NHL News: Pro Sports Daily

Penguins' Malkin grounds Jets with 5 points

February 12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Evgeni Malkin was playing his 400th game in the NHL. It was as good a time as any, he seemed to figure, for a career retrospective. To offer up five-plus seasons of excellence in microcosm. So Malkin set about scoring one goal and setting up four others Saturday in what became an 8-5 Penguins victory against Winnipeg at Consol Energy Center. All of which gave Malkin his third five-point game this season, in addition to running his team-high goals total to 30 and his league-leading points total to 67."

Capitals center Nicklas Backstrom has 'day-to-day' struggle with concussion

February 12

Washington Post

"Nicklas Backstrom stood outside the Washington Capitals' dressing room Thursday night at Verizon Center, leaning against a doorway in a charcoal gray suit. He caught up with his Swedish countrymen from that evening's opponent, and occasionally cracked just the slightest smile. For that moment, it seemed easy to forget that Backstrom remains sidelined indefinitely by a concussion, unable to play or even skate for more than five minutes over the past month. His plight is not atypical of players who have suffered head injuries this season, and his return will come only after he meets protocols established by the league. Sunday, when the Capitals take on the Eastern Conference-leading New York"

Staal gives Penguins an assist in return to lineup

February 12

Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"Jordan Staal had not played since Jan. 6 because of a left knee injury, so some things felt new to him Saturday when the Penguins faced Winnipeg at Consol Energy Center. After his reintroduction consisted of a goal, an assist and a couple of hits in 16 minutes, 14 seconds of ice time, he cracked that finding himself bearing down on a goaltender with the puck was a bit foreign, too, if only because he does not have a lot of experience in such situations. "I don't get too many feelings like that, but it's definitely not a bad feeling when you have a chance like that," Staal said after the Penguins 8-5 win."

Mike Knuble on being a healthy scratch: 'You hate it'

February 12

Washington Post

"Mike Knuble estimated that it has been 10 years since he was held out of the lineup as a healthy scratch prior to Thursday's game against Winnipeg, which he didn't suit up for. While the veteran knows he doesn't have strong statistics this season, he hopes he's performed better than the numbers indicate. He also knows that with the number of healthy forwards on the Capitals' roster somebody will be sitting out every game. Heading into Sunday's matchup with the Eastern Conference leading New York Rangers, Knuble doesn't know if he will be in the lineup to take on the Blueshirts. "It's very humbling," Knuble said. "It takes you back to when you were a young player trying to find your way."

Oilers Hall responds to benching

February 12

Edmonton Sun

"Taylor Hall is not used to being passed over. Yet on Saturday, the former first overall pick in the NHL draft was held back, not once, but twice in the first period of the Oilers 4-3 win over the Ottawa Senators. Hall was temporarily benched after taking a pair of penalties in the first period. He responded by scoring the overtime winner. "It was just a couple of bad penalties by me," said Hall. "You want to start the game off well as a team, but personally you want to start well, too, and I can't be taking penalties like that and putting my team down especially against a power play like that." Hall took an early tripping penalty after Jordan Eberle fired a cross-ice pass in his own zone"

Skid hits 8, as Hawks fall 3-0

February 12

Chicago Tribune

"Joel Quenneville has urged the Blackhawks to play with desperation as they try to break out of their funk. "That's probably what it's going to take for us to get over the hump," the Hawks' coach said before their 3-0 loss to the Coyotes on Saturday night. After another night of sleep-walking their way to defeat during their nine-game trip, the question now becomes: What exactly follows desperation? The Hawks dropped their eighth consecutive game when they fell before a crowd of 17,353 at Jobing.com Arena. The skid is the Hawks' longest since the 2007-08 season and they have the franchise record 12 losses in a row in 1951 looming in the not-so-distant horizon."

Tears and cheers greet Mats Sundin on his banner night

February 12

Toronto Star

columnist Rosie DiManno

"Before he stepped on the ice, Mats Sundin was handed one of his old hockey sticks by long-time Leaf equipment manager Brian Papineau. Said Mats: "I don't need that today." Couldn't have hurt the 2012 Maple Leafs, though, as they turned in one of their worst performances this season on the very night that a former captain, No. 13, had his number raised to the rafters, the 18th gonfalon draped from the metal struts beneath the ceiling at the Air Canada Centre. Took precisely one minute and 37 seconds for that silken portraiture to be hoisted aloft, taking its place (fittingly) next to compatriot Borje Salming, who led the Swedish charge to Toronto two generations ago. Sundin had talked to"

Paajarvi rounding into form

February 12

Edmonton Journal

"Magnus Paajarvi has spent this season either struggling to find his way with the Edmonton Oilers, or shoring up his confidence with the Oklahoma City Barons of the American Hockey League team. Neither of which was the game plan for the sophomore. On Saturday, Paajarvi finally started to look like the player who scored 15 goals for Edmonton in his rookie season. Playing alongside Shawn Horcoff and Ales Hemsky, he left Saturday's 4-3 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators with an assist and his first goal of this season. "It feels good," said the winger, who now has seven points in 35 National Hockey League games. "I've tried to stay as positive as I can. Obviously, it's been a tough season,"

Crosby skates before Pens' matinee in Pittsburgh

February 12

NHL.com

"The Pittsburgh Penguins didn't have a morning skate in advance of their afternoon game against the Winnipeg Jets, but Sidney Crosby did. Crosby and forward Arron Asham (concussion) worked out at Consol Energy Center before the Penguins played the first of back-to-back weekend home games. They take on the Tampa Bay Lightning on Sunday night. This is becoming a familiar routine for Crosby, who hasn't played since Dec. 5. He skates with conditioning coach Mike Kadar in advance of a Penguins practice or game as he tries to remain in shape while awaiting his return to playing status."