SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF - NHL.comflyers.nhl.com/v2/ext/01 - Flyers NHL Clips/11.02.2014...2014/11/02...

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF NHL 11/2/2014

Anaheim Ducks 755246 Ryan Getzlaf isn't scoring but it's OK; Ducks are winning 755247 Ducks' new focus on defense is paying off 755248 What we learned from the Ducks' 2-1 overtime victory at Dallas 755249 Ducks still waiting on young scorers 755250 Anaheim Ducks’ defense, goaltending have been keys to their fast start

Arizona Coyotes 755251 Keith Yandle improved as Arizona Coyotes' veteran leader 755252 Carolina Hurricanes beat Arizona Coyotes 3-0 for 1st win of season 755253 Game Day: Arizona Coyotes at Carolina Hurricanes

Boston Bruins 755254 Late replacement Fraser leads Bruins over Senators 755255 Ex-Stars were shining bright in Bruins’ victory 755256 Claude Julien mum on report of of extension 755257 Marc Savard’s injury sets discipline standard 755258 Last Minute Decision Works Out Great For Fraser 755259 The Only Thing You Need To Know About the Bruins' Win Over the Senators 755260 Bruins Honor Menino In Pregame Ceremony 755261 Shawn Thornton embracing his return to Boston 755262 Bruins Notebook: Fights on back burner 755263 Good karma in Garden 755264 Bruins best Senators 755265 B's open homestand vs. Sens 755266 Bruins: "Very nice" to finally be over .500 755267 Bergeron regains form in big win over Senators 755268 Fraser proves his worth with two goals vs. Sens 755269 Talking Points: Bruins-Senators 755270 Report: Bruins sign Julien to 3-year extension 755271 Fraser's two goals lift Bruins over Senators, 4-2 755272 Haggerty's thoughts from Bruins-Senators 755273 Senators-Bruins preview: Role reversal 755274 Young Bruins defensmen will be pushed by Senators 755275 Bruins have to make way for the Dalai Lama 755276 Haggerty: Undermanned B's should get back to stingy D

Buffalo Sabres 755277 Ehrhoff finds new life with Penguins 755278 Sabres fire blanks again in loss

Calgary Flames 755279 Flames pack suitcases for another road test 755280 Hit on Flames' Ferland has Predators star in trouble 755281 Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher loving life 755282 Calgary Flames prospect Josh Jooris looks to follow Johnny Hockey out of pressbox

Carolina Hurricanes 755283 Faulk joins Canes’ effort to grow youth hockey 755284 Peters makes Semin a healthy scratch against Coyotes 755285 Ward, Hurricanes shut out Coyotes for first win of season 755286 Hurricanes shut out Coyotes for first win of season

Chicago Blackhawks 755287 Gameday: Maple Leafs 3, Blackhawks 2 755288 Antti Raanta relieved he’s still on Blackhawks’ roster 755289 Blackhawks dominate but fall to Maple Leafs 755290 When bros are foes: James, Trevor van Riemsdyk face each other 755291 Spellman: Pucks just won't find the net for Hawks 755292 Blackhawks fall to Toronto 3-2 755293 Five things we learned: Blackhawks turnovers must stop 755294 Blackhawks can't solve Reimer, fall to Maple Leafs 755295 Blackhawks: Trevor, James van Riemsdyk ready for brotherly battle 755296 Raanta wasn't worried about losing backup job with Blackhawks 755297 Konroyd's keys for Blackhawks-Maple Leafs 755298 Blackhawks updates: Crawford starts, Darling reassigned 755299 Scoring frustrations return for Hawks in loss to Leafs 755300 Rapid Reaction: Maple Leafs 3, Hawks 2 755301 Plenty of talent at Hawks' disposal in AHL

Colorado Avalanche 755302 Corey Perry: Spotlight on the Ducks right wing 755303 Colorado Avalanche's Zach Redmond has overcome stroke, severed artery 755304 Colorado Avs fall 3-2 at St. Louis in shootout 755305 Gameday: Avalanche at St. Louis (Game 12); Paul Stastny won’t play against former teammates 755306 On heels of season's best game, Avs stick with lineup at St. Louis 755307 Dater: Colorado Avalanche still has too many dents in the NHL team's defense 755308 Paul Stastny remains close with former Avalanche teammates 755309 Elliott, Tarasenko lead Blues past Avs in shootout

Columbus Blue Jackets 755310 Devils 3, Blue Jackets 2: Skid hits five games 755311 Three takeaways from the Blue Jackets 3-2 loss to the Devils 755312 Blue Jackets score smiles visiting local hospital

Dallas Stars 755313 Heika: Power play struggles pivotal in Stars 4-1 loss to Minnesota Wild 755314 Cold facts: Minnesota Wild hands Stars fourth straight loss, win 4-1 755315 Anders Lindback: What I've been doing wrong is putting too much pressure on myself 755317 Allen Americans sign Dallas hockey product Austin Smith 755318 Kari Lehtonen gets chance to fix second night of back-to-back woes 755319 Vanek, power play lift Wild past Stars 4-1

Detroit Red Wings 755320 Red Wings' Franzen will return Sunday; Quincey doubtful 755321 Watch this: Gordie Howe watches Wings fans salute him 755322 Ericsson still hot over cheap shot by Kings' Nolan 755323 Johan Franzen will return to ice Sunday for Red Wings 755324 Red Wings' Jonathan Ericsson takes exception to dangerous hit, glad to stand up for teammates 755325 Brian Lashoff ready for season debut, looking to fit right in on a defense that's been solid for Red Wings 755326 Johan Franzen's return means Red Wings are healthy up front for the first time all season 755327 Johan Franzen returning for Red Wings Sunday; Kyle Quincey out, day-to-day with ankle injury 755328 Column: As Red Wings beat Cup champion Kings, fans send get-well wishes to Gordie Howe 755329 Jimmy Howard's penalty-shot save early in third period 'huge' moment for Red Wings vs. Kings 755330 Wings get new face and familiar one back in lineup 755331 Notes: Franzen to return Sunday, Quincey out

Edmonton Oilers 755332 Live: Oilers vs. Canucks, Nov. 1 755333 Where to play Mark Arcobello? How about Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle? 755334 MacKinnon: An injured Taylor Hall would leave a gaping void in Oilers’ lineup 755335 Oilers bookend home stand with losses to Canucks 755336 Andrew Ference might be talking to Player Safety folks 755337 The Sedins always like seeing the Edmonton Oilers’ logo 755338 Edmonton Oilers coach Dallas Eakins on the Sedins: “The problem is, those two guys are thinking out of one bra 755339 Snapshots: Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks 755340 New Vancouver Canuck coach Desjardins reconnects with former Medicine Hat Tigers players 755341 Edmonton Oilers lose 3-2 to Vancouver Canucks

Florida Panthers 755342 Roberto Luongo lifts surging Panthers over Philadelphia Flyers 755343 Recap: Florida vs. Philadelphia 755344 Philadelphia Flyers (4-4-2) at Florida Panthers (3-2-3), 7 p.m. (ET) 755345 BIG NIGHT FOR PANTHERS, AARON EKBLAD: 755346 BACK IN SUNNY FLA: Panthers recall Rocco Grimaldi, Vinny Trocheck ... Duo ready to make their mark 755347 Panthers forward Rocco Grimaldi to make NHL debut 755348 Roberto Luongo and injury-racked Panthers down Flyers 2-1 755349 Roberto Luongo, Panthers edge Flyers 2-1

Los Angeles Kings 755350 Kings FYI: Anze Kopitar is expected to return Sunday 755351 Kings center Anze Kopitar poised to return to lineup 755352 What we learned from the Kings' 5-2 loss to the Red Wings 755353 Kings' Nolan to face disciplinary hearing 755354 Kings fall apart early in Detroit, lose third straight 755355 L.A. Kings face winless Carolina Hurricanes, look for a better start 755356 Acknowledging “special” group, Martinez avoids contract talk 755357 Nolan to receive NHL hearing from hit on Helm 755358 Kopitar on track for Sunday return 755359 November 1 practice notes 755360 The view from Detroit 755361 Waking up with the Kings: November 1

Minnesota Wild 755362 Postgame: Division-leading Wild get a good team win 755363 Game recap: Wild-Dallas 755364 Wild's Vanek admits mistakes, done with betting 755365 Vanek, power play lift Wild past Stars 4-1 755366 Vanek scores — on the power play — to spark Wild's victory 755367 NHL Insider: Jablonski focused on helping others with spinal injuries 755368 NHL Short Takes 755369 Wild's week ahead 755370 Thomas Vanek: 'I’m not proud of the decisions I’ve made' 755371 Tom Powers: Wild end whammy, score on power play 755372 Wild: Thomas Vanek, power play come alive in win over Stars 755373 Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek: 'I've made some bad choices'

Montreal Canadiens 755374 Canadiens vs. Flames preview: Price earns Molson Cup, Therrien juggles lines at practice (with video)

Nashville Predators 755375 Predators off to second-best start in team history 755376 Predators' Anton Volchenkov to have Player Safety hearing

New Jersey Devils 755377 Change of Scenery in N.H.L.: Crackdown on Theatrical Falls 755378 Devils Find Way to Win in SO, Top Jets 2-1 755379 Rangers Lose 2 Defensemen and Fall in Shootout; Devils Rally to Win 755380 Pete DeBoer calls goalie Cory Schneider 'our best player' after making 32 saves 755381 Angry Jaromir Jagr says Devils are playing with fire even though they're winning 755382 Devils come from behind to edge Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-2, on Adam Larsson goal | Rapid reaction 755383 Blue Jackets vs. Devils: LIVE analysis and fan chat during the game 755384 Greetings from the press box: Devils will face goalie making NHL debut 755385 Devils' Jacob Josefson blames only himself for failing to establish himself as a regular 755386 What channel is the Devils-Columbus Blue Jackets game on? 755387 "Awesome feeling" for Larsson to get winner; Henrique's goal familiar; Schneider "best player" 755388 Devils frustrated they still haven't found complete game, but happy to get another comeback win 755389 Live post: Devils vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 11/1/14 755390 Devils can't afford letdown against injury-riddled Columbus; No concern about fatigue with Schneider 755391 After 10 games, Lamoriello sees positives for Devils, but lots of room to improve; Discipline a key 755392 Devils notes: Larsson scores winner 755393 Devils rally to beat Blue Jackets, 3-2 755394 Adam Larsson lifts Devils past Blue Jackets with third period goal 755395 Larsson’s goal leads Devils to comeback win over Blue Jackets

New York Islanders 755396 Change of Scenery in N.H.L.: Crackdown on Theatrical Falls 755397 MacKinnon Scores Twice, Avs Beat Islanders 5-0 755398 Islanders fall to Logan Couture and San Jose Sharks, 3-1 755399 Slumping Islanders hit another bump in the road, fall to Sharks 755400 Islanders lose to Sharks, 3-1 755401 Do players really learn from sitting on the bench and watching? 755402 Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome shuffled around to find a place on Islanders

New York Rangers 755403 Rangers Lose 2 Defensemen and Fall in Shootout; Devils Rally to Win 755404 Change of Scenery in N.H.L.: Crackdown on Theatrical Falls 755405 NY Rangers lose Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein to injuries, then fall in shootout to Winnipeg Jets 755406 As schedule picks up in November, NY Rangers look to get backup goalie Cam Talbot more work 755407 Crushed Ice: Matt Hunwick, Mike Kostka log heavy impressive minutes after injuries to Rangers' Ryan McDonagh, 755408 Rangers lose Ryan McDonagh to separated shoulder, Kevin Klein to foot contusion in first period against Winnip 755409 Rangers v. Winnipeg Jets: Lineups; Vigneault seeking forward chemistry; Halloween photo of Hagelin, Zuccarello 755410 Rangers plan to give goalie Henrik Lundqvist some rest 755411 Rangers in trouble as McDonagh, Klein go down in loss 755412 Saturday, November 1, 2014, 11:39 PM 755413 Jets 1, Rangers 0 (Shootout): Rewind 755414 MRIs on Sunday for McDonagh and Klein 755415 Live Blog: McDonagh separates left shoulder, Klein hurts left foot; Jets beat Rangers, 1-0, in SO 755416 Rangers-Jets: Morning skate report 755417 Matt Hunwick gets his shot with the Rangers 755418 Cam Talbot will get starts this month 755419 Rangers lose to Jets; Ryan McDonagh lost to separated shoulder 755420 Rangers-Jets in review 755421 Jets 1, Rangers 0 (shootout) … post-game notes 755422 Jets at Rangers … It’s Go Time!

Ottawa Senators 755423 McDavid and the Erie Otters sink Ottawa 67's 755424 Dalai Lama and four goals more than enough for Bruins against Senators 755425 Ottawa Sens No. 1 centre Kyle Turris knows he has to be better 755426 Ottawa Senators continue to split duties in net 755427 Ottawa Senators beat up in Beantown

Philadelphia Flyers 755428 5 reasons why Flyers fall under .500 755429 Flyers can't muster any offense in loss to Panthers 755430 Flyers' GM dishes praise as he sends down Gostisbehere 755431 Flyers' Mason eyes first win 755432 Flyers lose, come up empty on Florida trip 755433 FLYERS NOTES: Gostisbehere impressed in brief stint 755434 FLYERS: Hextall's had a busy first month 755435 It’s not very sunny in Florida as Flyers fall again 755436 Flyers lose to Panthers to fall flat in Florida 755437 Instant Replay: Panthers 2, Flyers 1 755438 Hextall: Shayne Gostisbehere knows what's next 755439 Flyers demote Shayne Gostisbehere to Phantoms 755440 Finally ready to return, Lecavalier hopes to make impact 755441 Flyers-Panthers: 5 things you need to know 755442 Flyers: Mason loses again 755443 Flyers notes: Hextall sees team about where it should be 755444 5 things to watch in Game 11: Flyers at Florida Panthers

Pittsburgh Penguins 755445 Penguins have little trouble with Sabres 755446 Penguins notebook: Ehrhoff moves on after being bought out by Sabres 755447 Christian Ehrhoff feels Sabres pain from afar 755448 Dave Molinari: On the Penguins 755449 Penguins beat hapless Sabres, 5-0

San Jose Sharks 755450 Late scoring burst lifts Sharks past Islanders 755451 Sharks' Hertl to play on fourth line vs. Islanders 755452 Couture’s goal helps Sharks beat Islanders 755453 NHL results and news, Nov. 1 755454 Rewind: Couture stays hot, Hertl's drought ends in Sharks' win 755455 Instant Replay: Couture, Sharks edge out Isles 3-1 755456 Goodrow already working his way up Sharks lineup 755457 Struggling Hertl bumped to Sharks fourth line vs. Islanders 755458 In the Crease: Islanders struggling as they visit Sharks

St Louis Blues 755459 Blues win in shootout after losing 2-0 lead 755460 Bluenotes: Lehtera compensates for loss of Sobotka 755461 Tarasenko scores twice as Blues beat Avs in shootout 755462 Backes will be in Blues' lineup against Colorado 755463 Blues top Avs, 3-2, in shootout 755464 Elliott, Tarasenko lead Blues past Avs 3-2 in SO

Tampa Bay Lightning 755465 Garrison’s second NHL goal gives Bolts third straight win 755466 Bolts Beat: Whistle, not ref intent, should kill plays 755467 Callahan to return tonight for Lightning against Capitals 755468 Lightning beats Capitals 755469 Capitals' Matt Niskanen a Lightning fan 755470 Lightning Nuts & Bolts: Brian Boyle love karoke; Stamkos' dream day; Tyler Johnson on hockey talk 755471 Lightning takes patient approach with Drouin 755472 Matt Niskanen said Lightning was "intriguing" in free agency 755473 Mark Barberio gets his shot in lineup, Ryan Callahan back

Toronto Maple Leafs 755474 Leafs find right mix to surprise powerhouse Blackhawks: Feschuk 755475 Maple Leafs surprise Blackhawks at ACC 755476 On night hockey fights cancer, ACC embraces teen fighting disease 755477 Maple Leafs call up Sam Carrick 755478 VR vs. VR is OK 755479 Maple Leafs' Holland has hothand against Blackhawks 755480 Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul out three weeks 755481 No matter how hard Leafs' Lupul works, he can't stay healthy 755482 Maple Leafs hold off surging Blackhawks 755483 Toronto Maple Leafs’ win over Chicago Blackhawks shows they can be a successful team 755484 Toronto Maple Leafs’ James Reimer delivers stellar performance in win over Chicago Blackhawks 755485 Toronto Maple Leafs’ Joffrey Lupul will miss three weeks with broken bone in hand

Vancouver Canucks 755498 Dorsett’s short-handed goal lifts Canucks past Oilers 755499 Canucks Game Day: Vancouver looks to continue run against Oilers 755500 Gallagher: No chance for Canucks to catch their breath with brutal road trip looming after Preds visit 755501 Gallagher: Canucks find their legs in time against Oilers 755502 Canucks 3, Oilers 2: Canucks’ depth drowns Edmonton 755503 The champ and chump of October 755504 Willes: Pieces are all in place for Oilers, but can they put them together?

Washington Capitals 755486 Postgame: After a third straight loss, Capitals find ‘it’s very difficult to try to stay on course’ 755487 Capitals at Lightning: Game 10 discussion thread 755488 In Tampa, all eyes on goal-scorers Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos 755489 Michael Latta settling into fourth-line center role 755490 At career-high five games, points drought not weighing on Alex Ovechkin 755491 Capitals’ rough road continues with loss at Tampa Bay 755492 Ovechkin goalless as Caps lose to Lightning, drop third straight 755493 Pregame primer: Ovechkin vs. Stamkos 755494 Caps' Brooks Orpik: 'Guys want to be held accountable'

Websites 755505 USA TODAY / Major mismatch? Lowly Sabres visit the high-flying Penguins

Winnipeg Jets 755495 Road win makes a red-eye nicer 755496 Near-perfect Pav snags win 755497 Pavelec saves the day for Jets SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129

755246 Anaheim Ducks

Ryan Getzlaf isn't scoring but it's OK; Ducks are winning

By HELENE ELLIOTT

Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf has no points in last four games, only one shot on goal in each of last three games

Ryan Getzlaf appears to be sacrificing offense to solidify Ducks' defense, and they're winning the close ones

Ryan Getzlaf was in a good mood after the Ducks practiced Saturday at the Pepsi Center, so it seemed a good time to ask him about his scoring slowdown and why he has gotten only one shot on goal in each of the last three games.

"Is that it?" he said in mock surprise.

Yup, that's it.

"I know," Getzlaf said, switching to his serious, team-captain voice. "We had two tough games where I wasn't handling the puck very well and we had some discussions about the defensive play and playing better in our zone. I think that's contributed a little bit to it, and not getting those chances when you're trying to focus a little too much on playing underneath and not in the rush as much."

If Getzlaf is sacrificing offense to solidify the team's defense, that's fine for now. Through Friday's games the Ducks had the NHL's lowest team goals-against average (1.81) and ranked in the top 10 in penalty killing (85.4%). Getzlaf has won 57.9% of his faceoffs while playing in all situations and averaging 20 minutes 22 seconds of ice time per game.

But after going four games without a point he knows it's time for him to step up his production.

"I'm aware of the fact that I have to contribute offensively as much as I can. That's something I definitely pay attention to and I try to get pucks to the net now," said Getzlaf, who had a career-best 31 goals last season while averaging 2.65 shots per game. "I've been here long enough. I know what I need to do."

That doesn't prevent Coach Bruce Boudreau from urging him to shoot more instead of thinking pass-first, tempting though it is for Getzlaf to want to feed linemate Corey Perry, the NHL's goals leader through Friday's games with 10.

"I said, 'You're getting back into that [mind-set of] making a great play,' which as a centerman probably gives you more pleasure than scoring goals," Boudreau said. "But at the same time, when you've got a great shot, you might as well use it."

Getzlaf said he will be better able to assess where the Ducks stand as a team after they face Colorado on Sunday to end a four-game trip. They've gone 2-1, scoring and allowing three goals, and they're more accustomed to playing low-scoring games.

"That's kind of the idea. We wanted to get to that point," Getzlaf said. "In the playoffs we have to win those one-goal games and we have to be able, when you have a lead, to lock it down in the third period. It's not quite as fun but it's the way it is."

DUCKS AT COLORADO

When: 5 p.m.

On the air: TV: Prime Ticket; Radio: 830.

Etc.: Defenseman Mark Fistric (lower back) is expected to be sidelined about two weeks, according to Boudreau. Fistric's replacement, Josh Manson, did well in his NHL debut Friday at Dallas. Boudreau said he hadn't decided whether to keep the same lineup as he used in Friday's 2-1 overtime victory over the Stars, in which Dany Heatley was scratched.

LA Times: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Ducks' new focus on defense is paying off

By HELENE ELLIOTT

The Ducks are letting their defense carry them early in the season

Greetings from Denver, where the Ducks practiced Saturday at Pepsi Center to prepare for their game against the Avalanche on Sunday. In an odd bit of scheduling, the Avalanche was in St. Louis on Saturday to face the Blues, so the Ducks had the arena all to themselves.

The Ducks woke up Saturday morning with the NHL’s best team goals-against average, 1.81. Yes, it’s early in the season — the Ducks have played 12 games and are 9-3-0 — but establishing that kind of defensive foundation can only help them as the season goes on. Attention to defense has carried them through a stretch in which they’re not scoring much: only three goals in their last three games, two of which they won.

And, just for reference, the Kings had the NHL’s best goals-against average last season and went on to win the Stanley Cup. That has had a huge influence on the Ducks’ emphasis on the defensive end of things.

“I think we’ve been playing pretty solid defensively,” said defenseman Hampus Lindholm, who played 25 minutes and 29 seconds in the Ducks’ 2-1 overtime victory at Dallas on Friday, second on the team only to Francois Beauchemin’s 28:05.

“We definitely can put some bigger numbers up front. The last couple of games we haven’t scored as much. But you don’t win championships with a good offense. You do that with a good defense and as long as we play good defense, the scoring always comes sooner or later. So we just have to keep it up on the back end.”

Coach Bruce Boudreau attributed the defensive strides to strategy suggested by Trent Yawney, who replaced Bob Woods as an assistant coach this season. “He’s had some different ideas,” Boudreau said of Yawney. Boudreau also credited the solid goaltending of Frederik Andersen and John Gibson for the defensive improvement.

“You only need one goal to win even though it’s a tough way to do it,” Boudreau said. “Our offense will kick in. The thing I know is that we’ve got guys that will score and are going to score. They just haven’t done a lot of it lately. But it’s a long year. The defense is a structural thing that if you keep it in place and play the same way with the same effort it can be done for the course of the year.

“I like the fact that defensively we’re doing OK right now and knowing at some point the offense will kick in.”

Boudreau said he hadn’t decided whether to keep the same lineup Sunday that won on Friday, a lineup that didn’t include Dany Heatley. Boudreau also said he expected defenseman Mark Fistric to be out of action two weeks with the lower-back problem that Fistric has experienced before. Josh Manson, who played capably in place of Fistric on Friday in his NHL debut, will get another chance Sunday.



What we learned from the Ducks' 2-1 overtime victory at Dallas

By HELENE ELLIOTT

Defense isn’t resting: The Ducks, who last season ranked second in the NHL in goals scored, also can play a solid defensive game. They’re among the stingiest teams in the NHL this season and after their 2-1 win at Dallas they have allowed two goals or fewer in seven of their last eight games. That certainly helps make up for their recent offensive struggles.

“As we know, defense wins championships. It’s a great thing to learn,” Coach Bruce Boudreau said Friday. “We fully believe that eventually some of our guys that we’re counting on scoring are going to start scoring. And if we can continue to play good defense when they do get scoring, we’ll have a pretty good shot at having a lot of wins.”

Lindholm and Vatanen were poised and smart; Fowler had the second assist on Nate Thompson’s winning goal and Manson acquitted himself well in his NHL debut. The son of notorious tough guy Dave Manson did take a delay-of-game penalty after shooting the puck over the glass early in the second period but he didn’t falter. And he almost had a goal early in the third period, when he converted the rebound of a shot by Tim Jackman only to see the officials wave the goal off because Jackman had collided with and taken goaltender Kari Lehtonen out of the play.

“I thought he was pretty solid,” Boudreau said of Manson, who played 12 minutes and 30 seconds and was credited with one hit and one giveaway. “I thought he recovered mentally really well from the penalty. Those are things a guy in a tight game, a kid, it could really rattle you. But it didn’t rattle him. He came right back and he played really solid the rest of the game.”

Finding ways to win is golden: No question, the Ducks’ offense isn’t clicking, and Boudreau has tried many ways to mix things up. On Friday he sat out Dany Heatley and played Patrick Maroon, saying he needed speed against the Stars and didn’t want two slower players like Heatley and Maroon in the lineup at the same time.

To improve to 9-3-0 after beating Dallas on Friday despite being mired in this scoring slump was significant.

“It’s huge,” said Corey Perry, who scored the first goal and took the shot that Nate Thompson deflected for the winner. “Anytime you go into somebody else’s building and get two points you did something right. I thought we responded really well tonight. We played our game right through. Yeah, they had scoring chances. We’re going to give up scoring chances. But we did a lot of good things, a lot of the right things, and we take away what we learned from this game.”



Ducks still waiting on young scorers

By ERIC STEPHENS / STAFF WRITER

Published: Nov. 1, 2014 Updated: 7:21 p.m.

DENVER – Nate Thompson finally got his first goal for the Ducks. Now the clock is on Jakob Silfverberg and Emerson Etem to break through.

The two young forwards have been in all of the team’s 12 games to this point but have yet to put the puck over the goal line. They aren’t the only ones struggling, their early zeroes just indicative of the secondary scoring that is nonexistent at the moment.

The thing about Silfverberg and Etem is the two have goal-scoring capabilities. Silfverberg entered the season with 20 goals in 100 games. Etem has scored at every level and had three goals in a 2013 playoff series against Detroit.

Frustration might ordinarily set in, but the two are handling their other responsibilities and the Ducks have a 9-3 record and a league-leading 18 points. The focus is on that and not their individual scuffles.

“It makes it a lot easier,” said Silfverberg, who joked that he hopes a teammate would shoot a puck in off him. “No matter what, you want to get that first one. But you don’t get that frustrated or think too much about it when the team still wins.

“Of course, you want to get that first one out of the way and hopefully a lot more after that. … It’s just a matter to take my time when I get the chance and make sure to put it in.”

Silfverberg has four assists but his defensive work has had a greater impact. Etem is without a point as he has adjusted to a fourth-line energy role alongside Thompson and Tim Jackman.

“For myself, I’m just trying to finish my checks and do all the little things defensively,” Etem said. “I think when you’re playing a fourth-line role, there’s only so much offense as far as time to get on the ice and stuff that you can control.

“First and foremost, it’s being strong on the walls. Getting the puck out and banging. Using your body and trying to create space that way. We’ve got to earn our ice time and we’re going to do that first.”

It is not just on Silfverberg and Etem. Rickard Rakell also doesn’t have a goal in eight games while Andrew Cogliano has just one. Even Ryan Getzlaf and Ryan Kesler have chilled after hot starts.

Other potential scorers are barely getting their seasons going (Pat Maroon, Dany Heatley) or haven’t played at all (Kyle Palmieri). And there are just three goals from the defense, all of them coming from Sami Vatanen.

Boudreau said that the lack of scoring beyond Getzlaf and NHL goals leader Corey Perry is a concern but that the stress level isn’t as high because of a commitment to defense that’s allowed the Ducks to win two of three games on their trip while scoring just three goals.

“Our offense will kick in,” Boudreau said. “The thing I know is we’ve got guys that will score and are going to score. They just haven’t done a lot of it lately. But it’s a long year.”

Boudreau said that the absences of Heatley and Palmieri affect the offensive depth. But he is also appreciating the strong defense being played by the Ducks and doesn’t seem eager to disrupt that flow.

“Our team would be more four-line deep offensively with those guys in there,” Boudreau said. “But would they be better defensively? I don’t know. It’s a tradeoff and you do the process.

“Our power play has run a little bit dry lately. If you start scoring on those things, then all of a sudden you’re not worried about offense.”

Notes

With their win over Dallas on Friday, the Ducks are 2-0 in the second game of a back-to-back set. In fact, their record in those situations is an impressive 13-1-2 over the last two seasons.

Boudreau said if he thought it was something was special they were doing, he’d “bottle it up for 82 games.” His best answer – character and guidance among their leaders.

“I think you want to be known as a team that can play the second game of back-to-backs with a lot of energy,” Boudreau said. “Luckily we’ve been able. … And sometimes when the team starts to know they’re good at back-to-backs, they get up for it.” ...

The lower back injury that Mark Fistric suffered in the first period against St. Louis is a recurring one and could keep him out at least two weeks, Boudreau said. … Palmieri (high ankle sprain) is skating hard each day for 40 minutes or more in Anaheim. Boudreau said his timetable is “sooner than later.”

Orange County Register: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Anaheim Ducks’ defense, goaltending have been keys to their fast start

Elliott Teaford

POSTED: 11/01/14, 5:06 PM PDT

UPDATED: 24 SECS AGO # COMMENTS

DUCKS at COLORADO

Faceoff: 5 p.m., today, Pepsi Center

TV/Radio: Prime Ticket, 830-AM

Update: The Ducks (9-3-0) led the NHL with 18 points in 12 games at the start of business around the league Saturday, which shouldn’t have surprised anyone since they have been an elite team for the last two seasons. Their stingy defensive play has been a surprising factor in their fast start to the season, however. They led the league by giving up an average of only 1.83 goals per game. Ducks goaltender Frederik Andersen is 7-1-0 with a puny 1.60 goals-against average and a .941 save percentage. Right wing Corey Perry scored one goal and assisted on another in the Ducks’ 2-1 overtime victory Friday over the Dallas Stars. Perry had a league-leading 10 goals going into Saturday’s games around the league. The Avalanche were 3-4-4 going into Saturday’s game against the Blues in St. Louis.

— Elliott Teaford

LA Daily News: LOADED: 11.02.2014

755251 Arizona Coyotes

Keith Yandle improved as Arizona Coyotes' veteran leader

Sarah McLellan,

9:10 p.m. MST November 1, 2014

RALEIGH, N.C. – This is the fifth season Coyotes defenseman Keith Yandle has had an 'A' sewn on his sweater as an alternate captain, but the role has taken on a new significance for the 28-year-old.

"It's one of the first years where I'm one of the older guys," Yandle said. "In years past, you obviously had guys like Mo (Derek Morris) and Adrian Aucoin. You kind of lean on those guys a little more and kind of just try to do a little more listening. I think this year I'm just trying to help out where I can and do what I can to help the team."

The responsibility Yandle feels as a leader has certainly translated to his performance on the ice so far. Although the Coyotes had a forgettable first month of the season and lost 3-0 to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday for their third straight defeat, Yandle has tried to pull the Coyotes into a winning direction.

Here's where Yandle ranked after Saturday:

•Tied for second in NHL scoring among defensemen with nine points.

•Tied for first in the NHL with seven power-play assists and tied for second in power-play points with eight.

•First on the Coyotes in shots per game with 4.3.

First on the Coyotes and seventh in the NHL in average ice time (26:04).

Carolina Hurricanes beat Coyotes for 1st win of season

"When we're in a situation like we are where you're struggling to get wins, struggling to get better, you rely on your veteran players and top players to do that," coach Dave Tippett said before the game. "Keith has played well so far. He's one of the guys trying to dig us out of this hole, and we need that to continue for us."

During Thursday's game in Florida, Yandle even laid out a clean shoulder check on the Panthers' Brandon Pirri. Not usually a heavy hitter, it's clear Yandle is trying to give the Coyotes a spark any way he can.

"He's taken that leadership role to heart," Tippett said. "It's been a continual growth for him. He's always been a well-liked guy in the dressing room, great teammate, lots of energy. But now you're seeing that go into a veteran player, which is good to see."

More to give

For the second straight game, the Coyotes had center Joe Vitale play wing on the fourth line so Kyle Chipchura can line up at center.

Although the switch requires a bit more communication between the pair, it allows the Coyotes two faceoff specialists on the ice, an area that Vitale hopes to improve.

Vitale carries a 44 percent efficiency after going an impressive 62.5 percent last season with the Penguins.

"I was a great faceoff guy in Pittsburgh, and I'm facing a lot of different centermen now, so it's about getting used to new guys and comfort. But it's about confidence and just finding that zone, that kind of rhythm. I haven't really found it yet, so hopefully I get it soon."

Overall, Tippett has been happy with Vitale's contributions — he's formed a steady penalty-killing pair with linemate Brandon McMillan and leads all forwards with 17 blocked shots. But Vitale feels like he's still getting acclimated to the Coyotes' way.

"It's been an adjustment for me," he said. "Some growing pains, obviously done some good things, but if I can just be honest with myself and honest with my teammates, I know there's a whole other level I can be brining and it's just finding that. The sooner, the better."

Arizona Republic LOADED: 11.02.2014


Carolina Hurricanes beat Arizona Coyotes 3-0 for 1st win of season

Sarah McLellan,

11:01 p.m. MST November 1, 2014

RALEIGH, N.C. As they've worked their way up the East Coast the past five days, the manner in which the Coyotes have lost has run the gamut.

They've been routed, the unfortunate losers of a one-goal game and on Saturday they became the answer to a trivia question.

Who did the Hurricanes beat to snap a franchise-worst eight-game winless streak to start the 2014-15 season?

Yes, that would be the Coyotes.

And there's still one game to go on this four-game trip — a meeting Sunday with the Capitals in Washington, D.C.

With the Hurricanes beating the Coyotes 3-0 in front of 10,870 at PNC Arena, they start to slip off the league's hot seat and the Coyotes' current slide as basement dwellers of the Western Conference grabs more of the spotlight.

After starting 0-3 on this road trip, the Coyotes have now lost three straight and six of their past seven games.

"We got behind early, made a couple mistakes, got behind early and chased the game," coach Dave Tippett said. "That's happened too many times to us this year. We don't look like a good team when we do that."

Hurricanes center Elias Lindholm was the difference maker as he scored twice, and goalie Cam Ward produced 25 saves for his first shutout of the season to give the Hurricanes their first home win over the Coyotes since Nov. 21, 2008.

A poor start, once again, helped derail the Coyotes as two more first-period goals-against brings up their season total to 14 — worst in the NHL.

"There's lots of glaring holes in our game," captain Shane Doan said. "Pretty embarrassing."

Defenseman Michael Stone committed a holding call less than two minutes in and not long after the Coyotes killed that off, Lindholm buried a loose puck just outside the crease over goalie Mike Smith at 3:57.

"They'll shoot you right in the foot every time," Tippett said. "Every time you go out and take a holding penalty early, and then we're on our heels. Those are things that just come off 1-on-1 battles. We're just getting beat."

Lindholm added his second at 17:22 when, again, he deposited a rebound — this one from the slot — over Smith.

On the Hurricanes' second power-play opportunity in the second period, Smith's clearing attempt was knocked down at the blue line by Justin Faulk and although Smith made the save on the initial shot, he wasn't in position to stop Jiri Tlusty at 15:21. Smith finished with 32 saves.

"We gotta do something because we can't keep going this way," Stone said.

As per usual, the Coyotes struggled to convert at even strength. Aside from their 25 shots, they had 28 other attempts that didn't make it to the net.

"We did get chances but couldn't capitalize on them," Tippett said. "Couldn't get ourselves back in the game."

Execution remains the issue. Right before Lindholm's second goal, Doan cut to the net but couldn't finish the shot. And early in the second, Martin Erat was all alone outside the crease and lost the handle.

Even their power play, which has been their saving grace at times, was of no help, going 0 for 3. The Hurricanes finished 1 for 2.

With this their second shutout of the season, the Coyotes remain among the team's least productive teams with 22 goals.

"Our execution can be way better, way better," Tippett said. "The ability to make a good, solid play or make a shot count is not where it needs to be."

Meanwhile, the Coyotes are winless on the road in five tries. They were downed 7-3 to start this trip by the Lightning, tripped up by the Panthers 2-1 thanks to a breakaway goal out of the penalty box and after Saturday's loss are now facing the prospect of a winless trip — the first time that's happened for a swing of four games since March 2013 when the Coyotes started a miserable seven-game losing streak.

"We gotta get it turned around," Doan said. "We have to win the next one and go from there."

Report

Key player

Hurricanes C Elias Lindholm scored twice.

Key moment

After Coyotes captain Shane Doan missed a scoring chance late in the first, the Hurricanes went the other way and made it 2-0 when Lindholm connected on a rebound in the slot at 17:22.

Key number

25 Saves from Hurricanes G Cam Ward.

View from the press box

The Coyotes anticipated a desperate team in the Hurricanes, who were winless in eight tries before this one, but the Coyotes should have matched that intensity. No, their situation wasn't as dire as the Hurricanes', but they should feel hungry for solutions as they loiter at the bottom of the Western Conference standings. And if the players can't flip the script soon, it might be time for management to step in and make a change.

Sunday's game

Coyotes at Capitals

When: 5 p.m.

Where: Verizon Center, Washington.

TV/radio: FSAZ/KTAR-FM (92.3).

Capitals update: The Capitals lost 4-3 to the Lightning on Saturday in Tampa and have now dropped three straight. In each of those losses, they've given up four goals. They're 0-1 so far in the second game of a back-to-back set this season. The Capitals have been effective on the power play, ranking third in the league at 25.7 percent. Three players — defenseman Mike Green and forwards Nicklas Backstrom and Andre Burakovsky — lead the team with eight points. Winger Alex Ovechkin has a team-best five goals.



Game Day: Arizona Coyotes at Carolina Hurricanes

Sarah McLellan,

11:07 a.m. MST November 1, 2014

Coyotes (3-5-1) at Hurricanes (0-6-2)

Puck drop: 4 p.m.

TV/Radio: FSAZ-Plus/KTAR-FM (92.3).

Possible Coyotes lines:

Boedker-Vermette-Doan

Gagner-Hanzal-Erat

Klinkhammer-Hodgman-Korpikoski

McMillan-Chipchura-Vitale

Ekman-Larsson-Michalek

Yandle-Stone

Schlemko-Murphy

Smith

Potential scratches: Summers and Crombeen.

Injury update: Winger Dave Moss is week-to-week with an upper-body injury after blocking a shot with his hand last week.

Possible Hurricanes lines:

Tlusty-Staal-Skinner

Gerbe-Nash-Lindholm

Boychuk-Rask-Terry

Malone-McClement-Dwyer

Sekera-Faulk

Gleason-Liles

Hainsey-Bellemore

Ward

Potential scratches: Semin and Harrison.

Injury update: Forward Jordan Staal (fractured fibula).

On the Hurricanes, who have yet to win this season:

"Both these teams should be desperate," coach Dave Tippett said. " We haven't won on the road trip yet. Our season hasn't gone near what we would like it to. I think Carolina's in the same situation we are. Should be both desperate teams."

On the improvements he saw last game -- a 2-1 loss to the Panthers:

"I thought we defended well," Tippett said. "Our errors (Thursday) night were more turnovers and pucks getting blocked and coming back at us than they were like structural defending. Every day you're trying to find new ways to make sure your group is prepared and doing the right things, and we feel like if we continue to improve in a lot of those areas, the results will improve."

The Coyotes reach the 10-game mark tonight.

"You never want to get behind, but it's early in the year," Tippett said. "I think there's still lots of upside in this group."

-Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson is in the midst of a three-game point streak. His career-long point streak is four games.

-Ekman-Larsson and defenseman Keith Yandle lead the team in road scoring with three points each.

-Center Justin Hodgman has won 62.5 percent of faceoffs in two games played.

-Winger Rob Klinkhammer had two goals in two games against the Hurricanes last season.

-The Hurricanes are currently in the longest winless streak to start a season in franchise history (0-6-2).

-Five of the last nine games between the teams at PNC Arena have resulted in shutout wins for one of the teams.

-Captain Eric Staal has points in his last three games.

-Goalie Cam Ward is 3-4 with a 3.67 goals-against average in seven career games against the Coyotes.


755254 Boston Bruins

Late replacement Fraser leads Bruins over Senators

By Amalie Benjamin

NOVEMBER 02, 2014

The days grew long as Matt Fraser waited. He would come home from practice, back to his room in the hotel and flip on the television. He would stare blankly, his mind on anything but the Images flickering across the screen.

How did I do today? Was I good today? What did I do wrong?

Fraser had been a healthy scratch in each of the Bruins’ last five games, leaving him sitting in press boxes in Boston and Toronto and Buffalo. He had wondered and worried, had had long conversations with his parents, and sometimes even conversations with himself.

On Saturday, through warm-ups, he was positioned to again be on the stationary bike through the first period, to be taking the TD Garden elevator to the ninth floor in the intermission, to be a healthy scratch again.

Instead, after David Krejci and the Bruins determined that the center was not well enough to play against Ottawa with an undisclosed injury, Fraser was in.

The Bruins earned a 4-2 victory over the Senators on Saturday night.

That turned out to be a stroke of luck for the Bruins, after Fraser scored twice in the second period to lead the Bruins to a 4-2 win over the Senators, putting them over .500 at 7-6-0. Fraser, who possesses one of the best shots on the team, was finally able to show it.

“I don’t think he surprised anybody with that shot, because we’ve seen it before,” Bruins coach Claude Julien said. “You know he had such a great training camp, but as we all know he struggled out of the gate and we made some adjustments to our lineup. But he certainly didn’t miss his opportunity tonight.”

Fraser had started the season on a mismatched line with Ryan Spooner and Milan Lucic, a line that didn’t work. But back at his natural position of left wing, playing with Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson, Fraser demonstrated why he scored 90 goals in his last three full seasons in the AHL.

After the Bruins and Senators traded goals in the first period — from Brad Marchand at 18:54, and from Mark Stone 38 seconds later — Fraser broke the tie at 11:14 of the second.

The forward glided into the right circle for a one-timer off a pad save by Robin Lehner. Soderberg had made the initial shot, with Eriksson providing the screen in front. Fraser’s second came 1:28 later, off an excellent pass by Soderberg, after the center had won a battle along the board. It was just his fifth career NHL goal.

All that work, all those days when he got on the ice early in practice, was paying off.

“Just to be in the lineup, it’s huge just for my confidence,” Fraser said. “The one thing that I’ve drawn on for myself, like I was never a drafted player. I had to climb walls to get where I am. It’s not easy being a traded guy, and kind of being a guy that flies under the radar in the trade.

“For myself, the end goal has never changed for me. It’s not to just be here, but to be an impact player. Any time you’re sitting out and you’re watching and wondering what’s going on, it’s definitely challenging. But at the end of the day, I’ve gone through this in my career. That’s happen to me before.

“You find a way to get past it.”

After Fraser extended the lead — on what would turn out to be the game-winner — the Bruins went into the third in exactly the position they had on Tuesday against the Wild. In that game, they gave up their 3-1 lead in a three-goal collapse in the third.

That wouldn’t happen again.

Just 2:08 into the third, Dennis Seidenberg scored an unassisted goal to give the Bruins a cushion they wouldn’t relinquish, though Ottawa added a score by Mika Zibanejad at 15:43 of the period.

The Bruins had played a better game, a more responsible game, and they finally found themselves one game above .500 as they started a four-game homestand.

For that, they had Fraser to thank. Even if he hadn’t had much time to prepare.

“Honestly, it was kind of nice,” Fraser said. “I don’t want to do it every game, but you just kind of forget about all the details and you just go out there and play. You try to prepare the same way as if you’re playing every night, but when it comes down to it, mentally, it’s almost easier when they tell you just after warm-ups that you’re going.”

Asked if his two-goal performance might get him out of the press box, Fraser smiled.

“Hopefully,” he said.

Boston Globe LOADED: 11.02.2014


Ex-Stars were shining bright in Bruins’ victory

Staff report

NOVEMBER 02, 2014

Matt Fraser, like the player the Bruins traded to Dallas to acquire his services, is a finisher. Unlike Tyler Seguin, Fraser does not have the explosive speed to get open enough to put his shot to work.

But when he has time to lock and load, Fraser knows how to put the puck in the net. He did it at 11:14 of the second period of Saturday’s 4-2 win over Ottawa. Eighty-eight seconds later, Fraser canned a sweet, slick snipe over Robin Lehner’s glove and under the crossbar.

When the goals weren’t going in, like they failed to do until Saturday, Fraser is the worst kind of finisher — one who thinks.

“When you’re sitting out as the 13th forward, it’s tough,” said Fraser, a healthy scratch for eight of the nine previous games. “There’s a lot of long conversations with my parents. Even sitting in the hotel, you talk to yourself.”

With Fraser’s return to the lineup, the Bruins dressed all four players they received for Seguin for the first time in the same game. Loui Eriksson was Fraser’s bookend on the third line. Reilly Smith, a fourth-liner to start Thursday’s game against Buffalo, was back in his usual spot on Patrice Bergeron’s right side. Joe Morrow, who made his NHL debut on Thursday, dressed in his second straight game.

Perhaps the reason Fraser potted two goals in 10:50 of ice time was because he had no time to think. Through warmups, he assumed he’d be sitting again. But when David Krejci was unable to play because of an undisclosed injury, Fraser was in. Instead of worrying, he reacted.

This is what Seguin (7-8—15 through 10 games) has done so brilliantly since his touchdown in Dallas. Seguin plays with confidence, a requirement for an offensive-minded player. It is one of the qualities that has transformed Seguin into a generational talent.

The Stars landed a player who might end up in the Hockey Hall of Fame. But such trades are made for a reason. The team giving up the centerpiece has multiple needs to fill with the handful of players who usually arrive in return. On Saturday, the Bruins needed all of them to win.

Fraser, riding on the third line with Eriksson and Carl Soderberg, did his job well. The confidence that went missing after training camp returned with a bang.

On his first goal, Fraser went to the net and put in the rebound of a Soderberg shot. On his second, after a dish up the wall from Soderberg, Fraser had time to pick the top corner. Not many of his teammates could have tucked the puck so neatly under the iron. It was a shot signaling that Fraser is ready to play again on Tuesday against Florida, perhaps at the expense of Simon Gagne.

It was Eriksson, Fraser’s linemate, who did the dirty work on his first goal. The Bruins ran a set play on a defensive-zone faceoff. After Bergeron won a draw against Kyle Turris, Eriksson pulled away for the offensive blue line. Dennis Seidenberg retrieved the puck and moved it up to Eriksson.

Erik Karlsson busted up Eriksson’s advance toward the net. But when Karlsson tried to clear the puck, Eriksson poked his stick into the passing lane. Eriksson then broke for the front of the net and tipped Soderberg’s shot, which led to Fraser’s rebound. It was a monster shift for Eriksson, who has teamed with Soderberg to form the Bruins’ most consistent offensive pair.

Smith didn’t score on either of his two shots on goal or the two attempts that went wide. But Smith and his linemates were perfect defensively, which is not something they have been able to claim with regularity. Smith’s biggest shortcoming has been his weakness on the walls and in battles. Pucks he’s lost have ended up behind Tuukka Rask.

Smith, Bergeron, and Brad Marchand drew the toughest match by lining up against Clarke MacArthur, Kyle Turris, and Bobby Ryan. Ottawa’s top line didn’t score.

The Bruins didn’t expect Morrow to be up top. The plan was for Morrow to spend his second season with the organization smoothing out his defensive game and developing consistency in Providence.

Injuries to Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug, and Kevan Miller, coupled with Matt Bartkowski’s imploding confidence, prompted Morrow’s recall. He played dependable hockey in his debut against the Sabres. The coaching staff rewarded Morrow with another game. He didn’t disappoint.

The knock on Morrow has been his sacrifice of defense in search of offense. That was nowhere to be seen against the Senators. Morrow, paired with Adam McQuaid, gave the Bruins 16:05 of reliable, trustworthy play. That hasn’t been the case with Bartkowski, who’s been playing scared on every shift. Morrow didn’t look frightened. He played under control, making good, simple passes to get the puck going the other way.

“That’s been our strength in past games,” Rask said of efficient puck movement. “It’s been kind of up and down. We’ve talked about it, especially from the D and myself. We need crisp, tape-to-tape passes because it helps us to break out and gives us the edge. Today was a good sign for that.”

When you consider Seguin’s accomplishments and his expected future production, there’s no arguing the Stars landed the best player. But general managers don’t make trades to win them. They swing deals to improve their teams.

Dallas needed a star. The Bruins needed smart, strong, and reliable players. For the first time together on Saturday, the ex-Stars did their jobs.



Claude Julien mum on report of of extension

By Amalie Benjamin

NOVEMBER 02, 2014

Though Claude Julien declined to discuss it after his team beat Ottawa, there was a report on Saturday night that the organization had signed the Bruins coach to a contract extension.

The report, from Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, indicated that Julien had been signed to a three-year extension.

Julien’s last deal had been signed in July of 2012, though the team at the time declined to specify the number of years of the extension.

Asked about his “personal good news” after the Bruins’ 4-2 win over the Senators, Julien said, “I have no comments on that, absolutely not. Let’s talk about the team.”

“He’s proven in the past that he knows how to coach,” Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg said. “He knows how to teach a young team to play a system. Great if that happens — hopefully it happens. I really enjoy playing for him and I think all the guys in here do. It would be great if that happens.”

Julien is in his eighth season as the coach of the Bruins, and the team has had remarkable success over his tenure. In each of his first seven seasons, the Bruins have been to the playoffs, and have played in the Stanley Cup Final twice. They won the Cup in 2011.

“It’s been great,” Brad Marchand said, of playing for Julien. “He’s a great coach, obviously his record shows, but he really makes it easy out there. He’s always working with guys and trying to improve a player’s game and I get along with him really well, and we have a good working and personal relationship, so it’s been great.”

He added, “If there’s something I need to improve upon he’ll let me know, and he’s not scared to pull me aside at any point and talk to me about my game and different things, so that’s great. As soon as the meeting’s over we let it go and we can joke around, so it’s really good.”

Defensemen under the gun

At this point, with the Bruins down Zdeno Chara, Torey Krug, and Kevan Miller, they can’t afford to lose any more defensemen. They can’t afford to lose them to injury, nor can they afford to lose them to the penalty box — whether that’s for a minor infraction or for a fighting major.

“You don’t want the players not to play their games — if they’ve got to face somebody and it’s the right time, then you live with it,” Julien said. “But I think at the same time you’ve got to be careful you just don’t go out there and do something just for the sake of doing it, realizing that we are a little less experienced than we were a couple of weeks ago on the back end. So you’ve got to be aware of that, as well.”

The Bruins are relying on their veterans — Dougie Hamilton, Dennis Seidenberg, Adam McQuaid — to play heavy minutes in the wake of all of the losses. They have been doing their best not to overextend their young blue liners, including Zach Trotman, David Warsofsky, and Joe Morrow, who made his NHL debut on Thursday and was back on the ice on Saturday.

That’s why now the team needs its three core defenseman on the ice and not in the box.

It’s something that McQuaid acknowledged before facing the Senators.

“You might be a little bit more aware of it,” McQuaid said, of staying out of the box, particularly as it relates to fighting. “At the same time, sometimes you’re playing against guys, top-few-line guys — there’s a rare few guys that are looking to get into those kind of altercations and stuff.

“But yeah, I mean I think we need to limit our time in the box. It goes without saying, but at the same time if something happens, you’ve got to play. You’ve got to still continue to play. Sometimes you’re thinking about what I can and can’t do kind of thing, you’re not playing your game and it’s going to be more detrimental than anything.”

And then there’s the fact that fighting was partially how the Bruins got into their current predicament. Miller suffered a dislocated right shoulder in a fight on Oct. 18 against Buffalo, leaving him out indefinitely. Miller is on the mend, though, and is expected to start skating on Monday. So, McQuaid was asked, is the concern about injury an added incentive not to drop the gloves?

“Not really,” said McQuaid, who has fought only once this season, back on Oct. 13 against the Avalanche. “I mean, you know that that’s a possibility any time — really any time you’re playing there’s a possibility of injury. Everyone says that it’s part of the game that you can’t really control, that you want to play hard and sometimes those things happen. So, not necessarily something that I’m thinking about, no.”

He added, “You can’t really change the way you play. So hopefully we’ll be able to stay healthy here, but at the same time we can’t really focus on that. I guess you’ve got to worry about playing.”

Eriksson eyes more production

The third line has been the Bruins’ best line for most of the season. But Loui Eriksson, who is coming off a difficult first season in Boston, still hasn’t been producing enough for his liking.

“I feel good,” said Eriksson, who had an assist in the game. “Maybe need to produce a little bit more, but I think our line has been playing pretty good. We can always work on a couple things out there, but at the same time I think we’ve been doing a good job in creating chances and just coming to that point where we have to maybe score a bit more goals.”

Bartkowski sits again

Matt Bartkowski was back in the press box as a healthy scratch on Saturday. Bartkowski had been taken out of the lineup against the Sabres, replaced by Morrow, after having a rough start to his season . . . Julien returned to his usual lines after switching them up against Buffalo on Thursday . . . The Bruins honored the late Mayor Thomas Menino before the game, their first home game since Menino died on Thursday.



Marc Savard’s injury sets discipline standard

By Fluto Shinzawa

NOVEMBER 02, 2014

Marc Savard dished out 499 career assists. In Atlanta, he teamed with Ilya Kovalchuk to form one of the NHL’s most lethal scoring combinations. Savard’s name is on the Stanley Cup despite playing in only 25 regular-season games for the Bruins in 2010-11. He signed a seven-year, back-diving deal (he’s due $575,000 annually in 2015-16 and 2016-17), the type of cap-skirting contract the NHL targeted during the 2012-13 lockout.

Savard’s most significant contribution to the league, however, is the one that’s had the most lasting effect on his health. On Monday, Erik Haula took a drop pass from Nino Niederreiter and snapped a shot on goal from the high slot. Upon the left-shot forward’s release, John Moore of the Rangers curled in from Haula’s right. Moments after Haula let his shot loose, Moore flattened the unsuspecting Minnesota forward with a hit from the side, sending him twirling to the Madison Square Garden ice.

On March 7, 2010, in Pittsburgh, Savard reeled in a feed from Milan Lucic and put the puck on goal from inside the blue line. The next thing he knew, he was spinning in the air with his head snapped backward, the result of Matt Cooke’s blindside hit. Like Haula, Savard is a left shot. Cooke approached from his right. Like Haula, Savard never saw his opponent approach.

The hits were similar. The outcomes were not.

Cooke was neither penalized nor suspended. Referees Gord Dwyer and Frederick L’Ecuyer tagged Moore with a match penalty, which prompts an automatic ejection and suspension.

The Hockey East season is in full swing but you won’t see a handful of last season’s top performers in the conference. They’ve moved on to the professional ranks, some seeing regular ice time in the NHL. Here’s where eight such players have relocated:

Two days later, the NHL suspended Moore, a repeat offender, for five games for an illegal check to the head. Moore got lucky. He deserved a longer sitdown.

When Moore launched, everybody in the league was guessing the length of his suspension before Haula hit the deck. This is Savard’s legacy. By being on the wrong end of a life-changing wallop, Savard helped to initiate real and lasting culture change in less than five years. Not many players make the game a different place than the one they knew when they entered.

Moore was subject to supplemental discipline because of the existence of Rule 48. In 2010, this rule did not exist.

Colin Campbell, then the league’s disciplinarian, was in a jam. At the time, as it is now, supplemental discipline was framed by the rules.

It didn’t matter if Campbell or anyone with untroubled eyesight could recognize that it was a bad hit. Campbell could not flip open the rule book and point to text that would allow Cooke to be punished. Lawyers are involved in the disciplinary process. A “Law & Order” watcher, to say nothing of a professional who’s passed the bar, would have appealed any suspension and done so successfully.

Campbell had a history with Savard. The two did not get along when Savard was a Ranger and Campbell was his coach.

But Campbell, with guidance from the general managers and owners, had to do something. He was responsible for determining that the 2009-10 NHL rule book was not a final draft.

It just so happened that year that the GM meetings started a day after Cooke’s hit on Savard. The incident was a primary topic — not just of discussion, but action. Later that month, the NHL fast-tracked penalizing hits to the head of an unsuspecting player. This became Rule 48, which debuted in 2010-11. It made it illegal to throw lateral or blindside hits where the head was targeted and/or the principal point of contact. At the time, commissioner Gary Bettman called the rule a fundamental shift.

The rule still stands today. It has been tweaked to punish hits in which the head is the main point of contact. Rule 48 is one of the major improvements to the NHL’s daily operation. It allowed the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, which did not exist in 2010, to determine that Moore did not hit Haula squarely through the body because he took a poor angle of approach.

Haula got lucky. He left the game after the hit but was not diagnosed with a concussion. Haula, 23, didn’t play the following night in Boston. The Wild held him out on Thursday against San Jose, too. But the forward resumed skating three days after the check. Prior to this injury, he had not missed any time because of a hit to the head.

“It was pretty much our call to keep him out,” coach Mike Yeo said on Tuesday prior to the Wild’s game against the Bruins. “Obviously a bad hit. We were told he’s not diagnosed with a concussion. But sometimes with those symptoms, a couple days later you find out. So we have to make sure and protect the player in this case. We’re not 100 percent confident that he’s not at risk of going out, playing tonight, and taking another hit.”

Savard was not so lucky. He did not start 2010-11 because of post-concussion syndrome symptoms, including depression. By the time Matt Hunwick knocked him out on Jan. 22, 2011, Savard had suffered multiple concussions throughout his pro career.

The 37-year-old is on the Bruins’ books through 2017. But his playing days are over. He is living with his family in Peterborough, Ontario. Savard is a part-time scout for the Ottawa 67s.

Now the Rangers and the rest of the NHL will see if Moore’s suspension, his second in less than five months, will have an effect. Moore’s first sitdown (a two-gamer in the playoffs for an illegal check to Dale Weise’s head) didn’t change his behavior. It’s his responsibility to make sure the second one does. Moore owes it to himself, his employer, and his peers. No player deserves to end his career early like Savard.

Scott only fulfilling his job requirement

John Scott is out $17,073.18 after the league suspended him for two games following his fight last Sunday with Anaheim’s Tim Jackman. The Sharks should do the right thing and get that cash back in Scott’s pocket. On the play, the San Jose tough guy did exactly what his employer hired him to do. Scott and Jackman had tangled earlier in the game.

Scott didn’t have issues about that fight. But the ex-Sabre didn’t appreciate Jackman’s third-period engagement of Marc-Edouard Vlasic. Jackman had 10 scraps last season, according to www.hockeyfights.com. Vlasic, the Sharks’ ace defenseman and one of their best players, has one career fight: a hiss-and-scratcher against Daniel Briere in 2009.

Jackman’s tangle with Vlasic mushroomed into a Ben Lovejoy-Joe Pavelski fight. It didn’t end well for Anaheim and Lovejoy, who broke a finger in the fight. Jackman’s attempt to go with Vlasic also guaranteed a future dance with the most dangerous fighter in the league.

Scott thought he did it right. He didn’t leave the bench immediately. Later in the third, when Matt Nieto came off for a change, Scott rolled onto the ice, pursued Jackman, gave his opponent a chance to drop his gloves, then started the fight. Scott’s violation of Rule 70.2 — starting a fight after a legal line change — triggered Rule 28, an amorphous catch-all that allows the league to issue supplemental discipline on any incident.

In reality, the notion that a tough guy serves as a deterrent is a myth. This was no different in Anaheim. Jackman already had committed the crime of targeting Vlasic. Had the concept been true, Jackman wouldn’t have dared jab Vlasic because of Scott’s presence on the bench.

But Scott did his job. He made sure that such nonsense would be addressed. Actions like Scott’s bring teams together. That’s worth more than $17k.

BATTLE LINES

Bruins need better work along the walls

The Bruins had their issues in October. Tuukka Rask didn’t play at a Vezina-winning level. Their defensemen missed down-low assignments. They had lines go missing, even the two-way threesome of Brad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, and Reilly Smith.

But their biggest area of weakness was their battle level along the boards around their blue line. The Bruins have traditionally been efficient at controlling neutral-zone play. Their forwards backcheck aggressively. Their defensemen have been given the green light to close gaps when support is available.

Thus, the Bruins spring the trap in the neutral zone, force turnovers, and flood the offensive zone with speed and numbers.

In the first month, the Bruins lost too many battles and were regularly second to pucks on the wall. This allowed opponents to gain clean entries over the blue line or send pucks deep into the Bruins’ zone. It’s why the Bruins have had so much trouble with clean breakouts.

The defensemen have had neither time nor space to retrieve pucks and turn the other way before forechecking forwards rammed their heads through the glass. When the Bruins tried their standard D-to-D breakout, opposing forwards either cut off the pass or slammed down on the defenseman who received the pass. The other escape routes — to the center down low or the strong-side wing — were sealed off, too.

If they want to ease the heat on their defensemen, the Bruins’ forwards have to be more thorough at winning battles up the ice. Otherwise, teams will continue to swarm in on the forecheck. The Wild, Islanders, and Sharks succeeded this way. Other teams will follow.

Kings forced to play shorthanded

Yet another reason the Bruins had to deal Johnny Boychuk: roster flexibility. The Bruins could have traded Adam McQuaid or Matt Bartkowski, two of their less-expensive defensemen. But this would have handcuffed the Bruins. They would have bumped up against the salary ceiling, which would have prevented them from carrying extra players. The Kings learned this the hard way on Tuesday. The defending champions dressed only 19 players against the Flyers because Anze Kopitar was unavailable because of an injury. For most of the night, coach Darryl Sutter rolled three lines and sat spare parts Andy Andreoff and Jordan Nolan. The Kings are still carrying Slava Voynov’s cap hit while the defenseman is suspended indefinitely because of a domestic assault charge. This isn’t helping the Kings. But they already were playing with fire by leaving little breathing room under the ceiling.

Nolan doing the dirty work in Buffalo

Jim Rutherford hired Mike Johnston. On the same day Brian MacLellan became Washington’s GM, Barry Trotz was named its coach. Ron Francis brought on Bill Peters. Jim Benning hired Willie Desjardins. This is standard operating procedure. Among a new GM’s first and most important priorities is signing the right coach. This wasn’t the case in Buffalo, where Tim Murray inherited interim coach Ted Nolan. Instead of letting him go to hire his man, Murray signed Nolan to a three-year extension through 2017. Given the degree of Buffalo’s rebuild, it’s easier to understand Murray’s decision now. The Sabres are on pace to finish last and draft Connor McDavid or Jack Eichel. They need help at every position. Neither Jhonas Enroth nor Michal Neuvirth is the answer in goal, and the contracts of both are up after this season. They will deal unrestricted free agents-to-be Chris Stewart, Drew Stafford, and Andrej Meszaros for more draft picks. It’s Nolan’s job to bite the bullet, develop the organization’s young players, and ride out the rebuild. By the time the Sabres are ready to play legitimate NHL hockey, Nolan’s contract will be up and Murray can hire his replacement. It’s a tough job for Nolan. But he probably knew the work required to gut the roster. Otherwise, it does not say much about Nolan’s eye for talent.

Minnesota not wild about Vanek’s offense

After nine games, the Wild’s Thomas Vanek (0-7—7) was averaging just 1.67 shots on goal. In comparison, teammate Zach Parise had landed 45 pucks on net. The numbers reflected their engagement level (or lack thereof). Vanek doesn’t seem to have changed much since last year’s playoffs, when he was a bleu, blanc, et rouge ghost. “He was brought here to add offense,” said coach Mike Yeo. “We’ve definitely seen him and his playmaking ability and some of the plays he’s set up. But we definitely want to find a way on our end to get him on the scoresheet as far as the goal column as well.” Vanek is due $6.5 million annually through 2017.

Canadiens getting better of this swap

The Canadiens are pleased with the play of P.A. Parenteau, rebranded as Pierre-Alexandre upon his return to his home province. Parenteau has been the right wing on Montreal’s second line with Alex Galchenyuk and Tomas Plekanec. He’s given Michel Therrien a dependable presence (2-3—5, 15:52 of ice time per game) who goes to the dirty areas. The Canadiens acquired Parenteau from Colorado for Daniel Briere, who’s been quiet in 10 games. After playing only 6:31 against San Jose on Wednesday, Briere (2-1—3, 11:07 ice time per game) was a healthy scratch for Colorado’s 5-0 stomping of the Islanders on Friday. The trade was curious from the start and looks even worse for Colorado now.

Loose pucks

Another tough guy said goodbye for now on Tuesday. To make room for Matt Cullen, the Predators placed Rich Clune on waivers. The 27-year-old Clune had 166 penalty minutes last season. Through eight games, the Predators had dressed Clune just once for 5:30 of ice time . . . Ex-Penguins GM Ray Shero caught up with two of his Pittsburgh coworkers, Chuck Fletcher and Tom Fitzgerald, in Boston on Tuesday. Fletcher, now Minnesota’s GM, was Shero’s assistant. Fitzgerald’s former title was assistant to the GM. Shero’s son, Kyle, is a student at Kimball Union Academy in Meriden, N.H., where former University of Maine coach Tim Whitehead heads up the varsity. Possible landing spots for Ray Shero include Florida and Winnipeg, where Dale Tallon and Kevin Cheveldayoff are watching over teams treading water . . . So far, Galchenyuk, picked No. 3 in 2012, looks like the more complete NHLer than No. 1 pick Nail Yakupov. The main difference: strength on the puck. Galchenyuk pulls off skilled plays at high speed because defensemen can’t take the puck off his stick. Yakupov has yet to show that kind of strength. As such, Yakupov hasn’t earned as much rope in Edmonton as his former junior teammate has under Therrien . . . Six of the Bruins are currently wearing skates with removable pop-out blades. This number should grow as players acknowledge the ease of switching blades in seconds instead of minutes . . . Claude Giroux averaged 4.7 shots through 10 games. Only two of those shots, however, had gone in. Giroux’s 4.3 percent shooting accuracy is way off his 12.6 percent rate last season, when Philadelphia’s top-line center buried 28 goals. Once Giroux shakes his bad luck, his goal scoring should improve. The Flyers captain and linemate Jakub Voracek are up there with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, and Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin as a dangerous offensive pairing . . . The Sabres did the right thing on Friday by returning Sam Reinhart, the No. 2 overall pick in 2014, to the Kootenay Ice, the forward’s junior team. Reinhart’s nine games with Buffalo will not count as a year on his entry-level contract. In Kootenay, for the first time this season, the 18-year-old will be able to play with players who belong in the NHL.



Last Minute Decision Works Out Great For Fraser

By Tim Rosenthal, Bruins Daily

For the last eight games, forward Matt Fraser was watching the Bruins from high above rinkside on the ninth floor of the TD Garden. It seemed like Fraser would be doing the same thing again on Saturday night when the Black and Gold welcomed the Ottawa Senators for their first time in the 2014-15 season.

At the last second, however, Fraser was inserted into the lineup. David Krejci, who missed Friday’s practice, was supposed to play in Saturday’s game. After skating through warmups, the Bruins announced that Krejci would not dress to do an undisclosed injury.

Instead of being sent to the press box, Fraser would stay dressed in his spoked-B jersey. The laces on his skates still intact, Fraser took to the ice initially skating with Daniel Paille and Simon Gagne.

That would not last. The very next shift, Fraser took his spot on left wing alongside Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson on the third line. The trio developed some good chemistry in the four games they skated together as a unit during last season's Eastern Conference semifinal series with the Montreal Canadiens, which was highlighted by Fraser’s game-winner in Game 4.

As was the case then, Fraser had little knowledge that he would lace up the skates. Yet he was up to the task again after being notified at the last minute.

In his fourth game of the season, the undrafted winger scored twice in the second period to give the Bruins a big spark in their 4-2 victory.

“You kind of just forget about all the details and you just go out and play,” Fraser said about being inserted into the lineup at the eleventh hour. “You try to prepare the same way if you were playing every night, but when it comes down to it, mentally, it’s easier when they tell you just after warmup that you’re going in.”

“He had a great game tonight,” said Brad Marchand, who has three goals in his last two games, about Fraser. “I’ve always thought he’s been a great player. He’s really waiting for that opportunity to get in, and he has an unbelievable shot. And when he gets in position to score, he doesn’t miss that many times. So, hopefully he continues to play like that.”

Erase the news of Krejci’s injury for a second. Assume scouts, media scribes and other hockey personnel who were watching from the press box didn’t know that Fraser was a last minute addition. If they judged his performance based on Saturday’s contest, they would assume Fraser was playing in his 13th game of the season - instead of his fifth.

Some of it was based on Fraser going hard to the net and delivering his quick snap shot that would have any scout drooling. Some of it was based on the chemistry he's developed with Soderberg and Eriksson.

Regardless, Fraser had everything going for him.

“They’re both great players,” Fraser said about skating with Soderberg and Eriksson. “They made it pretty easy on me.

“You get those opportunities, and you know, I pride myself on those,” added Fraser, who is known to be his own biggest critic about his on-ice play. “To get that confidence back, and to get the ball rolling again [feels good].”

Fraser, who is comfortable playing left or right wing skated 10:50 of ice time, averaging 38 seconds per shift. Yet, despite the small amount of time, he made the most of it.

After Saturday, head coach Claude Julien, who reportedly signed a three-year contract extension according to Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night in Canada, might need to take advantage and give Fraser a little more ice time.

“We have an opportunity here to have a winger play both sides,” Julien said. “There are some guys that are very good at that, and he’s one of them.”



The Only Thing You Need To Know About the Bruins' Win Over the Senators

Staff report

Injuries have plagued the Bruins so far this season. From Zdeno Chara to Torey Krug, the injury bug has bit the Bruins, and bit the Bruins hard. So when David Krejci became a healthy scratch just minutes before puck drop Saturday night, Bruins fans had reasons to be concerned. Matt Fraser helped ease those concerns, well at least for one night he did.

A late addition to the lineup to replace the scratched Krejci, Fraser made a very big impact on the game. Playing in only his fifth game of the season, Fraser scored two second period goals 1:28 apart to break what was then a tied game as the Bruins defeated the Senators 4-2 to climb over the .500 mark for the first time since beating the Flyers on opening night.

Fraser was slotted alongside Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson, a familiar position for Fraser. In the four playoff games Fraser skated in a season ago, he was often on a line with Soderberg and Fraser. Fraser’s second goal of the game came off a nice set-up from Soderberg who glided the puck from blue line to blue line to find Fraser. Fraser did the rest, riffling one over the shoulder of Senators’ goalie Robin Lehner.

Krejci’s injury is unknown at this time, but Krejci did miss the Bruins first three games of the season with a hip injury.

As the Bruins battle with inconsistency, Claude Julien will continue to juggle things in hopes of finding the right mix of lines. Even if Krejci is able to return for the Bruins next game (Tuesday against Florida) Fraser has surely earned himself some ice time with his performance Saturday night. Keeping Fraser with Eriksson and Soderberg may not be a bad thing.



Bruins Honor Menino In Pregame Ceremony

Jeremy Gottlieb

The Bruins honored former Boston mayor Thomas M. Menino, who died Thursday after a battle with cancer, in a ceremony prior to their game against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden on Saturday night.

Following a moment of silence, the team showed a video tribute to Menino with Frank Sinatra's classic song "My Way" playing underneath. The team also projected the mayor's name accompanied with the words, "Boston's Biggest Fan" on the outside of the Garden as fans entered the building.



Shawn Thornton embracing his return to Boston

Sunday, November 2, 2014

Steve Conroy

Shawn Thornton has known this moment has been coming, one way or another, since the day he sat in Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli’s office and was told the team wouldn’t be offering him a contract.

But now that the longtime Bruins enforcer is ready to make his return to the Garden Tuesday in a Florida Panthers’ uniform, it seems the 37-year-old is still wrestling with his emotions.

What’s he feeling about returning to the place where he made his NHL mark and won a Stanley Cup, a place he still plans to call home when his career is done?

“Yeah, that’s a hell of a question,” Thornton said with a laugh last week by phone. “It was a great seven years there. It is going to be different, that’s for sure. I’d never played in the Garden before I got there, so this will be my first time in the visitor’s dressing room, so that will be new. It’ll be interesting, but I’m just going to embrace it and enjoy it.”

As a testament to what people thought of his impact on a growing Bruins team, the Panthers signed Thornton to the best contract of his career, a two-year deal worth $2.4 million. By contrast, Dany Heatley, a four-time 40-plus goal scorer and four years younger Thornton, settled for a one-year, $1 million deal with Anaheim.

Going into the weekend, Thornton had waged just one fight in his first six games, a tussle with New Jersey’s Bryce Salvador that cost him a couple of a game with a strained muscle he suffered when the two crashed to the ice. He’s back skating on a fourth line, mostly with Derek MacKenzie and Tomas Kopecky, averaging 8.27 of ice time, just shy of the 8:47 he averaged last year.

While the crackdown on fighting continues, from the face shield rules to the quick breakup of potential fisticuffs, the best way to wind up Thornton is to suggest that the fight game is on its way out.

“I think the pendulum has swung way too far, media-wise,” Thornton said. “The (Stanley Cup champion) Los Angeles Kings haven’t gone that way. They had Jordan Nolan and Kyle Clifford. Let’s not forget that Kyle Clifford got into the league through fighting. And just because a guy drops the gloves on occasion doesn’t mean you can’t play.

“I was watching a game the other night and I heard someone ask the question of whether Milan Lucic will have to change his game .  .  . Are you kidding me? The guy has scored 30 goals in this league.

“I know a lot of (fighters) didn’t get signed. That happens every year. But there are still some of us around. There’s Chris Neil in Ottawa, (Columbus’) Jared Boll, Bryce Salvador .  .  .”

While it’s anyone’s guess how long it takes the Panthers to learn how to win on a regular basis, they do have some high-end talent on the team, thanks to years in the cellar. Jonathan Huberdeau, Aleksander Barkov and Erik Gudbranson were all top-three picks within the last four years, and it looks as though defenseman Aaron Ekblad, the No.  1 overall pick in June, is going to stick with the team as an 18-year-old. Add those to other first recent first-rounders Nick Bjugstad and Dmitry Kulikov and they just might have something in Sunrise. They were 3-2-3 and had earned points in five straight games going into the weekend.

But the Panthers made headlines for the wrong reasons earlier this season when their game against Ottawa drew a record-low crowd of just 7,311, and that on the heels of drawing just 11,419 for their home opener.

It is a different hockey environment than the one Thornton left in Boston, that’s for sure.

“But we’re just trying to build a brand here. You don’t want someone who paid pull price to be sitting next to someone who got in free because he bought a couple of foot-longs,” Thornton said. “Honestly, it’s not that unlike when myself and (Milan Lucic) and the rest of us first got to Boston. I think there were only 13,000 in the stands for the home opener in my first year.

And, don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying equate things here with Boston. They’re two totally different markets for hockey. I realize that. But we’re just trying to build something here. And I think people are sleeping on us a little bit.”

It will be interesting to see if there’s a call for any policing against the B’s Tuesday. Thornton has fought friends and former teammates before. While he may not relish the thought of fighting one of his former Bruins teammates, he doesn’t sound as though he’s obsessing over it.

“Honestly I’ve never really thought about it much before a game,” he said

He is, however, thinking about doing one thing at the Garden on Tuesday.

“What I want (is) to score a goal on Tuukka (Rask),” Thornton said, playfully calling out his good friend with whom he co-owns a 30-foot Sea Ray boat. “Yeah, that’s what I really want to do.”

This week’s

B’s timeline

Tuesday vs. Florida Panthers, 7 p.m. — Shawn Thornton is returning, but the Panthers also have some talented players who could cause problems for the Bruins, especially in their current weakened state.

Thursday vs. Edmonton Oilers, 7 p.m. — Another home game, another return of a former Bruin with a Stanley Cup ring. Andrew Ference will be playing his second game at the Garden since signing with his hometown Oilers in July of last year. After an 0-5 start, Edmonton is trying to work its way back to respectability.

LAVIOLETTE’S WORKING HIS MAGIC AGAIN

When the Nashville Predators traded in Barry Trotz — the only coach they ever knew — for well-traveled Franklin native Peter Laviolette, it was seen as a move to the polar opposite of the defense-first Trotz.

But old habits die hard.

After their 4-1 win over the Oilers on Wednesday, the Preds were ranked just 21st in the NHL in goals per game at 2.44 while they were fourth in goals against at 1.78. But they’re getting the goals when it matters. As of Friday morning, they were 6-1-2 and atop the highly competitive Central Division.

Laviolette is proving to be a quick turnaround artists. In his first NHL head coaching job, Laviolette, who won a Calder Cup with the Providence Bruins in 1999, led the New York Islanders to the 2002 playoffs after they’d missed the postseason seven straight years. In his first full season as coach of the Carolina Hurricanes, he led that organization to its only Stanley Cup. After taking over the Philadelphia Flyers 26 games into the 2009-10 season, he engineered the Flyers’ comeback from a 3-0 series deficit to the Bruins, and eventually took them to the Stanley Cup finals before falling to a superior Blackhawks’ team.

It’s still very early and where the Preds go from here is anyone’s guess. But right now, Laviolette is the leader in the clubhouse for the Jack Adams Award.

Boston Herald LOADED: 11.02.2014


Bruins Notebook: Fights on back burner


Stephen Harris

With no Shawn Thornton and no Zdeno Chara, Gregory Campbell just back from a core injury, Bobby Robins in Providence and Milan Lucic possibly a bit hesitant about fighting — at least until his first bout of the season Thursday in Buffalo — the Bruins don’t have their customary long list of willing pugilists.

And for one of them, defenseman Adam McQuaid, there is the added thought that him sitting in the penalty box for five minutes may not be ideal for a team missing three key blueliners.

“You might be a little bit more aware of it,” said McQuaid before last night’s match vs. the Ottawa Senators. “Sometimes you’re playing against top-few-line guys, and there’s a rare few guys who are looking to get into those kinds of altercations.

“But, yeah, if we can limit our time in the box, that goes without saying. But at the same time if something happens you’ve got to still continue to play. If you’re thinking about what you can and can’t do, it’s a detriment to your game.”

The Bruins have had five bouts this season: Two by Robins (both wins) and one each by McQuaid, Kevan Miller and Lucic.

Bruins coach Claude Julien concurs that unnecessary penalties will not be prudent.

“You don’t want the players not to play their games,” he said. “If they’ve got to face somebody and it’s the right time, then you live with it. But at the same time you’ve got to be careful, don’t go out there and do something just for the sake of doing it.

“We are a little less experienced than we were a couple of weeks ago on the back end. You’ve got to be aware of that.”

View from above

Julien noted before the game in Buffalo Thursday that players often value spending a game in the press box, giving them the chance to see the game from a far different perspective and perhaps see what they could do better.

Defenseman Matt Bartkowski, who did not play vs. the Sabres, said he didn’t like sitting out, but did observe an improvement in the B’s play.

“I thought we broke the puck out a lot better,” said Bartkowski. “It’s good to see that stuff. You can learn things by watching, but I didn’t like watching.

“We broke out much better, so that’s something to take away from that game. It wasn’t a great game to watch. It’s a win, that’s what it boils down to. Taking away from it that we broke the puck out better — which means we spend less time in our zone — I thought that was huge.” .  .  .

McQuaid on defenseman Joe Morrow, who played pretty well in his NHL debut Thursday: “He has a lot of poise and patience with the puck. He sees the ice well. He’s also a guy who can skate, can skate the puck and moves well. It seems fairly effortless for him.”

McQuaid, partnered much of the way with Morrow, said he tried to communicate a lot with the young player.

“Playing with somebody who doesn’t have a whole lot of experience, you need to communicate,” said McQuaid.

“When you come off, you’re talking about situations and it’s important to be positive. I know when I played my first few games, I played a lot with Andrew Ference, a veteran guy, and he was really positive, he really supported me. I know that went a long way for me, so I’m trying to do that now for these guys.”

Solid in circle

This season Patrice Bergeron hasn’t been quite as consistent a two-way standout as usual. But he has been as a good as ever in the faceoff circle. He entered last night’s game leading the NHL with a 63.5 percent win rate.

It was unusual, though, that through a dozen games Bergeron was at minus-1. That for a guy who has posted a plus-38, plus-24 and plus-36 the last three seasons.

Julien thought it might because Bergeron is trying too hard.

“Or maybe (it is) because his wingers (are) really struggling to find their game,” said Julien. “If Brad (Marchand) plays the way he did (in Buffalo), there’s no doubt those guys will be in the plus again.” .  .  .

Defenseman Miller (dislocated shoulder) is slated to resume skating tomorrow. He’s likely to need quite a bit more time to rebuild strength and be ready to play. .  .  .

This was only the 12th game out of a possible 635 as a Bruin that Chara has missed with injuries.

Pastrnak on verge

It’s a safe bet the Bruins brass is contemplating a call-up for top pick David Pastrnak, who is playing well at Providence. The 18-year-old led the Baby B’s in scoring going into last night’s game vs. Springfield, with nine points, owned a plus-8, and was the top rookie scorer in the AHL.

Among other Providence players of note, center Alexander Khokhlachev has also been good, with 4-3-7 totals, Craig Cunningham had 3-2-5 in five games, and Jordan Caron had 3-1-4 and plus-5 in five games.

Center Ryan Spooner had played just three games, compiling three assists. Other forwards who were perhaps in the running for varsity jobs have had slow starts: Brian Ferlin and Justin Florek were at 1-1-2 after seven games, and Jared Knight had 0-1-1.

Both Providence goalies have had fine starts. Jeremy Smith owned a 1.34 GAA in three games and a .958 save percentage, while Malcolm Subban was at 1.72 and .941.



Good karma in Garden


Steve Buckley

Zdeno Chara is limping around TD Garden in a knee brace, the date of his return to the Bruins lineup uncertain. Another Bruins defenseman, Torey Krug, is out 2-3 weeks with a broken finger. Center David Krejci was a late scratch from last night’s showdown against the Ottawa Senators because of an undisclosed injury.

And the Bruins offense in general this season has at times been about as hard to find as Charlie Baker’s elusive New Bedford fisherman.

In this spirit, management must have been thrilled yesterday to learn that the Garden had been booked for a morning appearance by the Dalai Lama, and that the spiritual leader of the Tibetan people got so caught up in the moment that he sported a “Bruins Hockey” cap. While it’s unknown if the Dalai Lama played much hockey growing up, or if he’s even a fan of the game, you’d be crazy not to embrace this kind of karma.

And so after the Bull Gang brought back the ice and the Bruins and Senators got going, it was readily apparent that some good vibes had been left for our hometown skaters. With 1:06 remaining in the first period, Patrice Bergeron got the puck on a faceoff and fed it back to Brad Marchand, who took a rather ordinary shot on Ottawa goaltender Robin Lehner .  .  . accept that said puck somehow squeezed between the keeper’s pads and went lazily into the net.

It wasn’t the product of a laser-beam slap shot or an Orr-like rush. It just .  .  . was. And given the way things are going so far this season, Bruins fans will take it.

True, the Senators quickly tied the game when Mark Stone stuffed a shot past Tuukka Rask with 28 seconds remaining in the period after he stripped the puck from Dennis Seidenberg at the other end of the ice, but come on: That wasn’t an Ottawa Senators cap the Dalai Lama was wearing yesterday morning.

Final score: Bruins 4, Senators 2.

“It was a pretty entertaining game,” said Rask, who stopped 27 of the 29 shots Ottawa threw at him.

But it was so much more than that. Before the game was even over, Hockey Night in Canada was reporting that the Bruins have extended coach Claude Julien’s contact for three seasons beyond this one.

It was, then, a perfect day for the otherwise banged-up Bruins. And it all began with the Dalai Lama doing his very own version of “It’s Called Bruins.”

“We heard he was here and he was supporting the Bruins, so that was a real positive thing,” said Rask. “Hopefully he brought some good energy to the building because we have struggled at home.”

One Bruin who seemed to bask in this positive energy was Matt Fraser. After not dressing for the last five games and eight of the last nine, he got the call for this one and scored two goals — his first points of the season.

Just when you want to criticize Fraser .  .  .

“I’m very critical of myself, so I don’t need people to tell me how I’m playing,” he said. “I know when I can be better and when things are going well. It obviously does a lot for my confidence to not just score the two goals because I felt I had a good game all-around. And that’s more important than the two goals.”

As for the surprise news about Julien, Bruins players were apparently not aware. Either that, or they pretended not to be aware. Marchand, for instance, was peppered with questions about Julien, replying that “he’s a great coach, obviously, his record shows it. He really makes it easy out there. He’s always working with guys, trying to improve their game,” but he didn’t seem to know why he was being quizzed on this topic.

When he was told about the in-game Julien report via Hockey Night in Canada, he replied, “I didn’t see that. I was on the ice.”

Heck, even Julien seemed surprised.

Asked after the game to discuss what he’s accomplished as coach of the Bruins, he got fake irritated and replied, “What does that have to do with anything? It’s been a lot of fun, guys.”

Everything was a lot of fun last night. The Bruins got a win, Matt Fraser got a couple of goals, Coach Claude got a new deal.

Good karma.

Wonder if the Dalai Lama is making an appearance at Gillette Stadium before this afternoon’s Pats-Broncos game.



Bruins best Senators


Stephen Harris

A common theme for the Bruins as they try to sort out their early-season problems: The best players need to be the their best players. This, obviously, is true for any team.

But it’s also mighty nice for a team when the last guy on its roster steps up and is the best player.

In this case, that would be winger Matt Fraser, who had played, briefly, in just four of the first 12 games. Last night, Fraser stepped in for the injured David Krejci and scored two goals, leading the B’s to a much-needed 4-2 victory against the Ottawa Senators at the Garden.

“I don’t know if the net looked that big or just my eyes looked that big,” Fraser said. “You get those opportunities and I pride myself on making sure that those get to the back to the net.”

In an entertaining, high-speed game that featured lots of open ice, odd-manned rushes and crisp B’s passes, Brad Marchand and defenseman Dennis Seidenberg also scored, and Carl Soderberg had two assists. With the victory, the B’s finally climbed above .500 (7-6-0) for the first time since winning the season opener.

Goalie Tuukka Rask didn’t have the busiest night, but was good in making 25 saves to improve to 5-4-0.

Before the game, Bruins coach Claude Julien, who reportedly received a three-year contract extension, spoke about Ottawa defenseman Erik Karlsson. A former Norris Trophy winner, Karlsson has tremendous offensive skills, but plays defense like most pitchers hit in Major League Baseball — not well.

“He’s obviously a real good defenseman,” Julien said. “But at the same time, nobody is perfect. There are areas I think we can exploit. We’re going to try to be vigilant about his assets, and also maybe take advantage of the things we think we can take advantage of with him.”

Karlsson was a minus-4 for the game.

Marchand’s third goal in two games opened the scoring late in the first period. Off a left circle faceoff, Patrice Bergeron drew the puck back to Marchand for a low wrister that leaked through the 5-hole of goalie Robin Lehner and slowly dribbled in at 18:54.

“Bergy’s always been great on draws,” Marchand said. “He won that one perfectly. I just tried to get it on net and luckily it went in. A couple of breaks have gone my way (on two of his recent goals). I don’t think I played a great game (last night), but it’s something to build off of.”

The Senators responded quickly on Mark Stone’s lucky goal with 27.6 left in the first. The play began with defenseman Dougie Hamilton firing a shot from the right point wide left of the Senators goal and the puck ringing around the boards. Seidenberg pinched down the left boards to keep the puck in, but as he reached for the puck, he bumped into linesmen Brian Murphy. Because of that contact the puck bounced past Seidenberg and out of the zone — sending Stone up the right side on a clear 2-on-1, and he snuck one behind Rask at the right post.

At 11:14 of the second period, Loui Eriksson turned over a puck in front of the Ottawa net and it went to Soderberg for a shot from the left circle. The rebound came to Fraser in the right circle, his off-side, but he turned his body and fired a forehander under Lehner for a 2-1 lead.

On the B’s next shot, at 12:42, it was Fraser again, with a quick snap from the left circle high to the far side. The 3-1 advantage held up through 40 minutes.

“We all knew that (Fraser has a good shot),” Julien said. “I don’t think he surprised anyone with that shot, because we’ve seen it before. He had such a great training camp and then we all know he struggled out of the gate. He certainly didn’t miss his opportunity (last night).”

Seidenberg’s slapper from the top of the left circle stretched the B’s lead to 4-1 at 2:08 of the third, and this one was more or less decided.

If Fraser seized his moment admirably, so did the three young defensemen filling in for the injured Zdeno Chara, Kevan Miller and Torey Krug. All three fill-ins — David Warsofsky, Zach Trotman and Joe Morrow — played with skill and poise. And all three looked like they belong in the NHL, not riding buses in the AHL. Trotman picked up an assist on Fraser’s second goal.

“I thought the effort was really good,” Julien said. “Our young players I thought did a great job. Breaking out of our own end with a lot of young (defensemen), they handled themselves well under pressure. Same thing up front.

“Our veteran players came to play. They played solid and the younger guys just jumped on their backs and followed suit. I liked our team effort.”

Those are words that have not been spoken many times this season regarding the Bruins. Maybe this is the start of something good.



B's open homestand vs. Sens

Saturday, November 1, 2014

Stephen Harris

We will find out over the next couple of weeks whether the Bruins' not-so-great start truly means something, or was just a bump in the road. The B's tonight open a four-game homestand against the Ottawa Senators and play 9-of-12 games in November at the Garden. If they can build a strong winning percentage this month, they can get back on track after their mediocre first month. If not, it could be a tough year.

Tuukka Rask is in goal for the B's, while the scratched players are: Matt Bartkowski and, in a major surprise, center David Krejci, whom coach Claude Julien insisted was fine after he missed practice yesterday.



Bruins: "Very nice" to finally be over .500

November 2, 2014, 1:30 am

Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – The third time really was the charm as the Bruins have finally passed over the .500 mark, though they remain a hockey team searching for consistency.

The 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators handed the Bruins two wins in a row, and gave the Black and Gold a winning record for the first time since beating the Philadelphia Flyers back at the beginning of October.

It was the kind of win that was a feel good experience for everybody. The patchwork Bruins defense played mostly solid defense and broke the puck out of the D-zone without much issue, the goaltending was okay aside from Mark Stone goal on Tuukka Rask with less than a minute to go in the first period and the B’s scored four goals spread out on their roster among Brad Marchand, Matt Fraser and Dennis Seidenberg.

It seemed the B’s got contributions from all over the roster, and played a full 60 minutes while rebounding from the disappointing goal allowed in the first. The rest was solid hockey supported by Matt Fraser’s goal-scoring prowess in the second period.

“I thought the effort was really good tonight. Our young players did a great job breaking out of our own end with a lot of young D [defensemen], and I thought they handled themselves well under pressure,” said Claude Julien. “It was the same thing up front.

“Matt Fraser comes in at the last second and scores two goals for us, and plays a solid game. Seth Griffith, same thing. I thought he played well tonight, you know, made some good plays and good heads-up plays and was good along the walls. Our veteran players came to play tonight, they played solid, and those young guys just jumped on their backs and followed suit. I liked our team effort tonight for sure.”

The Bruins players are fully aware they are finally over the .500 mark. It wasn’t lost on them that they accomplished it by beating a quality team in the Senators, and doing it without a number of players who were injured and missing from their roster.

“I think it allowed us to build a little confidence. We got a win a couple games in a row, and this is a good team we played tonight. I thought we really battled, especially after they got that late goal in the first,” said Marchand. “It could have killed our momentum, but we came out strong in the second. It is definitely very nice to be over 500 and especially with a few more games at home here…hopefully we can build on that.”

They started that on Saturday night as well by raising their record on home ice to 3-4 on the season, but that’s definitely another statistic the Bruins can improve upon as the season wears on.

Joe Haggerty

Comcast SportsNet.com LOADED: 11.02.2014


Bergeron regains form in big win over Senators


Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – So much for the questions about the “struggles” of Patrice Bergeron.

The two-time Selke Trophy winner had been the subject of discussion over the last couple of days. Bergeron had just a single goal in his first 12 games of the season, and a confounding minus-1 rating for a player that’s usually among the NHL’s plus/minus leaders. There was natural curiosity as to whether Bergeron was feeling 100 percent physically or if his issues were wrapped up in the team’s inconsistent start.

Bergeron allayed all of those concerns in playing a key role in two of Boston’s four goals in a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators, and finally getting into the positive plus/minus with a plus-2 rating in the victory. The two-way center assisted on Boston’s first goal on a dominant face off win in the offensive zone that opened things up for Brad Marchand’s goal, and then screened Robin Lehner on Dennis Seidenberg’s insurance maker in the third period.

“It was just a matter of time with him. I don’t think we have to worry about Patrice [Bergeron], he’s such a reliable player,” said Claude Julien. “You know we make a big story about him being -1 because we’re so used to seeing him lead the league in plus/minus on a lot of occasions. So you know his whole line hasn’t been up to par.

“As you can see, once they get going, things start turning around for them.”

It’s a solid point by Julien that Bergeron’s struggles were inevitably tied into the offensive woes for Marchand and Smith to start the season. All three finally seemed to find something to anchor them when they were on the ice together for the OT game-winner vs. the Buffalo Sabres, and Marchand was happy to see his center start to get rolling.

“There’s nothing wrong with Bergie. He’s a great player. Every night he plays a great game. He may not score every night, or be on the board,” said Marchand. “But he shuts down other team’s top lines, and that’s a very, very hard thing to do. If he wanted to just cheat and only think about offense he’d score a point or two every night. But he respects the team and the system more than that. It’s not all about points. It’s about playing the overall game, and he does that perfectly.”

Another thing he does perfectly is win draws, and he took 16-of-24 in the face off circle against the Senators in a game that signified the dark period of the last few weeks is now over for No. 37.

Joe Haggerty



Fraser proves his worth with two goals vs. Sens


Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – It was difficult for Matt Fraser, biding his time and waiting for his chance, while sitting as a healthy scratch in eight of the first 12 games for the Bruins this season. Fraser even admitted during particularly low moments that he’d spend time alone in his room berating and criticizing himself for not fully taking advantage of his chances with the Black and Gold.

“When you’re sitting out as the 13th forward, it’s tough,” said Fraser. “I’ve had a lot of long conversations with my parents. Even in the hotel you just sit back, and talk to yourself.”

But he was still with the team when the calendar turned to November after going scoreless in his first four games, and finally got his chance to shine when David Krejci was a last-minute scratch for Saturday night's game against the Ottawa Senators.

All the 24-year-old did was snap off a pair of beautiful goals in the second period for his first two goals of the year, and become the difference-maker for the Black and Gold in a 4-2 win over the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden. It was a relief for Fraser to finally bury a couple of his chances while showing off the elite shot and release on his wrister, and finally start to show exactly what he can do when given the chance.

It was also fitting that Fraser’s two goal outburst arrived in the first time that all four pieces from the Tyler Seguin trade (Fraser, Reilly Smith, Loui Eriksson and Joe Morrow) were all in the lineup for the Boston Bruins in an NHL game.

“It’s fortunate that it worked out that way,” said Fraser. “It just makes me hungrier to do better, and be more of an impact player. If you get those chances, I’m a guy that prides myself on being able to find the back of the net with them. I’m definitely happy that they did.”

The shots, the goals and the production are things all his Bruins teammates have been waiting to see from Fraser. After all, they see what he can do in practice, and know what he’s capable of if given the chance to shoot from the slot, or from either of the face off circles.

“I’ve always thought he’s been a great player, and he’s really waiting for that opportunity to get in,” said Brad Marchand. “He took advantage of it tonight. He’s got an unbelievable shot. If he gets in the position to score he doesn’t miss that many times. Hopefully he continues to play like that.”

It was readily apparent Fraser was locked into the game from the initial drop of the puck. Skating on the left side with Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson, a spot opened up when Chris Kelly was bumped up to center between Milan Lucic and Seth Griffith. Fraser was involved physically along the walls, was using his good size and strength to make himself a presence, and he ended up leading the Black and Gold with five shots, including a rebound chance off a Carl Soderberg shot in the first that he didn’t bury.

That set him up for the second period of a 1-1 game that was completely up for grabs, and Fraser went to work. He gave the Bruins the lead midway through the second when a Carl Soderberg screened shot kicked out a long rebound. Fraser crashed toward the net and was able to elevate the loose puck past a sprawling Robin Lehner for his first goal.

Then less than 90 seconds later Soderberg freed Fraser on the left wing with a dish banked off the side boards, and Fraser took a few strides and sizzled a top corner wrist shot Lehner never even reacted to before it tickled the twine. That left Fraser finally tasting the success he’d worked hard for all summer, and putting on display to the Bruins exactly what he can do to help the hockey club.

“I don’t think he surprised anybody with that shot, because we’ve seen it before,” said Claude Julien. “You know he had such a great training camp, but as we all know he struggled out of the gate, and we made some adjustments to our lineup. But he certainly didn’t miss his opportunity tonight.

“His first goal was from the right, and his second goal was from the left – he just has a good shot. So we have an opportunity here to have a winger who can play both sides – just like Loui as a matter of fact. There are some guys that are very good at that, and he’s one of them. He shoots just as well from the right as he does from the left.”

