(Photo Credit Tim Mihalek - AP)The Flyers got close, but failed to get their first win in their sixth try this season
AP Story: http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iBpz2Zox15FBIUQPenmkfV8rXwIQD93VU0A80
San Jose Sharks (6-1-0) over the Philadelphia Flyers (0-3-3) 7-6 (SO)
-The Flyers have lost in just about every imaginable way this season. They've lost close ones in regulation to the Rangers and Canadiens. They've been beaten handily by the Avalanche. They've lost in OT to the Penguins and Sharks. Now add a SO loss to San Jose in the back end of the home-and-home.
Flyers RW Joffrey Lupul scored twice for Philly and LW Scott Hartnell added 3 assists. RW Socttie Upshall also contributed a goal and two assists, but those were the only bright spots for Philadelphia. G Antero Niittymaki was pulled after the 1st period in favor of Martin Biron after letting in four goals in on 15 shots.
The Sharks outshot the Flyers 35-29 in this game and Philly has been outshot 114-64 in its last three games. The Flyers are 0-6-3 in their last nine games against the Sharks. Philadelphia LW Simon Gagne was scratched because of the flu.
You have to figure that Flyers HC John Stevens is on the hot seat now (if he wasn't already). I know Philly was playing with three of their top six defensemen hurt, but they have too much talent to not have a win by now. The schedule hasn't been easy, but this is a team that was one step away from the Stanley Cup Finals last year. It doesn't get any easier for the Flyers as they travel to New Jersey to face the Devils on Friday night.
On the flip side, San Jose managed to pull out the win despite blowing a 6-4 win. Sharks C Patrick Marleau had two goals and two assists. LW Ryane Clowe and RW Devin Setoguchi each added a goal and an assist in the win.
Former Flyer Jeremy Roenick scored the shootout winner in what will probably be his last game in the City of Brotherly Love. "This city really means a lot to me. I've have a lot of great memories in this building," said Roenick, who received a nice ovation when he was shown on the jumbo screen early in the game. "That was awesome," he said. "This is one building I'll never forget."
Next up for the best in the West right now is the Florida Panthers in game two of the three game-Eastern Conference road trip.
OTHER HEADLINES
(Photo Credit Rick Stewart of Getty Images)
-Sabres captain and D Craig Rivet will miss at least two weeks after having arthroscopic knee surgery. GM Darcy Regier announced the injury Wednesday and did not say which knee was hurt or when the injury happened. No details of the surgery were provided. Rivet had an assist and logged more than 20 minutes of ice time in a 3-2 shootout win over Boston on Tuesday night. Rivet has three assists in six games this season.
RUMOR MILL
A 2nd Hockey Team In Toronto?
Globe and Mail Story: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20081020.shoalts21/BNStory/National/home
Would a 2nd team in the Toronto market work, I think it could. Ontario Province is bursting at the seams with hockey fans. With the Maple Leafs being in a bit of a downtime, this would be a great time for a 2nd team to capitalize on that. However, there is absolutely no way the NHL can expand again. 30 teams is enough and some of the current markets can barely support teams. If a 2nd team is going to be in Toronto, it needs to be a relocated team.
LAST NIGHT’S RECAP
Florida Panthers (3-3-0) over the Ottawa Senators (2-3-1) 3-1
-Rostislav Olesz and Nathan Horton scored goals 48 seconds apart early in the first period for the Panthers and they never looked back. Panthers backup goalie Craig Anderson made 41 saves (26 of them in the 3rd period) in his first start of the season to aid in the win. Florida has alternated losses and wins to start the year. Senators defenseman Filip Kuba helped set up the Senators lone goal (scored by Daniel Alfredsson) to extend his assists and points streaks to six games. Veteran Ottawa D-man Luke Richardson made his season debut and LW Christopher Schubert returned after he was left out of the lineup for two games. RW Shean Donovan was a healthy scratch and missed his first game of the season.
New Jersey Devils (5-1-0) over the Dallas Stars (2-4-1) 5-0
-Devils G Martin Brodeur made 21 saves for his 98th NHL shutout as New Jersey beat Dallas 5-0. Devils C John Madden scored two goals for the Devils, and in the process, chased former Michigan teammate and Stars G Marty Turco in the second period. Devils LW Pierre-Luc Leblond earned his first assist in his first NHL game. Dallas has now allowed 29 goals on the season, which averages out to more than 4 a game. Stars D Doug Janik missed his second straight game with facial cuts. Other than a lot of jawing between Stars C Sean Avery and the Devils and a big Brodeur save made on an Avery shot, nothing crazy happened between Avery and his former cross-river nemesis.
