Friday March 20

With the weeks lest in the 2008-09 NHL regular season winding down it is bittersweet for Former Islander Watch as we begin our goodbyes to another impressive FI season. Friday night saw 7 games with FIs chipping in their help in 5 of those contests. Here is a peek:

Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood stopped 31 of 34 shots for 4th straight win as the Red Wings doubled up on the host Atlanta Thrashers for a 6-3 victory. Ozzie has looked sharp letting in only 7 goals over this 4 game span including a shutout. He is now 24-6-7 on the season with an .885 save percentage and a 3.14 goals against average. Osgood has looked better in the last 4 games than he has had in the whole rest of the season. The 4 consecutive wins marks the longest winning streak of the season for Ozzie.

Tough Philadelphia winger Arron Asham had an assist on his team's 3rd goal as the Flyers pulled out a 6-4 road win over the Buffalo Sabres. Ash now has 7 goals and 8 assists for 15 points on 66 games. The helper was a big one as it was career point #150 for Asham coming in his 564th career game. For the 5th time on his career Asham has reached 15 or more points, his first since the 2006-07 campaign, his last with the Isles. Center Tim Connolly had an assist on Buffalo's 1st goal as the forward is mired in a slump with only 2 points in the last 6 games. TimCo now has 13 goals and 20 assists for 33 points on 37 games. For the 2nd straight season and 6th time on his career he has notched 20+ helpers.

Winger Bill Guerin notched the final insurance goal as the Pittsburgh Penguins thumped the visiting Los Angeles Kings 4-1. Billy G has 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) over the last 3 games and now has 10 points (3 goals, 7 assists) on 8 games with the Pens. On the season Guerin has 19 goals and 27 assists for 46 points on 70 games having already surpassed his 44 point, 81 game effort from last season with the Isles.


Edmonton defenseman Denis Grebeshkov recorded the primary powerplay assist on the game opening goal only 3:12 into play as the Oilers pulled out a 5-4 SO victory over the host Chicago Blackhawks. Ever point keeps pushing Greb's single season high even higher. He now has 4 goals and 28 assists for 32 points on 61 games. For the first time ever Grebeshkov has recorded 10 assists on the powerplay during a season. Assisting on Edmonton's 4th goal was winger Robert Nilsson. He has 4 assists over the last 2 games and now has 9 goals and 18 assists for 27 points on 57 games.

Calgary center Olli Jokinen notched 2 assists but the Flames continued their tailspin losing 3-2 to the visiting St. Louis Blues. Since joining the Flames they have compiled a 3-5-0 record. Jokinen, however, has been impressive with 12 points (8 goals, 4 assists) on only 8 games. On the season he has 29 goals and 25 assists for 54 points on 65 games. For the 6th straight season O-Jok has notched 25+ helpers.

Check in soon for more recaps and updates at FIW.