NHL FanHouse

Islanders vs. Devils Live Blog

Christopher Botta — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Devils, Islanders

The Devils are a perfect 7-0 on the road this year, but a pedestrian 2-4 at The Rock in Newark, where they'll be hosting the Islanders Friday night. After six straight losses to open the season, the Isles have won four out of their last five behind John Tavares, who has four points in that stretch. FanHouse's Christopher Botta is live-blogging the Atlantic Division contest from the time the puck drops at 7 p.m. ET.

Islanders vs. Devils Live Blog originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Fight of the Week: Princeton's Favorite Son Drops Them Again

Bruce Ciskie — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Blue Jackets, Canucks, Ducks, Penguins, Predators, Rangers, Sharks, Wild, NHL Fans, NHL Fights, NHL Videos

Every Friday, FanHouse sifts through the rubble and picks the best NHL fight, with the help of HockeyFights.com.

A light week on the card, but there was a relatively surprising bout and some pretty good ones to choose from. Highlighting it is our favorite former Princeton player, a gentleman who has made a name for himself by being a really good fighter. Of course, the big news of the week involved a team captain dropping the gloves with a random defenseman.

Fight of the Week: Princeton's Favorite Son Drops Them Again originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Lou Lamoriello's Creed: Competence, Loyalty and Work Ethic

Christopher Botta — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:25:00 EST

Filed under: Devils, NHL Hall of Fame

New Jersey Devils general manager Lou Lamoriello will be inducted into the builders section of the the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday. The architect of three Stanley Cup-winning teams was the guest on a media conference call on Friday afternoon. Some highlights ...

Lou Lamoriello's Creed: Competence, Loyalty and Work Ethic originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 14:25:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Penguins Power Play Hasn't Overcome Loss of Gonchar, Malkin

Adam Gretz — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Penguins

The power play unit for the Pittsburgh Penguins hasn't exactly been a model of consistency since the start of the 2008-09 season, finishing 20th in the league a year ago, and currently residing in the 22nd spot through their first 13 games of this season.

Take the unit's quarterback, Sergei Gonchar, and arguably the team's best player, Evgeni Malkin, out of the lineup, and it goes from maddening inconsistency to complete disaster.

Penguins Power Play Hasn't Overcome Loss of Gonchar, Malkin originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Blue Jackets' Struggles Illustrate NHL's Tale of Two Leagues

Christopher Botta — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: NHL Fans, NHL Economics

Thursday's report that the Columbus Blue Jackets are losing $12 million a year is the latest illustration that the National Hockey League is really made up of two leagues.

There are flourishing franchises, the ones that print money or are at least in position to make big dough. Among those on this list are the big market American teams in Manhattan, Boston, Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Washington. Also thriving, naturally, are the six Canadian franchises.

While many NHL executives, players and fans live in denial, there are teams like the Blue Jackets battling league and their own economics just to stay in existence. To this list add Atlanta, Florida, Nashville, the Islanders, Phoenix, Tampa Bay. There are several more hurting franchises that haven't yet found the guts to finally say, "Enough is enough" like Columbus did on Thursday.

Blue Jackets' Struggles Illustrate NHL's Tale of Two Leagues originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 16:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Stamkos More Than Pulling His Weight

Susan Slusser — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

by Susan Slusser

Filed under: Lightning

Last year, the one knock on No. 1 pick Steven Stamkos, fresh into the league at the age of 18, was that he lacked the strength to compete nightly in the league, even getting scratched on occasion to work on building up his muscle.

So over the summer, the Tampa Bay Lightning center trained with recently retired forward Gary Roberts, known for his dedication to fitness. Stamkos called Roberts "fanatical" about his off-ice training, and he got to see it up close near his home in Ontario.

"We did some unusual things," Stamkos told FanHouse by phone from Ottawa, where the Lightning are playing Thursday night. "The toughest part was on dry land, pulling a 100-pound sled, sprinting the whole way and then turning around and going back. I was face up on the ground, gasping for air."

