NHL ANNOUNCES 2011 STANLEY CUP CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINAL SCHEDULE

By AJ Petronzi In Play on Facebook

NEW YORK (April 10, 2011) – The National Hockey League tonight announced the dates and times for the 2011 Stanley Cup Conference Quarter-Final round, which begins Wednesday, April 13.  All times listed are ET and subject to change.  National broadcast information will be announced when available.

2011 EASTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS

SERIES A                              TIME (ET)       #1 Washington vs. #8 NY Rangers               

Wednesday, April 13, 2011               7:30 p.m.               NY Rangers at Washington                              

Friday, April 15, 2011                         7:30 p.m.               NY Rangers at Washington                              

Sunday, April 17, 2011                      3 p.m.                     Washington at NY Rangers                              

Wednesday, April 20, 2011               7 p.m.                     Washington at NY Rangers                              

*Saturday, April 23, 2011                 3 p.m.                     NY Rangers at Washington                              

*Monday, April 25, 2011                  TBD                       Washington at NY Rangers                              

*Wednesday, April 27, 2011             TBD                       NY Rangers at Washington                              

SERIES B                              TIME (ET)       #2 Philadelphia vs. #7 Buffalo                         

Thursday, April 14, 2011                   7:30 p.m.               Buffalo at Philadelphia                                     

Saturday, April 16, 2011                    5 p.m.                     Buffalo at Philadelphia                                     

Monday, April 18, 2011                     7 p.m.                     Philadelphia at Buffalo                                     

Wednesday, April 20, 2011               7:30 p.m.               Philadelphia at Buffalo                                     

*Friday, April 22, 2011                      7:30 p.m.               Buffalo at Philadelphia                                     

*Sunday, April 24, 2011                    3 p.m.                     Philadelphia at Buffalo                                     

*Tuesday, April 26, 2011                  TBD                       Buffalo at Philadelphia                                     

                                                                             

SERIES C                              TIME (ET)       #3 Boston vs. #6 Montreal                             

Thursday, April 14, 2011                   7 p.m.                     Montreal at Boston                                            

Saturday, April 16, 2011                    7 p.m.                     Montreal at Boston                                            

Monday, April 18, 2011                     7:30 p.m.               Boston at Montreal                                            

Thursday, April 21, 2011                   7 p.m.                     Boston at Montreal                                            

*Saturday, April 23, 2011                                 7 p.m.                     Montreal at Boston                                            

*Tuesday, April 26, 2011                  TBD                       Boston at Montreal                                            

*Wednesday, April 27, 2011             TBD                       Montreal at Boston                                            

SERIES D                              TIME (ET)       #4 Pittsburgh vs. #5 Tampa Bay                   

Wednesday, April 13, 2011               7 p.m.                     Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh                                 

Friday, April 15, 2011                         7 p.m.                     Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh                                 

Monday, April 18, 2011                     7:30 p.m.               Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay                                 

Wednesday, April 20, 2011               7:30 p.m.               Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay                                 

*Saturday, April 23, 2011                 TBD                       Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh                                 

*Monday, April 25, 2011                  TBD                       Pittsburgh at Tampa Bay                                 

*Wednesday, April 27, 2011             TBD                       Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh                                 

2011 WESTERN CONFERENCE QUARTER-FINALS

SERIES E                              TIME (ET)       #1 Vancouver vs. #8 Chicago       

Wednesday, April 13, 2011               10 p.m.                  Chicago at Vancouver                      

Friday, April 15, 2011                         10 p.m.                  Chicago at Vancouver                      

Sunday, April 17, 2011                      8 p.m.                    Vancouver at Chicago                      

Tuesday, April 19, 2011                     8 p.m.                     Vancouver at Chicago                      

*Thursday, April 21, 2011                 10 p.m.                  Chicago at Vancouver                      

*Sunday, April 24, 2011                    8 p.m.                     Vancouver at Chicago                      

*Tuesday, April 26, 2011                  TBD                       Chicago at Vancouver                      

