FI News: Zednik and Odjick(!)

Well Thursday brought a pair of interesting Former Islander stories including 3 terms you thought you would never read in the same article: Vatican City, sorrow and Gino Odjick. Let us take a look:

It has been reported that Florida Panthers' winger Richard Zednik has signed a 2 year deal with Yaroslavl Lokomotiv of Russia's Kontinental Hockey League on the same day he was nominated for the Bill Masterson Trophy for the most perseverence of any NHL player in 2008-09. The 12 year veteran just wrapped up his comeback season in which he netted 17 goals and added 16 assists for 33 points on 70 games. Midway through the 2007-08 campaign Zed nearly lost his life after taking a skate blade to his neck in a game against the Buffalo Sabres. Zed's return, and 70 games, was a literally triumph for a player whose life was on the brink. If Zednik really leaves for Russia he ends his NHL career with 745 games played, 200 goals scored and 179 assists for 379 points. In his mini-stint with the Isles at the end of the 2006-07 season Zed scored 1 goal and 2 assists in 10 games and managed 0 points in 5 playoff games. We wish Richard the best in Russian.

If you want those 3 terms from the header to make sense read this story about Algonquin chief and former NHL tough guy Gino Odjick joining his fellow tribal leaders on a trip to the Vatican City where those Canadian Indians received a semi-apology from the Pope about the poor living conditions and awful treatment in the now defunct residential schools. Odjick, a 605 game veteran, retired following 2001-02 season after spending most of his career with the Vancouver Canucks. Odjick played parts of 3 seasons with the Isles racking up 82 games, 9 goals, 13 assists, 22 points and 254 penalty minutes.

Check back soon for more with FIW as the 2nd Round of the playoffs kicks off on Thursday night.

Tuesday March 31

With the month of March officially on its last day and the playoffs only a few weeks off the race for spots has become rather intense with each point in the standings pretty much ensuring a spot in the dance or seasonal demise. Former Islanders were especially active helping out in all 7 contests. Here is a look at the plethora of FI happenings:

Boston captain and defenseman Zdeno Chara had a huge night compiling a "Gordie Howe Hat Trick" (goal, assist and fight) and sealing up the first star honor as the Eastern Conference best Bruins downed the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1. Chara scored the game winning powerplay goal less than 7 minutes into the 2nd Period and added a powerplay assist minutes later to lead the Bs' offensive charge. In the 1st Period Chara mixed it up with impossible to spell Lightning forward Evgeny Artyukhin. The "Gordie Howe" was the 3rd of Chara's career and ironically came on Gordie's 81st birthday. With 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) over the last 2 games Chara now has 47 points (17 goals, 30 assists) on 76 games. The netter equals his prior single season high from last year while also snapping an 8 goal-less stretch. The assist makes it 3 straight seasons of 30 or more, a mark he has now reached 4 times. The game winner was the 3rd of the season for Chara and the 17th of his career.

When Columbus winger Raffi Torres has scored recently it has been quality. Torres netted the winning goal just over 4 minutes into the 3rd Period as the Blue Jacket edged the visiting Nashville Predators 2-1 at home. With 6 winning tallies out of 12 goals this season Torres has been an effective game changer. He has 18 points (12 goals, 6 assists) on 46 games. In the last 11 games Torres has knocked home 4 winning goals meaning he has had the deciding tally in all 7 Jackets' wins over that span. Receiving the primary assist on the netter was center Michael Peca. He snapped a 4 game point-less slide and now has 4 goals and 18 assists for 22 points on 67 games.

