TOP STORY
BEATEN TO HELL
Sean Avery & the New York Rangers Take Advantage of the Slumping Devils for a Big Division Win
(Photo Credit: NY Daily News)
New York Rangers (40-28-9) over the New Jersey Devils (47-25-4) 3-0
In the first Rangers-Devils game for Sean Avery since last year's playoffs, Avery took everything the Devils threw at him in a physical sense and assisted on a goal to help the Rangers split the season series with the Devils. "I just went into it the same I have for a lot of games, just trying to get focused and knowing what I have to do," Avery said. New York is 10-2-3, including the playoffs, against the Devils with Avery in the lineup since he arrived in February 2007.
Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist made 38 saves for his 3rd shutout of the season and the 20th of his career. Brandon Dubinsky and defenseman Daniel Girardi scored 2:04 apart during New York's three-goal second period. Ryan Callahan added his 21st goal for the Rangers, who bounced back from a disappointing 0-1-1 road trip and moved within a point of sixth-place Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference playoff race. New York also stretched its lead to four points over Florida, which is below the postseason cutoff.
The Devils have already clinched a playoff berth and lead the Atlantic by six points over Philadelphia, but have dropped six of seven (1-5-1) since Brodeur broke Patrick Roy's NHL career record for wins by a goalie. "It's not fun," Brodeur said. "It's the time of the year you need to play well, to win games, to advance and to feel good about yourself. Right now, it's not the case for us. We're doubting how we do stuff out there. We have six games left and we have to find a way to get through this." New Jersey, which held a 38-37 shots advantage, is one point behind second-place Washington in the East.
The Rangers continue their playoff gauntlet of a schedule on Thursday at Carolina while the Devils travel to Pittsburgh to play the red-hot Penguins on Wednesday.
ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...
San Jose Sharks (50-15-11) over the Calgary Flames (43-27-6) 2-1
Despite nine players missing due to injury, the San Jose Sharks found a way to win again. Jonathan Cheechoo scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Evgeni Nabokov made 28 saves to lead the Sharks to a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night. Dan Boyle also scored and Joe Thornton had two assists as San Jose, 5-1-1 in its last seven games, reached 50 wins for the second time in franchise history. "We have a lot of new faces in here but what can you say, the depth of this organization is pretty strong," Boyle said. The Sharks also moved four points ahead of Detroit in the race for the Presidents' Trophy. San Jose used four forwards who were playing with Worcester of the AHL less than four weeks ago. Captain Patrick Marleau was the latest to join the list of injured players, sitting out due to a lower body injury suffered Saturday night against Phoenix. Marleau is not expected to play Thursday night in Edmonton, either. Jarome Iginla got his 32nd goal of the season for Calgary late in the first period.
Phoenix Coyotes (32-37-7) over theDallas Stars (33-33-10) 6-5 (OT)
Petr Prucha scored 53 seconds into overtime to lift the Phoenix Coyotes to a 6-5 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. Prucha took a pass from Shane Doan at the top right corner of the crease and shoved the puck past Dallas goalie Tobias Stephan for a power-play goal. Enver Lisin and Upshall scored two goals apiece and Doan added his team-leading 29th goal for the Coyotes, who won for the second time in three games. Brendan Morrison, Hutchinson, Darryl Sydor, Chris Conner and Loui Eriksson scored for the Stars, who have lost seven straight. Dallas is 4-12-2 since moving a season-best eight games over .500 on Feb. 19.
OTHER HEADLINES
-A passionate hockey fan made physical threats against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a series of phone calls to the team's arena during a game, police said. Peter Stenzel was arrested Thursday night and charged with inducing panic for threatening physical harm against the team during its 5-0 win over the Calgary Flames, Columbus Police Sgt. Rick Weiner said. Police traced the phone calls to Stenzel's Columbus home, where they found him wearing a Flames T-shirt, Weiner said. Police would not say if specific players were targeted or what the threats entailed. Stenzel, 52, was being held at the Franklin County Jail pending a Saturday court hearing. Weiner did not know if he had a lawyer. Blue Jackets spokesman Todd Sharrock didn't comment on the specific incident but said the club has procedures in place to respond to security threats to players and coaches. Columbus and Calgary are potential first-round playoff opponents. The Flames are in third place in the Western Conference with eight games to play, while the sixth-place Blue Jackets are attempting to qualify for their first playoff appearance ever. The top eight teams in the conference will go on to the postseason.
-NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says the financially struggling Phoenix Coyotes are actively seeking investors or possibly new ownership, but reiterated that the team won't be relocated. "Our goal is to bring in new capital and make this franchise solvent," Bettman said Thursday night while attending the Coyotes game against the Edmonton Oilers. "That's our direction, and at this point moving the franchise elsewhere is not on the table." The Coyotes have reportedly lost $200 million since current owner Jerry Moyes brought the team in 2001, and are projected to lose another $30 million this season. Bettman said the Coyotes are actively engaging with potential investors, whom he would not identify. The Coyotes will miss the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season and have had only two sellouts in 37 home games. In a recent survey, Glendale residents rejected the notion of taxpayer money to help provide financial assistance to the team. "We're looking for an infusion of capital and thinking about nothing else," Bettman said. "We're talking to a number of people, but there's no sense of urgency."
