Empty Netter Assists - Western Conference - 12-02-08
Central Division
-Pekka Rinne made 30 saves and recorded his first career shutout as the Predators won at Buffalo, 2-0.
-Kristian Huselius had a goal and an assist for the Blue Jackets who edged the Canucks, 3-2.
-Chris Osgood made a "whopping" 15 saves for the Red Wings who edged the Ducks, 2-1. Ducks goaltenders Jean-Sebastien Giguere and Jonas Hiller combined to make 45 saves in the loss.
-Former Blackhawks All-Star forward Hubert "Pit" Martin died after a snowmobile accident in Quebec. He spent the bulk of his career with the Blackhawks and also played for the Red Wings, Bruins and Canucks. He also spent parts of three seaons with the Pittsburgh Hornets in the AHL.
-Here's NBC's advertisment for the next Winter Classic:
-Solid, but why is "Cubbies" blanked out of Harey Carey's rendition of "Take Me Out to the Ballgame?" We all know the Cubs play at Wrigley Field. It's not like Mike Emrick and Ed Olczyk aren't going to be making 102 Ryne Sandberg or Ferguson Jenkins references during the game.
-And why does Bob Costas have to be involved? We don't need him standing near the boards pretending to like hockey to validate the sport or the event. Let him sit at home in his pajamas and play with his baseball cards.
-If Barack Obama can't get a ticket to the Winter Classic, you know something's up.
-Do the Blues have a goaltending controversy between Manny Legace and Chris Mason?
Northwest Division
-Paul Stastny had a goal and one assists for the Avalanche who edged the Wild, 6-5.
-Wild coach Jacques Lemaire isn't exactly happy with forward Cal Clutterbuck (right).
-The NHLPA set up an auction to support a memorial fund in honor of late Canucks defenseman Luc Bourdon.
Pacific Division
-Stars rookie forward Fabian Brunnstrom is trying to recapture his scoring touch.
-Coyotes forward Shane Done is consistent. He's on course for his ninth straight 20-goal season.
-We'd hold off on preordering that Claude Lemieux Sharks jersey.
Smythe Division
-In case you needed any more reason to never subscribe to anything offered by Comcast, here you go.
-James Mirtle takes a look at the influence of American players in the NHL.
(Photo: Jim Mone/Associated Press)