Colorado Avalanche Avs' Mueller tries to get back in swing after concussionrelated

SPORT-SCAN Anaheim Ducks 616809 Kings have plenty to smile about after 4-2 win over Ducks 616810 Jeff Carter makes an impact 616811 Ducks' Brookbank has his niche 616812 Final: Kings 4, Ducks 2 616813 Ducks, Kings feel pain on, off ice 616814 Kings Carter leads special victory over Ducks Boston Bruins 616815 Tavares snaps late tie, lifts Isles over Bruins 616816 Boston G Rask leaves with injury 616817 Rask injured, won't make road trip 616818 Daniel Paille injured, Lane MacDermid recalled 616819 Final: Rask injured, Islanders slide by Bruins, 3-2 616820 Game 63: Islanders at Bruins 616821 Bruins hurting for streak of good luck 616822 Team feels Tuukka Rask s pain down the stretch 616823 Matt Brown inspires Garden 616824 Johnny Boychuk s good to go Buffalo Sabres 616825 Sabres pounce early, hold off Canucks 616826 Kassian focuses on role with Canucks 616827 Kassian facing Sabres with something to prove; Sulzer to debut for injured Regehr 616828 Sabres' Hodgson dodges questions about whether he asked for trade out of Vancouver Calgary Flames 616829 Derailed Flames look to get back on track against Stars 616830 Game Day: Stars at Flames 616831 Flames lose again in Anaheim 616832 Flames send Irving back to AHL 0 616833 Four things for Flames to make playoffs 616834 Texas-sized chance for Flames Carolina Hurricanes 616835 Canes stumble again in overtime 616836 Boychuk reassigned to Checkers 616837 Hurricanes stumble in overtime, fall to Lightning 4-3 616838 With LaRose back, Canes' lines get a shuffle 616839 Stint on waiver wire wakes up Canes' Stewart Chicago Blackhawks 616840 Blackhawks have company in battle for playoff spot 616841 Sunday's matchup: Blackhawks at Red Wings 616842 Hawks don't want to lose control again 616843 Blackhawks' Toews sidelined at least 2 more games 616844 Jonathan Toews out at least two more games for Blackhawks 616845 Blackhawks forming a line to praise new addition Johnny Oduya 616846 Comfort brings out confidence in Blackhawks rookies 616847 Oduya 'makes plays forwards can dream of' 616848 No timeline for injured Blackhawks Colorado Avalanche 616849 Avs' Mueller tries to get back in swing after concussionrelated symptoms 616850 Avs' Landeskog's all-around play worthy of Calder 616851 Rob Blake back in Denver as a Avalanche blast from the past 616852 Avs' malaise bad news for Sacco 616853 Avalanche lets Penguins party on in 5-1 loss NHL 3/4/2012 DAILY BRIEF Dallas Stars 616854 Gary Bettman: 'Foot in the crease' should have never been a rule 616855 Can Stars center Mike Ribeiro torch the Flames again Sunday? 616856 After learning on the fly, Glen Gulutzan has Stars trending upward 616857 Can Stars center Mike Ribeiro torch the Flames again Sunday? 616858 Why Stars' Jamie Benn is a Twitter fan and felt no need to study as a youth Detroit Red Wings 616859 Todd Bertuzzi doesn't practice, is game-time decision vs. Blackhawks on Sunday 616860 Defenseman Brad Stuart responsible for keeping Red Wings in tune 616861 Brad Stuart is the Red Wings' music man 616862 Red Wings getting much-needed boost from line of Henrik Zetterberg, Valtteri Filppula, Jiri Hudler 616863 Red Wings recall Chris Conner from Grand Rapids 616864 Music aficionado Brad Stuart selects the hits that get Red Wings fired up before games 616865 Red Wings' Todd Bertuzzi will be a game-time decision Sunday against Blackhawks 616866 Red Wings Fan Feedback: Winning Stanley Cup won't make home winning streak more impressive 616867 WINGS NOTEBOOK: Filppula leads rebirth among Wings Edmonton Oilers 616868 Staples: Tanking to win better draft pick widespread in pro sports 616869 Oilers seek ways to crank up offence at even-strength 616870 Khabibulin happy to still be an Oiler Florida Panthers 616871 Florida Panthers struggle in loss to Nashville Predators 616872 A Plane? What is It?: Florida Panthers Gets Stranded at Winnipeg International, Makes Most of It 616873 Panthers Can't Catch the Predators, Lose 3-1... SouthLeast Race Heats up as Lightning Just Four Back of Cats 616874 Florida Panthers' playoff push stalls in 3-1 loss to Predators Los Angeles Kings 616875 Jeff Carter makes an impact 616876 Kings have plenty to smile about after 4-2 win over Ducks 616877 Jeff Carter makes an impact 616878 KINGS 4, DUCKS 2: Carter makes his presence known for L.A. in defeating Anaheim 616879 Sutter postgame quotes (March 3) 616880 Brown postgame quotes (March 3) 616881 Carter postgame quotes (March 3) Minnesota Wild 616882 Michael Russo's Sunday Insider: Projects near complete 616883 Chart: Wild prospects waiting in the wings 616884 The Wild s week ahead 616885 Concussions sidetrack Mueller's NHL dreams 616886 Wild-Colorado game preview 616887 Minnesota Wild goalie job is up for grabs, and Matt Hackett is a contender Montreal Canadiens 616888 New Leafs coach Randy Carlyle makes winning debut 616889 Struggling Leafs beat Habs 3-1 616890 About last night

