38 replies to this topic

[Dark Knight]

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

Boston at Philadelphia
Dallas at LAK
NJD at Buffalo
Detroit at Ottawa
Montreal at NYR
Colorado at Carolina
Pittsburgh at Atlanta
TBL at Florida
Nashville at Columbus
Toronto at SJS

[GLOVESAVE35]

Go ( ) in regulation.

[setallonfire]

Bruins beat the Flyers 4:3 in OT, and the Kings/Stars games is just about to get underway. Hope the Kings win that one, as awful as it sounds and feels.

And go Leafs!

[GLOVESAVE35]

2-0 Dallas over LA early in the 1st.

[setallonfire]

Kings 0 : 1 Stars (1st, 3:20)
Jeff Halpern scored on Dallas' 5v3 PP with only three seconds left.

Kings 0 : 2 Stars (1st, 3:36)
Quickly from the faceoff, Loui Eriksson makes an excellent move and scores from the wrap around. LaBarbera was wayyy out of position.

Kings 1 : 2 Stars (1st, 9:06)
Frolov scores on the one-timer to half the deficit.

Kings 2 : 2 Stars (1st, 10:13)
All tied up here as Armstrong rockets one in off a rebound.

[GLOVESAVE35]

Kings tie it up! Kind of a shock.

[setallonfire]

Dead even at the end of the first. Stars started off looking really comfortable in the Kings' zone, but since the two quick goals, they haven't done much. Turco looks a tad off-form tonight, and LaBarbera looks like... LaBarbera. So expect a high scoring game. King might be able to pull off an upset here, but I'm worried that the winner won't be decided until overtime.

[DropThePuck]

TSN's Ice Chips:

The Ducks got some more good news Friday as forwards Samuel Pahlsson and Brad May went through a grinding session without a hitch. Both appear set to return from injury for the Ducks' home game Sunday. - LA Times

Forwards P.J. Axelsson and Chuck Kobasew did not skate, joining Glen Murray (strained hip flexor), Bobby Allen (back spasms), Andrew Alberts (post-concussion syndrome symptoms), and Patrice Bergeron (concussion) on the sidelines. Claude Julien said Axelsson and Kobasew had a day off and declined to elaborate. - Boston Globe

Centre Derek Roy (shoulder), right wing Maxim Afinogenov (groin) and defenseman Jaroslav Spacek (back) are out. Afinogenov was one of the first players on the ice and one of the last off it during Friday's practice in the Amherst Pepsi Center. Nathan Paetsch, a healthy scratch the past two games, will replace Spacek. Centre Tim Connolly is questionable after missing Thursday's game with various aches and pains, including a groin strain. - Buffalo News

Ray Whitney, Glen Wesley, Wade Brookbank and Trevor Letowski are day-by-day with the flu. Matt Cullen, Scott Walker, David Tanabe are all still out. Bret Hedican (knee) appears to be the closest to returning, but he is unlikely to play tonight. - News Observer

General manager Dale Tallon, believed to be interested in acquiring a veteran defenseman, said Friday, "[I] hope to have a deal in place on Monday." Regarding veteran winger Jason Williams, sidelined the last 20 games with a groin injury, Savard said, "In the last two days he has felt better." Still, Williams isn't close to returning. James Wisniewski is making significant progress in his recovery from a knee injury. The defenseman will begin skating Monday. - Chicago Tribune

Left winger Fredrik Modin, who last played Nov. 1, might be in the lineup as soon as late next week, Ken Hitchcock said. The Blue Jackets also revealed that two old fractures in his back have been the source of his spasms. The fractures were discovered by Dr. Robert Watkins of Los Angeles using bone and CT scans after Modin sought a second opinion. Modin is expected to take part in his first full-contact practice Sunday. - Columbus Dispatch

Defenseman Sergei Zubov is pushing through hand and foot injuries and is expected to play today against the Kings. However, Dallas recalled defenseman Mark Fistric as a precaution. - Dallas Morning News

