Even at 35-years-old, Pavel “The Wizard” Datsyuk proved once again on Monday night that there is still plenty of magic left in his game. At the 11:33 mark of the 1st period of the Red Wings’ Columbus Day matinee against the Bruins, Datysuk would use his otherworldly stick-handling abilities to burst past perennial All-Star defenseman Zdeno Chara and feed line-mate Henrik Zetterberg for the first goal of the game. The Red Wings would go on to win the game by a final score of 3-2 behind Datysuk’s heroics.
Nick Bjugstad May Make Debut Tuesday in Nashville
After a very underwhelming 3-0 loss against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday afternoon, the Florida Panthers showed that they are clearly in need of some help on the ice. Luckily for the team, help may be on the way sooner than expected in the form of hulking 6-foot-6 center Nick Bjugstad who was taken off the injured reserve list prior to Sunday’s game.
While the general consensus during the offseason was that Bjugstad most likely would start the season with the Panthers’ AHL affiliate in San Antonio, the team’s recent struggles may have sped up the young forward’s development process.
“He (Bjugstad) will be an option for us on Tuesday night,” said Panthers’ Head Coach Kevin Dineen. “We’re having that discussion. We’re looking for big, strong bodies and he’s a guy who fits that mold.”
Panthers Take The Afternoon Off Against Kings
It’s hard to describe a team’s season as ‘up and down’ just six games in but, you’d be hard pressed to find a more suitable term for the Florida Panthers campaign thus far. Less than 48 hours after handing the Pittsburgh Penguins their first loss of the season, the Panthers stumbled their way through a 3-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings.