Author: puckblog

Ilya Kovalchuk gets shot at performing under pressure as New Jersey Devils face Flyers in playoffsKristie Ackert New York Daily News April 14, 2010 Kovalchuk, who had five seasons with at least 41 goals (including two with career-best 52) for Atlanta, will try to win his first playoff game in his eighth NHL campaign. “I

It goes without saying that goaltender is a focal point for every playoff team, but for the low-scoring, defense-first Nashville Predators, the position’s importance becomes elevated even further. In their 11th season, the Predators will make their fifth postseason appearance this week –- also their fifth in the last six seasons — and they will

Devils ride surge into playoffsTom Gulitti The Record April 13, 2010 The biggest difference, however, is the presence of Ilya Kovalchuk, the two-time 50-goal scorer who Lamoriello acquired in a Feb. 4 trade with Atlanta. The addition of Kovalchuk, who scored 41 regular-season goals, has given the Devils a potent one-two punch with Zach Parise,

Rochester Amerks reinforced as Florida sends team seven playersDemocrat and Chronicle April 13, 2010 The Rochester Amerks benefited Monday from the Florida Panthers not making the National Hockey League playoffs as the parent team sent seven players to Rochester. Goalie Tyler Plante, defensemen Jason Garrison and Keaton Ellerby and forwards Shawn Matthias, Victor Oreskovich, Steve

Predators to pose stern 1st-round test Adam L Jahns Chicago Sun Times April 12, 2010 The last time the Blackhawks played the Nashville Predators, there was snow on the ground and Christmas decorations on houses, trees and bushes. It was Dec. 27, and the Hawks won 5-4. The Hawks have played 44 games since then.

A Regular Season To Remember JJ Guerrero CanucksHockeyBlog.com April 11, 2010 The Canucks won 49 games, tying the franchise record set by the 2006/2007 edition. Their 30 home wins is a franchise record. They scored 268 goals, 2nd in the NHL only to Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals. It’s their highest goal total since

The Top 10 NHL playoff storylines to watchSean Leahy SportsShizle.com April 11, 2010 5. New Jersey’s added dimension of Ilya Kovalchuk Since being dealt from the Atlanta Thrashers on February 4th, Kovalchuk has posted 10 goals and 15 assists in 27 games with the Devils. He brings a dimension to the New Jersey lineup that

Manitoba Moose Hand Out Team Year-End AwardsMLNTheRawFeed.com April 11, 2010 As well, Moose newcomer Sergei Shirokov was named the Lawton Partners Rookie of the Year, while veteran Lawrence Nycholat was given the Payworks Best Defencemen Award. Representatives from the Moose corporate partners were on hand for the pre-game ceremonies to present the award winners with

Smith tallies twice, B-Sens win home finale Donald Rieber Jr. Binghamton Senators Examiner April 12, 2010 The Binghamton Senators closed out the home portion of their schedule on a high note Friday night with a 3-1 win over the Wilkes-Barre/ Scranton Penguins…. The final goal of the game came off the stick of Kaspars Daugavins

Thrashers go out fighting with a winChris Vivlamore The Atlanta Journal-Constitution April 10, 2010 Johan Hedberg stopped all 33 shots to earn his third shutout of the season. “Even though we have been extremely disappointed the last few days here, you have to play for your fans and you have to play for your pride,”