15 replies to this topic

[Dark Knight]

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

Carolina at Boston
Washington at Philadelphia
Buffalo at Montreal
Dallas at Ottawa
Toronto at Pittsburgh
TBL at Atlanta
LAK at Detroit
NYI at Nashville
Minnesota at STL
Columbus at Phoenix
Chicago at Vancouver
NYR at SJS

[DropThePuck]

TSN's Ice Chips

Teemu Selanne suffered a laceration to his left thigh in Friday's game in Edmonton. He will fly to Vancouver Saturday and then home to Anaheim for an MRI. - TSN

Garnet Exelby said Friday he will be out three weeks due to a hairline fracture in his leg. - Atlanta Journal Constitution

No update on Marco Sturm, who was injured Thursday's game against the Maple Leafs. Head coach Claude Julien would only comment that it was a lower-body injury. "There's swelling, so they're not able to tell yet exactly what it is whether it's long term, short term or what." said Julien. The game on Thursday was Sturm's first after missing 12 games (concussion-like symptoms). - Boston Herald
Buffalo Sabres

The Sabres recalled defenceman Chris Butler from Portland of the AHL. The team also placed Nathan Gerbe on injured reserve (upper body injury) and expect him to be out two weeks. - Buffalo News

General Manager Darryl Sutter announced today that forward Jamie Lundmark has been reassigned to Quad City of the AHL. - Media Release

The Hurricanes sent Brett Carson to Albany of the AHL on Friday. - Herald-Sun

Rod Brind'Amour picked up his 700th career assist on Thursday. - Herald-Sun

Marek Svatos (back spasms) is not sure if he will be able to play on Sunday. He has missed four games. - Rocky Mountain News

Fredrik Norrena's career with the team ended Thursday after he cleared unconditional waivers and his contract was terminated. Norrena was the odd man out due to the great play from rookie Steve Mason and Pascal Leclaire. The goaltender has said he will sign with the KHL in Russia. - Columbus Dispatch

General manager Scott Howson said Ole-Kristian Tollefsen will have arthroscopic knee surgery on Friday. The defenceman was injured in practice on Tuesday. Andrew Murray (upper body) will not play in Saturday's contest with the Coyotes. - Columbus Dispatch

The team called up centre Mike York from their AHL affiliate on Friday and assigned defenceman Clay Wilson to the Syracuse Crunch. - Transaction Wire

The team announced Thursday that defenceman Sergei Zubov will undergo surgery on his hip in January, and will be out indefinitely. - Media Release

The team announced that it has activated right winger Jere Lehtinen from the Injured Reserve list. He is eligible to play in tonight's game at Ottawa. - Media Release

Rostislav Olesz (groin) has missed six games and could miss much more time. "It looks pretty significant," said head coach Pete DeBoer. "He's not even skating. He's not making a ton of headway, as far as recovery goes. I would say it's week to week, and we're going to see how it goes here in the next couple of weeks." - Miami Herald

Head coach Pete DeBoer said Tomas Vokoun will get the start in goal on Sunday against the Avalanche. - Miami Herald

Marc-Andre Bergeron (Lower body) was injured Friday against the Islanders. He did not travel to St. Louis with the rest of the Wild. - Star Tribune

Marian Gaborik scored a goal and picked up an assist on Thursday night after missing 27 games (lower body). "Gaborik is Gaborik," head coach Jacques Lemaire said after the game. "That's what he is. ... He played even better than I thought he would." - Pioneer Press


Goaltender Carey Price took part in his first full practice since suffering a lower body injury last Wednesday. He says he feels 90 per cent healed but head coach Guy Carbonneau says Price will not play on Saturday. Price may be ready for Sunday and says he'd like to get in at least one start before Christmas. Doctors say there is no damage to Andrei Kostitsyn after he collided with Scott Hartnell, but Kostitsyn will miss the Canadiens' game on Saturday and possibly Sunday's game as well. - TSN

Predators head coach Barry Trotz is going to switch Martin Erat to another line against the Islanders on Saturday. "We'll put him on a checking line," said Trotz after a loss on Thursday. Erat skated on a line with Vern Fiddler and Rich Peverley on Friday. - Tennessean

