News You Can Use Late in the Day

1. Filed under "It Could Only Happen in the Perogy Belt", a brawl erupts at a senior game in Saskatchewan.
2. You stay classy Chris.Video of the incident here.
3. The ever amusing Jay Onrait live blogs the Leafs.
4. Mike Toth discusses his favorite goalies.
5. Damien Cox introduces us to the backup goalies of the NHL.
6. A TSN article examines the Canadiens chances of contending for the Stanley Cup.
7. A puff piece on Adam Burish.
8. Adrian Foster, a former "Who the hell is that?" pick of the New Jersey Devils, has found his game in the AHL.
9. The Army Black Knights won their first conference championship in 100 years. America, FUCK YEAH!
10. David Legwand gets probation for doing his Dany Heatley impression.
11. Pierre Lebrun wonders if 2003 was the best draft class ever.
12. The Rangers and Sean Avery were fined $25,000 and $2500, respectively, for last Sunday's water bottle incident.
13. Interesting story about the China Clipper.
14. Rory Boylen likes it rough.
15. A round up of stories from around the league.
16. The new neck guards aren't very popular in the OHL.
17. The Lightning Strikes blog makes a case for Tortorella staying in Tampa.
18. Just in case you want to hear Jarome Iginla's opinion on Hilary Lucifer Clinton and Saint Obama the Magnificently Awesome Saviour of Everything, here is a link.
19. Greg Wyshynski with an interesting look at suspensions in the NHL.
20. More news on the Kings, this time from a State of the Franchise meeting.
21. John Buccigross wants to talk to you about hockey.
22. David Amber interviews Peter Mueller.
23. Another installment of Jamie McClennan's blog from Japan.
24. The Year of the Ram doesn't end well.
25. Adam Proteau thinks hockey players should be more political.

NHL Morning Papers (Tuesday Edition)

Here are the national morning papers:

• As Dave Shoalts of the Globe & Mail tells us, Leafs' coach Paul Maurice has made a number of line adjustments in an effort to spark some more offense out of his club.
• Jack Todd of the National Post gives a summary of Larry Robinson's retired number ceremony in Montreal last night.
• The USA Today has a Q & A with veteran Ducks' defenseman Mathieu Schneider in this morning's paper.

Here are the Western Conference morning papers:

• Not only did the Ducks acquire a new fourth line center yesterday but they are also hoping to have both Todd Bertuzzi and Mathieu Schneider back in their lineup for Wednesday's game against Dallas.
• Mike Keenan finally cracked the whip yesterday at practice writes Steve MacFarlane of the Calgary Sun. After taking a puck to the head from Canucks' defenseman Lukas Krajicek, Robyn Regehr is going to tough it out and will be in the lineup tonight versus Colorado.
• Hawks' winger Jason Williams is listed as questionable for the team's next game later this week with a strained groin. In positive Hawks' news, oft-injured forward Martin Havlat is expected to return to the team's lineup next week.
• Jose Theodore is slated to get the start tonight for the Avalanche as they take on the Flames in Calgary.
• Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch suggests Blue Jackets' GM Scott Howson is in the market to improve his team's secondary scoring. Meanwhile, the Jackets are hoping to have Mike Peca return to the lineup in the near future after the center has missed the past five games with a groin injury.
• The Stars are starting to turn their season around as they were able to exact their revenge on the Kings last with a 3-0 victory in Dallas. A move to Mike Modano's wing has sparked Jeff Halpern who now has three points in three games playing with the all-time leading American scorer.
• Wings' coach Mike Babcock is hoping Johan Franzen's shootout winner over the weekend will help him get out of his huge slump.
• Oilers' defenseman Mathieu Roy was back at practice yesterday attempting to rehab his injured shoulder. Meanwhile, Kyle Brodziak's knee is almost back to normal and the checking winger is expected to play tonight against the Canucks.
• Last night's 3-0 shutout at Dallas marked the first time the Kings had been shutout in two consecutive games since the 2001/02 season.
• Wild goaltending coach Bob Mason likes to make sure both of the netminders he works with keep an even keel writes Kent Youngblood of the Star Tribune.
• The Predators were defeated last night by their ex-teammate Paul Kariya and the St. Louis Blues 3-0. Jason Arnott missed last night's game for the Predators with an injured neck.
• Coyotes' coach Wayne Gretzky doesn't want rookie Peter Mueller to get down about his lack of ice-time last game writes Jim Gintonoio of the Arizona Republic.
• Anyone hoping there was steam to that Patrick Marleau to the Flames rumors, shouldn't get too excited as David Pollak of the San Jose Mercury News reports that no one from the Calgary front office has even called about the former Seattle Thunderbird.
• The Blues have won four straight games, but Blues' winger Paul Kariya thinks the team can play much better than it has in its last two contests. In other Blues' news, winger Martin Rucinsky has seen his offensive opportunities greatly reduced in recent games.

