Magic Johnson Named President of Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers have changed up their front office drastically in the past week, and made the defining move on Tuesday. The team named Magic Johnson as their new president of basketball operations, just one week after adding him to the organization as an adviser. The team also fired general manager, Mitch Kupchak, and removed Jim Buss as executive vice president of basketball operations. Sports agent, Rob Pelinka, reportedly has an agreement to become the next GM of the Lakers. He currently represents the likes of Eric Gordon, Trevor Ariza, and James Harden of the Houston Rockets. The 19-39 Lakers hold the third-worst record in the NBA, coming off a franchise-worst 17-65 season last year, which was Kobe Bryant's last. Johnson wasted little time getting going, dealing Lou Williams to the Rockets for Corey Brewers and a first-round draft pick on Tuesday night. So, let the rebuilding for the purple and gold begin.
Canadiens Get Past Rangers at MSG
Carey Price may have made the save of the season on Tuesday night, as his sprawling save in the final seconds of overtime forced a shootout, which the Montreal Canadiens won in the fifth round for a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers. Price made 28 saves, including stopping J.T. Miller twice and Kevin Hayes once in OT. Paul Byron netted the game-winner to give Claude Julien his first win in his second stint as Canadiens' head coach. Julien took over for Michel Therrien last week, but dropped his first game against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. For Price, he moves into a tie with Ken Dryden for third on the franchise's all-time win list with 258. Andrew Shaw and Shea Weber also scored for Montreal, with Weber adding an assist in the win. Rick Nash and Oscar Lindberg scored for New York, while Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves, as the Rangers saw their five-game home win streak come to an end.
Toews Powers Blackhawks Past Wild
The Chicago Blackhawks continue to chase the Minnesota Wild for first place in the Central Division, and Jonathan Toews gave his team a big step forward on Tuesday night. Toews recorded a hat trick, and finished with five points, to lead the Blackhawks past the Wild, 5-3, in St. Paul. Toews finished with three goals and two assists, giving Chicago their second win over Minnesota in the past two weeks. His empty-net goal with 1:02 left gave him his fourth career hat trick. The Blackhawks also defeated the Wild, 4-3 in overtime, on February 8th, as Toews had a goal and two assists in that one. He now has 37 points in 35 games against the Wild, and 20 points in his last 12 games overall. Richard Panik and Nick Schmaltz also scored for Chicago, who has 34 goals in their past eight games. They now sit five points behind the Wild in the standings.
The Los Angeles Lakers have changed up their front office drastically in the past week, and made the defining move on Tuesday. The team named Magic Johnson as their new president of basketball operations, just one week after adding him to the organization as an adviser. The team also fired general manager, Mitch Kupchak, and removed Jim Buss as executive vice president of basketball operations. Sports agent, Rob Pelinka, reportedly has an agreement to become the next GM of the Lakers. He currently represents the likes of Eric Gordon, Trevor Ariza, and James Harden of the Houston Rockets. The 19-39 Lakers hold the third-worst record in the NBA, coming off a franchise-worst 17-65 season last year, which was Kobe Bryant's last. Johnson wasted little time getting going, dealing Lou Williams to the Rockets for Corey Brewers and a first-round draft pick on Tuesday night. So, let the rebuilding for the purple and gold begin.
Canadiens Get Past Rangers at MSG
Carey Price may have made the save of the season on Tuesday night, as his sprawling save in the final seconds of overtime forced a shootout, which the Montreal Canadiens won in the fifth round for a 3-2 victory over the New York Rangers. Price made 28 saves, including stopping J.T. Miller twice and Kevin Hayes once in OT. Paul Byron netted the game-winner to give Claude Julien his first win in his second stint as Canadiens' head coach. Julien took over for Michel Therrien last week, but dropped his first game against the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday. For Price, he moves into a tie with Ken Dryden for third on the franchise's all-time win list with 258. Andrew Shaw and Shea Weber also scored for Montreal, with Weber adding an assist in the win. Rick Nash and Oscar Lindberg scored for New York, while Henrik Lundqvist made 26 saves, as the Rangers saw their five-game home win streak come to an end.
Toews Powers Blackhawks Past Wild
The Chicago Blackhawks continue to chase the Minnesota Wild for first place in the Central Division, and Jonathan Toews gave his team a big step forward on Tuesday night. Toews recorded a hat trick, and finished with five points, to lead the Blackhawks past the Wild, 5-3, in St. Paul. Toews finished with three goals and two assists, giving Chicago their second win over Minnesota in the past two weeks. His empty-net goal with 1:02 left gave him his fourth career hat trick. The Blackhawks also defeated the Wild, 4-3 in overtime, on February 8th, as Toews had a goal and two assists in that one. He now has 37 points in 35 games against the Wild, and 20 points in his last 12 games overall. Richard Panik and Nick Schmaltz also scored for Chicago, who has 34 goals in their past eight games. They now sit five points behind the Wild in the standings.
