FTS 11/15/08

TOP STORY

BLUNDER AND LIGHTNING

(Photo Credit: AP)

Barry Melrose is fired after only 16 games

This firing has me scratching my head. Granted, the Lightning have only registered 14 out of a possible 32 points, but we're not talking about a coach who has had some opportunities lately and just can't get it going. If this was a retread coach, I'd understand the move. Tampa Bay has a lot of talent on their team and can definitely contend for a playoff spot down the stretch. However, when Melrose was hired, the Lightning knew they were getting a guy who hadn't coached in over a decade.

Just like any other sport, the game changes a lot over that course of time. Yes, Melrose was an NHL analyst throughout that time and followed the game closely. But following and coaching are two completely different levels on involvement. The Lightning should have expected some growing pains. If you want to hire a guy that hasn't done the job in while, you have to wait a little bit longer to drop the hammer than you would normally wait. 5-7-4 isn't a great record, but it isn't terrible for a guy in Melrose's situation. In the Southeast Division, 2nd place is still wide open (now that Ovechkin is beginning to warm up, expect the Caps to give themselves some distance for the division lead). How much better will Rick Tocchet do than Barry anyways? I wouldn't bet on him doing too much better (sorry but I had to get the gambling reference in on Tocchet).

For more on this, AP Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5hxXLsA1OblFMeRttOahZusIh9VFA

OTHER HEADLINES

-Initial findings from a Russian police investigation indicated the quality of medical treatment did not cause the death of New York Rangers prospect and KHL player Alexei Cherepanov. Cherepanov, the 17th overall pick in the 2007 entry draft, collapsed on the bench during the third period of a KHL game Oct. 13 at the Sports Palace in Chekov outside Moscow. The report said that doctors and medical personnel "acted professionally and did everything they could. The absence of special medical equipment in the arena was not the cause of death of this hockey player," Vladimir Shalaev, head of hockey operations for the KHL, said in a news release. Russian officials, however, refused to reveal exactly what caused Cherepanov's death, but promised that information would be forthcoming. It is unknown whether criminal charges still might be filed.

RUMOR MILL

-Nothing new to report today

LAST NIGHT'S RECAP

Washington Capitals (10-4-2) over the New Jersey Devils (7-7-2) 3-1

-The Devils skid since Brodeur's injury continued tonight thanks to goals from Brooks Laich, Tomas Fleischmann, and Alexander Ovechkin (AO has scored in three straight games). New Jersey is now 1-5-0 since Brodeur hurt his elbow. G Jose Theodore made 32 saves in his first start in nearly two weeks to give the Caps the win. Washington's Alexander Semin, the NHL scoring leader entering the game with 27 points, left the game late in the 2nd period with an undisclosed injury. The team said his status is day-to-day. Washington coach Bruce Boudreau said after the game He'll be fine tomorrow, as far as I know." Patrick Elias scored the lone Devils goal and the back end of this home and home series wraps up tonight at the Prudential Center.

Columbus Blue Jackets (8-7-2) over the Buffalo Sabres (9-4-3) 6-1

-The Blue Jackets scored a season-high six goals and Pascal Leclaire made 37 saves in his first game back after missing seven with an ankle injury. RJ Umberger had two goals while Michael Peca, Manny Malholtra, Derick Brassard and Rick Nash chipped in with a goal a piece. Jason Pominville scored a power-play goal for Buffalo, which had its second regulation loss in the past three games.

Detroit Red Wings (11-2-3) over the Florida Panthers (6-9-2) 3-2

-Marian Hossa scored two goals and Johan Franzen's PP goal turned out to be the game winner (his 4th GW of the season) early in the 3rd period. D Niklas Kronwall chipped in with two assists for Detroit while Richard Zednik and Stephen Weiss scored the two Florida goals. Ty Conklin stopped 25 shots to win a matchup of backup goalies against Craig Anderson. Conklin improved to 6-0 lifetime in seven career games against the Panthers.Florida has yet to win three in a row this season and the Red Wings have not lost in regulation in the month of November.

Atlanta Thrashers (7-7-2) over the Carolina Hurricanes (8-7-2) 3-2
-Atlanta tied a franchise record with it's 5th straight win tonight while handing Carolina it's 3rd straight loss. Marty Reasoner, Eric Perrin (1st of the season) and Slava Kozlov (PPG) scored for the Thrashers while Tuomo Ruttu and Rod Brind'Amour (both PPGs) notched the two Carolina goals. Rod Brind'Amour's goal pushed him into a tie with Mike Bossy and Joe Nieuwendyk for 50th on the all-time scoring list with 1,126 points. Johan Hedberg made 27 saves for Atlanta in the win. The Thrashers debuted their new alternate jerseys, which are red rather than blue. They will be worn for 13 more home games, including all meetings with Southeast Division teams.

