The Vegas Golden Knights will turn to their trade deadline acquisition in goal when they begin round-robin play against the Dallas Stars.Robin Lehner is getting the start Monday, Golden Knights head coach Peter DeBoer told reporters, including The Athletic's Jesse Granger, on Sunday.Vegas' leading scorer, Max Pacioretty, won't suit up for Monday's contest, but DeBoer said the forward's return is "on the horizon here for sure."Marc-Andre Fleury, the team's No. 1 goaltender, stopped 22 of the 23 shots he faced in a 4-1 exhibition victory over the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday.DeBoer said in July he's "not going to be afraid to play either" netminder in the postseason. Fleury said at the time he was fine with competing for the starting role in the playoffs.The 35-year-old veteran, who's been Vegas' starter since the club's inception, went 27-16-5 with a .905 save percentage and minus-6.5 goals saved above average in 49 games during the 2019-20 regular season.Lehner, who turned 29 in July, won all three of his starts after joining the Golden Knights, posting a .940 save percentage in those victories. He went 16-10-5 with a .918 save percentage and 10.17 GSAA in 33 contests with the Chicago Blackhawks before the February trade.Pacioretty has been rehabbing a minor injury and didn't travel with the team last weekend when it flew to Edmonton to enter the Western Conference bubble. The 31-year-old winger led the Golden Knights with 32 goals and 66 points in 2019-20.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored the first of Arizona's three first-period goals, a healthy Phil Kessel had two assists and the Coyotes held on to beat the Nashville Predators 4-3 Sunday to open their Stanley Cup qualifier series.The Coyotes made the most of their first postseason appearance since 2012, scoring three goals in the opening period on their way to building a 4-1 lead.The Predators rallied behind two goals by Filip Forsberg, the second midway through the third period, to cut Arizona's lead to 4-3.Darcy Kuemper, who stopped 40 shots, held off Nashville's late push and the Coyotes snatched momentum heading into Game 2 of the best-of-five series on Tuesday.Christian Dvorak, Clayton Keller and Michael Grabner also scored for Arizona.Ryan Ellis also scored for Nashville and Juuse Saros stopped 33 shots.Nashville was sixth in the Western Conference when the season was halted because of the coronavirus pandemic.The Coyotes were beneficiaries of the new playoff format for the restart, earning a spot in the qualifier after ending the regular season 11th in the West.The Coyotes had to deal with a distraction before arriving in Edmonton, learning general manager John Chayka had resigned the day the team left for the bubble.Once the puck dropped in Edmonton, Arizona had the early jump and scored the opening goal - thanks to a double carom.Ekman-Larsson scored it midway through the first period on a shot near the blue line that hit Nashville center Kyle Turris' skate, bounced off teammate Matt Duchene's body and floated over Saros' head into the net.Dvorak scored less than three minutes later, punching in a rebound of Kessel's shot past Saros. Keller made it 3-0 on a power play, one-timing a pass from Dvorak over Saros' glove shoulder.In danger of being run out of the rink, the Predators breathed a little life into their hopes with a lucky bounce of their own. Forsberg got it, firing a power-play shot that Kuemper initially stopped before caroming off Arizona defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson's skate into the net with 2.5 seconds left in the opening period.The Coyotes erased any Nashville momentum late in the second period when Grabner, Arizona's short-handed specialist, broke free on a Predators power play and beat Saros to make it 4-1.The Predators needed 30 seconds of the third period to gain it back, scoring when a shot by Ellis caromed off Ekman-Larsson's skate past Kuemper. Forsberg cut Arizona's lead to 4-3 on a power-play shot from the slot, but the Predators couldn't get anything else past Kuemper.NOTES: Coyotes C Nick Schmaltz did not play after taking a shot to the head in Thursday's exhibition against Vegas. ... Rinne had started every Predators playoff game since 2010, a streak of 89 straight games. ... Kessel had his 21st multi-point playoff game, third among active players behind Patrick Kane (34) and Joe Pavelski (24). ... Forsberg is Nashville's all-time leading postseason goals scorer with 24.UP NEXTGame 2 is Tuesday in Edmonton.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba inspired the hockey world Saturday when he delivered a powerful speech against racism before becoming the first NHL player to kneel for the U.S. anthem.Dumba, however, says he wishes he stayed on one knee once the Canadian anthem followed."To be honest, I kind of froze up," Dumba said, according to NBC Sports' Sean Leahy. "I know why I knelt. It wasn’t a sign of disrespect by any means. It was to shed light on the people who have lived through the injustice and oppression, especially in my home state of Minnesota. That's why I did it."I think my biggest regret is not doing it for the Canadian national anthem, as well because there is a lot of light that needs to be shed on what is happening in Canada and the oppression First Nations people have felt for hundreds of years. I was disappointed looking back on it because, like I said, I knew the reasons why I knelt. Just in the moment, it happened like that."The Regina, Saskatchewan, native said he'll raise his fist during both the U.S. and Canadian anthems going forward."If I'm not in the starting lineup, I might be on the bench, and if I take a knee on the bench, they might not even be able to see me," Dumba said.Dumba, who was the Wild's nominee for the 2020 King Clancy Trophy, embraced the backlash he received on social media and called out those who took issue with his message."Keep it coming," said Dumba. "It kind of sheds a light on them and the people that follow them. Their friends, their family, can see their beliefs and how they view the world and see the negative light that they're trying to shed on this."For all the people who have the courage in their fingertips sitting behind a keyboard, I know half the stuff you wouldn't say to my face if I was standing right in front of you."Dumba is part of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, which was created in June by current and former NHL players to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Blackhawks forward Drake Caggiula has been suspended one game for a hit to the head of Edmonton Oilers forward Tyler Ennis on Saturday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.Caggiula was not assessed a penalty on the play.

Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros is in net for Game 1 against the Arizona Coyotes on Sunday.With Saros getting the call, veteran netminder Pekka Rinne's streak of 89 consecutive playoff starts dating back to 2010 ends, according to The Athletic's Adam Vingan.Saros, 25, makes his first career postseason start after recording a 2.70 goals-against average and a .914 save percentage over 40 appearances this season.The 5-foot-11 puck-stopper turned aside all nine shots he faced in just over 30 minutes of action during the Predators' 2-0 exhibition victory over the Dallas Stars on Thursday.Rinne posted career lows with a 3.17 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage over 36 games this season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will start netminder Joonas Korpisalo for Game 1 versus the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday night, head coach John Tortorella announced.When asked why he chose Korpisalo, Tortorella wasn't keen on showing his hand."I'm not explaining it," he said, according to Mike Zeisberger of the NHL.com.The team's decision on a starter was one of the biggest storylines tied to the club heading into the playoffs, as there are two viable Blue Jackets goaltending options between Korpisalo and rookie sensation Elvis Merzlikins.They split time in 2019-20, with Korpisalo posting a 19-12-5 record and a .911 save percentage. The 26-year-old has never made a playoff start, and he's 5-3 lifetime versus the Maple Leafs.Merzlikins was sensational this season while Korpisalo missed time with an injury. The Latvian registered a .923 save percentage and a goals-against average of 2.35 in 35 appearances, playing a large role while helping the Blue Jackets stay in the playoff picture.Game 1 begins at 8:00 p.m. ET.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins will turn to netminder Jaroslav Halak for their opening round-robin game against the Philadelphia Flyers on Sunday with starter Tuukka Rask deemed unfit to play, head coach Bruce Cassidy confirmed, according to The Boston Globe's Matt Porter.Rask was feeling ill Saturday and missed practice. Cassidy says the Finnish puck-stopper is "feeling better," and the bench boss is hopeful Rask will get back on the ice Monday.Halak enjoyed a strong 2019-20 campaign, posting an 18-6-6 record with a 2.39 goals-against average and .919 save percentage over 31 appearances.The Bruins' goaltending duo earned the William M. Jennings Trophy this season, which is awarded to the goalies on the team that allows the fewest goals.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning aren't expecting captain Steven Stamkos to be available for Monday's round-robin contest versus the Washington Capitals."We never really, in any of our plans, had him playing in this first game, so not sure any of that's really changed," head coach Jon Cooper said, according to Bryan Burns of the team's website.Stamkos suffered a lower-body injury in Phase 2 of the NHL's return-to-play plan and has been in and out of Tampa's practices ever since. Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois said last week Stamkos should be fully healthy for the postseason.The Lightning enter the bubble in Toronto as the second seed in the Eastern Conference. They'll battle the other top four teams (Washington, Boston, and Philadelphia) to determine seeds 1-4 for the traditional postseason format.Stamkos, 30, recorded 29 goals and 37 assists in 57 games this season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Wow, that was fun. The NHL's return on Saturday exceeded all expectations. Games were intense, physical, and resembled playoff hockey way more than expected following such a long layoff.So let's do it again, shall we?Arizona Coyotes (+110) @ Nashville Predators (-130)The betting lines disagree with me, but I don't see an edge for the Predators in this series. They have the series' best player in Roman Josi, but Darcy Kuemper is the most valuable. If the Coyotes netminder had not gotten injured, a Vezina nomination would be unquestionable. Arizona was on a 100-point pace when he went down in December. Conversely, the Predators have endured some brutal goaltending all season.Nashville has perceived scoring edge in this series, but just how good is this team up front? Filip Forsberg led all Predators forwards in points with 48, a few more than Arizona's Nick Schmaltz (45) and Clayton Keller (44). The Preds rely on all four lines for offense, but there's no edge there for Nashville. Both squads possess nine forwards with a minimum of 10 goals, so Arizona will have no problem keeping up in that regard.So what makes this Predators team better? The Coyotes are deeper on the blue line, stronger down the middle, and significantly better in goal. They match up well with Nashville and should be favorites heading into the series.Pick: Coyotes (+110)Minnesota Wild (-110) @ Vancouver Canucks (-110)What the Wild lack in star power – with Kevin Fiala quickly becoming an exception – they more than make up for in offensive depth. They get scoring from all four lines and can do some serious damage with a very strong bottom six, posing a real mismatch for a Canucks team that significantly drops in talent after their top two lines. There’s no sheltering Vancouver’s fourth line, which will see very few minutes in this series. That a problem given just how important depth will be as teams get their legs under them.While the Canucks' top six can be electrifying, they lean too heavily on their top scorers, leading to some very unstructured hockey. And they don't have enough defensive talent to make up for it, either. The Canucks are very weak on the blue line, relying heavily on the heroics of Jakub Markstrom to keep them in games. Fundamentally the Wild are very strong and are built to expose Vancouver's often irresponsible on-ice approach.Minnesota is also considerably better on the blue line, boasting a terrific top four that will go a long way in slowing Vancouver's