Empty Netter Assists - 3-31-09

Penguins

-Matt Cooke is no Jarkko Ruutu. Just ask him.

-Sidney Crosby is closing in on 100 points again.

-How much can Bill Guerin and Chris Kunitz contribute to a playoff run?

-Shelly Anderson's chat transcript.

-How do this season's Penguins' compare to the 2007-08 squad?

-PensBurgh takes a look at some individual milestones the Penguins are pursuing.

Atlantic Division

-Scoreboard Watch for the Penguins: Henrik Lundqvist made 38 saves and led the Rangers to a 3-0 shutout of the rival Devils. Dan Girardi added a goal and an assist. The Devils have lost five consecutive games. The Rangers are in seventh place in the Eastern Conference with 89 points, one less than the Penguins who are in sixth place with 90 points.

-New Jersey's David Clarkson had issues with New York's Sean Avery:

-Devils forward Brendan Shanahan made his return to Madison Square Garden last night.

-The Flyers continue their loveable ways. Today's heart-warming story involves coach John Stevens not missing of his sons' games.

Northeast Division

-Former Penguins forward Dan Kesa had a role in getting his nephew, Bruins forward Milan Lucic, into the NHL.

-Going from Tampa Bay to Boston has energized former Penguins forward Mark Recchi.

-Random Jersey Find of the Day: EN reader Doug spotted Paul Coffey Bruins jersey in the Heidelberg Shop N' Save:

-The Maple Leafs are on the cusp of making some bad history.

-Don't expect Senators forward Jarkko Ruutu and Lightning coach Rick Tocchet to get paired up at any Penguins alumni golf outings.

Southeast Division

-The Capitals recalled goaltender Simeon Varlamov from Hershey of the AHL.

-Thrashers defenseman Tobias Enstrom (right) is racking up some serious points.

-The Panthers need forwards Nathan Horton and Stphen Weiss to step up if they hope to make the playoffs.

-Florida is going with Craig Anderson in net until he loses.

-Lightning coach Rick Tocchet is going to go all Herb Brooks on his team come training camp.

Central Division

-With forward David Legwand dealing with a facial injury, the Predators recalled Mike Santorelli from Milwaukee of the AHL.

-How dominant is the Central Division?

-The Red Wings actually backed their way into the Central Division title.

-Does Detroit's team play limit the chances for someone like Pavel Datsyuk to win the Hart Trophy?

-Blackhawks defenseman Duncan Keith cares not for his hair being pulled.

Northwest Division

-The Oilers put defenseman Ladislav Smid on injured reserve and recalled defenseman Taylor Chorney from Springfield of the AHL.

-At 6-foot-8, Wild defenseman John Scott has found a way to use his size.

-Minnesota forward Pierre-Marc Bouchard and defenseman Brent Burns are both dealing with concussions.

-What recession? The Canucks have had 95 percent of their season-ticket holders renew for next season.

Pacific Division

-Joe Thornton had two assists and helped the Sharks edge the Flames, 2-1. It was San Jose's 50th win of the season. Calgary has lost eight of it's past 12 games.

-Petr Prucha's (right) overtime goal gave the Coyotes a 6-5 win against the Stars. Enver Lisin had two goals and an assist for Phoenix while teammate Scottie Upshall added two goals. Mike Ribeiro had three assists for Dallas which has lost seven consecutive games.

-The Sharks signed defenseman Nick Petrecki, a first-round pick in 2007, to a three-year entry-level deal.

-Kings general manager Dean Lombardi is happy where his team is at.

-The Ducks signed defenseman Mark Mitera, a first-round pick in 2006, to a three-year entry-level deal.

Smythe Division

-The top ten goaltenders masks of all time.

(Photos: Enstrom-Chris McGrath/Getty Images; Prucha-Christian Petersen/Getty Images)