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On the Beat

On the Beat (Western Conference): Bears-Blackhawks ads sacked by NFL, Ryan Kesler’s slump continues, what is wrong with the Stars?

Ducks by the numbers; Robyn Regehr good to go tonight; big changes to line-up at Jackets practice; a look at the company hired to build Edmonton Arena district; Kings coach gives his assessment of Flames; Preds recall Sulzer. These stories and more after the jump.

Here is today’s word from the team beat writers:

  • The Anaheim Ducks blew a lead to the Senators last night and Curtis Zupke of the Orange County Register takes a look at the numbers.
  • Flames coach Brent Sutter confirmed that Miikka Kiprusoff will start against the Kings and Robyn Regehr, who played reduced third-period minutes Saturday, will suit up as well.
  • It was to have been a first — the first time teams from the National Football League and the National Hockey League had come together in a joint marketing effort but it appears that the Bears-Blackhawks ads have been sacked by the NFL.
    Chicago Teams
  • Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch reports that big changes are in store for the Blue Jackets line-up at today’s practice.
  • The Dallas Stars are one of only two teams in the Western Conference that have still not put together a three game winning streak and Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News wonders what is wrong with this team?
  • David Staples of the Edmonton Journal takes an in-depth look at L.A. Live and AEG, the sports company hired by Oikers owner Darryl Katz to help build the Edmonton arena district.
  • The Kings are taking on the Flames tonight and Rich Hammond gets word from Kings coach Terry Murray about his assessment of Calgary.
  • John Glennon of the Tennessean is reporting that defen­ce­man Ale­xan­der Sul­zer, who’s boun­ced bet­ween Milwau­kee and Nash­vi­lle regu­larly this sea­son, has once again been reca­lled by the Pre­da­tors.
    Alexander Sulzer
  • When Vancouver’s Kevin Bieksa is playing with an edge and jumping up into the play, it can work both ways for the Canucks.  Ryan Kesler often claims to not pay attention to much of anything but he knows that he’s gone 14 games without a goal.