Division News- Southeast

Writer's note: Ok, so I've never written a blog before but this is my best shot for my first one...and I got all my information off of NHL.com on the team's respective pages so if you see any discrepancies with my information please let me know if it is incorrect! Thank you for your patience!! By the way, I don't know if I've mentioned this before but I am a massive Avalanche fan so excuse me if my blogs seem a little bias...



The Division as a Whole:

The southeastern division this season has been striving to keep up alongside the Atlantic and Northeast divisions, pulling in for a meager last place finish in the Eastern conference. The five teams that consist of the Southeast Division include: the Carolina Hurricanes, the Atlanta Thrashers, the Florida Panthers, and the Washington Capitals. With the Hurricanes at 21-19-4, the Thrashers at 21-21-1, the Panthers at 19-20-3, the Capitals at 17-20-5, and trailing in at last in the Division, the Lightnings15-22-5.


Carolina Hurricanes:
The Hurricanes are heading into the second half of the season in first place among the Southeast Division, are holding it steady with 21 games won. A re-assignment conducted by Jim Rutherford was announced on January 4, as the team assigned goaltender John Grahame to its top minor-league affiliate, the Albany River Rats. However, a significant recall was enacted as well when Michael Leighton, Keith Aucoin, and Brandon Nolan from Albany River Rats were recalled on January 3. Top Skater: Whitney at 20 goals, 23 assists.


Upcoming Games:
Carolina Hurricanes @ Boston Bruins: Tuesday 1/8
New Jersey Devils @Carolina Hurricanes: Thursday 1/10
Colorado Avalanche @ Hurricanes: Saturday 1/12 ~the avalanche will dominate this game~


Atlanta Thrashers:
The Thrashers, now tied with game wins of the Carolina Hurricanes, have been experiencing a season full of “musical goalies” if you will. Both Lehtonen and Dunham have struggled with playing injuries and during Lehtonen’s absence it has contributed to a key factor directly related to Atlanta’s struggles. The amount of goalie change, just in the first half of this season alone have been difficult for the team to establish any real reliable goaltender. However, despite this handicap the team has preformed rather well overall in the Southeastern division at second. The Thrashers have also made a recent recall for forward Kevin Doell from Chicago. Top Skater: Kivalchuk at 34 goals and 25 assists.


Upcoming Games:
Philadelphia Flyers @ Atlanta Thrashers: Tuesday 1/8
Florida Panthers @ Atlanta Thrashers: Thursday 1/10
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Atlanta Thrashers: Saturday 1/12


Florida Panthers:
Having shortly returned from their road trip, which turned out worse than anticipated, the Panthers are desperately trying to bounce back in their upcoming Penguin game. Center Stephen Weiss elaborates: “the road trip wasn’t great…it’s important to bounce back and have a good game against Pittsburgh.” On January 4 it was announced that Jacques Martin reassigned LW Tanner Glass to Rochester; yet another sign of player replacements but the Panthers are still holding in at a steady third place in their division.
Top skater: Jokinen at 20 goals and 21 assists.


Upcoming Games:
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Panthers: Tuesday 1/8
Panthers @ Thrashers: Thursday 1/10
Lightning @ Panthers: Saturday 1/12


Washington Capitals:
With the Washington Capitals lingering on the ice with a mere fourth place in the Souhtwestern division, they still have the means to step up with their top player: Ovechkin. Raking in with two goals on Saturday, Alex Ovechkin now has 32 in 42 games this season. In his rookie season of 2005-2006, he scored his 32nd goal of the season in his 44th game. This young player has the means of being a hockey star! Center Nicklas Backstrom, who lead all rookies with 14 points in 13 games as the Capitals posted their best month on a points percentage basis since February 2001, has been named NHL Rookie of the mont for December. Congratulations Nicklas! Top skater: Ovechkin at 32 goals and 20 assists.


Upcoming Games:
Avalanche @ Capitals Wednesday 1/9 ~the avalanche will dominate~


Tampa Bay Lightning:
A battle for consistency for the defenders of the Stanley Cup champions have suffered a seven game losing streak, which quickly put them behind in their division. The Tampa Bay Lightnings are seated fifth and last in their division, trailing solemnly behind at 15-22-5. After the Eastern Conference XM/ NHL All-Star Fan Balloting, Tampa Bay Center Lecavalier raked in 149, 067 votes! He may be cute…but he’ll have to settle for second place as Sidney Crosby took the crown at 381,941 votes! Top skater: Lecavalier 28 goals and 34 assists. They basically are worthless….but we all pretend to like them anyway.


Upcoming Games:
Tampa Bay Lightning @ New York Rangers: Tuesday 1/8
Pittsburgh Penguins @ Tampa Bay Lightning: Thursday 1/10
Tampa Bay Lightning @ Florida Panthers: Saturday 1/12