SERIES F                              TIME (ET)       #2 San Jose vs. #7 Los Angeles                      

Thursday, April 14, 2011                   10 p.m.                  Los Angeles at San Jose                    

Saturday, April 16, 2011                    10 p.m.                  Los Angeles at San Jose                    

Tuesday, April 19, 2011                     10:30 p.m.            San Jose at Los Angeles                    

Thursday, April 21, 2011                   10:30 p.m.            San Jose at Los Angeles                    

*Saturday, April 23, 2011                 10:30 p.m.            Los Angeles at San Jose                    

*Monday, April 25, 2011                  TBD                       San Jose at Los Angeles                    

*Wednesday, April 27, 2011             TBD                       Los Angeles at San Jose                    

SERIES G                             TIME (ET)       #3 Detroit vs. #6 Phoenix              

Wednesday, April 13, 2011               7 p.m.                     Phoenix at Detroit                              

Saturday, April 16, 2011                    1 p.m.                     Phoenix at Detroit                              

Monday, April 18, 2011                     10:30 p.m.            Detroit at Phoenix                              

Wednesday, April 20, 2011               10:30 p.m.            Detroit at Phoenix                              

*Friday, April 22, 2011                      7 p.m.                     Phoenix at Detroit                              

*Sunday, April 24, 2011                    TBD                       Detroit at Phoenix                              

*Wednesday, April 27, 2011             TBD                       Phoenix at Detroit                              

                                               

SERIES H                             TIME (ET)       #4 Anaheim vs. #5 Nashville             

Wednesday, April 13, 2011               10:30 p.m.            Nashville at Anaheim                        

Friday, April 15, 2011                         10:30 p.m.            Nashville at Anaheim                        

Sunday, April 17, 2011                      TBD                       Anaheim at Nashville                        

Wednesday, April 20, 2011               TBD                       Anaheim at Nashville                        

*Friday, April 22, 2011                      10 p.m.                  Nashville at Anaheim                        

*Sunday, April 24, 2011                    TBD                       Anaheim at Nashville                                        

*Tuesday, April 26, 2011                  TBD                       Nashville at Anaheim                        

* if necessary

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DALLAS LOSES, CHICAGO MAKES CUT FOR PLAYOFFS!

By AJ Petronzi
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Dallas gave Minnesota’s fans a final boost going forward for their franchise as they failed to win their final game of the season, sealing the playoff berth of the Chicago Blackhawks.


Chicago, who lost their final game of the season to Detroit, was in danger of becoming the first team to win the cup and fail to make the playoffs the next year since Carolina missed the 2007 playoffs after winning the cup in 2006. Chicago will play Vancouver in the first round.

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Red Wings Win, Blackhawks Forced To Wait

By AJ Petronzi
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The Detroit Red Wings have defeated the Chicago Blackhawks in regulation, leaving Dallas with the ability to spoil Chicago’s chance to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions.

The Blackhawks, but likely not many other people in Chicago, will be sitting on edge until Dallas’ game tonight with the Minnesota Wild is over. Should Dallas win in anything other than a shootout, then Dallas would knock the Blackhawks out of the playoffs.
After the game tonight, the Wings’ Brad Stuart told the media, “In a small way, it feels good to maybe be the team that eliminated Chicago.”

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Red Wings Could Be Blackhawks Spoiler Again

By AJ Petronzi
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The Detroit Red Wings started their 2010-2011 season with back to back wins, the second of which was in Chicago on the Blackhawks Stanley Cup night. This afternoon, the Wings will look at spoiling the Blackhawks again by possible blocking them from making the playoffs.

Red Wings look to help send Hawks packin!
Photo by AJ Petronzi / In Play! Magazine

The Blackhawks need just one point today to clinch the final playoff spot in the West. Dallas, which trails the Hawks by 2 points, also plays today, but holds the tiebreaker advantage against Chicago. So if Dallas wins in regulation or OT, but not a shootout, and Chicago is dropped in regulation, then the Blackhawks will be stopped from getting a chance to defend Lord Stanley’s Challis.

