Empty Netter Assists - 4-26-09

Playoff stuff

Penguins-Flyers

-Dave Molinari's recap from yesterday's game. The Penguins didn't panic.

-The Philadelphia Inquirer's recap. Will this loss go down in Philadelphia sports infamy?

-The Philadelphia Daily News' recap. "When you get a 3-0 lead, you should win." - Flyers coach John Stevens.

-The Associated Press' recap. 1975.

-NHL.com's recap. Dan Bylsma was happy to see Ruslan Fedotenko (right) and Sergei Gonchar break out of slumps.

-Evgeni Malkin is happy to end the series and to get some rest.

-Gene Collier dug Maxime Talbot's fight.

-Did yesterday's win prove that the Penguins' can make it back to the Stanley Cup final?

-"When you get a 3-0 lead, you should win. I’m extremely disappointed." - Flyers coach John Stevens.

-Flyers forward Jeff Carter took the blame after only scoring one goal in the series.

-Philadelphia goaltender Martin Biron was in tears after the game yesterday.

-Because players like Jason Smith, Derian Hatcher and Mike Rathje have worked out well in recent years, Sam Carchidi calls for the Flyers to acquire another physical defenseman.

-Ya Hungry?

Bruins

-Boston found a way to move on past the Joe Thornton trade. It was Marc Savard.

-Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron (foot) and goaltender Tim Thomas (flu) are dinged up.

-Boston forward David Krejci has arrived.

Capitals-Rangers

-Hopefully you don't have some really bizarre NHL coaching playoff pool that involves New York's John Tortorella.

-The Capitals have the Rangers reeling.

-Washington's defense has been key in its comeback this series.

Devils-Hurricanes

-Devils defenseman Bryce Salvador (knee) is expected to sit tonight.

-Devils forward and captain Jamie Langenbrunner ("lower body") is expected to play.

-New Jersey defenseman and former Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin (right) leads the playoffs in ice time.

-Carolina doesn't want anything to do with a handshake this evening.

-Should the Hurricanes be playing mind games with Devils goaltender Martin Brodeur?

-Carolina needs to keep putting bodies in front of Brodeur.

-Hockey is growing on Tobacco Road.

-The Hurricanes are having trouble selling tickets.

-This will be the first game of this series that will be carried in its entirety by either of the NHL's national television partners in the United States.

-Former Steelers coach Bill Cowher dropped in on Hurricanes practice. If the Penguins and Hurricanes somehow meet in the playoffs we could have a situation on our hands. Cowher's beginning to display obvious loyalties towards Carolina. Mike Tomlin is at plenty of Penguins games. Ton of intrigue. Who is Russ Grimm rooting for?

Sharks-Ducks

-Patrick Marleau's overtime goal gave the Sharks a vital 3-2 win against the Ducks. Joe Thornton broke out of a slump and recorded a goal and an assist while Marleau and Devin Setoguchi each finished with a goal and an assist for the Sharks who trail the series, 3-2. Scott Niedermayer led Anaheim with two assists.

-Joe Thornton finally showed up.

-Sharks coach Todd McLellan challenged his core players before Game 5. They responded to that challenge.

-Sharks goaltender Evgeni Nabokov (right) responded in a big way as well last night.

-Ducks coach and former  Penguins defenseman Randy Carlyle wasn't exactly happy about the overtime goal. He said, "The reason the puck went in the net is because their player pushed our goalie's pad."

Red Wings

-Detroit forward Darren Helm's skills are perfectly suited for the the playoffs.

-Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood is ready to face 23 mostly low percentage shots a game in the second round.

Canucks

-How much are we hurting for Canucks news? We're using an item on defenseman Willie Mitchell practicing.

Blackhawks-Flames

-Brent Seabrook had a goal and two assists for the Blackhawks in a 5-1 rout of the Flames. Kris Versteeg had a goal and an assist while teammate Martin Havlat added two assists for Chicago which leads the series, 3-2.

-Flames coach Mike Keenan yanked starting goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff in the middle of last night's game.

-It's do or die for Calgary on Monday.

-This is a little squeamish, but check out Blackhawks defenseman Matt Walker's hand after blocking a shot last night:

-Flames coach Mike Keenan took the blame for the loss.

-The Blackhawks established a physical tone early in Game 5.

-Blackhawks forward Dustin Byfuglien likes to hit.

Norris Division

-The NHL on NBC Drinking Game.

Calder Cup Playoffs

-The Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins are used to meeting the Hershey Bears in the postseason.

IIHF World Championships

-Former Penguins captain Jaromir Jagr (right) had a goal and two assists for the Czech Republic in a 5-0 defeat of Denmark.

-Former Penguins forward Jarkko Ruutu had an an assist for Finland in a 5-0 rout of Norway.

-Kings defenseman Jack Johnson had two goals and led the United States to a 4-2 defeat of Latvia.

-Oilers prospect Linus Omark had five assists for Sweden in a 7-1 pounding of Austria.

-Blues forwards David Backes and T.J. Oshie (United States), goaltender Chris Mason (Canada), forward Patrik Berglund (Sweden) and defenseman Roman Polak (Czech Republic) were added to their respective rosters.

Non Playoff Stuff

Penguins

-Penguins prospect Eric Tangradi has his season come to an end due to a hand injury.

Adams Division

-The Hartford Whalers Booster Club isn't giving up.

(Photos: Fedotenko and Martin-Jim McIsaac/Getty Images; Nabokov-Stephen Dunn/Getty Images; Jagr-Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images)