Here are the Eastern Conference morning papers:

• The Capitals lost 4-3 to Florida last night and their struggles are reaching the point of no-return with only 13 points registered in 20 games played.
• The Leafs are hoping to play a lot better in Boston this time around than they did in their first trip to Massachusetts. Mark Zwolinkski wonders if former Leafs' prospect Tuukka Rask will get the start tonight for Boston.
• The Lightning were not happy with the officiating in their 4-3 overtime loss to the Thrashers last night in Atlanta. John Tortorella thinks the key to Jan Hlavac scoring on a consistent basis is a matter of confidence.
• Sidney Crosby was busy shooting a commercial and some pictures for ESPN the Magazine yesterday writes Shelly Anderson of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. "That's a luxury," defenseman Mark Eaton said in reference to the Penguins extra time available to practice.
• "Physically, I feel pretty good, but the symptoms are still there," said Flyers' winger Simon Gagne in reference to his recent concussions.
• The Senators played the role of spoiler in their 4-2 victory last night over the Habs on Larry Robinson night. James Duthie thinks that Senators fans are dreaming if they think that the market is there for a Ray Emery trade. Meantime, Don Brennan of the Ottawa Sun has an interesting piece on Senators' forward Chris Kelly.
• The Islanders made it three straight over the Rangers last night with a 2-1 at MSG writes Greg Logan of Newsday.
• "We allowed them to frustrate us and we got away from our structure that's been successful," NYR winger Brendan Shanahan said after last night's loss. Off-season acquisition Chris Drury is starting to become frustrated that he has been unable to develop chemistry with any of his linemates.
• Brent Sutter has gone with his gut in moving Patrik Elias to the middle to play center for first time since he was a child back in the Czech Republic.
• The Senators proved last night in Montreal why they are 1st in the Eastern Conference writes Pat Hickey in this morning's Montreal Gazette.
• The Panthers got some confidence after finally holding on to a third period lead on Monday writes Steve Gorten of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. Additionally, winning in Washington allowed for the Cats to put an end to their road woes.
• It has come to a point where the Hurricanes can't even get through a practice without sustaining an injury writes Luke Decock of the News Observer.
• The Thrashers have gotten all the way back to .500 after their overtime victory over the Lightning last night.
• Bruins' coach Claude Julien is out to fix the defense in front of goalie Tim Thomas writes Stephen Harris of the Boston Herald.

For Illegal Curve, I'm Richard Pollock.

Fantasy Watch: Scouring the Waiver Wire

F Steven Reinprecht, Phoenix Coyotes
Reinprecht has had trouble staying healthy during his stay with Phoenix, but it looks as if the former Calgary Flame is finally injury free. Starting off this season rather slowly, Reinprecht has gotten hot in November, scoring four goals and eight points in his last four games. Although Phoenix lacks a lot of goal scorers, Reinprecht has still been able to rack up four assists, as rookie Peter Mueller has stepped up his play recently. Look for Reinprecht and Mueller to be a reliable tandem as the season goes on.
Fantasy Take: Reinprecht has always been a reliable low end fantasy option, but the knock on him is his health. If he can stay healthy, then expect a 50+ point season for the centerman.