One good thing about scoring two goals in a big win for the Bruins: it will be awfully difficult to take him out of the lineup. Now it’s up to Fraser to continue playing a physical role when he’s not scoring, and burying all of his chances with the elite release and perfect wrist shot.

It will also be up to the Bruins to find a place to consistently play the winger, put the talented Fraser in a spot where he can succeed with playmakers around him, and then watch him start piling up goals for Boston like the 90 scores he tallied at the AHL level over the last three seasons.

Joe Haggerty



Talking Points: Bruins-Senators

November 1, 2014, 11:15 pm

Joe Haggerty

GOLD STAR: Matt Fraser has scored a ton of AHL goals, 90 to be exact over the last three seasons, based off the deadly release and accurate wrist shot he’s worked diligently at over the course of his hockey career. It’s a matter of making the most of his chances when he does get in the lineup, and he did exactly that in the second period, scoring two goals in under 90 seconds to pave the way for Boston’s win. The first Fraser goal was a long rebound that slid to him as he crashed down toward the net, and he buried it high past a sprawling Robin Lehner. The second was a pure goal scorer’s snip as he bombed down the left side, and snapped a shot off top corner after taking in a nifty lead pass from Carl Soderberg. Fraser also led the Bruins with five shots on net, and was appropriately active after sitting out eight of the first 12 games this season.

BLACK EYE: Erik Karlsson was on ice for all four goals against, managed only a single shot on net and had three giveaways in 23:40 of ice time for the Senators. That makes the puck-moving defenseman minus-7 in his last three games against the Bruins, and a whopping minus-7 for the season. It looks like his Norris Trophy candidacy might be over before we even get to “US Thanksgiving.” This wasn’t as embarrassing as the spiritless game he played just before the Olympic break last season, but there wasn’t a whole lot of fight there again tonight from the Ottawa captain.

TURNING POINT: The Bruins had allowed a goal in the final minute of the first period on a Mark Stone goal that Tuukka Rask would probably like to have back, and it seemed like it was the same old sad story to start the second period. The Senators had outshot the Bruins by a 5-1 margin and were taking advantage of the momentum swing, but then Matt Fraser stepped up and became a difference-maker for the Black and Gold. He snapped off a pair of wickedly filthy wrist shots that beat Robin Lehner for his first two goals of the season, and helped push the Bruins to their second straight win against a divisional foe. That was the cushion they would need in a pretty solid effort from the Black and Gold.

HONORABLE MENTION: Patrice Bergeron looked a lot more like himself in this one. He didn’t get his second goal of the season, but he did win an offensive zone face off that set up Brad Marchand’s goal and screened the goaltender on Dennis Seidenberg’s shot from the point in the third period. The evening’s plus-2 also allowed him to be in the positive plus/minus for the first time in a while, and capped off an evening where he went 18-for-24 in the face off circle as his usual dominant self. It would seem a lot of Bergeron’s “struggles” over the last few weeks were about his wingers finding their game, and his willingness to help support his teammates on the ice at the expense of his own personal statistics. It seems that all is right in the world again with No. 37, and that’s a good thing for the Bruins.

BY THE NUMBERS: -10 – the career plus/minus for Erik Karlsson against the Bruins in 23 games against them, the lowest mark for him against any Eastern Conference team. Amazingly he’s a minus-13 in eight career games vs. the Canucks.

QUOTE TO NOTE: “Our veteran players came to play tonight, they played solid, and those young guys just jumped on their backs and followed suit. I liked our team effort tonight for sure.” –Claude Julien, who was happy with the 60-minute effort in a solid win against a pretty good Ottawa team.

Joe Haggerty



Report: Bruins sign Julien to 3-year extension

November 1, 2014, 10:00 pm

Joe Haggerty

BOSTON - It hasn’t been yet confirmed by the Boston Bruins, but Elliotte Friedman reported on Hockey Night in Canada that the B’s have extended head coach Claude Julien’s contract for an additional three years. It was unclear whether the B’s coach was in the final year of his existing deal, or had another contracted year for the 2015-16 season that the new extension will be tacked on.

Julien is in his eighth season with the Bruins, and has led the team to the playoffs in each and every season while helming the Black and Gold members to a Stanley Cup in 2011, and a return to the Cup Final in 2013. The longtime B’s coach is experiencing his most challenging season with Boston given the injuries and slow start for the team, and there’s no doubt that a contract extension gives him additional peace of mind.

Julien is also second all-time in franchise history behind only the legendary Art Ross among coaches with his 316 wins from 2007-2014.

Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs had given Julien a ringing endorsement prior to the start of the season, and intimated that the head coach wasn’t going anywhere, saying that Julien will “be around for quite a while.”

“He’s been the best – it’s been the best experience I’ve seen from the Bruins,” said Jacobs of the former Jack Adams winner and now the second all-time winningest coach in Bruins history behind Art Ross. “I think he’s a terrific coach and we totally support him. He’s been here, and he’ll be around for quite a while. I think that’s the maximum confidence I can show, but that’s Peter’s role. I don’t want to undermine him.”

Julien amiably refused to comment about the reported extension following the win over the Senators.

Joe Haggerty



Fraser's two goals lift Bruins over Senators, 4-2

November 1, 2014, 9:45 pm

Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – Matt Fraser had been waiting for his chance to shine after serving as a healthy scratch for eight of the team’s first 12 games.

He might not be a healthy scratch too many more times.

The 24-year-old winger proved to be the difference-maker in an important game for the Bruins scoring two goals in less than 90 seconds to lead the Bruins to a 4-2 victory over the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden. It was the first two goals of the season for Fraser, and was a fitting big night for him in the first NHL game that each of the four pieces from the Tyler Seguin trade (Fraser, Joe Morrow, Reilly Smith and Loui Eriksson) all played for the Bruins in the same lineup.

It was also the first time the Bruins had crept up over the .500 mark (7-6) for the season since their opening night win over the Flyers.

It was also a big goal at a perfect time for the Bruins, who had taken a lead in the first period with a Brad Marchand score off a face off play and then watched it disappear when Tuukka Rask was beaten by a Mark Stone partial breakaway in the final minute of the period.

The Senators had the momentum at the start of the second period, but the two Fraser scores – both featuring his deadly quick release and accurate wrist shot – gave Boston everything they would need.

A Dennis Seidenberg blast made it a 4-1 lead at the outset of the third period, and the Bruins played solid defense the rest of the way allowing only a meaningless goal in the final minutes.

Joe Haggerty



Haggerty's thoughts from Bruins-Senators

Joe Haggerty


BOSTON – Here are five thoughts from the first period with the Bruins and Ottawa Senators locked in a 1-1 tie after the first 20 minutes of play at TD Garden.

1) A last minute injury scratch for David Krejci, who didn’t practice on Friday but was expected to be in the lineup Saturday night against Ottawa. Claude Julien reaffirmed prior to Saturday’s game that he expected Krejci to play, and he did take the warm-up centering Milan Lucic and Seth Griffith. But he wasn’t able to answer the bell. That’s a tough blow to a team that’s already down a lot of bodies to injury at this point. I didn’t see anything in the Buffalo game that seemed to cause an injury, so perhaps it’s the lower body issue from the beginning of the season cropping up again.

2) Brad Marchand has gone from offensive sob story to leading the Bruins with four goals on the season in less than two games. It’s remarkable given how much he struggled for the first few weeks of the season, but Marchand has definitely appeared to be a streaky player over the last few years. It was a nice quick release on a face off play with Patrice Bergeron, and Robin Lehner couldn’t squeeze the leg pads quickly enough to stop the puck.

3) So with the assist on the Marchand goal, Patrice Bergeron is officially back to an even plus/minus rating, and all is right in the world again.

4) Tough goal to give up in the final minute of the first period. Dennis Seidenberg got tied up with the linesman at the blue line, and that allowed Mark Stone to strip the puck from him and beat the German defenseman in a race to the net. Then Stone was able to beat Tuukka Rask to the post when the B’s goalie wasn’t quick enough to seal it off with his butterfly technique. It was a bad break for Seidenberg and a soft goal allowed by Rask. The fact it came in the last minute of play in the first period is another black mark against a struggling team right now.

5) Three shots in 4:09 of ice time for Matt Fraser, who had a good scoring chance and looks like he’s playing with plenty of energy in his first game in a couple of weeks. Now would be a good time for Fraser to score his first goal of the season.

SECOND PERIOD

Here are five thoughts from the second period with the Bruins leading the Ottawa Senators by a 2-1 score after the first 40 minutes of play at TD Garden.

1) Interesting how fate works: David Krejci is a last minute scratch opening the door for Matt Fraser, and now the 24-year-old has a pair of goals in the second period that are the difference right now for the Black and Gold. The first score was a nice top shelf blast after a long rebound from a Carl Soderberg shot with Loui Eriksson screening in front, and the second was a filthy, filthy sniper shot from the left wing circle that Robin Lehner didn’t have a prayer of stopping. I’ve been saying it for a while, but if Fraser plays on the left side with a skilled playmaker it will lead to a ton of goals for him. He didn’t score 90 goals over the last three AHL seasons by accident.

2) Another dreadful night for Erik Karlsson here in Boston. He’s been on ice for all three goals against and only has a single shot on net. He just doesn’t seem to like mixing it up with the Bruins very much.

3) Somehow both Carl Soderberg and Loui Eriksson don’t have a shot on net despite being very active in this game, but Fraser has made up for it by throwing five shots on net, and totaling six shot attempts altogether.

4) I’m impressed with Mark Stone: a goal at the end of the first period, five generated shot attempts and a couple of takeaways. He’s got speed for days.

5) Fitting that Fraser has two goals tonight. This is the first NHL game that all of the pieces from the Tyler Seguin trade (Reilly Smith, Loui Eriksson, Matt Fraser and Joe Morrow) have all played together in the same lineup for the Bruins. Some of those parts looking very good tonight, and they’re all contributing.

Joe Haggerty



Senators-Bruins preview: Role reversal


Joe Haggerty

BOSTON – The Bruins know they’re going to have their hands full with an Ottawa Senators team that can prey on a lot of Boston's weaknesses right now.

The Sens are fast and skilled offensively, and can also throw goalie Robin Lehner at the Bruins as he’s been noticeably effective against Boston over the course of his young career. As it is Lehner is off to a 3-0-1 start this season with a .939 save percentage and a 2.18 goals against average, so the B’s have their work ahead of them.

In an interesting twist big things were expected out of the Bruins and a slow start was expected from Ottawa, but the reverse has played out with Boston treading water with a 6-6 record and Ottawa off to a promising 5-2-2 start to the season.

The Maple Leafs and Sabres proved to be tomato cans for the undermanned Bruins over the past few games, but the Senators have the firepower to really push Boston in the way that Minnesota did in a disappointing loss.

“They’re a fast team, and hard-working,” said Adam McQuaid. “They come at you, and they have a good coach and a good system. We’re expecting a hard game and a good challenge, and we have to be prepared for that.”

They’re also a fairly healthy team outside of the absence of injured D-man Marc Methot, and that should provide further separation for two Atlantic Division teams that have been going in different directions over the first month of the season.

Notes

*The Bruins are 8-2 in their last 10 games against the Ottawa Senators at TD Garden, and routinely dominated the Sens until splitting the season series with them last year.

*The Bruins are 2-4 in six games on home ice this season, but are 4-2 against Atlantic Division foes, while feasting on the likes of the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs.

*Patrice Bergeron has just one goal in 12 games to start the season, and is a minus-1 with the season’s first month in the books. That is head-scratching territory for a two-time Selke Trophy winner and the consensus best defensive forward in the game.

*The Bruins haven’t been over .500 since winning the first game of the season against the Philadelphia Flyers and tonight will be their third try at getting back into the black in terms of the won-loss category.

*Injuries for Ottawa: Mark Borowiecki (undisclosed) and Marc Methot (back/hip). Injuries for the Bruins: Zdeno Chara (knee), Kevan Miller (shoulder) and Torey Krug (broken finger) are all out for the B's.

Joe Haggerty



Young Bruins defensmen will be pushed by Senators


Joe Haggerty

BOSTON - It’s always dicey rolling with young defensemen in the NHL, but the Bruins got off to a good start with three rookies in their lineup against the Sabres.

It was partially mitigated by the fact it’s a challenged Buffalo bunch these days, but Joe Morrow, Zach Trotman and David Warsofsky all had their moments. They also displayed a good ability to bounce back when things weren’t necessarily going their way, such as the mental error by Warsofsky in the second period that opened up a 2-on-1 and eventual Sabres goal.

The young defenseman wasn’t aware of Torey Mitchell coming out of the penalty box when he made an aggressive pinch, and that left Dennis Seidenberg hanging a bit on the odd-man rush.

But that was as bad as it got for any of the first year blue line group.

Joe Morrow had four blocked shots, five generated shot attempts and finished as a plus-1 in 17:51 of ice time in his NHL debut, and showed impressive restraint balancing aggressive instincts with the responsibility in Claude Julien’s defensive system.

“I watched my shifts. Nobody is ever going to be perfect, but I thought I played pretty well for my first game,” said Morrow. “It was a lot of fun. Hopefully, I can do that again. I just tried to picture myself like I was in my last year of junior hockey when I was really confidence, and things came to me really easy.

“It meant a lot to us to have three defensemen from Providence in the lineup [against Buffalo], and to play well and get a win.

“[A team] bringing young guys up through the ranks is what this game is all about, and creating opportunities for guys," Morrow said. "When I’m having the most fun I have the puck on my stick all the time, and I’m making plays and sometimes getting out of position, and all over the place. I can’t really do that up there, though. It’s not something where I can go out like it’s a pond hockey game. You’re definitely going out there to win, and to benefit the team. It’s about doing what suits them, and keeping it as simple as possible.”

Warsofsky had four shot attempts and a registered hit in 18 plus minutes of ice time, and filled in ably as a Torey Krug-like player for the Black and Gold. More important, he bounced back from the awareness gaffe with a strong third period and OT. Zach Trotman had five shot attempts in 15:13 of ice time, and continues to show an ability to make simple, effective first passes out of the defensive zone.

That was an area of big improvement in the victory over Buffalo, and that’s about the D-men hitting the tape with their passes.

“I thought they played well,” said Julien. “David [Warsofsky] skates well, and I thought Joe Morrow moved the puck well. He doesn’t seem to be rattled by anything. For a guy playing in his first NHL game, the last thing he looked was nervous.

“He was calm and made some good plays. Yeah, he made a few mistakes like everybody else during a period of a game. I thought [Morrow] handled himself well and I was really happy about our back end in that game. We didn’t give up much as far as scoring chances, and we moved the puck well out of our own end.”

The Bruins young D-corps is doing well, but also relying on consistent performances from Dougie Hamilton, Dennis Seidenberg and Adam McQuaid as the three regular D-men still standing for the Bruins. All of them will be challenged a great deal more Saturday night by an Ottawa Senators team that’s playing very good hockey right now, and is a much bigger offensive threat than the Sabres could hope to be this season.

Joe Haggerty



Bruins have to make way for the Dalai Lama

November 1, 2014, 12:15 pm

Joe Haggerty

Fate hasn’t been kind to the Bruins this season with injuries and a .500 record through 12 games. Still, perhaps that’s about to change after the Dalai Lama donned a Bruins hat this morning while speaking to a large group at TD Garden.

The picture was tweeted out by comedian and friend of B's president Cam Neely, Denis Leary, who sent it out with a simple “This just happened” caption.

This just happened: pic.twitter.com/l5F7PjTAVJ

— Denis Leary (@denisleary) November 1, 2014

The speaking engagement entitled: "Public Talk: Educating the Heart and Mind" for the Tibetan Buddhist leader at the Garden caused the Bruins to cancel their morning skate plans, but the game between the B’s and Ottawa Senators on Saturday night will go on as planned. Now, the undermanned, embattled Bruins should have total consciousness going for them.

Which is nice.

Joe Haggerty



Haggerty: Undermanned B's should get back to stingy D

November 1, 2014, 11:45 am

Joe Haggerty

WILMINGTON, Mass. - It’s OK to admit that nobody is going to see the Bruins team everybody expected to dominate the Eastern Conference.

Or at least they won’t be seeing that enhanced version of the B’s for quite some time given the misfortune that’s befallen the hockey club and the sprawling inconsistency that’s plagued some of their remaining best players.

More likely, the undermanned Bruins will be showcasing a brand of hockey that’s not very exciting, not all that entertaining, but more importantly will be effective over the next month while they wait for Kevan Miller, Torey Krug and eventually Zdeno Chara to form the cavalry.

In the meantime, they’ll be a Black and Gold unit that puts old-fashioned, gritty defense first, and should transition to offense a little more conservatively than what’s been the norm over the past few years.

As time has gone on over the past five years, the Bruins have evolved into a deep, offensively dangerous hockey team with the talent to routinely rank among the NHL’s top five offenses. That growing offensive mindset might have to take a backseat for the time being in favor of a comprehensive defensive look that’s always been coach Claude Julien’s bread and butter.

If the Bruins don’t have the individual defenders to hold things down by themselves, then working in numbers with hustle and good support should be the prevailing plan.

“I think it would have been that even if we were healthy,” said Julien. “I don’t think, since the beginning of the year, that we’ve been as stingy as we’ve been in the past. So that’s been a little bit of an issue, and when you’re always playing from behind that becomes an issue too.

“When we’re stingy, we’re good. Because when we’re stingy we’re not giving up much, and we’re playing with the puck a lot more. That was the case against [Buffalo, a 3-2 overtime win Thursday]. I don’t know if the goals scored is where a lot of people thought it would be, but you’ve got to start somewhere. Being stingy and doing a better job of protecting the house is a good place to start. We’re still a work in progress here, and we need to continue thinking at it that way.”

Part of the ugly individual game between the Bruins and Sabres was about the Bruins playing down to Buffalo’s level the first two periods. There’s no doubt that the emotional engagement wasn’t quite where it should have been given the situation for the Black and Gold.

But part of it was also a B’s group looking to covering all of their bases defensively and limit scoring chances to the bare minimum for the opposition. The Bruins held the pop-gun Sabres offense to 15 shots on net and did the job outside of a couple of second period breakdowns, one that ended up in a Tyler Ennis goal and the other in a nice save by Niklas Svedberg on a Marcus Foligno rush.

Things went much better for the Bruins when they upped the intensity over the third period and OT by getting more assertive offensively, and allowing only five shots on net at the same time.

It was fairly impressive considering David Warsofsky, Zach Trotman and Joe Morrow are all in the lineup with a distinct lack of NHL experience, but they were also eased in against an inferior Buffalo team.

Part of the plan to get back to defense is to make sure the young D-men are supported by their more experienced teammates. There will be bigger tests starting with Ottawa on Saturday.

Julien wants to see continued improvement from a 13th-ranked defense that’s allowing 2.5 goals per game through 12 games. That’s the highest that number has been for the Bruins since Julien’s first year with the Bruins, when a patchwork roster, but one that included a healthy Chara, posted a 2.62 goals allowed per game.

A “strength in numbers” defense can become something the B’s can hang their hats on while working toward low-scoring games and finding a way to remain within shouting distance of a playoff spot until Chara returns.

The down side to all this: the Bruins and their coach were all in agreement the fore-check and skating game dropped below expectations against the Sabres, but both of those areas might continue to suffer if the Bruins opt for a more conservative approach. That means a lot less cheating and blowing out of the defensive zone early by certain B’s players looking to constantly attack, and a lot more team-wide support in the defensive zone with scoring chances perhaps on the downslide for the next few weeks.

“There are still areas to improve on, but there are also things that we can build on. I think it’s important for us to take the positives right now,” said Adam McQuaid. “We need to make sure we’re getting better. I thought we moved the puck better than we have recently, and we just need to focus on making good, clean plays, supporting each other and playing to our system.”

The current plight of the B’s is actually not all that different from the2007-08 season, which Julien has referenced several times this season, and was the last time they were as generous defensively as they are right now.

Patrice Bergeron was lost in October that year with what could have been a career-ending concussion and Julien spearheaded a group of grinding overachievers to qualify as the No. 8 seed in the playoffs on the last days of the regular season. It was a team in much rougher shape than this year’s Bruins by a long shot, but both are/were hockey teams forced into a grinding, conservative style if they want to achieve their goals in the postseason.

Both teams also had great goaltenders that the Bruins will need to rely on to help them win games while the roster is in flux.

The current Bruins are efinitely better than that first playoff-worthy group Julien still points to as one of his proudest achievements coaching in Boston. Still, the catastrophic injuries ring a familiar tone perusing the big names on the current injured list. The B’s seem destined to fight their way to a playoff berth this season rather than widening a gap from the competition during the year as they’ve done in the recent past.

If they do indeed survive and get into the playoffs for an eighth straight season, rolling up their sleeves and playing glory-free defense for the next couple of months will be a big factor behind the success story.

Joe Haggerty


755277 Buffalo Sabres

Ehrhoff finds new life with Penguins

By Mike Harrington

on November 2, 2014 - 12:35 AM

PITTSBURGH – The Sabres look like they’re years away from competing for a playoff spot, let alone a Stanley Cup. That’s pretty much why Christian Ehrhoff wanted out after last season.

Ehrhoff thought the Sabres were dealing him at the trade deadline and again over the summer. Neither of those scenarios played out but the Sabres surprised him by making him one of their compliance buyouts. That worked for him, as he quickly signed a one-year, $4 million deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

“I came to Buffalo when they were on the rise and I had a lot of different expectations,” Ehrhoff said prior to Saturday’s game, his first meeting with his old team. “I hoped to be on a team that had a chance to compete and obviously it didn’t turn out that way so I’m happy with a fresh start here.”

Ehrhoff, who signed a 10-year, $40-million deal with Buffalo in 2011, said he’s only watched limited Sabres highlights thus far this season. He acknowledged what he’s seen has been ugly.

“I feel for the guys. It’s tough to see,’ he said. “You don’t want to see a team struggle like that but that’s just part of the game. There’s teams that are going to be at the bottom. It’s tough to watch from the outside.”

Sabres coach Ted Nolan said he wasn’t disappointed that Ehrhoff made it clear he’d rather be elsewhere.

“I’m not disappointed in anybody,” Nolan said. “That’s why we have a free country and sometimes contracts hold you to certain places, but if you don’t want to be somewhere, then the best thing is to ask to be moved.”

Ehrhoff entered Saturday with a team-best plus-6 rating but there were plenty of whispers around the Penguins that the team was looking for more offense from him. He had no goals and three assists, and has not cracked the team’s first power-play unit, although he’s still averaging 21 minutes, 12 seconds per game.

“I think Christian has come along well,” said first-year Pens coach Mike Johnston. “He’s a mobile defenseman, a good one-on-one player. ... In the summer we were looking for a top-4 guy to add depth with our team and he’s proven to be that.”

Ehrhoff has had limited power-play time because the Penguins’ No. 1 unit normally features four forwards and defenseman Kris Letang. Still, Pens star Sidney Crosby said he likes the way Ehrhoff can move the puck up the ice from the back end.

“That’s the way he likes to play,” Crosby said. “He likes to join the rush and really move it. He’s a great skater and that creates more time for himself. We’re really happy to have him.”

“It’s been great. We got a really good group of guys in here and so far we’ve enjoyed some success,” Ehrhoff said. “We’re trying to build on it and get better. Obviously the goal here is to play all the way in the playoffs.”

Cody Hodgson’s position flopping continued Saturday as he moved back to center between Marcus Foligno and Chris Stewart. Hodgson, in the second year of a six-year contract, entered the game with one goal, one assist and a minus-7 rating.

“It’s part of the job to learn about little details of the game and to be versatile and that’s what I’m trying to do,” Hodgson said. “I played right wing growing up, played a lot of center, left wing I’m still learning. All of it can only make me better.”

Hodgson said he understands how his lack of contribution to the Sabres’ struggling offense is a big reason the team is last in the NHL in scoring.

“You guys have watched a lot of hockey too,” he said. “We’re due definitely.”

We’re just not the kind of team that will light things on fire right away in a game, so you have to start off playing sound defensively. Don’t give up too much, but make sure you compete and then you’ll get chances.”

With Sam Reinhart sent back to junior, Brian Flynn moved back into the Sabres’ lineup for the third time this season. Flynn had been a healthy scratch the last five games. Tyson Strachan was again in the lineup, his first back-to-back games with Buffalo. Andrej Meszaros, with a team-worst minus-10, was a healthy scratch for the second straight game. So was Nikita Zadorov, whose status continues to remain in limbo between a potential return to junior hockey or a move to the KHL.

The Detroit Red Wings hit town for today’s 5 p.m. game against the Sabres in First Niagara Center having won three of their last four games. That includes Thursday’s 5-2 win over Los Angeles in Joe Louis Arena that saw the Wings score four goals in the first period.

Los Angeles forward Jordan Nolan, son of Sabres coach Ted Nolan, will have a hearing today with the NHL’s Department of Player Safety, after being whistled for a boarding penalty in that game on Detroit’s Darren Helm, who remained in the game.

The Wings finished October 6-2-2 and will get forward Johan Franzen back today. He has been out for six games, since suffering a groin injury Oct. 17 against Toronto in a game in which he scored two goals.

Henrik Zetterberg leads the Red Wings in scoring with 14 points and entered Saturday one off the NHL lead in both assists (11) and points. Gustav Nyquist leads the team in goals with seven. Jimmy Howard (5-1-2, 1.97 GAA, .929 save percentage) is slated to start in goal.

Buffalo News LOADED: 11.02.2014

755278 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres fire blanks again in loss

By Mike Harrington

on November 2, 2014 - 12:32 AM

PITTSBURGH – It’s pretty obvious a good bunch of the Buffalo Sabres have gotten the message, whether it’s from their owner or their fans or anyone in between, that losing is acceptable and not something to be accountable for.

The Sabres played Washington Generals to the Harlem Globetrotting of the Pittsburgh Penguins over the second half of a 5-0 loss Saturday in Consol Energy Center. A virtually empty Buffalo dressing room greeted the media when the doors were open a few minutes after the team fell to 2-9-1.

Captain Brian Gionta, Cody McCormick and goaltender Jhonas Enroth were present. The rest of the group took the exit – stage right. Not much presence by this team during games, not much after them either.

“On the bench when it’s 1-0, everybody puts their head down and looks for something else to do. To be accountable, you have to stand up,” coach Ted Nolan said grimly. “If we win a game, they’re all in there and they want to talk. But when you lose, they want to hide. It’s the one thing where no one is going to come in and help us. The only way to get through tough times is you’ve got to be tough.”

Perhaps a no-show afterwards was to be expected. Save for the first 10 minutes of the second period, the game itself was another mailed-in effort as well.

Chris Kunitz, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby all had three points as the Penguins improved to 7-2-1. Kunitz had two goals, Malkin added one and Crosby registered three assists to extend his point streak against Buffalo to 18 games, his longest against any opponent.

The Penguins’ last three goals were all on the power play, two coming when the Sabres killed their own man-advantage with a penalty. One was a too many men on the ice call, a grievous mistake when you’re a man up.

Malkin, Crosby, Kunitz and Kris Letang played puck-on-a-string in the third period as Pittsburgh went 3 for 5 on the power play and improved its NHL-best percentage to 41.8.

Buffalo was blanked for the fifth time this year in just 12 games. Pens goalie Marc Andre-Fleury meanwhile, posted his second straight shutout and third in the last four games. Pittsburgh had a 34-18 advantage in shots on goal as the Sabres failed to get to 20 for the fourth straight game.

“You have to look at the way we’re playing the game,” Gionta said. “Right now, we’re having a hard time coming out of our own end. We spend too much time in the D-zone and you’re not going to score goals from there.”

Fully dressed in a suit for the flight home in advance of today’s 5 p.m. game against Detroit in First Niagara Center, defenseman and Pittsburgh native Mike Weber agreed to speak before exiting.

“It’s a consistency problem. We show up one game, we don’t show up the next,” Weber said. “We show up in spurts, we show up in shifts. We show up for a period here, a period there. It’s continued frustration from years previous.”

Weber was far from done:

“Whether it’s been on the road or at home, we’ve got to somehow find an identity to get mean, get nasty, get angry. There’s not enough anger. There’s not enough intensity throughout the game. We’re not a team that should be dumping the puck in and swinging by guys.

“We need to be a team where if we’re going to go down, we’re going to go down swinging. We haven’t been that team yet. That’s the most frustrating part.”

Good words. And Weber has given them at other times. But he’s a limited player, pointless and minus-6 this season, and coming off a year where he was minus-29. It’s the money guys who continue to do nothing. Matt Moulson’s five-year, $25-million contract has produced exactly no goals so far. Same for Gionta’s three-year, $12.75-million deal.

They both had one shot on goal Saturday. Gionta had a prime chance to score a tying goal early in the second period but he fired high and wide alone in the slot after a terrible Kunitz giveaway. Gionta slunk to the bench after looking to the rafters and shaking his head in disgust.

“It’s a 1-0 game and I have to take onus on that and be better there,” Gionta said.

There was one shot apiece for Drew Stafford and Cody Hodgson, both stuck on one goal. Two for Chris Stewart, who is 0 for his 12 games. That’s a trio raking in more than $12 million of Terry Pegula’s timbits this season.

“People usually – usually – battle like a son of a gun in order to keep that position in this league,” Nolan said. “There’s only 700-something jobs in it. You want to make sure that you’re not going to be the one that they’re thinking of moving or sending out or trading or whatever. You want to make sure you do the right things.”

Buffalo News LOADED: 11.02.2014

755279 Calgary Flames

Flames pack suitcases for another road testNovember 1, 2014. 10:38 am • Section: Flames Insider

Staff report

With flying (and somewhat unexpected) colours, they had passed the National Hockey League schedule-maker’s first test.

For a young and untested group, a six-game road trip — after only a single date at home — spelled certain doom.

Except it didn’t.

The Calgary Flames, offering doubters a collective raspberry, cruised through the junket with a 4-2-0 record.

Now, after a five-date respite in the comforts of the Saddledome, comes another stiff challenge — Montreal, Washington, Tampa, Florida, Carolina — for the Flames.

So no one is crowing. Yet.

“Anytime you go on the road, it’s tough,” said D Mark Giordano. “Teams come in here and find it tough, too. But you have to find a way to get points. Whether it be strong goalie performances, a greasy road win. However you can, get one early on the road trip, I think that goes a long way. For us, we’ve been playing well.

“We just have to put goals in the net.”

Which the Flames did Friday night against the Nashville Predators — rapping in three pucks in a four-minute span in the third period. It added up to a 4-3 victory.

“Look what happens — we get some momentum and we get four,” said Giordano. “After two, it looked like the same old one-goal game and it looks like it’ll be tough to score. But we turned it up in the third, we have to do more of that.”

LW Mason Raymond (currently injured) and D T.J. Brodie are the Flames’ road pacesetters, with seven points apiece.

Brodie is also plus-five in hostile territory, while soaking up, on average, more than 25 minutes per night.

Away from home, C Sean Monahan wins nearly 52 per cent of his draws. (He’s 50 per cent in the 403.)

The Calgarians rate 13th in road hits, sixth in blocked shots.

The Flames possess the eighth-best road power play in the NHL. Penalty killing, they’re 21st away from home.

But, in enemy barns, it’s not always about the shining moments of individuals or even special teams.

“You know what? It’s all about momentum swings and matchups,” said Giordano. “Our coaching staff does a good job of getting two or three lines that can play against the other team’s top lines. On the road, we don’t have last change, but we have guys that are able to play against their top lines. And our D-pairings, we feel confident to play against anyone’s top lines.

“(If) we have another record like the last (road trip), we’ll be OK.”

Befor shoving off, Giordano took time to appraise the recent five-game home stand, 2-1-2.

“It’s a decent record,” said the captain. “We got points in a lot of the games. We’re in a good spot right now, we feel like. We have a big road-trip coming up again but I think our team is in a good spot right now.”

Worth noting is the team’s injury woes, which have kicked a hole in the forward ranks:

* C Matt Stajan (knee)

* C Mikael Backlund (abdomen)

* C Joe Colborne (wrist)

* LW Mason Raymond (shoulder)

* LW Michael Ferland (upper body), whose NHL debut Friday had been cut short after only 9:43 of ice time.

No one these days is griping about goaltending. All good — on both fronts.

* G Jonas Hiller — 4-2-1, 1.82 GAA, .941

* G Karri Ramo — 2-2-1, 2.38 GAA, .914

Here’s what the Flames are facing on their upcoming journey:

SUNDAY AT MONTREAL (8-2-1 record this season)

5 p.m. MT at Bell Centre

* All-time — 14-29-9

* Last 10 games there — 3-5-2

* Last five games there — 2-2-1

* Last time there — Calgary lost 2-0 on Feb. 4, 2014. Former Flames LW Brandon Prust and LW Rene Bourque hooked up for the winning goal in the second period. C David Desharnais scored into an empty net. G Reto Berra took the loss, while G Carey Price picked up the win.

TUESDAY AT WASHINGTON (4-3-2)

5 p.m. MT at Verizon Center

* All-time — 15-23-7



* Last time there — Flames lost 5-4 in a shootout on Oct. 3, 2013, the team’s season opener. This marked G Karri Ramo’s debut for Calgary, not to mention rookie C Sean Monahan’s first NHL point — an assist on RW David Jones’s game-opening strike. RW Lee Stempniak recorded eight shots. LW Alex Ovechkin, meanwhile, registered 11 shots and five hits — and a game-turning three points.

THURSDAY AT TAMPA (7-3-1)

5:30 p.m. MT at Tampa Bay Times Forum

* All-time — 6-5-1



* Last time there — Flames won 4-1 on April 3, 2014. Game-winning-goal was provided by RW Kevin Westgarth; D Chris Breen garnered the lone assist on the play. G Karri Ramo made 31 stops for the win. C Steven Stamkos was minus-two, with no points.

SATURDAY AT FLORIDA (3-2-3)

1 p.m. MT at BB& T Center

* All-time — 7-3-3



* Last time there — Flames won 2-1 on April 4, 2014. Rookie LW Kenny Agostino, with his first NHL goal, opened the scoring. Assists went to RW Brian McGrattan and D Chad Billins. Blocking 34 pucks, G Joey MacDonald earned the victory.

MONDAY AT CAROLINA (0-6-2)

5 p.m. MT at PNC Arena

* All-time — 15-11-6



* Last time there — Flames won 2-0 on Jan. 13, 2014. Goals went to C Mikael Backlund and C Sean Monahan. G Karri Ramo picked up the shutout. C Matt Stajan collected a game-high six shots, while D T.J. Brodie piled up a game-high five blocked shots.

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Hit on Flames' Ferland has Predators star in trouble

BY WES GILBERTSON, CALGARY SUN

FIRST POSTED: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2014 09:03 PM MDT

UPDATED: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 01, 2014 10:53 PM MDT

After an elbow to the chin of Calgary Flames callup Micheal Ferland on Halloween night, Nashville Predators defenceman Anton Volchenkov has a phone hearing Sunday with the NHL's department of player safety.

The Flames' farmhand forwards might also want to stay close to their cellulars.

The Flames didn't skate before Saturday's flight to Montreal and there was no update available on Ferland's health, but it's believed the 22-year-old left-winger suffered a concussion during the second period of Friday's 4-3 victory over the Predators at the Saddledome.

Ferland, who was skating in his first NHL game, was reaching for a puck in the neutral zone when he collided with Volchenkov. Although there was no penalty, replays show the initial contact point was Ferland's head and the Flames forward did not return to the game.

If Ferland is, indeed, out for an extended period, the Flames will likely recall a forward from AHL Adirondack prior to Sunday's road meeting with the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre.

Volchenkov has been suspended twice during his NHL career, including a four-game ban last April after a high hit on Boston Bruins sparkplug Brad Marchand

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Montreal Canadiens' Brendan Gallagher loving life

BY ERIC FRANCIS,



Go ahead and try to wipe the smile off Brendan Gallagher’s face.

Players around the league have certainly tried by way of face washes and uppercuts following goalmouth collisions orchestrated by the Montreal Canadiens pepper pot.

Even those who connect with the odd jab find out quickly the grin only broadens as the 22-year forward knows he’s officially done his job by agitating the opposition.

Even in the dressing room, where Gallagher has been a media darling ever since he was drafted 147th overall in 2010, no line of questioning can change the brilliant demeanour of a lad who has quickly emerged as one of the more respected players in the loop.

As he’ll tell you, it's all about attitude.

“Sure I’m having fun,” beamed the Edmonton native who played his junior hockey with the Vancouver Giants with a man he’ll face Sunday night in Montreal, Lance Bouma.

“I’m very fortunate to be able to do what I do. Growing up you always dream about playing in the NHL and living out that dream is something I want to enjoy. It’s not going to last forever and every day you are at the rink and regardless of what happened the day before it’s a positive experience so I come to the rink and enjoy it.”

It may sound strange but his outward enthusiasm for the game and all that goes with it is rare amongst NHL brethren. And for those who don’t get the chance to stand toe-to-toe in the locker room to chat with the affable 5-ft-9, 182-pounder all they have to do is tune in to a Canadiens game to see his zeal for his craft.

Few players in just their third season have the impact on their teams like Gallagher does. His energy is infectious, proving to be the driving force on a young, talented team that feeds off his determination, feistiness and fearlessness.

“For me I have to be an energy guy and provide a spark,” said Gallagher, whose father is the strength and conditioning coach for the WHL’s Giants.

“When momentum might be going against us I feel that’s an opportunity for me to go change it just by working hard, having a good shift and playing in the other end. I feel like that’s a small way I’m able to lead.”

Coach Michel Therrien sees it the exact same way.

“He’s got a lot of energy,” chuckled the Canadiens’ coach.

“The way this young man competes for me is leadership.

"Game in, game out he’s got one way to play and that’s to play hard and go hard to the net. I ask all our players to be leaders but certainly every game he’s going to give all he’s got.

"That’s why he’s got a lot of respect first of all from his own teammates and he’s getting some respect around the league too.”

Not just on the ice but in the stands as Gallagher has become a fan favourite across Canada and not just because he starred for the national junior squad in 2012 here.

“I don’t know about that,” he smiled sheepishly when told of his surging popularity.

“I’ve always just played the same way. It’s fun to have fan support and playing in a city like Montreal there’s definitely no shortage of it. It’s also cool for us to come to western Canada and see all the fans we have.”

As far as his Calgary connections go, he still has the cowboy hat and a signed stick from the world junior tourney, which saw Canada finish third. He

saw the tourney as a great stepping stone in a career that saw him score 19 goals in his first full season. Not bad for a fifth-rounder who was considered too small, as every team in the league would kill for him now.

“I was never concerned about my size,” said Gallagher.

“I was told from a young age it was an advantage and that’s something that always stuck with me. I was never going to be a big player and I can do things bigger guys can’t so I just roll with it.”

And he does it with that grin.

“If I get a chance to show a positive attitude I take advantage of it,” said Gallagher.

“I feel like we are role models for kids and if there is one little kid out there who looks up to me I want to be a positive role model.”

Mission accomplished.



Calgary Flames prospect Josh Jooris looks to follow Johnny Hockey out of pressbox

BY WES GILBERTSON, CALGARY SUN



Across the room, Johnny Gaudreau was surrounded by reporters, the Calgary Flames’ fire-helmet resting on his sweat-drenched lid as he fielded questions about Friday’s first-star performance, his game-winning goal and his rapid ascent to fan-favourite status at the Saddledome.

Just two weeks earlier, fellow Flames rookie Josh Jooris is reminded, Gaudreau had been a healthy scratch.

Might be the best thing that’s happened to him in the first month of his pro puck career.

“It worked wonders for him,” agreed Jooris, who watched from the press-box Friday as Gaudreau sparked a third-period comeback and then roofed the winning goal in a 4-3 win over the Nashville Predators at the Saddledome.

“I think it was just a matter of time before he broke out like he has, but yeah, that would be real nice if I could follow in those footsteps. I wouldn’t be complaining about that.”

Let’s be clear about one thing — Jooris doesn’t have Gaudreau’s vast assortment of dipsy-doodles and isn’t about to be nicknamed Josh Hockey. Quite frankly, there isn’t another guy on the Flames payroll with Gaudreau’s offensive skill-set.

There are some similarities, though, between the two youngsters.

Jooris, 24, might have three years on Gaudreau, but experience is a more significant stat in this case and both guys are wide-eyed newbies at the NHL level.

Like Gaudreau before his own press-box assignment, Jooris has shown plenty of promise but also made his share of rookie mistakes. The most glaring for Jooris was a missed assignment that led to the tying tally in a 2-1 overtime loss to Tampa Bay Lightning in just his second skate for the big club.

Like Gaudreau, who was a spectator Oct. 17 — coincidentally, the night that Jooris made his big-league debut and scored his first big-league goal — in Columbus, the rookie right-winger realizes he could benefit from a birds-eye view and certainly isn’t going to gripe about his lot in life.

“There’s peaks and valleys in a season, and I’m learning that right now,” Jooris said. “It’s a long season here and I’m a young guy and this is my first little taste of the NHL, so I don’t look at it as a negative at all. Obviously, you want to be in the lineup and contributing every night, but at the same time, maybe you need some time up top, just to see what you’re up against and see little things you can pick up on. I’m definitely keeping things positive.”

He should be.

After all, Jooris’ emergence as an NHL-ready prospect has been one of the most positive — and, to be honest, one of the most unexpected — developments for the Flames this fall.

The 6-foot, 180-lb. forward has collected one goal and one assist in five NHL skates so far and has impressed the coaching staff with his wheels, his work ethic and his defensive-zone play.

Jooris is likely to return to the lineup for Sunday’s date with the Montreal Canadiens at Bell Centre (5 p.m., CityTV/Sportsnet 960 The Fan), and it will be fascinating to see how he responds after Friday’s scratching.

Hey, it turned out to be a valuable experience for Gaudreau, who has been a point-per-game guy in a half-dozen outings since his night off.

“He was something special (Friday), like he has been for the past couple of games,” Jooris said. “Watching from up top, it’s just that much more noticeable. He has the ability to dominate and just control a game. It seemed

like every time he was out there, he had the puck on his stick and something was happening.

“I don’t know if I’ll be to that extent if I come back in, but it was good to watch from up top. You learn some stuff.”


755283 Carolina Hurricanes

Faulk joins Canes’ effort to grow youth hockey

Posted by Chip Alexander

on November 1, 2014

As a kid growing up in Minnesota, Canes defenseman Justin Faulk never had any trouble finding a rink or a place to play hockey games.

Now, he wants to help other kids learn to play.

Faulk and the Canes are joining the Polar Ice House in sponsoring two programs created to help grow youth hockey in North Carolina -- Learn to Play, and First Goal. The First Goal program is a four-week course offering an introduction to hockey at minimal expense. After completing that program, the kids then move to Learn to Play, an eight-week course in which the fundamentals of the sport are taught.

"I think it's good to give back and allow kids an opportunity to play the game," Faulk said Saturday. "I think getting as many people as possible into hockey is a goal a lot of players want to help achieve. It's nice to see the numbers growing across the United States on a yearly basis and I want to do my part to help that."

Faulk, a native of South St. Paul, Minn., has represented the U.S. in the 2014 Sochi Olympics, World Championships and the World Junior Championship. He also won an NCAA championship at Minnesota-Duluth.

"It's the norm from where I'm from to be playing hockey," Faulk said. "At the same time I know it's an expensive sport. It's pretty tough on parents sometimes in that way.

"Just to be able to give that opportunity to someone to play, who may not be able to, or try to encourage someone to join who might be wanting to, is the goal."

The players in both programs will receive a Justin Faulk T-shirt upon "graduation." Those completing the Learn to Play program also receive youth hockey sticks.

After completing Learn to Play, participants will be invited to join the Hurricanes House League, open to players ages 5-18. The Hurricanes House League (www.phhl.org) is designed to provide a quality competitive player experience, and to develop standards of player safety.

"It's something I wanted to be a part of," Faulk said of the programs. "Just to give someone that opportunity to try the game. If they enjoy it, maybe things go from there and it's something they won't forget."

News Observer LOADED: 11.02.2014


Peters makes Semin a healthy scratch against Coyotes

By Chip Alexander

November 1, 2014

Alexander Semin will not be in the lineup for the Canes on Saturday and will be a healthy extra against the Arizona Coyotes.

Canes coach Bill Peters left the door slightly ajar Friday after practice, indicating Semin likely would be a scratch but saying a final decision would be made Saturday. At the morning skate, Semin was the extra forward and John-Michael Liles the extra defensemen.

Both stayed on the ice after the skate for extra work with assistant coach Rod Brind'Amour, as general manager Ron Francis closely observed from the stands.

Peters said Saturday that if he was "sending a message" by holding Semin out of a game, it was a message intended for the team and not just Semin.

"You'd rather do that than do it 22 separate times, right?" he said. "You can grab everyone's attention at once. It's much quicker and much more efficient."

Peters noted he has met with Semin, talked it out, asked for more out of the winger, talked some more. Semin has no goals and two assists in the first eight games.

"At some point, action speaks louder than words," Peters said. "That's what happens when you're a healthy scratch, and you have to handle it professionally, and you have to bounce back and when you get back in the lineup you've got to be a good player and make sure it doesn't happen again."

Cam Ward will be in net as the Canes try to snap out of a winless (0-6-2) start to the season. The Coyotes are 3-5-1 overall and 0-2-0 on their Eastern road trip, causing coach Dave Tippett to say Saturday that there will be "two desperate teams" going at it at PNC Arena.

Both seem eager to play. Both Peters and Tippett ended their media briefing Saturday by saying they were ready to drop the puck and not wait for the 7 p.m. start.

"I like the feel of the team and I like the energy they had today and the pace we had," Peters said. "I thought we were quick."

The Canes' lines Saturday had Eric Staal centering Jeff Skinner and Jiri Tlusty, Riley Nash at center with Nathan Gerbe and Elias Lindholm, Victor Rask with Chris Terry and Zach Boychuk, and Jay McClement centering Brad Malone and Pat Dwyer, who was activated off injured reserve Saturday.

On the back end, Andrej Sekera is paired with Justin Faulk, Ron Hainsey with Brett Bellemore and Jay Harrison with Tim Gleason.

"We're still looking for our first one and it's really important for us to get that first one and kind of kick everything off," Tlusty said. "I don't know if we are too stressful about getting that first win, but as I heard Bill Peters say, the longer we wait the harder it will be."

One statistical note: the Canes and Coyotes are the NHL's two best face-off teams, both at 54.4 percent. Another statistic that should concern the Canes: the Coyotes have the league's second-best power play at 26.5 percent.

"It will be a physical game, a high-paced game," Tlusty said. "We have to be all-in. That's most important for us."



Ward, Hurricanes shut out Coyotes for first win of season

By Chip Alexander

November 1, 2014 Updated 8 hours ago

RALEIGH — There was a sense of both celebration and relief. There were smiles in the locker room afterward, for once, and the joy that comes with hard-earned victories.

The Carolina Hurricanes are winless no longer. The Canes finally picked up their first victory of the season, and gave Bill Peters his first coaching win at Carolina, by beating the Arizona Coyotes 3-0 on Saturday at PNC Arena.

With Cam Ward confidently taking care of the goaltending, with winger Elias Lindholm scoring his first two goals of the season, the Canes were in control from the start. Jiri Tlusty added a power-play score late in the second period -- Tlusty's team-high sixth goal -- and the Canes took care of all the details that lead to wins.

"It's huge relief," said Ward, who earned his 22nd career shutout with 25 saves. "Obviously, this is what we're striving for, to win hockey games, and it's been a rough road up until now.

"As tough as it is to stick with it, the guys stuck with it (Saturday) and got rewarded for it."

The Hurricanes were 0-6-2 in October, the worst start in franchise history. Team captain Eric Staal called it embarrassing, and Peters also took a firm stand Saturday in making underperforming forward Alexander Semin a healthy scratch.

The Canes face the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings on Sunday at PNC Arena, and Peters said he wasn't sure of the Canes' lineup. But he said was pleased with the effort of the 18 skaters Saturday. And, of course, Ward.

Ward, moving well, seeing the puck well, picked up his 225th career victory. He also was given a red fireman's helmet as the star of the game -- a new team award Peters had been saving and waiting to hand out after victories.

"We don't have a name yet and need to come up with one," Peters said, smiling. "We haven't cracked that out for a while."

The goalie usually receives the puck after a shutout but Peters got it this time -- a satisfying memento, for sure.

"You know what, I'm happy for the guys," Peters said. "They laid it on the line. Winning hurts to a certain degree. There should be icebags on (after games). You should be blocking shots, paying a price and selling out. That's what you have to do."

Forwards Nathan Gerbe and Patrick Dwyer, back in the lineup after being sidelined with injuries, gave the Canes some needed hustle and grit. But everyone in a black Carolina sweater, it seemed, did their part and made plays.

"We had speed tonight," Peters said.

The Canes killed off penalties against the NHL's second-best power-play team. They battled for pucks. They forechecked effectively and pressured goalie Mike Smith, who had 32 stops.

Lindholm, who had been pressing in the offensive zone, scored both goals off rebounds in the first as the Canes took a 2-0 lead. His first came almost four minutes into the period -- only the second time this season the Canes have scored first in a game -- and his second following up a Justin Faulk shot from the point.

Ward had a close call in the first when he bolted out of net to play the puck ahead of an onrushing Antoine Vermette of Arizona. The puck hit a sliding Vermette, skidding back just wide of the post.

Tlusty scored after Smith left the crease to play the puck in the corner and attempted to clear, but Faulk stopped the puck near the blue line and put a shot on net. Smith made the stop but Tlusty was there for the rebound.

Faulk, who had two assists, was hit by a deflected puck in the final minute of the first, leaving the ice bleeding. He returned in the second period wearing a full cage.

"It's been kind of tough, losing," Lindholm said. "Now we got the win, we can build from there."

Scouts from eight NHL teams attended the game. Also watching from the press level was Kings coach Darryl Sutter.

And Semin. A healthy scratch for the first time with the Canes, he had a nice overhead view of the Canes' first win of the season.



Hurricanes shut out Coyotes for first win of season

Nov. 01, 2014 @ 11:08 PM

BY MIKE POTTER,

The Carolina Hurricanes kicked off November with the first victory for coach Bill Peters.

Elias Lindholm scored two goals, and the Hurricanes beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-0 on Saturday night for their first win of the season.

Jiri Tlusty also scored for Carolina (1-6-2), and Cam Ward finished with 25 saves in his first shutout since March 27, 2012. The Hurricanes had been the NHL's only winless team in Peters' rookie season as a head coach.

Lindholm, Carolina's top pick in the 2013 draft, collected his first two goals of the season for his second career two-goal game.

The Hurricanes played without right wing Alexander Semin, who was a healthy scratch. The Russian has two assists and is without a goal in eight games.

"We started out on time tonight," Peters said. "The shots were 6-1 and then they got a power play and Wardo made a real good save to keep it at 0-0 and give us a chance to get a lead.

"I hope and think we came out of it healthy. I'm happy for the guys. You saw how hard they worked tonight. When you win you pay a price, and the guys did it tonight."

Justin Faulk had two assists for Carolina.

Arizona's Mike Smith stopped 32 shots.

Ward was all smiles while wearing a fireman's hat that Peters will award on a rotating basis to his choice for most outstanding player in a win.

"Coach Peters came in here and said it will go to somebody every time we win a game," said Ward, who earned his 22nd career shutout. "Really I think he could have given it to anybody. But I'll wear it with pride and obviously it was great to get a win."

The Coyotes (3-6-1) have lost three straight. They had won their last three games in Raleigh going back to 2008.

"We made a couple of mistakes and got behind and chased the game," Arizona coach Dave Tippett said. "That's happened to us too many times this year. We got chances and couldn't capitalize on them, and couldn't get ourselves back in the game."

Lindholm jumped on Smith for two goals in the first.

He followed his own shot and put Carolina in front 3:57 into the game. Brett Bellemore and Nathan Gerbe each got an assist on the score.

Lindholm then made it 2-0 at 17:22 on another follow shot from the low slot, with Riley Nash and Faulk on the assists.

"It took a couple of games," Lindholm said. "We hadn't played good and obviously tonight we did. It's good for the team and it's always nice to get some goals."

Tlusty scored the Hurricanes' third goal on a power play at 15:21 of the second.

Hurricanes captain Eric Staal said the team may have gotten some motivation from Semin's benching.

"It's nice to get a lead and stay on the gas," Staal said. "I thought we were pretty solid all the way through. I think that sent a message to everybody. Obviously Bill's looking for certain things out of people in our lineup, and if he doesn't feel you're delivering that, he's the coach."

NOTES: The defending NHL champion Los Angeles Kings visit Carolina on Sunday. ... Arizona visits Washington on Sunday. ... D Tim Gleason played in his 500th game as a Hurricane. ... Carolina wore its black jerseys for the first time this season. ... Attendance for the first home game following a five-game road trip was a season-low 10,870. ... D John-Michael Liles was

Carolina's other healthy scratch. ... RW B.J. Crombeen and D Chris Summers were healthy scratches for Arizona. ... The Coyotes host the return meeting Feb. 5.

First Period—1, Carolina, Lindholm 1 (Bellemore, Gerbe), 3:57. 2, Carolina, Lindholm 2 (Nash, Faulk), 17:22. Penalties—Stone, Ari (holding), 1:44; Faulk, Car (interference), 8:59; Tlusty, Car (slashing), 10:47.

Second Period—3, Carolina, Tlusty 6 (E.Staal, Faulk), 15:21 (pp). Penalties—Chipchura, Ari (embellishment), 7:29; Gleason, Car (interference), 7:29; Stone, Ari (tripping), 14:52.

Third Period—None. Penalties—Tlusty, Car (hooking), 6:30; Chipchura, Ari (unsportsmanlike conduct), 18:16; Malone, Car (unsportsmanlike conduct), 18:16.

Shots on Goal—Arizona 6-8-11—25. Carolina 12-13-10—35.

Power-play opportunities—Arizona 0 of 3; Carolina 1 of 2.

Goalies—Arizona, Smith 2-6-0 (35 shots-32 saves). Carolina, Ward 1-3-1 (25-25).

A—10,870 (18,680). T—2:28.

Herald-Sun LOADED: 11.02.2014

755287 Chicago Blackhawks

Gameday: Maple Leafs 3, Blackhawks 2

By Chris Kuc

Jame Reimer stops 45 shots as Maple Leafs beat Blackhawks 3-2

Summary

Peter Holland scored the winner early in the third period to lift the Maple Leafs to a 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks on Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre. Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk also had goals for the Leafs. Brent Seabrook had a goal and an assist and Brad Richards a goal for the Hawks.

In the nets

Corey Crawford returned for the Hawks after missing six games with an upper-body injury. He had 24 saves. James Reimer was terrific for the Leafs and finished with 45 saves.

Ouch

Marian Hossa: 'We know we can play better'

Blackhawks winger Marian Hossa on his team's performance after 3-2 loss.

Hawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson left the ice with blood streaming down his face after being struck with a puck just below his left eye late in the second period. He returned to start the third period and later was limping after taking a shot to his right leg. Afterward, coach Joel Quenneville said: "He's a warrior. I'm sure he'll be fine."

Tribune's Three Stars

1. Reimer, Leafs: Held off the Hawks' onslaught, including 26 saves in the third period.

2. Holland, Leafs: Was in the right spot at the right time and buried the winner from the slot off a pass from Leo Komarov.

3. Seabrook, Hawks: Pounded the puck from the point with the Hawks on the power play and was rewarded with two points.

The quote

Hawks winger Patrick Kane: "When you don't win, obviously there's cause for concern. With the chances we had, we didn't really bear down and bury. We have to get better at that."

Roster report

Scratches for the Hawks were Daniel Carcillo (right knee) and David Runblad (healthy). Sitting out for the Leafs were Joffrey Lupul (hand) and Matt Frattin (healthy).

Injury update

Blackhawks reassign goalie Scott Darling to Rockford

Chris Kuc

Carcillo missed his fourth consecutive game with the injury suffered Oct. 25 against the Blues. He is expected to miss another three weeks.

Big number

642 All-time meetings between the Hawks and Leafs. Toronto holds a 286-259-96-1 edge after Saturday's victory.

Up next

Vs. Jets, 8 p.m. Sunday at the United Center.

Chicago Tribune LOADED: 11.02.2014


Antti Raanta relieved he’s still on Blackhawks’ roster

BY MARK LAZERUS

November 1, 2014 9:18PM

Updated: November 2, 2014 2:33AM

TORONTO — Antti Raanta tried not to sweat his standing with the team while Scott Darling seized the net and the headlines for three games. But he was relieved Friday to learn that the backup job was his, as Darling was sent back to Rockford.

“Everybody wants to be here, and everybody wants to play,” Raanta said after Saturday’s morning skate. “So, of course, it’s a good feeling. But I wasn’t thinking too much about that thing at all.”

Darling started the last three games for the Hawks, going 2-1-0 with a .933 save percentage and a 1.98 goals-against average. Raanta is used to watching Corey Crawford play ahead of him, but seeing the rookie get the nod was difficult.

“Everybody wants to play, so it was pretty tough [to watch],” Raanta said. “But he played good games, so he deserved a chance. So I can’t complain anything about that. I played three games in a row, also, and I lost two in a row. So it’s understandable that you get [sent] to the bench. Now it’s my chance to show again what I have and prove that I belong in here.”

Raanta had a 32-save shutout of the Flyers in his first start of the season, and is 1-2-0 with a .933 save percentage and a 2.03 GAA. He’ll likely start Sunday at home against Winnipeg, after Crawford started Saturday against the Maple Leafs.

Coach Joel Quenne-ville said it was a “healthy decision to make” between Raanta and Darling, but that Darling needed to get more work.

“We want Scott playing,” Quenneville said. “He’s playing tonight, keep him in the groove. It’s healthy experience that all our goalies got to play here. Organizationally, [we] got to find out what he could do and wanted him to keep playing.”

Rising to the top

Kris Versteeg again played on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa.

“He can complement top guys,” Quenneville said. “He has a high-end IQ when it comes to making plays and being around the net.”

Chicago Sun Times LOADED: 11.02.2014


Blackhawks dominate but fall to Maple Leafs

BY MARK LAZERUS Staff Reporter


Updated: November 1, 2014 11:45PM

TORONTO — So much for the floodgates opening.

After a breakout performance in Ottawa, the Blackhawks offense had another dominant game on the scoresheet, but not on the scoreboard, in a 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday night — their fourth loss in the last six games.

Despite outshooting the Leafs 47-27, putting 26 shots on goal in the third period, and taking 87 attempts to Toronto’s 44, they could only solve a spectacular James Reimer twice, both times on power plays.

“I guess these games are going to happen,” Patrick Kane said. “Obviously, we don’t like seeing this happen often, and it seems like that’s the case now.”

The Hawks can still blame themselves, though. The two goals might have been enough if not for another spate of ghastly turnovers. After Nazem Kadri got the Leafs on the board first, the Hawks got two power-play goals — after shaking up the personnel on the two units — from Brad Richards (his first goal with the Hawks) and Brent Seabrook.

But James van Riemsdyk tied it at 2-2 one minute after Seabrook’s goal after a careless pass from Johnny Oduya into the slot in his own end of the ice. And early in the third, self-proclaimed “Blackhawks killer” Peter Holland scored after Leo Komarov leveled Oduya behind the net and took the puck from him. It was Holland’s fourth goal in four games against the Hawks.

“For whatever reason, we make a lot of turnovers, and that is what’s putting us a little bit back,” Marian Hossa said. “We know we are a better team than that.”

Niklas Hjalmarsson was bloodied by a shot to the face in the second period, and then after he was stitched up, took another shot off the leg in the third. He kept playing.

“He’s a warrior,” Joel Quenneville said. “I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

There was plenty to like for the Hawks. The power play was terrific. The third period was one of their best of the season, according to Quenneville. Richards had one of his best games, and was rewarded with a bump-up to the second line with Kane and Patrick Sharp. And eventually, if they keep outshooting teams by such wide margins, the goals will come.

They’re just getting tired of saying that.

“The guys are obviously frustrated, but the thing is we’re getting the chances, we’re getting the opportunities,” Andrew Shaw said. “Sooner or later they’re going to start going in for us, and that’s when we become a scary team to play against.”



When bros are foes: James, Trevor van Riemsdyk face each other

BY MARK LAZERUS Staff Reporter


Updated: November 2, 2014 2:33AM

TORONTO — The walls in the van Riemsdyks’ basement in Middletown, New Jersey, are pock-marked and puck-marked, each scar a story. There are dents from shots being fired, slash marks from sticks slammed in disgust, bruises from bodies being bashed.

“Neither of us likes to lose,” Trevor van Riemsdyk said. “I’m sure Mom and Dad had to play referee quite a few times.”

“Lots of blood shed and tears cried in the basement,” James van Riemsdyk said.

James and Trevor van Riemsdyk spent countless hours competing against each other in that basement, pretending to be NHL players. On Saturday night, for the first time, they competed against each other as actual NHL players — in Toronto, on “Hockey Night in Canada,” no less.

It actually was the first time James, a 25-year-old star winger for the Maple Leafs, and Trevor, a 23-year-old rookie defenseman for the Hawks, played against each other at any level of organized hockey. Neither was sure quite what to expect, but based on those basement games, neither expected the other to take it easy.

“I’m sure he won’t be afraid to rub me out in the corner, and I won’t be afraid to finish my check on him,” James said. “So it’ll be fun.”

The van Riemsdyks could be the next big hockey family, following in the tradition of the Sutters and the Staals. And youngest brother Brendan is a 6-5 18-year-old who is committed to play at New Hampshire — where both James and Trevor played — next season.

James was the No. 2 overall pick by the Philadelphia Flyers in the 2007 draft — right behind Patrick Kane — a can’t-miss prospect since he was a teenager. He’s an established star, coming off a 30-goal season and a standout performance (one goal, six assists in six games) in the Sochi Olympics for Team USA. Trevor took a longer, more unlikely route to the NHL and is one of the early surprises of the season.

His college career ended with a broken ankle in January. He signed with the Hawks in March because of their reputation for developing young talent. He entered training camp in September as a wide-eyed rookie with no expectations, nowhere near the top 10 on the depth chart, let alone the top six.

Yet here he is, having played in every game this season, proving to be a smart and savvy defenseman who’s not afraid to jump in the rush, but not overeager to do so, either.

“You don’t see a defenseman right out of college make the team,” Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. “We didn’t envision him having a sniff of making our team, but he worked his way every day, being consistent, playing the right way, vision on the ice, playing with poise. He’s been a great addition to our team and organization.”

And another great source of pride for the van Riemsdyk family. Trevor’s and James’ parents, Frans and Allison, were at Air Canada Centre for the game. Frans wore his Original Six hat because it has both Hawks and Leafs logos on it.

As for who they were rooting for? Well, Brendan was wearing a Hawks hat — “just like him to want to come in here and stir the pot,” James said. But you can’t pick favorites among your kids. But given all the times James got the upper hand on Trevor in the basement (“quite a bit,” Trevor said), and given the two players’ relative stature in the league, maybe just this one time, Frans and Allison did.

“James has been doing this a while; he’s established himself as one of the top players in the league and I’m still kind of breaking in, trying to find my role here,” Trevor said. “So maybe deep, deep down they may be pulling for me just a little bit.’’



Spellman: Pucks just won't find the net for Hawks

Mike Spellman

Trailing by a goal early in the third period Saturday, the Blackhawks shifted gears to "relentless" and swarmed the Toronto zone over the final 20 minutes, putting up a season-high 26 shots in a desperate attempt to tie things up.

"That might have been one of our best periods all year," Hawks coach Joel Quenneville said. "We had the chances, good opportunities and pucks around the net. You play like that, you'll find ways to score goals."

Today's faceoff

Blackhawks vs. Winnipeg Jets at the United Center, 8 p.m. Sunday

TV: Comcast SportsNet

Radio: WGN 720-AM

The skinny: The Jets may be in last place in the Central Division, but they've been playing some quality hockey of late. They had a two-game win streak snapped Thursday in New Jersey and then took the Rangers to a shootout Saturday in New York before pulling out a 1-0 victory. The Hawks, coming off a loss at Toronto on Saturday have struggled at home early on, going 2-3-0 at the United Center. Antti Raanta may get the start in net for the Hawks.

Next: Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday

-- Mike Spellman

Not on this night.

Not when Maple Leafs goalie James Reimer was stopping everything and anything that came his way, including all of those third-period shots and 45 of the 47 he faced overall to lead the Leafs to a 3-2 victory.

It was another frustrating night for the Hawks, who not only couldn't find their scoring touch despite surpassing the 40-shot mark a league-leading fifth time, but who also couldn't stop with the ill-timed turnovers for the second consecutive game.

"The three goals we gave up were all tough, tough plays," Quenneville said. "The second one in particular."

After power-play goals from Brad Richards -- his first of the season -- and Brent Seabrook had given the Hawks their first lead of the game, an errant pass by Johnny Oduya was scooped up by James van Riemsdyk, who not only beat Corey Crawford, but turned the tide of the game as well.

"We're coming along, we're doing a real nice job, getting the lead ... then they score on that play and now it's 2-2," Quenneville said. "That was a turning point in the game for us.

"We were definitely generous on our goals."

A couple minutes into the third period, Peter Holland beat Crawford for the game-winner. Crawford, in his first game back since suffering an upper-body injury in mid-October, stopped 24 of 27 shots.

In an ugly incident near the end of the second period, Hawks defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson was hit by a puck just below the eye and had to leave the ice as blood gushed from his face. But Hammer being Hammer, he was back on the ice when the third period began.

"He's a warrior," Quenneville said. "I'm sure he'll be fine."

Not so fine is the fact that the loss leaves the Hawks -- losers of four of their last six and trying to figure out how in the world to cure their turnover blues -- limping home for a Sunday night game against Winnipeg.

Until further notice, Quenneville is sticking with a tried and true method.

"Delegation of ice time is still one of the better mechanisms you can use as a staff," he said.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 11.02.2014


Blackhawks fall to Toronto 3-2

Staff report

TORONTO -- Peter Holland scored at 2:21 of the third period and James Reimer made 45 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Saturday night.

Reimer made 26 saves in the third period to preserve the win. Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk also scored for the Leafs.

Brad Richards and Brent Seabrook scored power-play goals for Chicago. Corey Crawford, who was making his first start since Oct. 18 because of an upper-body injury, made 24 saves.

On the game's first shift, the Leafs had a chance to score on Crawford. Tyler Bozak had van Riemsdyk on a 2-on-1 break but waited too long, and Seabrook slid in the way of the pass to break it up.

Less than a minute later, Trevor van Riemsdyk, playing older brother James in a regulation game for the first time, got a shot on net after a drop pass from Patrick Kane. Reimer made the save to keep it scoreless.

Daily Herald Times LOADED: 11.02.2014


Five things we learned: Blackhawks turnovers must stop

November 1, 2014, 10:30 pm

Staff report

TORONTO — It’s unusual to see the Blackhawks with more losses than victories in a multi-game span. At least it’s unusual the past few seasons.

Yet the Blackhawks aren’t off to the great start they were hoping to have. They’ve now lost four of their last five as their offense continues to sputter and turnovers continue to cost them.

Will the Blackhawks break out of this funk? Will their offense start clicking on a regular basis, and not just a game here or there? We’ll see how all that plays out. For now, we look at Five Things to take from their 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

1. The turnovers have to stop.

It’s happened a few times this season: the Blackhawks make a bad pass and it ends up in the back of their net. It happened again on Saturday night, when a bad Johnny Oduya pass ended up on James van Riemsdyk’s stick. That kid isn’t going to miss a golden opportunity like that and he didn’t, scoring his 100th career goal to tie the game 2-2. The Blackhawks were playing well at the time. They were controlling the tempo and had just taken a 2-1 lead on Brent Seabrook’s power-play goal. Coach Joel Quenneville called that “a big turning point in the game.” Indeed, it was.

2. The offense isn’t there again.

Through 11 games the Blackhawks have just 15 5-on-5 goals, putting them 23rd in the league. That’s astounding for a team that’s taking a league-leading 38.9 shots per game. Even when the Blackhawks have had their power-play problems in the past, they could always rely on their copious 5-on-5 scoring. Now, even that has dried up. You think they’d have to be close to breaking through, however. Their third-period shots and traffic were strong, probably the best they’ve been in some time. James Reimer was just tough to beat.

[SHOP: Gear up, Blackhawks fans!]

3. Niklas Hjalmarsson is a “warrior.”

That’s Quenneville’s word for the defenseman, who took a deflected puck right below his left eye at the end of the second period. He got stitched up, came back for the third period, blocked a shot off his right leg and was hobbled but finished the game. He’s just a tough hombre.

4. The power play worked.

For at least one game, it was hard to complain about the man advantage. They scored on their first two (Brad Richards and Seabrook, respectively). But even when they didn’t score on the final two they had good shots, traffic and prime opportunities. Said Quenneville, “we had good movement, good zone time every power play, production and we were shooting. It was good (coming) off a couple of games where the power play was struggling, to get some excitement on it.”

5. Patrick Kane is still too quiet.

This is usually Kane’s time of year; he always starts strong. He’s had moments, but he’s been too silent in recent games. While he’s had some assists, Kane hasn’t scored a goal since Oct. 21 — he had two power-play goals that night against Philadelphia. He said on Saturday that it’s been a bit of a struggle, but he felt he was going in the right direction against Toronto. “I had the puck more, generated a little more, too,” he said. “I’m always trying to work better. I had some chances to score and didn’t cap them off. You look back and wish you did.”



Blackhawks can't solve Reimer, fall to Maple Leafs


Staff report

TORONTO — The Blackhawks threw everything at James Reimer in the third period on Saturday night.

Traffic? They had it. Good power-play opportunities? They had those, too. Close calls, a lot of shots, check and check. What the Blackhawks didn’t have, once again, was one more goal to force overtime.

Brad Richards and Brent Seabrook each scored a power-play goal, but the Blackhawks couldn’t come up with a third goal despite 47 shots in their 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs. Reimer stopped 45 of those 47 shots for the Maple Leafs, who got the game-winner from Peter Holland 2:21 into the third period.

Richards’ goal was his first as a Blackhawk. Corey Crawford, playing his first game since Oct. 18, allowed three goals on 27 shots.

It was another frustrating loss for the Blackhawks, who have now dropped four of their last six games. This one was particularly aggravating because the Blackhawks did just about everything right in the third period. It didn’t matter.

“Tonight, especially in the third, might have been one of our best periods all year,” coach Joel Quenneville said. “We had the chances, opportunities, we missed a lot of tip shots as well. You play like that you’ll find a way to score goals.”

Problem is, the Blackhawks aren’t — not consistently, anyway. They’ve also committed too many bad turnovers, ones that have ended up in the back of their net. That happened again in the second period, when Johnny Oduya’s turnover went right to James van Riemsdyk, who scored his 100th career goal to tie the game at the time, 2-2.

“The second goal in particular, we’re coming along, we’ve got the lead, we’re controlling the play and then it’s 2-2. That was a big turning point in the game for us,” Quenneville said. “The three goals we gave up tonight were all tough plays. Certainly, we were definitely generous on our goals.”

Marian Hossa agreed the turnovers have hurt.

“For whatever reason we take a lot of turnovers. That’s putting us a little bit back,” he said. “We know we’re a better team than that. If we can get rid of the turnovers and play more simple hockey; we’re the team that tries to make plays but sometimes you have to play more simple, chip the puck in and go get it.”

The Blackhawks tried to make up for that game-tying goal in the third period. They fired 26 shots in the final 20 minutes, four more than they shot in the first two periods combined. They had some great opportunities in that time but it didn’t matter. Reimer was stellar, stopping everything.

“We put lots of pucks at the net, the rebounds are right there and we (need to) start burying second chances,” Hossa said. “For whatever reason we have to be more hungry around the net.”

The Blackhawks’ power play looked great and was productive. But the team is still not getting much for all the shots it generates, and the turnovers hurt it again. One step forward, two steps back.

“Guys are obviously frustrated but the thing is we’re getting the chances and opportunities,” Andrew Shaw said. “Sooner or later they’ll start going in for us. That’s when we become a scary team to play against.”



Blackhawks: Trevor, James van Riemsdyk ready for brotherly battle


Staff report

TORONTO — Trevor and James van Riemsdyk used to have their ice- and roller hockey battles when they were kids. The marred basement walls in the childhood home bear the brunt of some of the indoor “wars.”

“I got thrown into those a few times and some sticks thrown against the wall after a tough loss in the basement,” Trevor said on Saturday morning. “They would always get pretty competitive. Neither of us likes to lose. I’m sure mom and dad had to play referee quite a few times.”

Flash forward to Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre, where the Blackhawks face the Toronto Maple Leafs and the brotherly battles along the arena boards will likely mimic those ones in the basement. It will nevertheless be special when they face each other for the first time since those childhood games.

“There was definitely lots of bloodshed and tears cried in the basement, but at this level, it’s pretty awesome we’re still playing against each other,” said James. “It’ll be cool. You’re always hoping this will be the case when you’re growing up playing. Now that it’s here, it’s a pretty special moment.”

Trevor van Riemsdyk’s story has been a feel-good one in this early season. Not really even on the radar when training camp began, he made the Blackhawks roster and has started in all 11 games, including tonight’s. Trevor checked in with his older brother a few times during the preseason, but James said he made sure not to overwhelm his younger brother.

“I didn’t want to bother him too much in camp,” James said. "I’m sure he had a lot of people pulling him in a lot of different directions, new coaches, new everyone. So when he wanted to know some things I was there for him. But I tried to let him do his own thing.”

Now it’s a family affair. Their parents will be here tonight; Trevor said they would probably stay as neutral as possible while James said younger brother Brendan is already agitating in that category.

“I know my youngest brother has a Blackhawks hat on,” James said. “That’s just like him to want to stir the pot.”

Trevor and James van Riemsdyk will go through the emotions of playing against each other, especially in the early going. They may think back to those hockey games from when they were kids. They may say a quick hello to each other on the ice. After that, it’s back to business. After all, each ultimately still has a job to do.

“It’s definitely a special moment to be out there with him, but I’m sure once the game gets going, it’ll kind of just be as similar to a normal game as you would think,” Trevor said. “You’ve just got to play your game. You can’t be thinking about all that other stuff. It’ll be cool skating out there in warm-ups and seeing him out there, but I’ve got to stay focused on the task at hand, as well.”



Raanta wasn't worried about losing backup job with Blackhawks


Staff report

TORONTO, Ontario — Antti Raanta finished his portion of practice later than the rest of the Blackhawks, the usual ritual for the backup goaltender.

After a few days of wondering who would ultimately fill that role, it’s definitely Raanta’s job.

The Blackhawks reassigned Scott Darling to the Rockford IceHogs on Friday, as Corey Crawford and Raanta resumed as the team’s 1-2 goalie tandem. Coach Joel Quenneville said he wanted to keep Darling playing; he’ll start tonight when the IceHogs take on the San Antonio Rampage.

“I think it’s a healthy decision to make,” Quenneville said. “We got everybody playing. Antti’s played well, too (during Crawford’s injury). We felt it was the right thing to do.”

Raanta gets the peace of mind knowing he’s the backup goalie here, although he said he wasn’t too worried.

“It’s a good feeling but I wasn’t thinking too much about that at all,” said Raanta. “I just tried to show what I’ve got and be as good as possible. It’s only what you can do. Of course, it’s nice to still be here.”

Raanta started the first three, including the Oct. 21 game against the Philadelphia Flyers when he was as surprised as anyone that he got the nod. Crawford had been named that game’s starter the night before, but was sidelined with his upper-body injury the next day. Raanta got his second career shutout in that game but lost the next two to Nashville and then St. Louis. Enter Darling, who started the last three contests, going 2-1-0.

Quenneville said Raanta kept the right attitude throughout, although Raanta admitted it was tough not playing one of the last few contests.

“Well, everybody wants to play so it was pretty tough. But he played good games, so he deserved the chance. You can’t complain about that,” Raanta said. “I played three in a row, too, and lost two, so it’s understandable you get to the bench. Now it’s my chance to show again what I have and prove that I belong here.”

Raanta should be getting more chances to play with the upcoming schedule. The Blackhawks have six back-to-back sets through November and December, the first coming this weekend (in Toronto on Saturday and hosting the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday). Raanta has no problem playing more; the schedule sets up to give him that chance.

“We have a lot of games now and lot of road trips, so it’ll be a tough few weeks. I’m ready to play when they want to put me in the net,” he said. “I’m just doing my best in practice for whenever I get the chance to play.”



Konroyd's keys for Blackhawks-Maple Leafs

November 1, 2014, 12:30 pm

Steve Konroyd

1: Fast Start in T.O. They love their hockey in Toronto. And they can be pretty critical of their home team too. It's important to play as much hockey as you can early in this game in their end. If you can get a goal early, the boo birds will come out and the Maple Leafs will start scrambling. The Leafs played last night in Columbus and they are 0-2 in the 2nd game of back to backs this year.

2: Support for Corey. Corey Crawford returns to the net after having missed the last 6 games with an upper body injury. Timing might be an issue for a goalie who hasn't played a game in the last 2 weeks, and the Hawks can't turn the puck over like they did in Ottawa a couple of nights ago. Clean breakouts and sharp passes when you have the puck in your end.

3: These "Leafs" haven't fallen. The Maple Leafs are coming off of 2 straight victories and feeling good about themselves. They've only allowed 1 goal against in those 2 games, and when you have guys like Phil Kessel, James Van Riemsdyk, and Tyler Bozak as part of your arsenal, you have to be aware. Respect their speed, and don't give up the blue line too easily on rushes.



Blackhawks updates: Crawford starts, Darling reassigned

November 1, 2014, 12:00 pm

Staff report

TORONTO, Ontario – Corey Crawford will get the start and Kris Versteeg will start on the top line when the Chicago Blackhawks face the Toronto Maple Leafs tonight.

Crawford has been sidelined since Oct. 21 with an upper-body injury. Excited to return, Crawford said he nonetheless has to temper those emotions come game time.

“I have to be careful not to do too much,” he said. “I’ll be more excited than usual after not playing for a little bit, but I just be careful not to overplay things.”

Speaking of goalies, the Blackhawks reassigned Scott Darling to the Rockford IceHogs on Friday afternoon. Coach Joel Quenneville said the decision keeps Darling active. Darling will play tonight at San Antonio.

“We want Scott playing, (to) keep him in the groove,” Quenneville said. “It was a healthy experience that all our goalies got to play here. Organizationally, we got to find out what he could do and wanted him to keep playing.”

Versteeg was skating on the top line with Jonathan Toews and Marian Hossa this morning. Bryan Bickell was on the third line with Brad Richards and Jeremy Morin. Bickell had a bad turnover that led to Ottawa forward Bobby Ryan’s goal just 30 seconds into the third period on Thursday night. He did not play again the rest of that evening.



Scoring frustrations return for Hawks in loss to Leafs

November, 1, 2014

By Mark Polishuk

TORONTO -- Just when the Chicago Blackhawks thought their goal-scoring drought might be over, they suffered through yet another frustrating offensive night Saturday. Despite outshooting the Toronto Maple Leafs by a 47-27 margin (including a whopping 26-7 edge in the third period), the Blackhawks still suffered a 3-2 defeat.

"We had our chances, put a lot of shots on net [but] their goaltender played pretty well," forward Patrick Kane said. "We just have to find a way to bury it, especially when we get down like that. [We] had a few chances, good looks, but just didn't find the back of the net."

In fairness to the Blackhawks, they might've scored more had they not been facing a hot hand in Leafs goalie James Reimer, whose 45 saves included more than a few robberies. That said, Saturday marked the fifth time this season the Blackhawks have recorded 40 or more shots in a game, though their NHL-leading 428 shots have only resulted in 27 goals, which ties for 16th in the league.

It seemed as if Chicago might've turned a corner in a 5-4 shootout win over the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, but that victory only continued the feast-or-famine nature of the Blackhawks' offense. Fourteen of the Blackhawks' 27 goals have come in three games (wins over the Sabres, Flyers and Senators), and the team has only managed 13 scores in their eight other contests, with a 3-4-1 record in those games.

"We've got to work through it," center Andrew Shaw said. "The bounces aren't going our way. ... We've got to start picking it up a little."

The Blackhawks turned around some recent power-play struggles by scoring on their first two extra-man opportunities Saturday. Brad Richards and Brent Seabrook both fired long-range shots that found their way into the net to give Chicago a 2-1 lead early in the second period.

That lead was lost only a minute later, however, when a poor pass attempt from Johnny Oduya deep into his own end was easily picked off by James van Riemsdyk and snapped in for the tying goal. Early in the third, Leo Komarov found room behind the Blackhawks' net and passed to Peter Holland, who buried what ended up being the winning score.

The fact that the Leafs were able to capitalize on every break (in the form of poor defensive plays) only added to the Blackhawks' frustration.

"[The] three goals we gave up tonight were all tough, tough plays," coach Joel Quenneville said. Toronto's second goal, he added, was a "big turning point in the game for us. We were definitely generous on the goals. ... [They were] preventable plays, and we have to be stingier than that."

Quenneville hinted some line-shuffling could be in order because "we want to get some consistency in our game." The Blackhawks have already made some changes in that area this season, however, without adding a finishing touch. It's a difficult problem for the coaching staff to solve, as the sheer volume of shots the team has managed indicates an attack is there, and switching lines could diminish that pressure.

Marian Hossa, for one, believes if the lines aren't changed, the Blackhawks will be better served to address what he thinks is the club's biggest problem: giveaways.

"We have to be more disciplined in the turnovers. I'm sure we can do that if the lines stay the same because we'll create more chances and play better hockey," Hossa said. "We know we can play better. For whatever reason, we're having lots of turnovers right now, [and] it's putting us back. We're a better team than that."

ESPNChicago.com LOADED: 11.02.2014


Rapid Reaction: Maple Leafs 3, Hawks 2

November, 1, 2014

By Mark Polishuk

TORONTO -- Here's a quick look at the Chicago Blackhawks' 3-2 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday at the Air Canada Centre:

How it happened: After Nazem Kadri gave the Leafs the lead late in the first period, the Blackhawks both equalized and took the lead on power-play goals. First it was Brad Richards scoring his first goal as a Blackhawk by firing in a shot from the point to tie things up before the end of the opening frame. Just more than four minutes into the second, Brent Seabrook fired a hard shot from just inside the blue line that found its way into the net. It was an improved special-teams showing for the Blackhawks, who entered the game having scored just twice in their previous 13 power-play opportunities.

Unfortunately for Chicago, the lead lasted barely a minute. Johnny Oduya made a poor giveaway in his own end to Leafs winger James van Riemsdyk, who converted right away. In the third period, Toronto went ahead for good on Peter Holland's one-timer that slipped past Corey Crawford.

The Blackhawks outshot the Leafs by a 26-7 margin in the third period and got another two chances on the power play, yet despite this offensive flurry, they couldn't notch the tying goal.

What it means: The Blackhawks dropped to 6-4-1. While the power play took a step forward, the team is still struggling to score in 5-on-5 play. The Blackhawks entered the game having scored just 15 goals in even-strength play -- eighth-lowest in the NHL. The Maple Leafs improved to 6-4-1.

Player of the game: Leafs goalie James Reimer held the Blackhawks attack in check by making 45 saves. Reimer was particularly impressive during Chicago's first power-play chance in the third period, as he made two big saves and got a bit of luck in the form of a Richards shot off the crossbar.

Stat of the game: The Blackhawks' 26 shots in the third was the most shots they've taken in a single period this season and easily topped their previous high of 19.

What's next: The Blackhawks continue their string of games against Canadian opponents when they host the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday night at the United Center. The Blackhawks then travel to Montreal to face the Canadiens on Tuesday.



Plenty of talent at Hawks' disposal in AHL

November, 1, 2014

Powers By Scott Powers

The Chicago Blackhawks already came calling to their AHL affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, once this season for a goaltender, and that worked out well for them.

IceHogs coach Ted Dent often expects that to be the case when the Blackhawks need someone to step in this season. Whether it’s goaltenders Scott Darling or Michael Leighton, the number of NHL-ready defensemen they possess or an assortment of versatile forwards, the IceHogs are stocked with plenty of capable players for the Blackhawks.

“I think if they have some injuries, some situations where they need some help from us, I think there’s definitely going to be a lot of options for them,” Dent in a phone interview from San Antonio on Saturday. “We have a lot of good players here. Depth-wise in net, the depth is great. On defense, it’s probably the best as we’ve been here. Obviously some up-and-coming forwards as well.”

The Blackhawks got their first taste of that depth when they recently recalled Darling. He nearly earned himself a permanent spot in the NHL as he went 2-1-0 with a 1.98 goals-against average and .933 save percentage in three starts for the Blackhawks. He’ll rejoin the IceHogs on Saturday after being reassigned Friday.

The Blackhawks’ organizational depth at goaltender doesn’t stop with Darling. Their offseason signing of Michael Leighton is already paying off at the AHL level. He’s gone 4-2-1 with a 2.12 goals-against average and .923 save percentage this season.

Add in Darling’s 2-0-0 record with 1.44 goals-against average and .948 save percentage for the IceHogs, and Rockford is a different place with their goaltenders than a season ago when their goaltenders combined for a 3.35 goals-against average and .893 save percentage.

“Both goalies have been great for us here,” Dent said. “Again, it’s a total-team effort defensively. But when they’ve been called up to make saves for us, they have.”

The IceHogs' goaltenders are an upgrade from the past, but so are their defensemen. The Blackhawks have a stable of quality defenseman prospects in T.J. Brennan, Adam Clendening, Kyle Cumiskey, Klas Dahlbeck, Stephen Johns, Ville Pokka and Viktor Svedberg.

“The players we have right now defensively, it’s probably the strongest defenseman group we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Dent, who has been a part of the Blackhawks organization since 2006. “They’re all puck-moving defensemen and join the rush and are active and as well responsible at their own end.”

The IceHogs have also shown some depth in their forwards while getting off to a 6-2-0-1 start to the season. None of their forwards have more than three goals, but eight of them have scored two or three goals.

The IceHogs have had different forwards step up each game. Against the San Antonio Rampage on Friday, it was Garrett Ross who scored his first career hat trick in a 6-3 victory. In a 2-1 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins on Wednesday, Teuvo Teravainen had the primary assist on goals by Matt Carey and Joakim Nordstrom. On other nights, Phillip Danault, Mark McNeill, Peter Regin, Ryan Hartman, Brandon Mashinter and Dennis Rasmussen contributed to the offense. Danault and McNeill share the team lead with seven points.

“It’s great,” Dent said of the depth offensively. “I think we’re going to do it by committee. We’re seeing that. We don’t have [Brandon] Pirris and [Jeremy] Morins, the natural goal scorers. We sort of have a lot of up and down players that can play solid defense and contribute offensively at the same time. It’s not a bad thing. It’s nice that we’re chipping in as a group.”

Dent has liked how Teravainen, who is considered the Blackhawks’ top prospect, has progressed since joining the IceHogs out of training camp.

“He’s been good,” Dent said. “He’s starting to handle the puck more in games and take control offensively. He made a great pass on a 5-on-3 to set up Nordstrom for a power-play goal [on Friday.] Again, same thing, just getting used to new surroundings, new teammates, new buildings, the opposition and everything else. He’s shown improvement in every game.”

Dent has seen his players grow, but also himself. He felt he’s learned some things in his first three years as a head coach that are helping the IceHogs now.

“I think I don’t let the little things affect me as much as a few years ago,” Dent said. “I take things in stride. Understand we’re going to make some mistakes, we’re going to lose some games, but that’s part of it. But try to keep he guys accountable and make sure everyone is working as hard.”


755302 Colorado Avalanche

Corey Perry: Spotlight on the Ducks right wing

By Adrian Dater

When: The Avalanche plays the Ducks at the Pepsi Center on Sunday. It’s the teams’ first meeting of the season.

What’s up: It seems safe to proclaim now that Corey Perry is a pretty good hockey player. With nine goals in his first 10 games, the native of Peterborough, Ontario, is off to a great start in his bid to win a second Hart Trophy. Perry had back- to-back hat tricks as part of his red-hot start.

Background: With all that he has accomplished in his career, it seems hard to believe Perry went only 28th in the first round of the 2003 NHL draft. While it was one of the best draft years in league history, plenty of teams probably would do their picks over again if they could. (The Avalanche didn’t have a first-round draft pick that year.)

While Perry posted some big scoring years with the London Knights of the OHL, his speed was a question mark for the NHL at the time, and he fell on the draft board. The Ducks, who also acquired Ryan Getzlaf in that draft, were happy that he dropped.

Dater’s take: Perry isn’t very fast, but his hand-eye coordination is right up there with the best of them. He’s great on one-timers and deflections and tricky little moves in the hard areas around the net.

He also is strong on the puck and always is spinning off hits and finding ways to create shots. He can be a chippy player too, with a history of suspension for some of his actions. Bottom line: He’s a proven scorer and a proven winner, with a Stanley Cup and an Olympic gold medal in his trophy case.

Denver Post: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Colorado Avalanche's Zach Redmond has overcome stroke, severed artery

By Mike Chambers

Posted: 11/02/2014 12:01:00 AM MDT

Updated: 11/02/2014 12:27:30 AM MDT

ST. LOUIS — First-year Avalanche defenseman Zach Redmond, an "everything happens for a reason" kind of guy, was twice told by doctors that the chances of him being able to continue playing hockey were 50/50. The first time came when he was 15 and suffered a stroke, forcing him to relearn how to talk and walk.

Remarkably, Redmond recovered fully, played four years at Ferris State and was drafted into the NHL, only to be presented with another defining moment in his young life. In February 2013, a teammate with the Winnipeg Jets accidentally stepped on him during the team's morning skate in Raleigh, N.C., severing the femoral artery in his right mid-thigh region. Redmond nearly died on the ice.

Once again, playing hockey was a flip of the coin.

"The normal person would have given up and said, 'Time for Plan B,' " said Kim Redmond, Zach's mother. "But not Zach."

"I know a lot of great men in my life, but I don't know anyone that determined and driven," said Redmond's girlfriend, Maggie O'Brien. "His work ethic is unlike anyone I ever met and for him to overcome — I was there for the whole leg injury — he defies all odds."

Redmond, now 26, signed with the Avs as an unrestricted free agent last summer after playing his first three professional seasons with Winnipeg and its minor-league affiliate.

At the time of the accident, Redmond was defending teammate Antti Miettinen as the Finnish forward was skating around the goal. Redmond was squeezed sideways against the net and fell against the netting, on his back. Miettinen also lost his balance and fell into Redmond, and one of Miettinen's skate blades landed on the inside of Redmond's leg. The blade went under his pant leg and through his Velcro-attached hockey socks. In addition to severing an artery, it struck part of his groin, hamstring and quadriceps muscles.

The femoral artery is responsible for blood flow for nearly everything below the waist. If severed or punctured, it can lead to death from extreme blood loss — in minutes.

Teammate Anthony Peluso and assistant coach Perry Pearn might have saved Redmond's life.

"I knew it was serious right away," Redmond said. "People ran to get the trainers. Anthony Peluso came over and grabbed my leg — I owe him everything — and pinched my leg shut and then Perry Pearn, who's now with Vancouver, tied his jacket around my leg as a tourniquet.

"From there, I remember thinking I need to get to the hospital and be put under. It wasn't the pain as much as my mouth was getting so dry, I was light-headed, and they kept telling me to breathe but it was weird — it was kind of a sense of calm."

After the emergency surgery Redmond was hospitalized in Raleigh for nearly a week. Surgeons reattached the femoral artery while performing a fasciotomy — incisions in his calves to relieve pressure and treat loss of blood circulation.

Redmond said the leg injury made him think about his stroke eight years earlier.

"That was 50/50, and this was 50/50. I wasn't used to it, but I was like, 'Yeah, I heard that before,' " Redmond said. "I'm a big believer in that everything happens for a reason, and I was trying to wrap my head around it, like 'Why?'

"I had just cracked into the NHL and was playing well. I had only gotten into eight games to that point, then that happened and it was like erasing a year of progress."

But, according to O'Brien, who met Redmond when he was playing hockey in college, Redmond never complained.

"Never, not once," she said. "I thought: 'Is this a bad sign? Should he quit hockey?' But he just keeps going, and he'll never give up unless he has to. He's just amazing."

Redmond was born a triplet in Houston, before his family moved to Michigan. His triplet brother, Alex, and triplet sister, Meghan, haven't experienced transient ischemic attack (TIA), the type of stroke Zach suffered in Toronto as a teenager.

"When Zach had his stroke, we never thought hockey would be a consideration," his mother said. "But he got through his rehabilitation, graduated with his group and hit the pavement and never looked back. Same with the femoral artery. We brought him home from Raleigh and said: 'You don't have to go back. You have your college education and a huge future in whatever you do, because of who you are.' And he said, 'No, I want to play.' Two months later, he was back on the ice."

Zach played 10 games for the Jets last season. He has played in two of 12 games for the Avs. He only recently quit getting daily treatment on his leg.

"For me, every day is a blessing, a new opportunity when I know it can be taken away so fast," he said. "It's helped me relax toward the game,and helped me shrug off the bad stuff, because it's pretty little compared to almost never being able to play again."

Mike Chambers:



Colorado Avs fall 3-2 at St. Louis in shootout

By Mike Chambers

Posted: 11/01/2014 08:58:18 PM MDT

Updated: 11/02/2014 01:07:33 AM MST

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — With more ties than wins, the Avalanche continues to struggle with mediocrity. Which explains why the visiting dressing room at Scottrade Center was a quiet one Saturday night after another one-point result.

In extending both their points streak and sudden-death frustration, the Avs outplayed the St. Louis Blues in the third period and overtime but couldn't get it done in the shootout. Former Avalanche forward Joakim Lindstrom scored the only shootout goal and the Blues escaped with a 3-2 triumph.

The Avs, who rallied from a 2-0 deficit and had four shots clang off iron behind St. Louis goalie Brian Elliott, are unbeaten in regulation over their last six games (2-0-4).

"It's a reversal from last year," said Avs captain Gabe Landeskog, who failed to score in the shootout along with teammates Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly. "Last year every time we went into overtime it seemed we came out with a win. Now it's reversed. You get into a shootout and it's a coin toss.

"We wanted this one badly but one point on the road in this building, it's not an easy thing to do. We'll have to take the point and run with it but certainly we'd like to have two."

The Avalanche (3-4-5, 11 points) will be flying home when the Anaheim Ducks are well past their curfew and resting at their Denver hotel. In a difficult back-to-back game stretch, Colorado hosts the Ducks at 6 p.m. Sunday.

"These things happen to everybody. Tomorrow, it's us," Avs coach Patrick Roy said of the two-day stretch. "It's the way the schedule was made and let's not find excuses. But let's be ready tomorrow."

The Avs trailed 1-0 after two periods and 2-0 just 46 seconds into the third, when Vladimir Tarasenko scored his second of the game. But the Avs climbed back into it with an effective power play, getting goals from O'Reilly (2:19) and Nathan MacKinnon (5:13) with a Blues player in the box.

A third consecutive St. Louis penalty nearly led to the third straight Avalanche goal, but Tyson Barrie's slap shot clanged off iron behind goalie Elliott. Elliott, the former Av, had a 14-save shutout going after two periods.

"I like our game. I like the urgency we showed in the third period," Roy said. "We didn't give up. We kept going at these guys and scored two power play goals to put us back at 2-2 and this is a team that plays well defensively. It's hard to get scoring chances and I thought we did a good job finding ways."

He wasn't tested much in the first period as the Avs, once again, came out asleep at the wheel. They registered just two shots and trailed 1-0 after it mercifully ended. They were much better in the second, outshooting the Blues 12-11 and consistently pressuring Elliott.

St. Louis scored 16:29 into the game. Tarasenko unleashed a slap shot from the top of the right circle and, because defenseman Nick Holden didn't block it, Varlamov probably didn't see the puck until it was too late. Holden served as the screen.

Mike Chambers:

ANAHEIM AT COLORADO

6 p.m. Sunday, ALT; 950 AM

Spotlight on Corey Perry: The Anaheim winger entered Saturday with a league-high 10 goals on the strength of two hat tricks. Perry, who is one of the NHL's premier antagonists, has scored just once in the Ducks' last four games — a stretch in which they have not scored more than twice in a game. Anaheim won 2-1 on Friday at Dallas before traveling to Denver and will be the more rested team against the Avs.



Gameday: Avalanche at St. Louis (Game 12); Paul Stastny won’t play against former teammates

By Mike Chambers

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — Update from the Avalanche’s morning skate is here.

Blues center Paul Stastny participated in the morning skate but won’t play against his buddies, and good buddies they are. Stastny, who previously played hockey in Denver since 2004, beginning with his days at DU, hosted a bunch of them Friday night for dinner at his new house. Stastny has a shoulder injury and isn’t really shooting yet, and says he has another week or so. He had a goal and three assists in his first two games with St. Louis, and was injured on the first shift of his fourth game. Tonight is the sixth straight game he’ll be out.

