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**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:49 AM

Preview: Predators (2-3) at Flames (2-3)

Date: October 22, 2011 4:00 PM EDT

No Western Conference team has given the Nashville Predators more problems over the last few seasons than the Calgary Flames.

Miikka Kiprusoff and Jarome Iginla have been big reasons why.

Kiprusoff, who is likely to be in goal, and Iginla look to help the Flames to a fifth straight win over a Predators team trying to avoid losing its fifth in a row Saturday at the Saddledome.

With Kiprusoff having started at least 70 games each of the last six seasons for Calgary (2-3-1), coach Brent Sutter is trying to lessen his workload for 2011-12. Kiprusoff got his second night off of the season in a 3-2 overtime loss to the New York Rangers on Thursday, making it appear probable that he'll be back in net against the Predators (2-3-1).

Kiprusoff can usually be counted on to play against Nashville, having appeared in each of the last 20 games in the series.

He has helped the Flames to a 12-3-1 record versus the Predators since the start of the 2007-08 season, Calgary's best mark against any West opponent. Nashville's .313 winning percentage in that span is its worst against any conference foe.

Calgary swept last season's four-game series with Kiprusoff posting a 1.21 goals-against average and a shutout.

Iginla had a pair of goals in the four games, giving him 13 versus the Predators since the start of 2007-08 - tied for his most against any team outside the Northwest Division.

He scored his second goal of the season and assisted on Mark Giordano's power-play goal Thursday. The Flames, who opened a season-high six-game homestand with a 2-1 win over Edmonton on Tuesday, lost to the Rangers on Ryan McDonagh's goal with two seconds remaining in overtime.

"It's tough to lose that game because we've talked about playing a certain style and getting more consistent and we were that tonight,' Iginla said. "Guys played hard and it's the way we want to play.'

The Predators lost their last game much earlier.

Nashville surrendered four first-period goals in a 5-1 loss to Vancouver on Thursday, its fourth straight defeat. The Predators, playing without top-end forwards Mike Fisher and Martin Erat, were outshot 40-25 and are the only West team to be outshot in every game. They managed a season-low 12 shots in a 3-1 loss to Edmonton on Monday.

"We're the youngest team in the league without Fisher, Erat and (concussed defenseman Francis) Bouillon, so our youth shows at times,' coach Barry Trotz said. "We have some young players maybe playing higher than they need to, but they've got to battle through it. You're going to have to go up against the best in the league. If you're scared of that, then get a dog, because this is the NHL.'

Trotz pulled Rinne after a 12-save first period. Backup Andres Lindback appeared in his first game and played well, stopping 23 of 24 shots.

Rinne was the runner-up for the Vezina Trophy last season but is off to a slow start, going 2-3-1 with a 2.97 GAA. He has not had any success against the Flames, going 0-4-2 with a 3.16 GAA in seven starts. Calgary is the only team that he has faced more than once and not beaten.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:50 AM

Preview: Wild (1-2) at Canucks (3-3)

Date: October 22, 2011 4:00 PM EDT

After coming up short in each of their first two home games, the Vancouver Canucks pulled off a convincing win at Rogers Arena.

They've been piling up impressive home victories over the Minnesota Wild for the last few seasons.

The Canucks take the ice Saturday looking to win an eighth straight home game over a Wild team trying to build on a thrilling comeback.

Roberto Luongo was booed by the home fans following Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the New York Rangers, but he came up big Thursday with 25 saves in a 5-1 home win over Nashville. Henrik and Daniel Sedin each had a goal and assist during a four-goal first period for the Canucks (3-3-1), who avoided losing their first three home games for the first time since 1984

"We're trying to play fast," Henrik Sedin said. "When we play our game, it's tough to catch us."

Minnesota (3-2-2) knows that feeling.

The Canucks have outscored the Wild 28-12 in winning seven straight home games in the series since a 4-3 overtime loss Jan. 31, 2009. That home win streak, which includes three victories last season by a 14-3 margin, is currently Vancouver's longest over any opponent.

These teams last met April 7 at Rogers Arena, with Luongo stopping 29 shots and Ryan Kesler recording his third career hat trick in a 5-0 victory.

Kesler, who scored Thursday in his second game after offseason hip surgery, has been instrumental to the Canucks' home dominance over the Wild. He has scored in each of the last six meetings in Vancouver, tallying nine goals with an assist.

Luongo has been between the pipes six times during that home winning streak, posting a 1.82 goals-against average with a shutout.

The Canucks went 4-2-0 versus the Wild last season and are 13-4-1 against them since 2008-09.

Minnesota arrives in Vancouver after Thursday's 2-1 shootout victory in Edmonton, its first road win of the season.

