Empty Netter Assists - Eastern Conference - 1-28-09
Penguins
-Why exactly is Mike Yeo in charge of the power play?
-Bob Smizik examines Michel Therrien's future with the team.
-Former Penguins forward Mark Johnson, the son of former coach "Badger" Bob Johnson, will coach the 2010 United States Olympic women's hockey team. Mark Johnson was also a member of the 1980 United States men's hockey team.
-Random YouTube Find of the day: Former Penguins goon Andre Roy slugging it out with defenseman John Erskine, formerly of the Islanders:
Atlantic Division
-Jamie Langenbrunner scored two goals and led the Devils to a 4-1 win at Ottawa. Teammat Travis Zajac added two assists.
-The video is a little choppy, but check out this crazy assist by New Jersey's Zach Parise last night:
-Former Devils coach Pat Burns was rather frank in discussing his latest bout with cancer. "Right now, I’m just enjoying the time left. That’s what I’m trying to do."
-Islanders forward Mike Sillinger underwent hip surgery and will miss the rest of the regular season.
-Unlike Michel Therrien circa early 2006, Flyers coach John Stevens doesn't think his defense is "soff."
Northeast Division
-The game of the night was between the Eastern Conference's two best teams. David Krejci's goal off Shaone Morrisonn gave the Bruins a 3-2 win against the Capitals. Washington forward Alex Ovechkin had a scary collision into the boards during the second period and left the momentarily with a stinger. He eventually returned fortunately.
-A hat trick by Drew Stafford (right) led the visiting Sabres to a 10-2 rout of the Oilers. Tim Connolly had two goals and an assist while teammates Derek Roy and Thomas Vanek each added a goal and two assists. The home loss was the worst in Edmonton's history.
-The Senators recalled forward Peter Regin from Binghamton of the AHL and demoted goaltender Martin Gerber.
-Is Toronto goaltender Curtis Joseph at the end of the line?
-Maple Leafs forward and former Penguin Dominic Moore isn't exactly a fan of Wild coach Jacques Lemaire.
Southeast Division
-If you were doing some scoreboard watching on behalf of the Penguins, you were rooting for the Flyers last night. Leave it to them to fail. Michael Frolik had a goal and two assists for the Panthers in a 3-2 win against the Flyers. The win pushed the Panthers into eighth place in the Eastern Conference and two points ahead of the Penguins. Teammate Keith Ballard added two assists.
-Florida defenseman Jassen Cullimore is apparently not a fan of Flyers forward Scott Upshall and his attitudes on puppy drowning:
-Panthers coach Pete DeBoer has folks thinking about playoffs in Miami.
-When did the Lightning get good? Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis each had a goal and an assist for Tampa Bay in a 5-3 win against the Canadiens. Teammate and former Penguin Ryan Malone added a goal. Fire Ray Shero. The Lightning have won six of its last eight games.
-Thrashers forward Ilya Kovalchuk downplayed his role in brining peace between Evgeni Malkin and Alex Ovechkin.
-Carolina associate coach and former Penguins captain Ron Francis missed last night's game against the Rangers due to a back injury.
-Lightning defenseman and former Penguins prospect Jamie Heward is slowly recovering from a concussion.
(Photos: Stafford-Jimmy Jeong/Canadian Press; Cullimore-Wilfredo Lee/Associated Press)