News

BY THE NUMBERS

1,200 / NHL games played by the Pittsburgh Penguins' Bill Guerin, a milestone achieved in a victory over the Anaheim Ducks last week which marked Pittsburgh's seventh consecutive road win. The Penguins' streak was snapped on Thursday night against the Los Angeles Kings.

$12-million / The estimated annual losses by the Columbus Blue Jackets, shown at right, making the franchise the latest NHL team whose future in its current market is imperilled by gallons of red rink.

50 / Career shutouts by Detroit Red Wings goaltender Chris Osgood, following a 2-0 win over the Boston Bruins, in which the Red Wings seemingly returned to their trademark defensive style.

QUOTABLES

'If teams look at us and say, 'That's the 30 th place Islanders, it's probably better for us."

New York Islanders coach Scott Gordon, after his rebuilding team had suddenly gained a measure of credibility, winning four in a row before galling 3-0 on Wednesday to the Buffalo Sabres, the start of the make it or break it stretch nine games out of 10 on the road

'that would be correct. That's the name of the fame. Why, is that against the rules not? "

Columbus Blue Jackets coach Ken Hitchcock, candidly agreeing with charges leveled his way by Washington Capitals' counterpart Bruce Bourdreau - that the Bue Jackets has targeted superstar Alex Ovechkin for contact whenever possible during their game last week. Ovechkin suffered an upper body injury - likely on a hit from Jason Chimera - that has him listed as out from week-to-week.

'In the right situation, it's something I would consider."

Steve Yzerman, executive director of Canada's 2010 men's Olympic hockey team, when asked if he would ever leave leave the Detroit Red Wings' organization to pursue a general manager's position elsewhere in the NHL, Yzerman, who will be inducted into the HockeyHall of Fame on Monday, said his Olympic duties were his current priority, but added that running a team is a "goal" he's always had and a decision about his future would ultimately revolve whether he's prepared to leave a Detroit team where he played and worked his entire professional life.

AROUND THE RINKS

In the midst of what is becoming an NHL injury epidemic, one ray of light: New Jersey Devils star Patrick Elias is poised to return to the lineup after missing the first month recovering from an arthroscopic procedure in mid-September to treat a groin problem. Elias was the Devils' second-leading scorer last season, with 78 points in 77 games . . . Guelph, Ont.-born and undrafted as a teenager, Rich Peverley spent four years at St. Lawrence University and parts of his first two pro years in the low minors (ECHL) before signing with the Nashville Predators, who lost him to the Atlanta Thrashers on waivers last January. Talk about making the most of an opportunity. Peverley scored 35 points in 39 games for the Thrashers last year and added 16 in his first 11 games this season to lead the team in scoring. Peverley is keeping the team competitive during Ilya Kovalchuk's extended injury absence . . . Also blooming nicely, if late: The New York Islanders' Matt Moulson, from North York, Ont., an 11th-round choice of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who was never signed with them after four years at Cornell. Moulson played most of three seasons in the Los Angeles Kings' farm system, before signing on with the New York Islanders last summer and getting a chance to play on the top line with rookie sensation John Tavares. The connection: Tavares and Moulson's younger brother Chris played lacrosse and hockey together; the parents of both families were friends, and even though there are seven years between them, the two linemates regularly trained together in the off-season. Of Moulson's breakthrough, Islanders coach Scott Gordon suggested they were hopeful, but not necessarily giddy with optimism that Moulson could carry his AHL scoring touch into the NHL. "That last exhibition, I told him, 'you've made our team, but every day's your last day here," Gordon said to New York Newsday . . . The early-season leader in what may be a crowded Calder Trophy class may be the Philadelphia Flyers' James van Riemsdyk, the second player chosen in the Patrick Kane (2007) draft. VanRiemsdyk spent two years at the University of New Hampshire and had a brief seven-game taste of pro last spring with the Flyers' AHL affiliate. After Mike Knuble left as free agent and Joffrey Lupul went west in Chris Pronger deal, van Riemsdyk received a chance to play in a scoring role and is making the most of his 13 or so minutes of ice time per night, scoring 13 points in his first 10 games) . . .. An injury to Evgeni Malkin and Max Talbot's ongoing absence from the Penguins' line-up paved the way for Ray Bourque's son Chris to get into some games for Pittsburgh this season. Originally drafted by Washington, Bourque was added by the Penguins as a depth player on waivers at start of the year.