With Wild goalie Niklas Backstrom pulled for an extra attacker, Dany Heatley stunned the Oilers, slipping the puck under Nikolai Khabibulin's arm with two seconds remaining in the third period to tie the score. Matt Cullen had the shootout winner for Minnesota, which has seen four of its last five games go past regulation.

"I was pleased with the guys and their willingness to stick with it and keep battling," coach Mike Yeo said. "I was impressed how they believed they could get it done. I was happy to see Dany Heatley get that goal because he was one of the guys who was at the forefront."

Heatley's goal was his second for the Wild since being acquired from San Jose in the offseason. Like many of his new teammates, Heatley hasn't enjoyed much success in Vancouver, tallying one goal in his last six games there.

Backstrom, who made 30 saves Thursday, has been in net five times during Minnesota's skid in Vancouver, posting a 3.64 GAA.

The Wild have scored only six goals over the past four games while going 0 for 14 on the power play. They went scoreless in 14 chances at Vancouver last season.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:51 AM

Preview: Blues (2-4) at Flyers (4-1)

Date: October 22, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

The Philadelphia Flyers just suffered their first loss in regulation, but the club has plenty of chances to get over that defeat during the next eight days.

The Flyers play five times during that stretch, starting with Saturday night's matchup against the visiting St. Louis Blues.

After opening with a five-game point streak for the first time since 2002-03, Philadelphia (4-1-1) lost 5-2 to Washington on Thursday to begin its three-game homestand.

Despite the Flyers firing a season-high 42 shots - the fifth time they've outshot their opponent - newcomer Ilya Bryzgalov surrendered three goals in a 2:25 span of the third period in his worst performance of the season.

The Flyers, though, play six of their next eight at home, and they've won six times in St. Louis' last seven visits.

"That's the beauty of the sport," forward Wayne Simmonds told the Flyers' official website. "If you have one off-night, two nights later we get to go again and prove ourselves."

Brayden Schenn, acquired with Simmonds from Los Angeles in the offseason deal for former captain Mike Richards, is trying to do that after logging 11:03 of ice time Thursday in his season debut.

"There are a lot of good, skilled forwards here and they are going to play the guys that are going that night," he said.

It's uncertain who the 20-year-old center will skate with Saturday. He was on a line with Scott Hartnell and Jakub Voracek on Thursday, but Hartnell and Danny Briere could be paired up after coach Peter Laviolette juggled the lines during Friday's practice.

"We've played together before so we know each other, so hopefully that can kick-start something," said Briere, who had 34 goals last season but has just one so far. "That's hockey… sometimes things are going stale and it helps to switch things around and I think that's what Lavy was trying to do."

Blues coach Davis Payne might need to make some tweaks with his team going 0 for 20 on the power play in the last six games, but St. Louis picked up two big points Friday in a 3-2 overtime victory over Carolina.

Forward Matt D'Agostini's third goal of the season - tied with Jason Arnott and Alex Steen for the team lead - completed a comeback from two goals down to give the Blues some momentum heading into their four-game trip.

"(Vladimir Sobotka) just made a great pass right on my stick and I just steered it in," D'Agostini said.

Opponents have been doing plenty of that against Blues goaltender Jaroslav Halak, who has a 4.18 goals-against average while losing his last three starts. Brian Elliott, though, is proving to be a valuable backup, winning both of his starts after making 27 saves Friday.

Elliott was 0-2-0 with a 5.86 GAA in two games against the Flyers last season while with Ottawa.

Halak is 4-2-0 with a 2.27 GAA in six starts versus Philadelphia. In his first appearance with St. Louis following an offseason deal with Montreal, Halak stopped 29 of 30 shots in a 2-1 overtime victory Oct. 9, 2010 - the teams' only matchup last season.

Former Blue Chris Pronger, who missed that game with a knee injury, has a team-best five assists and six points - two behind club leader Claude Giroux (five goals, three assists).

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:52 AM

Preview: Sabres (5-1) at Lightning (2-3)

Date: October 22, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

The Buffalo Sabres are on the verge of their best road start in five years. If recent history is any indication, they'll have a good chance to accomplish that feat Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Sabres (5-1-0) have won their first four road contests, something they last achieved in 2009-10. A fifth victory away from home would give Buffalo its best such start since 2006-07, when they opened 10-0 on the road.

Set to conclude a four-game trip Saturday, the Sabres have given up three goals in the first three games. Buffalo defeated Florida 3-0 on Thursday.

Ryan Miller made 22 saves Thursday after stopping 40 shots in a 3-1 victory over Montreal on Tuesday.

"We owed (Miller) one, so I thought that was important, too, for the way we played in Montreal," coach Lindy Ruff said. "I thought that last 40 minutes and especially when leading we stayed away from any of the odd-numbered stuff and we were going to make Florida earn something if they were going to get it."

The Sabres now look to continue their road roll at Tampa, where they've taken 10 of the last 12 meetings.

