Gaborik: Playing against Regehr always tough
CALGARY - When he played for Minnesota, Marian Gaborik was somewhat contained by the Flames, with 13 goals and 20 assists in 40 games.
Gaborik, off to a terrific start for the Rangers with 12 goals and nine assists, saw a familiar face last night: Flames defenseman Robin Regehr, prized for his ability to shut down offensive players with his 6-3, 230-pound frame and physical play.
"I played against Regehr every time we played Calgary," Ga borik said. "He's a good defenseman, so it's going to be a tough matchup."
Flames coach Brent Sutter cautioned that the Rangers' attack is more challenging than the defense-first Wild's. "Obviously, it's a little different style," Sutter said. "They're going in all zones . . . With Gaborik, like any skilled players who are really good with the puck and can do it at top speed, you've got to take away time and space."
Facing their former team
Former Rangers Fredrik Sjostrom and Nigel Dawes are adjusting to new surroundings. "I know the city because I played two years in juniors with the Hitmen," said Sjostrom (1-4-5), who signed a two-year free-agent deal with the Flames. Winnipeg native Dawes (4-3-7), sent to Phoenix in last season's trade for Derek Morris, also signed here last summer. He is closer to family and friends and "came to camp knowing I had the opportunity to be a top six forward."
Back-to-back for Vally
Steve Valiquette's last back-to-back starts were Feb. 9-10, 2008, a 31-save, 2-0 win over the Flyers in Philadelphia and a 21-save, 3-2 overtime loss in Washington . . . Donald Brashear (right wrist) was scratched for the eighth time in 18 games.
