The NHL has finished the first quarter of the season. The theme so far this season seems to be injuries, swine flu and hits from behind to name a few. Credit to the NHL as they have clamped down on the vicious hits to a degree. The latest injury goes to the Red Wing’s Niklas Kronwall as he was the recipient  of a leg check from Montreal’s Georges Laraque on Saturday night. Although the trip was called by the officials, the Red Wings are calling it a dirty hit. The NHL agreed with Detroit and suspended Laraque early Monday evening for 5 games. Continue reading »

Another week in the NHL and just like every week, I am here to give you the highlights and the things you may have missed over the last week. Look for this segment at Stick to Hockey every week as I recap the weeks stories all in one article.

Streaks

The New Jersey Devils extended their road win record to 9-0 on Thursday night by beating the slumping Penguins 4-1. The Penguins had a streak of their own, losing 5 straight before Christmas coming early on Saturday night as Tim Thomas and the Bruins hand them a gift in OT. Continue reading »

Every week I do this column to help you stay up do date with what’s happening in the NHL. This week we had streaks broken, players injured, trade rumors and some goaltender controversy. In case you missed anything, let me get you caught up.

Warm weather not good for the Penguins

The Pittsburgh Penguins went into the week with a 7-0 record on the road and the LA Kings took care of that Thursday night by scoring 4 unanswered goals in the third period as they went on to a 5-2 Victory. The Stanley Cup champs then went into San Jose Saturday night to a place they haven’t won at since October 22,1997.  Evgeni Nabokov made sure that San Jose kept that choke hold on the Pens by stopping all 27 shots and shutting them out 5-0. Sidney Crosby has been held point-less in the last 4 games. Continue reading »

Last night the LA Kings ended the Pittsburgh Penguins 7 game winning streak away from the Mellon Center leaving only the New Jersey Devils who do not have a loss on the road this season. The Devils currently riding a 7-0 record on the road will try to extend that streak Saturday night at Ottawa, riding a 3 game winning streak the Devils will host the New York Islanders tonight and long awaited Patrik Elias will make his 2009-10 debut tonight for the Devils. Elias, the all time points leader for New Jersey hasn’t  played a game in almost a year after having surgery on hip and groin. Continue reading »

#81 to play tonight?

The Toronto Maple Leafs finally get back the player they have been anxiously waiting for. Phil Kessel is expected to return to the NHL tonight in different colors that Phil wore when he last skated. Tonight instead of Kessel wearing the  Black and Gold paired up with Marc Savard, #81 in his new blue and white threads will be skating with Matt Stajan and Jason Blake. The Leafs with only one win this season are still looking for their first at the Air Canada Center tonight when they face the Tampa Bay Lightning. The big question will be , is Phil worth the future that Toronto gave up for him?

Two more stars out Continue reading »

Big Joe and company had a tough task at hand if they wanted to go into Washington and beat the Caps in the building they only lost 9 games all of last season. San Jose though they caught a break in the first period when Jose Theodore left the game with an undisclosed injury leaving rookie Semyon Varlamov a huge task at hand, taming the high flying Sharks.

The Rookie goalie came to play stopping all 15 shots he faced and got help from Alex Ovechkin scored 2 goals in less than 30 seconds early in the second period leading him to a 4-1 victory over the Sharks. San Jose could not “capitalize” on 5 power play opportunities in the first period as they only mustered 13 shots, four less than the Caps.

Theodore is listed day to day with back spasms.  Dan Rosen of  NHL.com is reporting that Jose’s injury could of happened while diving for a loose puck half way through the first period. Theodore did finish the first period before Varlamov relieved him at the start of the second period.