Puck Podcast

ATLANTA – The seventh power play was the magic number for Ilya Kovalchuk and the Atlanta Thrashers.The Thrashers needed overtime to finally solve Montreal’s penalty kill, with Kovalchuk’s goal from the left circle in the extra period giving Atlanta a 4-3 victory over the Canadiens on Saturday night

NORFOLK, Va. – Brandon Bochenski scored a pair of power-play goals and added an assist as the Norfolk Admirals edged the Manitoba Moose 5-4 in American Hockey League action Saturday

UNIONDALE, N.Y. – The New York Islanders made themselves right at home after a long road trip.Dwayne Roloson made 17 of his 30 saves in the third period to help force overtime and Frans Nielsen scored on a breakaway 24 seconds into the extra period to give the Islanders a 3-2 victory over Boston on Saturday night, snapping a three-game losing streak

NEW YORK – Patrick Kaleta’s hard work on his shot is paying off. His lavish celebrations are getting better, too.Known more for his grit than his offensive touch, Kaleta scored twice, including the tiebreaking goal in the second period, and the Buffalo Sabres shook off an uncharacteristic rough beginning by Ryan Miller in a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers on Saturday night

OTTAWA – It had been a long time since Alex Kovalev had something to celebrate.He made up for it Saturday night.Kovalev scored three times – including the 400th of his career – as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 4-2

TORONTO – Even though they still occupy 14th spot in the Eastern Conference, the Toronto Maple Leafs clearly believe they’re for real.It’s not just that Saturday’s 6-3 victory came over the league-leading Washington Capitals and gave the Leafs three straight wins at Air Canada Centre for the first time in almost two years

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Dan Sexton’s excellent adventure continued and the Anaheim Ducks didn’t let another game slip away late.Sexton, Bobby Ryan and Corey Perry scored goals, and Jonas Hiller stopped 35 shots to power the Ducks past the Columbus Blue Jackets, 3-1 on Saturday night

NEWARK, N.J. – John Tavares, drafted first overall by the New York Islanders, has deservedly garnered most of the attention as the NHL’s top rookie this season

REGINA – Don Cherry is being called “a negative influence” when it comes to efforts to reduce concussions in hockey.Dr. Charles Tator, a Toronto neurosurgeon, made the comment in front of about 150 people at a Hockey Canada concussion seminar being held in Regina

REGINA – Former NHL defenceman Jamie Heward says he was “bred to be a hockey player.”That total devotion to his sport helped him achieve his dreams, but also led to the series of concussions that have likely ended his career

Scoring summaries from Friday’s NHL games:Oilers 5 at Blues 3First Period1. St. Louis, Backes 5 (Oshie, Johnson) 11:14Penalties – Strudwick Edm (hooking) 3:12, Jackman StL (tripping) 5:53, Souray Edm, Winchester StL (roughing) 9:40, Berglund StL (double high-sticking) 17:53

Movements in the world of hockey Friday:National Hockey LeagueCAROLINA HURRICANES-Recalled F Patrick Dwyer and F Jiri Tlusty from Albany (AHL)

SAN JOSE, Calif. – Matt Niskanen made the most of the first shootout attempt in his three-year NHL career.Niskanen scored in the 11th round of the shootout to help end a goaltending duel between Marty Turco and Evgeni Nabokov and give the Dallas Stars a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Friday night

DENVER – The Colorado Avalanche got the bounce they needed to avoid a fourth straight home loss.Wojtek Wolski scored the only goal in a shootout, Craig Anderson stopped all three Tampa Bay shots and the Avalanche beat the Lightning 2-1 on Friday night

CALGARY – After a tough start to the season, Martin Havlat was just happy to contribute to a win for the Minnesota Wild.Havlat scored in overtime and added an assist as the Wild edged the Calgary Flames 2-1 Friday

ST. LOUIS – Dustin Penner and the Edmonton Oilers skated away with yet another two points on the road.Penner had a goal and three assists, Gilbert Brule scored twice, and the Oilers won their fifth consecutive road game, beating the St

TORONTO – It’s seems only fitting a that game featuring legendary defenceman Chris Chelios felt like it would never end.Juraj Mikus scored the decisive goal for Toronto as the Marlies beat the Chicago Wolves 5-4 in a 10-round shootout Friday in American Hockey League action

NORFOLK, Va. – Defenceman Aaron Rome scored two goals as the Manitoba Moose downed the Norfolk Admirals 4-1 in American Hockey League action Friday

BUFFALO, N.Y. – No Ryan Miller, no problem for the Buffalo Sabres.Backup Patrick Lalime made 39 saves in just his third start of the season in favour of the workhorse Miller, and Thomas Vanek and Clarke MacArthur scored in the Sabres’ 2-1 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday night