TOP STORY
SAN JOSE BACK ON TRACK
(Photo Credit: AP)
Joe Pavelski Pokechecks the puck from Patrick Sharp
San Jose Sharks (15-3-1) over the Chicago Blackhawks (7-4-5) 6-5
Devin Setoguchi's power-play goal with 4:15 left gave San Jose a 6-5 victory over Chicago on Sunday night, the Blackhawks' first home loss in regulation this season. Dan Boyle scored two power-play goals for the Sharks, who went 4-for-6 with the man advantage. Milan Michalek, Joe Thornton and Jeremy Roenick also connected to help NHL-leading San Jose win its second straight to improve to 9-1-1 in its last 11. Joe Pavelski had three assists.
Chicago defensemen Brian Campbell and Cam Barker each had a goal and two assists. The Blackhawks' Kris Versteeg scored a pair of goals and Patrick Kane also added one for Chicago. Chicago coach Joel Quenneville wasn't happy about the opening effort from the Blackhawks. "They got the lead on the first shift," Quenneville said. "We couldn't keep possession of the puck. And some of the penalties we took... not with a power-play threat they have. "I'm not happy at all with the way this thing ended. They're a good team. We had them where we wanted them and let them off the hook. We were gracious." Michalek opened the scoring 42 seconds in, connecting from the left circle following a faceoff.
Jeremey Roenick's goal was his first since March 28 and first in 21 games. Sharks G Evgeni Nabokov missed his fifth game because of a lower-body injury. San Jose RW Mike Grier sat out with a lower-body injury, sustained in the Sharks' previous game and RW Jonathan Cheechoo returned after missing four games with a back injury. The Sharks next game is tonight at Nashville (see our Game of the Night). The Blackhawks next game is tomorrow night when they open up a 6 game road trip at Phoenix.
For more on this, AP Link: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5iClBtiC4_-yKWzsWFimsCv-OgUBQD94GDQ2G0
RUMOR MILL
-We've been saying that the Devils might make a deal for a goalie in the absence of Martin Brodeur. Look for Nikolai Khabibulin to be that guy. Staying with the Devils, John Madden could be on the move as well.
-Staying with NYC-area teams and goalies, it looks like the Isles will be trying to make a deal for Oilers G Dwayne Roloson.
-The Michael Nylander to Vancouver rumors are heating up again. Chicago is also another possible destination.
-Marian Gaborik's name is coming up again. Toronto is the team stirring the pot again. Nik Antropov would probably be one of the center pieces heading back.
LAST NIGHT'S RECAP
Carolina Hurricanes (9-7-2) over the Tampa Bay Lightning (5-7-5) 3-2 (SO)
-Martin St. Louis and Vinny Lecavalier (PPG) would get Tampa out to a 2-0 lead early in the 2nd period. They wouldn't be able to hold on in Rick Tocchet's coaching debut though. Wade Brookbank and Rod Brind'Amour would tie things up in the 2nd period and then Brind'Amour and Tuomo Ruutu would pot 2 shootout goals for the win. Cam Ward made 26 saves in the win while Mike Smith made 28 in the loss. The victory snapped a three-game losing steak for Carolina. The Canes have now won just two of their last six games.
Montreal Canadiens (10-4-2) over the St. Louis Blues (6-8-2) 3-2 (SO)
-The Habs won for just the second time in six games after starting the season 8-1-1. Alexei Kovalev would score the lone shootout goal for the road win. Andrei Kostitsyn had a goal and an assist and Robert Lang added the other Montreal goal. Steve Regier scored both St. Louis goals (one of them was on the PP). Montreal D Francis Bouillon took a shot to the mouth off in overtime and was immediately rushed off the ice.Montreal D Mike Komisarek (strained shoulder) missed his second straight game after being injured during a fight Thursday night in Boston.
Philadelphia Flyers (7-6-4) over the Atlanta Thrashers (7-8-2) 4-3
-Antero Niittymaki made 29 saves to improve to 11-0-0 against the Thrashers in his career to snap Atlanta's 5 game winning streak. The Flyers are now 13-0-1 in the last three seasons against the Thrashers. Joffrey Lupul would score the game-winner with just over 6 minutes remaing for Philadelphia. Simon Gagne, Mike Knuble, and Kimmo Timmonen (PPG) scored for the Flyers while Erik Christensen, Bryan Little and Slava Kozlov would score for Atlanta. The Flyers are 13-0-1 in the last three seasons against the Thrashers.
Anaheim Ducks (10-7-2) over the Los Angeles Kings (7-8-2) 2-0
-Ducks G Jonas Hiller made 29 saves to earn his first career shutout. Bret Hedican scored his first goal as a Duck and Corey Perry scored the other one in the battle of LA. It was the Ducks' second shutout in the last two meetings between the Southern California rivals. The last time they met on Nov. 4 at Staples Center, the Ducks won 1-0 on Chris Pronger's overtime goal. The only other time the Ducks have had consecutive shutouts against the Kings in 2000-01, both in Anaheim by 4-0 scores. The Ducks are 0-for-13 on the power play in their first three games against the Kings. Last season they were 5-for-36 in eight meetings. The Ducks are 6-0 when leading after two periods.
GAME OF THE NIGHT
San Jose Sharks (15-3-1) @ Nashville Predators (9-7-1) - 8PM
The Sharks are looking to avenge their lone home loss of the season when they travel to Tennessee tonight. They are coming off a 6-5 come-from-behind win over Chicago last night. The Predators have won 3 in a row and are coming off a 3-1 win in Los Angeles on Saturday. They are coming back from a 6 game road trip. Nashville went 3-3-0 on the trip. Dan Ellis will be in net for the Preds and is 1-1-0 with a 2.49 GAA versus the Sharks. Expect Brian Boucher to start again for San Jose.
Other Action:
Vancouver (10-6-1) @ NY Islanders (6-9-2) - 7PM
Ottawa (6-9-2) @ NY Rangers (13-5-2) - 7PM
Edmonton (8-7-2) @ Detroit (11-2-3) - 7:30PM
Boston (10-3-4) @ Toronto (7-7-4) - 7:30PM
^ALL TIMES EASTERN
*My weekly power rankings, "PLUS/MINUS", comes out tonight
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out Wednesday evenings
FEEL FREE TO COMMENT OR EMAIL ANYTIME HERE OR AT FROMTHESLOT@GMAIL.COM
No comments:
Post a Comment