Stamkos More Than Pulling His Weight originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Backchecking With ... Manny Malhotra

Susan Slusser — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

by Susan Slusser

Filed under: Sharks

We get to know NHL players with five quick questions. Today's subject: Manny Malhotra, who is in his first year with the first-place San Jose Sharks.

Backchecking With ... Manny Malhotra originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

What's Wrong With the St. Louis Blues?

Adam Gretz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST

Filed under: Blues

Fresh off a surprising trip to the postseason a year ago and boasting a roster that, on paper, is loaded with a strong mix of veterans and talented youngsters, the St. Louis Blues entered the 2009-10 season with high expectations.

Unfortunately, through their first 12 games, they've have struggled, winning just five games, and only three of their past 10. To help figure out what's ailing the Blues after one month, we've recruited the services of Sean Gallagher from the fantastic, must-read Blues blog, St. Louis Game Time.

What's Wrong With the St. Louis Blues? originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Video: Phantom Delay of Game Penalty on Nicklas Grossman Sinks Stars

Adam Gretz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:50:00 EST

Filed under: Flames, Stars

Jarome Iginla scored two goals in Calgary's 3-2 win in Dallas on Wednesday night, including the game-winner on a power play just 1:25 into overtime. The big story that a lot of people are talking about this morning, however, is how Calgary found itself on the power play to begin with.

Stars defenseman Nicklas Grossman was sent to the box for delay of game for shooting the puck out of play in the defensive zone. The only problem? He wasn't in the defensive zone when he played the puck.

Video: Phantom Delay of Game Penalty on Nicklas Grossman Sinks Stars originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Peter Budaj Gets Win In First Start Following Swine Flu

Adam Gretz — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Avalanche, Coyotes

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.

Avalanche 4, Coyotes 1: Peter Budaj missed his first scheduled start of the season after he was diagnosed with swine flu. On Wednesday, he finally had a chance to step on the ice and stopped 28 shots in Colorado's 4-1 win against Phoenix, in what was a battle of early season surprises in the Western Conference.

Milan Hejduk scored a pair of goals for the Avs, who also received tallies from Marek Svatos and David Jones.

Peter Budaj Gets Win In First Start Following Swine Flu originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

A Look at NHL's October Attendance

Kevin Schultz — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:22:00 EST

by Kevin Schultz

Filed under: NHL Fans, NHL Economics

The first month of the NHL season is behind us, and I'm taking a look back at the early returns on attendance numbers for October. According to ESPN, the numbers aren't that peachy for the NHL. Only nine teams had an average attendance higher than their average attendance last season. On the flip side, 18 teams are down, including five which are down more than 10 percent from their 2008-09 averages. Of course, looking at stats for only one month is a small sample size, but I still think these numbers give us a look at some of the early trends around the league.

After the jump are the full numbers for the entire league.

A Look at NHL's October Attendance originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:22:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Puck Talk: The Red-Hot Avalanche

Bruce Ciskie — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Avalanche, Western

Undoubtedly, one of the best stories early in the NHL season is being written in Denver. The Colorado Avalanche have survived a stretch of 11 road games over their first 15 with a stunning 10-3-2 overall record, and they have an early lead in the Northwest Division.

To find out what has clicked with the Avalanche so far, we turned to someone who follows them. David Driscoll-Carignan writes for the wonderful site Mile High Hockey, and he joins us on the podcast. Listen after the jump.

Puck Talk: The Red-Hot Avalanche originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Rangers-Canucks Third Period Meltdown

Adam Gretz — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:40:00 EST

Filed under: Canucks, Rangers, NHL Fights

During Wednesday's edition of Newsmakers, I made a brief mention of the insanity that unfolded in the third period of Tuesday's Rangers-Canucks game, and the video is perhaps even better than I could have ever imagined.

