Empty Netter Assists - Eastern Conference - 12-02-08
Penguins
-Rob Scuderi hates back-to-back games.
-San Antonio Spurs > Pittsburgh Penguins.
-Will Sidney Crosby ever become a better goal-scorer?
-Crosby was the NHL's top star of the week. Evgeni Malkin was the second star of November.
-Has the timing of Crosby's hot streak been a coincidence?
-Crosby had a press conference yesterday. The Confluence has the transcript.
-The Pensblog dominates with a look back on "The Dark Ages."
-Forward Tim Wallace is bringing toughness to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins' first line.
-Alaska goaltender and Penguins prospect Chad Johnson was named CCHA goaltender of the week.
Atlantic Division
-The Islanders recalled forward Mike Sillinger (right) from a conditioning assignment with the team's AHL affiliate in Bridgeport. Forwards Jeremy Colliton and Tim Jackman were demoted.
-The Devils recalled forward Pierre-Luc Letourneau-Leblond from Lowell of the AHL.
-Flyers forward Jeff Carter is a star in the making.
Northeast Division
-Vesa Toskala made 32 saves for the Maple Leafs who won at Los Angeles, 3-1.
-The Senators recalled forward Cody Bass from Binghamton of the AHL.
-Ottawa is dinged up. Forwards Dean McAmmond (throat), Chris Neil (knee), Ryan Shannon (concussion) and defenseman Alex Picard (wrist) are dealing with ailments.
-The Bruins recalled defensemen Johnny Boychuk and Matt Lashoff from Providence of the AHL.
-To make room for Boychuk and Lashoff, Boston put former Penguins defenseman Andrew Ference on long-term injured reserve. He is dealing with a broken leg.
-Canadiens forward and former Penguin Alex Kovalev hasn't scored a goal since Nov. 1.
-Montreal forward and former Penguin Georges Laraque (right) is writing a blog for Sportsnet.
-Habs coach Guy Carbonneau isn't exactly happy with forward Sergei Kostitsyn.
-Sabres forward Patrick Kaleta (head/neck) and defenseman Craig Rivet ("upper-body") are dealing with injuries.
-Toronto coach Ron Wilson isn't too sentimental over his return to San Jose.
Southeast Division
-Thrashers coach John Anderson demoted forward Ilya Kovalchuk to the checking line.
-Panthers forward David Booth is dealing with a shoulder injury.
-After missing the entire preseason and first two months of the regular season due to an Achilles tendon injury, Hurricanes forward Justin Williams could make his season debut Thursday against the Penguins.
-Carolina goaltender Cam Ward is dealing with a groin injury.
-The Lightning is intrigued by forward Steve Downie.
-Downie makes his return to Philadelphia tonight.
(Photos: Sillinger-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images; Laraque-Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images)