Hype for December 13, 2009

Don Cherry is being called "a negative influence" when it comes to efforts to reduce concussions in hockey.

Dr. Charles Tator, a Toronto neurosurgeon, made the comment in front of about 150 people at a Hockey Canada concussion seminar being held in Regina.

When questioned later by reporters, Tator said he'd like to see an end to the "aggressive, lack of respect" hockey style preached by Cherry.

Different night, different city, same hero.

Todd Bertuzzi scored in regulation and overtime for the second straight night, giving the Detroit Red Wings a 3-2 victory over Nashville on Saturday night.

Alex Kovalev broke out with a hat trick as the host Ottawa Senators claimed a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday night.

Kovalev snagged the first goal of the night early in the first period. He pushed Ottawa (15-11-4) into the lead again to break a 2-2 tie in the third.

Ilya Kovalchuk's overtime blast lifted the Atlanta Thrashers to a 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday in Atlanta.

With the Thrashers enjoying their seventh power play of the game, their captain finally converted one for his team, sending a wrist shot high from the left circle that beat Canadiens goaltender Carey Price at 1:18 of the extra frame.

What appeared early on to be another disastrous night at Air Canada Centre was salvaged by the Toronto Maple Leafs in a 6-3 comeback win over the Washington Capitals.

Matt Stajan scored twice and drew an assist in the victory, with linemate Phil Kessel notching a goal and two assists. Niklas Hagman, Lee Stempniak and Alexei Ponikarovsky also scored for Toronto (11-14-7).

Henrik Sedin set up three goals and Roberto Luongo made 39 saves as the Vancouver Canucks prevailed in a 4-3 game over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday night.

Sedin now has 41 assists, two fewer than NHL leader Joe Thornton of the San Jose Sharks.

"I got two great scorers on the line," Sedin said after extending his points streak to six games. "We work off each other really good."