Game recaps, plus updates on Mikko Koivu, Cam Ward, Tim Jackman, Kevan Miller and more.
Game recaps.
NEWSDAY: The New York Islanders downed the Nashville Predators 5-2, snapping the Predators six-game winning streak. Nick Leddy had a three-point game while John Tavares, Johnny Boychuk and Michael Grabner each collected two points. It was costly win, as Mikhail Grabovski left the game with an upper-body injury.
Brandon Dubinsky and Sidney Crosby fight during the Blue Jackets-Penguins game.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brandon Dubinsky fought with Sidney Crosby and scoring the winning goal as the Columbus Blue Jackets edged the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1.
SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS: Antti Niemi made 37 saves backstopping the San Jose Sharks to a 5-2 win over the Dallas Stars. Andrew Desjardins scored twice while Joe Pavelski and Tomas Hertl each collected two points.
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Brian Flynn’s shootout goal lifted the Buffalo Sabres to a 3-2 win over the Philadelphia Flyers.
Notable headlines.
TWINCITIES.COM: Minnesota Wild captain Mikko Koivu has tallied 14 points during his club’s 15-game resurgence.
NEWSOBSERVER.COM: Carolina Hurricanes goalie Cam Ward is approaching 500 career NHL games.
NHL.COM: The Anaheim Ducks re-sign forward Tim Jackman to a one-year contract.
BOSTON HERALD: Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller (right shoulder) was placed on injured reserve.
NJ.COM: The New Jersey Devils won’t be naming a head coach this season.
SPORTSNET: Corsi and Fenwick stats will have different names on the NHL’s official stats site.
So the whole interweb is buzzing because Sid got into a tussle. I watched the game, it wasn’t a big deal other than Crosby’s emotions spilled over after having Dubinsky riding his hip most of the game, being robbed on a couple of occasions by McElhinney and Dubinsky landing a solid hit prior to the scuffle. This wouldn’t be as big a deal if it was anyone from the Penguins.
It was a good game and there appears to be an “old school” rivalry developing between CLS and Pitt which in this day and age is a good thing for the league as there doesn’t appear too be many of them anymore where there is an actual “hate” between the teams.
I understand that Crosby is the poster boy for the league and that his fighting is a rarity, but, to make this the “highlight” of the evenings games just seems to take away from the other events from the other games that are more “highlight” material in my mind.
It was nice to see a push back from Sidney. So often he whines and complains to the officials that seeing him actually battle back on his own physically is good for the team. What was really surprising to hear in media coverage later, that this was actually his seventh career fight! What’s his win/loss ratio? WTG Sid.
I confess that the final result of the Isles-Preds game surprised me. The Isles have been a step below their best game recently, but they were at their best most of last night and absolutely strafed Rinne. Fun game for an Isles fan.