
The feeling is mutual, though that doesn't necessarily mean the Flyers will
rush into negotiations. Because he is on a one-year deal, Mason cannot
begin negotiating with the Flyers until Jan. 1.
"At some point, we'll touch base with Steve's agent, but a lot of players don't
like to do anything during the season," said general manager Paul Holmgren,
who got burned by the last long-term contract he gave to a goalie, Ilya
Bryzgalov's nine-year, $51 million deal in 2011.
Mason's agent, Anton Thun, said Tuesday that he welcomes talking to
Holmgren and that negotiations would not have a negative effect on his
client.
"At the end of the day, we just want to arrive at fair-market value and a
fair-market term," Thun said.
Mason, 25, who is being paid $1.5 million this season, is among the league
leaders in goals-against average (2.09) and save percentage (.934), and he
has kept the low-scoring Flyers within striking distance for a Metropolitan
Division playoff spot.
He doesn't figure to get the type of deal that Carey Price signed with Montreal
(six years, $39 million) in 2012, but Thun thinks Mason has a similar
pedigree.
The Flyers will make the third stop in their six-game, 6,801-mile trip
Wednesday in Detroit against the injury-riddled Red Wings, and Mason is
scheduled to be between the pipes.
They are expected to be without center Vinny Lecavalier (back spasms) for
the second straight game, but Detroit will be missing a pair of injured top-line
players, Henrik Zetterberg (30 points) and Pavel Datsyuk (23).
"It doesn't change a thing," Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds said. "They're a
veteran team. They know how to win."
Detroit, winner of four straight, will get its first look this season at Mason, who
has been the definition of consistency ever since Holmgren stole him from
Columbus late last season for Michael Leighton and a third-round pick in the
2015 draft.
It seems a crime that the Flyers have lost more games (10) than they have
won (nine) with Mason in the net.
Their struggling offense is the reason. The Flyers are averaging just 2.07
goals per game and are on pace to break the club's all-time low - 2.29 per
game in 1968-69.
Asked whether he was shopping for offensive help, Holmgren said, "Same
refrain. I'm always looking, but I think I've been pretty consistent in [saying] I
like our team."
Holmgren looks at Claude Giroux (four goals), Jake Voracek (three), Scott
Hartnell (five), Steve Downie (one), and Simmonds (five) and sees players
who have 25- to 30-goal potential, based on their pasts.
But one-third of the way into the season, here are the scoring paces of those
forwards, with their career highs in parentheses:
Downie: three goals (22).
Voracek: nine goals (22, but prorated to 38 because of the lockout-shortened
season).
Giroux: 12 goals (28).
Hartnell: 15 goals (37).
Simmonds: 15 goals (28).
In other words, Mason can continue playing like an elite goalie and it won't
matter if these players don't start producing.
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725880
Philadelphia Flyers
Lecavalier likely out vs. banged up Red Wings
Frank Seravalli
Posted: Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 3:29 PM
DETROIT -- Even though it appears as if the Flyers will be without forward
Vinny Lecavalier tomorrow night against the Red Wings, they may still be
catching a break.
That’s because the Red Wings are scheduled to be without forwards Pavel
Datsyuk, Henrik Zetterberg andTodd Bertuzzi and defenseman Dan
DeKeyser.
Even without Datsyuk and Bertuzzi, Detroit has still hummed along to the
tune of four wins in a row. The Wings announced at Tuesday’s practice that
Zetterberg, who had played in their absence, will be out with a herniated disc
in his back.
DeKeyser, 23, the free agent the Flyers so heavily pursued out of Western
Michigan University may actually be the biggest loss for the deep Wings. He
has been a rock on the blue line, particularly in his own zone.
Lecavalier, 33, did not skate for the second day in a row. He is hampered by
back spasms, something he said never impacted him before in his 14-year
career in Tampa Bay. The Flyers originally said Lecavalier would be a
possibility to play tomorrow night against the Red Wings (8 o’clock, NBC
Sports Network) - but that seems like a remote chance at this point.
Lecavalier could barely pull on a dress shirt in the Flyers’ locker room on
Monday in Minnesota without wincing in pain.
“It’s just something I’m trying to work through with the trainers right now,”
Lecavalier said Monday.
Defenseman Kimmo Timonen also missed the Flyers’ 50-minute practice at
Joe Louis Arena, but he is expected to be available against the Red WIngs.
The Flyers have won just once (1-16-3) at the Joe since Nov. 4, 1988. That
mark doesn’t include the Red Wings’ sweep in the 1997 Stanley Cup final
and this gut wrenching Darren McCarty goal:
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725881
Philadelphia Flyers
Giroux on Flyers' scoring woes: 'Same story'
Sam Carchidi, Inquirer Staff Writer
Posted: Tuesday, December 3, 2013, 11:13 AM
ST. PAUL, Minn. - The Flyers' offensive shortcomings continued in a 2-0 loss
in Minnesota on Monday night.
"They're a pretty good team; they have a lot of composure with the puck,"
said captain Claude Giroux after the Flyers slipped to 12-13-2. "It was a good
test for us to play this team. I think we played a good game defensively, and
[Ray Emery] did a good job of shutting the door a little bit. We just have to
have a little more at the other end."
The Flyers had no cycle, little time in the offensive end, and managed 21
shots - most from Milwaukee, or thereabouts.
"Same story as the start of the year; we just need to get more pucks to the net
and maybe more traffic and the puck will start going in," Giroux said.
"They're a stingy team over there and they play good defense," Flyers coach
Craig Berube said. "I knew from the get-go it was going to be a tight game
and we had to be patient."
If you're scoring at home, that makes 21 times the Flyers have scored two
goals or fewer in 27 games.
In other words, they are in the Metropolitan Division playoff race because of
their goaltending and defense.
To be fair, they missed Vinny Lecavalier on Monday. The 33-year-old center
was sidelined with back spasms. He leads the Flyers with nine goals.
Without Lecavalier, the Flyers' No. 2 line seemed out of sync. The line of
Brayden Schenn, Wayne Simmonds and Michael Raffl combined for just two
shots - both by Raffl.
"Of course you're going to miss a player like that. He's an elite goal scorer,"
Berube said.
The Flyers will try to regroup Wednesday in Detroit. They are hoping
Lecavalier returns to the lineup.
Breakaways. It was the Flyers' first shutout to the Wild since 2003. . . . The
Flyers won 63 percent of the face-offs, and Giroux won 15 of 22 (68 percent).
. . . Andrej Meszaros led the Flyers with five shots and Jake Voracek had
four.
Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 12.04.2013
725882
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers at Detroit Red Wings preview
Posted: Tuesday, December 3, 2013 5:44 pm | Updated: 5:56 pm, Tue Dec
3, 2013.
Wayne Fish Staff writer
Flyers Wednesday
What: Flyers at Detroit Red Wings.
When: 8:05.
Where: Joe Louis Arena.
TV/Radio: NBCSN/97.5-FM.
Season series: First meeting.
What to watch: Injuries are the top story here. For the Flyers, Vinny
Lecavalier, who missed Monday’s game at Minnesota with back spasms, is
listed as day to day. For Detroit, the news is more ominous: Henrik
Zetterberg is definitely out with a herniated disc, Pavel Datsyuk (concussion)
is questionable and Todd Bertuzzi is doubtful with a shoulder injury. . .Detroit
has won four in a row after a recent stretch in which it went winless in seven
(0-2-5). . .The Flyers are 1-1 on current six-game road trip. Philadelphia has
won only once at Joe Louis Arena since the 1988-89 season (1-15-2). The
solo victory came during the 2010-11 season. . .Goaltender Steve Mason’s
.934 save percentage is now fifth in the NHL rankings among netminders
who play on a regular basis. . .Defenseman Nick Grossmann is tied for fourth
in blocked shots with 71. He’s also credited with 74 hits and none of the other
nine top shotblockers in the NHL are within 24 of that total.
Burlington County Times LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers Notes: Red Wings on roll despite injuries
Lunch Break: Where's the offense?
Tim Panaccio
December 3, 2013, 8:00 pm
DETROIT -- If the Flyers think they might have an easier time against the
Red Wings on Wednesday because Henrik Zetterberg has a herniated disk
in his back and Pavel Datsyuk is still concussed, they are mistaken.
The Wings are 4-0 without Datsyuk. General manager Ken Holland
announced Tuesday that Zetterberg will miss at least two weeks.
And while the Wings are a poor 5-4-6 at The Joe this season, they have won
their last three on home ice.
“Detroit is playing well lately at home, playing a lot better,” Flyers coach Craig
Berube said. “They’re skating well. It will be a tough game. They skate well,
they come at you.
“We’re going to have to be sharp in moving the puck, going to have to have
our legs moving right away going into the game.”
That’s because the Wings remain one of the better clubs in the league off
transition.
The Flyers gave them a good game here -- for two periods -- back in October
before collapsing, 5-2. Berube’s club dominated five-on-five play that night,
but the Flyers' penalty-kill units were burned for three power-play goals as
they took seven penalties.
That was the difference. Berube said he’s already addressed that situation
for this game.
“They have a good power play,” he said. “We certainly can’t go in the box five
or six times. It puts you in a bad situation. Their skill level on the power play is
such that their chances of scoring are pretty good.”
The Wings rank seventh in the NHL in power play at 21.4 percent.
“From a standpoint of system-wise, there are certain things to watch for, but
you still have to go out and do the job and kill the penalty,” Berube said. “Do
the little things like win faceoffs, get pucks down the ice, do a good job up
ice.”
Lecavalier questionable
Vinny Lecavalier’s back spasms were so bad Monday night, he literally could
not bend down to pick up his coat off the bench in the dressing room. He
missed practice Tuesday. Berube said he is questionable for the game.
Timonen off
Berube gave Kimmo Timonen a maintenance day off the ice.
“He’s been playing some long minutes lately,” Berube said.
The 38-year-old defenseman logged 18:36 in the 2-0 loss in Minnesota but
played 29:18 in Nashville after playing 24:17 the day before against
Winnipeg.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Philadelphia Flyers
He may want to distance himself entirely from the team.
The next Flyers president won’t be the hockey guy -- he’ll be a Comcast guy.
Will Luukko's successor hold similar qualities?
It all changes.
Snider reacts to Luukko's resignation
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.04.2013
December 3, 2013, 12:00 pm
Tim Panaccio
Moving Forward
Paul Holmgren said it took him a while to fully comprehend Peter Luukko’s
resignation on Monday.
“He’s a very, very smart man,” Holmgren said at Xcel Energy Center.
“Secondly, he was obviously a big hockey fan and a huge Flyers fan. He was
always willing to do what was in the best interest of the Flyers. That will be
missed.
“Hockey is in his blood, but he’s a very smart businessman. Whatever he
decides to do, I am sure he will do well.”
Holmgren mentioned that Shawn Tilger, senior vice president of business
operations, as someone who might be able to fill Luukko’s role as Flyers
president, a title Luukko also had.
“There’s plenty of people on that side who can handle that,” Holmgren said. “I
worked closely with Peter and closely with Mr. [Ed] Snider on the day-to-day
operation of the team. That’s not really for me to decide.”
Flyers chairman Ed Snider said he would handle Luukko’s Flyers duties for
now.
-Tim Panaccio
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- So the next time things get really tense between what
club chairman and founding father Ed Snider sees on the ice and his general
manager or coach, who is the buffer?
Who’s the guy that will calm the frayed nerves?
Peter Luukko was exactly that guy between ownership and management and
coaching.
Who has the hockey background and business savvy that can speak to
Snider one-on-one with near equal rank as a corporate executive respected
worldwide, just like Snider?
The answer is no one.
“That might be far-fetched,” general manager Paul Holmgren said when
asked about Luukko being a buffer. “In all my dealings with whatever we
decide …
“I talked as much with Mr. Snider as I did with Peter. I don’t know if that is the
case. I’m not sure if that’s relevant.”
And now Luukko’s departed, resigning abruptly Monday as
Comcast-Spectacor president and Flyers president to pursue other
entrepreneurial activities, according to Comcast-Spectacor (see story).
Even more to the point, what are the odds the next Flyers president is as
involved in the player aspects -- trades and signings -- as Luukko was during
his tenure?
Who is out there that has the kind of moxy and personality of Luukko, a guy
who skated with the “7:15ers” every morning at Wells Fargo Center, to pull off
coups like the Flyers appearing in two Winter Classic games just a few years
apart?
Luukko had his hand firmly involved in every aspect of the Flyers' hockey
club and was an active, forceful voice as a board of governor on league
matters.
He was one of the guys that rescued -- for now -- the Phoenix Coyotes.
It’s entirely likely the next Flyer president will have little actual hockey
background like Luukko and bring only business acumen to the job.
Put it this way, chances are the next Flyer president won’t be sitting at the
draft table or even in the balcony box with Holmgren.
725885
Philadelphia Flyers
Leier, Laughton to Canada's World Juniors camp
Dropping the Gloves: Hybrid icing rule
December 3, 2013, 10:00 am
Tim Panaccio
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Flyers prospects Scott Laughton and Taylor Leier both
received invites Monday to Team Canada’s final World Juniors camp that will
be held Dec. 12 in Etobicoke.
They were 2012 Flyer draft selections.
Laughton, chosen No. 20 overall, is tearing things up in the OHL with 42
points this season playing for the Oshawa Generals. Leier, a fourth-round
pick, is with the Portland Winterhawks.
The full roster must be decided by Dec. 25. Laughton is considered a
foregone conclusion to make the final cut.
Leier’s selection was a bit of a surprise despite his glittering stats -- 38 points
in 28 games and being a captain for the Winterhawks.
“I’m excited for Taylor,” said general manager Paul Holmgren. “I know he
played very well. There were some rumblings late that he could be added to
the team or at least the initial roster. That’s great for him.
“I felt Scott would be a guy [picked] all along, but Taylor it just goes to show
you. He was a kid who was a fourth-round pick and if you watch him for any
period of time, he’s small but a good hockey player. A good two-way player
who plays a 200-foot game.
Flyers scout Mark Greig, who handles the western U.S., told Holmgren that
Leier would amount to something.
“Mark always has been a huge fan and said this kid is going to find a way to
play,” Holmgren said. “Obviously, added to that roster shows it.”
Holmgren said the decision to return Laughton to his junior club in training
camp was the right one and this selection backs it up.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.04.2013
725886
Philadelphia Flyers
Flyers Notes: Quick strikes doom Flyers in defeat
Flyers on being shut out by Wild
December 3, 2013, 9:00 am
Tim Panaccio
ST. PAUL, Minn. -- Through more than 40 minutes of play at Xcel Energy
Center, almost nothing of consequence happened.
“That’s their game plan -- limit chances against,” goalie Ray Emery said. “It’s
a New Jersey type of game where you have to stay patient with them and not
give them anything.”
And when you least expect it, bam! Something happens to startle the building
and it becomes an instant turning point.
Two Wild goals 57 seconds apart in the final period was all it took (see story)
and it began with a spectacular play from Mikko Koivu, who threw a blind
pass into the slot for Jason Pominville to finish.
“I thought it was by design,” Emery admitted. “But I talked to him and it was
one of those things where [the puck] hit the side of the net and it took me a
second to realize it got over there because it hit that funny angle.”
Said Koivu, “I got the puck and I had good speed down the wall. I wasn't sure
if it was Pommer or Zach [Parise] in front, so I just tried to get it on tape and I
did.
“Great shot going up high and buried. It was pretty tight for him, too. Good
shot.”
That made it 1-0 at 3:52 and then Charlie Coyle killed the Flyers off right after
to ice it, at 2-0.
“Frustrating that they get two quick ones in the third,” Emery said. “We played
well after that to get back from it. But that’s all it takes for a team like that,
which is so defensive.”
Flyers coach Craig Berube said he had no problem matching the Wild’s
defensive slant on the game and admitted he sensed all it would take was
one big play -- like Koivu’s -- to change the game.
“Definitely, they’re a tight team. We played good defense, checked hard.
They got the play there and got the goal.”
If you’re keeping score, that’s 21 of 27 games for the Flyers in which they
scored two goals or fewer.
Shutout
This was the first shutout to the Wild since February 2003, when they
blanked the Flyers in two games -- Feb. 10 and Feb. 12 of that year.
Loose pucks
• Claude Giroux was 15 for 23 (68 percent) on faceoffs, including a perfect 8
for 8 in the first period.
• Adam Hall was 83 percent in the circle, winning 5 of 6.
• Scott Hartnell -- not Zac Rinaldo -- led the team with five hits. Rinaldo had
two.
• The Wild are now 9-3-2 against the Eastern Conference.
• This was first game in St. Paul between these two clubs since Nov. 24, 2010
-- a span of 1,104 days.
• The Flyers are 3-4-1 against the Western Conference. They are 2-1-1
against the Central Division.
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.04.2013
725887
Philadelphia Flyers
Pressure, frustration mounting for Voracek, Flyers' top line
treatment after the team came off the ice. … Detroit captain Henrik
Zetterberg will miss about two weeks with a herniated disc, it was announced
Tuesday. … Jimmy Howard will start in goal for the Red Wings tonight,
Detroit coach Mike Babcock told reporters.
Courier-Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
Dec. 4, 2013
|
Written by
Dave Isaac
DETROIT — Down a pair of goals Monday to the Minnesota Wild with under
12 minutes to play in the game, Flyers right wing Jake Voracek thought he’d
finally end his drought.
Voracek took a backhand pass from Wayne Simmonds on the power play
and seemingly had nothing but net to shoot at, but a blocker from Wild goalie
Josh Harding came out of nowhere.
“It was a great save,” Voracek said. “I’ve got to score that. I’ve got to go
higher with that. I was just trying to focus on getting that as quickly as
possible to the net before he moved and he made a great save.”
The pressure is starting to build. Voracek has gone without a goal in 10
games, without an assist in five.
“That’s just a detail,” his line­mate Claude Giroux said. “He’s playing well.
He’s strong on the puck. He wins battles, and that’s what we want from him.”
Even though his skating appears to be there and the battles are being won,
Voracek is getting frustrated with the lack of finish from himself and the top
line, which includes Giroux and Scott Hartnell.
“We are first line for a reason,” Voracek said. “We’re playing top minutes. We
should make a difference in the game. That’s what we were doing when we
had that 7-0-1 run. We were scoring goals and making a difference.
“Last couple games, we obviously had a few scoring chances and couldn’t
bury them.”
The Flyers embarked on a six-game road trip Saturday. The trip’s third game
comes tonight against the Red Wings.
They escaped Game 1 with a shootout win over the Predators.
In that game and against Minnesota, slow starts were costly for the Flyers.
“For the majority of this year, we’ve been a good-skating team in the first
period,” Simmonds said. “I think we’ve got to keep that up, and we’ve got to
go back to the ways that we did before.”
Aside from the skating, coach Craig Berube likes what he’s seen from the top
unit, although they have been lacking finish lately.
It’s been nearly a week and a half since the Flyers have scored more than
two regulation goals in a game.
The members of that top unit have two goals in the five games since that
mark.
“The effort is there,” Berube said. “There’s missed opportunities by them, just
missing the net, not capitalizing on the chances more than anything.
“They get frustrated from that, but they’ve got to keep working and they’ve
got to put the puck in the net.”
On Tuesday, there was an on-ice pushups penalty in practice for any player
who missed the net in one drill.
Extra cardio aside, there’s been a little more frustration out of Voracek, the
24-year-old winger that led the team in goals last season.
“Jake’s just got to keep working and do things right, not make it complicated
out there,” Berube said.
“He tends to get frustrated and he tries other things. He shouldn’t. He should
skate, use his speed and get pucks on net and get to the net. That’s it. It’s a
simple game. He doesn’t have to complicate things.”
Empty netters
Vinny Lecavalier sat out practice after missing Monday’s game with back
spasms. It seems unlikely he’ll be able to go tonight, although he did receive
725888
Phoenix Coyotes
When: 8 p.m.
Where: Scotiabank Saddledome, Calgary, Alberta.
Phoenix Coyotes’ Mike Ribeiro, Mikkel Boedker power rout of Edmonton
Oilers
TV/radio: FSAZ Plus/KMVP-AM (860).
Associated Press Wed Dec 4, 2013 12:14 AM
Flames update: The Flames last played Saturday, when they concluded a
brief two-game road trip with a 2-1 win over the Los Angeles Kings. Before
that, the Flames had lost three of their previous four games. They’ve been hit
hard by the injury bug with defenseman Dennis Wideman (hand), captain
Mark Giordano (ankle) and winger Curtis Glencross (knee) currently out.
Only four players have played in all 26 games to date.
EDMONTON, Alberta — It never hurts starting a road trip against the
league’s worst home team.
Arizona Republic LOADED: 12.04.2013
Mike Ribeiro and Mikkel Boedker each had a goal and two assists as the
Phoenix Coyotes began a four-game swing with a 6-2 victory over the
Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night.
Radim Vrbata, Shane Doan, Keith Yandle and David Moss also scored for
the Coyotes, who had lost four of their previous five games.
After a 5-2 loss at home to Chicago on Saturday, “we wanted to make sure
we came out and played more to our identity, especially on the road,”
Phoenix coach Dave Tippett said. “We’re starting a tough trip, we wanted to
come in and play well tonight. I thought for the most part, we did a lot of good
things.
“I was glad the way our guys killed the penalties in the second and then
responded in the third. That’s what we needed to start the trip,” he said.
Ribeiro said that his team was confident it could get the Oilers running
around in the third.
“We knew if we stayed patient in the third that they would probably try to open
up and that’s what happened,” he said. “We had our chances, were able to
score and we’ll take those two points, especially on this road trip.”
David Perron scored twice for the Oilers, who dropped to 3-9-0 on home ice
this season.
Oilers coach Dallas Eakins was especially disappointed in the defense.
“The fourth goal, the fifth, the sixth, that is about as bad as I have seen three
or four of our defencemen play this year and it cost us,” he said. “They are
individual mistakes and things that the individual has to correct. Some of the
plays tonight had nothing to do with systems. It was all about a misread, or
more importantly, a no-read. Just being so focused on the puck.
“It’s tragic when you are still in the game and then you go into the third period
and that happens. It tears your heart out, it tears your guts out,” he said.
Boedker scored on a power play 3½ minutes into the game, putting a
rebound past goaltender Devan Dubnyk. It was just Phoenix’s second
first-period goal in the last six games.
Edmonton tied it midway through the first period after Phoenix defenseman
David Schlemko gave up the puck to Mark Arcobello. A drop pass by
Arcobello set up Perron, who beat Coyotes goalie Mike Smith.
Seven minutes into the second period, Ribeiro passed through the crease to
a wide-open Vrbata, who scored his ninth of the season.
Just 58 seconds later, the Coyotes had a two-goal advantage as Ribeiro
floated a shot from the point that was deflected on the way to the net by
Doan.
Edmonton got one of those goals back on the power play with just 52
seconds left in the middle period as Ales Hemsky made a nice pass from
behind the net to Perron, who scored his second of the game with a quick
shot off Smith’s shoulder. It was Perron’s 11th goal of the season.
After having what initially appeared to be a goal by Moss called back on a
high stick, the Coyotes went up 4-2 on another Edmonton defensive
breakdown as Ribeiro was left alone in front to take a pass from Doan and
score his eighth of the season.
Phoenix put the game out of reach midway through the third period with
another pair of quick-strike goals 42 seconds apart.
Yandle got the fifth goal and Moss deflected a shot on net and then swatted
in his own rebound.
Wednesday's game
Coyotes at Flames
725889
Phoenix Coyotes
Poor start dooms Coyotes against road-hot Blackhawks
CRAIG MORGAN
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Less than two minutes into Saturday's much-anticipated
matchup with the Blackhawks, the Coyotes had already been caught with two
right defenseman on the ice, taken two penalties and allowed road-weary
Chicago to score on a 5-on-3 power play to establish exactly the kind of
momentum it was hoping for at the back end of a seven-game road trip.
"That’s the top team in the league, and we come out and start like that?"
Coyotes coach Dave Tippett said after his team's disappointing 5-2 loss at
Jobing.com Arena. "It's just unacceptable. It's not how you win in this league;
it’s not how you win on a consistent basis.
"That's a real good lesson for our team on how hard you have to play, how
smart you have to play if you’re going to be an elite team. You saw tonight
we're not there yet."
There is no shame in losing to Blackhawks, who just completed their annual
circus trip with a 6-1 record and a six-game winning streak that has them atop
the NHL standings with 44 points.
It's the manner in which the Coyotes lost their third straight home game
(0-2-1) that is perplexing. Phoenix continues to make the same mistakes -untimely penalties, turnovers, poor defensive-zone coverage -- that are
leading to the same poor starts.
When the first-period carnage was complete and Chicago had a 3-0 lead on
Andrew Shaw's soft backhander and Niklas Hjalmarsson's bullet from the
point, Phoenix had been outscored 28-16 in the first period this season.
"I don't know what it is," said forward Rob Klinkhammer, who scored one of
the Coyotes' two second-period goals to raise the specter of the team's 10th
rally from a deficit for a victory. "It's too good of a league. You can't battle
back. We had some luck and we got some timely goals early (this season),
but you can't do that all season, especially against good teams like Chicago."
It was unclear who was at fault for the defensive-pairing gaffe on the first
goal, but the second goal was clearly one goalie Mike Smith should have
stopped. Brent Seabrook's shot from the point pinballed around the slot
before Shaw corralled it, but Shaw's attempt was soft and slow yet still snuck
between Smith's skate and the post for a 2-0 lead at the 9:18 mark of the first
period.
"We needed to get stabilized, and the second one really puts you down,"
Tippett said. "We needed him to be a real good player in that first period to
absorb some of that real push from them, and it didn't happen."
Smith appeared to have a good look at Hjalmarsson's goal, which came off a
defensive breakdown, but before you go heaping all of this on the goaltender,
remember that the Coyotes are getting outshot on a nightly basis, they are
turning the puck over too much and they still don't have a defenseman who is
hard to play against, which means they're losing a lot of puck battles in their
own zone that lead to scoring chances for their opponents.
"This is a team thing," Tippett said. "This isn’t a Mike thing."
The Coyotes will have two days to sort things out before they hit the road for
a four-game trip through Western Canada and Denver. Tippett credited his
team for fighting back Saturday to make a game of it, but the praise was less
than heartfelt after the outcome.
"You can push back after you’re down 3-0, but let's start the game on time,"
he said. "It's so foreign from how you want to play if you're going to be able to
compete with a team like that. It's so foreign to what you have to do. It's
almost inconceivable we could do it, but we did."
foxsportsarizona.com LOADED: 12.04.2013
725890
Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins' Crosby nets game-winner in overtime
That shot came against Islanders goalie Anders Nilsson.
“Flower gets a huge goal against their best shootout guy, and Sid wins it in
overtime with a great goal,” Neal said. “For us, that's a huge win.”
Tribune Review LOADED: 12.04.2013
By Rob Rossi
Updated 6 hours ago
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Sidney Crosby still leads the NHL in scoring.
Marc-Andre Fleury is the man to thank for that.
Fleury's stone-cold save on a penalty shot early in the third period paved the
way for Crosby's heroics in the Penguins' 3-2 overtime win over the New York
Islanders on Tuesday night at Nassau Coliseum.
Crosby's unassisted, defense-slicing overtime goal topped his power-play
marker, which he scored with 12 minutes remaining in regulation.
However, he, as did teammate James Neal, put this win on Fleury, who
turned aside Islanders center Frans Nielsen's penalty shot with the Penguins
trailing 2-1 early in the third.
“If that's a penalty, not a penalty shot, it could be a different result,” Crosby
said. “That was a big save for us.”
Added Neal, whose power-play goal with 16 seconds remaining in the
second pulled the Penguins within a goal: “That wins us the game. It's an
unbelievable save, especially against a guy who is really good on shootouts
... if not the best on their team.”
Nielsen is 11 for 23 (47.8 percent) on shootouts over the past three seasons.
Of course, Fleury has stopped 37 of 48 shots (77.1 percent) over that same
span. He made 21 saves in his first appearance against the Islanders since
they chased him as the Penguins' starter from the Stanley Cup playoffs last
postseason. His last start was Game 4, a loss in this building.
“I didn't forget about what happened last year,” Fleury said.
Neither did the Penguins (19-9-1, 39 points), though they did not seem to
have learned any lessons in falling behind 2-0 on Tuesday.
Each of Islanders winger Kyle Okposo's first-period goals was aided by poor
play from the Penguins — an own-zone turnover by winger Chris Kunitz and
a leaker allowed by Fleury.
Turnovers by forwards and Fleury's poor play contributed mightily to the
Penguins' struggles with the Islanders in the playoffs. However, Fleury (15
wins) and Kunitz (14 goals) have proven to be two of the Penguins' most
consistent performers through 29 games.
Evgeni Malkin has been consistently dominant over the last 16 games,
racking up 26 points over that span to pull within a point of Crosby's
league-best 38.
Malkin assisted on Neal's ninth goal and Crosby's 14th, the tying tally, to give
him multiple points in seven of nine games.
He leads the NHL with 30 assists and is on pace for a career-best 85.
Crosby, with 15 goals, is on pace for 42 markers, which would rate his
second most.
Neal is tracking toward 43 goals — fairly impressive considering he played
only two shifts in the Penguins' opening 15 games.
As was the case last spring against the Islanders, the Penguins stayed close
enough to let their experience take over Tuesday. Failure to extend leads did
in the Islanders in that playoff series, especially when the Penguins rallied to
win Game 6 in overtime.
Malkin set up the tying and winning goals that night. Crosby, perhaps the only
player who could prevent a healthy Malkin from a third scoring title, scored
those goals Tuesday.
The winner, as he saw it: “I just got the puck around their blue line, was able
to get some speed,” Crosby said. “I was waiting on Nealer, who was coming
into the zone. I was waiting for him to come up.
“I had a lot of time to kind of wind it up. Their (defensemen) were pretty
flat-footed ... so I was able to get through there and get a shot off.”
725891
Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins notebook: Malkin only No. 2 star for November
By Rob Rossi
Updated 5 hours ago
• Evgeni Malkin's “great” November was not enough to earn the NHL's top
star for the month. Malkin, whose 21 assists were the most by any player
since Wayne Gretzky hit that mark in January 1996, was the No. 2 star for
November, even though he led all players with 25 points. Malkin was twice
the No. 1 star for a week in November. The No. 1 star was Chicago's Patrick
Kane, who scored four winning goals among his nine markers. Minnesota
goalie Josh Harding, who went 8-2-2 with a 1.88 goals-against average, was
the No. 3 star.
• Earning an equipment penalty for wearing his jersey tucked has not
completely deterred Malkin, who sported that look during the Penguins'
morning practice at Nassau Coliseum on Tuesday. He received a minor
penalty for an equipment infraction Friday. NHL players are prohibited from
tucking in their jerseys for the first time this season. Malkin is one of several
players to have publicly voiced his displeasure with the rule.
• The Penguins still have not determined if they will loan defenseman Olli
Maatta to Finland for the World Junior Championship, general manager Ray
Shero said.
