The highlight of last week saw the Pittsburgh Penguins travel to Detroit to take on the Red Wings in a rematch of the 2008 Stanley Cup Finals. While Detroit looked to have the game in hand up 5-2 in the third period, they collapsed allowing Pittsburgh to come back and tie the gave at six to six at the end of the third period. It didn’t stop there though. Jordan Staal took the puck away from Pavel Datsyuk in overtime and passed to Ruslan Fedotenko for the game-winning goal. Jordan Staal netted a hat trick assist in the game and has a total of six points in three games last week.
The Penguins continued winning and are winners of six straight now. Boston remains the hottest team in the league, going 8-1-1 in their past ten games. Tim Thomas and Manny Fernandez are getting it done in net and have lead the Bruins to the 2nd best defense in the league.
Staying on top in the rankings are the San Jose Sharks. They still have only lost a total of four games and keep winning anywhere they play. They are the best home team at 10-0-1 while Washington isn’t far behind at 7-0-1. Detroit is the best road team in the NHL at 8-1-1 but fell in the rankings due to their defensive play.
The NHL has had its second coach fired this year after the Tampa Bay Lightning let go of Barry Melrose. Fortunately for us, he doesn’t have a “gag order” and was able to talk about the job with Ron MacLean on CBC. Rich Tocchet has taken over as interim head coach and the Lightning lost in his debut to Carolina. That’s what you get for going to management and having your coach fired Tampa. Take that.In other NHL management news, the NHL has approved that Brian Burke, former Ducks GM as of last week, is able to look around and talk to teams about joining them in the offseason. Denis Savard rejoins Chicago as an ambassador to the team after he was fired only four games into the year.
Here’s an update on your NHL scoring leaders:
Points
30- Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
27- Alexander Semin (WSH)
Points
30- Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
27- Alexander Semin (WSH)
23- Marian Hossa (DET)
22- Sidney Crosby (PIT)
22- Ryan Getzlaf (ANA)
Goals
13- Thomas Vanek (BUF)
Goals
13- Thomas Vanek (BUF)
13- Alexander Semin (WSH)
12- Zach Parise (NJ)
11- Jeff Carter (PHI)
11- Simon Gagne (PHI)
Assists
23- Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
Assists
23- Evgeni Malkin (PIT)
16- Sidney Crosby (PIT)
16- JP Dumont (NSH)
16- Mike Ribeiro (DAL)
15- Ryan Getzlaf (ANA)
15- Joe Thornton (SJ)
Key Injuries
Key Injuries
Francois Beauchemin (ANA): 6 Months (Torn ACL)
Andrew Ference (BOS): 8 Weeks (Fractured Tibia)
Daniel Cleary (DET): Day-to-Day (Eye Infection)
Scott Gomez (NJ): Day-to-Day (Leg)
Kevin Bieksa (VAN): 10 Days (Fractured Tibia)
Alexander Semin (WSH): Day-to-Day (Lower Body Injury)
Key Signings
John Carlson (WSH): 3-year deal
Key Signings
John Carlson (WSH): 3-year deal
Jesse Boulerice: Claimed Off Waivers By EDM
NHL Trades
PIT gets D Philippe Boucher
DAL gets D Daryl Sydor
PHX gets F Alexander Nikulin
OTT gets D Drew Fata
And now for the rankings…
30. 
Tampa Bay Lightning (-7) 5-7-5, (0-3-1): Shame on the Tampa players for not being tough enough to play under Melrose. Guess what they got for firing him? A loss. Haha.
Tampa Bay Lightning (-7) 5-7-5, (0-3-1): Shame on the Tampa players for not being tough enough to play under Melrose. Guess what they got for firing him? A loss. Haha.29. 
Florida Panthers 6-9-1, (1-1-0): Tomas Vokoun certainly isn’t half the goalie he was in Nashville. Backup Anderson has just as many wins as Vokoun in half the games.
Florida Panthers 6-9-1, (1-1-0): Tomas Vokoun certainly isn’t half the goalie he was in Nashville. Backup Anderson has just as many wins as Vokoun in half the games.28. 
St. Louis Blues (-1) 6-8-2, (1-1-1): The Blues ended their six game skid with an OT win over division rival Chicago.
St. Louis Blues (-1) 6-8-2, (1-1-1): The Blues ended their six game skid with an OT win over division rival Chicago.27. 
