Sport-scan daily brief

-Cam Talbot stopped 10 of 12 shots faced in 28:38 of ice time to earn the win, and improves to 1-0-0 in two preseason contests.

-Dylan McIlrath tallied an assist on the game-winning goal and was credited with two hits in 11:31 of ice time.

-Mats Zuccarello recorded the primary assist on the game’s opening goal, registered three shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating in 14:58 of ice time.

-Anton Stralman registered an assist, led all skaters with four shots on goal, and posted a plus-two rating in a game-high, 25:34 of ice time.

-Andrew Yogan and Conor Allen each tallied an assist on Powe’s second period goal.

-Michael Kantor was credited with a game-high, six hits in 11:12 of ice time.

Team Schedule:

-The Blueshirts will hold two practice sessions, at 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m., tomorrow, September 18, at MSG Training Center.

-The Rangers will return to action when they face-off against the Calgary Flames on Monday, September 23, at Scotiabank Saddledome (9:00 p.m. – TV: MSG Network), to begin a three-game Western Canada road trip.

Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 09.19.2013

717300 New York Rangers

It’s Go Time! … Rangers at Flyers

17 September 2013, 6:30 pm by Carp in Hockey New York Rangers NHL Rangers Report - 120 Comments

Ya boys and coach Alain Vigneault in search of win No. 1.

Light up the Empire State Building in orange and black to honor Mr. Snider.

Martin Biron and Cam Talbot, in a battle to be Henrik Lundqvist’s understudy, split the game in goal.

The Rangers have some muscle dressed, too, including Derek Dorsett, Micheal Haley, Dylan McIlrath. Wonder who Kris Newbury will fight.

The rest of the lineup is:

Dominic Moore, Darroll Powe, Derick Brassard, Jesper Fast, Michael Kantor, Oscar Lindberg, Benoit Pouliot, Taylor Pyatt, Andrew Yogan, Mats Zuccarello; Conor Allan, Dan Girardi, Ryan McDonagh, Anton Stralman, and Danny Syvret.

The game’s on MSG, so it’s a Rangers crew production.

Rockland Journal News: LOADED: 09.19.2013

717301 Ottawa Senators

Scanlan: Senators skate, win and skate some more

by Wayne Scanlan

on September 18, 2013

They were 3-0 at the rookie tournament and now a perfect 2-0 in the NHL preseason.

Will the Ottawa Senators ever lose a game — or do the visiting Maple Leafs have them right where they want them for Thursday’s exhibition at the Canadian Tire Centre?

We jest, of course. If these games were meaningful, Senators head coach Paul MacLean wouldn’t have skated his camp roster groups into the ice on Wednesday, with a practice session, followed by a 40-minute scrimmage, and then more skating.

“They’re trying to grind us a bit,” said Senators captain Jason Spezza, fresh off his first game wearing the ‘C’ on his jersey.

“Next week things will be cut back, but at this point I don’t think they’re too worried with how we’re feeling, other than staying healthy,” Spezza said. “They want us to work. They want these to be hard days.”

Mission accomplished.

He’s 30 now, a legitimate veteran, so Spezza could be forgiven for complaining about two-plus hours of hard skating on a day like Wednesday. He’s earned that right.

Instead, Spezza says he actually likes training camp, likes having the time to get into a rhythm — unlike last year’s one-week mini-camp and then a freaky 48-game season. Minus the usual prep time, Spezza threw his back out one week into the season.

“I’d like to see a little more time off, some days are kind of long, you’re doing a lot of skating,” Spezza said, “but it’s good for us because it gets us more prepared.”

For Senators management, training camp 2013 (not to be confused with that January 2013 abomination) presents the pleasant problem of having so many good young players wowing their bosses they offer a conundrum. General manager Bryan Murray was more or less grumbling under his breath that some of his team’s prospects are outplaying guys with the contracts.

What can a team do about that when it has 22 one-way contracts? In a perfect world, the NHL could just send its two-way players down to Binghamton, but some of Ottawa’s good 20-something forwards need to clear waivers if they’re demoted. That includes Mike Hoffman, Cory Conacher and Stephane Da Costa, three of the players vying for one top-six forward position.