The Lightning haven't earned much against Miller throughout his career. He is 17-4-0 with a 2.74 goals-against average in 21 lifetime starts versus Tampa Bay, and has a 2.47 GAA in Buffalo's last 12 road games in the series.

Steven Stamkos scored for the second straight game to help the Lightning (2-3-2) end a five-game losing streak with a 4-1 win over the New York Islanders on Thursday.

Tampa Bay was outscored 23-13 during the skid, but allowed only 17 shots on goal versus New York after giving up at least 33 in its previous six games. The tight defense had the Lightning finally looking like the team that made it to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference finals last season.

"If we play the game we played (Thursday), we'll give our team a chance to win every single night," Stamkos said. "We showed why we were successful last year."

Vincent Lecavalier, with six goals and two assists in his last seven games against Buffalo, has also scored in two straight contests.

"That's the way we want to play,' Lecavalier said. ``Last year we were successful because we played like that.'

Mathieu Garon made his second straight start due to the struggles of Dwayne Roloson, who is 1-2-1 with a 5.09 GAA. Garon has given up three goals in the two contests, but it's uncertain who will start Saturday, though neither choice will be easy for coach Guy Boucher.

Garon is 1-7-0 with a 3.61 GAA versus the Sabres, while Roloson is 0-7-1 with one tie and a 4.05 GAA against Buffalo.

That may not bode well for the Lightning as they face nemesis Thomas Vanek, who scored twice Thursday to give him six goals on the season.

Five of Vanek's last eight shots on Roloson have gone in the net. He scored twice in Buffalo's 7-4 win at Tampa on Feb. 8, then recorded a hat trick in a 4-2 home victory over the Lightning on April 5. He has three hat tricks and 22 goals in 24 career games in the series.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:53 AM

Preview: Red Wings (4-0) at Capitals (3-0)

Date: October 22, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

As good as the Washington Capitals have looked to start the season, the Detroit Red Wings might be playing better.

The NHL's only unbeaten teams face off Saturday night when the Capitals take on the Red Wings at the Verizon Center.

After another earlier-than-expected exit from the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2010-11, Washington has opened this season with a franchise-record six straight victories. The Capitals have outscored their opponents 23-13 and are 4-0-0 at home for the first time.

However, even with victories over fellow perennial East powers Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh and Philadelphia through the first two weeks of the season, the Capitals view Saturday's contest as the truest test of their worth.

"We feel it's huge test, a huge measuring stick and we're looking forward to it," coach Bruce Boudreau told the Capitals' official website. "You know what (the Red Wings) are like. They're good."

Looking to open with six straight wins for the first time since 1972-73, Detroit (5-0-0) has allowed just seven goals overall. Johan Franzen had two power-play goals with an assist, and Valtteri Filppula added a goal with three assists in the Red Wings' 5-2 win over Columbus on Friday.

The Red Wings and Capitals have split their last four meetings, with the home team winning each contest. Detroit won 3-2 on March 16, but lost by the same score in its most recent trip to Washington on Jan. 19, 2010.

Capitals star Alex Ovechkin has five goals and three assists in six career games against the Red Wings. After he scored one goal in the first five games this season, Ovechkin finally broke out with two in Thursday's 5-2 victory at Philadelphia.

"He's not going to go through the season with just one goal,' Boudreau said. "He's going to score some goals. I think he's like any other hockey player. He's more excited and he's not as frustrated. He's playing with confidence instead of lack of it, so when he's scoring he's making life easier for him.'

Tomas Vokoun has made life relatively easy for the Capitals while posting a 5-0-0 record and a 1.96 goals-against average for his new team. The former Nashville and Florida netminder, however, is 0-5-1 with a 3.53 GAA against the Red Wings since last beating them Feb. 24, 2007, while with the Predators.

Jimmy Howard stopped 32 shots Friday, but backup Ty Conklin is expected to be in net for Detroit in this contest. Conklin, who made 29 saves during a 3-0 win at Colorado on Oct. 8 in his only appearance this season, is 1-2-1 with a 3.06 GAA versus Washington.

Franzen has a team-leading four goals with three assists, but has scored just once in four career games against the Capitals.

Filppula, meanwhile, has all five of his assists over the last two contests. He has a goal with five assists in five games versus Washington.

Future Hall of Fame defenseman and seven-time Norris Trophy winner Nicklas Lidstrom will play his 1,500th career game for Detroit on Saturday.

"I can't even count that high," Boudreau said. "That's very good. That's such a tremendous accomplishment, especially at the level he plays."

Lidstrom had one point in the previous four games before he recorded a goal and an assist versus Columbus.

The Red Wings are 4 for 8 on the power play in the last two games after going 0 for 16 during the first three contests.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:54 AM

Preview: Sharks (2-3) at Bruins (2-4)

Date: October 22, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

The Boston Bruins and San Jose Sharks have buried some recent frustrations. One of them will be frustrated again Saturday night.