Atlanta Thrashers (+1) 7-8-2, (1-1-0): The Thrashers five game win streak came to an end in Philadelphia on Sunday as they lost a close game, 4-3.
Atlanta Thrashers (+1) 7-8-2, (1-1-0): The Thrashers five game win streak came to an end in Philadelphia on Sunday as they lost a close game, 4-3.26. 
Ottawa Senators (-7) 6-9-2, (0-3-0): It’s not the goalies; they have the eighth best defense in the league. When I say they have no secondary scoring, that’s an understatement.
Ottawa Senators (-7) 6-9-2, (0-3-0): It’s not the goalies; they have the eighth best defense in the league. When I say they have no secondary scoring, that’s an understatement.25. 
New York Islanders (+5) 6-9-2, (2-1-0): Led by Doug Weight, the Islanders are 4-2-1 of late and aren’t dead last in the league anymore.
New York Islanders (+5) 6-9-2, (2-1-0): Led by Doug Weight, the Islanders are 4-2-1 of late and aren’t dead last in the league anymore.24. 
Dallas Stars (-2) 6-8-3, (1-1-1): The Stars aren’t allowing over 4 goals against per game anymore!
Dallas Stars (-2) 6-8-3, (1-1-1): The Stars aren’t allowing over 4 goals against per game anymore!23. 
Toronto Maple Leafs (+2) 7-7-4, (1-2-0): While Toronto is a top ten team in scoring, their defense is at the complete other end of the spectrum.
Toronto Maple Leafs (+2) 7-7-4, (1-2-0): While Toronto is a top ten team in scoring, their defense is at the complete other end of the spectrum.22. 
Los Angeles Kings (+4) 7-8-2, (2-2-0): The Kings had a four game win streak going but have dropped two games since. Ersberg is 4-2-1 since taking over in net.
Los Angeles Kings (+4) 7-8-2, (2-2-0): The Kings had a four game win streak going but have dropped two games since. Ersberg is 4-2-1 since taking over in net.21. 
Phoenix Coyotes 8-8-0, (1-2-0): Special teams are really hurting this team and has cost them a game or two.
Phoenix Coyotes 8-8-0, (1-2-0): Special teams are really hurting this team and has cost them a game or two.20. 
Colorado Avalanche 8-8-0, (2-0-0): The most inconsistent team in the league, Colorado has to start scoring more. They have just 14 goals in their last eight games.
Colorado Avalanche 8-8-0, (2-0-0): The most inconsistent team in the league, Colorado has to start scoring more. They have just 14 goals in their last eight games.19. 
Philadelphia Flyers (+5) 7-6-4, (3-0-1): The Flyers have fought back and are in a tie for eighth place in the East.
Philadelphia Flyers (+5) 7-6-4, (3-0-1): The Flyers have fought back and are in a tie for eighth place in the East.
18. 
Columbus Blue Jackets (-1) 8-7-3, (1-1-1): The Jackets have shown spots of brilliance but guys like Nash and Umberger need to get going.17. 
Nashville Predators (+1) 9-7-1, (3-0-0): Although it took OT, the Predators knocked off both SJ and ANA on the road.
Nashville Predators (+1) 9-7-1, (3-0-0): Although it took OT, the Predators knocked off both SJ and ANA on the road.16. 
Calgary Flames 9-8-1, (1-1-0): The Flames aren’t exactly scoring much, but Kipper needs to return to his old self if they want to make the playoffs.
Calgary Flames 9-8-1, (1-1-0): The Flames aren’t exactly scoring much, but Kipper needs to return to his old self if they want to make the playoffs.15. 
Carolina Hurricanes 9-7-2, (1-2-0): Pretty soon Atlanta is going to pass them in the division…
Carolina Hurricanes 9-7-2, (1-2-0): Pretty soon Atlanta is going to pass them in the division…14. 
Edmonton Oilers (-2) 8-7-2, (1-2-1): The young players that were getting it done last year are going through ‘sophomore slumps.’
Edmonton Oilers (-2) 8-7-2, (1-2-1): The young players that were getting it done last year are going through ‘sophomore slumps.’13. 
Chicago Blackhawks (-2) 7-4-5, (0-1-2): The Hawks finally suffered their first loss in regulation since they hired Joel Quenneville. They’re tied with TB for most OT/SO losses.
