Puck Podcast

WASHINGTON – Even without two-time MVP Alex Ovechkin, the Washington Capitals are still quite adept at putting the puck in the net – especially against the defensively challenged Florida Panthers

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Carolina Hurricanes had already lost starting goaltender Cam Ward. Then they lost yet another game.Rick Nash scored the Columbus Blue Jackets’ third goal in a 2:41 span of the third period to beat Carolina 3-2 Saturday night, the Hurricanes’ franchise-record 12th consecutive game without a win

MONTREAL – The Tampa Bay Lightning began the NHL season with Mike Smith as their No. 1 goaltender, but Antero Niittymaki is making a serious bid for the job

LOS ANGELES – The Nashville Predators received a huge offensive boost from defencemen Francis Bouillon and Cody Franson, who played a solid two-way game in front of goalie Dan Ellis

MONTREAL – He is the latest new face among many to turn up in the Montreal Canadiens dressing room this season, and none was more surprised to be there on Saturday than defenceman Jay Leach

Oft-injured New York Islanders defenceman Radek Martinek is out for the season with a knee injury.The 33-year-old Martinek tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee on Friday night in the third period of a 2-1 loss at New Jersey, the Islanders said on Saturday

ABBOTSFORD, B.C. – Garth Murray’s short-handed goal stood as the winner and the Abbotsford Heat won their fourth straight, 4-2 over the Rockford Ice Hogs in American Hockey League action Friday night

Scoring summaries from Friday’s NHL games:Maple Leafs 3 at Hurricanes 2First Period1. Carolina, Sutter 3 (Brind’Amour, Corvo) 7:512. Carolina, Samsonov 2 (Alberts, Jokinen) 17:22Penalties – Stajan Tor (holding) 5:14, Schenn Tor (interference) 18:02

Movements in the world of hockey Friday:National Hockey LeagueCHICAGO BLACKHAWKS-Recalled LW Bryan Bickell from Rockford (AHL).MONTREAL CANADIENS-Claimed D Jay Leach off waivers from New Jersey

DENVER – Chris Stewart formulated a plan as he fidgeted on the bench, readying himself just in case the shootout dragged out that long.When his turn came, Stewart went to work, skating down the side, cutting over and lining the puck under the pads of Chicago goalie Antti Niemi – just as he envisioned

CEDAR PARK, Texas – Greg Rallo scored against his former team and Matt Climie made 24 saves as the Texas Stars blanked the Manitoba Moose 4-0 in American Hockey League action Friday

CLEVELAND – Christian Hanson had a goal and two assists as the Toronto Marlies beat the Lake Erie Monsters 3-2 in American Hockey League action Friday

DALLAS – The Dallas Stars peppered Vancouver rookie goalie Cory Schneider with a flurry of shots, and finally a couple found the back of the net

MONTREAL – Ryan Keller and Jason Bailey scored as the Binghamton Senators handed the Hamilton Bulldogs their first regulation loss of the season, 2-1 on Friday night

SUNRISE, Fla. – Jose Theodore stopped 28 shots, Brian Pothier had a goal and two assists and the Washington Capitals beat the Florida Panthers 4-1 on Friday night to break a three-game losing streak

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Daniel Carcillo scored twice and Ray Emery made 28 saves to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to their fifth straight victory over the Buffalo Sabres, 5-2 on Friday night

Everything is falling into place for the New Jersey Devils.The team is winning despite injuries, the power play is warming up, Patrik Elias is back in the lineup and backup goalie Yann Danis is showing he can give Martin Brodeur a day off without causing problems

RALEIGH, N.C. – The Toronto Maple Leafs staked their claim to 29th in the NHL.The Carolina Hurricanes, meanwhile, are all alone in last place

CALGARY – The New York Rangers’ jerseys are the same, but the guys wearing them will be largely unfamiliar to the Calgary Flames.Following back-to-back overtime victories on the road, the Flames will welcome the New York Rangers to the Pengrowth Saddledome on Saturday (CBC, 10 p