The NHL Hat Trick Club added two new members last night. The first coming from Tampa Bay Lightning forward and former NHL MVP Martin St. Louis. St. Louis broke the team record (which he set) for the fastest hat trick scored. St. Louis scored the three goals during the second period in 6 minutes and 17 seconds, and helped his team defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 5-1 (which look like they are having some troubles....and Cam Ward is looking very ordinary.....). The Tampa Bay Lightning have been a team under the rumor focus as of late, especially with the Great Purge in Philly.....could John Tortorella be on his way out if the Lightning don't start getting it done? For more on these rumors check out Spector's Hockey.

Our second addition to the NHLHTC (nice right?) is young Dany Heatley of the Ottawa Senators. Another team who's awful start was overshadowed by the play of the Philadelphia Flyer, has certainly seemed to turn the corner for good. Since blowing out the Devils 8-1 last Saturday, the Senators offence is on fire. The Ottawa Senators crushed the Toronto Maple Leafs for the second game in a row 7-2. Dany Heatley scored three goals for the hat trick, and Jason Spezza who has also left his scoring slump behind had 5 points on the match. Coach Bryan Murray, and GM John Muckler are certainly breathing a little easier after this week, for if the Sens hadn't straightened out their play, they could be playing golf with Hitch and Clarke by now.

Quick Shave:
The Buffalo Sabres have tied the record for most wins in a row to start a season, set by the Leafs in 1994 with 10. While their 10th win came against the punchless Islanders (perhaps Dunham should return to the crease), the Sabres show no sign of letting up. They can break the record with their 11th win, on Saturday night if they can defeat the Atlanta Thrashers....a team that is beginning to look and play alot like the Sabres. Game of the Night all over that one! After a couple of rough outtings, New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur responded with 29 save performance and helped his team shutout the Florida Panthers 3-0. The shutout was Brodeur's 82nd, which ties him with Jacques Plante for fourth overall on the shutout list. Peter Forsberg and Simone Gagne helped the Philadelphia Flyers to their second win of the season, and perhaps the turning point of the club under new head coach John Stevens. The Flyers defeated the Thrashers 3-2 in the shootout. Coach Hartley of the Thrashers pulled netminder Hedberg in favor of Lehtonen for the shootout (Kari Lehtonen, prior to last night was 6-1 on the shootout....but I believe he was the goalie in net during the game, not in relief), while on paper it may have looked like a good move, Lehtonen appeared cold, and was only able to stop one goal. It appears the sleeping giant in the desert has awakened! The unstoppable, playoff bound, Stanley Cup Contending Phoenix Coyotes mauled the Edmonton Oilers 6-2 last night. Most of the last sentence was nonsense....other than the score....the Oilers actually did lose to the Yotes. San Jose Shark's goalie Vesa Toskala lost his first game of the season to the Nashville Predators last night 4-3. Predators rookie Alexander Radulov scored his first career NHL goal....is it fantasy pick up time yet.....no not yet, but I'd put him on your watch list.

Game of the Night:
Anaheim at Minnesota 8:00 PM

Two powerhouses do battle in the West. Minnesota looks stellar so far, and playing the Ducks should be a solid bench test for them. Enjoy the beard!

Your friend on ice,
Captain Bosh