The Ice Sheet: Brian Leetch Leads an Assembly of Old Guys

Every day from Monday to Saturday, The Ice Sheet will take a look at the biggest stories in the league that happened on the ice and elsewhere the night before.

Tonight the New York Rangers raised another banner to the rafters. Next to Crybaby and Mike Richter defenseman Brian Leetch saw his number raised to the rafters. Leetch is the third member of the team's 1994 Stanley Cup victory to have his number honored and by far one of the classiest guys around (That's coming from an Islander fan, by the way.). He also revealed that the Rangers planned to retire Adam Graves' number, another member of the Cup winning team. Four guys getting their numbers retired for one Cup win? Good thing the Rangers didn't win a few while they were at it, the rafters might be full. But honestly, they all deserve the honor they are receiving.

Of course there was a game to be played, one which the Rangers were naturally expected to win for Leetch. They came through by not blowing it (but came close), as they defeated the Thrashers 2-1 in a shootout. Brendan Shanahan had the lone goal in the skills competition, and Henrik Lundqvist needed to make only 17 saves to ensure the victory.

On the other side, the Thrashers lost their fifth in a row and goalie Johan Hedberg was thrown to the wolves and faced nearly double the shots that Lundqvist did. But, I think it's worthy to note, he did not have to face the rain from Mark Messier's tear ducts. The Thrashers did manage a point in the game and a bright spot was their goal from Marian Hossa who now has 22 on the season and six in his last six games. Hossa won't be in the All-Star Game though, as teammate Ilya Kovalchuk is the team's lone representative. Hossa will join teammate Ilya Kovalchuk in the All-Star Game this Sunday. FINAL (SO): Rangers 2, Thrashers 1.

After the jump: Steve Downie is a victim? No way! The Sens get back to their winning ways, Pascal Leclaire continues his domination of hockey pucks, Toronto loses (Oh no we were wrong! Trade Sundin!) and some other games were played. Or something. Who cares. I said jump dang it!

Oh jeez. There's a lot of games to recap. I feel like Carol Brady in a prequel to the show where all the kids are about five years old. There are a million of them, everyone is begging for attention and my stress medicine has worn off. I don't have a clue where to being so I'm going to pull up the box scores, close my eyes and point.

....Aaaaand Buffalo and Dallas are the first winners. Derek Roy had two goals for Buffalo and Stu Barnes netted one for Dallas while amazing me that he's still playing hockey. It feels like he's been around forrreeevvveerrrr. He played for Winnipeg. WINNIPEG. ITS A CITY IN MANITOBA. AHHHH. The kids are still yelling! I need to calm down a few notches and move on before they start a revolution. FINAL: Buffalo 2, Dallas 1.

Reversal of fortune. Pittsburgh's George Laraque drilled Philly's Steve Downie (yes, that Steve Downie) head first into the boards, drew a game misconduct for it and now the Flyers are asking for Laraque to be suspended. And then Downie was thrown out later in the game for fighting. Downie a victim? No matter how many times I watch the video, it still doesn't compute in my head. FINAL: Philadelphia 4, Pittsburgh 3.

Deep breaths, Sens nation. Deep breaths. Over at Scarlett Ice, the Panic Meter (that's a Metre if you're reading this north of the 49th parallel) has been off the charts the last few days, which is understandable when a really good hockey team loses five of six. It's especially when four of those losses are in regulation to the Islanders and three Southeastern Division teams. I'd probably be running around somewhere yelling about the sky falling if I were a Sens fan. But wait. You're still seven points out in the East and just beat the tar out of the Lightning. Deep breaths, folks. Deep breaths. FINAL: Ottawa 8, Tampa Bay 4. And congratulations to anyone who has Daniel Alfredsson on their fantasy team. He only put up seven points tonight.

That's a lot of goose eggs. The Blue Jackets won to hold pace in the Western Conference race, as goalie Pascal Leclaire recorded his eighth shutout of the season and is now 19-9. How is this guy not an All-Star? Jared Boll had the lone goal in the game and no one else really did anything relevant. The Blackhawks did show up. I think. FINAL: Columbus 1, Chicago 0.

Whoops. A day after everyone was singing the praises of Mats Sundin, he was held pointless against the Capitals. How dare he not score on five shots... What a puck hog! Brent Johnson made 31 saves for the Caps and Alexander Ovechkin had two assists. Jason Blake didn't score for Toronto on seven shots. Trade him! Tradeeeeeee himmmmm! FINAL: Washington 2, Toronto 1.

Other scores:
Montreal 4, New Jersey 3. The Habs scored three third period goals to earn the win in this one. Bryan Smolinksi and Patrick Elias each had two goals.
Boston 4, Islanders 1. This one was swift and painless. Just the way your mother likes it Trebek.
Edmonton 4, Florida 3 (SO). Jarret Stoll had two goals and Alex Hemsky had two helpers for Edmonton.
Minnesota 3, Colorado 2. It's just not an epic battle for control of the universe without Paul Stastny.
Phoenix 4, Nashville 3. Radim Vrbata had a hat trick. Still doesn't make this game interesting.
Los Angeles 3, Anaheim 1. Giggy says that the Ducks "need to be a little bit more desperate on defense." English, please?
San Jose 4, St. Louis 1. Joe Thronton and Milan Michalek each had three points for the Sharks.

The picture of the night for kids who can't read good ...
Devils coach Brent Sutter does his best angry leprechaun interpretation.



Your obligatory YouTube video
Five minutes of the Brian Leetch banner raising ceremony. That's more banner raising than you can shake a Shanahan at.