Hockey Fight! (Kinda)

It's the NHL Closer. We pass the mic to the kids at Orland Kurtenblog. Their NHL Closer is written by Canadians for Americans.

T.O. Gets K.O.ed. Happy times. Not only did Toronto get throttled 5-2 in Boston, Bruins rookie Milan Lucic downright shamed the Leafs' Mark Bell in a first-period scrap. For those who missed it, here's a recap: Lucic hits Bell; Bell signals to the linesmen he wishes the fight to continue; Lucic hits Bell; Bell suggests the fight be broken up.

Philly Finally Loses at Home. Wait. That should probably be "Philly Phinally Loses at Home." Sometimes they do that to liven up headlines. At any rate, the Rangers beat the Flyers 4-3 in a shootout.

So That's Why the Sabres Suck. Daniel Alfredsson scored two goals as the Ottawa Senators defeated the Sabres 3-2. Losers of three straight, Buffalo finds itself with just 13 points and tied with Washington for last place in the NHL. Of note, the big theory making its way around the inner circles of the league is that the Sabres are worse this year because they lost co-captains Daniel Briere and Chris Drury to free agency in the offseason. We'll keep our ear to the ground for more on this.

Kid and 'Kin Keep Streaks Alive. Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby extended his point streak to 18 games with an assist on sniper Georges Laraque's goal as the Penguins took out the Islanders 3-2. Meanwhile, with two assists of his own, teammate Evgeni Malkin registered at least a point in his 12th consecutive game. In other fantasy hockey news, Brooks Orpik was held off the score-sheet. Repeat: Brooks Orpik. No points.