Nashville Predators 616891 Paul Gaustad fits in easily with new Nashville Predators teammates 616892 Nashville Predators beat Florida Panthers 616893 Andrei Kostitsyn comes to life in Predators' victory over Florida New Jersey Devils 616894 Devils' Alexei Ponikarovsky gets precautionary MRI; Zach Parise is fine 616895 Devils' Petr Sykora will play in 1,000th NHL game Sunday vs. Islanders 616896 Devils' Sykora to play in 1,000th game Sunday against Islanders 616897 Devils up next: at Islanders 616898 Head shots foul, but body hits key part of game 616899 Devils Petr the Grand skates his 1,000th today New York Islanders 616900 Nabokov authors road win over Bruins 616901 Tavares snaps late tie, lifts Islanders over Bruins 616902 Tavares scores winner to beat Bruins 616903 Nino Niederreiter's learning season hasn't been rosy New York Rangers 616904 Steady Rangers Ready for Up-and-Down Bruins 616905 30 Seconds With Rod Gilbert 616906 Ryan Callahan skates, but Michael Del Zotto, Dan Girardi and Ruslan Fedotenko rest at NY Rangers practice 616907 East s top teams face off 616908 Marc Staal getting more ice time for Rangers 616909 Rangers try to rest up for Bruins 616910 Rangers continue to show resiliency NHL 616911 Hockey World: Coffey chimes in on Erik Karlsson s Norris hopes 616912 Sabres jump all over Canucks 616913 Cody Hodgson makes quick return to Canucks 616914 Taking a Stand to Change Locker Room Culture 616915 In Bertuzzi s Last Stop, Hopes for a Makeover Ottawa Senators 616916 Game Day: Sens vs. Panthers 616917 York: Leafs' woes start up the middle 616918 Sens founder knows tax score 616919 Lehn-sanity reigns for Sens 616920 Rink Wrap: Sharks frontrunners for Nash 616921 Top five Norris candidates Philadelphia Flyers 616922 Flyers call up Wellwood 616923 Inside the Flyers: Bryzgalov finding his game 616924 Can Flyers cash in on Caps' special-teams' woes? 616925 Wellwood answers another call of duty 616926 Lower seed might not be all that bad for Flyers 616927 Flyers defense rests, worries don t 616928 Flyer's van Riemsdyk likely to be out 4-6 weeks 616929 Flyers happy to put clumsy Feb. behind them 616930 Flyers recall Wellwood in JVR's absence 616931 Flyers relish battles in front of the net Phoenix Coyotes 616932 Coyotes suffer a letdown against lowly Blue Jackets 616933 Coyotes' Raffi Torres a 'straight-ahead player' Pittsburgh Penguins 616934 Unlikely goal scorers pace Penguins 616935 Goaltender Killeen gets opportunity to grow 616936 Kennedy could return this week 616937 Malkin gets 38th goal as Penguins top Avalanche 616938 Fifth victory in a row caps Penguins' short road trip Penguins Continued 616939 Penguins show some scrutiny on the NFL bounty case 616940 On the Penguins: This, that and Crosby 616941 Sportsmen of the year: On the ice, Penguins' energy is hot San Jose Sharks 616942 San Jose Sharks fall to St. Louis Blues 616943 San Jose Sharks coach Todd McLellan still feeing effects of head injury 616944 Sharks coach McLellan says he's still suffering concussion symptoms 616945 Blues complete season sweep of Sharks with 3-1 win 616946 Blues rip Sharks 3-1 for season sweep 616947 Sharks sluggish in 3-1 loss to Blues 616948 Sharks-Blues: What to watch for 616949 Couture set to return, Murray possible St Louis Blues 616950 Blues sweep aside San Jose 616951 Strong goaltending keys Blues, just like with Hall and Plante 616952 Comparing Blues goalies, shutouts 616953 Final: Blues 3, Sharks 1 616954 Blues looking for second wave of offense 616955 Opportunity knocks, but Blues just can't answer Tampa Bay Lightning 616956 Stamkos, Purcell lead Bolts past Canes 616957 Hedman could be back early this week 616958 RSS Text Size Print Share This 616959 Bolts could be on DeKeyser's short list 616960 Tampa Bay Lightning beats Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in OT 616961 Tampa Bay Lightning expects Victor Hedman back from injury Monday 616962 Tampa Bay Lightning Nuts & Bolts 616963 Tampa Bay Lightning goalie focus switching to Vancouver Canucks backup Cory Schneider 616964 Hedman could play in games next week; Bergeron to have surgery 616965 Garon back in net; Purcell heating up Toronto Maple Leafs 616966 New Leafs coach Randy Carlyle makes winning debut 616967 Marlies coach distraught after being passed over for Leafs job 616968 Don Cherry blast Leafs GM Brian Burke on Wilson firing 616969 Carlyle brings gruelling practices, gruff style, savvy for reading team 616970 Carlyle runs first practice, clears the air with Lupul 616971 Burke says decision to axe Wilson came after chants at last home game 616972 Feschuk: Randy Carlyle starts remaking Maple Leafs damaged season in first game as coach 616973 Don Cherry renews war of words with Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke 616974 Toronto Marlies coach Dallas Eakins disappointed he was passed over for Leaf job 616975 DiManno: Toronto Maple Leafs beat Montreal Canadiens in coach Randy Carlyle s debut 616976 Cox: Maple Leafs coaching change eliminates barrier to winning 616977 Running into Randy Carlyle at 16 616978 Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke: It was like an 18-wheeler going right off a cliff 616979 Feschuk: Randy Carlyle starts remaking Maple Leafs damaged season in first game as coach 616980 Maple Leafs coach Randy Carlyle: Club is very, very tense 616981 Cox: Maple Leafs coaching change eliminates barrier to winning 616982 York: Leafs' woes start up the middle 616983 Skid hit Burke like a 2-by-4 616984 Leafs face tough task 616985 Leafs stop the bleeding 616986 All hail the return of truculence