The Bruins and Sharks each go for back-to-back wins for the first time this season when they face off at TD Garden.

Reigning Stanley Cup champion Boston (3-4-0) is trying to build on its best performance of the season, a 6-2 victory over Toronto on Wednesday. It was just the Bruins' second regulation victory, and came two nights after they piled up a season-high 72 penalty minutes during a 4-1 loss to Carolina.

"Obviously, we've been a little frustrated and it showed at the end of the Carolina game," said left wing Milan Lucic, who had one goal and two assists against the Maple Leafs. "What we've been able to do well as a team is we've always been able to turn that emotion into a positive and that's what we were able to do."

The Sharks (2-3-0) found themselves in a similar situation after opening 2011-12 with a solid 6-3 win over Phoenix on Oct. 8. They dropped three in a row and appeared headed for another defeat Friday at New Jersey before overcoming a two-goal, second-period deficit to win 4-3 in a shootout. Joe Pavelski earned San Jose at least a point in the standings by tying the game with 32.4 seconds left in regulation.

"There was a little bit of frustration," said coach Todd McLellan, whose club is entering the second stop on a six-game road trip. "It wasn't smooth going. As coaches we could feel it. As the night went on and we got the two quick goals, we started to believe again that it could be done. We felt the frustration come back after the third goal but we stuck with it. It's a good sign for our team."

Pavelski leads the Sharks with three goals, but his tally against the Devils was his first since netting two in the opener. He hasn't scored in four meetings with the Bruins.

Joe Thornton, a member of the Bruins from 1997-2005, scored his first goal of the season Wednesday in his 1,000th career game and also set up Pavelski's score.

Logan Couture is still seeking his first goal of the season after his 32 in 2010-11 set a Sharks rookie record. One of those tallies came in a 2-0 win at Boston on Feb. 5, when Pavelski and Thornton combined for one shot on net.

That contest was the third straight win in Boston for San Jose, which has not lost to the Bruins on the road since a 5-2 defeat Dec. 23, 2002, when Thornton had a goal and an assist for the victors.

Bruins center Tyler Seguin appears to be fulfilling the promise of being drafted second overall in 2010, after getting 11 goals and 11 assists last season. He's more than one-third of the way to matching that point total already this season, with two goals and six assists.

Fellow center David Krejci failed to score on three shots against the Maple Leafs after missing three games with an undisclosed injury. His 49 assists led the Bruins last season while his 62 points tied Lucic for the team lead.

"(Wednesday) it took me a little while to get going, but once I got going I felt pretty good," Krejci told the team's official website. "I remember - it was the first shift I had - and I kind of wasn't warm yet.

"But after I got warmed up I felt pretty good and I was pretty happy about the game."

Krejci has no points in three career meetings with San Jose.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:55 AM

Preview: Maple Leafs (3-1) at Canadiens (1-4)

Date: October 22, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

The Toronto Maple Leafs are off to the same start through six games as they were in 2010-11, but they're hoping the rest of this season offers few similarities.

Another victory over their struggling rivals would be a step in the right direction.

Toronto continues its four-game road trip Saturday night against the Montreal Canadiens, who are trying to avoid a fifth straight loss.

The Maple Leafs (4-1-1) won their first four games of 2010-11, then went 1-8-3 over the next 12 on their way to missing the playoffs for a sixth straight season.

Toronto began its road trip with a 6-2 loss in Boston on Thursday, allowing six straight goals between Dave Steckel's first-period tally and Mikhail Grabovski's in the third.

"It would have been nice to start off the road trip right, but we're not going to dwell on it," defenseman Luke Schenn said of the team's first regulation loss.

Phil Kessel, who leads the league with 12 points and is tied for the lead with seven goals, was held without a point for the first time in 16 games dating to March 17, but he has a good chance to get back on track Saturday. He has four goals and three assists in his last five games versus Montreal.

Kessel assisted on Dion Phaneuf's third-period goal in Toronto's 2-0 season-opening victory over the Canadiens on Oct. 6.

Toronto is 5-2-1 in its last eight road meetings against Montreal, which has scored one goal or fewer in four of its six games.

The Canadiens (1-4-1) did not lose four straight all of last season, and they haven't dropped five in a row since Dec. 10-17, 2009. They fell 3-1 to Pittsburgh on Thursday, getting their lone goal from Brian Gionta with less than two minutes remaining.

"It's got nothing to do with the bounces, it's the way we're playing," Gionta told the team's official website. "We're just not supporting each other and we're getting away from what we want to do as a team. It's tough to win games that way."

While Toronto seems eager to move past its most recent loss, Montreal acknowledges it has some issues to resolve.