“I have a lot of respect for Paul and appreciated coaching him last year,” Patrick Roy said after the morning skate. “He was a great leader for this team and obviously, it was a big loss for us. But this is the way the NHL is now, sometimes you’re going to lose players to free agency and there’s nothing you can do about it, and (the player) has to move on.”

Stastny still loves Denver, folks, particularly the University of Denver. The proud alum always likes to talk about the Pioneers, and he and I go all the way back since he was a freshman and I was primarily working college hockey. By the way, I watched the DU-BC Game 1 tilt at Magness Arena at a local sports bar Friday night and was impressed by the Pioneers, who I thought should have been on the other end of a 2-1 loss — which was Jerry York’s 500th career win. Colleague Nick Groke is working the series in Denver and here is his story from Friday night.

Daniel Briere will again be a healthy scratch for tonight’s game against the Blues. I wanted to visit with Briere after the morning skate and post his thoughts here, but healthy scratches stay on and practice with assistant coach Tim Army and I had to run back to the hotel.

But Roy said Briere is taking his demotion well: “Outstanding. He’s great. It’s not an easy situation for him but I think he understands he’s 37 years old. The reason why we made the trade was the quality of the person, and he’s an outstanding person. He has great leadership in this room and has a lot of things to share to our guys, and our players are going to learn a lot for him.”

Meanwhile, P.A. Parenteau continues to play a top-six role — including power play and shootout specialist — for Montreal.



On heels of season's best game, Avs stick with lineup at St. Louis

By Mike Chambers

Posted: 11/01/2014 12:50:02 PM MDT

Updated: 11/01/2014 12:54:51 PM MDT

ST. LOUIS, Mo. — In Saturday night's game against the St. Louis Blues, Avalanche coach Patrick Roy is sticking with the same lineup that produced Thursday's 5-0 triumph against the New York Islanders.

Thus, Semyon Varlamov is the starter in goal and forward Daniel Briere and defenseman Zach Redmond will be the healthy scratches. Forward Jesse Winchester and defenseman Ryan Wilson remain out with injuries.

Roy isn't changing a thing. Center Matt Duchene will continue to play with wingers Gabe Landeskog and Ryan O'Reilly on the Nine Line — sweater numbers 9, 92 and 90, respectively — and the other lines and defensive pairings are the same from Colorado's best performance of the young season.

The Avs (3-4-4) are on a five-game points streak (2-0-3) and Varlamov has led the team to points in his last six starts.

St. Louis (5-3-1) will be without center Paul Stastny (shoulder), the former Av, and T.J. Oshie (concussion). Blues captain David Backes has been cleared to play after missing Thursday's 2-0 win over Anaheim with a head injury, and center Joakim Lindstrom (bacteria infection) is questionable.

Mike Chambers:



Dater: Colorado Avalanche still has too many dents in the NHL team's defense

Adrian Dater

Posted: 11/02/2014 12:01:00 AM MDT

Updated: 11/02/2014 12:25:43 AM MDT

Sunday thoughts about the Avalanche after 12 games, and about the NHL:

• What everyone worried about — that the Avalanche's defense still wasn't good enough — unfortunately for Avs fans appears to be the case. The Avs still give up too many shots and don't play with the puck enough.

It hasn't taken a lot of advanced analytic digging to determine that. Entering their home game Thursday against the New York Islanders, the Avs ranked 28th in the NHL in shots on goal allowed, averaging 38.5 per game. They shut out the Isles 5-0 but allowed 40 shots. A lot of those shots by New York came when the game had been decided, but the point remains: The other team has had the puck too much and the Avs' record after 11 games was reflected in that.

The other worry about the Colorado defense: There doesn't appear to be any realistic hope of help from inside the organization anytime soon. Duncan Siemens, the 2011 first-round draft pick (11th overall), had a decent training camp but has yet to play in an NHL game. His statistics with Lake Erie of the American Hockey League haven't been good. He had a team-worst minus-7 rating for the Monsters after seven games (one assist).

Publicly, the Avalanche continues to profess patience in Siemens, but privately there is concern that the team might have made a mistake in taking him with that important pick. Siemens' performance probably played a role in the recent firing of chief amateur scout Rick Pracey.

• Veteran forward Daniel Briere scored two goals in his first 10 games, including a game-winner at Boston. But he was a healthy scratch in Game 11 against the Islanders, and his ice time had been dwindling. He played 17 minutes, 57 seconds in the win at Boston, but he played less than 10 minutes in the five games before being scratched.

A lot of Avs fans grumbled when the team failed to acquire a defenseman in exchange for P.A. Parenteau. The grumbling could get louder if Briere continues to look more like a spare part than a regular player.

• Fears that Jarome Iginla might be too slow to play in the Western Conference appear to have been premature. He got off to his usual slow goal-scoring start, but he posted eight points in the first 11 games and had a plus-3 rating. A lot of players would take that. Just as important, his calm veteran presence has started to make a positive impact in the dressing room.

• For me, the Avalanche will really get rolling again when Ryan O'Reilly finds his groove. His offensive production — one goal entering the weekend — has been off, but he will get it going again. And when he does, the Avs will be tough to stop.

• Odds still appear strong that the Avs will be awarded an outdoor game next season. They have been working behind the scenes and hope to get the big enchilada: the Winter Classic.

• The hockey world's thoughts continue to be with NHL legend Gordie Howe, 86, who suffered a stroke last week. He already had health problems associated with dementia. The world wouldn't seem the same without Mr. Hockey in it. Here's hoping one of pro sports' greatest living legends has another comeback in him.

Adrian Dater:



Paul Stastny remains close with former Avalanche teammates

Mike Chambers

Posted: 11/02/2014 12:01:00 AM MDT

Updated: 11/02/2014 12:30:27 AM MDT

ST. LOUIS — Blues center Paul Stastny, who played the previous 10 seasons in Denver, beginning at the University of Denver, hosted many of his former Avalanche teammates for dinner Friday night.

Stastny has a shoulder injury and did not play in Saturday's game, missing his sixth consecutive contest. He had a goal and three assists in his first two games with St. Louis and was injured on the first shift of his fourth game.

Stastny had 160 goals and 458 points in 542 games for the Avs before signing with St. Louis as an unrestricted free agent last summer. The Blues gave him a four-year, $28 million contract.

"I have a lot of respect for Paul and appreciated coaching him last year," Avs coach Patrick Roy said after the morning skate. "He was a great leader for this team and obviously it was a big loss for us. But this is the way the NHL is now. Sometimes you're going to lose players to free agency and there's nothing you can do about it, and (the player) has to move on."

Bruised ego. Avs forward Daniel Briere was a healthy scratch for the second consecutive game. Briere, 37, has scored 301 goals since being a first-round draft pick in 1996.

Roy said Briere, acquired from Montreal last summer for P.A. Parenteau and a fifth-round draft pick, is taking his demotion well.

"Outstanding. He's great. It's not an easy situation for him but I think he understands he's 37 years old," Roy said.

Parenteau continues to play a top-six role — including power-play and shootout specialist — for the Canadiens.



Elliott, Tarasenko lead Blues past Avs in shootout

The Associated Press

Updated: November 1, 2014 at 10:22 pm •

ST. LOUIS — Brian Elliott made 27 saves in his 100th game with St. Louis and stopped all three shootout attempts to lift the Blues over the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 Saturday night.

Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice for St. Louis. Tarasenko has six goals, including five in his last three games. He had his first career hat trick in the Blues' 4-3 win over Dallas on Tuesday night.

Joakim Lindstrom scored in the shootout for St. Louis, which has won four straight.

Ryan O'Reilly and Nathan MacKinnon each had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche, who have points in six straight games (2-0-4). Eric Johnson had two assists against his former team and Semyon Varlamov stopped 27 shots.

St. Louis appeared to have the game under control when Tarasenko redirected Alex Pietrangelo's shot past Varlamov for his second goal 46 seconds into the third period to give the Blues a 2-0 advantage.

But just 6 seconds later, Magnus Paajarvi went off for holding and O'Reilly made the Blues pay by putting home the rebound of MacKinnon's shot on the ensuing power play to cut it to 2-1 at 2:19 of the third.

Ian Cole then went off for cross-checking and the Avalanche tied the game with another power-play goal at 5:13 as MacKinnon walked in front and beat Elliott with a wrist shot.

NOTES: O'Reilly's goal snapped a shutout streak of 118 minutes, 52 seconds by St. Louis. ... Colorado, ranked second in the NHL in penalty killing, has killed 20 straight penalties, including three on Saturday. ... St. Louis was happy to see the calendar turn to November. The Blues are 20-5-3 in November the last two seasons.

Colorado Springs Gazette: LOADED: 11.02.2014

755310 Columbus Blue Jackets

Devils 3, Blue Jackets 2: Skid hits five games

By Shawn Mitchell

Saturday November 1, 2014 9:49 PM

NEWARK, N.J. – Blue Jackets coach Todd Richards said he meant to send no message to his struggling team by starting rookie goaltender Anton Forsberg against the New Jersey Devils in Prudential Center tonight.

Intended or not, the Jackets took the hint, playing with the grit and guts that were glaringly absent from a deflating loss to Toronto on Friday. It wasn’t enough.

Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson scored in the third period to push the Devils to a 3-2 win over their hobbled division rival, extending the Blue Jackets’ losing streak to five games in front of an announced crowd of 13,542.

Forsberg, playing behind a piecemeal lineup, made 26 saves in his NHL debut.

Forward Brian Gibbons had two assists in his Blue Jackets debut. Jack Skille (even strength) and Nick Foligno (power play) scored goals to give the Jackets leads of 1-0 in the first period and 2-1 in the second.

But Henrique and Larsson each scored during a span of 1:41 midway through the third, and Devils goaltender Cory Schneider made a handful of key saves late in the game to preserve the lead over a team missing nine injured regulars from its lineup.

The Jackets suffered yet another injury late in the third period.

Defenseman Cody Goloubef needed help skating off the ice after colliding with Henrique in front of the Jackets net. He appeared to put no weight on his right leg as he did so.

Forsberg, 21, is in his first full season of pro hockey in North America and had not played since making a start for minor-league Springfield on Oct.18.

He was recalled by the Jackets on Oct. 19 after regular backup Curtis McElhinney suffered a head/neck injury during a game at Ottawa, reassigned on Oct. 26 and recalled again on Tuesday, a day after starter Sergei Bobrovsky suffered a broken finger during practice.

But Forsberg, a Swede who was the seventh-round pick of the Jackets in the 2007 draft, got the nod after McElhinney struggled during on Friday.

According to Elias, Forsberg is the third player to make his NHL debut as a starting goaltender for the Blue Jackets. The others are Steve Mason (Nov. 5, 2008) and Pascal Leclaire (Feb. 20, 2004).

The fifth straight loss by the Jackets matched their longest losing streak of last season, from Nov. 1 to Nov. 9, 2013.

Columbus Dispatch LOADED: 11.02.2014


Three takeaways from the Blue Jackets 3-2 loss to the Devils

Alison Lukan

NOV 01, 2014 10:07p ET

Anton Forsberg got his first start for the Blue Jackets in a 3-2 loss to New Jersey.

The Blue Jackets headed to New Jersey on the tail end of back-to-back games with a new goaltender, the addition of forward Brian Gibbons to the roster and hopes of bringing home a win. It was not to be. Three takeaways from tonight:

One -�“ Streaks: The Blue Jackets seem to be on streaks of the worst kind. The injuries continue -- tonight defenseman Cody Goloubef left the ice with an apparent lower body injury, and the number of consecutive losses streaks to five. Unfortunately, the positive scoring trend of center Ryan Johansen was snapped. The Jackets will need to reverse all three trends --�“ get back to winning, stay healthy and get points on the board to stay in the hunt.

Two -�“ Goaltending: 21-year-old Anton Forsberg drew in to the net tonight for the Jackets and performed well. He faced 29 shots and allowed three goals, two of which came on the power play. Forsberg was able to keep the puck out of the net on the other four short-handed situations. He showed good rebound control and seemed confident in net. With Sergei Bobrovsky still on the mend, it's a comfort to know depth exists in the Jackets goaltending.

Three - Finding Identity: Much has been made of the Jackets injuries, but tonight the team started to show more of the style of play that worked for them last year from both new and familiar faces. Brian Gibbons played his first Blue Jackets game and made a good impression with two assists in almost fifteen minutes of ice time and an overall +1 rating on the night. Jack Skille notched his third goal of the season and showed the hard working, quick style that makes him an asset to the team. Whether it was rallying around a new goalie, or settling in to play, the Jackets looked more comfortable in their game plan tonight.

Bonus: Less than a week after leaving the ice on a stretcher in Los Angeles, Nick Foligno gets knocked down and takes a puck to the upper body late in the second period only to return to the ice to play in the third. Known as a leader on the team, Foligno showed the never-quit attitude that the Jackets have made their calling card.

foxsportsohio.com LOADED: 11.02.2014


Blue Jackets score smiles visiting local hospital

Alison Lukan

NOV 01, 2014 9:54a ET

Blue Jackets players Ryan Johansen, Brandon Dubinsky, Scott Hartnell, Anton Forsberg, and Alexander Wennberg brought smiles and Jackets gear to Max as part of their visit to Nationwide Children's hospital.

Blue Jackets center Ryan Johansen is riding a ten-game point streak, but earlier this week, he was more focused on scoring points with some special fans off the ice. Johansen and his fellow teammates took time to visit Nationwide Children's Hospital and bring some happiness to patients and their families.

"Seeing all the kids with the smiles on their faces is my favorite part," Johansen said. "When I go back home after the visit is done, knowing we made someone's days brighter is a great feeling."

The Blue Jackets made an impression the minute they arrived at the hospital. With Jackets mascot Stinger leading the way, families gathered at the hospital entrance to watch the team pull in on the Fox Sports Ohio Fan Express, a custom luxury bus that bears the Images of Jackets players including Nick Foligno, Artem Anisimov and Brandon Dubinsky.

The team then broke into smaller groups to visit patients on different floors of the hospital including the surgery, cancer, rehabilitation and burn, trauma and orthopedic units.

Packs of players wearing Blue Jacket jerseys in the hospital halls were a welcome sight and a departure from previous years where the team gathered in one of the community rooms for children to visit.

"It's cool to play with a group but it's also cool to go around to go each room and spend time with patients," Johansen said. "A few of the kids aren't able to get out of their beds right now, or they're going through treatments so it's exciting for them that we can go up to their rooms instead of them not being able to come down and see us."

In addition to dedicating time with children, the one-on-one visits gave the Jackets time to bring some happiness to the patients' parents. The smiles on their faces were often as large as those on the faces of their sons or daughters.

"I don't remember there being as many parents last year in the party room," Johansen said. "It was cool to interact with them as well."

And the Jackets didn't show up empty handed either. The players handed out "Blue Jackets Courage Kits" -- gift bags that contained a Stinger doll and a Jackets knit hat. The kits were provided by one of the team's corporate partners, Boich Companies.

Johansen, who visited patients with fellow Jackets Dubinsky, Alexander Wennberg, Scott Hartnell and Anton Forsberg happily gave the kits to the children they met. One of their recipients, two year-old Max, happily donned his hat and clutched his Stinger doll as he gave fist bumps to the players and blew kisses to them as they left.

"The fist bumps and high fives were great," Johansen said.

According to Alison Pegg, Manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets Foundation, about 150 kits were put together and 75 were handed out during the hospital visit. The remainder await future recipients whenever a Jackets player wants to visit Nationwide Children's. Johansen, who made visits to the hospital over the summer, plans to go back, kits in tow.

"I try to go for a visit if I ever have some free time," Johansen said. "We try to get a group of the guys to come over or just get the whole team to go a couple times a year. Our next group visit will be around Christmas and we'll bring gifts then too."

Each of the player groups made some special connections. Russian-born players Sergei Bobrovsky and Fedor Tyutin met a Russian family currently staying at the hospital and they were able to spend time together. Scott Hartnell handed out Courage Kits as he walked through the halls and met an

excited young boy who ran up to the Jackets forward to share positive test results.

"It's really an awesome event that we do - coming over and spending some time with the kids," Johansen said. "It's awesome just to be able to put smiles on the kids faces."

The Fox Sports Ohio Blue Jackets Fan Express can be reserved to transport groups of fans to home Blue Jackets games through Dec 31. For more information, visit bluejackets.nhl.com or call 614-246-PUCK.

foxsportsohio.com LOADED: 11.02.2014

755313 Dallas Stars

Heika: Power play struggles pivotal in Stars 4-1 loss to Minnesota Wild

MIKE HEIKA

01 November 2014 11:39 PM

ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Minnesota Wild has the worst power play in the NHL.

But the Stars might have the least effective for the weekend.

Minnesota broke an 0-for-28 slump and scored its first two power-play goals of the season Saturday, while Dallas continued to squander chances with the man advantage and lost 4-1 at Xcel Energy Center. The Stars fall to 4-3-4 (12 points) and are 0-2-2 in their last four games.

Minnesota moved to 7-3-0 (14 points) and is among a group of red-hot teams pulling away from Dallas in the Western Conference.

“It’s never too early,” Stars center Vernon Fiddler said when asked if 11 games is too early to get worried. “These games matter; they can make or break you. We take these games seriously. We have to be a little more urgent, and we have to be a little more scared to lose, and right now we’re not.”

There were all manner of concerning issues for Stars fans Saturday. One is the Stars continue their problems on the second night of back-to-back games. They are 4-10-1 in these games over the last two seasons. Ironically, Anaheim walked into the AAC on the second night of a back-to-back and won Friday.

“There’s energy missing in our game, it’s as simple as that,” Stars coach Lindy Ruff said. “We’re getting beat to pucks, we’re not winning enough small battles. The energy level of our team isn’t good enough to win games, it’s as simple as that.”

Hoping to turn it around after a poor performance Friday, the Stars had plenty of energy early in the game. But when they drew a two-man advantage for more than a minute, the Stars were actually outshot 3-1 and pretty much let the Wild back in the game.

“We had a chance to set the tone, but there just wasn’t enough energy in that five-on-three,” Ruff said. “We didn’t make good decisions and actually gave them a lift.”

The Wild took off and scored twice, but Fiddler got one back with a quick move off a faceoff to make it 2-1 midway through the game. But then Stars captain Jamie Benn was called for three consecutive penalties, and Minnesota’s previously goal-less power play scored twice.

“You’ve got to give yourself a chance to win in the third, or at least tie it up, and those were stupid penalties by myself,” Benn said. “That’s not how you get back in a game.”

Minnesota has the best shot differential in the league and also allows the fewest shots on goal. The Wild kept pace against the Stars, allowing just 18 shots on goal. While Dallas has been working on shoring up its defense, it has scored just two goals in the last two games. That’s hardly the offensive dynamo that flashed itself in the first eight games of the season.

The Stars also may have lost Ales Hemsky to an upper body injury, but that will be updated this week.

But it all falls into the details of the game, like power play and penalty kill.

“It’s just one of those things we’re going to have to work through,” Fiddler said. “Penalties, turnovers, you can just go down the list of things we have to correct to become a successful team. We’re starting to find a little bit of an uphill structure, and good teams find a way to work through it, and that’s what we’re going to have to do.”

Dallas Morning News LOADED: 11.02.2014

755314 Dallas Stars

Cold facts: Minnesota Wild hands Stars fourth straight loss, win 4-1

MIKE HEIKA

02 November 2014 12:27 AM

Wild 4, Stars 1

THE GOALS

Wild: Dallas defenseman Jordie Benn threw a blind pass out of the corner directly to Minnesota’s Mikael Granlund at the top of the slot. Granlund snapped a shot through a screen from Zach Parise at the 4:21 mark of the second period. Wild 1, Stars 0

Wild: Minnesota defenseman Matt Dumba slid backward across the blue line and fired a slap shot that beat Kari Lehtonen stickside at the 13:14 mark of the second period. Wild 2, Stars 0

Stars: Off the ensuing faceoff, Jamie Oleksiak found Vernon Fiddler bursting into the offensive zone, and Fiddler snapped a shot past Darcy Kuemper just eight seconds after the Dumba goal. Wild 2, Stars 1

Wild: After Jamie Benn was whistled for holding, the Wild scored their first power-play goal of the season. Thomas Vanek scored from the slot off a pass from Parise. Wild 3, Stars 1

Wild: After Jamie Benn took another penalty, Nino Niederreiter deflected in a shot on the power play at the 5:03 mark of the third period. Wild 4, Stars 1

Three stars

1. ZACH PARISE, Wild: Two assists.

2. Thomas Vanek, Wild: Big power-play goal.

3. Darcy Kuemper, Wild: Frustrated Stars early in game.

Save of the game

Antoine Roussel broke in down the right wing and swooped to the front of the goal to try to muscle in a forehand shot. But Minnesota’s Darcy Keumper got his pad out and was able to hold off the attempt.

Discuss

Jordie Benn stepped into the lineup as a regular last season and is averaging more than 22 minutes of ice time. But he has been struggling to get the puck out of his own zone in recent games and had an egregious turnover Saturday. Is it time to give him a night off if Sergei Gonchar is ready?

What does it mean?

The Stars are typically finding ways to manufacture points, but they were outmatched in this one and are starting to slide down the standings in the West. Dallas also is 4-10-1 on the second night of back-to-back games in the last two seasons.


755315 Dallas Stars

Anders Lindback: What I've been doing wrong is putting too much pressure on myself

MIKE HEIKA


ST. PAUL, Minn. - Anders Lindback said he doesn't know when his next chance will come, but he does know he has to be ready.

Lindback is 0-2-0 as back-up goalie for the Stars this season and is coming off allowing six goals in a 7-5 loss to the New York Islanders. That created a situation where coach Lindy Ruff played Kari Lehtonen on back-to-back nights Saturday against the Wild instead of going with Lindback. Now with home games against the Kings, Predators and Sharks coming up, Lindback could be getting another start in the coming week.

"It's my job, and I know that, so I have to find a solution," Lindback said. "It's not easy when you have to wait between games, but that's all I've really ever done since I've been (in North America). For five years I have had this role, and I have found ways to be good in the past, so I have to do that again."

Lindback originally was drafted by Nashville and played for the Predators. He only went to the AHL on conditioning assignments, so he has never been able to play a long string of games as a No. 1 goalie. Because of that, he said he has to be better at the mental side of the game.

"That's more than half of it for me," he said. "You have to find that thing in practice or off the ice that keeps you in the flow of the game. There's always going to be pressure, and what I've been doing wrong is putting too much pressure on myself between the games and then building the games up bigger than they need to be. I need to just look at each game as just another game, and I think that will help me."


755316 Dallas Stars

Cold facts: Minnesota Wild hands Stars fourth straight loss, win 4-1

MIKE HEIKA

02 November 2014 12:27 AM

THE GOALS

Wild: Dallas defenseman Jordie Benn threw a blind pass out of the corner directly to Minnesota’s Mikael Granlund at the top of the slot. Granlund snapped a shot through a screen from Zach Parise at the 4:21 mark of the second period. Wild 1, Stars 0

Wild: Minnesota defenseman Matt Dumba slid backward across the blue line and fired a slap shot that beat Kari Lehtonen stickside at the 13:14 mark of the second period. Wild 2, Stars 0

Stars: Off the ensuing faceoff, Jamie Oleksiak found Vernon Fiddler bursting into the offensive zone, and Fiddler snapped a shot past Darcy Kuemper just eight seconds after the Dumba goal. Wild 2, Stars 1

Wild: After Jamie Benn was whistled for holding, the Wild scored their first power-play goal of the season. Thomas Vanek scored from the slot off a pass from Parise. Wild 3, Stars 1

Wild: After Jamie Benn took another penalty, Nino Niederreiter deflected in a shot on the power play at the 5:03 mark of the third period. Wild 4, Stars 1

Three stars

1. ZACH PARISE, Wild: Two assists.

2. Thomas Vanek, Wild: Big power-play goal.

3. Darcy Kuemper, Wild: Frustrated Stars early in game.

Save of the game

Antoine Roussel broke in down the right wing and swooped to the front of the goal to try to muscle in a forehand shot. But Minnesota’s Darcy Keumper got his pad out and was able to hold off the attempt.

Discuss

Jordie Benn stepped into the lineup as a regular last season and is averaging more than 22 minutes of ice time. But he has been struggling to get the puck out of his own zone in recent games and had an egregious turnover Saturday. Is it time to give him a night off if Sergei Gonchar is ready?

What does it mean?

The Stars are typically finding ways to manufacture points, but they were outmatched in this one and are starting to slide down the standings in the West. Dallas also is 4-10-1 on the second night of back-to-back games in the last two seasons.


755317 Dallas Stars

Allen Americans sign Dallas hockey product Austin Smith

MIKE HEIKA


Here is the press release:

Rapid City, SOUTH DAKOTA - The Allen Americans of the ECHL, proud affiliate of the San Jose Sharks of the NHL and Worcester Sharks of the AHL, announced today the club has signed forward Austin Smith to a contract for the 2014-2015 season.

Austin Smith, a former fifth round pick of the Dallas Stars in 2007, was born in Texas. The Dallas native played in 38 games with the AHL's Texas Stars. He has previous ECHL experience, scoring 28 goals with 51 points in 42 games from 2012-2014.

"Austin is a proven scorer," said Americans Head Coach and GM Steve Martinson. "He will help make us the most potent offensive team I've ever coached."

Smith was a top notch collegiate player at Colgate University, scoring 79 goals with 81 assists for 160 points in four years in the NCAA. He averaged just over a point a game, at 1.05 points per game.

Austin Smith will join the club the next week when the Americans return home to play the Tulsa Oilers next Saturday and Sunday, November 8th and 9th at Allen Event Center. Tickets for all Americans home games are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or call (972) 912-1000 for more information.


755318 Dallas Stars

Kari Lehtonen gets chance to fix second night of back-to-back woes

MIKE HEIKA


ST. PAUL, Minn. _ The Stars appear to be taking a different approach to the back-up goaltending problem by choosing to play Kari Lehtonen Saturday vs. the Minnesota Wild.

Lindy Ruff would not confirm, but Anders Lindback stayed out for the entire morning skate and worked late with Sergei Gonchar, who is rehabbing an ankle injury, so it seems clear Lehtonen will start tonight. That's not a huge deal. Lehtonen played the most minutes in the NHL last season, and has played plenty of back-to-backs in his career. Plus, he faced just 24 shots in taking a 2-1 overtime loss Friday to Anaheim, and looked good, so what the heck.

The question becomes when will the Stars will get Anders Lindback into a game again. The 26-year-old from Sweden allowed six goals in a 7-5 loss to the Islanders last Saturday, and there has been much talk about how Dallas will handle goaltending going forward. Dallas plays the next three games at home against the Kings, Predators and Sharks, and that might be a good time to get Lindback in. His two games have been on the road so far, so a home game might be nice.

Whatever happens, Lindback said it's up to him to handle the responsibility of being a back-up goalie.

"It's my job, and I know that, so I have to find a solution," he said. "It's not easy when you have to wait between games, but that's all I've really ever done since I've been (in North America). For five years I have had this role, and I have found ways to be good in the past, so I have to do that again."

Lindback originally was drafted by Nashville and played for the Predators. He only went to the AHL on conditioning assignments, so he has never been able to play a long string of games as a No. 1 goalie. Because of that, he said he has to be better at the mental side of the game.

"That's more than half of it for me," he said. "You have to find that thing in practice or off the ice that keeps you in the flow of the game. There's always going to be pressure, and what I've been doing wrong is putting too much pressure on myself between the games and then building the games up bigger than they need to be. I need to just look at each game as just another game, and I think that will help me."

As for the players that will be on the ice, the decision to play Lehtonen might go beyond just trying to get a win. The Stars as a team were bad on Friday, and the Stars as a team were challenged on Friday. So it could be that Lindy Ruff is allowing the Stars as a team to possibly rebound tonight.

Either way, the top line knows it needs to be better. The Superline had a bad night Friday. They didn't score, they didn't possess the puck, they didn't drive the power play. But while it would be easy to say this was inevitable with the sloppy passing of the unit, the real key isn't too much fun, it's not enough work.

"I think, with Lindy, it comes down to pretty much two things with us, and that's puck management and compete," said Tyler Seguin. "If we're doing that and we're not producing, I think we're still having a good game. But I can't tell you a time when we're doing those things and we're not scoring. I think they go hand in hand, so we just need to get back to that."

Seguin said he felt the biggest problem was the line didn't move quickly enough.

"I just think we didn't move the puck quickly, we didn't move it with confidence," he said. "Sometimes, we make fancy plays or drop passes, but when we're doing it, we are doing it quickly, and we have a little cockiness. I think that's when we're at our best. We want to play a simple game, but we also see the ice well and we have the ability to make plays, so we need to make plays."

Spezza had his worst game in a Stars uniform. He played 21:15, including 7:09 on the power play, had one shot on goal, four giveaways and went 3-for-13 (23 percent) in the faceoff circle. He said the battle level and intensity of the line has to be consistent.

"We have to compete," he said. "We didn't win loose pucks, we weren't as quick on pucks. That's not skill so much as it's wanting to win the battle. We have to work harder. There were too many one-and-outs last game."

Spezza said he too isn't that concerned about getting overly fancy.

"If we move with confidence, we can make those passes," he said. "I do think we realize that we have to walk the line and play the situation in the game and be smart about when we take chances, but we also have to be able to move quickly. I think that's just part of the learning process of coming together as a team."

Stars coach Lindy Ruff didn't want to talk goaltending, and really has only one possible substitution in defenseman Jyrki Jokipakka. Alex Goligoski received treatment for a lower body injury, and his availability still is in question. If he can't play, Jokipakka would come in. If he can, Ruff can choose to sit Jokipakka or put him in for Kevin Connauton or Jamie Oleksiak.

Again, we'll just have to wait for the game to see what happens there.

The guess on the Stars lines are:

Jamie Benn-Jason Spezza-Tyler Seguin

Antoine Roussel-Cody Eakin-Ryan Garbutt

Patrick Eaves-Vernon Fiddler-Ales Hemsky

Erik Cole-Shawn Horcoff-Colton Sceviour

Alex Goligoski-Trevor Daley

Jordie Benn-Brenden Dillon

Kevin Vonnauton/Jyrki Jokipakka-Jamie Oleksiak

Kari Lehtonen

Dallas' power play struggled on Friday, getting just two shots on goal in almost 10 minutes. Minnesota has gone 0-for-27 to start the season, which is about the only real bad spot in the Wild's 6-3-0 start. Minnesota leads the NHL in fewest shots on goal against at 23.2 and is second in shots on goal at 35.6. Their shot differential of plus-12.4 is by far the best in the NHL.

The Stars rank 23rd at minus-2.9 shot differential, so that will be worth watching, especially with the Stars playing on the second night of a back-to-back. Under Lindy Ruff, the Stars are 4-9-1 on the second night of back-to-backs.


755319 Dallas Stars

Vanek, power play lift Wild past Stars 4-1

Saturday, Nov. 01, 2014

DAVE CAMPBELL

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Thomas Vanek was bound to get a goal for Minnesota soon. The Wild's power play was well overdue, too.

Scoring with a snap shot off a textbook behind-the-goal-line pass by Zach Parise, Vanek crossed both items off the to-do list on Saturday night.

Vanek capped a three-goal second period with his first score for his new team, and the Wild stayed unbeaten at home with a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars.

Mikael Granlund and Matt Dumba struck first for the Wild, the first goal for each this season, but the loudest roar from the crowd came when Vanek scored 57 seconds before the intermission. Vanek skated emotionless off the ice, only slightly shaking his head. He said he's not much of a celebrator.

"It was more a relief more than anything," said Vanek, who signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the Wild. "Even though it didn't look like much, it felt great."

Not only did the puck that whizzed past goalie Kari Lehtonen's glove give Minnesota a 3-1 lead, it gave Vanek his first goal in 10 games with the Wild and gave them their first goal in 29 extra-skater opportunities. They were the last NHL team to get one.

"It was way past the joking point. It was more just relief," said Parise, who had two assists and has a team-high 10 points in 10 games.

That's about the only part of Minnesota's game that wasn't working well. Darcy Kuemper made 19 saves to improve to 6-2 as the Wild raised their home record to 5-0, including four wins in regulation, with a 22-6 goal differential in those games. The Wild have scored first in eight of their 10 games, going 6-2 when doing so.

Nino Niederreiter added another power-play goal for good measure in the third period, a slick between-the-skates tip-in of Ryan Suter's feed in the third period.

"We were just sticking with our game. We knew it was going to come eventually," Dumba said of the power play. "It's just one of those things that we weren't getting the bounces, but hopefully now we can get it rolling."

Wild coach Mike Yeo said he wasn't worried about Vanek. Stars coach Lindy Ruff, his longtime coach with the Buffalo Sabres, wasn't buying the slump, either.

"Thomas is going to score 25 to 30 goals. He's that good a goal scorer, as good as any guy around the front of the net that I've ever coached," Ruff said.

Vernon Fiddler scored for the Stars, just 8 seconds after Dumba's goal, but they were outshot 30-20. The Wild have outshot every opponent this season, by a whopping total of 350 to 229.

"There's energy missing in our game. It's as simple as that," Ruff said.

Lehtonen was in the Dallas net for the second straight night, having lost in overtime at home Friday to Anaheim 2-1. He made several difficult saves, but his effort was hardly enough. Backup Anders Lindback has given up nine goals in two games this season, and Ruff wasn't ready to give him another start.

The Stars fell to 0-2-2 in their last four games after going 0 for 4 on the power play. They had 78 seconds of a 5-on-3 advantage in the first period that was frittered away without a threat.

Jordie Benn's failed clearing attempt was snagged by Granlund, who pivoted and zipped a slap shot from the slot into the net with Parise screening Lehtonen. Jamie Benn took the slashing penalty that set up Niederreiter's power-play goal.

"Things were coming easy for us at the beginning of the year, and now we're starting to find a bit of an uphill stretch here," Fiddler said. "Good teams find a way to work through it, and that's what we're going to have to do."

NOTES: Stars RW Ales Hemsky sustained an upper-body injury in the second period and didn't return. ... The Wild got defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Erik Haula back from two-game absences, both due to upper-body injuries. ... The Wild placed D Jared Spurgeon (shoulder) on the injured list, expecting him to miss several games. Christian Folin (illness) returned from a five-game absence to take his place in the lineup. Spurgeon has a team-high 25 blocked shots and six points in nine games. ... The Wild improved to 19-25-8 (including 15-9-2 at home) against the Stars, who played in Minnesota from 1967-93.

Star-Telegram LOADED: 11.02.2014

755320 Detroit Red Wings

Red Wings' Franzen will return Sunday; Quincey doubtful

George Sipple,

3:48 p.m. EDT November 1, 2014

Forward Johan Franzen will return from a groin injury Sunday night when the Red Wings visit Buffalo for the first of three road games in four nights. Defenseman Kyle Quincey is doubtful, according to Wings general manager Ken Holland.

Quincey suffered an ankle injury in the first period of Friday's 5-2 win over the Kings and missed the final two periods. Holland said Quincey will travel with the team and there's a chance he could play in one of the next two games, either at Ottawa on Tuesday or at the New York Rangers on Wednesday.

Brian Lashoff will likely make his season debut in place of Quincey.

Franzen, who missed the last six games, practiced on a line with Darren Helm and Gustav Nyquist on Saturday at Joe Louis Arena.

"Like we talk about all the time, you never seem to have all hands on deck totally," said Wings coach Mike Babcock. "Getting Mule back to help us is important."

As for why he put that line together, Babcock said: "Helmer is an energy guy that will go to the net for them. With Mule and Nyquist, they're not going to let Helmer have the puck anyways."

Babcock said that's similar to when Nyquist plays with Pavel Datsyuk and Henrik Zetterberg on the power play.

"When Gus plays with Pav and Z on a power play, they don't give him the puck," Babcock said. "They did last night, but only two guys get to touch it. Someone else has gotta go to the net. I think it's important to have a guy like that with them. And Mule and Nyqy do what they can do and Helmer does what he can do it should be a good mix."

Babcock said the move wasn't done to try and get Helm going. Helm has no goals and four assists in 10 games.

"Helmer's doing just fine," Babcock said. "He is what he is, energy worker."

As for the upcoming road trip, Babcock said the Wings have caught four teams playing back-to-back nights, the latest being the Kings.

"I don't worry about all that stuff," he said. "We're going to Buffalo. We're getting ready for a 5 o'clock game tomorrow and we'll look after that ... if you win today, everything's OK in this league."

If Lashoff plays Sunday, that will leave forward Daniel Cleary as the only player on the roster that hasn't seen action in a game yet this season. Babcock said Lashoff will be important on the penalty kill.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 11.02.2014


Watch this: Gordie Howe watches Wings fans salute him

Brian Manzullo


This is wonderful.

In case you missed it, the Detroit Red Wings and their fans took a moment Friday at Joe Louis Arena to show support for Gordie Howe as he recovers from a serious stroke this week, including a chant of "GORDIE! GORDIE!" during a break in action.

The Howe family showed Mr. Hockey the video clip at his daughter's home in Lubbock, Texas, and shared the moment with fans on YouTube.

Watch it for yourself.

Howe, 86, is said to be resting comfortably and showing improvement since he suffered the stroke Sunday.

Detroit Free Press LOADED: 11.02.2014


Ericsson still hot over cheap shot by Kings' Nolan

Chris McCosky


Detroit — Red Wings defenseman Jonathan Ericsson is a big man with a normally peaceful demeanor. But everybody has a fuse. His was lit early in the third period Friday night.

Kings center Jordan Nolan blindsided Darren Helm and sent him flying awkwardly into the boards. Ericsson immediately abandoned the play, threw down his gloves and pummeled Nolan to the ice.

A day later and Ericsson was still smoldering.

"I thought, from my point of view, that was a match penalty," Ericsson said of the hit after practice Saturday. "I thought that was a really bad hit. I didn't feel he had anything but the numbers (on Helm's back) the whole way until contact. I am surprised he only got two minutes."

Replays confirmed Nolan did hit Helm maliciously from behind and into the boards. It's the kind of dangerous contact the NHL wants to legislate out of the game. But Nolan was assessed a two-minute boarding penalty and Ericsson a roughing minor.

"Those hits don't belong in the game," Ericsson said.

Helm was shaken up but not injured on the play. He did have a bandage on his ribs Saturday, but he said that was from an earlier incident and that he was fine. He was, though, happy Ericsson intervened on his behalf.

"That was awesome, I loved it," Helm said. "You hope guys are going to stick up for you so that when you see (a hit like that), you know what's going to happen. Everyone has respect, and I have a lot of respect for a guy who sticks up for his teammates."

Ericsson said any of his teammates would have done the same thing.

"This time I felt like it was needed," he said. "I am not going to go after guys just for the sake of doing it. But when I think it's something that needs to be done, everybody feels the same way. I was just the closest guy. Everyone in here would have done the same thing."

Quincey out, Lashoff in

For the first time this season, the Wings have shaken up their defensive corps.

Veteran Kyle Quincey injured his ankle in the first period Friday. He didn't practice Saturday and coach Mike Babcock said he wouldn't play Sunday. The good news: The injury doesn't appear to be long-term.

General manager Ken Holland called it day to day, and Quincey was expected to travel with the team through the three-game trip to Buffalo, Ottawa and New York.

Taking his place Sunday and making his first appearance of the season will be Brian Lashoff. He was paired with Jakub Kindl at practice.

"This is pretty much the same as it is every year for me," said Lashoff, who sat out the first four games last year and wound up playing in 75. "I've just been biding my time and waiting for the opportunity and just try to take advantage of it."

Babcock isn't worried about a drop-off with Lashoff.

"He's a good pro and he's worked real hard," he said. "He's going to be an important penalty-killer for us like he was last year. He gets an opportunity now, and when you get an opportunity you've got to make good and carve out a niche for yourself and make it competition for the other guys."

Babcock scoffed at reports during training camp Lashoff was in jeopardy of not making the club.

"Lash is in no jeopardy," Babcock said. "People were talking about it but no jeopardy. He's a good Red Wing."

Ice chips

… With Johan Franzen back in the lineup, rookie Andrej Nestrasil is expected to join Daniel Cleary as a healthy scratch Sunday against Buffalo. In 10 games Nestrasil has an assist and is a minus-1.

… Pavel Datsyuk has four goals and four assists in five games since coming back from a shoulder injury. The Wings scored 11 goals in the five games without him, 16 in the five games with him.

… With two assists Friday, Niklas Kronwall has 303 career points, tying him with Gary Bergman for fourth place among the top scoring defensemen in Wings history.

… Here's one for the books. It was 80 years ago Sunday that Red Wings Hall of Famer Ted Lindsay scored his first NHL goal.

… Jimmy Howard will start in goal for the Wings on Sunday, but Jonas Gustavsson is expected to start in either Tuesday in Ottawa or Wednesday in New York.

Detroit News LOADED: 11.02.2014


Johan Franzen will return to ice Sunday for Red Wings

Chris McCosky


Detroit — It was easy to spot the Red Wing with fresh legs Saturday.

Johan Franzen was flying around the ice during practice, dominating drills and putting pucks past both goalies.

"I have a lot of energy right now," Franzen said afterward. "Hopefully it stays in my body longer than one period tomorrow."

Franzen, who has been out since Oct. 17 with a groin injury, missing four games, will be back in the lineup Sunday in Buffalo. He will skate on the second line with center Darren Helm and Gustav Nyquist.

"They have tons of speed, so they can help me with that," Franzen joked. "I just hope Nyquist stays hot. I hope I'm not going to cool him off."

Nyquist scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season Friday night against the Kings. He will remain on the first power-play unit. Franzen will play on the second unit.

"You never seem to have all hands on deck totally, but up front right now we do," coach Mike Babcock said. "The Mule should be fresh and energized. But anytime you've been away for a while you don't probably skate the way you'd like to and it doesn't show the first game.

"But we're going to play three games in the next four nights. It's a mental toughness battle, it's an energy battle, it's a sleep battle, all those things. But getting Mule back is important."

As for hitting the ground running after being out 15 days, Franzen said, "We'll see. At least I get tested right away and see if I took all the time I needed to really heal up."

Babcock explained the decision to move Helm, who had been centering the third line, up to the second line with Franzen and Nyquist.

"To me, Helmer is an energy guy who will go to the net for them," he said. "With Mule and Nyquist, they're not going to let Helm have the puck anyway."

The comment elicited a chuckle from the media, but Babcock wasn't joking.

"Listen, when Gus plays with Pav (Datsyuk) and Z (Henrik Zetterberg) on the power play, they don't give him the puck. They did (Friday night) but normally only two guys get to touch the puck. Somebody else has to go to the net and get the puck back for guys. That's just the facts.

"I think it's important to have a guy like Helm with them. If Mule and Nyquist do what they can do and Helmer does what he can do, it should be a good mix."

The move also allows Babcock to put Tomas Tatar back with center Riley Sheahan and Tomas Jurco and use that group as the third line. Sheahan had been centering the second line.

"That's been a good line for us," Babcock said. "And now we're putting them in the right spot, matchup wise, in the game."

It's been an odd start to the season for Helm. He missed most of training camp because of a groin injury and struggled for the first two weeks of the regular season.

"It's starting to turn around," said Helm, who has four assists and is a minus-2 in 10 games. "Definitely didn't have a great start. I felt sluggish and cautious with my body. But the last four or five games it's felt like things are starting to come around. I am starting to play more my game. I would still like to get more physical, but I am pretty happy with where it's at right now."

Babcock said putting Helm between two of the team's top goal-scorers had nothing to do trying to boost his confidence or his game. But Helm understands what's been presented to him.

"Those are two great players," he said. "I hope I can provide some energy and a spark and help those guys continue to do what they do … It's always

nice when you get an opportunity to play with two guys like that, two gifted scorers.

"I'm just hoping I can seize the opportunity and maybe take off in the way I need to start playing."

Detroit News LOADED: 11.02.2014


Red Wings' Jonathan Ericsson takes exception to dangerous hit, glad to stand up for teammates

Ansar Khan

November 01, 2014 at 10:45 PM

DETROIT -- The Detroit Red Wings aren't a big team, and they rarely fight. But they're also not going to stand by idly while opponents take cheap shots.

At least that was the message Jonathan Ericsson sent to Jordan Nolan Friday after the Los Angeles Kings forward drilled Darren Helm from behind into the glass early in the third period of the Red Wings' 5-2 victory at Joe Louis Arena.

Ericsson pounced on Nolan right away, leading to a scrum.

"That hit doesn't belong in the game. I hope those (Kings) players feel the same thing," Ericsson said. "I don't know what he was thinking, but I don't think he wants people to run him like that. It's a dangerous play. Lucky enough Helmer was close enough to the boards so he doesn't go down with his head first."

The oft-injured Helm came away unscathed. Nolan received only a minor penalty for boarding, which doesn't seem right to Ericsson, who got two minutes for roughing.

The NHL's department of player safety said on Saturday than Nolan will have a hearing with the league on Sunday.

"My initial thought was (Nolan) only saw numbers the whole way until contact was made, from my point of view," Ericsson said. "I thought that should've been a game (misconduct) for that hit and that's why I did what I did."

The Stanley Cup champion Kings have several big, physical forwards. The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Ericsson felt it was important to let them and other teams know the Red Wings will respond to such hits.

"They have a lot of big guys and we don't have that size on our team," Ericsson said. "If they think they can get away with things like that then we're going to get pushed around. I think anyone would've done the same thing, I was just the closest guy to the hit. I would hope they would do the same thing for me."

Helm appreciates that Ericsson had his back.

"It's awesome. I loved it," Helm said. "You hope that guys are going to stick up for you and when you see that you know it's going to happen on a regular basis. It was great to see him do that. I have a lot of respect for guys who stick up for their teammates."

Michigan Live LOADED: 11.02.2014


Brian Lashoff ready for season debut, looking to fit right in on a defense that's been solid for Red Wings

Ansar Khan


DETROIT - The Detroit Red Wings defense, considered by many to be the club's weak link, has looked good the first 10 games of the season.

Brian Lashoff aims to fit right in when he makes his season debut Sunday at Buffalo, replacing the injured Kyle Quincey.

"I've just been biding my time and getting ready for this opportunity and I'm going to take advantage of it," Lashoff said.

Lashoff hasn't dressed since the preseason because Jakub Kindl has played well, doing nothing to get pulled from the lineup. They'll be paired together, as they were much of 2013-14, when Lashoff played 75 games during the season and all five in the playoffs.

"The more games you play, you get a little more comfortable with the pace of the game and you know what to expect," Lashoff said. "I've been working hard in practice. I think I'll definitely be ready for the pace of the game having the experience I have from last year."

Quincey is listed as day-to-day with what coach Mike Babcock called an ankle injury.

Despite not playing him until now, Babcock is a big supporter of Lashoff, a good-sized, young (24), stay-at-home defender whom he called "a good pro."

"He's worked real hard, he's going to be an important penalty killer for us, was last year," Babcock said. "He gets his opportunity and when you get your opportunity, you got to make good and you got to carve out a little niche for yourself, so make it a competition for the other guys."

Lashoff is focused on gap control and going back to get pucks.

"Especially making sure I don't have too much space between myself and the opposing forwards," Lashoff said. "Sometimes when you get a lot of time off it might seem like it might be tough, but I think in practice we do a god job of doing a lot of drills."

He believes his transition game can be better.

"Going back to get pucks and getting them up the boards as quick as possible is something that I want to improve on," Lashoff said. "It's something I've worked on in practice, in the preseason and training camp.

"I think they know what to expect from me. I'm going to battle, penalty kill and do what I do. But at the same time, I want to get better at some things like moving the puck quick and getting involved in the offense."

Babcock believes there is room for growth in Lashoff's game.

"He's getting better, for sure," Babcock said. "Lash is a great pro. He trains hard, he's smart, he's a committed teammate.

"I said it right at training camp: Lash is in no jeopardy (of losing his roster spot). He's a good Red Wing."



Johan Franzen's return means Red Wings are healthy up front for the first time all season

Brendan Savage


DETROIT - Johan Franzen did all he could to get back into the Detroit Red Wings lineup.

Now, he'll find out if it was enough to keep him there.

Franzen will be back in uniform for the Red Wings Sunday in Buffalo after being sidelined since Oct. 17 with a groin injury suffered in a 4-1 victory at Toronto.

He began skating Tuesday, took part in full workouts the past couple of days and has been cleared to return to the lineup when the Red Wings (6-2-2) try to win their season-high third straight game against the Sabres, who are 2-8-1 entering tonight's game at Pittsburgh.

"Feels good," Franzen said after Saturday's practice at Joe Louis Arena. "Lot of energy right now. Hopefully that stays in my body longer than one period tomorrow. We'll see.

"At least I'll get tested right away and see if I took all the time I really needed to really heal up. The first couple of practices I did, I still had some issues. I got rid of that so the last three days I've been able to go full out."

Franzen's return means the Red Wings will be healthy up front for the first time all season.

Pavel Datsyuk missed the first five games after separating his shoulder in the preseason opener and then Franzen went down, missing the last six games after scoring twice vs. the Maple Leafs.

"You never seem to have all hands on deck totally," said coach Mike Babcock. "Up front right now, we would. (Franzen) should be fresh, energized. Anytime you're away for a while you don't probably skate the way you'd like to and it doesn't show the first game.

"But we're going to play three games in four nights just like L.A. did and it's a mental toughness battle, an energy battle, and a sleep battle. All these things this week are important for us. Getting Mule back to help us is important."

Franzen, who has two goals and three assists in five games, will play on the second line along with Gustav Nyquist and Darren Helm.

Nyquist leads the Red Wings with seven goals after scoring a pair in Friday's 5-2 victory over the Stanley Cup champion Kings and Helm will add another dimension to the line with his blazing speed.

"They're great players," Helm said. "Gus is hot right now. Mule's coming back. He looks good. Hopefully I can provide energy, a spark, help those guys continue doing what they're doing.

"It's always nice when you get an opportunity to play with two guys like that, two really gifted goal scorers. I'm just hoping I can seize the opportunity and maybe take off in a way that I need to start playing."

Helm has four assists in 10 games but is still looking for his first goal. He struggled to stay healthy early in the season, straining his groin in training camp before breaking his nose in a preseason game.

But Helm feels good about the direction he's headed.

"It's starting to turn around," he said. "I definitely didn't have a great start. Something a little sluggish, just cautious with my body, but the last 4-5 games I feel like things are starting to come around. I'm starting to play more of my game.

"Still would like to get a little more physical but I'm pretty happy with where it's at now. Just want to continue to get better. I know there's still lots of room for improvement. Way more opportunity to help this team."

Babcock has no complaints about what Helm has given him so far and said he didn't put the speedy center between Franzen and Nyquist in an effort to jump-start Helm offensively.

"Helmer is doing just fine," Babcock said. "He is what he is. He's energy; worker. I thought Helmer and his line were good last night (vs. L.A.) To me, Helmer is an energy guy who will go to the net for them. And with Mule and Nyquist, they're not going to let Helmer have the puck anyway.

"Only two guys get to touch it. Someone else has to go to the net and get the puck back for guys. That's the facts. I think it's important to have a guy like that with them. If Mule and Nykie do what they can do and Helmer does what he can do, that should be a good mix."

Jimmy Howard will start in goal for the Red Wings, who will be without Kyle Quincey (ankle) against the Sabres.

Quincey is day-to-day and could return to the lineup Tuesday in Ottawa.



Johan Franzen returning for Red Wings Sunday; Kyle Quincey out, day-to-day with ankle injury

Brendan Savage


DETROIT - Forward Johan Franzen will be back in the Detroit Red Wings lineup Sunday afternoon in Buffalo but defenseman Kyle Quincey will miss his first game in more than a year.

Franzen (groin) hasn't played since scoring twice Oct. 17 in a 4-1 victory at Toronto but he'll be back in the lineup against the Sabres, playing on the second line alongside Gustav Nyquist and Darren Helm.

Quincey, who along with Drew Miller played in all 82 games last season, left Friday's 5-2 victory over the Los Angeles Kings in the first period with what coach Mike Babcock later called an ankle injury.

He's day-to-day, according to general manager Ken Holland, and could return to the lineup Tuesday in Ottawa.

Quincey had appeared in 88 straight regular-season games. The last time he missed a game was a 3-0 victory April 14, 2013, when he was a healthy scratch in Nashville.

With Quincey out, Brian Lashoff will make his season debut on the Red Wings' back end.

Babcock said Jimmy Howard will start in goal against the Sabres.

Here are the lines the Red Wings skated with in practice today:

Henrik Zetterberg-Pavel Datsyuk-Justin Abdelkader;

Gustav Nyquist-Darren Helm-Johan Franzen;

Tomas Tatar-Riley Sheahan-Tomas Jurco;

Drew Miller-Luke Glendening-Joakim Andersson;

Daniel Cleary, Andrej Nestrail were the extra forwards.

The defensive pairings are:

Niklas Kronwall-Jonathan Ericsson;

Danny DeKeyser-Brendan Smith;

Brian Lashoff-Jakub Kind.

The first power-play unit remained unchanged - Datsyuk, Zetterberg, Nyquist, Abdelkader (net front) and Kronwall.

Franzen will be on the second power-play until along with Tatar, Jurco, Sheahan (net front) and DeKeyser.



Column: As Red Wings beat Cup champion Kings, fans send get-well wishes to Gordie Howe

Joe Lapointe


DETROIT -- The Halloween wind blew chilly, damp gusts off the Detroit River and through the doors of Joe Louis Arena on Friday night before the Red Wings beat the Stanley Cup champion Los Angeles Kings, 5-2.

The chilled customers arrived in the usual red-and-white regalia plus plenty dressed as ghouls, ghosts and zombies.

Despite the festive mood, the building felt a special chill beyond the weather outside and the ice of the playing surface because Gordie Howe, 86 years old, is very ill.

Howe suffered a serious stroke last weekend and is bedridden at his daughter's home in Texas, his family around him. But his presence was very much felt at The Joe on Friday night. On each red seat was a small sign that said "Get Well, Gordie."

The letter "o" in Howe's first name was represented by the red-and-white, winged-wheel logo of the franchise. In the corridor, near the Gordie Howe statue by the Gordie Howe Entrance, fans signed a get-well card as big as a small wall.

Among the hundreds of messages, next to a photo of Howe's face:

"God bless and feel better soon."

"You are the best, Mr. Hockey."

"Keep fighting, Gordie."

"Get well, Mr. Hockey."

"Praying for you, Gordie."

One man signing was Jeffrey Quenneville of Macomb Township.

"I grew up in St. Clair Shores," he said, "where Gordie and his kids used to play. I signed the same way he gave me my first autograph: 'Best of Luck.'"

Quenneville said he got Howe's autograph -- his first autograph ever -- 40 years ago, when he was seven years old and his father took him to a golf outing in Dearborn.

Howe signed it on a 2 by 4, a big piece of wood. Quenneville shellacked it and displays it at his home.

Another lucky kid to meet Howe at a young age was Mike Babcock, the Detroit coach, also from Saskatoon.

"Bruce Clark was my teammate and Bruce Clark's mum was Gordie's sister," Babcock said. "He didn't know who we were but we knew who he was. So it was good."

Howe has not played for the Red Wings since 1971 or in pro hockey since 1980. But there is a surge of love for him passing through this town and this sport as Howe's clock ticks toward the final buzzer.

During an early timeout Friday, the center-ice video board showed highlights of Howe's career, including black-and-white film and color videotape. It helped put the Howe era in perspective.

Howe came off the Canadian prairie of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and grew up during the Great Depression, between the World Wars. He was a Wings' rookie in 1946 before commercial television. He ended his career in 1980 in the cable era.

One particularly touching scene was of Howe, last winter, walking slowly onto the ice at Comerica Park, where the Wings held an outdoor old-timers game during a weekend celebration of the sport.

Many of the people signing the big card Friday night were too young to have seen him as a Wing or even a Hartford Whaler. So how do you tell them

what it was like to grow up around Detroit in the 1950s and 1960s when the Motor City had the best hockey player in the world?

To kids of that era, Howe was a combination of hero, cool uncle, prince of the city, Superman in DC comics and the guy next door. Few superstars (they didn't even use the word then) were ever so humble.

At the Olympia, where the Red Wings used to play, Howe would stand in the corridor outside the dressing room after games and sign autographs until the last request.

One night in the 1980s, when he worked for the Whalers front office, he started talking to me in the press box about what he didn't like about the new arenas.

"These players drive in and out through an underground garage or a fenced-in parking lot and they never meet the fans," Howe said. "That's our lifeblood."

After Friday's game, in the happy home dressing room, my eyes were drawn to the large, black-and-white photo of Howe fighting off high sticks and checks while charging to the goal mouth. It was above the locker of Darren Helm.

I wondered if Helm paid much attention to it.

"Quite often," he said. "Every time I walk around here I usually like to look up. It's definitely a presence in this room and an honor to put on that winged wheel the same as him."

Helm said he met Howe several times in recent seasons when Howe was still healthy enough to pay visits. "It was pretty special when he was walking around the room talking to you, shaking your hand," Helm said.

Did Helm ever ask Howe for his autograph?

"No, and I don't know why I didn't," Helm said with a shy smile. "That would have been something smart to do. I didn't want to bug him. I guess it was a respect thing."

Joe Lapointe is a sports columnist for MLive.com. He is a 20-year veteran of the New York Times sports department, 11-year veteran of the Detroit Free Press, and a Detroit native.



Jimmy Howard's penalty-shot save early in third period 'huge' moment for Red Wings vs. Kings

Ansar Khan

November 01, 2014 at 6:05 AM

DETROIT - It looked like it was going to be an easy night for Jimmy Howard Friday, with the offensive support he had received in the first period.

But the Detroit Red Wings goaltender found himself in a key situation in the third period, facing Dustin Brown on a penalty shot as the Los Angeles Kings were mounting a comeback, having gotten a shorthanded goal from Tyler Toffoli just 41 seconds earlier.

"I told myself this could be the game if you can come up with the save; it could be a big thing for us," Howard said.

Howard stopped Brown at 2:29 of the third, preserving a two-goal lead, and the Red Wings went on to beat the Kings 5-2 at Joe Louis Arena.

"Huge, because we had just given up a shortie and now we were going to give up the second one," coach Mike Babcock said. "That was a huge save."

Howard said the ice conditions didn't favor Brown.

"The ice wasn't the best there in the third. I think with all the rain there was a little humidity tonight," Howard said. "So it probably wasn't the best ice for him to do a move. I just tried to stay as patient as possible."

Jimmy Howard makes big save on penalty shot Howard preserved a 4-2 lead shortly after Detroit had given up a short-handed goal

Said defenseman Brendan Smith: "That was very big; I mean he's been playing amazing. I think it's a testament to his summer, he said he's worked out really hard and he looks a lot better. He looks like he's in great shape and he knows it, he says it all the time. I think it's helped him and you can see he's doing it on the ice."

Howard made 28 saves to improve to 5-1-2.

He credited two big penalty kills late in the second period. The Red Wings are first in the league on the PK at 32-for-34 (94.1 percent).

"Once again I thought we were great," Howard said. "We did a great job of blocking shots when we needed to and we just continue to do great job out there."

Said Smith: "Tony's (assistant coach Granato's) system has been really good for us, and (Howard) is the backbone of it and the things we can do to help him see the pucks or move players and get in shot lanes and block shots. All those little things, they all help and that's what helps the penalty kill."



Wings get new face and familiar one back in lineup

Chuck Pleiness

11/01/14, 6:20 PM EDT |

DETROIT >> The Detroit Red Wings will have a new face in the lineup Sunday at Buffalo and another one they haven’t seen in a few games.

Defenseman Brian Lashoff will see his first action of the season, filling in for an injured Kyle Quincey (ankle), while Johan Franzen returns from a groin injury he suffered on Oct. 17 against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“It’s been a tough year for me,” said Lashoff, who’s been a healthy scratch all season. “I’ve got an opportunity to contribute and do something about it. It started last year the same way and I’ve just been biding my time and getting ready for this opportunity and I’m going to take advantage of it.”

Lashoff was a healthy scratch the first four games of last season before getting in the lineup due to a number of injuries on the blue line. He later won a job over Jakub Kindl.

“The more games you play, you get a little more comfortable with the pace of the game and you know what to expect,” Lashoff said. “I’ve been working hard in practice and trying to be ready. I think I’ll definitely be ready for the pace of the game having the experience I have from last year.”

Lashoff, who wound up playing 75 or the Wings’ 82 regular season games last year, added that closing gaps and getting back to pucks as the two things he’ll focus on.

“Sometimes when you get a lot of time off it might seem like it might be tough but I think in practice we do a god job of doing a lot of drills,” Lashoff said.

For Franzen, this was the first groin injury he’s suffered that has sidelined him any length of time.

“I’ve got lots of energy right now, hopefully that stays in my body longer than one period (Sunday),” Franzen said. “I just want to be pain free pretty much. Like the first couple of practices I did, but I still had some issues. I got rid of that so the last three days I’ve been able to go full out.”

Franzen, who has two goals and three assists in four games, will skate with Darren Helm and Gustav Nyquist.

“It sounds like speed so they can help me with that,” Franzen said. “I hope Nykie stays hot. I hope I don’t cool him down.”

Nyquist leads the team with seven goals.

This will be the first time all season the Wings will have top four lines intact.

“We’ve talk about all the time, you never seem to have all hands on deck totally,” Wings coach Mike Babcock said. “Up front right now we would.

“(Franzen) should be fresh, energized,” Babcock continued. “Anytime you’re away for a while you don’t probably skate the way you’d like to and it doesn’t show the first game. But we’re going to play three games in four nights and it’s a mental toughness battle, an energy battle and a sleep battle. All these things this week are important for us. Getting Mule back to help us is important.”

Quincey will travel with the team, but won’t play Sunday. … Jimmy Howard will start in goal against the Sabres. Helm on Jonathan Ericsson stepping and roughing up Los Angeles’ Jordan Nolan after he boarded the Wings forward Friday night. “It’s awesome. I loved it. You hope that guys are you going to stick up for you and when you see that you know it’s going to happen on a regular basis. It was great to see him do that and I’m sure everybody has a lot of respect. I have a lot of respect for guys who stick up for their teammates.” Ericsson received a roughing penalty and Nolan got two minutes for boarding.

Macomb Daily LOADED: 11.02.2014 loaded


Notes: Franzen to return Sunday, Quincey out

DANA WAKIJI

NOV 01, 2014 10:15p ET

DETROIT -- Just as one player returns from injury, another will sit out.

Johan Franzen, who has missed the last six games with a groin injury, will play Sunday in Buffalo.

Defenseman Kyle Quincey, who left during the first period Friday against the Los Angeles Kings with an ankle injury, will not play.

General manager Ken Holland said Quincey is considered day-to-day.

"We've talked about it all the time, you never seem to have all hands on deck totally," Wings coach Mike Babcock said. "Up front right now we would. He should be fresh, energized. Anytime you're away for a while you don't probably skate the way you'd like to and it doesn't show the first game."

Franzen, who had two goals and three assists in his first four games, said he overcame the last hurdle.

"Just be pain free pretty much," Franzen said. "Like the first couple of practices I did I still had some issues. I got rid of that so the last three days I've been able to go full out.

"Feels good. Lot of energy right now. Hopefully that stays in my body longer than one period (Sunday)."

Franzen is set to play on a line with Darren Helm and Gustav Nyquist.

"They're great players," Helm said. "Gus is hot right now. Mule's coming back. He looks good. Hopefully I can provide energy, a spark, help those guys continue doing what they're doing."

Babcock explained why he wanted that line together.

"To me Helmer is an energy guy who will go to the net for them," Babcock said. "And with Mule and Nyquist, they're not going to let Helmer have the puck anyway. When Gus plays with Pav(el Datsyuk) and Z (Henrik Zetterberg) on the power play, they don't give him the puck. They did (Friday) night. Only two guys get to touch it. Someone else has to go to the net and get the puck back for guys. That's the facts. I think it's important to have a guy like that with them. If Mule and Nykie do what they can do and Helmer does what he can do, that should be a good mix."

Quincey and Drew Miller were the only two Wings to play in all 82 games last season because of all the injuries.

Quincey won't get a chance to repeat that because of an ankle injury.

But that means Brian Lashoff, 24, will get his first chance to play this season.

"It's been a tough year for me," Lashoff said. "I've got an opportunity to contribute and do something about it. Started last year the same way and I've just been biding my time and getting ready for this opportunity and I'm going to take advantage of it."

Because of the numerous injuries last season, Lashoff played in 75 games last season.

"Lash is a good pro, he's worked real hard, he's going to be an important penalty killer for us, was last year," Babcock said. "He gets his opportunity and when you get your opportunity, you gotta make good and you gotta carve out a little niche for yourself so make it a competition for the other guys."

Although Lashoff has worked hard in practice, it's hard to duplicate game speed.

"Little things like your gap and getting back to pucks are two things that are important for our team and for our success, those are two things that I'll have to concentrate on the most, especially gapping out there and making sure I don't have too much space between myself and the opposing forwards," Lashoff said. "Sometimes when you get a lot of time off it might seem like it might be tough but I think in practice we do a good job of doing a lot of drills."

HELM ROUNDING INTO FORM

Helm has four assists in the first 10 games and is minus-2, but he feels his game is rounding into shape.

"I definitely didn't have a great start," Helm said. "Something a little sluggish, just cautious with my body, but the last four-five games I feel like things are starting to come around. I'm starting to play more of my game. Still would like to get a little more physical but I'm pretty happy with where it's at now. Just want to continue to get better. I know there's still lots of room for improvement. Way more opportunity to help this team."

Helm said he was no worse the wear for the third-period hit from the Kings' Jordan Nolan, who was called for boarding.

"I haven't seen the video but if felt like it was pretty close to the numbers to me," Helm said.

Helm didn't see it but defenseman Jonathan Ericsson did and immediately went after Nolan, taking a roughing penalty for his trouble.

Helm appreciated the support.

"It's awesome. I loved it," Helm said. "You hope that guys are you going to stick up for you and when you see that you know it's going to happen on a regular basis. It was great to see him do that and I'm sure everybody has a lot of respect. I have a lot of respect for guys who stick up for their teammates."

foxsports.com LOADED: 11.02.2014

755332 Edmonton Oilers

Live: Oilers vs. Canucks, Nov. 1

Staff Writer

November 1, 2014

EDMONTON - Time and again, against countless NHL opponents, the Sedins have managed to leave their mark. Edmonton is no exception.

Both Daniel and Henrik have done enough damage against the Oilers they are almost point a game players in the contests against Edmonton. Henrik has 17 goals and 76 points in 79 games; his twin has 35 goals and 39 assists in 76 games, and both will be back at it tonight when the Oilers close out their seven-game homestand against the Vancouver Canucks.

This season, the duo is playing with Radim Vrbata and the three have combined for 35 points in 10 games.

“Human nature is to back off and play safe against them,” said head coach Dallas Eakins. “We need to close quickly, give them no space.

“As much as we can see their backs tonight in our zone, the better.”

Eakins plans to send out his top line, just as he did against Steve Stamkos when the Tampa Bay Lightning were in town as well as Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. When Taylor Hall-Ryan Nugnet-Hopkins-Jordan Eberle are not on the ice, Matt Hendricks, Boyd Gordon and Jesse Joensuu will be out.

“If you close and you’re on them, they may be more apt to turn it over,” continued Eakins. “The problem is, those two guys are thinking out of one brain — and there’s no solving that.”

Follow Edmonton Journal hockey writers Jim Matheson and Joanne Ireland, and sports columnist John MacKinnon, along with others, as the Edmonton Oilers play the Vancouver Canucks at Rexall Place on Saturday night, Nov. 1. Game time is 8 p.m. MT. It will be broadcast on TV: CBC and TVA, and on radio: 630 CHED.

Edmonton Journal: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Where to play Mark Arcobello? How about Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle?

November 1, 2014. 12:08 am

David Staples

So long as no one gets injured on the Edmonton Oilers, the team actually has a roster right now that makes some sense, or, at least, Edmonton has a roster that some sense can be made out of if every player is used to best effect.

This is especially true on the blueline, where coach Dallas Eakins and assistant Craig Ramsay, who handles the defence, have found the right pairings, it seems, so long as Nikita Nikitin is healthy. Nikitin’s size and strength allows the cycle to be broken up now and then when he’s teamed with puck-moving ace Justin Schultz. Meanwhile Martin Marincin and Mark Fayne have the combination of size, puck-moving and smarts to get by in a shut-down role, leaving Jeff Petry and Andrew Ference, two capable enough veterans, to get the job done on the third pairing.

The return of Nikitin is a must for this defence group to work, of course, as it all comes unhinged if Schultz is teamed with a smaller player, like Brad Hunt, who can’t help do what Schultz so often fails to do: win pucks regularly on the defensive boards. If Nikitin is ever out for long, Hunt isn’t the player the Oilers need as a fill-in. Someone else on the farm, most likely top prospect Oscar Klefbom, but maybe even tough but slow David Musil, would be a better bet.

At forward, the issue is at centre, where Ryan Nugent-Hopkins is coming on strong, Leon Draisaitl is holding his head above water, but Mark Arcobello isn’t getting it done just now. He, Nail Yakupov and Benoit Pouliot have formed a line with little chemistry that too often gets him into their own zone.

How might Eakins shuffle the deck so every player can thrive?

He’s made a move, as seen from these lines at practice:

This line-up should work better than teaming up two players in Arcobello and Yakupov who struggle against the cycle. But here’s another thought: Arcobello has done well in the past in a support role on a line with Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle. It almost seems like overkill to also play Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with Eberle and Hall, as all three are great with the puck. Perhaps having two players great with the puck, Hall and Eberle, and a third player to cover for them in the high slot in the offensive zone, would work out just fine.

Fans of a certain vintage will recall the line of Mark Lamb, Jari Kurri and Esa Tikkanen, an unheralded centre with two heralded wingers. This kind of line can work.

The move would free up Nugent-Hopkins to play with two veteran wingers, Teddy Purcell and David Perron, adding some speed, smarts and zest to their attacking game.

The third attacking line would revert to Draisaitl, Nail Yakupov and Benoit Pouliot. Pouliot was billed as a puck possession winger when he came here, but he clearly needs the right linemates to mesh with if he’s going to help keep the puck in the offensive end. Draisaitl and Yakupov could work. At the same time, Draisaitl is big enough, defensive-minded enough and good enough with the puck to help these two more jittery defenders in the d-zone.

It also seems that Yakupov works best when he’s teamed up with bigger, physical players. Draisailt is bigger, Pouliot is physical. The Oilers started out the year with this unit. It is time to go back to it.

The fourth line, of course, is set with Boyd Gordons and his fellow grunts Jesse Joensuu and Matt Hendricks.



MacKinnon: An injured Taylor Hall would leave a gaping void in Oilers’ lineup

John MacKinnon

November 1, 2014 11:03 PM

EDMONTON - The Oilers young season took a potentially costly hit Saturday night when winger Taylor Hall fell and slammed awkwardly into the Vancouver goal early in the second period.

Hall, the Oilers best player and top scorer, got up slowly, skated to the bench and then went to the locker-room. He did not return to the game, the report being he had suffered a leg injury.

He had not been bodychecked on the play, he just fell going hard to the net and slid.

“I have no update on Taylor Hall, so don’t bother asking,” Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins said immediately after he took the podium at his post-game media availability. “Obviously, it’s always a huge hole to fill when that young man leaves your lineup.”

Hall, with his team-leading six goals and nine points, would leave a gaping void on the team’s first line with centre Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle, who scored his third of the season to stake Edmonton to a short-lived 1-0 first-period lead.

Nail Yakupov moved up to fill Hall’s spot on the top line, but it’s too early to say whether he can expect a long stay in that role.

In a game in which the Oilers showed plenty of snap and gristle, the Oilers may be without their captain, defenceman Andrew Ference, as well, depending upon how the NHL’s Department of Player Safety views a hit he put on Canucks’ winger Zach Kassian.

Ference appeared to catch Kassian with an elbow to the head on that play. That’s how referee Francois St. Laurent saw it, for sure, since he assessed a minor penalty to Ference for an illegal check to the head.

The 35-year-old Ference knew what to say when asked about the incident following the game. Was he concerned the play would be reviewed?

“Not really,” Ference said. “I was surprised to get a penalty on it, it was a good bodycheck.”

So, he felt it was mostly body on body contact?

“Yeah.”

Did the referee explain why he received a penalty for an illegal head check?

“I asked what he saw. He wasn’t sure who even got the penalty. I asked him what he saw. I don’t think I got him that high. I’m a pretty short guy. So, that’s it.”

We’ll see on that, actually. The Canucks’ feisty winger Alexandre Burrows did not play Saturday because he was sitting out the first game of a three-game suspension for a head hit on defenceman Alexei Emelin of the Montreal Canadiens earlier this week.

So, Ference’s savvy NHL understanding of how not to incriminate himself is not likely the final word on this matter.

The more important thing for the Oilers is the potential loss of Hall, their signature player.

On a night the Canucks and Oilers battled with playoff-like intensity, this was unwelcome news for an Oilers team that started the season shakily, righted itself with four straight wins and have now lost two in a row as they head out for a five-game Eastern road trip.

As a launching pad onto a road trip, a disappointing loss lacks a certain je ne sais quoi.

Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens was livid with himself for having contributed to the loss when his backhand clearing attempt found its way to the stick of Canucks winger Derek Dorsett, who buried a seeing-eye wrist shot for the

game-winning goal during an Edmonton power play at 4:05 of the third period.

A veteran Canucks team, backstopped by savvy goaltender Ryan Miller, shut the Oilers down the rest of the way.

There were some positives for the 4-6-1 Oilers. For starters, winger David Perron, his off-season disrupted as he let a wonky hip heal, scored his first goal of the season. It was a beauty, set up deftly by rookie centre Leon Draisaitl at 17:41 of the second period to tie the game 2-2 at the time.

“I think it was a really good performance as a team,” Perron said. “Unfortunately, we lose Hallsy.

“I don’t know what’s going on for that, but hopefully not for too long. They played a good game, as well, they were able to get on top by one goal. It’s one of those where hopefully we would finish that homestand on a good note.

“That’s the way it goes.”

If Eakins had little to say on his blue-chip left winger, Hall, he took off the conversational wraps when he was asked about the play on which Dorsett buried a short-handed goal behind Scrivens, whose errant pass set the play up.

“It’s the nature of the game, it’s the nature of the beast, where we’re all going to stand here and point our finger and blame it on Ben,” Eakins said, with some heat. “But how many people are going to stand up and go, ‘Holy crap,’ right after that he kept you in the game. He made an unbelievable save.

“Five minutes later, he makes another huge save to keep us in the game, so I’m certainly not going to stand here and crucify the guy.”

Nor should he.

After getting off to a rocky start to the season, Scrivens was the single most important reason the Oilers fashioned a four-game winning streak against Tampa Bay, Washington, Carolina and Montreal.

Viktor Fasth, Scrivens’ goaltending partner is just back on the active list after suffering an early-season groin injury. The expectation is Fasth will be worked back into the rotation slowly.

Not only that, Scrivens was beating himself up so severely after the game — he took ownership for that gaffe in a brief scrum with reporters — that an alert coach certainly would never pile on.

So it is the Oilers depart for games against Philadelphia, Boston, Buffalo the New York Rangers and the Nashville Predators, their mindset buoyed by positives such as the improving play of Draisaitl and Yakupov and the fact they were able to keep the Sedins off the scoresheet in a tightly played game against the Canucks.

Gnawing at them over the next day or two will be the status of Hall and Ference, and perhaps the fact they were able to keep the Sedins off the scoresheet and still found a way to lose a third straight game this young season to the Canucks.

Glass half empty? Or half full?

How they see themselves will have much to say about the way the upcoming road trip goes.



Oilers bookend home stand with losses to Canucks

Joanne Ireland


EDMONTON - And so it ends as it began, with a loss to the Vancouver Canucks.

The Oilers closed out their seven-game home stand against the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday – their longest stretch of games on home ice in eight years – and they did so with a 3-2 loss and without Taylor Hall, who left the game early in the second with a leg injury.

Early in the second, Hall was cutting hard to the net, lost his footing and crashed into the post with enough force to result in a leg injury that kept him in the medical room for the rest of the contest.

“It’s always going to leave a huge hole when that young man leaves your lineup,” said head coach Dallas Eakins, who did not have an update on Hall’s status after the game.

The Oilers are also going to have to await a verdict on captain Andrew Ference who delivered a hit to the head of Zack Kassian, which will surely warrant a review by the NHL’s Player Safety Department.

The Canucks winger is no saint himself. He’ll long be remembered for slamming his stick across Sam Gagner’s jaw with enough force to send the former Oiler to the operating room. Still, it was a hit to the head.

“I was surprised I got a penalty. It was a good bodycheck,” said Ference, who was suspended for a game in the 2013 playoffs for a hit to the head of the Toronto Maple Leaf’s Mikhail Grabovski.

The Oilers may have to reel a player or two up from the Oklahoma City Barons pending the status of Ference and Hall. Defenceman Nikita Nikitin missed his third straight game Saturday (back spasms) although he is reported to be close to a return and will travel with the team when it heads out for a five-game 10-day road trip that begins Tuesday against the Flyers in Philadelphia.

“It’s one of those games you have to pull all the positives you can from and realize that night and night if you put in that kind of work, if you’re going to put in that kind of effort, you’re going to come away with some wins,” said Ference. “You learn from some mistakes you can correct and move on to the next one.”

It was back on Oct. 17, against the Canucks, that the Oilers settled into Rexall Place intent on stemming the losing that marked the start of this season. What followed was a four-game win streak that lasted until the Nashville Predators arrived, extending Edmonton’s woes against the west.

Enter the Canucks and goaltender Ryan Miller is now a perfect 10-0-0 in career games against Edmonton.

“We played well but just can’t beat them. One little mistake in the third period and they score and that was it,” said Jordan Eberle. “I thought we played well for most of the game. We just couldn’t find a way to win.”

The Oilers -- now 4-6-1 in the standings, 0-6-1 versus the west -- fashioned an impressive opening 19 minutes but unable to clear their crease before the first intermission, and Luca Sbisa snapped a rebound past Ben Scrivens, evening things up 1-1.

Seven minutes earlier, Eberle, on a rush with Hall, wrapped his third of the season past Miller.

“It was just frustrating not getting those two points in the end,” said David Perron, who finally ended his goal scoring drought and tied it 2-2 with a goal at 17:41 of the second. “That was probably the most energy we’ve had all year.”

What the Oilers did do that must be noted, was negate the Sedin line, which has long been a trouble spot. Henrik arrived with 17 goals and 76 points in 79 career games against Edmonton while his twin Daniel had 35 goals and 39 assists in 76 games.

They left without a point, as was the case with their linemate Radim Vrbata, following the likes of Steven Stamkos, who didn’t get a point when the Tampa Bay Ligthning were in Edmonton, as was the case with the Washington Capitals’ Alex Ovechkin.

Vancouver’s top three had combined for 35 points in their first 10 games.

But the Canucks were able to counter with goals from Linden Vey (even strength rebound) and Derek Dorsett, who scored a shorthanded goal that Scrivens readily shouldered the responsibility for.

“I made a bad play,” said Scrivens of the giveaway that lead to the deciding goal. “It’s unbelievably frustrating to make a play that costs your team the game.”

“I’m certainly not going to stand here and crucify the guy,” said Eakins. “It’s easy to stand back and point fingers, but that kid kept us in the game at a lot of key points.”



Andrew Ference might be talking to Player Safety folks

November 1, 2014. 11:29 pm

Jim Matheson

Referee Dennis Larue, the one with the camera cam on his helmet, called it a hit to the head by Andrew Ference on Zack Kassian as he sashayed into the Edmonton Oilers’ end–Kassian and his helmet spilling into the boards–which almost surely raised a red flag in the NHL’s Player Safety Dept.

Needless to say, the Edmonton Oiler captain didn’t see the same picture. It’s a well-known fact the Oilers do not like the Canucks’ winger Kassian much after his baseball swing broke Sam Gagner’s jaw in training camp last year, which got the Vancouver forward a five-game suspension to start the 2013-2014 season, and Gagner, his mouth wired.

“I thought it was a good body-check. I’m surprised I got a penalty,” said Ference, who has been suspended before; he hit Leafs’ Mikael Grabovski in the head in a playoff game while playing for the Bruins, so there is some history with the NHL’s dispensers of justice. He does not have a clean rap sheet, and he very well could get two or three games for this one.

Kassian was not hurt on the play in the second period of the 3-2 Oiler loss, but Montreal’s Alexei Emelin who was clocked by Vancouver’s Alex Burrows a few days ago, came back after the big hit to his head and Burrows, never suspended before, still got a three-game suspension. Kassian was hit in the head, but it will take some slow-mo and 40 to 50 looks from the folks in Toronto to see if the shoulder hit by Ference hit Kassian lower than than the head first. Ference’s foot came off the ice as he belted Kassian but he’s a much shorter player.

Again, it was called a hit to the head by Larue, intentional or not.

“I thought he’d answer the bell, he’s the captain of the team,” said Kassian, who got in Ference’s face later.

“I got lots of body. I didn’t think I got him there (head). I’m a pretty short guy,” said Ference, who had Kassian in his face, jawing at him later, but nothing came of it. Kassian took what could have been an ill-timed trip on Jordan Eberle 2 1/2 minutes into the third, but Derek Dorsett bailed him out, pouncing on a Ben Scrivens’ backhand giveaway off the boards on the ensuing powerplay and beat the goalie shortside for a shortie–the second against the Oilers this season after they gave up 13 last year. Dorsett had a shorthanded goal against the Oilers on Dec. 2, 2011 when he was playing for Columbus, as Jeff Urkevich tweeted.

If the Player Safety people look at it a decision has to be madeone way or the other before the Oilers play in Philadelphia Tuesday night. “I’ve rarely found whether it’s a goal review or another play that the Safety people look at it, that they rarely screw up (with their decision). If it (Ference) hit deserves something, I’m sure there will be. If it doesn’t, there won’t be anything,” said coach Dallas Eakins.

If the Player Safety Dept. deems the hit suspendable, the Oilers will have to call up another defenceman. Nikita Nikitin (back spasms) skated Saturday morning but wasn’t deemed ready to play so Brad Hunt did. Oscar Klefbom is the most likely recall if the Oilers need a D-man.

**

This ‘n that: Taylor Hall was seen leaving Rexall Place without a brace or boot after hitting the post on his drive to the net, then landing heavily. Maybe it’s only a charleyhorse, not a knee problem…The Oilers held the Sedins, Henrik and Daniel, to three shots and no points with Scrivens robbing Daniel off a wonderful saucer feed from his twin, in the third…Luke Gazdic scored for OKC against Iowa in the first game of his conditioning stint on the farm Saturday. No fights, which is good too. He’s down there to get into playing shape for a couple of weeks, not get tapped on the shoulder by some AHLer to drop the mitts.



The Sedins always like seeing the Edmonton Oilers’ logo

November 1, 2014. 1:17 pm

Jim Matheson

The Sedins have nine points against the Edmonton Oilers in two games this season (Daniel has five, his twin Henrik has four), but that’s like saying the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Like, duh!

The Sedins are point-a-game players against the Oilers in their career–Daniel, the winger, has 74 in 76 games, 35 of those points being goals; Henrik the passer has 76 in 79 games, 59 of those points being assists. And so it is that the Oilers–in this case, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle–are tasked with limiting the damage on Saturday night. With backup from the fourth-line of Boyd Gordon, Matt Hendricks and Jesse Joensuu.

With Radim Vrbata on the wing with the Sedins, they have 13 points in the first two games against the Oilers. RNH, Hall and Eberle, well, they have none, even if they have 20 shots as a line, which is maybe why they’ve dropped both games 2-0 and 5-4. That said, Hall looks forward to the match-up, just as he did seeing Tampa captain Steve Stamkos and Washington captain Alex Ovechkin last week when the Lightning and Capitals were in town. This is more a double-pronged attack, obviously, with both Sedins, and now Vrbata on the scene. He’s fired 37 shots in the first 10 Vancouver games (nine of those aginst Edmonton). But Hall, who never hides from a challenge, still relishes the head-to-head battle.

“You have to play hard on them and if we can outplay them I think we’ll have a good chance (of a win to go 5-5-1 on the season, heading out on a five-game road trip,” said Hall.

Nugent-Hopkins,Hall and Eberle did an excellent job against Stamkos and Ovechkin in 3-2 Oiler wins, but the Sedins are a dicier kettle of fish. “The Sedins are completely different players from Stamkos and Ovechkin,” said Hall. “Vrbata has added a threat to that line, too. You watch their games and they have some great chemistry and have the puck for the majority of the game. But we want to keep the puck away from them when we’re out against them, play in their end. No matter how good a player is, they don’t want to play in their end.”

Henrik’s the distributor and Daniel’s the finisher with this spidey sense to know where each guy is at all times for those five-foot passes on the cycle, although Hall playfully says he has trouble knowing who’s who? “I do know one scores and one has more assists,” said Hall. Yeah, maybe it is a bit of a blur, at times. “OK, the captain (Henrik) is the passer. What I see is they keep possession and make plays. We have to try and play physical on them.”

Truth is, the Oilers historically haven’t played the Sedins nearly hard enough. There’s precious few whacks on the arm, no whacks on the back of the leg. When’s the last time you saw a face-wash? The Sedins don’t engage in much after the whistle stuff, but the Oilers maybe treat them with too much respect.

“The human nature part is the part we don’t want to do…and that’s backing off,” said Oilers’ coach Dallas Eakins, who once roomed for part of training camp in Vancouver with Henrik when Eakins was playing defence, not behind a bench. “These guys are excellent players…they’ve been that way for a long time and they’re going to continue to be. Teams respect them so much that there’s a tendency to back off and don’t get embarrassed. I’m more of a mindset that we really have to get after them…not play safe, not be fearful.”

“It goes to the simple mindset that if you give skill players lots of time…heck, they don’t even need lots of time, they’ll make a play. You have to close on them, and you’re aggressive, they may be more apt to turn it over. The problem is those two guys are thinking out of one brain,” said Eakins.

The radar was a little off at practice Saturday morning at Rexall Place when they barely avoided a big collision with one another, but most times, they are highly aware of where each is on the ice. And, Saturday night, it behooves the Oilers, and RNH, Hall and Eberle to outscore them, with the tag-team of

Gordon’s fourth line to maybe play them in ill-humour. Because, the Oilers have pretty much been down a goal before the game starts to the Sedins.



Edmonton Oilers coach Dallas Eakins on the Sedins: “The problem is, those two guys are thinking out of one brain.”

November 1, 2014. 12:47 pm

Joanne Ireland

Time and again, against countless NHL opponents, the Sedins have managed to leave their mark. Edmonton is no exception.

Both Daniel and Henrik have done enough damage against the Oilers they are almost point a game players in the contests against Edmonton. Henrik has 17 goals and 76 points in 79 games; his twin has 35 goals and 39 assists in 76 games, and both will be back at it tonight when the Oilers close out their seven-game homestand against the Vancouver Canucks.

This season, the duo is playing with Radim Vrbata and the three have combined for 35 points in 10 games.

“Human nature is to back off and play safe against them,” said head coach Dallas Eakins. “We need to close quickly, give them no space.

“As much as we can see their backs tonight in our zone, the better.”

Eakins plans to send out his top line, just as he did against Steve Stamkos when the Tampa Bay Lightning were in town as well as Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. When Taylor Hall-Ryan Nugnet-Hopkins-Jordan Eberle are not on the ice, Matt Hendricks, Boyd Gordon and Jesse Joensuu will be out.

“If you close and you’re on them, they may be more apt to turn it over,” continued Eakins. “The problem is, those two guys are thinking out of one brain — and there’s no solving that.”



Snapshots: Edmonton Oilers vs. Vancouver Canucks

Derek Van Diest

Sunday, November 02, 2014 12:00 AM MDT

The Edmonton Oilers went into Saturday’s game against the Vancouver Canucks still looking for their first win over a Western Conference opponent.

If the Oilers were members of the Eastern Conference perhaps it wouldn’t as big a concern, but since they are and always will be in the West, losing to teams in their own conference stings twice as much. Particularly when the team is in their own division, having already lost to the Canucks twice this season.

“It’s disappointing that we don’t have much to show against (Vancouver),” said Oilers left wing Taylor Hall. “But we feel that we’ve competed against them and we played hard and we could have had a couple of points there.”

Going into the contest, the Oilers were winless against the Western Conference and unbeaten against the East.

After Saturday’s game, the Oilers head out on a five-game road trip where they face four Eastern Conference teams.

“Division opponents, teams in our conference, we have to start winning against those teams,” Hall said. “I feel that we’ve played pretty well against teams in our division and in our conference, but we have to get some points on the board.”

Drawing in

With Alexandre Burrows suspended for three games after trying to decapitate Montreal Canadiens defenceman Alexei Emelin on Thursday, winger Tom Sestito drew into the lineup for the Canucks.

Sestito had been a healthy scratch in the first 10 games of the season.

“I have same expectations for all our guys,” said Canucks head coach Willie Desjardins, when asked about Sestito. “Whenever you’re in, you have to play hard. I think he needs to be a physical presence and he has to go to the net.”

Burrows had two goals and four assists in 10 games for the Canucks before being suspended.

“You’re always going to have guys out of the lineup and it’s not who’s out that counts, it’s who’s in,” Desjardins said. “It’s a good chance for Tommy and he has to make the most of it.”

Keeping up with Sedins

They’re two of the best players in the game and happen to be clones of one another.

Shutting down Daniel and Henrik Sedin is a secret that has yet to be unravelled by teams around the league.

But the two Vancouver Canucks forwards have been especially proficient against the Oilers both this season and over the years.

Heading into Saturday’s game, the Canucks’ top line, also featuring Radim Vrbata have accumulated a combined 13 points in two previous encounters.

The Oilers top line, meanwhile, of Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle had yet to collect a single point between them against the Canucks.

“They’re good players, they are so good at keeping possession of the puck,” Hall said. “They don’t give it up for anything, and to be honest, they play hard, they battle hard. So against players like that, you want to keep the puck as much as you can and make sure we’re playing in their end. When they have the puck, it’s almost like you have to go to the other Sedin if one Sedin has the puck and make sure you play hard on them.”

The Sedins went into the game each with 12 points on the season. In 76 career games against the Oilers, Daniel Sedin has 74 points, while Henrik Sedin has 76 in 79 games.

“They know where each other are all over the ice,” said Eberle.

“You can’t give them space because they’re going to create stuff. I think they do such a good job, maybe better than anyone in the league, of cycling the puck and moving it from side to side in the offensive zone. If you’re up against them, you can’t give them time and space, that’s where they get that creativity to make plays behind their back and find guys open.”

Nearly back

Oilers defenceman Nikita Nikitin was not in the lineup again Saturday, nursing a sore back.

Nikitin has sat out the last three games for the Oilers, replaced by Brad Hunt on the blue line. With a five-game road trip looming, the Oilers do not have any plans of calling up another defenceman from Oklahoma City.

“Our feeling, and sometimes our feelings are wrong, is that he’s very close,” Eakins said. “So we’re going to pause on that.”

Edmonton Sun: LOADED: 11.02.2014


New Vancouver Canuck coach Desjardins reconnects with former Medicine Hat Tigers players

Derek Van Diest

November 01, 2014 10:13 PM MDT

Vancouver Canucks winger Derek Dorsett is very familiar with his new head coach even though Willie Desjardins is in his first year at the helm of an NHL club.

Dorsett played for Desjardins with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League, making it to the Memorial Cup final in 2007. He’s not surprised by the Canucks’ early returns awith Desjardins calling the shots.

“He’s the same person obviously, although there might be some little things that he’s picked up over the years with just the game changing,” Dorsett said prior to facing the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place Saturday night. “He’s made a few changes, but he’s the same person that he was when he was in Medicine Hat.

“Willie had a big influence in my career getting me to the NHL. Obviously, it’s great to have an opportunity to work with him again, this time in the NHL. I think he’s always treated his players with respect and honesty. He’s an honest guy, he let’s you know where he stands all the time and that’s all you can ask from a coach, is someone that respects you and knows you’re working hard.”

Desjardins put in his time to get to the NHL.

The Vancouver Canucks head coach got his first job behind the bench as an assistant with the University of Calgary Dinos in 1985.

Desjardins had great success as heaad coach of the Tigers, leading the team to a pair of WHL titles and two trips to the Memorial Cup.

In 2007, Dorsett and Desjardins beat the Vancouver Giants, featuring Milan Lucic, in a seven-game thriller to win the WHL championship, but then lost in the Memorial Cup final to their rivals.

From there, they went on different paths, but were brought back together in Vancouver.

“It’s always good to go somewhere where someone is familiar with you,” said Dorsett, traded from the New York Ranger to the Canucks this offseason. “Me and Willie, after our junior career, we always kept in touch. If there were any questions that I needed to bounce of him when I was struggling in the NHL, It’s great to work with him here again.”

Desjardins was hired by the Canucks this off-season after the train wreck that was John Tortorella last year.

Desjardins had spent the previous four years in the Dallas Stars system, first as an associate coach and then as head coach of their AHL affiliate, who he lead to the Calder Cup title last season.

His first order of business as Canucks head coach was to reach out to his two star forwards, travelling to Sweden to meet with Henrik and Daniel Sedin.

“That showed that he cares about his players, and he wants us to do really well,” Daniel Sedin said. “He wants to get a head start on everything. He wanted to know what kind of people we were and all that, it was neat. That’s the first time it happened to us. I was a bit surprised, but it was good.

“I think his communication is top notch. I think that’s why we like him here and that’s why it’s been successful. He listen to his players.”

Heading into Saturday’s game, Desjardins had the Canucks off to a 7-3 start, which has quickly earned the respect of his team.

“He’s pretty passionate, he gets pretty intense on the bench, if you watch him on the bench, he’s always moving,” said Canucks forward Linden Vey, who also played for Desjardins in Medicine Hat. “He’s a very firey guy behind the bench and he’s been very successful everywhere he’s been. The three years I played with him in Medicine Hat were great. He’s one of those players’ coaches that you just love playing for. You look at his track record and he’s won everywhere he’s gone and that just shows that he respects the

players have for hum. It’s easy to go out there and do everything you can to win for him.”



Edmonton Oilers lose 3-2 to Vancouver Canucks

Robert Tychkowski

Sunday, November 02, 2014 12:11 AM MDT

They lost Taylor Hall, they might be losing their captain and they lost the game.

Any doubt that bad things happen in threes were erased in 60 painful and costly minutes Saturday night when the Vancouver Canucks handed the Edmonton Oilers a 3-2 defeat at Rexall Place.

The loss might be the least of their worries when the sun comes up Sunday morning, depending on what the doctors and the league have to say.

It was a bad night for Edmonton long before the score was even final. They lost Hall to a leg injury after he slid hard into the Vancouver net on the first shift of the second period and didn’t return to the game.

On top of that, Andrew Ference might be facing NHL discipline after a head shot on Vancouver’s Zack Kassian midway through the second period.

Tough one.

“Not a good feeling,” said defenceman Justin Schultz. “Losing Hallsy is obviously a tough blow, but the guys stepped up pretty well.

“We played pretty well in the first and second, then they got that shorthanded goal there and killed us.”

And Hall?

“I’ve got no update on Taylor yet so don’t bother asking,” said head coach Dallas Eakins. “But obviously it’s going to be a huge hole to fill when he leaves your lineup.”

The Oilers still put up a ferocious battle, taking Vancouver right to the brink. This wasn’t an Eastern Conference team, or a team with its backup goalie or a team playing the second of back to back games. It was a very good Vancouver team playing at the top of its game and the Oilers, without Hall, gave them all they could handle.

“It was probably the best energy we had all year,” said David Perron, who scored his first of the season in the loss.

“The crowd was really into it. It was 2-2 after two periods. It’s just frustrating not getting the two points in the end, but the energy we had was good to see.”

The Oilers finally broke four minutes into the third period

when Derek Dorsett “intercepted” a horrendous giveaway by goalie Ben Scrivens and scored shorthanded on the short side for the winner.

“I made a bad play, that’s about it,” said Scrivens. “Unbelievably frustrating. To make play that costs your team the game is frustrating.”

It was a killer, but Eakins wasn’t going to hang the goalie over it.

“We’re all going to stand here and point our finger at Ben, but how many people are going to stand here and say holy crap, right after that he made an unbelievable save to keep us in the game,” said Eakins. “And five minutes after that he made another unbelievable save to keep us in the game.

“I’m not going to stand here and crucify the guy. He kept us in the game in a lot of key points and he was a huge part of us coming out of the hole when we hadn’t won.”

Edmonton ran all over the Canucks in the early going, but had to settle for 1-1 after 30 minutes on goals from Jordan Eberle at 12:39 and Luca Sbisa at 19:13.

It was 2-2 after 40 when Linden Vey and Perron traded goals in the second.

Nobody in Edmonton has much sympathy for Kassian after he broke Sam Gagner’s jaw with his stick last year, but the NHL might still have something to say about the Ference hit on Kassian.