Maple Leafs Continued 616987 Clock now ticking on Burke 616988 Randy Carlyle: 28 things to know 616989 Leafs Locker: Burke calls Eakins 616990 Leaf therapy reveals fatal flaws: Strobel 616991 Simmons Says: Wilson's fate was sealed 616992 'Fire Wilson' chant was last straw 616993 Carlyle, Lupul mend fences 616994 Burke: Team fell 'right off a cliff' 616995 Mikhail Grabovski leads Leafs to win over Canadiens in Randy Carlyle s debut 616996 Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke stands tall in face of defeat 616997 Unplugged: Brian Burke on the end of Ron Wilson and the Leafs future 616998 Ron Wilson fired to save him from more cruel punishment from Leafs fans: Brian Burke 616999 Leafs, Canadiens square off in search of diginity 617000 Was Leafs firing of Ron Wilson the right call? Vancouver Canucks 617001 Sabres rattle Canucks with early barrage en route to 5-3 win 617002 Canucks looking to rattle Sabres and trio of ex-mates 617003 Luongo: Sabres loss 'should have been mine' not Schneider's 617004 Willes: Sedins may be suffering point stupor but still lead conference 617005 The Van Provies Nightly Awards: Canucks vs. Sabres 617006 Canucks fail to match prowess of Sabres' Miller 617007 Canucks Gameday: Hodgson returns as a Sabre 617008 Sedins slumping, or part of a better team in a dead-puck era? 617009 Canucks Hat Trick: The Cody Hodgson-Zack Cassian showdown 617010 First and last Kassian/Hodgson matchup (until next season) Washington Capitals 617011 Capitals power play is absolutely killing us 617012 Capitals move on from loss, turn focus to preparing for Flyers 617013 Updated: Tomas Vokoun misses practice with lower-body injury 617014 Capitals are at a man-disadvantage 617015 Adapting to new systemis key for Capitals to make playoffs Websites 617023 NBCSports.com / Burke fired Wilson to save him from being embarrassed at home again 617024 Sportsnet.ca / Dawn of a new age 617025 USA TODAY / Carlyle seems right choice for tough Toronto market 617026 YAHOO SPORTS / Toronto Maple Leafs turn to coach Randy Carlyle for turnaround 617027 YAHOO SPORTS / Colorado Avalanche rookie Gabriel Landeskog plays a man s game at age 19 Winnipeg Jets 617016 Bogo a no-go again 617017 Defence starts with an O 617018 Season-ticket hopefuls invited to practice 617019 The Race 617020 Bogosian leaves practice early after aggravating past injury 617021 Jets' Pavelec keeps his poise between the pipes 617022 Jets' Bogo banged up again? SPORT-SCAN, INC. 941-284-4129

616809 Anaheim Ducks Kings have plenty to smile about after 4-2 win over Ducks By Lisa Dillman Smiles from Kings forward Jeff Carter. Harsh words from Ducks Coach Bruce Boudreau. There you have it: The tell-tale signs about the identity of the winning and losing teams on Saturday night at Staples Center. Indeed, it was the Kings prevailing, 4-2, against the Ducks on the strength of Carter s first two goals since recently joining the Kings. Kings goalie Jonathan Quick made 29 saves and Carter s linemate and close buddy Mike Richards added three assists, the first three-point night from the center since Oct. 27 at Dallas. Speaking of Dallas The Kings pulled within a point of the eighth-place Stars in the tense Western Conference race. Anaheim, meanwhile, remains seven points behind Dallas and, on top of that, there are three teams between the Ducks and Stars, including the Kings. All this led to Kings Coach Darryl Sutter cracking a couple of one-liners in his post-game media session, and Boudreau cracking hard on the officiating, which, most likely will lead to a fine from the NHL. First, Sutter, on starting a four-game trip on Tuesday, at Nashville. It s a tough place to play, Sutter said. They haven t lost at home since Christ was a child. The comedy hour did not extend down the hallway to Boudreau. It was some of the worst calls I've seen in a long time, he said. A game of this importance, we can't have officiating making calls like that. I mean, there's three penalties that weren't penalties, I know that we took. In particular, he was referring to the first-period slashing penalty to Luca Sbisa and second-period calls against Nik Hagman (tripping in the neutral zone) and Nick Bonino (interference). If we're busting our all night long and playing our fifth game in seven nights, Boudreau said. I mean, we needed better. From them." Carter s first goal with the Kings -- and 16th of the season -- came just 18 seconds after Hagman went off for tripping as he scored on a rebound, at 2:39 of the second period. He added another goal by the end of the second, at even-strength, to put the Kings ahead 3-1. The Ducks goals were scored by defenseman Sheldon Brookbank and rookie forward Devante Smith- Pelly. It's everything. Obviously the two points were the big thing, but I'm happy that I could get a couple and help the team get a victory here, Carter said. It's just been a lot of fun since I got here. Earlier, after the morning skate, Carter said he was not worried that he had not scored in his first three games since joining the Kings from Columbus in the Jack Johnson trade. I ve always been told that if you're getting chances, they're going to come, he said. It s s something that's always kind of stuck with me and I just kind of went with it. it worked out tonight. Said Sutter: Him and Carter will find their way. They'll be fine. LA Times: LOADED: 03.04.2012