Head coach Brent Sutter said Martin Brodeur could return in mid-February, a month before his expected return. "That's in the range. I'm not going to sit here and say exactly when he's coming back. Everything, as far as I know, is going along very well," said Sutter after being asked if he expects his goalie to be back in mid-February. - Star-Ledger
Philadelphia Flyers

Marty Biron feeling the effects of a harsh flu bug. "I've known Marty a long time and I've never seen him this ill," said forward Danny Briere. "He hardly ever gets sick." Biron was sent home from practice on Firday. - Comcast Sports

Ryan Whitney finally has a return date. "We're targeting the game (Tuesday) against Tampa Bay," head coach Michel Therrien said. "We'll work with that plan." - Tribune Review

Marc-Andre Fleury gets the start in net, his second game back from a groin pull. Pascal Dupuis is out. - TSN

The team got a little good news on Paul Kariya (hip) as he has reported no setbacks after three consecutive days of skating. "Seeing him with skates on instead of running shoes is good news," Blues coach Andy Murray said. "At this point, it's not imminent that he's going to be back (soon)." Club president John Davidson said they have no timetable for Kariya's return. - St Louis Post Dispatch

Jay McKee will see a hand specialist on Monday to determine how his left ring finger is doing after a scary incident against Calgary. The veteran took a Mike Cammalleri shot off the finger and needed to have the tip reattached by the Blues' medical staff. "All that was really protecting it was a millimeter of leather," said McKee. "The puck actually split my glove where it hit me in the finger. It certainly didn't look much like a finger when I took my glove off." The team expects McKee will miss four to six weeks. - Belleville News-Democrat

The team announced Friday that Eric Brewer had successful surgery on a herniated disc in his back. He will be sidelined indefinitely. - Media Release

The team put Jussi Jokinen on waivers Friday. - TSN

Sami Salo is going on injured reserve with a broken rib and will miss four weeks. He suffered the injury on Wednesday night. Shane O'Brien suffered a charlie horse on Wednesday. Head coach Alain Vigneault believes he will be available for Saturday. No call ups as the Canucks currently have two extra defencemen on the roster, Rob Davison and Lawrence Nycholat. - TSN

Jose Theodore was activated off the injured reserve list on Friday. - Associated Press

[DropThePuck]

2 - Pitkanen, J. (PPG, 04:50 in 1st), Whitney, R. (15:24 in 3rd)
4 - Savard, M. (07:06 in 2nd), Krejci, D. (03:54 in 3rd), Thornton, S. (11:54 in 3rd), Yelle, S. (19:57 in 3rd)


Fans dressed as Santa cheer in Boston during the Bruins' 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in a hockey game in Boston Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


Boston Bruins' Chuck Kobasew (12) tries to control the puck in front of fallen Carolina Hurricanes Tuomo Ruutu of Finland during the second period of their 4-2 win in a hockey game in Boston Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


Referees and Boston Bruins' P.J. Axelsson (11) of Sweden, Shane Hnidy (34), Chuck Kobasew (12), and Matt Hunwick stand over fallen Bruin Patrice Bergeron during the second period of their 4-2 win over the Carolina Hurricanes in a hockey game in Boston Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. Bergeron left the game and did not return.
(AP)


Boston Bruins' Vladimir Sobotka (60) of the Czech Republic checks Carolina Hurricanes' Dennis Seidenberg of Germany into the boards during the first period of a NHL hockey game in Boston on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)

[DropThePuck]

1 - Laich, B. (05:09 in 3rd)
7 - Lupul, J. (04:29 in 1st), Carter, J. (15:11 in 2nd), Carter, J. (SHG, 16:05 in 2nd), Hartnell, S. (04:45 in 3rd), Hartnell, S. (PPG, 07:29 in 3rd), Gagne, S. (PPG, 09:19 in 3rd), Hartnell, S. (16:25 in 3rd)


Members of the ice crew collect hats thrown on the ice after Philadelphia Flyers left wing Scott Hartnell scored a hat trick in the third period of an NHL hockey game with the Washington Capitals, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Philadelphia. The Flyers won 7-1. Hartnell scored all three goals in third period.
(AP)