Henrik Zetterberg did not skate today because of the flu and is a game time decision. The Red Wings have only lost twice in regulation in their last 22 games. Tonight will be Dominik Hasek's first game back in Ottawa since he played for the Senators. - TSN

Center Jozef Stumpel probably will miss the Panthers' games Saturday and Sunday against the Tampa Bay Lightning and Colorado Avalanche because of a shoulder injury. Defensemen Branislav Mezei (hand) and Cory Murphy (shoulder) skated Friday morning before the Panthers� practice, and they could be nearing comebacks. Martin said Mezei is out for the weekend and is still not handling the puck. - Miami Herald

Michael Cammalleri, out since Dec. 22 because of bruised ribs, began skating early this week and will also make the trip. Coach Marc Crawford said Kevin Dallman is still a week to 10 days from returning. He hasn't set a timeline for Cammalleri's return. - LA Times

The Kings assigned veteran defenseman Jon Klemm to the Manchester Monarchs of the American Hockey League.

Forward Corey Locke has been assigned to the Hamilton Bulldogs of the American Hockey League.

Defenseman Shea Weber joined his teammates on the ice for Friday morning's practice, but his stay was not an extended one. After just 20 minutes, part of which he spent on the bench watching, Weber left the rink area. Visibly frustrated after talking to the trainers, he did not return. - Tennessean

Forward Miroslav Satan sat out after spraining his right knee Tuesday in Vancouver but skated in the morning and is day-to-day. - Newsday

LW Martin Straka participated fully in practice yesterday, though with a no-contact jersey on, to take another significant step in his rehab from a concussion suffered Saturday in Edmonton. RW Brendan Shanahan sat out practice to rest the knee he injured vs. the Oilers and the hip and lower back that tightened on him Thursday night as a result of favoring the leg during the loss to Philadelphia. LW Sean Avery did not practice but worked out off-ice. He is resting a right wrist bothered by a bone chip. - New York Newsday

Forward Patrick Eaves is skating but head coach John Paddock said he won't play Saturday and is now doubtful for Sunday's meeting with the Islanders. - TSN

Antero Niittymaki will be back in net again today against the Bruins at the Wachovia Center. Martin Biron, who has sat out the last three, will be in net tomorrow at Washington. Scottie Upshall (sprained right ankle) practiced yesterday and said he will be back in the lineup today. The Flyers will have to make a decision on which extra forward to sit or to send down, Stefan Ruzicka or Steve Downie. - Philadelphia Daily News

Left wing Daniel Carcillo (knee) skated during the morning workout. He still is several weeks from returning. - Arizona Republic

Defenseman Matt Walker returned to the lineup Friday and defenseman Christian Backman was a healthy scratch. - St Louis Post Dispatch

Defenseman Tom Poti (shoulder) returned to practice but remains questionable for tomorrow's game against the Philadelphia Flyers at Verizon Center. Right wing Chris Clark practiced on the second line after missing six weeks because of a strained groin muscle. He's also questionable. Defenseman Brian Pothier (concussion) has been ruled out for tomorrow, while Quintin Laing (bruised leg) is expected to be ready despite missing practice. Matt Pettinger also did not skate because of an undisclosed ailment, but should return today, coach Boudreau said. - Washington Post

Backup goalie Brent Johnson rejoined the Washington Capitals on Saturday after a one-game rehab assignment with the AHL's Hershey Bears, and goalie Frederic Cassivi was sent to the minors.

[DropThePuck]

4 - Savard, M. (PPG, 04:02 in 2nd), Sturm, M. (PPG, 18:38 in 2nd), Schaefer, P. (04:51 in 3rd), Ward, A. (00:43 in OT)
3 - Carter, J. (PPG, 11:31 in 1st), Hartnell, S. (PPG, 10:41 in 3rd), Briere, D. (12:45 in 3rd)


Boston Bruins' Milan Lucic is helped off the ice after he was injured sliding into the boards against the Philadelphia Flyers in the first period of their hockey game Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008 in Philadelphia.
(AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)


Boston Bruins' Chuck Kobasew, right, and Philadelphia Flyers' Jason Smith take a run at each other in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, in Philadelphia. The Bruins won in overtime, 4-3.
(AP Photo/Rusty Kennedy)

[setallonfire]

Kings 3 : 2 Stars (2nd, 14:15)
Kopitar deflects one in. Kings take the lead. Turco called for interference, and the commentators were worried about the puck going off Kopitar's skate, but the play was not reviewed.

