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.

Monday March 9

With 3 games on the NHL sked on Monday things looked to be lean for Former Islanders. Alas, FIs stood up and provided their help in all 3 tilts. Here is a quick peek:

New York Rangers' backup goaltender Stephen Valiquette stopped 33 of 35 shots as the Blueshirts were felled by the host Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. Vali gave is a valiant effort but all was for naught as he took the loss falling to 5-5-0 on the season. He raised his save percentage to .910 while dropping his goals against average to 2.77. Valiquette has not won since January 27 going 0-2-0 in 2 starts.


Recently acquired center Jeff Hamilton assisted on the Maple Leafs' lone goal as Toronto was edged by the host Ottawa Senators 2-1. Hammy has 2 assists on 3 games since being acquired by the Leafs late last week. He has taken 8 shots to no avail.




Vancouver goaltender Roberto Luongo lost for only the 2nd time in his last 14 starts as the Los Angeles Kings eked by the visiting Canucks 3-2. Lu stopped 19 of 22 shots but it was not enough. He is now 23-9-5 on the season with a .916 save percentage, a 2.45 goals against average and 5 shutouts. Notching the 'Nucks' 2nd goal was winger Taylor Pyatt. T-Py snapped a 9 game goal-less and point-less stretch and now has 8 goals and 7 assists for 15 points on 57 games. For the 3rd straight year and 7th time on his career Pyatt has reached 15 or more points.

Check back soon with more updates, scores and recaps at FIW.

Sunday March 8

There were 7 games on the NHL schedule on Sunday with Former Islanders helping out in 4 of those collisions. FIs are helping to push their respective teams deeper and deeper into playoff contention. Here is a quick summation of the day's exclamations:

Boston defenseman and captain Zdeno Chara netted an assisted and added a goal as the Bruins edged the host New York Rangers 4-3. Chara snapped a mini-2 game point slide and now has 16 goals and 24 assists for 40 points on 67 games. He has reached the 40+ goal mark for the 5th straight season and is only 1 goal shy of tying his single season high from last year.



Penguins winger Bill Guerin was the 2nd star after scoring a goal and adding 2 assists as Pittsburgh eked out a 4-3 SO win over the hated host Washington Capitals. The goal was Guerin's first with the Pens and he now has 4 points (1 goal, 3 assists) on 2 games with Pittsburgh. On the season he has 17 goals and 23 assists for 40 points on 63 games. For the 10th straight season and 13th time on his career Billy G has reached 40+ points. It is too early to tell but Guerin's presence is seemingly helping to lift the Penguins back into playoff contention. Caps' center Viktor Kozlov was stopped by Pens' goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury on his attempt in the 2nd Round of the SO.

Ryan Smyth had yet another multi-point night scoring an inconsequential goal and adding an assist as the Avalanche thumped the host Chicago Blackhawks 5-1. The Colorado winger has been on a torrid pace as of late and now has points in 4 straight. Over that span he has 6 points on 4 goals and 2 assists. On the season he has 24 goals and 32 assists for 56 points on 66 games. For only the 6th time (and first since the 2005-06 season) Smyth has reached 55+ points on a season.

Montreal d-man Roman Hamrlik had the primary assist on the game winning goal as the Canadiens downed the host Dallas Stars 3-1. Hamr now has 4 goals and 23 assists for 27 points on 65 games. He is second only to offensively potent Andrei Markov for the Habs' point scoring lead among team blueliners.



Check back soon for more updates and news 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.

Friday March 6

There were 5 games on the NHL schedule on Friday night but there was only 1 Former Islander accomplishment of note. Here is a peek at the FI night:

Buffalo winger Tim Connolly sealed up the first star honor with a 4 point (2 goal, 2 assist) effort as the Sabres thumped the visiting Phoenix Coyotes 5-1. Connolly opened the scoring at the 7:07 mark of the 1st Period and then added another powerplay goal and 2 helpers (1 powerplay) to lead the Sabres' charge. TimCo returned to a point-per-game pace on the heals of the effort and now has 31 points (13 goals, 18 assists) on 31 games. For the 2nd straight season and 6th time Connolly has notched 30+ points. He has 14 points (3 goals, 11 assists) on the man advantage this season. The 4 point night was his first since January 13, 2001 when he notched 4 assists while still a member of the Isles.

Check back soon for more updates at FIW.

