LOS ANGELES, CA (BDCi) – Right now in the NHL there are two teams that are hotter than ever. The league came down hard on one of its top players. And a team that has been a surprise is doing what it can to retain their core roster. Who did what this week? Read ahead to find out!
Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets on fire
The Pittsburgh Penguins were expected to be one of the top teams in the NHL as their roster features two superstars in Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby and thanks to them they have overtaken the top spot in the Eastern conference thanks to nine consecutive victories. The big shocker however is in the western conference as the Columbus Blue Jackets have now recorded a point in 10 consecutive games. Of the 10 games two have been lost in overtime and two more in a shootout, however that was still good enough to earn them a point in those games and they are right on the playoff cusp with a little under half the season remaining to play.
Phoenix Coyotes re-sign Oliver Ekman-Larsson to six year deal
The Phoenix Coyotes were quite the surprise team last year as they advanced all the way to the Western Conference Finals. The Coyotes are looking to keep the roster that helped them get that far in tact and they made a move to ensure that happens as they re-signed young blue liner Oliver Ekman-Larsson to a six year deal worth $5.5 Million annually.
Anaheim Ducks Corey Perry suspended four games
The Anaheim Ducks lost one of their top players for four games as winger Corey Perry has been suspended by the league for four games. In a game against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday night, Perry hit Minnesota’s Jason Zucker late and left the player crumpled on the ice. Perry has two more games remaining in his suspension.
3 Stars of the week (3/11 – 3/17)
Dustin Brown (Los Angeles Kings) – The Kings recorded a lackluster 2-2 record on the week, however they cannot blame their captain as Brown recorded five goals and one assist in the past week of play.
Dustin Byfuglien (Winnipeg Jets) – Byfuglien was an assist machine this past week as he dished out six helpers as he helped the Jets to a 3-1 record on the week.
Jake Allen (St. Louis Blues) – In what has to be seen as quite the surprise, it is not last years starts Jaroslav Halak or Brian Elliot performing well in net for the Blues, but rather rookie Jake Allen who has been the star as he had a GAA of 1.00 and a save percentage of .969 along with three wins and a shutout on the week.
League Leaders (As of 3/17/2013)
Goals – Steven Stamkos (TampaBay Lightning) – 20
Assists – Sidney Crosby (Pittsburgh Penguins) – 35
+/- – Chris Kunitz (Pittsburgh Penguins) – +24
Wins – Carey Price (Montreal Canadiens), Marc Andre-Fleury (Pittsburgh Penguins) – 15
GAA – Craig Anderson (Ottawa Senators) – 1.49
Save Percentage – Craig Anderson (Ottawa Senators) – .952
Shutouts – Pekka Rinne (Nashville Predators) – 5
Brazil Player Watch
Robyn Regehr
Regehr’s Buffalo Sabres continued to struggle this week as they limped to a 1-2 record. Robyn did not record a goal or an assist and had a +/- rating of even and recorded five penalty minutes.