frenzied attack. With a significant edge in depth and on the back end, the Wild will steal a pivotal Game 1.Pick: Wild (-110)(Odds source: theScore Bet)Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames turned to Cam Talbot to man the crease for the opening game of their qualifying-round series against the Winnipeg Jets.The 33-year-old got the nod over David Rittich, who played more often during the regular season but didn't perform as well as his teammate.Talbot went 12-10-1 with a .919 save percentage and a 3.84 GSAA at 5-on-5 in 26 appearances - 22 of which were starts.Rittich, who'll turn 28 on August 19, went 24-17-6 with a .907 save percentage and a minus-3.75 goals saved above average at 5-on-5 in 48 games - all of which were starts.Talbot has the edge in terms of postseason experience, having played in two postseason contests for the New York Rangers in 2013-14, and having started 13 playoff games for the Edmonton Oilers in the 2016-17 campaign. Rittich has never appeared in a Stanley Cup playoff game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice isn't happy with how one of his team's best players, Mark Scheifele, was injured in Saturday's 4-1 loss during the first day of the NHL's return.Scheifele left the contest versus the Calgary Flames minutes into the opening frame after he got tangled up with Matthew Tkachuk along the boards. The Flames forward's skate appeared to nick the back of Scheifele's leg, sending him to the ice writhing in pain.In the eyes of the Jets bench boss, the move was certainly no accident."It was intentional. It was a filthy, dirty kick to the back of the leg," Maurice said, per Sportsnet. "You can't see it on the program feed, but you take the blueline feed and you zoom in. He went after the back of his leg. Could have cut his Achilles. Could have ended the man's career. It's an absolutely filthy disgusting hit."While Maurice may have deemed the move intentional, Tkachuk quickly denied that idea when speaking after the game."I feel terrible. Such a great guy," Tkachuk said, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski. "It’s not good for the game when someone like that isn’t in the game. It was an accident and I feel terrible about it."It isn't just the one injury that Maurice needs to worry about going forward, as the head coach added that Patrik Laine, who injured his hand late in the game, will join Scheifele in seeing a specialist on Sunday to be evaluated, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

EDMONTON, Alberta (AP) Johnny Gaudreau and Mikael Backlund scored power-play goals to lead the Calgary Flames to a 4-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday night in the opener of their qualifying round series.Tobias Rieder had a short-handed goal and Andrew Mangiapane added an empty-netter for Calgary. Cam Talbot stopped 17 shots.Andrew Copp scored midway through the first period to give Winnipeg the lead minutes after the Jets lost Mark Scheifele to a leg injury. Patrik Laine then left the game early in the third after a collision with Flames captain Mark Giordano.Connor Hellebuyck finished with 29 saves for the Jets.Game 2 in the best-of-5 series is Monday.The potential loss of season scoring co-leader Scheifele would be devastating for Winnipeg's Stanley Cup prospects.Scheifele went awkwardly into the boards at 5:41 of the first. He appeared to jam his left leg under him as Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk applied his arm to Scheifele's back. Tkachuk's skate appeared to make contact with Scheifele's, but no penalty was called on the play.Jets captain Blake Wheeler summoned Tkachuk for retribution on the Flames forward's next shift. Tkachuk obliged and the two traded punches.Just 31 seconds after that scrap, Adam Lowry dished a backhand from behind the net out front to Copp to whip over Talbot's glove for the early lead.But Winnipeg otherwise mustered little offense with a power play held scoreless on seven chances.Gaudreau tied it at 7:06 of the second, corralling a bobbling pass from Sean Monahan and firing it past Hellebuyck's glove.Rieder gave the Flames the lead on a backhander on a short-handed breakaway with 7:09 left in the second.Backlund made it 3-1 on a high shot on Hellebuyck's blocker side with 1:46 left in the middle period.Mangiapane sealed it wit 1:41 left in the third.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL is officially back. For the first time in nearly five months, hockey fans have something new to watch. Real, meaningful action. Five playoff qualifier games - three in Toronto and two in Edmonton - are on the schedule for Day 1. Here, theScore will provide running insight and analysis from behind the scenes at Scotiabank Arena, which is playing host to the Eastern Conference.––––––––––Jeff Petry, from the slot, deep into the first overtime. Of course that's how this marathon of a day inside the Toronto Maple Leafs' home rink ends; a defenseman who's not only on the last-ranked Eastern Conference squad in the NHL's restart tournament but one from the Leafs' historical rival - the Canadiens - ties a bow on an incredible, back-and-forth 3-2 victory for Montreal.Petry also zinged the post with a hard shot late in the third period. That was sandwiched between failed penalty shots by a player from each team - Conor Sheary for the Penguins in regulation and Jonathan Drouin for the Canadiens in overtime. This seemingly lopsided matchup had all the drama, and the action resembled regular playoff hockey.But should we have expected anything less than this wacky ending? In these unprecedented times in the world, and in sport, we should continuously brace for the unexpected. We got that in spades on Saturday. And, from inside the secure zone in Toronto, from my perch in Section 306, it was admittedly weird at times, though also as normal as you could hope.Sure, errant pucks that would normally go to a lucky fan ended up being scooped up by some guy with a pool skimmer. The humming crowd noise pumped into the arena speakers was strange, almost everybody within the walls of Scotiabank Arena - from the security guards to the trainers on the bench - were wearing masks, and, as expected, the Zoom calls between players and the media didn't go smoothly ("Can you please unmute yourself, sir?"). As for the multiscreen and graphics setup surrounding the ice surface, it may have looked out of place at first, but, boy, did it grew on you throughout the day.In all honesty, the NHL deserves a boatload of credit for what it accomplished on Day 1. It completed a five-game schedule spread across two hub cities amid a pandemic. The ice didn't crap out due to overuse or summer temperatures; there were upsets, overtime action, and no major officiating controversies; and the league was socially active, for once.It was a surreal, landmark day for the NHL. Full stop.Saved the best for lastHere are a few observations as we wait for the third period of Pens-Habs:

The Winnipeg Jets lost their top-line center to a gruesome-looking injury early in Saturday night's series opener against the Calgary Flames.Mark Scheifele left the contest after colliding along the boards with Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk less than six minutes in.

Pittsburgh Penguins netminder Matt Murray started in goal Saturday for Game 1 versus the Montreal Canadiens.Murray and Tristan Jarry shared starts all season long, and although Jarry posted better stats, Pittsburgh is turning to Murray due to his playoff resume."Matt has shown an ability to be at his best when the stakes are high, and that should provide some confidence going into a playoff environment like this. We'll take each game as it comes but we feel good about the goaltending tandem we have," head coach Mike Sullivan said Saturday afternoon.Murray backstopped the Penguins to a Stanley Cup in 2016 and 2017, and owns a .921 save percentage across 48 postseason appearances. The Penguins are hopeful he can rekindle his vintage playoff form, as Murray struggled with an .899 save percentage in 38 games over the regular season.Jarry, on the other hand, posted a .921 save percentage in 33 starts in 2019-20, but has never appeared in a playoff game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins received some good news about one of their stars, but some potentially bad news about another on Saturday.Forward Brad Marchand is expected to play in his team's opening round-robin game on Sunday after suffering an injury during their exhibition game. Meanwhile, goaltender Tuukka Rask is questionable to man the crease due to an illness, according to The Philadelphia Inquirer's Sam Carchidi.Head coach Bruce Cassidy said he's sure Marchand will be "ready to go" and expects him to be at 100%. However, Cassidy says he will have to talk to Rask, who missed practice on Saturday, to "see where he's at."Earlier this week, Cassidy announced that the netminder is starting the first game of the round-robin against the Philadelphia Flyers. He added that if Rask is unable to go, backup goaltender Jaroslav Halak will be ready to take the net.The two goalies nearly split starts this season, with Rask playing in 41 games and Halak in 31. The pair combined to win the William M. Jennings Trophy, awarded annually to the goaltending tandem that allows the fewest goals.The Bruins will take on the Flyers at 3 p.m. ET Sunday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nick Robertson will make his NHL debut on a big stage.The Toronto Maple Leafs forward will be in the lineup for Game 1 of their qualifying-round series against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday, head coach Sheldon Keefe confirmed, according to Sportsnet's Shawn McKenzie.Robertson will be the first 18-year-old to debut in the postseason since Jarome Iginla did so in 1996.The teenager played in Toronto's exhibition game earlier this week and has been practicing regularly on the third line alongside Alexander Kerfoot and Kasperi Kapanen.He's coming off an incredible season with the OHL's Peterborough Petes, during which he recorded 55 goals and added 31 assists in 46 games.The Maple Leafs selected Robertson with the 53rd pick of the 2019 NHL Draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dominik Kubalik notched five points, and Jonathan Toews added two goals and an assist of his own as the Chicago Blackhawks defeated the Edmonton Oilers 6-4 in Game 1 of their best-of-five qualifying round series Saturday.Kubalik scored twice in the second period and tallied three assists, while Toews collected his pair of markers in the opening frame.The Oilers led 4-1 after the first period and 6-2 following 40 minutes of play. Mikko Koskinen stopped 18 of the 19 shots he faced after replacing Mike Smith, who allowed five goals on 23 shots.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Smith's first start of the postseason was relatively short-lived.The Edmonton Oilers pulled the veteran goaltender less than seven minutes into the second period after he surrendered five goals on 23 shots against the Chicago Blackhawks in Game 1 of their play-in round contest on Saturday.Smith gave up four of those markers on 16 shots in the opening frame.Despite his shaky start, Smith remained in goal to start the second, and Leon Draisaitl scored to bring Edmonton within two a little more than four minutes into the middle stanza.However, Chicago rookie Dominik Kubalik scored the Blackhawks' fifth marker about two minutes later. Mikko Koskinen then took over for Smith.Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews tallied twice in the first, with his goals coming just over five minutes apart. Dylan Strome and Brandon Saad also lit the lamp for Chicago in the first 20 minutes.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba became the first NHL player to kneel during the United States national anthem as an act of solidarity in the fight against racism.Dumba delivered a moving speech ahead of Saturday's tilt between the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers and took a knee once the anthem began."During this pandemic, something unexpected but long overdue occurred. The world woke up to the existence of systematic racism, and how deeply rooted it is within our society," Dumba said."Racism is a man-made creation, and all it does is deteriorate from our collective prosperity. Racism is everywhere, and we need to fight against it. On behalf of the NHL and the Hockey Diversity Alliance, we vow and promise to stand up for justice and fight for what is right."

New York Rangers forward Jesper Fast exited in the first period of Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes and did not return.Fast took a heavy hit from former teammate Brady Skjei and headed straight to the dressing room.

