Articles by Doug Stolhand

TORONTO – A little killer instinct would have gone a long way in helping the Toronto Maple Leafs earn just their second three-game win streak of the season.

NEW YORK – Markus Naslund rescued one point for New York’s sluggish offence, and the Rangers then counted on Henrik Lundqvist to deliver the second one as he usually does.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Getting the early lead is crucial for the Nashville Predators.Jason Arnott scored less than three minutes into the first period and Radek Bonk needed 45 seconds to add the second goal in the second period as the Predators beat the Phoenix Coyotes 2-1 on Tuesday night.

NEWARK, N.J. – The New Jersey Devils traded little-used defenceman Sheldon Brookbank to the Anaheim Ducks on Tuesday night for the rights to Colgate centre David McIntyre.

WINNIPEG – Nolan Baumgartner scored the eventual winner in the third period as the Manitoba Moose edged the Lake Erie Monsters 3-2 on Tuesday in the AHL.

OTTAWA – Michal Handzus scored the only goal Tuesday night as the Los Angeles Kings beat the Ottawa Senators 1-0.The game also marked the NHL coaching debut for Cory Clouston, who took over after Craig Hartsburg was relieved of his duties Sunday night.

MONTREAL – Roman Hamrlik scored for the first time since early October and added an assist to lead the Montreal Canadiens to a 4-2 victory over the struggling Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday.

TORONTO – Bryan McCabe came back to haunt his former team Tuesday, scoring 3:30 into overtime as the Florida Panthers came back to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3.

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Yann Danis stopped 29 shots and the New York Islanders beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-1 on Tuesday night for their season-best fourth straight victory.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Brad Boyes scored twice to help the St. Louis Blues beat the Columbus Blue Jackets 4-2 Tuesday night.Jay McClement also had two goals and Carlo Colaiacovo added two assists for St.

NEWARK, N.J. – Michael Nylander scored two goals and the Washington Capitals snapped the New Jersey Devils’ season-high eight-game winning streak with a 5-2 victory on Tuesday night.

NEW YORK – Adam Graves’ greatness isn’t measured in numbers – although it could be.It isn’t about his grit on the ice or his unfailing dedication to his team, and more importantly his teammates – although it could be.

VANCOUVER, B.C. – The owner of the Vancouver Canucks has won a judicial shutout in his bid to retain ownership of the hockey team.The B.C. Court of Appeal has upheld a lower court ruling, rejecting a claim by two Vancouver businessmen that they were Francesco Aquilini’s partners and should have been included in his purchase of the team.

NEW YORK – Ottawa Senators owner Eugene Melnyk says he’ll pay US$1 million to settle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.The American stock watchdog alleged Melnyk violated certain reporting obligations related to shares of Biovail Corp.

MONTREAL – Alex Kovalev admits he has to start playing better hockey, especially with injuries mounting on the Montreal Canadiens.The big winger, who led the team with 84 points last season, was benched for most of the third period of a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday for his listless play.

TORONTO – Eric Lindros has resigned from his position as ombudsman of the National Hockey League Players’ Association.The NHLPA confirmed his departure Tuesday but offered no comment on why he left.

NEW YORK – Anaheim Ducks right-winger Bobby Ryan was named NHL rookie of the month Tuesday.He led all rookies in scoring with 16 points (11 goals, five assists) in 14 games last month.

Scoring summaries from Monday’s NHL games:Flames 3 at Avalanche 4First Period1. Calgary, Bourque 17 (Bertuzzi, Langkow) 7:432. Colorado, Svatos 10 (Arnason) 12:37Penalties – Giordano Cal, Laperriere Col (fighting) 1:48, Aucoin Cal (holding stick) 19:13.

ANAHEIM, Calif. – Chris Kunitz and Corey Perry scored third-period goals and the Anaheim Ducks held off the Buffalo Sabres 3-2 on Monday night.

It almost seems a little hard to believe – the start of the 2010 Olympic men’s hockey tournament is only about a year away.Steve Yzerman and his management group are already closely monitoring the progress of candidates for Team Canada so The Canadian Press has decided to do the same thing.