Host Edward Fraser sits down with writers Adam Proteau and Ryan Kennedy to discuss… The strong start by the Kings… Ryan Smyth’s leadership… The unknown L.A. defense… The ‘Unusual Suspects’ atop the scoring race…And the goaltending of Jonathan Quick and Antero Niittymaki.
The THN.com Shootout will appear regularly throughout the season.
PRODUCER: Ted Cooper
Host Edward Fraser sits down with writers Ryan Dixon and John Grigg to discuss… The strong start by Joe Thornton… Team Canada’s depth at center… Vinny Lecavalier’s lack of production… And whether or not Brandon Dubinsky and Erik Johnson can crack the American lineup.
PRODUCER: Ted Cooper
The THN.com Shootout will appear regularly throughout the season.
Maxim Lapierre loves scoring goals, but the native of Saint-Leonard, Que., is equally excited when he entices opponents into taking undisciplined penalties.
The 24-year-old thrives in his role as an agitator, but last season he emerged as much more than a one-dimensional player. Lapierre tallied 15 goals and 28 points in 79 games in 2008-09.
He also developed into one of the Canadiens’ most responsible forwards, finishing the year plus-9 while playing against the league’s top lines.
In 2009-10 Lapierre looks to further develop his role on the Habs while remaining infuriating to play against. Ryan Dixon takes a closer look at the progression of super-pest Maxim Lapierre.
REPORTER: Ryan Dixon | PRODUCER: Ted Cooper
After finishing the 2008-09 campaign with a measly 69 points and losing future Hall of Famer Joe Sakic to retirement in the summer, it looked like the Colorado Avalanche were in for a full fledged rebuild.
But the team’s 6-1-1 start has changed the forecast in Colorado. And the chief reason for the team’s quick start is the play of veteran forward Milan Hejduk. Hejduk, a fourth round pick of the Quebec Nodiques in 1994, has three goals and seven points through the team’s first eight games.
The Hockey News’ Ryan Kennedy explores Hejduk’s early season success and his leadership role on the young Avs team.
REPORTER: Ryan Kennedy | PRODUCER: Ted Cooper
Host Edward Fraser sits down with writer Adam Proteau and Senior copy editor Sam McCaig to discuss… The Avalanche’s Craig Anderson… The hot start by the Coyotes… The struggles of Tomas Vokoun… And the winless Maple Leafs.
PRODUCER: Ted Cooper
The THN.com Shootout will appear regularly throughout the season.
Throughout his career Theoren Fleury faced many adversities but the true extent of his challenges were not known until his autobiography, ‘Playing With Fire’ was released this week.
In the book Fleury discusses his battle with substance abuse, the pain of living through sexual abuse and finding sobriety. The Hockey News’ Ken Campbell sat down with Fleury while he was in Toronto promoting his book and they touched on all three topics.
In part one of the interview Fleury talks about his fight with alcohol and drug addiction as well as the NHL/NHLPA’s substance-abuse program. Part two focuses on the sexual abuse he suffered through while playing for the Moose Jaw Warriors of the Western Hockey League. And the third installment delves into Fleury’s 4-year sobriety.
Please be advised the content of this interview is disturbing in nature and contains some profanity.
REPORTER: Ken Campbell | PRODUCER: Ted Cooper
Part 1/3 – Substance abuse
Part 2/3 – Surviving sexual abuse
Part 3/3 – Embracing sobriety
On most teams Jordan Staal would center the first or second line. But in Pittsburgh, due to their embarrassment of riches down the middle, he is relegated to the third line.
Nevertheless, the Thunder Bay, Ont., native has made the most of his situation, emerging as a reliable two-way player.
In 82 games last season, Staal had 22 goals, 49 points and was a plus-5 while playing against the league’s top lines. This year, Staal looks to further expand his role with the Pens.
Ted Cooper takes a closer look at the evolution of Jordan Staal.
