The league leader in points and goals did it again. Another 4-goal game. Alexander Ovechkin is the best pure goal scorer in the NHL right now and he proved himself yet again with a 4 goal, 1 assist, and 1 broken nose performance against the Montreal Canadians. It’s the first time since Peter Bondra, 12 years ago, recorded two, four goal games in one season. After Ovechkin broke his nose early in the first, he came back to bury the Canadiens. The hat trick came with a little over 7 minutes left in the third, giving Washington a 4-2 lead. Even though Montreal came back to tie the game, Ovechkin netted the game winning goal in overtime. Sitting all by himself in front of the net, he shelved the puck, and immediately skated away celebrating like he always does.
Ilya Kovalchuk was injured against the Pittsburgh Penguins and was told to sit out two games due to his knee injury. Jarko Ruutu took a run at him and hit Kovalchuk knee to knee, receiving a match penalty and game ejection for it. With George Laraque hitting Steve Downy from behind earlier in the week, it looks like Pittsburgh is giving Philadelphia a run for their money to be the dirtiest team in the league.
Teemu Selanne announced Monday that he has signed a 1-year deal with the Anaheim Ducks.
Peter Forsberg is not going to the Swedish Elite league team MoDo and instead is eying a return to the NHL.
The Nashville Predators signed JP Dumont to a 4 year Contract. Jordan Tootoo received a 2-year extension as well, I guess it’s only appropriate.
Shout out to Mike Knuble who scored his first career hat trick on Saturday against the Ducks.
Trades Last Week
EDM gets F Curtis Glencross CLB gets D Dick Tarnstrom
CAR gets F Joe Jensen PIT gets F David Gove
SJ gets Jody Shelley CLB gets 2009 6th round draft pick
Don’t forget the trade deadline is Tuesday, February 26th at 3:00pm EST.
And finally, some terrible, breaking news. Another Montreal goaltender has had his name pronounced wrong for the past year or so. Remember Jose Theodore? We didn’t know if it was pronounced jose-a or hose-a, tae-a-dore or theodore. Well Christobal Huet has had the same problem. His last name was formerly pronounced as Hue-a. It is supposed to be pronounced Hue-et. Come on people…get it right.
Now for the rankings…
30. Tampa Bay Lightning(-1) 21-27-5: Last week: 1-2; losses to Buffalo and Florida drop them into the last spot again.
29. Toronto Maple Leafs(-1) 21-24-9: Last week: 1-1-1; Over the past 8 games, they are only allowing 2.38 GAA, ranking fourth in the league.
28. Los Angeles Kings(-1) 21-30-3: Last week: 1-1-1; Losing in OT versus PHI and beating NYI was great. But giving up six goals to the second lowest scoring team, the Devils?
27. Edmonton Oilers(-1) 23-26-5: Last week: 0-2; I think the Oilers have counted themselves out of the playoffs, trading veteran Tarnstrom for Glencross.
26. Buffalo Sabres(+4) 23-21-7: Last week: 2-0-1; Should have been 3-0 last week, but they lost the lead late and the Thrashers won it in shootout.
25. Florida Panthers 24-25-5: Last week: 2-1; Two big come from behind wins in back to back nights. They are only 3 pts back from the division lead.
24. Washington Capitals(-1) 24-24-5: Last week: 1-2; If Bruce Boudreau was there all year, they would be on pace for 107 points.
23. Chicago Blackhawks(-1) 23-24-5: Last week: 0-1-1; After their slight 4-game win streak, a four game losing streak. Only five more in a row on the road.
22. Columbus Blue Jackets(-1) 25-23-6: Last week: 0-3; What? Nash doesn’t lead the team in points? That’s right, Zherdev does. Nash needs to step up in order to make the playoffs.
21. New York Islanders(-1) 24-23-6: Last week: 0-3; They were beaten by the struggling Senators and last place LA and are now on a four game losing streak.
20. Atlanta Thrashers(+4) 26-25-4: Last week: 3-0; Now on a 3-game win streak, the Thrashers picked up a huge win against Ovechkin and the Capitals.
19. Phoenix Coyotes(-1) 27-22-3: Last week: 1-1-1; They were so close to clipping Detroit, but lost their 4th 2-1 lead of the year against them to start the third.
18. Nashville Predators(+2) 27-21-5: Last week: 2-1; Elevating their play in the past few weeks has led them into 7th place in the West.
17. New York Rangers 27-22-6: Last week: 3-1; They picked up three huge wins against the Flyers, the Devils, and coming back against the Canadiens, can they carry on with the momentum?
16. Carolina Hurricanes 26-25-4: Last week: 2-1; Finally, the Canes had a winning week! Atlanta and Washington are right on their tails still.
15. St. Louis Blues 24-20-7: Last week: 2-1; If only they didn’t allow 3 goals on 5 shots in the third period to Colorado, they would be 3-0.
14. Anaheim Ducks(-4) 27-22-7: Last week: 0-2-1; After a 6-game win streak, the Ducks have now lost six in a row, scoring 5 goals and being shutout twice in that span.
13. Vancouver Canucks(-5) 26-21-6: Last week: 0-2-1; Scoring was not a problem, netting 3 goals in every game. But giving up 4 every game!?
12. Boston Bruins(+2) 27-20-5: Last week: 2-1; The Bruins continue to get stronger as they defeated Ottawa and played well against Detroit.
11. Colorado Avalanche(+2) 28-21-4: Last week: 2-1; By only losing to Detroit, the Aves are back in a playoff spot. The goal is to hang on until the big guns return, then make a run.
10. Calgary Flames(-3) 26-18-8: Last week: 1-1; The Flames are hanging around the top of their division, but after theyre run in December they have somewhat cooled off.
9. New Jersey Devils(-5) 29-20-3: Last week: 1-2; They ended a three game losing streak against LA, and were able to somehow put up six goals on them.
8. Philadelphia Flyers(+4) 29-17-5: Last week: 2-1; One of the hottest teams in the league right now and Knuble netted his first career hat trick against the Ducks.
7. Montreal Canadiens(+4) 28-16-9: Last week: 2-1-1; 8-3-1 in the past 12 games, they have almost caught the Senators.
6. Pittsburgh Penguins 29-19-4: Last week: 2-1; They holding their own without Sid the Kid. Winning 2 out of every 3 games will keep them in the playoffs for sure.
5. Minnesota Wild(+4) 30-19-3: Last week: 2-0; Now on a 3 game win streak, the Wild have a slight lead in the Northwest.
4. Ottawa Senators(-2) 32-17-4: Last week: 1-2; Now Danny Alfredsson has a hip flexor injury, and the Senators are 3-7 in the last ten.
3. Dallas Stars(+1) 31-20-5: Last week: 3-0; Playing some of the best hockey right now with many of the top teams struggling, I move them up a spot this week.
2. San Jose Sharks(+1) 29-16-7: Last week: 2-1; Remaining atop of the league without much production from Marleau or Cheechoo. Even DET better watch out when they get going.
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