TOP STORY
LET THE BAD BLOOD BOIL
The Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry advanced another step in Washington's win yesterday
(Photo Credit: AP)
Sergei Fedorov, Shaone Morrisonn, Alexander Semin and Alexander Ovechkin each had a goal and an assist in the Capitals (38-17-5) 5-2 route over the Penguins (29-26-6). Jose Theodore made 31 saves for Washington while Pittsburgh goalie Marc Andre Fleury was chased in the 2nd period after allowing the fifth and final goal. Fleury has allowed 21 goals in the past five games.
The real story in this game was the first real visible sign of a Crosby-Oveckin rivalry. The incident happened in the final minute of the second period after the Capitals had taken a three-goal lead. Ovechkin gave Crosby a nudge with the shoulder, and Crosby retaliated by pushing Ovechkin's upper body over the boards at the Capitals' bench. Ovechkin then took his arm and gave Crosby a squeeze around the neck, and Crosby lost his helmet as linesman Greg Devorski stepped in. Crosby, clearly agitated, was restrained by Devorski, and Ovechkin responded with his little wave as he hopped the boards onto the bench. "I was just skating to the bench and he pushed me from behind," Crosby said. "So I just gave him a shot back. That's hockey, and he likes to run around these days, so that was it." There's more. Ovechkin isn't happy that Crosby accused the Capitals star of a "cheap shot" hit in Washington's win at Pittsburgh last month. "I play hard. If he wants to do something like hit me again, try to hit me again -- and I'll talk to you guys [about] who plays dirty," Ovechkin said. "That's my game. It's not cheap shots, it's a game moment. But he doesn't like it, it's his problem."
"What I can say about him?" Ovechkin said. "He is a good player, but he talks too much." And what does Crosby make of Ovechkin's showmanship? Like it or lump it, that's what he does," Crosby said. "Some people like it, some people don't. Personally, I don't like it." Washington has now won three straight against Pittsburgh and four of the last five.
Ohhhhhhhh man, this is going to be beautiful. The top player in the game and the third best player in the game (sorry Sid, Malkin is 2nd best) hating each other and developing a rivlary. If you thought the NHL was marketing the four times a season these two teams met, just wait until they can cherry-pick when they meet next season. Gary Bettman probably didn't sleep much last night, dreaming of what this could blossom in to. In case you're curious, these two teams will meet one more time, and that will be on Sunday, March 8th.
ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...
-Hurricanes center Matt Cullen potted his first career hat trick and it proved to be the difference in a Carolina's (31-25-5) 5-2 win over Colorado (28-31-1). Defenseman Joni Pitkanen had a goal and an assist while Chad LaRose and Ray Whitney each had two assists. The Canes have now won three straight, outscoring their opponents 15-5 along the way. The victory snapped Carolina's 15-game winless streak against Colorado. It was the Canes' first victory against the Avs since Feb. 9, 1996, when they were known as the Hartford Whalers.
-One of the league's worst took down one of the league's best as Vinny Prospal's late power play goal (1:33 remaining in the game) lifted the Lightning (20-28-12) over the Bruins (40-12-8) 4-3. Jeff Halpern, Adam Hall and Mark Recchi scored for Tampa Bay while Phil Kessel (25th of the season), Andrew Ference (first goal of the season - PPG) and Zdeno Chara scored for Boston.
-Wild goalie Josh Harding made a career-high 44 saves, Dan Fritsche scored on the power play, and Peter Olvecky scored his first career NHL goal as Minnesota (30-24-4) beat the Blackhawks (34-16-8) 2-1. Jonathan Toews scored the lone Chicago goal in the 2nd period. The Blackhawks returned home following a 3-0 road trip. Entering Sunday's game, Chicago had played 11 of its last 12 games on the road, going 8-3-0 in the road contests and 9-3-0 overall.
-The lowly Rangers (31-23-7) lost for the 10th time in their last 12 games in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs (22-26-12). The game was scoreless for the first two periods before John Mitchell scored his 5th goal of the season on a four on four 3:54 in to the 3rd period. Scott Gomez scored 1:59 late to tie the game, but Ian White broke the tie :25 seconds after that. Michal Rozsival (who changed his number to 33 last night since the #3 was retired in a pregame cermony) tied the game with 39.1 seconds remaining. In overtime, Niklas Hagman redirected a Pavel Kubina (three assists) shot on the power play for the win. Lee Stempniak also had three assists for Toronto while Vesa Toskala made 39 saves in the win. Ranger legends Andy Bathgate (#9) and Harry Howell (#3) had their numbers retired in a pregame ceremony. I was at this game, and the "Fire Renney" and "Fire Sather" chants were rampant.
