Month: March 2010

TORONTO – The stage is set for retired Toronto Maple Leafs star Mats Sundin to join “Battle of the Blades.” Now it’s just a matter of convincing the longtime NHLer to take part

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Michael Grabner’s first stint with the Vancouver Canucks lasted just nine games after he broke his ankle during a warmup kickaround with a soccer ball

It’s certainly not on the same scale as the massive Mattel toy recall three years ago, but Bauer Hockey has been put in an embarrassing and potentially expensive predicament for the same reason

TORONTO – Flashbulbs popped and children cheered as retired NHL star Ron Ellis cradled it in his hands, which were sheathed in white gloves to prevent fingerprints from being left on what is likely the most adored six-ounce piece of rubber that has ever been welcomed into the Hockey Hall of Fame

VANCOUVER, B.C. – John Tavares broke out of his prolonged scoring slump in a big way Tuesday night.The Islanders rookie scored two goals and added three assists as New York downed the Vancouver Canucks 5-2

NASHVILLE – Although it took longer than the Predators would have liked, the result was worth the wait.Martin Erat scored the only goal of the shootout to lead the Nashville to a 4-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night

DALLAS – Dallas Stars coach Marc Crawford will remember his 500th victory for the performance by his goaltender, not his team’s season-best offensive outburst

TAMPA, Fla. – Officially, it will go down as historic victory for the Coyotes. However, Phoenix coach Dave Tippett doesn’t want to hear it.Vernon Fiddler and Matthew Lombardi scored in a two-minute span midway through the first period, Ilya Bryzgalov stopped 27 shots and Phoenix beat the Tampa Bay Lighting 2-1 Tuesday night for the Coyotes’ franchise record-tying 43rd victory

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Wild needs to be almost perfect if they want to sneak into the playoffs. Even that might not be enough, but so far so good

OTTAWA – The Toronto Maple Leafs spent most of Tuesday night looking like a team headed for the playoffs, while the Ottawa Senators looked like one on the outside looking in

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The Vancouver Canucks have started games so well since returning from a marathon road trip that it doesn’t seem to matter how much gas they have left in the tank at the finish

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Ryan Kesler scored first-period goals Sunday as the Vancouver Canucks defeated the Calgary Flames 3-1

ANAHEIM, Calif. – The Anaheim Ducks haven’t had much to pat themselves on the back about. A great deal of their misery has been caused by the San Jose Sharks

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Strong goaltending has been a hallmark of the Minnesota Wild’s nine-season existence.During this transition to a new coach and a new playing style in front of those nets, the goalie play has dropped off a bit

ATLANTA – Lee Stempniak only wonders why the Phoenix Coyotes didn’t trade for him sooner.”It’s been a really good fit for me,” he said. “It was a fresh start, leaving Toronto

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – The New York Islanders defied their recent history to knock off a Stanley Cup contender and a bottom-feeder in less than 24 hours

TAMPA, Fla. – The Pittsburgh Penguins and Tampa Bay Lightning are far apart in the Eastern Conference standings. It didn’t seem that way as they treated a sellout crowd of 20,230 to a playoff atmosphere

DALLAS – The Colorado Avalanche needed a standout performance from goaltender Craig Anderson to deal another blow to the Dallas Stars’ fading playoff chances

LOS ANGELES – While the Los Angeles Kings argued the finer points of interference, the Nashville Predators celebrated a California road trip that might have cleared up their path to the playoffs

NEW YORK – Sean Avery was all talked out after popping in two goals following a one-game benching.The noted agitator had little to say after leading the Rangers to a key 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers that gave New York’s late-season playoff push a much-needed confidence boost