Around The League: Woah Manny, Hossa Injury, and A Note on Tomorrow. . .

I'm not going to touch on Sean Avery now. I debated back and forth and thought, well, as long as he is here - and I am for the record glad of it - I'll wait until he's played or is going to play his first game before I go any deeper into this. So on hold with that. Except for one very quick and very genuine, Welcome Back Sean.


Where Are They Now. . .?

There were no "WATN" moments in yesterday's single game, but damn if there wasn't a GREAT moment for one of my FAVORITE all-time former Rangers tonight.

Manny Malhotra had 2 goals, including the game winner, and an assist to help the Blue Jackets beat the Kings 5 to 4. He was named the #1 Star.

I LOVED Manny in New York and followed his career to Dallas and to Columbus. While he already found his own, being a fan favorite and a great team guy - not that I am surprised - he seems to be chipping in more this year than in recent years on the score sheet. Playing with one Rick Nash, perhaps?

Kudos to him!! :)

In a quick pass of the scoreboard, it looks like PLENTY of former Rangers had good nights in the NHL, but I'll post that at some time tomorrow.



Scary Stuff. . .

In the bad news of the night, Red Wings Marian Hossa went head first into the boards, stayed down for 10 minutes and was removed on stretcher. He was taken to hospital.

Again, never like to see things like this. Prayers for him.


In a followup to Ethan Moreau's eye injury, the Edmonton captain has been experiencing "water torture" symptoms (as per Craig MacTavish, which we'll take to mean constant and uncomfortable) but he is not in very much pain, and is starting to regain his sight. That is very, very good news. Upon returning to play - yet to be determined - he will wear a visor going forward.



Tomorrow:

As was the case last year, I am at work this year in meetings pretty much during all the key times. (I keep telling myself every year to call in sick!!) I'll bring my blackberry and try to keep myself as up to date as possible. But do not expect any updates here at all during the afternoon. And do not expect any reaction until later in the evening. Although, I'm hoping it will be more joyful reacting than mournful reacting. . .

16 hours and counting. . .

Welcome Home Niki Zherdev. . .

Apparently it didn't matter who he was skating with, as Nik Zherdev had one heck of a homecoming in his first return to Columbus since being traded to NY this summer. 1 goal, 2 assists and a +2. For the record, Drury notched an assist and Naslund had two. They must be happy to get in the + column for a change, so for the night, as credit due, I will not use words like, pathetic or waste of space or useless. ;)

But it was Zherdev who showed the most energy and poise in what was not the world's most exciting game. I mean I was happy because I like Columbus, and have followed them a bit. Glad to see Manny Malhotra back in the lineup as well. Always a big fan of that guy (cried, in fact, when he got traded to Dallas, I must admit).

But there wasn't a great pace. It had moments, but not much.

And sure, the save by Lundqvist on Rick Nash was nice. But was it really . . . that nice?

Credit the Rangers, too, for showing a bit of resilience after their coach, Tom Renney, was hit with a stick or two on the Rangers bench. They came out a little fired up after that. Possible concussion. Hope he feels better. You never like to see those things happen.

But you know what, I'm going to let it all go. An important win and two points needed to rebound after the Detroit and Dallas games. They can't all be pretty. Although, again, with the exception of the one against the Devils - were any of these pretty per say? Sorry, moving on. . .

Other notes:

Rangers PP was 1-8. Not a shocker there. And that one goal was not from any of the big money guys on the number one unit. No, it was just from let-me-do-everything-to-win, Brandon Dubinsky. In my eyes it was a good goal and should have counted. I just wasn't sure the guys in Toronto wouldn't focus on the kicking motion that happened AFTER the re-direct. Luckily, they didn't.

Fritsche/Voros/Dubinsky were all -1 on the night. Nothing bad, nothing spectacular.

Gomez/Callahan/Dawes were pretty invisible too, after better efforts the last 2-3 games. Gomez missed a shot from the doorstep I think he'd like to have back.

Dan Girardi had a good night and not just for his offensive output. For the most part, he made and has been making the necessary plays without being flashy. And I'll take that from the young D-men any day.

Random note:

I've heard nothing but great things about Nationwide Arena. And while a Rangers road trip might never make sense in tandom with Pittsburgh, hearing it's only a 2.5 hour drive from there makes it seem slightly less far. Hope to get there though.

Til tomorrow's tilt at home versus Pittsburgh. . .good night hockey fans. And I will be at the game, so I won't have the same opportunity to keep track of all other 14 games going on. All 30 teams in action, folks. It's rare, so enjoy. NHL.com should be buzzing.