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| Hudler pushes Detroit ahead in win | Saturday 5/31, 10:19 PM CT |
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Jiri Hudler pushed Detroit ahead with his third period goal in Saturday's close 2-1 victory over the Penguins in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Our View: He proved to be an unlikely hero tonight, as his game clinching goal was his first point of the Finals. Detroit leads the series 3-1 and can close it out in front of their home crowd in Game 5 on Monday, June 2. |
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| Lidstrom scores first goal in win | Saturday 5/31, 10:14 PM CT |
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Nicklas Lidstrom suffered a chipped tooth and cut lip in Game 3, but proved to be fine in Game 4 as he scored Detroit's first goal in their 2-1 win over Pittsburgh.
Our View: Detroit is now one game away from hoisting the Stanley Cup, as they hold a 3-1 lead in the Finals. That was Lidstrom's first goal and third point of the series. |
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| Crosby chips in assist in loss | Saturday 5/31, 10:09 PM CT |
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Sidney Crosby chipped in an assist in Saturday's 2-1 loss to the Red Wings in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Our View: That was his first assist and third point over the four games in the Finals, and it was a disappointing series for him and Pittsburgh, as Detroit has the title within their grasp with 3-1 lead. |
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| Hossa scores lone goal for Penguins | Saturday 5/31, 10:05 PM CT |
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Marian Hossa scored the lone goal for the Penguins in Saturday's 2-1 loss to Detroit in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals. Detroit holds a commanding 3-1 lead in the series.
Our View: That was only Hossa's first goal of the series with Detroit, and it may be a case of too little, too late, as the Penguins are now on the brink of elimination. |
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| Holmstrom out for Game 4 | Saturday 5/31, 7:18 PM CT |
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Tomas Holmstrom will not play in Game 4 against the Penguins, according to the Canadian Press. He continues to be hindered by his right leg injury.
Our View: Dan Cleary took Holmstrom’s spot on the top line, while Darren McCarty was placed into the lineup in Holmstrom’s place.
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| Holmstrom remains uncertain | Saturday 5/31, 5:32 PM CT |
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Tomas Holmstrom remains uncertain for Game 4 against the Penguins, according to the AP. He participated in Saturday's morning skate but remained questionable to play, and said, "I felt pretty good, so it’s a game-time decision. We maybe are going to wrap it a little bit different, but it looks good. I felt the hamstring a little bit, so that was a little bit of a concern right there. But this is the best time of year, and you want to be out there."
Our View: He scored four goals and eight assists over 19 games through the playoffs, but Coach Mike Babcock will be cautious, and he won't be forced back on the ice if he isn't ready. Detroit leads the series 2-1. |
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| Enroth signs three-year deal | Saturday 5/31, 5:27 PM CT |
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Jhonas Enroth signed a three-year deal with the Sabres, according to the AP. Sabres' GM Darcy Regier said, "We’re very happy to have Jhonas under contract. He’s performed very well in Europe, and we look forward to his continued development as a member of organization." Financial terms were not disclosed.
Our View: Enroth was a 2006 second-round pick, and he spent last season with Sodertalje of the Swedish League, where he was a finalist for the Rookie of the Year award after going 10-14-13 with a 2.13 goals-against average.
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| Holmstrom hampered but expected to play | Saturday 5/31, 10:45 AM CT |
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Detroit coach Mike Babcock has reported his belief that defenseman Tomas Holmstrom is in fact battling a minor hamstring problem but he does not believe it will keep him out of action, according to the Associated Press.
Our View: Babcock was asked by reporters about the injury and actually called league officials to confirm what he was and was not obligated to share. Upon hearing that league rules state he needed to provide the type and severity of the injury, Babcock reported the team has concerns about Holmstrom's hammy but they have no reason to believe we won't be on the ice. The team will officially determine his status this morning during practice. |
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| Sundin... a Red Wing? | Saturday 5/31, 9:02 AM CT |
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Toronto hockey icon and veteran skater Mats Sundin , days after suggesting he is interested in hearing what the open NHL market has to offer, may be heavily pursued by the Detroit Red Wings, according to the Detroit News.
Our View: League sources report both the Red Wings and the Canadiens have contacted agent J.P. Barry, Sundin's man, to inquire about contract negotiations, and those in the know realize Detroit is a safe haven for veterans to come and make that last run at a Cup. The Wings are currently pushing the Pittsburgh Penguins for this year's Stanley Cup, an effort built largely on the mixture of strong young stars and proven veterans from Sundin's NHL class (i.e. Chris Chelios and Nicklas Lidstrom). Sundin is set to become a free agent on July 1st and the Wings have the cap space to make the move. |
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| Lightning to offer Melrose coaching position | Saturday 5/31, 8:44 AM CT |
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The Tampa Bay Lightning are hoping to announce current ESPN analyst Barry Melrose as their new coach soon, according to the Tampa Tribune.
Our View: The Tribune quotes reporter Damien Cox of the Toronto Star who claims to have spoken with Lightning owner Oren Koules, set to take control of the team following a Board of Governors meeting on June 18th. Koules is said to be in full support of offering Melrose an enticing $2 million-per-season contract and luring the former Kings coach to Florida. Melrose has avoided comment on the reports, but we await that date for things to progress and find no reason to believe this will not come to fruition. |
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