St. Louis Blues (6-8-1) over the Chicago Blackhawks (7-3-5) 4-3

-It certainly wasn't a good road trip for the Blues, but they ended it on a high note with the road win at the United Center. Andy McDonald had the first goal (shorthanded) and the game winner 2:15 in to OT (on the PP) while David Perron and Cam Paddock scored the other two goals for St. Louis. Dustin Byfuglien, Dave Bolland (2 goals, one shorthanded) scored the Blackhawks goals. The Blackhawks have not lost in regulation in six games (4-0-2) and remained unbeaten in regulation at home this season (6-0-4). The Blues' Manny Legace stopped 32 shots. Chicago's Khabibulin blocked 26. St. Louis LW Paul Kariya missed his fourth game with an injured foot. Blues RW Dan Hinote sat out his first with a lower-body injury. Chicago D Brent Sopel returned after missing two games with an undisclosed injury. The crowd of 22,260 was Chicago's tenth sellout in 10 home games (it's great to see hockey becoming popular again in Chicago).

Nashville Predators (8-7-1) over the Anaheim Ducks (9-7-2) 4-3

-This was an evenly played game from the beginning until 2:17 in to the OT when D Dan Hamhuis gave the Nashville franchise their 4th win in 19 attempts in Anaheim. Brendan Morrison would score first for Anaheim, but Ryan Jones (PPG) and JP Dumont would answer back. Chris Kunitz (PPG) would tie things at 2 at the end of the 1st period. No one would score in the 2nd, but Joel Ward and Ryan Getzlaf (both PPGs) would exchange goals to force overtime. Dan Ellis, coming off a franchise-record 54-save performance in Nashville's 4-3 overtime win at San Jose on Tuesday night, stopped 32 Anaheim shots. Teemu Selanne had three assists in his 600th game with Anaheim. Brad May returned to the Anaheim lineup after missing six games with a sprained right knee. Nashville RW Martin Erat missed his third straight game because of an upper body injury. This was the Ducks first game after the firing of GM Brian Burke.

AROUND THE BOARDS

-What was said to be "lower body soreness" after practice Thursday morning is now much more than that. Kevin Bieksa will miss 2-4 weeks with a fracture of the metatarsal bone in his left foot. Bieksa was spotted in a walking boot at last night's Sports Celebrities Festival after taking a day off practice to get x-rays.He's been playing with pain in his foot since November 4, after blocking a shot in the game against Nashville.

-New York Islanders D Thomas Pock has been suspended for five games, without pay, as a result of an elbowing incident that took place during Thursday night's game against the Ottawa Senators. Pock was assessed a major penalty for elbowing and game misconduct for hitting Ottawa forward Ryan Shannon at 15:55 of the third period. He will be eligible to return Nov. 26 against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

-The Edmonton Oilers have placed D Ladislav Smid on the IR because of a concussion. Smid was hurt during a November 5 game against Columbus and has missed the last four games. He has two assists in eight games this season. Liam Reddox (AHL-Springfield) will fill the roster spot.

GAME OF THE NIGHT

Boston Bruins (10-3-3) @ New York Rangers (12-5-2) - 7PM

The Bruins will be going for the 6th win in a row in their 3rd game in four days. The B's are coming off a huge 6-1 home win over the Canadiens on Thursday night. Boston's penalty-killing unit is 20-for-21 during the win streak. On the other bench, the Rangers are coming off a 5-2 pounding of the Devils on Wednesday night. It's uncertain Saturday whether the Rangers will have center Scott Gomez, who is tied for third on the team with 13 points but missed Wednesday's game due to a leg injury. An MRI exam revealed no broken bones. These two like to keep it close as four of the last five meetings have gone to a shootout.

Other Action:

Philadelphia (5-6-4) @ Montreal (9-3-2) - 7PM

Washington (10-4-2) @ New Jersey (7-7-2) - 7PM
Ottawa (6-8-2) @ NY Islanders (5-9-2) - 7PM

Toronto (7-6-4) @ Vancouver (9-6-1) - 7PM

Buffalo (9-4-3) @ Pittsburgh (10-4-2) - 1:30PM

Columbus (8-7-2) @ Minnesota (9-4-1) - 8PM

Dallas (5-8-3) @ Phoenix (8-7-0) - 9PM
Colorado (7-8-0) @ Edmonton (8-7-1) - 10PM
Nashville (8-7-1) @ Los Angeles (7-6-2) - 10:30PM

^ALL TIMES EASTERN

*My weekly power rankings, "PLUS/MINUS", comes out on Monday evenings

~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out Wednesday evenings

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