Tuesday Roundup: Some Zubie Love

Another day with no game to recap and none to preview, but, unlike yesterday, today the local scribes have given us something to read. Not surprisingly, it's the same piece from both Dave Fay and Tarik El-Bashir: the long-awaited Dainius Zubrus fluff piece. While Zubie's offensive numbers have disappointed some, the first-line center's all-around game is worthy of praise and, to that end, coach Glen Hanlon isn't afraid to heap it on thick:

"I'm very defensive about Zubie. I don't think [Alex Ovechkin] would have better numbers with anybody in the league. [Zubrus] is a big strong guy who brings guys to him and that opens up space for [Ovechkin]."

Ovechkin was more concise in his acclaim for his centerman:

"What does he do? He gives me the puck."

Thread of the Day: Hockey's Future: Cap's Top 20 Prospects

Elsewhere 'round the rinks:

• Teemu Selanne and Vesa Toskala are your Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week, respectively.
• With his 52nd goal and 109th point of the season last night, Jaromir Jagr tied the Rangers' single-season mark for goals (set by Adam Graves in 1993-94) and points (set by Jean Ratelle in 1971-72). Jerk.
• Red Wing captain Steve Yzerman has had a phenomenal career statistically (to say nothing of his career as gauged by hockey's other measuring sticks). Thirteen times he has averaged more than a point-per-game for a single-season, topping 100-points six times and 50-goals five times. Last night Yzerman scored career goal number 690, tying him for eighth most all-time. With Mario Lemieux. Who racked up his 690 tallies in 617 fewer games, or about 59% of the games Stevie Y has played.
  
• Happy 48th Birthday to former Cap Looooooooooooooou Franceschetti. Also celebrating a birthday today, Keith Tkachuk (34 - go easy on the cake, Walt), and former Oiler and Ranger blueliner Jeff Beukeboom (43).

Daily Awards

• Hart: Henrik Lundqvist (Win, 0 goals allowed on 8 shots against through overtime in 24:59 after entering the game down 4-2 in relief of Kevin Weekes, before stopping all three Buffalo attempts in the shootout)
  
• Ross: Alex Burrows, Mattias Ohlund (3 points each)
  
• Norris: Mattias Ohlund (3 assists, +3, 3 blocked shots, 2 hits)
  
• Vezina: Martin Gerber (Win, 1 goal allowed on 24 shots against)
  
• Richard: Alex Burrows (3 goals)
  
• Calder: Alex Burrows (3 goals, including game-winner, +3, 6 shots on goal, 1 hit, 2 takeaways, 0 giveaways)
• Aiken: Mathieu Garon (Loss, 7 goals against on 32 shots)