Friday, February 27, 2009

Thursday February 26

There were a considerable 10 games on the NHL schedule on Thursday night. Former Islanders did not disappoint lending their support in 7 of those contests. Here is a look at the FI happenings:

Boston defenseman and captain Zdeno Chara recorded the lone assist on the Bs' third goal as the Bruins blanked the visiting Anaheim Ducks 6-0. Chara now has 14 goals and 22 assists for 36 points on 62 games. Though it is unlikely he will surpass his single season high points total from last season (51) he could equal or surpass the 17 goals which were also a single season high.


Toronto winger Jason Blake notched 2 assists and scored a SO goal in the 2nd round as the Maple Leafs edged the host Isles 5-4. Each helper came on the special teams with one on the powerplay and the other shorthanded. Blakey now has 22 goals and 27 assists for 49 points on 58 games. The shortie assist was Blake's first since before the lockout with his most recent on February 29, 2004 (ironically enough FIW's wedding day!) while still with the Isles. Since departing the Island Blake has 7 points (1 goal, 2 assists) in 7 games against the Blue & Orange.

Buffalo winger Tim Connolly was stopped on his attempt in the 3rd round of the SO instantly ending the game as the Sabres fell to the host Carolina Hurricanes 2-1. Connolly has fallen off his point-per-game pace going scoreless in his last 2 outings. He now has 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points on 28 games.





Florida winger Richard Zednik had the primary assist on the game winning goal with only 7:10 remaining in play as the Panthers edged the free-falling New York Rangers 2-1 at Madison Square Garden. Zed snapped a 3 game point-less streak and now has 12 goals and 14 assists for 26 points on 50 games. He remains only 5 goals away from career #200. Receiving the secondary assist on the winning tally was d-man Bryan McCabe. McCabe also snapped a 3 game point-less stretch and has 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points on 51 games.

New FI d-man Chris Campoli had a powerplay assist on the lone Senators goal as Ottawa was just barely downed by the visiting San Jose Sharks 2-1. Campy has been impressive so far with the Sens managing assists in 3 straight games to the tune of 4 helpers. He has notched 2 of those assists on the powerplay. Campoli now has 6 goals and 15 assists for 21 points on 54 games. For only the 2nd time Campy has notched 15+ assists on a season.

Phoenix center Olli Jokinen assisted on the lone Coyotes goal as they fell to the host Nashville Predators 4-1. O-Jok has 41 points (20 goals, 21 assists) on 56 games and is facing a potential 20 point drop off from last season which would mean over the span of 2 seasons Jokinen's stats would have gone from the 90+ range to the 70+ range down to the low 50s.



Columbus winger Raffi Torres scored the only goal of the game as the Blue Jackets eked by the host Edmonton Oilers 1-0. Torres snapped a 3 game point-less stretch and now has 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points on 31 games. The game winner was the 2nd of the season for Torres and the 10th of his career.



Check in with FIW soon for more recaps, highlights and news.

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Tuesday February 24

There were an impressive 11 games on the NHL schedule on Tuesday night as teams battle for points in the standings. Former Islanders helped out in 5 of those contests. Here is a quick look:

Philadelphia winger Arron Asham scored the insurance goal with 7 and a half remains remaining as the Flyers doubled up on the Washington Capitals for a 4-2 road win. Asham has played well as of late with 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) over the last 5 games. Asham now has 5 goals and 6 assists for 11 points on 54 games. For the 7th straight season Asham has scored 5 or more goals. His 11 points surpassed his 10 point, 77 game effort from the 2007-08 campaign while still with the New Jersey Devils.

Colorado winger Ryan Smyth assisted on his team's first goal as the Avalanche were edged by the host Atlanta Thrashers 4-3. Smyth now has 20 goals and 30 assists for 50 points on 61 becoming the first FI this season to reach the 50 point mark. For the 7th time on his career Smyth has 30+ helpers and is only 9 assists short of tying his single season high from the 2000-01 while with the Edmonton Oilers.


