Empty Netter Assists - Western Conference - 1-5-09

Central Division

-Martin Havlat, Andrew Ladd and Patrick Sharp each had a goal and an assist for the Blackhawks in a 5-2 win against the Flames. Goaltender Nikolai Khabibulin made 34 saves in the win while teammate Duncan Keith added two assists. Todd Bertuzzi had a goal and an assist for Calgary.

-Robyn Regehr > Ben Eager:

-The rebirth of the Blackhawks has brought life back to their rivalry with the Red Wings.

-Blackhawks > Bulls?

-Blue Jackets forwards Kristian Huselius and Jiri Novotny are dealing with "upper-body" injuries.

-Ray Shero's former team, the Predators, doesn't seem like it will be really aggresive in pursuing a trade.

-Blues forward Alexander Steen is hot.

Northwest Division

-Niklas Backstrom made 33 saves for the Wild in a 2-0 shutout win at Colorado. Owen Nolan scored both of Minnesota's goals while Brent Burns added two assists. Peter Budaj made 37 saves in the loss.

-Minnesota recorded its first shutout ever of the Avalanche.

-Avalanche defenseman Adam Foote (right) is dealing with an arm injury.

Pacific Division

-Jonas Hiller made 29 saves and led the Ducks to a 2-0 shutout of the Coyotes. Bobby Ryan, the second-overall pick in the 2005 draft after Sidney Crosby, had a goal and an assist. Fire Craig Patrick. Teammate Scott Niedermayer added two assists. Ilya Brzygalov made 32 saves in the loss.

-Shootout goals by Loui Eriksson, Mike Modano and James Neal gave the Stars a 3-2 win at Vancouver. Modano had a goal and an assist in regulation while Marty Turco made 33 saves in the win. Canucks goaltender Jason LaBarbera had 34 saves.

-The video is a little fuzzy, but check out this save by LaBarbera:

-It's kind of funny to see Labarbera is still wearing his gear from the Kings. Vancouver acquired him in a trade from Los Angeles last week.

-Stars forward and former Penguin Landon Wilson is dealing with a rib injury.

-Former Penguins defenseman Darryl Sydor is feeling home again in Dallas. Fire Ray Shero.

(Photo: Jeff Gross/Getty Images)