Empty Netter Assists - Eastern Conference - 2-21-02
Penguins
-Connor James "smashed" his way towards a goal and two assists and led the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins to a 3-1 win at Syracuse. John Curry made 27 saves in the win.
-Interim coach Todd Reirden got a win in his first game behind the Penguins' bench.
-Curtis Darling made 31 saves for the Wheeling Nailers in a 2-1 loss at Trenton.
-Shameless Self-Promotional Plug of the Day: We're a No. 2 seed in the Pittsburgh Sports Blog Tournament over at Sean's Ramblings.
Atlantic Division
-Devils coach Brent Sutter won't change his team's game when goaltender Martin Brodeur (right) returns from his arm injury.
Northeast Division
-You can probably rule out that Philippe Boucher for Thomas Vanek deal. Buffalo's deep on defense.
-For some reason, Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey isn't crazy about his players cavorting with suspected drug dealers.
-The power's that be with the NHL aren't crazy about it either.
-Montreal forward and former Penguin Alex Kovalev is ready to go after his two-game benching.
-For Senators general manager Bryan Murray, defenseman Chris Campoli was the real prize in the trade that brought Campoli and forward Mike Comrie from the Islanders.
-Campoli asked the Islanders to trade him.
-Sabres goaltender Ryan Miller is good people.
-Except when he's making fun of former Penguins goaltender Jean-Sebastien Aubin's mom that is:
Southeast Division
-Scoreboard Watch for the Penguins: Joe Corvo scored scored two five-on-three power play goals (apparently you're allowed to score those) and led the Hurricanes to a 4-1 drubbing of the Lightning. Ironically enough, Jussi Jokinen, traded by Tampa Bay earlier this month, scored the winning goal for Carolina. Ironically enough for the Penguins, Jokinen scored the goal off a turnover by former Pittsburgh defenseman Josef Melichar. Eric Staal added a goal and an assist for Carolina which is in ninth place in the Eastern Conference with 65 points, three more than the Penguins who are in 10th place with 62 points.
-The Lightning's Rick Tocchet is the latest coach getting upsetting Mark Recchi with those annoying healthy scratches.
-Talk about right time right place. A suspension prevent Hurricanes defenseman Tim Conboy from being on the Albany River Rats' bus this week when it crashed.
-Former Penguins prospect Joe Jensen (concussion) was one of three River Rats released from the hospital due to injuries he suffered in the crash. A fourth, Nicolas Blanchard, remains hospitalized. He will miss the rest of the season due to a broken vertebrae.
-NHL commisioner Gary Bettman threatened to unleash the boredom of an All-Star Lame Game on the poor citizens of Raleigh.
-The Panthers' run at a playoff seeding has increased attendance.
-Capitals defenseman John Erskine is dealing with an illness.
(Photo: Bill Kostroun/Associated Press)