from Helene Ellitt of the LA Times,

Times columnist Helene Elliott rates the pluses and minuses in the NHL from the last week:

+ Washington's Alexander Ovechkin is closing on his third consecutive Maurice Richard Trophy as the NHL's top goal scorer. Through Sunday, he had 52 goals, 10 ahead of Tampa Bay center Steven Stamkos and New York Rangers left wing Rick Nash. Ovechkin also is vying for the scoring title. With 80 points he trailed Pittsburgh's Sidney Crosby by one through Sunday.

- So much for Mike Richards redeeming himself when the Kings rescued him from exile in the American Hockey League. He played five games, had no points and was minus-four defensively, foiling the Kings' hopes his experience would compensate for Jarret Stoll's absence. Stoll is back and Richards is a healthy scratch, as deserved.

more of each...