“We have a couple of guys we’d like to be careful with and know as much about as we could possibly know,” Murray said as the Wednesday scrimmage wrapped up.

As noted here before, the Senators have hardly had a camp where the roster was so predictable. Goalies set, with Craig Anderson and Robin Lehner. Seven defencemen set, now that Jared Cowen is signed. When Cowen is ready to get in a game, look for Cowen and Patrick Wiercioch to be a pairing, behind Erik Karlsson and Marc Methot. Chris Phillips, Joe Corvo and Eric Gryba round out the group.

Among other things, Cowen and Wiercioch have to sort out who plays the right side, Murray noted.

“I think they’re top four defencemen in the league now,” he said. “The two of them are young, but they look like they’re in that category.”

Up front, Murray acknowledges only the wing position on the second line (Kyle Turris at centre) is up for grabs. The rest of the top five: Spezza, Bobby Ryan and Milan Michalek (all dressing versus the Leafs) and Clarke MacArthur.

While further cuts are expected next week, the Senators will keep their Binghamton players around town until the end of the month, when the AHL camp begins. The Senators also need 40 bodies to play a split squad game against the New York Islanders Sept. 29, with one game here and the other being played in Barrie, Ont.

Murray, by the way, doesn’t mind that his club is killing it in meaningless games.

“I like winning,” he says. “I think it’s a good habit to get into. But knowing your prospects and building a foundation for the season with lots of skating is more important.”

The brass have enjoyed watching Ryan settle in on the top line — he was impressive in Wednesday’s scrimmage and continues to score almost at will. MacArthur looks good and Karlsson was wheeling. Just seeing a healthy 65 and 19 on the ice together warms the hearts of organization types.

“This is a really important camp for us because we missed so many players last year (due to injuries),” Murray said. Important, as well, for the new guys like Ryan, MacArthur and Corvo, in his second time through.

One week in, Ryan said the game is “starting to slow down” for him in the visual sense, as he and other players adjust to pace and flow again.

PROUD TO BE BOOED

Don’t expect good old Toronto boy Spezza to be booed like his captain predecessor, Daniel Alfredsson, by invading Leaf fans.

“Maybe he provoked it a bit with the stick throw,” Spezza said, referring to Alfredsson’s mock toss in Toronto, a play on former Leafs captain Mats Sundin and his broken stick incident.

If he does get targeted by Maple Leaf fans?

“I wouldn’t be heartbroken if I did, that’s for sure,” Spezza said.

‘C’ A THRILL

It was only an exhibition game, but Spezza felt like a kid again pulling on a Senators jersey with a ‘C’ on the chest for the first time against the Winnipeg Jets.

“I’m proud of the fact I was named captain, it’s a big responsibility and it was cool to see the jersey with the ‘C’ and to play a game with it. It was pre-season, but it means something for sure,” he said.

PRAISE FOR PETERSSON

No, he isn’t likely to make the club, but forward Andre Petersson, 23, is turning heads with his speed and playmaking.

“He told me he was going to do this in camp this year and he’s doing it,” Murray said, proudly of a player who has fought his way back into the good graces of the organization.

“One point last year, we told him we didn’t care if he got a job in Sweden or someplace,” Murray said. “He’s come in and had a good camp.”

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 09.19.2013

717302 Ottawa Senators

Lupul makes training camp debut as Maple Leafs' lines start to take shape

By Stephen Whyno, The Canadian Press September 18, 2013

TORONTO - Joffrey Lupul knows he shouldn't have pushed it.

When the Toronto Maple Leafs winger with a history of lower-back issues felt the area tighten up before training camp started, he acknowledged rest would have been the best approach. When he tried to skate through it, the spasms cost him a week of time on the ice with teammates.

But after Lupul got through his first practice Wednesday, he was confident that mistake won't set him back too much as he tried to prepare for the start of the regular season.

"Obviously not the way I wanted to start the camp, but just happy everything's feeling better now," Lupul said. "We're taking it slow. It's obviously not the same way you'd probably treat an injury in the regular season. It's good that way. I guess time's on my side."