616810 Anaheim Ducks Jeff Carter makes an impact By Helene Elliott Jeff Carter has been a member of the Kings for a short time but it didn't take him long to conclude that their position in the NHL standings doesn't reflect their talent. "I think the team that we have here probably should be in a playoff spot. It's a heck of a team," said the 27-year-old forward, who was acquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Feb. 23 for defenseman Jack Johnson and a conditional first-round draft pick. "Start from the goalie on out and then you work your way up. I think if we can get on a little roll here we should be all right." Carter pushed them in the right direction Saturday by scoring his first two goals as a King in the team's 4-2 victory over the Ducks at Staples Center. The Kings remained in ninth place in the West but moved within a point of eighth-place Dallas. The Ducks, who might have waited too long to make another of their annual late surges, stayed seven points behind Dallas. For the Kings, projected before this season to contend for the Pacific Division and Western Conference lead, scrambling for a playoff spot is a letdown. They've gotten little production from their left wings, and centers Anze Kopitar and Mike Richards have gone through extended slumps. Too many forwards have been played out of position in failed efforts to patch holes. If not for the stellar play of goaltender Jonathan Quick, where the Kings would be? Probably near the bottom of the West with Columbus, the team Carter was happy to leave after being traded there from Philadelphia last summer. But how the Kings got to this point matters less now than where they go from here, and they're counting on Carter to help them make up ground. Carter, who can play center or wing, had no points in his first three games while playing the right side with former Flyers teammate Richards at center and rookie Dwight King on the left. He turned that around Saturday, scoring on a rebound during a power play to give the Kings a 2-1 lead at 2:39 of the second period. He extended that lead to 3-1 at 13:53 of the second period with a shot from the inside edge of the left circle. Dustin Brown scored the Kings' first goal, on a power-play rebound, and Kopitar scored into an empty net with 14.5 seconds left. Sheldon Brookbank, at 15:42 of the first period, and Devante Smith-Pelly, on a long blast at 14:06 of the second period, scored the Ducks' goals. Carter, set up twice by Richards and King, said before Saturday's game he wasn't worried that he hadn't immediately gotten onto the score sheet. "I've got to be patient," he said. "Obviously I'd love to have gotten one on my first shift of my first game, but I think with getting some chances it's only a matter of time before they start going in." Coach Darryl Sutter had no quibbles with Carter's early efforts. "He's been really good. He's had more quality scoring chances since he came here than anybody on our team," Sutter said. Those chances turned into goals Saturday. But even when he doesn't score his offensive potential affects opponents' strategy. A team that uses its checking line against the King-Richards-Carter trio could get burned by the Brown-Kopitar-Justin Williams line. The option to use Carter, a right-handed shooter, at center also gives the Kings muchneeded depth up the middle. King said he learns from Carter every shift. "He's a world-class player. He's got good composure on the puck and a good release on his shot," King said. "And he's really fast for a big guy. He's got outside speed and he utilizes it very well." Carter has begun to settle into his new surroundings and is splitting time between a hotel and Richards' home. He's also adjusting to Sutter's defense-first philosophy. "He demands the best out of his players every time they step on the ice," Carter said. "The one thing I like about him is he'll talk to you. He'll come and tell you if there's something you need to do differently. If there's something you're doing good, he's going to tell you that too. It's been good. I like it." And they like what he's doing to get them toward the playoffs. LA Times: LOADED: 03.04.2012

616811 Anaheim Ducks Ducks' Brookbank has his niche By ERIC STEPHENS LOS ANGELES For a journeyman who has traveled far and often to find his place as a pro hockey player, Sheldon Brookbank has managed to find a home with the Ducks for three-plus seasons. How long that lasts beyond the end of this season is up in the air. But the rugged defenseman is used to dealing with a little uncertainty. It has worked in Anaheim, where Brookbank has shifted from the sixth and seventh defenseman role who has had to fight off competitors for his job each season after coming over in a trade with New Jersey in February 2009. "I think maybe they're familiar with me," he said. "I originally signed here (in 2003) so they kind of knew what I was about when they got me. They weren't expecting something different. They just were expecting what I am. "I don't know. Maybe it's just a place where I feel like I can be myself here a little more rather than having to be something I'm not somewhere else." The longest uninterrupted serving member of the Ducks' blue line might also be playing the best hockey of his career. Brookbank has never been more valued until now. At 31, Brookbank appeared in his 64th game Saturday night and should easily top the 66 he dressed for two seasons ago. He's logging nearly 15 minutes a night and, for the first time in six NHL seasons, making a regular appearance on the scoresheet. His first-period goal against the Kings was his third in the past nine games. Before this season, Brookbank had scored only once, on March 31, 2009, against Edmonton and went another 167 before finding the net Feb. 17 against the Devils. "Finally I get one and I'm getting lucky now," Brookbank said, laughing. "I'm getting the bounces, you know. Usually I was on the other end of those bounces. I can't complain whatsoever." As he has with the rest of the Ducks' roster, Coach Bruce Boudreau inherited a player who was a favorite of former coach Randy Carlyle when he took over for Carlyle back on the final day of November. In the time since, Boudreau has liked what he has seen from a player who has held his own and is often willing to stick up for his teammates. "He's been steady as a rock as far as I've seen," Boudreau said. "His skating is suspect. He's had a few years in the minors and the East Coast league. And when you're afar, you're going, 'Geez, he must be the weak link.' "We come in here and he's been playing really strong." A longtime minor leaguer as a player and coach, Boudreau can appreciate someone who had to start his pro career in the ECHL and serve a six-year apprenticeship in the American Hockey League before sticking for good with New Jersey in 2007-08. "It certainly builds character," he said. "He's fought off everybody that's come in here for the tenure he's been here. Anybody that's come in, he's sort of just dug his feet in and said, 'You're not taking my job.' "And he's done it. He's gone out and done it by showing everybody on the ice that he can play." With career numbers of three goals and 11 points, Brookbank can certainly look for a possible small raise from his $800,000 salary this season as he can hit the free-agent market when his contract expires on July 1. The Ducks like him but might also want to retain him at a price more to their liking or could let him walk to clear a spot on defense. But Brookbank would rather not deal with a moving van. "I'm a guy that doesn't really like change," he said. "This is a place where I'm comfortable with and I'd like to stay. Hopefully I can stay and if not, we move on." I definitely would like to be able to stay here." Meanwhile, Brookbank continues to find the net and is enjoying the rare offensive splurge. On his first two goals this season, the defender beat New Jersey's Martin Brodeur and Chicago's Ray Emery with low slap shots on the far side. "That's my spot," he said, smiling. "Don't tell anybody." Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.04.2012

