Empty Netter Assists - Eastern Conference - 2-23-09
Penguins
-Dave Molinari's recap from yesterday's game. The power-play stinks.
-The Associated Press' recap. Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin aren't sending each other Christmas cards.
-The Washington Post's recap. Things are a lot different between the Penguins and Capitals.
-The Washington Times' recap. You might see some brooms in about two weeks.
-Ovechkin says Crosby talks too much.
-Crosby cared not for Ovechkin's taunts.
-"What, I can't play hard against him? What is he going to do, cry?"
-According to Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo!, there were Penguins fans aplenty in the Verizon Center, but not as many in years past.
-Kris Letang or Ryan Whitney. Who do you want?
-The clock is ticking on the Penguins' playoff hopes.
-Do the Penguins need to give Mathieu Garon more playing time?
-Shootout goals by Jon Grecu, Aaron Clarke and Kelly Miller gave the Wheeling Nailers a 5-4 win at Trenton. Bryan Ewing led Wheeling with two goals and an assist in regulation while Jordan Alford made 46 saves in the win.
Atlantic Division
-The Rangers retired the numbers of defenseman Harry Howell and forward Andy Bathgate, a former Penguin.
-The Devils plan on regularly giving goaltender Scott Clemmensen starts even when Martin Brodeur returns from his arm injury.
Northeast Division
-Scoreboard Watch for the Penguins: Niklas Hagman's overtime goal gave the Maple Leafs a 3-2 road win against the Rangers. Pavel Kubina and Lee Stempniak each had three assists for Toronto. Vesa Toskala made 39 saves in the win. Former Penguins defenseman Michal Rozsival, playing his first game since changing his number from No. 3 to No. 33, led New York with a goal and an assist. The Rangers are in sixth place in the Eastern Conference with 69 points, five more than the Penguins are in 10th place with 64.
-The Bruins are missing injured forward Marco Sturm (right).
-Sabres coach Lindy Ruff outright accused Rangers forward Scott Gomez of intentionally injuring goaltender Ryan Miller Saturday.
Southeast Division
-Scoreboard Watch for the Penguins: Matt Cullen's hat trick led the Hurricanes to a 5-2 defeat of the Avalanche. Joni Pitkanen added a goal and an assist for Carolina. The Hurricanes are in ninth place with 67 points, three more than the Penguins.
-The Hurricanes beat the Avalanche in regulation for the first time since they became the Hurricanes.
-Jeff Halpern had a goal and an assist for the Lightning which edged the Bruins, 4-3. Former Penguins Adam Hall and Mark Recchi also scored for Tampa Bay. Fire Ray Shero. Marc Savard led Boston with two assists.
-Lightning forward and former Penguin Gary Roberts had a fight with Boston defenseman Mark Stuart:
-Roberts actually rode an exercise bike after the fight.
-The rats are back in Florida.
(Photo: Philip MacCallum/Getty Images)