1. Miika Kiprusoff
2. Jaromir Jagr
3. Oleg Saprykin
Game Thoughts:
* Just when it looked like Jersey had everything under control, the Rangers exploded for three goals in 90 seconds
* Apparently Tom Renney ripped into the team after the second period
* Jagr came up big yet again - if his shoulder isn't 100% healed it doesn't show
* Gomez missed another game. Jersey doesn't have much depth up front so they will need him back in the lineup asap - Elias, Gionta and Langenbrunner accounted to 13 of 22 shots (59%)
* New York has a similar problem as Jagr, Shanahan and Nylander had 15 of 24 shots (63%)
* Colton Orr and Cam Janssen each spent more time in the penalty box (5 minutes) than on the ice (2:08 and 3:56 respectively)
* Shanahan was the winner of the first "Mark Messier Award" - to celebrate he had a goal and 7 SOG.
* With one Hossa at the top of the league in scoring (30 pts) the other is no longer at the bottom as he picked up his first two points of the season.
* Calgary won their 5th in a row. I think it's safe to say that they are back and they will be a threat in the West
* Kiprusoff notched shutout #3 and gave up 2 or less for the 5th straight start
* Anyone who mentioned Iginla in a trade rumour truly doesn't recognize how valuable he is to this team
* St. Louis is kindof a strange team - not really rebuilding but not good enough to makea playoff run in all liklihood
* Sanford left with a groin injury after making a great glove "save" where his glove may have crossed the line with the puck
* Saprykin and Perreault each tripled their goal totals tonight as the Coyotes won 4-3
* The Coyotes were down 2-0 when Laraque dropped the gloves with 6-7, 270 lb Derek Boogaard
* Boogaard feel awkwardly on his leg and left the game with an other - yet another fighting injury to add to the list this year
* Joseph made a big glove save on Demitra as time expired - there's no way that a good team would let him get the puck in that postion with seconds to go
* Gaborik has missed 10 games and still doesn't sound close to returning. The last two seasons he has played just 65 games and he seems on track for around that number barring any future injuries
* Nagy is an underrated offensive player who would be coveted by quite a few teams if they make him available at the deadline
* The Wings have now won 9 straight and the Canucks continue to struggle
* Hasek finally gave up a goal (two actually) but Franzen scored the winner on a shorthanded goal that Luongo wishes he could have back
* Zetterberg has scored in four of five games
* Hasek has given up 23 goals in 782 minutes. By comparison Martin Gerber has allowed 40 in 695 minutes.
* Chelios has only been a minus in one of 16 games
* Lidstrom was fantastic once again, playing over 30 minutes. People thought Detroit would fall back to the pack when Yzerman and Shanahan left but as long as they have Lidstrom and a good supporting cast they will still be a top team
* Morrison continues to really struggle at both ends of the rink - he has one point and is -8 in his last five games. Maybe they should sit him for a game to try and clear his head.
Other Thoughts:
* It's got to be a concern for Oiler fans that Smyth is being re-evaluated on Wednesday. If it was just a charley-horse I'm not sure why that would be necessary
* I wish the NHL would protect it's players better - even if Liles just got a game it would send a message that those knee-on-knee hits are not acceptable
* Sounds like Redden may be out for a little while - news that couldn't come at a worse time for the Sens
* Apparently members of Ottawa's ownership group will be going to Buffalo for the game on Wednesday night. They may get a boost if Emery is ready to go but on the road against the powerful Sabres - this could be very bad news for Muckler and/or Murray
* Columbus will be interviewing Ken Hitchcock this week (maybe as soon as Wednesday). I read that he would prefer the Ottawa job but personally I think Quinn is a better fit there and Hitch would be just what Columbus needs. I hope Andy Murray receives strong consideration for any openings as well - the guy is a great coach and a class act
* The Leafs will get a boost to their lineup as Kubina is back and ready to return to the lineup
* I don't have ESPN insider so I can't read the whole article but EJ Hradek posted an article this evening called "Forsberg's Philly days numbered". As I've been saying it makes sense for both Forsberg and the Flyers to get a deal done over the next little while and I'd expect Anaheim to be near the front of the line when the bidding heats up.
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