Recently added FIs Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli helped the Ottawa Senators out as they beat the visiting Carolina Hurricanes 4-2. Center Comrie scored the game winning goal with only 11 seconds remaining in the 1st Period to help lead the Avs to victory. In only his second game since returning to the Sens Comrie has notched his first goal and point. On the season he has 8 goals and 13 assists for 21 points on 43 games. The game winner was the 25th of Comrie's career. Defenseman Chris Campoli had a powerplay assist on the insurance goal. He has 3 assists in first 2 games with Ottawa. Campy now has 6 goals and 14 assists for 20 points on 53 games. This is only the 2nd time Campoli has 20 or more points on a season and the first since his rookie campaign during the 2005-06 season with the Isles.

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo saw his career best 8 game win streak come to a screeching halt as the Canucks were blanked by the host Montreal Canadiens 3-0. Lu stopped 14 of a meager 16 shots faced. With the loss Luongo is now 19-8-5 on the season with a 2.55 goals against average and a .915 save percentage. He also has 5 shutouts on the season but has not posted one since November 8 at the tail end of a string of 3 straight goose eggs. Assisting on the empty net goal was Montreal d-man Roman Hamrlik. He has 4 goals and 21 assists for 25 points on 60 games. Hamr has now has 13 straight seasons notching 25+ points.

Edmonton winger/defenseman/whoseewhatsit Jason Strudwick scored his team's 2nd goal as the Oilers surpassed the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 5-3. With the goal Strud snapped a 16 goal-less streak and now has 8 points (2 goals, 6 assists) on 50 games. Strudwick has notched 2 points (1 goal, 1 assist) over the last 2 contests marking the first time he has had points in back-to-back games October 24-26, 2002 while still a member of the Chicago Blackhawks. Strud is only 1 goal shy of tying his single season high from the 2005-06 while with the Rangers and with the goal set a new single season high in points.

Check in soon for more updates and highlights here at FIW.

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Sunday February 22

There were a handful of games (5) on the NHL schedule on Sunday with Former Islanders making impacts in only a pair of them. Here is a quick peek at the FI happenings:

Washington defenseman Tom Poti assisted on his teams' fifth and final goal as the Capitals thumped the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins 5-2. Poti has 2 assists over the last 3 contests and now has 3 goals and 9 assists for 12 points on 34 games. Poti is only 7 points shy of career #300.




Boston captain and d-man Zdeno Chara scored his team's 3rd goal as the Bruins were felled by the host Tampa Bay Lightning 4-3. Chara now has 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points on 60 games. He is one tally short of 100 goals on his career. For the 6th straight season Chara has recorded 35 or more points.



Check in soon for more updates and recaps at FIW.

Saturday February 21

There were an impressive 13 games on the NHL schedule on Saturday as teams battle for midseason points. Former Islanders kicked in their assistance in 7 of those tilts including contributions from new FI Chris Campoli. Here is a look:

Pittsburgh winger Ruslan Fedotenko knocked home 2 goals and added an assist to help lead the Penguins charge as they edged the host Philadelphia Flyers 5-4. It was only the 2nd 2 goal game of the season for Fedo who now has 13 goals and 13 assists for 26 points on 43 games. Fedotenko received the 2nd star honor for his effort. For the 8th straight season Fedo has reached 25 or more points.


Newest Ottawa defenseman Chris Campoli had 2 assists as the Senators fell to the host Montreal Canadiens 5-3. In only his first game with the Sens Campy did something he had yet to do all season, notch 2 assists in a game. In fact, the last time he had 2 assists in a game was on November 10, 2007. Between the Isles and Sens Campoli now has 6 goals and 13 assists for 19 points on 52 games. Fellow FI teammate Mike Comrie failed to make an impact in his first game back in a Sens' sweater. Scoring Montreal's 3rd goal was recently re-acquired d-man Mathieu Schneider. He has 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) in 3 games with Montreal and is riding a 4 game 4 point (2 goals, 2 assists) scoring streak. Schneids now has 6 goals and 12 assists for 18 points on 47 games. Assisting on the Habs' 4th and 5th goals was d-man Roman Hamrlik. He has 4 goals and 20 assists for 24 points on 59 games. For the 3rd straight season and the 12th time Hamr has 20+ helpers.

