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SHOT-BLOCKING PROPOSAL

 
Published Oct. 28, 2008

Canadiens general manager Bob Gainey is proposing the NHL eliminate full-body sliding in the defensive zone to block a shot. The thinking is that it would allow more pucks would get through to the net, creating more offensive opportunities. It was among the proposals discussed at last week's general managers' meeting. "The discussion ... was that you would have to have one skate on the ice, and then it would be okay to block a shot," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland told the NHL Network. "If both skates were off the ice, then it would be something that would lead to a delay of the game (penalty).

Blue Jackets: Goalie Pascal Leclaire was placed on injured reserve with a sprained ankle and was expected to be sidelined for at least a week. He is 3-3-0 with a 3.41 goals-against average in seven games this season. The team activated right wing Jared Boll, who was on injured reserve. Boll missed five games with head and neck injuries.

Capitals: Alex Ovechkin will miss at least one game while in Russia to spend time with his ailing grandfather. The NHL's reigning MVP flew home Monday morning and will sit out the Capitals' game against the Predators tonight. The Capitals were not sure when Ovechkin would return. He had played in 203 consecutive games.