• Select tickets for the outdoor game between the Penguins and Blackhawks
at Chicago's Soldier Field will be available at 10 a.m. Dec. 11. Fans can
purchase through Ticketmaster's website. The Penguins and Blackhawks
are playing outdoors at 8 p.m. March 1 as part of the NHL's Stadium Series.
Each club will wear special uniforms that emphasize their secondary colors,
though those have yet to be officially unveiled.
Tribune Review LOADED: 12.04.2013
725892
Pittsburgh Penguins
Firm recruits Pittsburgh market athletes for celebrity bookings
December 4, 2013 12:09 AM
By Michael Sanserino / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Need a fourth for that round of golf? Penguins defenseman Rob Scuderi
could join, if you've got $3,000 to spend. Entertaining clients at the Steelers
game? Consider inviting former Steelers linebacker Robin Cole to take that
extra seat for an even $2,000.
Thuzio, a New York company that launched last year with the idea of pairing
current and former athletes with the public in unusual ways, recently moved
into the Pittsburgh market. The result could be some interesting sightings at
coming gatherings.
Former New York Giants running back Tiki Barber co-founded the company
and helped sell Mr. Hurdle on the idea in a phone conversation.
Mr. Hurdle had grown comfortable speaking in group environments while
managing the Colorado Rockies. There, friends asked him to speak at
corporate luncheons and leadership seminars. Initially, his work was pro
bono.
"A guy reached out and said, 'No, we want to contract you. Have you ever
done a PowerPoint?' " Mr. Hurdle said.
He hadn't. But within a week, he was running a PowerPoint presentation. He
did three paid speaking engagements that year and said he tries to do
between three and six each offseason.
This year, he plans to do five or six.
He will speak at a Thuzio-booked event next month when he addresses a
fundraiser for the Bethel Park Baseball Association on Jan. 15 at the Bethel
Park High School auditorium. Paul Zaremski, vice president of the youth
baseball association, heard Mr. Hurdle talk about Thuzio on radio station
93.7 The Fan and thought his appearance could liven the event.
In its sports celebrity marketplace, generally geared toward the business
community, interested companies can sign up to entertain clients by taking
them clay shooting with former Steelers tight end Randy Grossman ($500) or
having them play flag football with Steelers safety Will Allen ($1,850).
"I knew he would be a great motivational speaker," Mr. Zaremski said.
But there also are opportunities for the average fan with money to burn.
The baseball association booked Mr. Hurdle at a cost of $4,000, and is
selling tickets for $10. The Pirates manager is scheduled to speak for 30
minutes, take questions for 15 minutes and sign autographs for another half
hour.
Most Thuzio athletes can be hired to record a personal video message for
$99, and several are willing to show up at birthday parties, bat mitzvahs and
weddings for varying fees. Others have offered their expertise for private or
group coaching sessions, including former Penguins forward Georges
Laraque.
Some athletes will even hang out at your fantasy draft -- although they might
be a bit offended if you don't take them with your first pick.
Pirates baseball manager Clint Hurdle helped spur the company's interest in
the Pittsburgh market when he signed on earlier this year. Mr. Hurdle, who
had a booking agent in Colorado where he worked until 2009, was looking for
representation closer to Pittsburgh when one of his contacts suggested
Thuzio.
Mr. Hurdle "did some digging" after watching one of the company's
infomercials and decided to join.
"That's what made us want to have a bigger platform in Pittsburgh," said
Thuzio chief executive Jared Augustine. "It's just a diehard sports town. It's
got a really dynamic business community as well, and that's what drives a lot
of our bookings."
Previously, the company focused on creating partnerships with athletes in
some of the country's biggest cities -- New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Boston
and Chicago.
So far, the company has signed 24 past and present Pittsburgh athletes,
most of them joining in the past couple months. Nationwide, it has about
1,300 athletes with an eventual goal of 10,000.
Revenues are growing 20 percent month over month, Mr. Augustine said.
Most of the growth has been driven by football-related bookings, but Thuzio
is starting to sign non-sports celebrities, such as actors, musicians and
celebrity chefs. The company takes a portion of all booking fees, like an
agent or a speaker's bureau.
"We're a platform," Mr. Augustine said. "We don't want to be an agency. We
think smart agents will recognize that. 'You have a full-time job. It's really hard
to take time to find the $5,000 local engagement, and yet, your client wants
them.' "
About 30 percent of Thuzio "pros" are current athletes. The remainder is
composed of former athletes, sportscasters and coaches.
Athletes who sign with Thuzio help build their profiles on the website,
Thuzio.com, and list the types of events they are willing to attend. They can
dictate how frequently, or infrequently, they are available for appearances
and how near or far they are willing to travel.
In many ways what Thuzio is doing is not revolutionary. Speakers bureaus
have long tailored celebrity appearances to corporate events. And athletes
have always made paid public appearances, although agents and publicists
usually handled those bookings. But Thuzio's twist -- by offering distinct
experiences and having a sports-centered theme -- is new.
Mr. Zaremski also believes the 2013 National League Manager of the Year
will drive ticket sales to the event.
Mr. Hurdle is doing his homework. He spent some time this Thanksgiving
talking with his parents and siblings about his Little League memories, and
he has already started crafting his remarks.
"It's uncanny the way this fell together," Mr. Zaremski said. "This is
unbelievable. It was meant to be."
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Pittsburgh Penguins
Penguins notebook: Creativity key to power play success
“I believe in keeping a positive attitude and staying enthusiastic about what
you do,” he said. “It’s frustrating, but it’s sports.
“If you’re going to get down about something like that, you’re probably in the
wrong business, right?”
Malkin honored
December 3, 2013 9:40 PM
By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
UNIONDALE, N.Y. — Special teams success in the NHL is cyclical, and even
sending out a breathtaking collection of talents on the power play doesn’t
guarantee a team will score consistently with the man-advantage.
It’s a good way to start, though.
Witness the Penguins, whose No. 1 unit features Sidney Crosby, Chris
Kunitz and James Neal up front, with Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang (filling in
for injured defenseman Paul Martin) on the points.
The Penguins entered their game Tuesday night against the New York
Islanders with the NHL’s top-ranked power play. It had converted 25.3
percent of its chances in the first 28 games of the season and had scored at
least once in six of the previous seven games.
And that run says more about the skills and instincts of the guys who work the
power play than it does about the way they are schooled to execute it.
Oh, the coaching staff has laid a bit of a foundation, but the real emphasis is
on not stifling creativity.
“This power play is not practiced that way,” coach Dan Bylsma said. “It’s not
designed that way.
“There is some structure, there are some things they’re trying to do on the
ice, but there is a part of it — the movement and the motion and the read,
especially from [Malkin and Crosby — that] is part of the strength.
“[Neal] has worked really hard to become part of that, as well, of reading off
both of those players and finding areas for him to be effective.”
Not teammates yet
In a couple of months, Crosby and his Islanders counterpart, New York
captain John Tavares, figure to be playing for Canada’s Olympic squad.
For now, however, they are strictly Metropolitan Division opponents, leaders
of a couple of clubs that are rekindling what has the potential to be a pretty
fair rivalry.
And Crosby doesn’t anticipate interacting with Tavares the way teammates
do in the immediate future.
“Once it gets closer — although it seems like it’s getting closer and closer
pretty quickly — and the team gets closer to being picked [that might
happen],” he said. “But I think we’re all pretty occupied with our own teams
and making sure we’re playing well here.”
Bortuzzo sits
Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo, who earned a spot in the lineup with a strong
preseason, was a healthy scratch for the fifth consecutive game and has
played in just one of the past 11.
“The start of the season coming out of training camp, Robert Bortuzzo
earned a spot in the lineup with his play,” Bylsma said. “He earned a spot with
his physicality and defending. He beat out some guys, some regulars at that
position, Deryk Engelland and Simon Despres.
“As we’ve gotten in games and different situations over the last three weeks,
Deryk’s gone in, been physical and provided that for our team. That’s really
been the factor.
“Simon, really with the injury to Paul Martin, is a guy who has stepped in and
played a little bit [of a] different role, a little bit different minutes, a little bit
different situations and [is] a left-shot guy.
“That’s been the case right now for our defense. Robert’s been a guy who
has not been in the lineup as a result.”
Bortuzzo hasn’t allowed the lack of playing time to discourage him.
Malkin was named the NHL’s No. 2 star for November, when he had at least
one point in 14 of 15 games. Malkin put up four goals and 21 assists for the
month.
Chicago right winger Patrick Kane was honored as the No. 1 star, while
Minnesota goalie Josh Harding was No. 3.
Tip-ins
Tavares, on facing the Penguins: “It’s always a lot of fun against Pittsburgh.
They’re a great team, a dangerous team.” … Tickets for the Penguins’ game
March 1 against Chicago at Soldier Field will be available via
www.Ticketmaster.com/NHL at 11 a.m. next Wednesday.
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Pittsburgh Penguins
"It feels good," Fleury said. "A win's a win, but after what happened here last
year and the people getting on me a little bit, it was fun just to get the win and
calm them down a little bit."
Crosby's overtime goal gives Penguins 4th win in row
Fleury, it should be noted, knows a bit about winning on Long Island, where
he is 6-1-1 in his past eight starts.
December 3, 2013 10:09 PM
Early on, however, there wasn't much reason to believe he'd be able to avoid
a loss this time, because the Penguins were lethargic and error-prone
through much of the first period.
By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Sidney Crosby broke down his game-winning goal in
pretty cold, clinical terms.
"It definitely wasn't the start we wanted," Crosby said. "But we stayed
patient."
And they were rewarded. Eventually.
Talked about how he got possession of the puck outside the offensive blue
line, then waited for teammate James Neal to clear the zone. How he had a
chance to build up some speed, and how the New York Islanders
defensemen were caught flat-footed as he moved in.
"We battled back and forth between playing the right way and getting away
from it, but the bottom line is, we found a way to win," Neal said.
He glossed over a few of the details, like how he managed to slip between
those defensemen before throwing a backhander past New York goalie
Anders Nilsson to complete the Penguins' comeback from a two-goal deficit.
Post Gazette LOADED: 12.04.2013
Neal, though, offered a different perspective on the sequence that gave the
Penguins a 3-2 victory Tuesday night against the Islanders at Nassau
Coliseum.
And on the guy who scored the goal.
"I can't say that's the first time I've seen him do that," Neal said. "His ability to
stay with pucks and go by people is better than anybody I've ever seen.
"He's the best in the league at getting on pucks and staying with it. He's just
an unbelievable player."
Crosby also still is the NHL's leading scorer, because his two goals pushed
his points total for the season to 38. That's one more than teammate Evgeni
Malkin, who contributed a pair of assists.
The victory extended the Penguins' winning streak to four and raised their
record to 19-9-1.
Although Crosby's winning goal at 3:44 of overtime clinched a second point
for the Penguins, a save goalie Marc-Andre Fleury made early in the third
period made it possible for them to stretch the game past regulation.
New York was holding a 2-1 lead, thanks to a couple of first-period goals by
Kyle Okposo, and killing a penalty when Islanders forward Frans Nielsen was
awarded a penalty shot after being whacked from behind by defenseman
Kris Letang on a breakaway.
If Nielsen had converted the penalty shot, the Islanders' two-goal lead would
have been restored and the momentum the Penguins had gotten from a Neal
power-play goal with 15.6 seconds left in the second would have evaporated.
But Fleury -- who had given up a suspect goal when Okposo beat him from
the top of the right circle at 12:55 of the first -- denied Nielsen, and 67
seconds later, Crosby scored the first of his goals to pull the Penguins even,
2-2.
"That save wins us the game," Neal said. "That's an unbelievable save.
Especially against a guy like Nielsen, who's really good at shootouts.
Probably one of the best on their team, if not the best."
That save also provided a little psychological salve for Fleury, who was
playing in the Coliseum for the first time since losing his job as the Penguins'
go-to goalie in their opening round series against the Islanders this spring.
The Coliseum crowd was as merciless as it was small, and serenaded him
with a sing-song "Flur-ee" chant throughout the early portions of the game.
Especially after Okposo got his goals, including the long-distance one that
gave New York a 2-0 advantage.
"I just didn't see it," Fleury said. "It was in the clear, then he pump-faked and,
I don't know, somebody skated by, and ... it went under my glove."
That was the nadir of his night, though, and the Islanders didn't get another
puck past him the rest of the way.
And as the fans filed out of the Coliseum after Crosby ended the game, few, if
any, seemed inclined to taunt Fleury.
"And it's good for our team to be able to do that."
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Malkin named NHL's No. 2 star for November
December 3, 2013 12:20 PM
By Dave Molinari / Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
UNIONDALE, N.Y. -- Penguins center Evgeni Malkin has been named the
NHL’s No. 2 star for November.
He had at least one point in 14 of the Penguins’ 15 games, putting up four
goals and 21 assists.
He leads the NHL with 28 assists and has 35 points, one fewer than
teammate Sidney Crosby, who leads the league.
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San Jose Sharks
San Jose Sharks win sixth in a row, beat Toronto Maple Leafs
By David Pollak
dpollak@mercurynews.com
Posted:
Updated:
12/03/2013 06:48:26 PM PST
12/03/2013 11:29:48 PM PST
sideboards and fired a centering pass that ricocheted into the net off a Leafs
defender's stick.
"They're tired and it's their fourth line," Stuart said. "No disrespect, but maybe
you could try things you wouldn't ordinarily do. We had a lot of good looks on
that particular shift anyway. We were able to get a bounce and capitalize on
it."
The Sharks improved their overall record to 19-3-5 and their record away
from the SAP Center to 9-2-3. Their four-game trip continues Thursday night
in Pittsburgh.
tHURSDAY'S GAME
Sharks (19-3-5) at Pittsburgh (19-9-1), 4 p.m. CSNCA
TORONTO -- His team ended up with a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Maple
Leafs on Tuesday night, but midway through the game, Todd McLellan was
one unhappy coach.
"It was actually embarrassing for a while how poorly we were playing," said
McLellan of a 12-minute stretch that saw the Sharks cough up a two-goal
lead. "We had to have a little chat and get everybody re-focused."
Whatever words he chose and whatever tone he used, it worked.
Later in that second period, Brad Stuart atoned for an earlier mistake that
cost San Jose a goal and scored one of his own to give the Sharks the lead
again. And this time they didn't lose it.
First-period goals by Mike Brown and Joe Thornton, as well as a late
empty-net tally by Logan Couture, provided the offense as San Jose
extended its winning streak to six games. Mason Raymond and Phil Kessel
scored a pair of power-play goals for Toronto, which suffered its fifth
consecutive loss.
The Sharks' fourth line of Brown, Andrew Desjardins and James Sheppard
was instrumental in getting San Jose its early lead and then turning
momentum back in the Sharks' favor.
"I thought they were the difference in the game, to tell you the truth," McLellan
said. "Maybe their minutes don't reflect it, but their energy and the passion
which they played with rubbed off on others."
Brown, who played more than two seasons with the Maple Leafs before
trades to Edmonton and San Jose over the past nine months, got his second
goal of the season at 10:00 of the first period on a deflection of a shot by
Jason Demers.
"We've been working on tips lately, so I just put my stick down, and it
basically deflected off there," Brown said. "Maybe it went five-hole. It's in,
that's all that matters."
Thornton scored San Jose's first five-on-three goal of the season at 14:31 of
the first period, and the Sharks continued to dominate play.
That changed late in the period with a penalty to James Sheppard. Toronto,
which had the NHL's top power play at home with a 31.6 percent success
rate, didn't capitalize on that one but did on its next two.
First, Dan Boyle was whistled for interference, and Raymond finished off a
2-on-1 rush that began on a misplay by Stuart to get Toronto on the board at
2:44.
"It was a pass up the wall, and I stepped up," Stuart said. "It was an easy
interception to make, and I don't know if it went under my stick or what
happened, but I just didn't get a good enough piece of it."
Later, Couture went to the penalty box for high-sticking Smith, and Leafs
forward Tyler Bozak steered a rebound to Kessel, who hit the wide-open net
at 9:47.
That's when McLellan delivered his message.
"Coach, he let us know what the night was looking like and how bad we were
in that stretch," Joe Pavelski said. "Guys found their game, we simplified it a
little bit and went back to work."
Shortly after that, it was the Leafs who found themselves hemmed into their
own zone for nearly two minutes with the fourth line initially applying the
sustained pressure.
Meanwhile, the Sharks were able to get fresh players on the ice and finally
take advantage of the situation when Stuart carried the puck down the left
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San Jose Sharks
Sharks star Joe Thornton says eye is OK
By David Pollak
dpollak@mercurynews.com
Posted:
Updated:
12/03/2013 10:21:26 AM PST
12/03/2013 10:34:48 AM PST
TORONTO — The swollen bruise below his right eye might have indicated
otherwise, but Sharks captain Joe Thornton said Tuesday his vision was fine
after taking a puck above his right eye in Saturday night's win over the
Anaheim Ducks.
"Yesterday I still had some problems seeing, but today it feels back to 100
percent," Thornton said after his team's morning skate in preparation for
Tuesday night's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Thornton does not wear a visor and the injury raised the question as to
whether he would have one on his helmet in Toronto. Thornton also said he
was checked for concussion issues before returning to the game Saturday
night, but there were none.
"I might wear it tonight. We'll see how the game goes," Thornton said of
possibly wearing a visor, indicating that not wearing one is strictly a matter of
personal preference. The NHL requires visors for players coming into the
league, but not veterans such as Thornton.
"I probably could wear one," Thornton added later. "We'll see how tonight
goes and if I don't feel comfortable playing, I'll just throw one on easy as that."
Todd McLellan said Sunday that the visor choice is Thornton's, but the
Sharks coach made his own feelings clear on the subject.
"I'm really pleased that they've put the rule in now, the grandfathered rule,
that everybody has to wear it," the coach said. "It's personal preference. I
know I'm glad my son's wearing one. It just makes sense."
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San Jose Sharks
Sharks survive rough patch in win over Maple Leafs
TORONTO – It was halfway through the second period - 9:59 left, to be exact
- and the Toronto Maple Leafs were all over the San Jose Sharks.
Phil Kessel’s power play goal tied the game just seconds earlier, erasing an
early 2-0 hole for his club. Toronto had already poured 15 shots on net in the
second period alone, and all of the early momentum the Sharks had from
their strong start was gone.
“Coach, he let us know what the night was looking like, and how bad we were
in that stretch,” Joe Pavelski said of the TV timeout.
And, just like that, the tables were turned.
The Sharks registered the next 12 shots on goal, took the lead on Brad
Stuart’s goal later in the frame, and recorded their sixth straight win, 4-2 at
the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday night.
“I think maybe got a little lackadaisical at the start of that period for about 10
minutes. They really gave it to us,” said Joe Thornton, whose five-on-three
goal gave the Sharks a two-goal advantage in the first period.
“The 10-minute mark it just kind of switched. We had a time out and kind of
flipped it back on them. It wasn’t a very good 10 minutes, but we recovered
and ended up winning.”
Todd McLellan expressed his displeasure a tad more emphatically than the
captain.
“It was actually embarrassing for a while how poorly we were playing,” he
said. “We had to have a little chat, and get everybody re-focued. After that, it
wasn’t a Picasso by any means, but at least we got our game back.”
Stuart’s game-winner came with four minutes left in the second. The
defenseman skated up the wall, directed the puck towards the front of the
net, and got a fortunate redirection off of Toronto forward Jerred Smithson’s
stick. Smithson was trying to keep Pavelski out of the crease.
“I think they were tired, and we had it working around pretty good, so there
was a little bit of open ice,” Stuart said. “You just try to get your shots in, and
I was able to get a little bit of a lucky bounce.”
That goal helped make up for Stuart’s mistake early in the second, when he
let Mason Raymond blow past him for a two-on-one rush on a Toronto power
play, resulting in the Maple Leafs’ first goal when Raymond wristed it through
Antti Niemi.
According to McLellan, Stuart’s mistake was a reflection of his team’s play at
that point.
“We were going through a phase there where everybody was playing that
way,” said the head coach. “Sometimes when you make those mistakes you
have somebody there to cover up, but we were non-existent for a good 11-12
minutes.”
Still, the Sharks were able to recover and capture the opening game of a
four-game road trip. San Jose outshot the Maple Leafs 10-8 in a defensively
responsible third, and Logan Couture’s empty-netter ensured San Jose
would extend its winning streak.
The Sharks improved to 9-2-3 on the road, and still own the NHL’s best
winning percentage (19-3-5, .796).
“Definitely didn’t have our A-game tonight, throughout the night,” Pavelski
said. “But, guys did a good job battling. Once we got that final lead, we were
able to hold on pretty well.”
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San Jose Sharks
Instant Replay: Sharks open four-game trip with win in Toronto
TORONTO – Brad Stuart’s second period goal was the difference as the
Sharks beat the Maple Leafs, 4-2, at Air Canada Centre on Tuesday night.
San Jose, starting a four-game road trip, has won its last six and is 9-1-1 in its
last 11. Toronto lost its fifth in a row (0-3-2).
The Sharks surrendered a two-goal lead in the second period, but Stuart’s
third goal of the season gave San Jose a 3-2 advantage before the second
intermission. Jerred Smithson inadvertently tipped in Stuart’s attempted
centering pass to Joe Pavelski with four minutes left in the middle frame, as
Smithson was jostling with the Sharks’ third line center in front of the net.
Logan Couture’s empty net goal with 1:24 left capped the scoring.
Trailing 2-0 to start the second, Toronto badly outplayed the Sharks for the
first 10 minutes of the period. On a power play, Mason Raymond scored on a
two-on-one rush after Stuart was caught pinching at the Sharks’ offensive
blue line. Raymond’s wrist shot trickled through Antti Niemi at 2:43, with Scott
Hannan the lone defender.
The Maple Leafs kept up the pressure, and scored again on a man
advantage with Couture off on a high-sticking minor. Phil Kessel easily slid in
a feed through the slot from Tyler Bozak at 9:47, after Bozak retrieved the
rebound of a shot from close range by James van Riemsdyk.
The Sharks took over the rest of the period, though, and registered the next
12 shots on goal, ending with Stuart’s go-ahead marker.
In typical fashion, the Sharks jumped on an opponent early. A pair of first
period goals by Mike Brown, and Joe Thornton on the power play, staked the
Sharks a 2-0 lead. They are now outscoring the opposition 36-16 in the first
period.
Brown’s goal came on a deflection of a Jason Demers floater from the point
at the 10-minute mark, while Thornton deposited his third goal in four games
on a pass through the slot by Pavelski on a five-on-three at 14:31.
Thornton, playing with a significant shiner over his right eye from a deflected
puck last Saturday, extended his point streak to six games (3g, 5a).
The Sharks improved to 10-1-1 against Canadian teams this season, and are
8-1-1 against the Eastern Conference including 7-0-1 on the road.
Special teams
San Jose was 1-for-4 overall on the power play. Thornton’s first period goal
was the Sharks first five-on-three marker of the season.
Toronto entered the game with the league’s best power play at home, and
finished 2-for-3. Overall, the Maple Leafs are 14-for-40 at Air Canada Centre
(35.0 percent).
The Sharks surrendered two power play goals in a game. for the first time
since Oct. 30 in Los Angeles.
In goal
Niemi started for the seventh straight game, and recorded his 16th win with
28 saves.
James Reimer took the loss for Toronto, allowing three goals on 40 Sharks
shots.
Lineup
James Sheppard returned to play on the fourth line after he was a healthy
scratch for the last two games.
The Maple Leafs were without Nazem Kadri, who missed the game due to a
death in the family.
Up next
The Sharks visit the Penguins on Thursday and Hurricanes on Friday. Their
road trip concludes on Sunday in Minnesota.
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San Jose Sharks
Sharks, Maple Leafs going opposite directions
TORONTO -- The Sharks and Maple Leafs are trending in opposite
directions, as they get set to meet in Toronto on Tuesday night.
San Jose has won its last five games, all at home, and has surged to the top
the NHL standings with a .788 winning percentage. The Sharks are 8-1-1 in
their last 10, are healthier now than they were at the start of the season, and
feature a forward group that has five players over the 20-point mark.
Conversely, the Maple Leafs have lost their last four, and have scored two
goals or less in five of the last six games. Toronto remains without key
forward Joffrey Lupul, who will miss his fourth straight with a groin injury,
while center Nazem Kadri will miss Tuesday’s game due to the death of his
grandfather.
The Sharks will try and keep rolling as they begin a four-game road trip, the
first three of which are against Eastern Conference foes.
“The extended homestand against some tough competition was good for us,
but now it’s time for us to get out here and see if we can apply our game that
we bottled up at home, here on the road,” Todd McLellan said.
Logan Couture said: “We don’t know too much about them, haven’t played
them for awhile, and they’re an Eastern Conference team. We’ve just got to
play the same way we’ve played. We played some tough teams lately, some
Western Conference teams who are in your face and have got some big
forwards and d-men who play strong. We’ve got to worry about our game
before we worry about them.”
Toronto’s top line of Phil Kessel (24 points), James van Riemsdyk (20 points)
and Tyler Bozak (10 points) has been impressive, but after that, the Maple
Leafs lack scoring punch. Kadri’s absence only exacerbates that weakness.
David Clarkson, who signed a seven-year, $36.75 million deal in the
offseason, has just two goals and three assists in his first 17 games with the
Maple Leafs.
“We’ve got to find a way to be better in this locker room. It’s not one, or two, or
three guys, it’s as a group,” Clarkson said. “We’ve got to find a way to give
more as individuals, and to give more back to the team.”
In goal, Antti Niemi will make his seventh straight start, opposing Toronto’s
James Reimer. The Sharks enter with a league-best 38.5 shots per game,
while Toronto gives up the most shots in the league at 35.9 per game.
Reimer, 6-3-1 with a 2.58 goals-against average and .931 save percentage,
could be busy.
“The more shots you get the more you’re into the game, but at the same time,
you don’t want 40 shots in the slot,” Reimer said. “San Jose is a good team
and you hear reports that they shoot the puck a lot, so as a goaltender you
have to be ready for the puck to come from any angle. And, you have to try
your best to control your rebounds so you don’t give them second
opportunities.”
The Maple Leafs bring a 9-4-0 record into the game, with four of their next
five at the Air Canada Centre. Currently, they are holding on to the eighth and
final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
“They’re going to want to put a good game forward,” Andrew Desjardins said.
“I think we’ve just got to keep the pace we’re doing, and keep doing the right
things.
“We’re playing well right now, we’ve just got to continue that.”
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San Jose Sharks
Sharks' Thornton playing through swollen eye
TORONTO – Sharks captain Joe Thornton is still sporting a significantly
swollen right eye, but was on the ice at Air Canada Centre on Tuesday
morning and will play against the Maple Leafs.
Thornton, who took a deflected puck to the face on Saturday against
Anaheim that required stitches, said he was experiencing some problems on
Monday. He left the ice briefly in the first period, but played most of the 4-3
shootout win over the Ducks.
“It feels fine. [Monday], I still had some problems seeing, but today it feels
back to 100 percent,” he said.
Thornton, who leads the Sharks in scoring with 29 points (4g, 25a), was not
wearing a visor for the morning skate. That could change for the game.
“I might wear it tonight,” he said. “We’ll see how the game goes. It feels fine
and doesn’t hurt or anything, so we’ll see how it goes tonight.”
“I probably could wear one, it’s just my preference. If I don’t feel comfortable,
I’ll just throw one on, easy as that.”
Todd McLellan will let others make that call.
“I’m taking [Thornton’s] word and the trainer’s word that he can see,” said the
head coach.
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San Jose Sharks
In the Crease: Sharks look to keep rolling in December
Maple Leafs: Toronto enters tonight losers of its last four games (0-2-2),
including a 4-2 defeat in Montreal on Saturday night. The last three of those
losses came on the road, but the Maple Leafs are 9-4-0 at home, where they
play four of their next five games.
Keep an eye on…
Programming note: Sharks-Maple Leafs coverage gets underway at 3:30
p.m. with Sharks Pregame Live, only on Comcast SportsNet California
Where they stand
Sharks: 18-3-5, 41 points, 1st Pacific Division, 2nd Western Conference
Maple Leafs: 14-10-3, 31 points, 5th Atlantic Division, 6th Eastern
Conference
Vitals
Sharks
Goals per game: 3.42 (2nd)
Goals-against per game: 2.15 (5th)
Power play: 18.8 percent (14th)
Sharks: Logan Couture. The Sharks center is second on the team in scoring
with 27 points (9g, 18a), and has recorded a goal and six assists in his last
five games. He ended a seven-game goalless streak with a marker against
Anaheim on Sunday. The Toronto-area native will be playing the Maple Leafs
for just the third time in his career.
Maple Leafs: James van Riemsdyk. The Toronto winger, who was stolen
from Philadelphia in exchange for plodding defenseman Luke Schenn in the
summer of 2012, has four points (3g, 1a) in his last three games while playing
on the Leafs’ first line. The New Jersey native’s 20 points is second on the
team, behind only linemate Phil Kessel’s 24 points.
Injuries/Scratches
Sharks: Raffi Torres (right ACL surgery) and Adam Burish (back surgery) are
out.
Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri (personal), Dave Bolland (left ankle) and Joffrey
Lupul (groin) are out. Cody Franson (lower body) is questionable.
Penalty kill: 84.2 percent (12th)
Season/All-Time series
Maple Leafs
Goals per game: 2.67 (15th)
Goals-against per game: 2.63 (16th)
Power play: 23.2 percent (5th)
Penalty kill: 78.6 percent (25th)
The Sharks are just 14-20-5-0 all-time against Toronto, but 5-1-0 in the last
six. In their last visit to the Air Canada Centre on Feb. 23, 2012, the Sharks
won 2-1 behind a pair of goals from Patrick Marleau.
The Maple Leafs visit San Jose on March 11.
Quoteable
Probable lines
“I’ve only played there once, and a lot of people I know, obviously, are Leafs
fans. I’m excited to head back there.” – Logan Couture, on playing in Toronto
Sharks
Burning question
Tomas Hertl – Joe Thornton – Brent Burns
Patrick Marleau – Logan Couture – Tommy Wingels
Which game on the Sharks’ road trip are you looking forward to the most –
Toronto, Pittsburgh, Carolina or Minnesota – and why?
Marty Havlat – Joe Pavelski – Tyler Kennedy
Leave your answer in the comments section below.
John McCarthy – Andrew Desjardins – Mike Brown
Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 12.04.2013
Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun
Brad Stuart – Dan Boyle
Scott Hannan – Jason Demers
Antti Niemi (confirmed starter)
Alex Stalock
Maple Leafs
James van Riemsdyk – Tyler Bozak – Phil Kessel
Mason Raymond – Peter Holland – Nikolai Kulemin
Carter Ashton – Trevor Smith – David Clarkson
Frazer McLaren – Jerred Smithson – Colton Orr
Dion Phaneuf – Carl Gunnarsson
Jake Gardiner – Mark Fraser
Paul Ranger – Morgan Rielly
James Reimer (confirmed starter)
Jonathan Bernier
The latest
Sharks: The Sharks are coming off of a five-game homestand in which they
went a perfect 5-0-0. On Saturday, the Sharks surrendered a two-goal third
period lead to Anaheim but won in a shootout, 4-3. Patrick Marleau had a
goal and an assist and Joe Pavelski was the only player to score in the
tiebreaker. Antti Niemi started and won all five games of the homestand. San
Jose begins a four-game road trip tonight, continuing on to Pittsburgh,
Carolina and Minnesota.
