NHL-MN Pulse Update

• The rivalry between the New York Rangers and the New York Islanders was renewed for the first time this year Wednesday night and surprisingly the Islanders came out on top at home. They won 3-1 and former Gopher Kyle Okposo scored the game-winning goal on the power play late in the second period.
  WATCH GOAL HERE
  It was only the second goal in 11 games for Okposo who is an assistant captain for the young Islanders squad. The Islanders got off to a rough start losing their first six games including the first three in overtime. There are big expectations for Okposo to be an eventual All-Star and fortunately for him top draft pick John Tavares has been rock solid in his first NHL year keeping followers optimistic about the Islanders future. Tavares, who only turned 19 last month, has four goals and four assists in the team's first 11 games.
• Peter Mueller has not picked the best time to fall into a scoring slump. The Bloomington native has yet to score and only has two assists in the Phoenix Coyotes first 12 games. Mueller had 54 points in his rookie season and 36 points last year. The third year pro is on pace right now for a 12 point season. Mueller is a talented forward who was expected to play on Team USA in the 2010 olympics. The Coyotes are 8-4 right now and Mueller remains on the roster despite the Coyotes sending other young players who were in the NHL last season down to the AHL including former Wisconsin Badger Kyle Turris. That must mean that the 21-year old Mueller is doing enough of the little things and being a good two-way center. At the moment he has a +1 rating.
  
• Alex Goligoski continued his recent surge in offensive output as he scored his fourth goal of the season Wednesday night in a 5-1 route over Montreal. Gopher fans who are currently longing for offense will get to see the former U of Minnesota defenseman run the power play from the point for the Penguins when the Wild play the Stanley Cup Champions Saturday night. WATCH GOAL HERE
• Former Armstrong Falcon and Golden Gopher Jordan Leopold had two assists in Florida's 4-3 loss to Ottawa Wednesday night. The two assists doubled the 29 year old's point total for the year. He has four assists and is still looking for his first goal.
  
• Toronto was off to the slowest start of any NHL team but emerged with a couple of wins this week. Moorhead's Jason Blake helped the Maple Leafs get one point in an overtime loss to Dallas Wednesday night when he assisted on two second period goals. Blake has one goal and five assists in 10 games.