The Daily Puck: Callahan on Target

The Daily Puck: Callahan on Target

This article is part of our The Daily Puck series.

Around the Rink

If you want to see what Sidney Crosby can do, even coming off a concussion, check this video out from the Penguins' Web site.

Do fewer hits to the head mean more knee injuries? NFL players, such as Hines Ward, has said he'd rather see opponents stay high with their hits than target his legs and knees.  

Mike Knuble has always been a second-half player - his surge just took a little bit longer this season. After a three-point night Tuesday, Knuble has averaged a point per game (11 in 11) for the month of March.

Two teams, the Penguins and the Capitals, have lost 4-0 leads in the last two days and went on to win in shootouts.

It's a shame Phoenix still has ownership issues. The 'Yotes have won 40 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.

It wouldn't be surprising to see the Flyers go 1-and-done in the playoffs with Sergei Bobrovsky and Brian Boucher in net. They're going the wrong way at the wrong time of the season.

Of course the same thing can be said about Tim Thomas and the Bruins, too.

The Devils are nine points out of the playoffs with nine games remaining. If only New Jersey hadn't funked out the first half of the season. The outlook for next year looks bright - especially if Zach Parise comes back - but Martin Brodeur will be 39 years of age in May.

I still can't believe

Around the Rink

If you want to see what Sidney Crosby can do, even coming off a concussion, check this video out from the Penguins' Web site.

Do fewer hits to the head mean more knee injuries? NFL players, such as Hines Ward, has said he'd rather see opponents stay high with their hits than target his legs and knees.  

Mike Knuble has always been a second-half player - his surge just took a little bit longer this season. After a three-point night Tuesday, Knuble has averaged a point per game (11 in 11) for the month of March.

Two teams, the Penguins and the Capitals, have lost 4-0 leads in the last two days and went on to win in shootouts.

It's a shame Phoenix still has ownership issues. The 'Yotes have won 40 games in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.

It wouldn't be surprising to see the Flyers go 1-and-done in the playoffs with Sergei Bobrovsky and Brian Boucher in net. They're going the wrong way at the wrong time of the season.

Of course the same thing can be said about Tim Thomas and the Bruins, too.

The Devils are nine points out of the playoffs with nine games remaining. If only New Jersey hadn't funked out the first half of the season. The outlook for next year looks bright - especially if Zach Parise comes back - but Martin Brodeur will be 39 years of age in May.

I still can't believe the Panthers didn't trade Tomas Vokoun at the deadline. He'll be 35 this summer and his trade value will be on the decline.

Detroit was thought to be a possible destination for Vokoun. After watching Jimmy Howard struggle against Pittsburgh on Monday, the Red Wings would've been perfect for Vokoun. Howard should not be the starting goalie for the Wings in 2011-12.

Whatever happened to Sheldon Souray?

Who's Hot

Milan Lucic - Lucic potted his 30th goal of the season in Tuesday's win over New Jersey. Add in a plus-26 rating, 106 PIMs, 154 hits, seven game-winners and a 19.2 shooting percentage and you've got yourself a fantasy hockey MVP candidate.

Ryan Callahan - Ryan's shooting like Harry Callahan - right at his target - with seven goals and 15 points in 10 March contests.
 
Who's Not

Jimmy Howard - It was almost embarrassing watching Howard in net Monday night. He has about as much confidence in his goaltending right now as I do bungee-jumping off the Royal Gorge Suspension Bridge.

Recommended Pickup

Tyler Ennis and Marcus Johansson - These two guys are going to be even better in 2011-12. Go out and get them now and enjoy them next year - especially if you're cooked like I am in the RotoWire Staff League.

Probable Starting Goalies

Vancouver (Roberto Luongo) at Detroit (Jimmy Howard), 7:30 p.m.
Florida (Tomas Vokoun) at Chicago (Corey Crawford), 8:30 p.m.
Anaheim (Ray Emery) at Dallas (Kari Lehtonen), 8:30 p.m.
Calgary (Miikka Kiprusoff) at San Jose (Antti Niemi), 10:00 p.m.

RotoWire Goalie Grid

Injury Roll Call

Vancouver
Tanner Glass - Questionable, day-to-day with an abdomen injury, likely game-time decision.
Aaron Rome - Questionable, day-to-day with illness, perhaps another game-time.
Mikael Samuelsson - Out, will miss Wednesday against old teammates with general soreness.
Andrew Alberts - Out, has returned to skating after missing extended period with broken wrist.
Kevin Bieksa - Probable, expected to return to action Wednesday after missing month with broken foot.
Manny Malhotra - Out, gone for the year after undergoing eye surgery. 

Detroit 
Todd Bertuzzi - Questionable, likely to sit out Wednesday with sore back.
Pavel Datsyuk - Out, expected to miss third straight game with lower-body injury.
Johan Franzen - Out, groin injury is expected to keep him sidelined Wednesday.
Jiri Hudler - Questionable, returned to practice Tuesday but isn't ready to return from illness & other.
Chris Osgood - Placed on the long-term injured reserve list Wednesday, not a good sign.
 
Florida 
Scott Clemmensen - Questionable, missed Tuesday with undisclosed and could miss Wednesday, too.
Shawn Matthias - Probable, returned to action Tuesday against the Rangers.
Jack Skille - Probable, returned from high ankle sprain Tuesday night.
Alexander Sulzer - Probable, also came back Tuesday after missing with an oblique strain.
Stephen Weiss - Questionable, missed Tuesday with a leg injury, check updates.

Chicago 
Dave Bolland - Out, concussion has him sidelined that is thought to be day-to-day.
Brian Campbell - Questionable, practiced Tuesday but will see how foot feels Wednesday.
Patrick Sharp - Out, knee injury expected to keep him out two weeks.
 
Anaheim 
Jonas Hiller - Questionable, traveling with team on road trip but no return date given.

Dallas 
Adam Burish - Questionable, missed fourth straight game Saturday with a lower-body injury.
Loui Eriksson - Questionable, could return as soon as Wednesday from upper body, check updates.
Nicklas Grossman - Out, underwent MRI on knee Tuesday for what appears to be significant damage.
Karlis Skrastins - Out, cut from skate blade could keep him indefinitely sidelined.
 
Calgary 
Niklas Hagman - Out, suffered a head injury, possibly a concussion, and will miss at least Wednesday.

San Jose
Logan Couture - Questionable, practiced without problem Tuesday and could return Wednesday.
Niclas Wallin - Questionable, practicing since Monday and figures to play Wednesday.
Scott Nichol - Questionable, not expected to play with upper-body injury Wednesday.
Dany Heatley - Probable, eligible to play Wednesday after serving out two-game suspension.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
John Toperzer
John has written for Rotowire.com since 2003 and serves as the beat writer for the Pittsburgh Penguins and Pittsburgh Pirates. He’s worked for the Pirates for 17 years, written for the Penguins’ Web site as the first game-day editor, and rooted for the Steelers dating back to the Immaculate Reception.
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