“I thought it was good legal body check,” said Ference. “I was surprised to get a penalty on it. I asked the ref what he saw. I said I don’t think I got him that high, I’m a pretty short guy.”


755342 Florida Panthers

Roberto Luongo lifts surging Panthers over Philadelphia Flyers

GEORGE RICHARDS

11/01/2014 10:59 PM

The Panthers were so banged up Saturday they were forced to use a defenseman as a winger.

Yet Florida still had Roberto Luongo and, truthfully, that was good enough.

The Panthers got goals from Willie Mitchell and Aaron Ekblad, but Luongo stole the show in Florida’s 2-1 victory over Philadelphia at BB&T Center.

“I don’t think a lot of people give us a chance to begin with,” said Luongo, who stopped 36 shots.

“I think the guys are starting to realize we have a pretty good team here. You’re seeing that confidence every game. Even though we’re not blowing people out, we’re finding ways to win. That’s key, especially at the beginning of a season.”

Luongo, who had shut out the Flyers until Vinny Lecavalier scored with 7.4 seconds left, led Florida to its second win in a row.

The Panthers are 4-0-2 in their past six games, grabbing 10 of 12 available points in the standings.

In the past four games, Luongo has stopped 137 of 144 shots. In the previous two games, the opponent has scored just once.

“I feel pretty good; the puck’s hitting me,” Luongo said. “You just want to keep it going. It’s a combination of many things. Our guys are playing hard, putting pressure on them by not giving them time or place. I wouldn’t be playing this well if not for the guys in front of me.”

The Panthers were down five forwards, with four players injured and Jonathan Huberdeau out with the flu.

Coach Gerard Gallant had no other choice but to give defenseman Colby Robak his first start of the season — only instead of playing defense he joined up with Florida’s fourth forward line.

Robak’s line played well enough that Gallant told him he should have played more.

“He was awesome,” Gallant said. “He had some great scoring chances and played real well. We were short with [Huberdeau] having a touch of the flu. He was the only extra guy we had. The more he played the better he was.”

Despite all its issues, Florida didn’t back down and took the game to a Philadelphia team that had spent the past few days on Fort Lauderdale beach after winning three of four.

Florida took a 1-0 lead in the first on a long shot from Mitchell and then held on by stopping six Philadelphia power plays before Ekblad gave the Panthers some breathing room with 4:22 left.

Ekblad, the 18-year-old rookie, was told after the game he would remain with the Panthers for the remainder of the season after he played in his ninth game Saturday.

With Lecavalier scoring late, Ekblad’s goal went from insurance to game-winner.

“We had to make a decision,” Gallant said with a grin, “and if he didn’t score tonight he was probably going to go back [Sunday]. With the winning goal, we’re going to keep him. It’s official.”

After the game, Ekblad was handed the puck from his first NHL goal.

When asked if he had been given official word he was staying, Ekblad said no but gave it away with a large smile.

“I haven’t gotten 100 percent official word,” Ekblad said, “but things are good.”

BACK IN FLORIDA

Because of Florida’s injury problems, Rocco Grimaldi and Vinny Trocheck were called up by the Panthers on Friday. They got the news together from San Antonio coach Tom Rowe.

Grimaldi, who made his NHL debut on Saturday, thought his coach was pulling a Halloween prank.

“I didn’t think he was being serious, so I just kind of stared at him,” Grimaldi said before Saturday’s game. “I didn’t smile or say thanks or anything. I just stared at him because I didn’t think it was real.”

Once Grimaldi wrapped his head around what was going on, he made some phone calls. His parents quickly booked a flight from California and landed in Miami about the time he touched down in Fort Lauderdale. A number of friends from college also made the trip for Saturday’s game.

“I’ve been dreaming about this since I was a kid,” Grimaldi said. “This should be fun. It’s just a game, and I’m looking to do the best I can.”

To make room for Grimaldi and Trocheck, Florida placed Brandon Pirri (concussion) and Dave Bolland (groin) on the injured list.

The Panthers’ Aaron Ekblad checks Flyers center Brayden Schenn during the first period of Saturday night’s victory.

Miami Herald LOADED: 11.02.2014


Recap: Florida vs. Philadelphia

Staff Writer

11/01/2014 11:54 PM

Sunrise, FL (SportsNetwork.com) - Roberto Luongo turned away 36 shots to lead the Florida Panthers in a 2-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Willie Mitchell and Aaron Ekblad scored for the Panthers, who have won three of four.

"We battled hard and won some of those battles in front of the net," said Luongo. "Those are important to win especially against a team with a lot of big guys like they have."

Steve Mason gave up both goals on 30 shots for the Flyers, who have dropped their past two games.

"I'm just trying to find some positives in a negative situation," said Mason. "I thought I played a pretty good game, but it could have been better."

Florida scored at 9:07 of the first period when Mitchell's shot from the left point made its way through traffic in front for his first goal of the season.

Luongo kept the shutout going in the second period by stopping 10 shots.

Ekblad gave Florida some insurance with 4:22 showing in the third. On the power play, Ekblad's slap shot from the high slot off a feed from Brian Campbell went in for his first career goal.

The Flyers pulled Mason with around 3 1/2 minutes to play and finally broke through when Vincent Lecavalier jammed the puck in from the right side. Lecavalier had missed the previous seven games with a left ankle injury.

The goal came with 7.4 seconds to play, though, and there was hardly enough time for the Flyers to get in position to try and tie the game up.

Game Notes



Philadelphia Flyers (4-4-2) at Florida Panthers (3-2-3), 7 p.m. (ET)

Staff Writer

11/01/2014 10:54 AM

(SportsNetwork.com) - The Florida Panthers are getting points as they struggle to score goals.

The Panthers put a five-game point streak on the line Saturday night as they play host to the Philadelphia Flyers.

Florida followed up a 2-0-2 road trip with a 2-1 victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday. That win came five days after the Panthers capped the trip with a overtime loss to the Coyotes and put the club at 3-2-3 on the season.

Brandon Pirri scored in a third straight game and Scottie Upshall recorded the winning goal with 9:04 remaining in regulation. Upshall scored just after he finished serving a penalty for charging, moving in on goal following a pass from Tomas Kopecky before putting a back-hand shot into the net.

"I'll take a penalty like that if the (penalty kill) stands up like it did and I get one out of the box," Upshall said. "It was a big goal for us."

Roberto Luongo made 32 saves and has posted a 2.32 goals against average with a .926 save percentage in seven starts this season.

Luongo's play is a key reason that the Panthers have secured as many points as they have despite having scored two goals or fewer in seven of their eight games. The lone exception was a 4-3 overtime win at Colorado on Oct. 21.

Florida's scoring depth took a hit in Thursday's win as center Aleksander Barkov left the game with a lower-body injury and is day-to-day.

The Flyers, meanwhile, have been held to fewer than three goals just twice in 10 games and forward Jakub Voracek is tied for the league lead with 15 points while pacing all NHL skaters with 12 assists. Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby and Dallas' Tyler Seguin also have 15 points this season.

Voracek had a goal and an assist in Thursday's 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning as Philadelphia had a three-game winning streak snapped.

Wayne Simmonds and Michael Raffl added a goal each and Claude Giroux had two assists to give him 11 on the year.

"Obviously it's a tough loss, but I think the game overall was better than the result," said Voracek, who has four straight multi-point games, the first Flyer to do so since Simon Gagne had five in a row from Feb. 8-17, 2007.

Ray Emery, who had been in net for each game of the recent winning streak, took the loss despite making 28 saves. Steve Mason expects to start tonight looking for his first win of the season.

Philadelphia announced after Thursday's loss the signing of free agent defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo. He practiced on Friday, but is not expected to debut in this game.

Colaiacovo has 401 games of NHL experience, but appeared in just 25 games with St. Louis last season and six with Detroit the campaign before.

Philadelphia, though, will get forward Vinny Lecavalier back from a left ankle injury that has caused him to miss the last seven games. He has a goal and three points in three games this season after notching 37 points in 69 games in 2013-14.

The Flyers have won eight of their past 12 versus the Panthers, including six of the last seven in Sunrise.



BIG NIGHT FOR PANTHERS, AARON EKBLAD:

Despite injuries, Panthers top Flyers 2-1 ... Luongo makes 36 saves, Ekblad scores game-winner and will remain with team

George Richards

The Panthers were so banged up Saturday they were forced to use a defenseman as a winger.

Yet Florida still had Roberto Luongo, and truthfully, that was good enough.

The Panthers got goals from Willie Mitchell and Aaron Ekblad but Luongo stole the show in Florida's 2-1 victory over Philadelphia at BB&T Center.

"I don't think a lot of people give us a chance to begin with,'' said Luongo, who stopped 36 shots.

"I think the guys are starting to realize we have a pretty good team here. You're seeing that confidence every game. Even though we're not blowing people out, we're finding ways to win. That's key, especially at the beginning of a season.''

Luongo, who had shut out the Flyers until Vinny Lecavalier scored with 7.4 seconds left, led Florida to its second straight win.

The Panthers are 4-0-2 in the past six grabbing 10 of 12 available points in the standings.

In the past four games, Luongo has stopped 137 of 144 shots. In the previous two games, the opponent has scored just once.

"I feel pretty good, the puck's hitting me,'' Luongo said afterward. "You just want to keep it going. It's a combination of many things. Our guys are playing hard, putting pressure on them by not giving them time or place. I wouldn't be playing this well if not for the guys in front of me.''

The Panthers were down five forwards with four guys hurt and Jonathan Huberdeau out with the flu.

Coach Gerard Gallant had no other choice but to give defenseman Colby Robak his first start of the season -- only instead of playing defense he joined up with Florida's fourth forward line.

Robak's line played well enough the Gallant told him he should have played more.

"He was awesome,'' Gallant said. "He had some great scoring chances and played real well. We were short with [Huberdeau] having a touch of the flu. He was the only extra guy we had. The more he played the better he was.''

Despite all its issues, Florida didn't back down and took the game to a Philadelphia team that had spent the past few days on Fort Lauderdale beach after winning three of four.

Florida took a 1-0 lead in the first on a long shot from Mitchell and then held on by stopping six Philadelphia power plays before Ekblad gave the Panthers some breathing room with 4:22 left.

EKBLAD TO STAY

Ekblad, the 18-year-old rookie, was told after the game he would remain with the Panthers for the remainder of the season after he played in his ninth game Saturday.

With Lecavalier scoring late, Ekblad's goal went from insurance to game-winner.

"We had to make a decision,'' Gallant said with a grin, "and if he didn't score tonight he was probably going to go back tomorrow. With the winning goal, we're going to keep him. It's official.''

After the game, Ekblad was handed the puck from his first NHL goal.

When asked if he had been given official work he was staying, Ekblad said no but gave it away with a large smile.

"I haven't gotten 100 percent official word,'' Ekblad said, "but things are good.''



BACK IN SUNNY FLA: Panthers recall Rocco Grimaldi, Vinny Trocheck ... Duo ready to make their mark

George Richards

Rocco Grimaldi was summoned to see San Antonio coach Tom Rowe on Friday and saw Vinny Trocheck sitting there.

Grimaldi, who plays alongside Drew Shore, knew it wasn't a line meeting.

Then Rowe gave him the news. He was heading to Florida, getting his shot to play in the NHL.

Grimaldi didn't believe him.

"I didn't think he was being serious so I just kind of stared at him,'' Grimaldi said after Saturday's optional morning skate in Sunrise. "I didn't smile or say thanks or anything. I just stared at him because I didn't think it was real. Then he said it was real and I could smile. I was real happy. .-.-. I definitely didn't expect it. I was just getting ready to play Rockford. It was definitely a surprise.''

Grimaldi will indeed make his NHL debut Saturday against the visiting Flyers as Florida will be missing three forwards from Thursday's lineup.

With Sean Bergenheim (lower body), Aleksander Barkov (lower body) and Brandon Pirri (concussion) out, Florida recalled Grimaldi and Trocheck. Jimmy Hayes will also be in the lineup against the Flyers.

Once Grimaldi wrapped his head around what was going on, he made some phone calls. His parents quickly booked a flight from California -- and landed in Miami about the time he touched down in Fort Lauderdale. A number of friends from college are also making the trip for tonight's game.

"It'll be cool to see everyone again,'' said Grimaldi, who will wear No. 23 for the Panthers. "I've been dreaming about this since I was a kid. This should be fun. It's just a game and I'm looking to do the best I can.''

Even though Trocheck has been here before -- he played in 20 games with the Panthers (five goals, three assists) last year -- he admits there are some nerves about being back.

Trocheck had a strong training camp but lost out in the numbers game. Florida simply had too many centers. With Dave Bolland (groin) out as well, Florida is going to find out how good its organizational depth really is.

"Obviously this is where I wanted to be ,'' Trocheck said. "Unfortunately it came because of injuries, but I'm going to try and make the best of my opportunity. .-.-. To get told you're being sent back is kind of deflating but you can't let it get into your head or stay with you too long. You have to let it roll off you, water off a duck's butt as they say.''

Added coach Gerard Gallant: "They showed us a good training camp and were good in the exhibition games. They're getting an opportunity. Like when Pirri and Hayes got in, do what you do with the opportunity. Don't change a thing. These are guys who were close to making the hockey team.''

-- To make room for Grimaldi and Trocheck, Florida placed Pirri and Bolland on the injured list.

Since Bolland was put on retroactive to Oct. 17, he basically could play tonight. But since Florida put him on the IR to bring up two players, that's not going to happen.

Pirri would be eligible to return next Saturday against Calgary.

-- Because of heavy beach traffic, the Flyers decided against skating on Saturday morning.

We could see some sun burned and hung-over Flyers tonight.



Panthers forward Rocco Grimaldi to make NHL debut

Harvey Fialkov

Rocco Grimaldi will make his NHL debut tonight

Vincent Trocheck had five goals in 20 games for Panthers last season

When Panthers callup Rocco Grimaldi was called into Tom Rowe's office after pregame skate Friday at American Airlines Arena in San Antonio, he thought it was a Halloween prank.

"When Coach [Rowe] told me I didn't think he was serious so I just stared at him. I didn't smile or say thanks,'' Grimaldi said after morning skate at the BB&T Center where the Panthers prepared to play the Flyers Saturday night. "I didn't expect it. I was just getting ready to play Rockford and was definitely surprised for sure.

"I came off for skate just getting ready [thinking] where am I going to eat my pregame meal and all of a sudden he called me in and [Vincent Trocheck] is there and he's not on my line, so this isn't a line meeting, what is this? Then he told me and it was pretty special.''

Trocheck and Grimaldi have seemingly been joined at the hip since they were teenagers. So it was no surprise that when the Panthers lost three more forwards to injuries in Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Coyotes – Brandon Pirri (concussion), Sean Bergenheim (lower body) and Aleksander Barkov (lower body)– that General Manager Dale Tallon's first two options were Trocheck and Grimaldi, who will be making his NHL debut.

"Those guys were close of making the hockey team so they're getting a chance to come up and play,'' Panthers coach Gerard Galland said. "We were really impressed with them in training camp but when you could only keep 23, they were the odd men out. They're all good hockey players and we expect the team to not miss a beat.''

Grimaldi's parents and a few friends flew in from Rossmoor, Calif., for his debut. His girlfriend arrived from North Dakota where they attended college together.

"I've been dreaming about this since I'm a kid,so yeah it'll be fun,'' Grimaldi said. "I just am looking to do the best I can and in any way possible chip in and help this team win.''

Grimaldi, 21, is a natural center but he has been playing right wing for the Rampage for the first eight games (3 goals and an assist). Gallant will keep two lines intact – Scottie Upshall-Nick Bjugstad-Jonathan Huberdeau and Shawn Thornton-Derek MacKenzie-Tomas Kopecky.

With three centers - Barkov, Pirri and Dave Bolland (groin) - out, it's expected that Trocheck and Grimaldi will be the middlemen on the other two lines.

"I'm not sure what line, I just know that I'm playing,'' Grimaldi said. "That's all I care about. If I play d-pair it doesn't matter to me.

"I played center my whole life, then in college I started playing wing. Now I'm comfortable with both which is perfect for me. It gives me more spots to fill. It doesn't just give me forward down the mddle, it gives me 12 on each side and down the middle.''

Trocheck, 21, played 20 games last season but said he still expects to have butterflies when he skates out for his first shift.

"Absolutely, it's my first game of the year, so obviously, you got to prove yourself so obviously there will be some butterflies,'' said Trocheck, who expects his father, Vincent, to fly in from Pittsburgh for the game. "I wanted to be back here and play in the NHL. It's been my dream since I was a kid, so unfortunately it had to come with injuries, but coming up here I want to make the most of my opportunity.''

Trocheck admitted he was disappointed when he got sent down after training camp.

"It's kind of deflating but you can't let it get to your head,'' said Trocheck, who had two goals and four assists in eight games for San Antonio. "You can't let it stay with you too long, you just got to wipe it off your butt and continue to

play hard.''

At 5-foot-6 Grimaldi has had to overcome the naysayers who said he was too small to play in the NHL.

"I watched the kid last night in Calgary, [John Gaudreau],'' Gallant said of Flames 5-9 forward who played with Grimaldi and Trocheck on the Team USA gold-medal winning team at World Juniors last year

"He's a small guy and he's one of their best players on the ice. Just because you're small doesn't mean you can't be effective in this league.''

Gaudreau, the 2014 Hobey Baker award winner as best collegiate hockey player for Boston College, has six points in 11 games.

It helps that Trocheck and Grimaldi continue to make the long arduous journey to the NHL together.

"It's crazy. We played together in Detroit when we were both 14, 15 years old; then we play together at World Juniors,'' said Trocheck, referring to the aforementioned gold medal won on Team USA in Russia last year. "So it's crazy to see us both get called up the same time.'' …

With the Panthers down four forwards, it also means that 6-6 winger Jimmy Hayes will play his third game of the season.

No. 9 for Ekblad

The Flyers' game is No. 9 for 18-year-old rookie defenseman Aaron Ekblad, meaning if the overall No. 1 draft pick plays No. 10 in Boston on Tuesday that he will play for the Panthers all season as expected and not be returned to juniors.

"Since the first day we haven't talked about his age,'' Gallant said."He goes over the boards, plays his shift, plays in every situation. He's just another player for us. As a coach you forget some times, he's been so good, it's never been brought up, it really hasn't.

"He's gotten better every day. Now after eight games there's no doubt he's an NHL player, an NHL defenseman and a very good one. The age thing doesn't come up anymore.''

Panthers veteran defenseman Brian Campbell, who has been paired with Ekblad since the season opener, said the two are getting used to each other more every game.

"I wasn't like that when I was 18; I was running around with my head cut off,'' Campbell smiled. "We're getting more comfortable with each other, getting better and better every game. It's been good. He's a good player, got good size and keeps a good gap out there.''

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 11.02.2014


Roberto Luongo and injury-racked Panthers down Flyers 2-1

Harvey Fialkov

Willie Mitchell ends 39-game goal drought

Rocco Grimaldi makes NHL debut

Aaron Ekblad scores first NHL goal

If there was any doubt that Panthers rookie defenseman Aaron Ekblad wasn't going back to juniors after his ninth game Saturday, he erased it by making his first NHL goal the game winner to secure a 2-1 victory over the Flyers at the BB&T Center.

"It was great. We had to make the decision. If he didn't score tonight he was probably going back tomorrow,'' joked Panthers coach Gerard Gallant. "With the winning goal we're going to keep him. … It's official.''

The Panthers were down five starting forwards and were so shorthanded up front that Gallant had to stick young defenseman Colby Robak at left wing for the first time in his career after a sick Jonathan Huberdeau was a late scratch.

All they really needed was their vastly improved defense on both ends of the ice to record their first two-game winning streak of the season while improving to 4-0-2 in their last six games. Other than Luongo, who made 36 saves and has allowed just seven goals in his last five games (4-0-1), the real stars were Tomas Kopecky and Derek MacKenzie on the Panthers' PK units. They helped stave off all six Flyers' power plays including a two-man advantage for 32 seconds midway through the third period.

Luongo lost his bid for a shutout with 7.4 seconds left when Vincent Lecavalier poked in a loose puck with his net empty.

"I thought we did a great job boxing out, taking sticks and [Ekblad] scored a big power-play goal in the third,'' Luongo said. "We're really coming into our own. I think guys are getting more comfortable out there in their roles and we've been killing some big penalties.

"I think the guys are starting to realize we have a pretty good team in here. You could see it every game we have that confidence, even though we're not blowing teams out we're finding ways to win.''

The 4-5-2 Flyers had taken six of the last seven meetings in Sunrise, and will not be back this season. But they will get a chance for revenge Thursday at the Wells Fargo Center.

Leading 1-0 after two periods the Panthers own power play clicked for the fourth time in their last five games when Ekblad's straightaway slapper from inside the blue line gave Luongo some breathing room. When Ekblad plays his 10th game in Boston on Tuesday that means the Panthers will happily burn a year off his entry-level contract.

"An extreme thrill,'' Ekblad said just before he was given his honorary first-goal puck. "Obviously, feelings I felt in juniors with my first goal and feeling it again here it's unbelievable.''

With Gallant having to juggle his top three lines, the Panthers got off to a 1-0 lead at 9:07 of the first period when defenseman Willie Mitchell uncorked a laser from the point that beat Steve Mason on the far side.

It was Mitchell's first goal as a Panther and it broke a 39-game goal drought dating back to Jan. 20 of last season. The helpers went to Jussi Jokinen, who notched his team-leading fifth assist in his last four games, and Brad Boyes.

"Roberto played tremendous and the young guys played with energy and gave us some life,'' Mitchell said. "We're starting to learn what it takes. … With a win like that the locker room starts to believe a little bit more and when you believe it's a powerful thing.''

In Thursday's 2-1 victory over the Coyotes, Brandon Pirri, the team-leading goal scorer with three goals in his last three games, sustained a concussion. Also, center Aleksander Barkov and Sean Bergenheim hobbled off the ice with lower-body issues and are day to day. They've been without center Dave Bolland (groin) for five straight games.

None are believed to be long-term deals, but when Huberdeau became ill, Robak made his season debut at wing instead of the blue line.

"You go out there, do what you're told and embrace it,'' said Robak, who had two shots on goal and two hits in 5:35 ice time. "I had a lot of fun and haven't played forward since I was 8 or 9 years old.''

Robak played with San Antonio call-ups forwards Vincent Trocheck and Rocco Grimaldi, who made his NHL debut. Grimaldi, 21, was shocked when Rampage coach Tom Rowe called him in his office after a pregame skate Friday.

"It was awesome; I want to do this some more,'' Grimaldi said.

Sun Sentinel LOADED: 11.02.2014


Roberto Luongo, Panthers edge Flyers 2-1

Staff Writer

SUNRISE, Fla. —

Roberto Luongo played a big role in Saturday night's perfect performance for Florida's penalty killers.

Luongo made 36 saves and rookie Aaron Ekblad scored his first NHL goal, leading the Panthers to a 2-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.

Captain Willie Mitchell also scored for Florida, which has won three of four. The Panthers killed off each of Philadelphia's six power plays.

"Louie has been outstanding for us all year and again tonight he was real key at key times, especially on penalty kill," coach Gerard Gallant said. "He was awesome."

Luongo has stopped 107 of his last 111 shots, and the Panthers have picked up points in their last six games since a 1-0 loss to Ottawa on Oct. 13.

"I?feel pretty good. The puck is hitting me," Luongo said. "Guys are playing hard and putting pressure on the players, not giving them time and space, which allows me to do my job a lot easier than in normal circumstances."

Vincent Lecavalier spoiled Luongo's bid for his second shutout of the season when he scored in traffic with 7.4 seconds left.

Ekblad, the Panthers' top pick in this year's draft, converted a power-play slap shot from just inside the blue line, beating Philadelphia goalie Steve Mason on the short side at 15:38 of the third.

"Extreme thrill," the 18-year-old Ekblad said. "Obviously, feelings that I felt in junior with my first goal and feeling it again here, it's unbelievable. It's special."

Mason, who is 0-4-1 in his last five starts, made 28 saves.

Luongo faced his stiffest challenge with Jussi Jokinen (hooking) and Mitchell (delay of game) in the box, putting the Panthers at a 5-on-3 disadvantage for just over a minute in the third period.

"There is no room for excuses in this league. You just have to do whatever it takes to put the puck in back of the net and we didn't do that tonight," Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds said. "We've had opportunities, but we're just not scoring. We just have to go back and look at the video and take it from there."

Florida gave another blue-collar effort against the Flyers, who had won four of five and collected 15 goals in that stretch. The injury-riddled Panthers were playing without several key forwards, including Brandon Pirri and Dave Bolland.

"I?thought the guys who came into the lineup played real well and competed," Gallant said. "The first 30 minutes I thought was excellent and after that we ran into penalty trouble and it took some momentum away from us."

Mitchell took a feed from Jokinen behind the net and fired a one-timer from the point past Mason to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead 9:07 into the game.

It was the first goal of the season for Mitchell, who signed with Florida on July 1 after spending the previous three seasons with Los Angeles. The defenseman's shot went between Mason's legs.

"Yes, I won't lie. I feel really good," Mitchell said. "For me it's playing against the top players and trying to shut them down with a good stick, playing good defense. That's as good a feeling as scoring a goal."

It was Mason's first start since he lost 4-0 to Chicago on Oct. 21.

"Wins are not coming right now on the personal front but you just have to keep working and stay positive," Mason said. "I was happy for the most part with my game tonight but when the goalie at the other end plays pretty much a perfect game, it's tough to come out on the winning side."

NOTES: The Panthers' victory was only their second in the last eight games against Philadelphia in Sunrise. ... The Flyers also suffered their second loss

in Florida in the past three days, dropping a 4-3 decision to Tampa Bay on Thursday. ... Florida has allowed only 17 non-shootout goals this season. ... Philadelphia is 1 for 19 with the man advantage over their last six games. ... Panthers D Rocco Grimaldi made his NHL debut, logging 6:11 of ice time. ... Jokinen's assist on Mitchell's goal was his fifth in the past four games.

Palm Beach Post LOADED: 11.02.2014

755350 Los Angeles Kings

Kings FYI: Anze Kopitar is expected to return Sunday

Lisa Dillman

Anze Kopitar has been out a week with an upper-body injury

The Kings have lost three in a row without Kopitar on trip

The missing link has been painfully obvious to the Kings during their first long trip of the season.

They should get center Anze Kopitar in the lineup Sunday — barring some odd setback — and none too soon for the Kings' No. 1 defenseman Drew Doughty. Kopitar has been out because of an upper-body injury.

"It's pretty clear we miss Kopi these last three games," Doughty said Saturday. "He's our guy that plays against the other team's top lines. He outplays the other team's top centerman a lot of the time.

"And that's kind of what we're missing the last three games, missing that guy that can be an offensive force and defensive force at the same time. It'll be good to get him back."

The Kings and Kopitar practiced in Detroit on Saturday afternoon before traveling to Raleigh, N.C. They play at Carolina on Sunday and will be boosted by Kopitar's presence after losing in overtime and twice in regulation on this trip. Kings forward Marian Gaborik, who has played only three games this season because of an upper-body injury, is not quite ready.

"It felt good," Kopitar said. "I'm planning on it, unless there's something really drastic that happens…. Hopefully it stays that way and hopefully I feel that way tomorrow."

Kopitar, the Kings' leading scorer the last seven seasons, finished second last season to the Boston Bruins' Patrice Bergeron for the Selke Trophy, is given to the "forward who best excels in the defensive aspects of the game."

He was injured Sunday at Staples Center against Columbus and disclosed that his arm went numb when he went down, saying it felt like a stinger.

"When I landed on the ice, it was kinda scary when your whole arm gets numb, and it's not a very great feeling," Kopitar said. "I tried it a couple of times after and I didn't have a whole lot of power in me. It came back pretty quick.

"A couple of days after, I felt like I had pretty good strength. Again, I had to be a little bit cautious too, not to overdo it."

His teammates do a good job of policing the natural tendency to come back too soon during this losing streak.

"You always want to help your teammates in times like this we drop a couple in a row," Kopitar said. "You want to get back as quickly as you can. There's guys in here that keep me in check and don't let me do anything stupid."

The Kings have been hit by a rash of early-season injuries but may have caught a break Friday night in Detroit. Forward Justin Williams went into the boards and seemed to be in pain, checking out his shoulder.

But he stayed on the bench, took a regular shift the rest of the game and practiced Saturday.

"I think it was pretty self-inflicted when I tripped or something," Williams said, wryly. "I went into the boards weird. When you're on the ground there for a few seconds, you're just making sure everything is in the right place. Making sure the shoulder was all right.

"Everything felt all right. I was a little sore. I might have dodged a bullet."

Today

At Carolina

When: 2 p.m. PST

On the air: TV: FS West. Radio: 790.

Etc.: The Hurricanes beat Arizona, 3-0, Saturday night to win their first game of the season. They appeared to be sending a message of sorts,

designating the highly paid and underperforming Alexander Semin a healthy scratch against the Coyotes.



Kings center Anze Kopitar poised to return to lineup

Lisa Dillman

The Kings and Kopitar practiced in Detroit on Saturday afternoon before traveling to Raleigh, N.C. They play at Carolina on Sunday and obviously will be boosted by Kopitar's presence. Forward Marian Gaborik, who has played only three games because of an upper-body injury, is getting closer but is still not quite ready.

"It felt good," said Kopitar, the Kings' leading scorer the last seven seasons. "I'm planning on it, unless there's something really drastic that happens. But I don't think I'm going to be doing anything this afternoon. Hopefully it stays that way. and hopefully I feel that way tomorrow."

He disclosed that he thought the injury was more severe at first when he went down against Columbus on Sunday at Staples Center.

"...My whole arm went numb and then it kinda got back (to normal)," said Kopitar, who has two goals and three points in eight games. "It was just one of those bad stingers. The severity, it wasn't that bad, I guess. It was gone pretty much right after. I didn't know ... when I landed on the ice it was kinda scary when your whole arm gets numb and it's not a very great feeling.

"I tried it a couple of times after and I didn't have a whole lot of power in me. It came back pretty quick. A couple of days after, I felt like I had pretty good strength. Again, I had to be a little bit cautious too, not to overdo it."



What we learned from the Kings' 5-2 loss to the Red Wings

Lisa Dillman

We will spare you the typical Halloween references after a particularly rough outing for the Kings on Friday night at Detroit. As always, there are a few takeaways after the third game on this five-game trip. The only nightmares they probably suffered were of the Red Wings’ Pavel Datsyuk wreaking havoc. At his best, he can make even superstars look silly.

Goals from the defense ... finally

The skies opened and, voila, there was an actual goal from a Kings defenseman.

Perhaps it was fitting that it happened to be Alec Martinez, who scored the final goal in the playoffs, the Stanley Cup-clinching goal against the New York Rangers.

So, it took 11 games this season.

Last season, it took all of 7 minutes and 40 seconds. Defenseman Drew Doughty scored in the first period at Minnesota and the Kings went on to win, 3-2, in a shootout. Incidentally, they also received goals from defensemen in the next two games: Matt Greene (vs. Winnipeg) and Jake Muzzin (vs. the Rangers).

Tyler Toffoli, the shorthanded threat

The Kings lead the NHL with three shorthanded goals and youngster Tyler Toffoli has scored all three.

In fact, his three shorthanded goals are half his season total.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Toffoli became the fastest to reach that shorthanded mark since Claude Giroux of the Flyers accomplished it during the 2010-11 season, recording three shorthanded goals in 10 games. The Kings noted that Mike Murphy scored three shorthanded goals in 12 games in the 1976-77 season.

Don’t press the panic button, just yet

Despite losing back-to-back games in regulation for the first time this season, the Kings have the same point total as last season after 11 games. They are 6-3-2 this season and were 7-4 after 11 games in 2013-14.

They have been without center Anze Kopitar, their leading scorer the last seven seasons, for the first three games of this trip. He suffered an upper-body injury against Columbus on Sunday at Staples Center. Kopitar indicated he was aiming to return on Sunday at Carolina, and failing that, the Kings next play at Dallas on Tuesday.



Kings' Nolan to face disciplinary hearing

November 1st, 2014, 3:12 pm ·

RICH HAMMOND

Kings winger Jordan Nolan will have a disciplinary hearing with the NHL on Sunday to determine whether he should be suspended for his hit Friday on Detroit's Darren Helm.

Nolan received a minor boarding penalty in the third period when he appeared to hit Helm in the back near the boards.

The Kings play Sunday in Carolina.

Even if Nolan is suspended for that game, the Kings don't figure to be shorthanded. Anze Kopitar, who has missed the last three games with an injury, told reporters today that he is set to return.



Kings fall apart early in Detroit, lose third straight

RICH HAMMOND

2014-10-31 19:27:23

Three weeks into the season, the Kings are still looking for their first road victory.

Things seem to be getting progressively worse for the Kings on this trip, as they dropped their third game in a row and weren’t competitive early in a 5-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday at Joe Louis Arena.

The Red Wings took a 4-0 first-period lead – which included two power-play goals – as Gustav Nyquist scored two goals and had one assist. The Kings got better in the second and third periods but couldn’t quite rally.

The Kings got Alec Martinez’s second-period goal and a third-period shorthanded goal by Tyler Toffoli, then had a chance to pull within one goal, but Dustin Brown was stopped on a penalty shot. That kept the score at 4-2, and Pavel Datsyuk scored into an empty net with 1:10 remaining for his second goal of the game.

It’s fair to attribute the Kings’ recent lack of offense – four goals in three games – to the absence of injured forwards Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik, but the Kings’ defense (without the suspended Slava Voynov) has been equally abysmal for stretches during this trip.

The Kings, who left home Monday with a 6-1-1 record, have one point through three games of this trip, with games at Carolina (Sunday) and Dallas (Tuesday) remaining. The Kings are now 0-2-2 on the road.

It’s simplistic to blame the Kings’ struggles on only one factor, but they clearly miss Kopitar, who missed his third consecutive game with an upper-body injury. Kopitar is the Kings’ top center, their top scorer, their top defensive forward and a power-play contributor. Kopitar, not coincidentally, is also a top penalty-killer.

That goes a long way toward explaining why the Kings, who allowed a total of four power-play goals in their first nine games, have allowed four in their past two games.

Kopitar’s absence, though, doesn’t explain or excuse the mostly awful effort put forth Friday night by the Kings’ defensemen, who looked tired and a step (or three) slow against Detroit’s speedy forwards.

That sluggishness showed up in all situations Friday, particularly with Detroit on the power play. Kings goalie Jonathan Quick, who was rested Thursday night, faced consistent pressure and stopped 30 of 34 shots.

Trevor Lewis, who missed nine games because of an undisclosed injury, returned in a third-line role with Kyle Clifford and Mike Richards. Dustin Brown moved from right wing to left wing, with Jarret Stoll and Justin Williams.

The Kings didn’t score until 9:19 remained in the second period, when Martinez swooped behind the net and scored on the rebound of his own shot. It was the first goal by a Kings defenseman in 11 games this season.

GORDIE HOWE TRIBUTE

During a first-period break in action, fans stood, cheered and waved signs that read “Get Well Gordie’’ to honor Gordie Howe, the Red Wings’ Hockey Hall of Famer who suffered a stroke on Sunday at age 86.



L.A. Kings face winless Carolina Hurricanes, look for a better start

Elliott Teaford

11/01/14, 5:06 PM

KINGS at CAROLINA

Faceoff: 2 p.m., today, PNC Arena

TV/Radio: FSW, 790-AM

Update: Two in the box, two in the net, two bad first periods. The Kings’ inability to stay out of the penalty box in the first period of their last two games put them too far behind to catch up to either the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday or the Detroit Red Wings on Friday. The Kings (6-3-2) gave up two power-play goals in each of their last two games and fell with a thud twice. They have lost three in a row to start their five-game trip after winning six consecutive games at home. Their trip ends Tuesday in Dallas. The Kings continue to skate shorthanded, with forwards Anze Kopitar and Marian Gaborik sidelined by upper-body injuries and defenseman Slava Voynov suspended by the NHL. The Hurricanes were 0-6-2 going into Saturday’s game against the Phoenix Coyotes in Raleigh, N.C.

LA Daily News: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Acknowledging “special” group, Martinez avoids contract talk

Staff Writer

In a Cross Checks Blog post on Thursday, Pierre LeBrun of ESPN.com wrote about several topics that are of particular interest to Kings fans.

In addition to explaining the delay on the Kings’ expected cap relief in the wake of Slava Voynov’s indefinite suspension, LeBrun also provided an update on the parameters of contract negotiations between Alec Martinez and Los Angeles.

Via LeBrun:

Jake Muzzin recently signed a new deal that will pay him $4 million a season starting next year. The sense is the Kings would like to get Martinez below Muzzin’s $4 million AAV; the Martinez camp have comparables that suggest he’s worth $4 million or more — at least on the open market.

Martinez wants to sign an extension and remain with the Kings, no question about it, but the knowledge that he could score big on a weak July 1 UFA market is something that’s a reality, in case talks don’t progress.

Martinez politely declined to speak on behalf of the negotiations following today’s practice, saying “it’s the reason why you have an agent.”

“Let them take care of that stuff so I can worry about playing hockey. I don’t really think about it,” he said.

When asked whether the circumstances of playing for the Kings and living in the South Bay were ideal for a professional hockey player, he offered what amounted to be a strong affirmation.

“I think that the biggest thing is the group of guys. At the end of the day we’ve got a really good group of guys in here,” Martinez said. “Obviously L.A.’s the only thing that I know being drafted here, but talking to guys that have played in other places, they say that we’ve got something special here, and I’m a believer in that. There are probably not many teams [where] you get all the guys hanging out together at once. I think maybe the South Bay has a little bit of something to do with that and the fact that everyone’s just geographically really close to each other, just a bike ride away. But it’s also a testament to what management has done in bringing in good guys and good players and guys who get along. Obviously it’s a great group to be a part of.”

The Kings are walking a tight financial tightrope, given that Jarret Stoll, Justin Williams and Robyn Regehr are due to become unrestricted free agents on July 1, while Kyle Clifford, Tanner Pearson, Tyler Toffoli, Jordan Nolan, Andy Andreoff and Martin Jones will be bound for restricted free agency. Current Manchester Monarchs Nick Shore and Jordan Weal will also need new (and less expensive) contracts, and there is a good chance they would factor into the team’s future plans as well. They’ll have a very rough ballpark of $13-18 million dollars to spend on their free agents – the salary cap is tied to league revenues, which are rising and should exceed this year’s $69M cap by some margin – and given that Anze Kopitar is eligible to negotiate a new contract on July 1 that would begin in the 2016-17 season, the Kings’ prudence in such contract negotiations will surely be an asset.

Last year, the team chose to enhance its defensive depth by acquiring Brayden McNabb from Buffalo at the trading deadline. Given that Martinez is 27 years old and that there is a question whether there are players in Manchester capable of stepping into the 19:10 time on ice per game that Martinez has averaged thus far in 2014-15, his re-signing is among the team’s high contractual priorities this season.

Martinez has two points (1-1=2), a plus-six rating and a 54.2% Corsi-for rating in 11 games this season. Selected in the fourth round in 2007, he has 57 points (24-33=57) and a plus-29 rating in 214 career games.

LA Kings Insider: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Nolan to receive NHL hearing from hit on Helm

Staff Writer

The controversial hit:

Nolan has had two previous brushes with the Department of Player Safety, so he’s considered a repeat offender. In March, 2013, he was fined $1,436.94 for a cross check to the back of Vancouver’s Henrik Sedin, and in April, 2014, he was suspended one game for a gloved punch on an unsuspecting Jesse Joensuu, who plays for Edmonton.

Helm was uninjured on the play. Jonathan Ericsson, who rushed in to Helm’s defense, immediately engaged Nolan after the hit, which drew a two-minute boarding minor.

Ericsson was still unhappy about the hit today, telling Chris McCosky of the Detroit News, “I thought, from my point of view, that was a match penalty. I thought that was a really bad hit. I didn’t feel he had anything but the numbers the whole way until contact. I am surprised he only got two minutes.”



Kopitar on track for Sunday return

Staff Writer

Kings center Anze Kopitar knew immediately that something was wrong when he braced himself from a fall during last Sunday’s 5-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets at Staples Center.

“I think at first I thought it was actually a little bit worse because my whole arm went numb, but then it kind of got back,” he said. “It was just one of those really bad stingers I get. But the severity, it wasn’t that bad, I guess.”

The numbness “was gone pretty much right after,” according to Kopitar, though it was a startling injury for a player who entered the season having missed only 18 games during the first eight years of his NHL career. Of the seven non-lockout seasons he has participated in, the dynamic and durable center has participated in all 82 games five times.

“When I landed on the ice it’s kind of scary when your whole arm gets numb. It’s not a very great feeling,” he said. “I tried it a couple times after, I didn’t have a whole lot of power in me. It came back pretty quick, a couple days after. I felt like I had pretty good strength, but again I had to be a little bit cautious to not overdo it again.”

During Saturday’s practice, Kopitar wore the same color practice jersey as Marian Gaborik, Dustin Brown and Justin Williams. Though Gaborik said he is “very close” to returning, Kopitar is the more likely bet to draw into the lineup for Sunday’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

“I’m planning on it unless there is something really drastic that happens,” he said. “But I don’t think I’m going to be doing anything this afternoon. Hopefully it stays that way and hopefully I feel like that tomorrow.”

The Kings, who have been outscored 11-4 during a five-game trip that has started with an 0-2-1 record, will welcome him with open arms. Though the team’s ability to direct play towards the attacking end hasn’t been an issue during five-on-five play on this road trip, the Kings’ leading scorer for seven straight seasons leads the team with a +17.2% Corsi percentage relative to his teammates.

“I think you always want to help your teammates. And times like this where you drop a couple in a row, you want to get back as quick as you can,” Kopitar said. “But there are guys in here that keep me in check and don’t make do anything stupid. That’s a good thing, obviously.

Anze Kopitar, on whether he has ramped up his practice routine gradually:

Yeah, I don’t think it’s anything different than anyone else that’s coming back. You just try to do more and more every day and see how it feels and hopefully not having a setbacks and it’s been going pretty well so far.

Kopitar, on whether he and Marian Gaborik ride stationary bikes while scratched:

Yeah, I was competing in the Tour de France.

Kopitar, on rehabbing with Marian Gaborik, whom he has built chemistry with:

It’s kind of hard to build chemistry when you’re the only two people on the ice. But you just try to work on different stuff and try to work on it individually a little bit more than when you’re in regular practice. It felt good.



November 1 practice notes

Staff Writer

Color coded alignment utilized by the Kings during Saturday’s practice at Joe Louis Arena:

White – Brown, Gaborik, Kopitar, Williams

Purple – Pearson, Carter, Toffoli

Green – Clifford, Stoll, Lewis

Yellow – Andreoff, King, Richards, Nolan

Notes:

-As it stands, Anze Kopitar appears poised to return to the lineup tomorrow in Raleigh.

“I’m planning on [playing], unless there’s something really drastic that happens, but I don’t think I’m going to be doing anything this afternoon,” he said. “Hopefully it stays that way, and hopefully I feel like that tomorrow.”

Marian Gaborik isn’t as likely to return tomorrow, though he said he’s “very close.”

-Justin Williams said that his shoulder “felt fine today in practice” after he took an awkward tumble into the boards during Friday’s 5-2 loss in Detroit.

“It was pretty self-inflicted, I think,” he said. “I went into the boards weird, and when you’re on the ground there for a few seconds, you’re just making sure everything’s in the right place. You’re making sure the shoulder’s all right. Everything felt all right, so I got up and went to the bench, and that was a little sore, but I might have dodged a bullet.”

When he returned to the bench, he received some immediate attention from athletic trainer Chris Kingsley.

“He was just making sure everything was where it needed to be,” Williams said.

Williams, who won the 2005-06 Stanley Cup with Carolina, will make his fourth visit to Raleigh since joining Los Angeles in the March, 2009 trade that also involved the Edmonton Oilers. In his three previous returns to Raliegh, the three-time Stanley Cup winner has totaled one goal and three points.

“A place I won at, a place I’ll always remember, a place I still have friends at,” Williams said. “How many guys [are still] on the hockey team? Big turnaround. There’s only [Cam] Ward and [Eric] Staal, I think, of the players that are left.”

-I spoke with Alec Martinez about being being bound for unrestricted free agency after the season and whether he’s aware of any ongoing contract negotiations. Martinez was hesitant to talk about the process, though he did share some time. More on these topics will come from the skies between Michigan and North Carolina.



The view from Detroit

Staff Writer

George Sipple: Red Wings jump all over Kings, win 5-2

“The Wings jumped out to a 4-0 first-period lead on Friday night at Joe Louis Arena and went on to beat the Los Angeles Kings, 5-2.”

Helene St. James: Points few for ‘smart’ Nestrasil, but Babcock likes rookie’s defense

“Nestrasil has been on the third line, of late with Darren Helm and Tomas Jurco, but also has gotten minutes on the power play on the strength of being very good at protecting the puck.”

THE DETROIT NEWS

Ted Kulfan: Red Wings build big early lead, hold on to beat Kings

“The Kings chipped away, and had an opportunity to get within a goal when Dustin Brown had a penalty shot just less than three minutes into the third period.

But Jimmy Howard made the stop on his one-time youth hockey teammate in upstate New York, keeping the score 4-2.”

MLIVE.COM

Ansar Khan: Jimmy Howard’s penalty-shot save early in third period ‘huge’ moment for Red Wings vs. Kings

“But the Detroit Red Wings goaltender found himself in a key situation in the third period, facing Dustin Brown on a penalty shot as the Los Angeles Kings were mounting a comeback, having gotten a shorthanded goal from Tyler Toffoli just 41 seconds earlier.”

Joe LaPointe: Column: As Red Wings beat Cup champion Kings, fans send get-well wishes to Gordie Howe

“To kids of that era, Howe was a combination of hero, cool uncle, prince of the city, Superman in DC comics and the guy next door. Few superstars (they didn’t even use the word then) were ever so humble.”

SB Nation – WINGING IT IN MOTOWN

Detroitnr1: What A Treat: Detroit Red Wings 5 – Los Angeles Kings 2

“East Lansing experienced its first snow of the season today, and maybe that’s a sign of things to come. Winter is a-brewin’, and its going to carry the Wings with it, all the way into late-Spring. And, if we are lucky, it might even carry the Wings into the wee days of summer.”



Waking up with the Kings: November 1

Staff Writer

So what is there to say? It’s 11 games into the season, the Kings are short three major impact players, and they ended a three-games-in-four-nights road stretch against a well-rested, high paced team that has a tendency to show opponents no mercy when entering their arena under any type of impediment. The Kings were smoothing out some personnel kinks even when grinding out a 6-0-0 homestand and with Anze Kopitar in the lineup; now, with one of the team’s pillars unavailable, and on the road against a pair of teams improved from last season in Pittsburgh and Detroit, its tough sleddin’. Points in October count the same as points in March – and the personnel-depleted Kings are on pace for 104 points despite the unbalanced home/road schedule – but there’s no point in sounding any meaningful alarm over a mini-losing streak until this team is back or near its full complement of impact players. But hey, let’s talk Kings-Wings.

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 31: Justin Abdelkader #8 of the Detroit Red Wings sets up in front of Jonathan Quick #32 and Robyn Regehr #44 of the Los Angeles Kings during a NHL game on October 31, 2014 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. The Wings defeated

I’m always left scratching my head whenever I hear a player say following a rough start to a game that the team “wasn’t prepared,” “didn’t come prepared to play,” etc. It’s probably something we shouldn’t put much stock into, equatable to the saying “we need to bear down”; i.e. “we had a shortcoming in one facet of our game and I’m sorry but I’m not able to quickly rationalize it for you.” It’s more or less a post-game conversational crutch, and it has popped up in conversation following three road first periods in which the Kings have been outscored 8-1. You’d think that a team featuring the same core of players that has won two of the last three Stanley Cups wouldn’t have an issue with game preparation. In any event, Detroit swarmed Los Angeles through the first 20 minutes (err, 18 minutes and eight seconds, thanks to the momentum-absorbing pane of glass that broke) and caused the visitors to chase the play and start the game in a major hole. The Red Wings’ power play was excellent in the first period last night, and that crisp puck movement that set up the Henrik Zetterberg touch pass to Gustav Nyquist for the one-timer and one-nothing lead was some sexy hockey. For a team that moves the puck up and down the ice pretty quickly, the Wings also had a very good pace to their in-zone power play set up.

DETROIT, MI - OCTOBER 31: Dwight King #74 of the Los Angeles Kings and Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings battle in the corner in the second period during a NHL game on October 31, 2014 at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan. (Dave Reginek/NHLI

And, hey! The Kings still had a chance to sneak out of the Joe with something meaningful after a gutsy Alec Martinez effort to get the team on the scoreboard, followed by Tyler Toffoli’s league-leading third shorthanded goal on a play in which he set the wheels in motion by creating a turnover behind the Wings’ net. Los Angeles had the rare opportunity to score twice on one penalty kill when Dustin Brown was tripped up on a breakaway, though Jimmy Howard denied his five-hole attempt on the ensuing penalty shot. It’s not a surprise given the way the Kings tend to wear teams down, but good on them for providing a pivotal moment of a game in the third period following a four-goal deficit after 20 minutes. It doesn’t necessarily show it in the box score, but Brown was awfully involved throughout the game and was deserving of some points for his work. Personally speaking, Trevor Lewis’ return to the lineup couldn’t have gone much better; he was perfect in his 89 seconds of shorthanded time, issued four hits and earned an assist and a plus-one rating when he helped set up Martinez’s goal.


755362 Minnesota Wild

Postgame: Division-leading Wild get a good team win

Michael Russo

November 2, 2014 - 1:30 AM

Mike Yeo began his postgame press scrum with a big smile: “Let’s talk about the power play!”

Hey, two goals, and in ONE GAME!!! after none in all of October, it’s safe to say the Wild scoring on the power play was a big, big relief. My tweet to announce the season’s first power-play goal was apparently a popular one, as you can see here:

HALLE-FRIGIN-LUJAH!!! THOMAS VANEK! 23 days into season, #mnwild just scored its first power-play goal of ‘14-15. #stopthepresses

— Michael Russo (@Russostrib) November 2, 2014

But the penalty kill got the Wild to that juncture, going 4 for 4 tonight, including an 86-second 5-on-3 disadvantage in a scoreless first.

The Wild, the best second-period team in the NHL (outscored opponents 17-5), then scored three times in the third to take a 4-1 win over the former North Stars.

Evening from the Xcel Energy Center press box. Be sure to read the power-play/Thomas Vanek-centric game story for some good quotes and numbers, but here we go with the blog:

The 7-3 Wild took over the top spot in the Central and is now 5-0 at home.

Yeo called this a good team win, and the Wild has been a pretty good team this season.

How good?

It has outshot all 10 opponents this season 350-229.

The Wild ranks first in the NHL in goals allowed (1.8) and shots allowed (22.9) per game and third in goals per game (3.4) and second in shots per game (35). Its penalty kill ranks fourth at 89.3 percent.

Tonight, the Wild got first goals of the season from Mikael Granlund, Matt Dumba and Vanek in the second. Granlund’s came in his 100th game, Dumba’s represented his first career game-winning goal. And Vanek’s represented the Wild snapping an 0 for 28 power-play drought this season.

Then, for good measure, Nino Niederreiter scored a power-play goal in the third. You can’t contain the Wild’s power play!

“I had a feeling when we got one, in that game, we would get more than one,” Yeo said. “The way it’s been going, it definitely relieves a burden, there’s no question.”

Zach Parise assisted on the Dumba and Vanek goals and set the screen on the Granlund goal.

On the power play scoring twice, Parise said, “For everyone in here, it felt really good to get rewarded for doing some good things. I thought the last couple games it’s been better. We’re moving better. We weren’t as stagnant. We went pretty dry for a couple of games where we weren’t even getting chances. But the last couple games I thought it was better and to get one and then get another one, it feels good for us.”

On Vanek scoring, Yeo said, “I was real happy for him. The way his game got better as the game went on, I was happy to see the way that he came out, especially in the second period. … I was never worried about him. What I like, there have been signs that he’s starting to get comfortable, more familiar with our game. This is not going to be an overnight thing where he just comes in and he’s completely familiar with the guys he’s playing with and the game that we’re playing. He’s had chances. He’s been creating some really big goals for us.”

Yeo praised the job the blue line did, especially Ryan Suter and Marco Scandella, who have been so good. Scandella is an even or better in every game and he has 13 blocked shots in the past five. Jonas Brodin did a good job playing hurt, Yeo praised Nate Prosser, calling him a warrior, and he

praised Dumba and Christian Folin for the way they managed the game tonight.

Remember, this is a banged up team playing without Jared Spurgeon, Matt Cooke, Ryan Carter and Keith Ballard, who is still sick.

By the way, read the notebook in Sunday’s paper on startribune.com/wild because I have a Josh Harding update in there.

On Scandella, Yeo said, “We were talking about Zuck this morning, when we were talking about these young kids and the process. Marco went through a lot of tough times too when he was going down and he saw himself as a good player, but we saw him as a more than just an NHL player. We saw him as a guy who had a chance to be a real, real strong NHL defender and his game keeps improving. He’s hungry to come to the rink every day and he’s hungry to learn and keep improving and he’s reaping the rewards with that attitude.”

As you can tell from that quote, I’m doing a Zucker story for Monday. He has been so good. Second-most ice time among forwards tonight to only Mikko Koivu, who was good again and had an assist on the Vanek goal.

The Wild will take Sunday off.

Yeo said the Wild hasn’t had a real practice in eight days with six games in nine nights.

“That practice on Monday is going to be real important,” he said. “We have to be fresh to play the type of game that we want to play. We’re a high-energy team. We’re a very aggressive team. We want to go up and down the ice quickly and we want to pressure hard, so you need energy to play that kind of game. So that’s why the energy level has kind of taken priority over practice time lately, but you can see some of the details have started to slip, you can see a little bit of the execution has started to slip, and that’s normal. We have to manage that, but we have the day off, that’ll be really important, that’ll give us an opportunity to have a good practice on Monday and we just have to start making sure that we’re ready for a tough test after that.”

Wild shut down the star-studded Benn-Spezza-Seguin line tonight and held Dallas to 20 shots. Yeo said, “It’s a team effort. That’s what we pride ourselves in. When you’re giving up a chance, you need Kuemps to play the way that he did. But we have to limit those chances and our guys take pride in that. Playing as a unit of five, that’s our mentality. When we’re on the attack, we want to play as a unit of five. When we’re defending, everybody’s got a job to do and there’s a trust factor there and an ownership that you have to be there for your teammates. And our guys are doing a great job of that.”

That’s it for me. Barring news, no blog Sunday as I work on the Zucker story. In Sunday’s paper, game story on Vanek and the power play’s big night, notebook leading on Vanek talking about the gambling situation and Harding and a Jack Jablonski column.

Rachel is covering practice for me Monday as I work ahead on stories for next week. Big test Tuesday as the Wild closes the homestand against Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and the Penguins.

Star Tribune LOADED: 11.02.2014


Game recap: Wild-Dallas

MICHAEL RUSSO

November 1, 2014 - 10:39 PM

GAME RECAP

STAR TRIBUNE’S THREE STARS

1. Zach Parise, Wild: Played a part in all three second-period goals: Screen and two assists.

2. Marco Scandella, Wild: Defenseman was rock solid: Plus-1 (even or better in all 10 games), blocked three shots (9 in the past two games).

3. Jason Zucker, Wild: Threat with his speed and sound all night offensively and defensively; four shots.

By the numbers

2 Power-play goals after none in the first nine games.

2 Career goals for Matt Dumba, both against Dallas.

8 Times in 10 games the Wild has scored first (6-2).

15 Goals scored by the Wild in the past four games.

10 Consecutive opponents the Wild has outshot (350-229).



Wild's Vanek admits mistakes, done with betting

Michael Russo

November 2, 2014 - 12:11 AM

Wild forward Thomas Vanek says he no longer gambles, has never bet on hockey and is trying to move on after testifying in front of a grand jury in July as a witness in a federal illegal gambling and money laundering case in Rochester, N.Y.

“It’s something I have to deal with obviously,” Vanek said Saturday morning. “I’m not proud of the decisions I’ve made, but as a person, I just have to move on from it and learn from your mistakes.”

Vanek was a government witness in a case against three men who were arrested in June for allegedly conducting an illegal gambling business out of a New York restaurant.

One of the men, Mark Ruff, pleaded guilty Thursday to illegal gambling and conspiracy to launder money and faces nine years in prison. In court, Ruff claimed a $230,000 check he laundered came from a gambler who was paying off a debt.

That man’s defense attorney later volunteered to reporters that the check was a New York Islanders payroll check at the time Vanek played for them and that the gambler owed more than $1 million.

Vanek’s agent, Steve Bartlett, acknowledged to the Star Tribune that the check was endorsed over to the men by Vanek “to get them off his back.” Vanek was betting on football, Bartlett said.

“[Vanek] is not the subject of any investigation or criminal charges or anything whatsoever,” Bartlett said.

Vanek said Saturday nothing has changed since it was first revealed in July he was cooperating with the government. The only change is details have now emerged.

“I look at it as bad decisions,” Vanek said. “There’s no other way to sugarcoat it or make it seem what it’s not. I made some bad choices. I feel I’ve learned from them. … I feel I’ve done nothing wrong besides to my family and to myself, and I’ve got to move on from that.”

Asked if he had a gambling addiction, Vanek said, “It’s something I got caught up into.” Asked if he still gambles, Vanek said, “No.”

In the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association, the only mention of gambling comes in Exhibit 14.2: “Gambling on any NHL game is prohibited.” Vanek has not been accused of gambling on hockey and says he has “never” bet on hockey.

Vanek said he has not been contacted by anybody from the NHL throughout the entire process.

The NHL has indicated that unless it was determined Vanek bet on hockey or faces criminal charges, it will not take action against him.

Vanek, who entered Saturday’s game with seven assists but no goals, said this has not been a distraction.

“Once I come here, I focus on my job,” he said.

Harding getting closer

Goalie Josh Harding, suspended by the Wild after breaking his foot in an off-ice incident in September, has strapped on the pads again and started taking shots before practices.

Harding had been doing his off-ice workouts and therapy away from the team, but he attended the past two games.

“He’s trying to make sure his foot can handle the boot,” GM Chuck Fletcher said.

Fletcher said he didn’t know when Harding would begin practicing.

“It’s almost like he’s just starting his summer routine, so how much time does he need to get his conditioning, to get his wind, to get his strength back and

to get his movements back and how will the foot impact that?” Fletcher said. “So there’s still lots of questions.”

Once Harding’s able to return, he would likely first need to start in Iowa. After all, he hasn’t played a hockey game since Dec. 31.

“We’ll figure it out when we get there,” Fletcher said.

Etc.

The Wild recalled defenseman Jon Blum in case Jonas Brodin (hand) couldn’t play. Brodin played, so Blum was scratched.



Vanek, power play lift Wild past Stars 4-1

DAVE CAMPBELL

November 1, 2014 - 11:05 PM

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Thomas Vanek was bound to get a goal for Minnesota soon. The Wild's power play was well overdue, too.

Scoring with a snap shot off a textbook behind-the-goal-line pass by Zach Parise, Vanek crossed both items off the to-do list on Saturday night.

Vanek capped a three-goal second period with his first score for his new team, and the Wild stayed unbeaten at home with a 4-1 victory over the Dallas Stars.

Mikael Granlund and Matt Dumba struck first for the Wild, the first goal for each this season, but the loudest roar from the crowd came when Vanek scored 57 seconds before the intermission. Vanek skated emotionless off the ice, only slightly shaking his head. He said he's not much of a celebrator.

"It was more a relief more than anything," said Vanek, who signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the Wild. "Even though it didn't look like much, it felt great."

Not only did the puck that whizzed past goalie Kari Lehtonen's glove give Minnesota a 3-1 lead, it gave Vanek his first goal in 10 games with the Wild and gave them their first goal in 29 extra-skater opportunities. They were the last NHL team to get one.

"It was way past the joking point. It was more just relief," said Parise, who had two assists and has a team-high 10 points in 10 games.

That's about the only part of Minnesota's game that wasn't working well. Darcy Kuemper made 19 saves to improve to 6-2 as the Wild raised their home record to 5-0, including four wins in regulation, with a 22-6 goal differential in those games. The Wild have scored first in eight of their 10 games, going 6-2 when doing so.

Nino Niederreiter added another power-play goal for good measure in the third period, a slick between-the-skates tip-in of Ryan Suter's feed in the third period.

"We were just sticking with our game. We knew it was going to come eventually," Dumba said of the power play. "It's just one of those things that we weren't getting the bounces, but hopefully now we can get it rolling."

Wild coach Mike Yeo said he wasn't worried about Vanek. Stars coach Lindy Ruff, his longtime coach with the Buffalo Sabres, wasn't buying the slump, either.

"Thomas is going to score 25 to 30 goals. He's that good a goal scorer, as good as any guy around the front of the net that I've ever coached," Ruff said.

Vernon Fiddler scored for the Stars, just 8 seconds after Dumba's goal, but they were outshot 30-20. The Wild have outshot every opponent this season, by a whopping total of 350 to 229.

"There's energy missing in our game. It's as simple as that," Ruff said.

Lehtonen was in the Dallas net for the second straight night, having lost in overtime at home Friday to Anaheim 2-1. He made several difficult saves, but his effort was hardly enough. Backup Anders Lindback has given up nine goals in two games this season, and Ruff wasn't ready to give him another start.

The Stars fell to 0-2-2 in their last four games after going 0 for 4 on the power play. They had 78 seconds of a 5-on-3 advantage in the first period that was frittered away without a threat.

Jordie Benn's failed clearing attempt was snagged by Granlund, who pivoted and zipped a slap shot from the slot into the net with Parise screening Lehtonen. Jamie Benn took the slashing penalty that set up Niederreiter's power-play goal.

"Things were coming easy for us at the beginning of the year, and now we're starting to find a bit of an uphill stretch here," Fiddler said. "Good teams find a way to work through it, and that's what we're going to have to do."

NOTES: Stars RW Ales Hemsky sustained an upper-body injury in the second period and didn't return. ... The Wild got defenseman Jonas Brodin and center Erik Haula back from two-game absences, both due to upper-body injuries. ... The Wild placed D Jared Spurgeon (shoulder) on the injured list, expecting him to miss several games. Christian Folin (illness) returned from a five-game absence to take his place in the lineup. Spurgeon has a team-high 25 blocked shots and six points in nine games. ... The Wild improved to 19-25-8 (including 15-9-2 at home) against the Stars, who played in Minnesota from 1967-93.



Vanek scores — on the power play — to spark Wild's victory

Michael Russo

November 1, 2014 - 11:54 PM

Nov. 1, history was made.

After the Wild’s power play and Thomas Vanek both went 0-for-October, the Wild killed two birds with one stone Saturday night when Vanek’s first goal of the season was the Wild’s first power-play goal 23 days in.

Late in the second period of a 4-1 win over the Dallas Stars, the Wild’s streaky goal scorer, who entered with only 15 shots in nine games, stopped the Wild’s franchise-record, nine-game power-play drought in its tracks at 0-for-28.

“We were due,” coach Mike Yeo chuckled. “It definitely relieves a burden, there’s no question.”

Vanek’s goal broke the seal because early in the third period, the Wild made it a multi-power-play game when Nino Niederreiter supplied a three-goal cushion.

“As you know, we struggle on the power play, so it was nice to break my streak and break our team’s streak at the same time,” Vanek said.

The Wild (7-3), the NHL’s only unbeaten home team (5-0), took over the top spot in the Central Division. The fast, up-tempo team that always seems to have the puck outshot the supremely skilled Stars 30-20 and has outshot all 10 opponents this season 350-229.

The Wild ranks first in the NHL in fewest goals allowed (1.8) and shots allowed (22.9) per game and third in goals per game (3.4) and second in shots per game (35).

The Vanek goal was vintage Vanek — bouncing off a defender, subtly finding a soft spot in the slot and roofing a one-timer off a Zach Parise setup.

“That’s where he’s made a pretty good career,” Parise said.

Afterward, Vanek didn’t smile or raise his arms. He celebrated with a simple shake of his head.

“I’m not much of a celebrator unless it’s a real big goal, but just more of a relief than anything,” Vanek said. “Even though it didn’t look like much, it felt great.”

It was Vanek’s 278th career goal. He entered as the team leader with seven assists, but the Wild didn’t acquire him to be Pierre-Marc Bouchard.

“He’s like any goal scorer. He might have gone through a real cold stretch, but he might score 15 in the next 10 games,” said Stars coach Lindy Ruff, Vanek’s longtime Buffalo Sabres coach.

Finally, there will be no more talk of the Wild’s scoreless power play and no more talk of a goalless Vanek.

“You guys can talk about something else now,” Parise kidded.

In a game the Wild got defensemen Jonas Brodin and Christian Folin back, but played without injured defenseman Jared Spurgeon and forwards Matt Cooke and Ryan Carter, the Wild took a 3-1 lead into the third after a scoreless first.

Mikael Granlund, Matt Dumba and Vanek all scored their first goals in the second. Parise played a part in all three, setting the screen on Granlund’s goal and assisting on the other two.

The Wild is the NHL’s best second-period team, outscoring opponents 17-5.

Granlund, playing his 100th game, got things started 4:21 in courtesy of a gift-wrapped, poorly-placed Jordie Benn clear. The Wild then began to dominate before Dumba slid along the blue line and scored his second career goal against Dallas.

Vernon Fiddler answered eight seconds later against Darcy Kuemper, who improved to 6-2 with 19 saves, but Vanek’s goal made it 3-1.

The Wild impressively shut out the star-studded Jamie Benn-Jason Spezza-Tyler Seguin line, which entered with 38 points in 10 games. Benn, Dallas’ captain, took three, what he called, “stupid penalties.”

The Wild power play made Benn and the Stars pay, but the Wild’s fourth-ranked penalty kill put the Wild in position to win. It went 4-for-4, including what Yeo called a “huge, huge 5-on-3 kill” in a scoreless first.

“Their skill on that team is unbelievable,” Vanek said. “Our PK’s been real strong [all season], goaltending out. It was our turn to add to that on the PP, and tonight we did that.”



NHL Insider: Jablonski focused on helping others with spinal injuries

Staff Writer

November 1, 2014 - 11:04 PM

Saturday night, during the Wild-Dallas Stars game, Jack Jablonski led what was dubbed as hockey’s largest stick tap when 18,000-plus fans received thunder sticks so they could tap along with the 19-year-old affectionately known as Jabs.

A stick tap in hockey, as Jabs explained last week, “is when somebody gets injured — and we saw plenty stick taps in the Wild game Monday in New York. You tap your stick on the ice when that player gets up hoping that everything’s OK. It’s to show respect for people injured in a hockey game.”

Unfortunately, in December of 2011, Jablonski wasn’t able to get up after a check from behind while playing hockey as a sophomore for Benilde-St. Margaret’s. The injury left him a quadriplegic, but he has since become an inspiration to many.

Jablonski has devoted his life to helping others who are going through the same debilitating injury.

“The last three years, obviously life has changed a large amount, but I pride myself on trying to set a good example about how to approach a spinal cord injury after a traumatic change in life,” Jablonski said. “We’ve started the foundation to give hope for other people that don’t have the fortunate opportunity that I had. We want people to be able to get the best rehabilitation so they can make a recovery and get back on their feet.

“It’s very important to me. I hope to make this as big as possible. I just want to change the world with spinal cord injury and how we look at it.”

Jablonski’s Bel13ve in Miracles Foundation (www.bel13vefoundation.org) teamed up with the Wild and Minnesota Hockey to kick off #StickTap2Hope, a social initiative to raise awareness of the innovative recovery treatments already available for people living with spinal cord injuries. The hope is this becomes a global stick tap with supporters tweeting their photos and videos.

Jabs hopes to do this annually, and maybe this can take off like the Ice Bucket Challenge raised awareness for ALS last summer.

Before Saturday’s game, Jablonski also held his annual gala to raise proceeds for the ABLE therapy facility at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley, where Jablonski does his rehabilitation four days a week for 2½-4 hours a day. The goal is to make Courage Kenny the largest facility in the North American NeuroRecovery Network created by the Dana and Christopher Reeve Foundation.

Proceeds also will go to the spinal cord epidural research that Susan Harkema is doing at the University of Louisville.

Jablonski has made vast strides and rehabs exhaustively. Regularly, he walks on a treadmill for an hour with assistance. He also works on the core muscles below the level of injury, does situps and an entire regimen meant to “activate muscles that you’re never supposed to have, that years ago you would never be doing.

“Basically, you’re not accepting the injury,” Jablonski said. “You’re working with what you do have but also working with what you don’t have.”

Jablonski is excited to head off to the University of Southern California in January. He will live half a block off campus and plans to major in communications. Perhaps, he’ll even have a future in sports media. Each Wednesday at 5:15 p.m. on Sports Radio 105 The Ticket, Jablonski co-hosts the show, “Hockey Night in Minnesota.”

Just follow Jablonski (@Jabs_13) on Twitter, it’s clear he’s a hockey nut (he’s often on the event level of Xcel Energy Center meeting NHLers) and knows the sport well. Espousing that knowledge on radio seemingly has come naturally even though he used to hate public speaking.

Jablonski’s positive attitude is beyond refreshing. It’s impossible to have a conversation with him and not feel uplifted by his strength and desire to help others.

“I’ve been very fortunate with the support I have received,” Jablonski said. “I have gotten a lot of opportunities others in my position don’t get. I want to make it possible for everyone that’s in my situation to get the opportunities I have gotten.”



NHL Short Takes

November 1, 2014 - 6:04 PM

Staff Writer

Skating away

Many Wild fans wondered why the Rangers’ Chris Kreider escaped suspension for his hit from behind Monday on defenseman Jonas Brodin.

The NHL feels that when a player suddenly stops short at the goal line, he essentially precludes the forechecker from making a good decision by causing contact to occur earlier than the forechecker has any reason to expect. On that play, the league felt Kreider had to believe he had six to eight more feet to determine how to check Brodin or avoid contact completely.

Full injury Jackets

The Blue Jackets’ fast start has been derailed by 10 injuries.

“I have never seen anything like this before, not nine or 10 guys out on a roster of 23,” said John Davidson, Columbus’ president.

In Tuesday’s loss to Ottawa, the Blue Jackets had $32 million worth of players out of a $59 million payroll.

Scott sounds off

Former Wild defenseman John Scott, now with San Jose, was suspended two games for going after Anaheim’s Tim Jackman on a legal line change after Jackman pounded on Marc-Edouard Vlasic.

“It’s kind of gutless to go after a guy like Eddie when you’re a tough guy,” Scott said. “Jackman, he’s a big boy, I’m a big boy. We should settle it like men.”



Wild's week ahead

November 1, 2014 - 6:04 PM

Staff WRiter

WILD’S WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday: 7 p.m. vs. Pittsburgh (FSN)

Thursday: 6:30 p.m. at Ottawa (FSN)

Saturday: 6 p.m. at Montreal (FSN+)

Player to watch:

Sidney Crosby, Penguins

The Penguins’ third-leading scorer all-time behind Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr, the former Shattuck-St. Mary’s star has won nine individual NHL awards in nine years, including two MVPs and two scoring championships.

VOICES

« We’ll be on the other side of it sometime later in the year. »

— Zach Parise after the Wild blew a 3-0 third-period lead Monday at Madison Square Garden. In the next two games, the Wild rallied from a pair of 3-1 third-period deficits to win.



Thomas Vanek: 'I’m not proud of the decisions I’ve made'

Michael Russo

November 1, 2014 - 1:01 PM

Wild forward Thomas Vanek says he no longer gambles, has never bet on hockey and is trying to move on after testifying in front of a grand jury in July as a witness in a federal illegal gambling and money laundering case in Rochester, N.Y.

“It’s something I have to deal with obviously,” Vanek said after the Wild’s morning skate Saturday. “I’m not proud of the decisions I’ve made, but as a person, I just have to move on from it and learn from your mistakes.”

Vanek was a government witness in a case against three men who were arrested in June for allegedly conducting an illegal gambling business out of the Marina Restaurant and Bar in Charlotte, N.Y., since Jan. 2012.

One of the men, Mark Ruff, pleaded guilty Thursday to illegal gambling and conspiracy to launder money and faces nine years in prison. In court, Ruff claimed a $230,000 check he apparently laundered came from a gambler who was paying off a debt.

That man’s defense attorney later volunteered to reporters that the check was a New York Islanders payroll check at the time Vanek played for them. Ruff told the Democrat & Chronicle that the check was part of more than $1 million this gambler, which he alluded was Vanek, owed.

Vanek’s agent, Steve Bartlett, acknowledged to the Star Tribune on Friday that the check was indeed endorsed over to the men by Vanek “to get them off his back.” Vanek was betting on football, Bartlett said.

“If you read it quickly or you listen to [the lawyer’s] comments, it almost alludes to the fact that Thomas Vanek was involved in money laundering, which is totally false,” Bartlett said. “He is not the subject of any investigation or criminal charges or anything whatsoever. He was a witness against this guy who was the bookmaker. He was the guy that wanted money, and Thomas paid it to him. Thomas wasn’t involved in any bookmaking activities.”

Vanek said Saturday that from his end, nothing has changed from when he was first approached by the government earlier this summer. The only thing now is details have emerged.

“I look at it as bad decisions,” Vanek said. “There’s no other way to sugarcoat it or make it seem what it’s not. I made some bad choices. I feel I’ve learned from them and have to move on.

“I feel I’ve done nothing wrong besides to my family and to myself, and I’ve got to move on from that.”

Asked if he had a gambling addiction, Vanek said, “It’s something I got caught up into.”

Asked if he still gambles, Vanek said, “No.”

In the collective bargaining agreement between the NHL and NHL Players’ Association, the only mention of gambling comes in Exhibit 14.2: “Gambling on any NHL game is prohibited.” Vanek has not been accused of gambling on hockey and says he has “never” bet on hockey.

“This came up five months ago, so from there on out, it was something I knew was out there. Nothing changed for me now besides the details coming out,” Vanek said. “But as far as this being a distraction, no. I’m trying to move on from it. Once I come here, I focus on my job. The team has been great. Coach [Mike Yeo] and Mr. [Chuck] Fletcher have been very supportive. It’s been nice.”

Vanek said as far as he knows, he has no other responsibilities in this case.

“I was only there once. I was cooperating,” Vanek said. “I made a mistake.”

The NHL has indicated that unless it was determined Vanek was betting on hockey or faced criminal charges, it will not take any action against him. Vanek said he has not been contacted by anybody from the NHL throughout the entire process.

“We will obviously follow up on the ‘facts’ suggested in the article (referring to the reports out of Rochester) to satisfy ourselves that we are on top of the situation,” Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the Star Tribune on Thursday.

Darcy Kuemper’s in goal vs. the Dallas Stars, who may be coming back with Kari Lehtonen.

Erik Haula will return, as will Christian Folin. Jon Blum has been recalled and will only play if Jonas Brodin can’t after warmups. Brodin told me in his mind, he’s playing (trainers are adding more protection to his glove). Ryan Carter is out with an upper body injury that Yeo doesn't think will be serious, but he won't be able to play his type of game, the coach said. Also out, Jared Spurgeon, Matt Cooke and a still-sick Keith Ballard.

Haula will center Stephane Veilleux and Justin Fontaine to start (Yeo likes Haula with Fontaine, and don't be surprised if like last game Yeo spots in a third forward instead of Veilleux to get them more ice time and limit Veilleux's), while Yeo will keep Vanek-Kyle Brodziak-Nino Niederreiter intact to start.

The Benn-Spezza-Seguin line is daunting.

"We have to be up to that task," Yeo said. "It's not going to be a one-man show tonight. It's not going to be just on Haula. There's going to be times where Mikko's line's out there, times when Granny's line's out there and you have to recognize who you're on the ice against and you have to make sure you attack when you have a chance to attack, but you have to manage the puck the right way, too."

Granlund didn't manage the puck well against San Jose.

Yeo said he may mix and match lines. Because Haula has been out, he wants him to get his feet under him first and then Yeo will see where the matchups take him.

I'll be on KFAN at 1:15 p.m.

Also, ....

I wrote my Sunday Insider about Jack Jablonski.

Tonight, during the Wild-Stars game, Jablonski will lead what will be dubbed as hockey’s largest stick tap when 18,000-plus fans receive thunder sticks so they can tap along with the 19-year-old affectionately known as Jabs.

A stick tap in hockey, as Jabs explained last week, “is when somebody gets injured – and we saw plenty stick taps in the Wild game Monday in New York. You tap your stick on the ice when that player gets up hoping that everything’s OK. It’s to show respect for people injured in a hockey game.”

Unfortunately, in Dec. 2011, Jablonski wasn’t able to get up after a check from behind while playing hockey as a sophomore for Benilde-St. Margaret’s. The injury left him a quadriplegic, but he has since become an inspiration to many.

Jablonski has devoted his life to helping others who are going through the same debilitating injury.

Jablonski’s Bel13ve in Miracles Foundation (www.bel13vefoundation.org) teamed up with the Wild and Minnesota Hockey to kick off #StickTap2Hope, a social initiative to raise awareness of the innovative recovery treatments already available for people living with spinal cord injuries. The hope is this becomes a global stick tap with supporters tweeting their photos and videos.

Jabs hopes to do this annually, and maybe this can take off like the Ice Bucket Challenge raised awareness for ALS last summer.

More in Sunday's paper on Jablonski.



Tom Powers: Wild end whammy, score on power play

Tom Powers

11/02/2014 12:46:20 AM CDT

Now I'll remember where I was the day Neil Armstrong walked on the moon AND the day the Wild scored a power-play goal. Yes, it's been a full life. I feel a little bit like Forrest Gump, always in the right place at the right time.

History was made right before our eyes Saturday night. It was a beauty of a power-play goal, too. After going 0 for 28 -- 0 for October, in fact -- the Wild struck late in the second period against the Dallas Stars. The puck came out to the slot and, boom, it was behind goalie Kari Lehtonen.

Thomas Vanek! What are the odds?

Well, by that I mean that many of us thought it would be Zach Parise or Jason Pominville.

Minnesota Wild right wing Nino Niederreiter, center, of Switzerland, celebrates with teammates Ryan Suter, right, and Charlie Coyle (3) after scoring

Instead, it was Vanek who generated the Wild's first power-play goal, his first goal of any kind this season, and his first positive mention in the media in several troubling days -- all with one stroke of the stick.

Ladies and gentlemen, the elephant has left the room. The curse has been lifted. The evil eye is looking elsewhere. Nino Niederreiter scored another power-play goal in the third period. Suddenly, it's a whole new world with the man advantage.

"We were due," coach Mike Yeo deadpanned.

"You guys can talk about something else now," Zach Parise announced afterwards to the assembled writers and historians.

OK, but shouldn't somebody present a commemorative puck to the owner or something?

In the dressing room, the guys made no bones about the fact that they were relieved to finally score with the man advantage.

And for Vanek, it was the end of a double whammy. It also was his first goal of the season for his new team.

"It was a relief for both," he said. "To get that first one out of the way, and to finally get that power-play goal so we can stop talking about the power play being 0 for 100 or whatever it is."

Vanek had seven assists entering the contest. Yeo and everyone else said they weren't worried about him scoring. I always consider that to be the equivalent of whistling past the graveyard. But when you're the new guy, you really want to make a good first impression.

"You want to get going here," Vanek agreed. "Not really to impress but to get off on the right foot. Again, it took me a little bit. Hopefully, I can continue now."

The Wild came up empty on their first power play of the evening, but Parise said he noticed possibilities during those two minutes. He conferred with Vanek on the bench.

"That little pocket was open," Parise said of an area about 15 to 20 feet in front of the goal. "He was able to jump in there and I was able to find him."

"It didn't look like much but it felt great," Vanek said.

This isn't the only time the Wild and Stars have been involved in something historic. The first time the Wild faced off against them, Dec. 17, 2000, the wounds of abandonment were still fresh. The atmosphere at Xcel was filled with tension. And the game was oh so different.

When the dust had settled, penalties for the night included two fighting majors, two boarding calls, two minors for high sticking, a couple of minors for slashing, two roughing calls and one for charging. It was a contentious, cantankerous game as the newly created home team was happy to defend the honor of a people scorned.

Most important, Minnesota won 6-0 in a blowout. There have been a lot of big victories for the Wild since then. I don't think any of them were as much appreciated as that first triumph over Dallas. It came during an era, just 14 years ago, when the game was still a hybrid of the North American and European styles.

We've gone to pure Eurohockey now, of course. But back during that first meeting, it still was possible to win a game and to win the physical battle, too. Nothing was more satisfying for a fan. It was like winning a doubleheader.

You can decide for yourself whether time has been a friend or a foe. Everyone skates much faster now and they move the puck around like hockey's version of the Harlem Globetrotters. Yet this most recent game against the Stars was special in its own way.

On Saturday, Thomas Vanek scored a power-play goal for the Wild, ending the curse. Extraordinary.

Pioneer Press LOADED: 11.02.2014


Wild: Thomas Vanek, power play come alive in win over Stars

Chad Graff

11/01/2014 11:29:10 PM CDT

There was no big celebration when the red light behind Kari Lehtonen lit up.

Thomas Vanek just shook his head, partly in disbelief that it took this long, and largely in relief that it's over.

"Even though it didn't look like much," Vanek said of his lack of celebration, "it felt great."

With one shot at the end of the second period Saturday, Vanek busted the two biggest slumps hanging over the Wild during a strong start to the season.

In the 10th game, Vanek registered his first goal as a member of the Wild and the team's first power-play goal in 29 chances.

It took more than nine full games and more than 28 full periods, but Vanek and the team's power play finally found the back of the net, keying a 4-1 Wild victory over the Dallas Stars at the Xcel Energy Center.

Minnesota Wild goalie Darcy Kuemper (35) deflects a shot in front of Dallas Stars right wing Erik Cole (72) and Wild defenseman Marco Scandella, left,

"It was a relief for both," Vanek said. "To get that first one out of the way and then to finally get that power-play goal so we can stop talking about the power play being 0 for 100 or whatever it was."

It was 0 for 28. But who was counting?

When it finally happened with less than a minute to play in the second period, Vanek shook his head and joined his teammates as if little out of the ordinary had occurred. On the bench, jokes were spared.

"It was way past the joking point," Zach Parise said. "It was more just relief."

The failures of the power play and the lack of goals from a prolific goal scorer the Wild signed to a $19.5 million deal this summer dominated the early season story lines.

Vanek erased all that with a quick wrist shot from the slot, the kind of quick-release goal he had been known for in nine NHL seasons before joining the Wild on July 1.

Vanek's nine games without a goal was the second-longest drought of his career and longest since his rookie season.

"Thomas is going to score 25 to 30 goals," said Dallas coach Lindy Ruff, who coached Vanek for seven years in Buffalo. "He's that good a goal scorer. He's as good as any guy in front of the net that I've ever coached. He's like any goal scorer. He might've gone through a real cold stretch, but he might score 15 in the next 10 games."

Fittingly, the Wild scored on the following power play, too, finishing 2 for 4 after opening the season 0 for 28.

"It was bound to happen," Parise said.

Five minutes into the third period, Nino Niederreiter deflected in the Wild's second tally with the man advantage on a point shot from Ryan Suter. Both power-play goals occurred with Stars captain Jamie Benn seated in the penalty box, a confinement he called home three times Saturday.

The win came on another night that the Wild (7-3-0) thoroughly outshot their opponent, an event that's become the norm with this team.

They average the second-most shots per game (35) in the league, while allowing the fewest (22.9 per game).

Against the Stars, they outshot their Central Division rivals 30-19, a statistic all the more impressive considering Dallas' talented forwards.

"That's a team effort," coach Mike Yeo said. "That's what we pride ourselves in."

But Saturday night wasn't about another team win, which was the team's third in a row. It wasn't about beating Dallas to move atop the Central Division.

In the 10th game of the season, they finally scored a power-play goal, in slump-busting fashion.



Minnesota Wild forward Thomas Vanek: 'I've made some bad choices'

Chad Graff

11/01/2014 11:29:07 PM CDT

A day after more details emerged about Thomas Vanek's role in an illegal betting ring, the Wild forward said he regrets placing bets on football, but never bet on hockey and doesn't anticipate any further involvement in the case based in Rochester, N.Y.

On Thursday, Mark Ruff, a Rochester man, pleaded guilty to laundering a check from the New York Islanders that was endorsed and used to cover gambling debts that Ruff's attorney, James Wolford, linked to Vanek. Wolford said the debts exceeded $1 million.

Friday, it was confirmed that Vanek had bet on football games. Saturday, he said he no longer gambles.

"I look at it as bad decisions," he said, speaking publicly about gambling for the first time. "That's really it. There's no other way to sugarcoat it or make it seem what it's not. I've made some bad choices, and I feel like I've learned from it and have to move on."

Two others that Ruff allegedly worked with in Rochester await trial.

Vanek played minor league hockey in Rochester in 2004-05 while in the Buffalo Sabres organization.

He cooperated with authorities in the case that netted Ruff nine years under a plea agreement Thursday. Vanek testified in front of a grand jury over the summer.

"Nothing has really changed from five months ago," he said. "There are some details that emerged, but on my end there's nothing really new. It's something I have to deal with. I'm not proud of the decisions I've made as a person, but just got to move on from it and learn from your mistakes.

"

Vanek said he thinks his agent, Steve Bartlett, made Wild general manager Chuck Fletcher aware of the situation before Vanek signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract with the team on July 1.

The left wing said he hasn't heard from the NHL regarding the situation. He likely won't face discipline unless he is charged with a crime or bet on hockey, which he said he didn't.

Vanek said he doesn't have a gambling problem or require help to quit.

"It was just something I got caught up into," he said.

Through the Wild's first nine games, Vanek, a prolific-scorer, hadn't found the back of the net, though he led the team with seven assists. He said the case hasn't been a distraction or affected his play on the ice.

"It came out of five months ago, and from there on out it was something that I knew was out there and had to deal with," Vanek said. "Nothing has changed for me now beside the details coming out. But as far as distraction, no. I'm trying to move on from it, but once I come in here, I focus on my job and the team has been great. Coach (Mike Yeo) and Mr. Fletcher (GM Chuck) have been very supportive."

"From my end, nothing has changed and I feel like I have done nothing wrong beside to my family and myself and I've got to move on from that."

Blum called up

Wild defenseman Jon Blum had a slow start to training camp and was sent to the minor league Iowa Wild before the season started, despite playing in 15 NHL games with the Wild last season.

Blum, though, was called up Saturday after opening the AHL season with five points in seven games.

"It was a little disappointing," Blum said of his training camp. "Obviously, I want to stick here, but I had a slow start at times. Eventually, things work their way out and you've got to stay ready. You never know what's going to be happen. I'm just really excited to be back here."

Blum was called up as defenseman Justin Falk was sent back to the AHL. Defenseman Jared Spurgeon was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Blum's call up was a reflection that his game has improved since training camp.

"We all get so caught up on the opening-night roster, but if you're not there opening night it doesn't mean you won't be there in November or further down the road," Yeo said.

Briefly

Erik Haula was set to make his return to the Wild lineup after being on the receiving end of a hit last Monday from John Moore that earned the New York Rangers forward a five-game suspension. ... Ryan Carter was set to miss his first game with the Wild because of an upper body injury. ... Defenseman Keith Ballard remains out because of illness.


755374 Montreal Canadiens

Canadiens vs. Flames preview: Price earns Molson Cup, Therrien juggles lines at practice (with video)

Stu Cowan

It’s going to be a rare Saturday night in Montreal with no Canadiens game.

The Habs practised Saturday morning in Brossard, but won’t play again until Sunday night when the Calgary Flames visit the Bell Centre (7 p.m., CITY TV, RDS, TSN Radio 690).

There are only four other Saturdays this season when the Habs don’t play: Dec. 13, Dec. 27, Jan. 24 and April 4.

Carey Price will be awarded the Molson Cup for the month of October before Saturday’s game based on the three-star selections. Price was selected three times as the first star in October and twice as the second star to finish ahead of Brendan Gallagher and Max Pacioretty. Price posted seven wins during the first month of the season, tied with Anaheim’s Frederik Andersen and Vancouver’s Ryan Miller for the NHL lead.

If you’re looking for a game on TV Saturday, here are some of the offerings: Chicago at Toronto, 7 p.m., CBC; Ottawa at Boston, 7 p.m., CITY, TVA Sports; Winnipeg at N.Y. Rangers, 7 p.m., SN; Buffalo at Pittsburgh, 7 p.m., SN1; Vancouver at Edmonton, 10 p.m., CBC, TVA Sports.

During Saturday’s practice, coach Michel Therrien used the same line combinations that he finished Thursday night’s game in Vancouver with, meaning Alex Galchenyuk was at centre with Brendan Gallagher and Rene Bourque. Therrien wouldn’t confirm the lines would look the same for Sunday’s game.

“We made a decision during our last game to give our team a spark on offence, and it worked, so we hope to see that continue,” Therrien told reporters in Brossard after practice.

Therrien also put Dale Weise, who had been a healthy scratch earlier in the season, on the No. 1 line with David Desharnais and Max Pacioretty.

“(Weise) is a good skater, a guy who has to play with a certain level of intensity and, with that intensity, creates some space for (his teammates),” Therrien told reporters after practice. “We tried to create an impact with the line changes. It was positive. Will we continue in that direction? You’ll find out tomorrow.”

Here’s how the forward lines and defence pairings looked during Saturday’s practice:

Max Pacioretty-David Desharnais-Dale Weise

Brendan Gallagher-Alex Galchenyuk-Rene Bourque

P.A. Parenteau-Tomas Plekanec-Lars Eller

Travis Moen-Manny Malhotra-Brandon Prust

Michael Bournival-Jiri Sekac

Andrei Markov-Tom Gilbert

Alexei Emelin-P.K. Subban

Jarred Tinordi-Nathan Beaulieu

Mike Weaver

Here's what the guys had to say following practice in Brossard on Saturday. FROM THE ROOM -> http://t.co/o4IVyKQy0B

— Canadiens Montréal (@CanadiensMTL) November 1, 2014

Here’s a preview of Sunday’s Canadiens-Flames game:

PAT HICKEY

MONTREAL GAZETTE

Home Sweet Home: The Canadiens returned home Friday after a moderately successful swing through Western Canada. Montreal posted a 1-1-1 record with the lone win coming in a 2-1 shootout Tuesday night in

Calgary. Montreal finished the month with an 8-2-1 record — the second-best in the NHL behind Anaheim (9-3-0) — and they are unbeaten in four games at the Bell Centre. The Flames, who haven’t made the playoffs since 2009, are off to a good start with a 6-4-2 record after beating the Nashville Predators 4-3 Friday night.

Comebacks a mixed blessing: The Canadiens’ record is impressive when you consider they have surrendered the first goal in nine of their 11 games. They are also 3-2-1 when they have trailed after two periods, which raises the question: Why can’t they start games the way they finish them?

Iron man Markov: Defenceman Andrei Markov is coming up on his 36th birthday in December, but he’s showing no signs of slowing down. The team leader in ice time, Markov logged 30:14 in the Calgary win and followed that with 29:26 of ice time Thursday in Vancouver, where the Canadiens rallied from a 2-0 deficit in the third period before losing in overtime.

Flames ailing up the middle: Calgary is running out of healthy centres. Matt Stajan suffered a knee injury Tuesday when he collided with Canadiens defenceman Jarred Tinordi, who was assessed a minor penalty for kneeing. Sportsnet commentator Nick Kypreos suggested that Tinordi would be facing a suspension, but replays showed the defenceman didn’t stick out his knee and Calgary coach Bob Hartley exonerated the youngster, describing the contact as an accident. Stajan will be out 4-6 weeks and he joins Mikael Backlund (abdominal surgery) on injured reserve. A third Flames centre, Joe Colborne, left the Montreal game with an upper-body injury. He missed the Nashville game Friday night, but is listed as day-to-day.

Goalies on a roll: Don’t expect a lot of scoring in this game. After a slow start, the Canadiens’ Carey Price is playing at a high level and he stole the game in Calgary with 37 saves in regulation and a perfect 3-for-3 in the shootout. Price comes into the game with a 2.48 goals-against average and a .920 save percentage, but Calgary’s Jonas Hiller has been even better with a 1.82 GAA and a .941 save percentage. However, Hiller hasn’t received the same support as Price and has a 4-2-2 record.

Good things come in small packages: The Canadiens are accustomed to heroics from small players like David Desharnais and Brendan Gallagher, but keep an eye on Calgary rookie Johnny Gaudreau. The 5-foot-9, 150-pounder has speed and skill and is making a seamless transition from Boston College to the NHL. He had a goal and an assist Friday night against Nashville, giving him 2-4-6 totals in 11 games, along with a plus-6. Gaudreau will challenge the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Jonathan Drouin for rookie-of-the-year honours.

Montreal Gazette LOADED: 11.02.2014

755375 Nashville Predators

Predators off to second-best start in team history

Eric Stromgren

11:16 p.m. CDT November 1, 2014

VANCOUVER, B.C. – There is no denying the Predators' strong start this season.

Even with Friday's 4-3 loss to the Calgary Flames, the Predators (6-2-2) head into Sunday's game against Vancouver with the second-best start through 10 games in franchise history.

"I think we're playing for each other in here, and we're trying to be consistent every night," Predators captain Shea Weber said. "We have a great group of guys in here that want to win, and we're driving toward one goal together."

Only the 2005-06 squad was better, with an 8-1-1 record through the first 10 games, and that group reached the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Playing a big role in October was the first seven games. The Predators earned a point in each of those games, which included a victory and overtime loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

"I think guys are prepared to play every night," Predators forward Mike Ribeiro said. "The focus is there and the belief is there that we can compete against anyone."

A quick start does not always translate to playoff appearances, though. The Predators had five wins through the first 10 games in five different seasons, including last season. Only two of those teams reached the playoffs (2010-11, 2011-12).

Predators coach Peter Laviolette said the team continues to implement new systems as well as adjust to new coaches and players. He often talks about the team's hard-working approach when the Canadian media want to know more about the Predators' record.

That work ethic was on display Saturday in an up-tempo practice at Rogers Arena.

Forward Eric Nystrom and center Paul Gaustad were on the ice before the rest of the team, taking turns passing from the corner for quick-release shots on goal. Several players remained on the ice after team drills to work on individual skills.

Laviolette said he was not disappointed with the effort in the loss to Calgary. The Flames rallied with three goals in a four-minute span during the third period to give the Predators their second loss in three games.

"I thought our guys went out on the ice (Friday) night and worked really hard and competed to win a hockey game," Laviolette said. "I think that's been our compass to get us going in the right direction."

On Vancouver: The Canucks along with the Predators are one of the better performing NHL teams through 10 games.

The Canucks won four of five games entering Saturday's contest at Edmonton.

Vancouver's top line of Daniel Sedin, Henrik Sedin and Radim Vrbata are carrying the Canucks offensively and combined for 12 goals prior to Saturday, led by Vrbata's five.

"Those twins have been like that for years now," Ribeiro said. "You want to keep them away from that power play — they're a team that can hurt you on the power play."

The Predators were 1-2 last season against the Canucks, splitting two meetings at Rogers Arena.

Neal's big month: Forward James Neal finished October with a team-leading seven goals and set a franchise record in the process.

He passed Sergei Krivokrasov's previous mark of six October goals set in the 1998-99 inaugural season.

Neal scored twice Friday at Calgary and had a natural hat trick in the Oct. 23 win over Chicago.

Throughout his career, Neal has averaged a near point-per-game pace in November (25 goals, 27 assists in 53 games played).

Tennessean LOADED: 11.02.2014

755376 Nashville Predators

Predators' Anton Volchenkov to have Player Safety hearing

Eric Stromgren

9:38 p.m. CDT November 1, 2014

Predators defenseman Anton Volchenkov will have a phone hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Sunday at his request, the department said Saturday.

Volchenkov hit Flames forward Michael Ferland in the head with 48 seconds left in the Predators' 4-3 loss Friday in Calgary.

A penalty was not called on the play, but Ferland did not return to the game.

The following grounds are being considered for supplemental discipline: elbow and illegal check to the head. However, the Department of Player Safety retains the right to make adjustments to the infraction upon review.

Tennessean LOADED: 11.02.2014

755377 New Jersey Devils

Change of Scenery in N.H.L.: Crackdown on Theatrical Falls

JEFF Z. KLEIN

NOV. 1, 2014

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Sami Vatanen felt a stick blade jab him in the face during a game last week against the San Jose Sharks. Vatanen fell and lifted his hand to his mouth, either to draw attention to the foul or simply as a reaction to being stabbed by a stick.

The referee Tim Peel blew his whistle for a high-sticking penalty against the Sharks — but he also penalized Vatanen for embellishment. Anaheim Coach Bruce Boudreau protested, but to no avail.

