Tuesday January 20

Now presenting your new leader, President Barack Hussein Obama! Woo! Enough politicizing, let us move to the ice. There were 8 games on tap Tuesday night around the NHL. Former Islanders have visibly ramped up their contributions. FIs tipped in their help in 4 of those contests. Here is the happenings:

Los Angeles center Derek Armstrong scored his 2nd goal in the last 4 games netting the first insurance tally as the Kings downed the host Minnesota Wild 5-2. Army has 3 goals and 1 assist for 4 points on 22 games. He has managed to net 3 goals on only 17 shots giving him an impressive 17.6 shooting percentage.



Edmonton defenseman Denis Grebeshkov scored the goal that knotted the score, briefly, at 3 a piece. Greb now has 4 goals and 17 assists for 21 points on 43 games. Over the last 4 games he has set new single season highs in assists, points and goals. Grebeshkov seems to have found a new level of play this season and even appears to be physically more dominant than the past. It is just speculation but astute teams might send an offer sheet Grebeshkov's way this summer in light of his recent play. Greb is a Restricted Free Agent come July 1. Just something to keep a lookout for.

Phoenix center Olli Jokinen netted the Coyotes' 3rd goal as they effectively dispensed of the visiting Detroit Red Wings 6-3. O-Jok has 17 goals and 16 assists for 33 points on 42 games. Jokinen has 6 goals in his last 11 games after scoring only 4 in the previous 18 matches. He is second only to team leader Shane Doan is goals scored with only 1 less score than the captain.



Three games, three losses. The return to play for Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo has not been a good one so far. Luongo stopped 27 of 29 shots but it was the 4th one he faced in OT that bested him as the San Jose Sharks edged the visiting Canucks 2-1. The Sharks kept the 'Nucks to a manageable 14 shots outshooting them over 2 to 1. The OT loss dropped Luongo to 11-6-4 on the season with a .921 save percentage and a 2.37 goals against average. Since returning from his groin injury Luongo has gone 0-1-2. Scoring the lone Canucks' goal was winger Taylor Pyatt. He has 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points on 40 games. After going 12 games without a goal or point T-Py has notched 2 goals in the last 2 outings. The last time Pyatt had goals in consecutive games was March 17-20, 2008.

Check back soon for more updates at FIW.