New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo is in the lineup for Game 1 against the Carolina Hurricanes after being a game-time decision.DeAngelo, 24, missed practice Friday for an unknown reason.The 5-foot-11 rearguard enjoyed a career season with the Rangers, ranking fourth among all NHL blue-liners in points (53) while tying for third in goals (15) through 68 games. DeAngelo also paced all Rangers defensemen with 19:17 of average ice time per game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers turned to the king for Game 1.Henrik Lundqvist started in goal when the Rangers opened their qualifying-round series against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, the team announced.Igor Shesterkin was deemed unfit to play prior to puck drop, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com.The Rangers carried three goalies - Lundqvist, Shesterkin, and Alexandar Georgiev - on their roster for most of the season. Shesterkin, 24, took over the starter's role with an impressive start to his NHL career, going 10-2-0 with a .932 save percentage to help New York climb into the playoff race before the league halted play.Lundqvist, 38, had the worst regular season of his career in 2019-20, posting a .905 save percentage across 30 appearances. He owns a .922 save percentage in 128 career playoff games, however, and he's been dominant against the Hurricanes throughout his NHL tenure.Lundqvist went 3-0-0 with a 2.33 goals-against average and a .947 save percentage against Carolina this season. He owns a career record of 33-12-1 and a remarkable .934 save percentage versus the Hurricanes.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The conditional draft pick involved in the deadline deal that brought Sami Vatanen to the Carolina Hurricanes from the New Jersey Devils has some new stipulations attached.If Carolina beats the New York Rangers in the qualifying round and Vatanen plays in 70% of the Hurricanes' games after the play-in, New Jersey will acquire the Canes' 2020 third-round pick, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports.Should the Hurricanes beat the Rangers and Vatanen play in less than 70% of playoff contests, it will depend on how many games he played against the Rangers. If he plays at least twice and Carolina wins the series, the Devils get a 2020 fourth-round pick. But if he makes two appearances and the Rangers win, the Hurricanes can send a 2020 or 2021 fourth-round pick, according to Friedman.Finally, if Vatanen doesn't appear in at least two games against the Rangers, the Devils won't receive a pick, Friedman adds.At the time of the trade, Carolina agreed to surrender a 2020 fourth-round selection if Vatanen played in five regular-season games. The pick would have become a 2020 third-rounder if he played in 12 regular-season contests or 70% of playoff games.The 29-year-old defenseman didn't get a chance to suit up in a regular-season game for Carolina due to a lingering injury. After playing in the Hurricanes' exhibition game this week, he's expected to be in the lineup for Game 1 of the play-in round beginning Saturday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's bubble plan appears to be working.About 1,500 COVID-19 tests have been conducted daily in each of the Toronto and Edmonton hubs since teams arrived Sunday, and zero have returned positive so far, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.The NHL is working with LifeLabs in Toronto and DynaLIFE in Edmonton to administer the tests. Results are processed within 24 hours.Each team was permitted to bring 52 members into the bubble, and everyone is tested daily.Every club has played an exhibition game since arriving, and teams have held numerous practices. The qualifying round starts Saturday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers will have to surrender a third-round pick to the Calgary Flames after all.The NHL ruled the Oilers must transfer either their 2020 or 2021 third-rounder to Calgary to complete last summer's James Neal-Milan Lucic deal, the Flames announced Friday.Edmonton will have until the third round of the 2020 draft to make its decision.The forwards were swapped last July, and the condition attached to Edmonton's third-round pick was that it would only transfer if Neal, whom the Oilers received, scored at least 21 goals in 2019-20 and Lucic finished with at least 10 fewer markers than his counterpart.Those conditions were extremely close to being met when the season was paused March 12; Neal scored 19 goals and Lucic had eight.Neal potted all 19 of his goals in the first 42 games of the season before missing a month due to a foot injury. Lucic collected four over his last 15 contests, including two in his last four.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby offered his thoughts Friday on the ongoing fight against systemic racism."We're role models, first and foremost. I think we understand that. We understand what's going on in the world," the Pittsburgh Penguins captain said Friday. "We're important when it comes to being part of change. I just think there are important conversations that you have to have. I know, personally, I've had some of those."Crosby's comments come one day after Evander Kane called out the NHL for its lack of support of its Black players.Teams and players have stood in solidarity before games in support of Black Lives Matter since the NHL returned to the ice earlier this week for exhibition contests.Crosby said he spent the last few months better educating himself and learning about the issues the Black community faces, and he'll continue to try to help encourage diversity in hockey."But I still need to continue to (have those conversations). Just educate ourselves," Crosby said. "Whether it's where we play or in our communities, how we can make a difference."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Rangers defenseman Tony DeAngelo is a game-time decision for Game 1 of the qualifying round against the Carolina Hurricanes, head coach David Quinn said Friday.It's unknown why DeAngelo's presence for Saturday's opener is in jeopardy, but he missed Friday's practice.DeAngelo's projected partner, Marc Staal, will play despite leaving Wednesday's exhibition game, Quinn added.Libor Hajek would likely be inserted into the lineup if DeAngelo doesn't dress, Quinn said, according to USA Today's Vince Z. Mercogliano.DeAngelo, who played a team-high 24:09 on Wednesday, had a breakout season in 2019-20, finishing fourth among all NHL blue-liners with 53 points in 68 games.The Rangers and Hurricanes play at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.Thanks summer, it's been real. With the NHL playoffs beginning, my days enjoying the nice weather are over. For the next number of weeks I will be living on my couch, and I wouldn't have it any other way.The fun begins at noon Saturday in Toronto, with non-stop action taking us well beyond midnight. This is incredible.New York Rangers (+110) @ Carolina Hurricanes (-130)It's only right to have money on the first official game in nearly five months, and it just so happens to be my favorite bet of the day. Following such a long layoff, rust and fatigue are going to play big parts early on in the NHL's return to play. Because of that, coaching and depth are going to be huge in these play-in series - the Hurricanes hold significant edges in both.Even without the injured Dougie Hamilton and Brett Pesce, the Canes are both deeper and stronger on the blue line, especially after acquiring Brady Skjei - from the Rangers - and Sami Vatanen at the deadline. But the big edge here comes at forward, where Carolina has far more depth scoring.The Canes are stacked down the middle and pose a legitimate scoring threat with their bottom six. It's an area the Rangers struggle, and are even further shorthanded in that regard with Brendan Lemieux suspended. Carolina has four players in its bottom six that registered at least 29 points this season. New York has none.With Rod Brind'Amour scheming behind the bench, the Canes will play the matchups and slow the Rangers' top lines, capitalizing on their depth to claim a crucial Game 1 victory.Pick: Hurricanes (-130)Florida Panthers (-105) @ New York Islanders (-115)While there's a lot to like about the Panthers, they're going nowhere if Sergei Bobrovsky can't figure it out. The 31-year-old is coming off the worst statistical regular season of his career, and it crippled the team. Their hopes in this series hinge on the netminder turning a corner, but a miserable outing in their exhibition game on Wednesday - allowing five goals on 34 shots - doesn't inspire much confidence.The Islanders aren't exactly an offensive juggernaut, but they will steadily attack with all four lines and grind the Panthers down. New York is incredibly deep down the middle - Matthew Barzal, Brock Nelson, Jean-Gabriel Pageau, Casey Cizikas - and on the blue line. Barry Trotz has transformed the Isles into a defensive juggernaut, and will have them ready to expose a fundamentally flawed Panthers team in Game 1.Pick: Islanders (-120)(Odds source: theScore Bet)Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Dougie Hamilton will not be in the club's lineup for Game 1 against the New York Rangers on Saturday, head coach Rod Brind'Amour confirmed, according to team reporter Michael Smith.Brind'Amour said Hamilton is "getting better" but isn't yet ready for game action.Hamilton, 27, suffered a broken fibula in January but was ready to return in April. However, he sustained an unspecified injury - which is reportedly not related to his broken leg - in practice last week.The 6-foot-6 rearguard contributed 14 goals and 40 points through 47 games this season.The Hurricanes will also be without blue-liner Brett Pesce, who continues to recover from shoulder surgery.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the 13th edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for 2019-20 and the first since the season paused back in March. With the 24-team playoff about to start, we've limited the rankings to the teams still actively competing.In this edition, we look at a player on each team that has the best chance to capture the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP.1. Boston Bruins (44-14-12)David Pastrnak is a bona fide superstar, and his elite linemates - Brad Marchand and Patrice Bergeron - could also be Conn Smythe candidates in a potential championship run. However, the Bruins' most important player is Tuukka Rask. The Finnish netminder had another stellar regular season, and he's the most likely playoff MVP if Boston hoists the Stanley Cup.2. St. Louis Blues (42-19-10)Only three players have ever won back-to-back Conn Smythe Awards: Sidney Crosby, Mario Lemieux, and Bernie Parent. Ryan O'Reilly may very well find himself added to that list. Not only did he lead St. Louis in points this season with 61, but he also played at an elite level on both sides of the puck. A finalist for both the Selke and Lady Byng Trophies, O'Reilly will need to be at the top of his game for the Blues to repeat as champs.3. Colorado Avalanche (42-20-8)There's no question that all eyes will be fixated on how far Nathan MacKinnon can carry a Cup-ready Colorado squad. The Hart Trophy finalist is one of the game's most dynamic players, and if the Avalanche claim their first title since 2001, you can bank on MacKinnon leading the way.4. Tampa Bay Lightning (43-21-6) Scott Audette / National Hockey League / GettyThe Lightning have a number of star-caliber players that could easily be tabbed MVP of the playoffs. But after being nominated for the Vezina Trophy for the third season in a row, Andrei Vasilevskiy probably has the best shot to win it. With a balanced attack offensively, the 26-year-old stud netminder will surely be one of the leaders in Tampa's quest to finally bring home the Cup.5. Pittsburgh Penguins (40-23-6)While Evgeni Malkin would be a sound choice, we'd be foolish not to go with two-time Conn Smythe winner Sidney Crosby. Sid is 32 now, but he's coming off a stellar campaign with 47 points in 41 games. If Pittsburgh makes a deep postseason run, you know Crosby is going to have his fingerprints all over it.6. Philadelphia Flyers (41-21-7)Carter Hart helped the Flyers unexpectedly finish with the NHL's sixth-best record after going 11-3-0 with a .929 save percentage over his final 14 games of the season. The soon-to-be 22-year-old will need to duplicate his late-season success in his first taste of playoff-level competition for Philadelphia to win the Cup.7. Washington Capitals (41-20-8)Alex Ovechkin has consistently played at an elite level during the playoffs. Since the 2007-08 season, he leads the league with 65 goals in 128 playoff games; only Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin have more points than him during that span. The 34-year-old showed this season that he can still produce at an elite level. If the Capitals win the Cup, Ovechkin will be one of the biggest reasons why.8. Vegas Golden Knights (39-24-8) Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyMark Stone will be a big factor for the Golden Knights as they try to make their second Stanley Cup Final in three years of existence. The 27-year-old led Vegas in points per game (0.95) this past season, and his stalwart two-way game translates well to playoff success. Conn Smythe voters love a player that can perform at both ends of the rink, and Stone fits the bill.9. Dallas Stars (37-24-8) The Stars' top players weren't as productive this season as normal - Tyler Seguin led the team with just 50 points. Their success was largely thanks to Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin, arguably the best goaltender tandem in the league. Khudobin led the NHL with a .930 save percentage, while Bishop didn't trail far behind at .920. It's unclear if Bishop will start all of the team's games as he did last season, but whoever plays best will have the best shot at the Conn Smythe.10. Carolina Hurricanes (38-25-5)A healthy Dougie Hamilton would've been a solid pick, but he's expected to miss the beginning of the qualifying round with an undisclosed injury. Jaccob Slavin is a true difference-maker, but he likely wouldn't garner enough points to receive consideration. That leaves Sebastian Aho as the logical choice. The 23-year-old led the Canes with 38 goals and 66 points this season and has blossomed into a true No. 1 center.11. Toronto Maple Leafs (36-25-9)If the Maple Leafs can capture their first title since 1967, Auston Matthews will be the biggest reason why. The dynamic forward posted career-high goal and point totals despite playing only 70 regular-season games. He scored five times in seven postseason contests last year and has produced 10 markers in 20 career playoff games. Frederik Andersen hasn't been as reliable in goal, so Matthews and Toronto's talented offensive core may have to carry the club.12. Edmonton Oilers (37-25-9) Andy Devlin / National Hockey League / GettyIt's virtually a toss-up between Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl at this point. Draisaitl, though, will hope to cap off his year with a Stanley Cup and the Conn Smythe after putting together an MVP-worthy season. He proved he can continue his top-notch play in the postseason by posting six goals and 16 points in 13 games in 2017. Still, the two stars produce at similarly dazzling rates, so picking between them would be a tough choice.13. New York Islanders (35-23-10)The Islanders' success is predicated on an air-tight defensive scheme. With few offensive game-breakers and a club that boasted shot share and expected goals numbers under 50% this season, the fate of New York's playoff chances lie in the hands of goaltender Semyon Varlamov. The Isles' No. 1 had a .914 save percentage this season, which will have to increase if he's going to lead his club on a long run.14. Nashville Predators (35-26-8)Tabbed as a favorite to win the Norris Trophy, Roman Josi will need to do a lot of the heavy lifting for the Predators come playoff time. He led the team in scoring during the regular season by a whopping margin of 17 points. If the Predators go deep in the playoffs, it will be in large part due to the Swiss star.15. Columbus Blue Jackets (33-22-15)The Blue Jackets finished the season with the league's 28th-ranked offense, so rookie goaltender Elvis Merzlikins will need to stand on his head if they're to go on a miracle Stanley Cup run. We love Seth Jones and Zach Werenski, but goalies tend to win this award more than defensemen.16. New York Rangers (37-28-5) Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyIt's hard to imagine the Rangers exceeding expectations the way they did in the regular season without Artemi Panarin. Given the club's uncertainty in goal, the Russian superstar would surely be the biggest reason behind any possible Cup run. He's a deserving Hart Trophy finalist, and his value to a championship squad would need to be similarly recognized.17. Vancouver Canucks (36-27-6)The Canucks allowed the 28th most shots on goal per game (33.3) and 19th most goals against (3.1) this season. While they're full of potential and young stars, they'll ultimately only go as far as Jacob Markstrom can take them. The 30-year-old put together one of the best campaigns of his career this season, and Vancouver will need him to be at his best to win the Cup.18. Winnipeg Jets (37-28-6)Connor Hellebuyck was the Jets' backbone all season long and will continue to be in the playoffs. Winnipeg's chances of going deep this summer as the West's No. 9 seed rely on the strength of its Vezina-worthy goaltender.19. Calgary Flames (36-27-7)Johnny Gaudreau turned a new page in the second half of the season after being on pace for one of the worst statistical campaigns of his career. Since Jan. 1, the 26-year-old racked up eight goals and 27 points in 28 games. He's only managed 12 points in 20 career playoff games to date, but perhaps this is the year he turns the jets on in the postseason and proves that the Flames are for real.20. Florida Panthers (35-26-8) Harry How / Getty Images Sport / GettyJonathan Huberdeau, Aaron Ekblad, and Sergei Bobrovsky make for some intriguing choices, but a trip to the Stanley Cup Final for the Panthers would likely mean Aleksander Barkov went absolutely off. The 24-year-old had a down season by his standards, collecting 62 points in 66 games, but he's still one of the game's best two-way centers.21. Minnesota Wild (35-27-7)The Wild's goaltending situation is unclear entering the postseason, so while it's possible one of their three mediocre netminders stands on his head and lifts Minnesota to a championship, it's more likely that Kevin Fiala carries the squad. The 24-year-old was scorching-hot down the stretch, and picking up where he left off would be the most plausible reason for a Wild title run.22. Arizona Coyotes (33-29-8)It remains unknown what Taylor Hall's plans are as he's set to hit free agency this offseason, but wouldn't a Stanley Cup be a nice parting gift for the Coyotes? Hall leads Arizona in points (27) and is tied for the team lead in goals (10) since being traded there Dec. 19. The 28-year-old has played just five playoff games in his career and will surely be itching to play some postseason hockey. The former MVP winner will need to help out a lot offensively if the Coyotes are to go on a championship run.23. Chicago Blackhawks (32-30-8)Is there really any pick aside from Patrick Kane? The Blackhawks would be total write-offs this postseason if it weren't for their leading scorer, who's proven on numerous occasions he's capable of single-handedly taking over a series. It's a severe long shot, but Kane will be the one to receive additional hardware if Chicago captures its fourth Cup since 2010.24. Montreal Canadiens (31-31-9)It's already been said a million times, but the Canadiens will only go as far as Carey Price can take them. If Montreal manages to go on a miracle run to win the Cup after coming in as the No. 24 seed, it will almost certainly be in large part due to the former MVP's play. Price has a lot of hardware on his mantle. A Conn Smythe and Stanley Cup are two trophies he is missing.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL announced it will show support for Black Lives Matter and other social justice movements when the postseason begins Saturday.Players will wear "#WeSkateFor Equality" helmet decals and receive sweaters to customize with the hashtag and the name of a person or movement they are representing.#WeSkateForBlackLives will also be displayed on digital screens and seat coverings at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto and Rogers Place in Edmonton.The initiative is also intended to honor frontline workers amid the coronavirus pandemic."We believe in terms of focusing on the need to combat racism and to also pay tribute to the responders from the medical community of COVID-19, we think we'll be paying the appropriate respect and focusing on, particularly, social justice," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman told NBC News' Craig Melvin on Friday. "That is something that is a priority for us going forward."San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane, who is the co-head of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, ripped the league Thursday for its social justice efforts thus far."The NHL can put 'Black Lives Matter' all over the rink, shout 'Black Lives Matter' from the mountains," Kane said. "No matter what they do or say, it's all going to fall on deaf ears with me and every other person in the HDA because the league has made no effort to support its own Black players."Colorado Avalanche forward and HDA member Nazem Kadri also criticized the league this week for its lack of action."From a league standpoint, I think we'd like to maybe see a little more acknowledgment and having them address the situation and know that they stand with their players," he said.Kadri and teammate Pierre-Edouard Bellemare stood side by side in solidarity with Minnesota Wild players Matt Dumba and Jordan Greenway during the anthems before the two teams squared off in an exhibition game Wednesday. All four players are racial minorities.