26 replies to this topic

[Dark Knight]

Please post your thoughts, pictures and comments on tonight's games in this thread.

Atlanta at Toronto
Ottawa at NYI
Florida at Pittsburgh
Buffalo at TBL
Detroit at STL
Chicago at Minnesota
Columbus at Colorado
Carolina at Calgary

[DropThePuck]

In this photo released by Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles Kings hockey player Mattias Norstrom, from Sweden, visits with patient Sarah Marquez, 9 from Monterey Park, Calif. in the Healing and Meditation Garden at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, during their annual holiday visit.
(AP Photo/Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Bob Riha, Jr.)


In the background, it sure looks like Avery is standing in line asking for autographs ... or perhaps there just weren't any kids who wanted his ...


In this photo released Childrens Hospital, Los Angeles Kings player Raitis Ivanans from Riga, Latvia, center, autographs a pennant for outpatient Rick Alvarez, 12 from Los Angeles, in the Healing and Meditation Garden at Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, during the Kings' annual holiday visit.
(AP Photo/Childrens Hospital Los Angeles, Bob Riha, Jr.)

[DropThePuck]

At the end of the 1st:

2 - CHI: BOCHENSKI, B. (03:21 in 1st), SMOLINSKI, B. (SHG, 17:24 in 1st)
1 - MIN: ROLSTON, B. (11:46 in 1st)


Midway through the 2nd:

3 - BUF: BRIERE, D. (07:17 in 1st), DRURY, C. (10:34 in 1st), BRIERE, D. (17:15 in 1st)
1 - TBL: LECAVALIER, V. (00:53 in 1st)


1 - FLA: ROBERTS, G. (14:35 in 1st)
1 - PIT: CHRISTENSEN, E. (PPG, 07:43 in 1st)

2 - OTT: HEATLEY, D. (04:32 in 1st), SPEZZA, J. (PPG, 18:27 in 1st)
1 - NYI: HILBERT, A. (09:38 in 2nd)


In the latter part of the 2nd:

0
2 - TOR: TUCKER, D. (PPG, 08:41 in 1st), PECA, M. (19:44 in 1st)

[DropThePuck]

Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Andre Roy, left, fights Buffalo Sabres left wing Andrew Peters (76) during the first period of their hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Steve Nesius)


Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Marc Denis (30) and Martin St. Louis (26) watch as a puck shot by Buffalo Sabres' Chris Drury hits the net for a goal during the first period of their hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Steve Nesius)


Buffalo Sabres center Daniel Briere (48) skates past Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Marc Denis after scoring his second goal during the first period of their hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006, in Tampa, Fla.
(AP Photo/Steve Nesius)


Dave Andreychuk, who began his career with the Buffalo Sabres and ended it with the Tampa Bay Lightning, is honored before the game between the two teams at the St. Pete Times Forum December 5, 2006 in Tampa, Florida.
(Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Past the halfway point in the 3rd:

4 - OTT: HEATLEY, D. (04:32 in 1st), SPEZZA, J. (PPG, 18:27 in 1st), CORVO, J. (PPG, 19:10 in 2nd), HEATLEY, D. (12:10 in 3rd)
2 - NYI: HILBERT, A. (09:38 in 2nd), BLAKE, J. (06:42 in 3rd)


Ottawa Senators goalie Martin Gerber defends the net as New York Islanders' Mike Sillinger moves in during the first period of their hockey game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.
(AP Photo/Ed Betz)


Ottawa Senators' Dany Heatley moves past New York Islanders' Sean Hill during the first period of their hockey game, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, N.Y.
(AP Photo/Ed Betz)


Brendan Witt #32 of the New York Islanders is checked hard against the boards by Joe Corvo #7 of the Ottawa Senators on December 5, 2006 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)


Goaltender Mike Dunham #1 of the New York Islanders watches Joe Corvo #7 of the Ottawa Senators second period goal into the net on December 5, 2006 at Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.
(Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

End of the 1st:

0
2 - CGY: LANGKOW, D. (00:28 in 1st), HAMRLIK, R. (17:41 in 1st)

2 - CBJ: CHIMERA, J. (11:43 in 1st), CARTER, A. (14:21 in 1st)
0

3 - DET: ZETTERBERG, H. (PPG, 02:34 in 1st), DATSYUK, P. (04:22 in 1st), CLEARY, D. (13:42 in 1st)
0

End of the 2nd:

2 - CHI: BOCHENSKI, B. (03:21 in 1st), SMOLINSKI, B. (SHG, 17:24 in 1st)
2 - MIN: WHITE, T. (11:46 in 1st), ROLSTON, B. (12:44 in 2nd)

[Dark Knight]

In the background, it sure looks like Avery is standing in line asking for autographs ... or perhaps there just weren't any kids who wanted his ...

