Hockey Today - December 1
Associated Press
Fri, Dec 1, 2006
SCOREBOARD
Friday, Dec. 1
N.Y. Rangers at Buffalo (8 p.m. EST). The Sabres have won all three meetings with the Rangers this season.
STARS
Thursday
-Marian Hossa, Thrashers, scored three goals to lead Atlanta to a 5-0 win over Toronto.
-Phil Kessel, Bruins, scored in a shootout to give Boston a 4-3 win over Tampa Bay.
-Ray Emery, Senators, made 31 saves for Ottawa`s first shutout of the season, 6-0 over Florida.
AT LONG LAST
Atlanta beat Toronto 5-0 on Thursday night for their first victory over the Maple Leafs in more than three years. It was the Thrashers` first win over the Maple Leafs since a 3-2 overtime victory on Oct. 27, 2003, in Toronto. The Maple Leafs outscored the Thrashers 37-9 in their eight straight wins, including a 4-2 victory on Oct. 30 in Toronto.
REDEMPTION
Ladislav Nagy returned from a one-game benching to score a goal and add three assists in Phoenix`s 7-4 victory over Los Angeles on Thursday night. Nagy was benched by coach Wayne Gretzky for the third period of the Coyotes` 4-0 loss to Minnesota on Friday. Nagy then was a healthy scratch on Saturday.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Philadelphia had three rookie defensemen playing in its 3-2 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday night. It was the 18th NHL game of Alexandre Picard`s career, the sixth for Jussi Timonen and fifth for Lars Jonsson.
UNLUCKY SEVEN
Edmonton lost to Colorado 7-3 Thursday night, allowing seven goals for the first time since a 7-1 loss to the Avalanche on Oct. 21, 2005.
NUMBER ONE
Jordin Tootoo scored his first goal of the season Thursday night, snapping a tie early in the third period to lead Nashville to a 5-4 win over St. Louis.
WAIVED
John LeClair was placed on waivers Thursday by Pittsburgh, a move designed to try to move the two-time 50-goal scorer to another team. If LeClair clears waivers by Friday, the Penguins must decide whether to release him and be responsible for his $1.5 million salary or keep him and try to work out a trade. LeClair has two goals and five assists in 21 games.
SPEAKING
``I think that rounds off the NHL, doesn`t it? - Washington goalie Olaf Kolzig, who made 35 saves in the Capitals` 4-3 win over Dallas. It was his first win against the Stars in a career spanning 15 seasons and more than 600 games.
Friday`s streaking starting goaltenders
Associated Press
Fri, Dec 1, 2006
Information used from Associated Press NHL previews
Pittsburgh Penguins at New Jersey Devils
Martin Brodeur hasn`t allowed more than three goals in 11 consecutive starts. These teams have split the first two meetings this season with both taking place in Pittsburgh.
Detroit Red Wings at Minnesota Wild
Dominik Hasek finished with 20 saves for his 10th win and is among the league leaders with a 1.98 goals-against average. The six-time Vezina Trophy winner has never lost to the Wild in six career starts, recording four wins, two ties and a 1.30 GAA. Detroit is 6-1-2 in its last nine matchups against Minnesota.
Columbus Blue Jackets at Calgary Flames
Goaltender Miikka Kiprusoff is one of the biggest reasons behind the Flames` strong play in Calgary. Kiprusoff is 8-3-0 with a 1.55 goals-against average at home, compared to a 3-6-1 mark and a 2.82 GAA on the road.
Probable Goalies
Friday, December 1, 2006
Kevin Weekes, New York Rangers - Weekes is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Sabres, reports the New York Newsday. Henrik Lundqvist is expected to get the start on Saturday against the Islanders.
Marc-Andre Fleury, Pittsburgh Penguins - Fleury is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Devils, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils - Brodeur is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Penguins, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Coach Claude Julien is apparently still unsure whether to give Brodeur a day off this weekend as the durable goalie has played in 16 straight games. We'll list Scott Clemmensen as the probable starter tomorrow, but it's sounding like it'll be Brodeur again. Check back for an update tomorrow.
Dominik Hasek, Detroit Red Wings - Hasek is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Wild.
Manny Fernandez, Minnesota Wild - Fernandez is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Red Wings.
Ryan Miller, Buffalo Sabres - Miller is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Rangers.
Curtis Sanford, St. Louis Blues - Sanford is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Blackhawks.
Nikolai Khabibulin, Chicago Blackhawks - Khabibulin is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Blues.
Pascal Leclaire, Columbus Blue Jackets - Leclaire is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Flames.
Miikka Kiprusoff, Calgary Flames - Kiprusoff is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Blue Jackets.
Year-to-date: 682 / 744 = 91.7%
Martin Brodeur, New Jersey Devils - Brodeur is the probable starter for Friday's game against the Penguins, reports the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Coach Claude Julien is apparently still unsure whether to give Brodeur a day off this weekend as the durable goalie has played in 16 straight games. We'll list Scott Clemmensen as the probable starter tomorrow, but it's sounding like it'll be Brodeur again. Check back for an update tomorrow.
Pitt might be worth a look tonight at +145