Empty Netter Assists - 1-25-09
Penguins
-Evgeni Malkin hates Montreal.
-Kris Letang got to go home.
-The Penguins need to step it up if they hope to make the playoffs.
-Adam Berkhoel made 31 saves for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 4-1 loss at Hartford.
-Wilkes-Barre/Scranton lost to a pretty bad Hartford team.
-Janne Pesonen got into a "fight" with Keith Aucoin of Hershey Friday:
-Nick Johnson dropped the gloves with Jay Beagle that same game in a more traditional bout:
(Kudos to EN contributor Eric Politowski for the heads up.)
-Jeff Taffe is actually related to Wayne Gretzky.
-Erik Johnson netted a hat trick and led the Wheeling Nailers to a 6-4 win at Reading.
Atlantic Division
-Islanders defenseman Mark Streit (right) returns to Montreal as an all-star.
-Philadelphia Phantoms forward Garrett Klotz left the hospital after being injured in a fight Friday night.
Northeast Division
-Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas owes his parents quite a bit. Like a set of wedding rings.
-Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara set a record in the slap shot competition last night. He blistered a shot at 105.4 MPH.
-Hockey is like a religion in Montreal.
Southeast Division
-Alex Ovechkin is the NHL's rock star.
-Ovechkin has made the Capitals a player in the Washington sports scene.
-The play of Ovechkin has earned him respect from some of his peers but some harsh feelings from others.
Central Division
-The NHLPA is investigating the suspensions of Red Wings forward Pavel Datsyuk and defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom.
-Canadiens forward Alex Kovalev doesn't think Datsyuk and Lidstrom should be suspended.
-Television ratings are on the rise in Columbus.
-Blues forward Keith Tkachuk wants these kids off his lawn.
Northwest Division
-Is Canucks forward Mats Sundin this season's version of Scott Niedermayer and/or Teemu Selanne?
-How long will goaltender Niklas Backstrom remain with the Wild?
Pacific Division
-Returning to his native Montreal for the All-Star Lame Game has been bittersweet for Ducks goaltender Jean-Sebastien Giguere.
-Sharks defenseman Dan Boyle (right) is making his first All-Star appearance.
Patrick Division
-Gary Bettman gave his usual "all is well" press conference yesterday.
(Photos: Streit and Boyle-Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)