Empty Netter Assists - 01-10-11
Penguins
-How long is Sidney Crosby (above) really out for (PG+)?
-Greg Wyshynski of Yahoo! counts the 24 best parts of "24/7."
-Dan Bylsma speaks:
-Casey Pierro-Zabotel had two goals and an assist for the Wheeling Nailers in a 5-3 defeat of the Toledo Walleye. Joey Haddad added a goal and two assists for the Nailers while teammate Nick Petersen netted a goal and an assist. Patrick Killeen made 22 saves in the victory.
-Happy 44th birthday to former Penguins defenseman Jeff Serowik. A free agent signing early in 1998-99, Serowik's Penguins career amounted to 26 games and six assists that season. A head injury midway through that season brought an end to his career. He currently operates hockey camps throughout the United States.
Atlantic Division
-A goal and an assist by Patrik Elias led the Devils to a 6-3 win against the Lightning. David Clarkson scored two goals for New Jersey while teammates Brian Rolson and Ilya Kovalchuk each recorded two assists. Martin Brodeur made 33 saves in the victory which snapped a four-game losing streak.
-Brodeur kept his eyes on these pucks:
-Tampa Bay's Steve Downie didn't shy away from blocking this shot by New Jersey's Mark Fayne:
-Happy times for Tampa Bay's Vincent Lecavalier (left) and Ryan Malone:
-The Devils had gone 20 consecutive games without scoring more than three goals.
-With defenseman Anton Volchenkov attending to his father's funeral, the Devils recalled defenseman Mark Fayne from Albany of the AHL.
-With forward Alexander Frolov expected to miss the rest of the season due to a knee injury, the Rangers recalled forward Kris Newbury from Connecticut of the AHL.
Northeast Division
-Maple Leafs forward and former Penguin Colby Armstrong is dealing with a scratched cornea after being sucker punched by Thrashers forward Ben Eager last week.
Southeast Division
-An overtime goal by Erik Cole gave the Hurricanes a 4-3 win against the Thrashers. Tuomo Ruutu had a goal and an assist for Carolina while teammate Joe Corvo recorded two assists. Justin Peters made 25 saves in the victory. Bryan Little had two goals for Atlanta.
-Check out this nifty pass by Carolina's Patrick Dwyer to set up Zac Dalpe for a goal:
-With forward Evander Kane ("mid-body") on injured reserve and he Thrashers recalled forward Spencer Machacek and Tim Stapleton from Chicago of the AHL.
-The Hurricanes demoted defenseman Brett Carson to Charlotte of the AHL.
Central Division
-Corey Crawford made 29 saves for the Blackhawks in a 5-0 shutout of the Islanders. Former Penguin Marian Hossa had a goal and two assists for Chicago while teammates Niklas Hjalmarsson, Patrick Kane and Patrick Sharp each had a goal and an assist. Fire Ray Shero.
-Check out this save by Crawford on New York's Josh Bailey:
-Prior to the game, the Blackhawks' 1961 Stanley Cup championship team was honored:
-Funny Face of the Night: New York Travis Hamonic releasing a shot:
-A good look at the lid of New York's Nathan Lawson:
-The Blue Jackets demoted defenseman Mike Commodore to Springfield of the AHL and recalled defenseman Grant Clitsome from Springfield.
-The Blackhawks will place statues of hall-of-famers Bobby Hull and Stan Mikita outside the United Center next season.
Northwest Division
-Flames forward and former Penguin Tom Kostopoulos was suspended six games for a hit to the head which broke the jaw of Red Wings defenseman Brad Stuart Friday.
-The hit in question:
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Pacific Division
-Andrew Raycroft made 26 saves for the Stars in a 4-0 shutout of the Wild. Jamie Benn scored two goals for Dallas while teammate Trevor Daley contributed a goal and an assist.
-Check out Benn's first goal:
-Jonas Hiller made 37 saves for the Ducks in a 1-0 shutout of the rival Sharks. It was Hiller's second consecutive shutout.
(Photos: Crosby-Justin K. Aller/Getty Images; Lightning/Devils-Paul Bereswill/Getty Images and Julio Cortez/Associated Press; Islanders/Blackhawks-Charles Cherney/Associated Press and Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)