The Red Wings have their own honor at stake today. After getting thrashed by Carolina and Chicago in their last two games, this is their last chance to show their first round contenders that the Wings are still a force to be reckoned with.

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SELLOUT STREAK CONTINUES IN HOCKEYTOWN!

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Friday’s regular season home finale versus Chicago will be the 23^rd consecutive sellout for an NHL game at Joe Louis Arena. Detroit will also surpass the 800,000 mark in attendance on Friday for the first time since the 2008-09 season. Having already welcomed 786,826 fans through the gates at JLA, the Red Wings will finish the regular season with a cumulative attendance mark of 806,892.

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RED WINGS OFFICIALLY CLINCH TWENTIETH CONSECUTIVE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF BERTH

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… Detroit’s Current Post-Season Appearance Streak is the Longest in North

American Major Professional Sports; First Round Playoff Tickets On Sale Now ...

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings officially clinched their 20^th consecutive post-season berth in northern Tennessee earlier today, earning two points in a 4-3 overtime victory over the Nashville Predators. Along with the San Jose Sharks, Detroit is now one of only two NHL teams to have qualified for the playoffs every year since the league negotiated a new collective bargaining agreement with the player’s association in 2005.  

Today’s road win also secures the Red Wings their 11^th straight 100-point season, a streak which extends their own NHL record. The previous mark of eight seasons was set by the Montreal Canadiens from 1974-75 through 1981-82.

Detroit’s quest for the 12^th Stanley Cup in franchise history will begin later this month versus a to-be-determined opponent. 

TOP ACTIVE POST-SEASON APPEARANCE STREAKS:

NHL – Detroit Red Wings, 20 seasons

NBA – San Antonio Spurs, 14 seasons

NFL – Indianapolis Colts, 9 seasons

MLB – Philadelphia Phillies, 4 seasons

MOST CONSECUTIVE STANLEY CUP PLAYOFF APPEARANCES:

29        Boston Bruins, 1968-96

28        Chicago Blackhawks, 1970-97

25        St. Louis Blues, 1980-2004

24        Montreal Canadiens, 1971-94

21        Montreal Canadiens, 1949-69

20        Detroit Red Wings, 1991-present

20        Detroit Red Wings, 1939-58

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RED WINGS ASSIGN THOMAS MCCOLLUM TO GRAND RAPIDS

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Detroit, MI... The Detroit Red Wings today announced that goaltender Thomas McCollum has been assigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.

McCollum, 21, was recalled by Detroit on Monday from the Toledo Walleye of the East Coast 

Hockey League.  He heads to Grand Rapids where he has appeared in 20 games this season with a 6-11-2 record and a 3.18 GAA.  McCollum has also played in 23 games for Toledo (23 GP, 11-9-2, 2.76 GAA).  He was Detroit’s first round selection (30^th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

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RED WINGS RECALL THOMAS MCCOLLUM FROM TOLEDO

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… Starting Goaltender Jimmy Howard Day-To-Day With Sprained Shoulder …

Detroit, MI... The Detroit Red Wings today announced that goaltender Thomas McCollum has been recalled from the Toledo Storm of the East Coast Hockey League. McCollum will serve as Joey MacDonald’s backup tonight when the Red Wings host the Chicago Blackhawks at Joe Louis Arena (7:30 p.m. ET on Versus and 97.1 The Ticket).

McCollum, 21, returns to Detroit for his second stint with the Red Wings this season. The Amherst, NY, native also served as Detroit’s second-string goalie during a 6-5 overtime win on January 15 against the Columbus Blue Jackets. He has split time this season between the Grand Rapids Griffins of the AHL (20 GP, 6-11-2, 3.18 GAA) and the Toledo Storm of the ECHL (23 GP, 11-9-2, 2.76 GAA). McCollum was Detroit’s first round selection (30th overall) in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft.

Detroit’s starting goaltender, Jimmy Howard, is currently listed as day-to-day after suffering a shoulder sprain during Saturday night’s 4-2 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Red Wings also recently placed veteran goaltender Chris Osgood on injured reserve as he continues to recover from groin/sports hernia surgery.

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RED WINGS REASSIGN FORWARD JAN MURSAK TO GRAND RAPIDS

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Detroit, MI... The Detroit Red Wings today announced that forward Jan Mursak has been reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.

Mursak, 23, was recalled on Tuesday and appeared in his 19th game of the season for Detroit 

on Wednesday night against the Vancouver Canucks.  The Maribor, Slovenia, native played his first career game on December 27 at the Pepsi Center against the Colorado Avalanche and notched his first career goal in a return trip to Denver on January 10.  Mursak returns to the Griffins where he has played in 51 games, collecting 35 points (13-22-35) and 35 PIM. 

He was Detroit’s sixth round selection (182^nd overall) in the 2006 NHL Entry Draft.

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RED WINGS SIGN 2008 DRAFT SELECTION GUSTAV NYQUIST TO ENTRY-LEVEL CONTRACT

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… Swedish-Born Center is Hobey Baker Award Finalist for Second Straight Year …

Detroit, MI… Detroit Red Wings General Manager Ken Holland today announced that 21-year-old forward Gustav Nyquist has been signed to a two-year entry-level contract. As per club policy, no further terms of the deal will be announced. Nyquist will join the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL) immediately.

Originally selected by Detroit in the fourth round (121st overall) of the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Nyquist has spent the past three seasons with the University of Maine Black Bears (NCAA) where he has twice been named a Hockey East First Team All-Star. The 5’11”, 170 lb. center was also named to the conference’s All-Rookie Team in 2008-09 after a stellar freshman campaign with the Black Bears. Nyquist has been a finalist for the Hobey Baker Award as the top collegiate player in the country each of the past two seasons (this year’s winner will be announced on April 8). In 113 career NCAA games, Nyquist has tallied 144 points (50G-94A) in addition to 68 penalty minutes.

Prior to enrolling at the University of Maine, Nyquist starred with his hometown Malmö Redhawks in Sweden’s premier junior league (SuperElit) where he registered 75 points (32G-43A) in 66 games played over the course of two seasons.

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WINGS RECALL JOEY MACDONALD, OZZY PUT ON IR

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RED WINGS RECALL JOEY MACDONALD FROM GRAND RAPIDS

…Goaltender Chris Osgood Placed On Injured Reserve…

Detroit, MI...  The Detroit Red Wings today announced that goaltender Joey MacDonald 

has been recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League.  MacDonald will serve as Jimmy Howard’s backup tonight when the Red Wings host the Vancouver Canucks at Joe Louis Arena (7:30 p.m. ET).

MacDonald, 31, has appeared in twelve games for Detroit this season, posting a 4-4-2 record. 

He currently leads all Red Wings goaltenders with a 2.10 GAA and .926 save percentage.  To clear a roster spot for MacDonald, the Red Wings have placed veteran goaltender Chris Osgood (groin) on injured reserve. 

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NHL’S MIDWEST CLUBS TO BE HONORED BY U.S. EPA FOR REDISTRIBUTING UNSOLD ARENA FOOD TO THOSE IN NEED

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Commitment is Part of League-wide Partnership with Rock and Wrap It Up!

NEW YORK (March 18, 2011) -- The four National Hockey League Clubs based in the Midwestern U.S. will receive a different kind of award at the close of the 2010-11 NHL regular season. The United States’ Environmental Protection Agency will honor the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild for their commitment to recovering all prepared but untouched concession food as part of the NHL’s partnership with Rock and Wrap it Up!

To date, the four Clubs have combined to divert nearly 12 tons of waste from reaching landfills, while providing 18,000 meals to local community shelters.

