Atlantic: Conklin enjoying a career renaissance

Ty Conklin entered this week with an amazing 9-0-1 record since his call-up, allowing two or fewer goals in seven straight games.

You may remember his role in one of the most infamous blunders in Stanley Cup Final history. It came in Game 1 of the 2006 Stanley Cup Final when, as a member of the Edmonton Oilers, Conklin came off the bench to replace injured goaltender Dwayne Roloson with about six minutes remaining in regulation of a tie game.

With less than a minute remaining, Conklin roamed behind his net to settle a dump-in by the Carolina Hurricanes, but got crossed up with defenseman Jason Smith and watched helplessly as Rod Brind'Amour stuffed the puck into the empty net for the game-winning goal.

Fourteen days later, Brind'Amour and the Hurricanes skated away with their first-ever Stanley Cup, but Conklin's experience in Game 1 was the last time he played a game for the Oilers.

Now with his fourth NHL team in three seasons, Conklin is trying to erase those nightmarish images with the best stretch of hockey in his career.

Called up by the Penguins on Dec. 6 from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League, Conklin has filled in admirably for injured starter Marc-Andre Fleury. He entered this week with an amazing 9-0-1 record since his call-up, allowing two or fewer goals in seven straight games.

"He's playing outstanding for us," Penguins coach Michel Therrien. "That's a big surprise. He got a chance. He got an opportunity to be back in the NHL and he's certainly trying to take full advantage of it."

Conklin, 31, never has had it easy in his career. Born in Eagle Riv, Alaska, he was a standout goaltender for the Green Bay Gamblers of the United States Hockey League, but went undrafted by the NHL. Disappointed but determined to someday make it to the big leagues, Conklin enrolled at the University of New Hampshire, and in 2000-01 became the first goaltender to be named captain in the program's 40 years.

Conklin played well enough to share the Walter Brown Award, given to New England's outstanding American-born hockey player, with current Devils standout Brian Gionta. At the end of that season the Oilers signed Conklin to a contract and assigned him to the Hamilton Bulldogs.

It wasn't until the 2003-04 season that Conklin got his first taste of the NHL, as Tommy Salo's backup. He saw 38 games with the Oilers that season, but lost the starter's job to Jussi Markkanen, then Roloson.

After his Stanley Cup mishap, Conklin bounced around the NHL and AHL, playing for Blue Jackets, Sabres, Syracuse Crunch and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins before finally getting a phone call from the Penguins.

Conklin gives the Penguins something they haven't had with Fleury and backup Dany Sabourin: A goaltender who can handle the puck as well as some of their defensemen, if not better.

"His saves speak for themselves, but the way he handles the puck is the thing we're all talking about, how much easier it is on us," Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik said. "It's like having a third defenseman out there."

Conklin's ability to move the puck allows his defensemen to position themselves along the boards instead of having to turn their backs on charging forwards looking to separate them from the puck. When he's forced to stay in his crease, Conklin is more economic than acrobatic, making first-shot saves look effortless.

"I know that I've got to make one save and then we're going to clear the rebound," he said. "That makes it a lot easier, knowing that you just have to be in position for one save."

Conklin, who owns the distinction of being the only goalie to play in both of the NHL's outdoor games (he tended goal for the Oilers in the Heritage Class and for the Penguins in the Winter Classic) is taking his five weeks of fame in stride.

"It's nice, but mostly because the team's been playing well," he said.

Just how long Conklin will carry the ball in Pittsburgh remains to be seen. Fleury is due to return from his high ankle sprain in late January or early February, and if Conklin has not cooled off by then, Therrien might have a difficult decision to make.

Recchi

Around the Atlantic -- The Penguins' eight-game win streak, which ended with a shootout loss to the Thrashers Saturday night, was their longest since winning 10 in a row Jan. 28-Feb. 19, 1999. Thrashers right wing Mark Recchi made his former team pay for placing him on waivers by scoring the game-winning goal in the shootout, but it's hard to argue the Penguins made a bad decision. They are 17-6 without Recchi in their lineup this season. … What do the Flyers' Mike Richards and the Penguins' Sergei Gonchar have in common? Neither was listed on the NHL All-Star ballot and both will represent the Eastern Conference on Jan. 27. … Islanders goaltender Rick DiPietro will get the chance to show the hockey world what coach Ted Nolan already knows. The first goalie ever taken with the first pick of an NHL Entry Draft, in 2000, DiPietro will join the Devils' Martin Brodeur and the Panthers' Tomas Vokoun between the pipes. DiPietro entered the weekend with a 17-14-5 mark and a 2.56 goals-against average. Many believe he is the sole reason the Islanders are in the playoff hunt in the East. "I don't know anybody else more deserving," Nolan said of DiPietro's selection. "We wouldn't be in a position we're in right now if it wasn't for the play of Ricky. Now the rest of the hockey world will see how important he is to our club and how talented he really is." … A month ago, Rangers goalie Henrik Lundqvist appeared to be a certain All-Star. So why was he left off the Eastern Conference team? Because he suffered through a pair of slumps that saw him go 2-5-2 and 0-4-1. The Rangers have joined the Maple Leafs in inquiries involving the possible return of goaltender Curtis Joseph. … The Rangers are hoping to reverse their fortunes this week. On Monday they face the Penguins and in four meetings so far, the Rangers' checking line of Ryan Hollweg, Blair Betts and Colton Orr has held Sidney Crosby to one goal and three assists. … Flyers coach John Stevens dismissed the notion of a goaltending controversy in Philadelphia when he said Martin Biron is still the Flyers' No. 1 after Antero Niittymaki ran off four straight victories. "This is a short-term thing where Nitty got hot," Stevens said. "It seems like he has momentum and we're going to ride the hot horse here for a couple games. Nothing more." Biron was back in goal for the Flyers' 6-4 win over the Capitals Sunday.

Briere

… Flyers center Daniel Briere, who was named the MVP of last year's All-Star Game, said he does not deserve to be on the East roster this season. "I'm not going to lie about it. I know I can play better than what I've shown," Briere said. "I am very competitive and I'm not completely happy with the first half." … Don't look for the Devils to fade anytime soon. They play 12 of their next 15 games in their new House of Pain, where they are 10-0-1 in their last 11 games. The Islanders, Panthers and Maple Leafs are the next three visitors to the Prudential Center. … The Devils enter this week 19-5-1 in their last 24 games. … Dainius Zubrus has struggled recently, with one goal in 16 games. … John Madden played in his 600th NHL game over the weekend.