Barring a flare-up of back problems, Lupul is expected to get some pre-season games in before the Leafs visit the Montreal Canadiens for opening night Oct. 1. Starting with Thursday's game at the Ottawa Senators, they have six left, so there are plenty of opportunities.

But Lupul's focus is on getting ready for games that matter. In that regard, Wednesday's practice — which lasted almost two full hours — shed some light on what Toronto's forward lines could look like.

He skated on left wing with centre Tyler Bozak and right-winger Phil Kessel, a line that spent limited time together last season because the 29-year-old Lupul played just 16 games due to a broken arm and concussion.

James van Riemsdyk and David Clarkson skated together, though Nazem Kadri seems more likely to centre that line than Joe Colborne once things get underway. David Bolland between Mason Raymond and Nikolai Kulemin is also a possibility for the third line.

"I'm not exactly sure who's going to be playing with who," Lupul said. "I'm sure we'll be mixed and matched a little throughout the year, but I think it's a good mixture of speed and size. We've added some grit, and hopefully for some guys, some experience."

Some size was lacking from Leafs practice, given that enforcers Colton Orr and Frazer McLaren didn't skate with teammates. Orr, who has missed the start of camp with a leg bone bruise, skated before practice and could join team workouts over the weekend, according to coach Randy Carlyle.

McLaren is out at least two weeks with a fractured right pinky finger.

Lupul is fortunate that he doesn't have to sit out that length of time with back problems, and Carlyle expects him to be available for pre-season duty soon. After playing the Senators, the Leafs have a home-and-home series with the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday and Sunday, which gives the team and Lupul some options.

"Hopefully the back spasm issues are behind him," Carlyle said. "He's moving much better, felt much better and we think he’s an option for us in the next couple exhibition games."

Joking that he wanted to mimic former NBA star Allen Iverson's famous rant about practices not being games, Lupul isn't stressed about coming out strong whenever he makes his pre-season debut.

"Everyone's focus is on Oct. 1, mine included," he said. "This isn't the time to really push through an injury, and we're not treating it like we would if it was the regular season or playoffs or anything right now. It's just making sure that everything's 100 per cent. We're being a lot more cautious than typically you would."

Once games count, don't expect Lupul to be noticeably more cautious because of the various injuries that have at times derailed his career.

"Obviously you want to try and stay healthy, but you've also got to stick with what got you there and what makes you successful," Lupul said. "I think it would be a mistake to stay you can't go to the front of the net or can't get in the way of pucks or anything like that. I'm hoping to just have a little better luck, and we'll see."

Carlyle acknowledged there's "probably some merit" to the idea that Lupul goes into high-risk areas, but he's not demanding change.

“I wouldn’t say it has to be toned down," Carlyle said. "I think that he has to pick and choose, maybe, a little bit more, I guess, cautiously in some situations. I think what happened with him was more the fact that he was frustrated with his injuries and then trying to come back and make an impact right away.”

This time, Lupul can ease back in. He went full tilt in the first half of Wednesday's practice but was held out of the second half as planned.

"At this stage in the season you're taking it slow and make sure you're feeling good for Oct. 1," Lupul said. "There's still plenty of time till opening day."

Notes: Troy Bodie missed practice with an oblique strain, according to Carlyle. ... The Leafs cut down to 34 players in camp by assigning forward Tyler Biggs and defenceman Jesse Blacker to the AHL's Marlies.

Ottawa Citizen LOADED: 09.19.2013

717303 Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators expect to make more cuts in next few days

By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun

First posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 08:18 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 08:26 PM EDT

Decision day is coming for the Senators' hopefuls.

With 51 players still in training camp as the Senators prepare to host the Toronto Maple Leafs Thursday at the Canadian Tire Centre, not everybody will get a chance to take part in an exhibition game before more cuts are made.

Four players were sent back to junior Tuesday. GM Bryan Murray said following a scrimmage Wednesday that camp will likely split up into two groups early next week with some players being designated for Binghamton.

"There's a number of (tough decisions to make)," said Murray. "When we get to next week, (coach) Paul (MacLean) will want to get to 24-to-25 guys here. I don't think there's any doubt about that."