725903
St Louis Blues
Blues hit bump in a long road
42 minutes ago • By Dan O’Neill doneill@post-dispatch.com
The Blues visited the historic city of Charleston, S.C. in October, a trip made
for “team-building” purposes.
Perhaps they’d like to see Richmond, Va., or Gettysburg, Pa. Word is
Vicksburg, Miss., can be lovely this time of year. Maybe it’s team-building
time again.
OK, it’s not that serious.
The Blues have played 26 games, and they’ve only lost five outright. It’s not
time for another retreat, not time to put personal matters in order or write
farewell notes. That said, on the heels of two losses in succession, two eerily
similar losses, it is time for some accounting.
“There’s challenges to every year,” said defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk, who
had a goal and an assist in a 3-2 loss at Los Angeles on Monday. “This is the
first time we’ve lost two in a row. It’s a new challenge for us to try to
overcome.
work and being able to grind teams out. We kind of got a taste of our own
medicine, I guess, the past couple of games, and we didn’t respond well.
“We knew coming in it was going to be a tough road trip, they’re all good
teams. So we have to learn from it and make sure when we get home we’re
much better.”
The syllabus will be studied over the next two days before the Blues take the
ice against the New York Islanders on Thursday and the Anaheim Ducks on
Saturday. There may even be tweaks in the lineup. Hitchcock tried different
combinations as the California games played out, hoping to find a spark in
the disengaged. For the most part, it wasn’t there.
The Sharks and Kings “force you,” Hitchcock said. “They’re physical,
hard-checking teams. But we have to have a better reaction than we did. We
have to regroup at home and get ready to get going again.”
The Blues (18-5-3) left town with only three regulation losses in 23 games.
They didn’t expect to go 59 games without another. Likewise, they know
there will be adverse times and soul searching again in the days ahead.
But better to swallow hard in December than suffocate in April.
“There’s been many talks and this is game 26 of 82,” Backes said late
Monday night. “It’s a couple of tough lessons in a row with the last two
games. But if you learn from them and you’re better on the other end, it’s
better to learn them now than when it’s do-or-die in the playoffs.”
And the fix?
“We just played two great teams, teams that are going to be in the playoffs at
the end of the year. We have to realize that our game isn’t there right now. It’s
a learning experience more than anything. It’s still early enough in the season
that we can grow and become a championship-caliber team, and that’s what
we have to take away from this.”
“It’s a mind-set in general, home or road,” Backes said. “Let’s bring our best
game and let’s build that lead instead of the other way around.”
There’s a formula to winning in the NHL, easily pinpointed, not so easily
mastered. That is, don’t fall behind. The Blues are 15-1-2 when they score
first, 10-0-1 when they lead after one period, 11-0-1 when they lead after two.
They are 8-1-0 when tied after one, 6-1-0 after two.
St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.04.2013
Take a look at the winning teams in the league, and you will see the same
kind of statistics. Playing from behind is a recipe for disappointment, and
playing from several goals behind is suicidal. In San Jose last Friday, the
Blues spotted the Sharks a four-goal cushion before getting the engine to
kick over.
They have skill, these Blues, more than previous editions. And they were
able to make it a 4-3 game. But they were chasing their tail in a 6-3 loss.
“We’re more confident offensively, and sometimes when you are more
confident offensively, you do give up odd-man rushes,” coach Ken Hitchcock
said. “Because you are playing with a little bit more risk.
“If you’re going to create more offense, you have to play with more risk, and I
think sometimes we’ve been caught doing that. We’ve been caught trying to
make plays that we haven’t been capable of making before.”
In short, the Blues were their own worst enemy at times on the three-game
trip. It happened again Monday. They fell behind 2-0 in the first, then 3-0 with
more than 34 minutes remaining in the game. They fought back and pressed
in the final minutes to make it 3-2. But a 3-2 score gets you the same thing as
a 30-2 score — a loss.
“It was sort of the same thing as San Jose,” defenseman Jay Bouwmeester
said. “When you get down to a team like that, you put yourself in a tough spot.
We played better in the third and generated some chances, but we need to
do that from the start.”
Short of a team retreat, the Blues certainly need to take roll call. They have
hit a speed bump in this long season, as teams inevitably do. Facing top-tier
opponents on the road, there were stretches over the past two games that
were discombobulated.
“I’m a little perplexed that at times we looked like we wanted to play and at
times it looked like (the Kings) were playing a tough style and we didn’t want
any part to do with it,” said Blues captain David Backes.
When the going got tough, too many got going — in the opposite direction.
There were absentee shifts and frivolous acts. There were obvious cracks in
the 200-foot foundation.
“I think there’s lessons to be learned,” Bouwmeester added. “Both games,
right from the start, we got out-competed. We’re a team that prides itself on
The Blues don’t need a trip for that. They can begin lead-building Thursday
night, right here at home.
725904
St Louis Blues
Blues have to regroup, master winning formula
15 hours ago • By Dan O'Neill doneill@post-dispatch.com
There's a formula to winning in the NHL, easily pinpointed, not so easily
mastered. It goes something like this — don't fall behind.
The Blues are 15-1-2 when they score first, 10-0-1 when they lead after one
period, 11-0-1 when they lead after two. They are 8-1-0 when tied after one,
6-1-0 after two.
Take a look at the winning teams in the league and you will see the same
kind of statistics. Playing from behind is a recipe for disappointment, and
playing from several goals behind is suicidal. In San Jose last Friday, the
Blues spotted the Sharks a four-goal cushion before getting the engine to
kick over.
They have skill, these Blues, and they were able to make it a 4-3 game. But
they were chasing their tail in a 6-3 loss. The scenario was similar last night in
Los Angeles, as the Blues trailed 3-0 before trimming it to a 3-2 outcome.
“We're more confident offensively, and sometimes when you are more
confident offensively, you do give up odd-man rushes,” coach Ken Hitchcock
said. “Because you are playing with a little bit more risk.
“If you're going to create more offense, you have to play with more risk and I
think sometimes we've been caught doing that. We've been caught trying to
make plays that we haven't been capable of making before.”
About the slow starts, Blues captain David Backes added, “It's a mindset in
general, home or road: 'Let's bring our best game and lets' build that lead
instead of the other way around.' ”
***
The Blues flew through the night and did not arrive back in town until 5 a.m.
today. As a result, there is no practice.
***
Kevin Shattenkirk had a goal and an assist in the loss on Monday to climb
over the 100-point mark as a member of the Blues. Shattenkirk has two goals
and 16 assists this season.
Vladimir Tarasenko also had a two-point night, with his ninth goal and fifth
assist. Meanwhile, Jaden Schwartz assisted on Shattenkirk's goal, extending
his scoring streak to a career best seven games. Schwartz has six goals and
12 assists on the season.
***
Statistics are sometimes in the eye of the beholder. To wit: the stats keepers
at Staples Center had the Kings out-hitting the Blues 52-31 on Monday.
Accordingly, the Kings enjoyed a 22-8 advantage in the hits during the first
period, with Anze Kopitar registering five of those hits.
The Kings also must get credited for hits if they bump into each other on the
bench.
St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.04.2013
725905
St Louis Blues
Hockey Guy: Kings remind Blues they still need work
18 hours ago • By Jeff Gordon jgordon@post-dispatch.com
There's a formula to winning in the NHL, easily pinpointed, not so easily
mastered. It goes something like this — don't fall behind. Read more
Blues hit bump in a long road
Team has lost consecutive games for the first time this season. Read more
The Blues still have some work to do. Given Ken Hitchcock’s commanding
presence behind the bench, they were well aware of this fact.
But the Kings graciously provided another reminder Monday night by beating
them 3-2 in Los Angeles.
The Blues were committed to starting quickly in this game. They wanted to
set aside their fiasco in San Jose by coming out hard against the Kings.
And they did . . . for a few minutes. Then the Kings tilted the ice against them
and began throwing pucks on goal.
Jarret Stoll fired one into the net, through a perfect Dustin Brown screen.
Then Tyler Toffoli made it 2-0 with a classic “dirty” goal -- deflecting Drew
Doughty’s shot off the post, then converting the sharp-angle rebound.
The Blues staged a nice road rally, as they did in San Jose. But the
comeback fell short, as it did against the Sharks. So it goes against elite NHL
teams in their building.
This time it was Toffoli who made the difference, along with fill-in goaltender
Ben Scrivens. The names change, but the frustration against the Kings
remains the same.
Here are the takeaways from the game:
The Kings are recent Stanley Cup champions. They played with the
confidence of a real winner. They have belief and conviction. The young
players coming into the mix, like Toffoli, follow the lead of Brown, Doughty,
Anze Kopitar and the other veterans. The Blues aspire to become a real
winner, but they have yet to earn that distinction on the ice.
The Blues have the size and toughness to bang around with the Kings.
They have more skilled players, too, both up front and on the blue line. But it
takes extra effort to apply that skill against the Kings when they are on their
game. For whatever reason, the Kings always seem to be on their game
against the Note. They are 15-3-0 against them in their last 18 regular
season and playoff meetings.
Alexander Steen has scored goals in just two of the last eight games. He
is still playing well, but he is NOT Alexander Ovechkin. He powered the Blues
through their extraordinary first quarter, but now the team’s significant
offensive depth needs to take over. Some still argue that this team needs to
add an established goal scorer to have a chance to advance.
Vladimir Tarasenko had a two-point game in LA after producing just five
points in the month of November. In 26 games this season, he has put more
than three shots on goal just three times. He needs to attempt more shots,
get more shots through, hit the net with more shots and make fewer cute
passes while in tight. Good things happen when you funnel the puck toward
the net.
Patrik Berglund was shut out again in LA. He, too, must the embrace the
shot quantity concept. At a critical juncture in the first period, he used his
reach advantage to drag the puck toward the slot on his backhand while
fending off a check. Rather than shovel a shot on goal to at least create a
rebound, he slid an incomplete pass back toward the right point.
Last season the Hockey Gods smiled on Berglund. He scored 17 goals
on just 74 shots, often by deflections in front of the net. That 23 percent
conversion rate was not remotely sustainable. This season he has one goal
on 37 shots, for a 2.7 conversion rate. The Hockey Gods are frowning. He
needs to throw more pucks at the net and create his own breaks.
These back-to-back losses are not a huge cause for concern. A quick check
around the league reminds us that most of the front-runners have hit a rough
patch.
Getting points ever night is difficult, especially on the Western Conference.
But Hitchcock, his staff and his team leaders must rally the lads and make
sure they exploit the sputtering New York Islanders at Scottrade Center.
AROUND THE RINKS: Remember Phil McRae? He has seven points in 14
games for the Blues this season --the Espoo Blues of Finland, that is. He also
played eight games with Tappara Tempere and registered just one point.
McRae had the size and skill to become a solid third-line forward in the NHL
but he just didn't work hard enough to make it . . . A prospect who does work
hard enough to make it is power forward Dmitrij Jaskin, who produced six
goals, five assists and a plus-6 ratings in his first 13 AHL games for Chicago
this season . . . Add the Canucks to the list of teams coveting the sort of
offensive depth the Blues possess. The loss of winger Alex Burrows to a
broken jaw was a blow they could scarcely afford to take . . . Destined Hall of
Famer Daniel Alfredsson did not depart the Senators on great terms, but the
good hockey fans of Ottawa still received him warmly in his first game back
as a Red Wings.
St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 12.04.2013
725906
St Louis Blues
Blues still looking for answers against Kings
From staff and wire reportsDecember 3, 2013
Nine straight losses to the Kings in Los Angeles suggests something a bit
larger than a trend.
The St. Louis Blues closed out a 1-2 road trip Monday by falling behind 3-0 to
the Kings before tacking on a pair of late goals. It was the Blues' ninth straight
loss in L.A. counting playoffs and the regular-season.
"We showed character in the third by pushing back a little bit," Blues captain
David Backes said after his team lost two straight in regulation for the first
time this season. "But at some point, we need to learn our lesson that if you
give good teams leads, it's a heck of an uphill climb to try to get back in the
game."
The road trip included a 4-1 win at Colorado and a 6-3 loss at San Jose. The
Blues (18-5-3) return home to face the New York Islanders on Thursday.
Blues coach Ken Hitchcock talked about the Kings' heavy, physical style,
which took its toll again as his team fell behind 3-0.
"They force you. They're a physical, hard-checking team. But we have to
have a better reaction than we did," Hitchcock said. "They took it to us. We
revved it up halfway through the hockey game, but you can't play like that."
Jaroslav Halak made 20 saves for the Blues. Halak had allowed just five
goals in his previous five starts after getting pulled with a 3-0 deficit in the first
period of a 4-1 loss at Washington on Nov. 17.
Kings rookie Tyler Toffoli had two goals for the Kings, Jarret Stoll also scored
and backup goaltender Ben Scrivens made 25 saves.
Toffoli, a 21-year-old center taken in the second round of the 2010 draft, has
six goals -- four have been game-winners -- and 11 points in 14 games since
he was recalled from the minors on Nov. 2. His only other two-goal game in
the NHL was on Nov. 9 at Staples Center in a 5-1 win over Vancouver.
Toffoli made his NHL debut late last season and opened some eyes with his
stellar play during the playoffs with two goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating
in 12 games.
Scrivens, who has performed brilliantly in place of the injured Jonathan
Quick, was heading toward his fourth shutout of the season when Kevin
Shattenkirk and Vladimir Tarasenko scored for the Blues in the final 5:54.
Shattenkirk's goal came 6 seconds after the Kings killed off a power play
caused by Colin Fraser's slashing penalty.
Scrivens has given up fewer than three goals in each of his last 10 starts and
has posted two shutouts since Quick went on injured reserve with a groin
strain on Nov. 12 at Buffalo.
Los Angeles has allowed fewer than three goals in a franchise-record 13
consecutive games. The streak includes a pair of 3-2 shootout losses to
Buffalo and San Jose.
The Kings, who hadn't had a first-period goal in any of their previous four
home games -- all losses -- opened the scoring at the 10:38 mark. Stoll got
the puck from Justin Williams near the top of the left circle and took a 40-foot
wrist shot that glanced off defenseman Barret Jackman's leg and past Halak
with Dustin Brown screening the goalie.
Toffoli made it 2-0 at 16:13 of the period, beating Halak from short range after
Drew Doughty's long snap shot from the high slot deflected off Toffoli's stick
and Halak's right shoulder before hitting the crossbar. He gave the Kings a
three-goal cushion at 5:48 of the second, scoring from the low slot after Willie
Mitchell's wrist shot from the left point caromed off teammate Mike Richards.
The Kings eliminated the Blues from the playoffs in each of the previous two
seasons. In 2012, they beat St. Louis in the second round on the way to their
first Stanley Cup title.
Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 12.04.2013
725907
Tampa Bay Lightning
Bolts Notebook: Brewer latest player slowed by injury
Erik Erlendsson
Published: December 3, 2013
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The injury bug continues to take its toll on the Lightning
roster.
D Eric Brewer is the latest to join the list after he was scratched Tuesday with
an unspecified lower-body injury.
Brewer took part in the morning skate and took regular rushes with normal
defensive partner D Mark Barberio. Brewer, however, was not on the ice for
pregame warm-ups after the team said he “tweaked” something during the
morning skate and was unable to play. D Keith Aulie took Brewer’s spot in the
lineup.
“He tweaked something, so we’ll see,” coach Jon Cooper said. When asked if
there is concern the injury will keep him out more than one game, Copper
responded, “Yes, there’s lots of concern.’’
Brewer will be evaluated before Thursday’s game against Ottawa. Tampa
Bay general manager Steve Yzerman said the team will have to make a
call-up from Syracuse if Brewer is unable to play.
The Lightning are already missing D Radko Gudas (upper body), LW Ryan
Malone (fractured ankle), C Steven Stamkos (broken leg), C Tom Pyatt
(broken collarbone) and LW Pierre-Cedric Labrie (arm).
Malone, who took a puck off his foot on Nov. 22 in Anaheim, joined the list of
those who are expected to miss significant time after Yzerman revealed
Malone has a non-displaced fracture in the ankle and is expected to miss
three to four weeks.
Gudas, who was also injured in Anaheim during a first-period fight, remains
out, but Cooper said the hope is Gudas could be ready to return Saturday
against Winnipeg. Gudas traveled with the team but did not skate.
Labrie, who has missed three games with an arm injury sustained during a
fight on Nov. 25, traveled with the team and took part in the morning skate
Tuesday while wearing a red non-contact jersey. Labrie was taking shots and
has shown steady improvement and is targeting the end of the week as a
possibility to return, though he has yet to take part in any battle situations.
“The last three days have been awesome,” Labrie said. “Christian (Rivas,
massage therapist) has been working with needles and electricity, and stuff
has been progressing. I feel like Iron Man now.’’
Dynamic Drouin
Lightning prospect Jonathan Drouin, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft last
summer, was named the player of the month in the Quebec Major Junior
Hockey League for November. Drouin, among the final cuts at Tampa Bay
training camp, registered 12 goals and 19 assists in 10 games for Halifax
while registering at least three points in seven games. The 31 points in the
month tied a Halifax team record.
Drouin also was named Monday to the 25-man preliminary roster for Team
Canada’s World Junior camp, which will open next week in Toronto. The
U-20 championship will begin Christmas Day in Sweden.
In addition to Drouin being named to the World Junior initial roster, 2012
first-round pick G Andrey Vasilevskiy was named to the preliminary roster for
Russia on Tuesday. This would be the third World Junior championship for
Vasilevskiy, who is in the final year of his contract with Ufa in the Russian
Kontinental Hockey League.
The U.S. is expected to announce its roster today, with 2013 second-round
pick Adam Erne expected to be named to that list.
Nuts and Bolts
Columbus C Brandon Dubinsky returned to the lineup after missing six
games with a foot injury. ... RW J.T. Brown and LW Nikita Kucherov, which
made up two-thirds of the top line in Syracuse to start the season, were
reunited on the third line with C Alex Killorn. ... Columbus had failed to reach
double digits in shots in 23 of 24 periods before firing 13 in the second period
on Tuesday.
Tampa Tribune LOADED: 12.04.2013
725908
Tampa Bay Lightning
and we had zero answer. For a lot of the season there has been a lot of fight
in the dog and for one game there wasn’t. And it will be our job to get that fight
back.’’
Bolts scoring drought continues in loss to Columbus
By Erik Erlendsson | Tribune Staff Erik Erlendsson on Google+
Published: December 3, 2013
PM
|
Updated: December 3, 2013 at 11:42
Tampa Bay did have its chances in the third period to try and get even in the
game, but J.T. Brown was robbed on a breakaway with a glove save by
Bobrovsky at 4:13 of the third period, the same play in which Bobrovsky had
to leave the game with an injury as he was helped to the locker room without
being able to put any weight on his left leg.
“He was quicker with his glove than I was with the shot,’’ Brown said. “I
thought I could beat him, but I didn’t’’
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The offensive play of the Lightning looks lost in a deep
winter freeze.
The Lightning also had a late power play chance on a phantom tripping call
on Jack Johnson, but could only muster one shot on goal as the slump with
the man advantage fell to 4-for-46.
For the third time in the past five games, and second in as many games,
Tampa Bay failed to get on the board, dropping a 1-0 decision to Columbus
on Tuesday in front of an announced crowd of 10,223 at Nationwide Arena.
St. Louis had a backhand chance off a nice play from Victor Hedman, but St.
Louis was unable to get enough lift on the puck to get it over McElhinney with
1:23 left in the game.
Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 18 shots before leaving with an injury while Curtis
McElhinney stopped all eight shots he faced to preserve the shutout as
Tampa Bay lost a 1-0 game for the first time since Nov. 4, 2010, at Los
Angeles.
“I tried to get it up as fast as I can, I was in tight, but I couldn’t get it up fast
enough,’’ St. Louis said. “Maybe I should have tried to go around, but I don’t
know. I’ve tried to replay that 15 times already, and I just didn’t get it done.’’
Nick Foligno scored the only goal of the game in highlight reel fashion while
Ben Bishop took the hard-luck loss while making 20 saves, marking his fourth
consecutive game of allowing two or fewer goals with only one victory to
show for it in that span.
But without any offensive support for the goaltenders, Tampa Bay has dipped
to a 2-5-1 record in the past seven games. In the six losses, Tampa Bay has
scored a total of six goals.
“You can’t win in this league if you don’t score goals,’’ Lightning head coach
Jon Cooper said. “Our commitment to go to those areas you need to score, is
not there, it’s just not. ... It’s unfortunate but we are going through a little
stretch right here, and it’s an 82-game season, and stuff like this is going to
happen. But the problem is that it’s happening in real time and they are
learning by watching teams pass us in the standings. And we are not going to
get these games back.’’
The back-to-back shutouts mark the first time the Lightning have been held
without a goal in consecutive games since Nov. 23-25, 2003, in 0-0 tie
against Carolina and a 2-0 loss to the New York Rangers.
Not counting an empty net goal by Tyler Johnson in Wednesday’s victory
against Philadelphia, Tampa Bay has gone 115 minutes without putting a
puck past a goaltender.
The scoreless streak on the road, meanwhile, was extended to 137 minutes,
13 seconds dating back to the third period in San Jose. The franchise record
without scoring a road goal is 157 minutes, 29 seconds, which was set in
March, 1996.
“If you are not (ticked) or frustrated, something is wrong with you right now,’’
captain Marty St. Louis said. “We have to win battles in the offensive zone. If
it’s off the rush, we are done, we have to be able to sustain offensive
pressure and that usually starts with winning a battle. And when you do that,
you get more offensive zone time. When we don’t, it’s coming the other way
and you have to go defend.’’
Tampa Bay started the game spending a majority of time in the Columbus
zone, limiting the Blue Jackets to just eight shot attempts.
But in the second period the tide turned quickly as Columbus capitalized on
three defensive zone turnovers by Tampa Bay, the first by Teddy Purcell
along the boards, the second by Andrej Sustr and finally by Valtteri Filppula
who was stripped of the puck by Ryan Johansen near the right faceoff circle.
Johansen was able to feed Foligno who cut across the crease, put the puck
between his legs before pulling his stick back and flipping the puck over
Bishop 4:30 into the second period.
“He poke-checked it away from me . . . I thought I had him but he made a
good play and then it was a really nice goal,’’ Filppula said. “But obviously
that’s a turnover that you are not supposed to have, and that’s on me.’’
The goal was one of 28 shot attempts Columbus took in the second period
after attempting just eight in the opening 20 minutes of play.
“We both went to the dressing and I think our guys got a little taste thinking
that it wasn’t going to be that hard of a game physically,’’ Cooper said. “It was
almost a rope-a-dope because they came out charging in the second period
Tampa Tribune LOADED: 12.04.2013
725909
Tampa Bay Lightning
Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.04.2013
Lightning blanked again, falls to Blue Jackets
Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 11:30pm
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Marty St. Louis sat at his locker Tuesday, still in his
gear, head in his hands.
When he finally addressed the Lightning's ugly 1-0 loss to the Blue Jackets at
Nationwide Arena, the captain quietly said, "If you're not (mad), frustrated,
something is wrong with you right now."
Tampa Bay (16-10-1) has been shut out in two straight games and three of its
past five in which it is 2-2-1. Discounting Tyler Johnson's empty-net goal in
the Nov. 27 win over the Flyers, the team has not scored in 135 minutes.
On the road, where the Lightning is on a 0-4-1 streak, it has not scored in
137:13, going back to the third period of a Nov. 21 loss to the Sharks.
The team record for being shut out on the road is 157:29 in March 1996.
"Really concerned," coach Jon Cooper said. "Our commitment to go to those
areas you need to score is not there. It's just not. We've got a bunch of
players who have played in this league for a long time and they've got to take
us there."
The Lightning needed a goal such as was scored 4:30 into the second period
by Nick Foligno. While in the slot, he pulled the puck and his stick through his
legs and fired a forehand past goalie Ben Bishop.
But that goal doesn't happen if Tampa Bay's Valtteri Filppula isn't
pickpocketed in the defensive zone by Ryan Johansen.
"He poke-checked it away from me," Filppula said. "It was a really nice goal
but that's the kind of turnover you're not supposed to have. That's on me."
The offensive woes were worse. Passes were off target which made
Columbus' forecheck more effective.
St. Louis lamented the loss of puck battles. The Lightning had a 26-21 shot
advantage but was outshot 13-6 in the second period when, as Cooper said,
"They came out charging and we had zero answer."
The power play was 0-for-2 with just two shots and failed late in the third
period, running its streak of futility to 4-for-46.
"Don't even get a setup," St. Louis said. "It's embarrassing."
Added Filppula: "I feel like maybe we're holding the stick a little too hard and
not as relaxed as you want to play."
Finally there were Blue Jackets goalies Sergei Bobrovsky and Curtis
McElhinney, who entered 6:13 into the third when Bobrovsky was injured
stopping J.T. Brown's breakaway.
McElhinney's glove save on St. Louis in-close backhand with 1:23 left also
was a game saver.
"Maybe I should have gone around him," St. Louis said. "I don't know. I'm
replaying this 15 times already in my head. I just didn't get it done."
That is frustration talking.
Blue Jackets
0
1
0
Lightning 0
0
0
0
1
First Period—None. Penalties—Tropp, Clm (high-sticking), 5:16.
Second Period—1, Columbus, Foligno 7 (Johansen), 4:30.
Penalties—Tampa Bay bench, served by Purcell (too many men), 11:15.
Third Period—None. Penalties—J.Johnson, Clm (tripping), 15:14. Shots on
Goal—Tampa Bay 10-6-10—26. Columbus 4-13-4—21. Power-play
opportunities—Tampa Bay 0 of 2; Columbus 0 of 1. Goalies—Tampa Bay,
Bishop 14-5-1 (21 shots-20 saves). Columbus, Bobrovsky 10-11-2 (18-18),
McElhinney (4:13 third, 8-8). A—10,223 (18,144). T—2:16. Referees—Mike
Hasenfratz, Marc Joannette. Linesmen—Lonnie Cameron, Scott Driscoll.
725910
Tampa Bay Lightning
Lightning LW Malone out 3-4 weeks
Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 8:49pm
COLUMBUS, Ohio — LW Ryan Malone, hit with a puck Nov. 22 at Anaheim,
is expected to miss three to four weeks with a non displaced ankle fracture,
Lightning GM Steve Yzerman said Tuesday.
That was just the first bit of bad news for Tampa Bay, which lost D Eric
Brewer to a lower-body injury sustained during the morning skate. He is listed
as day to day, though coach Jon Cooper admitted "lots of concern" Brewer
will be out a while.
The deepening of Tampa Bay's already long injury list will not change
Yzerman's approach to the roster, preferring callups from AHL Syracuse to
manage the injuries short-term while looking at trades for players who fit the
bigger picture.
"If it's more for someone who is going to make us better through the season
I'm all for it," Yzerman said of a trade. "But I don't want to give up an asset
today for somebody who isn't going to have a roster spot when we get
healthy."
Tampa Bay has seven players out with injuries: Brewer and defensemen
Radko Gudas (upper body) and Brian Lee (knee), and forwards Malone,
Steven Stamkos (broken right leg), Tom Pyatt (broken collarbone) and
Pierre-Cedric Labrie (left arm/elbow).
The losses have been most acute at forward where the Lightning had rookies
and Syracuse callups J.T. Brown and Nikita Kucherov on the second line with
C Alex Killorn, who has played all of 65 NHL games. It also recalled RW
Dana Tyrell, and recalled and sent back to the Crunch RW Brett Connolly.
"We've done reasonably well with the guys that have been recalled,"
Yzerman said. "Again, if we get thinner, (a trade) is something we might have
to look at a little closer."
For now, though, "I really haven't explored a trade for a short-term kind of fix,"
Yzerman said. "Potentially we could still go back to Syracuse for a recall.
That would be my first option."
MORE MEDICAL MATTERS: Labrie, who participated in Tuesday's skate
with a red no-contact jersey, and Gudas have a chance to be back by the end
of the week. … Yzerman said there is no concern about Pyatt, who has been
out eight weeks, but he might be out two to four more after a CT scan showed
his broken collarbone not yet healed. "I don't think it's uncommon for this
injury to be eight to 12 weeks, potentially," Yzerman said. "We all hoped at
the eight-week mark he'd be good to go, but he needs a little more time."
Nifty: LW Nick Foligno crafted a highlight-reel goal to give Columbus its 1-0
victory.
Foiligno, who had gotten away from Lightning defensemen Matt Carle and
Andre Sustr, got the puck in the slot from Ryan Johansen, who stole it from
Valtteri Filppula in the Lightning zone. Foligno put the puck and stick through
his legs and fired a forehand past G Ben Bishop.
"Practice in the driveway and watching YouTube," Foligno said of his
inspiration for the move. "It's one of those things, spur of the moment, you
think of."
JUNIOR NEWS: Prospect Jonathan Drouin was named player of the month
in the junior Quebec league with 12 goals, 31 points in 10 games for Halifax.
… Goaltending prospect Andrey Vasilevskiy will attend Russia's selection
camp for the 2014 world junior championship.
ODDS AND ENDS: Tampa Bay had not been shut out in consecutive games
since Nov. 23-25, 2003: 0-0 versus Carolina and 2-0 by the Rangers.
Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.04.2013
725911
Tampa Bay Lightning
Ryan Malone expected out 3-4 weeks with an ankle fracture
Damian Cristodero, Times Staff Writer
Tuesday, December 3, 2013 1:24pm
Lightning coach Jon Cooper hinted Tuesday morning that left wing Ryan
Malone might be out a while, but gave no specifics. It was up to general
manager Steve Yzerman to deliver the bad news:
Malone, who was hit with a puck Nov. 22 at Anaheim, has a non displaced
ankle fracture and is expected out three to four weeks.
There just seems to be no respite from injury news for Tampa Bay, which has
six players out with injuries: Malone, defensemen Brian Lee (knee) and
Radko Gudas (upper body), and forwards Malone, Steven Stamkos (broken
right leg), Tom Pyatt (collarbone) and Pierre-Cedric Labrie (left arm/elbow).
Labrie participated in Tuesday's morning skate, though with a red no-contact
jersey. Labrie will miss his third straight game tonight against the Blue
Jackets with a left arm/elbow issue. He is on the mend, though, as Cooper
said Labrie shot the puck well, and Labrie said his best-case scenario has
him ready to go by Saturday's game with the Jets. There also is a chance
Gudas could be ready by the weekend.
Pyatt who already has missed 23 games with a broken collarbone and might
be out another two to four weeks after a CT scan showed the bone not
healing as quickly as hoped. It is frustrating for Pyatt who has been practicing
with the team and says he feels fine.
Yzerman said there is no cause for concern with Pyatt as the eight-week
threshold for healing, which just passed, is on the "early side."
"I don't think it's uncommon for this type of injury to be eight to 12 weeks,
potentially," Yzerman said. "We were all hoping at the eight week mark he'd
be good to go but he needs a little more time. Obviously, we're hoping it's not
12 weeks. So, it's taking a little longer but not a reason from our perspective
for concern.