F Peter Mueller, Phoenix Coyotes
Mueller was probably drafted in most keeper leagues, but still may be available in your draft due to his slow start this season. With only two points in the month of September, it looked as if Mueller needed a few more years in the NHL before becoming a reliable fantasy option, but with six points in his last three games that may not be the case. Scoring his first career hat-trick earlier this week, Mueller has rebounded from his slow start, scoring eight points in 14 games this season. With the Coyotes devoted to giving significant playing time to their rookies, Mueller may be in store for a fantastic rookie season.
Fantasy Take: Mueller has been an excellent contributor for Phoenix over the past few games, but it's entirely possible that the rookie may come back down to Earth very soon. Keep an eye on Mueller's stats over Phoenix's next few games before inserting him into your lineup.

F Jere Lehtinen, Dallas Stars
Lehtinen has been that typical player over the past few years that usually gives you around 50 points and never anything more. Although it's possible that Lehtinen will revert to his old ways this season, it should be noted that the forward has scored 15 points in his first 17 games with Dallas. He is currently riding a four game point streak and is third on Dallas in team scoring. The Stars are also giving Lehtinen a chance to succeed on the power play, and he has responded quite well, scoring one goal and six power-play assists.
Fantasy Take: Only expect around 50 points for Lehtinen, as he has never reached higher then 52 points in his 12 year career.

G Mathieu Garon, Edmonton Oilers
With Edmonton Oilers starter Dwayne Roloson struggling this year, the Oilers have given backup Mathieu Garon a chance to show the team what he can do. Receiving five starts this year, Garon has gone 3-2-0 with a .887 save percentage in those games. With Roloson continuing to struggle, the Oilers may opt to use Garon more, which could lead to a split between the two goaltenders.
Fantasy Take: Garon is only a lower end fantasy option at best right now. He is currently backing up Roloson, but if Rolo continues to play the way he has, then expect a lot more of Garon in the mix.


For Illegal Curve, I'm Jonny Remis

Nightly Recap: Modano becomes all time American leading scorer

-Jeff Carter and Joffrey Lupul score on two of the first three shots for the Flyers. Philadelphia, who went 0-8 last season vs Pittsburgh are now guaranteed to do better this year as the Flyers defeat the Penguins 3 - 1.

-Buffalo defeats Boston 2 - 1 in overtime. Clarke MacArthur, who had just been called up earlier in the day from Rochester scored the winning goal. Ales Kotalik popped in the first goal for the Sabres, who snapped a three game losing streak. Here is a video of the MacArthur's overtime winner, the always enthusiastic Rick Jeanneret provides the play-by-play and Harry Neale does his best with the color commentary.

-Tampa Bay wins 3 - 1 over Florida. It was only the third victory for the Lightning in the past twelve games. Vinny Lecavalier had a goal and an assist for the Lightning, Marty St. Louis and Jan Hlavac also chipped in with a goal each.

-Detroit, in their first game since Nov 1 were up 2 - 0 on goals by Dan Cleary and Jiri Hudler. Ryan Suter and JP Dumont netted goals to tie it up in the third. The game had to be decided in a shootout Pavel Datsuyk put home the winner. Detroit 3 - Nashville 2 (SO).

-In a 3:57 span in the third period, Jonathan Toews, Brent Seabrook and Duncan Kieth score to give Chicago the 5 - 2 win over Columbus. Tuomo Ruutu, Rene Bourque and Toews had two points each, it was the rookie Toews's first multi point game of the season.

-Ian Laperriere scored two goals and had one assist during regulation, but goals by Wojtek Wolski and Marek Svatos won it for the Avs in a shootout. Colorado 4 - Edmonton 3 (SO)

-BEAST of the night Peter Mueller scored his first career hat trick for the Coyotes and Steven Reinprecht pocketed three points in the Coyotes 6 - 5 overtime win over the Ducks. The overtime winner was scored by Shane Doan, it was his third goal of the year.

-It was a milestone night for Mike Modano, he scored two goals to pass former Winnipeg Jet Phil Housley's record for points by an American player. Marty Turco was a rock in the net stopping 38 of 39 for the Stars in the 3 -1 win over the Sharks.

Tomorrow's Games
7:00pm TB@CAR, PHI@NJ, PIT@NYR,
7:30pm MTL@BOS (TSN), WSH@OTT
9:00pm VAN@CGY, DAL@PHX