The local stories
Chicago: In cooperation with food provider Levy, the reigning Stanley Cup Champions have rerouted 3,500 pounds of food that otherwise would have been discarded. Levy and the Salvation Army coordinate the pick-up and distribution of prepared meals from the United Center after Blackhawks’ home games. On April 3rd, the EPA will celebrate the Blackhawks’ environmental achievements, presenting the Club with a plaque during a pre-game ceremony.

Columbus: In cooperation with food provider Delaware North Sports Service, the Blue Jackets have rerouted 2,294 pounds of food. Delaware North and the Mid-Ohio Food Bank coordinate the pick-up and distribution from Nationwide Arena after Blue Jackets’ home games. On March 20th, the EPA will recognize the Blue Jackets’ environmental achievements, presenting the Club with a plaque during the second period in the Nationwide Fan Lounge.

Detroit: In cooperation with food provider Olympia Entertainment, the Red Wings have rerouted 13,071 pounds of food. Olympia Entertainment and Forgotten Harvest coordinate the pick-up and distribution from Joe Louis Arena after Red Wings’ home games. On March 21st, the EPA will celebrate the Red Wings’ environmental achievements, presenting the Club with a plaque at an on-ice, pre-game ceremony.

Minnesota: In cooperation with food provider Levy, the Wild have rerouted 6,220 pounds of food. Levy and Joseph’s Store House coordinate the pick-up and distribution from the Xcel Energy Center after Wild home games. On March 26th, the EPA will celebrate the Wild’s environmental achievements, presenting the Club with a plaque on the "Let’s Play Hockey" FSN stage during intermission.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this year celebrates 40 years of tangible improvements to the health and the environment of the American people. The Agency is honoring Rock and Wrap It Up! and the National Hockey League for their participation in its WasteWise Food Recovery Challenge, which encourages participants to reduce, donate, and recycle as much of their food waste as possible, thereby saving money and protecting the environment.

"US EPA congratulates the Midwest NHL teams for helping to solve two problems at the same time: feeding the hungry and reducing the volume of waste sent to landfills," said EPA Regional Administrator Susan Hedman. "We look forward to working with the NHL to expand Rock and Wrap It Up! next year."

In October, the National Hockey League announced a partnership with Rock and Wrap It Up! to fight hunger and prevent waste across the United States and Canada. This season, all 30 of the League's Member Clubs have committed to work with RWU to pack up all prepared but unsold concession food on game nights for redistribution to local shelters and places of need. As of March 1, NHL Clubs have provided 120,000 meals while keeping more than 80 tons of food waste from landfills.

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Red Wing Captain Nicklas Lidstrom Gets Street Name in Novi

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Novi to honor Detroit Red Wing Captain Nicklas Lidstrom with a street re-naming ceremony
Nick Lidstrom Dr. will be located off of Novi Road, just south of Ten Mile Road

NOVI, Mich., March 16, 2011 – The City of Novi will re-name Arena Drive to Nick Lidstrom Drive during an official ceremony on Thursday, March 24 at 5:30 pm. The event will take place outdoors at the City of Novi Ice Arena (currently, 42400 Arena Drive, off Novi Road, just south of Ten Mile Road). Event includes a sign presentation to Lidstrom, shoot-out contest, giveaways, and free refreshments.


Red Wings Captain Nick Lidstrom hoists the Stanley Cup during the
October 9, 2008 celebration at the Joe. The Toronto Maple Leafs were in
attendance that night to kick off the season with an original six match up.
Photo by Jack Rosenberg / In Play! Magazine

Lidstrom, a longtime Novi resident, has been a Detroit Red Wing since being drafted in 1989. He has been on four Stanley Cup winning teams and is the first European player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy for Most Valuable Player during the playoffs. Lidstrom has received the James Norris Memorial Trophy as best NHL defenseman six times and scored the game-winning goal for Sweden in the 2006 Olympic Gold-Medal Game.

"Nicklas Lidstrom is a local icon and we are proud he chose Novi as the community in which to live and raise his family in Michigan," commented David B. Landry, Mayor, City of Novi. "His involvement with youth hockey at the City of Novi Ice Arena is a testament to Mr. Lidstrom's commitment to the future of hockey, good sportsmanship, and exemplary of the community spirit for which Novi is known."

