Diaz enjoying unexpected All-Star experience

Raphael Diaz entered training camp with eight defensemen also listed for the Canadiens' blue line. Then came one injury after another and an opportunity leading to an appearance at the All-Star weekend. OTTAWA - It's often said, expect the unexpected. But not even Raphael Diaz could have...

Heather Engel | News/Northeast | Saturday, January 28 2012 Tags: Montreal, Canadiens, Raphael Diaz, Carey Price, All-Star weekend, Heather Engel, NHL, Hockey, Hockeyprimetime.com, Northeast Division |1 comment

Now starring on Long Island: John Tavares

John Tavares is already one of the NHL's best forwards. He also represents the best hope for an on-ice revival of the Islanders franchise, which is largely ignored by the media.  The last five first-overall picks have not had a difficult time acclimating to the NHL. Parick Kane (2007)...

Bill Weisbrod | News/Pacific | Friday, January 27 2012 Tags: John Tavares, Patrick Kane, Steven Stamkos, Taylor Hall, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, New York, Islanders, NHL draft, Bill Weisbrod, NHL, Hockey, Hockeyprimetime.com, Atlantic Division

Hurricanes' play no longer Staal-ed

New coach? New year? New linemates? Whatever the reason, Eric Staal is performing at the level Carolina Hurricanes fans have come to expect. Whether it's the new coach or the new year, something has gotten into Eric Staal. Since Dec. 29 – incidentally, two days after his brother Marc...

Erika Schnure | News/Southeast | Thursday, January 26 2012 Tags: Carolina, Hurricanes, Kirk Muller, Eric Staal, Jiri Tlusty, Tuomo Ruutu, Jeff Skinner, Erika Schnure, Southeast Division, Hockey, NHL, hockeyprimetime.com

Blackhawks endure snow and travel issues

Playing on back-to-back nights is routine in the NHL and something the Blackhawks are usually quite good at. Inconvenient things, like weather, sometimes get in the way – like they last weekend. Back-to-back games are a part of life in the NHL. Usually two games over the course of two days...

Jim Diamond | News/Central | Wednesday, January 25 2012 Tags: Chicago, Blackhawks, Joel Quenneville, Marian Hossa, Central Division, Weather, Jim Diamond, Hockey, NHL, Hockeyprimetime.com

Mueller enjoys memorable return from concussion

Concussion issues plagued Peter Mueller for two years. It took him a few games into his return but last week Mueller had a very memorable performance. Peter Mueller has been dealing with concussion issues for most of the past two seasons. Less than a week after returning to action with the...

Mike Cook | News/Northwest | Tuesday, January 24 2012 Tags: Peter Mueller, Colorado, Avalanche, Northwest Division, Mike Cook, Hockey, NHL, Hockeyprimetime.com

Can the Stars stop falling in the West?

The Dallas Stars are taking a tumble in the Western Conference standings. Injuries to two of their top fowards might not help end the nosedive unless some of the other issues get cured immediately.  The Dallas Stars hoped to soar back into the Western Conference playoff skies, but losing...

Andrew Knoll | News/Pacific | Monday, January 23 2012 Tags: Dallas, Stars, Western Conference, Pacific Division, Mike Ribeiro, Jamie Benn, Glen Gulutzan, Andrew Knoll, hockey, hockeyprimetime.com, NHL

Seguin blossoms in sophomore season

The Bruins' leading scorer is a player who was a healthy scratch to begin last season's playoff run. Before that, of course, Tyler Seguin was the second player drafted overall in 2010 – quite a journey in a short time. Last year, Tyler Seguin was a just-drafted, fresh-out-of-junior rookie...

Heather Engel | News/Northeast | Saturday, January 21 2012 Tags: Tyler Seguin, Boston, Bruins, Patrice Bergeron, hockey, NHL, Mark Recchi

Moose lays tracks in Brick City

In the Devils' goal crease, a journeyman is giving the face of the franchise the toughest in-house competition he's faced in nearly two decades. The New Jersey Devils have two seasoned goaltenders on their roster this season. One, 38-year-old Johan Hedberg, has been a backup most of his NHL...

Bill Weisbrod | News/Atlantic | Friday, January 20 2012 Tags: New Jersey, Devils, Martin Brodeur, Johan Hedberg, Atlantic Division, Bill Weisbrod, NHL, hockeyprimetime.com, hockey

Clemmensen answers call in Florida

A knee injury stunted the start of Scott Clemmensen's third season in Florida but when goaltending injuries piled up, he became a reliable temporary starter. That has shown the Panthers he can be the steady backup they need. The 2011-2012 NHL season has been a struggle for goaltender Scott...

Erika Schnure | News/Southeast | Thursday, January 19 2012 Tags: Florida, Panthers, Scott Clemmensen, Jose Theodore, Kevin Dineen, Jacob Markstrom, Southeast Division, Erika Schnure, Hockey, NHL, hockeyprimetime.com

Ryan Ellis feeling hip as he makes transition to NHL

Ryan Ellis is just beginning his tenure as an NHL defenseman. The early returns show that the former first-round pick is ready to join Nashville's talented defense corps. Just 10 games into his NHL career, Ryan Ellis has made an impact with two goals and three assists. With those numbers, the...

Jim Diamond | News/Central | Wednesday, January 18 2012 Tags: Ryan Ellis, Nashville, Predators, Barry Trotz, Wayne Simmonds, Central Division, Jim Diamond, NHL, Hockey, hockeyprimetime.com