Just over four minutes into the period, with the Canucks leading 1-0, 17 players found their way onto the ice (10 Rangers, seven Canucks) and exchanged pleasantries at center ice. Once order appeared to be restored for a few seconds, Sean Avery had words with the Canucks bench, and before you knew it, he was stealing Shane O'Brien's stick (after O'Brien tried to spear him with it) and throwing it on the ice.

Video of the mayhem after the jump.

Rangers-Canucks Third Period Meltdown originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Kessel Returns, Leafs Lose; Osgood Shuts Out Boston

Adam Gretz — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Lightning, Maple Leafs

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.

Lightning 2, Maple Leafs 1: Phil Kessel made his long-awaited debut for the Toronto Maple Leafs on Tuesday night, and it got off to a rather scary start when he had to leave the game in the first period after Tampa Bay's Mattias Ohlund ran him over with a crushing hit at the blue line (video after the jump).

He would eventually return and finish with an incredible 10 shots on goal in Toronto's 2-1 overtime loss to Tampa Bay, which finally received some goal-scoring production from its captain.

Kessel Returns, Leafs Lose; Osgood Shuts Out Boston originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Flames' Swine Flu Clinic Not Piggish, Just Celeb Reality

Christopher Botta — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST

Filed under: Flames, NHL Injuries, NHL Media Watch

Don't blame the Calgary Flames for swiping swine flu shots for their players, coaches, staff members and their families. Blame the culture of celebrity. Since most hockey players are big stars north of the border, blame Canada. Blame Alberta Health Services, the agency responsible.

But don't get all high and mighty about the Flames getting vaccinated while thousands of Alberta residents waited all day or were turned away at clinics throughout the province. The hockey team did not ask for preferential treatment. They only asked for treatment. Why a squad from Alberta Health provided the Flames with their own clinic is something the agency will have to explain. One suggestion for the investigators: start with the team's head physician. Those docs tend to be deeply connected.

Flames' Swine Flu Clinic Not Piggish, Just Celeb Reality originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Hi, My Name Is ... Chris Brown

Bruce Ciskie — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST

by Bruce Ciskie

Filed under: Coyotes, NHL Draft, College Hockey

Every Tuesday, FanHouse discusses the top NHL prospects found in college hockey.

It's been a pretty good start to the season for Michigan. The Wolverines took care of business on the road last weekend, sweeping Lake Superior State (Sault Ste. Marie, Mich.) to open their Central Collegiate Hockey Association schedule.

Even though junior star Louie Caporusso (NHL rights: Ottawa) has just one goal in the Wolverines' first six games, Michigan has gotten early contributions from a highly-touted freshman.

Hi, My Name Is ... Chris Brown originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

U.S. Women Gearing Up for Olympics

Susan Slusser — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

by Susan Slusser

Filed under: Team USA, International Hockey, Olympic Hockey

Among the United States' best hopes for a medal in Vancouver next February is the women's ice hockey team, which has won one of the three gold medals awarded in the sport's brief Olympic history. Host Canada has won the other two, and the United States and Canada will clash in the final tournament before Vancouver 2010 in the Four Nations Cup, which opens today in Finland.

The U.S. is the defending champion in the event, beating Canada 3-2 in the finals last year. The American women have won either gold or silver in the Four Nations Cup every year in which the U.S. has participated, as has Canada.

U.S. Women Gearing Up for Olympics originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Demoting Lecavalier Doesn't Help As Flyers Crush Lightning

Adam Gretz — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: Flyers, Lightning

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.

Demoting Lecavalier Doesn't Help As Flyers Crush Lightning originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Ovechkin 'Week to Week' With Upper Body Strain

Adam Gretz — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Capitals, NHL Injuries

After leaving Sunday's overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets with an upper body injury, the Washington Capitals announced on Monday that Alex Ovechkin will be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis with an upper body strain.

It goes without saying that it's a huge blow to the Capitals offense, as he's leading the league in goals (again) and points. Prior to this injury, he missed only four games in his NHL career, three of them coming a year ago.

Ovechkin 'Week to Week' With Upper Body Strain originally appeared on NHL FanHouse on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 17:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.