OFF THE GLASS

Awarded with the captaincy Saturday, C Jason Spezza was proud to pull on his jersey with the letter over his heart Sunday in Winnipeg and admitted it felt good. "It's nice to see a sweater that was different," said Spezza. "I'm proud of the fact that I was named captain. It's a big responsibility. It was cool to see the jersey with the 'C' and see the pictures afterwards. It's definitely a change. It's pre-season but it means something for sure." ... Top pick Curtis Lazar, who signed a contract with the club Tuesday and has been out with a shoulder injury, skated Wednesday and could play in an exhibition game next week before being sent back to junior. "He skated and he's very close," said Murray. D Eric Gryba, who didn't make the trip on the weekend, was also on the ice.

AROUND THE BOARDS

D Jared Cowen won't play vs. the Leafs, but he did skate with D Patrick Wiercioch for part of the scrimmage Wednesday. After signing a four-year deal on the weekend, Cowen is happy to be back. He had been skating at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon and will be ready for the start of the regular season. "It felt pretty weird actually. It didn't feel right. It felt kind of awkward," said Cowen. "I've been skating at home but not with the same calibre of players. I feel like I could play, but I'm glad I'm not because I want to take the time to get back with the guys." Expect to see Cowen next Tuesday vs. the Leafs on the road ... Murray said a Cowen and Wiercioch combination is a possibility during the regular season. "I think they're Top 4 defencemen in the league now," he said. "The two of them are young, but they look like they're in that category of player."

BLUELINE NOTES

D Erik Karlsson doesn't mind the new rules involving hybrid icing being used in the pre-season. "It means you don't have to skate as much, so it's pretty good. But it's going to take some getting used to, I think, and there's going to be some discussions about it. But it's a good thing. You don't want to be in a situation where you don't know what you're doing and so it's better to have the linesman calling it. That's their job." Karlsson said there isn't a lot of action around icing. "I haven't really been in a situation where it's been tight. It's a good thing," added Karlsson. "They might as well blow the whistle instead of letting the clock run for another three seconds and having to skate there. If the defensive team is first on the puck then everybody knows it's a go instead of being in a situation where you don't really know who's going to get the puck." ... MacLean has liked what he's seen from Bobby Ryan, Milan Michalek and Spezza, but anticipates they'll improve before the regular season starts. "If they can end up being good, that's going to be good for us," said MacLean. "They are trying to find where each other is and they're being overkind to each other by sharing the puck rather than just shooting it. There's still a little bit of summer hockey in them. At first, they've got a little bit of fun before taking the fun out of it."

THE LAST WORD

On a difficult day, MacLean started his post-practice news conference by sending out his "thoughts and prayers" to victims of the tragic bus/train collision along with the first responders in Barrhaven. Karlsson tweeted: "My thoughts are with the victims of that horrible crash in Ottawa today."

ON THE ICE

A look at the Senators' dress roster for Thursday's pre-season game against the Toronto Maple Leafs:

GOALIES

Nathan Lawson

DEFENCEMEN

Marc Methot

Chris Phillips

Chris Wideman

Patrick Wiercioch

Fredrik Claesson

Erik Karlsson

FORWARDS

Bobby Ryan

Milan Michalek

Shane Prince

Colin Greening

Jason Spezza

Andre Petersson

Chris Neil

Matt Kassian

Jean-Gabriel Peageau

Cole Schneider

Derek Grant

Mika Zibanejad

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 09.19.2013

717304 Ottawa Senators

Senators forward Bobby Ryan 'owes' Leafs coach Randy Carlyle

By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun

First posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 05:30 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 06:03 PM EDT

OTTAWA - As if the Battle of Ontario didn't have enough spice already, Bobby Ryan's arrival has added another subplot.

The new Senators winger will get his first glimpse of the Battle of Ontario in a pre-season version of the provincial rivalry as the Toronto Maple Leafs arrive at the Canadian Tire Centre Thursday night.

But Ryan, 26, is familiar with Toronto coach Randy Carlyle from being together with the Anaheim Ducks and while there's mutual respect, they won't be spending any time in the hallway after the game catching up.

"We're not going to say hello or anything, but it certainly won't be something where I'm aiming a puck at the bench. That's for sure ... That's not going to cross my mind at all," said Ryan with a smile Wednesday.

