Badgers in the Bigs: NHL Update

MADISON, Wis. — As the NHL season approaches its midway point, pro Badgers continue to excel around the league.

In the Metropolitan Division, former Wisconsin netminder and current Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Brian Elliott is just two shutouts away from reaching 40 career clean slates. The all-time shutouts leader (16) at Wisconsin, Elliott posted an NHL career-high nine shutouts while a member of the Blues' organization during the 2011-12 season.

The Newmarket, Ontario, native has been out for the last three weeks with a groin injury, but could return at some point during the Flyers' three-game stint in Western Canada this week. Elliott is 6-7-1 with a 2.59 goals-against average and .911 save percentage in 14 games this year.

In the Central Division, former Badgers and Nashville linemates Craig Smith and Kyle Turris have combined for 13 goals and 31 points this season, but Turris has been sidelined since Nov. 23 with an upper body injury.

In the Pacific Division, San Jose captain Joe Pavelski reached the 20-goal mark this season after tallying a goal in the Sharks' 5-2 win over New Jersey last Monday. This year marks the 10th season, and the sixth consecutive campaign, that the Plover native has tallied at least 20 goals. Pavelski is now the 12th U.S.-born player in NHL history to reach the 20-goal mark in 10 or more seasons.

The seventh player in the NHL this season to reach 20 goals, Pavelski is now the all-time former Badger leader in 20-goal seasons, breaking a tie with Dany Heatley, who had nine 20-goal campaigns during his 13 years in the NHL.

Pavelski currently ranks second in scoring for the Sharks with 20 goals and 27 points through 32 games.

On the blue line, Tampa Bay rear guard Ryan McDonagh has settled into his new team, leading Lighting defensemen in points with three goals and 21 points in 32 games. Likewise, Minnesota defenseman Ryan Suter leads the Wild's defensive corps in scoring with four goals and 21 points in 29 appearances.

Former Wisconsin rear guard Jake Gardiner is on a four-game point streak with the Toronto Maple Leafs, notching a goal and seven points during the streak. In his eighth season with the Maple Leafs, Gardiner has two goals and 15 points in 30 games so far.

Off the ice, former Badger and retired NHL goaltender Curtis Joseph released his new book titled 'Cujo' which details his early life and upbringing, and his road to the NHL.

In his lone season as a Badger, Joseph appeared in 38 contests during the 1988-89 campaign, posting 21 wins, a .919 save percentage and a 2.49 goals against average. Joseph then went on to play for six different organizations across a 20-year pro career, and became the first NHL goaltender to tally 30 or more wins in a regular season with five different teams.

Team	Player	Position	Season Stats
Arizona	Derek Stepan	F	28 GP; 6 G, 13 P
Buffalo	Jake McCabe	D	25 GP; 2 G, 10 P
Minnesota	Ryan Suter	D	29 GP; 4 G, 21 P
Nashville	Craig Smith	F	30 GP; 8 G, 15 P
Nashville	Kyle Turris*	F	23 GP; 5 G, 16 P
New York Rangers	Brendan Smith	D	23 GP; 2 G, 7 P
Philadelphia	Brian Elliott	G	14 GP; 2.59 GAA, .911 SV%
Pittsburgh	Justin Schultz*	D	4 GP; 4 A, 4 P
San Jose	Joe Pavelski	F	32 GP; 20 G, 27 P
Tampa Bay	Ryan McDonagh	D	32 GP; 3 G, 21 P
Toronto	Jake Gardiner	D	30 GP; 2 G, 15 P

* - Injured Reserve

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Badgers in the Bigs: NHL Update

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