Western Conference Finals: Blackhawks take 1-0 series lead over Kings

BLACKHAWKS 2 – KINGS 1 The Chicago Blackhawks have opened a 1-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Kings, defeating the Kings 2-1 on Saturday evening. Marian Hossa (6) and Patrick Sharp (8) scored the Hawks and Corey Crawford made 21 saves on 22 shots. The Blackhawks carried the play and the Kings struggled to skate with the Hawks. The Kings were outshot 17-2 in the first period but opened the scoring when Justin Williams scored off a Blackhawks turnover at 14:23 of the first period as the Kings scored on one of their two shots in the period. Chicago would respond with two second period goals from Sharp and Hossa. Joanthan Quick looked unbeatable early on and to beat

Atlantic Division Report

Around the Atlantic Division 1. New Jersey Devils (33-14-1-67pts) 2. Pittsburgh Penguins (31-20-1-63 pts) 3. New York Rangers (24-20-7-55 pts) 4. New York Islanders (23-20-8-54 pts) 5. Philadelphia Flyers (25-21-3-53 pts) Tortorella furious after Carcillo fights Marian Gaborik The Philadelphia Flyers defeated the New York Rangers 2-0 Thursday night and Rangers head coach John Tortorella was furious after the game as Daniel Carcillo fought Rangers star winger Marian Gaborik. “There’s no honor in that,” Tortorella said. “I don’t play the game, I don’t wear the uniform, I don’t want to say too much about it, but there’s simply no honor in that.” Carcillo has no honor in going after Gaborik but Tortorella should be furious at Gaborik’s teammates like Dan

The Latest Penguins Buzz

Since the 2006-2007 season including playoffs, the Pittsburgh Penguins are 23-10 against the Philadelphia Flyers. Pittsburgh moved to 3-0 against Philadelphia this season after Thursday night’s 3-2 shootout win at the Wachovia Center. The Flyers are free falling, currently in last place in the Atlantic Division as Pittsburgh is an astounding 17 pts ahead of Philadelphia in the standings. With the Christmas Trade Freeze starting tomorrow, Philadelphia is working the phones trying to put some deals in place after December 27th. As expected there were 10+ scouts in attendance for last night’s game. *Sidney Crosby has gone from an average goal scorer at best to an elite goal scorer in less than a year. I’ve never seen him get the

Fleury sensational as Penguins beat Flyers 3-1

Penguins lead series, 3-1 Marc Andre Fleury made 45 saves as the Pittsburgh Penguins beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 Tuesday night at the Wachovia Center, to take a commanding 3-1 series lead. Fleury was spectacular from the drop of the puck as the Penguins were outshot 46-26 and for the second time in three games, Fleury stole a game from the Flyers. “If your going to have success in the playoffs, you have to have performances like that from your goaltender‚Äù, Dan Bylsma said, regarding Fleury‚Äôs performance in game 4.

NHL, refs must protect players who make clean hits

Philadelphia_ Chris Kunitz delivered a bone-crunching hit (click here to view) on Flyers defenseman Kimmo Timonen in the first period of Sunday’s game. The hit was shoulder to chest as Kunitz caught Timonen coming around the net with his head down. After Kunitz delivered the hit, Flyers defenseman Ryan Parent gave him two cross-checks to the back which should have drawn a minor penalty and as Kunitz skated down the ice, Scott Hartnell gave him a few whacks with his stick until the two players came to blows and were assessed 5 minute fighting majors. There was not a extra penalty assessed to Hartnell and Parent did not receive a penalty. Physical play is what makes the NHL a great game but

Game 1 – Morning Skate Update: “Game Time decisions”

Morning Skate Update All seven defensemen alternated in the morning skate. Dan Bylsma just announced after practice that he will make a game-time decision on who sits. Eaton or Boucher will be the odd-man out tonight. Hal Gill is not under consideration to be scratched. Chris Kunitz missed the skate as his wife went into labor but he will play. Game Time decisions on Adams and Godard too but I’m hearing Bylsma is leaning towards playing Godard in game 1. It’s the time of the year where coaches aren’t going to disclose lineups in the morning skate like they do in the regular season. The Flyers just took the ice and they have one lineup change. Rookie Jared Ross will

Series Preview: Penguins in 6

(Courtesy of South Central) Season Series 10/14/08: PIT 3 – PHI 2 11/13/08: PIT 5 – PHI 4 12/13/08: PHI 6 – PIT 3 1/13/09: PIT 4 – PHI 2 2/21/09: PIT 5 – PHI 4 3/22/09: PHI 3 – PIT 1 Star Power PIT: Evgeni Malkin (112 pts), Sidney Crosby (103 pts) PHI: Jeff Carter (84 pts), Mike Richards (80 pts) Advantage – Pittsburgh Forwards Pittsburgh: Down the middle the Penguins are the deepest team in the NHL with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal. While Crosby, Malkin had little help for much of the season, Penguins general manager Ray Shero added Chris Kunitz (18 points, 20 pts) and Bill Guerin (12 points, 17 games) prior to the