Sport-scan daily brief

Marchand took a hard hit and was face down on the ice for a while early in the second. He was leveled when Abdelkader left his feet and blind-sided the winger. Marchand was helped to the bench, but returned later in the period.

NOTES: It was Krug's first regular season goal. He had four in his first five playoff games last spring. ... Bruins F Carl Soderberg was out with an injured ankle. ... Howard entered 3-0 with a 1.62 goals against in his career versus Boston. ... The Bruins and Red Wings meet in TD Garden again on Columbus Day. ... The Red Wings had killed off their first seven short-handed situations before Krug's goal. ... Boston F Lucic is two goals shy of 100 for his career. ... David Ortiz's second homer of the Red Sox-Rays ALDS game was shown on the Jumbotron late in the second period, drawing a huge roar from the TD Garden crowd. The final out was also shown, with a louder response. ... Boston's Smith played against his brother — Red Wings D Brendan Smith.

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.06.2013

719686 Boston Bruins

Bruins and Red Wings renew rivalry

Saturday, October 5, 2013

By: Steve Conroy

The return of an old Original Six rivalry gets re-energized tonight when the Bruins host the Detroit Red Wing, who have been moved to the Eastern Conference in the NHL's new realignment. The Wings are 2-0 and coming off a come-from-behind overtime victory in Carolina last night.

Everyone knows how good the puck-possessing Wings have traditionally been the last two decades, but B's coach Claude Julien said they're underrated in one sense.

“They do a really good job of defending, and I think sometimes we don't give that team enough credit for that,” said Julien. “The reason why they have the puck a lot is because they defend well. Watch tonight, they always have their players above ours and very seldom will we have outnumbered situations. You've got to be willing to fight for those pucks, get it by them and be willing to fight for it again. You're not going to get a run-and-and-gun type of game against that team because they defend so well.”

It was a regular mutual admiration society between Julien and Detroit coach Mike Babcock, with whom he'll coach the Canadian Olympic team in February (Babcock is returning as the head coach).

“Doing a pre-scout on Boston as a coach, it takes you about six minutes and I would think it's the same for Detroit,” said Babcock. “They're not trying to trick you. They're just trying to do it right – over and over and over again. And you see the same thing over and over again. The reason why they're successful is because they're organized. They've got people in good spots. They've obviously got good depth and good people in their lineup, but they do it right. To me, that's what good teams do. They do it right.”

The Bruins will go with the same lineup tonight against the Wings and it'll be Tuukka Rask versus Jimmy Howard, who played last night in Carolina...

Carl Soderberg (ankle) remained off the ice.

Boston Herald LOADED: 10.06.2013

719687 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres overmatched in loss to Penguins

By John Vogl | News Sports Reporter | @BuffNewsVogl | Google+

on October 5, 2013 - 10:12 PM, updated October 6, 2013 at 12:18 AM

PITTSBURGH — When Darcy Regier was laying the groundwork for his next rebuild, he said the Sabres needed to bring more elite players to Buffalo. The general manager said they didn’t have enough talent to contend for the Stanley Cup.

That was evident from the moment Buffalo stepped on the ice in Pittsburgh.

The Penguins might win the Cup this season, while the Sabres might win the first overall draft pick. Their differences were clear throughout the Penguins’ 4-1 victory Saturday in Consol Energy Center.

“This league’s hard, and they have to expect that it’s going to be hard during the course of the year,” Sabres coach Ron Rolston said. “We’ve got to find a way.”

The Sabres have lost their opening three games in regulation for the first time in history. Their longest winless streak to start a season is seven games, “achieved” in 1990-91 (0-4-3) and 1999-2000 (0-5-2).

Both those teams rebounded to reach the postseason. This edition will need to learn how to score just to have a chance at one victory. The Sabres have only two goals in the opening three games, and they came 122 minutes, 30 seconds apart.

“Overall, it’s the same story,” center Cody Hodgson said. “We need to get ways to generate offense. One goal isn’t enough.”

The Penguins had a step or two on the Sabres from the moment the puck dropped. It took only 3:39 for that to translate into a 1-0 lead. Sidney Crosby slipped between two Buffalo defenders and put his own rebound past goaltender Jhonas Enroth.

