Flyers' Simon Gagne, middle, celebrates with teammates, from left, Jeff Carter, Mike Richards, Kimmo Timonen and Daniel Briere after scoring against the Rangers on Wednesday to help extend the team's win streak to four games. (Julie Jacobson/Associated Press)HNIC's senior online reporter Tim Wharnsby dishes out the latest news, buzz and inside information in the hockey world.
1. Flyers have fun at Fenway
Not much had gone right for the Philadelphia Flyers until they went on the road recently and reeled off four wins in a row. The frowns have turned into smiles as the Flyers climbed up the Eastern Conference standings from 14th to eighth.
The team's turnaround was evident during the Flyers' outdoor practice at Fenway Park on Thursday afternoon, when forwards Jeff Carter and Riley Cote tossed snowballs at teammate Scott Hartnell.
"This is what sports are all about," Cote said. "The team has been on the road and it's gaining confidence. We're a confident team right now. When things are going bad, they go bad and you find every single excuse. You're winning and everything is going well."
2. 50-50 for snow at outdoor game
The weather forecast for Boston and the Winter Classic at Fenway is a little better than earlier in the week when there was a 70 per cent chance of precipitation. There is a 50 per cent chance of light snow or rain, and the temperatures are expected to hover slightly above freezing.
NHL senior vice-president Colin Campbell and divisional reps Rob Zamuner and Steve Webb, along with Hartnell and Bruins defenceman Mark Stuart, will make the final call as to whether the conditions are safe enough for the Philadelphia Flyers and Bruins to play the Winter Classic. Also, if the game is called after two periods, the result at that time is official.
As far as the ice conditions on Thursday in practice, despite the heavy snowfall, most players agreed it was above average.
"It's better than half the rinks in the NHL," Hartnell said.
3. U.S.A. roster named on Friday
After the Winter Classic on Friday afternoon, United States Olympic team general manager Brian Burke will reveal his roster for Vancouver. We know Boston Bruins goalie Tim Thomas is on the team because he has agreed to participate in a ceremony that will have him skate out with 22 little kids who will wear U.S. national team sweaters with the name of the successful candidates on their backs.
Here are the players we like for the U.S. squad: Goalies — Craig Anderson, Ryan Miller and Thomas; Defence — Erik Johnson, Mike Komisarek, Paul Martin, Brooks Orpik, Brian Rafalski, Rob Scuderi and Ryan Suter; Forwards — David Backes, Dustin Brown, Ryan Callahan, Chris Drury, Patrick Kane, Phil Kessel, Ryan Kessler, Ryan Malone, Mike Modano, Zach Parise, Joe Pavelski, Bobby Ryan, Paul Statsny.
4. Jumbo Joe, most productive of the decade
San Jose Shark Joe Thornton is without a Stanley Cup championship, but over the past decade nobody has been more productive in the NHL.
Here are the Top 10 point producers for the decade that ended Thursday night: Thornton (257 goals and 849 points); Jarome Iginla (367, 756); Daniel Alfredsson (286, 742); Jaromir Jagr (301, 737); Marian Hossa (330, 702), Vincent Lecavalier (298, 678); Joe Sakic (250, 662); Markus Naslund (296, 658); Alex Kovalev (262, 642); and Milan Hejduk (313, 635). Calgary’s Iginla was the top goal scorer. Detroit’s Nicklas Lidstrom had the best plus-minus at plus-242. Thornton was the best playmaker with 592 assists. Florida’s Bryan McCabe had the most penalty minutes with 1,008.
5. Red Wings, simply the best
With two Stanley Cups, the Red Wings not only have won the most playoff series in the decade, but they have also notched the most regular season wins. Here is a glance at the records of the 30 NHL teams this past decade:
