All-Stars
Three Crunch players have been selected to represent the Eastern Conference at the 2016 AHL All-Star Classic Jan. 31-Feb. 1 in Syracuse: center Mike Angelidis, goalie Kristers Gudlevskis and defenseman Matt Taormina. Taormina has been selected twice in his career (only participating once, 2015) while Angelidis and Gudlevskis are first-time selections.

Last Time Out 
Matt Taormina had his third multi-point game of the year, including a game-tying goal with three minutes left in the third, but Syracuse lost to Toronto in overtime Sunday, 3-2, at Ricoh Coliseum. Former Crunch winger Richard Panik notched the game winner 3:30 into the extra frame hours before getting traded to Chicago.

Adam Erne posted his third goal in three games and fifth of the year with his third power-play goal, set up by Jeff Tambellini and Matt Taormina to tie the game, 1-1, in the first. After a scoreless second frame—in which the Crunch were held to zero shots for the first time—the Marlies took the lead 1:12 into the third. Tanner Richard and Mike Blunden earned assists on Taormina's tying score at 17:27. Gudlevskis (6-6-1) made 32 saves.

Scouting the Devils
Albany has defeated Syracuse three times, outscoring the Crunch 11-4 in three meetings. The Devils are second in the North, third in the conference and fifth in the league at 20-8-3-0 (.694). Their 2.10 goals-against average ranks second as does their 24.90 shots against.

Yann Danis (15-5-3) is tied for the AHL lead in shutouts, four, and is second in minutes, 1401. His 2.01 goals-against average is fifth in the league, but no one in the Eastern Conference has more wins.  Scott Wedgewood (4-1-0) has appeared in six games since returning from injury, posting a 1.87 goals-against average and .926 save percentage.

Rookie Matt Lorito leads Albany in scoring with 25 points (7g, 18a). Mike Sislo and Reid Boucher are second with 23 points each, with 13 and 12 goals, respectively. The Devils power play is third in the AHL (23.0%) and Sislo leads the AHL with nine power-play goals. 

Today the New Jersey Devils recalled defenseman Marc-Andre Gragnani, center Jim O'Brien and right winger Paul Thompson from Albany. New Jersey also returned Sislo on loan to Albany.
.
Lightning Flash
Tampa Bay bay visits Edmonton Friday at 9 p.m. after a 3-1 loss Tuesday in Calgary. Steven Stamkos scored the lone goal against the Flames as Ben Bishop made 21 saves in defeat. Stamkos and Bishop were named NHL All-Stars this week.

Forward Ryan Callahan, who left with a lower-body injury in the second period against the Calgary Flames on Tuesday, took part in line rushes at practice Thursday and coach Jon Cooper told the Tampa Bay Times he should be able to play. Crunch alum Vladislav Namestnikov was promoted to the top line alongside Steven Stamkos and Valtteri Filppula, the latter of whom has a four-game point streak (one goal, four assists).