"We have to wake up because it's becoming embarrassing," winger Mathieu Darche said. "It keeps happening that we're two or three guys on the ice that are on the same page, but we need to be five."

Goaltender Carey Price, who's 3-1-0 with a 0.76 goals-against average and two shutouts in his last four starts versus Toronto, is trying to take a more positive approach.

"We can only get better from here. Dwelling on it is just going to make things worse, so the only thing we can do is put it behind us and get focused for Saturday night's game," said Price, who has a 3.46 GAA during the four-game skid.

Price made 16 saves in the season-opening loss to the Maple Leafs, while James Reimer made 32 saves to earn his fourth career shutout.

Reimer is 2-1-0 with a 2.67 GAA in three starts against the Canadiens, while backup Jonas Gustavsson - who made his first start of the season against the Bruins - is 2-1-1 with a 2.06 GAA versus Montreal.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:56 AM

Preview: Blue Jackets (0-6) at Senators (1-5)

Date: October 22, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

While both of their victories this season have come after overcoming first-period deficits, the Ottawa Senators would prefer not playing catch-up.

They might not have to worry about that with the NHL's only winless team coming to town.

Ottawa tries to win two straight for the first time this season Saturday night when it faces a Columbus Blue Jackets team off to its worst start in franchise history.

The Senators (2-5-0) scored four unanswered goals Thursday and snapped a three-game skid with a 4-1 win over Winnipeg, but the club was again playing from behind after giving up a first-period goal.

Ottawa, which overcame a two-goal first-period deficit in a 4-3 shootout victory over Minnesota on Oct. 11, has been outscored 14-2 in the opening 20 minutes of its seven games.

The club had not held a lead at any intermission until Milan Michalek and Jason Spezza gave the Senators a 2-1 advantage Thursday with second-period goals.

"It's a much better position to play with a lead,' said Spezza, who also assisted on both of Michalek's scores. "As you see in the third period on (captain Daniel Alfredsson's) goal, it forces them to make the mistakes instead of us being the ones making mistakes. When you're down, you're trying to make something happen and that's when mistakes are made."

The Blue Jackets (0-6-1) have made plenty of those. Playing from behind after surrendering a pair of power-play goals in the opening 14:21, Columbus lost 5-2 to Detroit on Friday.

The club has dropped 13 straight since a 3-2 shootout win over Florida on March 29, and it has just one regulation victory in its last 29 contests.

"These guys are going to have to find a way to find the answers to get a win,' coach Scott Arniel said. "The only answers are going to come from that room. We've got to stick together.'

Improved special-teams play would also help. Defenseman Aaron Johnson provided a glimmer of hope Friday with a third-period power-play goal that trimmed the deficit to 3-2 with 18:18 left, but the Blue Jackets are 3 for 34 (8.8 percent) with the man advantage.

Columbus' penalty kill (69.2 percent) is among the lowest in the league after the Red Wings converted three times in five chances.

The Blue Jackets, who have two goals in each of their games, could face goaltender Craig Anderson, who had his best start of the season Thursday by stopping 35 shots for his 100th career win.

Anderson is 4-0-0 with a 2.00 goals-against average in his last four starts against the Blue Jackets.

Columbus' Steve Mason, who has allowed four or more goals six times during his personal 10-game losing streak, is 2-1-0 with a 1.65 GAA in three starts versus Ottawa.

He made 35 saves in the teams' only meeting in 2010-11, a Blue Jackets' 4-3 overtime victory at home Dec. 31.

Columbus will try to avoid losing its first four road games since opening 0-5-1 away from home in 2003-04.

Ottawa has won three of four at home in this matchup.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:57 AM

Preview: Devils (1-1) at Penguins (4-2)

Date: October 22, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

It's uncertain when Sidney Crosby will return, but the Pittsburgh Penguins are starting to get healthy.

They may need all the help they can get against a New Jersey Devils club off to its best start in three seasons.

With Evgeni Malkin possibly returning from injury and defenseman Kris Letang back following a two-game suspension, the Penguins go for a third straight victory Saturday night against visiting New Jersey as these Atlantic Division rivals meet for the first time in 2011-12.

While Crosby has been practicing with the Penguins and has been cleared for contact, it remains anyone's guess when the 2007 MVP will return from the concussion like-symptoms that have kept him out of action since Jan. 5.

Malkin has been sidelined the past four games with lingering soreness in his surgically repaired knee, but he looked strong in Friday's practice.

"(Friday) was his first one back in full practice, so that's a good sign," coach Dan Bylsma told the Penguins' official website. "He's doing pretty well and we are still seeing about (Saturday)."

Defenseman Brooks Orpik (hernia surgery) and reserve center Dustin Jeffrey (ACL surgery) should also be good to go after both made their season debuts in Thursday's 3-1 win over Montreal, and Letang - among the league leaders with six assists - is eligible to return Saturday after serving a suspension for a boarding penalty during Monday's 2-1 loss at Winnipeg.