Philadelphia Flyers center Jeff Carter nets his second goal past Washington Capitals goalie Brent Johnson in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Philadelphia.
(AP)


Washington Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin, left, and Philadelphia Flyers center Mike Richards, right, tie up the puck against the boards in the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Philadelphia.
(AP)


Philadelphia Flyers right wing Joffrey Lupul, rear, pursues Washington Capitals center Michael Nylander, of Sweden, in the second period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Philadelphia.
(AP)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Roy, D. (09:10 in 1st), MacArthur, C. (15:21 in 2nd), Sekera, A. (PPG, 13:20 in 3rd)
4 - Kostitsyn, S. (PPG, 05:17 in 2nd), Tanguay, A. (03:26 in 3rd), Kostitsyn, S. (15:06 in 3rd), Kovalev, A. (PPG, 04:35 in OT)


Buffalo Sabres' Matt Ellis runs into Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak, of Slovakia, and Canadiens' Kyle Chipchura during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


Montreal Canadiens' Tom Kostopoulos is stopped by Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


Buffalo Sabres Clarke MacArthur celebrates after scoring the second goal on Montreal Canadiens goaltender Jaroslav Halak, from Slovakia, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


Buffalo Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller lets in a goal by Montreal Canadiens Sergei Kostitsyn, of Belarus, not shown, during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Montreal on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)

[DropThePuck]

4 - Niskanen, M. (19:09 in 1st), Richards, B. (PPG, 07:37 in 2nd), Petersen, T. (09:49 in 2nd), Eriksson, L. (14:26 in 3rd)
5 - Alfredsson, D. (01:27 in 1st), Vermette, A. (PPG, 03:52 in 2nd), Spezza, J. (PPG, 11:51 in 2nd), Picard, A. (PPG, 01:36 in 3rd), Smith, J. (03:30 in OT)


Dallas Stars' Doug Janik, left, gets hit by Ottawa Senators' Jarkko Ruutu, of Finland, during third-period NHL hockey game action at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


Marty Turco #35 of the Dallas Stars dives on a loose puck with Mike Fisher #12 of the Ottawa Senators skating in hard trying to poke the puck away in a game on December 20, 2008 at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Canada.
(Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)


Ottawa Senators' Daniel Alfredsson, right,of Sweden, is hit into the boards by Dallas Stars' Jere Lehtinen, of Finland, during NHL hockey game action at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. Alfredsson was injured by the hit but no penalty was called.
(AP)


Marty Turco #35 of the Dallas Stars dives after a loose puck in his crease while teammate Toby Peterson #17 knocks it away just before Dany Heatley #15 of the Ottawa Senators could get a stick on it in a game on December 20, 2008 at the Scotiabank Place in Ottawa, Canada.
(Photo by Phillip MacCallum/Getty Images)

[DropThePuck]

3 - St. Louis, M. (PPG, 03:54 in 1st), Hall, A. (08:15 in 1st), St. Louis, M. (PPG, 17:28 in 3rd)
4 - Kozlov, V. (00:18 in 1st), Perrin, E. (15:13 in 1st), White, T. (PPG, 18:23 in 1st), Crabb, J. (04:06 in 3rd)


Atlanta Thrashers right wing Joey Crabb, rear checks Tampa Bay Lightning left wing Ryan Malone (12) to the ice during the third period, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 during an NHL hockey game at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
(AP)


Tampa Bay Lightning center Vincent Lecavalier (4) vies for the puck against Atlanta Thrashers defenseman Mathieu Schneider (18) and Thrashers defenseman Nathan Oystrick (7) during the second period, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 during an NHL hockey game at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
(AP)


Tampa Bay Lightning center Steven Stamkos (91) fights for the puck against Atlanta Thrashers left wing Eric Boulton (36) during the second period, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 during an NHL hockey game at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
(AP)


Atlanta Thrashers goaltender Kari Lehtonen, of Finland, makes a save against the Tampa Bay Lightning during the second period, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 during an NHL hockey game at Philips Arena in Atlanta.
(AP)