-Molson Coors president Peter Swinburn said Monday he has not talked to George Gillett since the majority owner of the Montreal Canadiens announced plans to review his holdings. Molson-Coors holds about 20 per cent of the shares in the National Hockey League team, while Gillett owns the rest. Swinburn said he doesn't really follow the team, noting he's more of a rugby fan. Gillett, an American, has retained financial firms in Canada and other parts of the world to "optimize the value" of his holdings in sports, entertainment and other businesses. Options reportedly available to Gillett include finding new investors or selling some holdings such as the Canadiens. Besides his shares in the Canadiens, Gillett owns 50 per cent of English soccer powerhouse Liverpool and has interests in the Richard Petty Motorsports NASCAR team, event promoter Gillett Entertainment Group, ski resorts, car dealerships and agricultural companies. Canadiens president Pierre Boivin attended Swinburn's address to a Montreal business group but declined to talk to reporters.
-The NHL named it's Three Stars Of The Week
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=273168
-Sources tell TSN the Toronto Maple Leafs are close to signing 23-year old Christian Hanson. Hanson, the son of Dave Hanson of the famed Hanson brothers from the move Slapshot is a centreman with the NCAA's Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Christian is 6'4" and 225 pounds and is considered to be a sturdy two way centre who scored 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points in 37 games for the Fighting Irish this season. Hanson's contract with the Maple Leafs is expected to be signed on Tuesday.
BEATEN TO HELL
Sean Avery & the New York Rangers Take Advantage of the Slumping Devils for a Big Division Win
(Photo Credit: NY Daily News)
New York Rangers (40-28-9) over the New Jersey Devils (47-25-4) 3-0
In the first Rangers-Devils game for Sean Avery since last year's playoffs, Avery took everything the Devils threw at him in a physical sense and assisted on a goal to help the Rangers split the season series with the Devils. "I just went into it the same I have for a lot of games, just trying to get focused and knowing what I have to do," Avery said. New York is 10-2-3, including the playoffs, against the Devils with Avery in the lineup since he arrived in February 2007.
Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist made 38 saves for his 3rd shutout of the season and the 20th of his career. Brandon Dubinsky and defenseman Daniel Girardi scored 2:04 apart during New York's three-goal second period. Ryan Callahan added his 21st goal for the Rangers, who bounced back from a disappointing 0-1-1 road trip and moved within a point of sixth-place Pittsburgh in the Eastern Conference playoff race. New York also stretched its lead to four points over Florida, which is below the postseason cutoff.
The Devils have already clinched a playoff berth and lead the Atlantic by six points over Philadelphia, but have dropped six of seven (1-5-1) since Brodeur broke Patrick Roy's NHL career record for wins by a goalie. "It's not fun," Brodeur said. "It's the time of the year you need to play well, to win games, to advance and to feel good about yourself. Right now, it's not the case for us. We're doubting how we do stuff out there. We have six games left and we have to find a way to get through this." New Jersey, which held a 38-37 shots advantage, is one point behind second-place Washington in the East.
The Rangers continue their playoff gauntlet of a schedule on Thursday at Carolina while the Devils travel to Pittsburgh to play the red-hot Penguins on Wednesday.
ACTION FROM AROUND THE LEAGUE...
San Jose Sharks (50-15-11) over the Calgary Flames (43-27-6) 2-1
Despite nine players missing due to injury, the San Jose Sharks found a way to win again. Jonathan Cheechoo scored the go-ahead goal in the second period and Evgeni Nabokov made 28 saves to lead the Sharks to a 2-1 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night. Dan Boyle also scored and Joe Thornton had two assists as San Jose, 5-1-1 in its last seven games, reached 50 wins for the second time in franchise history. "We have a lot of new faces in here but what can you say, the depth of this organization is pretty strong," Boyle said. The Sharks also moved four points ahead of Detroit in the race for the Presidents' Trophy. San Jose used four forwards who were playing with Worcester of the AHL less than four weeks ago. Captain Patrick Marleau was the latest to join the list of injured players, sitting out due to a lower body injury suffered Saturday night against Phoenix. Marleau is not expected to play Thursday night in Edmonton, either. Jarome Iginla got his 32nd goal of the season for Calgary late in the first period.
