Empty Netter Assists - 04-05-12
Penguins
-DeeJay's, the Weirton, W.Va. rib joint which Flyers coach Peter Laviolette credited as the reason for his team's undefeated record at Consol Energy Center, has cut off the Flyers. Said Dewey Guida, owner of DeeJay's, "No more ribs for them. And I pray, I hope, that the Penguins beat their skates off."
-Steve Sullivan has his best (and last?) chance to win the Stanley Cup?
-Brian Strait was recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton. (PG+)
-Plum High School once again put together a LipDub video for the Penguins:
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-Patrick Killeen made 21 saves for the Wheeling Nailers in a 4-2 loss to the Kalamazoo Wings in Game 2 of their Kelly Cup Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. The best-of-five series is tied, 1-1. Cody Chup and Paul Crowder each recorded two assists for Wheeling.
Atlantic Division
-With the Rangers having clinched first place in the Eastern Conference, goaltender Henrik Lundqvist (right) is not expected to play the Penguins tonight due to a right forearm ailment.
-The Islanders have essentially severed all ties with former star Pat LaFontaine.
-John Tavares is trying to become the first Islanders player to reach the 80-point mark since Zigmund Palffy in 1997-98.
-In addition to screwing NHL fans out of quality hockey for the better part of 15 years, the Devils have apparently screwed the city of Newark out of several million in rent for the Prudential Center.
Northeast Division
-Two goals and an assist by Max Pacioretty led the Canadiens to a 5-2 defeat of the Lightning. Erik Cole scored two goals for Montreal while teammates David Desharnais and Tomas Plekanec each recorded two assists. Peter Budaj made all of 14 saves in the victory.
-Ugly Goal of the Night: Tampa Bay captain Vincent Lecavalier scored off this "pass" from Budaj:
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-Lightning goaltender and former Penguins Sebastien Caron stared down this shot from Montreal's Erik Cole:
-Lightning forward and former Penguin Ryan Malone had some issues with this net:
-Senators defenseman and former Penguin Sergei Gonchar is dealing with a "lower-body" injury.
-With nothing to lose or gain in the standings, the Bruins will rest goaltender Tim Thomas, captain Zdeno Chara and forward Patrice Bergeron for the final two games of the regular season.
-Without giving specifics, Sabres coach Lindy Ruff deemed defenseman Tyler Myers' (right) foot injury as long-term. He was injured while blocking a shot by Paul Martin last Friday.
-Maple Leafs defenseman Carl Gunnarsson will be sidelined four to six weeks due to a separated shoulder.
Southeast Division
-The Panthers need one point to clinch their first playoff berth since 2000.
-The Hurricanes demoted forward Drayson Bowman to Charlotte of the AHL.
Central Division
-Todd Bertuzzi's shootout goal gave the Red Wings a 3-2 win against the Blues. Johan Franzen scored both of Detroit's regulation goals while Bertuzzi and teammate Pavel Datsyuk each recorded two assists. Jimmy Howard made 27 saves in the victory.
-Goal of the Night: Check out this shorthanded effort by St. Louis' David Perron:
-A good look at the goal:
-Pass of the Night: Datsyuk setting up Franzen:
-Hit of the Night: Detroit's Niklas Kronwall on St. Louis' Ryan Reaves:
-"There are still signs of a concussion lingering. When that's completely gone, then I'll be comfortable playing. It's one of those things where it's very easy for it to come back if one little thing goes wrong." - Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews on his concussion which has sidelined him for 20 games.
Northwest Division
-With forward Zack Kassian dealing with an "upper-body" injury, the Canucks recalled forward Byron Bitz from Chicago of the AHL.
-With defenseman Tyler Cuma dealing with an "upper-body" injury, the Wild recalled defenseman Tyler Cuma from Houston of the AHL.
Pacific Division
-The Kings need one point to clinch a playoff berth.
-Does Kings goaltender Jonathan Quick (right) deserve consideration for the Vezina Trophy?
-The Ducks demoted defenseman Mat Clark to Syracuse of the AHL.
-The city of Glendale, Ariz. and the NHL are squabbling over money for operating costs for the Coyotes.
Norris Division
-An interactive map of where every active NHL player was born.
(Photos: Ribs-DeeJaysRibs.com; Lundqvist-Gregory Shamus/Getty Images; Lightning/Canadiens-Richard Wolowicz/Getty Images; Myers-Al Bello/Getty Images; Red Wings/Blues-Jeff Roberson/Associated Press; Quick-Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)