[DropThePuck]

4 - Lewis, T. (01:46 in 1st), Frolov, A. (12:53 in 1st), Calder, K. (18:56 in 2nd), Brown, D. (02:25 in 3rd)
6 - Datsyuk, P. (08:40 in 1st), Lilja, A. (12:22 in 1st), Samuelsson, M. (18:40 in 2nd), Hudler, J. (16:17 in 3rd), Cleary, D. (18:26 in 3rd), Draper, K. (19:36 in 3rd)


Los Angeles Kings' Alexander Frolov, back center, of Russia is congratulated on his goal by teammates Wayne Simmonds, back left, and Michal Handzus, right, of Slovakia after getting it past Detroit Red Wings' goalie Ty Conklin during the first period of their NHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 in Detroit.
(AP)


Los Angeles Kings' Alexander Frolov (24) of Russia tries to keep the puck away from Detroit Red Wings' defenseman Brad Stuart during the first period of their NHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 in Detroit.
(AP)


Detroit Red Wings' Johan Franzen, left, of Sweden is defended by Los Angeles Kings' Sean O'Donnell during the second period of their NHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 in Detroit.
(AP)


Detroit Red Wings' Valtteri Filppula, right, of Finland, watches Dan Cleary's (not pictured) game-winning goal go in past Los Angeles Kings' goalie Jonathan Quick (32)d uring the third period of their NHL hockey game on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008 in Detroit.
(AP)

[DropThePuck]

0
1 - Fiddler, V. (06:48 in 1st)


New York Islanders right wing Bill Guerin (13) and Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne of Finland wind up on the ice as Guerin is called for goaltender interference in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


Nashville Predators goalie Pekka Rinne (35) of Finland stops a shot against the New York Islanders in the second period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. Rinne stopped 23 shots and shut out the Islanders
(AP)


Predators right wing Martin Erat (10), of the Czech Republic, falls after skating over the stick of New York Islanders goalie Joey MacDonald, right, in the third period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


New York Islanders goalie Joey MacDonald blocks a shot by Nashville Predators right wing Martin Erat (10), of the Czech Republic, in the third period of an NHL hockey game in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. At right is New York Islanders defenseman Mark Streit (2) of Switzerland.
(AP)

[DropThePuck]

2 - Schultz, N. (05:59 in 1st), Bouchard, P. (02:21 in 3rd)
4 - Berglund, P. (01:19 in 1st), Backes, D. (10:30 in 1st), Polak, R. (02:51 in 3rd), McClement, J. (19:45 in 3rd)


Minnesota Wild's Mikko Koivu (9), of Finland, and St. Louis Blues' Roman Polak (46), of the Czech Republic, collide along the boards during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in St. Louis.
(AP)


St. Louis Blues' Carlo Colaiacovo, left, and Minnesota Wild's Stephane Veilleux get tangled up as the chase a loose puck during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in St. Louis.
(AP)


St. Louis Blues' B.J. Crombeen (26) and Minnesota Wild's Craig Weller fight during the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in St. Louis.
(AP)


St. Louis Blues' Carlo Colaiacovo, left, sends Minnesota Wild's Cal Clutterbuck into the boards during the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in St. Louis.
(AP)

[DropThePuck]

0
2 - Reinprecht, S. (10:23 in 2nd), Boedker, M. (06:52 in 3rd)


Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Ed Jovanovski, left, collides with Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Kris Russell, right, in front of the Coyotes' bench in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP)


Phoenix Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, right, of Russia, stops a wrap-around attempt by Columbus Blue Jackets left winger Mike York, left, in the third period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP)


Phoenix Coyotes center Steven Reinprecht, right, scores a goal against Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Steve Mason, left, in the second period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP)


Phoenix Coyotes defenseman Zbynek Michalek, top left, of the Czech Republic, battles with Columbus Blue Jackets right winger Derek Dorsett, top right, as Coyotes goalie Ilya Bryzgalov, bottom, of Russia, in the first period of an NHL hockey game Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008, in Glendale, Ariz.
(AP)

[DropThePuck]

