Empty Netter Assists - 02-09-11
Penguins
-Dave Molinari's recap on last night's game. "[Scoring goals] is a product of a particular way we play, and we haven't played that way." - Mike Rupp on his team's offensive woes.
-The Columbus Dispatch's recap. "We were embarrassed, we were thoroughly embarrassed as an organization. To come back in here and split the season series, that's a good thing." - Blue Jackets coach Scott Arniel on avenging a 7-2 home loss to the Penguins Dec. 4.
-The Associated Press' recap. "I don’t think that was the reason why, or not having other players in the lineup, was the reason why we weren’t able to have success tonight." - Dan Bylsma on the absence of Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin.
-NHL.com's recap. "I'm not going to play any different just because those two are out and I don't think anybody else should either." - Tyler Kennedy on the absence of Crosby and Malkin.
-Highlights:
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-Ben Lovejoy versus Derek Dorsett:
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-A good look at the fight:
-Eric Godard versus Columbus' Jared Boll:
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-A good look at this fight:
-Matt Cooke hitting Columbu's Fedor Tyutin from behind:
-Columbus forward R.J. Umberger and goaltender Steve Mason having a moment:
-Columbus' Matt Calvert taking a tumble in front of Brooks Orpik:
-Anthem time:
-Dan Bylsma speaks:
-"...all (expletive)." - A Penguins executive on the validity of a report from a Canadian outlet of a setback Crosby in his recover from a concussion.
-Do the Penguins need more from Jordan Staal (PG+)?
-Chris Collins, Ryan Craig and Keven Veilleux each had a goal and an assist for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins in a 4-1 defeat of the Manitoba Moose. Brett Sterling added two assists for the Penguins while Brad Thiessen made 18 saves in the victory.
-Highlights courtesty of The Wilkes-Blog:
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-Happy 29th birthday to former Penguins forward Nathan Smith. A free agent signing in the 2007 offseason, Smith suited up for 13 games with the Penguins in 2007-08 before joining the Avalanche as a free agent in the 2008 offseason. He is currently the captain of the Augsburger Panther of the DEL in Germany.
Atlantic Division
-Two goals by Mattias Tedenby, including one in overtime, gave the Devils a 3-2 win against the Hurricanes. Colin White recorded two assists for New Jersey while former Penguin Johan Hedberg made 20 saves in the victory. Fire Craig Patrick. Jeff Skinner scored both of Carolina's goals.
-Tedenby's overtime goal:
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-Check out this blind, behind the back pass by New Jersey's Jason Arnott to set up Tedenby for his first goal:
-Devils defenseman Anton Volchenkov will have a disciplinary hearing today with the NHL over this elbow to the head of Carolina forward Zach Boychuk:
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-Happy toothless times for Tedenby:
-Funny Face of the Night: New Jersey's Ilya Kovalchuk:
-"I didn’t like the way we played. I didn’t like our top players. I didn’t like the guys who had the day off (Monday). I didn’t like some of our defensemen. I didn’t like a lot of stuff.” - Devils coach Jacques Lemaire.
-Stop us if you've heard this before. An Islanders goaltender hurt his knee. This time, Kevin Poulin injured his left knee after catching his skate in a rut at Nassau Coliseum during warm-ups last night.
-With Poulin injured, the Islanders recalled goaltender Joel Martin from Bridgeport of the AHL during the game and placed forward Blake Comeau (concussion) on injured reserve.
-Additionally, Islanders forward Jeremy Colliton suffered an "upper-body" injury.
Northeast Division
-Drew Stafford's hat trick helped the Maple Leafs win 7-4 at Tampa Bay. Thomas Vanek added two goals an assist for Buffalo while teammate and former Penguin Jordan Leopold collected a goal and two assists. Fire Ray Shero. Ryan Miller made 30 saves in the victoyr. Captain Vincent Lecavalier had two goals and an assist for the Lightning.
-A goal and two assists by former Penguin Colby Armstrong led the Maple Leafs to a 5-3 win against the Islanders. Fire Ray Shero. Tomas Kaberle added a goal and an assist for Toronto while teammate Darryl Boyce recorded three assists. James Reimer made 31 saves in the victory.
-Check out this effort by Toronto's Phil Kessel to set up Nikolai Kulemin for a goal:
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-Check out this hit by Toronto captain Dion Phaneuf on New York's John Tavares:
-Toronto's Joey Crabb > New York's Jeremy Colliton:
-"We definitely are watching the scoreboard.” - Maple Leafs captain Dion Phaneuf on his team's playoff hopes.
-"It’s more like big brother, little brother but he is a father.” - Canadiens defenseman P.K. Subban on his relationship with teammate and former Penguins defenseman Hal Gill.
Southeast Division
-Capitals defenseman Mike Green was sidelined last night due to concussion-like symptoms resulting from taking a Brooks Orpik slapshot to the head Sunday.
-Washington demoted forward Jay Beagle to Hershey of the AHL.
-The Capitals have been shutout eight times this season. That's the most for the franchise since it was blanked 11 times in 1998-99.
Central Division
-Jaroslav Halak made 30 saves for the Blues in a 2-1 win at Florida. St. Louis snapped a four-game losing streak.
-Check out this fake shot and pass by St. Louis' Andy McDonald to set up David Backes for a goal:
-Blue Jackets forward R.J. Umberger. He's from Plum you know.
-A sprained knee is expected to sidelined Red Wings forward Valtteri Filppula for one week.
Northwest Division
-A knee injury will keep Canucks defenseman Keith Ballard sidelined three to four weeks.
-The Canucks demoted forward Alexandre Bolduc to Manitoba of the AHL.
Pacific Division
-Antti Niemi made 25 saves for the Sharks in a 2-0 shutout of the Capitals. It was Niemi's second consecutive shutout. The Sharks have won eight out of their last nine games.
-"I spent five years there, so I’m sure a lot of memories will come back once we get there." - Kings defenseman Rob Scuderi on returning to Pittsburgh tomorrow.
-The Ducks officially put goaltender Jonas Hiller (fatigue) on injured reserve.
-Ducks goaltender Ray Emery cleared waivers and was assigned to Syracuse of the AHL. Additionall, Anaheim placed forward Aaron Voros on waivers.
-The Stars recalled forward Tomas Vincour from Texas of the AHL and demoted forwards Travis Morin and Colton Sceviour to Texas.
-Former Penguins forward Randy Robitaille has signed a professional tryout contract with the San Antonio Rampage, the Coyotes' AHL affiliate.
(Photos: Blue Jackets/Penguins-Jamie Sabau/Getty Images; Hurricanes/Devils-Paul Bereswill/Getty Images; Maple Leafs/Islanders-Lou Capozzola/Getty Images)