Add Stamkos' injury and Tampa Bay has jerry-rigged its forward lineup to
such an extent that it's second line is made up of center Alex Killorn (64 NHL
games), and rookie wings J.T. Brown (14 games) and Nikita Kucherov (three
games).
In all, the Lightning is playing seven rookies: Brown, Kucherov, the Kid Line
of center Tyler Johnson, Ondrej Palat and Richard Panik, and defensemen
Mark Barberio and Andrej Sustr. Include Gudas, out with an upper-body
injury, and it is eight.
"What's happened so far is because of our injuries ice time has been
accelerated for a lot of our young guys," coach Jon Cooper said. "Probably
not an ideal situation but we're eventually going to be a better team for it,
especially come spring time. It's a little bit of a trial by fire, but so far all the
guys have passed the test. It's been a lot of fun to be with this group so far."
Other stuff from the morning skate: Ben Bishop, who has stopped 104 of 107
shots in his past three games, gets the start in net. ... Defenseman Keith
Aulie said he is playing tonight against the Blue Jackets. No definitive word
from Cooper but that would indicate Tampa Bay going with 11 forwards and
seven defensemen with right wing Dana Tyrell scratched. ... When Stamkos
was hurt Nov. 11 at Boston he had 14 goals in 17 games, an average of .8. In
the nine games Stamkos has missed, Tampa Bay's average goals have gone
down .8, from 3.1 with him in the lineup to 2.3 with him out of the lineup. With
the Lightning having already cut an average of .6 goals allowed from last
season (down to 2.5 from 3.1), Cooper said it would be unrealistic to expect
his team to cut that much more to make up for the loss of Stamkos' offensive
production. That is why Cooper said, "The onus is on our forwards. We have
to go to the net harder. We can't be pulling up. That's a bad habit we had (in
Friday's 3-0 loss to Pittsburgh), We pulled up which leads to one-and-dones,
and now we're playing defense. We have to drive pucks to the net. We have
to go to the net and stay there. We have to go there with a passion. I think
we've gotten away from that. Once we start doing that a little more I think
pucks will start going in for us. But too much perimeter play, and that's
costing us." ... Asked what can be done to jump-start the offense, captain
Marty St. Louis said simply, "the power play." Indeed, Tampa Bay's power
play is in a 4-for-44 slump in its past 14 games. ... The son of Lightning
assistant coach Rick Bowness -- also named Rick -- is manager of
communications for the Blue Jackets. ... Prospect Jonathan Drouin, the No. 3
overall pick of the draft, was named player of the month in the junior Quebec
league with 31 points (12 goals, 19 assists) in 10 games. ... Goaltending
prospect Andrey Vasilevskiy will attend Russia's selection camp for the 2014
world junior championships.
Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 12.04.2013
725912
Toronto Maple Leafs
Struggling Leafs unable to overcome poor first period in loss to Sharks
of the crease in the second period, leaving the puck lying tantalizingly. Jake
Gardiner wired a wrist shot late that ended up in the glove of Antti Niemi. “I
believe in this team like I never have,” Leafs goaltender James Reimer said
later. “We need to keep focusing on the day to day tasks. That’s how you
keep positivity.”
TORONTO — The Globe and Mail
At any rate, there is no place for Kessel or any of the Maple Leafs to hide as
of this morning. HBO is here, walking right into the teeth of an inhospitable
schedule with a team that suddenly looks as if it’s not ready for its close-up
after all.
Published Tuesday, Dec. 03 2013, 10:20 PM EST
Globe And Mail LOADED: 12.04.2013
JEFF BLAIR
Last updated Tuesday, Dec. 03 2013, 11:41 PM EST
If a crisis helps ratings, HBO is about to knock one out of the park, and the
rest of us are going to get an in-depth look at how a team pulls itself out of a
spiral.
On the eve of the 24/7 cameras beginning daily filming for the HBO TV series
leading up to the Winter Classic matchup between the Toronto Maple Leafs
and Detroit Red Wings – and in the first game of the type of schedule only a
Scrooge could love leading up to the Holiday period – Randy Carlyle’s
charges dropped a 4-2 decision to the San Jose Sharks. “A bench-mark
team,” Carlyle told his players after the game. “That’s how far we’ve got to
go.”
In the process, the Leafs lost top-line centre Tyler Bozak to an upper-body
injury halfway through the second period.
This is an almost insanely brutal schedule facing the Leafs: Dallas Stars,
Boston Bruins, Los Angeles Kings and Chicago Blackhawks at home; Ottawa
Senators, St. Louis Blues and Pittsburgh Penguins on the road. A Dec. 17
game against the Florida Panthers is the first respite – and the games
against the Kings, Blues, Blackhawks and Penguins come in a six-game
span.
Playing without Cody Franson (lower body injury) and Nazem Kadri (death in
family), the Leafs seemed destined to be easy pickings for the NHL’s best
team. They were coming off a 4-6-3 November in which they’d had just two
regulation wins and all those people who said their early-season formula of
being outshot was a recipe for disaster? Congratulations: you’re our grand
prize winner!
It was a rare first period in that the Leafs led in shots 3-0 until the Sharks
recorded their first shot on goal at 7:38. But the Sharks outshot the Leafs
13-5 the rest of the way in the first period and led 2-0 on Mike Brown’s
second goal of the season and Joe Thornton’s fifth, the latter of which came
on a power play that highlighted a lengthy run of Sharks dominance that had
the home crowd booing. The Leafs were packed in on the penalty-kill, giving
the Sharks ample room to roam and pass the puck.
Rookie defenceman Morgan Rielly has been unable to avoid the funk that
has settled in over the team.
It was his turnover that started the sequence of plays that ended up with
Logan Couture scoring an empty-net fourth goal at 18:36 of the third period;
he waved meekly at the puck before Brown’s goal; and was victimized again
on the Sharks third, when Brad Stuart scored on a shot with Joe Pavelski
holding off Rielly and creating interference at the top of the crease the crease
at the 16:00 mark of the second period. It was the end of a two-minute shift
for the Leafs fourth line of Colton Orr, Frazer McLaren and Jerred Smithson –
with Orr and McLaren even more of a liability these days with the Leafs so
short-handed in the forward ranks.
Carlyle usually protects his tough guys, but after Tuesday’s game he took
McLaren to task for drawing a roughing penalty when he went after Andrew
Desjardins following the Sharks clean hit on Smithson. Carlyle called the
reaction “poor,” noting that it was a time where “something should have been
said,” as opposed to going after a player. If the gloves are off against the
tough guys, this may signal the return of the mean, old, Randy Carlyle.
The Leafs tied the score with second-period goals by Mason Raymond and
Phil Kessel. (It was Kessel’s 200th NHL career goal, after which he was
shown on the centre-ice videoboard sitting on the bench with his head bowed
while the crowd gave him a standing ovation.)
“We gave ourselves a chance … for about half a game,” Carlyle said.
Truth is, the Leafs played better than anybody could have expected after
after the first 20 minutes. David Clarkson in particular had two open chances
– ringing a shot off the crossbar and then tripping over his own feet at the top
725913
Toronto Maple Leafs
Mirtle: Leafs hope they’re ready for the 24/7 spotlight
JAMES MIRTLE
TORONTO — The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Dec. 03 2013, 9:10 PM EST
Last updated Tuesday, Dec. 03 2013, 9:11 PM EST
The Maple Leafs’ bus, plane and dressing room are about to get crowded,
and players and coaches used to more daily scrutiny than any in the NHL will
find their lives on and off the ice under an unprecedented spotlight.
It’s the price of admission to the Winter Classic, the league’s annual outdoor
game that has boosted hockey’s popularity in the U.S. since it launched in
2008.
And while it’s good for hockey, is it good for the Toronto Maple Leafs,
struggling to stay in a playoff spot through a tough December schedule?
HBO is about to zero in on the Leafs, using access that has never been
granted by the NHL’s most valuable and talked-about franchise to finally
reveal what happens behind the blue-and-white curtains.
Cameramen will sprawl on the dressing room floor, sound guys with boom
microphones will hover overhead on the team plane, and producers will
eavesdrop on every team meeting and meal.
The American cable TV network’s enormously popular 24/7 series begins
filming this year’s show in earnest Wednesday at the Leafs practice facility,
beginning a month-long documentary that will lead up to the team’s
participation in the Winter Classic.
The first of four episodes focusing on the Leafs and their opponents, the
Detroit Red Wings, will be broadcast Dec. 14.
“They’ve already given us a taste of what we’re going to see,” said Leafs
head coach Randy Carlyle, whose gruff exterior and old-school approach will
likely be one key storyline. “It is a little different when you have a camera and
a guy sitting on the floor in your team meeting. I gotta hold my profanity to a
minimum.”
This will be the third season the series has focused on the NHL’s Winter
Classic, but 24/7 is a well-established HBO brand. The show, which has also
chronicled boxers before big fights and NASCAR competitions, has won a
total of 17 Sports Emmy Awards.
That kind of clout is why the league initially wanted to partner with the
network to boost the attention around the Winter Classic – an arrangement
that led to the first hockey-themed 24/7 for the 2011 game, where the focal
point was the Pittsburgh Penguins and Washington Capitals, and the rivalry
between the two franchises’ superstars, Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.
That first run won a Sports Emmy for outstanding edited sports special, but
more importantly, the Winter Classic itself became the most-watched
regular-season NHL game since 1975, helping NBC win the prime-time
ratings war in a key victory for a league still trying to improve its small
foothold in the U.S. television landscape.
Three months later, the NHL and NBC signed an unprecedented 10-year,
$2-billion (U.S.) deal for the national broadcasting rights.
Ever since, participating in the outdoor game and the HBO series have gone
hand-in-hand.
Players who have been part of the series in the past have found it equal parts
invasive and interesting. The cameras often venture outside of the arena and
dressing room, capturing everyday mundane events such as Ovechkin
shaving in his underwear and Crosby lounging around his hotel room with a
teammate watching hockey highlights.
Because 24/7 is entirely unscripted, hundreds of hours of footage is shot and
condensed it into each half-hour show – which can be a tedious process for
the players and coaches tasked with the most screen time.
Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk was with the Philadelphia Flyers during
their time on the show (for the 2012 Winter Classic) and noticed his
teammates mugging for the cameras that were following them each day.
“You kind of roll your eyes at some of the guys,” said van Riemsdyk, the only
member of the Leafs to have gone through the experience. “You can
definitely see they’re playing a role and trying to get some air time. You know
right away when they’re hamming it up.
“I guess that’s what makes the show interesting, when guys come out of their
shell. It’s all part of it.”
But being on the show isn’t always enjoyable. The Capitals went on an
eight-game losing skid right when filming began three years ago. Their
tailspin made for great television but trying times in the dressing room, as
then-coach Bruce Boudreau tried to turn things around. For a team that
struggled throughout the four weeks, the extra cameras and interview
demands were too much.
“It was very intrusive,” Capitals veteran Brooks Laich told Sportsnet last
week. “We were the first ones and we didn’t know what we were really getting
into. We went through a tough stretch … and then, all of a sudden, they were
popping into meetings and disrupting meetings.”
“Well, we were winning and doing pretty well,” said Tyler Kennedy, a member
of a Penguins team that had a 25-11-3 record leading into the 2011 Winter
Classic. “It’s not too bad – they try not to get in your way. … But I can see how
it could be [a distraction]. It’s up to the coaching staff and the leaders in the
room to take control and make sure that doesn’t happen.”
Already a team that fields more media requests than any other in the NHL,
the Maple Leafs have had to make special arrangements to accommodate
HBO’s cameras and staff during the next four weeks. An extra five to 10
spots have been reserved on all of the team’s buses and charter flights, and
Toronto’s top players will be scheduled for in-depth interview sessions on an
almost-daily basis.
But while the relationship between Canadian-based NHL teams and
members of the media can at times be contentious, players have a decidedly
different view of what HBO is doing.
“They’re not trying to make you look bad,” van Riemsdyk said. “They’re trying
to grow the game and they’re out to make everyone look good, so there’s
nothing really to stress out about.”
“The guys are really looking forward to it,” added Pat Park, the Leafs
long-time director of media relations. “They’ve been really warm to the whole
idea since it got started.”
For his part, Kennedy looks back fondly on the experience. He still
sometimes looks up the old shows on YouTube and remembers how excited
his family, friends and fans were to see him in a different light.
That kind of reaction is one likely reason why 24/7 has resonated in the
United States, as even non-hockey fans have gravitated toward the personal
stories behind the players involved. The series gave some a new reason to
cheer for a sport they may not have grown up with, which is just as the league
intended.
“It’s pretty interesting to see how people view it from the outside,” Kennedy
said. “My family loved it. A lot of people in Canada liked it.”
“I thought they did a great job,” van Riemsdyk said. “It’s a great thing for the
game.”
Globe And Mail LOADED: 12.04.2013
725914
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs: Bozak injured in loss to Sharks
By: Stephen Whyno The Canadian Press, Published on Tue Dec 03 2013
The already-depleted Toronto Maple Leafs took another hit Tuesday night
when centre Tyler Bozak suffered an upper-body injury in their 4-2 loss to the
San Jose Sharks.
Coach Randy Carlyle didn’t know the severity of Bozak’s injury. Bozak left
the bench and went down the tunnel early in the second period, returned to
play a handful of shifts and then did play in the third.
“When he went back out, he tried it. It wasn’t able to go,” Carlyle said. “That
was probably about the 12-minute mark of the second period, so for half the
game almost we were short. We had three centres. We’re taxing a lot of
people here right now.”
When Bozak was in the game in the second, he had the primary assist on
Phil Kessel’s power-play goal that tied the score at 2-2. He took just three
more shifts after that, including one that lasted only 13 seconds.
Bozak missed 12 games earlier this season with a hamstring injury. Going
into Tuesday, he was among the NHL leaders in ice time for forwards.
The Leafs were already without centre Dave Bolland (severed tendon in
ankle), winger Joffrey Lupul (groin) and defenceman Cody Franson (lower
body).
This was the fifth straight loss for the Leafs, who have seen the injuries pile
up.
“I think it’s annoying for everyone,” goaltender James Reimer said. “But at
the same time, guys get opportunities. You’ve got to step in there and play
well as a team. Last year we had lots of injuries, too, to key guys for long
periods of time and we found ways to win. This season we’ve got to do the
same thing and fight for each other.”
Centre Nazem Kadri also missed the game against the Sharks because of a
death in the family.
Toronto Star LOADED: 12.04.2013
725915
Toronto Maple Leafs
San Jose Sharks take down struggling Leafs: Cox
You could see him thinking as he skated with the puck “don’t ice it, don’t ice
it,” when icing, of course, was precisely what was called for. Carlyle could
have called a timeout to give his exhausted skaters a breather, and perhaps
all trouble could have been averted.
It’s not his fault, but young defenceman Morgan Rielly could benefit from time
with Team Canada at the world juniors.
Instead, Rielly’s gentle clearing attempt was blocked, and moments later
Sharks centre Joe Pavelski re-directed Brad Stuart’s centring pass behind
Reimer for a 3-2 San Jose lead.
By: Damien Cox Sports Columnist, Published on Tue Dec 03 2013
“Obviously, if I could go back, I’d just ice the puck and take the faceoff,” said
a disconsolate Rielly. “There were times when I tried to do too much. There
are times when it goes well, and times when it can come back on you.”
The time has come to rescue Morgan Rielly.
With Reimer out for an extra attacker and more than a minute left, Rielly gave
the puck away twice trying to make plays, and the second time it allowed
Logan Couture to find the empty net and clinch San Jose’s sixth straight win.
It was hoped that such a time wouldn’t come. But it has.
No, he’s not to blame for the nasty slump in which the Maple Leafs now find
themselves after a strong start to the season. Not even close. You’d list a
dozen Leafs and their shortcomings before his name even came up.
This one loomed right from the start as a big challenge for the Leafs. With
David Bolland still out, the absence of Nazem Kadri due to the death of his
grandfather again left the Leafs seriously short-handed down the middle.
But he’s not just any player now, is he? This is a blue-chipper, the future of
the team, the one player you cannot afford to see damaged this season, no
matter how it goes.
That problem was compounded further when Tyler Bozak left the game in the
second and didn’t return. Three bad penalties in the first, meanwhile, all
outside the Leaf zone, helped the visitors erect a 2-0 lead.
A 4-2 loss to San Jose on Tuesday night contained some positives for the
Leafs, but it was another night of surrendering more than 40 shots, of taking
dumb penalties, of roster holes and ill-fitting units, of creating inadequate
offence, of David Clarkson doing very little to assert himself as the prominent
Leaf he was supposed to be, of Mark Fraser continuing to be nothing like the
pleasant surprise he was a season ago.
This whole squad has fallen down and can’t get back up again.
“We’ve got to continue to focus on the day-to-day task,” said goalie James
Reimer, solid with 37 saves. “Don’t focus on the past. Look ahead.”
Sound advice, and again, this shouldn’t be about a 19-year-old defenceman
still learning to navigate the choppy waters of the NHL.
But it is, and here’s why.
Rielly is struggling, no doubt about it. He’s been a healthy scratch a couple of
times, and being on the ice for three Sharks goals Tuesday night dropped
him to a team worst minus-11 on the season. In his last four games alone,
he’s a minus-7.
Those spiralling numbers can wear on a young defenceman, no matter how
anyone offers words of encouragement and tells them they shouldn’t pay
attention to the stats.
Suddenly the game gets confusing, their confidence evaporates, they play
safe or just don’t want the puck on their stick anymore.
It happened with Kenny Jonsson. Happened with Drake Berehowsky.
Happened with Luke Schenn.
The responsibility of GM Dave Nonis — not head coach Randy Carlyle — is
to make absolutely certain it doesn’t happen to Rielly.
Here’s the thing — there’s a wonderful opportunity still available to the Leafs
to loan Rielly to the national junior team for a month, a chance for him to
re-calibrate against elite players of his own age group in a major international
event.
The Leafs have experienced puck-movers like John-Michael Liles and T.J.
Brennan having good seasons with the Marlies, and if this season continues
to take the hard turn it has of late, they’re more likely to be able to handle this
than a teenager.
Let Rielly go to the world juniors. He’ll miss 15 games. Then bring him right
back in early January after he returns from Sweden, maybe with a gold medal
around his neck.
You can’t really quibble with the decision to keep him in the NHL to start the
season. He earned it. But the time has come to give him a break.
There was one moment in particular on Tuesday night when Rielly’s
inexperience shone through, and it cost the winning goal.
Late in the second with the game tied 2-2, the Leafs’ fourth line got trapped in
their own zone for an extended period, and after what seemed like an
eternity, Rielly had a chance to clear.
That’s just bad hockey, deadly against a very good team like the Sharks.
It’s been going on for a while this way for the Leafs, and may go on for a while
yet.
A teenager doesn’t need to be a part of it, particularly not if there’s a viable
option.
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Mayor Rob Ford pays visit to ACC for Leafs-Sharks game
The mayor continued his man-about-town routine Tuesday night.
By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Tue Dec 03 2013
Toronto Mayor Rob Ford continued his man-about-town routine Tuesday
night by showing up at the Maple Leafs-Sharks game.
Ford wore a blue Leafs sweater and sat in the first row of the golds in Section
118, shaking hands and posing for a few pictures with well-wishers. An Air
Canada Centre security guard took up post a few metres away.
There was no ruckus or circus to speak of as Leaf Nation and Ford Nation
apparently intermingled politely.
The mayor, disgraced by an admission of smoking crack and having been
stripped of all powers, showed up Sunday at the Buffalo Bills-Atlanta Falcons
NFL game at the Rogers Centre, creating a sideshow.
But folks on Twitter had some fun.
“Maybe he knows how to play some “D”,” tweeted @bgrovesnor1
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs: Nazem Kadri to miss game against Sharks
The depleted Leafs will have to face one of the best teams in the league at
the Air Canada Centre without Kadri, Dave Bolland and Joffrey Lupul.
By: Curtis Rush News reporter, Published on Tue Dec 03 2013
Nazem Kadri has left the Maple Leafs after the death of his grandfather and
won’t be available for Tuesday night’s game against the San Jose Sharks.
The depleted Leafs will have to face one of the best teams in the league at
the Air Canada Centre without Kadri, Dave Bolland and Joffrey Lupul.
In addition, defenceman Cody Franson is a game-time decision.
The line combinations mean that the second Leaf line will have Mason
Raymond and Nikolai Kulemin centered by Peter Holland.
The third line will have Trevor Smith between Carter Ashton and David
Clarkson.
The fourth line will have Jay McClement between Colton Orr and Frazer
McLaren.
The top line remains intact with Tyler Bozak between Phil Kessel and James
van Riemsdyk.
Leaf goalie James Reimer gets the start Tuesday.
Carlyle said the high-tempo Sharks are a concern and they mind him of the
Detroit Red Wings, only they have bigger bodies.
“Nazem left the hockey club this morning,” Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said,
adding that moving Smith with Clarkson may provide the spark the team
needs.
“Some people perceive (Clarkson) as a demotion, but we didn’t look at it that
way,” Carlyle said. “It adds balance to our lineup and with Trevor Smith
playing so well, we thought it would be a boost to Clarkson.”
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs: James Reimer expected to start against San Jose Sharks
It looks like James Reimer will be the starting goaltender tonight against the
San Jose Sharks.
By: Curtis Rush News reporter, Published on Tue Dec 03 2013
It looks like James Reimer will be the starting goaltender tonight for the
Maple Leafs against the San Jose Sharks, who come into the Air Canada
Centre as one of the hottest teams in the NHL.
At the morning skate, he was in the Leaf end, which more than likely means
he will start.
Leafs centre Nazem Kadri was not at the morning skate and his status for the
game was unclear.
The Sharks (18-3-5) are coming off a five-game winning home stand.
The Leafs (14-10-3) are on a four-game losing skid.
If he gets the nod, this would be Reimer’s 13th start of the season. Reimer
has a .931 save percentage and a 2.58 goals-against average.
This would also be his first start since the Leafs lost 3-2 in overtime to the
Buffalo Sabres last Friday.
Jonathan Bernier was in goal during a 4-2 loss to the Montreal Canadiens on
Saturday as Toronto’s losing skid hit four.
Reimer ranked ninth in the league in save percentage going into Monday’s
night’s NHL action.
Reimer’s last victory was Nov. 23 against the Washington Capitals, a 2-1
shootout victory at the Air Canada Centre.
In that game, Reimer was the first star of the game, making 49 saves.
Reimer was Toronto’s third choice, 99th overall, in the 2006 entry draft.
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Leafs Beat: Maple Leafs’ defence woes, penalties and Winter Classic hype
Two things are hurting the Maple Leafs this season that don’t get talked
about too much: a lack of offence from defencemen and penalties.
By: Kevin McGran Sports Reporter, Published on Tue Dec 03 2013
Two things are hurting the Maple Leafs this season that don’t get talked
about too much: a lack of offence from defencemen and penalties.
DEFENCE: Forty defencemen in the league have at least three goals, which
is the combined goal output of the entire Leafs defensive corps. Dion
Phaneuf has two; Cody Franson has one.
“Those are areas we thought we’d have ample support, things you count on
in the summer months, but it’s just not transpiring,” said Leafs coach Randy
Carlyle. “We have to find ways for our defence to be involved more.”
Carlyle wants them to:
· Get pucks through from the point.
· Join the rush to make it an odd-man rush to get in on the play.
“We are going to ask those players that are skilled and have the green light to
do those things. That’s Jake Gardiner, Dion Phaneuf, Paul Ranger, Morgan
Rielly. Those are the players who are adept at getting up on the play,” he
said.
PENALTIES KILL: The Leafs’ once-vaunted penalty kill is taking a dive lately
down the efficiency standings.
Why? The penalty killers are tired.
“One thing that is hurting us is our discipline,” said Carlyle. “Thus our penalty
killing has been taxed.”
The Leafs have already taken 428 minutes in penalties, second most in the
league — through 27 games (about 5.9 minutes a game).
Last year, the Leafs were the most penalized team, taking 776 PIMs through
48 games (about 16.2 minutes a game).
On the surface, that doesn’t sound like a big difference.
But dig deeper, and it’s the kind of penalties the Leafs are taking that are
hurting. Minors. The two-minute kind that — if you take too many of — tax
your penalty killers and become harder to kill.
Last year, their 46 majors and multiple misconducts and game misconducts
beefed up their PIMs without always hurting them by putting them a man
down.
Last year, they took 171 minors, which represented 44 per cent of their
penalty minutes. It’s also about 3.5 minors a game.
This year, they’ve taken 121 minors, which represent 56.5 per cent of their
penalty minutes. It’s also about 4.5 minors a game — an extra two minutes
short per game. That can wear on a team.
The biggest offenders: Phaneuf with 14 minors, Paul Ranger with 12, James
van Riemsdyk and Nazem Kadri with 11 each.
For the defenceman, you almost understand. They’re in a tougher spot. For
both van Riemsdyk and Kadri, it’s puzzling. Van Riemsdyk took 13 all of last
season; Kadri just nine in 48 games.
“Those hard penalties, like roughing, are penalties we can live with,” said
Kadri. “It’s the lazy penalties like the trippings, the slashings, the holdings,
that have to go.”
LEAFS TV
It remains to be seen what will happen in the fallout of that $5.2 billion deal
the NHL inked with Rogers Communications to secure national broadcast
rights for Sportsnet.
There are a couple of interesting scenarios floating about.
It is only speculation but TSN takes the money it was going to spend on TV
rights to put toward an expansion team in Markham.
Why? It has to be uncomfortable for Bell (TSN’s owner) to sit in the same
room with those Rogers representatives on the board of directors at MLSE.
After all somebody at Bell has to actually agree to the Rogers-NHL deal when
the Leafs cast their vote on it at next week’s league board of governors
meeting.
So Bell splits with Rogers at MLSE and puts the money they have left over
from not getting the NHL’s national TV deal to give them their own Toronto
hockey property — and presumably the on-air content that goes with it —
with all its indemnification fees.
That way TSN (which still has some regional telecasts) gets back into
hockey, Canada’ gets its eighth team and this area gets its second NHL
team.
Maybe that’s just wishful thinking. Or maybe it’s just a few years away.
But there’s something else: a worry that Sportsnet will put a stranglehold on
talent.
As the big show in town, Sportsnet can cut down on the number of
play-by-play and colour-commentators on telecasts and squeeze salaries for
those going after the coveted jobs.
Who broadcasts Leafs’ games, for example? Jim Hughson and Craig
Simpson from Hockey Night in Canada? Do Joe Bowen and Greg Millen go
national? Who gets squeezed out?
Interesting times.
COMPARABLES
The Winter Classic is around the corner, and the HBO cameras are coming
to film their 24-7 series, so get ready for an amping up of the Red
Wings-Maple Leafs rivalry hype.
And it is fun that the two teams are back in the same division, with a chance
to play each other in the playoffs for the first time since 1993.
But there is a standout difference between the two teams in the 20 years that
have passed since Nik Borschevski scored that goal that started Leafs down
a near historic run ended by Wayne Gretzky’s self-claimed greatest game:
Continuity.
The Wings have it. The Leafs do not.
It shows in ownership and the front office. The Ilitch family owned the team
then, as they do now. Jimmy Devellano had two stints as GM and two as vice
president, a title retains now. Ken Holland was a scout then. He’s the man in
charge now and has been since 1997.
The Leafs, by comparison have seen ownership changes from Steve Stavro
to Larry Tanenbaum who brought in first a pension fund concerned with
profits and now two media giants that don’t like each other.
But what might be more amazing is how it shows in the roster. Since that
1992-93 season, 198 different players have suited up for the Detroit Red
Wings. For the Leafs, the roster turnover is an astounding 309 different
players, a testament to the various regime changes at GM. From Cliff
Fletcher to Ken Dryden to Pat Quinn to John Ferguson Jr. to Fletcher again
to Brian Burke to Dave Nonis, they each came with their own mandate to
clean house and start over.
So while the Leafs repeatedly cleaned house, the Wings stayed the course to
the point where they won four more Stanley Cup championships (1997,
1998, 2002 and 2008). Of the current members of the Wings roster, 17 were
drafted by Holland and Co., with key picks going back to the 1990s (Pavel
Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg.) The team is patient with players, letting
them develop in Europe or the AHL.
The team picks and chooses its free agents, with seven (including two from
the U.S. college ranks who have never played for another team). The Wings
have just one player acquired in a trade and two on waivers. And one of
those claimed on waivers — defenceman Kyle Quincey — had been drafted
by the team.
The Leafs are built very differently than the Wings.
A mere five of the Leaf players are draft picks: Carl Gunnarsson, Nazem
Kadri, Nikolai Kulemin, James Reimer and Morgan Rielly. Reimer and
Kulemin are the Leafs with the deepest roots, drafted in 2006.
Meanwhile eight were acquired as free agents: Tyler Bozak, David Clarkson,
Jay McClement, Colton Orr, Paul Ranger, Mason Raymond, Trevor Smith
and Jerred Smithson.
Even though the Leafs had more points than both Washington and the New
York Rangers in the Conference standings, both were in playoff spots ahead
of Toronto as the second and third seeds from the Metropolitan Division.
And 10 were acquired through trades: Carter Ashton, Jonathan Bernier,
Dave Bolland, Cody Franson, Mark Fraser, Jake Gardiner, Phil Kessel,
Joffrey Lupul, Dion Phaneuf and James van Riemsdyk.
The Leafs were fifth in the Atlantic.
A DIFFERENT VIEW AT THE STANDINGS
Finally, there is one waiver claim: Frazer McLaren.
The San Jose Sharks — tonight’s Leafs opponents — have an interesting
way of looking at the NHL standings.
The Maple Leafs claim the Red Wings are the model franchise they’re
following. We won’t know if they’re telling the truth for another four or five
years (and only then if Nonis is still running the show) if their draft picks
mature.
But Sharks Coach Todd McLellan uses a system that compares the number
of points each team has left on the table at a fixed time, writes David Pollak of
the San Jose Mercury News.
24/7, LIKE, ALL DAY
Speaking of the Winter Classic, HBO’s cameras will be invading both the
Leafs’ and Wings’ dressing rooms to start filming 24/7: Road to the Winter
Classic.
Penguins coach Dan Bylsma — who has been through it — was asked if he
had any advice for Leafs coach Randy Carlyle or Wings coach Mike
Babcock.
“The one thing that we didn’t find out about … until after the first viewing of
the first show is that they’re really not trying to expose you. They’re not trying
to get the warts on your face and make a story on the team and players and
situation and they’re very good at what they do,” said Bylsma. “And so after
that first show came out you kind of let the breath out and you realized it
wasn’t going to be hiding behind corners and catching quiet conversations
and exposing you.
“So that’s kind of the advice I would give. They’re not trying to expose you
and to not be really uptight and too concerned about hiding something and
getting exposed by the cameras and crew. And frankly I’m looking forward to
both teams, both players both coaches and both teams leading up to this
winter classic in the Big House.”
The HBO cameras have done some pre-taping already inside the Leafs’
room.