The Penguins (5-2-2) begin divisional play with the first of six meetings against New Jersey. Pittsburgh went 4-1-1 last season - winning all three of its home games - after the Devils swept the season series in 2009-10, en route to their second straight Atlantic title.

Unlike last season, when New Jersey (3-1-1) stumbled into its first game in Pittsburgh - a 2-1 loss Dec. 6 - with an 8-16-2 record, the Devils arrive at Consol Energy Center with high expectations. They're off to their best start since opening 5-1-0 in 2008-09.

However, New Jersey saw its three-game winning streak snapped Friday with a 4-3 shootout loss to San Jose.

"We didn't play as well as we had been playing, and it showed," said captain Zach Parise, who scored in regulation on a penalty shot. "It wasn't our best effort, especially around the net and it cost us."

Backup goalie Johan Hedberg yielded the equalizer Friday with 32.4 seconds left in regulation and was beaten twice in the tiebreaker, but with Martin Brodeur out with a right shoulder injury, he'll likely make his third consecutive start as the Devils open a four-game road trip.

Hedberg, who went 46-57-12 with a 2.88 goals-against average for the Penguins from 2000-03, is 0-3-1 with a 3.98 GAA in four games visiting Pittsburgh.

Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who avoided a third straight loss Thursday by turning aside 27 shots, went 3-0-0 with a 0.97 GAA in three starts versus New Jersey last season.

Even if the Devils get power-play chances against Fleury or backup Brent Johnson, converting could be a challenge. New Jersey is 3 for 21 with the man advantage, while Pittsburgh's penalty kill is No. 1 in the NHL at 96.8 percent.

Penguins forward James Neal, who had an assist the last time these teams met - a 4-2 Penguins home win April 5 - looks to continue his scoring tear after recording seven goals in the season's first nine games.

"Things are going good, I'm feeling good, the team's rolling,' Neal said. "You keep doing the right things, hopefully they'll keep coming.'

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:58 AM

Preview: Hurricanes (3-2) at Jets (1-4)

Date: October 22, 2011 7:00 PM EDT

This is not the kind of start the Jets had hoped for while bringing hockey back to Winnipeg. At least their collective confidence does not appear to be shaken too much.

Looking to avoid a third consecutive loss, the Jets return home to the site of their lone victory Saturday night when they face the Carolina Hurricanes.

Winnipeg (1-4-1) has scored 11 goals this season - no more than three in any game. The Jets recorded 36 shots Thursday but had only Dustin Byfuglien's first-period goal to show for the effort in a 4-1 loss at Ottawa.

"It's finding ways to win games, you have to create something," Jets coach Claude Noel said. "In some areas they have to do a better job."

Winnipeg is 2 for 25 on the power play and its top scorer is 20-year-old center Alex Burmistrov with five points.

Even mired in a rough start, the Jets are doing their best to stay focused and not put too much pressure on themselves to get back on track.

"It's the small things, stick together as a team," said Byfuglien, who has a goal and two assists this season. "We've got to work together. We'll take the positive things and move on."

Trying for a second straight home win after beating Pittsburgh 2-1 on Monday, Winnipeg could face a stiff challenge against a Carolina team that has won eight of the last 10 meetings against the former Atlanta Thrashers.

Hurricanes forward Brandon Sutter has five goals and two assists during that stretch against the Jets franchise. He had a goal and an assist Friday, but Carolina (3-2-2) had its three-game winning streak snapped with a 3-2 overtime loss at St. Louis.

"It wasn't our best, but we'll take the point and go,' coach Paul Maurice said.

Though the Hurricanes have recorded at least one point in four straight games, they certainly felt they let one slip away after taking a 2-0 lead in the second period.

"It's tough,' said center Jeff Skinner, who has two goals and four assists this season. "You want to stick with it. I thought we played a gritty game but we got away from it."

Cam Ward made 40 saves Friday, but it's uncertain if he will be in net for this contest. Ward has posted a 1.96 goals-against average while winning six of his last seven starts against the Jets franchise but Maurice might be leaning toward giving Brian Boucher his second start in this back-to-back scenario.

Boucher compiled a 2.99 GAA while dropping his last four starts against the Jets when they were based in Atlanta.

Whichever goalie starts might face a Winnipeg lineup without forward Andrew Ladd, whose status is uncertain after he was struck in the nose by a puck against Ottawa.

"We're just going to get him checked out and make sure he's OK," Noel said. "Players always want to play so their going to give you the utmost to get in the lineup so I'm not quite sure."

Ladd has just one goal in six games this season but had two and two assists versus Carolina in 2010-11.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 10:59 AM

Preview: Islanders (3-2) at Panthers (2-3)

Date: October 22, 2011 7:30 PM EDT

New York Islanders coach Jack Capuano has been concerned with the lack of offensive balance on his team.