Peel judged Vatanen to be exaggerating, a violation of N.H.L. Rule 64, which calls for a two-minute penalty against “any player who blatantly dives” or “embellishes a fall or a reaction” to influence a referee. The call against Vatanen was part of a crackdown on what the league sees as rampant fakery among players.

“Embellishment in the game is a real problem today,” Colin Campbell, the N.H.L.’s senior executive vice president for hockey operations, said in June. “We understand players are trying to draw penalties. We feel it’s out of control.”

Or, as the bombastic hockey traditionalist Don Cherry once observed, “We’ve got to watch that we don’t start acting like those goofy soccer guys.”

To combat this perceived scourge, the N.H.L. has directed referees to be stricter about penalizing violations of Rule 64, even changing the designation of such penalties from diving, as they were called last season, to embellishment, as they are all termed this season.

The crackdown is clearly underway. Last season, N.H.L. referees called 52 diving penalties, a rate of one every 23.7 games. Through Thursday, they had called 17 embellishment penalties in the first 147 games this season — a rate of one every 8.6 games.

Although the N.H.L. prohibits both diving (pretending to be fouled, as Montreal’s Tomas Plekanec did against the Rangers in the Eastern Conference finals last spring) and embellishment (exaggerating the reaction to a real foul), the crackdown is focused on embellishment. Last season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, only three of the 52 penalties were calls for outright faking, in which only the diver was sent to the penalty box; this season, none of the 17 penalties were.

The league this season has also installed a schedule of fines for repeat offenders, escalating to a maximum of $5,000 for a fifth offense and for each one after that. Their coaches will be fined as well, starting with $2,000 for a player’s fourth offense.

Hockey is the latest sport to redouble its efforts to stamp out this kind of deception. The N.B.A. undertook a similar change two seasons ago when it instituted fines for what it called flopping.

But the guile in soccer is what repels hockey traditionalists.

In soccer, FIFA’s Law 12 forbids simulation, which it defines as an attempt “to deceive the referee” by “pretending to be fouled.”

The offense is punishable by a yellow card, and leagues can impose fines and suspensions. In the regular season that just ended, Major League Soccer in North America issued 16 yellow cards and 13 fines for the offense.

Crackdowns against simulation tend to take place after World Cups, when fans across the globe see the consequences of unpunished playacting.

In 2002, a ball kicked by a Turkish player struck Brazil’s Rivaldo lightly in the legs. Rivaldo fell over, clutching his face in torment and fooling the referee into expelling the Turk. Last summer, Arjen Robben of the Netherlands performed a swan dive in stoppage time, resulting in the match-winning penalty kick that eliminated Mexico.

But in soccer, it is permissible for a player to purposely fall to draw attention to a foul; only the act of pretending to be fouled is illegal. Persuading the referee to call a foul in the attacking third of the field can pay big dividends.

A few hours before Anaheim’s Vatanen was penalized last Sunday, 5,300 miles away, Manchester United’s Ángel di María felt a Chelsea defender’s foot clip his heel in stoppage time. Di María took two strides, then fell theatrically to draw attention to the fact that he had been fouled.

The referee ejected Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic, and on the subsequent free kick, United scored to earn a 1-1 draw.

What di María did was legal — after all, he had really been fouled. Shouldn’t hockey players be permitted the same option of falling to draw attention to having been hooked, high-sticked or tripped?

“The idea of diving in hockey is very contrary to the particularly Canadian ethic that you fought your way through things,” said Ken Dryden, who won six Stanley Cups as a goalie for Montreal. “So if a guy doesn’t live up to the ethic and dives, the reaction is, I’m going to humiliate that person by giving him a penalty.”

Dryden said that decades ago, when diving and embellishment were rare occurrences and seldom called, they were treated as anathema. “It was like 19,000 people in an arena standing up and pointing at that person and shouting, ‘Shame, shame, shame!’ ” he said.

That disdain for gamesmanship in hockey remains in place today, built into the rules of the sport. If soccer rewards guile, hockey abhors it.

“In soccer, you always have to give the benefit of the doubt to the player who is being fouled,” said Erick Laliberté, a provincial-level referee in Quebec who is one of the few in North America certified to work in both hockey and soccer at a relatively high level. “In hockey, if a referee even suspects that the player may be embellishing, he is directed to call a penalty on him.”

The N.H.L.’s current crackdown on embellishment has its critics, including players with a reputation for pantomime.

“I think the new rule is a little absurd,” Bruins forward Brad Marchand said after he became the first player called for embellishment this season. “How do you judge how guys are on their balance, how they’re on their skates? What if they’re on one foot, and on their turn, a guy gets pushed? Does that mean that he has embellished?”

Perhaps not, but the N.H.L. has a greater risk to avoid. It does not want its players to become like those goofy soccer guys.

New York Times LOADED: 11.02.2014


Devils Find Way to Win in SO, Top Jets 2-1

Staff Writer

OCT. 30, 2014, 10:16 P.M. E.D.T.

NEWARK, N.J. — Jacob Josefson scored the lone goal in the shootout, and Cory Schneider made it stand up as the New Jersey Devils ended their tiebreaker frustration with a come-from-behind 2-1 victory over the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday night.

Michael Ryder forced overtime for New Jersey, scoring the tying goal with 3:27 left in regulation. The Devils earned the shootout victory after losing all 13 last season and one other this season.

Josefson, the Devils' second shootout shooter, lifted a shot over sprawling goalie Ondrej Pavelec.

New Jersey earned its first home victory in four games and snapped the Jets' two-game winning streak.

Blake Wheeler, who led the Jets with 28 goals last season, netted his fourth of the season in the first period. Wheeler took a great pass from Toby Enstrom as Pavelec headed to the bench during a delayed penalty.

The Devils tied it when Ryder stole the puck and fired a shot past Pavelec during another delayed penalty. It was Ryder's second goal of the season.

Pavelec was outstanding in making 27 saves. Schneider stopped 24 shots.

In the third period, Winnipeg's Mark Scheifele had a breakaway that was stopped by Schneider. Soon after, Wheeler skated in on Schneider and had him beat, but his backhand attempt went wide.

NOTES: Jets LW Evander Kane returned after missing eight games with a knee injury. No question, we missed him," Jets coach Paul Maurice said. "He was itching to get back last week, but we're glad to have him back today." ... The Devils were without leading scorer Mike Cammalleri, who sustained a jaw injury earlier this week. ... The Devils placed Martin Havlat (lower body) and Jordin Tootoo (foot) on the injured list. ... Jets LW Andrew Ladd recorded six points (four goals, two assists) in the previous four games



Rangers Lose 2 Defensemen and Fall in Shootout; Devils Rally to Win

Staff WRiter

NOV. 1, 2014

Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler scored in a shootout to lift the Winnipeg Jets to a 1-0 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

Winnipeg goalie Ondrej Pavelec was excellent throughout the game, making 36 saves in regulation and two in overtime, including a breakaway stop on Martin St. Louis. Pavelec allowed a goal to Mats Zuccarello to start the shootout but denied the Rangers’ next three attempts.

The shutout was the first this season for the Jets (5-5-1).

The Rangers (5-4-1) had to play with only four defensemen for the final two periods and overtime after their captain, Ryan McDonagh, and Kevin Klein were injured.

McDonagh sustained a separated shoulder on a hard check into the boards by Kane. Klein left with a bruised foot after blocking a shot. McDonagh and Klein will be re-evaluated Sunday.

DEVILS 3, BLUE JACKETS 2 Defenseman Adam Larsson broke a tie with 9 minutes 25 seconds left in the third period, and the Devils earned a come-from-behind win at home as Columbus lost its fifth straight game.

Larsson, playing in just his third game this season, capped a furious comeback in which the Devils erased a 2-1 deficit in 1:41.

Larsson snapped a shot past goalie Anton Forsberg, who was making his N.H.L. debut.

HURRICANES 3, COYOTES 0 Elias Lindholm scored two goals, and Carolina beat visiting Arizona for its first win of the season.

Jiri Tlusty also scored for Carolina, and Cam Ward finished with 25 saves in his first shutout since March 27, 2012.

The Hurricanes had been the N.H.L.’s only team without a win.

PENGUINS 5, SABRES 0 Marc-Andre Fleury made 18 saves for his second consecutive shutout, Chris Kunitz scored twice, and Pittsburgh defeated visiting Buffalo for its fourth win in a row.

Fleury, coming off a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, earned his third shutout in four games and the 31st of his career.

PANTHERS 2, FLYERS 1 Roberto Luongo made 36 saves, the rookie Aaron Ekblad scored his first N.H.L. goal, and Florida beat visiting Philadelphia. Willie Mitchell also scored for Florida, which has won three of four games.

Ekblad, the Panthers’ top pick in this year’s draft, converted a slap shot from just inside the blue line, beating Philadelphia goalie Steve Mason on the short side.

BRUINS 4, SENATORS 2 Matt Fraser scored his first two goals of the season 1:28 apart in the second period, and Boston, playing at home, beat Ottawa.

Carl Soderberg assisted on both of Fraser’s goals, and Tuukka Rask made 28 saves.

LIGHTNING 4, CAPITALS 3 Jason Garrison scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period, and host Tampa Bay edged Washington. Tampa Bay also got goals from Ryan Callahan, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov.

Marcus Johansson, Eric Fehr and Troy Brouwer scored for the Capitals, who have lost four of five games.

BLUES 3, AVALANCHE 2 Brian Elliott made 27 saves in his 100th game with St. Louis, which has won four straight, and he stopped all three shootout attempts against visiting Colorado.



Pete DeBoer calls goalie Cory Schneider 'our best player' after making 32 saves

Rich Chere


NEWARK — In his 11th consecutive start, matching his career high, Cory Schneider showed why the Devils made him their No. 1 goalie.

Schneider made 32 saves in a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“He was fantastic. He was our best player again tonight,” coach Pete DeBoer said. “That’s what you need. Look around the league. Teams getting the best goaltending are picking up the most points and we’ve gotten some great games out of him lately.”

Schneider, like several of his teammates, said the Devils need to raise their level of play.

“It wasn’t the prettiest game through 40 minutes, but we found a way,” the goalie said. “That’s two come-from-behind wins after we were trailing after two. That’s good, but we need to play with that desperation and urgency we had in the third period.

“We need to play like that for 60 minutes. We can’t wait unit we get down and then turn it on. We can’t complain about the result, but in terms of the process we can still do some things better. I’m hoping to see what we look like when we’re playing a full 60.”

So is DeBoer. He’s pleased with the team’s 6-3-2 record, but not enjoying the manner in which the Devils are winning.

“Not too much but we’ll take the win,” DeBoer said. “We found a way. It was ugly. Over an 82-game schedule you’re going to have a handful of those games. A year ago we would’ve found a way to lose this game, so a silver lining is we got two points against a division rival. Two critical points.”

Star Ledger LOADED: 11.02.2014


Angry Jaromir Jagr says Devils are playing with fire even though they're winning

Rich Chere


NEWARK — The Devils have come from behind in the third period to win their last two games, but Jaromir Jagr warns that they are playing with fire.

They had to score twice in the third period Saturday night for a 3-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“I love it, but I’m mad about the fact we don’t play well,” Jagr said afterwards. “When we play the way we can play, we can beat anybody. That’s the sad thing. The urgency is not here.

“We always look for the excuse: ‘I’m too young. I haven’t played many games so it’s okay to make a mistake. I’m a veteran player so the coach will give me a break.’ The game can be so much fun if you play the right way. That’s what ticks me off the most. If we learn how to play the right way, making a play instead of just dumping it in, it’s easy to win. We’re playing too safe or too risky. We don’t pick the right plays at the right time.”

Jagr’s comments came as no surprise to coach Pete DeBoer.

“I think there’s some frustration in our game right now,” DeBoer said. “It’s not where any of us feel it should be. The good news is it hasn’t cost us yet. The other good news is the guys recognize that. I’d be worried if we were all sitting here patting each other on the back because we played great.

“I think the guys know we’ve got more game and a better game. It’s out there and we have to find it.”

Jagr said the frustration has players unhappy with each other.

“We’re just hurting each other. We don’t make plays. We’re just throwing energy away for nothing. Then everybody gets frustrated at each other,” Jagr said.

“At least you know everybody cares. “We all know that we don’t we don’t make plays in the first two periods. And I’m one of them. We’re frustrating each other. Somehow we’re still in the game when the third period comes.

“I look at the positive. When we want to, we can do it. We found a way to win it because I think the players that can make the difference are here. Yes, we’re winning, but we’re throwing energy away and having no fun. We could be winning, 5-0.”



Devils come from behind to edge Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-2, on Adam Larsson goal | Rapid reaction

Rich Chere


NEWARK — Adam Larsson scored midway through the third period and the Devils added two power play goals in a 3-2 triumph over the Columbus Blue Jackets and rookie goaltender Anton Forsberg Saturday night at Prudential Center.

Adam Henrique scored the tying goal as the Devils came from behind in the third to win their second straight at home while raising their overall record this season to 6-3-2.

Forsberg was making his NHL debut.

HIGHLIGHTS

Larsson, playing in only his third game of the season, snapped a 2-2 tie with his first goal of the season midway through the third period. It was Larsson's first goal since Nov. 16, 2013, against the Penguins.

Get Adobe Flash player

Cory Schneider was solid, making several big stops to keep the game close. One of his best came on Cam Atkinson's shot from above the slot with 5:50 left in the second period.

Marek Zidlicky was a major part of the Devils' offense, scoring their first goal and assisting on the third as he kept jamming at the loose puck in the crease.

Two power play goals.

LOWLIGHTS

Turnovers put Schneider under pressure in the opening period. He couldn't stop Jack Skille's goal 66 seconds into the game, but made the save on Ryan Johansen with 60 seconds left in the period to keep it close.

Attendance at Prudential Center is an issue. Crowds for last two home games have been 12,897 and 13,542.

Devils are still taking too many penaties.

FIGHTS

None. Ryane Clowe and Scott Hartnell came closest.

HEALTHY SCRATCHES

Devils: D Eric Gelinas

Blue Jackets: D Dalton Prout

NOTABLE

The last two goalies to make their NHL debuts with a start against the Devils were Henrik Lundqvist for the Rangers (a 3-2 OT loss in Oct. 8, 2005, at the Meadowlands) and Ryan Miller for the Sabres (a 4-3 OT loss on Nov. 19, 2002, at the Meadowlands).

It must have been difficult for Devils assistant coach Mike Foligno to watch from the bench as son Nick was struck by a slap shot from Columbus teammate Jack Johnson late in the second period. The shot appeared to hit him in the shoulder as he was down on the ice.

A tough kid, Foligno was back for the start of the third period.

THE WEEK AHEAD

Tuesday: Devils vs. St. Louis Blues at Prudential Center, NBCSN, WFAN-AM 66, WFAN-FM 101.9, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday: Devils vs. St. Louis Blues at Scottrade Center, MSG, WFAN-AM 66, WFAN-FM 101.9, 8 p.m.

Friday: Devils vs. Detroit Red Wings, MSG Plus, WCBS-AM 880, 7:30 p.m.



Blue Jackets vs. Devils: LIVE analysis and fan chat during the game

Rich Chere


NEWARK — Cory Schneider made his 11th straight start in goal for the Devils, tying his NHL career high, in Saturday night's meeting with the Columbus Blue Jackets at Prudential Center.

Anton Forsberg made his NHL debut in net for the Blue Jackets.

Devils' lines:

29 Ryane Clowe-19 Travis Zajac-68 Jaromir Jagr

8 Dainius Zubrus- 26 Patrik Elias-12 Damien Brunner

18 Reid Boucher-14 Adam Henrique-17 Michael Ryder

15 Tuomo Ruutu-16 Jacob Josefson-11 Stephen Gionta

Devils' defense

6 Andy Greene-28 Damon Severson

24 Bryce Salvador-2 Marek Zidlicky

7 Jon Merrill-5 Adam Larsson

THIRD PERIOD

Nick Foligno was back on the Columbus bench to start the period.

Forsberg stopped a Zidlicky slapper at 2:43.

Boucher, skating with Jagr and Zajac, couldn't connect in a scoring chance at 7:03.

Adam Cracknell was called for hooking Salvador at 8:38.

The Devils tied it at 8:38 when Henrique scored during a lengthy flurry in front of the Columbus net. Zidlicky kept jamming at the puck before it came out to Henrique.

Larsson's slap shot from the right point at 10:35 gave the Devils a 3-2 lead.

SECOND PERIOD

Devils started the period shorthanded for one minute.

With 34 seconds left in the Columbus power play, Ryan Johansen was called for holding Merrill.

Ryder nearly had a scoring chance in front of the net at 3:53, but couldn't get the puck under control to get off a shot.

Jared Boll was then called for elbowing Merrill at 4:24 and the Devils too advantage.

Zidlicky beat Forsberg from the left circle at 4:32, with Ryder and Severson getting the assists.

Severson's turnover at 9:54 led to Skille's shot that Schneider stopped to keep the game tied.

Zajac's hooking penalty on Skille at 10:56 put the Blue Jackets on a power play.

Columbus took a 2-1 lead when Nick Foligno redirected a Jack Johnson pass in at 12:30. The goal, Foligno's fourth, came with 26 seconds remaining on the Zajac penalty.

Schneider made a good save on Atkinson's shot from the top of the slot with 5:50 left in the period.

With 1:18 left, Jack Johnson's slap shot hit Foligno in the left shoulder. Foligno, who was down on the ice, went straight to the dressing room.

End of period: Blue Jackets 2, Devils 1

Shots were 19-18 Columbus

FIRST PERIOD

Devils' starters were Greene and Severson on defense with Zubrus, Elias and Brunner up front.

Columbus started Fedor Tyutin and Jack Johnson on defense with Scott Hartnell, Ryan Johansen and Cam Atkinson up front.

The Blue Jackets took an early lead when Jack Skille took a cross-ice pass from Brian Gibbons and beat Schneider from the right circle at 1:06.

The defense pairing of Salvador and Zidlicky were on the ice for the goal and drew some catcalls.

Jack Johnson was called for hooking Jagr at 4:08.

Schneider almost made a costly giveaway at 10:33 when he played the puck behind his net. The puck got lost in his skates and, when Schneider unknowingly skated away, Nick Foligno grabbed it and attempted to wrap it around the left post. He was unable to bury it.

Severson's slapper from the right point at 11:22 hit Forsberg.

After a collision in the Columbus zone, Henrique had a scoring chance that Forsberg stopped at 13:35.

Merrill was penalized at 14:04 for closing his hand on the puck.

Blue Jackets defenseman Cody Goloubef was sent off for interference on Elias at 16:45.

Just as the Devils power play was ending, Severson couldn't get to the puck at the right point and that gave the Jackets an odd-man rush. Greene raced back and swept the puck away from Atkinson, but took a tripping penalty just before Schneider stopped Johansen with a minute left.

This is your place to do it, fans. Chime in with your thoughts in the comments section below.

I'll be posting analysis, observations and general missives down there in the comments throughout the game.



Greetings from the press box: Devils will face goalie making NHL debut

Rich Chere


NEWARK — The Devils, who will host the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night at Prudential Center, hope their penalty killing in starting to improve.

For only the second time in 10 games this season, the Devils' PK did not allow a power play goal in Thursday night's 2-1 shootout win over the Winnipeg Jets.

“It’s obviously been a focus for us and something that we know we had to clean up," coach Pete DeBoer said. "So when you get a positive result I think it’s a step in the right direction. I felt it was getting better but the results back that up last game and hopefully that breeds a little confidence.”

What was improved?

“It’s not one specific thing," DeBoer said. "Your goalie is always your best penalty killer. He had an excellent night. There are going to be some breakdowns and chances on a penalty kill, no matter who you are. He's got to be there to bail you out when that happens. He was excellent.

“I don’t think we were doing much different last game PK-wise than we had been doing the last three or four games prior to that. We just found a way to shut them down. We took less penalties, too, which is something we have to continue to work at.”

A significant improvement over last season

The Devils were 1-5-4 last season at the 10-game mark. That gave them six points.

As they reach the 10-game point this season, they are 5-3-2 for 12 points.

“I think we have six or seven more points," DeBoer noted. "I’m not going to overthink this. We’ll take a strong start any day of the week over where we were sitting last year and the hole we dug ourselves in the first 10 games. We knew that. We talked about that in training camp. Now we have to build on that. As a group we feel we have more levels to our game and we have to find them.”

Beginning with Saturday night's game against a rookie goalie. What does DeBoer want to accomplish?

“A little separation (in the standings) and to keep things going in a positive fashion," he said. "We’ve got a very tough schedule coming up on the road. We want to take advantage of this homestand.”

There will be no lineup changes for the Devils.

Goalie matchup

Cory Schneider (5-3-2, 2.91 goals-against average, .906 save percentage) vs. Anton Forsberg (0-0-0, 0.00 GAA).

Schneider will tie his career high by making his 11th consecutive start. He started 11 in a row for the Vancouver Canucks in March and April of 2013. He is the only NHL goalie to start every one of his team's games this season.

Forsberg, who was selected in the seventh round (188th overall) by the Blue Jackets in the 2007 entry draft, will make his NHL debut. A few goalies have made their NHL debuts against the Devils, the last two being Henrik Lundqvist (2005) and Ryan Miller (2002), according to Elias Sports Bureau.

The Swede is 21 years old and in his first full season of North American pro hockey. Forsberg was 1-2 with a 2.36 goals-against average and .921 save percentage in three games for Springfield (AHL).

DeBoer sees no fatigue issues with Schneider.

“I haven’t seen it yet. I think it’s early for that," the coach said. "These guys train all summer for this. If you’re going to see fatigue in a starting goaltender, I don’t think you’re going to see it in the first 30 or 40 games. I think you’re going to see it in the second half of the season. It’s not something I’m concerned about right now.”

Injuries

Devils: Mike Cammalleri (jaw/neck/head); Martin Havlat (lower body); Jordin Tootoo (left foot).

Blue Jackets: Corey Tropp (ill); James Wisniewski (broken finger); Artem Anisimov (head); Nathan Horton (back); Brandon Dubinsky (abdomen); Matt Calvert (upper body); Sergei Bobrovsky (fractured finger); ; Mark Letestu (groin).

Projected lineups:

Devils' lines

29 Ryane Clowe-19 Travis Zajac-68 Jaromir Jagr

8 Dainius Zubrus- 26 Patrik Elias-12 Damien Brunner

18 Reid Boucher-14 Adam Henrique-17 Michael Ryder

15 Tuomo Ruutu-16 Jacob Josefson-11 Stephen Gionta

Devils' defense

6 Andy Greene-28 Damon Severson

24 Bryce Salvador-2 Marek Zidlicky

7 Jon Merrill-5 Adam Larsson

Healthy scratches

Devils: D Eric Gelinas

Blue Jackets' lines

43 Scott Hartnell- 19 Ryan Johansen- 71 Nick Foligno

10 Jack Skille- 41 Alexander Wennberg- 13 Cam Atkinson

56 Marko Dano- 39 Michael Chaput- 23 Brian Gibbons

37 Sean Collins- 32 Adam Cracknell- 40 Jared Boll

Blue Jackets' defense

51 Fedor Tyutin- 7 Jack Johnson

27 Ryan Murray- 58 David Savard

20 Tim Erixon- 29 Cody Goloubef



Devils' Jacob Josefson blames only himself for failing to establish himself as a regular

Rich Chere


NEWARK — There are some who believe that Jacob Josefson should have been a regular in the Devils’ lineup long ago. They’ve wondered why coach Pete DeBoer never seemed to have any faith in the Swedish center.

But Josefson, now in his fifth season with the organization, points a finger only at himself.

“I think it’s all up to you.You have to be responsible out there and show him you can play in certain situations. I don’t blame anyone but me that I haven’t played before,” Josesfon told NJ Advance Media. “It’s up to me to show that I belong in the lineup.”

He sat out the Devils’ first six games this season, but has made an impact since getting into the lineup on Oct. 24 against Dallas.

Josefson, 23, immediately added some energy and pace. And in the last two games he has made an impression, scoring a shorthanded goal on a breakaway in Pittsburgh and getting the goal against Winnipeg that ended the Devils' 18-game losing streak in shootouts.

“What we’ve seen I’ve seen in spurts,” DeBoer cautioned. “For all young guys it’s bringing that game to the rink consistently, not a few shifts, not one game, not three out of six games.

“The difference between being a young player trying to establish yourself and being and established NHL veteran is those guys that establish themselves find that consistency where they’re bringing their best game to the rink eight out of 10 nights. Young guys have to learn that. Hopefully that’s what we’re going to see going forward.”

The argument is that Josefson needs to play to gain confidence and establish that consistency.

“I want to be on the ice. I don’t want to be in the press box,” Josefson said. “I think I’ve worked hard to get myself prepared. It’s a lot more fun to be on the ice.”

Injuries have always been a concern for Josefson. But last season he was mostly healthy, yet was a healthy scratch 44 times.

So why would he want to come back after becoming a free agent last summer? Josefson had offers in Europe.

“I wanted to come back to North America. There were a couple of options during the summer, but I still felt this was the right place for me,” he said. “There wasn’t really any big discussion about going anywhere else.”

Even though he had no definitive role with the Devils?

“I had a good end of year meeting with Lou (Lamoriello). He said he still believed in me and he really wanted me to come back,” Josefson said of the Devils’ GM.

So, is this a turning point? Josefson has remained healthy and seems ready to grab this opportunity.

“I hope so. I’ve been feeling alright so far. I hope that I can keep building on that,” he said.

Too early to get excited?

“Oh, yeah. I’ve only played four games this season,” Josefson noted. “It’s a long season. I just have to stay focused and keep doing the small things right.”

The Devils, who did not have a morning skate, host the Columbus Blue Jackets at Prudential Center Saturday night.



What channel is the Devils-Columbus Blue Jackets game on?

Rich Chere


NEWARK — Looking to stay in a playoff spot, the Devils will shoot for their second home victory of the season when they host the Columbus Blue Jackets Saturday night at Prudential Center.

Although the Devils will not have injured forwards Mike Cammalleri (jaw/neck/head), Martin Havlat (lower body) and Jordin Tootoo (left foot), the Blue Jackets have a much worse injury list.

Nathan Horton (back) was placed on injured reserve Oct. 5 and is out indefinitely. He's missed nine games.

Boone Jenner (hand) is on IR and has missed nine games.

Brandon Dubinsky (lower body) is on IR and has missed nine games.

Matt Calvert (upper body) is on IR and has missed 2 games.

Sergei Bobrovsky (fractured finger) is on IR and will miss 1-2 weeks.

James Wisniewski (fractured finger) is on IR and is out 1-2 weeks.

Mark Letestu (groin) is on IR and will be out 2-4 weeks.

Nick Foligno (upper body) and Artem Anisimov (upper body) are listed as day-to-day.

TV & RADIO SCHEDULE

DEVILS vs. BLUE JACKETS

When: Tonight, 7 p.m.

Where: Prudential Center, Newark

TV: MSG Plus (Steve Cangialosi, Ken Daneyko)

Radio: WFAN-AM 66, WFAN-FM 101.9 (Matt Loughlin, Sherry Ross)

Adam Larsson impresses coach Pete DeBoer

Larsson had 15:11 of ice time Thursday night and played the kind of game that impressed DeBoer.

“He plays better when he’s involved physically. That’s got to be part of his game," DeBoer said.

“I liked that part if it. I liked that he was safe. I thought he was composed. I thought defensively he was good. I thought he was solid.”

Goalie Cory Schneider will make his 11th straight start, equaling his NHL career high in 2013 with Vancouver.

Star Ledger LOADED: 11.02.2014 to see any new articles loaded


"Awesome feeling" for Larsson to get winner; Henrique's goal familiar; Schneider "best player"

Staff Writer

The smile on Adam Larsson’s face after the Devils’ 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets tonight was understandable.

The 21-year-old defenseman had waited patiently for his turn while he was a healthy scratch for eight of the first nine games, working hard during and after practices and skating with the extra players on the days the team had no morning skates.

A small reward came tonight in the form of his winning goal with 9:25 left in the third period.

“It was an awesome feeling, especially when we had been down 2-1,” Larsson said. “It was an awesome feeling for me and, more important, for the team too.”

After his good friend Jacob Josefson was the hero with the shootout winner Thursday night against Winnipeg, it was Larsson’s turn tonight.

“Exactly,” Larsson said.

Larsson played solidly for the second game in a row, logging 15:16 in ice time, including a couple of shifts on the penalty kill. His big moment came when an errant pass from Patrik Elias behind the net bounced out to Bryce Salvador near the top of the left circle.

Salvador slid the puck across to Larsson at the right point and he stepped into a shot from the top of the circle that went through Dainius Zubrus’ screen in front and beat goaltender Anton Forsberg to the short side.

“It was a big goal for Lars,” Devils coach Pete DeBoer said. “He got a puck to the net. A good goal for our team.”

It was Larsson’s first goal in the NHL since Nov. 16 of last season. He played in only 12 NHL games over that stretch, though, as he spent some time injured and in the minors last season and then began this season by watching all but one of the first nine games.

Salvador said he “had a feeling” Larsson was due.

“The puck popped in the slot there and I had a feeling there and threw it over and he found a way to put it in,” Salvador said.

Larsson was not surprised when the puck came his way.

“We practice that every day now,” he said.

So, what was he thinking when he got the puck?

“First of all, I got very happy,” Larsson said. “I got a good play from Sal there and I saw a lot of traffic in front of the net, so I was trying to get it there.”

Larsson’s teammates were happy to see him rewarded for his hard work.

“Definitely,” Salvador said. “He’s always had a positive attitude, he’s never negative and he always works hard, so you get rewarded for that.”

“He’s played well when he comes in and that’s all you can really ask,” Henrique said. “Some nights you might not notice him out there. Sometimes that’s a good thing. He just keeps it simple with every game and scoring a big goal like that, your confidence grows, so it’s good to see and it was a huge goal for us tonight.”

Putting together two solid games feels good, but Larsson knows he can’t be satisfied.

“Of course, it’s a good feeling for me, but at the same time we have seven good defensemen here, so you just have to keep it up,” he said.

DeBoer said similar.

“He did a good job tonight,” DeBoer said. “Some of the other guys have done a good job. They’ve got to come out and do that again the next night.”

***

If you thought Henrique’s tying goal, which came off a lengthy scramble on a rebound in front, looked a little similar to the overtime goal he scored against the Rangers in Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference final, you weren’t the only one. Henrique thought the same thing.

“Oh yeah,” Henrique said. “(It was) a little different. I thought the whistle was going to go. I had no idea where the puck was and the goalie was just spread out laying there. I got up after it felt like forever and I saw the puck on the far side of him and (Jaromir Jagr) or (Marek Zidlicky) must have got a stick on it where it came back through underneath him and I was just lucky enough to be free out front again.”

It was Jagr who dug the puck free and nudged it in front to Henrique, who had just gotten up after being knocked down in the crease.

“It was there. It was a loose puck,” Jagr said. “I was surprised the referee didn’t call it. The puck was laying there. The guys did a good job to jump at the net.”

In fact, Columbus coach Todd Richards also said that he thought the officials would blow the play dead, but said referee Dan O’Rourke explained afterward that he saw the puck loose near Forsberg the whole time.

“It’s the NHL,” Jagr said. “In Europe you would have already two faceoffs, probably three. But that’s the way it is here. As long as the referee sees the puck, he’s not going to blow the whistle. So, our guys did a great job to keep playing and somehow (Henrique) found the puck and put it in the net.”

In 2012 against the Rangers, it was Ilya Kovalchuk and Alexei Ponikarovsky who were whacking at the loose puck until if finally slid under goaltender Henrik Lundqvist and Henrique finished the job by knocking it over the goal line to put the Devils in the Stanley Cup Final.

That goal also came at the other end of the rink.

“Pretty similar, though a little different time of the year,” DeBoer said. “Yeah, similar. He’s a guy who is around the net. He’s a big-game player. He’s a big goal guy. He has the ability to raise his level when he needs to and he did that.”

***

Since being pulled in the Devils’ 8-3 loss in Pittsburgh Tuesday night, goaltender Cory Schneider has rebounded with two strong efforts. He made 24 saves in Thursday night’s 2-1 shootout win over Winnipeg and 32 saves against the Blue Jackets tonight.

“Sometimes, we’re going to get behind and you’ve got to make some saves to keep us in it,” said Schneider, who equaled his career-high by starting his 11th consecutive game. “That’s my role and that’s my job and I’m feeling better about that now. Hopefully, we have a little confidence here that we can come back from anything.”

Schneider was particularly good on a late Blue Jackets’ power play (from Zidlicky’s hooking penalty with 4:42 remaining), making three saves.

“He was fantastic,” DeBoer said. “He was our best player again tonight and that’s what you need. You look around the league and the teams getting the best goaltending are picking up the most points right and we’ve gotten some great games out of him lately.”

The Devils’ penalty kill gave up another power-play goal tonight when Nick Foligno pushed free from defenseman Andy Greene to get open at the left edge of the crease to finish a Jack Johnson feed.

But, it was able to survive Zidlicky’s penalty. The power play started out as a 4-on-3 with Ryane Clowe and Columbus’ Scott Hartnell in the box for coincidental minors, and then turned into a 5-on-4. The Devils were a little fortunate that Foligno tripped Greene to end the power play with eight seconds left after Greene had just broken his stick on a slash.

“We did a great job on the 4-on-3 portion,” Schneider said. “We were trying to look for certain one-timers and shots and I thought we did a great job of taking those away. We sort of stalled a bit and killed off most of that 4-on-3 and once we got to the 5-on-4 I think we felt pretty good.”

DeBoer felt both Schneider and the rest of the penalty killers were responsible for that important kill.

“Your goaltender is always your best penalty killer,” he said. “I thought we did a good job. It’s slowly getting there, but it’s like our game, our 5-on-5 game. It’s still not where we want it to be and we’ve got a lot of work to do.”

***

The Devils will have Sunday off before returning to practice Monday morning to prepare for Tuesday night’s game against St. Louis. That will be the final game of this three-game homestand and also the first game of a home-and-home series with the Blues.

Bergen Record LOADED: 11.02.2014


Devils frustrated they still haven't found complete game, but happy to get another comeback win

Staff Writer

There were definitely some mixed emotions in the Devils’ locker room after tonight’s 3-2 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Devils were happy that they found away to come back from 2-1 deficit and win with goals 1:41 apart from Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson in the third period. But, there was also a lot of frustration about the way they played in the first two periods against a Blue Jackets’ team decimated by injuries.

It was the second game in a row in which they came back to win when trailing entering the third period. They came back from 1-0 down to defeat Winnipeg 2-1 a shootout on Thursday night. But, continuing the theme Ryane Clowe mentioned after that game about needing to reach “another level” with their game, the Devils expressed again that that if they play better they wouldn’t need to come back in the first place.

“How many times can you come back in the third period?” asked Jaromir Jagr, who dug the puck free to Henrique in front on the tying power-play goal 8:54 into the third. “I’m looking at it in a positive way. I think the power and the players are here that we can come back any game. The thing I’m mad about is we don’t play good enough the first two periods. We don’t make it easy for us. We don’t make the right plays.

“Everybody is getting frustrated. I’m getting frustrated. We’re just wasting energy away and we don’t make plays. The third period comes and you’re going to put it together and the power is here to win the hockey games, but we can make it so much easier for ourselves and more enjoyable the games playing the right way. I don’t know. It looks like we always find an excuse for ourselves.”

Several other Devils expressed a similar sentiment.

“It wasn’t the prettiest game through 40 minutes, but we found a way,” goaltender Cory Schneider said. “We’ve got two come-from-behind wins trailing after two. That’s good, but, at the same time, we need to play with that sort of urgency and desperation we had in the third period, we need to play like that for 60 minutes. We can’t wait until we get down and then turn it on.

“Hey, we can’t complain about the result, but in terms of our process we can still do some things better. We keep saying it, but I’m hoping to see what we look like when we’re playing a full 60.”

“The first couple periods were kind of up and down and in spurts,” Henrique said. “We’ve got to find a way to put a full 60 minutes together.”

That explained head coach Pete DeBoer’s “Not too much” response when asked how he enjoyed tonight’s game.

“But we’ll take the wins,” he said. “We found a way. It was ugly. Over an 82-game schedule, you’re going to have a handful of those games and a year ago we would have found a way to lose this game. So, the silver lining is we got two points against a division rival, two critical points, and found a way to win.”

DeBoer believes his team hasn’t found its best game yet and his players feel the same way.

“I think there’s some frustration in our game right now,” DeBoer said. “It’s not where any of us feel it should be. The good news is it hasn’t cost us yet. And the other good news is the guys recognize that. I’d be worried if we were all sitting here patting each other on the back because we played great. I think the guys know we’ve got more game and a better game and it’s out there and we have to find it.”

The Devils talked about not having a letdown against the Blue Jackets, who have now lost five in a row and are missing a host of key players - Sergei Bobrovsky, Brandon Dubinsky, Nathan Horton, Boone Jenner, Matt Calvert, James Wisniewski, Mark Letestu and Artem Anisimov.

But, with rookie goaltender Anton Forsberg making his NHL debut, the Devils trailed 2-1 through an exasperating first 48 minutes against a team that had played at home the night before (4-1 loss to Toronto) And the Blue

Jackets had just enough talent in their lineup to take advantage when the Devils were not sharp.

That was evident from the start with Jack Skille’s 2-on-1 goal just 1:06 into the game. Clowe and Bryce Salvador combined to turn the puck over inside the Blue Jackets’ blue line to lead to the 2-on-1 rush.

“They have a lot of injuries, it was back-to-back, I felt like we should have been able to jump on them sooner,” said Salvador, who set up Larsson’s winning goal. “But, you play 60 minutes and the last couple games what I like is that we’re finding ways to win. They’re not pretty, but what’s important is in the past we would lose these games and we’re finding ways to stick to it and get the points.”

Of getting the comeback win, Jagr said, “That’s the only positive thing about it.”

Other than maybe a spurt in the third period tonight, the Devils haven’t found that higher “level” they’ve been talking about since they won their first three games of the season.

The good news is they’ve won three of their last four in spite of that.

“I don’t think we played good enough at all,” Jagr said. “The reason I’m saying that is we always find excuses. We don’t make the right plays. We make the game so tough for ourselves. I don’t think we enjoy the game much. When we’re supposed to make plays, we dump it in. When we’re supposed to dump it in, we’re trying to make plays.

“We’ve got to make the right plays at the right time and it’s going to be a totally different hockey game when everybody is going to be enjoy it and it’s going to be a lot easier. But, unless we find it, we’re going to play like this.”

***

I’ll have more in the next post on Larsson’s game-winner, Henrique’s familiar-looking goal, Schneider coming up big late on the penalty kill, etc.



Live post: Devils vs. Columbus Blue Jackets, 11/1/14

Staff Writer

The Devils trail the Columbus Blue Jackets 2-1 in the third period of tonight’s game at Prudential Center.

SECOND PERIOD

The Blue Jackets outshot the Devils, 10-8, in the second period.

Marek Zidlicky pulled the Devls even with his power-play goal at 4:32. The goal came just eight seconds into an elbowing penalty by Columbus'Jared Boll on Jon Merrill.

Michael Ryder actually lost the right circle faceoff to Alexander Wennberg, but rookie defenseman Damon Severson was able to keep the puck in at the right point and get it to Ryder. Ryder then fed Zidiicky for an open wrist shot from the left circle that beat goaltender Anton Forsberg high to the short side.

The Devils held the Blue Jackets without a shot on goal in the period until David Savard's right point wrist shot at 9:27 that Cory Schneider kicked out with his right pad.

The Blue Jackets retook the lead, though, on a power-play goal by Nick Folingno at 12:30. With Travis Zajac in the box for hooking, Columbus defenseman Jack Johnson found Foligno behind defenseman Andy Greene at the left edge of the crease for the finish.

That was the 15th power-play goal the Devils have allowed this season -- most in the NHL.

Foligno., the sone of Devils' assistant Mike Foligno, headed off to the locker room with 1:18 left in the period after appearing to be hit in the head with a Johnson slap shot after being knocked down by Zidlicky in the slot.

FIRST PERIOD

The Devils outshot the Blue Jackets 11-8 in the first period.

Jack Skille scored on a 2-on-1 rush just 1:06 into the game to give the Blue Jackets the lead.

Ryane Clowe and Bryce Salvador combined to turn puck over to Brian Gibbons high in the offensive zone, trapping Bryce Salvador at the left point after Salvador's return pass bounced off Clowe. That left Marek Zidlicky as the lone defender back when Gibbons carried in on the left side. Zidlicky could not block Gibbons' pass across to Skille, who beat Schneider under the left arm for his third of the season.

The Devils didn't get their first shot on goal on rookie goalie Anton Forsberg until Damien Brunner's power-play point shot

The Devils received the first power play of the night when Jack Johnson was called for hooking Jaromir Jagr at 4:08. The Devils had some good attack zone time during the man advantage and three shots on goal - including a Patrik Elias deflection at 4:55 -- but could not cash in.

The Blue Jackets received their first power play of the night when Jon Merrill was called for closing his hand on the puck at 14:04. The Devils did a good job of killing that off with Schneider making a pair of saves -- one on Cam Atkinson's one-timer from the right circle at 14:46 and one on Tim Erixon from the left circle at 15:05.

The Devils went on the power play for the second time with 3:15 left in the first period when Cody Goloubef was called for interferenc with Elias. Adam Henrique had a good chance on a backhand from in front with 2:57 left in the period, but Forsberg gloved it down.

Andy Greene was called for a diving trip on Atkinson with 1:00 left in the period after a Damon Severson turnover led to a near breakaway. Schneider had to make a good pad save on Ryan Johansen after Atkinson lost the puck on the trip.

The Blue Jackets will have one minute left on the power play to start of the second.

The Devils are coming off a 2-1 shootout win over Winnipeg Thursday night that snapped their NHL record shootout losing streak at 18. Tonight’s game is the second game of a three-game homestand that concludes Tuesday night against St. Louis. After that, the Devils play 15 of their next 20 games on the road.

The Blue Jackets are coming off a 4-1 home loss to Toronto Friday night that extended their losing streak to four.

Cory Schneider started in net for the Devils against rookie Anton Forsberg, who is making his first NHL start for the Blue Jackets with Sergei Bobrovsky still out with a fractured finger.

The Devils are again without left wing Mike Cammalleri (possible head injury, sore neck/jaw), right wing Martin Havlat (lower-body injury) and right wing Jordin Tootoo (bruised left foot). Defenseman Eric Gelinas remains the Devils’ lone healthy scratch.

The Blue Jackets have been decimated by injuries. In addition to Bobrovsky, they are missing Brandon Dubinsky, Nathan Horton, Boone Jenner, Matt Calvert, James Wisniewski, Mark Letestu and Artem Anisimov.

In addition, right wing Corey Tropp is out tonight due to illness.

For warm-ups at least, the Devils reunited the defense pair of Bryce Salvador and Marek Zidlicky after splitting them up during Thursday’s game.

Here were the starting lineups:

DEVILS

Forwards: Dainius Zubrus-Patrik Elias-Damien Brunner. Defensemen: Andy Greene-Damon Severson. Goaltender: Cory Schneider.

BLUE JACKETS

Forwards: Scott Hartnell-Ryan Johansen-Cam Atkinson. Defensemen: Fedor Tyutin-Jack Johnson. Goaltender: Anton Forsberg.

***

Here is the Devils’ full lineup for tonight with the line combinations and defense pairs from warm-ups:

Forwards: Ryane Clowe-Travis Zajac-Jaromir Jagr; Dainius Zubrus-Patrik Elias-Damien Brunner; Reid Boucher-Adam Henrique-Michael Ryder; Tuomo Ruttu-Jacob Josefson-Stephen Gionta.

Defensemen: Andy Greene-Damon Severson; Bryce Salvador-Marek Zidlicky; Jon Merrill-Adam Larsson.

Goaltender: Cory Schneider:

Injured: LW Mike Cammalleri (possible head injury/sore neck/jaw), RW Martin Havlat (lower body), RW Jordin Tootoo (bruised left foot).

Healthy scratch: D Eric Gelinas.



Devils can't afford letdown against injury-riddled Columbus; No concern about fatigue with Schneider

Staff Writer

The Devils will dress the same lineup for tonight’s home game against the Columbus Blue Jackets as they used in Thursday’s 2-1 shootout win over Winnipeg, head coach Pete DeBoer said in his pre-game media availability this afternoon.

That means defenseman Eric Gelinas will again be the line healthy scratch.

The Devils will again be without Left wing Mike Cammalleri (possible head injury, sore neck/jaw), right wing Martin Havlat (lower-body injury) and right wing Jordin Tootoo (bruised left foot). Defenseman Eric Gelinas will again be the Devils’ lone healthy scratch.

Cory Schneider will start in net for the Devils against rookie Anton Forsberg, who will be making his first NHL appearance for the Blue Jackets with Sergei Bobrovsky still out with a fractured finger.

The Blue Jackets have been decimated by injuries. In addition to Bobrovsky, they are missing Brandon Dubinsky, Nathan Horton, Boone Jenner, Matt Calvert, James Wisniewski, Mark Letestu and Artem Anisimov.

In addition, right wing Corey Tropp is out tonight due to illness.

The Devils know they are facing a depleted Blue Jackets team that has lost its last four games, but they also know they can’t afford to take them lightly. They were 1-2-1 against them last season, which contributed to them missing the playoffs.

Plus, the Blue Jackets still have just enough key healthy players to hurt the Devils if they are not sharp. Center Ryan Johansen has at least one point in all 10 of Columbus’ games so far (five goals, eight assist). Right wing Cam Atkinson, who had three goals and three assists in four games against the Devils last season, is still healthy and is tied for the team lead five goals this season.

Nick Foligno (son of Devils assistant Mike Foligno) is back in the lineup and has nine points (three goals, six assists) in nine games and former Flyer Scott Hartnell has 10 points (one goal, nine assists).

So, DeBoer says no one needs to tell the Devils that they can’t expect the Blue Jackets to just give them the game tonight.

“We know we’re not a team that is in any position to do that with anybody,” he said. “Everybody’s dealing with their own set up injuries. Obviously, theirs are more serious right now, but I think this is a league where they’re going to come in, they’re going to work hard, they’re going to play their best game and we can’t take anybody lightly. These are critical points.”

The Devils also are looking to improve on their effort from Thursday night. Although they finally won a shootout, breaking their NHL record shootout losing streak at 18, they didn’t play all that well for most of the night and needed goaltender Cory Schneider to come up with some big saves to keep them within one goal until Michael Ryder tied it with 3:27 left in regulation.

“I think we gave up a little bit too much, a little too much room,” DeBoer said. “I thought Schneider was excellent the other night and he gave us a chance to hang around that game to score a goal. We’re happy we got the two points. I think we feel we’ve got a better game than that and we’ve got to get that out there tonight.”

At 5-3-2 with 12 points through their first 10 games, the Devils are in much better shape than they were when they were 1-5-4 with six points at this point last season. What happens in the next 10 games is even more important, though.

“I’m not going to overthink this,” DeBoer said. “We’ll take a strong start any day of the week over where we were sitting last year and the hole we dug ourselves in the first 10 games. We knew that. We talked about that starting in training camp. Now, we have to build on that. I think as a group we feel we’ve got more levels to our game and our team game and we’ve got to find them.”

***

Schneider will make his 11th consecutive start tonight, equaling his career-high from March 19 to April 8, 2013 with Vancouver. According to Elias Sports Bureau, Schneider’s 11 consecutive starts at the beginning of a season equals the third longest stretch in team history. Martin Brodeur holds the Devlils’ record in starting the first 19 games of the 2001-02 season. Chris Terreri started the first 12 games of the 1991-92 season and Brodeur started the first 11 games of 2003-04.

It’s unclear when backup Scott Clemmensen will get his first start, but DeBoer said fatigue is not something he’s worried about with Schneider, so far.

“I haven’t seen it, yet," DeBoer said. "I think it’s early for that. These guys train all summer for this. If you’re going to see fatigue in a starting goaltender, I don’t think you’re going to see it in the first 30 or 40 games. I think you’re going to see it in the second half of the season, so it’s not something I’m concerned about right now.”

***

The Devils’ penalty kill went 2-for-2 Thursday night against the Jets. It was only the second game this season in which they did not allow a power-play goal.

“It’s obviously been a focus for us and something that we know we had to clean up,” DeBoer said “So, whenever you get a positive result, I think it’s a step in the right direction. I felt that it was getting better, but the results backed that up last game and, hopefully, that breeds a little confidence.”

DeBoer said “it’s not one specific thing” that the team must do to be successful on the penalty kill.

“Your goalie’s always your best penalty killer,” he said. “He had an excellent night (Thursday). There’s going to be some breakdowns and chances on a penalty kill no matter who you are and he’s got to be there to bail you out when that happens. He was excellent. I don’t think we were doing much different last game PK-wise than we had been for the three or four games prior to that, we just found a way to shut them down. We took less penalties too, which is something that we have to continue to work at.”

The Devils have been shorthanded 44 times this season. That’s one behind Colorado and Montreal for most in the NHL.

***

DeBoer said he hadn’t decided on his defense pairs for tonight, we’ll have to wait until warm-ups to see what is plan is for the Bryce Salvador-Marek Zidlicky pairing, which was split up Thursday night, but back together at the start of practice Friday.

For the last two periods plus Thursday, Salvador played with Adam Larsson and Zidlicky was with Jon Merrill.

Larsson played well with Salvador, but DeBoer thought it didn’t matter who his defense partner was Thursday.

“I thought he was comfortable all night regardless of who we had him with,” DeBoer said of Larsson. “He started with Merrill and I thought he had a strong game Minute 1 through Minute 60. I don’t think who he played with made a difference.”

Here is the Devils’ full lineup for tonight with the line combinations and defense pairs from Friday’s practice:








After 10 games, Lamoriello sees positives for Devils, but lots of room to improve; Discipline a key

Staff Writer

Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello usually evaluates his team in 10-game segments.

So, with the Devils 5-3-2 through 10 games and heading into tonight’s game against the Columbus Blue Jackets, I asked Lamoriello to assess where the team stands right now.

“We have 12 points in 10 games,” he said. “If you look at it in the big picture of the season, that’s a pace for about 100 points (98). That said, I think overall we can be better in all areas. We have to get our discipline back.”

Discipline has been a problem for the Devils in that they’ve been shorthanded 44 times already this season. Only Colorado and Montreal – both shorthanded 45 times – have faced more power plays.

Compounding that problem is that the Devils have struggled on the penalty killing, giving up a league-high 14 power play goals, after having the NHL’s top-ranked PK last season. Thursday’s 2-1 shootout win over Winnipeg was only the second game this season in which the Devils didn’t allow a power-play goal.

“Discipline is something we’ve prided ourselves in and we’ve taken too many bad penalties and spent too much time killing penalties, which impacts you 5-on-5, and given up some goals. You just can’t take that many penalties. You kill off the penalties like (Jordin) Tootoo took against San Jose, but it always seems like you don’t kill off the bad ones.”

On the plus side of the ledger, Lamoriello noted the team ending its league-record shootout losing streak at 18 Thursday night and the play of its young defensemen.

“If you’re looking at positives, we won a shootout, so we don’t have to read about that anymore,” he said. “You know we’re going to go through some times with the young defenseman, but overall it’s been very good. We’ve got four real good young guys. In saying all of that, you dwell on the positives. The coaching staff knows what they have to do, they work at it every day, but right now we just have to get ready for the next game.”

The Devils were just 1-5-4 with only six points after 10 games last season. It took them until their 17th game of 2013-14 to get to five wins. So, the start has been better, but that doesn’t mean there still isn’t a lot of room for improvement.

“You look at the big picture because it’s the end result and it’s a team stat. It’s not an individual stat,” Lamoriello said. “So, we have 12 points. Do we wish we had 15, 16? Absolutely. Are we glad we don’t have less? Absolutely. But, that’s what we have, so that’s what we’ve accomplished. Now, we go to the second 10 games.”

***

The Devils did not hold a morning skate today. Defenseman Eric Gelinas, the unsigned Scott Gomez and backup goaltender Scott Clemmensen were the only players to go on the ice.

Head coach Pete DeBoer will hold a pre-game media availability at 4:45 p.m., so we will have to wait until then to find out anything definite about tonight’s lineup. Judging by Friday’s practice and Gelinas skating this morning, however, it does not appear there would be any lineup changes.

Cory Schneider will start in net again for the Devils against rookie Anton Forsberg, who will make his first NHL start for the Blue Jackets.

Left wing Mike Cammalleri (possible head injury, sore neck/jaw), right wing Martin Havlat (lower-body injury) and right wing Jordin Tootoo (bruised left foot) all remain out.

Havlat and Tootoo have resumed skating, but are not ready to play, yet.

Lamoriello said Friday that Cammalleri still "doesn't feel right" after taking an elbow to the head from Dallas Jamie Benn last Friday. Camalleri played the remainder of that game and in last Saturday's game in Ottawa, but hasn't skated since then.

***

The Blue Jackets, who fell 4-1 to Toronto in Columbus Friday night to extend their losing streak to four (all in regulation), will hold an optional morning skate today. They have their own injury problems with Sergei Bobrovsky, Brandon Dubinsky, Nathan Horton, Boone Jenner, Matt Calvert, James Wisniewski, Mark Letestu and Artem Anisimov all sidelined.

Jenner, who is recovering from a broken hand, is the only one of the injured Blue Jackets that skated this morning and he wont play tonight. In addition, right wing Corey Tropp is out for Columbus tonight due to illness.

Still, after going 1-2-1 against the Blue Jackets last season, which hurt their chances to make the playoffs, the Devils can’t afford to take them lightly

“They’re a good hockey team. They’re deep,” Devils coach Pete DeBoer said Friday. “I know they’ve got some injuries. I think everyone’s dealing with injuries. I know theirs are more than what we have, but the guys we’re missing are key people too, so I think that’s part of it in the league, dealing with that and still finding a way to stay competitive. When you watch them on tape, they’re still a real competitive team. They play a hard game and we’ve got to be ready for that.”

***

From the pre-game media notes:

*Tonight’s game is the second-game of a three-game homestand that concludes Tuesday night against St. Louis. After that, the Devils play 15 of their next 20 games on the road. They won’t play consecutive games at Prudential Center again until a four-game homestand from Dec. 17 to Dec. 23.

*Schneider will start his 11th consecutive game, which ties his career high from March 19 to April 8, 2013 with Vancouver. He went 9-2-0 with a 1.29 goals-against average, a .954 save percentage and four shutouts during that 11-game stretch.

*Per Elias Sports Bureau, Schneider became just the third goaltender in Devils’ history to start the team’s first 10 games of the season. Martin Brodeur did it five times, including the first 19 games of the 2001-02 season. Brodeur started the first 11 games of 2003-04 and the first 10 games in 2008-09 and 2009-10.

Chris Terreri started the first 12 games of the 1991-92 season.

*The Devils are 5-0-2 at home in their history against the Blue Jackets.

*Center Ryan Johansen has points in all 10 of the Blue Jackets’ game this season (five goals, eight assists) and has the longest active points streak in the NHL.

***

Based on Friday’s practice and those skating this morning, here is the Devils’ expected lineup tonight (I’ll leave the defense pairs as what they were at the start of Friday’s practice, but whether Bryce Salvador and Marek Zidlicky play together tonight remains to be seen):








Devils notes: Larsson scores winner

November 2, 2014, 12:45 AM

Tom Gulitti

Larsson the hero

Adam Larsson’s goal, the game-winner with 9:25 left in the third period, was his first in the NHL since Nov. 16 of last season. The 21-year-old defenseman played in only 12 NHL games over that stretch, though, as he spent some time injured and in the minors last season, and then began this season by being a healthy scratch for eight of the first nine games.

"Of course, it’s a good feeling for me," Larsson said of scoring. "But, at the same time we have seven good defensemen here, so you just have to keep it up."

Larsson’s teammates were happy to see him rewarded for his hard work and patience while he was waiting for his chance to play.

"He’s always had a positive attitude, he’s never negative and he always works hard, so you get rewarded for that," captain Bryce Salvador said.

Schneider responds

Since being pulled in the Devils’ 8-3 loss in Pittsburgh on Tuesday, goaltender Cory Schneider has rebounded with two strong efforts. He made 24 saves in Thursday night’s 2-1 shootout win over Winnipeg and 32 saves against the Blue Jackets.

"Sometimes we’re going to get behind and you’ve got to make some saves to keep us in it," said Schneider, who equaled his career high by starting his 11th consecutive game. "That’s my role and that’s my job."

Familiar look

If you thought Adam Henrique’s tying goal, which came off a lengthy scramble on a rebound in front, looked a little similar to the overtime goal he scored against the Rangers in Game 6 of the 2012 Eastern Conference final, you weren’t the only one. Henrique thought the same thing.

"Oh yeah," he said. "A little different. I thought the whistle was going to go. I had no idea where the puck was and the goalie was just spread out laying there."



Devils rally to beat Blue Jackets, 3-2

Saturday, November 1, 2014, 11:50 PM

TOM GULITTI

NEWARK – Beneath the smiles in the Devils’ victorious postgame locker room Saturday night, there was also a lurking, almost obvious, frustration.

Having rallied in the third period for the second game in a row to pull out a 3-2 victory over the injury-decimated Columbus Blue Jackets, the Devils were happy to get the two points, but disappointed that their inconsistent play in the first two periods forced them to have to come back again in the first place.

They needed goals 1:41 apart from Adam Henrique and Adam Larsson in the third period to eke out Saturday’s win.

“How many times can you come back in the third period?” asked Jaromir Jagr. “I’m looking at it in a positive way. I think the power and the players are here that we can come back any game. The thing I’m mad about is we don’t play good enough the first two periods. We don’t make it easy for us.”

Left wing Ryane Clowe expressed a similar sentiment after Thursday’s 2-1 shootout win over Winnipeg. The Devils trailed 1-0 in that one before Michael Ryder’s tying goal with 3:27 left in regulation and finally ending their shootout losing streak.

“I think there’s some frustration in our game right now,” Devils coach Pete DeBoer said. “It’s not where any of us feel it should be. The good news is it hasn’t cost us – yet. And the other good news is the guys recognize that. I’d be worried if we were all sitting here patting each other on the back because we played great. I think the guys know we’ve got more game and a better game and it’s out there and we have to find it.”

The Devils talked about not having a letdown against the Blue Jackets, who have now lost five in a row and were missing a host of key players, including goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. Still, with rookie goaltender Anton Forsberg making his NHL debut, the Devils trailed 2-1 through an exasperating first 48 minutes against at team that also played the night before (4-1 home loss to Toronto).

The Blue Jackets had just enough healthy talent in their lineup to take advantage when the Devils made mistakes. That was evident on Jack Skille’s 2-on-1 goal just 1:06 into the game. Clowe and Bryce Salvador combined to turn the puck over inside the Blue Jackets’ blue line, leading to the 2-on-1 rush.

“They have a lot of injuries, it was back to back, I felt like we should have been able to jump on them sooner,” Salvador said. “But, you play 60 minutes and the last couple games what I like is that we’re finding ways to win.”

The Devils tied it on Marek Zidlicky’s power-play goal from the left circle 4:32 into the second period, but the Blue Jackets went back ahead on Nick Foligno’s power-play goal at 12:30. That was the league-worst 15th power-play goal the Devils have allowed this season.

The Devils picked up the pace in the third and were rewarded on the power play when Henrique flipped home the puck off a scramble in front at 8:54. Then, Salvador set up Larsson for a shot from the top of the right circle that went through Dainius Zubrus’ screen in front and beat Forsberg to the short side at 10:35.

“I got a good play from Sal there and I saw a lot of traffic in front of the net, so I was trying to get it there,” Larsson said.

After that, the Devils were able to survive a late Columbus’ power play with goaltender Cory Schneider making three of his 32 saves to earn their third win in the last four games.

“That’s the only positive thing about it,” Jagr said. “I don’t think we played good enough at all. The reason I’m saying that is we always find excuses. We don’t make the right plays. We make the game so tough for ourselves. … We’ve got to make the right plays at the right time and it’s going to be a totally different hockey game when everybody is going to be enjoy it and it’s going to be a lot easier. But, unless we find it, we’re going to play like this.”



Adam Larsson lifts Devils past Blue Jackets with third period goal

Sunday, November 2, 2014, 1:17 AM

Staff Writer

NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey Devils are off to a solid start, thanks in part to a diversified offensive attack.

So far this season, 17 players have already scored a goal. Defenseman Adam Larsson, who has played in only three of New Jersey’s 11 games this season, was the latest to score when he gave the Devils the lead with 9:25 left en route to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the slumping Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday night.

The 21-year-old Larsson, the No. 4 pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, capped a comeback in which the Devils (6-3-2) erased a 2-1 deficit in a span of 1:41. Larsson took a pass from captain and fellow defenseman Bryce Salvador and snapped a shot past goalie Anton Forsberg, who made his NHL debut.

“I’m very happy to get a good play there,” Larsson said. “I got the puck and saw a lot of room in front of me. I saw a lot of the net open, so I shot it.

“It was a good feeling for me. We have seven good defensemen on this team, and we can all score. We just have to keep it up.”

Earlier in the third period, Adam Henrique scored a power play-goal — his fourth tally of the season — off an assist from Jaromir Jagr. Marek Zidlicky got New Jersey even at 1 with a power-play goal in the second period. Jagr was a little upset with the Devils’ play in the first two periods.

“How many times can we expect to come back like that?” said Jagr, referring to the previous two New Jersey victories in which third-period deficits were erased.

Get Adobe Flash player

The Devils defeated Winnipeg in a shootout on Thursday night after entering the third period trailing by a goal. “We have to look at it in a positive way, but we didn’t play well for the first two periods,” Jagr said. “The third period, we put it together. We can make things go a lot easier if we just play the right way.” Cory Schneider made 32 saves for the Devils.

“He was our best player again,” Devils coach Peter DeBoer said. “We’ve been able to get some good wins because of him lately. Look at all the good teams, and they’re the ones who are getting the best goaltending. We needed this win.”

Jack Skille and Nick Foligno scored for the Blue Jackets (4-7), who lost their fifth straight game.

“It’s disappointing because we had a 2-1 lead in the third period and couldn’t finish,” Columbus coach Todd Richards said. “We did everything right for two periods and end up on the wrong side. We made a couple of mistakes, and they won the game.”

Columbus grabbed a 1-0 lead when Skille scored just 1:06 into the game.

Skille took a great pass from the recently recalled Brian Gibbons and fired it past Schneider.

Corey Schneider stops 32 shots in the Devils' 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets. Bill Kostroun/AP Corey Schneider stops 32 shots in the Devils' 3-2 win over the Blue Jackets.

In the second period, just eight seconds after Blue Jackets right wing Jared Boll was sent off for hooking, Zidlicky fired in a wrist shot after skating in untouched.

The Blue Jackets regained the lead, again on a power play.

With Travis Zajac off for hooking, Jack Johnson timed a perfect pass to Foligno, who was set up just outside the crease. Foligno got the puck and slapped it past Schneider with 7:30 left in the period. Foligno later left the ice after he was hit in the face with a puck. He skated off the ice on his own, but went straight to the dressing room for evaluation. Foligno returned for the third period.

The Blue Jackets lost rookie defenseman Cody Goloubef to an apparent knee injury late in the game. Goloubef was helped off the ice, and his playing status is unknown.

NOTES: Devils LW Mike Cammalleri didn’t play for the third straight game. The

Devils’ leading goal scorer took an elbow to the face last week against Dallas. He is day to day. ... Forsberg was the first goalie to make his NHL debut against the

Devils since Henrik Lundqvist of the New York Rangers in 2005. ... Gibbons played for the first time this season and got an assist on his first shift. Gibbons later added another. ... Johansen played in his 200th NHL game.

New York Daily News LOADED: 11.02.2014


Larsson’s goal leads Devils to comeback win over Blue Jackets

Staff Writer

November 1, 2014 | 10:26pm

The Devils are off to a solid start, thanks in part to a diversified offensive attack. So far this season, 17 players have already scored a goal.

Defenseman Adam Larsson, who has played in just three of New Jersey’s 11 games this season, was the latest to score when he gave the Devils the lead with 9:25 left en route to a 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the slumping Blue Jackets on Saturday night at the Prudential Center.

The 21-year-old Larsson, the No. 4 pick in the 2011 NHL Draft, capped a comeback in which the Devils (6-3-2) erased a 2-1 deficit in a span of 1:41.

Larsson took a pass from captain and fellow defenseman Bryce Salvador and snapped a shot past goalie Anton Forsberg, who made his NHL debut.

“I’m very happy to get a good play there,” Larsson said. “I got the puck and saw a lot of room in front of me. I saw a lot of the net open, so I shot it.

“It was a good feeling for me. We have seven good defensemen on this team, and we can all score. We just have to keep it up.”

Earlier in the third period, Adam Henrique scored a power play-goal — his fourth tally of the season — off an assist from Jaromir Jagr. Marek Zidlicky got New Jersey even at 1 with a power-play goal in the second period.

Jagr was a little upset with the Devils’ play in the first two periods.

“How many times can we expect to come back like that?” said Jagr, referring to the previous two Devils victories in which third-period deficits were erased.

The Devils defeated Winnipeg in a shootout on Thursday night after entering the third period trailing by a goal.

“We have to look at it in a positive way, but we didn’t play well for the first two periods,” Jagr said. “The third period, we put it together. We can make things go a lot easier if we just play the right way.”

Cory Schneider made 32 saves for the Devils.

“He was our best player again,” Devils coach Peter DeBoer said. “We’ve been able to get some good wins because of him lately. Look at all the good teams, and they’re the ones who are getting the best goaltending. We needed this win.”

Jack Skille and Nick Foligno scored for the Blue Jackets (4-7), who lost their fifth straight game.

“It’s disappointing because we had a 2-1 lead in the third period and couldn’t finish,” Columbus coach Todd Richards said. “We did everything right for two periods and end up on the wrong side. We made a couple of mistakes, and they won the game.”

Columbus grabbed a 1-0 lead when Skille scored just 1:06 into the game. Skille took a great pass from the recently recalled Brian Gibbons and fired it past Schneider.

In the second period, just eight seconds after Blue Jackets right wing Jared Boll was sent off for hooking, Zidlicky fired in a wrist shot after skating in untouched.

The Blue Jackets regained the lead, again on a power play. With Travis Zajac off for hooking, Jack Johnson timed a perfect pass to Foligno, who was set up just outside the crease. Foligno got the puck and slapped it past Schneider with 7:30 left in the period.

Foligno later left the ice after he was hit in the face with a puck. He skated off the ice on his own, but went straight to the dressing room for evaluation. Foligno returned for the third period.

The Blue Jackets lost rookie defenseman Cody Goloubef to an apparent knee injury late in the game. Goloubef was helped off the ice, and his playing status is unknown.

Devils left wing Mike Cammalleri didn’t play for the third straight game. The Devils’ leading goal scorer took an elbow to the face last week against Dallas. He is day-to-day.

New York Post LOADED: 11.02.2014

755396 New York Islanders


JEFF Z. KLEIN

NOV. 1, 2014





























MacKinnon Scores Twice, Avs Beat Islanders 5-0

Staff Writer

OCT. 30, 2014, 11:52 P.M. E.D.T.

DENVER — Nathan MacKinnon scored his first two goals of the season and Semyon Varlamov stopped 40 shots for his 14th NHL shutout, lifting the Colorado Avalanche to a 5-0 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday night.

MacKinnon, the 19-year-old reigning rookie of the year, has struggled to get on track this season. He scored both of his goals in the second period, one on a power play — hopping up and down on his skates to celebrate — and the other when he tipped a shot past goalie Chad Johnson.

Cody McLeod and Marc-Andre Cliche also netted their first goals of the season. Erik Johnson added another in the third period.

Varlamov was sharp against the Islanders, one of the NHL's highest scoring teams. It was his first shutout since April 5 at St. Louis.

The Avalanche took command with a three-goal second period, turning this game into a rout. That is a departure for these teams in Denver, where the last seven meetings had been decided by one goal.

Tempers flared late, with New York's Cal Clutterbuck and McLeod shoving each other near the Avalanche bench. Both were sent to the penalty box for roughing. Seconds later, Johnson scored on a power play to make it 5-0. The defenseman also added an assist.

The Islanders struggled on the power play, going 0-for-6.

At the morning skate, MacKinnon said his scoring slump wasn't weighing on him and that he wouldn't change anything about his play.

"I'll get a bounce one of these nights," MacKinnon said.

He did. There was a collision in front of the Islanders net with three players falling on top of Gabriel Landeskog near the crease. Johnson tried to stand tall, but fell. MacKinnon skated backward with the puck to create some separation and then lined a shot into the upper corner.

His eyes grew wide when the puck went in and he raised his arms. He then hopped around as his teammates engulfed him.

Later, Jarome Iginla corralled a puck on the side and sent a pass near the net, which MacKinnon tipped to the right of Johnson's stick.

MacKinnon had 24 goals and 39 assists last season in helping the Avalanche return to the playoffs. His slow start mirrored that of last season, though, when he had one goal through the opening 11 games.

Varlamov showed no signs of fatigue after making 49 saves in a shootout loss to San Jose two nights earlier. That tied the franchise record for most saves in a home game.

McLeod scored 2:34 into the game on a feed from Matt Duchene, who was left alone behind the net.

The Avalanche were called for two delay of game penalties in the opening period, one when Landeskog tried to clear a puck near the net. The other was at the end of the period as John Mitchell flipped a puck out of play.

Islanders captain John Tavares almost tied the game, but his shot just before the buzzer clanged off the crossbar.

NOTES: New York D Travis Hamonic missed his fourth straight game because of an upper-body injury. ... Islanders RW Kyle Okposo played in his 400th career game. ... The Islanders' next stop on their five-game trip is Saturday at San Jose. ... Colorado RW Dennis Everberg was recalled from Lake Erie of the American Hockey League on Thursday. ... F Maxime Talbot and Duchene each had two assists.



Islanders fall to Logan Couture and San Jose Sharks, 3-1

Staff Writer


SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Logan Couture scored the tiebreaking goal with 8:10 remaining to help the San Jose Sharks win for the third time in four games, 3-1 over the New York Islanders on Saturday night.

Tomas Hertl and James Sheppard also scored for the Sharks, who have three wins and a shootout loss following a four-game losing streak.

Antti Niemi made 19 saves in his fourth straight start.

Kyle Okposo scored for the Islanders, who have lost their first two games on a five-game road trip.

Jaroslav Halak made 28 saves. Couture gave the Sharks the lead when he deftly redirected a hard pass from the point by Justin Braun.

The puck went in and out of the net so quickly the referees didn’t even notice it at first and only stopped play after Couture started celebrating.

Sharks' Brent Burns protects the puck from Islanders' Kyle Okposo. Marcio Jose Sanchez/AP Sharks' Brent Burns protects the puck from Islanders' Kyle Okposo.

Replay confirmed the goal.

Sheppard gave San Jose some insurance when he scored his first of the season with 4:25 remaining on a slick transition play with linemates Adam Burish and Andrew Desjardins.

Couture’s goal ended a more than 40-minute scoring drought after the teams traded goals midway through the first period. There were a handful of good chances after the early goals but no one could break through.

Halak stopped Joe Pavelski in the closing seconds of the second period and then robbed him again midway through the third when Pavelski got the puck all alone in the slot.

The Islanders struck first when Okposo took a drop pass from Nick Leddy and beat Niemi with a shot to the short side from the circle midway through the first period.

The Sharks answered a few minutes later on the power play when Tommy Wingels and Matt Nieto won a battle for the puck behind the net.

Hertl went to the front, took a pass from Wingels and knocked it past Halak for the equalizer.

It was the third goal of the season for Hertl, who last scored on Oct. 16 when the Sharks visited the Islanders.

San Jose outshot New York 17-6 in the opening period but could not take the lead.

There were fewer chances in the second, and the game remained tied heading into the final period.

NOTES: D Travis Hamonic (upper body) returned to the lineup after missing four games with an upper-body injury. Brian Strait was scratched. ... Sharks D Scott Hannan was honored before the game for playing in his 1,000th career game last month. He left with an injury in the first period shortly after a hard hit from Cal Clutterbuck. ... Islanders F Cory Conacher left briefly in the third after being elbowed in the head by Sharks D Jason Demers. Conacher’s night ended when he got a 10-minute misconduct penalty shortly after returning to the game.



Slumping Islanders hit another bump in the road, fall to Sharks

Staff Writer

November 2, 2014 | 1:04am

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Logan Couture scored the tiebreaking goal with 8:10 remaining to help the Sharks win for the third time in four games, 3-1 over the Islanders on Saturday night.

Kyle Okposo scored 8:06 into the game for the Islanders, who have lost their first two games on a five-game road trip.

Jaroslav Halak made 28 saves for the Isles.

Tomas Hertl and James Sheppard also scored for the Sharks, who have three wins and a shootout loss following a four-game losing streak. Antti Niemi made 19 saves in his fourth straight start.

The Islanders struck first when Okposo took a drop pass from Nick Leddy and beat Niemi with a shot to the short side from the circle midway through the first period.

The Sharks answered a few minutes later on the power play when Tommy Wingels and Matt Nieto won a battle for the puck behind the net. Hertl went to the front, took a pass from Wingels and knocked it past Halak for the equalizer. It was the third goal of the season for Hertl, who last scored on Oct. 16 when the Sharks visited the Islanders.

San Jose outshot the Isles 17-6 in the opening period but could not take the lead. There were fewer chances in the second, and the game remained tied heading into the final period.

Islanders forward Cory Conacher left briefly in the third after being elbowed in the head by Sharks defenseman Jason Demers. Conacher’s night ended when he got a 10-minute misconduct penalty shortly after returning to the game.



Islanders lose to Sharks, 3-1

November 2, 2014 1:54 AM

ARTHUR STAPLE

SAN JOSE, Calif. - The Islanders juggled their forward lines, put Jaroslav Halak back in goal and played a better game than they had in a week.

It still wasn't enough, though, especially from a newly formed top line. Kyle Okposo scored, but he, John Tavares and Brock Nelson were out of sync much of the night and were on ice for the Sharks' go-ahead score with 8:10 to go.

The 3-1 loss to San Jose was the Islanders' third straight, dropping them to 6-5-0 after a 4-0 start. They had only 20 shots on goal and had another 25 blocked by the Sharks in a game that was evenly played and tied into the second half of the third period.

But a puck up the wall eluded Okposo and Justin Braun's point shot was neatly tipped over Halak's shoulder by Logan Couture. After another turnover in the neutral zone, James Sheppard sealed it by deflecting Adam Burish's pass over Halak with 4:25 left.

"We can't score,'' Jack Capuano said. "I don't know what the issue is right now other than that. I thought the guys played well, our goaltender gave us a chance to win. We've just got to find a way to score goals.''

IslandersIslanders vs. Sharks

With a group of revamped forward lines, the Isles looked more in sync and active five-on-five than they'd been in a few games. And it helped them strike first.

Nick Leddy controlled a bouncing puck in the neutral zone as the Sharks went for a change, forcing San Jose to scramble a bit as Leddy gained the blue line. He dropped the puck to Okposo, who walked around Brent Burns and snapped a shot under Antti Niemi at 8:06 of the first.

But the broken penalty kill caused problems again a short time later. With Ryan Strome in the penalty box, the Sharks pressed on Halak and got the tying goal off a couple of fortunate bounces -- one off the glass that handcuffed Johnny Boychuk behind the Islanders' net, the other a puck that Tommy Wingels whacked perfectly past Thomas Hickey to Tomas Hertl alone in front for a quick strike and a tie game at 10:23. The Islanders have allowed 12 power-play goals in 34 shorthanded situations this season.

The Islanders were outshot 17-6 in the first period, but it didn't feel that lopsided.

About 11 months ago, when the Islanders last visited San Jose, they were outshot 18-3 in a dominating first period, saved only by then-Isles goaltender Kevin Poulin. Saturday night was not like that. Halak was sharp, as he needed to be, but the Islanders were able to generate some offensive-zone time and cycle the puck.

That improved in a second period that featured only 10 total shots, six by the Islanders, but a much stronger forecheck and offensive presence by them. The Islanders had 25 shot attempts in the middle period, with the Sharks blocking 12. Travis Hamonic, back after missing four games, jumped into the play often and had six of the 25 second-period attempts.

The Nelson-Tavares-Okposo line had a couple of moments, but also had an equal number of cringeworthy plays that led to turnovers. Too fancy would have been the obvious assessment, especially in a tight game without much flow.

"We just have to score on our opportunities, basically,'' said Tavares, who was held off the scoresheet for the third time in the last four games. "Sometimes you have to find a way to pay the price and get the results you want. When you're doing things well, the bounces and goals come a little easier.''

Notes & quotes: Josh Bailey has seen quick improvement in the strength and flexibility in his broken left hand and hopes to be cleared shortly for more on-ice work as he tries to return inside of two weeks from his injury. He likely will have an X-ray Monday or Tuesday in Anaheim. "I've really noticed

a difference the last few days," Bailey said. "A lot of the bruising is gone. It's great to see that it's gotten better so quickly." . . . D Matt Carkner, on injured reserve since the season began, had surgery last week to repair a herniated disc in his back and likely is done for the season. Carkner is in the final year of a three-year, $4.5-million contract.

Newsday LOADED: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Do players really learn from sitting on the bench and watching?


ARTHUR STAPLE

SAN JOSE, Calif. - You can learn by sitting and watching a game. That's an old coaches' chestnut, something usually tossed out when a player is benched as a healthy scratch and needs a little time away to get out of a funk.

So can NHL players learn by watching?

"I think you learn that everyone sitting up there [in the press box] thinks they could score 50," jokedTravis Hamonic, who returned Saturday night against the Sharks after missing four games with an upper- body injury. "But yeah, it's a different angle, a different vantage point, so I do like to watch the games when I'm out.

"I think the thing you dofind is that maybe you have a little more time with the puck than you think. It's hard when you're actually on the ice to think about those things, but maybe you can carry it over a little."

Mikhail Grabovski missed three games with a concussion a week ago and he said he makes a point to watch the games he misses.

IslandersVideo series: Islanders' last season on Long Island

"I think you can learn a lot," he said. "You see where the open ice is, where you can skate to find room. It's a big help."

Not everyone finds it that helpful, especially if you're sitting out without an injury.Josh Bailey went 37 games without a goal last season and was a healthy scratch in the middle of that skid.

"When you're healthy and you're not playing, it's a lot harder to watch," he said.

Bailey missed his fourth straight game last night with a broken hand. "It can help to see some things,'' he said, "but I'm more used to the playing part, not the watching part."

Ultimately, no one wants to be sitting in the press box alongside the reporters.

"I think the thing I've learned the most," Hamonic said, "is that I hate missing games and having to watch from upstairs."

Road bonding

This five-game, 12-day trip is the longest stretch of time the Islanders will be away from home this season -- they have a six-game trip in January, but one of those is against the Devils -- so the opportunity is there for some team-wide dinners to incorporate the newer members of the team, such as Nick Leddy and Johnny Boychuk, who joined the squad just a week before opening night.

"When the season starts, you look at the schedule and see where there are opportunities to do things as a team," John Tavares said. "We're a pretty close group in here, so it's not a problem to find time for dinners and things like that."

There also are opportunities for other types of group events. A big portion of the team plans to see Jimmy Kimmel live one of the nights this week when there's no game in Southern California.

Milestones await

Kyle Okposo's 400th game made him the 37th player to hit that mark with the Islanders. John Tavares will be the next to join that group, but not for a bit. Last night was his 361st game.

A dozen teams currently have at least four players on the roster with at least 400 games, so it's not that rare a feat. It's just rare for the Islanders, who haven't had so many long-time players since the dynasty days.

The Blackhawks and Canucks have five players each with at least 400. Each team soon will have a sixth.



Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome shuffled around to find a place on Islanders


ARTHUR STAPLE

SAN JOSE, Calif. - Before training camp began, Brock Nelson was being discussed as a possible wing for John Tavares and Ryan Strome seemed to be primed for a battle to earn a job at a crowded center position.

Nelson indeed is playing wing with Tavares and Kyle Okposo. And Strome is a center. But Saturday night was the first time Nelson and Strome filled those roles, showing that anticipating spots and jobs is a waste of time for a couple of young players.

"I don't really care where I'm at," said Nelson, who as a center entered Saturday night's game against the Sharks leading the Islanders with six goals, three of them on the power play. "After you play both spots enough, you learn which areas are important and what you need to do. There's times you're caught or get switched up anyway and you're in that center spot, so it's not a big deal."

The same is true for Strome, who spent the first 10 games as Nelson's right wing and produced seven assists in his first eight games, all of them at even strength. He has been a center most of his career, but his move to the wing didn't seem to change his game too much.

Saturday night, Strome went back to center, between Anders Lee and Matt Martin. If Martin seems an unlikely addition to that line, Jack Capuano was quick to note that Strome had some success late last season playing between Martin and fellow grinder Colin McDonald.

IslandersVideo series: Islanders' last season on Long Island

"You hate to move one of the best two-way centers in Brock Nelson, but we need to get our offense going five-on-five," Capuano said. "You have to score at least a couple goals every night to win in this league."

Nelson has been doing that, particularly as the Islander in front of the opposing net on the power play. It's not a traditional line situation, but he has had plenty of power-play time with Tavares and Okposo to learn at least some of their tendencies.

"You can see where Johnny wants the puck, where he goes to get it," Nelson said. "I'm just trying to create space for Johnny and Okie, let them do what they do."

Strome isn't too worried about his shuffled position or linemates. "You've just got to go play. It shouldn't matter what position you're in, who you're playing with," he said. "We've had good shifts, good periods as a team, but it's got to be consistent, the full 60 minutes. That goes for everyone."

Notes & quotes: Josh Bailey has seen quick improvement in the strength and flexibility in his broken left hand and hopes to be cleared shortly for more on-ice work as he tries to return inside of two weeks from his injury. He likely will have an X-ray Monday or Tuesday in Anaheim. "I've really noticed a difference the last few days," Bailey said. "A lot of the bruising is gone. It's great to see that it's gotten better so quickly." . . . Defenseman Matt Carkner, on injured reserve since the season began, had surgery last week to repair a herniated disc in his back and likely is done for the season. Carkner is in the final year of a three-year, $4.5-million contract.


755403 New York Rangers

Rangers Lose 2 Defensemen and Fall in Shootout; Devils Rally to Win

Staff Writer

NOV. 1, 2014

Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler scored in a shootout to lift the Winnipeg Jets to a 1-0 win over the Rangers at Madison Square Garden on Saturday night.

Winnipeg goalie Ondrej Pavelec was excellent throughout the game, making 36 saves in regulation and two in overtime, including a breakaway stop on Martin St. Louis. Pavelec allowed a goal to Mats Zuccarello to start the shootout but denied the Rangers’ next three attempts.

The shutout was the first this season for the Jets (5-5-1).

The Rangers (5-4-1) had to play with only four defensemen for the final two periods and overtime after their captain, Ryan McDonagh, and Kevin Klein were injured.

McDonagh sustained a separated shoulder on a hard check into the boards by Kane. Klein left with a bruised foot after blocking a shot. McDonagh and Klein will be re-evaluated Sunday.

DEVILS 3, BLUE JACKETS 2 Defenseman Adam Larsson broke a tie with 9 minutes 25 seconds left in the third period, and the Devils earned a come-from-behind win at home as Columbus lost its fifth straight game.

Larsson, playing in just his third game this season, capped a furious comeback in which the Devils erased a 2-1 deficit in 1:41.

Larsson snapped a shot past goalie Anton Forsberg, who was making his N.H.L. debut.

HURRICANES 3, COYOTES 0 Elias Lindholm scored two goals, and Carolina beat visiting Arizona for its first win of the season.

Jiri Tlusty also scored for Carolina, and Cam Ward finished with 25 saves in his first shutout since March 27, 2012.

The Hurricanes had been the N.H.L.’s only team without a win.

PENGUINS 5, SABRES 0 Marc-Andre Fleury made 18 saves for his second consecutive shutout, Chris Kunitz scored twice, and Pittsburgh defeated visiting Buffalo for its fourth win in a row.

Fleury, coming off a 3-0 victory over the Los Angeles Kings, earned his third shutout in four games and the 31st of his career.

PANTHERS 2, FLYERS 1 Roberto Luongo made 36 saves, the rookie Aaron Ekblad scored his first N.H.L. goal, and Florida beat visiting Philadelphia. Willie Mitchell also scored for Florida, which has won three of four games.

Ekblad, the Panthers’ top pick in this year’s draft, converted a slap shot from just inside the blue line, beating Philadelphia goalie Steve Mason on the short side.

BRUINS 4, SENATORS 2 Matt Fraser scored his first two goals of the season 1:28 apart in the second period, and Boston, playing at home, beat Ottawa.

Carl Soderberg assisted on both of Fraser’s goals, and Tuukka Rask made 28 saves.

LIGHTNING 4, CAPITALS 3 Jason Garrison scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period, and host Tampa Bay edged Washington. Tampa Bay also got goals from Ryan Callahan, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov.

Marcus Johansson, Eric Fehr and Troy Brouwer scored for the Capitals, who have lost four of five games.

BLUES 3, AVALANCHE 2 Brian Elliott made 27 saves in his 100th game with St. Louis, which has won four straight, and he stopped all three shootout attempts against visiting Colorado.




JEFF Z. KLEIN

NOV. 1, 2014














Continue reading the main story

Continue reading the main story
















NY Rangers lose Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein to injuries, then fall in shootout to Winnipeg Jets

Pat Leonard

Survive and advance is supposed to be a playoff mantra, but the Rangers may have to adopt that desperation only 10 games into their regular season due to Saturday’s crushing blow.

Captain Ryan McDonagh suffered a separated shoulder on a clean hit from Winnipeg forward Evander Kane in the first period of a 1-0 shootout loss at the Garden, minutes after fellow defenseman Kevin Klein (foot bruise) also went down for the night from a blocked shot.

Both players will undergo MRIs on Sunday, but while neither injury has a timetable yet, McDonagh’s injury should sideline the Rangers’ top defenseman for the rest of November, if not longer. In 2011-12, for example, then-Rangers defenseman Steve Eminger separated his shoulder and missed 19 games. McDonagh seemed to injure the same left shoulder that he hurt with no structural damage on April 1 of last season in Vancouver. That kept him out for the last five games prior to his return for the playoff run.

“You can’t replace a guy like that,” said alternate captain Marc Staal, who logged a season-high 29:33 of ice time.

The Rangers (5-4-1) can’t replace McDonagh, but on Saturday night they tried their hardest, playing the final 48:14 of regulation and all five minutes of overtime with just four defensemen and picking up a point.

Staal, Dan Girardi (regular-season career-high 34:50) and offseason signings Matt Hunwick (27:58) and Mike Kostka (21:56) put forth an admirable effort. Henrik Lundqvist (25 saves) appreciated the grit of the Rangers’ four horses before Kane buried the shootout winner. “I think all of them played an outstanding game,” Lundqvist said of his defensemen. “We were under pressure a couple times and handled it well.”

The Blueshirts were plainly disappointed, though, that they didn’t win a game they had dominated. Despite the Rangers carrying play even while being down two men, the forwards failed to capitalize. Chris Kreider missed an open net in the second period on a tough night for the young winger, and Martin St. Louis couldn’t get an overtime breakaway past Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec (38 saves). The power play went 0-for-5, slipping to 2-for-28 on the season. “It’s tough when you don’t get two points in a game like this and you do so many good things,” Lundqvist said.

Staal’s play was extremely encouraging at least, since with McDonagh out, the heaviest responsibility falls on him to carry the load on the left side. “The last couple games Marc’s been getting more minutes, and he enjoys that,” Lundqvist said. “He’s a great defenseman, so you can tell he’s feeding from more opportunities. It’s a grind for him (because he battles forwards physically), but he’s so smart with his stick and he wins a lot of battles with his long reach.”

Still, the Rangers are thin on defense: Dan Boyle (broken right hand) is out until at least the second full week of November. McDonagh is probably out long-term. Klein’s status is unknown. And John Moore is only one game into his five-game suspension for a headshot on Wild forward Erik Haula. The Rangers will need to make at least one call-up for Monday night’s game against St. Louis. It could be Conor Allen, though he has not drawn rave reviews out of Hartford, so don’t discount Tommy Hughes.

Just as optimism was growing about center Derek Stepan’s imminent return from his preseason injury, the Rangers were hit with a punch in the gut. While they are gaining one leader, they have lost another.



As schedule picks up in November, NY Rangers look to get backup goalie Cam Talbot more work

Pat Leonard


Cam Talbot sees action in relief of Henrik Lundqvist against the Maple Leafs on Oct. 12. Corey Sipkin/New York Daily News Cam Talbot sees action in relief of Henrik Lundqvist against the Maple Leafs on Oct. 12.

During a tumultuous start last season, the Rangers at least were assured that they had a capable backup goaltender.

Cam Talbot joined the team in mid-October 2013 for his first NHL season, following Martin Biron’s retirement, and jumped out to a 6-1-0 record by Nov. 30, stopping 187 of the first 198 shots he faced.

As Henrik Lundqvist stumbled through a horrific start and distracting contract negotiations, Talbot continued on his blistering pace, improving to 8-3-0 by the New Year, with consecutive home wins on Dec. 22 and Dec. 23 against Minnesota and Toronto that marked a turning point in the team’s season.

Now, though, entering the month of November in his second season, Talbot has started just one game, allowing four goals on 23 shots to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 11. He has not looked especially sharp in practices, and the only positive was his 12 saves on 12 shots in relief of Lundqvist on Oct. 12 against Toronto.

So how do the Rangers know – how does Talbot know – what they have behind Lundqvist this season?

“I kind of knew coming into the season early I wouldn’t be having too many opportunities to play, just because of the way the schedule is laid out,” Talbot said, referring to his team’s sparse schedule of four games in the final 15 days of October. “I just look at it as I’m doing what I did at the end of last year in the playoffs: Whenever I get the call, whenever that may be, I have to make sure I’m ready.”

Alain Vigneault said he’s aware it’s important to get Talbot, 27, reps in games soon, since such a huge part of the Rangers’ recipe for a playoff run is to give Lundqvist proper rest in the regular season.

“(Talbot) is going to start to get into a rhythm here starting this month,” Vigneault said Saturday morning at the Garden before Lundqvist made his eighth straight start against the Winnipeg Jets. “We’re playing 15 games in 29 nights (in November). I said prior to the season in the ideal scenario we’d like to get him20 starts this year. I haven’t changed my mind. Obviously you can’t tell with the fact I’ve only played him one game so far, but I think we’ll get there.”

Vigneault said he and goaltending coach Benoit Allaire determined Talbot likely will play three or four games this month. No matter which games Talbot starts, though, he’ll need to show that his early-season habit of allowing gobs of pucks past him in practices will not carry into games. It’s probably unfair to judge a goaltender on practices, but when he doesn’t play, what else is there?

“Maybe a couple practices (were tough), but a lot of the times those are shooters’ drills, so it’s already set up that way,” Talbot said. “I can only judge myself by how I feel in practice, and I’ve felt good. I felt good in the Toronto game. I felt like I bounced back (making 12 saves on 12 shots in 24:27 of ice time) from the game before (in Columbus). I’m just staying focused, staying in shape, making sure in my mind that I’m ready for the next game.”

The organization is thin at goalie behind Talbot at the pro level. That accounted for the offseason acquisition of AHL journeyman Cedrick Desjardins, 29.

Talbot is in a contract year. Desjardins is inked an additional season. Will the Rangers need a solution other than Talbot behind Lundqvist this season? It will be up to Talbot, beginning this month.



Crushed Ice: Matt Hunwick, Mike Kostka log heavy impressive minutes after injuries to Rangers' Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Klein

Pat Leonard And Stephen Lorenzo


Where would the Rangers be without Matt Hunwick and Mike Kostka?

That question might have been laughable a month ago, but it became a serious reality for the Rangers after they lost both Ryan McDonagh (separated shoulder) and Kevin Klein (foot contusion) in the first period of Saturday night’s 1-0 shootout loss to Winnipeg.

Hunwick logged 27:58 of ice time paired mostly on the left side of Dan Girardi, and Kostka played 21:56 primarily to the right of Marc Staal as New York’s four remaining defenseman shouldered the workload.

Hunwick and Kostka rightfully drew praise for their unexpectedly heavy contributions. Both were depth offseason signings who suddenly became indispensable against the Jets, in the lineup due to Dan Boyle’s injury and John Moore’s suspension.

“I think it says a lot about Huni and Kost, they played a big game,” said Girardi, who logged a regular season career-high 34:50 of ice time. “Me and Staalsy, we’re kind of used to that stuff. But those guys played a great game for us, had some big minutes, good plays, and if they didn’t step up their game for us, we would have been in trouble.”

Hunwick, who began the year as the seventh defenseman, quickly joined the lineup once Boyle broke his right hand during the opener in St. Louis. Hunwick has played all but one match since, drawing praise from coach Alain Vigneault to the level that he seemed to be taking Moore’s job on the left side of the third pairing.

Saturday’s injuries only vault him higher into the rotation.

“You try to stay in as good a shape as possible and you do the things off the ice to prepare yourself,” Hunwick said of Saturday’s heavy minutes. “You never expect for something like that to happen, to lose two defensemen in the first period, but you try to play smart out there, use your energy wisely and try to make as many good plays as possible and play in the O-zone if you can.”

Hunwick said that was actually part of the reason, in his mind, that the four Rangers defensemen handled their minutes well. The Blueshirts as a team spent a large portion of the night attacking with the puck, putting the Jets on their heels.

“We played a little bit more in their zone, and it obviously helps when you have only four ‘D’ if you don’t have to defend your own end as much,” Hunwick said, before adding humbly with a smile: “It’s not so bad when you’re standing at the blue line.”

Kostka’s story, meanwhile, is even more unlikely considering he didn’t make the team out of camp and then turned in a disastrous Rangers debut on Oct. 14 against the Islanders, with two ghastly turnovers that typically get a player shipped off an NHL roster for good.

Saturday was a dramatic improvement. Kostka registered three shots on goal, three hits and three blocked shots. He didn’t speak in the locker room after the game, but coach Alain Vigneault and any player who spoke words into a microphone hailed Kostka’s contributions in a tough spot.

“I thought those guys played extremely well,” Vigneault said. “They had a lot of minutes to log. They did what they are supposed to do. They played their best and gave us a chance… It’s a demanding pace and those guys were able to do a pretty good job of it tonight.”

NOTES AND NOTES AND NOTES AND …

The Rangers’ power play went 0-for-5 and slipped to 2-for-28 on the season, or 7.1% efficiency, which ranks 28th out of 30 NHL teams … Rookie Anthony Duclair struggled in the second period, committing a bad defensive turnover and later a penalty. He played only 10:43, which was still more than rookie Kevin Hayes (9:16) and veteran Tanner Glass (6:58). Glass got involved offensively on a couple strong shifts, but generally Vigneault was

using two primary lines: That of Rick Nash, Derick Brassard and Mats Zuccarello, and another of Carl Hagelin, Dominic Moore and Lee Stempniak. Kreider had a very difficult night and St. Louis created some chances but also had poor moments and couldn’t get on the board. Vigneault and St. Louis probably can’t wait until Derek Stepan comes back and he can slide back to right wing … Zuccarello appeared to injure himself late in the second period on a collision with Jets center Mark Scheifele. Zuccarello even appeared to be limping a bit early in the third period. Still, the little Norwegian played through it and ended up again as one of the Blueshirts’ most physical forwards, throwing a couple monster hits late in the match … Klein hurt what I believe was his right foot when a shot by Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba hit him 28 seconds into the game. That was Klein’s first shift. He played only one more shift before leaving for the rest of the game … McDonagh was hit cleanly but hard by Jets forward Evander Kane into the defensive boards with 8:19 remaining in the first period. At 8:14, officials stopped play and McDonagh left the ice, not to return.

THE QUOTE SHEET

Staal on the injuries’ effect: “It changes your mindset a little bit when that happens. You’re a little more conscious of when you’re exerting energy and making sure you are going it the right way, and trying not to get caught out there.”

Girardi on how this week’s rest helped the D-men: “I think maybe the four days we had in between games might have helped. If it’s a back-to-back it might be a different story, but we took care of ourselves, got some rest. We just have to get some more rest now.”

Vigneault on the missed opportunities: “In my estimation, we had plenty of chances to get this done in regulation, and we couldn’t do it … It wasn’t for lack of effort or execution. We played one of our best games of the year.”

Lundqvist on the defense: “It was a great opportunity for a copule guys to get more minutes. I thought they played outstanding. All the ‘D’ did a great job. It was a great challenge for them early on to lose two guys. They stepped up and played big-time out there and made so many great plays. It’s disappointing when you’re not winning. We had so many good opportunities to win this one, but we played really well.”