616812 Anaheim Ducks Final: Kings 4, Ducks 2 posted by JEFF MILLER The Ducks suffered another setback in their unlikely bid to make the playoffs, losing Saturday to the Kings, 4-2, at Staples Center. They remain seven points behind eighth-place Dallas in the Western Conference, trailing the Stars by seven points with 16 games to go. The Kings moved to within a point of Dallas. The Ducks (28-28-10) have won just once in five games against the Kings (30-23-12) this season. The teams exchanged first-period goals, Dustin Brown scoring first for the Kings and then Sheldon Brookbank tying it, 1-1, at 15:42. Bobby Ryan and Teemu Selanne assisted on Brookbank s third of the season. The Kings then took a 3-1 lead in the second period when Jeff Carter scored his first two goals for L.A. Carter was acquired in a trade with Columbus. The Ducks made it 3-2 entering the third period on Devante Smith-Pelly s fourth goal of the season. Andrew Cogliano and Toni Lydman picked up the assists. The Kings put the game away when Anze Kopitar scored an empty net goal with 14.5 seconds left. The Ducks are back in action at 7:05 p.m. Monday at Honda Center against Edmonton. Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.04.2012

616813 Anaheim Ducks Ducks, Kings feel pain on, off ice By JEFF MILLER LOS ANGELES Eight hours after a stranger has burrowed into one of our oral nerves, we wouldn't even want to play air hockey. Eight hours after someone has drilled through one of our teeth, we wouldn't even want to watch hockey. Eight hours after undergoing a root canal, we wouldn't even want to say "hockey." But eight hours after Bobby Ryan had all this done to him and more, he played actual hockey and even scored in the first period Friday as the Ducks beat Calgary, 3-2. Some people claim hockey players are as tough as nails. We say that's ridiculous. Nails sometimes bend. "It's been bothering me awhile," Ryan explained after the victory. "I bit down on something the other night and that was the end of her." Before having the procedure done, the pain was so severe, the sensitivity so absurd that Ryan couldn't even stand outside because the wind blowing into his face was akin to swallowing a glowing cattle prod. Folks, you know you have a toothache when the weather hurts. And then in the third period Friday, after the medication started to wane and Ryan began feeling the sensitivity again, he lunged to swipe the puck clear of the defensive zone... and landed face-first on the knee of a Calgary Flame. Among the softer things on this earth, the knee of a Calgary Flame isn't particularly high on the list. So in an insane instant, Ryan could feel his heartbeat through his jaw and his eyes were spilling tears. "I could have screamed, but I changed right away," he said. "That hurt a lot. I had to get off the ice because it was killing me." Ryan and the Ducks returned to the ice Saturday, here at Staples Center, against the Kings, the team that employs Dustin Penner. In January, Penner was famously injured while at home. Eating pancakes. He missed a game. Penner explained that his wife made him breakfast and, in attempting to execute the consumption of said breakfast, he suffered back spasms. Last week, it was reported that Penner and his wife are divorcing. Guess it's true. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The respective episodes of pain aside, both these franchises have suffered this season, suffered from mostly self-inflicted fits of underachievement. Entering this game, both were outside the postseason bubble. Both also were working on their second head coaches. In 2011-12, the Freeway Faceoff has eroded into the Freeway Save- Faceoff. This is not good, especially in a sport of blackened eyes and gapped grins. Five months ago, exactly no one saw these co-collapses coming. Then again, who, just one month ago, thought we'd be paying $5 for a gallon of gas? Sometimes, you just get ripped off, with no recourse but disappointed acceptance. Before the first Zamboni pass in October, The Hockey News had the Kings finishing fourth in the Western Conference and the Ducks sixth. At Sports Illustrated's Web site, all four prognosticators also had both the Ducks and Kings advancing to the playoffs. Two of ESPN's experts even predicted that the Kings would reach the Stanley Cup Final. So did someone at the NHL's website. Instead, we've had what could be, given the expectations and the fact both franchises for the first time ever made the playoffs in the same season last spring, the most colossal collective failure in the Southland's NHL history. Unless one of these two salvage more than just strands of respect over the next five weeks, this will have been a pointless ice hockey winter. That, however, should not be confused with a goalless hockey winter. Ducks fans know all about their team's offensive shortcomings. They know about Ryan Getzlaf going 12, 14 and then 17 games without a goal. They know about the Ducks still counting so much on Teemu Selanne, who could be in his final NHL weeks. Ducks fans also know their team has been limited to one or zero goals 15 times this season. But, Ducks fans, believe it or not, you don't know Jack Squat. Because Jack Squat plays for the Kings, who have been limited to one or no goals 25 times. So these two desperate teams shared the same ice Saturday. And the same sad stories of unfulfilled prospects. Ryan started for the Ducks. He was asked if he'd have any problems sleeping Friday night or preparing to play against the Kings. "No," Ryan said. "I'll get some Motrin in me and be good to go." Some pains can be soothed by a pill. Others require more time-consuming treatment, like extended rest. Given the current conditions of the Ducks and Kings, longer-than-expected offseasons actually seem appropriate. Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.04.2012

616814 Anaheim Ducks Kings Carter leads special victory over Ducks By ERIC STEPHENS LOS ANGELES Consider the Ducks' chances at making the playoffs now beyond slim and on a firm road to being none. Jeff Carter became the difference-maker the Kings thought he would be when they acquired him from Columbus as he scored his first two goals for the team in a 4-2 victory over the Ducks on Saturday night at Staples Center. Both teams craved the two points with other playoff contending teams around them losing but the Ducks (28-28-10) are in much worse position than the Kings (30-23-12), who are now one point back of Dallas for the eighth and final spot. The Ducks stayed seven points out but now have only 16 games left. "They haven't been in our favor since Christmas," said captain Ryan Getzlaf, answering a question about his team's odds. "There's no doubt in here that we can still make this thing happen. "Our group has never stopped believing this whole time and we're not going to now." The Ducks also will rue losing the special-teams battle in decisive fashion, failing to score on four power plays while allowing Dustin Brown and Carter to score with the man advantage. "These games when both teams are battling for the playoff spot, it comes down to little details," center Saku Koivu said. "Special teams are one of them." Carter hadn't scored in his first three games with the Kings, but he made it 2-1 with a rebound goal and then added to that advantage with a wrist shot that beat Ducks goalie Jonas Hiller. "A little weight off your shoulders," Carter said. "It's always nice when that first one goes in." Devante Smith-Pelly quickly answered with a wrist shot that snuck through Kings goalie Jonathan Quick's pads, but the goalie stopped everything else the rest of the way. Ducks coach Bruce Boudreau went off on the officiating of referees Dan O'Rourke and Ian Walsh afterward. "Some of the worst calls I've seen in a friggin' long time," Boudreau said. "A game of this importance, we can't have officiating making calls like that. I mean, there's three penalties that weren't penalties." Orange County Register: LOADED: 03.04.2012