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After spending a year playing overseas, Jesse Puljujarvi has come to the realization his best chance at continuing his NHL career is returning to the Edmonton Oilers.Puljujarvi requested a trade from the Oilers last year, but with a new regime in place, he's not ruling out the possibility of a reunion."You can never say no," he told Finnish news outlet Tampere Iltalehti, as translated by NHL.com. "I have grown and I see things a little differently. There's now a different GM (Ken Holland) and head coach (Dave Tippett) out there."They're building a winning team in Edmonton. It may be possible that I will still be playing there."The 22-year-old gave the Oilers an ultimatum last year, stating he would spend the year in Europe if he wasn't traded. That proposition came about a month after the team hired both Holland and Tippett.Puljujarvi wound up playing the 2019-20 season with Karpat in the Finnish Elite League, finishing fifth in the league with 24 goals and fourth with 53 points in 56 games.He said a recent conference call with Holland and Tippett "left a positive overall picture," though he wouldn't divulge details.The Carolina Hurricanes were one team to reportedly kick tires on the fourth overall pick of the 2016 NHL Draft, but no deal ever came to fruition.Puljujarvi remains a restricted free agent. The Oilers retained his rights by giving him a qualifying offer.The 6-foot-4 winger has collected 17 goals and 37 points in 139 career NHL games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nathan MacKinnon had been a Hart Trophy nominee for 24 hours when, one afternoon last week, he leaned forward in a chair at the Colorado Avalanche's practice facility and flashed a scarcely perceptible smile. If his brilliance on the ice this season was enough to establish his MVP case, he still wanted to make a point about his team - the best for which he's played, in his estimation, since he arrived to revive the franchise as the No. 1 draft pick in 2013."I think our record speaks for itself," MacKinnon said on a Zoom conference call with reporters. "We're (two points) out of first in the West with a hurt team all season. I think when our team's healthy, we've lost one or two games all year."Pedants and doubters could quibble with the significance of that last remark. The Avalanche were almost never healthy in 2019-20, so it's understandable that a small sample would produce few defeats. Yet it's also easy to grasp the transcendent 24-year-old center's logic. Except for MacKinnon, every member of Colorado's core - from Gabriel Landeskog to Mikko Rantanen to Cale Makar to Philipp Grubauer - missed extended time because of injury, often in tandem, and the Avs didn't falter. Imagine what they could do as a group at full bore.The Avalanche's first genuine Stanley Cup contender of the MacKinnon era is fit and itching to steal the show in the NHL's bubbled playoff tournament. Not since Joe Sakic and Peter Forsberg's overlapping heyday has an Avs team been this equipped to go deep. If Vancouver's Quinn Hughes doesn't win the Calder Trophy, Makar will. Even in a regular season cut short by the coronavirus, MacKinnon's 93 points in 69 games were just shy of his career high. Together they form the foundation of a potential juggernaut.L-R: MacKinnon, Rantanen, Landeskog, Makar. Brian Babineau / NHL / Getty ImagesThe Western Conference, winnowed to 12 remaining teams, offers a huge challenge for Colorado. The defending champion St. Louis Blues seem as safe a pick as any to return to the Cup Final. They've been there before, as have the Vegas Golden Knights, a phenomenal puck-possession team whose .606 points percentage - third in the Western Conference behind the Blues (.662) and Avalanche (.657) - probably understates the threat they pose. The fourth-place Dallas Stars conceded the fewest goals (2.52 per game) in the conference. No other dark-horse Cup candidate can match Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl's Edmonton Oilers in star power.With MacKinnon and Rantanen signed long term, stud prospects in the pipeline, and the cap space to accommodate a raise for Makar next summer, Colorado appears primed to surpass each of those teams and run the West for years to come. That forecast might not even have to wait till 2021, though. Hockey Reference's Simple Rating System judged the Avalanche to be the conference's best team this season, the product of finishing in the top five league-wide in offense and defense despite that rash of important absences.This point bears repeating: None of the aforementioned stars are hurt anymore. Suffice to say they're excited for the round robin to begin Sunday in Edmonton."We have no weaknesses," MacKinnon said."I came (into Colorado) a couple years before Nate," Avalanche captain Gabriel Landeskog said, "so we've been through the same lineups and the same teams, and I don't think we've ever seen a stronger lineup than this in our tenure here. I think we're just scratching the surface on what we can do."MacKinnon skates against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday. Dave Sandford / NHL / Getty ImagesThe last time Colorado reached a conference final was in 2002, the year after Sakic, Milan Hejduk, Alex Tanguay, and Patrick Roy led a stacked roster to the club's second Stanley Cup title. (You might recall that Ray Bourque, then 40 and on the verge of retiring without a Cup, was also on the team.) The Avalanche's next 16 seasons produced as many first-round series victories as top-five draft picks - four each, characteristic of their swing between fleetingly good, wretched, and the mucky ground in between. (A fifth high pick, last year's No. 4 choice Bowen Byram, arrived in the system as the result of a trade with Ottawa. More on him later.)Following three straight down seasons early in MacKinnon's career, the last few have looked increasingly promising under head coach Jared Bednar. Colorado started 2019-20 hot with seven wins in eight games, but the injury onslaught began in the ninth contest when Rantanen toe-picked and twisted his left ankle, and it never abated. Rantanen sat out for 16 games; so did Landeskog starting five nights later. Makar missed eight games in December and five in March. Rantanen (again), Grubauer, Nazem Kadri, and Andre Burakovsky had each been shelved with various ailments for weeks when the regular season was suspended on March 12.Colorado's savior was MacKinnon, who wound up registering 43 more points than his closest teammate, Makar, due to these circumstances and his own dominance. MacKinnon scored in bunches, such as the 24 points he supplied in the 14 games that Rantanen and Landeskog both missed in the fall. He scored beautifully, as when he burned three Canucks defenders on an end-to-end rush and potted a wrister in overtime. His 318 shots were the most in the NHL. Draisaitl and Artemi Panarin - MacKinnon's fellow Hart and Ted Lindsay Award finalists - had splendid seasons, but couldn't elevate their teams to the same heights in less adverse situations."It's tough when you're missing six, seven guys who are usually in the lineup, and then you have to kind of carry the team," Rantanen said. "Guys did a really good job stepping in, but he was the horse leading the army."Among those contributors who pitched in were four offseason acquisitions brought in by Sakic, now the Avalanche's longtime general manager, to replenish the forward ranks: Burakovsky (a 20-goal scorer for the first time), Kadri, Joonas Donskoi, and Valeri Nichushkin. Colorado is deeper offensively and much stronger defensively than in years past, aided in the latter category by the sterling play of goalies Grubauer and 30-year-old rookie Pavel Francouz. The Avs posted this season's third-best team save percentage (.932) at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. Obliged to handle a month's worth of starts when Grubauer was hurt in a Feb. 15 outdoor game, Francouz excelled in his longest stretch as an NHL No. 1, winning eight of 12 appearances.Splitting time against the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday, Grubauer and Francouz combined to make 32 saves as the Avs won their lone tune-up game in Edmonton 3-2. Which goalie will start beyond the round robin remains undecided, and Bednar has classified the question as a good problem to have."We haven't accomplished anything yet," Landeskog said. "But at the same time, there's no reason for us not to feel confident going into (the playoffs), knowing that we have 20-plus guys that are out here and can really contribute."Grubauer (right) and Francouz. Andy Devlin / NHL / Getty ImagesStars coach Rick Bowness recently told NHL Network that he considers the Avalanche the hardest team to beat in the West, citing their abundant speed and skill as a major edge in this accelerated restart. That combination is the expected product of a squad's elite players skewing young - compared to MacKinnon, Rantanen, and Makar, Landeskog is an old head at age 27 - and it only figures to intensify. As soon as next year, the Avs' defense could feature Makar, Samuel Girard (already a top-four mainstay at 22), and Byram and Conor Timmins, celebrated prospects who both made the 31-player bubble roster. Alex Newhook, college hockey's rookie of the year in 2019-20, should follow shortly at center.Keeping this core intact under the salary cap - Colorado had more than $5 million in space when the season ended, per CapFriendly - is attainable because of MacKinnon's criminally team-friendly deal, which he signed in 2016 before his ascent to megastardom at an average annual value of $6.3 million. St. Louis and Vegas, those other incumbent Western powers, are up against the cap with much older cores. MacKinnon is inked at that price through 2022-23, providing three years of runway beyond this postseason to solidify a renewed Avs reign.Not that MacKinnon is in the mood to wait. On his Zoom call before the Avalanche departed for Edmonton, his MVP nomination already bagged, he praised his teammates for uplifting him on the ice this season and for their closeness as a group. He thought about what's attainable right now, with competitive games afoot again and this roster finally at full health.He scored against the Wild on Wednesday, off another solo rush, fewer than five minutes into the unofficial start to his playoffs."To leave a legacy, you have to win," MacKinnon said. "That's not what I'm really looking to do, leave a legacy, but I want to win with these guys."Nick Faris is a features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Since the Hockey Diversity Alliance formed a bit over a month ago, Evander Kane says the group has been unable to find common ground with the NHL in its discussions."The NHL can put ‘Black Lives Matter’ all over the rink, shout ‘Black Lives Matter’ from the mountains,” the San Jose Sharks forward said, according to TSN's Frank Seravalli. "No matter what they do or say, it’s all going to fall on deaf ears with me and every other person in the HDA because the league has made no effort to support its own Black players.”Kane, Akim Aliu, Trevor Daley, Anthony Duclair, Matt Dumba, Nazem Kadri, Wayne Simmonds, Chris Stewart, and Joel Ward all helped create the organization.The HDA has presented ways the league can help the cause to the NHL over the past few weeks, but they have yet to agree on anything, and discussions remain ongoing, Kane said.The 28-year-old added that the HDA and NHL met over a Zoom call on Wednesday and that it was "pretty hostile at times."Kane criticized the league's upcoming #WeSkateFor initiative that will roll out when games resume on Aug. 1. The NHL's plan revolves around several issues and causes that encompass the Black community, LGBTQ community, frontline workers, and many others."We support all of those issues and we always have. But this is the NHL’s campaign to talk about our issue," Kane added."They’re trying to wrap all of these separate issues – including mental health, LGTBQ, women’s rights, everything – into one when our message is about racism. It completely yet again misses the mark and is so out of touch with what we’re talking about."The NHL's senior vice president of social impact Kim Davis responded to this by saying, "Until you see how the treatment of anti-racism and ‘Black Lives’ actually rolls out on Saturday, it’s probably premature to judge how effectively we deliver the message, and whether we’ve ‘missed the mark.'"Earlier on Thursday the HDA released a video that included a number of star athletes from across all sports leagues such as Patrick Mahomes, Brooks Koepka, and Connor McDavid expressing their support for the organization:

Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand left his team's exhibition game against the Columbus Blue Jackets early Thursday after hitting Zach Werenski along the boards. The incident occurred near the end of the third period, and he did not return.“He left. I don’t think it’s anything serious,” head coach Bruce Cassidy said, according to MassLive's Matt Vautour. “But we’ll have a better idea in the morning.”