Hitting it big for the Coyotes was center Olli Jokinen who netted a hat trick to lead Phoenix to a 6-3 victory over the host Los Angeles Kings. The hat trick was the first for Jokinen as a Coyote and his first since February 27, 2007 while still with the Florida Panthers - a span of 153 games without a 3 goal night. O-Jok now has 40 points (20 goals, 20 assists) on 54 games this season. For the 6th straight season Jokinen has reached 20 or more goals. Wrapping up the scoring with a late powerplay goal, after Jokinen had finished the hat trick on an empty net, was Kings' center Derek Armstrong. The tally snapped an 11 goal goal-less and point-less streak dating back to January 20. Army now has 4 goals and 1 assist for 5 points on 34 games. The powerplay goal was his first of the year and 19th of his career.

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stretched his winning streak to 8 games stopping 36 of 38 shots and 2 of 3 in SO as the Canucks skipped by the host Toronto Maple Leafs 3-2. Luongo is now 19-7-5 on the season with a .916 save percentage and a 2.56 goals against average. The 8 straight wins in the longest streak of Luongo's career passing a 7 game stretch from the 2006-07 campaign, his first season with Vancouver.


Consistent (offensively, not physically) Buffalo center Tim Connolly notched another assist as the Sabres handed the visiting New York Rangers a 4-2 loss. TimCo has 4 assists in the last 3 games and has 11 goals and 15 assists for 26 points on 26 games. For the 2nd straight season and 6th time on his career Connolly has managed 15+ helpers. For his effort Connolly was rewarded with the 3rd star honor.


Minnesota d-man Marc-Andre Bergeron assisted on the opening goal only 2:50 in to play as the Wild dumped the visiting Detroit Red Wings 5-2. Bergeron has 7 goals and 16 assists for 23 points on 47 games.





Calgary winger Todd Bertuzzi scored a SO goal in the 1st round as the Flames edged the host Edmonton Oilers 3-2. Stopped on his attempt in round 2 was Oilers' winger Robert Nilsson. All-around player Jason Strudwick assist on Edmonton's second goal only 1:46 in to the 3rd Period. Strud snapped a 4 game point-less streak and now has 1 goal and 6 assists for 7 points on 49 games. The assist continues to extend his single season high in helpers.

Check in soon for more updates at FIW.

Friday February 20

There were 3 games on tap Friday night around the NHL but only one Former Islander accomplishment of note. Here is a look:

Colorado winger Ryan Smyth scored the opening goal and added 2 assists as the Avalanche bested the host Washington Capitals 4-1. Smyth assisted on the game winner and the final tally to secure second star honor. Smyth now has 20 goals and 29 assists for 49 points on 59 games. The 2nd assists was career point #650 for Smyth who has 304 goals and 246 assists on 902 career games. For the 9th time on his career Smyth has notched 20+ goals.

Check in soon for more recaps and highlights.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Thursday February 19

There were an impressive 12 games on the NHL schedule Thursday night. Former Islanders helped out in 7 of those games with 12 FIs making the boxscore for some accomplishment. Here is a look at the busy FI night:

