New Blackhawks President John McDonough, a guest on Prime Time Sports with Bob McCown last night, spoke about suggestions that Chicago might want to host an outdoor game, similar to the Buffalo-Pittsburgh tilt on New Year's Day. McDonough suggested his first focus is to fill the United Center on a regular basis before looking at an outdoor stadium. Buzz likes the fact that McDonough seems to have his priorities in line, something new to the folks in Chicago...
You need to look all the way back to December 26, 1996, to find the last time that an NHL player scored five goals in a game (Sergei Federov scored all five in an overtime Wings victory against the Capitals). Marian Gaborik, who can be now nicknamed the Slovakian Sniper, notched five last night to lead the Wild past the Rangers 6-3...
Don't look now but Mark Recchi has picked up four points, including three goals, in his first three games with Atlanta. Recchi was plucked off the waiver wire after being cast aside by Pittsburgh a week ago. There are whispers that Recchi wasn't getting along with coach Michel Therien and/or Sidney Crosby. Recchi is showing he certainly isn't washed up yet...
Sick bay is getting a little crowded in Colorado with the team's two highest-paid players now in the infirmary. Joe Sakic hasn't skated in a week due to an injured groin and Ryan Smyth now has some form of neck injury, although it's a mystery to all how he may have picked it up...
Returning to action tonight is Carlo Colaiacovo, the oft-injured Leafs defenseman. Colaiacovo has been assigned to the AHL Marlies for a two-week conditioning stint. He hasn't played a regular-season game in the past eight months due to a surgically repaired knee...
There are some reports out of Sweden indicating that the Penguins and Senators will meet in Stockholm on October 4 & 5 to open next season. Both the Pens and the NHL are quick to say that nothing is finalized at this point...
Something you don't see every night during the Thursday's Bruins-Penguins game. Sidney Crosby tried to inspire his team by dropping the gloves for the first time in his NHL career. He held his own in the scrap against Bruins defenseman Andrew Ference. The Penguins had blown a 4-0 lead, but did come back to salvage two points with a shootout victory...
Quote of the Day: "It's nothing I'm going to make a habit of, by any means."
Crosby on his fight against Ference. Buzz wonders just how many Penguin management types needed CPR in the press box after watching The Kid drop his gloves and risk injury...