Thursday March 1

There were 9 games on tap Thursday night as the league was re-shuffled a little bit following Wednesday's trade deadline. A few players made splashes with their new squads including a new signing of Former Islander note. Here is a look at the FI night:

Forward Jeff Hamilton, who just signed early in the day with the Maple Leafs, assisted in his first game back at the NHL level kicking in a helper on the game winner as Toronto edged the host Washington Capitals 2-1. Hamilton had not played since April, 2008 while still a member of the Carolina Hurricanes. The last time Hammy had recorded a point was March 28 while his last helper was on March 19. This helper snapped a 5 game assist-less streak. Hamilton joins winger Jason Blake as Toronto's resident FIs.

Center Olli Jokinen made a huge entry for his new team the day after being traded from Phoenix to Calgary. Jokinen scored 2 goals, including the game winner, to lead the Flames to a 5-1 win over the host Philadelphia Flyers. O-Jok took no time to gel with wingers Michael Cammalleri and Jarome Iginla on the team's top line. Jokinen now has 23 goals and 21 assists for 44 points on 58 games. Over the last 5 games he has recorded 7 points on 6 goals and 1 assist. The game winner was Jokinen's 3rd of the season. Assisting on the capstone goal late in the 3rd Period was defenseman Adrian Aucoin. After going point-less in 4 games Aucoin now has 2 assists over the past 2 outings. He has 10 goals and 18 assists for 28 points on 64 games.

Ottawa d-man Chris Campoli netted his first goal as a Senator, a powerplay game winner, as the Sens outpaced the visiting Edmonton Oilers 4-2. In 6 games with Ottawa Campy has 5 points (1 goal, 4 assists). He now has 7 goals and 15 assists for 22 points on 57 games. The powerplay tally was his first of the season but the game winner was his 3rd of the year setting a new single season high. Scoring the 2nd Ottawa goal was center Mike Comrie. He now has 9 goals and 16 assists for 25 points on 47 games. For the 4th straight season and 6th Comrie has recorded 25 or more points. Assisting on Edmonton's first goal, a powerplay tally, was recently returned d-man Denis Grebeshkov. Since returning from a minor injury, Greb has 2 assists in 3 games. He now has 4 goals and 23 assists for 27 points on 54 games. With each goal and assist Grebeshkov continues to push his single season high even higher. He has 8 points (1 goal, 7 assists) this season on the man advantage.

Playing in his first game with the Penguins since being trade on Wednesday winger Bill Guerin instantly made a difference assisting on Pittsburgh's first goal as they thumped the host Florida Panthers 4-1. Guerin now has 16 goals and 21 assists for 37 points on 62 games. The assist was a landmark one for Guerin who now has 800 career points (403 goals, 397 assists). Number 800 came in career game #1,169. Assisting on the final goal was winger Ruslan Fedotenko. With 3 assists in the last 4 games, Fedo now has 13 goals and 16 assists for 29 points on 49 games. Notable FIs not are the Pens' roster were winger Miroslav Satan who was sent down to the team's AHL affiliate Scranton-Wilkes Barre Penguins and healthy scratch winger Eric Godard.

Minnesota d-man Marc-Andre Bergeron had the primary assist on the Wild's first goal late in the 2nd Period as the Wild rallied from a 3-0 deficit to down the host San Jose Sharks 4-3 in OT. Bergeron has 8 goals and 17 assists for 25 points on 53 games. For the 4th time on a season MAB has recorded 25 or more points.



Dallas winger Mark Parrish assisted on his team's 2nd goal as the Stars were edged by the host Los Angeles Kings 5-4 in OT. Parrish snapped a 6 game point-less streak and an 8 game assist-less streak with the helper. He now has 7 goals and 5 assists for 12 points on 39 games. Albeit a minor accomplishment, Parrish has recorded 5+ assists for the 10th straight season.


Check back soon for more recaps, updates and news at FIW.

UFA Signing: Jeff Hamilton

The Toronto Maple Leafs inked unrestricted free agent forward Jeff Hamilton to a contract on Thursday. The terms of the deal are not known. Update: Hamilton signed for the league minimum ($475K) and will pull in just over $100K if he plays out the last 18 games of the season with Toronto.

Hamilton had spent the season with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, the Atlanta Thrasher's minor league team, scoring 53 points (16 goals, 37 assists) on 50 games.

A 142 game veteran, Hamilton has 29 goals and 42 assists for 71 points. An undrafted signee of the Isles, Hamilton made his appearance with the Blue & Orange during the 2003-04 season. Hammy wound his way to the Chicago Blackhawks where he had a breakout season during the 2006-07 campaign and eventually the Carolina Hurricanes who dropped him this past summer only 1 year into a 2 year deal.

We wish Jeff the best with the Leafs.