Rangers lose Ryan McDonagh to separated shoulder, Kevin Klein to foot contusion in first period against Winnipeg Jets

Pat Leonard


The Rangers endured two significant injuries in Saturday night’s first period against Winnipeg, including a potentially crushing blow: Captain Ryan McDonagh suffered a separated shoulder, and fellow defenseman Kevin Klein went down with a foot contusion.

The Blueshirts were forced to play the final 48:14 down two men, with only four defensemen. But more significantly, McDonagh’s injury is the type that typically sidelines players long-term. In the 2011-12 season, for example, a separated shoulder sidelined then-Rangers defenseman Steve Eminger for 19 games.

Both McDonagh and Klein will be evaluated further on Sunday, the Rangers said during Saturday’s game, but both injuries are discouraging especially since the team was inching closer to full strength by mid-November.

Center Derek Stepan is a week or less from returning from a broken left leg suffered during the preseason, and defenseman Dan Boyle is probably two weeks or a bit less from returning from a broken right hand suffered in the season opener in St. Louis.

With McDonagh and Klein out, the Rangers officially were playing the final 48:14 of Saturday’s game – and who knows how much longer – without four of their starting defenseman: McDonagh, Klein, Boyle and John Moore, who served the first game Saturday of his five-game suspension for hitting Minnesota D-man Erik Haula up high on Monday.

Marc Staal, Dan Girardi, Matt Hunwick and Mike Kostka were the only four defenseman remaining in Saturday’s lineup after both McDonagh and Klein went down.

Klein was injured when a point shot by Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba hit his right foot in front of the net, on Klein’s first shift, just 28 seconds into the game. He came on the ice for one more shift but then went to the locker room and did not return.

McDonagh appeared to injure his left shoulder, the same shoulder he hurt on April 1 of last season when Canucks forward Alex Burrows ran him against the back boards in Vancouver. McDonagh did not sustain any structural damage to the shoulder from that hit, but sat out the team’s final five regular season games before returning for the playoffs and leading the Rangers in postseason scoring.

Saturday night, McDonagh was crunched into the boards on a clean but hard hit by Winnipeg Jets forward Evander Kane with 8:19 remaining in the first period. Officials stopped the clock with 8:14 to play in the first. McDonagh laid on the ice for a good bit before being helped off to the locker room in serious pain by trainer Jim Ramsay.



Rangers v. Winnipeg Jets: Lineups; Vigneault seeking forward chemistry; Halloween photo of Hagelin, Zuccarello

Pat Leonard


You think the Rangers are itching to play a game?

With five days in between Monday’s 5-4 win over the Wild and Saturday night’s tilt against the Winnipeg Jets, the Blueshirts have grown restless, anxious to build on their early-week comeback victory.

All but four Rangers – Ryan McDonagh, Kevin Klein, Mats Zuccarello and Dominic Moore – took part in Saturday’s morning skate at the Garden, even though it was an optional and the team had run through a full practice on Friday in Greenburgh.

“It’s time,” said left wing and Halloween pirate Carl Hagelin (see photo above).

As I wrote in Saturday’s Daily News, Alain Vigneault is starting Kevin Hayes as his fourth-line center and Chris Mueller, a natural center, on Hayes’ right wing. Hayes and Mueller will alternate taking face-offs at the left and right dots, respectively, but this is all a part of the coach trying to see what his lineup might look like once Derek Stepan returns from injury.

“I’m hoping that as we move forward here I’m going to be able to stabilize (the fourth line) a little bit more,” Vigneault said Saturday morning at the Garden, when asked about Tanner Glass’ play as fourth-line left wing. “I’ve had moving parts on all four lines there. I’m hoping to be able to stabilize that a little bit better.

“Once you do that, players get a little bit more in a rhythm and confident and trust their teammates,” the coach continued, “and usually you’re a little more effective as a line and as a team, and I still haven’t found those lines or duos that this team needs.”

The consistency among forward lines is crucial to the way Vigneault coaches and to this team’s growth and development as it gets Stepan back from injury.

“There’s some chemistry that needs to be seen on my part from different players so that we do get a little bit more continuity, which we haven’t gotten so far this year,” Vigneault said.

Mueller, a natural center, admitted on Saturday morning that it has been “a while” since he has played the wing. But he also said that in Vigneault’s defensive system, the change means less than it would appear.

The Rangers play ‘first man back’ on defense. That means the first forward back is responsible for playing low and giving support to the defense, whether he is a winger or a center, rather than the center being charged automatically with that task regardless.

Mueller said so far this season, even though he’s been listed as a center in every game he’s played, he often ends up playing on the wing in the defensive zone if he and a winger are talking on defense and the winger is first man back.

He said the major differences playing the wing are his responsibilities on face-offs if Hayes is taking the draw, and his positioning on set breakouts from the defensive zone, when the Rangers are moving up ice as a unit and charged with holding their lanes.

By the way, on face-offs it helps to have both Mueller and Hayes on the ice. If one gets kicked out of the circle, another center is coming in to take the draw. Plus, if Hayes struggles, Vigneault has an easy solution in-game: He will just move Hayes to the wing and keep Mueller in the middle.

REHAB UPDATE

Center Derek Stepan skated with his teammates in a non-contact jersey for the second straight day. It’s looking more like the earliest he could come back is Wednesday’s game against the Detroit Red Wings, rather than Monday’s game against the St. Louis Blues.

“I would say (Stepan playing on Monday) might be stretching it, but I wouldn’t count it out,” Vigneault said.

The plan is for Stepan to receive clearance from doctors to receive contact in practice. Then Vigneault said he probably wants Stepan going through as least two full practices before going into the lineup. That could mean practices on Sunday and Tuesday, and resuming play in Wednesday night’s game.

Stepan did bag skate hard with teammates following Saturday morning’s skate.

Defenseman Dan Boyle (broken right hand) continued skating on his own in Greenburgh. His return is not expected until around Nov. 13 against Colorado or so.

THE KING’S GOALS

Henrik Lundqvist (5-3-0, 3.25 goals against average, .891 save %) will make his eighth straight start and his ninth in 10 games for the Rangers (5-4-0) on Saturday night, and it won’t be just any start.

Once the clock starts, Lundqvist will move past Gump Worsley (582) into second all-time on the Rangers’ all-time appearance list in net at 583, behind only Mike Richter (666).

Lundqvist has an impeccable career record in November, which bodes well for the Rangers: 81 games played, 48-29-3 record, 2.29 GAA, .922 save %, seven shutouts)

RANGERS LINEUP VS. JETS

Forwards: Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello, Chris Kreider-Martin St. Louis-Anthony Duclair, Carl Hagelin-Dominic Moore-Lee Stempniak, Tanner Glass-Kevin Hayes-Chris Mueller

Defensemen: Ryan McDonagh-Kevin Klein, Marc Staal-Dan Girardi, Matt Hunwick-Mike Kostka

Goaltender: Henrik Lundqvist (Cam Talbot backup)

Healthy scratches: F Ryan Malone

Suspended: D John Moore (game one of five-game suspension)

Injured: C Derek Stepan (skated with team in non-contact jersey), D Dan Boyle (broken right hand)

PROJECTED JETS LINEUP VS. RANGERS

Forwards: Evander Kane-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler, Andrew Ladd-Bryan Little-Michael Frolik, Mathieu Perreault-Adam Lowry-Dustin Byfuglien, TJ Galiardi-Jim Slater-Chris Thorburn

Defensemen: Toby Enstrom-Zach Bogosian, Mark Stuart-Jacob Trouba, Grant Clitsome-Paul Postma

Goaltender: Ondrej Pavelec

BY THE WAY

Yes, that is Mats Zuccarello dressed as a dolphin for Halloween.



Rangers plan to give goalie Henrik Lundqvist some rest

Larry Brooks

November 2, 2014 | 12:02am

When Henrik Lundqvist started in nets for the Rangers’ 1-0 shootout defeat to Winnipeg at the Garden on Saturday night, it marked the King’s ninth start in his team’s first 10 games.

That represented Lundqvist’s heaviest full-season workload out of the gate since 2007-08, when he started the Blueshirts’ first 16 games. He had started as many as nine in October only one other time, the year before that, in 2006-07, the first of four straight seasons in which the Swedish netminder would start between 69-and-72 games per.

There are, however, no plans for Lundqvist to return to his Iron Man status. The Rangers, head coach Alain Vigneault and goaltending coach Benoit Allaire are in agreement that the perfect equation is to limit The King to the neighborhood of 62-65 starts, depending on late season playoff race scenario.

That means a passel of starts await Cam Talbot along the way, the first of which likely is to come sooner rather than later as the Rangers, who have played three games in the past 11 days and just 10 in the season’s first 24 days, embark on a more traditional schedule.

Indeed, Vigneault said Talbot, who hasn’t played since pitching 24:47 of scoreless relief against the Maple Leafs in the Oct. 12 home opener, likely is to start three or four times as the Rangers enter a stretch in which they play 15 games within 29 days.

“[Talbot] is going to start to get into a rhythm here starting this month,” Vigneault said. “I said prior to the season in the ideal scenario we’d like to get him 20 starts this year. I haven’t changed my mind. Obviously you can’t tell with the fact I’ve only played him one game so far, but I think we’ll get there.”

The Rangers play at home on Monday and Wednesday, against the Blues and Red Wings, respectively, before confronting a back-to-back next weekend in which they will be in Toronto on Saturday prior to hosting the Oilers the next evening.

“It might be before [the weekend],” Vigneault said of an ETA for Talbot, whose only start came in Columbus on Oct. 11, when he allowed four goals on 23 shots in a 5-1 defeat.

“Benny and I had a long talk about this [on Friday]. I’m not exactly sure which ones, we’re taking this game by game,” the coach said. “We’ve got three or four possible situations for him.”

Derek Stepan skated with the club Saturday morning for the second straight day, but has yet to engage in contact. The center, sidelined since suffering a broken leg early in training camp, is eligible to come off long term injured reserve for Monday’s match against St. Louis, but it is more likely he will make his debut either on Wednesday or Saturday.

“I would say [Monday] might be a stretch but I wouldn’t count it out,” said Vigneault.

Anthony Duclair, who opened the match as right wing on the second line with Martin St. Louis in the middle and Chris Kreider on the left, got just two shifts in the third period, one at even-strength, as Vigneault mixed and matched in the scoreless game, moving Kevin Hayes up from the fourth line to center Kreider and St. Louis.

Hayes’ return to the lineup, after sitting out Monday against Minnesota, bumped Ryan Malone into street clothes as a healthy scratch for the fifth time in 10 matches.

Mats Zuccarello scored in the top of the first in the shootout but Rick Nash, Dominic Moore and St. Louis failed to beat Ondrej Pavelec in the skills competition while Andrew Ladd and E vander Kane beat Lundqvist.

Mike Kostka got 21:56 in his second game as a Ranger and first since his implosion against the Islanders on Oct. 14. That’s not close to a career high

in minutes for the 28-year-old journeyman, who logged 31:33 as a member of the Maple Leafs in a 5-2 defeat to the Blueshirts on Jan. 26, 2013, in which he went minus-four (matched primarily against the line of Marian Gaborik, Brad Richards and Nash).



Rangers in trouble as McDonagh, Klein go down in loss

Larry Brooks

November 1, 2014 | 10:39pm

The loss of a 1-0 shootout game to the Jets at the Garden on Saturday night pales in comparison for the Rangers to the impact of the loss of two of the team’s top four defensemen to injury.

Ryan McDonagh, the team’s most indispensable player other than Henrik Lundqvist, is going to be out for an extended period of time after suffering a separated shoulder going into the rear wall on a tough but clean Evander Kane check at 11:46 of the first period.

It’s the same shoulder McDonagh injured last year on the Alexandre Burrows hit in Vancouver on April 1 that sidelined the defenseman for the final five games of the regular season and probably would have kept him out longer at another time of the year.

Meanwhile, Kevin Klein already had left the game at the 3:12 mark of the first, suffering from the after-effects of blocking a Jacob Trouba shot just 38 seconds into the match. Klein, whose ailment initially has been diagnosed as a “foot contusion,” will undergo an MRI exam on Sunday. So will McDonagh.

But with the Blueshirts already playing without Dan Boyle, who sustained a broken hand in the season opener, and John Moore, who has four games remaining on his suspension for Monday’s head shot against Erik Haula, the Blueshirts’ blue line hasn’t looked thinner since the bad old days of Roman Ndur and Chris Tamer.

If Klein indeed misses time, that means the Blueshirts will play Monday night’s Garden match against the Blues with just two of the six defensemen — Dan Girardi and Marc Staal — who dressed for the Oct. 9 opener in St. Louis.

“To tell you the truth I haven’t even thought of the ramifications,” Staal, who played by far his finest game of the year in logging 26:47, told The Post.

“Not yet. I’ll think about that [Sunday].”

The Rangers, who entered the match with just six healthy eligible defensemen on the roster, obviously will promote a defenseman or two from the AHL Wolf Pack — Conor Allen, Mat Bodie and Dylan McIlrath are the usual suspects — while the front office scours the league to see if a sensible trade is available.

For now, though, the burden will be on this group that includes Matt Hunwick and Mike Kostka to fill in the blanks for as long as necessary and as well as possible, as they did last night in 27:58 and 21:56, respectively.

“I think every time you have injuries — and they will come, it’s a physical game — it’s an opportunity for the other guys to step up,” said Lundqvist, beaten twice in absorbing the third 1-0 shootout defeat of his career. “It was a great opportunity for a couple of guys to get more minutes. I thought they played outstanding.

“We have a lot of good players here that so far haven’t had that many minutes, but they really showed tonight that they’re ready to take on that challenge,” the King said after his 52nd career shutout. “I think all of us have to help out.”

The Rangers carried the play for the most part, outshooting Winnipeg 38-25. But Ondrej Pavelec was up to the task in the Jets’ net, even as he never faced a rebound chance. Of course, the goaltender did get his right shoulder on Martin St. Louis’ OT breakaway chance.

The Blueshirts’ power play, on the other hand, was most certainly not up to it, going a feeble 0-for-5 while producing only a few legitimate scoring chances.

“The power play needs to produce,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “It’s getting some looks, but that’s one area where we need to get some results.”

Staal partnered for the most part with Kostka while Girardi, who played 34:50, skated with Hunwick. The Rangers were intelligent in their own end, playing within themselves as circumstance dictated.

“You’re a little more aware about picking your spots and trying to conserve energy when it’s possible,” Staal said. “We talked about how we needed to approach it in here after the first.”

Now, the Rangers will approach the foreseeable future without McDonagh and perhaps Klein after a sturdy effort against the Jets that ended in a shootout shutout defeat.

Tomorrow is another day.




ANDREW GROSS

NEW YORK – The defensive performance would have been considered strong in any case.

But with captain Ryan McDonagh separating his left shoulder and Kevin Klein suffering a foot contusion, both in the first period, the Rangers' 1-0 four-round shootout loss to Jets on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden with just four healthy defensemen was truly a gutsy effort.

Evander Kane had the decisive shootout goal as Henrik Lundqvist and the Jets’ Ondrej Pavelec each recorded shutouts.

“I thought we played a real strong game under tough circumstances right off the hop with both guys going down,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “We had plenty of chances to get this done in regulation. It wasn’t a lack of effort or execution. We played one of our best games of the year.”

Both McDonagh and Klein will undergo MRIs and Vigneault would not speculate on their prognosis. The Rangers (5-4-1), who outshot the Jets, 38-25 and also had 18 attempts blocked and 16 shots miss the net, continue their four-game homestand Monday against the Blues.

The Rangers can ill afford more losses to their defense corps: Dan Boyle is still out with a broken right hand suffered in the season opener Oct. 9 at St. Louis and John Moore began serving a five-game suspension for his head shot on the Wild’s Erik Haula on Monday.

“It’s tough to see, especially two big guys in our back end,” said Dan Girardi, who logged a career-high 34:50 while taking four shots and blocking seven. “We are already a little shorthanded but I think us four stepped up and had a pretty solid game tonight.”

“It’s hard,” added defenseman Marc Staal, who played 29:33. “You can’t replace a guy like [McDonagh].”

Matt Hunwick, who started the season as the seventh defenseman, played 27:58, and Michael Kostka, playing just his second game for the Rangers, logged 21:56.

“It’s tough as a defenseman when you’re playing that many minutes,” Vigneault said. “You’ve got to be a part of the forecheck, you’ve got to be part of the offensive zone play. So it’s a demanding pace and those guys were able to do a pretty good job.”

“It’s important we’re smart with the puck and the forwards understand when [the defensemen] are playing a lot of minutes, we have to get pucks deep so we can get them off the ice,” added Lundqvist, who allowed goals to Kane and Blake Wheeler in the shootout.

Pavelec gave up a goal to Mats Zuccarello, who skated in very slowly, in the shootout’s first round, before turning aside Rick Nash, Dominic Moore and gloving Marty St. Louis’ final attempt.

But the Jets (5-5-1) had a chance to win in the shootout only after Pavelec stopped St. Louis’ breakaway at 3:05 of overtime.

McDonagh was driven hard into the corner boards in the Rangers’ zone by Kane at 11:46 of the first period, his left shoulder bearing the brunt of the hit against the wall.

He remained on the ice for a couple of minutes before trainer Jim Ramsay escorted him to the Rangers’ room.

McDonagh also injured his left shoulder on a hard check by the Canucks’ Alex Burrows on April 1 and missed the final five regular-season games. He played all 25 postseason games as the Rangers reached the Stanley Cup Final but struggled to regain his form in the first round against the Flyers.

Klein blocked Jacob Trouba’s wrist shot with his left foot on the game’s first shift and came out for one more shift before leaving the ice for good at 3:12.



Jets 1, Rangers 0 (Shootout): Rewind

Andrew Gross

What it means:

The Rangers have a real issue on defense, potentially losing both captain Ryan McDonagh (separated left shoulder) and Kevin Klein (left foot contusion), though MRIs on Sunday will reveal more about a timeline for their recovery. The Rangers have earned at least a point in five of their last six games (4-1-1) with three of those games going to overtime.

Why it happened:

The Rangers thoroughly dominated play against the Jets, outshooting them 38-25 and outchancing them 72-62 including attempts blocked and missed shots. That the Rangers weren’t able to score was a function mainly of not converting the rebound opportunities Ondrej Pavelec left on his doorstep and not being able - again - to convert on the power play. The Rangers had 11 man-advantage shots but went 0 for 5 and are now 2 for 28 for the season. But the big story of the night, of course, is the play of the four healthy defensemen - Dan Girardi, Marc Staal, Matt Hunwick and Michael Kostka - with McDonagh and Klein missing. You expect big performances out of Girardi and Staal but Hunwick and especially Kostka, getting a second chance at the lineup after his two turnovers led to goals in a 6-3 loss to the Islanders on Oct. 14 - were equal to the task of playing more minutes. Meanwhile, on the fourth line, even though Kevin Hayes was the center, Chris Mueller did an excellent job winning eight of 10 faceoffs while Hayes went 1 for 4.

Of note:

- Henrik Lundqvist extended his franchise record with his 52nd career shutout and is now 22nd on the NHL’s all time list, breaking a tie with Curtis Joseph, Dave Kerry, Rogie Vachon and Tomas Vokoun.

- Lundqvist passed Gump Worsley for second place on the franchise’s all-time list for goalie appearances with 583. Mike Richter is first with 666.

- Dan Girardi’s 35:50 of ice time was a career high. It’s the most ice time for a Rangers defenseman since Brian Leetch played 34:54 against the Bruins on Dec. 9, 2000.

- Mats Zuccarello is now 10 for 21 in shootout attempts in his careeer

- Matt Hunwick played in his 300th NHL game

- The Jets still are last in the Western Conference with just 20 goals scored this season.

Quotable:

- “It needs to produce. It’s getting some looks. We are trying some different personnel. That’s one area where we need to get some results. Tonight it had an opportunity to win us the game and it didn’t get it done,” coach Alain Vigneault on the Rangers’ 0 for 5 power play.

- “It changes your mindset a little bit when that happens. Obviously you are a little more conscious of when you are exerting energy and making sure you are doing it the right way and trying not to get caught out there,” Marc Staal on playing with four defensemen

- “I think maybe the four days we had in between games might have helped. If it’s a back-to-back it might be a different story but we took care of ourselves, got some rest. We just have to get some more rest now,” Dan Girardi

“It was a great opportunity for a couple of guys to get more minutes. I thought they played outstanding. All of the D did a great job. It was a great challenge for them early on to lose two guys. They stepped up and played big-time out there and made so many great plays. It’s disappointing when you’re not winning. We had so many good opportunities to win this one but we played really well. They’re a good team, they’re a fast team. We will build on this and try to get two points on Monday. I think every time you have injuries - and they will come, it’s a physical game - it’s an opportunity for other guys to step up. We have a lot of good players here that, so far, haven’t had that many minutes. But they really showed tonight that they’re

ready to take on that challenge. I think all of us have to help out. When you have great players out I think everyone has to step up for a little bit to help out in different areas and I think we did it tonight,” Henrik Lundqvist

My three Rangers’ stars:

1. Dan Girardi: The Indefatigable defenseman logged a career-high 34:50 while taking four shots and blocking seven. He played 4:28 on the power play and 4:20 shorthyanded and also was credited with three hits.

2. Marc Staal: Girardi’s partner logged 29:33 with two shots, two attempts blocked and three missed shots. Told Girardi had played five minutes more than he did, Staal said, “Thirty-four, 50? That’s a lot. That’s a good night’s work.”

3. Henrik Lundqvist: The goalie came up big when he needed to as the Jets did get their (limited) opportunities close to the net.

What’s next:

The Rangers practice at noon on Sunday before hosting the Blues, Monday night at 7 in the third game of this four-game homestand.



MRIs on Sunday for McDonagh and Klein

Andrew Gross

The Rangers’ 1-0 shootout loss to the Jets Saturday night at Madison Square Garden may wind up being a very costly one as Ryan McDonagh separated his left shoulder and Kevin Klein suffered a left foot contusion.

Both will undergo MRIs on Sunday and coach Alain Vigneault wants to see the results before commenting further on either the injuries or what the Rangers may do.

“Nothing more than what you guys have heard,” Vigneault said when asked after the game whether there were any further updates on McDonagh and Klein. “A shoulder and a foot contusion. Both will get MRIs tomorrow so we’ll know more.”

With Dan Boyle (broken right hand) still out though he’s skating on his own and John Moore still with four games remaining in his five-game suspension, the Rangers will likely need to either call up a couple of defensemen from Hartford (AHL), provided Klein is forced to miss time, or acquire some defense help.

“We’ll deal with it tomorrow,” Vigneault said. “I’m not sure of anything right now. We’ll wait and see the results and go from there.”

Conor Allen has two goals and three assists in his first eight games for the Wolf Pack this season and Dylan McIlrath is scoreless in eight games with 21 penalty minutes.



Live Blog: McDonagh separates left shoulder, Klein hurts left foot; Jets beat Rangers, 1-0, in SO

Staff Writer

The Big News tonight, of course, is that the Rangers will be wearing their Heritage Jerseys.

OK, kidding.

Henrik Lundqvist, who will make his eighth straight start tonight against the Jets, was sitting at his locker after this morning’s skate when he was asked to assess the Rangers’ season so far.

“I think it’s OK,” Lundqvist said. “Obviously, we want to be better than OK.”

It’s still early, very early in the season - tonight’s game marks the Rangers’ 10th - but it will quickly not be early as the Rangers start a stretch of 15 games in 29 days that will take them past the quarter pole of the 82-game season. As previously noted, 10 of those 15 games will be here at Madison Square Garden so the Rangers need to establish a home-ice advantage. So far, the 5-4-0 Rangers are 3-2-0 at home.

Being able to score on the power play would go a long way. So would getting power play opportunities.

The Rangers were 0 for 1 on the man advantage in Monday’s 5-4 comeback win over the Wild, which opened this four-game homestand. In all, the Rangers are 2 for 23 thus far on the power play, giving them the fewest power play chances among the 30 NHL teams.

Still, when they’ve had the power play, the Rangers certainly haven’t been consistently effective in setting up shots or keeping the puck in at the line. Part of that is due to the absence of Dan Boyle, signed as a free agent, to a large extent, for his ability to quarterback a power play.

“I don’t want to use that as an excuse but we did work throughout training camp with having Dan jump over the boards first,” coach Alain Vigneault said. “Since then we’ve had to look for adjustments. That, and combined with the fact we’re not getting a lot of power plays. We spend a lot of time in that area but it doesn’t happen a lot in the game. We’re not getting much rhythm there.”

The Rangers have been idle since Monday.

One thing to watch for tonight: Marty St. Louis has 27 goals and 56 assists in 75 career games against the Jets/Atlanta Thrashers, the most assists he’s compiled against any franchise.

And, of course, Rick Nash, who has nine goals in nine games this season, plus the only shootout goal in a 2-1 shootout win over the Hurricanes.

Tanner Glass was asked this morning to explain why, when the Rangers have had success this season, they’ve had that success.

“Rick Nash has been maybe the best player in the league?” Glass said.

Also to watch this season will be how the Rangers’ third defense pair of Matt Hunwick and Michael Kostka fares. Kostka, of course, had two brutal turnovers that led to Islander goals in a 6-3 loss on Oct. 14, the only time he’s played for the Rangers thus far.

Hunwick has been as advertised, a journeyman defenseman who is not likely to play 82 games but, when needed, can fill in professionally. He’s being used on the power play and has shown a good shot from the point. There are times he’s not getting to his spot defensively but, honestly, the Rangers’ defense problems don’t stem from him, it’s because the players getting the big minutes - Ryan McDonagh and Marc Staal, specifically - have gotten off to slower starts than they’d prefer this season.

“He’s played well for us,” Vigneault said of Hunwick, who has two assists in seven games. “He’s been a defenseman in training camp that came out with our seventh slot. He’s played well without the puck. Because of our injury (Boyle) and suspension (John Moore) situation, he’s going to be asked to play more minutes. Players always want more minutes and they always want more responsibility and he’s going to get an opportunity to show he can do it.”

Boyle, by the way, was said to be again skating on his own today at the Rangers’ practice facility.

For the Jets (4-5-1), who lost a 2-1 shootout to the Devils on Thursday, center Bryan Little has five goals and four assists.

Rangers:

Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello

Chris Kreider-Marty St. Louis-Anthony Duclair

Carl Hagelin-Dominic Moore-Lee Stempniak

Tanner Glass-Kevin Hayes-Chris Mueller

Ryan McDonagh-Kevin Klein

Marc Staal-Dan Girardi

Matt Hunwick-Michael Kostka

Henrik Lundqvist (5-3-0, 3.25 goals-against, .891 save percentage)

Jets:

Evander Kane-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler

Andrew Ladd-Bryan Little-Michael Frolik

Mathieu Perreault-Adam Lowry-Dustin Byfuglien

T.J. Galiardi-Jim Slater-Chris Thorburn

Toby Enstrom-Zach Bogosian

Mark Stuart-Jacob Trouba

Grant Clitsome-Paul Postma

Ondrej Pavelec (4-4-1, 2.34, .908)



Rangers-Jets: Morning skate report

Staff Writer

An optional practice this morning for the Rangers yet a very well-attended optional with 18 players on the ice, including center Derek Stepan, who participated in team practice for the second day in a row in a non-contact jersey.

The lineup news for tonight is that Kevin Hayes will be in the lineup, centering the fourth line, while Ryan Malone is a healthy scratch. Henrik Lundqvist will make his eighth straight start but with tonight starting a stretch of 15 games in 29 days, coach Alain Vigneault said Cam Talbot, who has made just one start thus far, will get three to four starts.

“Benny (goalie coach Benoit Allaire) and I had a long talk about this yesterday,” Vigneault said. “I’m not exactly sure which ones, we’re taking this game by game. We’ve got three or four possible situations for him.”

A natural assumption would be the back-to-back at Toronto Saturday and hosting the Oilers Sunday but Vigneault said, “It might be before that.” The Rangers host the Blues on Monday and the Red Wings on Wednesday.

Stepan is eligible to be activated from long-term injured reserve for Monday’s game - the 11th of the regular season - but still needs to go through at least one practice with contact. And preferably more than one, meaning Monday does not seem likely for his return.

“I would say it might be stretch it but I wouldn’t count it out,” Vigneault said.

The Rangers (5-4-0) enter tonight having been idle since Monday’s 5-4 comeback win over the Wild, meaning they’ve won four of five.

The Jets are on a 2-0-1 run with a win over the Islanders and Thursday’s 2-1 shootout loss to the Devils to start this four-game road trip.

Here are the expected lines, defense pairs, and starting goalies:

Rangers:

Rick Nash-Derick Brassard-Mats Zuccarello

Chris Kreider-Marty St. Louis-Anthony Duclair

Carl Hagelin-Dominic Moore-Lee Stempniak

Tanner Glass-Kevin Hayes-Chris Mueller

Ryan McDonagh-Kevin Klein

Marc Staal-Dan Girardi

Matt Hunwick-Michael Kostka

Henrik Lundqvist (5-3-0, 3.25 goals-against, .891 save percentage)

Jets:

Evander Kane-Mark Scheifele-Blake Wheeler

Andrew Ladd-Bryan Little-Michael Frolik

Mathieu Perreault-Adam Lowry-Dustin Byfuglien

T.J. Galiardi-Jim Slater-Chris Thorburn

Toby Enstrom-Zach Bogosian

Mark Stuart-Jacob Trouba

Grant Clitsome-Paul Postma

Ondrej Pavelec (4-4-1, 2.34, .908)

Vigneault has spent the season so far looking for the right line combinations and he won’t be able to settle it until after Stepan returns.

“We’ve got moving parts on all four lines, I’m hoping to be able to stabilize that a little bit better, get players a little bit more in rhythm and with confidence rand with trust in your teammates, usually then you’re more

effective as lines and as a team. We still haven’t found the right duos or lines yet that this team needs.

“That’s going to help,” Vigneault added of Stepan’s eventual return. “He’s a big part of our team playing five on five, the power play and penalty killing. There’s some chemistry there that needs to be seen on my part from different players so we do get a little bit more continuity which we haven’t gotten so far this year.”



Matt Hunwick gets his shot with the Rangers


STEVE ZIPAY

On Saturday night, Hunwick, 29, started the 300th game of his NHL career and eighth for the Rangers after being drafted in the seventh round by the Bruins in 2004 and signed to a one-year contract by the Blueshirts in July.

"He's played well for us," coach Alain Vigneault said. "He's the defenseman in training camp who came out of there in our seventh slot, and now because of our injury and suspension situation, he's going to be asked to play more minutes. Players always want more minutes and ask for more responsibility, and he's going to get a chance to show what he can do."

Against the Wild on Monday, Hunwick had two assists, his first points as a Ranger. With Moore sitting in the press box, he could see some time on the second power play.

RangersRangers vs. Jets

"I'm a little more comfortable here, but I have to keep earning the minutes from the coaches," Hunwick said.

Hitting the scoresheet builds confidence, "but the things that stick with me are the goals against," he said, recalling his recent failure to box out on a goal when his man was leaving the corner. "Simple play, got to make it."

Hunwick, who grew up in Warren, Michigan, captained the University of Michigan in 2006-07 and graduated with a degree in economics. Boston traaded him to Colorado for a prospect in November 2010 to free up cap space. Hunwick occasionally played 20-plus minutes a night for the Avalanche.

On the third pair here, Hunwick isn't expected to play that many minutes, but he has shown his smarts. On Oct. 19, he was awarded the Broadway Hat because of a quick defensive play, jumping in to sweep the puck off the goal line behind Henrik Lundqvist, a play that changed the dynamic of the first period against the Sharks.

In 299 games, Hunwick, listed at 5-11, 190, had 16 goals and 53 assists. His last goal, oddly enough, came against the Rangers on March 17, 2012.

Ye'r out

Nov. 2, 1998 In retaliation for a cross-check, David Shaw slashed Pittsburgh's Mario Lemieux's throat and chest and was banned for 12 games.

May 23, 2014 Dan Carcillo was banned 10 games for abuse of an official when he pushed linesman Steve Driscoll during the Eastern Conference finals. The suspension was reduced to six games after an appeal.

April 16, 2012 Carl Hagelin was tossed for three games for elbowing Ottawa's Daniel Alfredsson in the head during the Eastern Conference quarterfinals.

April 26, 2009 Coach John Tortorella was suspended for a game after throwing a water bottle and brandishing a stick at a Washington Capitals fan during Game 5 of a first-round series.

Stepan's adopted Olympic puppy

Remember when David Backes of the St. Louis Blues helped rescue some stray puppies from the streets of Sochi during the Winter Olympics?

Well, one of them -- Jake -- is thriving in the New York apartment of Team USA teammate Derek Stepan and his wife, Stephanie.

"He's about a year old, we think," said Stepan, who this summer adopted the tan "purebred mutt," as Stepan described him, from Backes, who arranged to have two pups (the other was nicknamed Sochi Junior) brought back to the U.S. Backes and his wife, Kelly, already have four rescued dogs.

"They were brought back to St. Louis, were quarantined for a month, and when he got all his shots, Stephanie went to get him," said Stepan, who described Jake as "about 50 pounds. He's kind of a scaredy-cat, doesn't like

to be touched yet. When Mac [Ryan McDonagh] has come over a few times, he kind of growls low, but he wouldn't bite anyone."

Teammate Chris Kreider, who learned Russian at Boston College, tried to speak a couple of words in Russian to Jake, Stepan recalled, but the dog didn't respond. Said Kreider, "Guess I'm not a dog whisperer."

Glass heater for Winnipeg

If Winnipeg, often cited as one of the coldest cities in North America, wants a climate change, maybe it should re-acquire Tanner Glass. When Glass was a Jet in 2010-11, the native of Regina, Saskatchewan, played 78 games and had five goals and 16 points. "It was a lot of fun for me, the first year for the Jets. Had a lot of family at the games," he said. "It was a year in my career where I really felt like I had a lot of responsibility with the team."

It also was, Glass recalled, "one of the warmest years" in the city, which has an average temperature of 10 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter months. Since he's left, the winters have been brutal.

Zuccarello makes it light

No player has more fun at practice than Mats Zuccarello. On Friday, Derek Stepan was at center ice doing stickhandling drills using an orange cone that Zuccarello shot pucks at until he knocked it away. Then he slid pucks 180 feet through traffic toward the goal that Cam Talbot was guarding. Finally, when he scored one-on-one against Henrik Lundqvist, he skated away and joyously jammed his stick like a sword into an imaginary sheath at his hip.



Cam Talbot will get starts this month


STEVE ZIPAY

As Henrik Lundqvist's backup last season, Cam Talbot appeared in 21 games, posting a 12-6-1 record with three shutouts, a 1.64 GAA and a .941 save percentage. He will get "three or four starts" in November, coach Alain Vigneault said Saturday.

"He's going to start getting into a rhythm," Vigneault said. "In an ideal scenario, we'd like to get him about 20 starts; I haven't changed my mind."

Talbot, 27, is expected to start one of the back-to-backs next weekend in Toronto or at home against Edmonton.

Talbot, 0-1 with a 2.89 GAA in two appearances, has been a bargain at $562,500 and has incentive to do well. He will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer.

Henrik moves to No. 2

Lundqvist's start was his ninth of the season and 583rd appearance as a Ranger, which nudged him past Gump Worsley for second on the team's all-time list for goalie appearances. Mike Richter has the franchise record with 666.

Stepan not there yet

Center Derek Stepan, who fractured his left leg in training camp, practiced for the second straight day, but Vigneault said it would be "stretching it" to say that Stepan will dress Monday against St. Louis when he is eligible to come off long-term injured reserve. Stepan is more likely to make his season debut against Detroit at home on Wednesday.

Lineup changes

There were two lineup changes. On defense, Michael Kostka stepped in for John Moore, who sat out the first game of his five-game suspension. Rookie Kevin Hayes, who was a healthy scratch on Monday, was back in, with Ryan Malone a healthy scratch.



Rangers lose to Jets; Ryan McDonagh lost to separated shoulder


STEVE ZIPAY

After playing a career-high 34:50 and blocking seven shots in a 1-0 shootout loss to the Winnipeg Jets Saturday night at the Garden, Dan Girardi was going to appreciate the extra hour of sleep with the clocks being turned back.

On the other hand, Girardi might have had nightmares about the Rangers' depleted defense, now missing four regulars.

"I think maybe the four days we had between games might have helped," Girardi said after the Rangers played about 21/2 periods plus overtime without two of their top defensemen, captain Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein, who did not return after being injured. "If it's a back-to-back, it might've been a different story. We just have to get some more rest now."

McDonagh suffered a separated left shoulder when Evander Kane -- who scored the game-decider in the shootout's fourth round -- nailed him into the end boards at 11:41 of the first period.

That injury appears to be worse than Klein's. He suffered a foot contusion after being hit by a shot earlier in the period.

"They'll both get MRIs [on Sunday] and we'll know more then," Alain Vigneault said.

The injuries -- along with the absence of John Moore, who served the first game of his five-game suspension, and Dan Boyle, who broke his hand in the opener on Oct. 9 and began skating only last week -- make it likely that the Rangers will need to call up at least one defenseman, possibly Conor Allen, from Hartford before Monday night's game against St. Louis. With 14 more games in November, if McDonagh is out for an extended time, the Rangers might be in the market for another blueliner.

Last April 1, McDonagh suffered a separated left shoulder on a hit into the glass from Alex Burrows. He didn't need surgery and missed only the final five games of the regular season.

Said Marc Staal, who logged 29:33: "We're going to have to rally around him [McDonagh], not only as defensemen but as a team, make sure we have a concerted effort as a group, play more solid in our own end. You can't replace a guy like that."

Henrik Lundqvist, who stopped 25 shots through overtime, was beaten by Kane and Blake Wheeler in the shootout. Mats Zuccarello scored the lone shootout goal for the Rangers. Ondrej Pavelec stopped Rick Nash, Dominic Moore and Martin St. Louis, who also was denied on a breakaway in overtime.

It was the second consecutive game that the Rangers played without a full team. Against the Wild last Monday, Moore and Chris Kreider were ejected for major penalties. But the Rangers rallied for five goals in the third period to erase a 3-0 deficit and beat the Wild, 5-4.

Even with the effort by the shorthanded defense, which blocked 20 shots, and despite firing 38 shots at Pavelec, the Rangers (5-4-1) couldn't manage more than a point against the Jets, who were wrapping up a road trip.

The Rangers couldn't connect on five power plays and are 2-for-28 this season. "It needs to produce," Vigneault said. "We're getting some looks. We're trying different personnel, but it's one area we need to get results. Tonight it had the opportunity to win us the game and couldn't get it done."

Defensemen Matt Hunwick, who made the team as a seventh defenseman and logged 27:58, and Michael Kostka, who played 21:56 after seeing action in only one previous game this season, could not be faulted. "Those guys played extremely well," Vigneault said. "They played their best and gave us a chance."

"We played a really strong game. We played with poise," Lundqvist said. "It's tough when you don't get two points in a game like this."

And tougher still when the defense needs reinforcements.



Rangers-Jets in review

02 November 2014, 3:17 am

Staff Writer

Thoughts:

1) Holy Shishkebob. Ryan McDonagh hurt the same shoulder that sidelined him for the end of the regular season last year. Now what? They were already playing the seventh and eighth defensemen on the organizational depth chart. With Dan Boyle hurt and John Moore suspended, they will have to go to No. 9 and, if Kevin Klein’s hurt, No. 10 on the chart. Yikes.Winnipeg Jets v New York Rangers

2) The Evander Kane hit that knocked out McDonagh (he will have an MRI and perhaps an estimated time he will miss on Sunday), IMO, was hard and 100 percent clean. Not high. Not late. Not from a distance. Not against a vulnerable opponent. None of that.

3) You have to give gold stars to Matt Hunwick and Michael Kostka. Hunwick logged 27:58, and I’m thinking he might be in the lineup if everybody was healthy and/or not suspended. Just solid. And Kostka, who had played one game, that disaster against the Islanders, I can’t imagine how difficult a game this was for him. I mean, he had to be damn near perfect or he was going to get torn up by the fans and the media, and (at least until the injuries) this was kind of a do-or-die game for him. He’s not capable of playing a near perfect game; nobody is. But I only noticed one situation where he was even in a little bit of trouble. Win, lose or Bettman loser point, got to give Hunwick and Kostka a lot of credit.

4) Klein has become something of a puck magnet lately. I’m not saying that in a good way. He took the one off the chin that bloodied him. Last game he limped to the bench a couple of times. Seems to have a lot of Dan Girardi in him.Winnipeg Jets v New York Rangers

5) Which brings us to the Block Ness Monster. He was a beast in this game, and he laughed that it was a flashback to a time when a certain coach would get him up near or over 30 minutes. Best game of the year for him. Physical. Was a target when they got down to four. And got hit and hacked and hung in there. His 34:50 was a regular-season career high. Marc Staal played his best game of the season, by far. Good thing those four guys were rested. They won’t be rested going forward.

6) And the forwards did their job … except for the scoring part. But they had possession for big chunks of this game, and that helped the defensive effort to a great degree. Maybe the best possession game of the season.

7) That said, would it kill Chris Kreider to hit the net. Not to single him out, but he had a bunch of chances on which Ondrej Pavelec didn’t have to do a thing. Derick Brassard passed up a few shots to pass, too. Still, Kreider, St. Louis and Anthony Duclair had some of the Rangers’ best offensive shifts.

Winnipeg Jets v New York Rangers8) Henrik Lundqvist. Made every save through 65 minutes, and some of them were really good. Pavelec did too, especially on the breakaways by Hagelin and St. Louis. Lundqvist’s best move might have been the timely “equipment malfunction” he had during the penalty kill with Marc Staal in the box. I think Girardi played 1:50 of it, and that Tanner Glass and St. Louis took brief turns on defense.

9) Daily Nash-O-Meter. Rick Nash was a factor again. Though he did make his first ass-backward move I can remember this season. He was good for one or two of those per game post-concussion last season.

10) The power play. Yeesh. Had some early chances, really a flurry of chances, mostly because of two keep-ins by McDonagh. One was a great pass by Brassard to Mats Zuccarello who hit a skate with an empty side.

11) I must say that through 10 games, the fourth line hasn’t been nearly as effective this year as it was last year. Granted, that’s because of all the shuffling, and the moving of Dominic Moore from line to line, and of course the loss of Brian Boyle. And with the center position in flux, Alain Vigneault hasn’t rolled his lines as he did last year. Still, I think that was a big reason for their success in 2013-14 and in the playoffs. And this year it hasn’t been as good.

12) The Rangers practice shootouts, and they practiced them Friday, and I guess that’s why Dominic Moore was chosen over, say, Duclair or Kreider or Brassard. Me? I don’t get it. I go with my best scorers. Lee Stempniak is supposed to be good at it, too.

13) I often wonder why the Jets aren’t better. They’re big, fast, and skilled. They sure use their size.

Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Jets 1, Rangers 0 (shootout) … post-game notes

01 November 2014, 11:05 pm

Staff Writer

Team notes:

- The Rangers have earned a point in five of their last six contests (4-1-1 over the span), and have also registered a point in each of their last four home games (3-0-1 over the span).

- Tonight’s contest was the sixth time the Rangers have finished regulation and overtime with the score tied 0-0 since the shootout was implemented prior to the 2005-06 season. The previous five times were: October 20, 2007 at Boston (1-0 loss); March 9, 2008 vs. Boston (1-0 win); October 17, 2008 vs. Toronto (1-0 win); January 12, 2010 vs. New Jersey (1-0 loss); February 1, 2012 at Buffalo (1-0 win).

- The last time the Rangers were tied 0-0 after regulation was April 13, 2013 at the NY Islanders (1-0 win in overtime).

- The Blueshirts were 3-for-3 (6:00) on the penalty kill in the contest. New York has not allowed a power play goal in five of its last six contests, successfully killing off 16 of 19 penalties over the span (84.2%).

- The Rangers were credited with 38 shots on goal in the contest, as 16 different skaters recorded at least one shot on goal and seven different skaters registered at least three. New York has been credited with at least 34 shots on goal in five of 10 games this season.

Blueshirt breakdown:

- Henrik Lundqvist stopped all 25 shots he faced to record his second shutout of the season and the 52nd of his NHL career. With the shutout, he moved into sole possession of 22nd place on the NHL’s all-time shutouts list, passing Curtis Joseph, Dave Kerr, Rogie Vachon, and Tomas Vokoun. As of the conclusion of tonight’s game, the Rangers’ all-time wins and shutouts leader is tied for third in the NHL in shutouts this season. He has posted a 3-0-1 record, along with a 1.20 GAA, a .958 SV%, and 2 SO in his last four home contests. Lundqvist made his 583rd career regular season appearance with the Rangers in the contest, passing Gump Worsley for second on the team’s all-time list.

- Dan Girardi led all skaters with a single-game career-high 34:50 of ice time, led all skaters with seven blocked shots, tied for the game-high with two takeaways, and tied for team-highs in shots on goal (four) and hits (three). The Rangers’ alternate captain became the first Blueshirt to log at least 34:50 of ice time in a regular season game since Brian Leetch skated in 34:54 of ice time on December 9, 2000 at Boston. At the conclusion of tonight’s contest, Girardi ranks fifth in the NHL – and leads the Rangers – in blocked shots (28) this season. He also leads the Rangers in average ice time (25:19) and ranks second on the team in hits (24) in 2014-15.

- Marc Staal tied for the game-high with two takeaways, recorded two shots on goal, and was credited with two hits in 29:33 of ice time. The Rangers’ alternate captain ranks third on the team in average ice time (22:06) and ranks fourth on the team in blocked shots (12) this season.

- Mats Zuccarello tallied a shootout goal, tied for the team-high with three hits, and was credited with one takeaway in 19:32 of ice time. He has registered 10 goals in 21 shootout attempts in his career (47.6%). Zuccarello ranks second on the Rangers in takeaways (nine) this season.

- Matt Hunwick tied for the team-high with three hits, recorded three shots on goal, and logged 27:58 of ice time while skating in his 300th career NHL contest.



Jets at Rangers … It’s Go Time!

01 November 2014, 6:30 pm

Staff Writer

Ya boys won their last game with a five-goal third period, and so have won four of their last five. They have played just twice in the past 10 days, but now it gets busy. The Rangers willl play 15 games in 29 in November. Tonight is the second in a stretch of seven of eight at home, where they are 3-2, but could easily be worse.

Michael Kostka, who has played just once—that disastrous outing vs. the Islanders—is in for John Moore, who sits the first of a five-game suspension for his high hit on Erik Haula of Minnesota Monday.

Derek Stepan will be eligible to come off long-term injured reserve following tonight’s game. He hopes to have his first full-contact practice Sunday and then it will be a matter of getting medical clearance. He could play as early as Monday. Dan Boyle (broken hand) remains out. He’s a little more than three weeks into a 4-6 week injury.

Henrik Lundqvist will move into second on all-time games played list (583), ahead of Gump Worsley. Only Mike Richter (666) has more. Alain Vigneault said he expects backup Cam Talbot to get some rhythm this busy month, with three or four starts.

Kevin Hayes returns to the lineup after being a healthy scratch Monday, so Ryan Malone is the lone prucha.

The Jets are doing one of those popular three-game Big Apple trips. They beat the Islanders and lost in a shootout to the Devils, and are 2-0-1 in their last three, 3-1-1 in five after starting the season 1-4.


755423 Ottawa Senators

McDavid and the Erie Otters sink Ottawa 67's


Mike Carroccetto

Connor McDavid and the Erie Otters gunned down the visiting Ottawa 67’s on Saturday night, leading 4-1 after the first period en route to a 7-4 Ontario Hockey League victory.

McDavid, likely to be the No. 1 pick in next year’s NHL draft, had a goal and three assists for Erie while Jeremiah Addison led Ottawa with two goals and an assist.

Connor Graham and Erik Bradford had the other goals for the 67’s while Leo Lazarev allowed all seven goals on 38 shots.

Dylan Strome, with two, Alex DeBrincat, T.J. Fergus, Nick Betz and Travis Wood also scored for the Otters. Daniel Dekoning got the win in goal, allowing four goals on 30 shots.

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 11.02.2014


Dalai Lama and four goals more than enough for Bruins against Senators

Wayne Scanlan

November 1, 2014 10:48 PM EST

BOSTON — On a day when the Dalai Lama was in town, preaching the merits of educating the heart and mind, the Bruins delivered a body blow to the visiting Senators.

Maybe the Dalai Lama gave the B’s an unfair advantage by sporting a Bruins cap during his morning talk at TD Garden.

Whatever their inspiration, after a middling 6-6-0 start to their season, the Bruins looked more like their old, grinding selves while winning their seventh game in 13 starts. The Senators fell to 5-3-2 by dropping their first of five meetings of the season against their Atlantic Division rival.

So much for the Senators taking advantage of the Bruins missing big Zdeno Chara and two other regulars on defence. Oddly, the Bruins thought their night was off to another sour note when their leading scorer, centre David Krejci, had to be scratched at the last minute due to an undisclosed injury. Krejci, who missed Friday’s practice, took part in the pre-game warmup but was unable to go, replaced by Matt Fraser of Red Deer.

Over to you, Mr. Fraser. In just his fifth game of the season, Fraser took full advantage, scoring his first two goals of the season, both in the second period, just 1:28 apart to give the Bruins a large lead, by their stingy standards. As Boston head coach Claude Julien said this week, when the Bruins are stingy, they’re pretty good. Expect more of the same. Julien is reportedly about to sign a three-year contract extension.

Senators defenceman Erik Karlsson was a victim of both Fraser goals, turning the puck over to start the mêlée that led to Fraser’s first goal, breaking a 1-1 tie. Fraser banged home a rebound of Carl Soderberg’s shot, which was tipped in front by Loui Eriksson.

On the second goal, a Soderberg pass right past Karlsson sent Fraser in on a semi-break and he beat Senators goaltender Robin Lehner to the glove side. Lehner was playing his first game since becoming a new dad on Thursday.

“I think we gave it to them,” a frustrated Lehner said of the Senators’ effort on the night. “We didn’t have that jump and poise we needed.”

For good measure, Karlsson tossed a pizza to defenceman Dennis Seidenberg, who blasted home from the point Boston’s fourth of the game at 2:08 of the third period. Karlsson was on the ice for all four goals against, a handy symbol for a rough night.

While the captain said later he hates a gaudy minus number, he said, “I’ve been a dash-4 before in my career and it turned out pretty well, so I’m not too concerned about it. Obviously, it’s not fun and it’s a terrible stat.”

Mika Zibanejad scored with 4:17 left in the game, his second in two games after failing to score in Ottawa’s first eight games of the season. Alex Chiasson sent Zibanejad in alone after the pair caused a turnover in Boston’s zone.

After playing a near-perfect opening period of smothering hockey, in Julien’s mind, the Bruins’ coach suffered in silence while watching a 1-0 lead evaporate on a 2-on-1 break with 27 seconds left in the first. Senators winger Mark Stone worked the play to perfection, using Mike Hoffman as a decoy and then wheeling around Tuukka Rask before tucking the puck in.

Stone’s third goal of the season extended his personal point streak to three games. Brad Marchand had given the Bruins their lead when he took a quick shot that slipped through Lehner at 18:54. Typically, faceoff master Patrice Bergeron won the draw (against David Legwand) and slipped the puck back to Marchand for the wrister.

The home team didn’t give up much, outshooting the Senators 10-5 after 20 minutes, and the late goal by Ottawa failed to provide a spark of life for the balance the game. In the end, Boston outshot the Senators 30-29.

“We were standing still a lot of the time,” Zibanejad said.

If it looked familiar, Lehner in net against the Bruins, it should. This was the 10th time the young Swede has faced Boston, far and away the most he has played against any NHL team. Tough assignment. Lehner came into the game with a 2-4-2 record, one shutout and a 2.63 goals-against average and .930 save percentage. Make that 2-5-2 now.

GAME FILE

WHY THEY LOST: Sloppy, uninspired play. This was the same team that battled the mighty Chicago Blackhawks to the depths of a shootout?

CHEERS

To the pre-game salute to former Boston mayor Thomas M Menino, who served his city with humanity and distinction for two decades, Boston’s longest-serving mayor.

JEERS

To the type of sloppy defensive play that was Ottawa’s hallmark last season. Captain Karlsson was minus-4.

MINOR HOCKEY WEEK

The Senators will present a series of on-ice clinics for players and coaches as part of their minor hockey initiative from Nov. 1-8. Ex-Senators players Todd White, Shean Donovan and Jason York will be among the instructors for the clinics. Saturday, Nov. 8 features the annual coaches’ clinic at CTC. For details on the program, visit www.ottawasenators.com/minorhockeyweek.

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 11.02.2014


Ottawa Sens No. 1 centre Kyle Turris knows he has to be better

Don Brennan

Saturday, November 01, 2014 11:20 PM EDT

BOSTON - Former MLB slugger Reggie Jackson used to be called Mr. October, but that's not a reputation NHL players want. Like Jackson, they would prefer to be clutch at the end of the season. They'd rather be known as Mr. June.

At the same time, Kyle Turris would have liked to put up better numbers than he did in the first month of the season. The Senators' No. 1 centre notched the first goal in the first game, Oct. 9 in Nashville, but heading into Saturday's tilt at TD Garden, he hadn't scored another.

Turris did also have five assists and a plus-2 rating, but at the team hotel hours before facing the Bruins he admitted he has to be better.

"I'm trying to work at and improve different aspects of my game," said the 25-year-old. "I've got a lot of improving to do."

Turris could have blamed his slow start on increased attention, but he didn't. Without Jason Spezza around, other teams can now put their top checkers and best defencemen on the ice when he and his linemates hop over the boards, and at home, they often do.

"I think it's been fine," he said. "I don't feel it's changed much matchup wise from last year."

Maybe it's just an October thing. Last season Turris scored in Game 2, but didn't have another until Game 12, the last of the month.

In 2012-13, he had four goals after four games, but that season started in January, because of the lockout.

Anyway, another aspect of his game Turris would like to improve is faceoffs. The Senators need a big drawman to replace Spezza, who led them with a 54% success rate last season. So far, that hasn't been Turris.

Through nine games he had a 44.3% success rate that ranked him last among the team's centres, Mika Zibanejad (51.7%), Curtis Lazar (51.3%) and David Legwand (48.8%).

It wasn't going to get any easier for Turris on Saturday, if B's coach Claude Julien was going to do any line matching. Patrice Bergeron, the defending Frank J. Selke Trophy (best defensive forward) winner, was also the best face-off man in the league (63.5%) entering the Ottawa game.

Bergeron's prowess on draws (this one against Legwand) gave the Bruins a 1-0 lead in the first period Saturday.

Turris, meanwhile said he hasn't yet found his rhythm on the dots. You'll know he's getting better when he starts getting thrown out of more circles.

"The more you get waived out, the better job you're doing of cheating," he said. "I think I was waived out twice last game, and I think that's the first I've been waived out all year.

"Maybe that's something I've got to start doing a little more of, is cheating. Best cheater wins in the face-off circles."

Something else to watch for in November.

STARTS AND STOPS

Senators GM Bryan Murray and AGM Pierre Dorion used an off-night in Boston to scout a college game 80 km away in Providence ... The Ritz-Carleton in Boston is one of the nicest hotels in the NHL loop, but you might want to stick to the tap water if you stay there. The bottled stuff in the rooms cost somebody $17 for two ... Play-by-play man Dean Brown raved about the "ultimate club sandwich" he purchased a short stroll from the hotel. Even by giving seven panhandlers a buck each, Deano's lunch was less than what Bobby Ryan paid for his waters ... The gash on Turris' left cheek is courtesy of his "good buddy" Erik Condra. "In practice (Friday)," said Turris. "He went to shoot. I guess his stick got caught in Andy (Craig Anderson) and the butt end got me in the face. So he says." ... Seconds after he was rubbed out behind the net, Ryan drove Carl Sodenberg into the

end glass. That prompted a rather loud chant of "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby" at TD Garden. They're cheering for Ryan in Boston? "Unless Bobby Orr just got up to go get a beer," cracked an Ottawa sportswriter ... At TD Garden they have the "Beard Cam" and I have no idea why I just told you that.

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 11.02.2014


Ottawa Senators continue to split duties in net

Don Brennan


BOSTON - So far, Paul MacLean has stuck to his plan of going with a No. 1 and No. 1A goaltending system.

When Robin Lehner was tapped for Saturday's game in Boston, it maintained an even split for him and Craig Anderson through the first month, as both of have now played five games.

While MacLean generally keeps reporters waiting until game day before naming his starter, the straight-shooting Lehner said Friday he didn't think he would be facing the Bruins.

Those who follow the team had a strong hunch Saturday afternoon that he would, when Anderson strayed a couple of times from the routine he has when he starts -- that is, he left the hotel for the rink later and he wasn't wearing his game face.

"We made a conscious effort to make sure we've got both of our goaltenders up and running this season," MacLean said prior to the opening faceoff at TD Garden. "And they've both played very well for us."

Indeed, the Senators had the 10th ranked team goals against average (2.33) before Saturday's games. Lehner had a 3-0-1 record with a .939 save percentage and 2.18 GAA, while Anderson is 2-2-1 with a .934 save percentage and 2.38 GAA.

"They've been the goalie," said MacLean. "I think the team has done a good job of allowing them to be the goalie by not overreacting when things don't go right. We do a much better job of cleaning up things on the backside or only allowing one opportunity. We've been giving them plenty of one opportunities, or shots at the net, but we've done a much better job of keeping things tidy around their net."

MacLean said his goalie decision remains a "game by game type of thing."

"We'll see how it goes going forward," he said.



Ottawa Senators beat up in Beantown

Don Brennan


BOSTON - The Senators were watching on their TV's at home last spring when Matt Fraser -- playing in his first NHL playoff game a day after pondering his career over a double chicken burrito and frozen yogurt lunch -- scored the overtime winner as the Bruins evened their series with the Habs.

The Senators will be watching this season's playoffs on their TV's, too, if they play defence the way they did when Fraser and the Bruins dumped them Saturday at TD Garden.

With the scored tied 1-1 deep into the second period, Fraser scored his first two goals of the season 1:28 apart to propel the B's to a 4-2 victory over Ottawa.

Senators captain Erik Karlsson, who was minus-4 on the night, looked bad on both of them.

"I think I might have been dash-4 a couple of times before in my career, and it turned out pretty well, so I'm not too concerned about it," said Karlsson. "Obviously it's not fun and it's a terrible stat, and it's something you have to figure out, but as I said, it is what it is. Obviously right now I can't do anything about it. We play another game on Tuesday and you can't let it get to you either."

On the first, Karlsson's pass through the high defensive zone slot was deflected by Loui Eriksson and ended up on the stick of Carl Soderberg, whose shot created a juicy rebound that Fraser whipped past Robin Lehner to break the tie.

Before anyone could finish tweeting about that one, Soderberg floated a pass off the side boards that eluded Karlsson, who appeared to stop skating as Fraser went in to beat Lehner with a high glove side shot.

"I think we gave it to them, to be quite honest with you," said Lehner. "I don't think we had that jump and that poise that we should have. Passes weren't very good.

"I just didn't think we stuck to the game plan."

Karlsson threw the puck to Dennis Seidenberg at the point to set up the first goal of the season for the Bruins defenceman at 2:08 of the third to end any realistic hope of a Senators' comeback.

Mika Zibanejad did score his second in two games with 4:17 left in the third, interrupting a Bruins breakout then accepting a pass from Alex Chiasson behind Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask.

The Bruins outshot the Senators 30-29, while the Senators were 0-for-1 on the power play and Boston was 0-for-3.

"We had some opportunities, but we made too many mistakes," said Chris Neil.

While it was a tough night for Karlsson, Patrick Wiercioch will also want to forget this visit to Beantown. Through two periods, he saw just 4:29 of ice time.

The score was tied 1-1 at the end of the first although the Senators had no right still being in the game. They were outshot 10-5 and had only two realistic scoring chances -- the first when the puck bounced over Zibanejad's stick as he tried to backhand a shot into the open side, the second when a Cody Ceci slapshot from the point was kicked out smartly by Rask for what Boston TV deemed "the save of the game" -- before Mark Stone scored his second in as many games with 27.6 seconds left in the period.

Stone's goal was a quick response to Brad Marchand's ice breaker through Lehner's legs 66 seconds before the intermission. That one came immediately after David Legwand lost a defensive zone draw to Patrice Bergeron.

Stone was using Mike Hoffman as a decoy on a 2-on-1 when he went in deep and bounced a shot in off Rask's skate.

"There were stretches of the game we played well, but we didn't really establish much of a forecheck," said Stone. "They were getting out of their zone quite easily."

Lehner dodged a bullet in the second minute of the game, when he didn't even see a Bergeron shot from the slot that rattled off the post. Lehner did stop Milan Lucic who was left alone in front in the sixth minute, and he also made a good save off Fraser after the winger stepped around Karlsson a few minutes later.

The win was another reason to smile for Bruins coach Claude Julien, whose 7-6-0 team moved ahead of the 5-3-2 Senators in the Atlantic Division standings. According to CBC's Elliotte Friedman, Julien, an Orléans, is reportedly getting a three-year contract extension from the B's.

Meanwhile, this was the first of five meetings for the Senators against the Bruins, who beat them by scores of 5-0 and 7-2 at TD Garden last season.

Ottawa's next game is at Canadian Tire Centre Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings.


755428 Philadelphia Flyers

5 reasons why Flyers fall under .500

Sam Carchidi


SUNRISE, Fla. — Five reasons why the Flyers are under .500 after dropping a 2-1 decision in Florida on Saturday night:

1. The power play was awful: 0 for 6, including a squandered five-on-three opportunity for 32 seconds in the third period.

2. Florida goalie Roberto Luongo (36 saves) was very good, especially when the Flyers (4-5-2) finally woke up in the third period and fired 18 shots.

3. Another slow start. The Flyers allowed the first goal for the ninth time in 11 games. They seem to almost always be chasing the game because they are playing from behind.

4. Until they pulled goalie Steve Mason with 3:48 left, the Flyers played with very little urgency. They swarmed the net in the final few minutes. That hellbent style was missing for most of the first two periods — against a patchwork Florida team that, because of injuries and illnesses, was missing five regular forwards. The Panthers called up two AHL players and had their seventh defenseman, Colby Robak, move to left wing.

5. Little production from any of the lines that were not centered by Claude Giroux. Giroux’s line, with Jake Voracek and Michael Raffl, combined for 13 shots and was a constant scoring threat.

Breakaways. Vinny Lecavalier, who had missed the previous seven games because of an ankle injury, scored with 7.4 seconds left and had five shots….Defenseman Mark Streit led the Flyers in time on ice (28:37) and had a team-high six shots…Struggling winger R.J. Umberger, who played on the second line with Lecavalier and Wayne Simmonds, played just 9:41….Voracek has points in 10 of 11 games.

Philadelphia Inquirer / Daily News LOADED: 11.02.2014


Flyers can't muster any offense in loss to Panthers

Sam Carchidi

November 2, 2014, 1:10 AM

SUNRISE, Fla. - After sitting out four games, No. 1 goalie Steve Mason was sharp in his return Saturday night.

The Flyers weren't.

Roberto Luongo made 36 saves and led Florida to a 2-1 win over the Flyers at the BB&T Center.

Vinny Lecavalier, who missed the previous seven games with an ankle injury, scored with 7.4 seconds left, denying Luongo his 68th career shutout.

"You try to find positives in kind of a negative situation," said Mason, now 0-4-1. "I was happy, for the most part, with the way my game went, but when the other goalie at the other end pretty much plays a perfect game, it's tough to come out on the winning side."

Mason was screened on both Florida goals.

"Your job as a goalie is to try to fight through the bodies that are in front of you," said Mason, whose team went 0-2 on a trip in which the players were accompanied by 15 of their fathers or other relatives.

Midway through the third period, the Flyers did nothing on a 32-second five-on-three power play or on the ensuing five-on-four. That left them 0 for 6 on the power play - and 1 for 19 in their last six games.

"Quite a few unforced errors by us," coach Craig Berube said.

Mason kept the Flyers within striking distance with 6 minutes, 33 seconds remaining, stopping Shawn Thornton on a breakaway. But Florida made it 2-0, as defenseman Aaron Ekblad, the No. 1 overall pick in June, scored his first NHL goal, converting a power-play chance with 4:22 to go.

With the Flyers on a power play and about 13:20 left, Luongo made perhaps his biggest save, stopping Matt Read's deflection.

Trailing 1-0, the Flyers had a power play for 72 more seconds to start the third period.

But instead of seizing the momentum, they allowed a shorthanded breakaway (Mason stopped Derek MacKenzie) and a rebound (Tomas Kopecky) - and didn't muster any more shots on that power play.

Injuries and illnesses caused the Panthers to have five regular forwards missing from their lineup.

No matter. The Flyers fell into a 1-0 hole for the ninth time in 11 games.

"We didn't come out aggressive enough in the first period," Berube said. "Didn't get on them. Didn't put pressure on them. Didn't skate. Didn't shoot pucks."

After Mark Streit lost the puck, Willie Mitchell scored on a point shot that appeared to deflect off defenseman Nick Grossmann, giving Florida the early advantage.

The Panthers outplayed the Flyers in the first period, outshooting them , 12-9, and winning 59 percent of the faceoffs.

Florida entered the game having allowed just 17 goals this season. No NHL team had allowed fewer.

Mason (28 saves), who had not played since Oct. 21 because Ray Emery was excelling in the nets, took a 3.83 goals-against average and .878 save percentage into the game.

"Wins aren't coming now on a personal front, but you just keep working and stay positive," Mason said.

His poor numbers are misleading, because the team has not played well in front of him, and he has not allowed many bad goals.

That trend continued Saturday.

Gostisbehere demoted. Shayne Gostisbehere's game is still growing on the ice. Off the ice, he is mature beyond his years.

"I met with him a few hours ago and told him of our plan," Flyers GM Ron Hextall said after announcing Saturday that the 21-year-old defenseman was being sent back to the AHL Phantoms. "He really knows where he is at. He might be the first kid I ever dealt with who knows exactly where he is at as a player, and where he needs to be to get better. I am almost taken aback by his understanding."

Gostisbehere had some good and bad moments in his two games with the club.

Hextall conceded it would have been nice "for sentimental reasons" if Gostisbehere had played Saturday in Florida. He grew up in Margate, Fla., about 15 minutes from the Panthers' rink, where he played in tournaments as a youngster.

"But our responsibility is to put the best team on the ice that has a chance to win," Hextall said.



Flyers' GM dishes praise as he sends down Gostisbehere

Sam Carchidi


SUNRISE, Fla. — Shayne Gostisbehere’s game is still growing on the ice. Off the ice, he is mature beyond his years.

“I met with him a few hours ago and told him of our plan,” said Flyers GM Ron Hextall after announcing Saturday that the 21-year-old defenseman was being sent back to the AHL Phantoms. “He really knows where he is at. He might be the first kid I ever dealt with who knows exactly where he is at as a player, and where he needs to be to get better. I am almost taken aback by his understanding.”

Gostisbehere and some good and bad moments in his two games with the club.

Hextall conceded it would have been nice “for sentimental reasons” if Gostisbehere had played Saturday in Florida. He grew up in Margate, Fla., about 15 minutes from the Panthers’ rink, where he played in tournaments as a youngster. “But our responsibility is to put the best team on the ice that has a chance to win.”

Brandon Manning will play in his second straight game Saturday night, and there is a chance that recently signed Carlo Colaiacovo will be ready to play Tuesday against Edmonton.

As for Gostisbehere, Hextall said “it’s not fair to ask him to come out of college and come in here and have an impact. He needs to go there (Lehigh Valley) and just grow. His game — and (assistant) Gord Murphy said this to him — from the blue line in, he’s got to adjust. Get to people quicker. Close his gaps. Keep himself between the man and the body. Just little things. He’s a really sharp guy, a really coachable kid. He’s gonna learn quickly.”

Breakaways. Vinny Lecavalier will return to the lineup Saturday night and will center R.J. Umberger and Wayne Simmonds, and goalie Steve Mason will make his first start since Oct. 21....Michael Raffl, Claude Giroux and Jake Voracek have combined for 35 points, second-most among any NHL line combination.



Flyers' Mason eyes first win

Sam Carchidi

Saturday, November 1, 2014, 10:39 AM

SUNRISE, Fla. _ The calendar has turned to November and, amazingly, Steve Mason is still searching for his first win of the season.

Truth be told, the Flyers have not played well in front of Mason, and the 26-year-old goalie's stats (3.83 GAA, .878 save percentage) are misleading.

Mason (0-3-1) will get his first start since Oct. 21 _ a 4-0 loss in Chicago _ when the Flyers play in Florida on Saturday night.

Roberto Luongo, 35, is expected to get the call for the Panthers, who, like the Flyers, are injury-riddled. Luongo is 3-2-2 with a 2,33 GAA and .926 save percentage.

Gostisbehere proud. Shayne Gostisbehere, who played in his first two Flyers games recently, was asked if he felt like a pioneer because he became the first Florida born and raised resident to reach the NHL.

“I wouldn’t say I’m a pioneer, but I’m just a kid who loves hockey,” he said. “Growing up, I wanted to play in the National Hockey League. My mom and dad told me there’s no dream too big. Again, to make it here and be the first Florida born and raised (in the NHL), it’s a tremendous honor. I’ll take the pioneer (label) if I have to for the little kids because hockey’s a great game and I want to see kids play it more down here.”

The player known as Ghost will not play against the Panthers _ he grew up about 15 minutes away _ and will be sent back to the Phantoms to open a roster spot for Vinny Lecavalier's return. Lecavalier has missed the last seven games with an injured left ankle.



Flyers lose, come up empty on Florida trip

Wayne Fish

Saturday, November 1, 2014 10:47 pm

SUNRISE, Fla. – Oh for Florida.

It isn't often the Flyers come out of a two-game trip through Florida with nothing to show for it.

But that's what happened Saturday night when Philadelphia was defeated by the Florida Panthers 2-1 at the BB&T Center.

This loss came on the heels of a 4-3 setback at Tampa on Thursday night.

Florida goaltender Roberto Luongo came within 7.4 seconds of his second career shutout against the Flyers. A goal by Vinny Lecavalier broke the shutout bid. Luongo wound up stopping 36 of 37 shots.

It didn't help the Flyers' cause that they fired blanks on six power-play chances, including 32 seconds of a five-on-three advantage midway through the third period.

Luongo had much to do with that, turning aside one good scoring chance after another. That had the half-full arena chanting "Lu! Lu!''

The loss dropped the Flyers back under .500 at 4-5-2.

Steve Mason made his return to the Flyers’ net a good one, stopping 28 of 30 Florida shots but it wasn’t enough.

All the momentum from wins over Pittsburgh, Detroit and Los Angeles appears to have taken a leave of absence.

“You go 0 for 2 in Florida, it’s not good,’’ Mason said. “Tampa Bay’s got a great team. Even these guys had some guys out of the lineup (five to be exact).

“But you have to find ways to win hockey games, even when things aren’t going exactly your way. We haven’t done that.’’

Down 2-0 late in the third, coach Craig Berube pulled Mason with 3:48 to play and the Flyers basically kept the puck in the Florida end the rest of the game.

Where was that sort of desperation for the first 56 minutes?

“The best that we played was when I was on the bench,’’ Mason observed with an ironic tone. “We had three and a half minutes in their zone.’’

The Flyers entered the game with an all-time mark of 28-11-2 at Florida, but looked lackluster on offense. When they did mount some serious pressure on the Panthers' net, Luongo was there to make the timely save.

Slow starts are hurting the Flyers, too. They’ve been scored on first nine times in 11 games.

“We didn’t come out very good in the first period,’’ Berube said. “We didn’t come out in the first period aggressive enough, for sure. Didn’t get on them, didn’t put pressure on them, didn’t skate.’’

Berube sounded puzzled by the Flyers’ lack of competitiveness until the last segment of the game.

“It discourages me the way we came out,’’ the coach said. “That’s what really bothers me.

“Just not competitive. That’s the bottom line. We talked about good start, being down here in Florida. . .that’s on them.’’

With that in mind, Jake Voracek, Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds responded.

“They (the Panthers) are over .500, we knew it was going to be a tough game,’’ Voracek said. “Give them credit, they played well defensively. It’s hard to come back in a game like this. We just have to be patient.’’

Giroux said: “We didn’t play the right way at the start and it cost us the game. We need to do a better job playing as a team. . .be on the same page. We need to look at some video and make sure we’re on the same page.’’

Simmonds almost always tells it like it is. He was candid with his assessment.

“There’s no room for excuse in this league,’’ he said upon being asked about Luongo’s outstanding play. “We have to be better. We didn’t start skating until the third period. We have to play the game from the start.’’

The power-play drought (1 for 19) has also played a role in recent struggles.

“There are quite a few errors – we’re trying to force something that’s not there,’’ Berube said of the power play, “instead of just being simple and shooting pucks.’’

A goal by Willie Mitchell at 9:07 of the first period gave the Panthers a 1-0 lead and that score stood up for two periods.

Mitchell's point shot appeared to deflect off a Flyers defender (Nick Grossmann, according to replays) and that changed the direction of the puck just enough to elude Mason, making his first start since a 4-0 loss at Chicago 11 days ago.

Florida No. 1 overall draft pick Aaron Ekblad recorded Florida’s other goal with 4:22 to play.

Mason entered the game with a career mark of 6-1-0 and 1.55 goals-against average against the Panthers.

But his record this season fell to 0-4-1.

Mark Streit said the Flyers played below their potential in this game.

“On our part, it just wasn’t good enough,’’ Streit said. “It’s very disappointing. We expect more out of ourselves.’’

Short shots: After four straight multiple-point games, Voracek was held to one assist. Voracek's 15 points in his first 10 games was the best 10-game start by a Flyer since Peter Forsberg registered 19 points in 2005-06.

Burlington County Times LOADED: 11.02.2014


FLYERS NOTES: Gostisbehere impressed in brief stint

Wayne Fish


SUNRISE, Fla. — It would have been a feel-good story — a night of cheers and tears — if rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere had been able to play in the Flyers-Panthers game.

The Flyers’ prospect is the only Florida born-and-raised native to play in the NHL, and this game would have meant a lot to a large contingent of family and friends from nearby Margate.

But it was not to be. After a two-game tryout against Detroit and Los Angeles, Gostisbehere sat out Thursday’s game at Tampa and then on Saturday, with the return of Vinny Lecavalier (lower body injury), the 21-year-old was returned to the Lehigh Valley Phantoms.

So much for sentimentality.

General manager Ron Hextall was asked about that and all he could do was shrug.

“For sentimental reasons, yes,’’ Hextall said before the game at BB&T Center. “But our responsibility is to put the best team on the ice that has a chance to win the hockey game.’’

Hextall said he met with Gostisbehere about mid-afternoon on Saturday and told him this was pretty much just a numbers situation. He held his own against two strong teams in the Red Wings and Kings.

“He really knows where he’s at,’’ Hextall said. “He might be the first kid I’ve ever dealt with that knows exactly where he’s at as a player and exactly where he needs to be to get better.’’

Everyone down to the towel boy knows Gostisbehere is a highly skilled player who could be flashy if he wanted to.

But he’s also smart enough to know some of those types of moves won’t work at the NHL level.

“I said that with him, that’s the hard part,’’ Hextall said. “You want a guy like that to come in and have an impact. And it’s not fair to have him come right out of college and come in here and have an impact.’’

Hextall said that assistant coach Gord Murphy told Gostisbehere the one thing he has to continue to work on is his performance from the defensive blue line in.

“He’s just got to get to people quicker,’’ Hextall said. “He’s got to close his gaps. He’s a really sharp guy, a really coachable kid.

"I told him, ‘You didn’t do anything wrong. You came up and gave us some good minutes and your puck skills, your skating and everything is good.' Now we just have to define his game a little bit more.’’

Coach Craig Berube was impressed with the small sample of Gostisbehere he got to see.

“He’s done a lot of good things in different areas,’’ Berube said. “He’s got to improve on stuff. Our job is to develop this guy, put him in the best position possible to be successful.’’

Lecavalier returns

Vinny Lecavalier returned to the lineup after missing seven games. The Flyers juggled their lines, moving R.J. Umberger up to skate with Lecavalier and Wayne Simmonds. The third line for this game was Sean Couturier with Matt Read and Brayden Schenn.

“He (Lecavalier) is looking good, he’s skating well,’’ Berube said.



FLYERS: Hextall's had a busy first month

Staff Writer


SUNRISE, Fla. — No one ever said it was going to be easy, but Ron Hextall certainly got more than he bargained for in his first month of the NHL schedule.

The Flyers’ rookie general manager’s biggest challenge has been finding healthy bodies to replace injured ones.

In October alone, he lost two of his top defensemen, Braydon Coburn and Andrew MacDonald, plus one of his top forwards, Vinny Lecavalier.

The October hunt for capable defensive reinforcements started with youngsters Shayne Gostisbehere and Brandon Manning and continued with the Thursday night signing of free agent Carlo Colaiavoco.

Everyone understands that injuries are part of the game. That’s what building up depth at each position is all about.

But when so much of your talent is sidelined, it makes it difficult for a team’s management to get a grasp as to the real strength level of a roster.

In other words, does a 4-4-2 mark in October truly reflect where the Flyers should be? What if they were 6-2-2, or 2-6-2? Would that change Hextall’s outlook on possible roster changes?

“It’s tough,’’ Hextall said on Saturday at BB&T Center. “But I think at the beginning of the year you have an idea where your team is.

"You hope the chemistry and things play out. I’d like to be a little bit ahead of where we are. But I also think there were a couple games where we could have won (such as blowing a 3-0 lead against Montreal).

“In terms of our level of play, we’re probably at where I thought we would be. In terms of wins and losses, we’re probably one or two behind.’’

Adding to this situation is the salary cap, which has Hextall’s hands somewhat tied. He couldn’t go after someone more accomplished than Colaiavoco (a one-year, two-way deal for $625,000).

“He’s got a well-rounded game, which is why we were attracted to him,’’ Hextall said. “I had a long list. You kind of chip away at your list and in the end, it came down to he was the right fit for us.’’

Coach Craig Berube isn’t the type to wonder what’s going on in the front office. Just give him 19 players and he will make do.

“I always look at it as I just coach what I’ve got,’’ Berube said. “I don’t like (to say), ‘Well, if I had this guy, or this guy...’ That’s not my job, my job is to coach the team. I really concentrate on that.

"Like I’ve said, I really like our team. We’re getting better as a team as we go along here. We can’t shoot ourselves in the foot, and I think we’ve done that three games this year.

“So I think it’s important that we not do that because, at the end of the year, it comes down to two points a lot of times, for playoffs or home-ice advantage.’’

The Flyers are home for the better part of the next two weeks, a span that includes four straight home games.

This is a time when they can get some momentum going. Coburn and MacDonald should be close to returning by the time that stretch is over and hopefully for the Flyers, Steve Mason regains his touch in goal.

If all that happens, maybe Hextall can breathe a sigh of relief and realize he’s made it past the first big hurdle.



It’s not very sunny in Florida as Flyers fall again

Staff Writer

11/02/14, 12:31 AM EDT

SUNRISE, Fla. >> Roberto Luongo played a big role in Saturday night’s perfect performance for Florida’s penalty killers.

Luongo made 36 saves and rookie Aaron Ekblad scored his first NHL goal, leading the Panthers to a 2-1 victory over the Flyers.

Captain Willie Mitchell also scored for Florida, which has won three of four. The Panthers killed off each of the Flyers’ six power plays.

“Louie has been outstanding for us all year and again tonight he was real key at key times, especially on penalty kill,” coach Gerard Gallant said. “He was awesome.”

Luongo has stopped 107 of his last 111 shots, and the Panthers have picked up points in their last six games since a 1-0 loss to Ottawa Oct. 13.

“I feel pretty good. The puck is hitting me,” Luongo said. “Guys are playing hard and putting pressure on the players, not giving them time and space, which allows me to do my job a lot easier than in normal circumstances.”

Vincent Lecavalier spoiled Luongo’s bid for his second shutout of the season when he scored in traffic with 7.4 seconds left.

Ekblad, the Panthers’ top pick in this year’s draft, converted a power-play slap shot from just inside the blue line, beating Flyers goalie Steve Mason on the short side at 15:38 of the third.

“Extreme thrill,” the 18-year-old Ekblad said. “Obviously, feelings that I felt in junior with my first goal and feeling it again here, it’s unbelievable. It’s special.”

Mason, who is 0-4-1 in his last five starts, made 28 saves.

Luongo faced his stiffest challenge with Jussi Jokinen (hooking) and Mitchell (delay of game) in the box, putting the Panthers at a 5-on-3 disadvantage for just over a minute in the third period.

“There is no room for excuses in this league. You just have to do whatever it takes to put the puck in back of the net and we didn’t do that tonight,” Flyers winger Wayne Simmonds said. “We’ve had opportunities, but we’re just not scoring. We just have to go back and look at the video and take it from there.”

Florida gave another blue-collar effort against the Flyers, who had won four of five and collected 15 goals in that stretch. The injury-riddled Panthers were playing without several key forwards, including Brandon Pirri and Dave Bolland.

“I thought the guys who came into the lineup played real well and competed,” Gallant said. “The first 30 minutes I thought was excellent and after that we ran into penalty trouble and it took some momentum away from us.”

Mitchell took a feed from Jokinen behind the net and fired a one-timer from the point past Mason to give the Panthers a 1-0 lead 9:07 into the game.

It was the first goal of the season for Mitchell, who signed with Florida on July 1 after spending the previous three seasons with Los Angeles. The defenseman’s shot went between Mason’s legs.

“Yes, I won’t lie. I feel really good,” Mitchell said. “For me it’s playing against the top players and trying to shut them down with a good stick, playing good defense. That’s as good a feeling as scoring a goal.”

It was Mason’s first start since he lost, 4-0, to Chicago Oct. 21.

“Wins are not coming right now on the personal front, but you just have to keep working and stay positive,” Mason said. “I was happy for the most part with my game tonight, but when the goalie at the other end plays pretty much a perfect game, it’s tough to come out on the winning side.”

· · ·

NOTES: The Panthers’ victory was only their second in the last eight games against the Flyers in Sunrise ... The Flyers also suffered their second loss in Florida in the past three days, dropping a 4-3 decision to Tampa Bay Thursday ... Florida has allowed only 17 non-shootout goals this season ... The Flyers are 1 for 19 with the man advantage over their last six games ... Panthers defenseman Rocco Grimaldi made his NHL debut, logging 6:11 of ice time ... Jokinen’s assist on Mitchell’s goal was his fifth in the past four games.

Delaware County Times LOADED: 11.02.2014


Flyers lose to Panthers to fall flat in Florida

Tim Panaccio

November 1, 2014, 11:00 pm

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Ever get the feeling the Flyers have played better hockey for Ray Emery than Steve Mason?

Well, there may be some truth to that.

For two periods Saturday, Mason's teammates were no-shows in front of him, who was just getting back into the lineup after missing four games to tweak his game and regain confidence.

"The best stuff we played is when I was on the bench and we had three and half minutes in their zone," Mason said after the Flyers' 2-1 loss to the Panthers at BB&T Center (see Instant Replay).

"I don't know what to tell you. It's something we have to find a way to win. We came down here and to go 0 for 2 in Florida. Tampa Bay has a great team. Even these guys. They had some guys out of the lineup. You've got to find ways to win hockey games even when things aren't going your way."

They didn't try for 40 minutes. They were flat, not competitive and without any offensive ambition. They made the game seem easy for Roberto Luongo because he didn't have to deal with rebounds.

They took the night off by not engaging with their usual tenacity in battles, losing footraces to pucks, not bothering to generate traffic. They had no sense of urgency until it was too late (see highlights).

All the while, the Panthers had a 1-0 lead.

As hard as the Flyers battled and lost in Tampa against a very good hockey team, they were backseat passengers against a Panthers squad that was minus four regulars and had two call-ups from the minors.

"It discourages me the way we came out," coach Craig Berube said. "The way we came out in the game really bothers me. Just not competitive. That's the bottom line."

Florida got an early goal from Willie Mitchell on a point shot that deflected off Nicklas Grossmann and made it stand.

The Panthers then added a power-play goal from rookie defenseman Aaron Ekblad late to make it 2-0 before Berube pulled Mason with 3:48 left.

That’s when the Flyers' urgency kicked in.

“They were skating,” Wayne Simmonds said. “We didn’t find our legs for a little bit and obviously that hurts. That’s what happens.”

Luongo faced 36 shots, but had precious few rebounds to contend with. Claude Giroux’s line with Michael Raffl and Jakub Vorcek generated 13 of those shots.

The Flyers even had a 5-on-3 power play in the final period for 32 seconds and only generated two shots at that point and three overall. Score there, and maybe things change.

“He was outstanding,” Voracek said of Luongo. “We had good looks and didn’t score.”

Simmonds agreed to a point.

“Luongo did play well but there is no room for excuses,” Simmonds said. “You have to put the puck in the back of the net. We didn’t start skating until the third period. We have to get faster starts and not wait … play the game from the start.”

Indeed, this was the ninth time in 11 games the Flyers allowed the first goal, an indication of their repeated slow starts.

That it happened against a team missing Aleksander Barkov, Sean Bergenheim, Brandon Pirri and late scratch Jonathan Huberdeau is inexcusable.

These were two points the Flyers could have secured and they threw them away.

Their only savvy came in those final minutes with Mason on the bench when players charged the net and actually got rebounds, one of which Vinny Lecavalier put over Luongo’s left pad to make it 2-1 with 7.4 ticks left.

Too little, too late.

“The next few games at home, we need to have good starts,” defenseman Mark Streit, who seemed in disbelief at the loss, said.

“A good forecheck and put some pressure on other teams. The last few games, we’ve been usually playing in our own end and have had a hard time. We've got to change that.”

Incredibly, even with a depleted lineup, the Panthers did not allow an even-strength goal. They have given up just five such goals all season.

“We didn’t play well,” Streit said. “The puck placement wasn’t good enough on the forecheck. Sometimes it was too easy for them on the breakout.

“We talked about it before the game. Don’t give them any life, any hope. And we didn’t execute. For us, it’s always the same thing. Skating and moving and we didn’t do enough.”



Instant Replay: Panthers 2, Flyers 1


Tim Panaccio

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Maybe the Flyers thought it would be an easy two points in the standings Saturday night.

The Panthers had three players from their first two lines — Alexsander Barkov, Sean Bergenheim and Brandon Pirri — out with injuries and then Jonathan Huberdeau left in warmups with flu symptoms.

Four regulars gone, easy win, right?

The Panthers shocked the Flyers, 2-1. As good as the Flyers looked in losing 4-3 to Tampa Bay on Thursday, they were horribly inept in this game.

So the two-game road trip was a shutout in points. As in zero.

They even had a two-man power-play advantage for 32 seconds in the third period and could not score. That entire power play saw only two good shots and no rebounds, a recurring theme in the game.

Everything about the Flyers was flat. No follow shots at the net, no traffic or net presence. They lost every footrace to pucks and far too many one-on-one battles against a hungry group of kids — two of whom were called up from the minors.

Steve Mason made his first start in 11 days. He was fine, but Roberto Luongo was better.

Panthers rookie defenseman Aaron Ekblad scored his first NHL goal, a power-play tally in the third.

Vinny Lecavalier's rebound with 7.4 seconds left ruined Luongo's shutout. It was Lecavalier's first game back in the lineup after a seven-game absence because of a foot injury.

Notable goals

Panthers defenseman Willie Mitchell got the lone goal in the first period. His point shot hit Flyers defenseman Nicklas Grossmann in the paint and changed directions on Mason.

Goalie report

Mason, playing for the first time since Oct. 21 in Chicago, had a number of multi-shot scrums to handle and again didn't have the offensive or defensive support that Ray Emery has received recently. Mason had a tough breakaway stop on Derek MacKenzie to start the third period. He was much sharper than his teammates.

Power play

The Flyers were 0 for 6 against Florida. They are now 1 for 19 in their last six games on the man advantage. Florida was 1 for 4.

Penalty kill

The Panthers' best penalty killer was Luongo. Period. He finished with 36 saves, three of which came during the extended power play in the third period.

First goal

The Flyers gave up the first goal for the ninth time in 11 games this season.

Shots

Through two periods, the Flyers had 19 shots, seven of which came from Claude Giroux's line with Michael Raffl and Jakub Voracek. Where's the rest of the team?

Faceoffs

After 40 minutes, Florida's young hustlers had won 59 percent of the draws. That's poor focus on the Flyers' part.

Fights

During a very boring second period, Wayne Simmonds tried to get Shawn Thornton to go, but the officials stepped in and awarded each slashing penalties after initial pushing and shoving after the whistle.

Roster

Prior to the game, rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere was sent back to the Phantoms (see story).

Scratches

Carlo Colaiacovo, Jason Akeson and Blair Jones (all healthy); Braydon Coburn (left foot), Andrew MacDonald (right knee).

Up next

The Flyers returned home after the game and will host the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday.



Hextall: Shayne Gostisbehere knows what's next


Tim Panaccio

SUNRISE, Fla. -- Ron Hextall met with Shayne Gostisbehere Saturday afternoon to officially tell him he was going back to the Phantoms (see story).

Hextall was stunned at just how clearly "Ghost" understands where his career is right now, where it's going and what he needs to do next.

“He really knows where he is at,” Hextall said before the Flyers' game against the Panthers. “He might be the first kid I ever dealt with who knows exactly where he is at as a player and where he needs to be to get better. I am almost taken aback by his understanding.”

Sending the 21-year-old defenseman back to the Phantoms cleared a roster spot for Vinny Lecavalier, who returned to the lineup after missing seven games with a left foot injury (see story).

Gostisbehere was a healthy scratch Thursday night in Tampa, where the Flyers lost, 4-3. Brandon Manning took his spot in the lineup and played well.

That same night, the Flyers announced the signing of free agent defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo to fortify a blue line that is missing Braydon Coburn (left foot) and Andrew MacDonald (right knee). Colaiacovo won’t be ready to play until this coming week because of conditioning.

At practice Friday, Gostisbehere said he knew his time was up.

The Flyers kept him until Saturday because it was the club’s annual “Fathers Trip” and also as a precaution in case another defenseman came down with illness or injury before the Panthers’ game. They had seven available.

Gostisbehere had no points and was minus-2 in two games with the Flyers.

“I told him, ‘You didn’t do anything wrong,’” Hextall said. “You came up and gave us some good minutes and your puck skills and skating is good. We just have to define his game a little more. He’ll work at it and get better.”

All things considered, Gostisbehere said, “It was a good learning experience.”

Hextall spoke to him Friday, as well.

“You want a guy to come in and have an impact,” Hextall said. “It’s not fair to ask him to come out of college and come in here and have an impact. He needs to go there and just grow.

“His game, and [defensive coach] Gord Murphy said this to him, his game from the blue line in, he’s got to adjust. Get to people quicker. Close his gaps. Keep himself between the man and the body. Just little things. He’s a really sharp guy, a really coachable kid. He’s gonna learn quickly. It’s extremely defined now where he knows to get better.”

Manning again replaced Gostisbehere Saturday against the Panthers.

Both Hextall and coach Craig Berube said as much as Gostisbehere wanted to play in front of his family as friends, as he originally thought he would last week, this is pro hockey. It’s about winning.

“He’s gonna get that chance,” Berube said of Gostisbehere. “It will come. Again, we’re in the business of winning hockey games. That’s the most important thing.”



Flyers demote Shayne Gostisbehere to Phantoms

Tim Panaccio


SUNRISE, Fla. -- At least Shayne Gostisbehere knew it was coming.

On Saturday, the Flyers sent the 21-year-old defenseman back to the Phantoms to clear a roster spot for Vinny Lecavalier, who will return to the lineup against the Panthers after missing seven games with a left foot injury (see story).

Gostisbehere was a healthy scratch Thursday night in Tampa where the Flyers lost, 4-3. Brandon Manning took his spot in the lineup and played well.

That same night, the Flyers announced the signing of free agent defenseman Carlo Colaiacovo to shore a blue line that is missing Braydon Coburn (left foot) and Andrew MacDonald (right knee).

“I knew it was coming,” Gostisbehere said Friday morning at practice about his pending demotion to the minors. “It was nothing I didn’t expect, of course. I mean, it’s going to happen. I’m a young guy.

“Guys like that over there [Colaiacovo] get called and signed. Guys have earned their stripes here already, so they get the opportunity to play, and my time will come.”

Flyers general manager Ron Hextall spoke to him this week and told the native of Margate, Florida not to be discouraged, but to understand his call-up was for injury purposes only and was always intended to be short-term.

He also told him there will come a time when he joins the Flyers' roster for good, but still needs more experience at the AHL level to better prepare him for the NHL.

Gostisbehere had no points and was minus-2 in two games with the Flyers.

All things considered, “It was a good learning experience,” the rookie said.



Finally ready to return, Lecavalier hopes to make impact

November 1, 2014, 10:45 am

Tim Panaccio

SUNRISE, Fla. – He had three points in his first three games this season. A pretty good start until you consider he was felled by his own teammate.

Mark Streit’s shot during a Flyers power play struck Vinny Lecavalier on the inside of his left foot on Oct. 11.

What was supposed to be a two-week absence turned into missing the remainder of October as the 34-year-old centerman rehabbed to get back into the lineup, then was told to take another week hard conditioning.

“We brought him back too early last season,” explained coach Craig Berube, adding he didn’t want a repeat where Lecavalier rushed back only to hit a wall after a couple of games, then fall into a slump.

Which is why Lecavalier missed the final seven games of the month, but will make his return to the Flyers' lineup Saturday night against the Panthers.

Is he ready?

“Yeah, he looks good,” Berube said.

Lecavalier very much wanted to play in Thursday’s 4-3 loss in Tampa Bay to the Lightning, but the coaching staff felt he needed more conditioning or at least one more hard practice.

Lecavalier took that final hard practice on Friday.

“It’s nice to be back,” he said. “I’ve had some good practices this week. Conditioning wise, I feel pretty good.”

His final game before injury saw him centering Brayden Schenn and Wayne Simmonds.

Tonight, the 16-year veteran will be between R.J. Umberger and Simmonds as Berube had to make some lineup adjustments.

Jason Akeson is slated to be the odd forward out of the lineup, along with rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere.

What’s interesting about this new unit is that all three players are trying to get themselves back into some offensive groove.

Simmonds started out on fire this season with seven quick points, then went five games without a point before scoring a goal against the Lightning on Thursday.

Umberger has been mired in a slump since the season began with just three points, playing mostly on Sean Couturier’s checking line with Matt Read.

His defensive play, however, has been very good as has that line even though all three players are minuses this season. That’s because none of them are generating offense.

As for Lecavalier with this new unit, he is essentially starting his season all over again.

“We’ll have to look for each other, support each other,” Lecavalier said of what’s ahead. “It’s the same thing. We’ll play the system we play with and play a solid game.

“I practiced more than I did last year. I’ve had four or five days of good practice. Of course, I want to get back and play good and help the team, try to make an impact.”

Berube said he wanted Umberger as the defensive player on this line. He had other motives for moving Schenn to Couturier’s line to replace Umberger.

“I’m curious to see Schenn with Coots and Read,” Berube admitted.

Lecavalier wanted to play earlier this week. Berube said no.

“You gotta go gradual,” Lecavalier conceded. “I can’t say I’m in game shape because I haven’t played a game yet, but conditioning wise, I’m in pretty good shape. I had some good practices.

“The game is just the next step. First period is gonna be a battle and you have to work through it. Just keep it going and skating hard and play simple. I feel very comfortable that I’ll feel good.”

At least nine Flyers have begun wearing skate guards, although some of them only wear such during practice -- not games.

Lecavalier needs to protect his left foot. But it won’t be a skate guard, per se.

“I’ll wear a … protective … device,” he smiled, hemming and hawing. “Some kind of Velcro thing.”

Loose pucks

Florida suffered three huge losses during its 2-1 win over Arizona on Thursday. The Panthers lost Brandon Pirri (concussion), Aleksander Barkov (lower body) and Sean Bergenheim (lower body) to injury. None will play Saturday, which should greatly boost the Flyers' chances of getting a split on the road trip which ends tonight. … Steve Mason will be back in net. He was not available for comment because goalies are not permitted to talk on game day. Mason has not played a game since losing 4-0 in Chicago on Oct. 21. He is 0-3-1 with a 3.83 goals against average and .878 save percentage. It’s fairly obvious the coaching staff, despite what they say publicly, planned to reinsert him during this game against a less-talented opponent than Tampa Bay to help him get his bearings back. As strong as Ray Emery has been (4-1-1, 2.74 GAA, .915), Mason remains the No. 1 goalie, but now has to prove it after a rough start, not entirely of his own doing.



Flyers-Panthers: 5 things you need to know

November 1, 2014, 10:00 am

Tim Riday

Flyers at Panthers

7 p.m., TCN

The Flyers (4-4-2) wrap up their two-game trip to the Sunshine State when they take on the Florida Panthers (3-2-3) at the BB&T Center Saturday night.

