NEWARK, N.J. -- Ilya Kovalchuk has never looked this downcast.
The New Jersey Devils' forward was at a loss for words following one of the most frustrating games of his nine-season career, a 5-4 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres at Prudential Center on Wednesday night.
On two occasions with the game on the line and the puck on his stick, Kovalchuk, who signed a 15-year, $100 million contract with the Devils this summer, couldn't get the job done.
When asked after the game if he's ever experienced anything like this before, he replied, "No."
With less than two minutes remaining in regulation, Kovalchuk broke in on Sabres rookie goalie Jhonas Enroth on a breakaway but fired high and over the net.
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NHL Insider
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NHL Insider
Kovalchuk's frustrations build as Devils lose again
Wednesday, 11.10.2010 / 11:10 PM / NHL Insider
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
NHL teams take time to honor the military on Nov. 11
Wednesday, 11.10.2010 / 7:23 PM / NHL Insider
NHL.com
On any other game day, the Vancouver Canucks would be holding a morning skate prior to their game that evening. But Nov. 11 is not just any game day -- it's Remembrance Day in Canada and Veterans Day in the United States -- and the Canucks are skipping their morning skate prior to their game against the Senators in Ottawa.
Instead of getting ready for their game that night, the Canucks have canceled their morning skate in Canada's capital and will take the entire team to the Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown Ottawa -- one of the largest ceremonies in Canada.
Before the game, the Senators will host a special ceremony with several veterans and alumni taking part, including Tony Licari (a World War II veteran and who played for the Detroit Red Wings); Howard Riopelle (a former Montreal Canadien and World War II veteran); and Bombardier Karine Moreau and Capt. Pierre Maillet (Canadian Forces members).
Instead of getting ready for their game that night, the Canucks have canceled their morning skate in Canada's capital and will take the entire team to the Remembrance Day ceremony in downtown Ottawa -- one of the largest ceremonies in Canada.
Before the game, the Senators will host a special ceremony with several veterans and alumni taking part, including Tony Licari (a World War II veteran and who played for the Detroit Red Wings); Howard Riopelle (a former Montreal Canadien and World War II veteran); and Bombardier Karine Moreau and Capt. Pierre Maillet (Canadian Forces members).
Lindy Ruff joins NHL's 1,000 games coached club
Wednesday, 11.10.2010 / 6:25 PM / NHL Insider
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
NEWARK, N.J. -- Lindy Ruff will join elite company on Wednesday when he steps behind the bench to direct the Buffalo Sabres for the 1,000th time in his career.
Ruff, currently the longest-tenured coach in the NHL, not only will become the 18th coach in NHL history to reach 1,000 games, but only the third in League history to reach that milestone with the same team. Only Billy Reay (1,012 with Chicago) and Al Arbour (1,500 with the New York Islanders) have coached one team more often; Ruff will be the first man to coach 1,000 games in the NHL with only one team.
"The time has really flown by, so you don't really look at everything thinking you'd ever get to that number," Ruff told the media prior to his team facing off against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center.
Ruff, currently the longest-tenured coach in the NHL, not only will become the 18th coach in NHL history to reach 1,000 games, but only the third in League history to reach that milestone with the same team. Only Billy Reay (1,012 with Chicago) and Al Arbour (1,500 with the New York Islanders) have coached one team more often; Ruff will be the first man to coach 1,000 games in the NHL with only one team.
"The time has really flown by, so you don't really look at everything thinking you'd ever get to that number," Ruff told the media prior to his team facing off against the New Jersey Devils at Prudential Center.
Hawks' lineup juggling to impact defense, Kane
Wednesday, 11.10.2010 / 3:26 PM / NHL Insider
Brian Hedger - NHL.com Correspondent
"Tonight we're going to try and find a little more balance in our pairs and our minutes, and hopefully that makes everybody more effective in our team game as well as their own games."
-- Hawks coach Joel Quenneville
After losing three straight games on home ice, Hawks coach Joel Quenneville -- known for his lineup juggling -- is back mixing and matching again.
This time, as the Hawks prepare to play Phoenix tonight at the United Center, Quenneville is taking aim at the top defense pairing of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook. Saying the pair will be split up for stretches of tonight's game, Quenneville is hoping that working less minutes per game and with new defense partners gets both going.
Fast start doesn't have Bolts popping champagne
Wednesday, 11.10.2010 / 2:41 PM / NHL Insider
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
It's Steve Yzerman's job to stay humble and stay the course, because if he, as the Tampa Bay Lightning's general manager, started to wax poetic about how great his team has been through the first five weeks of the season, then there's no way his players would be able to contain themselves, either.
Yes, there is excitement for hockey in Tampa once again, and, yes, the Lightning are, as of Wednesday, one of the better teams in the League this season. But eight wins in 14 games isn't going to get Yzerman all worked up. He's too smart of an executive and won way too much as a player to go nutty over a decent month.
"What are we, 14 games in? So I don't know how successful we are," Yzerman said.
The Lightning picked up a sound 4-0 win against the struggling Maple Leafs on Tuesday. It was their first home game since a four-game swing out west in which they picked up only three points (1-2-1).