Florida d-man Bryan McCabe netted the game winning powerplay goal and added an extra man assist as the Panthers thumped the visiting Ottawa Senators 5-2. Big Mc was the 1st star and now has 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points on 64 games. He snapped a 7 game point-less stretch and a 10 game goal-less streak. For the 5th time McCabe has reached 35 or more points on a season. The winning score was his 3rd of the season and the 23rd of his career. Scoring the 2nd Florida goal was winger Richard Zednik. The goal, Zed's 3rd in the last 6 games, was a big one as it was the 200th of his career coming in his 740th game. Zednik now has 17 goals and 12 assists for 32 points on 65 games. Scoring Ottawa's 2nd goal, a man advantage score, was d-man Chris Campoli. Campy now has 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points on 60 games. He snapped a 3 game point-less run and a 7 game goal-less streak. He has averaged a point-per-every-2-games since joining the Sens with 10 (4 goals, 6 assists) in 20 games. Campoli now has a new single season high in goals breaching the 10+ mark for the first time.

Montreal d-man Mathieu Schneider scored an insurance goal with less than 4 minutes remaining in play as the Canadiens dispense of the visiting Chicago Blackhawks 4-1. Schneids now has points in 4 straight (1 goal, 3 assists) and has 29 points (7 goals, 22 assists) on 63 games. Since joining the Habs Schneider has lit it up with 4 goals and 10 assists for 14 points in 19 contests.


Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped 33 of 34 shots including all 4 he faced in OT as the Canucks edged the host Minnesota Wild 2-1. Rewarded with the first star honor Luongo is now 30-11-6 on the season. The victory was Lu's 3rd in his last 4 starts.




Edmonton d-man Denis Grebeshkov rocketed home the Oilers' 2nd goal as Edmonton were bested by the visiting Anaheim Ducks 5-3 severely impacting their playoff hopes. The goal was his 6th of the season and first in 4 games. Along with 29 assists Greb has now reached 35 points for the first time in a season. Grebeshkov has averaged better than a point-per-every-2-games with 35 in 68 games.


Los Angeles center Derek Armstrong assisted on the too-little-too-late goal as the Kings were felled by the visiting Dallas Stars 3-2. Army snapped a 5 game point-less stretch and now has 4 goals and 4 assists for 8 points on 53 games. Armstrong is only 1 helper shy of 150 on his career.




Check in soon with FIW for more updates, recaps and highlights as we speed to the regular season finish line.

Wednesday March 25

With half a dozen games (6) on the schedule on Wednesday night and the push for the playoffs so intense it seemed prime time for Former Islander contributions. However, FIs only helped out in 2 of those contests. Here is a quick look:

Buffalo center Tim Connolly recorded an assist and pocketed the game winning powerplay goal as the Sabres downed the visiting Florida Panthers 5-3 after trailing 3-1 in the 3rd Period. TimCo snapped a 7 game goal-less stretch and now has 14 goals and 21 assists for 35 points on 39 games. Connolly has 15 points (4 goals, 11 assists) with the man advantage. For the 2nd straight season and 5th time on his career Connolly has recorded 35 or more points. The game winner sets a new single season high for Connolly with 4 and makes it 16 deciding tallies on his career. Scoring Florida's 2nd goal was winger Richard Zednik. With 2 goals in the last 4 games Zed now has 31 points (16 goals, 15 assists) on 63 games.

Anaheim forward Petteri Nokelainen recorded a multi-point game with a goal and an assist as the Ducks thumped the host Colorado Avalanche 7-2. Noky has 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) over the last 4 games and now has 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points on 42 games this season. Since joining Anaheim Nokelainen has 4 points (3 goals, 1 assists) in 9 games. It was Noky's first multi-point night since November 13, 2005 when he was still with the Isles - the 4th game of his career snapping a 109 game streak of 0 or 1 point games.

Check back soon for more news and updates at FIW.

Thursday March 19

It was a fairly busy night around the NHL as 16 teams battled in 8 games around the league. As we rapidly speed toward the Stanley Cup Playoffs each game, each point and each goal can be the difference between playoff position and early tee times. About 15 of the 30 teams around the league are still not in confident playoff position meaning the scramble for points is intense. Former Islander accomplishments have also ramped up recently. FI involvement has risen considerably and Thursday was no different with FIs making differences in 7 of those outings. Here is a quick summary:

Los Angeles center Derek Armstrong assisted on the game tying goal with only 96 seconds remaining in regulation as the Kings pulled off a late comeback from a 2-0 deficit to defeat the stunned host Boston Bruins 3-2 in OT. Army snapped a 6 game point-less streak and now has 7 points (4 goals, 3 assists) on 46 games.