The AHL plans to start its 2020-21 season later than usual.At the recommendation of the AHL's Return to Play Task Force, the board of governors approved moving the anticipated start date to Dec. 4, the league announced Thursday.Further specifics have not yet been determined. The league added it will continue to work with clubs to monitor developments and local guidelines in all 31 league cities.The AHL paused its season March 12 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently canceled its Calder Cup playoffs.The league campaign customarily begins in the first week of October.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie admitted he wasn't at his best during the first season with his new team, but he believes the postseason represents an excellent opportunity to show what he's capable of."I'm really glad we're getting a chance to come back and play. I feel like I've got more to offer and it's a good chance for me to show it," Barrie told reporters Thursday, per TSN. "I feel pretty comfortable right now with my game, all things considered. It'll be a bit of a bizarre one to jump right into playoffs after so much time off, but like you said, it's a good opportunity to make up for a bit of an up-and-down season for sure."The 2019-20 campaign was a tale of two seasons for Barrie. He struggled to find his footing under Mike Babcock but really hit his stride after Sheldon Keefe took over behind the bench.CoachGPGAPBabcock23077Keefe4752732With multiple injuries to Toronto's blue line this season, Barrie was sometimes playing over 25 minutes per night, but he's projected to start the postseason on the third pairing with Travis Dermott. He will also quarterback the club's vaunted No. 1 power-play unit alongside Auston Matthews, John Tavares, Mitch Marner, and William Nylander.The 29-year-old was acquired last offseason from the Colorado Avalanche along with Alexander Kerfoot as part of a blockbuster trade in exchange for Nazem Kadri. Barrie, though, is scheduled to hit unrestricted free agency this offseason. With only $4.6 million in projected cap space, the Leafs would have to get creative in order to bring him back.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks and starting goaltender Jacob Markstrom will put contract negotiations aside until the postseason is finished, general manager Jim Benning said Wednesday."I've got a good relationship with Jacob, and you know we talked again yesterday," Benning told Sportsnet, according to NHL.com. "We're going to get something figured out for him. We both decided let's just wait until after the playoffs are done."We'll sit down with his agent Pat Morris and with Jacob and we'll get something figured out. We want to keep him on the team. He's been a good goalie for us here the last couple of years and a big part of the team."Markstrom is coming off a career-best season, going 23-16-4 with a .918 save percentage, a 2.75 goals-against average, and 11.4 goals saved above average. However, the 30-year-old is a pending unrestricted free agent.Even with the cap ceiling staying at $81.5 million, the Canucks still project to hold over $17 million in space. Forwards Tyler Toffoli (UFA) and Jake Virtanen (RFA), as well as defensemen Chris Tanev (UFA) and Troy Stecher (RFA) will be up for new contracts too. Additionally, key building blocks Elias Pettersson and Quinn Hughes will be due for significant raises after next season.Benning also needs to be mindful of the 2021 Seattle expansion draft. The team can only protect one goalie, so the Canucks could lose Markstrom (if he's re-signed) or the 24-year-old Thatcher Demko to the future division-rival Kraken.But for now, the present is of the utmost importance, and the Canucks begin their qualifying-round series against the Minnesota Wild on Sunday, when they'll rely on Markstrom.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The eighth-seeded Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the ninth-seeded Columbus Blue Jackets in a best-of-five qualifying series to advance to Round 1 of the playoffs.The Jackets are coming off their first playoff series win - a stunning sweep of the historically great Tampa Bay Lightning a year ago. The Leafs, meanwhile, haven't won a series since 2004 after losing in the opening round in each of the last three years.While these teams are very evenly matched, the styles of play here are vastly different, making it a fascinating series to break down.ScheduleGameDateTime (ET)1Aug. 28 p.m.2Aug. 44 p.m.3Aug. 6TBD4*Aug. 7TBD5*Aug. 9TBD*If necessaryTale of the tapeMaple LeafsStatBlue Jackets36-25-9Record33-22-153.39 (3rd)Goals per game2.57 (28th)3.17 (26th)Goals against2.61 (4th)23.1 (6th)Power play %16.4 (27th)77.7 (21st)Penalty kill %81.7 (12th)51.5 (12th)5-on-5 xGF%51.9 (9th)8.6 (11th)5-on-5 SH%6.8 (28th).912 (28th)5-on-5 SV%.928 (5th)Key players to watchJohn Tavares Jamie Sabau / National Hockey League / GettyStatistically, Tavares produced a solid season, tallying 26 goals and 60 points over 63 games. But he looked sluggish throughout the campaign while perhaps battling a nagging injury. He also became a father right before the season, which could've potentially added to his fatigue.Ideally, the five months off served Tavares well, and he emerges looking rejuvenated. If he returns to his 2018-19 form - when he scored a career-high 47 goals - the Leafs' chances of advancing deep into the playoffs will increase significantly. If he struggles to keep up with the pace (foot speed was never his forte, after all), that will be both a short- and long-term problem.Pierre-Luc DuboisDubois' hands will be full against the Leafs. As the Blue Jackets' No. 1 center, he'll likely be tasked with shutting down either Auston Matthews' or Tavares' line. Additionally, Dubois needs to lead Columbus' stagnant offensive attack.The 22-year-old led the Jackets with a mere 49 points this season. If his line with Alexandre Texier and Oliver Bjorkstrand doesn't produce, Columbus will need to make this a very low-scoring series to take down the juggernaut Leafs.Maple Leafs can win if ...They limit turnovers. The Leafs prioritize puck possession more than any NHL team, often circling back and regrouping to get the breakout they like. But that occasionally leads to a defensive-zone turnover. They don't need to change how they play, but sometimes in dire circumstances, Toronto needs to forget about making a cute pass and just get the puck out.The Leafs are the more talented team on paper, and they should come out on top if the club doesn't gift Columbus glorious scoring chances. The Blue Jackets aren't a good offensive squad, so the Leafs need to make them earn their opportunities.Additionally, Frederik Andersen - a notoriously slow starter to begin seasons - needs to be sharp right away. His counterpart has outplayed Andersen in each of Toronto's first-round exits over the past three years. He's logged far more experience than both of Columbus' goalies, so there's no reason why he can't outshine Elvis Merzlikins or Joonas Korpisalo.Blue Jackets can win if ... Jamie Sabau / National Hockey League / GettyThey disrupt Toronto's flow. The Blue Jackets are a physical, hard-working team that clogs up the middle of the ice. If they stay patient and frustrate the Leafs, Columbus should create some turnovers and generate scoring chances in transition.On the back end, Merzlikins will need to come up with huge stops on chances from high-danger areas. He's certainly capable of standing on his head and showed that during his stretch of five shutouts in eight games this season. Some of the game's most talented shooters will be testing him, so he'll need to be at his best.Lastly, head coach John Tortorella is among the best motivators in sports. His players were ready to run through a wall after Torts' epic pregame speech before the opening game of last year's playoffs. Tortorella's experience can give Columbus a big advantage behind the bench, as Toronto's Sheldon Keefe has coached just 47 career NHL games.X-factorsNick Robertson Mark Blinch / National Hockey League / GettyThe 18-year-old is primed to make his NHL debut in Game 1 of the qualifying round. A second-round pick in last year's draft, Robertson led the OHL with 55 goals in 46 games this past season. He didn't look out of place during Toronto's exhibition game against the Montreal Canadiens on Tuesday, collecting an assist and leading all Leafs skaters in expected goals for percentage.If the 5-foot-9 sniper can bring an impact presence to the team's third line alongside Alexander Kerfoot and Kasperi Kapanen, Toronto's lineup will be that much deeper and more dangerous. If he struggles, fourth-line caliber Pierre Engvall will likely be forced to move up to the third line, thinning out the team's depth up front.Oliver BjorkstrandBjorkstrand is the Blue Jackets' most dangerous offensive player. He missed 21 games this season due to an injury (many of the team's key players were sidelined for large chunks), but the winger still led the squad with 21 goals.We know Seth Jones and Zach Werenski will drive offense from the back end, but someone up front needs to be a difference-maker too. Bjorkstrand isn't a household name, but he could become that player.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The top four teams in the Western Conference - the St. Louis Blues, Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, and Dallas Stars - will partake in a round-robin tournament before the first round of the playoffs. These may not be elimination games, but the results of these contests will determine seeding for the rest of the playoffs.ScheduleGameDateTime (ET)Blues vs. AvalancheAug. 26:30 p.m.Stars vs. Golden KnightsAug. 36:30 p.m.Avalanche vs. StarsAug. 56:30 p.m.Golden Knights vs. BluesAug. 6TBDGolden Knights vs. AvalancheAug. 8TBDStars vs. BluesAug. 9TBDSt. Louis Blues Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyHow they stack upStatRecord42-19-10Goals per game3.14 (15th)Goals against2.68 (5th)Power play24.3% (3rd)Penalty kill79.3% (18th)5-on-5 xGF%49.9 (17th)5-on-5 SH%8.6 (10th)5-on-5 SV%.927 (6th)Season recapThe Blues showed no signs of a Stanley Cup hangover this season, as they jumped out to a 12-3-3 mark en route to the best record in the Western Conference. Their longest losing streak was five games, but two of those defeats came in overtime.Key player to watchVladimir TarasenkoTarasenko missed all but 10 games during the regular season after suffering a shoulder injury. How effective will he be having not played since October? He's easily the team's most dynamic player when healthy. Even though the Blues are a defense-first club, Tarasenko has the ability to push the team's offense from average to dangerous if he's at his best.Biggest question markCould lack of speed be an issue?The defending champs are solid from top to bottom, so we really have to reach to find a question mark. If they do have one weakness, though, it's a lack of team speed. That didn't hurt them last playoffs, or this season. However, after a short training camp with limited tuneup games, it's possible speedier teams like the Avs and Knights could have an edge over the more structure-reliant Blues and Stars off the hop.Colorado Avalanche Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyHow they stack upStatRecord42-20-8Goals per game3.37 (4th)Goals against2.71 (6th)Power play19.1% (19th)Penalty kill81.4% (13th)5-on-5 xGF%51.6 (11th)5-on-5 SH%9.1 (5th)5-on-5 SV%.932 (3rd)Season recapThe Avalanche dealt with a rash of injuries this season. Cale Makar, Andre Burakovsky, Gabriel Landeskog, Mikko Rantanen, and Nazem Kadri missed a combined 88 games. That's five of the team's top six leading point producers. The Avs were resilient, though, embracing a "next man up" philosophy. It helps that Nathan MacKinnon put together a Hart Trophy-caliber season.Key player to watchValeri NichushkinSome analytics gurus were clamoring for Nichushkin to win the Selke Trophy this season. The numbers back up his elite ability to prevent scoring chances: hockeyviz.comHowever, he only averaged 14 minutes per game, whereas the three Selke finalists all averaged closer to 20 (plus he has less responsibility as a winger). Nichushkin is set to play on a shutdown line with Landeskog and Kadri, though. Perhaps he'll begin to see more ice time in the round robin, where he could be a sneaky difference-maker for a team with a strong chance at a Stanley Cup.Biggest question markWhich goalie will grab the reins?Pavel Francouz (.923 save percentage, 13.06 goals saved above average) was clearly Colorado's best goalie this season. However, Philipp Grubauer (.916 save percentage, 6.48 goals saved above average), is the more experienced and proven netminder. Grubauer will likely get the round-robin opener against the Blues, but Francouz could get the next game versus the Stars. From there, head coach Jared Bednar may just ride the hot hand.Vegas Golden Knights Jeff Bottari / National Hockey League / GettyHow they stack upStatRecord39-24-8Goals per game3.15 (13th)Goals against2.94 (13th)Power play22.0% (9th)Penalty kill76.6% (27th)5-on-5 xGF%56.1 (1st)5-on-5 SH%7.7 (21st)5-on-5 SV%.912 (27th)Season recapThe Golden Knights fired head coach Gerard Gallant on Jan. 15 after a 24-19-6 start. However, the underlying numbers suggested Vegas was victimized by poor luck, as the club ranked second in the NHL in expected goals for percentage and 28th in PDO (shooting percentage plus save percentage) at that time. The Knights then started to have