The Sabres were in a 2-0 hole before the opening period expired as Chuck Kobasew tipped Brandon Sutter’s shot from the point.

The Penguins finished the first with just an 11-9 edge in shots, but that failed to tell the tale of zone time and quality chances. Pittsburgh dominated. The Penguins finished the game with a 35-21 shot advantage.

“We didn’t generate a lot,” Rolston said. “We just have to be a lot simpler than we are right now. We pass up a lot of opportunities when we do get them, and I thought they played really well.”

The Sabres went 0 for 2 on the power play during the second period, extending their scoreless streak to the opening 13 opportunities of the season.

“We didn’t score again,” Hodgson said. “We need to.”

Pittsburgh made it 3-0 with 9:51 left in the game when Chris Kunitz scored on a penalty shot. Thomas Vanek ended the shutout bid of Marc-Andre Fleury with 4:54 to play, but Craig Adams answered with an empty-net goal.

The Sabres have given up only 2.33 goals per game so far, but they are still minus-5 in goal differential, tied for worst in the Eastern Conference. The lack of offense is crushing.

“We need to score goals,” defenseman Mike Weber said. “Our goalies have been doing a heck of a job for us in the three games.”

The Sabres are scheduled to take today off, giving the coaching staff and players a chance to regroup. They’ll return to practice Monday and host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday.

“We lost three straight games,” Enroth said. “Obviously, we’re frustrated. We’ll take the day off, get back to work Monday and try and figure this out.”

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.06.2013

719688 Buffalo Sabres

Miller won't dress against Penguins tonight; Sabres goalie nursing sore groin, source says

October 5, 2013 - 5:07 PM

By John Vogl

PITTSBURGH -- Ryan Miller will sit out the Sabres' third game of the season tonight, with the goaltender watching as Jhonas Enroth starts against the Penguins and emergency callup Matt Hackett dresses as the backup.

Buffalo coach Ron Rolston expects Miller to be back Tuesday when the Sabres host Tampa Bay. Miller is essentially being given a maintenance day to rest a sore groin, a source tells The News.

Henrik Tallinder, who suffered an upper-body injury during Friday's 1-0 loss to Ottawa, will miss a week, Rolston said. Jamie McBain will replace the defenseman and get power-play time.

Rolston wants more from his top forwards, including Cody Hodgson and Drew Stafford, tonight against the Penguins. The coach was disappointed in his so-called scoring lines Friday.

"Our top six have to be better," Rolston said this evening in Consol Energy Center. "That’s what this league is all about, you know, is your top six have to perform and they have to be your best players on a nightly basis. I know ours will rebound tonight."

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.06.2013

719689 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres' Hackett: 'I never seen getting called up after six goals coming'

October 5, 2013 - 12:47 PM

By John Vogl

PITTSBURGH -- The Amerks' season debut Friday was as forgettable as they come for the team and Matt Hackett -- until the goalie's phone rang.

About midnight, hours after getting torched for six goals in less than two periods of an 8-1 loss to Grand Rapids, Hackett was set to fall asleep. Instead, he hopped in his car and drove to Buffalo to possibly be the Sabres' backup tonight.

"I never seen getting called up after six goals coming," Hackett said today in Consol Energy Center.

The Sabres called up Hackett after learning that Ryan Miller has a lower-body problem and might not be available to dress against the Penguins. Hackett is on a goalie exemption and doesn't count against the roster, General Manager Darcy Regier said.

"I’m just here to back up tonight, I guess," said Hackett, who was driven to Pittsburgh this morning to join the team.

Hackett clearly wants to forget the Amerks' debut, which left him with a 9.84 goals-against average and .800 save percentage after he stopped 24 of 30 shots in 36:35.

"It was just one of those games," Hackett said. "We came out really flat. We’ve got some things to figure out down there, but we’re a confident group and we’ll get back and figure it out."

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.06.2013

719690 Buffalo Sabres

Sabres' Miller has 'not serious, very short term' lower-body problem, Regier says

October 5, 2013 - 12:10 PM

By John Vogl

PITTSBURGH -- Ryan Miller suffered a minor lower-body problem Friday night, putting his availability in doubt for tonight's game against the Penguins.

Miller skipped the Sabres' morning skate today, while Matt Hackett is up from Rochester on an emergency roster exemption. Miller is still eligible to play if he is healthy by puck drop.

General Manager Darcy Regier said he wasn't sure when Miller was hurt but deemed it "not serious, very short term in nature."

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.06.2013

719691 Buffalo Sabres

Hackett rejoins Sabres with Miller absent from morning skate

October 5, 2013 - 11:50 AM

By John Vogl

PITTSBURGH -- Ryan Miller is absent from the morning skate while Matt Hackett is present, continuing a whirlwind morning for the Sabres' goaltenders.

Buffalo has recalled Hackett from Rochester following a near-shutout by Miller and an implosion by Hackett and the Amerks. The Rochester Democrat and Chronicle reported at 1 a.m. that Hackett was packing his bags and joining the Sabres for tonight's game in Pittsburgh despite getting torched for six goals in less than two periods in the Amerks' season opener.

Miller likely suffered an injury during the 1-0 loss to Ottawa, hence the need for Hackett.

Coach Ron Rolston, who is not on the ice for the optional morning skate, is expected to update the media shortly.

The Sabres' practice features only 10 skaters (John Scott, Mikhail Grigorenko, Jamie McBain, Brian Flynn, Mark Pysyk, Cody McCormick, Zemgus Girgensons, Rasmus Ristolainen, Johan Larsson and Alexander Sulzer, who was recalled to replace injured Henrik Tallinder) and the two backup goalies, Hackett and Jhonas Enroth.

Enroth was expected to start against the Penguins tonight regardless of Miller's status.

Buffalo News LOADED: 10.06.2013

719692 Calgary Flames

Flames notes: Centreman Colborne to make Saddledome debut Saturday

Calgary HeraldOctober 5, 2013

Here's five points to ponder ahead of Saturday's game between the Vancouver Canucks and the Calgary Flames at the Saddledome.

So far so good for the Calgary Flames.

With a possible three of four points earned on the road in the team’s first two games to start the season, head coach Bob Hartley was encouraged by the strong start.

“They can taste the results,” he said following an optional skate Saturday at the WinSport facilities. “You look at the third period in Washington. We were flying out there.

“We might not be the deepest team in talent. We don’t have a Crosby or an Ovechkin. But we’re a team. We’re a family. Right now, the guys are on the same page. They worked hard. And, in the first two games, they got rewarded with three points out of four. For their confidence, for their mindset, it’s a big bonus. It’s a good sign.”

*****

And, for a guy who just arrived a week ago from the Toronto Maple Leafs, is picking up an entirely new system, and adjusting to life as part of his hometown National Hockey League team, Hartley felt the 23-year-old centreman did pretty well in the absence of C Matt Stajan.

“Hey, here’s a young guy who had what, five, six days with us compared to the other guys who had 48-games last year, a full summer,” Hartley said. “Each coach has a different way of working, a different way of teaching. Right now, Joe is on fast-forward mode.

“We’re trying to get him from Grade 3 to second-year university in five, six days.”

*****

News travels fast, especially when it carries a whiff of controversy.

“I’m excited to see how Baertschi does this year,” Comeau, sitting in the Blue Jackets dressing room, said Friday morning. “I think he’s going to have a big year. I’ve read some comments about him lately ... I thought he was a great player when I was there, so I’m excited to see how he does.”

Comeau admits that Burke’s appraisal caught him off guard. “Those were comments that I don’t think any young player wants to hear,” he said. “That being said, I think he knows he’s a good player. He’s skilled and talented. It’s just my opinion that he’s going to be a really good professional.”

Baertschi, a 2011 first-round pick who turns 21 on Saturday, does have potential — easily tapped, according to Comeau. “It just comes down to him relaxing and playing,” he said. “He’s got all the skill in the world. I think he’s going to be very successful this year. He’s got really good hockey sense, hockey IQ, and that’s something you can’t teach. I think people forget how young he still is. He’s going to be good. He’s a great kid. He’s a great kid off the ice. I wish him nothing but the best.”