Washington center Viktor Kozlov recorded 3 assists, all even strength, including the primary on the game winner as the Capitals crushed the host Tampa Bay Lightning 5-2. The real story was Alex Ovechkin's 50th goal and his "lava stick" celebration but Kozzer's effort should not go unmentioned. Kozzer has 4 points (1 goal, 2 assists) over the last 2 games and now has 12 goals and 25 assists for 37 points on 58 games. The 3 point night was the 3rd of the season for Kozlov. For the 3rd straight season and 7th time on his career he has recorded 25+ helpers. As well, for the 3rd consecutive year and 8th time Koz has reached the 35+ point mark.

Montreal defenseman Roman Hamrlik scored on his team's 4th and final goal as the Canadiens were bested by the host Ottawa Senators 5-4. Hamr snapped a 4 game point-less streak and now has 4 goals and 24 assists for 28 points on 70 games.





Florida winger Richard Zednik scored the game winning goal a little over 6 minutes into the 2nd Period as the Panthers dispensed with the visiting Toronto Maple Leafs 3-1. Zed snapped a 4 game point-less streak and a 6 goal-less stretch with the tally and now has 15 goals and 15 assists for 30 points on 60 games. For the 2nd straight season and 9th time on his career Zednik has recorded 15 or more goals. It was also the 7th time Zed has reached 30 or more points on a season. Zednik has an impressive 4 game winners this season lifting his career total to 37. He is only 2 goals shy of career #200 and could foreseeable accomplish the feat before the end of the season.

Edmonton winger Robert Nilsson had a nice night recording 3 even strength assists as the Oilers crushed the impotent host Colorado Avalanche 8-1. With his first 3 point night of the season Nily now has 26 points (9 goals, 17 assists) on 56 games. For the 2nd straight season Nilsson has reached the 25+ point mark. The 3 point night was a first for Nilsson since April 8, 2006 in his rookie season with the Isles when he notched a goal and 2 helpers - a span of 135 games without such an offensively powered effort.

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped all 30 shots he faced for his first shutout since November 8 as the Canucks blanked the visiting St. Louis Blues 3-0. Luongo, who has 5 shutouts in the first 14 games on the season, snapped a 38 game goose egg drought. He is now 27-9-6 on the season with a formidable .918 save percentage, a tidy 2.37 goals against average and 6 shutouts. Over the last 19 games Lu has been an unbelievable 16-2-1 yet despite winning streaks of 8, 4 and 4 games this was the first blanking Luongo has managed.

Recently acquired center Petteri Nokelainen netted Anaheim's 2nd goal as the Ducks pulled off a 3-2 SO win over the host Phoenix Coyotes. Nokey now has 2 goals in his first 6 games with Anaheim and has 5 points (2 goals, 3 assists) on 39 games this season. The goal was the 10th of Nokelainen's young career and came in his 111th career game.



Check in soon with FIW for more updates and highlights.

Tuesday March 10

There were 11 games on the NHL schedule as we are already a third of the way through March. The playoff push is strong for a ton of teams around the league and Former Islanders are helping out when they can. FIs tipped in their support in 6 of those contests. Here is a look:

Columbus winger Raffi Torres netted yet another game winner as the Blue Jackets blanked the free-falling host Boston Bruins 2-0. Torres now has 7 goals and 6 assists for 13 points on 36 games with 3 game winners this season. Over the last 4 games Torres has 4 points (3 goals, 1 assist) including 2 deciding tallies. The 3 game winners ties his prior single season high from the 2003-04 and 2005-06 campaigns while still with the Edmonton Oilers.

Calgary center Olli Jokinen popped home the opening goal as the Flames were downed by the host New Jersey Devils 3-2. Calgary would have lost 3-1 if it had not been for a 2nd Flames' goal at the 19:59 mark of the 3rd Period. Jokinen 24 goals and 21 assists for 45 points on 61 games this season. In 4 games with the Flames O-Jok has knocked home 3 goals and no assists. For the 6th straight season Jokinen has recorded 45 or more points.