PRODUCER: Ted Cooper | PRODUCTION ASSISTANT: Sean Leathong
NHL Recap – 10152009
Two goals by Alex Ovechkin helped bring the Washington Capitals to a 4-1 victory on Thursday night against the San Jose Sharks in the nation’s capital. Although the first period started out in a tie, things changed quickly during the second period – when Ovechkin came storming in with his goals. The win was extra sweet because Washington’s had a lackluster record versus San Jose in the past.
Over in Montreal on Thursday, the Colorado Avalanche spoiled the Canadiens’ 100th home opener by defeating them 3-2. The Avs’ Kyle Cumiskey was one of the driving forces behind his team’s victory, pulling off one goal and one assist during the game. A mid-third period goal by Tomas Plekanec wasn’t enough to bring the Canadiens back.
The victory was more than decisive for the Ottawa Senators in Ottawa on Thursday, as they annihilated the Tampa Bay lightning with a final score of 7 to 1. The Senators’ Milan Michalek pulled off his first-ever hat trick during the exciting game, helping his team maintain their first-place standing at 4-2-0.
It was an historic game for the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday night in the Motor City as defenseman Nicklas Lidstrom secured his 1,000th career point. Things were even sweeter for Detroit because they beat the Los Angeles Kings with a score of 5 to 2. It was a much-needed win for the morale of Red Wings fans everywhere, especially after their loss against Buffalo the other night.
In Nashville on Thursday evening, the Chicago Blackhawks easily won against the Predators in a 3-1 game. The Blackhawks’ Brent Seabrook made two assists during the game, helping bring his team to victory. Blackhawk goaltender Cristobal Huet didn’t have much to defend against as the Predators just weren’t on their game.
Finally, Phoenix Coyote defenseman Ed Jovanovski brought in the overtime goal that brought his team to a 3-2 victory against the St. Louis Blues in Phoenix on Thursday night. After a scoreless first period, both teams battled fiercely for the advantage. Excellent goaltending by Chris Mason and Ilya Bryzgalov also contributed to the close rivalry.
Watch all the game Highlights Here!
NHL Hockey Recap – 10142009
New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist was the star of Wednesday night’s game versus the Los Angeles Kings, holding then off and helping his team to a 4-2 victory. This win pushed the Rangers’ record up to a very respectable 6-1-0 record – which ties them up with the Penguins for first place. Los Angeles simply couldn’t thwart Lundqvist.
After getting in goal scoring shots in the first and second periods of Wednesday’s game, the Pittsburgh Penguins saw their lead evaporate in the third as the Carolina Hurricanes’ Ray Whitney got in two separate goals. With the game all tied, up the teams remained that way through overtime. The Penguins’ Chris Kunitz made the sixth round shootout goal that put them over the top.
It was a close game in the Windy City on Wednesday night as the Edmonton Oilers faced off against the Chicago Blackhawks. Ultimately, however, the Oilers couldn’t quite seal the deal and ended up losing with a score of 4-3. The Blackhawks’ Patrick Sharp made two points in the game – with one goal and one assist – and was a major contributor to the success of his team on their home turf.
The Dallas Stars absolutely routed the Nashville Predators on Wednesday. Their goaltender, Marty Turco, managed to shut the Predators out and center Brad Richards got in one goal and two assists to help his team arrive at a 6-0 win. With four goals scored in the first period alone, the Stars were hot throughout the game.
Finally, over in Anaheim the Ducks were able to fend off the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday night, securing a 3-2 victory. Ducks’ right wing Corey Perry made two goals for his team himself – both of them in the first period – and was a driving force behind his team’s success.
Watch all the game Highlights Here!
When the Senators traded disgruntled forward Dany Heatley to the Sharks for Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek, some questioned if they were getting equal value for the sniper.
But those familiar with Michalek’s game know the true value of the 24-year-old power forward. The Czech native was drafted sixth overall by San Jose in 2003, but didn’t establish himself in the NHL until 2005-06. Since then Michalek has played in 320 games and registered 91 goals and 214 points.
Despite his success on the West Coast, many hockey fans don’t know what Michalek brings to the Sens. Ryan Dixon introduces the Eastern Conference to Ottawa’s newest sharp-shooter.
REPORTER: Ryan Dixon | PRODUCER: Ted Cooper