Parking at the City of Novi Ice Arena for the event is limited. A shuttle service will be available from the Novi Civic Center (45175 West Ten Mile Road) starting at 4:45 pm.

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RED WINGS RECALL JOEY MACDONALD FROM GRAND RAPIDS

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Detroit, MI... The Detroit Red Wings today announced that goaltender Joey MacDonald has been recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. MacDonald is available to play in tonight’s game when the Red Wings play host to the Washington Capitals (7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports Detroit and 97.1 The Ticket).

MacDonald, 31, has appeared in ten games for the Red Wings this season, posting a 3-4-1 record with a 2.47 goals-against average and .910 save percentage. The Pictou, NS, native has played in 82 career National Hockey League games for the Boston Bruins (7), New York Islanders (51), Toronto Maple Leafs (6) and Red Wings (18).

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RED WINGS ACTIVATE VETERAN GOALTENDER CHRIS OSGOOD

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Wings activate The Wizard just in time for the playoffs.
Photo by Dave Anton / In Play! Magazine

… Joey MacDonald Reassigned to Grand Rapids …

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings today announced that veteran goaltender Chris Osgood has been removed from the team’s Injured Reserve List. Osgood, 38, has missed 27 games since undergoing successful sports hernia surgery in January. The Red Wings have also announced that 30-year-old netminder Joey MacDonald has been reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL).

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RED WINGS RECALL DOUG JANIK FROM GRAND RAPIDS

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…Veteran Blue Liner Returns for his Second Stint with Detroit this Season…

Detroit, MI... The Detroit Red Wings today announced that defenseman Doug Janik has been recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins of the American Hockey League. Janik, 30, will be available for tomorrow night’s game when the Red Wings play host to the Edmonton Oilers (7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports Detroit and 97.1 The Ticket).

The Agawam, MA, native is back in Hockeytown for his second stint with the Wings this season. He appeared in seven games for Detroit from October 12-28 (0-0-0, -2, 7 PIM). The eight-year NHL veteran has played in 181 career games, registering 18 points (3-15-18) and 148 PIM.

Janik is currently serving as an assistant captain with Grand Rapids. In 46 games with the Griffins, he has 17 points (4-13-17) and 55 PIM.

Doug Janik, Defense
Born Mar 26 1980 -- Agawam, MA
Height 6.02 -- Weight 210 -- Shoots L

Selected by Buffalo in the second round (#55 overall) of the 1999 NHL Entry Draft

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Red Wings Trade Deadline Rumor Wagon and News

By AJ Petronzi
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3:30 pm: The first 30 minutes after the deadline has doubled the number of trades and revealed that the rumored trade of Jason Arnott to the Washington Capitals did indeed go through. Odds are that a few more deals might come sliding through, but likely by four everything should be quite.

3:00 pm: The deadline has come and only seven trades have been made around the NHL. However, there are still trades that could have been submitted and might not be made known until after the deadline.

2:30 pm: The NHL is heating up, but let’s have some fun of our own. We're going to peel back the salary cap and look at the kind of trades we saw from Ken Holland a decade ago. How would you feel about these trades involving some of the rumored names around the NHL that I feel would have brought Stanley home to Detroit?

Trade 1: Paul Stastny and John-Michael Liles from Colorado to Detroit for Jonathan Ericsson and Valterri Filppula or Jiri Hudler.

Trade 2: Brad Richards from Dallas to Detroit for Jan Mursak and 2011 1st Round Draft Pick.

No love lost for Ericsson, Filppula, Hudler, or Mursak, but this would have been a good deadline day with these deals.

2:05 pm: With less than an hour to the deadline, the rumor wagon's broken down and the NHL doesn't even have speculation deals in the works right now (At least none that have made it to the blogosphere). This last hour looks likely to be as exciting and fast-paced at the 100-meter dash at the senior Olympics.