Montreal defenseman Mathieu Schneider had 2 assists including 1 on the game winning powerplay goal in OT as the Canadiens edged the visiting Edmonton Oilers 4-3. Schneids now has 7 goals and 16 assists for 23 points on 54 games. Schneider snapped a 3 game point-less streak and has done well in his first 10 games with the Habs compiling 8 points on 3 goals and 5 assists. Six of his 8 points with Montreal (3 goals, 3 assists) have come with the man advantage. Assisting on Edmonton's 3rd goal was d-man Denis Grebeshkov. He now has assists in 3 straight games and has notched 29 points (4 goals, 25 assists) on 56 games. The helper officially marked Greb's first 25+ assist season. For the 3rd time this season Grebeshkov has had a 3+ game point scoring streak.

Offensively capable blueliner Marc-Andre Bergeron had an assist on the Wild's first goal as Minnesota was just barely downed by the visiting San Jose Sharks 5-4 in OT. Bergeron now has 9 goals and 17 assists for 26 points on 56 games. MAB is only 3 helpers short of 100 on his career. The helper snapped an 8 game assist-less stretch.



Washington forward Viktor Kozlov had assists on both Capitals' goals including the game winning tally in OT as they squeaked by the host Nashville Predators 2-1. Kozlov, who struggled with injuries during most of February, recorded a point for the first time since February 1 snapping a 6 game point drought. The Russian giant now has 11 goals and 22 assists for 33 points on 54 games. It was the 8th time this season the Kozzer has had a multi-point game.

Newly acquired winger Bill Guerin assisted on the the Penguins' tying goal 5 and a half minutes into the 3rd Period as Pittsburgh overcame a 2 goal deficit for a 4-3 SO win over the visiting Florida Panthers. Guerin is riding a 4 game point streak in which he has recorded 6 points (1 goal, 5 assists). He has points in all 3 games since joining the Pens to the tune of 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists). On 64 games this season Billy G has 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists). The assist was a big one for Guerin as it was career #400, this only 2 games after recording his 800th career point. Florida winger Richard Zednik was stopped on his chance in the 1st round of the SO.

Check back soon for more updates and recaps at FIW.

Saturday February 7

There were a neat and tidy 10 games up for grabs on Saturday around the NHL. With teams still in the playoff hunt every point in the standings counts. Saturday featured an energetic series of contests with Former Islanders providing support in 7 of those tilts. Here is a quick look:

Ottawa defenseman Chris Campoli put up on heck of an effort scoring the game winning goal and adding an assist as the Senators trounced the visiting Buffalo Sabres 6-3. Campy has done exceptionally so far with the Senators having notched 7 points (2 goals, 5 assists) on 7 games with both goals of the game winning variety. On 59 games this season between the Isles and Sens he has 24 points (8 goals, 16 assists). Half of his goals this season (4) have been game deciding tallies. Campoli is only 1 goal short of equaling his single season high of 9 from his 2005-06 rookie season with the Blue and Orange.

New Jersey backup goaltender Kevin Weekes successfully stopped the 1 shot he faced while playing 17 minutes of relief time as the Islanders shellacked the host Devils 7-3. Weekes received no decision for the appearance and remained 7-4-0 on the season. His stats improved slightly with his goals against average dropping to 2.27 and his save percentage increased (barely) to .924. The appearance was his first since February 19 and his first relief appearance since January 8.

Florida winger Richard Zednik received the sole assist on the insurance goal with less than 3 minutes remaining as the Panthers knocked off the visiting St. Louis Blues 5-3. Zed now has 14 goals and 15 assists for 29 points on 55 games. Florida d-man Bryan McCabe had a powerplay assist on the team's 3rd goal. He has 12 goals and 21 assists for 33 points on 56 games. The powerplay helper was his 10th of the season making it 5 straight years and 7 overall with 10+ extra man assists. Nearly half of his points this season (16, 6 goals, 10 assists) have come on the powerplay.