Back for the only the 3rd game since being injured in early January winger Ruslan Fedotenko is again making an impact for Pittsburgh. Fedo notched 2 assists including the sole helper on the game winning goal as the Penguins edged the visiting Montreal Canadiens in a FI heavy game. Fedo snapped a 4 game point-less streak and now has 11 goals and 12 assists for 23 points on 42 games. Earlier teammate Miroslav Satan staked the Pens to a 2-1 lead with his 15th goal of the season. Along with his 18 assists Satan now has 33 points on 59 games. For the 13th consecutive season Satan has scored 15+ goals. The netter snapped a 7 game goal-less streak. Playing in his first game with the Habs since being traded from the Atlanta Thrashers earlier in the week, d-man Mathieu Schneider scored a powerplay goal that briefly knotted the score at 2 a piece. The goal snapped a 12 game drought and gives Schneids 5 goals and 12 assists for 17 points on 46 games. In his first 2 games with Montreal he has 2 points on 1 goal and 1 assist. Schneider now has 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists) over his last 7 games. For the 19th straight season Schneider has managed to net 5 or more goals. Fellow d-man Roman Hamrlik assisted on the Habs' 3rd goal. The helper snapped a 4 game point-less streak and Hamr now has 4 goals and 18 assists for 22 points on 58 games.

Philadelphia tough guy Arron Asham had the primary assist on the opening goal as the Flyers manhandled the visiting Buffalo Sabres 6-3. Asham has had 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) over the last 6 games and now has 4 goals and 6 assists for 10 points on 52 games. For the 6th straight season Asham has reached 10 or more points. Assisting on the 3rd Buffalo goal, a powerplay tally, was center Tim Connolly. TimCo has 11 goals an 14 assists for 25 points on 25 games. For the 2nd straight season and 7th time on his career Connolly has reached 25 or more points.

Make it 7 in a row for Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo as he stopped 25 of 27 shots en route to a 5-2 Canucks' thumping over the host Ottawa Senators. Luongo has not been overwhelming but his has been consistent, as has been the entire Canucks' offense, en route to a 7-0-0 over the last 7 starts. Lu is now 18-7-5 on the season.



New Jersey backup goalie Kevin Weekes kept up his good play stopping 39 of 41 shots and 2 of 3 in the SO as the Devils edged the host Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2. Weekes has won his last 5 starts surrendering no more than 2 goals in any of those contest. He is now 7-4-0 on the season with a .924 save percentage and a 2.32 goals against average. His 7 wins surpasses his total of 6 from the last 2 seasons while with the New York Rangers and Devs.

Toronto winger Jason Blake had an assist and a SO goal in the 2nd of 3 rounds but it was largely wasted as the Maple Leafs fell to the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets 4-3. Blakey has 21 goals and 25 assists for 46 points on 54 games. Blake is enjoying a 3 game point streak in which he has compiled 4 points on 2 goals and 2 assists.



Calgary d-man Adrian Aucoin netted the game winning goal with 70 seconds remaining in OT as the Flames eked by the host Minnesota Wild 3-2. Aucoin now has 10 goals and 16 assists for 26 points on 58 games. For the 2nd straight season and 6th time on his career Aucoin has reached double digit goals. The last time Aucoin had 10 or more goals in back-to-back seasons was between 1998-99 and 1999-2000 while still a member of the Canucks. Winger Todd Bertuzzi recorded the primary assist on that goal. Bert has 42 points (14 goals, 28 assists) on 53 games. Over the last 3 tilts he has 5 assists.

Phoenix center Olli Jokinen had an assist and missed on his attempt in round #6 of 8 in the SO as the Coyotes edged the visiting Atlanta Thrashers 4-3. O-Jok has 17 goals and 20 assists for 40 points on 54 games. He has 3 helpers over the last 4 goals and remains only 2 points shy of career #500.




Check back soon for more updates at FIW.

Newest FIs: Mike Comrie and Chris Campoli

The Islanders traded center Mike Comrie and defenseman Chris Campoli to the Ottawa Senators on Friday in exchange for forward Dean McAmmond and a 2009 First Draft pick. The pick the Isles have picked up will fall into the San Jose Sharks spot so do not get too excited about another low pick. That pick will likely fall somewhere between 25 and 30.

Comrie, who has battled through some nagging injuries, had 7 goals and 13 assists for 20 points on 41 games with the Isles this season. Originally chosen in the 3rd Round, 91st overall in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft by the Edmonton Oilers, Comrie has played Oilers, Flyers, Coyotes, Isles and had a previous stint with the Sens. A 503 game veteran, Comrie has 151 goals and 180 assists for 331 career points. In 117 games with the Isles he compiled 28 goals and 41 assists for 69 points.

