Empty Netter Assists - 3-26-09
Penguins
-Dave Molinari's recap from last night's game. The Penguins played like they were in the playoffs last night.
-The Associated Press' recap. Evgeni Malkin established a career-high with 107 points.
-The Calgary Herald's recap. The Flames' lead in the Northwest Division is slipping away.
-After this display last night, we're considering changing the name of the blog:
-Crazy Statistic of the Day: Marc-Andre Fleury has recorded a shutout on March 25 for the third consecutive season.
-Someone YouTubed Evgeni Malkin's infamous pierogie video:
-What are Dan Bylsma's plans with Philippe Boucher?
-What's Dan Bylsma's future with the Penguins?
-Check out this pretty incredible story about someone's recent trip to a Penguins' game.
-The Penguins and Rangers have been the big winners from the trade deadline so far.
-The is saddest and funniest of drawing of Pascal Dupuis you will see all day.
-Jeff Taffe had a goal and two assists for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 5-3 defeat of the Grand Rapids Griffins. Janne Pesonen added two goals for the Penguins while teammates Connor James and Nick Johnson each recorded two assists. John Curry made 31 saves in the win.
-Janne Pesonen's phenomenal AHL season continues.
-Chris Minard set a team record with his 32nd goal.
-With Dave Gove dealing with a wonky back, Connor James was named the AHL Penguins' captain.
Atlantic Division
-Despite not playing, the Devils clinched a playoff spot last night for the 12th consecutive season.
-Rangers coach John Tortorella is trying to get his team's power-play going.
-Today's "Flyers forward Scott Hartnell (right) is loveable" piece is brought to you by Sam Carchidi of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Northeast Division
-Scoreboard Watch for the Penguins: The Sabres pumped a little life in to their fading playoff hopes. Jason Pominville had a goal and two assists for Buffalo in a 5-3 defeat of the Panthers. Tim Connolly added a goal and an assist for the Sabres who ended a four-game losing streak. Mikael Tellqvist made 30 saves in the win. Brett McLean lead the Panthers with a goal and an assist. The Panthers are in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 81 points, seven less than the Penguins who are in sixth place with 88 points. Buffalo is in tenth place with 78 points.
-The Sabres played with some passion last night.
-Buffalo goaltender Ryan Miller is expected to return Friday from an ankle injury that his sidelined him for 13 games.
-Montreal forward Alex Tanguay has 10 points in the eight games since his return from a shoulder injury.
-If the Senators have any hope for the playoffs, they need to run the table and get some help.
Southeast Division
-Scoreboard Watch for the Penguins: Rod Brind'Amour had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes who edged the Senators, 2-1. Carolina has won five consecutive games while Ottawa had a five-game winning streak snapped. The Hurricanes are in fifth place with 89 points, one more than the Penguins who are in fifth place.
-The Thrashers demoted forward Joey Crabb to Chicago of the AHL.
-The Capitals recalled goaltender Simeon Varlamov from Hershey of the AHL and demoted forwards Chris Bourque, Steve Pinozzotto and goaltender Daren Machesney.
-The Panthers have been brutal since the trade deadline.
-Late in a dismal season, Lightning Steven Stamkos (right) has begun racking up some serious points.
Central Division
-Shootout goals by Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews gave the Blackhawks a 6-5 win against the Sharks. Andrew Ladd had two goals in regulation for Chicago while teammate Martin Havlat contributed a goal and an assist. Devin Setoguchi led San Jose with two goals. Despite the loss, the Sharks moved ahead of the Red Wings for first place in the Western Conference.
-New Blackhawks forward Samuel Pahlsson is digging Chicago.
-Chicago demoted defenseman Jordan Hendry to Rockford of the AHL.
-The Red Wings could have to postpone re-signing forwards Johan Franzen and Marian Hossa until after the season.
-Predators forward David Legwand is dealing with a facial injury.
Northwest Division
-Welcome back Marian Gaborik. In his third game back from a hip injury, Gaborik went off for two goals and two assists and led the Wild to a 6-2 rout of the Islanders. Andrew Brunette and Owen Nolan each had a goal and two assists for the Wild while teammate Marek Zidlicky recorded three assists. Niklas Backstrom made 32 saves in the win. Dean McAmmond led New York with two assists.
-Wild forward Cal Clutterbuck set the league's unofficial record for hits in a season last night.
-Could the Avalanche be facing re-building?
-After hinting he would retire after next season, Colorado forward Milan Hejduk (right) announced his hopes to play beyond 2009-10.
-A broken foot could end the season of Colorado forward Paul Stastny.
-With Stastny dinged up, Colorado recalled forward Matt Hendricks from Lake Erie of the AHL.
-Canucks forward Ryan Kesler is dealing with a cut to the back of his head.
Pacific Division
-Andrew Ebbett had a goal and two assists and led the Ducks to a 7-2 rout of the Avalanche. Corey Perry added two goals for the Ducks while teammates Petteri Nokelainen and former Penguins forward each recorded a goal and and assist. Fire Ray Shero. Jonas Hiller made 34 saves in the win. The Ducks have won four consecutive games.
-Several of the Ducks' new players came up big last night.
-Goaltender Marty Turco has not been there for the Stars when they've needed him the most.
-Coyotes goaltender Al Montoya, a former No 6 overall draft pick, is finally getting a chance in the NHL.
Patrick Division
-The USA Hockey 18-and-under national championships will be held April 1-5 at RMU Island Sports Center on Neville Island.
(Photos: Hartnell-Al Bello/Getty Images; Stamkos-Dave Sandford/Getty Images; Hejduk-Doug Benc/Getty Images)