Newsmakers in the NHL: During the regular season it's our weekday look at the previous night's action and some of the story lines taking place around the league. Have a tip or something you want linked? Send it in to nhlfanhouse@gmail.com.Flyers 6, Lightning 2: With only one goal in 11 games, Tampa Bay lightning head coach Rick Tocchet decided to demote his No. 1 center, Vincent Lecavalier, to the team's third line, but not because of his lack of goals. Damian Cristodero of Lightning Strikes quoted Tocchet on Monday morning as saying: "we've got to clean him up," referring not only to his lack of offensive production, but his play when he doesn't have the puck (defense, finishing checks, etc. etc. etc.)
Did it work on Monday night in Philadelphia? Not really.
The Flyers received a pair of goals from Jeff Carter and Mike Richards in their 6-2 win, and led by a lopsided 5-1 margin after just 40 minutes. Lecavalier spent most of the game sandwiched between Drew Miller and Stephane Veilleux, and finished with zero points, five shots on goal and a minus-three rating.
Former No. 2 overall pick James van Riemsdyk finished with three assists for Philadelphia, and now has two goals and 11 assists in 10 games.
The Flyers have won their last two games by a combined score of 12-3.
This all comes on the same day that Philadelphia learned it will be without Simon Gagne for six-to-eight weeks following abdominal and hip surgery.
Monday's Other Games
Brendan Witt scores two goals(!) and John Tavres adds his fifth of the season to help the Islanders win their fourth straight game. [Box Score, Recap]
The Kings rally for four straight goals, including three in the third period, to beat Phoenix. Ryan Smyth tallied two on the night, while Anze Kopitar picked up his 11th of the season. Kopitar now has 24 points, moving him one point ahead of Washington's Alex Ovechkin for the league lead.
The Kings held the Coyotes to just 16 shots on goal. [Box Score, Recap]
Loose Pucks
-- Matt Pettinger signs with the Vancouver Canucks. [Nucks Misconduct]
-- A look at the ridiculous number of injuries throughout the first month of the season. [Jim Cerny's Rink Rap]
Video Of The Day
John Taveres scores to help lead the Islanders to another win.
Tuesday's Key Games
Bruins vs. Red Wings: Two of the best teams in the NHL a season ago, Boston and Detroit enter Tuesday's game still struggling to hit their stride through the first month of this season. Both teams have been decimated by injuries early on.
Maple Leafs vs. Lightning: The Maple Leafs can't catch a break, it seems, as Phil Kessel will not be making his season debut on Tuesday night.
Penguins vs. Ducks: Dan Bylsma spent parts of four seasons as a member of the Anaheim Ducks, and on Tuesday he returns as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins as they open a three-game west coast road trip.