1:30 pm: Now that the Howard deal is official, signed, and ancient history as far as Deadline day news, let’s take a quick look at what it'll mean moving forward next season. The cap-starved Red Wings will have to shave at least one and a half million from next year’s payroll in order to make the cap, if it doesn't go up. With Chris Osgood saying he'd like to be back next year, it's likely he'll take some concessions, but that's nit-picky stuff. The Wings are going to be forced to move a multi-million dollar player, likely a forward, or let someone walk. Be prepared to possibly see  Ken Holland drop a high dollar prospect moving forward in the next hour and a half to compensate for Howard's salary increase.

Lunch Break Update: Sources are saying the deal with Jimmy Howard has gone through. The two year deal worth roughly five million will make Howard the highest paid goalie for the Wings since the trade deadline and will make his cap hit around 2.5 million, just shy of a two million dollar increase from this season.

Morning Rumor Wagon: Despite the rumors that the Red Wings will be quiet today at the NHL trade deadline, it looks like the Wings might be making a "trade." The Wings might be close to trading Jimmy Howard's current contract to the recycle bin in favor of a two-year extension.

Howard, who leads the NHL in wins at the deadline, has been a little shaky as of late, but a contract extension with Howard is about as likely as a cloudy winter day in the D. At this point, it’s probably just a matter of waiting for Howard to get a shower in after the morning skate to get this deal done.

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RED WINGS RECALL JAN MURSAK FROM GRAND RAPIDS GRIFFINS

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… Rookie Forward has Skated in 17 Games with Detroit this Season …

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings today announced that rookie forward Jan Mursak has been recalled from the Grand Rapids Griffins (AHL). Mursak will be available to play in tomorrow’s home game versus the Dallas Stars (7:30 p.m. – FS Detroit & 97.1 The Ticket).

Mursak has appeared in 17 games with Detroit since making his National Hockey League debut on December 27 in a road match versus the Colorado Avalanche. The 23-year-old also scored his first career NHL goal at Denver’s Pepsi Center – on January 10 upon veteran goaltender Peter Budaj. Originally selected by Detroit in the sixth round (182nd overall) of the 2006 NHL Entry Draft, Mursak is one of only two Slovenian-born players to skate in the NHL (Los Angeles Kings center Anze Kopitar is the other).

Recently signed by Detroit to a two-year contract extension, Mursak has registered 28 points (11-17-25) in 39 games played with the Red Wings’ American Hockey League affiliate club thus far on the 2010-11 campaign. In 169 career AHL games, the 5’11”, 167 lb. winger has recorded 79 points (37-42-79) in addition to 102 PIM. Prior to commencing his professional career with the Griffins, Mursak enjoyed a standout major junior career in the Ontario Hockey League, tallying 144 points (44-100-144) in 119 games with the Belleville Bulls and Saginaw Sprit.

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Red Wings To Face Steve Yzerman's Lightning Tonight

By AJ Petronzi
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After 27 years with the Detroit Red Wings, Steve Yzerman finds himself standing on the other side of the ice tonight for the first time in his career, as he'll be rooting for his Tampa Bay Lightning during the teams’ only matchup of the season.

Yzerman left Detroit last summer after having been the GM for Canada's gold medal team at the Olympics and having seen his mentor, Ken Holland, given a contract extension as GM of the Wings. As GM of the Lightning, Yzerman has taken the team well into the lead of their division and likely into the playoffs for the first time since 2007.

Yzerman, who has played down the hype surrounding the game, said he is thinking of this game as no different from any of Tampa Bay's 81 other games this season. However, Yzerman, who served as the longest tenured captain in NHL history while wearing the winged wheel in Detroit, has admitted that he hasn't cut ties with the D. He recently told media, "I still seek our Holland's advice on some of the decision's I've made this season."

And why not, with less injuries than last season, the Red Wings are right on top of the standings where they have sat for the last decade with Holland at the wheel. They enter tonight tied for fourth in the league...with Tampa Bay.