some bounces fall their way, as they posted a 15-5-2 record under Peter DeBoer.Key player to watchMarc-Andre FleuryFleury, 35, began to show his age this season, sporting a .905 save percentage and a -6.50 goals saved above average. He'll likely get the first crack between the pipes, even though deadline acquisition Robin Lehner (.920 save percentage, 12.67 goals saved above average) is currently a far superior netminder. If Fleury shows signs of rust in the round robin, it could (and should) be Lehner's crease the rest of the way.Biggest question markWill Max Pacioretty play?Pacioretty did not travel with the team to Edmonton as he continues to rehab a minor injury, and it's unclear when he might arrive. The veteran winger led the team in both goals (32) and points (66) this season and was projected to play on the club's top line with William Karlsson and Mark Stone. If Pacioretty is out for the round robin, DeBoer could bump Reilly Smith or Jonathan Marchessault to the top line, although he'd be splitting up the pair of former Florida Panthers. Perhaps the ultra-talented Alex Tuch gets promoted to the first line, even though he had an underwhelming season. Regardless, Pacioretty's absence - for however long - would be big for Vegas.Dallas Stars Glenn James / National Hockey League / GettyHow they stack upStatRecord37-24-8Goals per game2.58 (26th)Goals against2.52 (2nd)Power play21.1% (13th)Penalty kill79.7% (17th)5-on-5 xGF%52.6 (5th)5-on-5 SH%6.7 (29th)5-on-5 SV%.933 (2nd)Season recapThe Stars were hot and cold this season. They started the campaign 1-7-1 and ended it riding a six-game losing streak. But in between, they were 36-13-5. The biggest story of Dallas' season came off the ice when Jim Montgomery was fired for inappropriate conduct despite posting an 18-11-3 record. Veteran assistant Rick Bowness took over and led to the team to a 20-13-5 mark, embracing the team's elite defensive game.Key player to watchMiro HeiskanenDespite boasting a roster with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn, Heiskanen is Dallas' most important player. He logs big minutes and was an integral part of the league's second-ranked defense. On the flip side, he's also relied upon to drive a lackluster offense from the back end, as he finished third on the team with 35 points. Cale Makar and Quinn Hughes were the talk of the town this season, but there's a case to be made that Heiskanen is the best young blue-liner in the expanded postseason.Biggest question markCan they score enough?One would have to imagine that if everyone is a bit rusty from the get-go, shooters will have the edge over goalies. Dallas relies heavily on its goaltending, but if Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin aren't as sharp as usual in the round robin, the Stars will have to find ways to generate more offense.(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's a story Richard Johnson likes to tell about Bobby Orr and flying, though it's not the one the city of Boston reveres. As the curator of The Sports Museum, the TD Garden's in-house shrine to local sports lore, Johnson is familiar with the sight that inspired the statue outside of the arena: No. 4 in black scoring before being tripped in the St. Louis Blues' crease, airborne in the second after he clinched the Stanley Cup for the Bruins in 1970.Johnson is part of the Bruins' extended family, dating back almost 40 years to when he was hired for the job. In fact, his experience with the team goes back even further.Let Johnson recount what happened the first time he set foot on a plane. He was 13 years old, newly trusted to travel solo to visit his college student brother in Canada, when he arrived at Logan International with a frayed copy of The Hockey News and a $20 bill, seeking the sort of inconceivably cheap fare that was exclusive to the era. The next flight out was full, he was told at the counter. Not to worry, though: he could snare an open seat on a private craft departing shortly."I walk across the tarmac, up the steps," Johnson said. "I could not have been more gobsmacked in my life, at any moment, when I arrived and I was on the Boston Bruins' charter, heading to Montreal in March of 1969."Richard Johnson at The Sports Museum in Boston. SuppliedBruins fans won't have any close contact with the team during this year's playoffs, but their formidable regular season produced plenty of reasons to get excited from afar. David Pastrnak won a share of the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, and no team allowed fewer goals than Boston's 2.39 per game. Yet, as the league's hub-city postseason dawns in Toronto and Edmonton, Johnson's generation has grounds to contemplate days of yore - and of Orr, specifically, the catalyst for what remains the Bruins' greatest run of success in a century of play.The format of these 24-team playoffs has no precedent, but Boston's latest pursuit of the Cup is linked indelibly to two touchstone moments in the franchise's history. The first is that sweep of St. Louis 50 years ago, an anniversary the Bruins were to honor at a home game in late March before the coronavirus pandemic upended everyone's plans. The other is from last year, when Jordan Binnington and the Blues dashed Boston's championship hopes at The Garden in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.That vexing 4-1 defeat kept the Bruins' veteran cornerstones - Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, David Krejci, Zdeno Chara, and Tuukka Rask - from claiming the second Cup they've chased together for an unusually long time. The only titles the club has won since Orr's goal in 1970 came soon afterward in 1972 and then much later in 2011, the latter of which was Marchand's rookie year. Contrast that haul with the seven finals Boston lost since 1972 and you have a perennial contender with a lot of close calls to rue.L-R: David Krejci, Zdeno Chara, Charlie McAvoy, Tuukka Rask. Boston Globe / Getty ImagesWho in this strange summer holds the edge in the Eastern Conference? The 100-point Presidents' Trophy winner backstopped by Rask, a Vezina Trophy nominee who led the league in Goals Saved Above Average? The Tampa Bay Lightning, a loaded team out to shed its own baggage - that sorry sweep against Columbus last year? The field, bolstered by the presence of Alex Ovechkin and Sidney Crosby, and by the unpredictability that's expected to govern the results of the restart?On the opportunity that awaits the Bruins these next two months, Johnson has another question, reflecting a vision fit for his line of work and 2020."Wouldn't it be sweet to have a photo op at some point - probably everyone would be wearing a mask - of Chara and Bobby Orr shaking hands in front of the trophy?" he said. "The years have gone by, but when you win a Cup, everything sort of blends together."––––––––––The Bruins' excellence in the regular season, having reeled off separate win streaks of six, eight, and six games, stands in contrast to what befell the Patriots and Red Sox earlier this year: Tom Brady leaving in free agency and Mookie Betts being shipped to L.A. The NFL and MLB's most frequent champions this century have been laid low, leaving one true title threat to campaign for Boston sports supremacy."Winning a Stanley Cup or any kind of major trophy in Boston is a big thing," Rask said during the Bruins' pre-playoff training camp last week. "That's our goal. That hasn't changed. Obviously, everything else around it in the world has changed, so we just have to try to adapt and try to build that groove and chemistry back up."Combined with the city's recent title history, the immense promise of this Bruins roster was always bound to engender high expectations. Boston ticked every box in 2019-20. Rask - who backed up Tim Thomas during the 2011 Cup run - long ago assumed the role of tested star No. 1 netminder; his save percentage figures (.929 overall and .939 at even strength) were the best among NHL starters this season. Chara and Brandon Carlo anchored the league's third-best penalty kill, and Torey Krug ran the point on a power play that ranked second. Pastrnak (95 points) and Marchand (87) placed fourth and sixth in NHL scoring, respectively, while Bergeron, Boston's "Perfection Line" center, is a Selke Trophy finalist for the ninth straight year.The Perfection Line celebrates a goal in February. Steve Babineau / NHL / Getty Images"We kind of feel like we can do anything. We just feel like we can control the complete game," Marchand said earlier this season about the thrill of playing alongside his linemates when everything clicks.Until the Bruins entered the bubble in Toronto, though, Marchand and Bergeron hadn't skated with Pastrnak since March, as the latter was in quarantine after coming in contact with someone who tested positive for COVID-19.Pastrnak's wasn't the only absence that discombobulated Boston's return. Trade-deadline pickup Ondrej Kase missed camp in its entirety, and Krug, Krejci, Charlie Coyle, and Charlie McAvoy each sat out various sessions. Rask recently fractured a glove-hand finger doing box jumps but said it won't hinder him in Toronto. It all shined a spotlight on the need for complementary players to be ready for the moment, whether or not conspicuous lineup adjustments - Jaroslav Halak starting in lieu of Rask, or Anders Bjork supplanting Pastrnak on Bergeron's right wing - have to be made."We've said that all along. Take out the injury factor. There could be people who, for (COVID) testing purposes, fall behind and you have to rely on your depth," head coach Bruce Cassidy said during camp. "We're experiencing a bit of that right now, even though we haven't played any games."For Boston, those begin Thursday night with a single exhibition versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, followed by a round robin featuring each conference's four highest achievers. After pacing the league in points through 70 games, the Bruins' playoff seed will be decided in a tiny sample: one game apiece against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers. Those teams and the Pittsburgh Penguins all finished the season with points percentages above .620. Lower down the Eastern standings, the Blue Jackets, Toronto Maple Leafs, and New York Rangers have either the stinginess or firepower to trouble a favored opponent if they advance past the qualifiers.Eastern round robin Away team Home team Time (ET)Sunday‚ Aug. 2PhiladelphiaBoston3 p.m.Monday‚ Aug. 3WashingtonTampa Bay4 p.m.Wednesday‚ Aug. 5Tampa BayBoston4 p.m.Thursday‚ Aug. 6WashingtonPhiladelphiaTBDSaturday‚ Aug. 8PhiladelphiaTampa BayTBDSunday‚ Aug. 9BostonWashingtonTBDOf course, it's impossible to predict how any team will handle this postseason's signature challenge of quickly segueing into high-stakes hockey following months of lockdown and forced rest. This uncharted territory isn't lost on Bruins president Cam Neely, who wondered recently if this year's Cup should come with an asterisk - as a point of pride, not shame, "because of how difficult and mentally challenging it's going to be" to win it all.By now, Boston has waited abnormally long - nearly 14 months since the 2019 playoffs concluded - to try to redeem that Game 7 letdown against St. Louis. A five-goal effort to avoid elimination on the road a few nights earlier didn't carry forward to the decisive affair last June 12, when the Bruins failed to score on Binnington until 2:10 remained in the third period. Where Orr once splayed joyously in mid-air, last year's final ended with Marchand in tears and Chara peering through his face shield - protection for his freshly fractured jaw - at the Blues' celebration across the ice."Those guys have less years in front of them than they do behind them in their careers. They look at the team that they have around them. They look at the opportunity that's in front of them. They want to seize that," Neely said of the Bruins' veteran core. "These guys have had a taste of winning. They've had a taste of probably the worst possible scenario: losing in Game 7 of the final."They are still hungry. They're a hungry group, and I think it really pulls everybody along."Bergeron (left) and Chara bemoan Boston's Game 7 loss last year. Brian Babineau / NHL / Getty Images––––––––––The Sports Museum at TD Garden has been closed since the season paused in March, and Johnson, the curator, has been furloughed since April, waiting for the day the building reopens. He doesn't need to be there to rattle off select memorabilia that the museum has preserved from Orr's prime. One of Phil Esposito's aggressively curved sticks. A goalie mask with painted stitches that Gerry Cheevers wore in practice. A photo of Orr embracing the late Bruins trainer John "Frosty" Forristall. Miniature Stanley Cups that were awarded to Forristall - like all Bruins personnel - in 1970 and 1972 and loaned to the museum by his family.Nine years ago, during the Bruins' most recent championship summer, Johnson got a phone call summoning him to The Garden's executive offices. When he arrived, he learned that every full-time arena employee receives a special gift, as a representative of his childhood team asked for his ring size. Johnson's name is on his ring, which he treasures.History has no direct bearing on how the Bruins will fare in the bubble - not on Pastrnak's readiness to face Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart on Sunday nor on how they navigate this 24-team playoff structure. But Johnson can't be the only Bostonian to plumb its depths for meaning, to rhapsodize about big anniversaries, to find relevance in past triumphs, to see a 50-year throughline from Orr to Chara, and to long for a new good story to tell. Ideally, one that ends happier than last year's."I would never count chickens in any way shape or form," Johnson said. "But I'm certainly hopeful with this team. (It has) so many key members of the 2011 team. They know how to do it."Nick Faris is a features writer at theScore.