Columbus winger Raffi Torres opened the scoring just over 4 minutes in to play as the Blue Jackets de-constructed the host Detroit Red Wings 8-2. Torres now has 6 goals and 6 assists for 12 points on 35 games. He has 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) over the last 3 contests. Taking the beating in goal for the Wings was starter Chris Osgood who stopped a meager 16 of 23 shots in 43 minutes of play. For the 2nd time this season Ozzie has surrendered 7 goals in a game an amazing fact considering we have yet to find a game in which he surrendered so many goals prior to this season. Osgood's numbers are bad with an .878 save percentage and a 3.30 goals against average but his record is great at 20-6-7. Hmm.

Edmonton d-man Denis Grebeshkov assisted on the Oilers' 3rd goal as they handily dispensed of the host Toronto Maple Leafs 4-1. Greb has 3 assists in 4 games since returning from an injury and now has 28 points (4 goals, 24 assists) on 55 games. He is second among Oilers' d-men in assists and 4th among blueliners in points scored.



Philadelphia tough guy Arron Asham assisted on the second insurance goal as the Flyers cut down the visiting Nashville Predators 4-1. Asham snapped a 5 game point skid and now has 5 goals and 7 assists for 12 points on 60 games. Ash is 3 points shy of 150 on his career.




Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo stopped 28 of 29 shots en route to yet another win as the Canucks stopped the visiting San Jose Sharks 3-1. Luongo is now 23-8-5 on the season and is riding a 4 game winning streak. He has won an amazing 12 of his last 13 starts.




Check back soon at FIW.

Tuesday March 3

There were a whopping 12 games on tap on the eve of the trade deadline as the NHL primed itself for swapping season. Former Islanders were players in 8 of those 12 contests. Here is a look at their contributions:

Columbus winger Raffi Torres netted a powerplay goal and added an assist sealing up the second star honor as the Blue Jackets edged the host Los Angeles Kings 5-4. With 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) over the last 3 games Torres now has 5 goals and 6 assists for 11 points on 33 games. For the 5th straight season Torres reached the 5+ goal mark and the 10+ point level. Assisting on the Kings' 2nd goal was center Derek Armstrong. He snapped a 4 game point-less stretch and a 31 game helper-less streak. Army now has 4 goals and 2 assists for 6 points on 39 games.

Florida winger Richard Zednik notched the game winning goal with only 50 seconds remaining in the 2nd Period as the Panthers eked by the host Atlanta Thrashers 4-3. Zed now has 14 goals and 14 assists for 28 points on 53 games. The winner was his 3rd of the season. He is currently only 3 goals short of career #200. Receiving the primary assist on the goal was defenseman Bryan McCabe. Big Mc now has points in 4 consecutive games to the tune of 7 (2 goals, 5 assists). McCabe now has 12 goals and 20 assists for 32 points on 54 games. The helpers was the 450th point of McCabe's career and came in his 971st game. For the 8th time McCabe has recorded 20 or more assists on a season.

Boston d-man and captain Zdeno Chara assisted on his team's first goal as the Bruins were felled by the visiting Philadelphia Flyers 4-2. With 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) over the last 3 games Chara now has 38 points (15 goals, 23 assists) on 64 games. The assist, which came on the powerplay, is the 14th of the season for Chara with the man advantage.



Calgary d-man Adrian Aucoin assisted on the Flames' first insurance goal as they thumped the host Ottawa Senators 6-3. Aucoin snapped a 4 game point-less streak with the helper and now has 10 goals and 17 assists for 27 points on 63 games. He went a surprisingly shocking 15 straight games without an assist dating back to January 28. Assisting on Ottawa's final goal, a powerplay netter, was center Mike Comrie. In his first 5 games with Ottawa Comrie has 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists). The powerplay helper was the 75th of Comrie's career. He now has 8 goals and 15 assists for 23 points on 46 games between the Isles and Sens. For the 6th time on his career Comrie has 15 or more helpers.