3 - Kane, P. (02:51 in 2nd), Sharp, P. (06:17 in 2nd), Toews, J. (19:21 in 3rd)
1 - Sedin, D. (03:45 in 1st)


Vancouver Canucks' Shane O'Brien (55) collides with his goalie Curtis Sanford after getting pushed by Chicago Blackhawks Troy Brouwer (22) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


Chicago Blackhawks' goalie Cristobal Huet, of France, makes a pad save against Vancouver Canucks' Mason Raymond (21) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


Vancouver Canucks' Kevin Bieksa (3) and Chicago Blackhawks' Troy Brouwer collide in open ice during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


[i]Chicago Blackhawks' Patrick Sharp, center, is congratulated by Cam Barker, left to right, Jonathan Toews, Brian Campbell and Patrick Kane after scoring against the Vancouver Canucks during second period of an NHL hockey game in Vancouver on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. [/i
(AP)

[DropThePuck]

2 - Zherdev, N. (SHG, 10:34 in 1st), Callahan, R. (09:56 in 2nd)
3 - Boyle, D. (PPG, 04:27 in 1st), Clowe, R. (PPG, 04:52 in 1st), Marleau, P. (06:20 in 2nd)


New York Rangers right wing Ryan Callahan, right, skates past San Jose Sharks left wing Ryane Clowe (29) during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


New York Rangers right wing Ryan Callahan, bottom right, reaches for the puck as San Jose Sharks defenseman Christian Ehrhoff, of Germany, and Marcel Goc (11), of Germany, pursue the play during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif. Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


San Jose Sharks goalie Evgeni Nabokov, of Kazakhstan, stops a shot against the New York Rangers during the first period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif. on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)


New York Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist, of Sweden, left, stops a shot as San Jose Sharks center Marcel Goc, of Germany, center, and Rangers defenseman Paul Mara look on during the second period of an NHL hockey game in San Jose, Calif.Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP)

[DropThePuck]

7 - Moore, D. (PPG, 07:45 in 1st), Williams, J. (11:03 in 1st), Frogren, J. (12:56 in 1st), Hagman, N. (08:31 in 2nd), Kubina, P. (PPG, 16:20 in 2nd), Ponikarovsky, A. (05:23 in 3rd), Antropov, N. (PPG, 08:18 in 3rd)
3 - Malkin, E. (09:49 in 1st), Sykora, P. (PPG, 00:58 in 3rd), Sykora, P. (17:01 in 3rd)


Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang, right, can't get his stick on the puck as Toronto Maple Leafs' Alexei Ponikarovsky (23) of Ukraine leaps out of the way of a shot by Leafs' Jonas Frogren as he screens Penguins goal tender Marc-Andre Fleury during a NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. The shot went in for the Leafs third goal of the period.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Toronto Maple Leafs' Dominic Moore (19) puts the puck in the net behind Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury (29) and defenseman Philippe Boucher, left center, in the first period of a NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Pittsburgh Penguins' Ryan Stone, left, is knocked off his skates by Toronto Maple Leafs' Jeremy Williams (18) in the first period of a NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala (35) of Finland makes a first period save on a shot by the Pittsburgh Penguins in a NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

[Duckbill]

Should I be surprised that the Kings choked really hard against a good team yet again? BEtween that and the loss to the Sharks they were damn close to having all four points possible and ended up with just one.

[DropThePuck]

Pittsburgh Penguins' Tim Wallace (63) falls to the ice between Toronto Maple Leafs' Lee Stempniak, left, and Ian White during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Pittsburgh Penguins' Evgeni Malkin, left, of Russia, slips a first period shot past Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Vesa Toskala of Finland in a NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Toronto Maple Leafs' Dominic Moore, left, celebrates after scoring against Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury, lower right, and defenseman Philippe Boucher, right, in the first period of a NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)


Pittsburgh Penguins goalie Marc-Andre Fleury stops a first period shot by the Toronto Maple Leafs in a NHL hockey game in Pittsburgh Saturday, Dec. 20, 2008. The Maple Leafs won 7-3, with Fleury being pulled for the third period.
(AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)