[setallonfire]

Kings 3 : 3 Stars (3rd, 7:23)
Modry deflects a one-timer in, as the Stars score a PP goal to tie it up.

[Dark Knight]

LA allows two 5 on 3 plays in a row and Dallas ties it. An LA player had a breakaway but fumbled the play and couldn't score.

[setallonfire]

LA allows two 5 on 3 plays in a row and Dallas ties it. An LA player had a breakaway but fumbled the play and couldn't score.

Dustin Brown had the breakaway short-handed, and really did a poor job with.

Still worried about OT, and at that point, I'd definitely favour Dallas.

And oh my GOD Halpern should have just scored. What a save from LaBarbera. Fantastic dive. Earned a standing ovation at the Staples Center.

Edit, ~14 minutes: Open net opportunity for the Kings, but they did nothing with it.

Edit, this one is going to OT.

[Duck304]

Take some points away from the stars!

[Dark Knight]

OT... Dallas gets one point. Let's hope that's all they get.

[setallonfire]

Kings have definitely had the edge in this rather exciting OT period.

However, with a minute left, a shootout looks likely...

Edit: Shootout time. I now fancy LA. I think LaBarbera is feeling confident.

LA : 1 0 0 1
DAL : 0 0 1 0

>Nice move my Kopitar.
>Two nice, smart saves from LaBarbera.
>Frolov lost control of the puck, Brown can't fool Turco.
>Puck slides in, and the shot was reviewed.
>O'Sullivan with a nice wrister.
>LaBarbera stops Ribeiro!

Final Score: Kings 4 : 3 Stars

Kings pick up two well earned points, and the Ducks will have a chance to close in on first place tomorrow.

[Dark Knight]

LaBarbera reminds me of Bryzgalov in many ways. I thought he and Garon were pretty good last year, especially with that "defensive" corps in front of them.

[DropThePuck]

3 - Halpern, J. (PPG, 03:20 in 1st), Eriksson, L. (03:36 in 1st), Niskanen, M. (PPG, 07:23 in 3rd)
4 - Frolov, A. (09:06 in 1st), Armstrong, D. (10:13 in 1st), Kopitar, A. (PPG, 14:15 in 2nd), O'Sullivan, P. (00:00 in SO)


Goaltender Marty Turco #35 of the Dallas Stars watches the puck go in the net on a goal by Anze Kopitar #11 of the Los Angeles Kings at Staples Center January 12, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)


Alexander Frolov #24 of the Los Angeles Kings plays the puck from the ice in front of Stephane Robidas #3 of the Dallas Stars at Staples Center January 12, 2008 in Los Angeles, California.
(Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)

[lvsprt]

Ottawa over the Wings. You'd think they'd won the Stanley Cup. But okay give 'em credit. (we beat both of them in the playoffs last year) That's two losses in a row for the Wings.

[DropThePuck]

2 - Rafalski, B. (PPG, 07:46 in 3rd), Hudler, J. (12:06 in 3rd)
3 - Alfredsson, D. (PPG, 01:09 in 1st), Fisher, M. (03:26 in 2nd), Alfredsson, D. (PPG, 17:04 in 3rd)


Ottawa Senators' Chris Neil, left, fights Detroit Red Wings' Andreas Lilja, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick)


Ottawa Senators' Shean Donovan, left, gets hit by Detroit Red Wings' Mikael Samuelsson, of Sweden, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Ottawa on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Sean Kilpatrick)


Chris Kelly #22 of the Ottawa Senators tries a wraparound shot on Dominik Hasek #39 of the Detroit Red Wings while teammate Brett Lebda #22 tries to knock away the rebound during the second period at the Scotiabank Place January 12, 2008 in Ottawa, Canada. The Ottawa Senators lead the Detroit Red Wings 2-0 after the second period.
(Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)


Niklas Kronwall #55 of the Detroit Red Wings dekes around Jason Spezza #19 of the Ottawa Senators during third period action of a game at the Scotiabank Place January 12, 2008 in Ottawa, Canada. The Ottawa Senators defeat the Detroit Red Wings 3-2.
(Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

[Dark Knight]

Toronto 1 - SJS 0 (early in the first)...