Phoenix Coyotes (32-37-7) over theDallas Stars (33-33-10) 6-5 (OT)
Petr Prucha scored 53 seconds into overtime to lift the Phoenix Coyotes to a 6-5 victory over the Dallas Stars on Monday night. Prucha took a pass from Shane Doan at the top right corner of the crease and shoved the puck past Dallas goalie Tobias Stephan for a power-play goal. Enver Lisin and Upshall scored two goals apiece and Doan added his team-leading 29th goal for the Coyotes, who won for the second time in three games. Brendan Morrison, Hutchinson, Darryl Sydor, Chris Conner and Loui Eriksson scored for the Stars, who have lost seven straight. Dallas is 4-12-2 since moving a season-best eight games over .500 on Feb. 19.
OTHER HEADLINES
-A passionate hockey fan made physical threats against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a series of phone calls to the team's arena during a game, police said. Peter Stenzel was arrested Thursday night and charged with inducing panic for threatening physical harm against the team during its 5-0 win over the Calgary Flames, Columbus Police Sgt. Rick Weiner said. Police traced the phone calls to Stenzel's Columbus home, where they found him wearing a Flames T-shirt, Weiner said. Police would not say if specific players were targeted or what the threats entailed. Stenzel, 52, was being held at the Franklin County Jail pending a Saturday court hearing. Weiner did not know if he had a lawyer. Blue Jackets spokesman Todd Sharrock didn't comment on the specific incident but said the club has procedures in place to respond to security threats to players and coaches. Columbus and Calgary are potential first-round playoff opponents. The Flames are in third place in the Western Conference with eight games to play, while the sixth-place Blue Jackets are attempting to qualify for their first playoff appearance ever. The top eight teams in the conference will go on to the postseason.
-NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says the financially struggling Phoenix Coyotes are actively seeking investors or possibly new ownership, but reiterated that the team won't be relocated. "Our goal is to bring in new capital and make this franchise solvent," Bettman said Thursday night while attending the Coyotes game against the Edmonton Oilers. "That's our direction, and at this point moving the franchise elsewhere is not on the table." The Coyotes have reportedly lost $200 million since current owner Jerry Moyes brought the team in 2001, and are projected to lose another $30 million this season. Bettman said the Coyotes are actively engaging with potential investors, whom he would not identify. The Coyotes will miss the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season and have had only two sellouts in 37 home games. In a recent survey, Glendale residents rejected the notion of taxpayer money to help provide financial assistance to the team. "We're looking for an infusion of capital and thinking about nothing else," Bettman said. "We're talking to a number of people, but there's no sense of urgency."
-Molson Coors president Peter Swinburn said Monday he has not talked to George Gillett since the majority owner of the Montreal Canadiens announced plans to review his holdings. Molson-Coors holds about 20 per cent of the shares in the National Hockey League team, while Gillett owns the rest. Swinburn said he doesn't really follow the team, noting he's more of a rugby fan. Gillett, an American, has retained financial firms in Canada and other parts of the world to "optimize the value" of his holdings in sports, entertainment and other businesses. Options reportedly available to Gillett include finding new investors or selling some holdings such as the Canadiens. Besides his shares in the Canadiens, Gillett owns 50 per cent of English soccer powerhouse Liverpool and has interests in the Richard Petty Motorsports NASCAR team, event promoter Gillett Entertainment Group, ski resorts, car dealerships and agricultural companies. Canadiens president Pierre Boivin attended Swinburn's address to a Montreal business group but declined to talk to reporters.
-The NHL named it's Three Stars Of The Week
http://www.tsn.ca/nhl/story/?id=273168
-Sources tell TSN the Toronto Maple Leafs are close to signing 23-year old Christian Hanson. Hanson, the son of Dave Hanson of the famed Hanson brothers from the move Slapshot is a centreman with the NCAA's Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Christian is 6'4" and 225 pounds and is considered to be a sturdy two way centre who scored 16 goals and 15 assists for 31 points in 37 games for the Fighting Irish this season. Hanson's contract with the Maple Leafs is expected to be signed on Tuesday.
TONIGHTS ACTION:
Tampa Bay @ Boston - 7PM
%Nashville @ Columbus - 7PM
Chicago @ Montreal - 7:30PM (on Versus)
Ottawa @ Florida - 7:30PM
Vancouver @ Minnesota - 8PM
Anaheim @ Edmonton - 9:30PM
Dallas @ Los Angeles - 10:30PM
% = Game of the Night
^All Times are Eastern
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays
TO EMAIL FTS, write fromtheslot@gmail.com
Tampa Bay @ Boston - 7PM
%Nashville @ Columbus - 7PM
Chicago @ Montreal - 7:30PM (on Versus)
Ottawa @ Florida - 7:30PM
Vancouver @ Minnesota - 8PM
Anaheim @ Edmonton - 9:30PM
Dallas @ Los Angeles - 10:30PM
% = Game of the Night
^All Times are Eastern
~Dropping the Gloves with Andrew Bogusch comes out on Thursdays
TO EMAIL FTS, write fromtheslot@gmail.com
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