Yes, there is excitement for hockey in Tampa once again, and, yes, the Lightning are, as of Wednesday, one of the better teams in the League this season. But eight wins in 14 games isn't going to get Yzerman all worked up. He's too smart of an executive and won way too much as a player to go nutty over a decent month.
"What are we, 14 games in? So I don't know how successful we are," Yzerman said.
The Lightning picked up a sound 4-0 win against the struggling Maple Leafs on Tuesday. It was their first home game since a four-game swing out west in which they picked up only three points (1-2-1).
Devils to face Sabres without Brodeur
Wednesday, 11.10.2010 / 12:40 PM / NHL Insider
Mike G. Morreale - NHL.com Staff Writer
Martin Brodeur sat out his fourth straight practice Wednesday with a bruised right elbow as his team made final preparations for its game Wednesday night against the Buffalo Sabres. The All-Star goalie was working out with teammate Matthew Corrente on the Devils' practice rink, however.
The injury has opened the door for Hedberg, who could use a boost in confidence. Not only is the veteran goalie 1-2-0 with a 5.07 goals-against average and .824 save percentage in four games this season, but he allowed four goals on only 15 shots in a 6-1 loss to Buffalo on Oct. 23.
Idea to extend OT will be revisited later in season
Tuesday, 11.09.2010 / 5:37 PM / NHL Insider
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
TORONTO -- Detroit GM Ken Holland was happy to table the discussion on his idea of extending overtime -- from five minutes to eight minutes, and playing four minutes of 4-on-4 and four minutes of 3-on-3 -- until the general managers meet again in March. By then, Holland said, they will have more complete statistics to compare how many games are decided in overtime versus the shootout this season as opposed to previous seasons.
"The numbers of overtimes are down and the numbers of shootouts are down, and that makes me happy," Holland said. "I just want to see as many games decided in overtime versus the shootout as possible and right now that's what is happening. In March we can have a better feel to compare 10-11 statistics to 09-10 statistics."
Holland originally brought up his idea at last March's meetings.
"The numbers of overtimes are down and the numbers of shootouts are down, and that makes me happy," Holland said. "I just want to see as many games decided in overtime versus the shootout as possible and right now that's what is happening. In March we can have a better feel to compare 10-11 statistics to 09-10 statistics."
Holland originally brought up his idea at last March's meetings.
Quincey's concussion further thins Avs' blue line
Tuesday, 11.09.2010 / 4:09 PM / NHL Insider
Rick Sadowski - NHL.com Correspondent
DENVER -- Four regular Colorado Avalanche defensemen have been ruled out for Tuesday night's game against the Calgary Flames at the Pepsi Center.
Coach Joe Sacco revealed following Tuesday's morning skate that Kyle Quincey suffered a concussion, presumably in Saturday's 5-0 win over Dallas. Quincey becomes the fourth Avalanche player currently sidelined with a concussion, joining fellow defensemen Kyle Cumiskey and Adam Foote, and forward Peter Mueller.
"No idea, just one of those things, part of the game," Sacco said when asked about the rash of head injuries. "I can't put my finger on the reason why."
Coach Joe Sacco revealed following Tuesday's morning skate that Kyle Quincey suffered a concussion, presumably in Saturday's 5-0 win over Dallas. Quincey becomes the fourth Avalanche player currently sidelined with a concussion, joining fellow defensemen Kyle Cumiskey and Adam Foote, and forward Peter Mueller.
"No idea, just one of those things, part of the game," Sacco said when asked about the rash of head injuries. "I can't put my finger on the reason why."
GMs: Evidence suggests Rule 48 is limiting head hits
Tuesday, 11.09.2010 / 3:12 PM / NHL Insider
Dan Rosen - NHL.com Senior Writer
"There's no question that the blind-side situation, that players are paying attention to it and they're not taking advantage of a player that has clearly put himself in a vulnerable situation."
-- Atlanta GM Rick Dudley
Tuesday morning, the League's GMs were shown two specific video clips of players who appeared to modify the delivery of a hit to avoid sanctions from Rule 48, which was instituted to curtail lateral or blind-side checks to the head.
In one, St. Louis forward David Backes cleanly hit Artem Anisimov of the New York Rangers in a game this past Sunday. In the other, Boston defenseman Zdeno Chara delivered a similarly clean blow to Phoenix forward Radim Vrbata on Oct. 9.
Canucks' blue line depth means Ballard sits out
Tuesday, 11.09.2010 / 1:53 PM / NHL Insider
Arpon Basu - Managing Editor LNH.com
"It's a little challenge for him, but some internal competition usually brings out the best in people. We want to win, and you win with your best lineup."
-- Canucks coach Alain Vigneault on his decision to sit Keith Ballard
He was the No. 11 pick by the Buffalo Sabres in 2002, played for both the U.S. Under-18 and World Junior Championship teams, and has 149 points in 405 career NHL games.
But Tuesday night, Ballard will be watching from the press box as his Vancouver Canucks welcome Dan Hamhuis back into the lineup when they take on the Montreal Canadiens at the Bell Centre.
It is not an indictment of Ballard or his qualities as a player, but a reflection of just how strong the Canucks are this year.
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