“It is a little different when you have a camera and a guy’s sitting on your floor
in a team meeting,” said coach Randy Carlyle. “I’ve got to hold my profanity
to the minimum.”
INSIDE CARYLYE
One thing to watch for on 24/7 will be how Randy Carlyle interacts with
players and how players respond to him. Remember, both Clarke MacArthur
and Mikhail Grabovski spewed venom towards him on his way out of town.
Both said they got very little direction from the coach. (Grabovski did praise
the assistant coaches.)
Recently, Carlyle has shown a softer side, allowing that he breaks down the
season into segments.
“We try to do 12-to-15 game segments,” said Carlyle. “We talk to the players.
We have our one-on-one meetings. We (the coaches) split up the players.
They have a voice. They have the chance to speak to the coaching staff. We
think that’s important.
“When we prepare ourselves to meet with our players, we make sure for that
segment, that we have the statistics available to us that we keep internally.”
That was from last week. On Monday, the team in an apparent free-fall, he
had this to say:
“We’ve been hit with a hammer and we know what we have to do to correct
it,” said Carlyle. “Stress varies in coaching. It’s always very high, but it gets to
the boiling point. Our job is to be the calming influence. It’s hard.
“Our job is to show leadership. Leaders can’t be going off on their players on
a continual basis, because they become numb. Screaming and hollering,
we’ve done enough of that at times. Now is the time to accentuate the
positives. Correct, instruct and coach the negatives out of our group.”
WILD CARD FUN
A reminder that things have changed this year with regards to the standings.
Looking at the Conference standings is misleading. The Leafs, for example,
were sixth in the Eastern Conference on Tuesday morning, but were
anything but comfortable as far as a playoff spot.
Really, they are in eighth — in the last of the two wild-card spots.
And by that standard, the Sharks held a share Monday of first place overall
with the St. Louis Blues — even though San Jose’s 41 points are two more
than St. Louis and three fewer than the Chicago Blackhawks.
Here’s how it works:
San Jose has its 41 points in 26 games — 11 fewer than if the Sharks had
won every contest. That puts them even with the Blues, who have 39 in 25
games — the same 11 fewer than if they had won every game. Meanwhile,
both the Chicago Blackhawks (44 points in 28 games) and the Colorado
Avalanche (38 points in 25 games) are 12 below their potential.
FROM THE SCRUM: Phil Kessel
Phil Kessel hasn’t met the media in a while, looking very much like a guy that
was happy to take his new contract and be done with the niceties.
In reality, more is expected of Kessel. Whether he likes it or not, he’s a leader
and should act like one.
Granted, he’s shy in front of the cameras and is not a great talker when
talking about himself. (He’s very easy going in one-on-one conversations and
much better talking about anything but his play.)
He emerged Monday, a rare day he stayed late on the ice, to chat with the
media.
This is what he said.
Question: What went wrong with the team in November?
Phil Kessel: “When you’re winning, you’re winning. It’s a results-based
business. You want to win. You’re always positive when you’re winning
games. It’s a long season. There’s ups and downs. We’ll get out of that and
stay positive. No one wants to lose here. We’re on a little tough stretch, but
you’ve got to stay positive and we’ll get back on track.”
Q: What’s been the biggest problem?
PK: “We’re giving up a lot of chances and you can’t give as many chances as
we’ve been giving up and win a lot of games.”
Q: Are you surprised at the lack of offence from the Leafs blueline?
PK: “It comes and goes. This game is tough game. There are ebbs and flows.
Being a defenceman has a lot to do with pucks getting through, it hits
someone and goes in. That kind of stuff. Rebounds. It’s tough to score from
out there. The goalies are big and good. I don’t think they’re doing a bad job
at all.”
Q: How much do the Leafs miss Dave Bolland?
PK: “Obviously Bolland is a big part of our team. He’s won a couple of Cups.
He was a big part of our team early. That’s part of this league. Guys get hurt
and other guys step in. We’ve just got to play better. He’s a great two-way
player and he contributes to our team.”
Q: How can you generate more offence?
PK: “I don’t know. We haven’t been getting as many chances and when
we’ve been getting chances we haven’t been scoring. In the last four or five
games, we’ve had some good chances, but they’re just not going in the net.
This game works in funny ways. There’s little bounces or the puck bounces
this way or that way. It goes in or doesn’t go in. We’ve got to bury our
chances.”
Q: How’s it going to be when HBO begins following you around?
PK: “I’m just going to try to do same thing I do normally. It’s going to be a little
different. We’ll see how it goes.”
Q: Will it be a distraction?
PK: “They’re here for a month, but I don’t know how exactly it works. I don’t
know if they hear every word you say. I don’t think guys are going to act any
differently. Guys are just going to go about our business. We’re here to win
hockey games. That’s the most important thing.”
Q: Suddenly you have an assist drought. What’s going on there?
PK: “Maybe I’ve got to make better plays, I guess. It happens. We’re not
scoring as much. We’ve had chances. The goalies are good in this league.
You’ve got to get some good shots or good bounces.”
The Week That Was
Nov. 27: Leafs at Pittsburgh
Evgeni Malkin was a one-man wrecking crew, with two goals and one in the
shootout that lifted Pittsburgh to a 6-5 win. The Leafs led 4-1 at one point and
5-3 going into the third. Penalties were their downfall. The Leafs didn’t get
any shots in the third period.
Nov. 29: Leafs at Buffalo
Christian Ehrhoff’s shot from the point in overtime at the end of a Paul
Ranger holding penalty gave lowly Buffalo the 3-2 win in overtime. It was just
the Sabres’ sixth win of the year. But it is their second against Toronto.
Nov. 30: Leafs at Montreal
The Canadiens built up a 4-0 lead before Toronto decided to do anything
about it, but it was too little too late. The Leafs fell to 1-3-2 in their past six
games. “We need points now, they’re as important now as they are at the end
of the season,” said Leafs forward Raymond. “We keep saying we need to
learn from these, but we really do.”
The Week That Will Be
Tuesday vs. San Jose (Sportsnet Ontario)
This is the first of two games the San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs
will play. They haven’t played each other since Feb. 23, 2012, when Patrick
Marleau scored two goals in a 2-1 win by the Sharks at the Air Canada
Centre. ... This is the start of a four-game road trip for San Jose. ... The
Sharks are on a five-game winning streak.
Thursday vs. Dallas (Leafs TV)
Dallas says star centre Tyler Seguin is day-to-day with concussion-like
symptoms. ... Seguin was expected to be on the trip. ... Stars forward Rich
Peverley had a three-game point streak snapped Sunday. ... Forward Cody
Eakin has five points in his past six games.
Saturday at Ottawa (CBC)
The Battle of Ontario rivalry is renewed. The Senators are not playing up to
their potential of late. ... Defenceman Erik Karlsson leads the team with 27
points. ... Ex-Leaf Clarke MacArthur is having a decent year with eight goals
and 12 assists.
Sunday vs. Boston (Leafs TV)
A very rare Sunday evening tilt at the ACC, maybe a taste of things to come
with Sunday being a new national TV night next season. ... It’s a new look
Bruins with Jarome Iginla and Reilly Smith in major roles. .... Troy Krug is an
impressive puck-moving rookie defenceman.
THE NHL LOOKAHEAD
Monday, Dec. 9 – Tuesday, Dec. 10: Board of Governors meeting (Pebble
Beach, Calif.).
THIS WEEK IN LEAFS HISTORY
Dec. 2, 2003: Mats Sundin scores his 64th game-winning goal in a 5-4 win
over the New York Rangers to move past Dave Keon as the franchise’s
all-time leader.
Dec. 6, 2001: Pat Quinn records his 500th coaching victory in a 6-3 victory in
New York against the Rangers.
DOT ... DOT ... DOT
Penguins forward Evgeni Malkin led all players with 21 assists and 25 points
in 15 November games. His 21 helpers were the most by an NHL player in
one calendar month since January 1996, when Wayne Gretzky recorded 21
assists for the Kings. … Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane ranked second in
November scoring with nine goals and 10 assists in 15 games. … Ducks
captain Ryan Getzlaf (8G, 10A in 12 GP) and Red Wings captain Henrik
Zetterberg (5G, 13A in 14 GP) tied for third. … Blackhawks defencemen
Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook led the NHL with +15 ratings in November.
… Oilers forward David Perron led the League with five power-play goals. …
Blackhawks goaltender Corey Crawford (10-2-1) paced the NHL with 10
victories in 13 November appearances. ... The Blackhawks (20-4-4, 44
points), the defending Stanley Cup champions, have earned at least one
point in 24 of their first 28 games to move to the top of the League standings.
Their 20-4-4 record is the second-best start in franchise history; the club went
23-2-3 (49 points) through the first 28 games of 2012-13, including an
NHL-record 24 consecutive contests with at least one point to begin the
season (21-0-3). ... The Ducks are 10-0-1 at the Honda Center and are the
only NHL team that has yet to lose in regulation at home this season. ... The
Blues have earned at least one point in 21 of their first 25 games (18-4-3, 39
points), ranking second in the Central Division and fourth in the NHL
standings. They are 11-1-2 at Scottrade Center, their second-best home start
in franchise history (2000-01: 12-1-1).
Kevin McGran’s Leafs Beat appears online by noon every Tuesday
Toronto Star LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs need to be more disciplined
By Terry Koshan
,Toronto Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 11:44 PM EST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 11:51 PM EST
TORONTO - When Randy Carlyle watched Frazer McLaren shove Andrew
Desjardins in the first period on Tuesday night, the Maple Leafs coached
wished he had one of those giant hooks to get McLaren off the ice.
McLaren’s dumb roughing penalty, one done in retaliation after Desjardins
cleanly laid out Jerred Smithson with an open-ice hit, helped put the Leafs on
their heels after a strong start against the visiting San Jose Sharks.
“I thought for the first seven or eight minutes we were doing some of the
things we were capable of doing, we were competing, and then our reaction
to the hit on Smithson was poor, and was one where we could have said
something versus (taking) a penalty,” Carlyle said. “In today’s hockey, it
seems like every bodycheck has to have an answer to it, and I think part of
those things have to change, specifically where we are not getting anything
going. It was a mistake.”
McLaren didn’t contribute much against his former team, skating for a total of
six minutes 21 seconds in a 4-2 Leafs loss. It wasn’t just his penalty that hurt.
Jay McClement and Mason Raymond were called for hooking and tripping
minors, respectively, 43 seconds apart in the first, after Mike Brown gave the
Sharks a 1-0 lead. The Sharks scored on the two-man advantage to go up
2-0.
“Discipline is a huge part,” Raymond said. “When you are killing penalties,
you are not playing offence and you’re shooting yourselves in the foot. You
have to work hard for calls and get yourselves on the power play.”
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Toronto Maple Leafs
Of the stretch where the Leafs controlled the play early in the second to make
a game of it, McLellan said “it was embarrassing for a while how poorly we
were playing.”
Maple Leafs' loss to Sharks shows Toronto isn't close to being an elite team
You get the impression that if it could last for the brief spell the Sharks had to
endure, Carlyle would take that definition of embarrassing right about now.
By Rob Longley
Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.04.2013
,Toronto Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 11:32 PM EST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 11:39 PM EST
There will be a time for panic, and with five losses in a row and counting, it
may arrive well before the holidays and right on cue for the HBO cameras
setting up shop here this week.
But one, short-handed loss against the San Jose Sharks shouldn’t be the
trigger point, especially after an at-times game effort Tuesday night at the Air
Canada Centre.
What the 4-2 loss showed rather starkly, however, is just how deep of a
chasm exists between the Leafs and the NHL elite, a run of opponents Randy
Carlyle’s team will get a rather large dose of over the next few weeks.
And there are none, you can make a compelling argument to support, that
are more elite in their play than the Sharks are right now.
The 4-2 victory over a reeling Toronto side may not have been the most
impressive of their six-game winning streak, but that too speaks to the depth
of a Sharks team that seems to determined not to squander the potential of
the past half decade or more.
“We’ve got three lines that could be the first line on any team,” Sharks captain
Joe Thornton said before rushing off to meet family and friends anxious for
the rare opportunity to see him shine in Southern Ontario.
“It’s really hard for opposing teams to decide which lines to check and which
lines not to.
“With our goaltending intact, we’re just very dangerous. This is the deepest
Sharks team I’ve ever been on.”
And that’s saying something, hockey fans.
Even though blowout was never in the equation Tuesday - especially with an
admirable first half of the second period that allowed the Leafs to tie it at 2-2 the Sharks toyed with the Leafs at times.
Brad Stuart’s game winner at the 16-minute mark of the second period didn’t
come on the power play, it just looked that way given the way the Sharks
owned and distributed the puck in the Toronto end.
Likewise, on the five-on-three goal Thornton scored to open up the 2-0 lead
in the first period, it was like the Sharks were playing keepaway. Whether the
puck possession stats confirm it or not, this is a team that can dominate in the
way it controls the play.
“Our top guys have been really good,” centre Joe Pavelski said. “Up and
down the line up, guys have been stepping up and making plays.”
To Thornton’s point, what options do opposing coaches have when their
Sharks counterpart, Todd McLellan has his choice of sending out a group
centred by Thornton, Logan Couture or Pavelski?
With 30, 28 and 26 points respectively they tower over the top-scoring centre
the Leafs were able to ice Tuesday, Tyler Bozak with 11. The 41 shots they
directed at Toronto goalie James Reimer were just above their league best
average of 35.9.
It’s not quite men against boys, but when Bozak went down with an
upper-body injury in the second and Nazem Kadri was unable to play due to
a death in the family, well, Carlyle could only dream of matching up.
The Sharks, meanwhile, have no such worries. A lineup heavy with players
we’ll be seeing in Sochi in a couple of months has a league-best plus-34 goal
differential and is right up with the reigning champion Chicago Blackhawks at
the top of the elite Western Conference standings.
As Thornton said, it will mean much more if that edge is evident in May and
June than early December, but with just three regulation losses this season,
more nights than not, the ice seems tilted their way.
725922
Toronto Maple Leafs
Leafs snapshots
Maple Leafs watch Tyler Bozak suffer another injury against Sharks
By Mike Zeisberger ,Toronto Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 10:55 PM EST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 11:01 PM EST
You are playing a powerhouse team that ranks second in the NHL’s overall
standings.
You have battled back from an early two-goal deficit to knot the score up at
2-2 against the San Jose Sharks and have the momentum suddenly in your
favour
And then your No. 1 centre gets injured. Again.
The result? With Tyler Bozak forced to leave the game just moments after
setting up Phil Kessel with the tying goal, the Leafs played the final 28
minutes against the San Jose Sharks with Peter Holland, Trevor Smith and
Jerred Smithson as their top three centres.
Not quite what GM Dave Nonis had in mind in training camp when he was
pencilling in what his team would look like up the middle.
Bozak, who only returned to the Leafs lineup on Nov. 25 after missing a
month with a hamstring injury, was felled with an “upper body” ailment,
according to Randy Carlyle. The Leafs coach refused to speculate how long,
if at all, Bozak might be on the shelf.
“We are taxing a lot of people right now,” Carlyle said after the Maple Leafs’
4-2 defeat, presumably referring to the added pressure being put on the likes
of centres Holland (just 36 career NHL games), Smith (an AHL callup) and
Smithson (a career journeyman).
Keep in mind that the Leafs already were missing Nazem Kadri, who left the
team for family reasons after the death of his grandfather.
With David Bolland out indefinitely with a severed tendon, the centre-ice
position has become a black hole for the Leafs, a bottomless pit of bad luck
and seemingly endless injuries.And there does not seem to be much end in
sight, especially if Bozak is gone for an extended period of time.
PHIL STILL THRILLS
Kessel’s goal was the 200th of his career. It came in just his 532nd game.
He’s just 26 years old, too. Is 500 within his reach one day? Discuss ...
Kessel has two goals in his past three games and three in his past six. This
production comes despite speculation that he is nursing a wrist ailment.
“Funny, isn’t it?” teammate James van Riemsdyk said, obviously feeling that
tales of Kessel’s demise have been greatly exaggerated ... At least Kessel is
still scoring. The rest of the team certainly isn’t. In fact, in their past seven
games, the Leafs have scored more than two goals just once.
X’S AND WOES
Given their penchant for being outshot, the fact that the Leafs outshot the
Sharks 3-0 in the game’s first 81 seconds was reason for optimism for the
capacity crowd at the Air Canada Centre. Unfortunately for the fans, the
Sharks then fired the next 13 at goalie James Reimer, scoring twice. So
much for the shift in momentum ... Why does it seem imperative for players to
come to the aid of a teammate who has been on the receiving end of a clean
check? That was the case in the first period when Andrew Desjardins
flattened Smithson with a clean hit. Frazer McLaren immediately rushed in
and jostled Desjardins, taking a needless roughing penalty on the play. We’re
all for having each other’s backs but there is a line ... The second period was
probably the Maple Leafs’ best 20 minutes of offensive zone cycling in the
past three weeks.
SCENE AND HEARD
Mayor Rob Ford was sitting about eight rows behind the Sharks bench.
Obviously he didn’t bring the legions of security that turned his appearance at
the Buffalo Bills-Atlanta Falcons game at Rogers Centre on Sunday into a
full-fledged circus ... When yours truly tweeted out that the mayor was
signing autographs in the second intermission, the best response came from
@Leafer1 who wrote “Not like he is allowed to sign anything at City Hall.” ...
When the late Chris Farley was shown on the video screen uttering the words
“That was awesome!” from one of his movies, Ford was seen applauding.
Separated at birth? Just asking ... Nice to see former NHL player and coach
Steve Ludzik in the hallway between the dressing rooms after the game.
Ludzik, if you didn’t know, is battling Parkinson’s disease. Asked how he is
doing, Luszik replied “Great ... as great as I can be anyway.” All the best in
your battle, Ludzie.
Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.04.2013
725923
Toronto Maple Leafs
LEAFS LOCKER
HBO cameras start rolling on Maple Leafs this week
By Dave Hilson
,Toronto Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 09:21 PM EST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 09:30 PM EST
Hopefully the Maple Leafs will have something to smile about when the HBO
cameras start rolling Wednesday ahead of the Jan. 1 Winter Classic, which
Toronto will take part in against the Detroit Red Wings.
Because there might be a lot of long faces for the filming of 24/7 if the San
Jose Sharks were able to extend the Leafs’ losing streak to five games on
Tuesday night.
But win or lose, Sharks forward Tyler Kennedy figures being in the HBO
spotlight should be a good experience for the Maple Leafs.
“Just to see yourself on TV and how you act and how you are, it’s pretty
interesting,” Kennedy said.
“I don’t think so,” the winger responded when asked if he thought being
filmed could be a distraction for a slumping team such as the Leafs. “It’s up to
the coaching staff and the leaders in their room to take control and make sure
it’s not.”
Kennedy experienced the filming of the HBO series when he was with
Pittsburgh in the run-up to the Penguins Winter Classic game against the
Washington Capital in 2011.
“We were winning, we were doing pretty well, but there were some games
that we lost,” Kennedy said. “Win or lose, I don’t think the coaches acted any
differently.”
BIG BIRD
Leafs defenceman Mark Fraser shot some kind words in the direction of Hall
of Famer and Sharks associate coach Larry Robinson after the morning
skate.
Robinson would have worked with Fraser when they were both in the New
Jersey Devils organization.
“His knowledge of hockey is unbelievable. He slows the game down,” Fraser
beamed. “I remember doing video with him in the minors and he would be
able to pause it and kind of look back and point things out to the coaches
during their own video sessions that they were oblivious to. He’s just a great
human being to be around, a great teacher and mentor.”
BROWN GIVES SHARKS BITE
Scrappy forward and former Leaf Mike Brown has made two trips to Toronto
this season: The first with the struggling Edmonton Oilers on Oct. 12 and now
last night with the Pacific Division-leading Sharks.
Brown, who scored last night against the Leafs, said that while it’s always
tough to leave a team, he’s excited to have landed with the Sharks.
“They brought me in for the player I am,” a stachless Brown said. “I obviously
have a little bit of speed and bring some physical play.”
Brown said that despite the Oilers woeful 9-17-2 record, he thinks they are a
team headed in the right direction. The big difference between playing with
the Sharks and the Oilers?
“It’s just different to be in a winning atmosphere,” Brown said. “The team
knows how to win, it has a lot more vets that have been around, been in
playoff situations. They know what it takes.”
NEW LINE FOR CLARKSON
Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said he didn’t think sending underperforming
winger David Clarkson to the third line to play with Trevor Smith and Jerred
Smithson was a “demotion.”
“We think that with Smith, he’s kind of come in and given us relief and I think
he was our top point-getter in the month of November,” Carlyle said. “We
think moving Clarkson with him can be a little bit of a spark. I know some
people perceive it as a demotion but we didn’t look at it that way. We looked
at it as trying to add some balance to our lineup and with Trevor Smith
playing fairly well, that would be a boost to Clarkson.”
Smith, incidentally, had three goals and four assists in 16 games since being
called up from the Marlies, while Clarkson, who has been mostly ineffectual
after serving a 10-game suspension to start the season, had two goals and
three assists in 17 games.
LOOSE LEAFS
Injured forward Joffrey Lupul was out on the ACC ice by himself ahead of
Toronto’s gameday skate yesterday and then stayed on to participate in drills
with his teammates. Lupul looked mobile and appeared to be pain free as he
skated hard and shot the puck with velocity, so perhaps he’s not too far off
from returning from the groin injury he suffered against the Columbus Blue
Jackets on Nov. 25 … Jay McClement was also out on the ice and ready to
play against the Sharks after missing Monday’s practice with what he
described as a “lower-body injury” left over from a loss to the Canadiens on
Saturday night. “I just thought it was better to stay off it yesterday and rest it a
little bit. And I felt good today (Tuesday),” McClement said of his injury …
Second-line centre Nazem Kadri missed the morning skate and the game
against the Sharks to attend the funeral of his grandfather in London, Ont …
Defenceman Cody Franson also missed practice Monday but looked to be in
good shape during the morning skate, though him being replaced on the
first-unit power play blue line by Jake Gardiner during drills was reason for
concern.
Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.04.2013
725924
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs fall to powerful Sharks
“You can never get too low,” said James van Riemsdyk, trying to sound
convincing. “Things can change very quickly. It’s a long season, things like
this tend to happen, and we have a lot of character in the room. Keep working
at it and go from there.”
Reimer echoed those thoughts.
By Terry Koshan
,Toronto Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 04:36 PM EST | Updated:
Wednesday, December 04, 2013 12:11 AM EST
TORONTO - Your lineup is depleted, you’ve lost four in a row and the San
Jose Sharks, losers of just three games in regulation, occupy the visitors’
dressing room.
How do you think the scene played out at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday
night?
Just about how you might expect.
With Mayor Rob Ford watching from his seat in the front-row golds, the
reeling Leafs stumbled again, this time 4-2 against a Sharks team that might
finally make a complete Stanley Cup run after teasing for years.
“We try to accentuate the positives, but the big negative is we lost,” Leafs
coach Randy Carlyle said.
“What we have to do is continue to prop and push and support our players in
the things they are doing well, and try to improve on the things they are doing
poorly.
“Did we give ourselves a chance tonight? We gave ourselves a chance for
about half of the game. I think it was a measuring stick. That’s how far we
have to go. It’s the way the elite teams play in the league.”
The Leafs, as several said afterward, played well in spurts, but when it all
adds up, it doesn’t really matter a whole heck of a lot.
For various reasons, the Leafs didn’t have Nazem Kadri, Joffrey Lupul, Dave
Bolland and Cody Franson. Another blow was absorbed when Tyler Bozak,
who had left the game briefly in the second period, did not return for the third.
Bozak suffered an upper-body injury, Carlyle said.
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The absences of that many integral players would have a negative impact on
any hockey team, but the mounting losses support the notion that the Leafs
don’t have the required depth to fill the holes.
The heart-breaking loss in Game 7 of the first round of the 2013 playoffs
against the Boston Bruins was supposed to steel this team for adversity that
would come. But through a lost November, it didn’t play out that way.
Against the Sharks, the Leafs were kind of in the game at times, but there
was never a conviction that Toronto would keep building after wiping out a
2-0 Sharks lead with power-play goals from Mason Raymond and Phil Kessel
before the second period was 10 minutes old.
Brad Stuart scored the winner with four minutes to play in the second and
Logan Couture scored with James Reimer watching from the bench late in
the third.
The Sharks lead the Pacific Division and have won nine of their past 10,
including six in a row. It’s little wonder the Leafs gave up 41 shots, the
seventh time this season an opponent has registered at least 40 shots on the
Toronto net.
The Leafs had 30 shots on Antti Niemi, who did not have a difficult night on
the job. And never mind that the Leafs were credited with 56 hits to the
Sharks’ 19. Physical? Maybe. But how about possessing the puck for a
change?
Reimer was solid for the Leafs, but he can’t score goals. The Leafs have
scored two or less in six of their past seven games.
Carlyle has a couple of big challenges on his plate. He has to get the Leafs to
start playing good hockey, and he’s keeping his fingers crossed that his
players can do so against hockey clubs with winning records. In the next
couple of weeks, just about every opponent is formidable.
“We believe in each other in here,” Reimer said. “I believe in this team like I
never have. I think we have a great team in here ... I think that is how
everyone feels. You go through rough spells. Just the way she goes.
“Tonight was a good solid game where the bounces did not go our way.”
But was it? Not really. The Leafs have a long way to go before they’re in the
Sharks’ class. The test for Carlyle is get his team on the right track before it
goes off the rails completely.
Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.04.2013
725925
Toronto Maple Leafs
Leafs centre Kadri to miss game against Sharks
By Dave Hilson
,Toronto Sun
First posted: Tuesday, December 03, 2013 11:22 AM EST | Updated:
Tuesday, December 03, 2013 02:27 PM EST
TORONTO - As if the Maple Leafs don’t have enough problems.
They’re mired in a four-game losing skid; they’re having trouble scoring; their
special teams are looking pretty ordinary; integral centre Dave Bolland is out
long-term; offensive-minded winger Joffrey Lupul is skating again but still
injured; defenceman Cody Franson is a game-time decision; and now
second-line centre Nazem Kadri will not be available to play Tuesday night
as Toronto kicks off a very busy month at the Air Canada Centre.
Kadri missed the team’s morning skate to reportedly attend the funeral of his
grandfather in London, Ont., and, according to coach Randy Carlyle, wont’
be on the ice when the Leafs host the Pacific Division-leading San Jose
Sharks (18-3-5).
Kadri’s seven goals and 17 points will be missed against high-octane San
Jose, which is looking for its sixth consecutive victory as it starts out on a
five-game road trip. The Sharks have beaten Toronto (14-10-3) in five of the
past six meetings.
Kadri’s absence means that in all likelihood Peter Holland will centre the
Leafs second line with Nikolai Kulemin and Mason Raymond on the wings.
Not exactly an intimidating line, when you consider the size and speed of the
Sharks, who have put up 92 goals and allowed only 60 for a league-best goal
differential of plus-32.
Toronto’s goal differential, meanwhile, is just plus-2, with 75 goals scored.
Carlyle had moved David Clarkson down to the third line for practice on
Monday and the underperforming winger was still there for the gameday
skate, which in all likelihood means he will start the game against San Jose
with checking centre Trevor Smith and winger Carter Ashton.
Carlyle said after the skate that he did not see it as a demotion for Clarkson.
“We think that with Smith, he’s kind of come in and given us relief and I think
he was our top point-getter in the month of November,” Carlyle said. “We
think that moving Clarkson with him can be a little bit of a spark. I know that
some people perceive it as a demotion but we didn’t look at it that way. We
looked at it as trying to add some balance to our lineup and with Trevor Smith
playing fairly well, that would be a boost to Clarkson.”
Smith, incidentally, has three goals and four assists in 16 games since being
called up from the Marlies.
Clarkson for his part was taking his re-assignment in stride.
“It’s not a secret, we have to find a way to be better,” Clarkson said of the
Leafs who are mired in a four-game losing streak and have struggled to score
goals of late. “It’s not one or two or three guys, it’s as a group. We’ve got to
find a way to do more as individuals and to do more as a team.”
Kulemin, meanwhile, was the beneficiary of Clarkson being knocked down to
the third line.
Jay McClement will be back centring the fourth-line after missing Monday’s
practice with what he called a “lower-body injury” left over the from the Leafs’
Saturday night loss in Montreal.
“I just thought it was better to stay off it yesterday and rest it a little bit. And I
felt good today,” McClement said of his injury.
The first line of centre Tyler Bozak and wingers James van Riemsdyk and
Phil Kessel should be intact to start the game.
Franson, who also missed Monday’s practice with an injury, looked mobile
enough during the gameday skate, but Carlyle said it’s unsure whether he’ll
be ready to face the Sharks. Usually paired with captain Dion Phaneuf on the
blue line of the first-unit power play, Franson was replaced during the skate
by Jake Gardiner.
Goaltender James Reimer will get the call in net as Carlyle continues to
rotate between him and Jonathan Bernier, who played well in Montreal but
took the loss.
To say December is an important month for the struggling Leafs, who are
coming off a three-game losing road trip and have lost four overall, would be
an understatement. They’ve got 14 games in all and 10 at home, so they
have to make the most of the friendly confines of the ACC if they want to stay
in contention in the East.
Toronto Sun LOADED: 12.04.2013
725926
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs’ slide now at five after loss to San Jose Sharks
Michael Traikos | 03/12/13 9:41 PM ET
TORONTO — Randy Carlyle called it a measuring stick.
But from the beginning, Tuesday night’s game against the San Jose Sharks
did not look promising. Not only were the Toronto Maple Leafs missing
Nazem Kadri and Cody Franson, but the Leafs ranked last in the league in
shots-allowed while the Sharks were ranked first in shots-taken. The
potential was there for a disaster.
Maple Leafs’ struggles about to go under the HBO lens
At the very least, a loss was almost expected.
In a game that was not as close as the scoreboard suggested and showed
just how wide the gap is between the East and West, Toronto lost 4-2 to San
Jose. The Leafs have now lost their last five games. And with an upcoming
schedule featuring some of the top teams in the league, there are real
concerns that this drought could continue for most of the month.
“We try to accentuate the positives but the big negative is we lost,” said
Carlyle, who at times sounded he was going to lose his voice. “Did we give
ourselves a chance tonight? We gave ourselves a chance for about half of
the game. And I think that it was a measuring stick. My advice to them was
this is how far we have to go. That’s the way the elite teams play in the
league.”
Potentially adding to Tuesday night’s loss was that Tyler Bozak, who was
playing in his fifth game back from a hamstring injury, missed the entire third
period with an upper-body injury. Whether Bozak, who picked up an assist on
Tuesday, will be ready for Thursday night’s game is unclear. But with Dave
Bolland out, Toronto’s depth down the middle could once again be
challenged.
“I don’t know,” Carlyle said when asked about the severity of Bozak’s injury.
“In the second period he left the bench and then came back and went back
out and tried it and then wasn’t able to go.
“For half the game almost we’re short, we have three centres. We’re taxing a
lot of people here right now.”
Carlyle had stressed a return to basics. He wanted the team to stop giving up
odd-man rushes, to be more responsible in the “critical” areas of the
defensive zone and to stop turning over the puck and taking needless
penalties. It was a lengthy wish list, but Carlyle believed it was achievable.