Toronto winger Jason Blake assisted on his team's first goal as the Maple Leafs were downed by the visiting New Jersey Devils 3-2 in OT. Playing in career game #650 Blake extended his consecutive point streak to 3 games. Over than span he has recorded 4 assists. He now has 22 goals and 29 assists for 51 points on 60 games only 1 point shy of his 52 point effort from last season, his first as a Leaf.

Oft-forgotten wingermajig Jason Strudwick assisted on the game tying goal as Edmonton fell to the Nashville Predators 6-5 in OT. The Oilers' every position player, already in the midst of his best offensive season, has had 3 points (1 goal, 2 assists) over the last 5 contests. He now has 2 goals and 7 assists for 9 points on 53 games and is closing in on career point #50.



It only took Detroit goaltender Chris Osgood 32 starts but he finally nailed down his first shutout of the season stopping 22 shots as the Red Wings tore down the host St. Louis Blues 5-0. With the goose egg Ozzie improved to 20-5-7 on the season with an. 883 save percentage and a 3.16 goals against average. The game pushed Osgood over the 40,000 minute mark in terms of career ice time played. For the 2nd straight season and 13th time on his career Ozzie has notched 20 or more victories. The embattled veteran is only 2 appearances away from 700 on his career. The blanking was the 48th of Osgood's career.

Vancouver goalie Roberto Luongo stopped 17 of 19 shots winning for the 11th time in his last 12 starts as the Canucks downed the visiting Minnesota Wild 4-2. Luongo won a career best 8 straight before losing on February 24. Since then Luongo has won his next 3 starts giving up only 4 goals during the current stretch. Lu is now 22-8-5 on the season with a .916 save percentage and an ever shrinking 2.44 goals against average.

Check back soon for more updates at FIW.

Sunday March 1

There were a half dozen (6) games up for grabs on Sunday as the NHL kicked off March, 2009. Former Islanders were not snoozing and kicked in help in 4 of those contests. Here is a brief recap:

Pittsburgh winger Miroslav Satan scored an insurance goal as the Penguins downed the host Dallas Stars 4-1. With 3 points (2 goals, 1 assist) over the last 2 games Miro now has 17 goals and 19 assists for 36 points on 64 games. Despite his offensive woes Satan is still 4th on the Pens in every major category (goals, assists and points). Receiving the secondary assist on the opening goal only 4 minutes into play was winger Ruslan Fedotenko. He has 13 goals and 15 assists for 28 points on 47 games. For the 5th straight season and 6th time on his career Fedo has reach 15 or more assists.

Florida defenseman Bryan McCabe score a powerplay goal and added 3 assists (2 powerplay) for an impressive 4 point effort as the Panthers thumped the host Washington Capitals 6-2. Surprisingly McCabe received only the 2nd star honor but is riding a 3 game point streak to the tune of 6 points (2 goals, 4 assists). He now has 12 goals and 19 assists for 31 points on 53 games. For the 5th time on his career McCabe has notched 30+ points. Netting Florida's 4th goal was winger Richard Zednik. He snapped a 5 game goal-less streak and now has 13 goals and 14 assists for 27 points on 52 games.

Calgary winger Todd Bertuzzi scored a late powerplay goal as the Flames were felled by the visiting Tampa Bay Lightning in a score-a-thon 8-6. Bert snapped a 3 game point-less streak and a 7 game goal-less stretch with the tally. He now has 15 goals and 28 assists for 43 points on 57 games. The game was career #850 for Bertuzzi who notched 15+ goals for the 8th season and the first time since the 2005-06 campaign while still with the Vancouver Canucks. The powerplay goal was the 6th of the year for Bert and the 98th of his career.

Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo stopped 19 of 20 shots as the Canucks downed the visiting Columbus Blue Jackets 3-1. Luongo won for the 10th the in his last 11 starts and improved to 21-8-5 on the season. Vancouver has surrendered only 2 goals over the last 2 games while netting 5.




Check back soon for more updates at FIW.

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.