Carlyle and Ryan didn't always see eye-to-eye during their four years together with the Ducks. Carlyle demanded that Ryan be part of the program and that's a big reason why his name always lingered in trade rumours.

Looking back on it all, though, the four-time 30-plus goal scorer appreciates the way Carlyle pushed Ryan's buttons, even if he didn't like it at the time. What has happened in the past, according to Ryan, is water under the bridge.

"There's a lot more made of that than there really is," said Ryan. "People tended to read into more than there was. It wasn't a bad relationship, it just wasn't a great one.

"He's a tough coach. I do still really owe him quite a bit for becoming the player I am. That isn't lost on me one bit."

Carlyle is considered by many to be a taskmaster. You either buy into the program or you won't play. There is no question the relationship was strained when he left the Ducks.

"He's extremely demanding and he's tough, but he's also very fair," said Ryan. "He can be a players' coach. He wants to get the best out of you, so I think I was young and didn't always understand he always had my best intentions in mind for the team.

"I probably took things a little too personally. I've gotten older and probably a little more mature."

Ryan said he's grown up a lot since Carlyle left the Ducks after being fired by GM Bob Murray only 24 games into the 2011-12 season.

"Sometimes I felt like he was a little too hard on me," said Ryan. "That was just being young and not taking things the right way. That's all it was. I don't think it was any reason he was let go or anything like that.

"I just wish I hadn't taken it so personally when it came across. That's all it was. I truthfully don't think he had anything but the best intentions for me."

Carlyle, speaking to Toronto reporters Wednesday, had nothing but praise for Ryan and the way he has matured on and off the ice.

"Bobby was a young kid who had a different body make-up than he has now. He put a lot of time and effort in to get himself in the type of condition he is now than when he came out of junior," Carlyle said.

"He's very talented and dangerous as soon as he steps over the blueline in the offensive end. He can score from all areas and has a tremendous amount of reach and skill. He's an offensive weapon that we'll have to deal with. He's grown into a mature player, on and off the ice."

Ryan said when he looks back on everything that transpired with Carlyle, he wishes he hadn't taken it so personally at the time. Yes, that is part of becoming a professional.

"It is part of growing as a player and as a person, absolutely," said Ryan. "I think I've grown by leaps and bounds over the last two years in that regard.

"I can take things and separate them now whereas I couldn't when I was younger. I just always felt like I was the scapegoat with him. Sometimes I needed more than I knew ... That pressure, that push. I certainly regret a lot of what went on."

Ottawa Sun LOADED: 09.19.2013

717305 Ottawa Senators

Ottawa Senators' Jason Spezza could get booed by Toronto Maple Leafs fans after taking over captaincy from Daniel Alfredsson

By Bruce Garrioch ,Ottawa Sun

First posted: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 05:17 PM EDT | Updated: Wednesday, September 18, 2013 05:28 PM EDT

Jason Spezza doesn't know what to expect.

The last guy to wear the 'C' wasn't the most popular player with fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs and was booed every time he touched the puck. Now that Spezza will have the letter on his chest, he isn't sure about the reception.

While the Senators might be coming home to face the Maple Leafs in a pre-season Battle of Ontario, there will be plenty of Toronto blood in the crowd. With Daniel Alfredsson gone, the boos could be turned toward Spezza.

"I don't think so but maybe, you never know, (Alfredsson) provoked it a little bit with his (fake) stick thrown, but I wouldn't be heartbroken if I did (get booed), that's for sure," said Spezza with a laugh Wednesday.

With 52 players still in camp, the Senators are trying to give everybody they want to see a chance in the exhibition games. They will dress seven veteran forwards and four regular bluelines. Goalie Craig Anderson is expected to start.

Winger Bobby Ryan, making his home debut with the Senators, said he's looking forward to actually playing a game in Ottawa.

"It feels like it's been a long time coming," said Ryan, who will skate with Spezza and winger Milan Michalek. "It's only been a couple of months, but the excitement factor in the city has been there.

"Certainly, it's been there for me for awhile now. Truthfully, to get it out of the way and move forward is going to be nice, but I'm looking forward to hitting the ice for sure."

Spezza said the tuneups are good preparation for the grind of the regular season.