After back-to-back shutouts, Florida Panthers coach Kevin Dineen is frustrated by the lack of scoring from anyone on his club.

The Islanders visit Florida on Saturday night, two weeks after the Panthers posted a 2-0 win on Long Island in the season opener for both teams.

New York (3-2-0) had its three-game winning streak snapped with a 4-1 loss to Tampa Bay on Thursday. The Islanders took 10 shots through the first two periods before Capuano shifted the lines.

Before the game, Capuano expressed a desire to see more scoring outside of the top line. Through the first four games, New York received eight of its 11 goals from John Tavares (five), Matt Moulson (two) and P.A. Parenteau (one).

Grabner, who scored his second goal of the season in the third period Thursday, shared the sentiment.

"Everyone needs to chip in and play their roles, especially our line," Grabner, who is typically paired with Kyle Okposo and Frans Nielsen, told the Islanders' official website. "We haven't really created any offense in the last few games here. We all just have to pick it up and work hard as five-man units."

Nielsen had 44 points last season and Okposo added 20 in 38 games, but they've combined for a goal and one assist. Grabner led the Islanders with 34 goals and had 18 assists in 2010-11.

The Panthers got goals from Stephen Weiss and Jason Garrison in beating New York on Oct. 8. After Jose Theodore made 27 saves in that shutout, Florida (3-3-0) has given up 16 goals in the last five games.

The Panthers are coming off a pair of 3-0 losses, including to Buffalo on Thursday. They had 42 shots in those games.

"We're a long way from where we were four or five days ago," Dineen said. "We need to address that very soon."

The Panthers haven't helped themselves by creating just three power-play opportunities over the last two games after going 8 for 25 with the man advantage in their first four.

Florida ranks last in the NHL with four even-strength goals.

"We've got to find a way to score goals 5-on-5 because ... it's lost us games," forward Kris Versteeg said. "It comes with confidence. If a couple of guys get a good look, a lot can come from that."

While Florida will try to bounce back Saturday, the Panthers could again be without defenseman Ed Jovanovski, who missed Thursday's game with a hip injury. Forwards Sean Bergenheim (soreness) and Shawn Matthias (flu) are also questionable.

Florida is 8-0-1 in its last nine home games against the Islanders. Weiss has three goals and an assist in the last four meetings overall.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 11:00 AM

Preview: Rangers (1-1) at Oilers (1-2)

Date: October 22, 2011 10:00 PM EDT

Injuries to New York Rangers defensemen Marc Staal and Michael Sauer have opened the door for Ryan McDonagh.

The former first-round pick is certainly making the most of his opportunity.

McDonagh and the Rangers try for a third consecutive win when they visit the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday night.

McDonagh, who is averaging more than 25 minutes of ice time while Staal (concussion) and Sauer (shoulder) remain out, came up huge for New York (2-1-2) on Thursday, scoring with two seconds remaining in overtime to defeat Calgary 3-2.

Selected 12th overall by Montreal in the 2007 draft, McDonagh had one goal and eight assists in 40 games for the Rangers last season, but is now tied for second on the team with two goals and four points.

"It's a great experience for him because there has been some struggles with his play but he stays with it," coach John Tortorella said. "As we go through here, some of those guys that are in spots that they didn't expect to be in, it's going to help our team in the long run."

After stopping all 40 shots to record his 36th career shutout in Tuesday's 4-0 win at Vancouver, Henrik Lundqvist made 33 saves against the Flames in his 36th consecutive start including the 2010-11 postseason.

"We try and support each other out there, even with some new guys back there," Lundqvist, who hasn't faced the Oilers since 2008, told the Rangers' official website. "And we need that because we're going to have guys out (injured) once in a while. Right now we have two good defensemen out and we need guys to step up and right now we are getting that."

New York is allowing 33.4 shots on goal per game but could catch a break against an Edmonton team which has totaled 11 goals in its first six contests.

"The bottom line is we're getting chances as a team to score," Oilers coach Tom Renney told the team's official website. "I think we've got to maybe work a little bit harder to get to the blue paint and hang around there a little more and fight for body position. We do have the ability to score, even though the statistics may indicate otherwise right now."

After falling 2-1 on Tuesday at Calgary, the Oilers (2-2-2) suffered a 2-1 shootout defeat to Minnesota on Thursday.

"None of us are happy at all with these last two losses," Renney said. "We were right there to win these two games. But that's the beauty of this team is that they're not happy. They're pissed off, and that's the way it should be. You can't come out of a loss saying we sure tried hard and did a lot of good things and leave it at that."

While the offense hasn't done much of late, Edmonton has killed all 12 of its opponents' power-play opportunities over the last three games.