616815 Boston Bruins Tavares snaps late tie, lifts Isles over Bruins Staff Report BOSTON Struggling on the road and playing against the defending Stanley Cup champions, New York Islanders coach Jack Capuano knew what most were likely thinking before this late-season matchup. "If you look at the standings, a lot of people were probably not giving us a chance," Capuano said after the Islanders beat the Bruins 3-2 on Saturday to snap a five-game, road-losing streak. John Tavares tipped in Matt Moulson's shot for the late tiebreaking goal, and Evgeni Nabokov stopped 32 shots as New York, 0-4-1 in its previous five away games, completed a 1-2-1 trip. "It's always nice to come home and sleep in your own bed after a win," Moulson said. Josh Bailey and Moulson also had goals for the Islanders, who won for the second time in six games. New York (27-29-9), which entered with the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference, had dropped the previous two meetings -- both in November -- to the Bruins. They lost 6-2 in Boston and 6-0 at home. But Nabokov bounced back from allowing five goals on 29 shots in a 6-3 loss at Philadelphia on Thursday with a strong outing. "It all started in the back with Nabby," defenseman Andrew MacDonald said. Tyler Seguin tied the game for Boston with his 22nd goal early in the third period. Milan Lucic also scored his 22nd, converting on a first-period power play. The Bruins have dropped five of eight and hold a three-point lead over Ottawa atop the Northeast Division. Boston has played three fewer games. Tim Thomas took the loss in relief of injured starter Tuukka Rask, who left the game with an undisclosed injury midway through the second period. Thomas stopped 11 of 13 shots after Rask gave up one goal on 12 shots. Rask got hurt when he kicked out his left pad to try to stop a shot that went wide. He dropped to the ice in pain and was helped off by two players holding his arms as he skated off the ice. Thomas was already expected to start Sunday when the Bruins visit the New York Rangers. Boston coach Claude Julien said Rask wouldn't make the trip, but elaborated little on the injury. "It is what it is," he said. "You want to be able to use two goaltenders in this stretch, but it's not what it is." The Bruins will play nine games in the next 16 days. "It's obviously not great when you see him not able to get up after making an effort to make a save," Lucic said. "He's been a big part of our team this year." After the game, the Bruins recalled goalie Michael Hutchinson and forward Lane MacDermid from Providence of the AHL. The Islanders will play their next three games against New Jersey, beginning Sunday at home. New York grabbed the late lead when Moulson fired a shot from the top of the right circle that was tipped by Tavares. The puck dipped and slid between Thomas' pads with 4:39 left. The Bruins pulled Thomas for an extra skater with 1:20 to play, and Lucic had a good chance on a rebound during a scramble in the closing seconds. "It sure looked like the bounces were definitely not on our side today," Lucic said. "For myself, it was a quick reaction. He got his paddle down, and I wasn't able to beat him." Boston was held to two goals or fewer in eight of 13 games in February and was shut out five times. The Bruins rebounded with a 4-3 overtime win over New Jersey on Thursday -- the first day of March -- but were shut down again by the Islanders until Seguin tied the game at 2 at 7:29 of the third. The Bruins had taken a 1-0 lead on Lucic's power-play goal 15:10 into the game before New York tied it on Bailey's score 2:26 later. Bailey got the rebound of Frans Nielsen's backhander and tucked the puck past Rask's right pad for his fourth goal in three games. The Islanders made it 2-1 on Moulson's power-play goal against Thomas with 4:25 left in the second. Moulson, positioned at the top of the crease, netted his team-leading 28th when he slid a shot under Thomas just 28 seconds after defenseman Adam McQuaid was whistled for tripping. Lucic scored when he lifted a shot over Nabokov from just outside the crease. Brian Rolston, acquired from the Islanders at the NHL trade deadline on Monday, set up the goal with a soft pass. NOTES: Boston D Andrew Ference didn't play because of an undisclosed lower body injury sustained Thursday against New Jersey. D Johnny Boychuk returned after missing two games with a concussion.... Bruins D Mike Mottau, acquired from the Islanders on Monday, was a healthy scratch.... New York had given up 14 goals in its previous three games, all losses.... MacDonald said after the game that Lucic grabbed his chin strap in a scrum and "threw it in the stands." Moulson was laughing in the background when he heard him tell the story.... Boston F Daniel Paille also sustained an undisclosed injury in the third period. Julien said he didn't think Paille would make the trip to New York. Boston Globe LOADED: 03.04.2012

616816 Boston Bruins Boston G Rask leaves with injury Staff Report BOSTON Boston goaltender Tuukka Rask has left Saturday's game against the New York Islanders with an injury in the second period. Rask, attempting to kick out his left pad on a shot midway into the second period, went down to the ice in pain. He was helped off -- with two players holding an arm each as he skated off -- and he was replaced by Tim Thomas with 10:59 left in the period with the score tied at 1. It was unclear what was the injury. Boston Globe LOADED: 03.04.2012