[DropThePuck]

3 - Martin, P. (13:47 in 2nd), Clarkson, D. (18:53 in 3rd), Parise, Z. (00:00 in SO)
2 - Paille, D. (00:58 in 1st), Paille, D. (10:38 in 1st)


Buffalo Sabres right winger Jason Pominville, left, is checked by New Jersey Devils defenseman Paul Martin during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y., on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008.
(AP Photo/Don Heupel)


New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur, right, watches the puck as Devils defenseman Mike Mottau and Buffalo Sabres center Paul Gaustad, foreground, enter the play during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Buffalo, N.Y. on Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008. The puck later bounced into the net on a shot by Sabres left winger Daniel Paille.
(AP Photo/Don Heupel)

[DropThePuck]

1 - Kostitsyn, S. (PPG, 07:10 in 3rd)
4 - Drury, C. (03:17 in 1st), Straka, M. (13:20 in 1st), Prucha, P. (05:51 in 2nd), Dawes, N. (19:38 in 2nd)


Montreal Canadiens' Alexei Kovalev (27) fights for the puck against New York Rangers' Michal Rozsival (3), of the Czech Republic, as Rangers' Chris Drury (23) looks on during the first period of hockey action Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008 in New York.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)


New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist (30), of Sweden, deflects a shot on the goal as teammate Paul Mara (27) and Montreal Canadiens' Saku Koivu (11), of Finland, look on during the first period of hockey action Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008 in New York.
(AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

[DropThePuck]

5 - Hejduk, M. (00:50 in 2nd), Stastny, P. (10:24 in 2nd), McLeod, C. (10:23 in 3rd), Svatos, M. (13:50 in 3rd), Svatos, M. (15:57 in 3rd)
4 - Cole, E. (08:45 in 1st), Aucoin, K. (18:01 in 1st), Larose, C. (03:43 in 2nd), Stillman, C. (13:39 in 2nd)


Scott Parker #27 of the Colorado Avalanche, right, slams Tim Conboy #38 of the Carolina Hurricanes to the ice as they fight during the first period on January 12, 2008 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Photo By Grant Halverson/Getty Images)


Cody McCormick #11 of the Colorado Avalanche squares off against Mike Commodore #22 of the Carolina Hurricanes as they fight in the first period on January 12, 2008 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Photo By Grant Halverson/Getty Images)


Cam Ward #30 of the Carolina Hurricanes smothers a shot by Jeff Finger #6 of the Colorado Avalanche in the third period on January 12, 2008 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Colorado won 5-4.
(Photo By Grant Halverson/Getty Images)


Cody McCormick #11 of the Colorado Avalanche takes a shot against the Carolina Hurricanes in the third period on January 12, 2008 at the RBC Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Colorado won 5-4.
(Photo By Grant Halverson/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

2 - Crosby, S. (05:23 in 1st), Crosby, S. (05:06 in 2nd)
3 - Kovalchuk, I. (PPG, 09:31 in 1st), Holik, B. (PPG, 01:40 in 3rd), Recchi, M. (SO)


Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Darryl Sydor (5) vies for the puck against Atlanta Thrashers Colin Stuart (49) during the first period, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, during an NHL hockey game at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/Gregory Smith)


Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Mark Popovic (7) vies for the puck against Pittsburgh Penguins left wing Jeff Taffe, right, during the second period, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2008, at an NHL hockey game at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
(AP Photo/Gregory Smith)