Game Recap - Hockey Wiretap
Thrashers' Kovalchuk Injures Knee In Win Over Penguins
The Thrashers had to wait to find out how costly their victory over the Penguins would prove to be.
The Thrashers lost star Ilya Kovalchuk to a knee injury while ending a five-game losing streak in Wednesday night's 4-1 victory, according to an Associated Press report.
Record-Tying Five Power-Play Goals Power Devils
The New Jersey Devils beat the Philadelphia Flyers for the fifth straight time this season, moving into first place in the Atlantic Division on Tuesday night.
The Devils tied their franchise record for power-play goals and fell one short of the team mark. The team had notched five power-play goals two other times in their history.
Madden Returns To Help Devils Scrape By Leafs
John Madden returned to the New Jersey lineup after sitting out two games, a pair of losses in which the Devils had just one goal in each, and scored twice to lead New Jersey past the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2 on Sunday.
"My thoughts were that we would see how things were going," said Madden, who was sidelined with a right ankle laceration. "I was a little winded, since I hadn't skated until Saturday. I felt a little something here and there, but nothing big. I got better as the game went on."
Bruins Sweep Home-And-Home With Rangers
Chuck Kobasew capped off a big weekend with a short-handed goal and assist; Tim Thomas made 30 saves Sunday; and the Bruins completed a home-and-home sweep of the New York Rangers with a 3-1 victory.
"That was our whole focus going into this. We've got to start separating from the pack," said Marc Savard, who had two assists. "We've got to beat the guys we're chasing a playoff spot with."
"That's what we talked about, the playoffs. It's the closest thing we're going to see until the end of the year."
Penguins' Crosby Suffers High Ankle Sprain In Loss To Lightning
Sidney Crosby badly sprained an ankle while ramming into the boards in the first period, and the Andre Roy-led Lightning took advantage of his absence for a 3-0 victory over the Penguins on Friday night.
Crosby was diagnosed with a high ankle sprain, an injury to the large ligament that connects the two biggest bones in the lower leg, the tibia and fibula.
Senators Win Despite Losing Alfredsson
Two periods without Daniel Alfredsson is already longer than the Ottawa Senators want to be missing their captain.
Antoine Vermette had his first two-goal game of the season, and Martin Gerber made 36 saves to lead Ottawa to a 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes on Thursday night.
Alfredsson, Ottawa's leading scorer with 29 goals and 60 points, took one shift in the middle period before leaving the game because of a hip flexor injury. He didn't return.
"I don't think it's too bad," Spezza said. "I think it's more precautionary, but hopefully he's not out for an extended period."
Legace Injured In Slumping Blues' Loss To Hawks
St. Louis starting goalie Manny Legace left after the first period against Chicago on Wednesday night with an injured right arm. Legace had been named to the Western Conference All-Star team last week.
Blues' Coach Andy Murray said Legace's injury isn't serious, and he'll be back in the nets for the St. Louis' next game at home on Saturday against Nashville.
"He's got a bruise, and he didn't have the mobility he needed tonight," Murray said.
Legace stopped all seven shots he faced in the first, including several tough chances. Marek Schwarz replaced him to start the second and made only eight saves.
Flyers Deny Panthers' Martin 500th Coaching Win
A great start did wonders for the Philadelphia Flyers.
Daniel Briere scored twice and Kimmo Timonen had a goal and two assists for the Flyers, who had a four-goal opening period and held off the Florida Panthers 5-3 on Wednesday night.
"It's a good feeling to come out in the first period and really take it to them," Briere said after the Flyers jumped out to a 4-1 lead. "It's good for our confidence."
Simon Gagne and Scott Hartnell also scored for the Flyers, who have won two straight and five of their last six, and denied Panthers' Coach Jacques Martin his 500th win.
Flyers' Coach John Stevens said "there is no question" that the quick start helped the Flyers.
Penguins Extend Win Streak To Eight Straight
Ty Conklin and the Pittsburgh Penguins kept two positive streaks going and stopped a bad one in the progress.
Conklin made 35 saves; Jordan Staal had two goals and an assist; and the Penguins extended their winning streak to eight games with a 4-1 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday night.
It's the Penguins' longest win streak since a 10-game stretch in January and February 1999. Pittsburgh also stopped a 12-game losing skid against Tampa Bay.
"I think everybody's confident," Conklin said. "It's not one or two guys; it's a team."
Chelios Reaches Age Milestone
Red Wings' defenseman Chris Chelios is proving age is but a number.
By appearing in the Red Wings' 1-0 victory over the Avalanche on Tuesday, Chelios became the second-oldest player in NHL history.
At 45 years, 348 days, Chelios surpassed Moe Roberts by one day for the distinction. Roberts held the honor of being the league's second-oldest player ever when he came out of retirement to relieve Harry Lumley for the Blackhawks on November 25, 1951.
Devils' Brodeur Records Shutout No. 96
Martin Brodeur stopped 36 shots as the Devils beat the Flyers 3-0 on Friday night.
Flyers' Hatcher Denies Biting Zajac
Derian Hatcher pleaded innocent when accused of biting Devils center Travis Zajac's finger during a scrum in the second period on Friday night.
Crosby Nets Winner As Pens Nip Sabres In Winter Classic
Sidney Crosby's shootout goal gave the Penguins a 2-1 win over the Sabres in front of an NHL-record 71,217 fans on Tuesday.