NHL Report
Rangers manhandle Islanders Matt Gilroy broke a long scoring drought with his first two-goal game in the NHL, and the host New York Rangers recorded a season-high 52 shots to cool off the New York Islanders with a 7-2 victory Monday.
Rangers manhandle Islanders
Matt Gilroy broke a long scoring drought with his first two-goal game in the NHL, and the host New York Rangers recorded a season-high 52 shots to cool off the New York Islanders with a 7-2 victory Monday.
Elsewhere: Niklas Kronwall scored the game-winner with 1 minute, 18 seconds remaining in overtime and Chris Osgood stopped a season-high 46 shots in the Detroit Red Wings' 4-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche to become the 10th goalie in NHL history to reach 400 wins. . . . Blake Wheeler scored the only goal in the shoot-out to lead the Boston Bruins to a 3-2 victory over the host Florida Panthers. . . . Rick Nash scored in the shoot-out to lift the host Columbus Blue Jackets past the Minnesota Wild, 4-3. . . . Jarome Iginla and Olli Jokinen scored second-period goals to lead the host Calgary Flames to a 5-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres.
Predators' Tootoo enters program
Nashville Predators forward Jordin Tootoo voluntarily has entered into in-patient care through the NHL-NHLPA substance-abuse and behavior-health program.
Injury report
Detroit will be without forward Danny Cleary for at least a month after he broke his left ankle on a shot attempt by a teammate Sunday night in Minnesota. . . . Ottawa center Jason Spezza is out indefinitely with a right shoulder injury.
Maple Leafs stranded
The Toronto Maple Leafs were stuck on a bus amid the snowstorm that shut down travel in the Northeast. The team, trying to get from the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., after their game with the New Jersey Devils, sat on the bus for four hours - 11 p.m. until 3 a.m. - from Sunday night until Monday morning when authorities shut down the stretch of Route 24 they were on.
Rain for Winter Classic?
The weather is becoming a worry for the Winter Classic. Rain showers and temperatures in the low 50s are being forecast for the Capitals-Penguins outdoor game Saturday at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, hardly the conditions the NHL wants for its midseason showcase featuring stars Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin.
Rain is the major worry because it would make the ice unsafe for the players even if it falls only lightly.
The backup plan is to play on Jan. 2, if necessary.
- Associated Press