NHL NEWS MARCH 16 – WILD CARD RACES INTENSIFY IN BOTH CONFERENCES
NHL NEWS MARCH 16 – Several teams, both inside and outside the playoff picture – take to the ice in hopes of improving their position.
In the East, the Lightning (34-26-9, 77 points) host the Maple Leafs (31-23-14, 76 points) as both clubs look to overtake the Islanders (33-25-11, 77 points) – who host the Jets (30-33-7, 67 points) – for the second Eastern Conference Wild Card spot. Toronto is 3-1-0 in its last four contests, while Tampa Bay has earned a point in six straight games (5-0-1).
In the West, the Kings (33-29-7, 73 points) host the Sabres (28-30-12, 68 points) looking to reel in the Blues (36-28-5, 77 points), who continue a five-game road trip against the Pacific Division-leading Sharks (42-20-7, 91 points). Los Angeles sits four points back of St. Louis for the second and final Wild Card spot.
NHL NEWS MARCH 16 AND OTHER MUSINGS
- The League issued a statement regarding Wednesday’s decision by the U.S. District Court regarding the suspension of Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman
- Bruins forward Patrice Bergeron hit the 30-assist plateau for the 10th time in his career. Elias notes that only three other Bruins players have recorded at least that many 30-assist seasons: Ray Bourque (19), Johnny Bucyk (17) and Rick Middleton (10)
- Flames forward Matt Stajan (0-1—1) recorded the 400th point of his NHL career
- Avalanche forward J.T. Compher recorded his first NHL goal (8 GP), while teammate Anton Lindholm made his NHL debut
- Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr, 45, issued a workout challenge to fans on Facebook
- Members of the 100 Greatest NHL Players gathered in Ottawa to help start the celebration of 125 years of the Stanley Cup.
NHL statement on U.S. District Court ruling regarding suspension of Calgary Flames defenseman Dennis Wideman
“We obviously disagree with the court’s decision today, but also recognize the very high judicial standard we needed to meet to disturb the arbitrator’s decision. While we believe we met that standard, we are prepared to turn the page and move on. We are hopeful that, if and when there is next an appeal proceeding involving supplementary discipline, the Neutral Discipline Arbitrator will properly apply the standard of review we and the NHLPA negotiated and agreed to in collective bargaining. That was clearly not done in this case.”
Wideman was originally suspended by the NHL for 20 games for Abuse of an Official (Category 1) under NHL Rule 40.2 but an arbitrator knocked that down 10 games.
WEDNESDAY’S NHL RESULTS
Home Team in Caps
PHILADELPHIA 4, Pittsburgh 0
Boston 5, CALGARY 2
COLORADO 3, Detroit 1
ANAHEIM 2, St. Louis 1
THURSDAY’S NHL ACTION
All Times Eastern
Philadelphia @ New Jersey, 7 p.m.
Winnipeg @ NY Islanders, 7 p.m.
Nashville @ Washington, 7 p.m.
Minnesota @ Carolina, 7 p.m.
Florida @ Columbus, 7 p.m.
Chicago @ Ottawa, 7:30 p.m.
Toronto @ Tampa Bay, 7:30 p.m.
Boston @ Edmonton, 9 p.m.
Dallas @ Vancouver, 10 p.m.
Detroit Red Wings @ Arizona, 10 p.m.
Buffalo @ Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m.
St. Louis @ San Jose, 10:30 p.m.