Here are five things you should know for the game:

1. Don’t call it a controversy

Ray Emery has been fantastic in goal so far this season. Flyers coach Craig Berube realizes Emery is giving his club the best chance to win right now. So what’s the big deal if the backup is seeing more ice time through the first 10 games?

“I’m open to winning hockey,” Berube said. “I’m going to put the best guy on the ice to win hockey games. That is what I am doing. That is my job. Put the best team on the ice at game time.”

Yes, it would be ideal for Steve Mason, the Flyers’ No. 1 netminder, to receive the majority of the starts. But Mason hasn’t looked particularly sharp in any of his appearances this season. General manager Ron Hextall summed up Mason’s situation perfectly Friday.

“Admittedly, he thinks he needs to play better,” Hextall said. “He hasn’t played as bad as his record shows. He’s had some poor luck. Games where we haven’t played well. He’s going to be fine and get his game going.”

Bottom line: The Flyers are simply playing better in front of Emery at the moment. If this were January or February, the goaltending situation would be an area of concern. There are still 72 games remaining. For now, it shouldn’t matter who’s in net as long as the team is winning games.

2. Mixing it up

With injuries to two key players on the back end, Hextall has decided to shake up the Flyers’ defense. After Thursday’s loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning, Hextall announced the team agreed to terms with veteran blueliner Carlo Colaiacovo.

Colaiacovo won’t play Saturday because he needs a few practices to get into game shape. Berube said Brandon Manning, who got off to a rough start but settled in nicely against Tampa, will remain in the lineup for a second consecutive game.

So where does that leave Shayne Gostisbehere? Hextall’s plan all along was to not rush the talented youngster. Expect Gostisbehere to rejoin the Lehigh Valley Phantoms sometime this weekend.

3. Injuries

Forward Vinny Lecavalier, who has missed the last seven games with a foot injury, is expected to make his return Saturday. He was off to a strong start before going down, registering a goal and two assists in his first three games.

Defensemen Braydon Coburn and Andrew MacDonald remain out with lower-body injuries. Hextall said he expects Coburn to be back ahead of the four-week time frame.

For the Panthers, centers Dave Bolland (lower-body) and Brandon Pirri (concussion) will miss Saturday’s game. Fellow forwards Sean Bergenheim and Aleksander Barkov are questionable with lower-body ailments.

4. Keep an eye on …

Flyers: It’s hard to take your eyes off Jakub Voracek right now. The 25-year-old is off to the best start in his career, posting three goals and 12 assists through the first 10 games. He’s also recorded four consecutive multi-point games. Every time he enters the zone you can’t help but feel he’s going to do something magical with the puck. He’s consistently been the

Flyers’ best forward on the ice and is clearly playing with a ton of confidence. This could be an All-Star season, and perhaps more, in the making.

Panthers: Florida hasn’t scored many goals, but it hasn’t given up many either. A big reason for that is defenseman Aaron Ekblad, who was selected with the first overall pick in this past summer’s NHL draft. Ekblad will appear in his ninth game Saturday, meaning the Panthers will have a tough decision to make in the very near future. Will they keep him for the entire season or send him back to junior? Ekblad has given GM Dale Tallon every reason to believe he can hang at this level. The 18-year-old is averaging nearly 22 minutes a game and hasn’t missed a step. Expect him to stick around.

5. This and that

• The Flyers won two of three games against the Panthers last season. Claude Giroux and Lecavalier had three points apiece in the season series. Erik Gudbranson paced Florida with three points of his own.

• The Panthers have allowed just 16 non-shootout goals, the fewest in the NHL. They’ve surrendered more than two goals once over their last six games (nine total goals allowed over that stretch).

• The Flyers have won six of their last seven road games against Florida, outscoring the Panthers by a 25-14 margin during that stretch.

• Florida starter Roberto Luongo is 3-1-0 with a 2.27 GAA in his last four games against the Flyers.

• The Flyers have given up multiple power-play goals in three of their last four road games.



Flyers: Mason loses again

Dave Isaac


SUNRISE, Fla. – Flyers goalie Steve Mason walked out of BB&T Center in a suit with his father, Bill, to his right wearing his son’s jersey.

Mason’s usual postgame call back home didn’t need a phone. His support system was walking right next to him. Another game is in the loss column for Mason, who is now 0-4-1, after the Flyers dropped a 2-1 decision to the Florida Panthers.

The Flyers couldn’t solve Mason’s counterpart, Roberto Luongo, until there was 7.4 seconds left in the game.

“Yeah, the best that we played was when I was on the bench,” said Mason, who was pulled for an extra attacker with 3:48 left in the game. “We had three and a half minutes in their zone. I don’t know what to tell you. It’s something that we have to find a way to win.”

Once again, the Flyers started slow. They’ve now allowed the first goal in nine of their 11 games this season. Florida opened the scoring at 9:07 of the first period when Willie Mitchell’s shot from the point deflected off Flyers D-man Nicklas Grossmann and behind Mason.

“I believe it went off his stick,” said Mason, who made 28 saves, “but at the end of the day it’s the goalie’s job to stop it.”

Mason’s first start in five games didn’t go well for anyone wearing orange and black. The Flyers went 0-for-6 on the power play, including 32 seconds of two-man advantage time in the third period. They’re now 1-for-19 in the last six games. Luongo seemed to have all the answers.

“The 5-on-3, it’s got to be a goal,” defenseman Mark Streit said.

“We knew we wanted to have a good start and not give them any life and hope and be all over them right away. We just didn’t execute. For us, it’s always the same thing. It’s about skating, moving and we just didn’t skate enough.”

Fifteen of the Flyers’ 37 shots came on the man advantage, but nothing seemed to be going their way. In fact, Florida forced some turnovers when the Flyers were on the power play and had four shots shorthanded.

“Well, there were quite a few unforced errors in my opinion,” coach Craig Berube said. “Forced errors by us trying to force something that’s not there instead of just being simple and shooting pucks. Early on, the power play was a lot like a 5-on-5 game.”

Florida has been a stout defensive team all season. They’ve allowed a league-low five goals at even strength. There was an opportunity, though, for the Flyers to capitalize on a team that was missing five forwards from its lineup.

Rocco Grimaldi was called up from the American Hockey League to make his NHL debut and Vincent Trocheck, who had 20 games prior experience, was called up as well. The Panthers even had extra defenseman Colby Robak playing up front.

“The difference between an AHL guy and an NHL guy, sometimes it’s not always the skill, it’s how hard you work,” Wayne Simmonds said. “When you got guys coming up from the AHL they’re gonna work as hard as they possibly can. They’re on a tryout, kinda. They played well. We just gotta be better.”

After a couple Flyers power plays weren’t able to get it done, the Panthers scored again with 4:22 left. Mason was screened again when this year’s No. 1 overall pick, Aaron Ekblad, scored his first NHL goal through traffic.

“You just try and find positives in kind of a negative situation,” Mason said. “I was happy for the most part (on how) my game went, but when the other goalie at the other end pretty much plays a perfect game, it’s tough to come out on the winning side. Wins are coming right now on the personal front, but you just keep working.”

It took 40 minutes for the Flyers to finally get things going offensively. That’s when they began winning battles, getting to pucks and testing Luongo, who was perfect until Vinny Lecavalier scored in the waning seconds on a rebound.

Courier-Post LOADED: 11.02.2014


Flyers notes: Hextall sees team about where it should be

Dave Isaac


SUNRISE, Fla. – After a seven-game absence for a left foot injury, center Vincent Lecavalier returned to the lineup and Flyers general manager Ron Hextall was one step closer to seeing his full roster.

He hasn’t seen it for a while. Last time was the season opener Oct. 8 in Boston. Through 12 games, the Flyers have lost 22 man games to injury. That’s not counting defensemen Kimmo Timonen and Chris Pronger or center Ryan White, who haven’t suited up this season at all.

“It’s tough, but going into the year, you have an idea where your team is and you hope the chemistry and things play out,” Hextall said. “I’d like to be a little bit ahead of where we are.”

There certainly were missed opportunities in the first part of the season when the Flyers took five games to find the win column.

“We gotta not shoot ourselves in the foot,” coach Craig Berube said. “I think we did that three games this year, we shot ourselves in the foot where there are victories in my opinion — or close to it with a point — and you’ve got to stop doing that. That’s important not to do that because at the end of the year it comes down to two points a lot of time, in and out of the playoffs or home-ice advantage.”

Before the Florida roadtrip, the Flyers had won two at home and return to Philly for a four-game homestand. Things seemed to have stabilized from an injury standpoint, at least for now. So where does Hextall see them now?

“In terms of our level of play we’re probably where I thought we’d be,” Hextall said. “In terms of our wins and losses, we’d probably a game or two behind.”

Again, part of that has to do with the Flyers’ self-inflicted losses. In term of coaching a rotating carousel of forwards and defensemen, it’s no skin off Berube’s teeth.

“I always look at it like, ‘Just coach what I got,’ ” Berube said. “I don’t like to be like, ‘Well, if I had this guy or this guy...’ That’s not my job. My job is to coach the team that I got. I really concentrate on that. I like our team.”

Others are still recuperating. Andrew MacDonald is still likely three weeks away with a right knee injury. Braydon Coburn is a little closer. He’s been out since Game 1 with a left foot injury.

“I’m optimistic on Coby,” Hextall said. “We’ve gotten some positive news in terms of the healing process.”

Soon enough, Hextall will see yet another new player. Carlo Colaiacovo, whom the team signed late Thursday night, should be well conditioned enough to play Tuesday when the Edmonton Oilers come to town.

“I think it’s a possibility, but it’s hard to say,” the GM said. “If Chief sees how Carlo feels. I know he felt good yesterday, but it was the first day. We’ll see how Monday plays out and things go with Brandon (Manning). It’s not my call.”

• Gostisbehere took demotion well: Rookie Shayne Gostisbehere would have loved for a chance to play at BB&T Center Saturday, the rink 15 minutes from where he grew up, but the Flyers sent him back down to the minors to make room for Lecavalier on the roster.

“He really knows where he’s at,” Hextall said. “He might be the first kid I ever dealt with who knows exactly where he’s at as a player and exactly where he needs to be to get better. I’m actually almost taken aback his understanding.”

In his first two NHL games, Gostisbehere was a minus-2 with no points and averaged 12:34 of ice time. He’ll go back to the American Hockey League’s Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he’ll play a lot more minutes and further develop.

“A lot of teams, they do it,” said veteran Mark Streit, whom the Flyers asked to help mentor Gostisbehere. “I know Detroit does it. They leave the guys there for a couple years then they bring them up and they’re really good

players. We’ll see what he’s gonna go through, but I think he has the right attitude.”

• Empty netters: Goalie Steve Mason made his first start in five games. … Florida learned just before the game that star forward Jonathan Huberdeau was out with the flu. In all, the Panthers missed four forwards. … Saturday marked the end of the annual Fathers Trip. Many of the team’s fathers (and in some cases fathers-in-law and uncles) accompanied the players on the two-game roadtrip.



5 things to watch in Game 11: Flyers at Florida Panthers

Dave Isaac


FIVE THINGS TO WATCH

1. Vinny Lecavalier will return to the Flyers' lineup after missing seven games with a left foot injury. He's back on a line with R.J. Umberger, whom he played with before the injury and Wayne Simmonds, whom he also has experience with. The trio has never played together as a unit, though. In 81 career games against the Panthers, Lecavalier has 27 goals and 44 assists.

2. Brandon Manning played well in his first game since being called up by the Flyers, so he'll stay in the lineup against the Panthers. He had an assist in 14:09 of ice time against the Tampa Bay Lightning Thursday night.

"I thought he was nervous early and I thought he settled in and played well," Flyers GM Ron Hextall said.

3. Florida has been bit hard by the injury bug. They lost three players in a 2-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes Thursday night. Brandon Pirri, Sean Bergenheim and Aleksander Barkov are all out against the Flyers tonight. 2011 first-round pick Rocco Grimaldi is likely to make his NHL debut. Their third-round pick from 2011, Vincent Trocheck, played 20 games last season and was also recalled.

4. Usually the Florida Panthers are the butt end of jokes in the league, but are playing pretty good so far despite injuries. They have allowed a league-low five goals at 5-on-5, but have gotten hurt when they take penalties. Florida has allowed nine goals on the season when they are in the sin bin. That's good news for a Flyers power play that is only 2-for-14 on the road with both goals coming in the first win of the season against Dallas.

5. After watching Ray Emery start four in a row, Steve Mason will be back between the pipes for the Flyers. He has a 6-1-0 record in seven games against the Panthers with a 1.55 goals-against average and .950 save percentage. Expect Roberto Luongo to be in net for the Panthers. In 16 career games against the Flyers, Luongo has a record of 5-7-3 with a 3.21 goals-against average and .912 save percentage.


755445 Pittsburgh Penguins

Penguins have little trouble with Sabres

Jason Mackey

Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, 9:45 p.m.

The Penguins have, statistically speaking, the best offense in the league.

The Buffalo Sabres ... well, they'll have a better-than-average shot at selecting Connor McDavid No. 1 overall in the 2015 NHL Draft.

Despite the obvious discrepancies between the teams, a letdown was nowhere to be found Saturday as the Penguins cruised to a 5-0 victory at Consol Energy Center.

“As much as you look at tests with top teams, you also look at when it might be easy to let up a bit,” captain Sidney Crosby said. “You can't let a team come in, especially at home, and outwork you.”

The Penguins improved to 7-2-1 in the first 10 games of the Mike Johnston era, a marking point that even he said was an acceptable time to start considering statistical trends.

If that is the case, there will be some enjoyable data for Johnston and his staff to sift through.

The penalty kill has killed off 26 consecutive penalties, making it the first time since Feb. 26-March 17, 2012 that the Penguins did not allow a power-play goal in seven straight games.

Not that Buffalo, which has been shut out in five of its past eight games, did much to challenge that.

The Sabres came in averaging a league-worst 21.2 shots per game — last by nearly four shots — and somehow fared worse than that at 18.

“It's a consistency problem,” said Sabres defenseman Mike Weber, a Seneca Valley product. “We show up one game. We don't show up the next. It's continued frustration.”

Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Chris Kunitz had three-point nights as Malkin extended his season-opening points streak to 10.

Patric Hornqvist scored on the power play in the second period, a tic-tac-toe play that seemed to have the Sabres befuddled.

Then again, most teams have been forced to watch with the way the Penguins' man-advantage unit has been clicking. It has 18 goals in 43 tries for an execution rate of 41.9 percent.

“Obviously, we've done some good things,” Crosby said. “Guys have capitalized. You need some luck, too. We'll try to keep riding that. It's tough to do, but hopefully we can continue that momentum.”

The Penguins have won four games in a row and have outscored those opponents 19-3.

Though he probably could have been checking email for most of the night, Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury earned his second consecutive shutout and has a scoreless streak of 1:54:46 dating to the second period of an 8-3 win over New Jersey on Tuesday.

He's had shutouts in three of four games for the first time in his career. It's the first time in the regular season Fleury has had back-to-back shutouts.

“Mentally it's tough because you're doing nothing,” Fleury said of the 18-save shutout. “But the guys played so well. Didn't give much.”

Few teams thus far have been able to keep up with the skate-skate-skate Penguins, who are averaging 4.10 goals.

“We played a fast game,” Malkin said. “We were in the offensive zone a lot.”

Johnston, though, wants more out of his team.

“I thought we were good on the power play and special teams,” Johnston said. “I still think we need more transition speed.”

A scary thought, for sure.

Tribune Review LOADED: 11.02.2014


Penguins notebook: Ehrhoff moves on after being bought out by Sabres

Josh Yohe

Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014, 7:48 p.m.

Penguins defenseman Christian Ehrhoff has been fairly quiet this season.

He also was pretty quiet when asked about his buyout from the Buffalo Sabres following the 2013-14 season.

Ehrhoff faced his former team Saturday night, and, while he insists he harbors no hard feelings, he never indicated he wished to leave Buffalo.

“I never really thought about (leaving),” Ehrhoff said. “When the (NHL trade) deadline came, they asked me for my list. I assumed something was up. It didn't happen. Then in the summer, they decided to go that route. Obviously, for me, I'm happy with the fresh start here.”

Watching his old teammates hasn't been pleasant for Ehrhoff.

The Sabres have produced only 13 goals in 12 games, by far the NHL's lowest-scoring team.

“I feel for the guys,” he said. “It's tough to see. You don't want to see a team struggle like that. That's just part of the game. There are teams that are going to be at the bottom. It's tough to watch from the outside.”

Ehrhoff has three assists in nine games with the Penguins and is a plus-6. He is skating on a pairing with defenseman Paul Martin.

Penguins coach Mike Johnston said the Penguins wanted to find a good top-four defenseman during the summer.

“That's what he's been,” Johnston said.

Ehrhoff had a successful stint in Vancouver but struggled with the Sabres. Much like the Canucks of a few seasons ago, the Penguins are stocked with skilled players, perhaps making this a better fit for the offensively gifted Ehrhoff.

“It's pretty easy to adapt,” Ehrhoff said. “We have a lot of really good players on this team. It's nice to be on the ice with them. It's been great so far.”

Strange ruling

Johnston said he was miffed with a decision by referees during Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Kings. Officials originally gave the Penguins a power play because of an interference call, but after the referees conferred, the penalty was overruled.

“I thought it was unusual for sure,” Johnston said. “I've never seen it in hockey. Usually a call is a call. If a referee feels he made a bad call, usually he'll say, ‘That's what I saw.' It was reversed. They were very adamant.

“I don't think you can go with that approach. Most calls can be debated by officials. I'd rather them trust their instincts.”

Getting closer

Defenseman Robert Bortuzzo and winger Beau Bennett continued to skate with the Penguins on Saturday morning. Bortuzzo will replace defenseman Olli Maatta in the lineup Tuesday in Minnesota because Maatta is expected to undergo surgery early in the week for a possibly cancerous lump on his neck.

Streak intact

Center Sidney Crosby recorded an assist in the first period, giving him at least one point in his past 18 appearances against the Sabres.

Tribune Review LOADED: 11.02.2014


Christian Ehrhoff feels Sabres pain from afar


Jenn Menendez

Since the Penguins season began, defenseman Christian Ehrhoff has only caught highlights on the NHL Network of his former team, the Buffalo Sabres.

He has seen enough, however, to empathize with his former teammates. The Sabres brought a 2-8-1 record into Consol Energy Center Saturday night.

“I feel for the guys. It’s tough to see,” said Ehrhoff, who left the Sabres after they bought out his contract in the summer.

“You don’t want to see a team struggle like that, but that’s just part of the game. There’s teams that are going to be at the bottom. It’s just, it’s tough to watch from the outside.”

Ehrhoff said he’s been pleased with his start with the Penguins. He has been thrilled to join a team that can contend for a championship and get a clean slate.

“I’m happy with a fresh start here. I came to Buffalo when they were on the rise and I had different expectations,” Ehrhoff said.

He shrugged off the idea that his one-year deal with the Penguins will allow this season to serve as a tryout for free agency.

“I’m not too concerned with what’s beyond this year,” Ehrhoff said. “I just want to come here and have a good season as a team and be successful as a team. That’s my main goal.”

Coach Mike Johnston said he likes the progress he has seen so far. Ehrhoff had three assists heading into the game.

“I think Christian’s come along well. I thought last game may have been his best game,” Johnston said. “His versatility is really good. He’s a good penalty-killer, good five-on-five guy. I’ve been really pleased. Obviously, in the summer, we were looking for a guy who could add depth to our team, be a top-four guy, and he’s done that.”

Officially speaking

When officials reversed a penalty call Thursday night in the Penguins game against the Los Angeles Kings, it was perplexing, Johnston said.

The Kings were facing a penalty after a neutral-zone collision. Then, officials nullified the call and opted for a neutral zone faceoff.

“I thought it was unusual for sure. I’ve never seen it in hockey. Usually, a call is a call,” Johnston said. “If the referee thought he made a bad call, usually he’ll say ‘That’s what I saw.’ The referees discussed it, and they were very adamant in the end that they may have erred on the call and they wanted to get it right. That was their explanation to me.”

Johnston hopes it will be a rare event.

“I don’t think you can go with that because probably most calls could be debated between two officials,” Johnston said. “I’d rather see them always trust their instincts. When they make a call, they’ve made a call.”

Greiss must wait

Johnston said there was no set goaltending plan this week, but after Marc-Andre Fleury’s shutout Thursday it was agreed that the Penguins should go with the hot hand and wait to give backup Thomas Greiss another start.

“Thomas wasn’t scheduled to play [Saturday’s] game, but, to be honest, we were waiting to see this week,” Johnston said. “Going into this week, we sort of went game-to-game. Because of the shutout, I thought Fleury looked really good, looked like he was in a zone.”

Post Gazette LOADED: 11.02.2014


Dave Molinari: On the Penguins


Dave Molinari

Could happen.

Might already have, for that matter, because the Penguins have incorporated yoga into their off-ice regimen.

It isn't a primary component in their training -- they've been doing it only once or twice a month -- but the sessions are mandatory and could become permanent if the feedback and results are positive.

"So far, [the reaction has] been good," coach Mike Johnston said. "We'll give it a try. After five or six times that we do it, we'll probably have a pretty good idea of where it's at."

Yoga is a practice that combines strength training and meditation to enhance balance, core strength and flexibility, among other things.

"Yoga's a little bit [about] mind and body, which I kind of like," Johnston said. "It's a change for the guys."

One that apparently has met very little resistance, perhaps because some players already were involved with it.

"I do yoga all summer long," said Downie, who has been doing yoga for about four years. "It's part of the Gary Roberts program. It's good to stay loose, take care of the body. I like it. It's relaxing."

Right winger Craig Adams said that he views the yoga sessions as "just training ... the same as lifting weights, or whatever," and doesn't mind that yoga hasn't always had a place in hockey conditioning workouts.

"There are a lot of things that were a part of traditional hockey training that have, thankfully, gone by the wayside," Adams said.

Johnston traced the idea of having players do yoga to an offseason conversation with conditioning coach Mike Kadar, when they were kicking around ways to have players work out as a group.

"Mike said, 'What if we introduce yoga as one of those team things we do together?'" Johnston said.

Johnston endorsed that suggestion, and it seems to have had the desired effect.

"It's a good way to get the whole team together, not on the ice," Downie said.

A random sampling turned up no players upset about being compelled to do yoga.

"They've just accepted it as part of the regimen," Adams said. "Everybody likes to do different things, so every once in a while, they might throw something at you that you wouldn't do on your own.

"But it's part of the deal, so you do it."

This week

Tuesday: at Minnesota ... Penguins will be out to equal their longest-ever winning streak in St. Paul. One game.

Thursday: at Winnipeg ... At last check, the predicted game-day high temperature was 42 degrees. T-shirt and shorts weather lingers in Manitoba.

Saturday: at Buffalo ... This will be the Penguins' second game against the Sabres in eight days. Kind of negates any complaints they might have about early-season scheduling.

Best & Worst of Everything

What are your favorite foods on a game day?

"At breakfast, I need a ham-cheese-and-tomato omelet, with a piece of whole-wheat toast and a banana. Then I go for two chicken breasts with sweet potatoes, broccoli and carrots for lunch, and I'll finish that with a salad. Drinks, I'm going to go with a coconut water, a couple of waters. If it's the

night before a game, it's going to be fish. If it's the day of a game, it's going to be chicken. And if it's after a game, it's going to be red meat."

-- RW Pascal Dupuis



Penguins beat hapless Sabres, 5-0


Dave Molinari

Penguins players have a scheduled day off today.

Good thing, too.

Coach Mike Johnston and his staff might need every free minute they can get to analyze tape of the Penguins’ 5-0 victory at Consol Energy Center Saturday night and turn up something that needs work on at practice Monday.

The Penguins’ performance wasn’t flawless – there was a stretch during the second period when they were flat-out sloppy – but it’s no accident that they’ve won four consecutive games, with shutouts in three of those.

A few numbers on which to gnaw:

*** The Penguins scored on three of five power plays, the seventh time this season they’ve gotten two or more with the man-advantage.

*** Buffalo was shut out on four chances with the extra man, running the Penguins’ streak of successful penalty-kills to 26.

*** Chris Kunitz had his second consecutive two-goal game and added an assist.

*** Sidney Crosby had three assists, his sixth multiple-point effort in 10 games.

*** Evgeni Malkin had a goal and two assists, giving him at least one point in every game this season.

*** And, oh yeah, goalie Marc-Andre Fleury turned aside 18 shots for his second shutout in a row – the first time he has put up shutouts in consecutive games – and third in the past four games.

“We’re playing the right way,” winger Pascal Dupuis said. “Everybody’s contributing. It’s a team effort every night. It’s great.”

For the record, Johnston did say after the game that he wasn’t satisfied with the Penguins’ speed through the neutral zone, but he probably won’t be publicly flogging his players to express his displeasure about that.

For while there remains considerable room for improvement in their game – a hockey team that peaks in early November isn’t going to win anything that matters – the Penguins are jelling pretty well for a group with a new coaching staff and more than a few new players.

“What I see,” Malkin said, “is a good team.”

The view would have been a bit different if Malkin had looked at the Sabres.

They are 2-9-1 and have scored 12 goal in 12 games.

They are off to a miserable start, and actually could deteriorate into a historically bad team.

Consider that the 1983-84 Penguins, whose ineptitude allowed the franchise to end up with Mario Lemieux’s draft rights, earned 38 points in 80 games. The Sabres are on pace to get 34 in 82.

Buffalo’s opponent-friendly offense generated just 18 shots. Aside from a few second-period scrambles around the crease, Fleury’s greatest challenge was maintaining his focus through long periods of inactivity.

“Sometimes, mentally, it’s a little tougher because you’re just kind of standing there,” he said. “It’s tougher to stay alert.”

Sabres goalie Jhonas Enroth didn’t have that problem. The Penguins launched 34 shots at him and forced him to deal with a power play that has converted 18 of 43 opportunities.

“We knew that coming in that they have the best power play in the league,” Buffalo defenseman Mike Weber said.

Perhaps, but the Sabres couldn’t prevent it from getting better.

Truth is, though, that the Penguins have been upgrading just about every facet of their game lately.

“We’re still learning,” Malkin said. “We’ve just played 10 games. We still learn.

“But we see every game, it’s easier. We understand each other. … Now, I think, everyone understands what we do.”

Which, lately, is mostly to win.

And to look pretty good doing it.


755450 San Jose Sharks

Late scoring burst lifts Sharks past Islanders

Curtis Pashelka

11/02/2014 01:25:32 AM PDT

SAN JOSE -- Logan Couture scored the winner on a pretty redirection, and James Sheppard added some insurance with his first goal of the season. But the happiest player in the Sharks' dressing room Saturday night might have been Tomas Hertl.

Hertl opened the scoring for the Sharks in the first period, and Couture and Sheppard had goals in the final 8:10 of the third to give San Jose a 3-1 win over the New York Islanders in the first of a two-game homestand.

"It's nice to see him score. It's nice to see that big smile on the ice," Couture said of Hertl. "Hopefully it gets him going and he can score a bunch more here."

Hertl's goal ended more than two weeks of frustration as he scored on the power play to tie the game 1-1. Parked in front of the net, Hertl handled a pass from Tommy Wingels and fired it past Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak for his first goal since Oct. 16 against the Islanders in New York.

Last season in his rookie year, Hertl's longest stretch without a goal was six games from mid-to-late October. But even then he chipped in offensively with a pair of assists and averaged more than two shots per game.

Hertl began Saturday's game on the fourth line with Andrew Desjardins and Adam Burish but moved up to the third line with Barclay Goodrow and Chris Tierney in the second period, with Sheppard moving down.

"I thought he skated and had a little more of an intensity to his game," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said of Hertl. "So we moved him up a line and rewarded him with that, and in turn, Shep jelled with Bur and Desi down the stretch in the last period and a half.

"So as it turns out, we had a kid line and we had a veteran group of players that both contributed to the win tonight."

Before Saturday's game, Hertl talked about the need to be stronger on the puck and play more in the tough areas, particularly the goal crease where a good portion of his 15 regular-season goals last year came.

"I tried all game to just be in blue paint," Hertl said after the game.

Couture redirected a pass from Justin Braun at a sharp angle over the shoulder of Halak to give San Jose a 2-1 lead with 8:10 to go. Sheppard then added insurance as he scored on a pass from Adam Burish with 4:25 left, as San Jose improved its home record to 2-2 this season.

The Sharks, whose other win at home this season was a 3-0 victory over Winnipeg on Oct. 11, now have some time to rest, as they next host Vancouver on Thursday. Then they embark on a seven-game, 11-day trip.

"That was a big win for us. We haven't played very well at home, other than our first game," Couture said. "It was a good win at home after a long road trip. Now we have a couple days to rest and get ready for Vancouver."

Kyle Okposo gave the Islanders a 1-0 lead just 8:06 into the game, as the Sharks allowed a first-period goal for just the second time this season.

Okposo took a pass from Johnny Boychuk, skated around Brent Burns and in front of Scott Hannan before his wrist shot got past Antti Niemi. Coming into Saturday, the Sharks had outscored opponents 14-1 in the first period.

The Sharks played the last two-plus periods with just five defensemen, as Hannan was hit by Cal Clutterbuck 13:07 into the first period and didn't return.

Hannan was honored with a brief pregame ceremony to commemorate his 1,000-plus games played in the NHL. Hannan reached the milestone Oct. 14 at Washington. Including Saturday, Hannan had dressed in 1,008 games, including seven straight this year.

Burns was honored earlier Saturday by the California National Guard for his work supporting the military, as he received a special commendation from one of the guard's generals. Burns works with Defending the Blue Line,

which has a mission of ensuring that children of military members are afforded opportunities to participate in hockey.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Sharks' Hertl to play on fourth line vs. Islanders

Curtis Pashelka

11/01/2014 01:37:51 PM PDT

SAN JOSE -- Sharks forward Tomas Hertl skated with the fourth line Saturday morning and talked later about his mounting frustration, as he carries an eight-game scoreless slump into Saturday's home contest against the New York Islanders.

It appears Hertl will be on a line with Adam Burish and Andrew Desjardins as the Sharks host just their fourth game of the season.

Hertl has two goals and one assist this season and hasn't scored since the Sharks played the Islanders in New York on Oct. 16. His last point came Oct. 26 in Anaheim, as he assisted on a goal by Tommy Wingels in a 4-1 victory over the Ducks.

Hertl said its the longest goal-less stretch he can remember, even going back to his previous team, HC Slavia Praha in the Czech Republic. Last season in his rookie year, his longest stretch without a goal was six games from mid-to-late October. But even then he chipped in offensively with two assists and averaged over two shots on goal per game.

Saturday will be a change of scenery for Hertl, who was a consistent top-six forward last season, and earlier this season was playing on the third line.

"It's a little tough for me, because I never before -- my last team too -- I've never been this long time no scoring," Hertl said. "It's hard. I just keep working."

Hertl talked about the need to be stronger on the puck and to play more in the tough areas, particularly the goal crease where a good portion of his 15 regular season goals last year came.

Hertl suffered a major knee injury in December of last year following a mid-ice collision with Dustin Brown of the Los Angeles Kings. Hertl missed close to four months and returned to play the last two games of the regular season and the one playoff series against the Kings.

Saturday, Hertl reiterated that his knee is fine.

His psyche might be a different story.

"I think Tomas is frustrated. Any of us would be," Sharks coach Todd McLellan said. "We enter the National Hockey League and we take it by storm, and there's a talk of superstar, and Jaromir Jagr comparisons, and that can still happen later on. Then he gets hurt and from that point on, he's had to work hard to feel good again."

Hertl said he's been working with the Sharks coaches in the video room to go over what he's doing well and what mistakes he's making.

"For me, more skating, more stronger on puck," Hertl said. "I don't know, it's too many (times falling) on ice, not just somebody hit me and I fall. I need some goals, because last season I had more goals and this season, just two goals and one assist is not too many."

The Sharks have their first lengthy break of the season coming up, as after Saturday's game, their next home contest is Nov. 6 against Vancouver. Hertl, like many others, could use the time to refine his skills and regain some confidence.

"He's got some work to do, practice-wise, coming up this week. But he's 20 years old," McLellan said. "There's a lot of really good rookies that come year two, that maybe underestimate the league a little bit. Not saying Tomas has done that, but the results are showing it."

Antti Niemi will start in net for the Sharks. Healthy scratches for the Sharks appear to be Tye McGinn, Matt Irwin and John Scott, who just completed his two-game suspension.

San Jose Mercury News: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Couture’s goal helps Sharks beat Islanders

Ross McKeon

4:00 pm, Wednesday, December 31, 1969

Logan Couture must have been watching the World Series.

The San Jose center used his stick like a baseball bat to redirect the puck for the tie-breaking goal as the Sharks beat the New York Islanders 3-1 at SAP Center on Saturday.

“I was lucky it got in,” Couture said. “I saw it go off the back bar right away. I knew it was in.”

Parked just to the side of the net, Couture scored his team-leading sixth goal of the season by batting defenseman Justin Braun’s drive from the right point over Islanders goalie Jaroslav Halak at 11:50 of the third period.

“I’d like to say yeah, but no, I was just trying to get it toward the net,” Braun said when asked if he planned it that way. “I didn’t even know it went in, so it was a good tip.”

The scoring sequence happened so quickly that the referees had to confirm it was a good goal, and it was a beauty.

“That was a big win for us,” Couture said. “We hadn’t played very well at home except for the first game.”

San Jose’s James Sheppard scored his first of the season at 15:35 of the third on a nice feed from linemate Adam Burish for insurance.

The win enabled the Sharks to extend their streak of earning points to four games as they continued to put a recent four-game losing stretch in the rear-view mirror.

Goalie Antti Niemi, making his fourth consecutive start, stopped 19 shots for the win.

It was a game the Sharks had to stick with after having to play the final two-plus periods with five defenseman after losing Scott Hannan to injury in the first.

“When you lose a guy early, it’s taxing on the other guys,” Sharks forward Tommy Wingels said. “That being said, we were able to eliminate second and third opportunities. We were able to keep our shifts short and the puck out of the net.”

The Islanders broke on top at 8:06 of the first period when Kyle Okposo scored his fourth of the season. After slipping behind defenseman Brent Burns, he beat Niemi with a low shot on the short side.

San Jose struck back at mid-period, taking advantage of the Islanders’ struggling penalty kill, which ranks last in the league.

With center Ryan Strome off for high-sticking San Jose rookie defenseman Mirco Mueller, Sharks left wing Tomas Hertl snapped an eight-game goal drought with his third goal of the season at 10:23.

San Jose left wing Matt Nieto got a stick on Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk to force a turnover behind the net, and Wingels fed an unmarked Hertl in front.

“Everyone could see a big smile on his face,” Wingels said of Hertl. “Sometimes it only takes one goal to really get you going, and that’s what we hope the case is with Tomas.”

Briefly: Sharks left wing John Scott was eligible after having served a two-game suspension, but was a healthy scratch along with left wing Tye McGinn and defenseman Matt Irwin. ... Hannan was honored in a pregame ceremony for appearing in his 1,000th on Oct. 14 at Washington.

San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 11.02.2014


NHL results and news, Nov. 1

Staff Writer

10:01 pm, Saturday, November 1, 2014

Elias Lindholm scored two goals, and the host Carolina Hurricanes beat the Arizona Coyotes 3-0 on Saturday for their first win of the season.

Jiri Tlusty also scored for Carolina (1-6-2), and Cam Ward finished with 25 saves in his first shutout since March 27, 2012. The Hurricanes had been the NHL’s only team without a win.

Lindholm, Carolina’s top pick in the 2013 draft, collected his first two goals of the season for his second career two-goal game.

“It took a couple of games,” Lindholm said. “We hadn’t played good and obviously tonight we did. It’s good for the team and it’s always nice to get some goals.”

Ward smiled while wearing a fireman’s hat that coach Bill Peters will award to his choice for most outstanding player in a win.

“Coach Peters came in here and said it will go to somebody every time we win a game,” Ward said. “Really I think he could have given it to anybody. But I’ll wear it with pride.”

Jets 1, Rangers 0: Evander Kane and Blake Wheeler scored in the shootout as Winnipeg beat host New York, which lost defensemen Ryan McDonagh (separated left shoulder) and Kevin Klein (foot) to injuries. ... Jets goalie Ondrej Pavelec made 36 saves in regulation and two in overtime, including a breakaway stop on Martin St. Louis, in his first shutout of the season.

Wild 4, Stars 1: Thomas Vanek and Nino Niederreiter scored power-play goals — the first for Minnesota this season — as the Stars improved to 5-0 at home. ... Dallas right wing Ales Hemsky left after suffering an upper-body injury.

Penguins 5, Sabres 0: Marc-Andre Fleury made 18 saves for his second consecutive shutout and Chris Kunitz scored twice as host Pittsburgh won its fourth in a row. ... Buffalo was shut out for the fifth time in 12 games.

Maple Leafs 3, Blackhawks 2: James Reimer made 45 saves, including 26 in the third period, and Peter Holland scored at 2:21 of the third to snap a tie and lead Toronto to victory. ... Chicago’s Corey Crawford, who missed the previous six games because of an upper-body injury, made 24 saves.

Blues 3, Avalanche 2: Joakim Lindstrom scored the lone goal in the shootout as host St. Louis won its fourth in a row. ... Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice in the win, giving him five goals in his past three games.

Canucks 3, Oilers 2: Derek Dorsett’s shorthanded goal in the third period snapped a 2-2 tie for visiting Vancouver. ... Edmonton left wing Taylor Hall, the team’s leading scorer, left with an apparent leg injury after crashing into the net.

Lightning 4, Capitals 3: Jason Garrison scored the tie-breaking goal in the third period as host Tampa Bay won for the fifth time in six games.

Panthers 2, Flyers 1: Roberto Luongo made 36 saves and rookie Aaron Ekblad scored his first NHL goal as host Florida won for the third time in four games.

Devils 3, Blue Jackets 2: Adam Larsson broke a tie with 9:25 left in the third period as host New Jersey handed Columbus its fifth consecutive loss.

Bruins 4, Senators 2: Matt Fraser scored his first two goals of the season 1:28 apart in the second period for host Boston.

Briefly: Minnesota placed defenseman Jared Spurgeon (shoulder) on the injured list. ... Los Angeles center Anze Kopitar, the team’s leading scorer in each of the previous seven seasons, is expected to be in the lineup Sunday against Carolina after missing three games because of an upper-body injury.

San Francisco Chronicle LOADED: 11.02.2014


Rewind: Couture stays hot, Hertl's drought ends in Sharks' win

November 1, 2014, 11:15 pm

Kevin Kurz

SAN JOSE – One of the Sharks’ key offensive weapons broke out of a concerning slump, while another scored a stunning game-winning goal and is seemingly heating up.

Tomas Hertl’s first marker in nine games put the Sharks on the board, while Logan Couture’s deft third period deflection keyed a 3-1 win over the Islanders on Saturday night at SAP Center.

Couture’s marker at 11:50 of the third period was one of those goals that only one the league’s top scorers can convert. A wayward Justin Braun wrister was headed in his direction about five feet wide of the net, and Couture quickly tilted the blade of his stick at the perfect angle to redirect it over Jaroslav Halak. It went in and out of the net so quickly that a few of the players on the ice had no idea what had just happened.

“I was trying to tip it and get it up, but I was lucky it got in,” Couture said. "I saw it go off the back bar right away. I knew it was in. I think the play carried on for a couple of seconds, but I saw it went in.”

Todd McLellan said: "Cooch has great hands. … It was an impressive goal from that angle."

After getting just one assist in the first four games, Couture now leads the Sharks with six goals and has 11 points in his last nine games.

Hertl, meanwhile, didn’t let a demotion to the fourth line get him down. After talking in the morning about trying to do a better job of getting to the front of the net, he found his way there to bat in a pass from Tommy Wingels at 10:23 of the first period, tying the game at 1-1.

“I try all game, just [get to] the blue paint. I tried to go,” Hertl said. “First period I scored, so I hope so now I’ve started, I just keep going.”

The affable 20-year-old seemed genuinely dejected in the morning, in the midst of the first scoring slump of his life at any level. By the end of the night, that trademark grin had returned, and his teammates noticed.

“He’ll probably tell you he wishes we played again tomorrow night, now that he got one tonight. It’s good to see him score,” Wingels said. “I think everyone could see a big smile on his face after. Sometimes it only takes one goal to really get you going. We hope that’s the case with Tomas.”

McLellan liked Hertl’s game enough to move him off of the fourth line and up to the third line with Chris Tierney and Barclay Goodrow.

“I thought he skated and had a little more of an intensity to his game,” McLellan said.

Perhaps the most impressive part of the win was that San Jose managed to hold the speedy Islanders to just one goal despite losing defenseman Scott Hannan in the first period for unspecified reasons. Taking a peek at the ice time, the minutes for the remaining five blueliners were inflated, including Brent Burns (26:29) and Mirco Mueller (24:58).

The Sharks outshot the Islanders for the game, 31-20, despite a few shifts in the second period (by the fourth line of Adam Burish, Andrew Desjardins and James Sheppard, in particular) in which San Jose was pinned in its own end.

Braun said: “It’s a little more difficult just working with different guys. I think we handled it well. It was good to get used to some other guys.”

“They didn't give up a lot. When we were in our end we weren't running around,” McLellan said. “I thought the five defensemen managed their ice time well, simplified their game a little bit more, allowed us to come away with a win. They handled themselves very well."

The Sharks recorded just their second home win of the season after dropping their previous two in regulation at SAP Center, where they haven’t gotten much of a chance to establish any rhythm due to their road-heavy schedule.

Now, they get some time off before difficult meetings with rivals Vancouver, Dallas and Chicago kick off on Thursday at home against the Canucks. Overall, the Sharks have gained seven of a possible eight points in the standings in their last four games (3-0-1).

McLellan said: “Our last couple of games weren't what we wanted them to be in our own building. It's nice to go into the break that way."

“That was a big win for us,” Couture said.



Instant Replay: Couture, Sharks edge out Isles 3-1


Kevin Kurz

SAN JOSE – Logan Couture’s brilliant tip of a Justin Braun shot proved to be the game-winner in a 3-1 Sharks victory over New York on Saturday night at SAP Center.

Couture broke a 1-1 tie at 11:50 of the third period, putting his stick in a perfect position about five feet from the crease to redirect the puck over Jaroslav Halak’s shoulder for his team-leading sixth goal of the season.

James Sheppard’s first goal of the year acted as insurance, as he finished off a nice passing play from Andrew Desjardins and Adam Burish at 15:35.

The Sharks evened their home record to 2-2, after playing nine of their first 12 games on the road. They have gained at least a point in four straight games (3-0-1).

New York took a 1-0 lead at 8:06 of the first, when Kyle Okposo skated around Brent Burns and found Antti Niemi’s short side for his fourth goal. It was just the second first period goal the Sharks have allowed in 13 games.

San Jose responded a little more than two minutes later with a power play goal. Tommy Wingels chopped a loose puck from behind the net out in front, where Tomas Hertl whacked it in at 10:23. The marker, Hertl’s third, ended an eight-game goalless drought for the 20-year-old, who was demoted to the fourth line to start the game.

Hertl was eventually bumped up to the third line with Chris Tierney and Barclay Goodrow, while Sheppard was shifted to the fourth line.

The Sharks were forced to play most of the game with five defensemen, after Scott Hannan left for unspecified reasons in the first period. He did not return, possibly due to a hit from the Islanders’ Cal Clutterbuck.

For the first time this season, the Sharks won a game in which they didn’t score the first goal (1-3-0).

After announcing a less-than-capacity crowd Oct. 25 vs. Buffalo for the first time in 205 regular season and playoff home games, the Sharks called Saturday’s game a sellout.

Special teams

The Islanders entered the game with the league’s worst penalty killing percentage, and couldn’t kill off their only minor penalty of the night. They’ve allowed 12 goals on 34 attempts (74.7 percent).

Jason Demers was called for an illegal check to the head of Cory Conacher at 1:55 of the first period. The Sharks killed the penalty, and Conacher returned with about nine minutes left before he was issued a 10-minute misconduct with about four minutes to go.

The Islanders were 0-for-3 with a man advantage. The Sharks have allowed just one power play goal in their last five games (16-for-17).

In goal

Niemi made his fourth straight start, and has stopped 126 of his last 133 shots over that span (.947 save percentage).

Halak allowed three goals on 31 shots.

Lineup

Defenseman Mirco Mueller played in his 10th game, making it likely that he’ll be with the Sharks for the rest of the season. Were San Jose to return him to his junior club, the first year of his entry-level contract would still count.

Burns’ six-game point streak, a career-best, came to an end. He fell one-game short of Dan Boyle’s seven-game streak, the franchise record for a defenseman.

In a pregame ceremony, Hannan was honored for playing in his 1000th NHL game on Oct. 14 in Washington. Gifts included a ceremonial silver stick from

the NHL, and a gigantic bottle of wine and custom surfboard from his teammates.

John Scott was eligible to return from a two-game suspension, but was a healthy scratch along with Tye McGinn and Matt Irwin.

Up next

The Sharks will face three of their biggest rivals for the first time this season in their next three games.

They’ll welcome some rest and some practice time before their next tilt on Thursday against Vancouver at SAP Center. Following that one, San Jose hits the road for a seven-game road trip beginning in Dallas next Saturday and Chicago on Sunday.



Goodrow already working his way up Sharks lineup

November 1, 2014, 12:45 pm

Kevin Kurz

SAN JOSE – It didn’t take very long for rookie Barclay Goodrow to work his way up the lineup.

In his NHL debut on Thursday in Minnesota, the 21-year-old spent most of the game on the fourth line with Andrew Desjardins and Adam Burish, but also took a few spins on the Joe Thornton-Joe Pavelski line in place of a struggling Tomas Hertl.

[KURZ: Struggling Hertl bumped to Sharks fourth line vs. Islanders]

In eight minutes and 39 seconds of ice time, Goodrow had two shots on goal, and showed his ability to play strong along the wall while using his six-foot-two, 215-pound frame.

“He won some battles in tight areas, which is his forte,” Todd McLellan said after the game. “He can keep his nose over the puck and burrow a little bit. I thought he was fine. He got some shifts with Jumbo and Patty, so his confidence should go up a little bit, and we’ll continue to work with him.”

Goodrow said: “I thought I got a lot better as the game went on. Obviously I was pretty nervous my first couple of shifts, a lot of emotion and adrenaline going through by body. ... Getting a few shifts with Pav and Jumbo was awesome.”

Against the Islanders, expect Goodrow to play on the wing of center Chris Tierney and James Sheppard. Had he not injured his left hand in the team’s final preseason game, Goodrow would have started the season with Tierney, after the pair showed almost instant chemistry in training camp.

Goodrow finished with three goals, four points and a +2 rating in five preseason games playing mostly with Tierney and Tommy Wingels.

“We were able to do some things out there in preseason, so hopefully that hasn’t worn off and we can rekindle that flame we had and have a successful night,” said Goodrow of playing with Tierney, whom he has known since childhood.

McLellan said: “I see his minutes going up now. … His practice time this week will also be important. He’ll have two games under his belt, and we think that he’s going to be a tremendous player for us – not only now, but in the future.”



Struggling Hertl bumped to Sharks fourth line vs. Islanders

November 1, 2014, 12:15 pm

Kevin Kurz

SAN JOSE – The game came easy to Sharks forward Tomas Hertl in his rookie season.

On November 1, 2013, Hertl led the Sharks and was tied for the seventh in the NHL with eight goals in 13 games. He was a major factor in San Jose busting out of the gate with a 10-1-2 record in the first month of the season.

Fast forward to the present, and Hertl has just two goals and one assist in 12 games to start 2014-15. It appears that for now, the 20-year-old will be relegated to fourth line duty at least to start the game when the Sharks host the Islanders on Saturday night.

“I need some goals,” Hertl said. “Last season I had more goals and everything, this season just two goals and one assist is not too many, playing 17 minutes on the first line. It’s no good.”

Hertl hasn’t scored since Oct. 16, and has just one assist in his last eight games. A good example of his exasperating start came on Tuesday in Colorado, when he had the puck on his backhand while looking at an open net, but rang it off of the crossbar in the first period. Those were the kinds of goals that he was burying a year ago.

Against the Wild two nights later, an ineffective Hertl took a few shifts on the fourth line and finished with no shots on goal despite playing more than 17 minutes.

Hertl said that his surgically repaired right knee is not an issue, but indicated that he’s falling too much on the ice so being stronger on his skates is vital. The coaching staff has stressed getting to the blue paint to increase his output, too.

“I thought in Denver the other night he was exceptional in that area. He was around the net all the time,” Todd McLellan said. “When you go back at look at how he had success last year, a lot of it came from there.

“In the games prior to that he was on the outside, he wasn’t working to get into position. You have to get there. You have to be there to have success. Tomas has to work on that a little bit.”

McLellan offered a reminder earlier this week that Hertl is still a young player getting acclimated to the league, and missed almost the entire second half of his rookie season due to injury.

Perhaps expectations should be tempered, for the time being.

“There’s talk of a superstar, and Jaromir Jagr comparisons, and that can still happen later on. Then, he gets hurt, and from that point on he’s had to work really hard to feel good again on the ice," McLellan said.

[KURZ: Sharks Outlook: Hertl could be team's next superstar]

“It’s just not happening for him right now. It can and will still happen. He’s got some work to do practice-wise coming up this week, but he’s 20 years old. There’s a lot of really good rookies that come year two, maybe underestimate the league a little bit. I’m not saying Tomas has done that, but the results are showing it.”

Hertl said he has never gone through a scoring drought like the one he’s experiencing now. There is some frustration.

“It’s a little tough for me because on my last team, too, I’ve never been this long of a time with no scoring,” Hertl said. “It’s hard. I just keep working.”

* * *

Antti Niemi will make his fourth straight start, opposing the Islanders' Jaroslav Halak. Niemi enters with a 5-2-1 record, 2.67 goals-against average and .921 save percentage, while a struggling Halak is 3-3-0 with a 3.51 GAA and .889 SP.

John Scott's two-game suspension is over, but indications are Scott and Tye McGinn will be the healthy scratches up front.

Sharks defenseman Scott Hannan will be honored before the game for playing in his 1000th NHL game on Oct. 14 in Washington.



In the Crease: Islanders struggling as they visit Sharks

November 1, 2014, 10:00 am

Kevin Kurz

Programming note: Islanders-Sharks coverage gets underway at 7:00 p.m. with Sharks Pregame Live on Comcast SportsNet California

Where they stand

Sharks: 6-4-2, 14 points, 5th Pacific Division

Islanders: 6-4-0, 12 points, 2nd Metropolitan Division

The latest

Sharks: The Sharks lost in overtime to the Wild on Thursday at Xcel Energy Center, 4-3. San Jose took a 3-1 third period lead on Joe Thornton’s goal, but saw it vanish later in the frame. The Wild outshot the Sharks for the game, 46-28. San Jose will be playing just its fourth home game tonight, and gained five of a possible six points on its road trip, with wins in Anaheim and Colorado before the loss in Minnesota.

[KURZ: Rewind: Sharks flounder late, waste strong start from Niemi]

Islanders: New York busted out of the gate with four straight wins, including a shootout victory over the Sharks on Oct. 16, but have since lost four of their last six in regulation. They were smoked by Colorado on Thursday, 5-0, as the Avs got two goals from youngster Nathan Mackinnon. Chad Johnson allowed five goals on 23 Colorado shots in net. This is the second of a five-game road trip for New York.

Keep an eye on…

Sharks: Barclay Goodrow. The 21-year-old rookie made his NHL debut on Thursday, getting two shots on goal in eight minutes and 39 seconds. Goodrow even took a couple of spins on the Joe Thornton-Joe Pavelski line, in place of a struggling Tomas Hertl, and received positive reviews from his head coach afterwards. Goodrow may not be on the fourth line, where he played most of the game against the Wild, for very long.

Islanders: Frans Nielsen. The NHL named Nielsen as its third star of the week for the week ending Oct. 26, including his first career hat trick one week ago in Dallas. In 10 games this season, the 30-year-old Denmark native has four goals and four assists for 10 points.

Vitals

Sharks

Goals per game: 3.00 (8th)

Goals-against per game: 2.67 (18th)

Power play: 23.3 percent (7th)

Penalty kill: 81.1 percent (15th)

Islanders

Goals per game: 3.40 (3rd)

Goals-against per game: 3.60 (28th)

Power play: 22.0 percent (10th)

Penalty kill: 66.7.percent (30th)

Probable lines

Sharks

Matt Nieto – Joe Thornton – Joe Pavelski

Patrick Marleau – Logan Couture – Tommy Wingels

Barclay Goodrow – Chris Tierney – James Sheppard

Tomas Hertl – Adam Burish – Andrew Desjardins

Marc-Edouard Vlasic – Justin Braun

Mirco Mueller – Brent Burns

Scott Hannan – Jason Demers

Antti Niemi (confirmed starter)

Alex Stalock

Islanders

Brock Nelson – John Tavares – Kyle Okposo

Mikhail Grabovski – Frans Nielsen – Nikolay Kulemin

Matt Martin – Ryan Strome – Anders Lee

Cory Conacher – Casey Cizikas – Cal Clutterbuck

Nick Leddy – Johnny Boychuk

Thomas Hickey – Lubomir Visnovsky

Calvin de Haan – Travis Hamonic

Jaroslav Halak (confirmed starter)

Chad Johnson

Injuries/Scratches

Sharks: Raffi Torres (right knee) and Mike Brown (left hand) are out. Tyler Kennedy (upper body) is in Worcester (AHL) on a conditioning assignment.

Islanders: Michael Grabner (lower body), Matt Carkner (back) and Josh Bailey (hand) are on injured reserve.

Season/All-Time series

In a game that saw the Sharks and Islanders change leads three times, New York took a 4-3 shootout win over San Jose at Nassau Coliseum on Oct. 16. Nick Leddy, Kyle Okposo and Brent Brurns all had one goal and one assist in the game, while Jaroslav Halak beat Alex Stalock in net.

The Sharks are 15-11-5 all-time vs. the Islanders, including a 12-3-4 mark in the last 19 games.

Quoteable

“It’s not very good. You don’t want that.” – Brent Burns, on the Sharks giving up a two-goal third period lead on Thursday in Minnesota


755459 St Louis Blues

Blues win in shootout after losing 2-0 lead

Jeremy Rutherford

The Blues picked up another two goals from Vladimir Tarasenko. They nearly needed another hat trick from him.

The Blues extended their winning streak to four games with a 3-2 shootout victory over Colorado Saturday night. But after blowing a two-goal lead, they needed a shootout goal by Joakim Lindstrom and three saves by Brian Elliott to fend off the Avalanche in front of 17,948 at Scottrade Center.

It was a feast of familiarity.

Tarasenko had dinner with Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov, a fellow Russian, Friday night and then ate him up on two goals Saturday. Lindstrom played with the Avalanche previously and practiced against Varlamov, helping him on his shootout. Elliott is also an ex-Av and played against two of the three skaters — Matt Duchene and Ryan O’Reilly — that he turned aside in the shootout.

The Blues finished the season’s first 10-game segment with a record of 6-3-1 thanks to a string of wins over Chicago, Dallas, Anaheim and now Colorado.

“We made a comeback to get to where we’re at,” Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. “We’re right in the mix with everybody else. These have been tough competitions for us. This segment is over, we’ve got a decent record and now we’ve got to move forward on the second segment.”

The Blues will begin that segment with a two-game road trip that begins Monday against the New York Rangers.

Home or away, it doesn’t seem to matter these days for Tarasenko, who followed up Tuesday’s hat-trick in Dallas with two more goals against Colorado — Nos. 5-6. They came against Varlamov, whom he dined with the night before at the Chophouse.

On his first goal Saturday, Tarasenko chopped him up, ripping a shot glove-side on Varlamov, who if he blinked had his eyes closed too long.

“I can never do one-timers, but they’re good to score,” Tarasenko said.

Tarasenko’s fifth goal of the season gave the Blues a 1-0 advantage with 3:31 left in the first period. They had the game’s first goal for the second straight outing after netting the opening goal only twice in the first eight games of the season.

The Blues enjoyed an 11-2 advantage in shots at the end of the first period, but in a game that drew much closer as it went along, the shots would finish 29-29.

Elliott helped preserve the Blues’ 1-0 lead in the second period. He made a dazzling glove save on Colorado defenseman Nick Holden midway through the period; turned aside Alex Tanguay, the Avalanche’s scoring leader this season, with 4:13 remaining; and denied Cody McLeod on the doorstep with 18 second left.

It appeared that Tarasenko might have the “Star of the Game” sewn up when he netted his second of the game 46 seconds into the third period. But as it turned out, the Blues didn’t even have the game wrapped up.

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo wound up for a shot and, on its way to Varlamov, Tarasenko gave it a new route with a deflection that put the Blues ahead 2-0.

“I screamed for puck and he just made shot-pass,” Tarasenko said. “We talk about it a lot in our meetings. It’s good that it worked.”

But back-to-back penalties helped put Colorado back in the game.

A holding call against Magnus Paajarvi, who played on the Blues’ top line with David Backes and Jaden Schwartz Saturday, gave the Avalanche their second power play of the game. O’Reilly buried a rebound, shrinking the Blues’ lead to 2-1 just 2:19 into the third period, on the first goal they had surrendered in 118 minutes, 52 seconds.

Then a cross-checking penalty against Ian Cole put the Avalanche back on the man-advantage and Nathan MacKinnon got credit for the goal that rode up Jay Bouwmeester’s stick and in.

The teams were all square at 2-2, wiping out Tarasenko’s efforts, with two blown penalty kills.

“The call on Magnus, that can go either way,” Hitchcock said. “Cole took that penalty, (but) if he doesn’t get that guy out of there, that guy’s got an empty net.”

The Blues put Colorado on a third power play in the period when Ryan Reaves retaliated against John Mitchell. Mitchell hit Reaves high on one side of the ice and Reaves met him at the other side with a cross-check. (After serving his two minutes, Reaves left the game with an upper-body injury and did not return; he will be re-evaluated Sunday).

The game went to a shootout, where the Blues missed T.J. Oshie. But they only needed one goal and picked it up from Lindstrom, who was one for five in his NHL career. He received the opportunity on the advice of assistant coach Kirk Muller.

“I actually played with (Varlamov) for a few months back in Colorado,” Lindstrom said. “I made a couple of shots in practice, but he’s a good goaltender. I wasn’t nervous. I was comfortable being in that position.”

Varlamov then got the best of Tarasenko on his attempt, putting Elliott in a position to win the game with a save on O’Reilly.

“They’re good,” Elliott said. “I played with them for a couple of months before. They practice (the shootout) pretty much everyday. It feels good to get a win like that. We didn’t want to win in a shootout, but we got it done.”

St Louis Post Dispatch LOADED: 11.02.2014


Bluenotes: Lehtera compensates for loss of Sobotka

Jeremy Rutherford

The connection made by most is that Vladimir Sobotka was replaced in the Blues’ lineup by Steve Ott.

On the same day that Sobotka’s plans to play in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League surfaced, the club quickly signed Ott to a two-year, $5.2 million contract. There also was a glut of forwards on the roster at the time, and had Sobotka not left, there didn’t appear to be room for Ott.

But in the Blues’ minds, Jori Lehtera is Sobotka’s replacement. He was considered a potential top-nine center who is responsible defensively.

Lehtera, with six points in eight games and a plus-minus rating of plus-3, has lived up to that role so far. In the faceoff department, however, he has perhaps surpassed expectations and helped cover up an area that was sure to be a shortcoming when the Blues lost Sobotka.

A year after Sobotka led the NHL with a 61.9 winning percentage on face-offs, Lehtera ranks third in the league with a 62.2-percent success rate. He won 11 of 14 (78.6 percent) of his faceoffs in Thursday’s 2-0 win over Anaheim, marking the third time this season he’s been over 75 percent.

“My faceoff percentage was pretty good in the KHL every year,” Lehtera said. “It’s all about how much you concentrate to win those faceoffs. I have many different styles that I use, it’s not only one. I like to get the puck to my team right away ... Vladi (Tarasenko) wants the puck so bad, I have to win it.”

The Blues were a season-best 59.2 percent on faceoffs against Anaheim and ranked eighth in the NHL at 52 percent heading into Saturday’s game against Colorado.

Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said that Lehtera has played a key part in that.

“Different type of (faceoff) win because (Sobotka) was just clean snap whereas (Lehtera) kind of puts it in his feet and kicks it,” Hitchcock said. “He uses his feet and body position as well as anybody on our team. You’re comfortable that you’re going to start with the puck a lot more, which is good for us.”

STASTNY MISSED

Blues forward Paul Stastny sat out his sixth game with a shoulder injury, missing his first chance to play against his former team, Colorado.

Stastny did have a few Avalanche players over for dinner Friday night, including former Blues defenseman Erik Johnson.

“We were pretty close,” Johnson told reporters. “I know guys definitely miss him, but he’s got to do what’s best for him and he thought it was coming here. We respect him a lot. He’s a great guy and we think he’s going to be a great player here.”

BLUENOTES

• The healthy scratches Saturday were forward Chris Porter and defensman Jordan Leopold.

• Brian Elliott played in his 100th game as a Blue on Saturday. His record was 58-26-8 with the club entering the night.

• Defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk was tied for second among all NHL defensemen with nine points. Six of those nine points have come on the power play.



Tarasenko scores twice as Blues beat Avs in shootout

Jeremy Rutherford

The Blues picked up another two goals from Vladimir Tarasenko. They nearly needed another hat-trick from him.


It was a feast of familiarity.

Tarasenko had dinner with Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov, a fellow Russian, Friday night and then ate him up on two goals Saturday. Lindstrom played with the Avalanche previously and practiced against Varlamov, helping him on his shootout. Elliott is also an ex-Av and played against two of the three skaters — Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly — that he turned aside in the shootout.

The Blues finished the season's first 10-game segment with a record of 6-3-1 thanks to a string of wins over Chicago, Dallas, Anaheim and now Colorado.

"We made a comeback to get to where we're at," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "We're right in the mix with everybody else. These have been tough competitions for us. This segment is over, we've got a decent record and now we've got to move forward on the second segment."

The Blues will begin that segment with a two-game road trip that begins Monday against the New York Rangers.

Home or away, it doesn't seem to matter these days for Tarasenko, who followed up Tuesday's hat-trick in Dallas with two more goals against Colorado — Nos. 5-6. They came against Varlamov, whom he dined with the night before at the Chophouse.

On his first goal Saturday, Tarasenko chopped him up, ripping a shot glove-side on Varlamov, who if he blinked had his eyes closed too long.

"I can never do one-timers, but they're good to score," Tarasenko said.

Tarasenko's fifth goal of the season gave the Blues a 1-0 advantage with 3:31 left in the first period. They had the game's first goal for the second straight outing after netting the opening goal only twice in the first eight games of the season.

The Blues enjoyed an 11-2 advantage in shots at the end of the first period, but in a game that drew much closer as it went along, the shots would finish 29-29.

Elliott helped preserve the Blues' 1-0 lead in the second period. He made a dazzling glove save on Colorado defenseman Nick Holden midway through the period; turned aside Alex Tanguay, the Avalanche's scoring leader this season, with 4:13 remaining; and denied Cody McLeod on the doorstep with 18 second left.

It appeared that Tarasenko might have the "Star of the Game" sewn up when he netted his second of the game 46 seconds into the third period. But as it turned out, the Blues didn't even had the game wrapped up.

Defenseman Alex Pietrangelo wound up for a shot and, on its way to Varlamov, Tarasenko gave it a new route with a deflection that put the Blues ahead 2-0.

"I screamed for puck and he just made shot-pass," Tarasenko said. "We talk about it a lot in our meetings. It's good that it worked."


A holding call against Magnus Paajarvi, who played on the Blues' top line with David Backes and Jaden Schwartz Saturday, gave the Avalanche their second power play of the game. O'Reilly buried a rebound, shrinking the Blues' lead to 2-1 just 2:19 into the third period, on the first goal they had surrendered in 118 minutes, 52 seconds.

Then a cross-checking penalty against Ian Cole put the Avalanche back on the man-advantage and Nathan MacKinnon got credit for the goal that rode up Jay Bouwmeester's stick and in.

The teams were all square at 2-2, wiping out Tarasenko's efforts, with two blown penalty kills.

"The call on Magnus, that can go either way," Hitchcock said. "Cole took that penalty, (but) if he doesn't get that guy out of there, that guy's got an empty net."

The Blues put Colorado on a third power-play in the period when Ryan Reaves retaliated against John Mitchell. Mitchell hit Reaves high on one side of the ice and Reaves met him at the other side with a cross-check. (After serving his two minutes, Reaves left the game with an upper-body injury and did not return; he will be re-evaluated Sunday).

The game went to a shootout, where the Blues missed T.J. Oshie. But they only needed on goal and picked it up from Lindstrom, who was one for five in his NHL career. He received the opportunity on the advice of assistant coach Kirk Muller and beat Varlamov through the legs.

"I actually played with him for a few months back in Colorado," Lindstrom said. "I made a couple of shots in practice, but he's a good goaltender. I wasn't nervous. I was comfortable being in that position."

Varlamov then got the best of Tarasenko on his attempt, putting Elliott in a position to win the game with a save on O'Reilly.

"They're good," Elliott said. "I played with them for a couple of months before. They practice (the shootout) pretty much everyday. It feels good to get a win like that. We didn't want to win in a shootout, but we got it done."



Backes will be in Blues' lineup against Colorado

Jeremy Rutherford

Only four days after suffering a concussion, and less than 48 hours after it was revealed publicly, David Backes is expected to be available against the Colorado Avalanche at 7 p.m. tonight at Scottrade Center.

"Don't go to the bank with the rest of the lineup, but Backes will play today," Blues coach Ken Hitchcock said. "The rest we'll take through the rest of the day and make sure we've got 20 (players)."

In fact, Backes himself wasn't as committal about his own situation as Hitchcock. Backes addressed the media before the coach, and when asked if he were playing tonight, responded: "I don't know."

"There's still a lot of time between now and the game," Backes said. "I felt good in the skate this morning, but these things aren't black and white ... it's a fluid dynamic. Hopefully I feel well the rest of the day and we're good to go tonight."

Backes said that he watched Thursday's 2-0 win over Anaheim at home.

"A lot of guys put a lot of gutsy efforts in and picked up a ton of responsibility and did a phenomenal job with it," Backes said. "There was no drop-off from having the regulars in the lineup."

Blues winger Joakim Lindstrom missed Thursday's game against Anaheim. He skated this morning and is expected to return to the lineup. But the Blues have had a couple of other players — including Jay Bouwmeester — battling the bacterial infection.

All players with the exception of T.J. Oshie (concussion) were accounted for in practice. Paul Stastny skated today, but he has been ruled out against the Avs.

"Some guys that skated today felt good," Hitchcock said. "Some guys didn't feel great. So we'll just take through the day. Whether or not we go back to 11 (forwards) and seven (defensemen), we'll see."

***

TONIGHT'S PROJECTED LINEUP

Forwards

Jaden Schwartz-David Backes-Magnus Paajarvi

Alexander Steen-Jori Lehtera-Vladimir Tarasenko

Dmitrij Jaskin-Patrick Berglund-Joakim Lindstrom

Steve Ott-Maxim Lapierre-Ryan Reaves

Defensemen

Jay Bouwmeester-Alex Pietrangelo

Carl Gunnarsson-Kevin Shattenkirk

Barret Jackman-Ian Cole

Goalie

Brian Elliott

***

LEHTERA AMONG LEADERS

Blues center Jori Lehtera has been impressive on face-offs this season. He's currently ranked third in the NHL with a 62.2 winning percentage.

"My face-off percentage was pretty good in the KHL every year," Lehtera said. "It's all about how much you concentrate to win those face-offs. I have many different styles that I use, it's not only one. (But) I like to get the puck to my team right away."

Jori Lehtera won 11 of 14 (78.6 percent) of his face-offs on Thursday, marking the third time this season he's had better than a 75-percent success

rate. The Blues had their best games of the season on draws against the Ducks, winning 59.2 percent.

***

ODDS & ENDS

• Blues defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk is tied for second among all NHL defensemen with nine points. Six of those nine points have come on the power play.

• The last meeting between the Blues and Colorado was a 4-0 win by the Avalanche on April 5. Paul Stastny, then with the Avs of course, had a goal and two assists.

• Colorado has allowed 40-plus shots in three of their 11 games this season.



Blues top Avs, 3-2, in shootout

JEREMY RUTHERFORD

November 1, 2014

ST. LOUIS_The St. Louis Blues picked up another two goals from Vladimir Tarasenko. They nearly needed another hat-trick from him.


In a battle of two goaltenders each wearing No. 1, Elliott finished with 27 saves, including three in overtime, to pick up his fourth win of the season. The Blues had an 11-2 advantage in shots at the end of the first period, but in a game that drew much closer as it went along, the shot finished dead-even at 29-29.

Playing without shootout specialist T.J. Oshie, who missed his second game with a concussion, Lindstrom gave the club its first shootout win of the season. Elliott denied Gabriel Landeskog, Matt Duchene and Ryan O'Reilly, with the save on O'Reilly capturing the win.

The Blues won for the fourth straight game, as Tarasenko picked up his fifth and sixth goals of the season. They two goals gave him five in his past three games, following up his hat-trick Tuesday in Dallas.

Tarasenko's first on Saturday came on a pass from teammate Alexander Steen. The puck went off O'Reilly in the offense zone and glided to the top of the right face-off circle. Tarasenko teed up Al MacInnis-style and ripped a shot glove-side on Semyon Varalmov, who if he blinked had his eyes closed to long.

Tarasenko's fifth goal of the season gave the Blues a 1-0 advantage with 3 minutes, 31 seconds left in the first period, giving them the game's first goal for the second game in a row after netting the opening goal twice in the first eight games of the season.

The Blues had the only two power-play opportunities of the period, but couldn't convert. They outshot the Avalanche 11-2 in the first period, but clinged to their one-goal lead.

Elliott, who was playing in his 100th game as a Blue Saturday, helped preserve it in the second period. He made a dazzling glove save on Colorado defenseman Nick Holden midway through the period; turned aside Alex Tanguay, the Avalanche's scoring leader this season with four goals, with 4:13 remaining in the period; and denied Cody McLeod on the doorstep with 18 second left.

After two first-period shots, the Avs managed a dozen in the middle frame, pulling even in momentum but not on the scoreboard.

When Tarasenko netted his second of the game 46 seconds into the third period, it appeared that he might have the "star of the game" wrapped up. But as it turned out, the Blues might have been thinking that they had the game sewn up.

Tarasenko and defensman Alex Pietrangelo weaved back and forth on the ice, with Tarasenko giving the puck and then crisscrossing in front of him in the offensive zone. Pietrangelo wound up for a shot and, on its way to Varlamov, Tarasenko gave it a new route with a deflection that put the Blues ahead 2-0.


A holding call against Magnus Paajarvi, who played on the Blues' top line with David Backes and Jaden Schwartz Saturday, gave the Avalanche their second power play of the game. The Avs capitalized on this one as Ryan O'Reilly buried a rebound following a shot by Nathan MacKinnon, shrinking the Blues' lead to 2-1 just 2:19 into the third period.

After the blanking Anaheim 2-0 Thursday, the Blues had surrendered their first goal in 118:52, dating back to Tuesday's game at Dallas.

A cross-checking penalty against Ian Cole then put the Avalanche back on the man-advantage and they cashed in again on a goal by MacKinnon. He

skated into the crease uncontested for his third goal of the season, assisted by former Blues defenseman Erik Johnson, who also assisted on O'Reilly's goal.

The teams were all square at 2-2, wiping out Tarasenko's efforts, with two blown penalty kills. The PK unit entered the night ranked 23rd in the NHL and will drop further after allowing at least power-play goal in six of the team's last seven games.

The Blues put Colorado back on the man-advantage when Ryan Reaves retaliated against John Mitchell, after the Avs center dished out a hit high on the enforcer. Reaves issued a cross-check, served his two minutes in the box, which the Blues escaped, but then he went to the locker room perhaps for an evaluation by doctors.

Reaves did not return, but after the regulation horn sounded, the Blues and Avalanche did, going to overtime. The Avs were 0-4 in OT this season and dropped to 0-5 when Elliott turned aside O'Reilly.

Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 11.02.2014


Elliott, Tarasenko lead Blues past Avs 3-2 in SO

November 1, 2014

Staff Writer

ST. LOUIS — Brian Elliott had to work overtime Saturday night and was up to the challenge.

Elliott made 27 saves in his 100th game with St. Louis and stopped all three shootout attempts to lift the Blues over the Colorado Avalanche 3-2 for their fourth straight victory.

"We didn't want to win in a shootout, but we got it done," Elliott said. "It's two big points and some more momentum to try and keep us going."

Vladimir Tarasenko scored twice for St. Louis. Tarasenko has six goals, including five in his last three games. He had his first career hat trick in a 4-3 win over Dallas on Tuesday night.

Tarasenko had dinner the night before with Colorado goalie Semyon Varlamov, his teammate on the Russian Olympic team. Although Tarasenko earned some bragging rights with his two goals, he was quick to point out that Varlamov had his moments as well.

"I was happy to score against him, but he made a good save on me in the shootout," Tarasenko said.

Joakim Lindstrom scored in the shootout for St. Louis.

Lindstrom played 16 games with Colorado in 2011-12 and was also familiar with Varlamov. He figured a quick shot was his best chance and he was able to beat Varlamov through the legs with a wrist shot.

"He's such a good goalie," Lindstrom said. "He's so good laterally, I figured I wanted to have a quick shot instead of trying to deke him."

Ryan O'Reilly and Nathan MacKinnon each had a goal and an assist for the Avalanche, who have points in six straight games (2-0-4). But the Avalanche were looking for more than a point.

"I think we played a heck of a hockey game," Matt Duchene said. "It (stinks) just to be coming out of it with one point. This one's going to sting."

Eric Johnson had two assists for Colorado against his former team and Varlamov stopped 27 shots.

St. Louis appeared to have the game under control when Tarasenko redirected Alex Pietrangelo's shot past Varlamov for his second goal 46 seconds into the third period to give the Blues a 2-0 advantage.

But just 6 seconds later, Magnus Paajarvi went off for holding and O'Reilly made the Blues pay by putting home the rebound of MacKinnon's shot on the ensuing power play to cut it to 2-1 at 2:19 of the third.

Ian Cole then went off for cross-checking and the Avalanche tied the game with another power-play goal at 5:13 as MacKinnon walked in front and beat Elliott with a wrist shot.

"In that third, we certainly felt like we had our backs against the wall," Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog said. "We had to go; we didn't really have the choice to sit back and wait. We had to go and we did and the power play came out big."

NOTES: O'Reilly's goal snapped a shutout streak of 118 minutes, 52 seconds by St. Louis. ... Colorado, ranked second in the NHL in penalty killing, has killed 20 straight penalties, including three on Saturday. ... St. Louis was happy to see the calendar turn to November. The Blues are 20-5-3 in November the last two seasons.

Belleville News-Democrat LOADED: 11.02.2014

755465 Tampa Bay Lightning

Garrison’s second NHL goal gives Bolts third straight win

NICK WILLIAMS


TAMPA — For a team cursed with bad luck when it comes to injuries this season, Jason Garrison has proven to be Tampa Bay Lightning’s lucky charm.

In a game that saw three ties and three lead changes, Garrison scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period, his second goal of the season and second in as many games, as the Tampa Bay Lightning held off the Washington Capitals, 4-3, before an announced crowd of 19,119 on Saturday night at the Amalie Arena.

Garrison’s first goal of the season, a power play goal in the final four minutes Thursday against the Flyers, proved to the be game-winner, with a final score of 4-3.

“It’d be a nice habit to have, but I don’t know how many more I’ve have left,” Garrison jokingly said. “Obviously, I’ve just hit two in a row.”

Ben Bishop finished with 35 saves in the net and Tyler Johnson had two assists, his 12th and 13th of the season, as Tampa Bay, the winners of three straight games, are now 5-1-1 when playing at home this season.

Two minutes into the third period, Garrison turned a long wrist shot from outside the circle off an assist from Steven Stamkos, through traffic, that skimmed low and in between Braden Holtby’s knees.

“Sometimes, you get lucky,” Garrison said.

Washington had a few shots at the net in the waning minutes, but could not penetrate Bishop, who is now 7-1-1. The Capitals outshot Tampa Bay, 38-28.

“That’s as lose as we’ve played defensively all year,” said Lightning coach Jon Cooper. “We gave up way too many scoring chances and it all came down to our puck management. We get the puck and we’re just one and done they’d come back the other way. It was a little discouraging. Not so much the first period, but the second and third our puck management hurt us a little bit and we needed (Bishop) to bail us out a couple of times.”

Forward Ryan Callahan’s return to the ice was immediately felt, with a redirect goal at 6:06 in the first period off an assist from Brian Boyle to give Tampa Bay a 1-0 lead. Callahan hadn’t played since Oct. 20 when he suffered an lower body injury at Edmonton.

“Yeah it’s good to get that,” Callahan said. “You know kind of early in the year coming back from injury, just to calm me down... it was a big goal for me.”

While Tampa Bay welcomed back Callahan, the Lightning’s battle with injuries continued with center Alex Killorn, who went to the locker room in the second period with an upper body injury and did not return. Cooper said Killorn, who had six and a half minutes on the ice in 10 shifts Saturday, may have aggravated a prior injury.

“I don’t think it was on anything where he got hit,” Cooper said. “He came in and tried to give it a go and couldn’t go.”

On Thursday, defenseman Andrej Sustr suffered an injury and was scratched from Saturday’s game.

“I bet you in seven or eight of (the 12 games we’ve played this season), we have not finished with the amount of players we started the game with,” Cooper said. “We have to find a way to get healthy here.”

Meanwhile, the line of Johnson, Nikita Kucherov and Ondrej Palat continued to shine, with Johnson finding Kucherov and Kucherov feeding Palat behind the net, who slipped in a wrist shot past Holtby to tie the game 2-2 at 9:29. Kucherov scored less than two minutes later off a pass from Eric Brewer that gave Lightning 3-2 lead.

“We’re playing pretty well right now,” Johnson said. “Obviously I’ve had some chemistry with (Palat) before, we’ve playing together for three years now, then Kuch just steps in. It feels like another three years with him. We’re

just trying to build off that and get better every game and I think we’ve done that so far.”

Washington’s Troy Brouwer scored a power play goal off an assist to Marcus Johansson to tie game, 3-3, late in the second period. Eric Fehr gave Washington a 2-1 lead at 2:11 in the second period on a wrist shot into other end of the net, rebounding off his own missed shot against the boards on Bishop’s right side.

“If we can play that well against Washington, have a close game, have that character win like we did and the entire team contributed in some way, I think that speaks volumes about our team but I like I said, it’s still early in the season and there’s still a lot to go,” Johnson said.

Tampa Tribune LOADED: 11.02.2014


Bolts Beat: Whistle, not ref intent, should kill plays

Erik Erlendsson

November 1, 2014

TAMPA — Every year, it seems the topic comes up in NHL circles about finding a way to help increase scoring.

Yet, it seems like the simple solution might be to actually allow more of the goals that go into the net to count.

The league did take a step in that direction during the summer when it opted to use a more liberal interpretation on pucks that are directed in by a skate with officials looking for a more defined “distinct kicking motion” when plays are reviewed in the NHL Situation Room.

Perhaps it is time to start looking at another rule that needs to go — the intent to blow the whistle.

According to Rule 78.5, apparent goals shall be disallowed “when the referee deems the play has been stopped, even if he had not physically had the opportunity to stop play by blowing his whistle.”

This just seems defeatist to take a potentially legitimate goal off the board because the official was about to blow the play dead, but never actually followed through with the act.

It happened twice this week on goals that were negated on plays that would have been quick whistles, let alone quick “intent” to blow a whistle.

On Tuesday, Tampa Bay defenseman Radko Gudas followed up as the trailer on a play and put a rebound shot past Mike Smith for what should have been a 4-0 Lightning lead. Not only did the official have a quick whistle, but he had a quick intent to blow his whistle, which he informed the Situation Room of when the goal went to review. No goal.

On Wednesday in Edmonton, Nashville appeared to score 1:35 into the game when Craig Smith put a rebound through Ben Scrivens. But the trailing official, who came in behind the shooter, had his whistle up, ready to blow, as the puck trickled into the net. No goal.

“Quick whistles, those are tough,” Lightning coach Jon Cooper said. “Look at ours the other night, that was a shot that never stopped going into the net, it just took time for it to cross the line because it did that whole wobble. I think we’ve got the technology, and we have smart people in place. We just have to get them all together and try to get those decisions right just in the sense that we are trying to fight for more goals in the league.”

So that begs the question, why is this rule still in effect? Get rid of it.

Isn’t the whistle supposed to be the signal that a play is dead? Why, on potential goals, is there a rule in place to call the play dead before the whistle actually calls the play dead?

I can see officials wanting to end a play quickly rather than let somebody take a handful of whacks at a goalie’s pads hoping to find the puck. But otherwise, this “intent” rule seems kind of foolish.

Couldn’t a goaltender claim the same thing and plead his case to the referee?

My intention was to catch the puck in my glove before it went into the net, so the goal should not be allowed.

Or how about a shooter, coming down the wing, whipping a shot off the crossbar and sending it out of play.

But my intention was to put the puck an inch lower and into the net, so it should count as a goal.

It makes no sense to allow this rule to stay in the books.

The whistle is what blows a play dead. Shouldn’t it be that way for all plays?



Callahan to return tonight for Lightning against Capitals

NICK WILLIAMS

November 1, 2014

TAMPA — Tampa Bay Lightning RW Ryan Callahan has missed the past five games due to injury but will make his return to the ice tonight when the Bolts host the Washington Capitals.

Lightning coach Jon Cooper said Callahan’s return couldn’t have come at a better time.

“It affects us in a positive way,” Cooper said. “Callahan is a heavier body and plays hard. I think when we lost (Callahan) and (J.T. Brown), (Alex) Killorn and (Brett) Connolly, guys up front, you lost guys, corner men if you want to call them, guys who play in the blue paint, so we were lacking that and now we’re slowly getting them back. That helps because that’s a part of our game that we were kind of missing.”

Callahan has not played since he suffered a lower body injury at Edmonton on Oct. 20.

“Trying to get back in the lineup, it’s been a few games now, so It’s good to get back and try to contribute,” Callahan said.

Callahan, who was signed to a six-year deal in the offseason, has five points in six games played (three goals, two assists). He’s skated with the team since the injury, but wanted to ease back into live action.

“You want to be out there but you have to take your time with injuries and make sure you’re ready to come back I feel good now and ready to go.”

Callahan skated on the first line Saturday morning with C Steven Stamkos and C Valterri Filppula.

“It’s just practice we haven’t played yet, but to play with two guys like that, that are talented, for me, I’m just going to try to get some pucks, get in front of the ne, create a little bit of havoc and let them do their work,” Callahan said.

While Callahan returns, defenseman Andrej Sustr (hand) will not play tonight. Mark Barberio will play instead.

Amalie Arena going “Pink” for Breast Cancer Awareness

Florida Hospital is officially turning the Amalie Arena “pink” tonight against the Capitals to raise awareness about Breast Cancer.

The first 10,000 fans arriving at the game will receive pink “thundersticks” that light up when being used. Fans will also be able to join the Pink Army and enter to win fun prizes including team autographed Tampa Bay Lightning pink hockey sticks.

During the game, Florida Hospital will enlist Lightning fans in the “Pink Army” and officially declare war on breast. The purpose of the event is to have fans enlist, get screened and donate to the cause. There are over 50,000 “Pink Army” soldiers across the state of Florida.

Lightning launch cell phones for soldiers

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be hosting a drive during the month of November for fans to donate cell phones to benefit the military beginning with tonight’s game against Washington.

The Lightning’s annual ‘Cell Phones For Soldiers’ drive encourages fans to donate their old cell phones anytime during the month at the McDonald’s Ticket Office at Amalie Arena. Individuals that donate their unwanted mobile phone will receive a ticket voucher for the Lightning’s game on Dec. 11 when the team hosts the Carolina Hurricanes.



Lightning beats Capitals

Joe Smith

Saturday, November 1, 2014 10:21pm

TAMPA — Veteran wing Ryan Callahan set a tone in his return Saturday with a slick first-period goal.

The second line of Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson and Nikita Kucherov continued to dazzle. And defenseman Jason Garrison picked up the winner on a wrist shot from the point just more than two minutes into the third period.

But the Lightning likely would not have pulled out its third straight win, 4-3 over the Capitals in front 19,119 at Amalie Arena, had it not been for goalie Ben Bishop coming up big with 35 saves, including many late.

" 'Bish' was our first star," Garrison said. "He always is."

Bishop had to be, considering the Lightning's bad puck management for the final two periods, in which it was outshot 25-13.

"That's as loose as we've played defensively all year," coach Jon Cooper said. "We gave up way too many scoring chances. It was a little bit discouraging. We needed Bish to bail us out a couple times, and that's what he did."

Callahan rejoined the top line after missing five games with a lower-body injury and picked up where he left off, starting the scoring six minutes in. He took a Brian Boyle pass and redirected it through his legs and past goalie Braden Holtby. But the Lightning (8-3-1) lost another player, with Alex Killorn suffering an upper-body injury in the second period and not returning.

"We've got to find a way to get healthy," Cooper said.

Midway through the first, Bishop had a scare when Capitals wing Eric Fehr ran him over after taking a shot from the left circle. Cooper said it didn't look like Fehr made an effort to avoid contact. Defenseman Radko Gudas came to Bishop's defense, getting taken down in a fight with 6-foot-4, 210-pound Tom Wilson. Gudas wore a protective mask over his face the rest of the game.

"Can't say enough about Radko," Bishop said. "He probably broke his nose. That means a lot, brings the team together."

The Capitals took a 2-1 lead early in the second period, with Alex Ovechkin snapping a career-long five-game pointless streak with an assist. But Tampa Bay scored twice in the period, with Palat and Kucherov each tallying a goal and Johnson picking up two assists. "(That line) had a fantastic game," Cooper said.

Washington's Troy Brouwer scored on a power play in the period's last minute to tie it at 3. Garrison broke the tie with his second goal in as many games. Steven Stamkos set it up by winning the faceoff. Garrison sent the puck through traffic, and Bishop made sure the lead held up.

"Three (goals) is enough," Bishop said. "Three is probably too many. I really wanted to close the door."

Lightning 1 2 1 4

Capitals 1 2 0 3

Lightning 1 2 1 4

Capitals 1 2 0 3

First Period—1, TB, Callahan 4 (Boyle), 6:06. 2, Wash, Johansson 4 (Ovechkin, Kuznetsov), 12:59. Penalties—Orpik, Was (boarding, roughing), 8:03; Killorn, TB (roughing), 8:03; Fehr, Was (goaltender interference), 10:13; Wilson, Was, major (fighting), 10:13; Gudas, TB, major (fighting), 10:13.

Second Period—3, Wash, Fehr 1 (Chimera, Carlson), 2:11. 4, TB, Palat 4 (Kucherov, Johnson), 9:29. 5, TB, Kucherov 5 (Brewer, Johnson), 12:12. 6, Wash, Brouwer 3 (Johansson, Backstrom), 19:01 (pp). Penalties—Killorn, TB (hooking), 5:33; Palat, TB (hooking), 18:34.

Third Period—7, TB, Garrison 2 (Stamkos), 2:27. Penalties—None. Shots on Goal—Wash 13-13-12—38. TB 15-6-7—28. PP opportunities—Wash 1 of 2; TB 0 of 2. Goalies—Wash, Holtby 3-3-1 (28 shots-24 saves). TB, Bishop 7-1-1 (38-35).

Tampa Bay Times LOADED: 11.02.2014


Capitals' Matt Niskanen a Lightning fan

Joe Smith


TAMPA — The Lightning couldn't be happier with the defenseman it landed on the first day of free agency, Anton Stralman.

But Stralman wasn't the only coveted defenseman Tampa Bay pursued. Matt Niskanen, 27, in town Saturday, said he considered the Lightning before signing a seven-year, $40.25 million deal with the Capitals on July 1.

Niskanen said he spoke with GM Steve Yzerman, coach Jon Cooper and a couple of Lightning players. Tampa Bay offered Niskanen a six-year deal. But with Niskanen taking a while to decide and Tampa Bay needing a right-shooting defenseman, the Lightning signed Stralman for five years and $22.5 million a couple of hours before Niskanen's deal was announced.

"It was intriguing, talking to Steve especially," Niskanen said. "I've heard good things about this place and the staff and the organization. I was kind of honored that they called and were interested."

Niskanen was especially impressed with Yzerman, a Hall of Famer and former Red Wings captain. "First of all, who he is, that catches your attention," Niskanen said. "But his demeanor and his honesty on the phone was pretty cool, I thought, for a guy in his position, his history."

EARLY NIGHT: C Alex Killorn suffered an upper-body injury in the second period and did not return, potentially reaggravating the issue that forced him to miss four games on the last road trip. Killorn tried to come back in the game but couldn't go. "I don't know if he tweaked something or pulled something, but I don't think it was on a (play) where he got hit," Cooper said. The Lightning doesn't play until Thursday.

STEPPING IN: D Mark Barberio, a healthy scratch in nine of the first 11 games, cracked the lineup Saturday night for the first time in 11 days, logging 17 minutes, 30 seconds of ice time. Cooper said Barberio, 24, has been partly the victim of the team wanting to go with a lefty and a righty in each defense pairing, with Barberio an extra lefty.

"With 'Barbs,' because he's been sitting out, I think naturally everybody puts a negative connotation on it, like Barbs isn't doing something right," Cooper said. "Barbs is doing things right. We just have a bunch of guys doing a lot of good things, so he's kind of been the odd man out."

D Andrej Sustr said he took a shot off a hand in the second period Thursday against the Flyers, but X-rays were fine and he hoped to play Thursday against the Flames.

FIRE POWER: The Lightning likes the dynamic of D Jason Garrison, who has a heavy left-handed shot, joining Stralman on the point on the first power-play unit. "He has one of the hardest shots in the league, if not the hardest," C Steven Stamkos said. "Having that double threat, teams can't cover both of us, and when they do, it's a four-on-two somewhere else. It's going to create open space for other guys, including myself. It's a pretty good weapon to have."

ICE CHIPS: RW Ryan Callahan and D Matt Carle were alternate captains. … LW Jonathan Drouin played 10:24 and was minus-1 with no shots.



Lightning Nuts & Bolts: Brian Boyle love karoke; Stamkos' dream day; Tyler Johnson on hockey talk

Joe Smith


Must-TiVO TV show: Game of Thrones was huge, but I can sit down and watch Friends or Modern Family for four hours.

What would be your goal song: We Didn't Start the Fire by Billy Joel. That's my go-to karaoke song.

Hidden talent: I do love karaoke, but don't know if I'm talented.

Favorite memorabilia: I have my first-goal stick. I remember (Hall of Famer) Ray Bourque signed a piece of paper for me when I was young, and I think I may have lost it that day.

Best part of being one of 13 children: Holiday parties.

Worst part of being one of 13 children: Probably sharing a bedroom with four brothers for an extended period of time. That was fun.

Favorite movie: Forrest Gump is always up there. Can't turn it off.

Last book you read: Probably my dad's, Six Months to Live (by Artie Boyle).

Dream come true

Noah Difilippo, 12, plays center in upstate New York, and his favorite player is Lightning C Steven Stamkos, so when he got to participate in the Make-a-Wish program, his wish was a no-brainer.

Difilippo, who has melanoma, joined Tampa Bay at practice Friday and was a special guest at Saturday's game against the Capitals. Stamkos took Difilippo for a VIP tour through the dressing room, which included a nameplate for Difilippo. The two got dressed and spent 30 minutes on the ice working on shooting drills (above), with Difilippo beating G Evgeni Nabokov on a breakaway with a backhand off the post.

"He's a playmaking center, so he can play on my line any time,'' Stamkos said. "He's 12 years old now, so in a few years he might be.''

Difilippo said the day was "maybe beyond" his wildest dreams. "It was really fun," he said.

For Stamkos, Difilippo was an inspiration. Difilippo, who had a Spitz tumor, has had four surgeries and is in remission, his father, Douglas, said.

"This made my day," Stamkos said. "To be able to see the smile on his face and see how happy his parents were and how much fun he was having, it rubbed off on every one in here and put a smile on everyone else."

From the fans

For C Tyler Johnson, who from present or past would you like to talk hockey with and what would you ask him?

Said Johnson: "Maybe someone from (a) long, long time ago, like Gordie Howe (right), how the game was or what their summer training was like, how they prepared. It's changed within even 10 years. I'd like to know when (a) long, long, time ago how it was."



Lightning takes patient approach with Drouin

Joe Smith


TAMPA — When touted wing Jonathan Drouin was dropped from the top line to the bottom lines last week, it was surprising.

It even inspired a popular hashtag by fans on Twitter: #FreeDrouin.

After all, Drouin, 19, had impressed in his first week in the NHL, forming good chemistry with Steven Stamkos on the top line and averaging more than 18 minutes in his first four games, all on the road. You saw why Drouin was rated the game's top prospect, from his stickhandling and playmaking to his competitiveness, plus poise beyond his years.

So when Drouin played just 22 minutes combined in his first two home games Tuesday and Thursday, including no action on the power play, it was a bit curious.

Coach Jon Cooper said Drouin played so much in his the first four games out of necessity, with Ryan Callahan and Alex Killorn injured. The plan all along was for Drouin, 2013's No. 3 overall draft pick, to be eased in. Cooper believed that by putting him on a lower line, it would take some pressure off. And as dazzling as Drouin is with the puck, Cooper wants him to play better away from it, including in his zone, which he has been pretty good at other than a bad turnover in Minnesota that led to a goal.

The rationale makes sense — not many 19-year-olds come into the NHL and play 20 minutes right away — though it's a tough to make a case that with Drouin's offensive skills, he should be shut out of the power play.

Give Drouin credit for handling it well: "It's not only me that's going through that stuff."

Drouin's best friend, Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon, played fewer than 11 minutes in three of his first nine games last season on his way to winning the Calder Trophy as top rookie. Ex-Lightning captain Dave Andreychuk recalled being a healthy scratch his second season with the Sabres, thinking Hall of Fame coach Scotty Bowman didn't want him to get too comfortable. Initially stunned, Andreychuk believed it helped him.

Stamkos played just 6 minutes in his home debut after being the top pick in 2008. "For me it was frustrating at times, especially early in my career when I wasn't playing that much," he said. "But you learn pretty quick that you don't really have much say other than what you do on the ice. (Drouin is) going to get his opportunity, and I'm pretty sure he's going to be a very good player in this league when he does."

Drouin seems like a perfect match for Stamkos, potentially becoming the type of partner Marty St. Louis was for so many years. Stamkos thinks they can be a great combo: "He's a playmaker. For me, as a guy who is known to score goals, down the road that's going to work out. Eventually it'll get to that point."

It's just a matter of time.



Matt Niskanen said Lightning was "intriguing" in free agency

Joe Smith


The Lightning couldn't be happier with the defensemen it landed on the first day in free agency, feeling Anton Stralman has been better than advertised.

But Stralman wasn't the only coveted right-shooting defenseman Tampa Bay pursued. Matt Niskanen, 27, arguably the top defenseman on the market, said Saturday he considered the Lightning before signing a seven-year, $40.25 million deal with the Capitals on July 1.

Niskanen said he spoke with GM Steve Yzerman, coach Jon Cooper as well as a couple Lightning players through the process, though he declined to elaborate on what offer he got from Tampa Bay. Tampa Bay signed Stralman for five years, $22.5 million.

"It was intriguing, talking to Steve especially," Niskanen said. "It comes down to pretty small things. I've heard good things about this place and the staff and the organization. I was kind of honored that they called and were interested."

Niskanen was especially impressed with Yzerman, the former Wings Hall of Fame captain.

"First of all, who he is, that catches your attention," Niskanen said. "But his demeanor and his honesty on the phone was pretty cool I thought, for a guy in his position, his history, just seemed like a real straight-shooter and real honest. I thought that was really cool from a guy of his stature."



Mark Barberio gets his shot in lineup, Ryan Callahan back

Joe Smith


For Lightning defenseman Mark Barberio, his season has been about patience.

Barberio, 24, was a healthy scratch for nine of the first 11 games, saying he just had to stay ready and wait for his chance. Tonight, Barberio will get one, in the lineup for the first time in 11 days, with D Andrej Sustr out.

Coach Jon Cooper said Barberio has been partly the victim of the team wanting to go with a lefty and righty in each pairing, with Barberio an extra lefty.

