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Nightly Hockey Hits

Nightly Hockey Hits: Phil Kessel is set to return, Habs fans need to wait before chanting, NHLPA calls another ’emergency meeting’, Ovechkin another injury casualty, Did all the Canucks go on NBC’s Biggest Loser?

Bruins can’t put together a winning or losing streak; Devils month of November plans; Wings Kronwall sure can hit; Injuries continue to pile up; a look at the US Olympic team; Judge Baum approves sale of the Coyotes to NHL but apparently nobody told the fans as 5,855 show up (announced crowd) to see the Yotes play the Kings. These stories and more halloween pictures after the jump.

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Hope everyone had a Happy Halloween.  Here is the latest news from around the blogging world:

  • Checking from Behind:  Phil Kessel is set to return.  As Richard suggested in today’s Morning Paper’s Take, it appears that the Leafs playoff aspirations are fading quickly, so it is imperative that Kessel have an immediate impact with the Leafs.
  • Hub Hockey:  (Not So) Factual Analysis of the Lose-Win pattern.  Interesting trend.  I will be on hand at the Joe tomorrow night to see if this pattern continues.
  • Four Habs Fans:  Karma.  Perhaps singing Na Na Na Na, with four minutes to go was a tad premature.
  • In Lou We Trust:  The November ahead for the Devils.  New Jersey is going to have to copy whatever they are doing on the road, and bring it back to the Prudential Center.
  • Ice Man:  ‘The good, the un-good and the ugly’.  Sitting in 12th in the East and an injured Kovulchuk who will be absent for the next few weeks is all pretty ugly.  Goaltending however has been pretty, pretty, pretty good.
  • Canucks Hockey Blog:  From size to speed. One thing that Northwest division features is a lot of grit and with the composition of the Canucks, they better hope their speed will help them avoid the other teams muscle.
  • Nightmare on Helm Street:  Can’t drive 55, but he can drive you.  This guy hits like a ton of bricks.

    Kronwall

    Kronwall's controversial hit in last year's playoffs. (Photo courtesy of CBC.ca

  • Sports Business Daily:  NHLPA meeting called after Ouellet tabbed as temporary Exec Dir.  Oh boy, more NHLPA drama.  Very good assessment of all that is going on.
  • NHL:  Judge Baum approves the sale of the Phoenix Coyotes to the NHL.  No big surprise here.
  • T.O. Sports:  Ritter takes a a Look into the NHL and rants about Ovi, Raycroft, Tlusty, Kubina, +/-.  Lots of good rant in here.
  • Tips for Hockey:  Winners and Losers of October.  Surprised Colorado and Carolina didn’t make the list.
  • Hockeyjackass:  Injuries piling up.  Seems like 3/4 of Team Russia is suffering from the injury bug
  • The Goalie Guild:  Go with the flow.  Wow.  He has unveiled the ultimate chart to help you select your fantasy goaltender.
  • From the Rink:  Olympics Watch – Americans off to hot starts.  I’m a big fan of Miller’s and that’s not just my Lansing bias
  • Puck Daddy:  Photo Expedition – Halloween frights from NHL players, arenas.  Some real gems

    LA Kings

    While the costume isn't Halloween scary, the lack of crowd sure is! (Photo courtesy of Puck Daddy).

Another sparse crowd in Phoenix tonight as they fell to the visiting Kings 5-3 in front of an announced crowd of 5,855 fans.  Perhaps the World Series & MNF contributed to the small crowd but I had expected things to start improving.
Crowd
Crowd3
And to get a better idea, look behind the Yotes celebration:
Crowd 2