“Those are easy things in my mind to fix,” he had said. “Now does it happen
overnight? I hope so.”
It might have been wishful thinking. Though the Leafs played one of their
better games against a very tough Sharks team, the Sharks were too much to
handle at both ends of the ice.
Toronto took the first three shots of the game but then spent the rest of the
first period watching San Jose play keep-away with the puck. By the end of
the period, the Sharks had outshot the Leafs 13-3 and jumped out to a 2-0
lead on goals from former Leaf Mike Brown and Joe Thornton. During one
stretch, the Leafs went 17:18 without a shot.
If you’re killing penalties, you’re not playing offence and you’re playing in
your own zone so we’re kind of shooting ourselves in the foot there
“Discipline’s a huge part,” said Mason Raymond, who had two of Toronto’s
five penalties. “If you’re killing penalties, you’re not playing offence and
you’re playing in your own zone so we’re kind of shooting ourselves in the
foot there.”
It could have been over right there after 20 minutes. But rather than
completely fold, the Leafs responded with an inspiring effort in the second
period. Raymond and Phil Kessel scored power-play goals to tie the game
2-2 and had David Clarkson not hit the crossbar with the net empty Toronto
could have actually taken the lead.
“In my mind, it was anyone’s game,” said goalie James Reimer, who stopped
37 shots. “Sometimes it doesn’t go your way and I think that’s what happened
there.”
Frank Gunn/ THE CANADIAN PRESS
Frank Gunn/ THE CANADIAN PRESSThe looks on the faces of Frazer
McLaren, head coach Randy Carlyle, Dion Phaneuf and Paul Ranger says it
all at the end of Tuesday night's loss to the Sharks.
Carlyle did not blame the bounces. Instead, he put the onus on the players
for not taking advantage of a game that had swung the other way. “We were
in the hockey game and then it seemed like we played the game in spurts,”
he said.
When the Leafs took their foot off the gas, the Sharks punched back. Late in
the second period, with the fourth line hemmed in the defensive zone and
unable to clear the puck on several attempts, Brad Stuart scored the
game-winner on a play where defenceman Morgan Rielly had an opportunity
to ice the puck.
“It seemed [Rielly] took a softer approach then we would have thought,” said
Carlyle, who added it was something that the rookie defenceman would learn
from. “It’s always easy after the fact, but I think in that situation if you’re in
your own zone for 35 to 40 seconds and you’re hanging, you take the icing
and call a timeout.”
With the Leafs net empty in the third period, Logan Couture made it 4-2.
National Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
725927
Toronto Maple Leafs
Maple Leafs’ struggles about to go under the HBO lens
Bruce Arthur | 03/12/13 8:01 PM ET
TORONTO — If you work for HBO, you’d rather be associated with Game of
Thrones than almost anything else, right? Drama and blood, fire and death,
betrayals galore. Things happen on Game of Thrones — horrible things,
terrible things, things that are agony for the main characters, and that can
often be tough to watch. It can be a difficult thing to be emotionally attached
to.
Leafs a tale of two teams through first two months of the season
his is approximately what HBO 24/7 may yet resemble for Toronto Maple
Leafs fans, as it arrives Wednesday to spend four weeks inside the asylum.
We are about to find out so much about the Leafs. They started a brutal
gauntlet of games Tuesday night with a loss to San Jose, and they have
already begun to slide down the muddy bank. The Leafs are in trouble. It
could get much worse. Hello, HBO.
“Guys are definitely more excited than not, because it’s one of the best
networks to showcase what NHL players do, and everything it takes for us to
put in, on a day-to-day basis, what it takes to be professionals,” said Leafs
defenceman Mark Fraser Tuesday morning. “[I was impressed by] how
accurate it was in portraying the games, and what it’s like to be an NHLer,
good and bad. You see the pressures on guys, and how coaches can get on
guys.”
And in there you find the real drama, the stress points of the league — Bruce
Boudreau in the Washington Capitals locker room spilling his desperate
anger out at a floundering team, that sort of thing. The Detroit Red Wings
have had their challenges this season, but the Red Wings are a solid thing.
The painted white cinderblock walls of Joe Louis Arena will be gorgeous, and
Mike Babcock’s voice will evoke small arenas on a winter night on the Prairie,
and HBO will find stories in Detroit.
But the Leafs are so full of storylines that HBO will have trouble deciding
where to go. There are the struggles of big free-agent signing David
Clarkson, who has five points in 18 games, stuck on the third line. There is
the role of the fighters Toronto insists on carrying around, who cost them
dearly on Tuesday night. There is the opacity of Phil Kessel, the beatific smile
of James Reimer even when he’s thrown in against machines like the
Sharks, the contradictions of Nazem Kadri — who missed Tuesday night’s
game due to a death in the family — and the pressures of playing with the
weight of this franchise sewn into the shoulder pads.
And there is a team headed south. Tuesday the Leafs derailed a frisky start
with undisciplined, brainless penalties — puncher Frazer McLaren started
that charge, defending teammate Jerred Smithson after a clean hit — and fell
behind 2-0, going 17:15 without a shot. On one shift, conducted entirely in
Toronto’s zone, the Leafs came as close as they can to resembling a living
table hockey game, with blue sweaters stuck in their grooves.
Toronto pushed back, and once the game was tied the Sharks casually
located an extra gear, and pinned Toronto’s two-puncher fourth line in the
Leafs zone for 90 seconds and scored a third goal. It wasn’t a bad loss, all in
all, but it was a loss.
“I believe in this team like I never have,” said Reimer, who stopped 37 of 40
shots. “You go through rough stretches; that’s just the way she goes.” Both
winger Mason Raymond and coach Randy Carlyle said the team played well
in spurts; Raymond apparently has said that before.
There’s a pattern forming. The Leafs are now 8-10-3 since a 6-1 start, and
unlike the 48-game sprint last season, there is a long way left to skate. For
starters: Dallas, at Ottawa, Boston, the L.A. Kings, at St. Louis, Chicago, at
Pittsburgh, and then a lesser stretch heading up to the Winter Classic in Ann
Arbor, Mi., on Jan. 1. Here be dragons.
This is a murderer’s row, and if the Leafs like to tell themselves that they play
better against better teams, now’s the time to prove it. Toronto sits fifth in
their division, and better than all but one team in the used-car lot they call the
Metropolitan Division.
But they have one of the league’s worst possession rates, and goaltending
that is only intermittently superhuman, and injuries — Tyler Bozak got hurt
again against the Sharks — tearing away at their tissue-paper depth. It can
be hard to fall in the era of three-point games, but we may be two weeks from
counting the wheels on this edition of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and looking
for the cliff.
“Regardless of how our year went last year, we don’t want to be a team that’s
giving up a lot of shots and still think that we’re going to get a lot of success,”
said Fraser. When asked what was different about the 6-1 start, Fraser said,
“Yeah, we were skating a lot more.” When asked what went went for Toronto
in the second period, Raymond said they were moving their feet. Baby steps.
Whatever happens, HBO will show us a peek behind the curtain, in more
ways than one. And it may become dramatic.
“One of the best parts [of 24/7], I think, wasn’t so much behind the scenes,
but the actual games,” said Fraser. “The intensity that’s shown, because you
don’t get to actually see it that often from the shots from above, or on a TV
screen, it can seem like it’s a slow pace, and it definitely isn’t.”
Nobody makes hockey look quite the way HBO does. The way their cameras
take you down to the ice, the way the collisions sound like car crashes, the
way the speed is almost blinding when you’re used to seeing it from high
camera angles, the way you can almost feel the game,
That, in the end, could become one of HBO’s great accomplishments. They
could make Maple Leafs hockey beautiful to watch.
National Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
725928
Toronto Maple Leafs
Toronto Maple Leafs without Nazem Kadri for game against San Jose
Sharks
Michael Traikos | 03/12/13 | Last Updated: 03/12/13 12:09 PM ET
The Toronto Maple Leafs have lost their last four games, and the schedule
does not getting any easier with the San Jose Sharks in town Tuesday night.
Leafs' Nazem Kadri has yet to find solid footing as go-to guy
The Sharks, who lead the Pacific Division and are second only to Chicago in
the NHL, have won their last five games and have suffered just three
regulation losses.
Toronto will be without centre Nazem Kadri, who left the team on Tuesday
because of a death in the family. Defenceman Cody Franson, who has a
lower body injury, is a game-time decision.
Peter Holland took Kadri’s place on a line with Mason Raymond and Nikolai
Kulemin in Tuesday’s morning sakte. But head coach Randy Carlyle said he
is expecting more offence out of David Clarkson, who joined Trevor Smith
and Carter Ashton on a line.
“We think that with Smith, he’s come in and given us relief. I think he was our
top point-getter in the month of November, so you have to give credit to the
individual,” he said of the Toronto Marlies captain, who was tied for third on
the Leafs with two goals and six points last month.
“We think that moving Clarkson with him will be a bit of a spark. We know
some people perceive it as a demotion. We don’t look at it that way.”
James Reimer, who has lost his last two games while giving up nine goals, is
expected to get the start against a Sharks team that leads the NHL with 35.8
shots per game.
“I think as a goaltender, the more shots you get the more you’re into the
game,” said Reimer, whose Leafs lead the league with 35.9 shots against per
game. “But at the same time you don’t want 40 shots from the slot. San
Jose’s a good team and you hear reports that they shoot the puck a lot, so
you just have to be ready for the puck to come at any angle.”
National Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
725929
Washington Capitals
Braden Holtby struggles in Capitals’ 4-1 loss to Carolina
By Katie Carrera
The Capitals played one of their best first periods in recent memory, perhaps
even the season Tuesday night, with one exception. Just past the midway
point of the period, Braden Holtby allowed Jeff Skinner to find a small sliver of
daylight between his body and the right post to squeak in a bad-angle shot
and give the Carolina Hurricanes an initial lead.
All the strong play didn’t change the fact that the Capitals were trailing at the
end of 20 minutes and that the goal was one Holtby should have prevented.
“Might have been our best start all year [but] they got a goal along the goal
line that I’m sure Holts wants back,” Coach Adam Oates said. “It puts you
behind the eight ball. But the first period we actually played a pretty good
period.”
That goal was the start of a rough night for Holtby, who allowed four goals on
the 23 shots he faced through two periods and did not return to start the third
as the Capitals fell, 4-1, to Carolina. Both the first and second goals were
ones that Holtby, when at his best, likely stops.
Just after the 11-minute mark in the second period, when the Capitals’
forwards dumped the puck in and went off for a change, Carolina
defenseman Jay Harrison sent a long stretch pass from his own goal line to
the offensive blue line, where Skinner was waiting. Skinner had a step and
space on Tyson Strachan and ripped a shot past Holtby near side, past the
goaltender’s blocker cleanly to give Carolina a 2-0 lead.
Skinner’s second goal was the start of a stretch that saw the Hurricanes
score three times in 3:44. While the third was a point shot through traffic by
Andrej Sekera and the fourth a backhander by Jiri Tlusty that was the result
of a broken play, if Holtby thwarts either of Skinner’s goals perhaps the
Capitals are able to mount a comeback. Instead they were deflated.
“Their second goal kind of deflated us a little bit. I still thought we were okay,
and then they got that power-play goal, and there was no life left, not only on
the bench, but in the stands,” Karl Alzner said. “We maybe underestimated
these guys a little bit. When they were up 3-0 on us, we were mad, but we
didn’t use that anger the right way. We just kind of felt sorry for ourselves. It
was really strange to see.”
Oates wasn’t pleased with Holtby’s game, but given that the 23-year-old is
the Capitals’ top option in net, as evidenced by his receiving 21 of 28 starts
this season, the coach wanted to give him the opportunity to turn the contest
around.
“I wasn’t happy with Braden’s game, but I think he’s earned the right to try
and salvage and us pick him up,” Oates said.
Washington Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
725930
Washington Capitals
Eric Fehr confident, making most of his time on Capitals’ second line
By Katie Carrera
>> Braden Holtby will make a fifth consecutive start as the Capitals look to
extend their winning streak to three games. Holtby is 4-2 with a .951 save
percentage and 1.84 goals-against average against the Hurricanes in his
career.
>> Former Capital Alexander Semin will be out of the Hurricanes lineup for
an eighth consecutive game tonight after suffering a concussion on Nov. 16
against the St. Louis Blues when he was checked by Alex Pietrangelo.
Here are the projected lineups for both teams
No player enjoys sitting out as a healthy scratch. But for Eric Fehr, the
toughest part of the nine game, 18-day stretch of November he spent
watching from the sidelines was that he had been playing well.
Capitals
“It’s extremely frustrating because there wasn’t the game where, ‘Oh you
didn’t play well, we’re going to have to sit you down for a bit.’ I felt like I was
kind of blindsided,” Fehr said. “That was definitely tough to take the first
couple days and the first week. Once that settles, you just realize it’s a short
part of the season, you’ve got to stay with it and you can’t let it drag you
down.”
Fehr-Grabovski-Brouwer
Fehr, 28, has had his share of experience watching from the press box over
the course of his career, both as a healthy scratch and with shoulder injuries.
It’s taught him that whenever he did get the chance to get back in the lineup,
he needed to focus on playing as well as possible and let that make his case
to stay.
Alzner-Green
He returned on Nov. 23 at Toronto, playing on the second line as left wing
with Mikhail Grabovski and Troy Brouwer,. In four games he has recorded
two goals, three points and 13 shots on goal.
“I feel I’m playing the same way I was before I got pulled out of the lineup,”
Fehr said. “It’s a little bit more noticeable because I’m almost doubling up my
minutes right now, but I honestly think I’m playing the same way.”
Johansson-Backstrom-Ovechkin
Chimera-Beagle-Ward
Volpatti-Erat-Wilson
Schmidt-Carlson
Orlov-Strachan
Holtby, Grubauer
Hurricanes
Jeff Skinner-Eric Staal-Tuomo Ruutu
Jiri Tlusty-Jordan Staal-Patrick Dwyer
Nathan Gerbe-Elias Lindholm-Riley Nash
Drayson Bowman-Manny Malhotra-Radek Dvorak
In just 18 games this season, Fehr’s played on all four lines and all three
forward positions as Coach Adam Oates continues to tinker with the
combinations. He spent the preseason and the first 12 games of the season
playing center for the first time in his career, then when Alex Ovechkin was
out with a shoulder injury he suited up at his natural spot on right wing before
lining up on his off-side in this latest stint.
Andrej Sekera-Justin Faulk
Oates has asked Fehr to be flexible with position changes and picking up
new skills, dating back to last season. While Fehr remains most comfortable
on the wing, he sees the benefits of being able to play all over the ice. With
Brooks Laich sidelined by a groin injury, he’s rotated in as a regular part of
the penalty kill once again.
Washington Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
“I definitely feel like I’m adding some elements,” Fehr said. “I didn’t know
exactly what to expect when I was playing center this year, but now that I’ve
played there a little bit more I have a lot more confidence at both ends of the
ice. I think that’s important. I’m playing with some of the most confidence I’ve
had in my career, so I think that’s got to be a plus, and whether I’m on the
penalty kill, power play, I just like to be involved. It feels good to be a part of
the team in all those different aspects.”
The time at center also helped Fehr better understand how he can work with
his linemates when he’s skating as a winger. He’s had instantaneous
chemistry with Grabovski, they complement each other well with one a pure
playmaker and the other seemingly always in position to shoot, and can
better read when to help out the center in various situations.
“It’s helped me to realize when he’s tired down low, when it’s been a long shift
and I’m sitting up at the point and I look down and I see how tired he is. I know
how that feels,” Fehr said. “You try to get in there, get him a switch and try to
help out. I think that’s an important part just not to leave your centerman
hanging [when they] have those long shifts.
“I really enjoy my games with [Grabovski] so far. He’s so strong on the puck,
he’s an easy player to read as far as that goes,” Fehr added. “It’s helped me
out as a guy switching lines and positions all the time to have a guy that easy
to play with.”
>> Brooks Laich did not skate Tuesday morning and will miss a third
consecutive game with a groin injury. There remains no timeline for his
return.
>> John Erskine (knee) didn’t skate on Tuesday morning, either, though he’s
thought to be making strides in his recovery. Michal Neuvirth, who injured his
right leg when he stepped on a puck last week, went out on the ice for a
workout with goaltending coach Olie Kolzig late as the morning skate
wrapped up.
Jay Harrison-Ryan Murphy
Ron Hainsey-Brett Bellmore
Cam Ward Justin Peters is expected to start.
725931
Washington Capitals
Jack Hillen trying to stay positive in spite of another frustrating injury
By Katie Carrera
Jack Hillen hobbled into the Washington Capitals dressing room on crutches
Monday morning in a grey sweatshirt and a Green Bay Packers hat, trying to
make the best of an unfortunate injury derailing his season once again.
“What can you do? I have had a broken jaw, broken ribs and broken knee. I
drank lots of milk as a kid, I swear,” Hillen said. “What can you do about it? I
mean they’re freak injuries. Maybe I need a sacrifice a live chicken or
something. I’ve got to try to find a way to stay positive. And that’s been the
biggest challenge.”
Hillen, 27, fractured his right tibial plateau — the top part of the tibia — on
Oct. 3 when he was hit into the boards by Calgary’s Lance Bouma in just the
second game of the season and is expected to miss at least another month, if
not more.
Last year, he missed two months after suffering broken ribs when Vincent
Lecavalier checked him into the end boards in the season opener. Back in
the 2009-10 season, he missed a month when an Alex Ovechkin slap shot
broke his jaw.
When he went to play the puck along the boards against Calgary that night,
Hillen tried to squeak past the oncoming opponent and avoid the hit. The
moment Bouma made impact, though, Hillen knew something was wrong.
“I can’t tell you how bummed I was when he told me, but as soon as I got hit,
I felt something pop and I just didn’t know what it was,” Hillen said. “And when
he told me it was my knee, I never heard of someone breaking their knee.
Mentally, it was tough. I’m still mentally a little frustrated and I’m just starting
now to turn a corner and feel a little bit better with it, and it’s still going to be a
while.”
Hillen underwent surgery on Oct. 4 for doctors to put in place a stabilizing
plate and five screws. The most frustrating part of this recovery process for
Hillen is that he isn’t able to put weight on his right leg for three months, which
significantly limits the type of exercises he can perform.
“They want to be safe because if the knee moves or something doesn’t heal
right, it can be a lot of long-term damage to it,” Hillen said. “I wish it were
lower on the leg and not the knee because then you can start [to] do some
other stuff, but you don’t want the plates and the screws to move and other
things. It’s tough. It’s really just like a waiting game. I’m trying to do as much
as I can so my muscle doesn’t just atrophy completely, but try to keep as
much strength as you can but there’s not really much you can do besides
upper-body workouts.”
As difficult as it’s been to go through another significant injury, Hillen remains
optimistic and is determined to be ready to play again this season should the
Capitals need him.
“I’m hoping I’m ready to go this year. Whenever I get back, a lot of things can
happen and change,” said Hillen, who declined to discuss any specific
timeline for his recovery. “You never know if guys are playing, I don’t want to
mess up the rhythm of the team, but if they need be, I’m trying to be available
for them.”
Washington Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
725932
Washington Capitals
Mike Green shouldn’t worry so much about goals, says Adam Oates
By Katie Carrera
Mike Green led all NHL defensemen in goals last season but through 24
games this season, the Capitals blueliner has yet to record a single one. His
62 shots on goal are the most by any player in the league yet to score a goal.
But when Coach Adam Oates met with the 28-year-old defenseman prior to
Washington’s game against Montreal last Friday, he told Green to focus on
the rest of his game not so much the goals or, in this case, the lack thereof.
“First thing I said was, ‘That’s not a slump. Goals will come. You got nine in
April,’” Oates said. “For me it’s his touches and his decisions. If you’re
pressing to get a goal you’re going to skate at opportunities you’re not
supposed to skate at and not wait for it at the right time, and I felt his reads
were just a little off.”
Oates showed Green various plays and reads where he was sabotaging his
own efforts by misplaying an angle or mistiming his zone entries and exits.
They were plays that Green has made correctly numerous times over the
course of his career, but when a player with strong offensive instincts doesn’t
feel he’s contributing enough at that end of the ice, it can impact his overall
game as well.
Over the last two games, Green has looked more like the confident
puck-handler that the Capitals need him to be, both in moving the puck out of
their own zone and jumping up to spark an offensive possession.
Oates “just kind of gave me some pointers to how he sees me playing and
how I used to play and some little tidbits. Maybe that was a little bit of a
confidence booster to kind of get back out there and do the things that I used
to do,” said Green, who has one year remaining on his current three-year,
$18.25 million contract after this season. “Sometimes you can forget, you
retract and you go back into a defensive state, and that’s not necessarily my
game. Get back to the things you do well and that’s what I’m on track for
now.”
In the second period of Washington’s 3-2 overtime win against the Islanders
Saturday, Oates saw more of the correct decisions from Green that he
expects as the defenseman put the puck in ways that aided his teammates
rather than handcuffing them with poor placement.
“He does make a lot of good decisions and [needs to] stop focusing on the
goals. I try to take his mind off of it,” Oates said. Green’s “going to end up with
what, five, 10? I need the other stuff, way more important.”
Washington Post LOADED: 12.04.2013
725933
Washington Capitals
Adam Oates to Mike Green: ‘Goals will come’
By Chuck Gormley
Warning: The following two stats may cause severe side effects.
• From the 2007-08 season until the start of this season, no defenseman in
the NHL scored more goals than Mike Green’s 91.
• Through 27 games this season no player in the NHL has recorded more
shots without a goal than Green’s 62.
Since Green has played in 24 of the Caps’ 27 games this season, that’s an
average of 2.6 shots a night for the Caps’ 28-year-old defenseman that are
not finding their way into opposing nets.
Capitals coach Adam Oates figured Green was allowing that goose egg to
affect the way he plays and sat down with him before Friday’s game against
the Canadiens.
“The first thing I said to him was, ‘That’s not a slump. Goals will come,’” Oates
said. “He got nine [goals] in April. For me, it’s his touches and his decisions.
“If you’re pressing to get a goal you’re going to skate when you’re not
supposed to skate and not wait for the right time. I thought his reads were a
little off and I showed him a few situations.”
Oates noticed that in his quest to create more offense, Green was putting the
puck in dangerous areas, allowing teams to counter-attack and forcing
himself into taking bad penalties — three of them in a 6-4 loss to Ottawa last
week.
“He does make a lot of good decisions, but he’s got to stop focusing on the
goals,” Oates said. “You’re going to end up with five, 10? I need the other
stuff. It’s way more important.”
The “other stuff” Oates is referring to are cleaner breakouts with new defense
partner Karl Alzner; chipping the puck behind opposing defensemen when
there is no clear entry into the offensive zone; and playing good positional
hockey when he doesn’t have the puck.
Oates said he saw a lot of those things in wins over the Canadiens and
Islanders.
“He kind of gave me some pointers again to how he sees me playing and how
I used to play,” Green said. “Sort of little tidbits. That was a little bit of a
confidence boost to go out there and do the things I used to do. Sometimes
you forget and you kind of retract and go back into a defensive state.”
Green was asked to take a more defensive posture two seasons ago under
former coach Dale Hunter. It drastically affected his offensive numbers, but
so did missing more than half of that 2011-12 season with sports hernia
surgery.
Now that Green is healthy and has one year remaining on a three-year,
$18.25 million contract, he wants to find the proper balance between being
an offensive force and being reliable in his own end.
“[Oates] told me to get back to the things you do well,” Green said. “That’s
what I’m trying for now. I know Adam gives us the reins to do our thing, but
within the limits of the structure of the system.”
Read more:
http://www.csnwashington.com/hockey-washington-capitals/talk/oates-gree
n-goals-will-come#ixzz2mVGFV2RZ
Follow us: @washtimes on Twitter
Washington Times LOADED: 12.04.2013
725934
Winnipeg Jets
Attendance — 18,006 (18,006) at New York.
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.04.2013
Jets 5 Rangers 2, Dec. 2, 2013
By: Staff Writer
Free Press ★★★
★ Olli Jokinen, Jets. Right place, right time for a big night decided in the
crunch time of the game’s final eight minutes.
★★ Dustin Byfuglien, Jets. Just a point, plus-one but the big man gets
plenty of heat on his off nights, so he should get equal credit for his sharp,
alert ones.
Related Items
Articles
Vigneault has 'calming influence' on Rangers
In the line of fire
Jets Scores
Winnipeg Florida Dec. 5 at 6:30 p.m.
Powered by Sports Direct Inc.
★★★ Devin Setoguchi, Jets. The sniper has come alive with three goals in
his last four games.
SLUMP ENDS
Jets right-winger Blake Wheeler saw his goal-scoring slump end on Monday.
He potted the empty-netter with 51 seconds to play after a selfless play by
defenceman Jacob Trouba. Wheeler had gone 14 games without a goal
before that, his last marker Oct. 29 in St. Louis. In that time, however,
Wheeler had eight assists.
500 IS LOUSY
From a player with experience in this area, .500 doesn’t interest Rangers’
sniper Rick Nash. New York is now 14-14-0 after losing to the Jets.
"Good teams don’t hover around .500 all season," Nash said. "They put
winning streaks together and we can’t find that streak right now. We need to
do a better job, and we’ll figure it out."
SUMMARY
FIRST PERIOD
1. N.Y. Rangers, Zuccarello 4 (McDonagh) 2:49
Penalties — D.Brassard NYR (tripping) 11:21, Peluso Wpg, Falk NYR
(fighting) 16:46, Wheeler Wpg (slashing) 18:45.
SECOND PERIOD
2. Winnipeg, Setoguchi 7 (Jokinen, Thorburn) 8:16 3. Winnipeg, Albert 1
(Byfuglien) 10:00 4. N.Y. Rangers, Callahan 7 (Richards, Pouliot) 15:50
Penalties — Kreider NYR (holding) 3:37.
THIRD PERIOD
5. Winnipeg, Jokinen 5 (Thorburn, Setoguchi) 12:42 6. Winnipeg, Jokinen 6
(Frolik, Trouba) 18:06 7. Winnipeg, Wheeler 6 (Trouba, Little) 19:09 (en)
Penalties — Stuart Wpg (crosschecking) 7:11.
Shots on goal by
Winnipeg 6 13 11 — 30
N.Y. Rangers11 15 11 — 37
Goal — Winnipeg: Pavelec (W,10-10-3); NY Rangers: Talbot (L,6-2-0).
Power plays (goal-chances) — Winnipeg: 0-2; N.Y. Rangers: 0-2. Referees
— Rob Martell, Dave Jackson. Linesmen — Derek Nansen, Tim Nowak.
725935
Winnipeg Jets
Thorburn was more worried about the team's strong response after the poor
outing in Philly.
Luck be a lady for Jets in NYC
"We wanted to redeem ourselves and that's what's good about this league,
there are a lot of games," he said. "We can get right back at it and show we
are a good team."
By: Tim Campbell
The real Jets?
NEW YORK -- How The Skate Turns is a long way from network TV or any
reality channel but it aptly describes the daily drama for the Winnipeg Jets in
their last two games.
Friday, with an odd morning start in Philadelphia, Jets right-winger Blake
Wheeler's skate was angled just the right way for the Flyers to get off to a,
well, flying start in the first minute and the Jets never sufficiently recovered in
a 2-1 defeat.
Monday in the Big Apple, Wheeler's teammate Chris Thorburn had his blade
turned just so against the boards behind the New York Rangers net, and the
puck went dreamily off of it and right to Jets centre Olli Jokinen, who was
unchecked in front.
And Winnipeg's third victory in four road games was delivered on that angled
puck and goal with less than eight minutes remaining, snapping a 2-2
deadlock and sending the visitors to a 5-2 triumph.
"That's my style, get some pucks in deep and create some forecheck,"
Thorburn said, relishing the new role Monday on a line with Jokinen and
Devin Setoguchi. "He (Setoguchi) ripped it around the wall and I got lucky
with my skate angle the right way and Jokes was the third guy high."
There was also an important in-game turn on Monday night.
Forward John Albert, called up from the St. John's IceCaps, played his first
NHL game and had a disaster start, scored on during his first shift.
But he redeemed that lowlight with his first NHL goal half-way through the
game.
Winnipeg, now 13-12-4, has two more games to go on this road trip,
Thursday in Sunrise, Fla., against the Panthers and Saturday in Tampa
against the Lightning.
"We managed the game way better," Jets coach Claude Noel said. "We
played a lot stronger. At pretty much all points of the game I thought we had
confidence in our group.
"We were patient with it and it ended up turning our way. Now we move down
to Florida with some real joy in our world."
The Hero
JOKINEN scored at 12:42 of the third and again at 18:06 when left alone in
front again, giving him six goals and 17 points in the season after the
three-point night.
"I just hit the net both times," Jokinen said. "Nothing special I think. We
played pretty good as a team; we won the second period and we won the
third period. And I don't think we did anything special. We stuck with the plan
and were able to get the result."
As usual, Jokinen wasn't too wound up, even though he scored a crucial pair
against one of his former teams.
"We have to look at the big picture -- if you want to be a playoff team, you
don't want to lose two games in a row," he said.
Plug and play
THORBURN'S chance on the Jokinen line came with Evander Kane unable
to go because of a lower-body injury.
And it turned out to be a productive move. Thorburn had his first two points of
the season, assists on goal by each of his linemates.
"He's a veteran player," Jokinen said. "He's been in the league for a long
time. He's a good player. He keeps the game simple. He's good in corners,
an easy guy to play with.
"He was telling me before the game, to just make sure the puck goes to his
corner that he's going to go get it. He was doing that. He was easy to play
with."
IT was the kind of confident finish Jets fans have been waiting for, and now
the team is 6-6-1 away from home with two more starts to go on this longest
trip of the season.
"Even in parts of the second, they were spending quite a bit of time in our
zone but we stayed with the game plan," Noel said. "The good thing was we
felt we were in decent control of the game.
"We were fairly confident. Our bench was alive and engaged. I thought we
were good."
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.04.2013
725936
Winnipeg Jets
Jets prospects make WJC short list
By: Ed Tait
Josh Morrissey and Nic Petan have survived the gruelling first test: the long
marathon that is just getting on Hockey Canada's radar.
And now it really, really gets hard.
The two Winnipeg Jets 2013 draft picks -- Morrissey, 13th overall and Petan,
43rd -- were among the 25 players announced Monday for the national junior
team selection camp, beginning Dec. 12 in Etobicoke, Ont.
The 2014 world junior championship opens in Malmo, Sweden later this
month and the final 22-man roster must be set by Dec. 25. That means three
players are going to receive some bummer news just before Christmas.
"This is a great honour, absolutely," said Petan on Monday when reached in
Portland, where he stars for the Western Hockey League's Winterhawks with
a two camp invitees, defenceman Derrick Pouliot and forward Taylor Leier.
"It's kind of surreal... you watch the world juniors every year, you watch the
great players and it almost doesn't seem real now to be close to that. But I'm
ready for the challenge.
"Ryan Jankowski (Canada's national junior team head scout) called this
morning to let all three of us know. That was a pretty cool call to answer.