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Michigan Sports Hall of Fame exhibit at Detroit Historical Museum through April 3rd

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The Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in partnership with the Detroit Historical Society, presents a spirited, interactive exhibit featuring an exciting theme highlighting comebacks and championships by local sports teams. The exhibit, which runs through Sunday, April 3 in the Detroit Historical Museum's Community Gallery, highlights both team and individual triumphs throughout the years.


From the Detroit Red Wings amazing stretch as the best team in hockey following years of being the league doormat, to the Detroit Tigers remarkable comeback against the St. Louis Cardinals in 1968, this engaging presentation will evoke nostalgic memories for sports fans.

"The sights, sounds and excitement of this exhibit will offer visitors a unique reflection of our beloved Tigers, Lions, Pistons, Red Wings, Wolverines and Spartans through highlighted stories of comebacks with engaging videos and authentic displays," said Scott Lesher, MSHOF chairman.

Positive messages of teamwork, persistence, faith and other encouraging elements will invite visitors to take home a feeling of inspiration relevant to their lives - especially during our state's economic comeback journey.

This exciting new exhibit is presented by Comcast, with supporting sponsors Ford Motor Driving Skills, First Michigan Bank and Delta.

Join us on February 23 at the DHM Exhibit to celebrate the announcement of the 2011 Class of the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. Click here to buy tickets to the exclusive event.

February 20, 2011
Michigan Sports Hall of Famer and longtime Detroit Lions kicker Eddie Murray will be at the MSHOF Exhibit at the Detroit Historical Museum this Sunday February 20 signing free autographs from 1 PM to 2 PM. There is free admission to the Museum that day, so it is a perfect day to check out the new MSHOF Exhibit here.

February 23, 2011
We invite you to join us in a celebration on February 23 as we introduce our 55th Class of Inductees. Be among the first to not only welcome the new class of inductees, but to share the memories, recollections & special moments in the great history of Michigan sports presented as only the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame can. The announcement will be at 5:00 followed by dinner and drinks. A limited number of tickets to this exclusive event are available on the Hall's website.

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NHL ALL STAR GAME WILL INCLUDE EVERYTHING, EXCEPT MOST OF NHL's BEST PLAYERS

By AJ Petronzi
  In Play on Facebook

It isn't a new trend, but many of the NHL's hand-picked all-stars will be sitting at home watching the game on TV the coming all-star weekend.

Headlining the list of missing all-stars are Henrik Zetterberg, Pavel Datsyuk, Sydney Crosby, and Evgeni Malkin. There are at least 5 additional players sitting out the game.

The NHL is the only one of the four major leagues in North America to hold its all-star game in the middle of the season. Many of the players have injuries while others like Zetterberg alledge injuries so as not to risk getting injured in the all-star game.

With the changes made to the all-star format this year, another major change is probably needed. It is beyond belief why the NHL doesn't lump the all-star game into the draft week festivites. This way, the likelyhood of players missing do to injuries, real or fake, would be much less.

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NHL Rumor Wagon Targets Red Wings and Evgeni Nabokov

By AJ Petronzi
In Play on Facebook

After taking flight from San Jose this summer and parting ways with SKA St. Petersburg of the KHL in December, Evgeni Nabokov might find himself back in the NHL and between the pipes in Detroit.

A recent injury to Jimmy Howard exposed a massive hole in the Wings depth chart when Joey MacDonald was forced to become the Wings starter, a situation that didn’t work well for anyone other than the 14 teams chasing Detroit in the West. With Chris Osgood out at least four more weeks from groin surgery, there’s a need for the Wings to find a solid backup for Howard, who’s been on a bit of a slide himself.

Last time Nabokov was in the D was game four of the Conference Semi-Finals in May which saw him give up five goals on nine shots, including a natural hat trick by Johan Franzen. Nabokov is currently forth on the active goaltending win list with 293 wins. Roberto Luongo (5th) has 291 wins as of January 20, 2011. The acquisition would give Detroit two of the four active leaders in wins. Osgood is currently second with 401 wins.

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