Empty Netter Assists - Eastern Conference - 12-19-08
Penguins
-Dave Molinari's recap from last night's game. Pascal Dupuis is described as "day-to-day" with an undisclosed injury.
-The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's recap.
-So, Jordan Staal (right) or Phil Kessel?
-Ryan Stone is getting another chance.
-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins tough guy Paul Bissonnette has been showing off some scoring ability as of late.
Atlantic Division
-Islanders defenseman Brendan Witt says head coach Scott Gordon's system makes playing defense difficult. Apparenlty being an old, broken down, over the hill player has nothing to do with Witt's problems.
-The Flyers' second line of Jeff Carter, Scott Hartnell and Joffrey Lupul has been clicking.
Northeast Division
-Steve Begin, Sergei Kostitsyn and Guilllame Latendresse each recorded a goal and an assist for the Canadiens in a 5-2 defeat of the Flyers. Habs forward and former Penguin Alex Kovalev scored a goal and recorded his 900th career point. Fire Craig Patrick. Jaroslav Halak made 30 saves in the win. Arron Asham led Philadelphia with a goal and an assist and three drowned puppies.
-Montreal defenseman Mike Komisarek returned to the lineup last night after missing 16 games due to a shoulder injury and played a physical game.
-In a game that saw all four goaltenders see action, a hat trick by David Krejci helped the Bruins outgun the Maple Leafs, 8-5. Boston got a goal and three assists from Marc Savard and two goals and an assist from Phil Kessel. Kessel has a point in 16 consecutive games. Nikolai Antropov and Pavel Kubina each recorded a goal and an assist for Toronto.
-Here's Krejci's hat trick. Check out his second goal at the 0:20 mark:
-Bruins forward Marco Sturm played his first game since Nov. 17 and scored a goal but suffered a knee injury later and did not return.
-The Senators recalled forward Cody Bass from Binghamton of the AHL and demoted defenseman Brian Lee.
-The Sabres recalled defenseman Chris Butler from Portland of the AHL.
-They already have Feb. 21 circled on the calendar in Toronto. That's when Mats Sundin and the Canucks come to town.
-Toronto defenseman Mike Van Ryn suffered another concussion last night. He missed 13 games earlier this season dealing with the same injury.
Southeast Division
-Two goals and an assist from Viktor Kozlov lifted the Capitals to a 4-2 win against the Blues. St. Louis has lost five consecutive games.
-Capitals defenseman Mike Green (shoulder) and forward Alexander Semin (undisclosed) suffered injuries last night.
-Joe Corvo's overtime goal gave the Hurricanes a 2-1 win against the Panthers. Corvo also had an assist while Ray Whitney recorded two assists. Carolina's Justin Williams scored his first goal of the season after missing the first two months due to an Achilles tendon injury.
-Lightning forward and former Penguin Gary Roberts actually backed off his talk of retirement yesterday. He chalked up his earlier remarks to frustration from a lingering elbow injury.
-If this hockey thing falls through for Roberts, he always has his legal career.
(Kudos to EN reader John Falcone for the heads up on both Roberts links.)
-The Lightning felt cheated last night.
-Tampa Bay recalled goaltender Karri Ramo from Norfolk of the AHL and demoted forward Zenon Konopka.
-TSN is reporting Hurricanes forward and former Penguin Dan LaCouture (right) is leaving the Carolina organization and will join a team in Russia.
-Carolina activated defenseman Anton Babchuk from injured reserve.
-The Hurricanes won't have an easy time figuring out what to do with defenseman Brett Carson.
-Not only does the Verizon Center have bad fans, it also has bad ice.
-Thrashers defenseman Scott Lehman made his NHL debut last night.
(Photos: Photobucket)