There were nothing but smiles after that one."
Petan scored four goals in the Winterhawks' win over the Saskatoon Blades
on Sunday and is second in the WHL in scoring with 19 goals and 41 assists
in 28 games. Team Canada head coach Brent Sutter compared his skill set
to that of the dynamic Jonathan Drouin, the Tampa Bay Lightning prospect,
selected third overall last spring.
"Petan is very similar, in many ways, to Drouin," said Sutter in a conference
call Monday. "He has great skill and we expect a lot from them offensively."
Petan has been visited this season by both Jimmy Roy and Mike Keane of
the Jets' player development department and said his stint at the club's main
camp in September helped give him a glimpse of where he needs to take his
game.
"Being at an NHL training camp for the first time, you get to see how all the
older guys act," said Petan. "It's good to see what they do on a daily basis
and how hard they work at practice. It opens up your eyes to see how hard
you have to work just to make it to that level."
Morrissey, meanwhile, is the captain of the Prince Albert Raiders and leads
all WHL defencemen in goals this season with 13 and has added 19 assists
in 26 games. Said Morrissey of the selection, via his Twitter account: 'Thanks
for all the kind words! Extremely honoured to be named to the World Junior
selection camp. Beyond Excited for the opportunity!'
"Josh might be a smaller-type defenceman," said Sutter, "but he's very
mobile, very intelligent, makes a good first pass he's also someone who
loves to jump up in the play and create offence."
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.04.2013
725937
Winnipeg Jets
"I think it might be productive one day if we put the forwards back on D and
the D's in front of the net and let us fire away. That might change a few things
once in a while."
In the line of fire
In the last two weeks, Jets forwards Devin Setoguchi has been quite a target.
By: Tim Campbell
Standing near the net, he took an Evander Kane shot near the eye in practice
just before the road trip started, producing a professional-looking shiner.
Then, in the game in New Jersey last week, he took the full brunt of a Toby
Enstrom slapshot in the middle of his chest, producing a serious welt.
NEW YORK -- According to the man they're most trying to help, they all need
their heads examined.
"Oh, it wasn't that bad," Setoguchi said. "Luckily these shoulder pads have
this breast pad here. There's some foam/plastic so that took some of the
force.
And, as it turns out, their feet, their ankles, their legs, their arms and their ribs.
Welcome to the world of shot-blocking.
"It's tough for defencemen," Winnipeg Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec said. "Be
honest. Look at the gear they're wearing. It's kind of a little bit crazy to want
them to stop the puck and block shots.
"But I think our defencemen do a great job, and the forwards, too, not just the
defencemen."
This discussion with a goalie always includes whether his teammates should
really try to help him in this area, or just get the heck out of the way and let
him take care of the stopping.
Pavelec doesn't mind the assistance.
"There are times when they try to block a shot and they tip the puck and it
goes into the net," the Jets goalie said. "That's the way it is. You can't blame
anybody. Our guys don't want them to score. They're trying.
"Especially on penalty kills, you need forwards and defencemen blocking
shots.
"But it's unbelievable that they do it, when you look at their gear."
Sometimes the gear offers little or not protection. And often, especially in the
offensive zone for the forwards snooping around the net, it's friendly fire
that's the danger factor.
One thing is pretty clear given the velocity of pucks in the NHL -- getting in the
way is not for the weak-willed.
"There's less fear on the offensive side than there is on the defensive side,"
said Jets forward Chris Thorburn. "When one goes off you and into the net,
great.
"But blocking shots, you can be out of position sometimes and like Wheels
(Blake Wheeler) the other night, he's sliding and takes one in a tough area. I
guess all-round it's rewarding both offensively and defensively, but to be
scared, I don't think you'll find too many guys who are scared."
The Jets have taken their share of bruises in the last 10 days. In the first four
games of their six-game road trip that continues Thursday in Sunrise, Fla.,
they have done well on the defensive side.
Winnipeg has recorded games of 14, 21, 17 and 21 blocked shots in winning
three of the first four outings.
This more-Western-Conference-way of doing things has lifted the team's
total to 215 for the season, putting it in the NHL's top 10.
"Sometimes that's just what it calls for," said Wheeler, who might be
considered a more offensive player. But he's had at least one blocked shot in
each game of the road trip so far. "When you're in a tight game and
sometimes you're hemmed in your zone a little bit, sometimes you've go to do
what it takes to make sure the puck doesn't get through.
"We talked about that as a group before the year, that there are things you're
going to have sacrifice if you're going to get over the hurdle that we haven't
been able to the last couple of years. I think that all ties into it.
"Every night, it's just not just when you feel like it. You've got to make
sacrifices and I think we're on our way to do that."
There are a few more smiles, but just as many bruises, when the subject
switches over to the danger zone on offence.
"It's part of the job as forwards," Wheeler said. "Our job is to get in front of the
net. And it's part of the defenceman's job to get the pucks through. That
hopefully means lower than neck-high but in this game, sometimes things
don't work like that.
"Otherwise it could have been a long trip."
Most NHL forwards are pretty good at getting out of the way at just the right
second in the offensive zone. But not always.
"Hopefully the shot's below the ears because that means it's below the
crossbar," Thorburn said. "You pick up (defencemen's) tendencies and stuff
like that. It's not so much talking, you just have a feeling and you have to
hope your feeling is right most of the time."
Otherwise, you'll be feeling it.
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.04.2013
725938
Winnipeg Jets
Ultimate experience for rookie
The spark was already there for the Jets in the second. Less than two
minutes before Albert's shot, Devin Setoguchi had tied the game.
And then came a big boost, and from a rookie.
"That really lifted our bench a lot, like I'd say 90 per cent," the coach said. "Is
that good?"
By: Tim Campbell
tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca
Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 12.04.2013
NEW YORK -- It was a quick, subdued moment after the game which
featured both disheartening moments and one of true elation.
Winnipeg Jets assistant general manager Craig Heisinger, the man in charge
of the club's AHL affiliate in St. John's, had convinced enough of the brass
within his own organization that forward John Albert was worth a look-see on
the big club.
And so there was Heisinger for no more than 10 seconds, slipping into the
Jets dressing room to offer a smile and a stern handshake to the 24-year-old
from Cleveland, Ohio, for a job well done in his first NHL game, that included
his first NHL goal on his very first shot.
Patience, it seems, paid off.
Albert's goal lifted the Jets into a second-period lead and they were never
down after, grabbing a 5-2 win over the New York Rangers in Madison
Square Garden.
'I've been dreaming (it) since
I was three years old'
-- Jets centre John Albert
The goal, on a partial breakaway exactly halfway through the game, "was a
lifetime moment," Albert said. He could think of nothing more exciting he'd
ever done.
"Absolutely not. I've been dreaming (it) since I was three years old," he
beamed.
Albert's stats for two-plus seasons with the IceCaps are nowhere near gaudy
-- three goals and eight points this season -- but his hustling, energy-style of
game earned him his chance.
When Dustin Byfuglien fed him the pass up the middle, catching the Rangers
going the wrong way, nobody could cut him off before he had snapped a high
shot past goalie Cam Talbot.
"Any goal... but in that sort of situation, kind of a half-breakaway there, it was
good to score," he said.
Things hadn't start out so well for the centre who was drafted in the late
rounds by the Atlanta Thrashers in 2007, but later signed as a free agent by
the Jets.
On his first shift, playing with James Wright and Anthony Peluso on the Jets'
fourth line, the Rangers converted a series of turnovers into Mats
Zuccarello's game-opening goal.
"He had a tough start," said teammate Olli Jokinen. "He had a minus on the
first shift but he's a kid who works hard and he didn't look out of place at all.
That fourth line was very effective for us tonight.
"They had a lot of good chances there in the second period. After the
Rangers were pressing, they were able to shift the momentum for us with a
couple of good shifts."
Even Jets coach Claude Noel was discounting the first shift from the fourth
line that helped the Rangers.
"I thought he was fine," said Noel, who eventually dished out 12 shifts and
eight minutes 29 seconds of ice time for Albert in his debut. "He had a couple
little bumps where he was in our zone and they got caught a little bit, but I
didn't think too much of it.
"He looked like he knew where he was going. I thought positionally he was
strong. He would have liked to have won some battles earlier but after that,
he got himself in the game real well.
"And Buff made the pass up to him, I thought that was a good play. He buried
it top shelf, a great play. Big goal for him."
725939
Winnipeg Jets
Jets Blake Wheeler hopes to build on empty net goal
1
By Ken Wiebe
,Winnipeg Sun
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Blake Wheeler is the latest member of the
Winnipeg Jets to end a lengthy goal-scoring drought.
With an empty-netter during the final minute to salt away a 5-2 win over the
New York Rangers on Monday, Wheeler scored for the first time since Oct.
29 (14 games), a seemingly just reward after producing seven shots on goal
and one blocked shot during the game.
“It’s good to finally see it go in the net,” said Wheeler, who had eight assists
during the drought and now has six goals and 18 points in 29 games this
season. “Sometimes it just takes one (to spark a hot streak).”
Wheeler had eight assists during the goal-less drought but as he said
throughout the process, he’s pushing to contribute in other areas, whether
he’s scoring or or not.
“You have to bring it every night and if you don’t see the puck going in, you
have to focus on other areas of the game,” said Wheeler, who led the Jets
with 19 goals during the lockout-shortened season. “You want to show guys
that if you’re not scoring goals, it’s not going to affect me in a negative way.
I’m still going to try and be an asset to the team and for the most part, I felt like
I’ve done that.
“Hopefully now, the goals will start coming a little bit more.”
Wheeler can often be his harshest critic, which can be both a blessing and a
curse.
“Blake has gone through some different things this season,” said Jets head
coach Claude Noel. “He started off slow and when he evaluates his situation,
he’s fairly sincere in how he sees himself. He recognizes when he’s going
well and not going well. He sees himself as a key guy on this team, which he
is.”
TROUBA SETTLING BACK IN: Jets rookie defenceman Jacob Trouba
chipped in a pair of assists in Monday’s win, his first points since picking up a
goal and an assist in the season opener.
It was Trouba’s fourth game since returning from a neck injury and he
continues to showcase his smarts, skill, skating ability and poise, looking
nothing like a 19-year-old that was a freshman in college at this time last
season or a guy who missed 17 games because of an injury that caused him
to be taken off the ice on a stretcher.
“We’re lucky to have a guy like (Trouba). You see how he plays now and you
can’t help but get really excited for a year or two from now,” said Wheeler.
“He’s already a key cog for us back there. He’s out there at the end of the
game, he’s killing 5-on-3s and 5-on-4s. The offensive side is only going to get
better.”
Trouba, with 12 games on his NHL resume, has earned the trust of the
coaching staff quickly and shown the ability to shake off mistakes and move
on, rather than revert to being tentative or scared to make another.
“He’s made our team better,” said Noel. “The ingredients he brings to our
team is important. He skates, he thinks, he makes good plays, he’s able to
separate players off the puck. He can create, he can defend, he can do
things from the penalty killing standpoint. There’s a lot of things he does do
— you can’t say you take them for granted because he hasn’t been with us
long enough — but he goes about his business and knows how to manage
his game.
“His consistency is pretty good for a young player at this level. It’s a fair jump
(from college) and he doesn’t seem to be real rattled by it.”
THE REWARD: Noel rewarded his players with an optional skate on
Tuesday, allowing many of his big-minute guys to enjoy some extra time to
recharge the batteries before Thursday’s game against the Florida Panthers.
Left-winger Evander Kane remains day-to-day with a lower-body injury and
wasn’t on the ice for the workout.
Winnipeg Sun LOADED 12.04.2013
725940
Winnipeg Jets
Once a Panthers bust, Keaton Ellerby has become a solid Winnipeg Jet
By Ken Wiebe
,Winnipeg Sun
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Keaton Ellerby is back where it all began.
The Winnipeg Jets defenceman was chosen 10th overall by the Florida
Panthers at the 2007 NHL Entry Draft and Thursday will mark his first game
back since the Panthers shipped him to the Los Angeles Kings for a fifth
round pick last February.
Ellerby, claimed off waivers by the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 2, wasn’t feeling
overly sentimental earlier this week when asked him about his time with the
Panthers, though he remains grateful to the organization for giving him his
start in the NHL.
However, when you regularly find yourself as the extra defenceman, the
challenges sometimes seem endless.
“It sucks, it’s the worst,” said Ellerby. “No one likes sitting out and being the
seventh guy or whatever. It’s challenging to go to rink every day and know
you’re not going to play. Sometimes, you feel a little bit disconnected from the
team.
“But you’ve got to be a positive, good teammate in the locker room, if that’s
what it takes to contribute when you’re not playing. That’s a big part of what
got me through it. If you can battle through that adversity, obviously it’s going
to make you stronger.”
Going through the difficult process with the Panthers helped Ellerby earlier
this season, when he was a frequent healthy scratch with the Kings.
The return to health of veterans Andy Greene and Willie Mitchell essentially
made Ellerby expendable in Los Angeles but he’s made a smooth transition
to life with the Jets — using his skating ability while playing a more
consistent, physical style of game.
“This is a good role for me. I’ve got to play a good defensive game and
obviously I’d like to chip in offensively. I’ve been trying to do that a bit since
I’ve been here,” said Ellerby, who has one goal and three points in 14 games
with the Jets. “They’re letting me play. They want me to stick to what works
for me. That’s given me some confidence to just play my game and trust in
my abilities and just realize I can play in this league and contribute to this
team.
“Confidence is a huge part of this game and if you’re doubting yourself,
you’re going to be making mistakes and not doing the things you’re supposed
to be doing. You’re going to be out there gripping your stick too tight and that
kind of thing.”
It’s clear that Ellerby’s game has evolved since 2007.
In fact, you might say that the Strathmore, Alta. product is rounding into the
player the Panthers’ hoped he would when they chose Ellerby after Logan
Couture and before a crop of first-round round blue-liners that includes Ryan
McDonagh (now with the New York Rangers), Kevin Shattenkirk (now with
the St. Louis Blues), Ian Cole (still with Blues) and Brendan Smith (Detroit
Red Wings).
“I don’t think my style of game has changed that much, I’ve just gotten more
of an opportunity to play that game,” said Ellerby, who turned 25 last month
and has played 125 of his 174 NHL games with the Panthers. “Getting the ice
time and stuff like that helps building your game and your confidence.”
Ellerby’s arrival came at a perfect time for the Jets, who were ravaged by
injury and are still without Zach Bogosian (groin) and Paul Postma (blood
clot).
Once the Jets return to full health, Ellerby will be tough to remove from the
lineup.
“He has more hockey sense than I thought and that’s no disrespect. He
thinks the game quite well,” said Jets head coach Claude Noel. “He gets
pucks to people quickly, he has deception. I like the way he calculates.
“He’s using his body physically to remove people from the puck and make an
outlet pass. He’s done well. I’m pretty happy with him.”
Winnipeg Sun LOADED 12.04.2013
725941
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks drop Predators 3-1 to complete successful road trip
By Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun columnist December 3, 2013
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – It's a myth that Ryan Kesler plays his best hockey
against the Nashville Predators.
The Vancouver Canuck centre played – past tense – the best hockey of his
National Hockey League career in a virtuoso playoff performance against the
Predators 2½ years ago. But in the regular season, with just six goals and 11
points in 31 career games against Nashville before Tuesday, Kesler is
actually less productive against the Predators than he is against 26 other
teams.
But he set his time machine to May, 2011 on Tuesday night, scoring twice in
the third period and driving Vancouver to a 3-1 win against the Predators.
They were ugly goals that made a beautiful road trip for the Canucks, who
are scheduled to fly home today after going 3-1 in Ottawa, New York, Raleigh
and Nashville, losing only against the Rangers on Saturday.
With back-to-back wins for the first time since Oct. 28 and 4-2-1 in their last
seven games, the Canucks are finally warming up for winter in the NHL.
Kesler, however, is scorching hot. He also scored twice in Sunday's 3-2 win
against the Carolina Hurricanes and has five points in three games.
“Kes has been playing really well and he was probably our best player
tonight,” coach John Tortorella said. “He put us on his shoulders there and, I
thought, led the way. I don't want to screw around with that.”
So not fixing what isn't broken, Tortorella left Kesler at the player's favoured
centre position when forward lines were remade Tuesday in the absence of
injured winger Alex Burrows. Kesler and wingers Chris Higgins and Mike
Santorelli were the Canucks best trio, leading Vancouver's surge in the final
30 minutes against Nashville.
“Obviously, it's nice coming back to a place where you've had success,”
Kesler said. “But saying that, it just wasn't about me.”
But it was a lot about him on Tuesday, and a little about some other things as
the Canucks finally showed some signs of the “traction” Tortorella has been
calling for.
Excluding the 5-2 loss to the Rangers, Vancouver has played somewhere
between decent and excellent in six straight games.
Beating the Predators briefly lifted the Canucks into a playoff position for the
first time in more than two weeks – until the Phoenix Coyotes beat the
Edmonton Oilers 6-2 later Tuesday.
The Canucks open a five-game homestand Friday against the Coyotes, and
several components of Vancouver's play have improved.
The once-dormant power play has generated goals in six straight games,
helping the Canucks end a team-wide scoring slump. They're scoring goals
on rebounds and bounces, going into tough areas to get them. They're
starting to grind out wins instead of blowing them. And Kesler is back in
vintage form, back in his familiar position in the middle after an extended
deployment by Tortorella on right wing.
“It's a good thing for me that I know I can use him at wing,” the coach said. “I
think he's a better wing than he thinks. . . but he did so many good things for
us tonight. I liked how that line was playing.”
Kesler registered five shots, three hits, went 13-6 on faceoffs and scored the
only goals of the third period.
At 7:37, he fought for a rebound and banked a shot in off the shin pad of
Nashville defenceman Ryan Ellis. At 14:15, he stood unchecked beside the
crease and swept a power-play rebound through goalie Marek Mazanec.
Both rebounds came on heavy point shots from Jason Garrison, who got six
of his 11 attempts on target during 23:51 of ice time. Canuck goalie Roberto
Luongo, yanked from the crease in New York, was terrific and finished with
30 saves.
“You can't go through a season, winning one, losing one, winning two, losing
two,” defenceman Kevin Bieksa said. “I think you have to get confidence in
your game and if you're always up and down, you're not gaining any rhythm
or consistency. If you put a couple of wins together, not only do you start to
move up the standings, but you start to feel confident in your game and game
plan. You can build off of it.”
The Canucks will try to do that. They need a winning streak longer than two
games to convince anyone they are moving forcefully in the right direction
again.
“I thought we were playing better when we were losing,” Tortorella said,
referring to the last homestand. “But we're getting points, finding ways to get
points. I think our power play has helped us. I think we've scored goals at key
times. I just feel we're finding a way to grind a little bit more and protect a
lead. I thought we took a step in the right direction tonight, on our toes and
trying to score the next goal (while leading).
“It's day to day. You think you're getting somewhere and the next thing you
know, you fall apart somewhere. It's just a matter of trying to stay consistent
and trying to get better as a team.
“It's a trip – we win three out of four. I've always used that word traction; we're
trying to gain some traction and I think this helped us.”
Read more:
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Canucks+million+dollar+must+rebuild
+scoring+touch/9237882/story.html#ixzz2mVH7beFf
Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725942
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks’ Alex Burrows’ tough season gets worse, Alex Edler also sidelined
By Iain MacIntyre, Vancouver Sun columnist December 3, 2013
“I don't think the guys on their bench knew the extent of it,” Canuck Ryan
Kesler said.
No one on the Vancouver bench knew, either.
Read more:
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Canucks+million+dollar+must+rebuild
+scoring+touch/9237882/story.html#ixzz2mVHB65L1
Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 12.04.2013
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Alex Burrows has been missing for a month on the
scoresheet, and now he'll be missing from the Vancouver Canucks' lineup,
too, for at least the next four weeks. The absence of top defenceman Alex
Edler remained undefined late Tuesday.
Burrows underwent surgery here Monday for a broken jaw, the day after the
veteran winger was hit in the face by teammate Chris Tanev's clearing
attempt during the Canucks' 3-2 National Hockey League win against the
Carolina Hurricanes.
On Tuesday, Edler left Vancouver's 3-1 win against the Nashville Predators
after the first period, suffering what coach John Tortorella said was a “lower
body” injury.
The Canucks, who have played at close to full health the last two weeks,
suddenly have a couple of key players missing.
“It's at least four weeks or so,” Canuck coach John Tortorella said of Burrows'
recovery time. “He's out for a while. It's been a tough year for him. He's a big
part of. . . the soul of our team. He works hard. He's such a great teammate.
Everybody likes to have him around. It hurts. It's a big blow to us, but we have
to move by it and get ready to play our next game.”
Tortorella said Tuesday night he did not yet know the extent of Edler's injury
and, for now, the absence of Vancouver's No. 1 defenceman is day to day.
Burrows suffered a cut on his neck and broken teeth and bleeding inside his
mouth when struck at the bottom of his jaw bone by the puck. But he finished
the Carolina game and felt well enough Sunday night to participate in a team
dinner and festivities after the Canucks chartered to Nashville from Raleigh,
NC.
It was only after Burrows awoke Monday in severe pain that the Canucks
sent him to see an oral surgeon, whose X-rays revealed a fracture that
required surgery.
Burrows suffered a broken foot while blocking a shot in the Canucks'
season-opener on Oct. 3, and did not play again until Oct. 28. Despite
playing mostly in his regular first-line spot beside Daniel and Henrik Sedin,
Burrows has not scored in 17 games this season.
Including the end of last season, his regular-season goal drought is 22
games – Burrows' longest slump in nearly seven years. David Booth finished
Tuesday's game on the top line.
“You don't always have to look at goals and assists; you want them, but he
was doing a lot of other things well for us,” centre Brad Richardson said after
Tuesday morning's skate. “I knew he was hurting and got cut inside his
mouth, but he seemed OK. He came out for dinner (Sunday night) and then I
heard yesterday he had surgery. I didn't think he was going to need surgery
and have his jaw wired shut. It's too bad, a big loss.”
Canuck assistant general manager Laurence Gilman said the team's medical
staff in Carolina conducted pressure tests on Burrows' jaw that were
negative.
NHL arenas are equipped with X-ray machines, but those often aren't
advanced enough to provide the detail required for facial X-rays.
Burrows' finished with 18:47 of ice time against the Hurricanes, his busiest
game on the Canucks' four-city trip.
“That's what he's about; that's what everybody loves about him,” Tortorella
said of Burrows' toughness. “And he played good, too. Watching the tape, I
could see he was moving his jaw around and you could tell it was bothering
him. But he played and played really well. It doesn't surprise me. In the short
time I've been with him, that's what he's about. That's what we'll miss a lot of
in the room – is that type of guy. We'll need to find a way to get it done.”
One Canuck said Hurricane defenceman Mike Komisarek, who later goaded
Richardson into a minor penalty by challenging him to fight and then refusing
to drop his droves, was yelling at Burrows when he fell to the ice, accusing
the Canuck of faking an injury.
725943
Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver 3 Nashville 1: Kesler carries Canucks to victory over Preds
Luongo also got crafty in the third period, and earned the Canucks the power
play on which Kesler scored his second. Patric Hornqvist bumped Dan
Hamhuis and the Canucks defenceman bumped Luongo, who sold the
interference call by flying back onto the ice.
When it came to Kesler, Tortorella had an interesting call to make with Alex
Burrows out of the lineup.
By Jason Botchford, The Province December 3, 2013
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The Canucks lost Alex Edler, but they may have found
Ryan Kesler.
Every visit here, Kesler is still reminded of the epic playoff series he had
against the Predators 2½ years ago.
Who knows if he can ever do something like that again.
But for the first time in a long time, he’s playing like it’s possible.
In a game Edler limped out of in the first period, and didn’t return, Kesler put
in a vintage 2011 performance.
“He put us on his shoulder there and led the way,” Canucks coach John
Tortorella said.
If you’re counting at home, that’s the second straight game Kesler has done
it.
Just like Sunday against Carolina, Kesler scored twice, including the
game-winner in the third period, leading the way in a 3-1 win over the
Predators.
He now has 14 goals in 30 games, one fewer than Sidney Crosby. He has
four game-winners, one off the NHL lead. Not bad for a player who put just
four in the net last season, and 22 the season before.
Kesler’s 2011 series, when he had a hand in 11 of the Canucks’ 14 goals,
remains a big topic here, even if back home it’s as distant a memory as
Christian Ehrhoff.
Nashville coach Barry Trotz was asked to reminisce and seemed to suggest
the Preds got the last laugh.
“We started out watching the Sedin brothers, but by the end of the series, we
were trying to stop Kesler, specifically with (Ryan) Suter and (Shea) Weber
back then,” Trotz said.
“He still was dominant. But it took its toll. Those guys ripped into him pretty
good. He had a great series and knocked us out.
“But I don’t think he had much the next series.”
Trotz wasn’t wrong. Kesler had multiple surgeries and didn’t have much for
the next two years.
It’s too early to say whether Kesler has been fully restored. But what’s
important for him and this team is that he believes he has been.
“It’s been a frustrating road and there have been a lot of naysayers out there,”
Kesler said. “But I have had a lot of people who believe in me, in this
organization and among my friends and family. They all stuck by me.
“It’s good to be back.”
Kesler was exhibiting the type of attitude there that the Canucks haven’t
shown in two years. They’ve needed it.
For too much of this season, the Canucks have been absent a dynamic
game-changer. They’ve worked hard. They’ve controlled the puck. They’ve
piled up shots. But they’ve needed a star.
On Tuesday, they had two.
Kesler was the lead dog. He devoured a Jason Garrison rebound midway
through the third period, banking it into the net off of Ryan Ellis. Less than
seven minutes later he scored the goal that sealed the win, when he slid the
puck under Preds goalie Marek Mazanec on the power play.
Roberto Luongo was racing right alongside Kesler, making 30 saves on 31
shots. His most important was in the first period. Chris Tanev got
embarrassed behind the net, and it led to a brilliant Craig Smith scoring
chance in front.
It’s the type of save the team has needed, and it gave the Canucks the time
they needed to score the first goal.
Three weeks ago, he would have bumped Kesler to the wing on his top line.
But he wasn’t about to make that call after Kesler outplayed Eric Staal on
Sunday.
“I don’t want to screw around with that,” Tortorella said. “It’s a good thing for
me I know I can use him at wing.
“I think he’s a better winger than he thinks he is. But he did so many good
things for us. I liked how that line was playing. I changed it around and put
(Mike) Santorelli there.
“But Ryan has been playing really well and I don’t want to screw around with
him.”
Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.04.2013
725944
Vancouver Canucks
Canucks vs Predators game day: What we learned about Burrows and the
2011 playoff series. Yeah, that one
3. The worst part is that Burrows was long overdue for a terrific run of
goal-scoring.
His shot totals were comparable to previous seasons, as he had 49 in 17
games, nearly three a game.
The goals were going to come and come in bunches.
Jason Botchford
“I think he was really close,” Henrik Sedin said. “Especially the last four, five
or six games. He’s had a lot of chances and there’s been a lot of rebounds
where he just missed or the puck was bouncing.
7719842 590x392 Canucks vs Predators game day: What we learned about
Burrows and the 2011 playoff series. Yeah, that one
“We were all going through those things and it mounts up when you’re
missing chances. There are some really good chances you miss and you
think it’s never going to happen.”
1. Ryan Kesler had it right, and Mike Komisarek did not.
Kesler was calling Burrows a “warrior” Tuesday and with good reason.
Burrows beelined off the ice, his mouth pooling with blood, after taking a
Chris Tanev clearing attempt to his jaw against Carolina Sunday.
“He had some fractured teeth but the doctor did a pressure test and it
passed,” assistant GM Laurence Gilman said. “He wanted to go back into the
game. At that time, we felt it would be OK.”
Burrows missed two shifts, and played three more in the second before
playing a whopping 7:42 in the third. He was among the Canucks’ best
forwards in that period.
He literally saved the game when he cradled an Eric Staal tip out of the
crease before it crossed the goal line.
He then flew to Nashville and went out that night with the team for its rookie
dinner.
(Collectively, the team hit two or three establishments and had quite a time,
apparently detailed here by Flyer fans).
4. The Canucks top six at the game-day skate included the Sedins, Kesler,
Higgins, Hansen and Santorelli.
The best guess was that Kesler would play with the twins. We’ll see.
5. The Canucks are still talking about that Drayson Bowman boarding penalty
on Bieksa from Sunday.
The Canucks had it cued in their dressing room.
Tortorella told the media he actually thought it woke his team up Sunday.
“It almost put me to sleep; it didn’t wake me up,” Bieksa countered.
“I didn’t see it coming. He saw that I was vulnerable and he didn’t let up, he
actually extended his arms.
“I’ve hit guys dirty before. I don’t know if I’ve done it that dirty.
6. Seth Jones is so cool and comfortable around the rink, and when I asked
where he thinks that comes from, he said he lives with his mom.
Not sure how many 19-year-olds would want that, but Jones seems to love it.
“We went out for dinner with him and went out on the town,” Kevin Bieksa
said.
“She moved here,” Jones said. “I have a really good relationship with her, so
it’s not like she’s driving me crazy.
“Everything seemed OK. We thought we had dodged a bullet.”
“But I think I’m pretty mature.”
They had not.
Yes, I’d say so.
Burrows was complaining about pain during the night and it was difficult for
him to eat.
7. Kesler may have got the Preds’ number a couple of years ago, but they
take solace in the fact they knocked the crap out of him.
Sure it was: He had a broken jaw and several fractured teeth. The pain was
unbearable Monday morning.
Two and a half years later, Nashville is still getting grilled about that series
Ryan Kesler had against the Preds in 2011.
He underwent surgery Monday and will be out a month.
He had a hand in 11 of the Canucks’ 14 goals.
It’s all rather embarrassing for Komisarek, who was yelling “faker” at Burrows
when he came back on the ice Sunday.
Even the rook, Jones, was asked about it. Seems they don’t talk about it all
the time in the dressing room, though.
Nice stuff there.
“No, they don’t (bring up that series),” he said. “It’s in the past. We’re
completely different teams now.”
“It probably affected his chirping a little bit out there,” Bieksa said of Burrows.
That’s about it.
2. Burrows is seen as the team’s heart and soul.
Sure, Burrows had no goals in 17 games, and when he gets back half his
season will be over.
But he is far more valuable to the Canucks than that stat line suggests.
“It’s been a tough year for him, and he’s a little bit of the soul of our team,”
John Tortorella said. “He works hard, he’s such a great teammate. Everyone
loves having him around.
“It hurts. It’s a big blow for us. We have to move by it.”
Smart kid. He’ll probably get a lot of Kesler tonight if 17 resumes his slot on
the wing with the Sedin twins.
Both Shea Weber and Kevin Klein are out, leaving the heavy lifting to the
rookie.
But Trotz had some interesting things to say when he got shook down on the
2011 retrospective.
“He had a helluva series,” Trotz said. “That was probably his most dominant
series.
“We started out watching the Sedin brothers but by the end of the series, we
were trying to stop Kesler, specifically with Suter and Weber back then.
Bieksa took it further.