616817 Boston Bruins Rask injured, won't make road trip Jason Mastrodonato, Globe Correspondent Tuukka Rask, who left Saturday s game in the second period with an undisclosed injury, will not be making the road trip to New York and Toronto, but no more information was provided by coach Claude Julien. Rask, making his first start since Feb. 24, had allowed one goal in 29:01 against the Islanders before exiting when Matt Martin ripped a quick shot upon entering the zone. Rask appeared to get a late read on the puck and made a sudden movement to his left before falling to the ice in apparent pain. He quickly called the training staff over and he was helped off the ice. Tim Thomas replaced Rask and made 11 saves on 13 shots. Thomas will likely be called upon again on Sunday as the Bruins head to Madison Square Garden for a matchup with the Rangers. The B's are then scheduled to fly out to Toronto for a road game on Tuesday. You re hoping to be able to utilize your goaltenders in this stretch because the next two weeks there s about four games per week, said Julien. But [we can t], so we ll have to be ready to go. Boston Globe LOADED: 03.04.2012

616818 Boston Bruins Daniel Paille injured, Lane MacDermid recalled March 03, 2012 Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff Daniel Paille will not play in Sunday s game against the Rangers. Paille s equipment remained in his stall in TD Garden after the game, indicating he will not travel to New York for the matinee. Paille was injured in the third period of Saturday s 3-2 loss to the Islanders. Paille appeared to injure his left arm after being tripped. Paille tucked his arm into his body as he skated off the ice. The Bruins have recalled Lane MacDermid from Providence. MacDermid will replace Paille on the fourth line with Gregory Campbell and Shawn Thornton. MacDermid fits the role of fourth-line grinder. MacDermid had chemistry with Campbell and Thornton during training camp. He was one of the final preseason cuts. Boston Globe LOADED: 03.04.2012

616819 Boston Bruins Final: Rask injured, Islanders slide by Bruins, 3-2 Jason Mastrodonato, Globe Correspondent 20:00 3rd period: Islanders, 3-2 Claude Julien opted for the extra man with more than a minute left to play and the B's made it rain on Nabokov, but, as he'd done all afternoon, the goalie stood tall. Chara had open room for a heavy slap shot from the point, but his stick snapped on impact and the puck stumbled toward the net. Milan Lucic had a look with Nabokov flat on the ice, but Lucic couldn't convert. The Bruins now travel to New York this evening with a matchup against the Rangers looming for Sunday afternoon at 12:35 ET. There's still no word on Rask's injury, so Thomas will likely have to make it two in row between the pipes. 15:05 3rd period: Islanders, 3-2 The Bruins thought they touched the puck in the Islanders zone for icing and stopped skating. Matt Moulson didn't. He carried the puck into the B's zone and fired a slapper that was tipped by Tavares before finding the back of the net. 9:01 3rd period: 2-2 They say Tyler Seguin can skate pretty fast... Well, that's why. Chara bounced a pass off the wall and Seguin just turned on the jets, skating in alone and throwing a backhand deke on Nabokov before flipping the puck top-shelf. We're all tied up here and the Bruins have another power play. 3:30 3rd period: Islanders, 2-1 Another strong power play for the Bruins, but no goal. A lot of movement seems to be creating holes in the New York defense and producing solid scoring chances. Now the Bruins just need to convert. 1:42 3rd period: Islanders, 2-1 Chris Kelly made a great individual play to gain possession in the neutral zone and then found Benoit Pouliot streaking toward the net all alone. Pouliot tried bringing the puck to his backhand, but lost control and couldn't get a shot off. Milan Jurcina was sent to the box for slashing on the play. 20:00 2nd period: Islanders, 2-1 For the third straight home game, the Bruins are trailing entering the third. They haven't had a lead entering the final period in 19 of the last 23 games, so this is nothing new. The B's have made comeback wins in the third period seven times this season. 11:35 2nd period: Islanders, 2-1 Adam McQuaid takes a questionable penalty behind his own net and the Islanders convert on a cold goalie. Nielsen started the play with a pass into the slot that was deflected by Dennis Seidenberg but trickled through to John Tavares. Tavares poked it over to Matt Moulson who jammed home his 28th goal of the season. 12:05 2nd period: 1-1 Bruins power play looking explosive today. Zdeno Chara rips one of those signature slappers from the point that pings off the post so loud customers at Pizzeria Regina could've heard it across the street. Plenty of chances with the extra man, but no net. Boston Globe LOADED: 03.04.2012

616820 Boston Bruins Game 63: Islanders at Bruins March 03, 2012 Fluto Shinzawa, Globe Staff Good afternoon from TD Garden, where the Bruins will face off against the Islanders today. It will be the first game for Brian Rolston and Mike Mottau against their old teammates since the trade that brought them to Boston on Monday. Andrew Ference (lower body) will not play. Johnny Boychuk will be a gametime decision. Puck drop: 1 p.m. TV/radio info: NESN (Jack Edwards, Andy Brickley, Naoko Funayama),98.5 The Sports Hub (Dave Goucher, Bob Beers) Records: Islanders 26-29-9, Bruins 33-21-3 Projected Bruins lineup: Milan Lucic-David Krejci-Tyler Seguin Brian Rolston- Patrice Bergeron-Brad Marchand Benoit Pouliot-Chris Kelly-Jordan Caron Daniel Paille-Gregory Campbell-Shawn Thornton Zdeno Chara-Johnny Boychuk Dennis Seidenberg-Joe Corvo Greg Zanon-Adam McQuaid Tuukka Rask Tim Thomas Healthy scratches: Mike Mottau Storylines: The Bruins will travel to New York after today s game. They will face off against the Rangers tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. on NBC The Bruins worked primarily on their power play during practice yesterday. They haven t scored a man-up goal in the last two games Jean Hebert and Marc Joannette will be the referees. Brad Kovachik and Derek Nansen will be the referees. Boston Globe LOADED: 03.04.2012

