No, I'm not leaving for good, I'm just taking a mini-vacation. I'm off to Montreal for the weekend, where I will get to enjoy a great Saturday night game between the Sabres and the Habs. Expect a report on that one for Sunday when I get home. Yick and Ryan will still be here, so blogs will get put up, just not by me.
Games tonight? There were plenty! Lets start in Carolina, where Eric Staal was an absolute machine in the Canes' 4-3 win over the Leafs. Staal had two goals and one assist, while Erik Cole scored with 1:34 left in the third to give Carolina the win. Cole and Steen both had three points, while Whitney, Stajan and Klee had two.
Crosby had three points, as the Pens hammered the Isles 5-1. Caron stopped 22 of 23 shots, and Lemieux, Palffy, and Ryan Whitney all had two assists. Yashin scored New York's lone goal.
Philly dominated tonight, beating Washington 8-1. Jon Sim, Jeff Carter and Simone Gagne had two goals each, while Knuble, Forsberg and Pitkanin had three points each. Esche gets the win for the Flyers, while Johnson was in net for all eight Flyer goals.
Ottawa continues to win, as they beat the defending cup champs 4-2. Havlat, Alfreddson, Redden and Fisher had the goals for Ottawa, while Richards and Lecavalier had Tampa's goals. Spezza and Heatley continued to produce, scoring an assist each.
Jagr continues to look like his old MVP form, as he had two goals and an assist to the lead the Rangers to a 4-2 win over New Jersey. Kevin Weekes played well for the Rangers, while Brodeur missed another game due to a knee injury.
Raffi Torres scored just under two minutes into overtime to give Edmonton a 4-3 over Detroit. It's only Detroit's second loss of the season. Jason Williams continued to be the hottest wing, scoring two points tonight. Osgood made another start for the wings, as Legace continues to recover from an injury suffered earlier in the week. Chris Pronger had two assists for the Oilers.
Lots of games still in progress. Blake, Sakic and Laaksonen all have goals for the Avs, as Colorado leads Anahiem 3-2. Nilson has just scored mid-way through the third period to give Calgary a 2-1 lead over Columbus. Finally, Phoenix has apparently awoken, and currently lead the Kings 4-0. Mara has a goal and two assists, while Doan and Leclerc both had a goal and an assist. Joseph is in net for the Coyotes.
Marc-Andre Fleury is not going anywhere, so will everyone please stop saying he is? I've heard a rumour of him going to St.Louis along with Orpik and a pick for Jackman, Brewer and Lalime. Don't believe it, or any others you hear. Pavel Vorobiev looks to be the real deal in Chicago, as he went into tonight tied with Crosby for the rookie points lead. Crosby has since taken it back, but Vorobiev is a player to watch this season. Few rumours from Code : JFJ and Pat Quinn are in a battle? Comrie and Weekes are about to be moved? Daze's days in Chicago are numbered? Just rumours, but the only one I will deny is Comrie, as I don't think Phoenix has any plans to move him. Don't be shocked if Ottawa deals Havlat for a centre.
Some injury news for you : Expect Mats Sundin back Saturday night. Sunday is possible, but Sundin could have played tonight, which means Saturday should be a lock. Legace will likely have the weekend off, and return next week. It also could depend on the play of Chris Osgood.
So I'm out of here, but don't stop sending me articles and emails, I will try to get online at some point during the weekend. Cjohnson202@hockeyleaks.com is the address. Check out Hockeyleaks.com, as new updates are added daily. Our next Q & A should be up next week, and it will be with the mysterious Eklund! Can't wait for that. Anyways, enjoy your weekend, and watch a lot of hockey!