“He still was dominant. But it took its toll. Those guys ripped into him pretty
good. He had a great series and knocked us out.
“He’s a heart and soul player on this team and has been for a long time,”
Bieksa said. “Maybe sometimes he doesn’t get the attention that he
deserves.
“But I don’t think he had much the next series.”
“He’s had a tough year with injuries. We’ve all had a year like that, and this is
his. He’s going to have to struggle through.
Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.04.2013
“He’s a strong personality. I know he can handle it.”
He’s not wrong.
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Vancouver Canucks
Alex Burrows is out at least four weeks after breaking jaw from friendly fire
And also Santorelli, who Tortorella could flip up to the first line while having
Brad Richardson take over his centre spot the third.
If anything, the injury should underline the reality the Canucks are a lot
thinner at wing than most people seem to realize.
Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.04.2013
Jason Botchford
NASHVILLE — Alex Burrows knew something may be seriously wrong
Sunday when he skated off the ice after getting hit in the jaw with a puck on a
Chris Tanev clearing attempt.
He was right.
He did return, and talked about it, laughing after the Carolina game. He was
even out for dinner later that night after flying to Nashville.
But, as first reported by TEAM 1040, he played the third and scrummed with
reporters after that game all with a broken jaw.
And it was the last game he’ll play for some time.
The report, originating from Bob “The Moj” Marjanovich, revealed Burrows
suffered a broken jaw on the Tanev shot and underwent surgery Monday.
He’s now out of the lineup indefinitely.
When Burrows returned, Mike Komisarek was calling him a “faker.”
Yeah, not so much.
“He had some fractured teeth and the doctor did a pressure test,” assistant
GM Laurence Gilman said. “He wanted to go back into the game. At that
time, we felt it would be OK.”
Burrows woke up Monday morning with increased pain. The Canucks soon
located an oral surgeon in Nashville.
Burrows should be out about a month but Gilman said they are going to give
it another week before determining a more accurate timeline.
Sidney Crosby suffered a similar jawbone injury on March 30. It also required
surgery and he didn’t play again until May 3.
This is the latest blow in the most snakebit season of Burrows’ career.
He’s already missed more than three weeks of the season after fracturing his
right foot in the season opener Oct. 3 against San Jose when he blocked a
Patrick Marleau shot.
He returned on Oct. 28 but has yet to score a goal this season in 17 games.
It’s a stretch that has seen him take 49 shots on net.
His career average shooting percentage is 13%. This year, obviously, it’s
zero.
Burrows, of course, had been playing with the Sedins, so replacing him on
that top line will not be an easy choice for coach Tortorella.
His knee-jerk may be to tap Ryan Kesler, but he is coming off his best game
of the season and he was centring the second line while doing it.
And with Henrik, Kesler and Mike Santorelli centring the top three lines, the
Canucks have been icing their deepest lineup of the season.
It’s going to be interesting to see what Tortorella does if Burrows is out, and
Kesler stays at centre.
His most likely candidate would be Jannik Hansen, even if he did get chewed
out on the bench Thursday.
Then there’s David Booth, but who are we kidding?
There’s Zack Kassian, but the coach barely trusts him on the third line,
playing 11 minutes, let alone the top line playing 19.
I did write about Kassian’s situation today, and this will be another test of my
theory that Tortorella never had any intention of playing him with the twins in
the regular season.
Guess we’ll see now because if that ever was a plan, this is about the best
time they’ll ever have to execute it.
There’s Chris Higgins who is third on the team in goals.
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Gino Odjick admitted to psychiatric wing of Quebec hospital
Erik Rolfsen
One of Vancouver’s all-time favourite Canucks is reportedly struggling with
brain injuries suffered during his 12-year career as an NHL enforcer.
Gino Odjick, 43, was admitted to the psychiatric wing of a hospital in
Gatineau, Que., on the weekend to be treated for symptoms of multiple
concussions, according to a report by Marc de Foy of Le Journal de Montreal.
Just a few days earlier, Odjick had laid his father to rest. Odjick was said to
be “agitated” upon admission to hospital.
According to the report, Odjick confessed to de Foy in 2011 that he had been
struggling with post-traumatic symptoms, and is known by friends to have
cognitive difficulties.
“When you eat head shots, it’s hard on the brain,” de Foy quotes Odjick as
saying in that 2011 interview. The Algonquin Enforcer, who recently
appeared in a French-language documentary about former NHL enforcers
and their health problems, also told de Foy he has spent 32 months in
hospital since retiring in 2002.
Brain injuries have been making sports news frequently this year. In August,
the NFL reached a $765-million settlement with former players who had sued
the league seeking compensation for their brain injuries. That legacy is
chronicled in a book and documentary called League of Denial. Then, just
over a week ago, 10 former pro hockey players filed a class-action lawsuit
against the NHL for similar reasons, a claim that has quickly grown to include
200 plaintiffs.
Odjick looked happy and dapper during a public appearance at Rogers
Arena on Nov. 2 when his buddy Pavel Bure had his number retired by the
Canucks. He received a loud ovation from the crowd during his introduction.
Odjick was a huge fan favourite during his playing days, when he served as
Bure’s protector and took a regular shift.
Odjick has also been a friend of The Province, volunteering as a judge for our
2007 online tournament in which we and our readers determined the NHL’s
All-Time Heavyweight Champion (the late Bob Probert).
We wish him well.
Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Vancouver Canucks
Canucks vs Predators game day: What we learned about Burrows and the
2011 playoff series. Yeah, that one
3. The worst part is that Burrows was long overdue for a terrific run of
goal-scoring.
His shot totals were comparable to previous seasons, as he had 49 in 17
games, nearly three a game.
The goals were going to come and come in bunches.
Jason Botchford
“I think he was really close,” Henrik Sedin said. “Especially the last four, five
or six games. He’s had a lot of chances and there’s been a lot of rebounds
where he just missed or the puck was bouncing.
7719842 590x392 Canucks vs Predators game day: What we learned about
Burrows and the 2011 playoff series. Yeah, that one
“We were all going through those things and it mounts up when you’re
missing chances. There are some really good chances you miss and you
think it’s never going to happen.”
1. Ryan Kesler had it right, and Mike Komisarek did not.
Kesler was calling Burrows a “warrior” Tuesday and with good reason.
Burrows beelined off the ice, his mouth pooling with blood, after taking a
Chris Tanev clearing attempt to his jaw against Carolina Sunday.
“He had some fractured teeth but the doctor did a pressure test and it
passed,” assistant GM Laurence Gilman said. “He wanted to go back into the
game. At that time, we felt it would be OK.”
Burrows missed two shifts, and played three more in the second before
playing a whopping 7:42 in the third. He was among the Canucks’ best
forwards in that period.
He literally saved the game when he cradled an Eric Staal tip out of the
crease before it crossed the goal line.
He then flew to Nashville and went out that night with the team for its rookie
dinner.
(Collectively, the team hit two or three establishments and had quite a time,
apparently detailed here by Flyer fans).
4. The Canucks top six at the game-day skate included the Sedins, Kesler,
Higgins, Hansen and Santorelli.
The best guess was that Kesler would play with the twins. We’ll see.
5. The Canucks are still talking about that Drayson Bowman boarding penalty
on Bieksa from Sunday.
The Canucks had it cued in their dressing room.
Tortorella told the media he actually thought it woke his team up Sunday.
“It almost put me to sleep; it didn’t wake me up,” Bieksa countered.
“I didn’t see it coming. He saw that I was vulnerable and he didn’t let up, he
actually extended his arms.
“I’ve hit guys dirty before. I don’t know if I’ve done it that dirty.
6. Seth Jones is so cool and comfortable around the rink, and when I asked
where he thinks that comes from, he said he lives with his mom.
Not sure how many 19-year-olds would want that, but Jones seems to love it.
“We went out for dinner with him and went out on the town,” Kevin Bieksa
said.
“She moved here,” Jones said. “I have a really good relationship with her, so
it’s not like she’s driving me crazy.
“Everything seemed OK. We thought we had dodged a bullet.”
“But I think I’m pretty mature.”
They had not.
Yes, I’d say so.
Burrows was complaining about pain during the night and it was difficult for
him to eat.
7. Kesler may have got the Preds’ number a couple of years ago, but they
take solace in the fact they knocked the crap out of him.
Sure it was: He had a broken jaw and several fractured teeth. The pain was
unbearable Monday morning.
Two and a half years later, Nashville is still getting grilled about that series
Ryan Kesler had against the Preds in 2011.
He underwent surgery Monday and will be out a month.
He had a hand in 11 of the Canucks’ 14 goals.
It’s all rather embarrassing for Komisarek, who was yelling “faker” at Burrows
when he came back on the ice Sunday.
Even the rook, Jones, was asked about it. Seems they don’t talk about it all
the time in the dressing room, though.
Nice stuff there.
“No, they don’t (bring up that series),” he said. “It’s in the past. We’re
completely different teams now.”
“It probably affected his chirping a little bit out there,” Bieksa said of Burrows.
That’s about it.
2. Burrows is seen as the team’s heart and soul.
Sure, Burrows had no goals in 17 games, and when he gets back half his
season will be over.
But he is far more valuable to the Canucks than that stat line suggests.
“It’s been a tough year for him, and he’s a little bit of the soul of our team,”
John Tortorella said. “He works hard, he’s such a great teammate. Everyone
loves having him around.
“It hurts. It’s a big blow for us. We have to move by it.”
Smart kid. He’ll probably get a lot of Kesler tonight if 17 resumes his slot on
the wing with the Sedin twins.
Both Shea Weber and Kevin Klein are out, leaving the heavy lifting to the
rookie.
But Trotz had some interesting things to say when he got shook down on the
2011 retrospective.
“He had a helluva series,” Trotz said. “That was probably his most dominant
series.
“We started out watching the Sedin brothers but by the end of the series, we
were trying to stop Kesler, specifically with Suter and Weber back then.
Bieksa took it further.
“He still was dominant. But it took its toll. Those guys ripped into him pretty
good. He had a great series and knocked us out.
“He’s a heart and soul player on this team and has been for a long time,”
Bieksa said. “Maybe sometimes he doesn’t get the attention that he
deserves.
“But I don’t think he had much the next series.”
“He’s had a tough year with injuries. We’ve all had a year like that, and this is
his. He’s going to have to struggle through.
Vancouver Province: LOADED: 12.04.2013
“He’s a strong personality. I know he can handle it.”
He’s not wrong.
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Vancouver Canucks
Broken jaw will sideline Canucks’ Burrows for a month
DAVID EBNER
Alex Burrows broke his jaw on Sunday afternoon when he took a puck in the
face – but the fracture, and resulting surgery, was not diagnosed until much
later and the winger finished the game against the Carolina Hurricanes.
Burrows is expected to be out for four weeks, the Vancouver Canucks said
on Tuesday. He woke up on Monday in pain and had surgery later that day.
The loss of Burrows is a blow for a team that has lost more games than it has
won, (14-10-5) and currently sits in ninth place in the Western Conference.
This is the second time Burrows has been injured this year. He broke his foot
in the first game of the season blocking a shot and missed 12 games. And
while in action, he hasn’t had much luck either, unable to score a single goal
this season.
Regardless, his absence will ripple through the Canucks lineup, as his spot
on the first line with the Sedin twins goes vacant. Ryan Kesler has filled the
role this year, but if Kesler moves back to the first line, the Canucks other
lines go into a tumult, and secondary scoring becomes a huge issue, which
exacerbates the team’s difficulty this year in general scoring goals.
Globe And Mail LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Vancouver Canucks
Gulutzan happy to provide rhythm to Vancouver ensemble
DAVID EBNER
There are different views from an NHL bench.
The players sit and watch their teammates and opponents skate and bang
by, poised for their next 50-second burst of action. The head coach, coiffed in
a suit and tie, stands, arms folded, his face usually in some state of
glowering. Then, there are the assistant coaches, off to the side and quiet, a
part of the ensemble but, much like the bass player in a band, important but
in the background.
Glen Gulutzan spent most of his 30s as a head coach, 10 seasons that
began with a six-year tenure in Las Vegas in the ECHL and two running the
Texas Stars in the AHL. He rose, two months before his 40th birthday, to
head coach of the Dallas Stars.
He lasted two years. The Stars, in Gulutzan’s rookie season, led the Pacific
Division late in the year, but lost their last five games and missed the playoffs.
Last season, the Stars struggled, and came up short again.
Out of work, Gulutzan had a decision to make. He had arrived in the league
at an age when many promising bench bosses get their first NHL head
coaching gig. Some, such as Dan Bylsma in Pittsburgh, or Joel Quenneville
in Chicago, land at the top, and stay. Others, such as Alain Vigneault (now
with the New York Rangers), lose their first job and have to scrap to get back.
Gulutzan had options. There were head coaching jobs in the AHL in Toronto
and Iowa. He interviewed for the head job with the Vancouver Canucks that
went to his now-boss John Tortorella. He spoke with the Tampa Bay
Lightning about an assistant role. He weighed the prospect of more time as
the main man at a lower tier, or to remain in the NHL as an assistant at any
level.
The guy who was the lead singer for a decade chose to pick up the bass.
Gulutzan signed on as an assistant with the Vancouver.
“Learning from somebody else, without the pressures and the perils that are
in this occupation, is a crucial thing for a coach,” Gulutzan said in an interview
in late November, sitting in the stands of a rink at the University of British
Columbia after a Canucks practice.
Gulutzan, an avid student of the game, has his first chance to directly watch a
peer at work. “For me, with John, it’s just the way he handles the room. The
little things about the way he handles a group, how he doles out
responsibilities, how he doles out criticism. Watching another guy do it
certainly makes you better.”
Gulutzan’s life in hockey began in Hudson Bay, Sask., a small-town home to
about 1,500 people, about 400 kilometres northeast of Regina. The hockey
rink was the focal point of the community. Gulutzan’s dad, Eugene, a school
teacher, was his coach until Gulutzan, at 15, moved to Moose Jaw to play
major junior.
When people are asked about Gulutzan, they invariably will immediately say
something about his penchant for details. His father remembers his son’s
focus from an early age.
“Give me all the information you can possibly give me” was the approach, his
dad said. “He always had facts and quotes, this happened and that
happened.”
Gulutzan had his eye on coaching early. In his last year of major junior, he
started an education degree at the University of Saskatchewan, and
continued playing in the minors in Fresno, Calif. Turning 30, he finished his
career on ice with two seasons as a player-assistant coach, before hopping
to Vegas for the same team owner as in Fresno.
Last summer, when he was considering his future, he had a chance
encounter at LaGuardia Airport in New York with an old acquaintance from
Hudson Bay, Trent Yawney.
Yawney had a short run as an NHL coach in Chicago in the mid-2000s, and
went on to serve three years as an assistant with the San Jose Sharks.
Yawney is currently an AHL bench boss in Norfolk and counselled Gulutzan
to take an assistant job in the NHL.
“The stuff he’ll gain is invaluable,” Yawney said. “It’s not always about the Xs
and Os.”
Vancouver’s veteran players have embraced Gulutzan. Ryan Kesler says he
has brought a brainy mind to the power play, of which Gulutzan is in charge.
The woeful man-advantage has finally been clicking of late, scoring in each
of the past five games.
“He throws out different stats during power-play meetings and it gets guys
thinking,” Kesler said.
The boss, Tortorella, praises his assistant. Tortorella spent nine seasons as
an assistant in the NHL before he became a head coach.
“Gully’s going to be a star,” Tortorella said. “You know, quite honestly, he was
probably too young to take over a team right away as he did with Dallas. But
he’s going to be a star.”
Globe And Mail LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Websites
ESPN / Alexander Burrows out a month
By Scott Burnside | ESPN.com
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Left winger Alexander Burrows of the Vancouver
Canucks took a puck to the face during Sunday's matinee win over the
Carolina Hurricanes and played the balance of the game.
On Monday, Burrows underwent surgery to repair a fractured jaw after the
team arrived in advance of its Tuesday night game against the Nashville
Predators. He will miss about a month.
"It's been a tough for year for him. He's a big part of our [team], a little bit of
our soul of our team," Canucks coach John Tortorella said Tuesday morning.
"He works hard, he's such a great teammate; everybody likes to have him
around. It hurts. It's a big blow to us but we have to move by it and get ready
to play our next game."
Tortorella was asked if he was surprised Burrows continued to play in spite of
what must have been a painful injury.
"Not him. Not him. That's what he's about. That's what everybody loves about
him, and played good too," Tortorella said. "I was watching the tape [and] I
could see he was moving, just moving his jaw around. You could tell it was
bothering him. But he played and played really well. It doesn't surprise me. In
the short time I've been with him, that's what he's about.
"That's what we'll miss a lot of in the room is that type of guy. We need to find
a way to get it done."
ESPN LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Websites
ESPN / Sharks have some tricky decisions to make
Both Team USA and Team Canada brain trusts will hold meetings in
California this weekend ahead of next week's board of governors meeting,
once again fine-tuning their respective player lists. The Team Canada
management team is also expected to take in the Kings game on Saturday
night.
Second Toronto arena update
By Pierre LeBrun
The board of governors gathers next week in Pebble Beach, Calif., and
traditionally that's where the league gives teams a clearer projection for
where the salary cap might stand for next season.
That's going to be of particular interest to the San Jose Sharks, who have had
ongoing discussions with their big three UFAs -- Joe Thornton, Patrick
Marleau and Dan Boyle. There's only so much money and cap space to go
around, especially with new extensions kicking in next year for the likes of
Logan Couture and Joe Pavelski. So the Sharks want to be fair to their three
core veterans, but also have to fit all three deals into the reality of their cap
situation.
To the credit of the both management and the players involved, none of this
has been a distraction at all. The Sharks are on fire so far this season with
Marleau and Thornton especially consistent and dynamic once again in their
production. Boyle is coming on after missing time with a concussion.
All three players want to re-sign and stay put, and management wants them
back.
But there's still the business of making it work on all three fronts with
whatever cap space they have to manage with.
Boyle has the added wrinkle that he's a 35-and-over contract, which carries
its obvious risks in the CBA. So you're looking at either a one-year or a
two-year deal in his case, most likely.
Another wrinkle in the process has been that Marleau has yet to hire a new
agent after the passing of the venerable and well-liked Don Baizley. It's
unclear whether Marleau would look to do his own deal, like some veteran
players have done, or hire a new agent.
Numbers have been exchanged in the case of Boyle and Thornton, but not
so yet on the Marleau front for the above-mentioned reason.
GM Doug Wilson has kept his team among the league's elite for a decade
and even retooled the team on the fly, and he's also avoided some of the
front-loaded, mega-long-term deals that have dragged down other
organizations. This is another intriguing challenge for Wilson, getting three
players he really likes, who all want to stay put, under the same roof past this
season.
Trade rumblings
I mentioned last week that the Vancouver Canucks had a conversation with
the Washington Capitals about Martin Erat -- who has asked for a trade -- but
the Canucks after some thought decided to pass. Ditto for the Ottawa
Senators, who initially showed a bit of interest but ultimately decided Erat
wasn't a fit. ... The name of winger Jamie McGinn is making the rounds of
late, one source telling ESPN.com that Avalanche head coach/executive
Patrick Roy has mentioned his name in conversations with a few teams in an
attempt either to land a defenseman or a veteran checking forward. ... While
the Panthers are willing to move some of their veteran forwards, such as
Tomas Fleischmann or Scottie Upshall, the more intriguing name making the
rounds is that of young blueliner Dmitry Kulikov, who is RFA after the season.
There is perhaps fear he'll want big money or go to Russia next season,
which is why he's being made available, but he's certainly worth a gamble in
my books for teams looking to upgrade their blue line.
Team Canada will max it out
Nothing official yet, but expect Hockey Canada to announce its Olympic
roster on Jan. 7, taking full advantage of the extended deadline the IIHF, NHL
and NHLPA negotiated last week.
Zero surprise there, from the Steven Stamkos situation to other heated
positional battles, Team Canada wants all the time it can use to evaluate.
Team USA remains slated for Jan. 1. There had been internal dialogue
among the Team USA brain trust as to the merits of moving it later after the
IIHF announcement of the extension last week, but within the same day it
was agreed to stick with the plan to announce it on NBC at the conclusion of
the Winter Classic.
The plan to build a new NHL arena in Markham, Ont., north of Toronto
continues to face hurdles but also remains alive.
A few things that need to be said here:
1. As far as any kind of communication between the NHL and the group
leading the charge to build a rink in Markham, the message from the league
has been a consistent one: DON'T BUILD A RINK BUILT ON THE
EXPECTATION OF GETTING AN NHL TEAM. Which is usually when I
would stop in my tracks in building a rink, but I digress.
2. There are still holes in this financing plan for the rink, no matter what
anybody connected to it says. It's been improved in terms of protecting the
taxpayer, but there's still holes in it as far as I can see.
3. And, finally, and perhaps most importantly, one should not assume a
second NHL team in the Toronto area (it remains a possibility within the
decade) must go to this current group in Markham. Those are two different
conversations, two different realities. I'm not saying the group in Markham
won't ever achieve its goal, but what I'm saying is that I'd lay down better
odds of a second team in the Toronto area as a general development not
associated with this current group.
ESPN LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Websites
ESPN / Sources: NHL to pay Wayne Gretzky
By Pierre LeBrun | ESPN.com
More than four years since leaving the Phoenix Coyotes, Wayne Gretzky will
be repaid money he was owed by former team owner Jerry Moyes, the NHL
itself agreeing to cut a check to the Great One after reaching a tentative deal
with the legend, sources tell ESPN.com.
Sources would not confirm the exact figure settled on but it's believed to be
around $7 million to $8 million.
The NHL for the past few years had sought to get the money owed to Gretzky
from Moyes via a lawsuit but a judge threw out most of the league's claims
from the suit against Moyes in early October.
In light of the delays associated with the Moyes litigation, the Audit/Finance
Committee from the NHL's Board of Governors approved a plan to make
Gretzky whole for deferred compensation owed to him by Moyes, and which
was never paid as a result of the Coyotes bankruptcy back in September
2009, source have told ESPN.com.
ESPN LOADED: 12.04.2013
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Websites
FOXSports.com / Kings ride momentum into matchup vs. Ducks
ABBEY MASTRACCO |
LOS ANGELES — The Kings came into Monday night's game against the
Blues having lost four of their last five games, but their 3-2 win at Staples
Center is one the team thinks can change the course.
It's meaningful hockey, and it's time to start building off some of the
momentum and points, especially with Tuesday's rivalry game in Anaheim on
tap.
"I think we tried to approach it with a bit more focus," said goaltender Ben
Scrivens. "Just attention to detail, we know they have an extremely potent
power play and I think they're second in the league in offensive production so
they don't give up much either. We knew we had our work cut out for us."
Tyler Toffoli scored twice and Ben Scrivens held St. Louis scoreless until the
final minutes of the game as the Kings won their ninth-straight against the
Blues. The penalty kill unit successfully killed off each Blues power play and
the physical, hard-checking style disrupted their opponents technical play.
The Kings jumped out to a two-goal lead in the first period, making a
statement about how they intended to handle their slump play in their own
building.
"I think we knew we had to come out with a good game," Toffoli said. "The
past couple games we haven't played that well at home and we wanted to
make a statement against a good team. St. Louis is team similar to us so we
had to come out hard and play with body and I thought we did a good job of
that."
"Home ice is important," said defenseman Jake Muzzin. "We've got to create
a better identity for ourselves at home and make it a tough building for teams
to come in and play."
The Kings won't have home ice Tuesday, but a statement still needs to be
made, as the Kings trail the Ducks by two points and the Sharks by three in
the Pacific Division. It will be the third time this season the Kings have played
back-to-back games and they've won the last two back-end contests.
"Same mental process and everything we did today," Scrivens said. "That's
the challenge of playing in this league, you're going to have back-to-backs
against tough teams so that's a good measuring stick for us."
The Kings' recent play has come dangerously close to being a slump. Rivalry
or not, Tuesday's game against a key opponent in the Western Conference
will have much more than just bragging rights on the line.
"They're a rivalry, yeah, but personally I don't look at it as a rivalry," Muzzin
said. "I want to win every game and play hard every game. We've got to
continue winning games, stay in the playoff hunt and get home-ice
advantage."
FOXSports.com LOADED: 12.04.2013
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NBCSports.com / Preds’ Mazanec named NHL rookie of the month
Mike Halford
After bailing Nashville out of a potentially disastrous goaltending situation,
Marek Mazanec has been named the NHL’s rookie of the month for
November.
Mazanec, 22, was projected to back up Carter Hutton after Hutton inherited
Nashville’s No. 1 goalie gig from the injured Pekka Rinne. But when Hutton
proved incapable of carrying the load, Preds head coach Barry Trotz gave
Manzanec a shot — and the rookie delivered.
Mazanec, who made his NHL debut on Nov. 8, posted a 5-4-1 record with a
2.00 GAA and .932 save percentage last month. What’s more, he posted a
pair of shutouts and kept Nashville in the playoff picture, as the Preds
currently sit just five points back of Phoenix for the second and final wild card
berth.
The Czech netminder edged out a number of worthy rookies for this month’s
award, including Chris Kreider (13 points in 15 games, including his first
career hat trick), Tomas Hertl (10 points in 13 games) and Torey Krug (nine
points in 15 games).
NBCSports.com / LOADED: 12.04.2013
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NBCSports.com / Kane, Malkin, Harding named NHL’s three stars for
November
Mike Halford
Patrick Kane captured the NHL’s first star award for the month of November
on Tuesday, edging out Evgeni Malkin — who looked to be a shoe-in after
winning player of the week awards twice last month.
Third star went to Minnesota goalie Josh Harding.
It was Kane, though, that topped the list, thanks in large part to pacing
Chicago to 12 wins in 15 games — six of which came on the club’s annual
“Circus Trip,” a lengthy road swing that saw the ‘Hawks outscore opponents
22-10 over its six victories. Kane ranked second among all skaters in
November with nine goals (four game-winners), and posted a career-best
12-game point streak along the way.
Malkin led all skaters with 21 assists and 25 points in November while also
topping the league in power-play assists (nine) and power-play points (10).
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, his 21 assists were the most by an
NHL player in one calendar month since January 1996, when Wayne Gretzky
recorded 21 helpers for the Los Angeles Kings.
Harding continued his run of stellar play by posting an 8-2-2 record last
month, along with a 1.88 GAA and .926 save percentage as the Wild went
9-4-2, holding onto a playoff spot in the ultra-competitive Western
Conference. Harding also posted his second shutout of the season (4-0 over
New Jersey on Nov. 3) and now sits top three in the NHL in GAA (1.45), save
percentage (.939) and wins (14).
NBCSports.com / LOADED: 12.04.2013
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USA TODAY / Olympic tracker: Max Pacioretty finds groove
Subban is second among NHL defensemen with 24 points. Is Canada deep
enough on defense that it can snub a defenseman who could win the Norris
Trophy two seasons in a row? It's possible, but our projection is that Subban
will be on the team.
USA TODAY LOADED: 12.04.2013
Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 9:05 p.m. EST December 3, 2013
Montreal Canadiens winger Max Pacioretty realized not long ago that the
obstacles to making the U.S. Olympic team were all in his mind.
"We are all human, and I was thinking about the Olympics more than I
should," Pacioretty said. "As soon as I stopped thinking about it, I started to
find my rhythm."
With the announcement of the U.S. roster less than a month away, Pacioretty
has picked a good time to be a hot scorer. He has eight goals in his past
seven games.
"His size and scoring ability are a real intrigue," said USA Hockey's Jim
Johannson, careful not to suggest how the Americans are leaning in building
their roster. "Max has shown versatility in playing in all situations. There is a
lot of puck protection in the international game and Max is someone who has
that ability."
Pacioretty has three multiple-goal games over the past two weeks, with one
against the Pittsburgh Penguins, who are coached by U.S. coach Dan
Bylsma. He also uncorked a 10-shot game against the Minnesota Wild.
"He has certainly caught the attention of our evaluators," Johannson said.
Pacioretty was injured twice this season. He missed one game with an upper
body injury, and then sat out eight more with a hamstring issue. When he
came back from the second injury, he started to wonder where he might fit in
the Olympic plans.
He quickly decided he was "putting too much pressure" on himself. As soon,
as he shifted his focus back to his NHL team, he rediscovered his scoring
touch.
"You lose your rhythm and timing when you are injured and as soon as I
stopped thinking about (the Olympics) and just focused on my team, my
timing came back," he said.
Who is hot: Chicago Blackhawks winger Patrick Kane, expected to be among
the USA's leading scorers, has points in 13 of his past 14 games. In
November, Kane had nine goals, 19 points and four game-winners. The
Americans need him to be a go-to guy in Sochi.
Who is hot: Defenseman John Carlson (Washington Capitals) is a bubble
player, but over his last nine games, he has been an even or a plus player
eight times. He has played 24 or more minutes in all but one of those games,
topping 30 minutes twice. He seems like he's making a late bid to land one of
the eight spots on defense.
Who is not: Nashville Predators rookie Seth Jones might be headed for
stardom, but he has cooled off after a hot start. In his past 16 games, he has
been a plus-player once. Making the U.S. Olympic team certainly isn't all
about statistics, but a young player like Jones will have to be playing at his
best to make the squad.
MORE: Ducks, Kings unveil outdoor jerseys
Who is not: Craig Anderson (Ottawa Senators) isn't close to being as
impressive as he was last season. In his last four appearances, he has given
up 16 goals. Since returning from an injury on Nov. 12, he has surrendered
23 goals in six games
Goalie rankings: 1. Jonathan Quick (Los Angeles Kings). 2. Ryan Miller
(Buffalo Sabres). 3. Jimmy Howard (Detroit Red Wings). 4. Cory Schneider
(New Jersey Devils). 5. Tim Thomas (Florida Panthers). 6. Ben Bishop
(Tampa Bay Lightning). 7. Anderson.
Injuries: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Paul Martin (broken leg) will be
out until around the first of the year. Quick (strained groin muscle) will be
sidelined until around Christmas.
Foreign market: The big debate among fans in Canada is whether Montreal
defenseman P.K. Subban will make the Olympic team. The presumption is
the Canadian leadership team, led by general manager Steve Yzerman,
hasn't reached a final decision. Subban appears to be doing all he can to
prove his value. He's leading the Canadiens in scoring and he's plus 10.
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USA TODAY / Wayne Gretzky, NHL reach settlement for reimbursement
Kevin Allen, USA TODAY Sports 8:52 p.m. EST December 3, 2013
The NHL and Wayne Gretzky have reached an agreement that will pay the
Great One close to $8 million to reimburse him for his losses during the
Phoenix Coyotes' bankruptcy, according to a person familiar with the
agreement.
The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the settlement has not
been announced.
Gretzky, a former Coyotes coach, was owed $8 million by former owner Jerry
Moyes.
In 2009, Moyes filed for bankruptcy, resulting in the NHL taking ownership of
the team. Last summer, the NHL sold the team for $170 million to a group led
by Canadian businessmen George Gosbee and Anthony LeBlanc.
Gretzky is a hockey icon, and it was in both parties' best interest to get the
issue settled.
USA TODAY LOADED: 12.04.2013