If the Blackhawks’ beat Calgary on Saturday, it will be number 2,000 in franchise history . . . The Phoenix Coyotes have shot to the top of the Western Conference standings by going 10-0-2 in their last 12 games. . . The Toronto Maple Leafs are 9-1-1 against Western Conference opposition and only 3-7-1 within their new conference . . . Anaheim Captain Paul Kariya recorded his 300th point in his 238th game . . . The New Jersey Devils are 6-1 in one-goal games.
BATTLE FOR POSSESSION
Center Steve Rucchin of the Mighty Ducks has been dangerous around opposing goaltenders, averaging better than a point a game. He has also been a workhorse inside face-off circles, taking 589 face-offs to lead the NHL. The Blackhawks’ Doug Gilmour edges out Mats Sundin in winning percentage for players with more than 450 face-off appearances. Below are the season’s busiest face-off men through Wednesday:
%%
Winning
Player Team Games Faceoffs percentage
Steve Rucchin Anaheim 20 589 54.2
Mark Messier Vancouver 21 573 53.6
Doug Gilmour Chicago 21 542 55.9
Mats Sundin Toronto 22 532 50.5
Joe Sakic Colorado 20 484 52.1
Vincent Montreal 19 484 49.6
Damphousse
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MAN ADVANTAGE
In his first full season with Edmonton, right winger Bill Guerin has developed a knack for scoring power-play goals. With 8 in his first 19 games, Guerin could challenge Tim Kerr’s single-season record of 34 power-play scores.
The single-season leaders in power-play goals: %%
PP
Goals Scorer Team Season
34 Tim Kerr Philadelphia 1985-86
32 Dave Andreychuk Buffalo/Toronto 1992-93
31 Joe Nieuwendyk Calgary 1987-88
31 Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh 1988-89
31 Mario Lemieux Pittsburgh 1995-96
29 Michel Goulet Quebec 1987-88
29 Brett Hull St. Louis 1990-91
29 Brett Hull St. Louis 1992-93 %%
