News and Notes

The Great First One

Congratulations to The Great One for his first NHL win as Phoenix Coyotes coach Saturday at home against the Minnesota Wild.

"To get my first ... it's nice," Gretzky said of his initial NHL coaching victory. "Scotty Bowman's record (1,244 wins) is pretty safe."

Quote of the Week

We think New Jersey Devils goalie Martin Brodeur was talking about the puck or perhaps he spent Saturday night at Scores in Manhattan.

``It was probably between my legs,'' Brodeur said. ``I don't think it was in my lap. I never had it.''

Ovechkin? You betcha

The spotlight might be on Pittsburgh Penguins phenom Sid "The Kid" Crosby, but don't be shocked if he doesn't end up with this year's Calder Trophy. Washington's Alexander Ovechkin is off to a fast start with two goals and two assists in three games for the Capitals (1-2). Crosby has one goal and four assists but is surrounded with much greater talent.

Welcome back

Caps' castoff Peter Bondra, Washington's all-time leading scorer, showed the Capitals he still has some gas in the tank. Bondra tallied three goals and three assists in two back-to-back victories for the Atlanta Thrashers on Friday and Saturday.

Don't sweat it

The NHL prior to the season ordered new sweaters for the goalies designed to fit tighter and made of a slicker material. The jerseys look similar to those of soccer goalies. NHL keepers, though, continue to wear their regular sweaters as the new ones have been slow to arrive. The NHL hopes the new jerseys will make it more difficult to stop pucks.