They made the children come out to get their autographs???

[GLOVESAVE35]

Updated Tuesday, December 5

Calgary Flames:
Projected lineup vs. Hurricanes:

Forwards:
Tanguay - Langkow - Iginla
Huselius - Lombardi - Kobasew
Friesen - Lundmark - Amonte
Nilson - Ritchie - McCarty

Defence:
Hamrlik - Phaneuf
Regehr - Warrener
Ference - Zyuzin

Notes: The first few minutes may be a feeling out process as this is the first meeting since 2003. The Flames have won seven straight at home and they have outscored the opposition 24-6 during that span. The club is tied for last in the Northwest but is just four points back of the division leading Oilers with two games in hand. - TSN


Toronto Maple Leafs:
Tentative lineup vs. Thrashers:

Forwards:
Ponikarovsky - Sundin - Antropov
Kilger - Wellwood - Tucker
Battaglia - Peca - Pohl
Steen - Stajan - O'Neill

Defence:
Kaberle - McCabe
Bell - Kubina
Gill - White

Goal: Raycroft

Notes: Lines are not completely set. Head coach Paul Maurice said Wade Belak would likely be in the lineup to add a physical presence, likely up front. Did not indicate which forward would sit in that event. If Belak plays D then Brendan Bell would sit. Maurice also said Carlo Colaiacovo will not play until his conditioning level returns to game shape. - TSN


Atlanta Thrashers:
Projected lineup vs. Maple Leafs:

Forwards:
Kovalchuk - Rucchin - Mellanby
Kozlov - Kapanen - Hossa
Larsen - Holik - Vigier
Boulton - Metropolit - Sim

Defence:
Havelid - Hnidy
Vishnevski - deVries
Coburn - McCarthy

Goal: Lehtonen

Notes: Jim Slater will be a scratch. As a tandem, Hossa and Kovalchuk have 249 shots, tops in the league over Jagr and Shanahan. - TSN


Anaheim Ducks: Ilya Bryzgalov was examined by team doctors Monday to determine the severity of the injury in his lower body. Team officials said the results of Bryzgalov's examination would not be available until after today's practice at Anaheim Ice, although the team is looking at the possibility of recalling goaltender Michael Wall from its American Hockey League team. - LA Times


Chicago Blackhawks: Head coach Denis Savard said defenceman Adrian Aucoin, who is out with a groin injury, is still about 7-10 days away. Aucoin was plagued by groin injuries last season. - Chicago Tribune


Chicago Blackhawks: Michal Handzus (knee), Rene Bourque (neck) and Patrick Lalime (back) are out for their game against the Wild, and Adrian Aucoin (groin) is day-to-day. - Star Tribune


Colorado Avalanche: The club will start Peter Budaj in goal tonight against the Blue Jackets. Budaj shut out the Blue Jackets 3-0 in the most recent meeting between the teams, Nov. 17 in Columbus. Avalanche coach Joel Quenneville said goalie Jose Theodore, who had to come out of Saturday's game against Vancouver after the first period because of a hip-flexor strain, is feeling good. Theodore practiced Monday and should play during the Avs' two-game road trip to San Jose and Los Angeles this week. - Denver Post


Detroit Red Wings: : Chris Osgood, out since Nov. 12 with a broken bone in his left wrist, had a new cast put on Monday and won't get it off before Saturday. Osgood hopes to rejoin the lineup by Dec. 12. Johan Franzen (left knee) skated on his own Sunday and Monday, but his left knee remains sore and he is out another week. Niklas Kronwall (groin) hopes to skate today. - Detroit Free Press


Florida Panthers: Goalie Ed Belfour missed Monday's skate because of the flulike ailment that has been going around the Panthers' locker room. Head coach Jacques Martin said he would make the trip to Pittsburgh, although Alex Auld-who missed Sunday's game because of the flu bug-will start tonight against the Penguins. - Miami Herald


Los Angeles Kings: Brent Sopel, out because of broken bones in his ankle and hand, may begin skating on his own today. - LA Times


Minnesota Wild: Marian Gaborik (groin), Wes Walz (hip), Pavol Demitra (head), Kurtis Foster (throat), Derek Boogaard (ankle) and Jason Morgan (thigh) are out for their game against the Blackhawks tonight. - Star Tribune


Minnesota Wild: Marian Gaborik's return is still up in the air. Head coach Jacques Lemaire was asked Monday whether he was surprised that Gaborik (groin) did not join the team's spirited practice Monday at Xcel Energy Centre. The winger practiced with the team all last week but was seen by a specialist on Saturday and apparently set out on a different recovery path. "I was surprised he wasn't there," Lemaire said, "and I don't know when he will be." - Pioneer Press


Nashville Predators: The timetable of recovery for both Tomas Vokoun and Pekka Rinne is by the end of December or early January. Vokoun underwent surgery to repair a torn ligament in his thumb eight days ago and hopes to start testing the thumb with a support cast in another week or so. Rinne underwent shoulder surgery during training camp after suffering an offseason injury. "He seems to be coming along well," head coach Barry Trotz said of Rinne. "If things keep progressing, the timetable might be moved up. He might be back on the ice by the middle of this month." Trotz also said right wing Scottie Upshall, who hasn't played since suffering a groin injury on Nov. 15, is making progress. "He's coming around, but he's still probably a few weeks away." - Tennessean


Philadelphia Flyers: Peter Forsberg, still fighting a nasty flu bug, boarded a plane to Mesa, Ariz. Monday where he is planning to meet with noted shoe manufacturer Ernesto Castro today. Castro is shutting down his shop to focus his energies on molding the perfect skate boot for Forsberg. Forsberg will miss practice Wednesday, but is expected back on the ice for practice Thursday. - Delaware County Times


St. Louis Blues: Curtis Sanford (groin) and Vladimir Orszagh (knee) are out for tonight's game against the Red Wings. - St Louis Post Dispatch


St. Louis Blues: Jamal Mayers is questionable for tonight after being hurt by a blocked shot Friday in Chicago. If Mayers can't play, Joel Perrault would start. For the first time this season, the club has an entirely healthy defense corps. Christian Backman returns after missing two games with the flu and will likely be paired with Jay McKee. - Belleville News-Democrat


Washington Capitals: Richard Zednik, who left Saturday's game with a groin injury, was not able to skate. But team officials are hopeful his injury is not as severe as originally thought and have listed the veteran as day-to-day, although he is likely out for tomorrow's game against Ottawa. Dainius Zubrus, meantime, returned to practice and is expected to face the Senators. The club's second-leading goal-scorer had missed two games with a mysterious infection that kept him in bed for almost four days. - Washington Post

[wildcat48]

Ryan Shannon now has company on the spin-o-rama........

Pierre-Marc Bouchard scored a beauty in the shoot-out.

[Aeryn]

Jackets makes history tonight...

First time EVER they've beaten the Avs in regulation.

Lower team beating a higher team, in regulation = happy Aeryn

[Nordy]

Ryan Shannon now has company on the spin-o-rama........

Pierre-Marc Bouchard scored a beauty in the shoot-out.

That was an amazing goal.. Really fun to watch. I just hopes it makes Sports Centers top 10

[Dark Knight]

Jackets makes history tonight...

First time EVER they've beaten the Avs in regulation.

Lower team beating a higher team, in regulation = happy Aeryn

Also the first time Columbus has won back to backs with shutouts... Hitchcock's influence starting to be felt...

