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Struggling #mnwild D Marek Zidlicky taken off first power-play unit tonight
Spurgeon hasn't fared too much better than Zidlicky this season as the Wild have struggled to activate their defensemen.
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Minnesota Wild News
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Mats Zuccarello has been sent back down to Connecticut (AHL).
With no points and only one shot on goal through his first three games, the Rangers will sent Zuccarello back down to the AHL for some added seasoning.
And he did. In addition to his goal, Johansson assisted on a goal by linemate Troy Brouwer, drew a penalty with an inside-out move in the first period and made a perfect centering pass to Brouwer that resulted in another Tampa penalty.
Johansson's benching was an attempt to wake up the sophomore center. The recently-turned 21-year-old certainly proved himself worthy of a scoring-line role.
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Boudreau says Johansson back in #Caps lineup
Look for Johansson to center the second line and the second PP unit.
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Welcome back to normal, Marcus Johansson. At the Capitals' Sunday practice, it looked like he would be back in the lineup for Monday night's game against the Lightning.
Certainly sounds like the team will rotate Johansson and Perreault for the time being. Look for Johansson to draw into tomorrow's game.
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Certainly appears that Marcus Johansson is healthy scratch tonight for #Caps.
After centering Alex Ovechkin most of the preseason, Johansson is beaten out of a job by Matthieu Perreault. Last season he scored 13 goals and 27 points last season, moving between the first and third line pivot. He should at least climb to the 40-point level this season.
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“I think he wants to change something to get something to happen,” Johansson said. “He wants to try something new. He's the coach, so he decides.”
Doesn't sound like Johansson has fallen completely out of favor. Last season he scored 13 goals and 27 points last season, moving between the first and third line pivot. He should at least climb to the 40-point level this season.
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That meant Marcus Johansson moving to first-line left wing. Everything else is similar.
Sounds like Johansson is still in the doghouse. Last season he scored 13 goals and 27 points last season, moving between the first and third line pivot. He should at least climb to the 40-point level this season.
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As recently as Sunday evening against the Blackhawks, Johansson was replaced on the top line at times by Perreault.“He was creating things, and Marcus hadn't to that point,"
Johansson failed to produce on the top line so coach Bruce Boudreau will attempt to jumpstart his second generation center. Last season he scored 13 goals and 27 points last season, moving between the first and third line pivot. He should at least climb to the 40-point level this season.
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However, this was different and when Winnipeg Jets head coach Claude Noel tapped him on the shoulder, Bogosian was asked to jump up from his familiar post on defence to play right wing.
Bogosian adding wing eligibility slightly helps his fantasy hockey value. Last season, the enigmatic defender scored only five goals and 17 points for the Atlanta Thrashers. If coach Claude Noel continues to put him in high-leverage offensive situations, Bogosian could approach 10 goals again.
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Based on practices, it seems like Marcus Johansson will be centering the big wing duo
Johansson scored 13 goals and 27 points last season, moving between the first and third line pivot. He could double those totals should Ovechkin return to his previous counting stats.
Matt Cullen and Jared Spurgeon, who missed the final three preseason games with injuries, practiced today.
The young puck-mover should be ready for the regular season. Last season, Spurgeon scored four goals and 12 points through 53 games including six on the PP. Expect his playing time to increase in his sophomore season.
Matt Cullen (neck) and Jared Spurgeon (rib) are out tonight, so same lineup tonight as Tuesday unless Nate Prosser gets in. Wild's 3-0 with Prosser in the lineup, by the way, and 0-2 without him.
Just a precautionary measure as the Wild want their young, puck-moving d-man healthy. Last season, Spurgeon scored four goals and 12 points through 53 games including six on the PP. Expect his playing time to increase in his sophomore season.
Likewise, Jared Spurgeon has a bruised rib and Justin Falk will play in his place.
Just a precautionary measure as the Wild want their young, puck-moving d-man healthy. Last season, Spurgeon scored four goals and 12 points through 53 games including six on the PP. Expect his playing time to increase in his sophomore season.
Call up / Send down
BUFFALO, N.Y. (September 26, 2011) --- Buffalo Sabres General Manager Darcy Regier today announced the team has assigned the following 14 players to the Rochester Americans (AHL):
Forwards Marcus Foligno, Zack Kassian, Jonathan Parker, Michael Ryan, Colin Stuart, Corey Tropp, Phil Varone and Derek Whitmore; defensemen TJ Brennan, Joe Finley, Brayden McNabb, Dennis Persson and Drew Schiestel; and goaltender Drew MacIntyre.
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.
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The following were assigned to Oklahoma City (AHL) today: Ryan Lowery (D), Olivier Roy (G), Philippe Cornet (LW), Tanner House (LW), Chris VandeVelde (C), Alex Plante (D), Milan Kytnar (RW), Curtis Hamilton (LW), Ryan Martindale (C), Tyler Pitlick (C)
No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.
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But after practice, Boudreau cautioned that Johansson's cold was the reason Backstrom was slotted on the top line. Look for a return to Ovechkin-Johansson-Brouwuer vs. Columbus.
Johansson scored 13 goals and 27 points in his first 69 NHL games. He should be centering the top line and Alex Ovechkin once healed.
*Marcus Johansson did not practice today, 12 hours after the second-year center left the game in Chicago with an illness. Boudreau said Johansson caught a cold and was feeling dizzy on the ice “without getting hit.” So they’re resting him.
Just a precautionary measure as Johansson likely has an illness opposed to a concussion. Johansson scored 13 goals and 27 points in his first 69 NHL games. He should be centering the top line and Alex Ovechkin once healed.
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Marcus Johansson is still skating on the Capitals' top line with Alex Ovechkin.
Johansson continues to center the top line. In his rookie season, the second-generation center scored 13 goals and 27 points. If he sticks with Ovechkin he should easily top his current points totals.
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"He doesn't play like a sophomore," said rookie coach Mike Yeo, victorious in his debut, which is not too shabby considering the Wild went winless last preseason. "He plays like a guy that's played in the league for eight years."
In 53 games, Spurgeon posted six power play points. With Brent Burns now in San Jose, the 21-year-old should see even more offensive minutes from the blue line.
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