Through 51 games this season Campoli has 17 points on 6 goals and 11 assists. Selected in the 7th Round, 227th overall in the 2004 NHL Entry Draft, Campoli surprised everybody and defied his selection predictions. Over 4 seasons with the Isles Campoli played in 228 games to the tune of 83 points (20 goals, 63 assists.

We wish Mike and Chris the best as the move on with their careers.

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Wednesday February 18

There were a handful (5) games on Wednesday night. Former Islanders contributed in a pair (2) of those contests. Here is a brief look:

Columbus center Michael Peca had an assist on the game winning goal late in the 2nd Period as the Blue Jackets edged the visiting St. Louis Blues 4-3. Peca has 3 assists over the last 4 games and now has 17 points (4 goals, 13 assists) on 52 games this season.




Defenseman Mathieu Schneider, playing in his first game with Montreal since being traded by Atlanta on Monday, notched a powerplay assist on the Habs' 2nd goal as the Canadiens were edged by the host Washington Capitals 4-3 in the SO. Schneids has 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 games on 45 games this season between Atlanta and Montreal. Assisting on the tying goal with less than 3 minutes remaining in the game was Washington d-man Tom Poti. The helper snapped a 9 game point-less streak dating back to December 18 as Poti has struggled with injuries. He now has 3 goals and 8 assists for 11 points on 32 games.

Check in soon for more updates and highlights at FIW.

Tuesday February 17

There were 7 games on tap Tuesday night as 14 teams battled for midseason points. The chase for playoff spots is becoming furious and each win seems to be a matter of pride for most teams. Former Islanders are no strangers to helping recently and were involved in 5 of those games. Here is a quick recap of their efforts:

Buffalo center Tim Connolly had 2 assists including on the game winner and a powerplay helper as the Sabres downed the host Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Connolly, who recently saw a 5 game point streak snapped, got back on the boxscore and now has 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) on 24 games. Over the last 7 outings he has 8 points on 2 goals and 6 assists. He has 7 multi-point games this season and despite having already missed most of the season is already 7th among Sabres players in points. Assisting on the lone Leafs' goal, a powerplay effort, was winger Jason Blake. He now has 21 goals and 24 assists for 45 points on 53 games. For the 6th straight season Blakey has reached the 45+ point mark. The extra man helper was his 10th of the season and for the 3rd time in the last 3 years Blake has reached that mark equaling his prior single season highs.

Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara had a powerplay helper on his team's 4th goal as the Bruins heartily defeated the host Carolina Hurricanes 5-1. Chara now has 13 goals and 21 assists for 34 points on 58 games. Chara now has 20 points (7 goals, 13 assists) with the man advantage this season making it 4 straight seasons hitting the 20+ mark in powerplay points.



Florida winger Richard Zednik kept up his hot play with a powerplay goal and an assist as the Panthers blanked the visiting New Jersey Devils 4-0. Zed now has 12 goals and 13 assists for 25 points on 46 games. Over the last 7 games he has 5 goals and 3 assists for 8 points. For the 2nd straight season and 9th time on his career Zednik has reached the 25+ point mark. Assisting on the game winning goal was d-man Bryan McCabe. He snapped a 5 game pointless streak and also has 25 points (10 goals, 15 assists) on 47 games. For the 8th time on his career has has recorded 25 or more points on a season. For the 9th consecutive season and 12th time on his career he has notched 15+ helpers.

Colorado winger Ryan Smyth scored his team's 2nd goal as the Avalanche pulled off a 3-2 OT win over the visiting Ottawa Senators. Smyth has 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points on 58 games. Smyth is 2nd on the Avs in goals scored and 1st in assists and points.




Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped 38 of 41 shots in the first 65 minutes and all 3 shots faced in the SO as the Canucks edged the host Calgary Flames 4-3. Luongo has won his last 6 starts while surrendering just under 3 goals per game, a fairly unimpressive figure. Unlike prior winning streaks by Luongo we have not seen shutouts or overwhelming flashes of brilliance, just consistency. Luongo is now 17-7-5 on the season with a .914 save percentage and a 2.61 goals against average. This is the longest winning streak for Luongo since December 26, 2006 to January 7, 2007 while in his first season with the 'Nucks. During that streak Luongo won 7 straight starts and similarly racked up no shutouts. Missing on his shot in the 3rd Round of the shootout was Calgary winger Todd Bertuzzi.

Check back soon for more updates at FIW.

Traded: Mathieu Schneider

The Atlanta Thrashers traded veteran defenseman Mathieu Schneider on Tuesday to the Montreal Canadiens for a 2009 2nd Round pick and a 2010 3rd Round pick in the NHL Entry Draft. Schneider returns to the team that originally picked him 44th overall in the 1987 Draft. Schneids played parts of 7 seasons with the Habs including a Stanley Cup win during the 1992-93 season before winding his way between the Islanders, Maple Leafs, Rangers, Kings, Red Wings, Ducks and Thrashers. On 44 games this season with Atlanta he has 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points and a shockingly bad -10 rating. A 1,241 game veteran we wish Mathieu the best as he returns to his original squad.

Injured: Denis Grebeshkov

The Edmonton Oilers placed defenseman Denis Grebeshkov on the Injured Reserve list Thursday. The d-man suffered a "lower body injury" during the 2nd Period of the Oil's 7-2 win over the visiting Montreal Canadiens last week. Over 51 games this season Greb has 25 points on 4 goals and 21 assists. He is 8th on the team in point scoring and 4th among Edmonton in points. We wish Denis a speedy recovery.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Monday February 16

It was a holiday game day on Monday as 12 teams faced off in 6 games around the NHL. Former Islanders must have been taking the day off as well since only one FI made a noteworthy contribution. Let us take a look:

Columbus winger Raffi Torres assisted on his team's 2nd goal as the Blue Jackets were edged by the visiting Dallas Stars 3-2 in the SO. Torres has 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) over the last 4 games and now has 3 goals and 5 assists for 8 points on 27 games. For the 6th straight season Torres has recorded 5 or more helpers.



Check in soon for more updates at FIW.

Sunday February 15

There were 7 games on the NHL tap for Sunday. Former Islanders continue to aide their teams at a good clip. FIs stepped up and helped out in 4 of those tilts. Here is a look:

New York Rangers' backup goaltender Stephen Valiquette picked up 32 minutes of relief coming in for a hammered Henrik Lundqvist as the Blueshirts fell to the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 5-2. Vali stopped 5 of 6 shots faced but received no decision for the effort. He is now 5-4-1 on the season with a .907 save percentage and a 2.83 goals against average.




Colorado winger Ryan Smyth had an assist on the game tying goal but missed on his attempt in the 4th round of a 5 round SO as the Avalanche slipped by the host Detroit Red Wings for a 6-5 win. Smyth now has 18 goals and 27 assists for 45 points on 57 games. This game was career #900 for Smyth who played exclusively for the Edmonton Oilers before fate brought him to the Isles and finally the Rocky Mountains. For the 9th time on his career Smyth has reached the 45+ point plateau. Taking the OT loss for the Wings was goalie Chris Osgood who stopped 23 of 28 shots between regulation and OT and 3 of 5 in the SO. Ozzie is now 18-5-7 on the season with an anorexic .879 save percentage and a bloated 3.29 goals against average.

Atlanta defenseman Mathieu Schneider assisted on the opening goal less than 4 minutes in to regulation as the Thrashers crushed the host Anaheim Ducks 8-4. Schneids has 4 assists over the last 5 games and now has 4 goals and 11 assists for 15 points on 44 games. For the 11th straight season and the 18th time on his career Schneider has reached 15+ helpers.



Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo stopped 25 of 27 shots faced to steer the Canucks to a 4-2 home win over the Montreal Canadiens. Luongo won for the 5th straight start and is now 16-7-5 on the season with .913 save percentage and a 2.60 goals against average. The 5 consecutive wins is the most for Luongo since February 10-22, 2007 when he pulled off an identical streak in his first year with the 'Nucks.


Check in soon for more updates and recaps at FIW.

Saturday February 14

It was a happy St. Valentine's Day for 9 teams and a less than happy one for 9 others as 18 teams faced off in three-quarter dozen games on Saturday. Former Islanders kicked in their help in a whopping 7 of those contests. Here is the breakdown:

Tough winger Arron Asham snapped an 18 game goal-less streak scoring against his old squad as the Philadelphia Flyers thumped the visiting Isles 5-1. Asham now has 4 goals and 5 assists for 9 points on 50 games. Over the last 4 games Asham has 2 points on 1 goal and 1 assist.




Edmonton winger Robert Nilsson capped the game with a SO goal in the 2nd round as the Oilers edged the host Los Angeles Kings 3-2. Up 1-0 after one and a half rounds of SO action Nilsson had the chance to seal the victory with a goal. He summarily did capping a tight contest which saw the Kings tie it at 2 with only 26 seconds remaining in regulation.



Toronto winger Jason Blake scored 2 goals including the game winner and sealed up the first star honor as the Maple Leafs downed the visiting Pittsburgh Penguins 6-2. Blake now has 21 goals and 23 assists for 44 points on 52 games. Over the last 4 games Blakey has racked up 6 points on 4 goals and 2 assists. The game winner was the 4th for Blake in the last 8 games and his 5th of the season. For the 5th time in the last 6 seasons Blake has recorded 20+ goals. The winning tally was the 23rd of Blake's career.

Columbus center Michael Peca assisted on the opening goal for the 2nd straight game as the Blue Jackets thumped the host Carolina Hurricanes 5-1. Peca now has 4 goals and 12 assists for 16 points on 51 games.





Boston captain and defenseman Zdeno Chara scored the tying goal as the Bruins were felled by the host Nashville Predators 3-2 in SO. Chara snapped a 3 game point-less streak and now has 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points on 57 games. Chara inched closer to career goal #100 with the netter and is now only 2 goals shy of that mark.



Minnesota d-man Marc-Andre Bergeron had the secondary assist on the Wild's 2nd goal as Minny blew a 3-0 lead to fall 5-3 to the visiting Ottawa Senators. Bergeron snapped a 5 game point-less streak and now has 7 goals and 15 assists for 22 points 45 games. The assist was career point #150 for MAB and came in his 312th game. For the 5th time on his career Bergeron has notched 15 or more helpers.


Calgary winger Todd Bertuzzi had a field day recording 4 even strength assists to lead the Flames' charge and seal the first star honor as the Flames downed the host Phoenix Coyotes 7-5. Bert now has 14 goals and 27 assists for 41 points on 51 games. With 17 less games played than last season Bertuzzi has already surpassed his 40 point output while with the Anaheim Ducks. For the 2nd straight season and 8th time on his career Bert has reached the 40+ point mark. As well, this was the 8th season in which Bertuzzi has recorded 25 or more helpers. The 4 points was the most for Bertuzzi since October 6, 2006 during his brief stint with the Florida Panthers. That game was the opening contest for the Panthers' 2006-07 campaign and Bertuzzi scored a goal and 3 assists in the first of only 7 games in South Florida. Calgary d-man Adrian Aucoin scored the Flames' 2nd goal. Aucoin has 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points on 56 games. The goal snapped a 6 game point-less streak and Aucoin has notched 25+ points for the 2nd straight season and 8th time on his career. Phoenix center Olli Jokinen recorded an assist on Phoenix's 3rd goal. O-Jok now has 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points on 51 games. He has had 2 assists in the last 2 games.

Check in soon for more updates and recaps at FIW.