Detroit Red Wings (4-1-1) @ St. Louis Blues (4-2-0)
-The Red Wings extended their road winning streak to three games as Detroit took over first place in the Central from the Blues. Detroit winger Tomas Holmstrom scored in his 4th straight game, C Pavel Datsyuk had two assists, and LW Henrik Zetterberg added a goal and an assist. Blues C Keith Tkachuk had a goal and an assist in the loss and has scored in every game this season and eight straight dating to last season. Detroit backup goalie Ty Conklin got his first win of the season in his first start.
Edmonton Oilers (4-1-0) @ Chicago Blackhawks (3-2-2)
-The Oilers were handed their first loss of the season thanks to a 23-save shutout performance from Chicago G Nikolai Khabibulin. It was his 39th career shutout. Khabibulin has been solid in his last three starts, but new Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville isn't ready to make him the team's #1 goalie ahead of Cristobal Huet. "Right now, I'm in no hurry" said Quenneville. "Both guys are deserving of getting some playing time. It's a healthy position to be in as a team." Blackhawks LW Patrick Sharp and D Aaron Johnson each contributed a goal and an assist in the win. Oilers G Dwayne Roloson lost in his first start of the season. The Oilers, who entered the game with the NHL's second-best power-play (29.4%) went 0 for 5 with the man advantage. Edmonton C Sam Gagner and D Sheldon Souray returned after missing games because of leg injuries and D Steve Staios missed the game due to family reasons.
AROUND THE BOARDS
-The Ottawa Senators today assigned D Brian Lee to the Binghamton Senators (AHL). Lee played in all five games with the Senators this season, recording one assist and a +1 rating while averaging 13:03 minutes of ice-time per game.
-The Rangers placed winger Patrick Rissmiller on waivers Tuesday. He didn’t play well next to Chris Drury and Markus Naslund in Monday night’s loss to Dallas. He also looked out of place in his other game against Philly.
-St. Louis Blues forward D.J. King will undergo season-ending surgery for a dislocated shoulder. King injured his shoulder during the Blues' 6-1 win over Dallas in the season opener on Oct. 16.
-The Bridgeport Sound Tigers have signed forward Mark Parrish to an amateur P.T.O. (Professional Tryout) contract. Last season, Parrish played with the Minnesota Wild. In 66 games, he registered 30 points (16 goals and 14 assists).
-Brian Lawton was elevated to the position of executive vice president and general manager of the Tampa Bay Lightning. Lawton was hired as the team's vice president of hockey operations back on 6/25/08. He continues to oversee all aspects of the team's hockey operations department, including player procurement and development and minor league affiliate relations.
-Sarah Palin, Governor of Alaska and candidate for Vice President of the United States of America, will be the guest of the St. Louis Blues on Friday, Oct. 24, when she will drop a ceremonial pregame “first puck” prior to the Blues’ game vs. the Los Angeles Kings.
GAME OF THE NIGHT
Buffalo Sabres (5-0-1) @ Minnesota Wild (4-0-0) – 8PM
The hot Buffalo Sabres take their winning ways to the Western conference to face off against the undefeated Minnesota Wild tonight. Buffalo G Ryan Miller has allowed just six goals on 105 shots and has a1.45 GAA in his four wins this season. The Wild return home after three straight road victories. Like Miller, Minnesota G Nicklas Backstrom has started the season well, winning in every game and allowing just seven goals on 121 shots. The Wild have killed off all 15 power plays against them and have converted on six of their 20 power-play opportunities.
Other Action:
Toronto (1-2-3) @ Boston (2-1-3) - 7PM
Dallas (2-4-1) @ New York Islanders (2-3-0) – 7PM
Carolina (3-1-1) @ Pittsburgh (4-2-1) – 7:30PM
Calgary (2-3-1) @ Nashville (3-3-0) – 8PM
Edmonton (4-1-0) @ Colorado (3-3-0) – 9:30PM
Washington (3-2-1) @ Phoenix (2-3-0) – 10PM
^^All times Eastern
**My weekly power rankings, “Plus/Minus” comes out Monday Evenings.
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