Hype for December 22, 2009

Patrick Marleau and the San Jose Sharks were sidetracked by a rare losing streak.

The Sharks hope a tight win against a division rival will re-establish them as one of the top teams in the Western Conference. Marleau scored two goals and Joe Pavelski added another to lead the Sharks past the Dallas Stars 4-2 Monday night.

Marc-Andre Bergeron gave the Canadiens everything he had.

He scored late in the third period to tie it, then again in overtime to give the Montreal Canadiens a 4-3 win over the Atlanta Thrashers on Monday night.

On the winning goal, Bergeron hurt himself when his momentum carried him into the post after he scored.

Hayley Wickenheiser was named captain on Monday of the Canadian women's hockey set to compete at the 2010 Vancouver Games.

The Shaunavon, Sask., native will be one of four players making their fourth appearance for the team at the Olympics. The others are Winnipeg's Jennifer Botterill, Jayna Hefford of Kingston, Ont., and Becky Kellar of Hagersville, Ont.

"You think, 'I hope my game is the one that they want," Kellar said.

There is no doubting Tim Thomas when it comes to playing the Ottawa Senators.

The Boston Bruins goaltender earned his 10th consecutive victory over the Senators, making 29 saves in a 2-0 win before a crowd of 19,865 at Scotiabank Place on Monday night.

"I like the nice crisp air when we come visit here," he said. "When you step out of the hotel, I think it has the cleanest smelling air around."

The Toronto Maple Leafs found themselves on familiar ground against the Buffalo Sabres on Monday. And that wasn't a good thing.

For the ninth straight time, the Leafs lost to their division rival, falling 3-2 in overtime to the Sabres at the Air Canada Centre.

With 104 career shutouts, Martin Brodeur stands above every other goaltender who has ever played.

The New Jersey Devils goalie moved past Terry Sawchuk to the top of the NHL's all-time shutouts list Monday, stopping 35 shots during a 4-0 victory over the hometown Pittsburgh Penguins.

It was the last major record missing from the league's all-time leader in wins, appearances and minutes.