Nikolai Khabibulin, who made 30 saves against the Wild, has stopped 75 of 78 shots on the season, posting a 1-0-2 record and a 0.95 goals-against average.

Since joining the Oilers in 2009-10, Khabibulin has lost to the Rangers twice. He surrendered a career-worst eight goals in an 8-2 loss at Madison Square Garden on Nov. 14, 2010.

Rangers right wing Marian Gaborik, who had a hat trick and added an assist in that contest, has 14 goals and 12 assists in his last 18 games versus the Oilers.

The Rangers conclude their season-opening seven-game road trip Monday in Winnipeg. Due to renovations being completed at MSG, they are the NHL's only club that has yet to play a home game.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 11:01 AM

Preview: Stars (5-1) at Kings (2-1)

Date: October 22, 2011 10:30 PM EDT

Jonathan Quick has the Los Angeles Kings off to another fast start.

Coming off back-to-back shutouts, Quick and the Kings try for a fourth consecutive victory when they host the surging Dallas Stars on Saturday night.

Quick, who went 10-1-0 as Los Angeles won 12 of its first 15 games in 2010-11, is enjoying similar early success this season. After making 27 saves in Tuesday's 5-0 win over St. Louis, Quick turned away all 28 shots Thursday to record his 16th career shutout and 100th career victory, 2-0 at Phoenix.

"This team has great accountability," said Quick, who is 4-0-1 with a 0.97 goals-against average. "We take pride in our defensive game, and have come to expect solid play on defense."

Quick has a chance to become the first player in franchise history to record three straight shutouts. Columbus' Steve Mason most recently accomplished the feat in December 2008.

The Kings (4-1-1) opened the season by playing two games in Sweden and three of their next four on the road. Despite the demanding schedule, coach Terry Murray is not surprised by his team's success.

"When we saw the schedule, players began preparing for this stretch," he said. "We have great leadership, veteran players and each took it upon themselves to recognize what we faced in the opening two weeks of the season."

While Quick has been tremendous, Kari Lehtonen has arguably been as impressive for Dallas (6-1-0), which is off to its best start since winning eight of its first nine in 2006-07.

Lehtonen made 35 saves during Friday's 3-1 win at Anaheim, improving to 6-0-0 and lowering his GAA to 1.48 as the Stars extended their winning streak to five.

Lehtonen's six-game winning streak is not only a personal best, but also the longest for a Stars goaltender since the franchise relocated from Minnesota prior to the 1993-94 season.

"We're kind of getting used to it from Kari, and we're relying on him to make a lot of those saves," captain Brenden Morrow said. "We've been getting outshot almost double some nights, and he's been huge for us. That was the case (Friday).

"We're a team in transition. We've got a new coach and six or seven new faces. But the success that we're having now is something we can build on."

Right wing Loui Eriksson has provided the Stars with an offensive spark. He scored twice and added an assist against the Ducks, giving him five goals and two assists during Dallas' winning streak.

Lehtonen, who has faced at least 36 shots in all but one of his starts, is 14-4-2 when facing at least 35 since the start of last season. He's now saddled with the tough task of trying to slow down a Kings team which has thrived on the power play, converting 6 of 23 opportunities.

"Overall, yeah, 5-on-4 has been pretty good," Murray told the Kings' official website. "There's been some good momentum built off power plays, and that's something that we were lacking last year. We were constantly going back and playing stops and starts between the goal line and the offensive blue line.

"This year, we're getting more time, a better attitude with possession plays. We're getting some good looks in those 5-on-4 situations. To me, that's a real positive and we'll just keep pushing on it."

Los Angeles is 15-4-2 in its last 21 meetings with Dallas. Quick has gone 10-2-0 with a 1.83 GAA during that stretch, posting one shutout.

Lehtonen went 2-4-0 with a 2.82 GAA versus the Kings last season.

**StarDust Bum** · 10-22-2011, 11:03 AM

Blackhawks D Byfuglien pleads not guilty

October 21, 2011

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) - Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien has pleaded not guilty to four counts stemming from a boating incident in Minnesota.

Byfuglien is accused of boating while intoxicated and refusing to take a blood or urine test, and other charges. The criminal complaint says his boat was stopped on Lake Minnetonka on Aug. 31 because the navigational lights weren't on.

Authorities said they believed ``Byfuglien was under the influence of a controlled substance and was unable to safely operate a watercraft.'' They say he told them he takes supplements ``from 16 or 17 different bottles every day.''

His attorney, Mitch Robinson, said he entered the pleas Friday on his client's behalf. Byfuglien did not appear in court.

A pretrial conference is scheduled for Feb. 2.

Byfuglien, a Minnesota native, was on the Chicago Blackhawks team that won the Stanley Cup in 2010. He was traded to the Atlanta Thrashers in a salary dump, and the franchise was relocated to Winnipeg in the offseason.

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