616821 Boston Bruins Bruins hurting for streak of good luck Rask, Paille injuries add to inconsistency By Steve Conroy Sunday, March 4, 2012 http://www.bostonherald.com Boston Bruins When the Bruins marched to the Stanley Cup last year, it seemed like just about everything went right for them. Right now, the Bruins of 2011-12 are starting to give off a real Murphy s Law vibe. In yesterday s 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders at the Garden, the Bruins not only coughed up the game on a controversial goal late in the third period, but they had to throw a couple of more important players onto the injured pile that already includes forwards Nathan Horton and Rich Peverley, and defenseman Andrew Ference. At 9:01 of the second period, goalie Tuukka Rask injured himself playing a shot by New York forward Matt Martin that was deflected by Bruins defenseman Greg Zanon. Rask was halfway into his butterfly when he flashed his left pad out to get the deflection, then crumpled in pain. He immediately threw his glove off and started pointing feverishly at his left knee. He eventually was helped off the ice and appeared unable to put any weight on the left leg. Coach Claude Julien, whose team has not won back-to-back games since Jan. 10 and 12, didn t say how long Rask will be out. The backup goalie will not accompany the team as it leaves on a road trip to New York and Toronto. It certainly had the look of a long-term injury, coming at a time when the B s will play 19 games in the final 35 days of the regular season. It is what it is, said Julien, who now most likely will have to give top goalie Tim Thomas far more work than the coach planned. You re hoping to utilize your two goaltenders in this stretch because the next two weeks we have four games per week. We ll have to make do some way. The Bruins also lost one of their most tenacious players in forward Daniel Paille, who went down hard on his left arm after he was tripped by Islanders defenseman Steve Staios midway through the third period. Paille skated off and did not return to the ice. To deal with the injuries, the Bruins called up goalie Michael Hutchinson and forward Lane MacDermid from Providence. Boston Herald LOADED: 03.04.2012

616822 Boston Bruins Team feels Tuukka Rask s pain down the stretch By Mark Daniels Sunday, March 4, 2012 http://www.bostonherald.com Boston Bruins Coming up on a stretch in their schedule where they ll play eight times during the next two weeks, the Bruins need as many healthy bodies as possible. With that being said, the injury to goaltender Tuukka Rask during yesterday s 3-2 loss to the New York Islanders couldn t have been more illtimed. The 24-year-old stopped 11 of the 12 shots he faced before suffering an injury at 9:01 of the second period. As New York forward Matt Martin fired a shot on the net, Rask, who was halfway down in his butterfly position, threw his glove up as he moved to his left when the shot was deflected and changed directions. Immediately he fell down and had to be helped off the ice by defensemen Joe Corvo and Greg Zanon. As Rask left, he didn t put any pressure on his left leg. No matter what, it s tough to lose guys that are important to your lineup. Especially right now, we just have to pull together and win the next game, said Bruins defenseman Dennis Seidenberg. We just have to play a stronger team game. When role players get injured in our lineup, we have to play an even stronger game, the whole team, and make less mistakes than we ve been doing. Tim Thomas came in for the rest of the game and let two goals in on 13 shots. As soon as he went down, you know as a goalie that I m at least coming in right away this game, said Thomas. I felt fine. I mean I ve been in this game long enough to be on my toes and be ready at any time. So I felt fine. It wasn t an issue. It s just no fun whenever you see your partner get hurt and you re just worried about him, and I still don t know what s going on with him. Though the Bruins haven t won two games in a row since Jan. 10 and 12, they have more pressing issues. They travel to New York to play the Rangers today at Madison Square Garden, then play three more games in the coming week. The Bruins follow that up with four more games, including a three-game road trip, the following week, and now it looks like Thomas, 37, will have to shoulder the load. Rask has done a phenomenal job of relieving Thomas this year. In 22 games, his.929 save percentage tied Thomas for fifth in the league. Following the game, Bruins coach Claude Julien said Rask would not make this road trip and that the team called up goalie Michael Hutchinson from Providence. Hutchinson was up once this season for a practice on Jan. 30 after the All- Star break, but has never appeared in an NHL game. In 18 AHL games this season, the 22-year-old has a.920 save percentage to go along with 2.62 goals-against average. It s a part of the game. Injuries are going to occur, said defenseman Johnny Boychuk. And you know, we have two of the best goalies in the league. So if Tuukka goes down you put Timmy in. Timmy s, obviously, more than capable of doing the job. Boston Herald LOADED: 03.04.2012

616823 Boston Bruins Matt Brown inspires Garden By Mark Daniels Sunday, March 4, 2012 http://www.bostonherald.com Boston Bruins Above Matt Brown s bed hangs a jersey from Bruins center Patrice Bergeron with a message on it: Be patient and stay strong. Though the message is simple, Brown s life has been anything but since he suffered a spinal cord injury two years ago during a Norwood High varsity hockey game that left him paralyzed. But the Norwood native, who dropped the puck before the B s 3-2 loss yesterday to the New York Islanders, says it s that message that has helped him carry on. Those four words have stuck with me every day, Brown said. His jersey was above my head when I was at Children s. It was on the plane when I went down to the Shepherd Center (in Atlanta), the plane ride home and right now it s above my bed. The TD Garden was rocking as the 17-year-old came on the ice. He says it was mind-blowing as Bruins captain Zdeno Chara and the Islanders Mark Streit faced off on both sides of him. Honestly, right now it s such a blur, just because of all of the emotion going through, Brown said. Coming back I was telling my dad, I don t even remember going out. It went by that fast. Just looking at the crowd react I m 17 years old, I didn t think in a million years that I would have had that impact. On Jan. 23, 2010, when he was 15, Brown suffered fractures of the C4 and C5 vertebrae in his neck and sustained significant bruising of his spinal cord, which left him paralyzed from the chest down. Though his journey has been tough, the community has rallied around him and yesterday s puck drop was only the start of a busy year. On April 15, with friend and Army Ranger Lucas Carr pushing him, Brown is set to take part in the Boston Marathon. The pair completed the Hyannis Marathon, as a warmup, last weekend. Every time I look down at him, he s the only inspiration that I would need, and he s basically inspiring everything going forward for 26.2 miles, said Carr. Brown said he s improved a lot since the accident. He s stronger, his breathing is better and he s able to stand in his chair without getting dizzy. He said aside from watching Norwood hockey do well in the tournament he has one main goal: To be back on the ice. Boston Herald LOADED: 03.04.2012