*****

Washington Capitals defenceman Jack Hillen underwent surgery on Friday to repair a fractured tibial plateau and is expected to miss four to six months.

There is some unfortunate irony to the situation considering Bouma suffered a torn ACL and MCL only three games into last year’s American Hockey League campaign. He was limited to just three games with the Abbotsford Heat and spent the rest of the 2012-13 season rehabbing.

*****

The Vancouver Canucks were without Alex Burrows for their home opener on Saturday night against the Edmonton Oilers.

“He’s a big part of our team and he plays in every situation so we’re going to miss him, for sure,” said Canucks captain Henrik Sedin. “I mean, he’s a really good player. But it’s a chance for other guys to step up and that’s what’s going to happen every time you get an injury.”

Canucks head coach John Tortorella indicated Burrows will be out for a few weeks. Because forward Zack Kassian is still suspended, likely Jannik Hansen and David Booth would replace Burrows on the top line.

THE FLAMES

Keep an eye on

C Joe Colborne: Having just joined the team a week ago from the Toronto Maple Leafs, the 23-year-old Calgarian made his debut in Friday’s 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets as a replacement for the injured Matt Stajan. Colborne is likely set to make his debut in the Scotiabank Saddledome which, no doubt, will light a fire under the six-foot-five centreman who’ll have plenty of family and friends watching.

The Lines

*C. Glencross-J. Colborne-D. Jones

*S. Baertschi-S. Monahan-L. Stempniak

*T.J. Galiardi-M. Backlund-J. Hudler

*L. Bouma-B. Street-B. McGrattan

The Pairings

*M. Giordano-T.J. Brodie

*K. Russell-D. Wideman

*C. Butler-S.O’Brien

The Goalies

*J. MacDonald

*K. Ramo

*C Matt Stajan (deep leg contusion)

*LW Michael Cammalleri (hand)

THE CANUCKS

Keep an eye on

RW Jannik Hansen: Without winger Alex Burrows, it’ll be up to the recently re-signed 27-year-old to help the twins produce on the top line. A good start to the season couldn’t hurt the energetic winger who is already in head coach John Tortorella’s good books as a “utility guy” who can play on the power play, penalty killing unit, and is speedy on the forecheck.

The Lines

*D. Sedin-H. Sedin-J. Hansen

*D. Booth-R. Kesler-C. Higgins

*D. Weise-B. Richardson-M. Santorelli

*T. Sestito-Z. Dalpe-Y. Weber

The Pairings

*D. Hamhuis-K. Bieksa

*A. Edler-J. Garrison

*C. Tanev -R. Stanton

The Goalies

*R. Luongo

*J. Cantata

The Injuries

*RW Alexandre Burrows (foot)

*C Jordan Schroeder (ankle fracture)

*Z. Kassian (suspended)

Kristen Odland, Calgary Herald

Calgary Herald: LOADED: 10.06.2013

719693 Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames netminder Joey MacDonald to start against Vancouver Canucks

By RANDY SPORTAK ,Calgary Sun

First posted: Saturday, October 05, 2013 06:11 PM MDT | Updated: Saturday, October 05, 2013 10:12 PM MDT

Win and you’re in.

That’s the early message for the goaltenders in the first week of the Calgary Flames season.

Head coach Bob Hartley said Joey MacDonald will be in the net when the Flames meet the Vancouver Canucks in Sunday’s home-opener at the Saddledome (6 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet FAN 960).

Karri Ramo was between the pipes for Thursday’s season-opening 5-4 shootout loss to the Washington Capitals, while MacDonald came up with 29-save performance in the 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets the next night.

In fact, no lineup changes are expected for the Flames, with forwards Michael Cammalleri (hand) and Matt Stajan (leg) on the shelf.

Cammalleri’s been sidelined since the first pre-season game, while Stajan was hurt in the season-opener, with no hard-and-fast return date for either having been set.

“Not for a few days, that’s for sure. I don’t expect to see Staje for a little while,” Hartley said. “But don’t trust me. I told you Cammy was a few days and it’s close to a month.”

Home Sweet Dome

The June flood that sent approximately 30-million gallons of water into the Saddledome and destroyed much of it — including the team’s dressing room, the ice plant, the kitchen and the big-screen control room — seems now in the past when you walk into it.