Chicago Blackhawks (-2) 7-4-5, (0-1-2): The Hawks finally suffered their first loss in regulation since they hired Joel Quenneville. They’re tied with TB for most OT/SO losses.12. 
New Jersey Devils (-3) 8-7-2, (1-2-0): In a rare occurrence, they scored 6 goals to beat WSH. Also a rare occurrence since Brodeur went down, the win.
New Jersey Devils (-3) 8-7-2, (1-2-0): In a rare occurrence, they scored 6 goals to beat WSH. Also a rare occurrence since Brodeur went down, the win.11. 
Buffalo Sabres (-6) 9-5-3, (1-2-0): After the Sabres were shellacked 6-1 by CLB and 5-2 by PIT, it seems BUF just isn’t as good as their initial start.
Buffalo Sabres (-6) 9-5-3, (1-2-0): After the Sabres were shellacked 6-1 by CLB and 5-2 by PIT, it seems BUF just isn’t as good as their initial start.10. 
Washington Capitals (+3) 10-4-3, (3-0-1): Ovechkin has finally come alive scoring ten points last week. Semin is day to day with an undisclosed upper body injury.
Washington Capitals (+3) 10-4-3, (3-0-1): Ovechkin has finally come alive scoring ten points last week. Semin is day to day with an undisclosed upper body injury.9. 
Anaheim Ducks 10-7-2, (1-0-1): The Ducks ended a three game losing streak with a win over LA.
Anaheim Ducks 10-7-2, (1-0-1): The Ducks ended a three game losing streak with a win over LA.8. 
Vancouver Canucks (+6) 10-6-1, (1-0-1): Roberto Luongo has allowed just seven goals in six November games, with three shutouts. VAN is tied for the division lead.
Vancouver Canucks (+6) 10-6-1, (1-0-1): Roberto Luongo has allowed just seven goals in six November games, with three shutouts. VAN is tied for the division lead.7. 
Minnesota Wild 10-4-1, (2-0-0): While the Wild have several key injuries, they just keep chugging away playing great defensive hockey.
Minnesota Wild 10-4-1, (2-0-0): While the Wild have several key injuries, they just keep chugging away playing great defensive hockey.6. 
Montreal Canadiens (-2) 10-4-2, (2-2-0): Not only have the Canadiens lost four of six games, they have been outshot in four of six games as well. Too many chances for the opponents.
Montreal Canadiens (-2) 10-4-2, (2-2-0): Not only have the Canadiens lost four of six games, they have been outshot in four of six games as well. Too many chances for the opponents.5. 
Detroit Red Wings (-3) 11-2-3, (2-0-1): I lied. Their defense hasn’t improved. And they showed that when PIT scored 5 goals in just under 20 minutes on them.
Detroit Red Wings (-3) 11-2-3, (2-0-1): I lied. Their defense hasn’t improved. And they showed that when PIT scored 5 goals in just under 20 minutes on them.4. 
Pittsburgh Penguins (+4) 11-4-2, (3-0-0): They’ve won six in a row and Jordan Staal has gone off on a scoring tangent, something PIT really needed.
Pittsburgh Penguins (+4) 11-4-2, (3-0-0): They’ve won six in a row and Jordan Staal has gone off on a scoring tangent, something PIT really needed.3. 
Boston Bruins (+3) 10-3-4, (2-0-1): At 8-1-1 in the past ten games, the Bruins have quietly moved up to being the second best defensive team in the league.
Boston Bruins (+3) 10-3-4, (2-0-1): At 8-1-1 in the past ten games, the Bruins have quietly moved up to being the second best defensive team in the league.2. 
New York Rangers (+1) 13-5-2, (2-0-1): New York has won two in a row and looks like they have rebounded after dropping four of five. Plus they’re scoring.
New York Rangers (+1) 13-5-2, (2-0-1): New York has won two in a row and looks like they have rebounded after dropping four of five. Plus they’re scoring.1. 
San Jose Sharks 15-3-1, (2-0-1): The Sharks have scored the most goals in the NHL now and have outscored opponents by an outrageous 21 goals.
San Jose Sharks 15-3-1, (2-0-1): The Sharks have scored the most goals in the NHL now and have outscored opponents by an outrageous 21 goals.
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