Empty Netter Assists - Eastern Conference - 12-07-08
Penguins
-Dave Molinari's recap from yesterday.
-The Ottawa Citizen's recap.
-Penguins defenseman Rob Scuderi probably has an Al Toon jersey (above).
-Jordan Staal cares not for Ottawa forward/pest Jarkko Ruutu's ability to stand.
-The Pensblog breaks down the Penguins' Christmas baskets.
-Here's Eric Godard's tilt with Ottawa's Chris Neil yesterday:
-Jean-Michel Daoust and Jeff Taffe each had two goals and two assist for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 7-3 defeat of Albany.
-Doust was huge for the AHL Penguins last night.
-Was Taffe motivated last night after being passed up for promoton by Chris Minard and Janne Pesonen?
-Paul Bissonnette dropped the gloves with Trevor Gilles:
(Kudos to EN contributor Eric Politowski for the heads up.)
-Erik Johnson scored the only goal for the Wheeling Nailers who were routed in Dayton 8-1.
-The NHL Penguins promoted forward Nick Johnson from Wheeling to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton.
Atlantic Division
-Zach Parise's overtime goal gave the Devils a 2-1 win at Montreal. Scott Clemmensen made 25 saves in the win. He was the first Devils goaltender other than Martin Brodeur to face the Habs since Mike Dunham in a 4-4 tie, Feb. 1, 1997.
-Jeff Carter's overtime goal gave the Flyers a 2-1 win at Carolina. Antero Niittymaki made 35 saves in the win.
-The Islanders recalled forward Blake Comeau from Bridgeport of the AHL and demoted forward Jeff Tambellini for a conditioning assignment.
-With defenseman Wade Redden (right) dealing with an undisclosed injury, the Rangers recalled defenseman Cory Potter from Hartford of the AHL.
-Devils forward Barry Tallackson cleared waivers and was demoted to Lowell of the AHL.
-New Jersey forward Mike Rupp wasn't thrilled about being a healthy scratch.
Northeast Division
-Manny Fernandez made 27 saves for the Bruins in a 4-0 shutout win at Florida.
-Drew Stafford had a goal and two assist for the Sabres who edged the Lightning 4-3. Tampa Bay has lost seven consecutive games. No word on when that Southeast Division title banner ceremony will be held.
-Buffalo recalled forward Nathan Gerbe from Portland of the AHL and demoted forward Mark Mancari. At 5-foot-5, Gerbe is the smallest player in the league.
-Toronto defenseman Luke Schenn ("lower-body") and forward Niklas Hagman (head) were dinged up last night.
-The Maple Leafs hired former Canucks general manager Dave Nonis to an executive position.
-The agent for former free agent forward and former Maple Leaf captain Mats Sundin said his client would like to sign with a team by Dec. 15.
-The Senators are using forward Antoine Vermette more than ever.
Southeast Division
-Karl Alzner had a goal and an assist for the Capitals in a 2-1 win at Toronto.
-Ilya Kovalchuk had a goal and two assists for the Thrashers who romped the Islanders, 5-1. Former Penguins goaltender Johan Hedberg made 28 saves in the win.
-Atlanta coach John Anderson challenged his team before last night's game.
-Panthers goaltender Craig Anderson suffered a head injury last night.
-Lightning coach Rick Tocchet doesn't want to hear any excuses.
-Tocchet still thinks his team can make the playoffs.
-Tampa Bay forward and former Penguin Ryan Malone (right) is dealing with "upper-body" injury.
-Capitals forward Eric Fehr is dealing with a shoulder injury.
(Photos: Toon-eBay; Redden-Nick Laham/Getty Images; Malone-Chris O'Meara/Associated Press)