Game recaps, updates on Jason Spezza, Artem Anisimov, Kimmo Timonen and Mikkel Boedker, NHL to include advanced stats on its website, and more.
Los Angles Kings center Jeff Carter celebrates one of his two goals against the Chicago Blackhawks.
LOS ANGELES TIMES: The Los Angeles Kings rallied from three one-goal deficits to down the Chicago Blackhawks 4-3. Jeff Carter scored twice for the Kings and Tyler Toffoli scored once and set up another. Jake Muzzin tallied the game winner. The two Patricks (Kane and Sharp) each had a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks.
THE WASHINGTON POST: Alexander Ovechkin scored twice to vault into the NHL goal-scoring lead as the Washington Capitals blanked the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-0. Braden Holtby made 27 saves for the shutout.
NOTE: Games involving Canadian NHL teams are recapped in “Canadian Corner.”
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: On the eve of Jason Spezza’s return to Ottawa for the first time since being dealt last summer to the Dallas Star, he reflected on his years with the Senators and his performance this season in Dallas.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Some good news for the injury-ravaged Blue Jackets, as Artem Anisimov (torn left triceps) and Ryan Murray (right knee injury) appear on the verge of returning to the lineup.
PHILLY.COM: Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen (blood clots) is moving closer to returning to action, but the Flyers must clear cap space for his return. GM Ron Hextall suggests he could demote some players and go with a shorter roster.
ARIZONA REPUBLIC: Coyotes winger Mikkel Boedker is recovering well from recent emergency surgery to remove his spleen but his return to the lineup isn’t imminent.
NBC SPORTS: Starting in February 2015, the NHL will include advanced stats on its website.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kudos to the league for embracing advanced stats and making them available to the fans. Now, how about filling the void left by the now-defunct CapGeek.com and publishing all player salary information?
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers will be moving their AHL affiliates to California.
Being a former Californian, I am very happy that the state will play host to 5 AHL franchises. Hopefully it will grow the game in those areas for all my buddies still there. Now all thats left is to bring an NHL franchise to Seattle!
Ahh so it seems the AHL teams will take over for the ECHL teams present in stockton, bakersfield, san diego and ontario. The team in San Jose will be the only ‘new’ team. Still great for hockey in California. What happens to the ECHL franchises?
It wouldn’t surprise me if some of those AHL cities pick up ECHL franchises.
Well it may not be the level of capgeek.com but I did come across spotrack.com It’s worth a look.
LA Kings….win a game, lose a game…win 2 , lose 2. But yet, the media continues to write about these scrubs as if they were the second coming of Christ. Meanwhile,Anaheim is dominating the league, but still, no one wishes to talk about them. I love Spectors Trade Rumors, but starting to think, they, too, might be on the take $$$…Sorry, just frustrating to continuously read of the East Coast bias, and the love for the LAK, and their wifebeating defensemen. And if Anahein takes the Cup,m these same as swipes will suddenly be Ducks fans. You know what, enough is enough. Done here. Thanks for your previous amazing insights, but color me NO LONGER A FAN, Mr Spector………………………
And yet you continue to visit this site and prattle on about imagined “bias” against the Ducks, when there clearly isn’t any. But that’s ok, Bruce, keep visiting and keep whining because that’s money in the bank for me. Your ongoing support is appreciated.