FanHouse Kevin Weekes

Sometimes what should be and what has to be aren't the same. So, as much as you would have wished to see the Devils keep Scott Clemmensen with the big club after winning 25 games in Martin Brodeur's stead this season, logistics demanded otherwise.

With three NHL-caliber goalies (Kevin Weekes being the third) and not enough practice time for all, one had to be sent down to Lowell, and Clemmensen was the only one who wouldn't have to clear waivers and risk being claimed by another team. Tough break for Clemmer, who should be considered the team's MVP this season, Zach Parise or no Zach Parise. His 2.39 goals against average, after all, is still good for sixth in the league. But, because of the apparently serious injury Weekes suffered Friday night against the Lightning, Clemmensen is back.

Hurricanes 4, Devils 2: Having lost three in a row, the Hurricanes were in need of a win on Wednesday night to help take advantage of the recent slumps by Florida and Buffalo. Thanks to a 40-save performance from Cam Ward, and a 3-for-5 night on the power play, Carolina picked up a 4-2 win over Kevin Weekes and the New Jersey Devils.

Anton Babchuk scored a pair of power play goals for the 'Canes, while Eric Staal and Sergei Samsonov also tallied goals in the win. Ward faced a barrage of shots from New Jersey, as the Devils outshot Carolina 33-14 over the final two periods.

The New York Islanders surprised the New Jersey Devils on Saturday afternoon with a seven-goal explosion that ultimately chased goaltender Martin Brodeur. Leading the goal-scoring assault for the Islanders was 25-year-old forward Sean Bergenheim, who capped off his first career hat trick with just 0.7 seconds remaining in regulation.

Alexander Semin, Alex Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom put on a clinic last night as the Capitals pounded Carolina, 5-1. Semin had a part in every Washington goal, scoring two and assisting on three, as he took over the NHL's scoring lead from Pittsburgh's Evgeni Malkin, in what is sure to be an exciting scoring race all season.

Ovechkin scored his fourth goal of the season, while Backstrom finally ended his season-long drought, picking up his first tally of the year. Between them, the trio combined for 12 points and a +12 on the night, as they tortured Carolina Goalie Michael Leighton.

The Capitals Blog Japers' Rink offers a nice breakdown of the game, including how this Capitals team can still get better, and a less-than-flattering performance by the oldest Staal brother, Eric.

I don't think I've ever seen a "superstar" have a worse period than Eric Staal did in the first. He botched tap-ins on an extended 5-on-3, lost a key defensive zone draw that led to the Caps' second goal, and just flat out stunk the building up. It's probably a different game if he has a better opening stanza.

While the news of Martin Brodeur's elbow injury is still resonating from Newark to East Rutherford and back, Blackhawks General Manager Dave Dale Tallon was quick to get on the horn and offer a helping hand. Actually, he was probably trying to offer himself a helping hand, but that's okay, too.

According to Tim Sassone of the Daily Herald, Tallon was making plans to call Devils General Manager Lou Lamoriello to gauge his interest in Nikolai Khabibulin, now that Brodeur is expected to miss three-to-four months recovering from a torn distal biceps tendon.

A Devils source said interest in Khabibulin was a "definite possibility," but another source indicated Lamoriello might prefer to wait several weeks to pursue another goalie until he sees how Weekes performs.

Khabibulin is off to a strong start for the Blackhawks, but they've been trying to get rid of him since, what seems like, the day they signed him. He's already passed through waivers once this year, and they've never been able to find a team willing to take his contract in a trade.