[DropThePuck]

Carolina Hurricanes' Andrew Ladd, left, knocks Calgary Flames' Jamie Lundmark to the ice during first period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP PHOTO/CP, Jeff McIntosh)


Carolina Hurricanes goalie John Grahame, left, uses his shoulder to deflect the puck as Calgary Flames' Jamie Lundmark (24) looks for a rebound during first period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP PHOTO/CP, Jeff McIntosh)


Carolina Hurricanes goalie John Grahame, right, watches teammate Tim Gleason, center, and Calgary Flames' Matthew Lombardi collide in front of the net during second period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP PHOTO/CP, Jeff McIntosh)


Carolina Hurricanes' Eric Staal (12) gets hammered by Calgary Flames' Rhett Warrener during third period NHL hockey action in Calgary, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006. The Flames beat the Hurricanes 3-0.
(AP PHOTO/CP, Jeff McIntosh)

[DropThePuck]

3 - CBJ: CHIMERA, J. (11:43 in 1st), CARTER, A. (14:21 in 1st), MODIN, F. (19:55 in 2nd)
0



Colorado Avalanche center Joe Sakic fights for position with Columbus Blue Jackets defensman Adam Foote (52) during the first period of a hockey game in Denver, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)


Milan Hejduk #23 of the Colorado Avalanche is held back by Ron Hainsey #6 of the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 5, 2006 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)


Brett Clark #30 of the Colorado Avalanche is stopped by goaltender Fredrik Norrena #30 of the Columbus Blue Jackets on December 5, 2006 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)


Wojtek Wolski #8 of the Colorado Avalanche hits Ron Hainsey #6 of the Columbus Blue Jackets into the boards on December 5, 2006 at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado.
(Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Pittsburgh Penguins' Sidney Crosby heads to the penalty box after taking a third-period penalty against the Florida Panthers in NHL hockey action in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006. The Panthers beat the Penguins 3-2.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Pittsburgh Penguins' Maxime Talbot (25) falls on top of Florida Panthers defender Ruslan Salei (24) during first-period NHL hockey action in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006. The Panthers beat the Penguins 3-2.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Jocelyn Thibault stops a first-period shot by Florida Panthers' Gregory Campell, right, during NHL hockey action in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Florida Panthers goalie Alex Auld (35) makes a third-period save as defenseman Bryan Allen (5) shoves Pittsburgh Penguins Sidney Crosby to the ice during NHL hockey action in Pittsburgh, Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006. The Panthers beat the Penguins 3-2.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

[DropThePuck]

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jason Bacashihua ends up with the puck on his chest after making a diving save in the third period against the Detroit Red Wings in their hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006 in St. Louis.
(AP Photo/Tom Gannam)


Detroit Red Wings' Mathieu Schneider (23) sends St. Louis Blues' Dallas Drake flying in the second period of their hockey game Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006 in St. Louis.
(AP Photo/Tom Gannam)


Dominik Hasek #39 of the Detroit Red Wings makes a stop against the St. Louis Blues at the Scottrade Center December 5, 2006 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Red Wings beat the Blues 5-1.
(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)


Joel Perrault #22 of the St. Louis Blues attempts to control the puck against Robert Lang #20 of the Detroit Red Wings at the Scottrade Center December 5, 2006 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Red Wings beat the Blues 5-1.
(Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Minnesota Wild right wing Matt Foy, right front, slams Chicago Blackhawks defenseman James Wisniewski, left, into the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)


Minnesota Wild right wing Pierre-Marc Bouchard, bottom, gets the puck past Chicago Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin, top, of Russia, to score the winning goal in a shootout in an NHL hockey game in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006. The Wild beat the Blackhawks 3-2.
(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)


Minnesota Wild defenseman Kim Johnsson, left rear, of Sweden, and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Jim Vandermeer, right front, vie for the puck during the second period of an NHL hockey game in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006. The Wild beat the Blackhawks 3-2 in overtime.
(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)


Minnesota Wild goalie Manny Fernandez (35) blocks a shot by Chicago Blackhawks right wing Radim Vrbata of the Czech Republic during a shootout in an NHL hockey game in St. Paul, Minn., Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006. The Wild beat the Blackhawks 3-2 in a shootout.
(AP Photo/Ann Heisenfelt)

[DropThePuck]

5 - ATL: METROPOLIT, G. (PPG, 03:56 in 3rd), KOZLOV, V. (07:14 in 3rd), KOZLOV, V. (11:27 in 3rd), HOSSA, M. (PPG, 14:21 in 3rd), KOVALCHUK, I. (19:03 in 3rd)
2 - TOR: TUCKER, D. (PPG, 08:41 in 1st), PECA, M. (19:44 in 1st)