OTHER HEADLINES
-The Buffalo Sabres tenuous hold on a playoff spot may be in jeopardy as the team awaits word on the severity of an ankle injury to goaltender Ryan Miller. The All-Star netminder suffered a high ankle sprain during Saturday's game against the New York Rangers after being taken down behind the net by Scott Gomez. He struggled to the Sabres bench while not putting any weight on his left leg. The team remain unsure how long they will be without the East Lansing, Michigan native. "It's stiff and it's tender," Miller told reporters following the game. "These are things you have to kind of feel out. There's no timetable, really. It's your comfort level. "Right now I just want to get through the night till the morning and see how my body reacts. I've had a few ankle sprains in my time, and each one's been different. We'll see how this one plays out." Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff was furious at Gomez following the incident. "I don't think there's any secret it was deliberate," Ruff told reporters. "He knew what he was doing." The 28-year old Miller is enjoying a spectacular season for the Sabres, sporting a 29-16-5 record with 5 shutouts. Backup Patrick Lalime will get the majority of starts in net for Buffalo until Miller is able to return. The team has called up Jhonas Enroth to back up Lalime for the time being. Heading into action Sunday, the Sabres are tied for the seventh spot in the East with the Rangers, three points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes. Buffalo will continue their playoff push on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks.
-Los Angeles Kings defenseman Denis Gauthier has been suspended two games as a result of an incident in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Gauthier was assessed a minor for boarding after making contact with Patrick Marleau on an icing play in the third period. He will be eligible to return to face the Flyers on Feb. 25, missing games against the Coyotes and Wild. Gauthier sat out five games for hitting Canadiens defenceman Josh Gorges with an elbow to the head earlier this month.
RUMOR MILL
-It appears that Brian Burke is close to making his first big move as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It looks like Nik Antropov will be heading to Vancouver.
-Don't expect Jay Bouwmeester to be moved at the deadline the way Florida is playing right now. That being said, something could happen with Philly this week or Florida will try and extend him down in Sunrise, FL
LET THE BAD BLOOD BOIL
The Crosby-Ovechkin rivalry advanced another step in Washington's win yesterday
(Photo Credit: AP)
Sergei Fedorov, Shaone Morrisonn, Alexander Semin and Alexander Ovechkin each had a goal and an assist in the Capitals (38-17-5) 5-2 route over the Penguins (29-26-6). Jose Theodore made 31 saves for Washington while Pittsburgh goalie Marc Andre Fleury was chased in the 2nd period after allowing the fifth and final goal. Fleury has allowed 21 goals in the past five games.
The real story in this game was the first real visible sign of a Crosby-Oveckin rivalry. The incident happened in the final minute of the second period after the Capitals had taken a three-goal lead. Ovechkin gave Crosby a nudge with the shoulder, and Crosby retaliated by pushing Ovechkin's upper body over the boards at the Capitals' bench. Ovechkin then took his arm and gave Crosby a squeeze around the neck, and Crosby lost his helmet as linesman Greg Devorski stepped in. Crosby, clearly agitated, was restrained by Devorski, and Ovechkin responded with his little wave as he hopped the boards onto the bench. "I was just skating to the bench and he pushed me from behind," Crosby said. "So I just gave him a shot back. That's hockey, and he likes to run around these days, so that was it." There's more. Ovechkin isn't happy that Crosby accused the Capitals star of a "cheap shot" hit in Washington's win at Pittsburgh last month. "I play hard. If he wants to do something like hit me again, try to hit me again -- and I'll talk to you guys [about] who plays dirty," Ovechkin said. "That's my game. It's not cheap shots, it's a game moment. But he doesn't like it, it's his problem."
"What I can say about him?" Ovechkin said. "He is a good player, but he talks too much." And what does Crosby make of Ovechkin's showmanship? Like it or lump it, that's what he does," Crosby said. "Some people like it, some people don't. Personally, I don't like it." Washington has now won three straight against Pittsburgh and four of the last five.
Ohhhhhhhh man, this is going to be beautiful. The top player in the game and the third best player in the game (sorry Sid, Malkin is 2nd best) hating each other and developing a rivlary. If you thought the NHL was marketing the four times a season these two teams met, just wait until they can cherry-pick when they meet next season. Gary Bettman probably didn't sleep much last night, dreaming of what this could blossom in to. In case you're curious, these two teams will meet one more time, and that will be on Sunday, March 8th.
ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...
-Hurricanes center Matt Cullen potted his first career hat trick and it proved to be the difference in a Carolina's (31-25-5) 5-2 win over Colorado (28-31-1). Defenseman Joni Pitkanen had a goal and an assist while Chad LaRose and Ray Whitney each had two assists. The Canes have now won three straight, outscoring their opponents 15-5 along the way. The victory snapped Carolina's 15-game winless streak against Colorado. It was the Canes' first victory against the Avs since Feb. 9, 1996, when they were known as the Hartford Whalers.
