Empty Netter Assists - Western Conference - 1-19-09

Central Division

-Shootout goals by Rick Nash and Jason Williams gave the Blue Jackets a 6-5 win at Vancouver. In his first game back from missing four due to a knee injury, Nash had a goal and two assists in regulation. Teammate Kristian Huselius added two assists. Kevin Bieksa and Henrik Sedin led the Canucks with a goal and an assist. Vancouver has lost seven consecutive games.

-Columbus forward R.J. Umberger, a native of some town east of Ohio and west of Philadelphia, threw down with Vancouver's Ryan Kesler last night:

-With Nash activated off injured reserve, the Blue Jackets demoted forard Craig MacDonald to Syracuse of the AHL.

-The Predators demoted forwards Ryan Jones and Mike Santorelli to Milwaukee of the AHL.

-With defenseman Roman Polak sidelined due to a broken bone in his foot, the Blues recalled defenseman Steve Wagner from Peoria of the AHL.

-It sounds like Henrik Zetterberg and teh Red Wings are closer to a long-term contract extension.

Northwest Division

-Milan Hejduk and Ryan Smyth each scored their 300th career goals and led the Avalanche to a 6-2 rout of the Flames. Smyth finished with a goal and two assists while Hejduk and teammate Ruslan Salei each had a goal and an assist. Peter Budaj made 39 saves in the win.

-A hat trick by Ethan Moreau helped the Oilers beat the Coyotes, 6-3. In his first game back after sitting 10 due to a concussion, Edmonton forward Ales Hemsky added two goals while teammate Andrew Cogliano had three assists. Steve Goertzen and Kyle Turris led Phoenix with two assists each.

-Hemsky was activated off injured reserve while forward Robert Nilsson was put on injured reserve.

-Prior to the game, the Oilers retired the No. 9 of hall-of-fame forward Glenn Anderson:

-The Avalanche recalled forward Chris Durno from Lake Erie of the AHL.

-The Canucks need some help on defense.

Pacific Division

-With goaltender Erik Ersberg dealing with a "lower-body" injury, The Kings recalled goaltenders Jonathan Bernier from Manchester of the AHL. Also, forward Teddy Purcell was demoted to Manchester.

-Sharks forward Patrick Marleau was invited to the All-Star Lame Game.

-It looks like Stars defenseman Stephane Robidas will be going to the All-Star Lame Game too.

-Stars forward Brad Richards will make his first return to Tampa Bay since being traded to Dallas last season.

-Steve Montador has added some bite to the Ducks' blue line.

Adams Division

-According to the Globe and Mail, the NHLPA will decline its option to reopen its collective bargaining agreement with the NHL.

(Photo: John Ulan/Canadian Press)