"With Barbs, because he's been sitting out, I think naturally everybody puts a negative connotation on it, like Barbs isn't doing something right, well Barbs is doing things right, we just have a bunch of guys doing a lot of good things, so he's kind of been the odd-man out," coach Jon Cooper. "It's tough, tough to get in. When your time gets called, like it is tonight, you've got to perform. It's a tough job to sit out for a week at a time and then get into play, but you have to have depth and you have to have guys that it's their role and their career right now, I don't anticipate that's going to stay like that for Barbs forever. But for right now, that's where he's at with us."

Sustr said he took a shot off his hand in the second period Thursday, but x-rays were fine and hopes to be back when the Lightning plays next on Thursday.

More stuff from the morning skate: RW Ryan Callahan is back in the lineup, returning to the top line alongside Steven Stamkos and Valtteri Filppula... The other lines are Palat-Johnson-Kucherov/Morrow-Boyle-Brown/Drouin-Namestnikov-Killorn. Cooper likes Killorn, a lefty-shooter, on the right side, saying he's played every forward spot for them. "He's got strength, he can protect pucks and he can see the ice, so he can do a lot of things," Cooper said. "Sometimes, coming off your off wing, if you get a step on a guy you have a really good chance to bring it into the middle for a scoring chance. But he's one of those guys that can play the off wing.".. Expect the Lightning to continue with the two defensemen on their power play, with Cooper liking to have the dynamic of a lefty (Jason Garrison) and righty (Anton Stralman) at the point..


755474 Toronto Maple Leafs

Leafs find right mix to surprise powerhouse Blackhawks: Feschuk

Dave Feschuk

Sat Nov 01 2014

If a Saturday night home game in the centre of the hockey universe is supposed to be a cultural sacrament of the highest order, the Maple Leafs hadn’t been offering up much in the way of personal sacrifice at the holy altar of late.

So when the Chicago Blackhawks arrived in town this weekend to partake in the Hockey Night in Canada festivities, it was hard to know what to expect.

Yes, the Leafs were in the midst of a two-game win streak, albeit with victories over Buffalo and Columbus, two reeling squads. But Toronto’s two previous home-on-Saturday spectacles this season hadn’t exactly showcased the Leafs in the fairest light. Already they’d been dominated in a 5-2 loss to the Penguins and a 4-1 loss to the Bruins. The former inspired a spectator to launch a Leafs sweater onto the ice. The latter featured a mocking chant from the Air Canada Centre rafters — “Let’s Go Raptors!”

It was after that dismantling that Leafs centre Nazem Kadri said he and his teammates might want to “start caring a little more.”

Maybe it was that simple. Or maybe it was a masterstroke of timely line-swapping by head coach Randy Carlyle. But three games since being embarrassed by the Bruins — and three games since Carlyle paired Kadri with Phil Kessel on Toronto’s first line — the Leafs have reeled off three straight wins, Saturday’s 3-2 victory over the Blackhawks the latest in the line.

The Kadri-centred, Kessel-flanked line — which produced a goal Saturday night and has five goals and eight assists in the three victories — is perhaps the biggest reason for the flash of success. It hasn’t hurt that Daniel Winnik has subbed in nicely for the injured Joffrey Lupul, the original choice as the complementary left winger, out indefinitely with a broken hand.

On Saturday it didn’t hurt that James Reimer put in a gutsy performance in goal, repelling almost everything that came his way as the Leafs were outshot 47-27. Certainly it didn’t hurt that, along with a goal from Kadri’s line, the Leafs got scoring with two other forward combinations on the ice.

“That’s what we needed — that spark (of a line shakeup),” said James van Riesmdyk, who scored an unassisted marker on Saturday, lately skating with centre Tyler Bozak and winger David Clarkson. “We just were kind of sputtering. We were playing some good hockey — not enough consistent good hockey. And now that we’ve switched up the lines it seems to be that spark where we seem to create a little more balance.”

For the first two periods the Leafs mostly played the Blackhawks to a possession-game saw-off. When Kadri scored the game’s opening goal — this with assists from Winnik and Kessel — the Toronto centre essentially ran over visiting goaltender Corey Crawford as he backhand-tipped Winnik’s pinpoint pass into the net’s top-right corner. It was a bit of genius in the trenches, a lot of skill mixed with just the right amount of recklessness.

Anyone with a clue who watches this team has always known this to be true: Kadri, the Leafs core forward with the most untapped upside, needs to emerge as the No. 1 centre if the Leafs ever expect to evolve out of their morass of sub-mediocrity. For a few games, at least, he has.

A night after Kadri was on the ice for all four of Toronto’s goals in Columbus, he got some help. After the Blackhawks went ahead 2-1 on goals from Brad Richards and Brent Seabrook, van Riemsdyk scored off an intercepted breakout pass to make it 2-2. It was van Riemsdyk’s 100th goal as an NHLer and his 100th point as a Leaf. It was also 100 per cent of what the home team required, a timely response — 64 seconds after Seabrook’s go-ahead goal — under Saturday’s hot lights.

Going back to last season, the Leafs had lost five straight Saturday home games, including a 4-2 loss to Winnipeg that all but extinguished any hope of a playoff spot during a franchise-trademark death march.

“The pressure of playing at home when things don’t go well, that’s the difference,” Carlyle said after that Bruins loss a week previous. “The first sign of adversity at home, it seems to multiply.”

A week later the Leafs faced adversity and made a game of it on the sport’s biggest night. The home team took a 3-2 lead a couple of minutes into the third period after Leo Komarov buried Chicago defenceman Johnny Oduya into the boards behind the net and fed Peter Holland in the slot for the five-hole one-timer that beat Crawford. And after that — well, let’s just say the ice tilted in the third. The Blackhawks outshot Toronto 26-7 in the final frame.

“We stuck with the game plan. We weren’t pretty,” said Randy Carlyle, the Leafs coach. “We can’t get too far ahead of ourselves here. We’ve won three in a row. So let’s be professional about it. Let’s prepare ourselves the right way . . . ”

Indeed, if Reimer hadn’t held firm against incessant waves of pressure the story would have been different. Toronto’s newly swapped lines suddenly didn’t look nearly as energetic in the dying minutes. Still, you could have said they looked like they cared more. Playing the second leg of a back-to-back — this while the Blackhawks had been laying in wait in Toronto — they held together just enough to emerge with two points. That’s a start. That’s a spark. How long the fire will burn is anyone’s guess.

Toronto Star LOADED: 11.02.2014


Maple Leafs surprise Blackhawks at ACC

Kevin McGran

Sat Nov 01 2014

It might have been a curious decision for Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle to go with James Reimer on Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.

But when 19,000 fans are cheering his name at the end of an impressive 45-save performance that backstopped a 3-2 Leafs win, it was the right decision.

“I definitely heard it,” Reimer said of the crowd’s chants. “With a minute left and facing a couple shots like I did in the third, it gave me a lot more motivation or energy. It definitely pumped me up, and I’m sure it pumped all the guys up.”

The Leafs are now owners of a tidy three-game win streak that includes two in a row at home. They head out on the road to Arizona and Colorado with their game in good shape.

Each of the top three lines — juggled after an embarrassing loss at home to Boston — contributed a goal Saturday night. Nazem Kadri, now the No. 1 centre, scored his second in two games. James van Riemsdyk, the true scoring threat on the second line, also scored. And Peter Holland, the No. 3 centre, netted the winner.

The goaltending, in particular, has come around after a questionable start. Jonathan Bernier had started five in a row — a decent 3-1-1 string that included a personal-best shutout streak of 110:05.

Carlyle loves to play the hot hand, but he also doesn’t like goalies to play back-to-back games. Bernier got the call Friday in Columbus — where the two points mean a bit more against an Eastern Conference rival. Reimer drew the tougher assignment, though, a Saturday home game against a Stanley Cup contender that was rested and ready to go.

“Our expectation is that both of our goalies can go in and play well enough to give us a win,” said Carlyle. “In reality, (Reimer) was the first star, simple as that. The way he played, the number of saves he made in the third period, quality saves. They had some point-blank chances. He stood tall to the task.”

For two periods, the Leafs played the kind of hockey Carlyle has preached. All of the lines — the fourth featuring Sam Carrick, called up Saturday to replace Joffrey Lupul on the roster and making his NHL debut — contributed to a hard forechecking effort.

When Holland scored early in the third, the Blackhawks onslaught began. Reimer held the fort, stopping 26 shots.

“I felt good to start the game,” said Reimer. “They had a good chance right off the bat. Definitely as the game progresses and you have a little bit of success and stop a few pucks — the more pucks you see and stop, obviously the better you feel.

“Obviously as the game went on I felt more and more comfortable.”

The challenge now is to keep the good times rolling.

“Our confidence is in a good place right now, winning three in a row,” said Reimer. “I think it’s one of those things where we weren’t all pulling on the same rope, for lack of a better word. We weren’t on the same page.

“Now we’ve kind of settled things down and started working together and are really buying into the systems, and so far it’s really paid off. Obviously you’re going to lose games and still play well, but the key is to play hard and well and obviously good things will happen then.”

Carlyle credits the players, who rebounded from that embarrassing home loss to Boston.

LEAFS WIN!!!!!!!!!!!!! #TMLtalk #ForTheWin #Reimer pic.twitter.com/Bhm17QKfo9

— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) November 2, 2014

“Basically, we had an agreement, enough was enough,” said Carlyle. “We couldn’t continue to go the way we were going in our performance against Boston. It was unacceptable.

“They took it upon themselves to prepare (properly). . . . We stuck with the game plan. We weren’t pretty. Our goaltender gave us a chance. That’s all you can ask of your team.”

There were a couple of other subplots. One was the first game for Carrick, a draft pick from 2010 who had his mother and bunch of other family and friends in the Air Canada Centre. He had a scoring chance and played well when he was out there for four minutes, 15 seconds, but drew a penalty that Chicago scored on.

“It was amazing, first game to be at home at the ACC,” said Carrick. “Words can’t really describe it. The best part about it was, we got the win.”

The other storyline was James van Riemsdyk facing his brother, rookie defenceman Trevor van Riemsdyk, for the first time. The entire family made the trip from New Jersey for the game.

“It definitely hits you how cool it is,” said James van Riemsdyk. “After that, you get over it pretty quickly and you play your game. It was a hard-fought game. We’ll take the two points.

“We play them again. I’ve got to make sure I win the season series.”



On night hockey fights cancer, ACC embraces teen fighting disease

Lauren Pelley

Nov 01 2014

Singing in front of almost 20,000 people is no easy feat.

For Carley Allison, the Canadian anthem singer at Saturday’s Leafs game, the challenge was even greater. The 19-year-old is battling double lung cancer, taking daily chemotherapy pills, and coping with changes in her voice after having a tumour — and part of her trachea — removed last year.

It’s no surprise her careful yet beautiful rendition of “O Canada” before the Leafs and Blackhawks game was met with thunderous applause throughout the Air Canada Centre.

“If I told myself a couple years ago that I was going to be singing at the ACC the national anthem, I’d be freaking out,” the petite Toronto singer said in her hotel room a few hours before the game.

Allison, who is also a figure skater and Leafs fan, was first diagnosed with an extremely rare type of cancer in February 2013: a clear-cell sarcoma in the trachea. Since then, videos of her singing after an emergency tracheotomy have been viewed tens of thousands of times. Allison later had the tumour in her trachea removed and was cancer free for almost a year, until learning this fall that the cancer had returned in her lungs. She is now taking some time off from her studies as a second-year student at Queen’s University to focus on her treatment.

The challenges of cancer haven’t stopped this young woman from sharing her voice, even in the face of fatigue and other side effects from her chemotherapy regimen. In September, Allison sang the anthem at the ACC for one of the Leafs’ pre-season games — an experience months in the making. She'd been first invited to sing at the final game of the 2012-2013 season by MLSE management at the request of Joffrey Lupul, who she’d met at a game in 2013, but her chemotherapy kept her from accepting the offer.

Allison’s appearance on Saturday was part of the NHL’s “Hockey Fights Cancer” awareness month. Coaching staff, broadcasters and team personnel wore special lavender pins and ties to mark the occasion. The rink boards at the ACC were lavender too, and a number of players used lavender-taped sticks during their pre-game warm-up which were later auctioned off.

Kids from Camp Trillium were also invited to watch the game in their own suite, and the childhood cancer support centre is receiving a $350,000 cheque from the MLSE Foundation for proceeds raised at the MLSE Team Up Challenge.

“It’s just such an incredible thing to be a part of (Hockey Fights Cancer) night,” Allison said.



Maple Leafs call up Sam Carrick

Kevin McGran

Sat Nov 01 2014

With Joffrey Lupul out indefinitely with a broken right hand, the Maple Leafs called up forward Sam Carrick from the Marlies on Saturday. They also returned defenceman Stuart Percy to the AHL club.

Carrick, 22, was available to play Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks in what would be his first NHL regular-season appearance. He has one assist and 13 penalty minutes in seven regular-season games with the Marlies this season and 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) in 88 career AHL games.

The Stouffville, Ont., native was a fifth-round pick by the Leafs in 2010.



VR vs. VR is OK

Mike Zeisberger, Toronto Sun

Sunday, November 02, 2014 01:31 AM EST

TORONTO - On this monumental evening for the hockey factory known as the Van Riemsdyk clan, pop Frans wasn't about to choose sides.

Here he was, having just watched sons James and Trevor face off against each other for the first time since they were battering the basement -- and each other -- with sticks as young boys back at home in Middletown, N.J., many years earlier.

And what a stage it was.

On one side, there was Trevor, 23, making his first appearance on Hockey Night in Canada and just 11th in a National Hockey League game.

On the other, there was James, 25, who had just scored his 100th career NHL goal -- and his 100th point as a Leaf, by the way -- in a dramatic 3-2 Toronto victory on Saturday night.

Now, about 30 minutes after the final horn had sounded, the three were posing for photos in the family reception area of the Air Canada Centre, Frans flanked by his two boys.

And, just like he had predicted a day earlier, dad was neutral, as symbolized by his headgear -- a baseball cap with the words "Original Six" on the front.

"It's my responsibility to keep the family together and make sure no fights break out," Frans van Riemsdyk said with a chuckle.

The smile on his face was omnipresent. And why not? In this instance, there were no losers. Indeed, on this occasion, his whole family was the big winner.

Of course, for the previous three hours, his gut had been rumbling due to nerves. And understandably so.

"It was tough too," Frans said. "On a night like this you are obviously excited, but nervous too. You want both to do well. You want both to win. Obviously that's impossible.

"After the game, your stomach is still churning a little bit."

For big brother James, who continues to show just how much the Leafs fleeced the Flyers in the 2012 deal that sent Luke Schenn to Philly, he had been pestered with questions in the days leading up to the game of how it would be to face his sibling in a National Hockey League game. In his mind, he already had created an image of the emotions that would hit him when the puck was dropped.

But when it was time to play hockey, well, it was a far different story.

"You think you know what it's going to feel like when you get out there. Then you get out there and it definitely hits you how cool it is," James admitted.

"But after that you get over it very quickly. It was certainly hard fought, back and forth. We'll take the two points."

And, for James, the satisfaction of beating the kid brother, as temporary as that might be.

"It definitely feels good," he said. "But we'll have another time here in a couple of months. I have to make sure we win the season series. But it definitely was a fun experience. One that I'll remember for the rest of my life."

What Hawks defenceman Johnny Oduya won't "remember" for the rest of his life -- heck, he was probably trying to wipe it out of his mind minutes after the game -- was the second-period brain drain in which he passed the puck in his own zone directly to James. Poor Hawks goalie Corey Crawford was probably trying to figure out which team Oduya was playing for after JVR accepted the gift and ripped it into the net, tying the game 2-2.

"That doesn't usually happen," James said. "Don't know if that was a miscommunication. I don't think we even had anyone on the forecheck.

"It's one you'll take and run with. Hopefully you'll get a couple of those every year."

As for family bragging rights, Trevor will get his chance for redemption on Dec. 21 when the Leafs meet the Hawks at the United Center, one of the toughest barns in the league for visiting teams to play in.

"Neither one of us likes to lose," Trevor said.

On this night, no one in the van Riemsdyk clan did, despite what the score might suggest.

Toronto Sun LOADED: 11.02.2014


Maple Leafs' Holland has hothand against Blackhawks

Terry Koshan


TORONTO - Peter Holland doesn’t care to know why the Chicago Blackhawks bring out the best in him.

The Maple Leafs centre is just glad it happens.

With his game-winning goal against the Hawks in the third period on Saturday night, Holland has four goals in four career games when the opponent is Chicago. Against the rest of the National Hockey League, Holland has seven goals in 75 games.

“I don’t know,” Holland said. “It’s one of those things where you just try to elevate your game for the good teams and I have got lucky in those games to score goals and find a way to get on the score sheet.”

Holland centred a line with Leo Komarov and Mike Santorelli, and the three were effective in the Leafs’ 3-2 victory.

Not nearly as effective as goaltender James Reimer, mind you, but the line forechecked with zeal when it was on the ice.

For Holland, it was a chance to take advantage of an opportunity he does not usually get. He played 15 minutes 50 seconds, easily his most ice time in one game this season.

“It feels good,” Holland said. “I have been an offensive guy in the past. Playing limited minutes is not something I’m used to. At the same time, when that does happen, I just try to embrace it and play to the best of my ability and try to make my line the best on the ice.”

On the winner, Komarov knocked over defenceman Johnny Oduya before feeding Holland, whose shot trickled through goalie Corey Crawford.

“I think I called for it,” Holland said, “but it happened so quickly Leo might have seen me before I got it out of my mouth.”

POINT SHOTS

Leafs coach Randy Carlyle on Komarov: “He won’t cheat you on effort and sacrifice.” ... Tyler Bozak will have several plays turning over in his mind. Twice Bozak had a pass on a 2-on-1 broken up, first by Brent Seabrook and then by Duncan Keith. Early in the second period, a pass from James van Riemsdyk went over Bozak’s stick as the latter drove to the net ... How is this for consistency? With his goal in the second period (which was unassisted thanks to a giveaway by Oduya), van Riemsdyk scored for the 100th time in the NHL and had his 100th point as a Leaf. At the same time, van Riemsdyk has 99 career assists ... Chicago defenceman Niklas Hjalmarsson came by his pay cheque honestly. He was cut in the face by the puck in the second period and in the third hobbled off the ice after blocking a shot ... Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf has cut down on his wildly high shots from the point. As such, his attempts are a lot easier for his teammates to try to deflect. Before, they were afraid they would take one of Phaneuf’s shots off the head ... We’re still of the mind the Leafs need a clear No. 1 goalie. But after Reimer’s performance, and with the way Jonathan Bernier played earlier in the week, Carlyle can’t go wrong with his choice for Tuesday’s game in Phoenix ... Following his NHL debut, Sam Carrick tipped his hat to his junior coach, Stan Butler. “I would not be here if I did not play four years with him (with the Brampton Battalion),” Carrick said. “He’s a defence-first coach.”

FROM THE HASH MARKS

When Phil Kessel played 12 minutes 39 seconds in Columbus on Friday, it was his lowest ice time in a single as a Leaf and lowest since Nov. 8, 2008, in a game for Boston against the Buffalo Sabres. The reason? “That’s the way it worked out,” Carlyle said. “We were saving him for (Saturday).” Okay, then ... Kessel has a total of 32 goals in the month of October in the past five seasons combined, tying him with Tampa Bay’s Steven Stamkos for the NHL lead in that span. Against Chicago, Kessel played 19 minutes 58 seconds ... Here’s what Matt Frattin has to mull as the Leafs head west for a two-game trip with visits to Arizona and Colorado: He has been usurped this season by a player making his NHL debut and player the Leafs had just picked up on waivers. On Saturday, Frattin was a healthy scratch because

the Leafs were more comfortable with the idea of using Carrick. On Oct. 11, after he played in the Leafs’ season-opener, Frattin was sent to the press box when the Leafs picked up Richard Panik off the waiver wire and sat for the next four games ... Carrick, who put forth an honest effort in the four minutes 15 seconds of ice time he had, is the third Leaf to wear No. 53 after Mike Kostka and John Pohl ... A fine performance of O Canada by 18-year-old Toronto native Carley Allison, who beat cancer in her trachea but now is fighting double lung cancer.



Leafs forward Joffrey Lupul out three weeks

Rob Longley


TORONTO - There will be no miracle quick recovery for Joffrey Lupul's broken right hand and it appears the latest fluke injury to the Leafs forward will keep him out of the lineup for at least three weeks.

Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said that Lupul was outfitted for a cast after the team returned from Columbus where the injury, which was sustained at practice on Thursday, was first diagnosed.

"We (are looking) at a three-week time frame," Carlyle said Saturday prior to his team's meeting with the Chicago Blackhawks at the Air Canada Centre. "He has a broken bone and has been casted.

"We're looking at about 10 days in the cast and then hopefully he'll be able to put a glove on and work back."

With the coaching staff clearly not pleased with winger Matt Frattin's play, the Leafs recalled Sam Carrick from the Marlies to take Lupul's spot on the roster on Saturday while defenceman Stuart Percy was returned to the AHL club.

SAM'S CLUB

Carrick got the news that he would be making his NHL debut in an unconventional way on Saturday.

It came in the form of a text from Marlies teammate Frazer McLaren, who noticed Carrick's stall was empty with the AHL team.

"He said, "Congrats buddy,'" Carrick said prior to his debut. "I didn't know what he was talking about. It's unbelievable. Growing up in Toronto it's every kid's dream to play for the Leafs. It still really hasn't settled in."

To help ease the nerves, Carlyle planned to keep his message to Carrick simple.

"I think you just kid with him a little bit and try to get him to relax,'" the Leafs coach said. "There's enough pressure and enough family members texting him in today's world that he'll have lots of encouragement from a lot of other people. For us it's about focussing what you can control and then go out and play."

As for Carrick's number getting called, Carlyle said the fifth-round pick from 2010 first caught management's attention during a strong training camp, in which he was a late cut, and continued with his play down with the Marlies.

Carrick began his NHL career on the Leafs' fourth line, playing centre between Richard Panik and Carter Ashton.

EASING DION

With an average of 21 minutes and 54 seconds on the ice per night through the first 10 games of the season, Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf is once again the team leader.

But Carlyle admitted there has been a conscious effort to limit those minutes, the reason he is down from last year's 23:33 average over the complete season.

"What we've tried to do is share more minutes more evenly," Carlyle said. "We said that we felt there was a threshold we would try to keep him underneath. Some games we have, some games we haven't.

"The addition of (Roman) Polak, the addition of (Stephane) Robidas, plus Cody Franson being here for a full training camp, our defence has been set from the beginning."

NO REST FOR THE ...

When Carlyle first seriously broke down the 2014-15 schedule, the game Saturday was one that stood out -- in a bad way. It was the team's third back-to-back of the season, one made worse by the fact that the Blackhawks had a complete day off in Toronto on Friday to rest.

"This is one of the schedule quirks that you are annoyed with when the opposition is sitting there last night waiting for you resting and you have to play," Carlyle said. "But that's what the life of an NHL schedule hands you sometimes and you have to deal with it."



No matter how hard Leafs' Lupul works, he can't stay healthy

Rob Longley

Friday, October 31, 2014 11:05 PM EDT

There was something that seemed different about Joffrey Lupul this fall, a player committed to be a leader and overcoming the disaster of last season.

He has talked about an improved off-season workout regimen and continued tinkering of his skating style with Leafs skating coach Barb Underhill.

At various times, you could see his drive and most recently, he was pumped at the prospect of staying on the same line as Phil Kessel as he showed in a nine-shot game Tuesday vs. Buffalo.

But the one thing that seems to be out of Lupul’s control is an ability to stay healthy, no matter how good he feels and how hard he works.

The fluke hand injury sustained in practice on Thursday is just the latest setback in Lupul’s star-crossed career. Since joining the Leafs on February 9, 2011, the winger has played in just 188 of a possible 250 games, or just under one out of every four possible starts.

The injury caught everyone around the team by surprise, including coach Randy Carlyle. On Thursday, Lupul managed to finish practice at the MasterCard Centre and was spotted in the Leafs dressing room afterwards.

Game On

With Lupul’s injury and Carlyle’s recent juggling, the line forms here to lobby the Leafs coach to be on Kessel’s line. Nazem Kadri was the latest beneficiary in a needed two-point night that included a set up of his new linemate and a perfect feed from him from a goal later on ... And how about Daniel Winnik, who was the emergency fill-in for Lupul and had a three-point night of his own ... Kessel sometimes gets skewered for his laziness, but besides the perfect pass he made on Kadri’s goal to bust the game open in the third, he showed some hustle. The play actually began with Kessel behind the goal line in the Toronto end. After a give and go with Winnik, he carried the puck into the Columbus zone, throttled down that waited till the most opportune time to feed Kadri ... Always a streaky player, Kessel now has goals in back-to-back games and six through 10 games, one more than over the same period last season. His three-point night also temporarily vaulted Kessel into the top five in league scoring ... You could almost feel former goalie Greg Millen wince in the Sportsnet booth when midway through the third period, play-by-play guy Paul Romanuk mentioned that Jonathan Bernier had never recorded back-to-back shutouts in his NHL career. As if on cue, the Halloween jinx was in effect and moments later Cam Atkinson put the Jackets on the scoreboard ... Bernier, who just couldn’t find the loose puck in his pads, had been stellar to that point including a pair of big second-period kick saves on Fedor Tyutin and Nick Foligno ... How big was the Leafs third goal, besides the confidence boost it may have added to Kadri? With a three-goal lead, Carlyle could expand his bench and rest some of his top players for Saturday’s home game against Chicago.

More Score

Great tip by David Clarkson for a Leafs power-play goal in the second period. Two keys on the play: 1. Dion Phaneuf took a little something off of his shot (something he doesn’t do often enough) to put it in defection range and 2. Skating backwards, Clarkson cleverly split the Jackets defence to get a good view and better position ... It was Clarkson’s third goal of the season. His third last season didn’t come until Dec. 21. In his first season with the Leafs, Clarkson had five goals in 60 games, now he has three in 10. It doesn’t hurt that Clarkson is averaging close to three minutes of power-play time a night ... Another example of why the Jackets had to find a way to sign Ryan Johansen. The big-game centre had over 22 minutes of ice time and led all players with 11 shots on goal ... Until Atkinson’s third-period goal, it was another big night for the Leafs penalty kill unit. Winnik was a part of that, but Leo Komarov was the engine, disrupting any flow for the Jackets. On the first three power-play attempts, Columbus managed just three shots on Bernier .... Opportunity will arise for several players in the wake of the Lupul injury. Peter Holland was one on Friday, getting some second unit power-play time and Carter Ashton saw his first action of the season ... How much does Carlyle trust and value defenceman Morgan Rielly? The

second-year blueliner was third in ice time for the Leafs, logging 20 minutes and 49 seconds.

Quick Hits

The Leafs will face a rested Chicago Blackhawks squad Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre. The Hawks flew to Toronto after Thursday’s game in Ottawa and did not skate ... Expect goaltender Corey Crawford, back from injury, to get the start in net vs. the Leafs ... Never seen a team get as many short-handed breakaways as the Leafs. Friday it was Tyler Bozak’s turn and he just missed, ringing a shot off the post ... How depleted were the Jackets, who were attempting to avoid a fourth consecutive loss? Columbus team president John Davidson said Friday that $30 million worth of salary was out of the lineup ... Kadri’s assist on the Kessel first-period goal snapped a six-game streak without a point.



Maple Leafs hold off surging Blackhawks

Rob Longley


TORONTO - It didn’t matter that it involved subjecting their goaltender to a third-period shooting gallery only to watch him single-handedly help secure the biggest two points of the season.

Nor did it matter that their legs had mostly abandoned them in the final 20 minutes and the victory was preserved on fumes.

In defeating the Western Conference powerhouse Chicago Blackhawks 3-2 on Saturday night at the Air Canada Centre, the Maple Leafs can and do feel good about themselves again, a drastic turnaround from seven nights earlier.

Yes, James Reimer was the undisputed first star, stopping 26 shots in the third period alone and 45 of 47 overall, helping to make the ACC the noisiest it has been in months for a hockey game.

And, yes, the Leafs can now pack a season-high three-game winning streak with them on the charter plane to the West next week for games in Phoenix and Denver.

Most importantly, though, they can breathe again, now that ownership of a 6-4-1 record has taken panic out of the equation.

“In a market like this you can feel the ups and the downs,” Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf said in a buoyant Leafs dressing room. “We weren’t feeling very good about ourselves about five or six days ago.”

After horrid Saturday night outings in losses to Pittsburgh and Boston, the Leafs had another unenviable assignment given they were finishing off a back-to-back that began Friday in Columbus. The Hawks, with all their firepower, were resting and waiting in Toronto.

So when utility centre Peter Holland gave the Leafs a 3-2 lead 2:21 into the third, Toronto coach Randy Carlyle knew the inevitable Chicago surge was just around the corner. It came in waves, over two power plays that included every type of save imaginable from Reimer.

There was a beauty pad save off of Patrick Kane, rebound after rebound from others and other than one shot that rang off the crossbar, none behind him.

“You know that the quality of team that they have and the amount of times that hockey club has found a way to get points after being down a goal (a rush is coming),” Carlyle said. “They’ve won two championships in the last five years. They’ve got championship pedigree behind them and they have talented players that are hard to contain.

“In reality, (Reimer) was first star, simple as that.”

That he was, though goals from Nazem Kadri — on another smart feed from Daniel Winnik and later James van Riemsdyk and Holland — gave the Leafs just enough offence. More importantly, there was big energy in the first, strong forechecking throughout and the effort that had gone missing in previous home contests.

With the thermometer lowered, Carlyle gave credit to his team for rising from the gloom of the 4-1 defeat to Chicago the previous Saturday. That the crowd responded to the effort didn’t hurt, either.

“You’d have to credit the players,” Carlyle said. “They basically had an agreement that enough was enough. We couldn’t continue to go the way we were going.”

While a victory Saturday wasn’t crucial, having a credible effort was and winning over the fans was a worthy goal. The Leafs certainly learned that effort and success are appreciated and it was easily the most energetic the ACC has been, as a wildly entertaining game unfolded.

Steady in the first two periods, Reimer was spectacular in the third, particularly during a three-minute stretch when the Hawks peppered him on the power play.

It was a far cry from the one and only previous time Reimer was in the net vs. the Hawks, back in his rookie season. That game saw the shell-shocked goaltender yanked by Ron Wilson after surrendering five goals on 19 shots, seven less than he faced in the third alone on Saturday.

“Any time you can beat a team like Chicago, who is one of the best and has a ton of skill and guys who work hard, it’s big for your confidence,” Reimer said. “For us to play that well against a team like that at the end of a back-to-back, it shows a lot about our character and the commitment we have in the room right now.”

Any of the players who have been around the Leafs for longer than a season or two know that highs are fleeting around the team and the lows devastating. So it may just be one big win after beating two struggling teams, the significance of Saturday’s effort may be felt down the road.

“Seven days ago, they were ready to get us out of the city,” said van Riemsdyk, whose second-period unassisted goal tied the game at 2-2. “I think you just have to stay even keeled. We know these games are over, so you just have to keep building and playing the same way.”



Toronto Maple Leafs’ win over Chicago Blackhawks shows they can be a successful team

Michael Traikos

Nov 2 12:02 AM ET

TORONTO — Every win counts for two points in the standings. At the end of the season, they are all the same. But this one felt different, said Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle.

Maple Leafs' James Reimer delivers stellar performance in win over Blackhawks

This one mattered a little more.

It’s one thing to beat up on the lowly Buffalo Sabres or take advantage of an injury-plagued team like Columbus Blue Jackets. It’s another to play on back-to-back nights and defeat the Chicago Blackhawks.

“They’re champions,” Carlyle said after the Leafs’ 3-2 win on Saturday night. “They’ve won championships twice in the last five years. So they’ve got championship pedigree.”

The Leafs do not have a championship pedigree. They don’t even have a playoff pedigree, which is why Saturday night’s win was so impressive.

This is the way that successful teams play. They control possession, get timely goals and timely stops from their goaltenders. They grind out wins when their bodies are tired and the odds are stacked against them. They play as a team.

Finally, the Leafs (6-4-1) are starting to look like one.

What a week can make. It was only last Saturday that Toronto had easily its worst game of the season in a 4-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. But since then, the Leafs have rattled off three straight wins and are back to playing the type of hockey that gives them a chance regardless of the opponent.

“Last week was a different feeling than this week, but I thought we did a good job of sticking with it and turning it around,” said Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf. “We weren’t feeling very good about ourselves five or six days ago and we really beared down and talked about it. We expected more out of each other and out of our team and we’ve shown that.”

“I think our confidence is in a good place now that we’ve won three in a row” said goaltender James Reimer, who made 45 saves. “I think it’s one of those things where we weren’t pulling on the same rope, for lack of a better word, weren’t on the same page. Now, we’ve kind of settled things down and started working together and really buying into the systems. And so far, it’s really paid off.”

The Leafs received goals from Nazem Kadri, James van Riesmdyk and Peter Holland. But it was Reimer, who stopped every shot he faced in a third period where the Leafs were outshot 26-7, who sealed the victory.

“In reality, he was first star. Simple as that,” said Carlyle. “The way he played and the number of saves he made in the third period and quality saves … they had some point-blank chances and he stood up tall to the task.

“This was a tough game to play when you’ve got the Chicago Blackhawks waiting for you, rested and you’re coming off a back-to-back. We stuck to the game plan. We weren’t pretty and our goaltender gave us a chance in the end. That’s all you can ask for in your team.”

With Joffrey Lupul out with a broken hand, the Leafs called up Sam Carrick from the minors and mixed up the forward lines. For the first two periods, Toronto matched Chicago shot-for-shot and at times dominated possession.

Kadri, who was once again playing on a line with Phil Kessel, made it 1-0 with his second goal in two games on a tic-tac-passing play from Kessel and Daniel Winnik. The Blackhawks went ahead with back-to-back goals on the power play. But with the score tied 2-2, Leo Komarov steamrolled Johnny Oduya behind the net and found Holland in the slot for the game winner.

“I’ve always been kind of an offensive guy, so it’s nice to contribute tonight,” said Holland, who picked up his first goal of the season after being elevated to the third line.

“I think we did a great job,” said Komarov, who has seven assists. “I don’t know if it was the best game, but we keep going well every game and some nights you get bad luck and some nights you get a better game … this was a big win.”

National Post LOADED: 11.02.2014


Toronto Maple Leafs’ James Reimer delivers stellar performance in win over Chicago Blackhawks

Stephen Whyno

Nov 1 11:40 PM ET

TORONTO — Usually able to block out crowd noise or ignore it, James Reimer heard the fans loud and clear. With 61 seconds left, they were chanting his name after he made his 43rd save of the night.

Five things the Toronto Maple Leafs should be worried about

Reimer stopped two more in the final minute to get to 26 in the third period alone and 45 overall as he backstopped the Toronto Maple Leafs to an impressive 3-2 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday night at Air Canada Centre.

“He was first star, simple as that,” coach Randy Carlyle said of Reimer. “They had some point-blank chances and he stood tall to the task.”

This, the Leafs’ third straight win, had them feeling good after two strong periods against one of the NHL’s most intimidating opponents and one in which they leaned heavily on Reimer.

“We know they’re obviously a powerhouse team in this league,” said centre Peter Holland, who scored the game-winning goal 2:21 into the third period. “You’ve got to give them a good game if you want to stay in it. I thought we got away from it in the third period a little bit, they started shelling our goalie, but he was there to back us up.”

Reimer gave up a pair of power-play goals, one in each of the first two periods to Brad Richards and Brent Seabrook. The Leafs (6-4-1) got goals from Nazem Kadri and James van Riemsdyk, and from there Reimer shut the door.

Seemingly at his best under siege in the third period, Reimer made sprawling saves on the penalty kill at one point after a shot hit the cross-bar and was stellar amid a flurry of activity in the crease later. Reimer kept telling himself to relax.

“It’s one of those things where obviously the tendency is to get really hyped up and try and work too hard or over-work,” he said. “The thing is just to stay calm and stay in peace but still keep that competitiveness up to try and fight through the traffic.”

After keeping things fairly even for the first two periods, the Leafs were outshot 26-7 in the third. On the edge of losing the lead, Reimer was rolling.

“His composure’s the biggest thing of why he’s able to handle that workload and the pressure that’s put on him,” Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf said. “He was a difference-maker for us tonight, and I can’t say enough good things about the way that he played. Right from the drop of the puck he kept us in the game. We did a lot of good things, too, but when we needed him he was there.”

Chicago coach Joel Quenneville thought the third period was one of his team’s best of the season so far. He agreed with Phaneuf that Reimer was the difference.

“Had the chances, opportunities, missed a lot of tip shots, as well,” Quenneville said. “You play like that you’ll find a way to score goals.”

In goaltender Corey Crawford’s first start since Oct. 18 after being out with an upper-body injury, the Blackhawks (6-4-1) lost for the fourth time in six games.

“You don’t win, obviously there’s cause for concern,” winger Patrick Kane said. “Try to regroup here, we’ve got a big one tomorrow obviously going home playing Winnipeg, a division game, hopefully our fans give us a little bit of a boost and we can regroup.”

While the Blackhawks return home to face the Jets, the Leafs will take a day off before travelling west for a two-game road trip against the Arizona Coyotes and Colorado Avalanche.

Having won three in a row, the Leafs are feeling much different than they were a week ago after a humiliating performance at home against the Boston Bruins.

“We couldn’t continue to go the way we were going, and our performance against Boston was one where in our minds and in their minds was unacceptable,” Carlyle said.

The Leafs took care of business against the lowly Buffalo Sabres and then beat the banged-up Columbus Blue Jackets. Saturday night was a major test with the Blackhawks in town, and they were up to the challenge.

“For us to play that well against a team that good at the end of a back-to-back, I think it shows a lot about the character and the commitment we have in our room right now,” Reimer said.

In addition to Reimer’s brilliance, the Leafs needed timely offence. Van Riemsdyk’s goal was the 100th of his career and 100th point with the Leafs and came in his first-ever game against brother Trevor, a rookie defenceman for the Blackhawks.

Holland’s goal was his first of the season but fourth in four career games against Chicago.

“I seem to be a bit of a Blackhawk killer,” Holland said. “I don’t know. Just try and elevate your game against good teams.”



Toronto Maple Leafs’ Joffrey Lupul will miss three weeks with broken bone in hand

Stephen Whyno

Nov 1 6:26 PM ET

TORONTO — Joffrey Lupul will miss roughly three weeks with a broken bone in his right hand, Toronto Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle said on Saturday.

Leafs’ Joffrey Lupul may not be injury-prone, but he is definitely accident-prone

Lupul will wear a cast on his injured hand for a minimum of 10 days before he can put a glove back on it and get some mobility back, according to Carlyle, who added the winger won’t go on the team’s upcoming road trip.

With Lupul out, the Leafs recalled forward Sam Carrick from the American Hockey League’s Marlies, and he’s making his NHL debut Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks.

Carrick, 22, was a fifth-round pick of the Leafs in 2010 and was noticeable in the pre-season and then in seven games in the minors.

“We thought he made a strong impression at training camp and with his play with the Marlies,” Carlyle said. “What we’ve tried to do is always make a statement that if you go down and play well, you’re going to be recognized and we’re going to give you the opportunity when it presents itself and we’re going to bring up the best player.”

Lupul’s absence means the Leafs have to shift things around with their lines. Daniel Winnik, David Clarkson and Peter Holland will be counted on to pick up the slack.

Carrick slides in on the fourth line and is expected to see some penalty-killing duties while with the team.

“It’s all about opportunity,” Carrick said. “I think that’s one of the things that I take pride in is being a hard guy to play against on the penalty kill. That’s what they told me coming in here — they thought I did a good job in pre-season at that. I just need to keep on doing it.”


755486 Washington Capitals

Postgame: After a third straight loss, Capitals find ‘it’s very difficult to try to stay on course’

By Alex Prewitt November 2 at 12:00 AM

TAMPA – He had begun preaching the same concept of patience throughout the past week, safeguarding against the inevitable onset of frustration, and now, as the Washington Capitals suffered their third straight defeat, Coach Barry Trotz would try again. “I can guarantee I’m not very happy we haven’t won the last couple games,” he said, “but at the same time I want to keep it even-keeled.”

The same challenge had confronted Trotz’s players moments before, when those left inside an otherwise empty dressing room tried to explain a 4-3 loss to the Lightning, which in turn seemed reflective of this slide altogether. How, the Capitals wondered, could they keep blasting pucks at opposing goalies, keep holding teams under 30 shot attempts, keep killing penalties, keep succeeding on the power play, and still sink to .500, 10 games into Trotz’s first season?

“It’s very difficult to try to stay on course when frustration’s setting in a little bit,” said forward Troy Brouwer, who scored for the second straight game. “We’re doing a lot of the right things … When you’re not winning, it’s tough to focus on the positives, but that’s what we need to do.”

So first, the positives. Eric Fehr slammed a shot off the back wall, gathered the rebound and squeezed the puck past 6-foot 7-inch colossus-in-net Ben Bishop. Trotz had scratched Fehr vs. Detroit, one game after moving him back onto the top line. Trotz brandishes ice time like a battle axe, hoping the demotion would light a flame beneath Fehr, which it did.

Alex Ovechkin also found his first point since mid-October, a superhuman effort in which a Lightning stick tripped Ovechkin to the ice, yet he somehow managed to flail the puck off Bishop’s pads and toward Marcus Johansson, who with the ensuing goal exceeded his even-strength total from 2013-14. A sprawling backcheck later saved a two-on-one breakaway, precisely the defensive zone effort Trotz wanted from his captain.

“I want to say I’m looking for the right combinations, but at the same time you’re getting 30 scoring chances a night, that’s pretty good,” Trotz said. “Sometimes you look for 15 and tonight we generated lots. Didn’t generate enough goals to win the hockey game. But we had three goals. We shouldn’t won that hockey game scoring three goals.”

So, next, the negatives, beginning with the opposite end, where Trotz felt Tampa goals were “coming way too easy.”

Back to the net in the first period, Ryan Callahan redirected a centering pass between his legs, then between Holtby’s. Behind the net in the second, Nikita Kucherov deked Holtby, who thought Kucherov would wrap around the net, but instead passed strong side to Ondrej Palat. Kucherov later tipped in Eric Brewer’s shot from the point, and less than three minutes into the third period, Jason Garrison won the game by ricocheting a blast off center Nicklas Backstrom’s skate.

“He made some good saves, but the goals were a little bit easy,” Trotz said. We’ve got to have those. There was one that was tipped. There’s nothing you can do about that, those high tips. The other ones, he’s got to have those.”

And the Capitals felt they should have emerged with a victory, or at least a point scraped together through overtime. Entering Saturday, Washington held leads in four of five losses, stalking the kill shot which never came.

“The worst thing you can do as a team is focus on the negatives, and for us the positives are we’re playing well,” Brouwer said. “We’re getting good opportunities, we’re just not converting on them. We’re not putting teams away when we have the opportunity and we’re letting teams back into it. If we find a way to finish our chances, step on teams when we’re ahead, we’ll be a really good team in this league. But we have to learn how to do that. We’re trying hard but it’s just not there yet.”

Washington Post LOADED: 11.02.2014


Capitals at Lightning: Game 10 discussion thread

By Alex Prewitt November 1 at 5:52 PM

TAMPA — The Washington Capitals (4-3-2) entered November, their second month of their first regular season under Coach Barry Trotz, on a two-game losing streak, most recently recoiled by three turnovers at home vs. Detroit. Now, they get the Atlantic Division’s second-place squad, a Tampa Bay Lightning (7-3-1) team getting healthy and revamped in the third game of a four-game homestand.

“They push the pace,” Trotz said of the Lightning, who have won four of five. “Transitionally, they’re very, very good. … Lots of talent, lots of speed. They’re getting good goaltending from [6-foot-7-inch Ben] Bishop. He’s an absolute giant in the net. Playing a very, very fast game. That’s what stands out. Transitionally, they’re quick. They’ve got multiple weapons. Not just Steven [Stamkos].”

Of course, Stamkos and Washington counterpart Alex Ovechkin will be the primary draws, as the NHL’s top two goal-scorers since 2008-09, Stamkos’s rookie season. With Ryan Callahan back from a lower-body injury, Stamkos will center Tampa Bay’s top line. He and Trotz worked together plenty with Team Canada at the world championships, so Stamkos knew what the new Capitals regime would bring.

“I think they’re going to be a little more structured than they have been in previous years,” he said. “They’ve always had the skillset, but with Barry Trotz as the coach, he’s a pretty structured guy. Likes to play the game smart, and he’s always had one of the better defensive teams when he was in Nashville. You have to expect that.”

The lines, scratches, goaltending matchups, injuries and links are below. The puck drops circa 7 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. The Capitals scoot from town rather quick, back to Verizon Center on Sunday evening for the back-to-back against Arizona.

LINES

Forwards

Alex Ovechkin–Andre Burakovsky–Joel Ward

Marcus Johansson–Nicklas Backstrom–Troy Brouwer

Jason Chimera–Evgeny Kuznetsov–Eric Fehr

Jay Beagle–Michael Latta–Tom Wilson

Defensemen

Brooks Orpik–John Carlson

Karl Alzner–Matt Niskanen

Nate Schmidt–Mike Green

Scratches

F Liam O’Brien

D Jack Hillen

GOALTENDING MATCHUP

Braden Holtby (3-2-1, 2.25 GAA, .907 SV%) vs. Ben Bishop (6-1-1, 2.39 GAA, .911 SV%).

Holtby, who has not faced more than 29 shots in any game this season, is 3-1-1 lifetime vs. Tampa Bay, though he has allowed 12 even-strength goals and five power-play goals in six games. Bishop, meanwhile, has struggled against the Capitals with a caeeer 4.48 goals against average, higher than any other foe. He only faced Washington last season, allowing five goals in a shootout loss.

INJURIES

F Brooks Laich (shoulder)

D Dmitry Orlov (wrist)*

F Aaron Volpatti (neck)*

D John Erskine (neck)**

*long-term injured reserve

**injured reserve



In Tampa, all eyes on goal-scorers Alex Ovechkin, Steven Stamkos


TAMPA – Noah Difilippo, age 12, plopped into the front row inside the Amalie Arena home news conference room, directed there by Lightning Coach Jon Cooper. A Make-a-Wish participant battling melanoma and a forward on his upstate New York hockey team, Noah had already enjoyed a VIP dressing room tour and on-ice shooting practice with his favorite player, center Steven Stamkos. Now, Cooper offered Noah first crack at asking a question.

“Anything you want,” Cooper encouraged. “Say, ‘You’ve got Ovechkin and Stammer going against each other. How do you feel about that?’”

Rather than repeat, Noah answered. It should be a good game, he said, which Cooper felt was perfect. Since 2008-09, Ovechkin and Stamkos rank first and second among NHL goal-scorers, with 264 and 241, respectively. No one else is within 20 of them.

So, naturally, most attention aimed toward Saturday night’s star-studded matchup here in Tampa, between a streaking Lightning club (7-3-1) having won four of five, and Coach Barry Trotz’s Capitals, losers of three of four.

“They’re both worth the price of admission,” Trotz said. “They bring you to the edge of your seat and when they get the puck you go ‘okay what’s going to happen?’ There’s a chance to score every time. That’s the gift they have. I don’t think I want to take away anything from a player like that, if it was Steven Stamkos or Alex Ovechkin. They’re the faces for the franchises, really.”

Yet while Stamkos recorded three points in three games thus far, Ovechkin is stuck inside a five-game point drought, the longest of his career. But both will skate beside relatively new lines when the puck drops. Trotz recently moved Andre Burakovsky, the 19-year-old rookie, and Joel Ward onto the top line, hoping to jumpstart Ovechkin again. Stamkos moved from wing to center at Tampa Bay’s morning skate, a tweak Cooper made to accommodate Ryan Callahan, returning from a lower-body injury which has sidelined him since Oct. 20.

“We’ve done a lot of line juggling through the first month of the season with different players in and out of the lineup,” Stamkos said. “It’s been a little bit of a challenge to create some chemistry, but I think it’s on us as players when we’re in situations like that to try to put the best fit together on the ice, to go out and do our thing.”

Trotz, who worked with Stamkos on Team Canada during the world championships, lauded his “hockey IQ,” “skill level” and “willingness to learn the next thing, find the next thing,” attributes the first-year Capitals bench boss has also ascribed to Ovechkin. Earlier, Stamkos praised Ovechkin’s shot volume, even though Stamkos leads the NHL with 48 attempts this season and Ovechkin’s recent slide bumped him to 12th.

“He’s got one of the best shots in the league,” Stamkos said. “He plays that physical game which gets himself in position to shoot. For him, he shoots a lot. For me, that’s something maybe I’ve got to get in my game a little more, to have that shoot-first mentality and have a little more trust in my shot. The more shots you get in a game, the better chances there are that one of them’s going to go in. He’s the kind of guy who gets in areas where he can utilize his shot. That’s something I definitely pay attention to.”



Michael Latta settling into fourth-line center role


TAMPA – As the Washington Capitals trickled onto the Amalie Arena ice for morning skate Saturday, Coach Barry Trotz approached rookie Liam O’Brien. Trotz offered a few words. O’Brien nodded. He understood the situation. Someone, after all, needed to get scratched.

With Tom Wilson still readjusting to NHL speed after offseason ankle surgery, and Michael Latta and Jay Beagle offering both strong faceoff abilities and penalty kill acumen, O’Brien found himself the odd-man out for the single-game road trip in Tampa. He had started all nine prior games, each one adding to the incredible journey which launched him from rookie camp invitee to lineup regular. It was and will continue to be, Trotz said later, a tough decision.

“I think it all plays out,” Trotz said. “There’s not anybody they can point to and say you’re definitely not going really well in that group. That group has been one of my most consistent groups, which I like the fact Liam and Latts and Wilson the other day, and when Beags was there, he was good. I haven’t had any problems in the fourth line. Just got to make sure I get production out of the top three lines. That’s going to be key for us.”

As Brooks Laich recovers from a recent shoulder injury, O’Brien soon might find himself assigned to Hershey, exempt from waivers on his entry-level contract. He has been a revelation for the Capitals, a boon for the scouting department, but the logjam at forward will soon thicken. And while Wilson may move up the lineup – or even return to Hershey for further conditioning – Latta has carved a perfect spot for himself centering the fourth line.

“I think he’s more comfortable at center,” Trotz said. “I think that’s where he belongs in terms of a role, and I think he can have quite good a career if he accepts that and continues to do the things he needs to do. He gives you a different element. He’s a good faceoff guy. He can actually produce in the middle there. He’s gritty, can get people off their game. That’s what you want there. He can kill some penalties. There’s a lot of elements he can bring, as long as he continues to bring them.”

The numbers support Trotz’s praise. In six games, first at right wing then later in the middle, Latta posted an even-strength Fenwick-for of 59 percent, meaning that when he skates, the Capitals enjoy nearly three-fifths of unblocked shot attempts. His faceoff win rate is just 44 percent, but Latta has only taken 25 draws, as many as Joel Ward. And in shorthanded situations, Latta’s Corsi-against – a measure of shot attempts, unblocked or blocked – leads all Washington forwards, according to War on Ice.

“It’s nice, jumping in and out of the lineup, starting on right wing,” Latta said. “It’s nice to have that. . . . I don’t want to say cemented down. . . but it’s nice to be continuously in that role for a few games, get comfortable with it.”

Though more changes may soon face the fourth line, Latta pushed for stability among a relatively inexperienced group, one which hasn’t caused much worry or headache for Trotz, particularly in the middle with Latta.

“Fourth line scores, you should win the game,” Latta said. “That’s what everyone says. If we can chip in offensively, not be a liability out there, and bring energy, fight, hits, goals, possession, whatever it is, that’s what we do.”

NOTE: Scratching O’Brien left the Washington’s top three lines intact from recent practices. Alex Ovechkin, Andre Burakovsky and Ward form the top line; Marcus Johansson, Nicklas Backstrom and Troy Brouwer on the second; Jason Chimera, Evgeny Kuznetsov and Eric Fehr on the third. Braden Holtby will start against the Lightning, with Justin Peters getting the back-to-back’s latter game at home Sunday vs. Arizona.



At career-high five games, points drought not weighing on Alex Ovechkin

By Alex Prewitt November 1 at 11:22 AM

TAMPA – As the third period Wednesday night chugged along and victory gradually slipped from the Washington Capitals’ grasp, Alex Ovechkin grew mad at himself. Still no shot had found the net, a drought which later reached its fifth straight game, the longest of Ovechkin’s career. Turnovers spiraled the Capitals. They needed a goal. They needed their captain, in the moment he always relished.

“That kind of position, that kind of situation,” Ovechkin said, “you have to create chance for yourself or for your partners, especially 5-on-4, when the puck is sliding to you, you have to just hit it and it has to go in.”

Of course, burdening Ovechkin with Washington’s second straight 4-2 loss would be unfair, not unlike the way season-wide failures might get dumped onto his shoulders, but the production Ovechkin demands of himself – the same production most expect from him – arrived in Tampa on Halloween night searching for a single spark.

“All we need is one goal and I’m pretty sure, everybody, when they score one goal, they feel pretty good about themselves,” Ovechkin said. “It’s something, lucky bounce or something like happen in the line, you just feel energy and everybody play differently. We just need the same.”

Ovechkin talked Friday morning for nearly five minutes, holding court longer than usual. He praised new right winger Joel Ward. “A tremendous player,” Ovechkin said. He praised new center Andre Burakovsky, the 19-year-old rookie who Ovechkin predicted would one day become “a leader in this group.”

Still most attention, as Ovechkin had learned over a career spent inside the hockey world’s Petri dish, would focus on the points drought. He had begun the past two practices before most teammates, practicing the trademark one-timer. His shot differential numbers remain off the charts – over three-fifths of unblocked attempts at even strength tilt in Washington’s favor when Ovechkin skates – which suggests the streak might soon end in explosive fashion.

The question is when?

“I’m pretty sure if you take last game, how we play, how our line play, we had good chances in first and second, then third period, we make one mistake in our zone, it cost us a goal, cost us the game,” Ovechkin said, referring to Burakovsky’s costly turnover which led to Detroit’s game-winning goal. “One bad bounce, one big mistake, and that’s it. Your line goes down. One lucky bounce, one lucky play, your line goes up. Everybody play well and everybody happy. It’s going back-to-back-to-back all the time.”

Without longtime linemate Nicklas Backstrom, Ovechkin has also been forced to handle both the no-points frustration and acclimating himself beside Ward and Burakovsky. But Coach Barry Trotz kept the new groups mostly intact even after losing to the Red Wings, stagnancy the Capitals didn’t enjoy following defeats in Edmonton and Vancouver.

“Of course you feel more comfortable when you know exactly who you’re going to play with,” Ovechkin said. “It’s not like one day you’re skating with one guy and second day you’re skating with another guy. That’s total different situation, total different position.”

Trotz also continued to laud Ovechkin for his work beyond scoring points and handing assists. Asked about a shot Ovechkin blocked off his hand in Calgary, which at the time appeared to cause discomfort and later swelling, Trotz defended asking his star player to slide on the ice and clog shooting lanes. He also didn’t rule out adding more padding, much like the Capitals did with defenseman Mike Green, so Ovechkin, tied for the team lead among forwards with seven blocked shots, could reduce the risk.

Still, like everything, it all returned to the points.

“If he’s taking a couple those, we may change something equipment wise,” Trotz said. “To play the game the right way, you get criticized for a lot of things, but you can never get criticized for playing the game the right way. I hear both sides. What if he gets hurt? You can’t play the what-if game. You have to play the game.

“Right now he’s a little bit dry on scoring. He keeps shooting, I am guaranteeing you he’s going to score. He had 13 cracks at it last game in terms of getting pucks on net. I said you’re no different than a golfer. Right now you’ve two-putted a couple times. That’s okay. Just work on getting that muscle memory back. He’s skating well, he’s playing hard, he’s doing all the right things. You do the right things long enough, you’re going to get rewarded.”



Capitals’ rough road continues with loss at Tampa Bay

By Mark Didtler - Associated Press - Saturday, November 1, 2014

TAMPA, Fla. — Jason Garrison scored the tiebreaking goal in the third period and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Washington Capitals 4-3 on Saturday night.

Tampa Bay, which also got goals from Ryan Callahan, Ondrej Palat and Nikita Kucherov, has won five of six. Tyler Johnson had two assists, giving him 13 over his last nine games.

Marcus Johansson, Eric Fehr and Troy Brouwer scored for the Capitals, who have lost four of five. Alex Ovechkin had an assist to snap a five-game point drought, the longest of his career.

Steven Stamkos won a faceoff, sending the puck back to Garrison, who gave Tampa Bay a 4-3 lead 2:27 into the third.

After Palat scored at 9:29 of the second, Tampa Bay went up 3-2 when Kucherov tipped Eric Brewer’s shot past Braden Holtby just 2:43 later.

Brouwer pulled the Capitals even at 3 during a power play with 58.4 seconds remaining in the second.

Right after Kucherov hit the post, Fehr put the Capitals up 2-1 from just above the goal line at 2:11 of the second.

Callahan, back in the lineup after missing five games due to a lower-body injury, opened the scoring with a nifty redirection between his legs off Brian Boyle’s pass 6:06 into the game.

Less than a minute after Holtby made in-close saves on Callahan and Valtteri Filppula during a Tampa Bay power play, Johansson tied it at 1 with 7:01 left in the first on a rebound after Ben Bishop stopped a shot by a tripped-up Ovechkin.

NOTES: Stamkos (218) and Ovechkin (208) top the NHL in goals since the start of the 2009-10 season. … Ovechkin has gone six games without a goal. … Ovechkin has 37 assists and 72 points in 55 games against Tampa Bay. … Tampa Bay C Alex Killorn left in the second with an upper-body injury. … Washington C Brooks Laich (left shoulder) missed his fifth straight game. … Lightning D Andrej Sustr (right hand), hurt in Thursday’s game against Philadelphia, didn’t play. He was seen flexing the hand at times during the morning skate. … Capitals LW Aaron Volpatti (neck) continues practicing with the team.

Washington Times LOADED: 11.02.2014


Ovechkin goalless as Caps lose to Lightning, drop third straight

November 1, 2014, 11:00 pm

Staff

Post-game analysis of the Capitals’ 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday night at Amalie Arena in Tampa:

How it happened: The Capitals managed to score three goals for just the second time in six games, but could not get a puck past goaltender Ben Bishop in the third period in a tough loss in Tampa. Marcus Johansson, Eric Fehr and Troy Brouwer scored goals for the Caps, who fell to 4-4-2.

What it means: The Caps have now lost three in a row, four of the last five and have fallen to 12th in the Eastern Conference standings, ahead of only the Flyers, Blue Jackets, Sabres and Hurricanes.

What they were saying: "We've had a lot of good chances in the last couple of games where we lost a few of them. Our scoring touch just isn't there. We're getting lots of chances, we're getting lots of looks, and we just have to find ways to bury teams." – RW Troy Brouwer

"Last couple of games we've played good hockey and haven't gotten the results. You have to battle through it and we have a new game tomorrow. Sometimes that's hockey, it's important that we stick together as a group." – C Nicklas Backstrom

Ovi snaps his streak: Alex Ovechkin put an end to his five-game points skid when he assisted on Johansson’s goal in the first period. Ovechkin has gone six games without a goal. His longest goalless stretch is nine games. Ovechkin managed six shots on goal and had another four blocked.

Wilson fights: Playing in his second NHL game of the season, Tom Wilson dropped the gloves against Ondrej Palat to pick up his first fighting major. Wilson logged just 7:20 of ice time and was a minus-2 with two shots. The Caps likely will decide on Sunday if he’ll play back-to-back games as re continues to build back strength in his left ankle.

Special teams: The Caps went 1-for-2 on the power play and have now scored a power-play goal in seven of their 10 games. The Caps also killed off two man-advantages, breaking a five-game streak in which they allowed at least one power-play goal.

Tough night for Niskanen, Alzner: The defense pairing of Matt Niskanen and Karl Alxner was a minus-3 for the game with no shots on goal. Alzner blocked a team-high four shots.

Fehr return: Caps coach Barry Trotz said he wanted more production out of Eric Fehr and one game after he was a healthy scratch he recorded one goal on six shots and delivered one hit and blocked a shot.

Look ahead: The Capitals return to action Sunday at 7 p.m. at home against the Arizona Coyotes (3-6-1).



Pregame primer: Ovechkin vs. Stamkos


Staff

News and notes as the Capitals (4-3-2) visit the Tampa Bay Lightning (7-3-1) tonight at Amalie Arena, live on CSN+ at 7 p.m.:

Ovi vs. Stammer: Since the beginning of the 2009-10 season, no player in the NHL has scored more goals than Steven Stamkos' 218. Alex Ovechkin is next at 208. In 54 career games against the Lightning, Ovechkin has 35 goals and 36 assists for 71 points. In 29 games against the Capitals Stamkos has 13 goals and 11 assists for 24 points. Caps D Mike Green has more points against the Lightning (10-18-28 in 42 games) than any other NHL team.

Fehr in, O’Brien out: As expected, RW Eric Fehr will return to the Caps’ lineup on a third line with C Evgeny Kuznetsov and LW Jason Chimera, while Jay Beagle will replace rookie LW Lian O’Brien on a fourth line with C Michael Latta and RW Tom Wilson. With back-to-backs this weekend, the plan could be for Wilson to sit out Sunday’s home game against the Arizona Coyotes, which could mean O’Brien getting back into the lineup on Sunday.

Holtby gets the call: Capitals G Braden Holtby (3-2-1, 2.25, .907) is expected to face Tampa’s Ben Bishop (6-1-1, 2.39, .911). Holtby is 3-1-1 with a 3.36 GAA and .897 SP in five career games against the Lightning. Bishop is 0-2-1 with a 4.48 GAA and .872 SP against the Caps. Look for Justin Peters (1-1-1, 2.01, .914) to get Sunday’s start against Arizona.

Return of Callahan: The Lightning will have pesky RW Ryan Callahan back in the lineup after missing him for the past five games with a lower body injury. Callahan will play on a top line with C Stamkos (8 goals, 4 assists) and LW Valeri Filppula (2-8-10).

Callahan said he plans on crashing the Capitals’ net and “create a little havoc.”

“He plays a lot bigger thane he is,” Caps D Brooks Orpik said of the 5-foot-1, 190-pound Callahan. “It’s probably why he gets banged up the way he does. He’s not a huge guy but he’s pretty fearless and he’s got a lot of skill to go with that. His tenacity sets the tone for everybody.”

Orpik and John Carlson played with Callahan on the U.S. Olympic team. If you recall, Callahan also played a big role in the Rangers’ playoff victories over the Capitals in their last two playoff appearances, shadowing Ovechkin.

“I’ve probably got 35 pounds on him and he doesn’t shy away or back down,” Orpik said. “He goes into those hard areas and most of the goals he scores are in the paint. He’s probably one of the bet penalty killers in the league and his commitment and sacrifice to blocking shots is as good as there is.”

Speed demons: Caps coach Barry Trotz said his team needs to find a way to slow Tampa’s speedy forwards. The Lightning and San Jose Sharks are tied for the league lead with 38 goals.

“They are fast and they make you pay if you’re not detailed in your game,” Trotz said. “They’ve got good depth in their forward lines. Obviously, Stamkos is the centerpiece up front for them. Their top three lines can score and their fourth line cam play a heavy role with [Brenden] Morrow and [Brian] Boyle [along with J.T. Brown].

“They pressure the puck and if they sense pressure points they go hard, and if they feel you’re in control they sit back and play lanes.”

Close calls: The Caps are 5-1-1 in their last seven games against the Bolts, with five of the last six being decided by one goal.



Caps' Brooks Orpik: 'Guys want to be held accountable'

November 1, 2014, 11:30 am

Staff

In his brief tenure as head coach of the Capitals, Barry Trotz has often said he will learn more about his team during times of adversity than when things are going smoothly.

The same can be said of the players’ evaluation of their coach.

The Caps have lost three of their last four games and have fallen into a three-way tie for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference with a 4-3-2 record.

Their captain, Alex Ovechkin, has gone five straight games without a point, the longest stretch of his NHL career.

So how is the 52-year-old coach handling his team’s first bout with adversity? By making his players’ give him five pushups every time they miss the net in practice.

“Right now the goals aren’t coming easy,” Trotz said, referring to the Caps’ nine goals in their last four games. “We’re shooting the puck a lot, we’re just not hitting the net a lot.

“Let’s not get frustrated. Let’s just bear down and get better. That’s why there’s punishment for not hitting the net.”

Following their 4-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Wednesday, Trotz and his staff broke down video of the mistakes that led to the Red Wings’ game-tying and game-winning goals. The video showed defenseman Brooks Orpik and rookie center Andre Burakovsky getting stripped of the puck by Pavel Datsyuk, resulting in a goal by Justin Abdelkader. It also showed a neutral zone pass by defeneman John Carlson being intercepted by Henrik Zetterberg for another goal by Abdelkader.

“I saw that maybe 65 times in my career,” Trotz said of Datsyuk’s quick stick. “Three or four times during a game he’s going to strip you of the puck. When you don’t think he’s around, he’s around.

“Brooks Orpik knows that and Burakovsky doesn’t. In Burt’s case, he’s a young guy who creates a lot of offensive chances for us. He’s a good young player and I’m not going to rake him over the coals for that. He’s on a learning curve. Brooks should know a little bit better. He’s an absolute pro. You don’t have to tell him. He knows.”

Orpik said it’s important that everyone on the team, whether he’s 19 or 34, to held to the same standards.

“It’s constructive criticism,” Orpik said. “It’s nothing personal. That’s what guys want. Guys want to be held accountable. That’s what they asked for at the beginning of the year.

“They said they wanted accountability, so you can’t ask for it and then be upset for being held accountable. Nobody wants to hear bad things said about them, but if you don’t identify mistakes you never correct them. It might be you on the video one day but it’ll be someone else the next.”

Trotz said it’s important for his players to understand that although they are not getting the results they want, they are correcting areas of their game that needed correcting. Last season the Caps ranked 27th in the NHL in shots allowed per game [33.5]. Through nine games this season they rank third at 24.7 shots allowed.

“We’ve only given up 30 shots one time this year,” left wing Jason Chimera said. “Last year if we gave up 30 shots that was a good thing.

“There’s a difference between learning positively and learning from a coach who bag skates you. Some guys rant and rave at you, some guys take you in their office. Everyone has their ways, but I think when you take a positive approach you learn a lot more.”

During training camp, Trotz said he didn’t know how long it would take for his players to embrace the way he wants them to play. He says he’s still not sure, but he likes the way his team is trending heading into weekend games

against the Tampa Bay Lightning tonight and the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday.

“Adversity tests you,” Trotz said. “Frustration is a really negative type of emotion. We just have to work more on our game. I know we’re going to be better at the 20-game mark and at the 40-game mark. The next game is the most important game of the year for us. And so will the one after that.”


755495 Winnipeg Jets

Road win makes a red-eye nicer

By: Ed Tait

Posted: 11/2/2014 1:00 AM

NEW YORK -- The Winnipeg Jets were wheels-up and en route to Chicago last night, covering 1,146 kilometres before Sunday's match-up with the heavyweight Blackhawks.

And picking up five of a possible six points so far on this four-game road trip -- which wraps up at the United Center -- likely made the late-night trek a tad more enjoyable.

"We knew it was going to be a grind, considering all the aspects: playing in New York and then going back to back in Chicago," said Evander Kane.

"It was important for us to have some success early on the road trip. We've done that so far and it would be nice to get another two points (tonight)."

Asked what that turnaround is like -- touching down in Illinois late and then matching up against the Blackhawks -- Kane grinned, then added:

"Well, coming off a pretty fun Halloween night and the last couple of nights it's going to be even tougher. I'm sure we'll be able to make it through it."

MORE RAVE REVIEWS: Some numbers to munch on: In the Jets' last four games over which the Jets have gone 3-0-1, Pavelec has stopped 105 of 110 shots for a .955 save percentage.

"Good for him," said Jets coach Paul Maurice.

"We haven't been able to give the guy a whole lot of goal support, so he figured out how to win the game. Just spectacular. He's been really good right from training camp on. And tonight he was our best player by far.

"He needs to be able to get some confidence out of these games. He needs more than just, 'Geez, you played well and we couldn't score enough for you. So, good for him. He's earned it and he's got all the respect in the world in that locker-room from the players in front of him.

"He competes hard, battles hard. I'm happy he got it in a shootout. At the end of the day nothing beats him."

Pavelec is now 5-4-1 this year with a 2.10 goals-against average and .921 save percentage.

"I'm feeling good. Especially after a win, you always feel good about a win," he said.

"I'll be happy to put more games like that together. It's only 10 or 11 games into the season. We need every point. It's been a good road trip."

And when he was asked if a week like this makes him think about maybe being a little less under the microscope, Pavelec shrugged.

"I said that so many times... You're the goalie that plays in a Canadian market, in Winnipeg, where they didn't have a team for a long time," he said. "That's part of the game.... nothing you can do about it. Just focus on how you are going to prepare for the game and that's pretty much all you can do."

VIEW FROM THE OTHER SIDE: Rangers coach Alain Vigneault on being down to four defencemen but still gutting out a single point in the loss:

"Tough circumstances right off the hop. Our guys buckled down. Our four defencemen logged tons of minutes. It wasn't for a lack of effort or execution. We played one of our best games of the year."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 11.02.2014


Near-perfect Pav snags win

By: Ed Tait

Posted: 11/1/2014 10:00 AM | Comments: 28 | Last Modified: 11/1/2014 11:06 PM | Updates

NEW YORK — He has become a human pincushion for criticism and has been stuck smack dab in the crosshairs longer than any other player in Winnipeg Jets double blue and white.

And, let’s face it, Ondrej Pavelec would have to lead the Jets to a Stanley Cup — and win the Conn Smythe Trophy in the process — to silence some of his harshest critics.

In the meantime the Czech goaltender will try to win over the naysayers one save at a time, including the 38 he kicked out Saturday night at Madison Square Garden in a 1-0 shootout win over the New York Rangers.

It was the 12th shutout in Pavelec’s NHL career and first since Nov. 8, 2013 in a 5-0 win over the Nashville Predators.

This one has less cushion, however, as Pavelec was in the firing line from the opening puck drop, through a stop on a Martin St. Louis breakaway in overtime and then in stopping three of four in the shootout.

"It wasn’t an easy game for us," Pavelec said afterward.

"This is a tough building to play in and I don’t think we were ready to play for the first two periods. But we found a way to win, and after the last game I said we should find a way to close the game and win and I think we did tonight.

"It doesn’t matter how. We just battled out there through the third and into overtime... good win.

"I felt really good. I tried to stay calm, just be patient and wait for shots. And, actually, it worked. I’m happy for the shutout for sure, but the most important thing is we got the two points."

The win evens the Jets’ record at 5-5-1, gives them points in four straight contests and also means they are 2-0-1 on this four-game road trip that wraps up tonight in Chicago.

THE GANG THAT COULDN’T SHOOT STRAIGHT

The Jets came into the game averaging just two goals per outing, and those numbers will drop after being blanked by Rangers netminder Henrik Lundqvist through 65 minutes. New York was down to four defencemen after losing both captain Ryan McDonagh and Kevin Klein in the first period — as well, Dan Boyle is on the injured list; John Moore suspended — but the Jets still couldn’t get to the Ranger net for second and third chances.

Lundqvist stopped 25 shots, the Jets had 20 more blocked and missed the net another 17 times.

"We looked like a team that was playing five (games) in nine (days) and (the Rangers) have been sitting for five days," said Jets coach Paul Maurice. "The puck was not our friend tonight by any means. You felt when your goaltender got you through two periods with zeros you had a chance to win the game."

THE SPECIAL TEAMS: SOME SPECIAL, SOME NOT

The Jets killed off five Rangers power plays, limiting New York to 11 shots total with the man advantage. But they were also 0-for-3 on the power play and are just 3-for-37 this season. That 8.1 per cent success rate is 27th in the NHL.

EXTRA FUN/SHOOTOUT

The teams were wide open in the overtime, trading once chance after another. Pavelec’s stop on St. Louis was critical in sending the game into the skills competition.

"He kind of surprised me a little bit. He shot it a little bit quicker than I expected," said Pavelec of the St. Louis chance. "It just hit my elbow or shoulder. Lucky there."

Matts Zuccarello and Blake Wheeler both scored on each team’s first shootout chance, but Pavelec then stopped Rick Nash, Dominic Moore and St. Louis. After misses by Andrew Ladd and Bryan Little, Evander Kane beat Lundqvist for the Jets win.

"It was an ugly game for the most part," said Kane.

"Pavs did a helluva job keeping us in the game, especially early on in the first couple of periods and it put myself in position to get the game-winner.

"I thought about (what he would do in the shootout) when I was standing out there. I knew what I was going to do: try and pull him off the post a little bit and sneak it short side and it was able to work.

"I love playing in New York."

Winnipeg Free Press LOADED 11.02.2014


Pavelec saves the day for Jets

By Ted Wyman, Winnipeg Sun

First posted: Saturday, November 01, 2014 09:05 PM CDT | Updated: Saturday, November 01, 2014 10:32 PM CDT

NEW YORK - Ondrej Pavelec won’t completely silence his critics just because he has strung together a few top-notch performances, but he’s doing everything he can to quiet them down.

Often maligned for average numbers, positioning and rebound control and for not stealing enough games for the Winnipeg Jets, Pavelec has been stellar through the first 11 games of the season and was a brazen thief on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden.

The veteran goaltender made 38 saves – many of them on high quality scoring chances – as the Jets stole two points from the New York Rangers in a 1-0 shootout victory.

Pavelec stopped Rangers star Martin St. Louis on a breakaway in overtime and three of four shots in the shootout to seal the win. He now has a 5-4-1 record, a 2.10 goals against average and a .921 save percentage on the season.

“Good for him,” Jets coach Paul Maurice said after his team improved to 5-5-1 on the season and 2-0-1 on their current four-game road trip. “We haven’t been able to give the guy a whole lot of goal support, so we figured out how to win the game. Just spectacular, he’s been really good right from training camp on and tonight he was our best player by far. He’s earned it. He’s got all the respect in the world from the players in front of him.”

Evander Kane scored the shootout winner for the Jets, beating Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (who made 25 saves through 65 minutes) on his team’s fourth attempt. Blake Wheeler also scored in the shootout, while Mats Zuccarello was the only Ranger to beat Pavelec.

“It feels great,” Pavelec said after recording his first shutout of the season and 12th of his career. “It wasn’t an easy game for us. It’s a tough building to play and I don’t think we were ready to play the first two periods but we found a way to win … After the last game I said we should find a way to close the game and win and I think we did that tonight. It doesn’t matter how … we just battled in the third and through overtime and it was a good win.”

The Jets were lucky to even be in the game through two periods. They struggled to complete passes coming out of their zone, turned pucks over and allowed the Rangers to generate great scoring chances.

“We looked like a team that was playing five (games) in nine (nights) and they’ve been sitting for five days,” Maurice said. “We were not very good. The puck was not our friend tonight by any means.”

The Rangers lost two of their six defencemen in the first period to injuries – Ryan McDonagh suffered a separated shoulder after getting his by Kane and Kevin Klein suffered a foot contusion. Though they played the rest of the game with only four defencemen, the Rangers still had the upper hand for much of the contest.

Dan Girardi and Marc Staal were workhorses, playing 34 and 29 minutes respectively.

As the game went on, it started to even out and by the third period the Jets were pushing the tired Rangers defence and generating their fair share of quality chances.

“Sometimes you need your goaltender to steal you one, especially when you’re not on your game,” Jets captain Andrew Ladd said. “We talked about it going into the third, that it was still 0-0 even though we hadn’t played anywhere close to what we were capable of, but we wanted to go out and have a strong enough third to pull this one out and steal a couple of points, which I thought we did.

“We maybe lost a point in Jersey that we should have had and got an extra one back here that we probably shouldn’t have had.”

Kane, playing his second game back after recovering from a knee injury, was happy to be able to clinch the win for his goaltender.

“It was an ugly game for the most part but Pavs did a hell of a job of keeping us in the game, especially early on, the first couple of periods and he put myself in the position to get the game winner so … I love playing in New York,” Kane said.

The Jets will hope he loves Chicago too, because they have to complete a tough back-to-back there Sunday night. The team heads there feeling good about itself, having reached .500 after starting the season at 1-4.

“We’ve got an uphill battle because we didn’t have the greatest start, so it’s nice to be on a little bit of a roll here,” Ladd said. “It leaves a lot better feeling in the room. It’s fun to be winning hockey games.”

Winnipeg Sun LOADED 11.02.2014

755498 Vancouver Canucks

Dorsett’s short-handed goal lifts Canucks past Oilers

By Brad Ziemer, Vancouver Sun November 1, 2014 11:56 PM

The Vancouver Canucks now have eight wins in their first 11 games. Three of them have come courtesy of the Edmonton Oilers.

The Canucks ran their winning streak to four games with a 3-2 win over the Oilers Saturday night at Rexall Place.

The Canucks got goals from fourth-liners Linden Vey and Derek Dorsett and another from third-pairing defenceman Luca Sbisa as they improved their record to 8-3-0.

Dorsett scored the winner at 4:05 of the third period while the Canucks were short-handed. Dorsett picked off a sloppy clearing attempt by Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens, skated deep into the right faceoff circle and put a shot short side past Scrivens for his first goal of the season.

“It's exciting to get my first one with the Canucks,” Dorsett said. “To have it be a short-hander and a game-winner makes it even more special.”

The Canucks are now just two points out of the Western Conference lead held by the Anaheim Ducks.

Goalie Ryan Miller made 25 saves as he improved his career record against the Oilers to 10-0-0.

“We seem to have done well against these guys this year,” Vancouver defenceman Kevin Bieksa said of the Oilers in a TV interview after the game. “I don’t think we had the best start or the best first period. The second period wasn’t great, but when it came down to it in the third we were the better team.”

The Canucks emerged from the first period tied 1-1, thanks to a late goal by Sbisa. He skated in from the point to put a shot from between the hash marks past Scrivens after Chris Higgins had the dug the puck out of a pile in front of the Oiler net. Nick Bonino drew the second assist on Sbisa’s second goal of the season.

The Oilers had grabbed a 1-0 lead at 12:39 of the first when Jordan Eberle scored off a 3-on-2 rush.

The teams also traded goals in the second period. This time, the Canucks scored first. Linden Vey got his fourth of the season at 16:37 when he put a rebound past Scrivens.

That lead didn’t last long. Just 1:04 later, Oiler winger David Perron scored his first of the season, beating Miller from the right circle.

The Oilers lost winger Taylor Hall early in the first period with an apparent right leg injury when he crashed into the Vancouver net after being hit by Vancouver defenceman Chris Tanev.

With Alex Burrows serving the first game of a three-game suspension, winger Tom Sestito saw his first action of the season. Sestito skated on the fourth line with Linden Vey and Derek Dorsett. He drew the second assist on Vey’s goal.

“Tommy looked like Joe Thornton on the wall,” Vey said after the game. “He made a great pass to Dorsett to get a shot off. I was there for a rebound."

Jannik Hansen moved up to replace Burrows on the second line with Bonino and Higgins.

Oilers defenceman Andrew Ference could face a possible suspension for his hit to the head on Vancouver winger Zack Kassian in the second period. Ference received a two-minute minor on the play.

ICE CHIPS: The Canucks meet the Nashville Predators at Rogers Arena on Sunday night. That game is a 6:30 p.m. start. . .Rookie Bo Horvat is expected to re-join the Canucks on Sunday after a two-week conditioning stint with the AHL’s Utica Comets. Horvat, who did not record a point in five games with the Comets, could make his NHL debut versus the Predators. . .Higgins’ assist on Sbisa’s goal was his 300th NHL point. . .The Oilers fell to 4-6-1. They have yet to beat a Western Conference opponent this season. . .Miller is 8-1-0 this season and has given up only 14 goals in those eight wins.

[email protected]; twitter.com/bradziemer

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Canucks Game Day: Vancouver looks to continue run against Oilers

By BRAD ZIEMER, VANCOUVER SUN November 1, 2014

VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks will be looking to score a hat trick of a different sort tonight against the Edmonton Oilers at Rexall Place.

Tonight’s game is the third meeting of the young season between the two teams and the Canucks won the previous two.

Those wins -- a 5-4 shootout decision Oct. 11 at Rogers Arena and a 2-0 victory six days later in Edmonton -- came during the Oilers’ five-game winless streak to start the season.

The Oilers have been a better team of late. Edmonton has won four of its last five games. All of Edmonton’s wins this season have come against Eastern Conference opponents.

“I don’t think we steam-rolled them when we played them,” said Vancouver defenceman Kevin Bieksa. “We came back in that fist game, they were up two goals on us a couple of different times. Those were tough games. We were obviously on the right side of them, but I don’t think we go into a game expecting to beat anybody in this league. They have been playing good hockey lately, so it should be a good game.”

The Canucks, who are riding a three-game winning streak, will be forced to make at least one lineup change due to the three-game suspension winger Alex Burrows received for his hit to the head on Montreal defenceman Alexei Emelin on Thursday night.

With Burrows out, Jannik Hansen will move up to play on Vancouver’s second line with Nick Bonino and Chris Higgins. Tom Sestito, a healthy scratch the first 10 games of the season, will see his first action of the season on Vancouver’s fourth line with Derek Dorsett and Linden Vey.

Ryan Miller, who has a perfect 9-0-0 lifetime record against the Oilers, is expected to start in goal. Miller, who has surrendered only six goals in winning his last four starts, stopped 28 shots to shut out the Oilers in that 2-0 game last month in Edmonton.

“They are always dangerous on offence,” Miller said of the Oilers. “Watching the highlights and a little bit of their games here and there, it seems like they have calmed their game down just a little bit.”

The Oilers will be closing out a seven-game homestand that began with their 2-0 loss to the Canucks.

“I like playing rivals all the time,” Oilers coach Dallas Eakins said of meeting the Canucks again. “It’s what the game is made of, it’s what players look forward to, our organization, their organization, both teams’ fans. It’s turned into a pretty significant rivalry. I look forward to it. The games have been close and we have to find a way to get on the North side of it.”

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Canucks: Captain Henrik Sedin has collected points in six straight games (2-4-6).

Oilers: Winger David Perron has no goals in 10 games and is -6 on the season.

INJURIES

The Canucks don’t have any.

D Nikita Nikitin (back) is questionable for the Oilers.

ICE CHIPS

The Canucks will return home immediately after the game. They meet the Nashville Predators at Rogers Arena on Sunday night. That game is a 6:30 p.m. start. . .The Sedins and linemate Radim Vrbata have combined for 13 points in the two games against Edmonton this season. . .Defenceman Ryan Stanton, who has missed the last seven games with a lower-body injury, will be a healthy scratch tonight. . .Oilers goalie Ben Scrivens has won four of his last five starts.

[email protected]

Vancouver Sun: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Gallagher: No chance for Canucks to catch their breath with brutal road trip looming after Preds visit

By Tony Gallagher, The Province November 1, 2014 11:58 PM

Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl gets tangled up with Vancouver’s Dan Hamhuis during Saturday’s game at Rexall Place.

The Country Music Awards are part of the reason Vancouver already faces its second game of a back-to-back at home tonight against the Nashville Predators, and this remains the Canucks’ final frontier — getting a win in such a situation.

Having dumped the Edmonton Oilers again Saturday night by getting goals from three of their four lines — the Sedin twins and Radim Vrbata having the night off — the Canucks now try to find some legs in the second game of back-to-backs. And so far that’s been a struggle The team has already lost in that situation against Tampa at home and in Colorado, giving up a total of 11 goals in these two games.

And while they’ll be stoked at their fourth consecutive win which has rocketed them to this remarkable 8-3 start, they’ll be facing another surprising team in the suddenly offensive Predators.

With Pekka Rinne back in their lineup and a new coach in Peter Laviolette stressing a more upbeat approach for a team that has traditionally been hideously boring, the team has added James Neal among other capable pieces and have rocketed to a 6-2-2 start themselves.

Furthermore, they’re coming off only their second loss of the season suffered Friday night at the hands of the Flames, and they’ll be keen not to lose the momentum they’ve generated so far as they play the third game of their trip, which happens every year at this time when the Country Music Association takes over their building for two weeks. That will lead to the Country Music Awards show being telecast from there Wednesday night, but it remains to be seen which team will be singing the sad songs Monday morning when both teams hit another city for their next one.

Despite the fact they might be missing defenceman Anton Volchenkov, who has a hearing with the league Sunday morning for a last-minute hit Friday night, the Preds are already loaded on defence with that group being led, as always, by Sicamous product Shea Weber.

And getting Rinne back after their outstanding goalie was injured much of last season should leave them with enough defence to keep the goals against down. It’s been scoring which has been the big problem for this franchise, and they seem much better equipped to finally put an end to those offensive woes at least for this one season.

“I think we’re playing for each other in here and we’re trying to be consistent every night,” Weber told the Tennessean when asked to explain the turnaround in his team this season.

“We have a great group of guys in there that want to win and we’re driving toward one goal together.”

Neal has been the big game-changer for the Predators, finally giving them what might be described as a genuine goal scorer. The big B.C. winger already sits at seven goals already, something that would have been virtually unthinkable for a Nashville team at this time in the past.

But the Predators aren’t the biggest concern for the Canucks Sunday night. That would be their own legs, which were missing in action in the first two periods in Edmonton and have been completely absent in the previous two second games in back-to back situations.

Eddie Lack might get the call in goal for the Canucks, given the way analytics have eviscerated going with the same guy in these situations. But the way Miller is going, there’s no question coach Willie Desjardins will be tempted to use his No. 1 in hopes of getting the home win before the road trip from Hades begins.

After the Preds, the Canucks go back to Colorado, where they were overwhelmed earlier by the Avs’ speed in their previous trip in, albeit in one of those previously described second back-to-back games.

And then it gets ugly, or as Garry Galley of Hockey Night called it Saturday night — the “the terror trip” — with three consecutive games in California.

Vancouver Province: LOADED: 11.02.2014


Gallagher: Canucks find their legs in time against Oilers

By Tony Gallagher, The Province November 1, 2014 11:57 PM

The Country Music Awards are part of the reason Vancouver already faces its second game of a back-to-back at home tonight against the Nashville Predators, but it was the Canucks who were working nine to five for another win in Edmonton Saturday night.

Playing the Oilers for the second time in this young season on their ice, the Canucks left their legs at home for two periods and found themselves plodding around, unable to do anything on the power play or take advantage of this young team’s traditional difficulty in its own end.

But that changed in the third period when their legs arrived and Edmonton goalie Ben Scrivens began handling the puck. And in the end, the final analysis of this one was Ryan Miller outplaying his counterpart, with the Vancouver goalie putting in an outstanding performance again, recording his 10th consecutive win against this team without even so much as a tie, much less a loss, over his lengthy career.

In a game that saw Zack Kassian cranked in the head by a check from the soon-to-be-suspended Oilers blueliner Andrew Ference, the Canucks got goals from three of their four lines, the Sedins and Radim Vrbata astoundingly enough the ones without.

Such was the balance that Tom Sestito got his first point of the year in his first game when he assisted on Linden Vey’s goal which tied it at 2-2.

Derek Dorsett scored the winner when Scrivens handed the puck to him in the third period, and subsequently fanned on a bad-angle shot from on the short side. But Miller was once again on top of his game to retain his league lead in wins, stopping 25 of 27 shots. The Canucks now have mined six points in the three games against the Oil.

Miller will likely hand the net off to Eddie Lack against the Preds tonight, the Canucks having struggled in two losses in the second games of their previous two back-to-backs.



Canucks 3, Oilers 2: Canucks’ depth drowns Edmonton

By Ed Willes, The Province November 1, 2014 11:57 PM

Last season, if the Sedins were held off the scoresheet and the power play went oh-fer, you could chalk up another Canucks’ loss as surely as the sun sets in the West.

This season? Well, it’s early days, but the Canucks under Willie Desjardins are a different animal, and if you doubted that, just take a look at the standings.

Saturday night in Edmonton, the Orcans got bubkes from the Sedin line and the power play but received a short-handed goal from Derek Dorsett, a fourth-line goal from Linden Vey and a goal from defenceman Luca Sbisa which was manufactured by a newly constructed second line.

Add it all up and throw in another solid night’s work from Ryan Miller, and the Canucks had a 3-2 win, their fourth straight and fifth in their last six.

“We’re finding a way to get it done every night,” said Dorsett, the unlikely scoring hero whose third period shortie was the game-winner.

“It’s one of the things we’ve talked about since training camp. We want to be a four-line team.”

And damned if they don’t look like one.

The Canucks’ winning template continues to be drawn around Desjardins’ four-line, six-defenceman deployment and exemplary goaltending from Ryan Miller. That was also the main storyline against the Oilers. In an affair which featured another beef between Zack Kassian and the Oilers, every Canuck forward played at least 11:43 except for Tom Sestito, and Sestito drew an assist on Vey’s second-period goal.

On the blueline, Alex Edler led the D-corps with 23:10 but Sbisa and Yannick Weber, the nominal third pairing, both played just under 15 minutes.

“It’s always easier when you’re in a routine and you know you’re going to be out there every three or four shifts,” said Kevin Bieksa. “It keeps everyone fresh and everyone sharp and everyone gets in the game.”

Still, it wouldn’t be a Canucks-Oilers game with an incident involving Kassian, and late in the second, Oilers captain Andrew Ference delivered a high hit to the Canucks’ forward which will draw the notice of the NHL head office.

“I’m glad he hit me,” said Kassian. “It woke me up.”

Later in the second, Ference turned down a fight with Kassian.

“You’d think he’d answer the bell,” said Kassian. “He’s the captain of the team.”

ADVANCED STATS

27 The number of shot attempts the Oilers had in the first period. In a word, the Canucks were awful.

73 This was Tom Sestito’s excellent Corsi-for percentage. He still didn’t even play seven minutes, getting benched in the third.

36 This was Nick Bonino’s Corsi-for percentage, last on the team. Jannik Hansen wasn’t much help to second line.

53 This was the Canucks faceoff percentage. They finally won more than they lost.

WHAT THIS MEANS

Well, it means the Canucks moved into second place in the Pacific Division ahead of, wait for it, the Los Angeles Kings and just two points behind the Anaheim Ducks.

The Canucks are now 8-3, and prior to this season, most of the faithful would have cheerfully sacrificed a limb for that start. The Canucks now return home for a meeting with the resurgent Nashville Predators, but the real litmus test will be a four-game road swing which takes them to Colorado, San Jose, L.A., and Anaheim.



The champ and chump of October

By Wyatt Arndt and Jordan Bowman, The Legion of Blog November 1, 2014

The hero, Radim, and the villain, Messier. Well, Sportsnet. But Messier is always a villain to Canucks’ fans.

Villain of the Month

“Sportsnet”

As much as it makes us nervous to give this award to Sportsnet, seeing as how they are now an all-powerful hockey broadcast conglomerate, they have forced our hands.

I’m sure anyone who was a fan of the NHL on TSN coverage is already on board with us, as is anyone who gets frustrated at Sportsnet’s decision to broadcast Canucks games on roughly 14 different channels this month.

First of all, we like John Shorthouse and John Garrett. We understand “Team John” has its detractors as well, but since the days of Jim Robson and Tom Larscheid, they are as close as we’ll come to having a “voice of the Canucks.”

Sure, one of those voices loves to talk about food and current TV shows he’s watching, but as passionate Canucks fans we don’t need every nuance of the game explained to us by the likes of Paul Romanuk, Dave Randorf and Bob Cole.

Commentary is as subjective as comedy, but the chemistry Shorthouse and Garrett have makes all the difference. The “National Team” is horrible, and any game they’re calling makes me want to mute the TV, turn on the radio, or watch in a Zen-like silence. “The Johns” (perhaps “Team John” is a better name) will be doing 48 games this season, so at least they have the majority.

As if an assault on our ears wasn’t enough, Sportsnet is aggravating our eyes as well. After last season, we’re used to the Canucks being hard to watch, but Sportsnet has decided to show the same Mark Messier commercials over and over ... and over again during the broadcasts. The team is playing much better hockey now and the games are still hard to watch on TV thanks to that baldheaded goof.

Also, in what world would a family of Canucks fans not only let Messier into their homes, but not pummel him with sacks of oranges? Those commercials are an insult to our intelligence.

So for those keeping score at home, Sportsnet is making Canucks games harder to watch and harder to listen to. How long until Rogers finds a way to make the games smell bad? There is no such thing as a good smell in hockey, so hopefully smell-o-vision is never a reality. If the technology exists, you better believe Sportsnet will find a way to utilize it to make their coverage literally stink.

That is why they are October’s “Villain of the Month”

Hero of the Month

“Radim Vrbata”

Radim Vrbata was brought in by the Canucks this year, and he was almost overshadowed by the Ryan Miller signing the day before.

It’s not that Vrbata wasn’t seen as a solid signing, it’s just that Vancouver enjoys its goalies, which meant much of the discussion was centered around “Ryan Miller: Why did he get paid $6 million dollars?” and “Ryan Miller: Which media member is he going to swear at first?”

As the season progressed, however, Radim Vrbata began showcasing an eerie chemistry with the Sedins, one not seen since the days of Jason King. A chemistry not seen in Vancouver, perhaps, since Chris King tipped in a rebound from a Byron Scott shot to give the Grizzlies their first win ever on home court.



Willes: Pieces are all in place for Oilers, but can they put them together?

By ED WILLES, The Province November 1, 2014

EDMONTON — It’s become a standing joke with the Edmonton media and when Dallas Eakins delivered this assessment of his young team, you could almost see the eyes rolling among the learned members of the fourth estate.

“The problem with evolution and maturity is it takes time,” the Oilers coach said before Saturday night’s meeting with the Vancouver Canucks. “You’d like to flip the switch but it doesn’t work that way.

“I think a lot of people in hockey and in Canada forget how young they are and I’m as guilty of it as anyone.”

Yeah, yeah. Patience. Process. Maturity. We’ve heard it all before. Wake me up when you’ve got something new to offer. Like a winning streak.

But here’s the thing about the Oilers, maybe the most interesting team in the Western Conference. As much as the clichés grate, as much as they sound empty, they are entirely applicable in this case. This team, which represents an impossibly rich collection of young talent, will be good one day. They might even be great. That’s an inevitability.

But it takes — all together now — time and patience for those young players to find their way individually and within the collective. That journey of discovery may be starting this year. More likely it will take longer.

Still, if the recent history of the NHL has taught us anything, it’s taught us the best way to build a consistent winner is to assemble talented players of a similar age and let them grow together. At the very least, the Oilers have that, and while it hasn’t been easy watching the process, there will be a payoff down the road.

“I see such a difference from this season to last season,” said veteran Matt Hendricks, one of the old hands brought in to mentor the Oilers’ young stars. “There’s more maturity in the room; more of the young guys showing a leadership role.

“You see it in a lot of ways but the big thing is they’re showing up every day with the feeling they want to play against the top lines and the top players.”

The Oilers, in fact, seem to be taking the first uncertain steps toward the team everyone in Edmonton wants them to be. After starting the season 0-4-1 — which engendered considerable speculation about Eakins’ future — they calmed the masses with four straight wins.

Yes, they were all at home and yes, all four wins came against Eastern teams making the Western swing. But in Edmonton, they prefer to think about the team’s young guns, specifically the line of Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Jordan Eberle, going head-to-head against Steven Stamkos one night and Alexander Ovechkin the next and making a difference in Oilers’ wins.

“There are a lot of pieces you just can’t get,” said Oilers captain Andrew Ference, another of the wise old heads in the locker room. “I don’t mind the word potential. We know what the potential is here. It’s a matter of how often can you meet that potential.


755505 Websites

USA TODAY / Major mismatch? Lowly Sabres visit the high-flying Penguins

By: KEVIN ALLEN19 hours ago

Tonight’s Buffalo Sabres-Pittsburgh Penguins game seems like the equivalent of a meerkat trying to battle a mountain lion.

With a 6-2-1 record and a plus-14 goal differential, the Penguins are one of the Eastern Conference’s best teams. Meanwhile, the Sabres appear on their way to being one of the least productive teams in NHL history.

How poorly the Sabres are performing this season:

-They are averaging 1.09 goals per game, almost three goals below Pittsburgh’s average.

-Their power-play success rate is 2.9%; Pittsburgh is at 39.5%.

-Buffalo is generating roughly 21 shots per game and giving up an NHL-worst 36.7.

-Their centers are winning only 41.4% of their draws. No other team is below 45.5% and only two other teams are below 47.5%.

-Opposing teams are taking so many shots at Buffalo’s net that the Sabres are second in the NHL in shots blocked.

Prediction: Penguins 4, Sabres 1

USA TODAY LOADED: 11.02.2014

SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF - NHL.comflyers.nhl.com/v2/ext/01 - Flyers NHL Clips/11.02.2014...2014/11/02...

Documents

Transcript of SPORT-SCAN DAILY BRIEF - NHL.comflyers.nhl.com/v2/ext/01 - Flyers NHL Clips/11.02.2014...2014/11/02...