-One of the league's worst took down one of the league's best as Vinny Prospal's late power play goal (1:33 remaining in the game) lifted the Lightning (20-28-12) over the Bruins (40-12-8) 4-3. Jeff Halpern, Adam Hall and Mark Recchi scored for Tampa Bay while Phil Kessel (25th of the season), Andrew Ference (first goal of the season - PPG) and Zdeno Chara scored for Boston.
-Wild goalie Josh Harding made a career-high 44 saves, Dan Fritsche scored on the power play, and Peter Olvecky scored his first career NHL goal as Minnesota (30-24-4) beat the Blackhawks (34-16-8) 2-1. Jonathan Toews scored the lone Chicago goal in the 2nd period. The Blackhawks returned home following a 3-0 road trip. Entering Sunday's game, Chicago had played 11 of its last 12 games on the road, going 8-3-0 in the road contests and 9-3-0 overall.
-The lowly Rangers (31-23-7) lost for the 10th time in their last 12 games in a 3-2 overtime loss to the Maple Leafs (22-26-12). The game was scoreless for the first two periods before John Mitchell scored his 5th goal of the season on a four on four 3:54 in to the 3rd period. Scott Gomez scored 1:59 late to tie the game, but Ian White broke the tie :25 seconds after that. Michal Rozsival (who changed his number to 33 last night since the #3 was retired in a pregame cermony) tied the game with 39.1 seconds remaining. In overtime, Niklas Hagman redirected a Pavel Kubina (three assists) shot on the power play for the win. Lee Stempniak also had three assists for Toronto while Vesa Toskala made 39 saves in the win. Ranger legends Andy Bathgate (#9) and Harry Howell (#3) had their numbers retired in a pregame ceremony. I was at this game, and the "Fire Renney" and "Fire Sather" chants were rampant.
OTHER HEADLINES
-The Buffalo Sabres tenuous hold on a playoff spot may be in jeopardy as the team awaits word on the severity of an ankle injury to goaltender Ryan Miller. The All-Star netminder suffered a high ankle sprain during Saturday's game against the New York Rangers after being taken down behind the net by Scott Gomez. He struggled to the Sabres bench while not putting any weight on his left leg. The team remain unsure how long they will be without the East Lansing, Michigan native. "It's stiff and it's tender," Miller told reporters following the game. "These are things you have to kind of feel out. There's no timetable, really. It's your comfort level. "Right now I just want to get through the night till the morning and see how my body reacts. I've had a few ankle sprains in my time, and each one's been different. We'll see how this one plays out." Sabres head coach Lindy Ruff was furious at Gomez following the incident. "I don't think there's any secret it was deliberate," Ruff told reporters. "He knew what he was doing." The 28-year old Miller is enjoying a spectacular season for the Sabres, sporting a 29-16-5 record with 5 shutouts. Backup Patrick Lalime will get the majority of starts in net for Buffalo until Miller is able to return. The team has called up Jhonas Enroth to back up Lalime for the time being. Heading into action Sunday, the Sabres are tied for the seventh spot in the East with the Rangers, three points ahead of the Carolina Hurricanes. Buffalo will continue their playoff push on Tuesday against the Anaheim Ducks.
-Los Angeles Kings defenseman Denis Gauthier has been suspended two games as a result of an incident in Thursday's 4-2 loss to the San Jose Sharks. Gauthier was assessed a minor for boarding after making contact with Patrick Marleau on an icing play in the third period. He will be eligible to return to face the Flyers on Feb. 25, missing games against the Coyotes and Wild. Gauthier sat out five games for hitting Canadiens defenceman Josh Gorges with an elbow to the head earlier this month.
RUMOR MILL
-It appears that Brian Burke is close to making his first big move as GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs. It looks like Nik Antropov will be heading to Vancouver.
-Don't expect Jay Bouwmeester to be moved at the deadline the way Florida is playing right now. That being said, something could happen with Philly this week or Florida will try and extend him down in Sunrise, FL
TONIGHTS ACTION:
%San Jose @ Dallas - 8PM
% = Game of the Night
^All Times are Eastern
*My weekly power rankings comes out tomorrow (only one game in the NHL tonight)
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays
TO EMAIL FTS, EMAIL FROMTHESLOT@GMAIL.COM
%San Jose @ Dallas - 8PM
% = Game of the Night
^All Times are Eastern
*My weekly power rankings comes out tomorrow (only one game in the NHL tonight)
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays
TO EMAIL FTS, EMAIL FROMTHESLOT@GMAIL.COM
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