However, the quick rebuilding isn’t lost on the Flames as they ready for the home-opener.

“If we would have been all over the place during training camp, I can’t guarantee that we would have been this prepared at this time, with all the travelling and change rinks,” coach Bob Hartley said. “Thanks to those people, we were in our rink, in our facility — it’s fully functional with how the gym is set and the offices are set — so we have no excuses.”

Added forward TJ Galiardi: “We’re very grateful to be back at home and able to play in the Saddledome, and not have to start the year with a two-week road trip, so we’re going to play our hearts out.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.06.2013

719694 Calgary Flames

Calgary Flames a work in progress

By WES GILBERTSON ,Calgary Sun

First posted: Saturday, October 05, 2013 06:04 PM MDT | Updated: Saturday, October 05, 2013 06:10 PM MDT

CALGARY - Just hours before the official start of this new season, head coach Bob Hartley took a not-so-subtle swipe at the Calgary Flames of old.

Responding after Thursday’s morning skate in Washington to a curiously-timed question about optional spins on game day, Hartley seized an opportunity to get something off his chest.

“There are no more options,” Hartley said. “The options when to work and when not to work are over. Last year, I did this with this group and, as a coaching staff, we felt it was a disaster. Some guys didn’t use it with common sense.

“We’re paid to play and we’re paid to love this game. And if you don’t love this game, maybe we don’t want you on this team.”

You don’t need a PHD in hockey to figure out Hartley’s blueprint for success for this rebuilding bunch.

No mornings off.

No nights off.

Not even the occasional slack shift.

And you know what? So far, it seems to be working.

Heading into Sunday’s home-opener against the Vancouver Canucks (6 p.m., Sportsnet West, Sportsnet Fan 960), the Flames own a 1-0-1 record.

They were frustrated about frittering away a three-goal lead in Thursday’s 5-4 shootout loss in Washington but, with the momentum the Capitals had on their side after two periods and with the firepower on their roster, just getting the game to overtime was no small feat.

Twenty-four hours later in Columbus, the Flames seldom showed any sign of let-up in a gutsy 4-3 victory over the well-rested Blue Jackets.

Read the reports out of both cities, and the common theme is the opposition was impressed by their work ethic.

“We talked about it before the year — we don’t have any quote-unquote superstar guys on our team, so we need to bring the work boots every game,” said Flames winger TJ Galiardi. “You can tell even in the few times when we let up or weren’t working our hardest or had mental lapses, that’s when other teams jumped all over us. That’s how this league works.”

Make no mistake, hard work won’t be enough for a victory every night.

On Thursday in D.C., the difference in the game was Capitals superstar Alex Ovechkin, whose eye-popping stat-line against the Flames included two tallies on 11 shots, one assist, five hits and the winning goal in the shootout.

The Flames don’t have a one-man wrecking crew like Ovechkin. In fact, with Michael Cammalleri (hand) and Matt Stajan (leg) both injured, half of the forwards who were in Calgary’s lineup in Columbus — youngsters Sven Baertschi, Lance Bouma, Joe Colborne, Sean Monahan and Ben Street and tough-guy Brian McGrattan — have combined for fewer goals in their NHL careers (18) than Ovechkin had in the lockout-shortened season (32).

The Flames aren’t the NHL’s most talented outfit, but holy smokes — give me a break, it’s a PG-13 publication — do they work hard.

Three points so far is proof of it.

“To see results, that’s the easiest motivation that we can get,” Hartley said after Friday’s hard-fought victory over the Blue Jackets.

“We see that our conditioning is paying off. We see that our execution is paying off. And suddenly, it’s easier to learn, it’s easier to listen, it’s easier to show up the next day at work.

“Winning, in this business, there’s no better way.”

Calgary Sun: LOADED: 10.06.2013

719695 Calgary Flames

Dome sweet Dome for Joe Colborne with Calgary Flames

By RANDY SPORTAK ,Calgary Sun

First posted: Saturday, October 05, 2013 05:03 PM MDT | Updated: Saturday, October 05, 2013 10:14 PM MDT

Joe Colborne is learning an important word now that he’s part of the Calgary Flames.

No.