Everyone was talking about the Pittsburgh Penguins vs. Washington Capitals game today (when they weren’t talking about the Super Bowl, of course) because it’s always intense when Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin face off.  Today’s game didn’t disappoint.

image: TSN

Captain Crosby was able to score two goals but Ovie recorded a hat trick in a comeback that had me on the edge of my seat.  It was nasty and gritty and filled with incredible puck handling but, in the end, it was Washington that skated away with the 5-4 victory.

Washington coach Bruce Boudreau summed it up perfectly: “It was what people pay to see, when the superstars shine.  There’s tension, and there’s excitement, and there’s physical play, and there’s passion on both sides. That’s what hockey is all about.”

Agreed.  Ovechkin’s third goal had me rewinding my PVR over and over again to see it.  Amazing.  Here are the highlights:

Jordin Tootoo will be staying with the Nashville Predators for, at least, another two years after the team gave him an extension worth $1.15 million in 2010-11 and $1.35 million in 2011-12.

I think it’s good for him since he isn’t the best player but I think he deserves to be in the NHL.  In 26 games with the Preds, he’s got two goals and eight assists.  Still, for a little guy, he does have a presence on the ice…

There has been so much speculation over Ilya Kovalchuk’s future with the Atlanta Thrashers and where he would be going that it’s almost a relief to learn that he’s been shipped to the New Jersey Devils.
It’s a pretty big deal since Kovy has been Atlanta’s best player in the franchise’s history so I think it’s unfortunate that he had to leave.  In exchange, the Thrashers acquired defenceman John Oduya along with forwards Niclas Bergfors and Patrice Cormier and the Devils first round pick in 2010.
Of the transaction, Kovalchuk said: “[The Devils are] a good team with a great chance to …read more

Scottie Upshall was injured when his Phoenix Coyotes beat the Calgary Flames 3-2 last Thursday but the full extent of it was unknown until yesterday.

An MRI has shown that the forward suffered a torn ACL in his right knee and will be out of the lineup indefinitely while he recuperates.  In fact, he will need to have surgery to correct the problem but no date has been set for the procedure.
It’s really unfortunate that this has happened now.  Upshall is having his best season to-date having scored 18 goals and 14 assists (just two shy of his career best) in …read more

The Edmonton Oilers have suffered another setback after defenseman, Sheldon Souray, suffered a fractured hand in the 6-1 loss against the Calgary Flames over the weekend.  The defeat brought their winless streak to a nasty 13 games and now, without their veteran blueliner in the lineup, things are probably only going to get worse.

The injury occurred when Souray got into a scrap with Flames captain, Jarome Iginla, in the third.  The amount of time he will be benched has not yet been announced (he’s being evaluated today) but this could impact any trade offers that would have been coming his …read more

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I woke up this morning to some major news.  The Calgary Flames have traded Dion Phaneuf along with forward Fredrik Sjostrom, and prospect defenceman Keith Aulie to the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for forwards Matt Stajan, Niklas Hagman, Jamal Mayers and defenceman Ian White.

Do you see some of the names in this trade?!?!  Holy crap!  Last night, right before the Flames took on the Oilers in the latest Battle of Alberta, I said that I thought they would win but that they would dump Neuf by morning and here we are.  I’m incredibly disappointed.
It’s the best thing for …read more

Good move!  The Anaheim Ducks have given goaltender Jonas Hiller a four-year contract extension reportedly worth $18 million (the finances are unconfirmed, though).
The deal ensures that Hiller is between the pipes for Anaheim until the 2013-2014 season and I can completely understand why they did this.  He’s just 27 years old so he’s got time to improve and sharpen his game.
Currently, in the 39 games he’s played this season, he’s got a 21-15-2 record with a 2.75 GAA and a .916 save percentage.  In his career, he’s played 108 games and has a 54-37-5 record with a 2.46 …read more

The current Ottawa Senators roster has set a franchise record with nine consecutive wins after beating the Montreal Canadiens 3-2 in overtime yesterday.  The game-winning goal was scored by Mike Fisher (maybe his engagement to Carrie Underwood has set him on fire) 3:33 into OT.
Unfortunately, the game was marred by injuries on both teams.  Ottawa winger Nick Foligno broke his right leg after blocking a shot and is expected to be out for the next 6-8 weeks. 
Sens GM Bryan Murray said: "It’s very disappointing.  It’s disappointing for him as he was just starting to play well and carry …read more

Defenseman, Adam Foote, is back in action after being take off the injured reserve list by the Colorado Avalanche.  He has been out of the lineup since January 8, 2010 when he suffered some sort of ankle injury.
This isn’t the first time Foote has missed ice time this season.  Upper back and knee problems kept him out of play in late November and early December.
The captain hasn’t been terribly effective this season anyway.  In 40 games, Foote has just five assists.

I have had a cell phone for years but I haven’t used it for anything but making phone calls until recently.  I got a Blackberry Curve and now I’m suddenly interested in the different applications I can use to make my life a little better.
Naturally, my eyes were drawn to an email I got from the NHL about the NHL Mobile application.  It makes it super easy to keep up with scores but also news, stats, highlights and even live games.

Learn more about it at www.nhl.com/mobile.  From there you can choose from the United States, Canada and International portal and …read more