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April 18, 2006
The Hockey News has been providing the most comprehensive coverage of the world of hockey since 1947. In each issue, you'll find news, features and opinions about the NHL and leagues across North America and the world.
Goalie gusto on display
It took three years for Derek Gustafson to work his way back to the AHL and no time at all to have an impact upon his return. The well-traveled goaltender was in his second UHL season with Adirondack when he was signed to a tryout deal by Providence March 24 following an injury to Jordan Sigalet. Gustafson, 26, started five straight games, splitting his first six decisions for the Bruins. He had three wins, one regulation loss and two shootout losses, posting a 1.79 goals-against average and .934 save percentage. “We knew Adirondack had a couple good goaltenders and we were going to bring him in to play,” said Providence coach and ex-NHL goalie Scott Gordon. “He took the opportunity and made the most of it.” Gustafson made 33 saves to shut out Albany…
Playoff preparation
One of the tricks to winning the post-season pool at the office is knowing which NHLers blossom in the spring and which players wilt away. The value of Tomas Holmstrom and Ryan Smyth always increases in mid-April, while Alex Kovalev and Bryan Smolinski see theirs drop. Our annual playoff pool guide will help your difficult decision process. We have included helpful charts for 21 teams – the teams already guaranteed to make the post-season dance and those with a mathematical shot of getting there – to guide you in your quest for bragging rights. Each chart lists the current season stats for 12 key players, as well as their career playoff totals, with their points-per-game average included in both categories. Make sure to check our insight and star rating for each…
Devils feel loss of great Scotts
FORWARDS A– Considering their top forward (Patrik Elias) missed more than half the season because of illness and injury while his intended replacement (Alexander Mogilny) was demoted to the minors in January, the Devils could not have been much happier with their forwards. Brian Gionta and Scott Gomez both enjoyed career seasons while the disappointment with Viktor Kozlov was tempered by his excellence in shootouts. DEFENSE C This defense better than in 2003-04? Wrong. Free agents Vladimir Malakhov and Dan McGillis didn’t make it halfway through the year. Paul Martin and Colin White emerged as a solid No. 1 pair, but the Devils missed Scott Stevens and Scott Niedermayer bigtime. GOALTENDING C+ Without his shootout record (8-3), Martin Brodeur’s 10th straight 30-win season would have been in jeopardy.…
Canadiens a mess without Markov
FORWARDS C Montreal scores an average of three goals per game, will have only one 30-goal scorer and won’t have a player who averages a point per game. With 29 goals through 75 games, Michael Ryder led the team, while rookie Chris Higgins had 20 goals. Veterans Mike Ribeiro, Richard Zednik, and Radek Bonk performed below expectations. DEFENSE C Sloppy play and difficulties moving men from in front of the net plagued the defense corps. Andrei Markov elevated his play with a career-high 42 points through 60 games. Montreal was 3-11-1 without him in the lineup. GOALTENDING A The fortunes in the crease improved when Jose Theodore was traded to Colorado. Cristobal Huet was Montreal’s MVP and proved to be the catalyst in its push to the playoffs. He had seven shutouts…
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