Marion Hossa #18 of the Atlanta Thrashers is checked by Tomas Kaberle #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs as goalie Andrew Raycroft #1 makes a save during a NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 5, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Darcy Tucker #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs celebrates his first-period power-play goal against the Atlanta Thrashers during a NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 5, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo by Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Andrew Raycroft makes a save on Atlanta Thrashers right winger Marian Hossa (18) during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP PHOTO/CP, Frank Gunn)


Toronto Maple Leafs right winger Darcy Tucker, back, looks as his goal hits the net behind Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Johan Hedberg (1) during first period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Tuesday Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP PHOTO/CP, Frank Gunn)

[DropThePuck]

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tomas Kaberle sends Atlanta Thrashers right winger John Sim (14) tumbling with a hit during second period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP PHOTO/CP, Frank Gunn)


Darcy Tucker #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles for the puck with Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Atlanta Thrashers during a NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 5, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Andrew Raycroft #1 of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes a glove save as teammate Ian White #7 keeps a check on Eric Boulton #36 of the Atlanta Thrashers during a NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 5, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Andrew Raycroft #1 of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes a save on a shot tipped by Steve Rucchin #20 of the Atlanta Thrashers defended by Bryan McCabe #24 of the Maple Leafs during a NHL game at the Air Canada Centre on December 5, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Michael Peca #27 of the Toronto Maple Leafs battles for the puck with Ilya Kovalchuk #17 of the Atlanta Thrashers during a NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 5, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Andrew Raycroft #1 of the Toronto Maple Leafs makes a pad save as teammate Pavel Kubina #31 tries to get to the rebound before Glen Metropolit #9 of the Atlanta Thrashers during a NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 5, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Tomas Kaberle #15 of the Toronto Maple Leafs missses a check Jon Sim #14 of the Atlanta Thrashers during a NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 5, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)


Andrew Raycroft #1 of the Toronto Maple Leafs is beat on a shot by Marian Hossa #18 of the Atlanta Thrashers for the fourth goal during a NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 5, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario.The Thrashers beat the Leafs 5-2.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

The puck crosses the goal line behind Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Andrew Raycroft as Atlanta Thrashers right winger Marian Hossa (18) looks back to see his goal during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP PHOTO/CP, Frank Gunn)


Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Andrew Raycroft takes a drink from his bottle as the Atlanta Thrashers celebrate Vyacheslav Kozlov's game-winning goal during third period NHL hockey action in Toronto on Tuesday, Dec. 5, 2006.
(AP PHOTO/CP, Frank Gunn)


Marion Hossa #18 of the Atlanta Thrashers checks Matt Stajan #14 of the Toronto Maple Leafs during a NHL game at the Air Canada Centre December 5, 2006 in Toronto, Ontario. The Thrashers beat the Leafs 5-2.
(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

Already in his coach's doghouse, Wild forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard needed a new trick to work his way out.

Bouchard stuffed a back-hander into the net past Blackhawks goalie Nikolai Khabibulin while falling down.

"I have to give credit to my younger brother for teaching me that one," Bouchard said. "He taught me that move in the summer and I figured now was a good time to bring it out."

Bouchard's brother Francois plays Major Junior hockey in Quebec. The elder Bouchard needed the shootout goal to avoid further irritating Wild coach Jacques Lemaire.

"I asked (Bouchard) to back check a few times in the third period and he wouldn't so I sat him down," Lemaire said.

<NHL.com recap link>

[DropThePuck]

It was loud in the Columbus locker room after the game with players yelling and screaming. The Blue Jackets entered the game with a 1-19-1-1 all-time mark against the Avalanche, their lone win being a 5-4 overtime victory in Columbus on Feb. 28, 2004. They had never won at the Pepsi Center (0-9-0-1) until Tuesday night.

"We let it all out," Fredrik Modin said.

<NHL.com recap link>

[Veca]

A round of applause for Columbus please....job well done!!

[Barmy Army]

Hubby wasn't too happy with the Leafs result. They kinda screwed up on that one....