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nazem Kadri hopes the NHL will do more to acknowledge and support its players in the fight against racism."I think with what's going on in the world today with the injustice and the racism issue, I think that it's an important thing to come together and unify as players," the Colorado Avalanche forward said Wednesday. "From a player standpoint, I know we all stick together."He continued: "From a league standpoint, I think we'd like to maybe see a little more acknowledgment and having them address the situation and know that they stand with their players."Kadri stood side by side in solidarity with Jordan Greenway, Matt Dumba, and Pierre-Edouard Bellemare before the Avalanche played the Minnesota Wild in an exhibition game earlier Wednesday. All four players are racial minorities.Several NHL players and clubs have shown support for the Black Lives Matter movement since exhibition games began Tuesday."Hockey's a great game and we're all trying to make it better," Kadri said. "We're trying to make the game more diverse and the diversity in the game doesn't happen with racism still going on, so that's an important thing for us to address."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.It's easy to point to teams like the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning as Stanley Cup favorites, but the margins are razor-thin heading into an unprecedented NHL postseason.If there was ever a time to throw a few darts in the futures market, it's now.TEAMODDSBoston Bruins+400Tampa Bay Lightning+400Philadelphia Flyers+700Colorado Avalanche+800Vegas Golden Knights+800Washington Capitals+900St. Louis Blues+1000Dallas Stars+1200Pittsburgh Penguins+1500Toronto Maple Leafs+1500Edmonton Oilers+2200Calgary Flames+3000Vancouver Canucks+3000Minnesota Wild+3500Arizona Coyotes+4000Carolina Hurricanes+4000Nashville Predators+4000New York Islanders+4000New York Rangers+4000Chicago Blackhawks+6000Columbus Blue Jackets+6000Florida Panthers+6000Winnipeg Jets+6000Montreal Canadiens+12500Carolina Hurricanes (+4000)Not having Dougie Hamilton or Brett Pesce for a difficult play-in series with the New York Rangers isn't ideal for the Hurricanes, but Carolina is loaded defensively after acquiring Brady Skjei and Sami Vatanen at the deadline and can absorb losses in the back end. Should the Canes get by the Rangers, the returns of Hamilton and Pesce will give them an unrivaled blue line.Carolina also has the talent up front to match. The Hurricanes strike a great balance with the young, dynamic top line of Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Teuvo Teravainen, and a veteran trio in Justin Williams, Jordan Staal, and Nino Niederreiter. Martin Necas, Warren Foegele, Ryan Dzingel, and Vincent Trocheck also provide excellent depth scoring. There's not a single hole on this roster.That's exemplified by the Canes leading the NHL this season in expected goals for and high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes while ranking third in shots for percentage. They also excel on special teams - Carolina has the fourth-best penalty kill and the eighth-ranked power play - and with a bit of help from Petr Mrazek, there's no one they can't beat.Columbus Blue Jackets (+6000)Don't sleep on a Blue Jackets team that is among the league's best when healthy.Oliver Bjorkstrand, Cam Atkinson, and Alexander Texier are back for Columbus, which had the most man-games lost in the regular season. Josh Anderson will also return soon to help boost a deep forward group, while a healthy Seth Jones will solidify the Jackets' defense, which had the fewest expected goals against per 60 minutes this season.Columbus also possesses one of the league's most formidable goaltending tandems in Elvis Merzlikins and Joonas Korpisalo, with either capable of getting hot and leading the team on a deep run. It was because of them that the Jackets led the NHL in five-on-five save percentage prior to Jones' injury in February.This team is also built for the playoffs. Columbus plays stout defensive hockey, is aggressive on the forecheck, and is both deep and physical throughout the roster. We saw just how much the postseason suits the Jackets when they swept the first-place Tampa Bay Lightning last year; now, there's no excuse for being caught off guard by Columbus.Florida Panthers (+6000)I'm not nearly as sold on the Panthers as I am the Hurricanes and Blue Jackets, but maybe I should be. Florida has all the makings of a Cup team: a pair of superstars up front, skill and experience on the blue line, a two-time Vezina recipient in net, and a three-time Stanley Cup winner behind the bench.Few teams will be more grateful for this second chance than the Panthers, who couldn't put it all together this season despite high expectations. This club is built to take advantage of a clean slate.Sergei Bobrovsky's career-worst statistical season in the NHL held this team back. He's an incredibly accomplished goaltender, though, and entirely capable of taking over a series as he did in Columbus' sweep of the Lightning last year, when he posted a .932 save percentage. If he gets hot, the Panthers have both the scoring and coaching required to make a deep postseason run.(Odds source: theScore Bet)Alex Moretto is a sports betting writer for theScore. A journalism graduate from Guelph-Humber University, he has worked in sports media for over a decade. He will bet on anything from the Super Bowl to amateur soccer, is too impatient for futures, and will never trust a kicker. Find him on Twitter @alexjmoretto.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Babcock has found his next coaching gig.The former Toronto Maple Leafs coach will join the University of Vermont men's hockey team for the 2020-21 season as a volunteer adviser to the coaching staff, the school announced Wednesday."Mike and I have been connected for over 15 years (winning a gold medal together at the 2004 World Championship) and our network goes back even further to our McGill University experience," said Vermont head coach Todd Woodcroft. "He is a premier coach across any athletic platform and as a coaching staff we are very fortunate to be able to draw from his experiences. Mike's knowledge, his network, and, above all else, the modern lens he uses to look at the game of hockey will help accelerate the progression of our entire program."The Maple Leafs fired the veteran coach early in the 2019-20 season after a lackluster start to the campaign. Babcock will not take a salary with the University of Vermont, but his contract with Toronto runs through the 2022-23 season with an average annual value of $6.25 million, according to CapFriendly.com.Babcock has coached 1,301 NHL games and won a Stanley Cup with the Detroit Red Wings in 2008. He's also coached Team Canada at various international tournaments, winning gold medals at the Olympics, IIHF World Junior Championship, and IIHF World Championship.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Blackhawks will no longer permit fans to wear headdresses at team events or the United Center, the team announced Wednesday."As we prepare to return to play and represent you in the Stanley Cup Qualifiers in Edmonton, we want our fans to be very clear on what it means to be part of the Blackhawks family, regardless of whether we can be together in the arena. We have always maintained an expectation that our fans uphold an atmosphere of respect, and after extensive and meaningful conversations with our Native American Parters, we have decided to formalize those expectations," the statement read."Moving forward, headdresses will be prohibited for fans entering Blackhawks-sanctioned events or the United Center when Blackhawks home games resume. These symbols are sacred, traditionally reserved for leaders who have earned a place of great respect in their Tribe, and should not be generalized or used as a costume or for every day wear."The Blackhawks released a statement earlier in July regarding their team name and logo, stating the organization will keep their name, but make a concerted effort to "expand awareness" toward the contributions of Native Americans.Chicago has worn numerous variations of the same logo since the club's inception in 1926. The name was tweaked from "Black Hawks" to its current form in 1986.The NFL's Washington Football Team and CFL's Edmonton Football Team recently announced they'd undergo name changes after previously sporting monikers offensive to Indigenous people. The MLB's Cleveland Indians have stated they're open to discussing a name change as well, but haven't done so to this point.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

While the exact reason for John Chayka’s ugly split from the Arizona Coyotes remains foggy, it was reported that an unknown NHL team owner approached him about a job opportunity. Coyotes owner Alex Meruelo initially denied the request to speak with Chayka before eventually granting permission.The New Jersey Devils were the team that made the approach, sources told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski.Chayka interviewed for a role in which he would oversee aspects of the other sports teams in the owner’s portfolio. Devils owners Josh Harris and David Blitzer own the Philadelphia 76ers, Crystal Palace FC, an eSports team, and several minor-league teams.Coyotes ownership reportedly insists that Chayka’s breach of contract doesn't allow him to serve as GM or president of hockey operations for any NHL team until his deal is over (three more years after this season).In a release, the organization said he “quit” on the team, and the Coyotes are “disappointed” in him.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Four of the NHL's top six teams will battle for playoff seeding in the Eastern Conference round-robin portion of the league's expanded postseason.The Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Washington Capitals, and Philadelphia Flyers won't have to worry about elimination at this stage, but these are by no means mere tuneup games. Given the stakes and the talent of the teams involved, these contests should be nearly as competitive as the playoffs themselves.ScheduleGameDateTime (ET)Flyers vs. BruinsSun. Aug. 23 p.m.Capitals vs. LightningMon. Aug. 34 p.m.Lightning vs. BruinsWed. Aug. 54 p.m.Capitals vs. FlyersThur. Aug. 6TBDFlyers vs. LightningSun. Aug. 8TBDBruins vs. CapitalsSat. Aug. 9TBDBoston BruinsHow they stack upStatRecord44-14-12Goals per game3.24 (9th)Goals against2.39 (1st)Power play %25.2 (2nd)Penalty kill %84.3 (3rd)5-on-5 xGF%51.67 (10th)5-on-5 SH%8.31 (15th)5-on-5 SV%93.38 (1st)Season recapThe Bruins remained a powerhouse in 2019-20, boasting virtually the same roster that came within one game of a championship last spring.Boston finished the abbreviated regular season with the NHL's best record and was the only club to hit the 100-point plateau in the standings, recording eight more points than the second-best Lightning while playing the same number of games.David Pastrnak made the leap to superstar status, tying for the league lead with 48 goals and ranking third with 95 points while playing all 70 contests. Tuukka Rask was voted a Vezina Trophy finalist after leading the league in 5-on-5 goals saved above average (19.69) and placing second among qualified NHL goalies with a .929 save percentage.This club is extremely well-rounded, icing arguably the best line in hockey, a top-10 overall offense, an elite defense, stellar goaltending, and exceptional special-teams units.Key player to watchPatrice Bergeron Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyPastrnak and Brad Marchand are must-watch players in their own right, but no one does more for the Bruins - or for most other teams, for that matter - on both sides of the puck than Bergeron. The four-time Selke Trophy winner was recently named a finalist for the 2019-20 award, and for good reason.Even at age 35, Bergeron remains nearly unparalleled when it comes to the 200-foot game. His versatility will once again be critical when Boston faces the rest of the Eastern Conference's best squads.Biggest question markCan the Bruins pick up where they left off at the pause, justify their status as the Presidents' Trophy winners, and avenge last year's crushing loss in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final? After coming so close one season ago, nothing short of a title will do this time around.Tampa Bay LightningHow they stack upStatRecord43-21-6Goals per game3.47 (1st)Goals against2.77 (T-7th)Power play %23.1 (T-5th)Penalty kill %81.4 (T-13th)5-on-5 xGF%53.73 (3rd)5-on-5 SH%9.71 (1st)5-on-5 SV%92.53 (7th)Season recapConsidering the shockingly premature conclusion of their 2018-19 campaign, the Lightning responded well this season. Tampa Bay posted the NHL's second-best record and authored a plus-50 goal differential that only the Bruins surpassed.The Lightning's multiple offensive weapons produced at their usual high levels, Andrei Vasilevskiy turned in another excellent campaign in the crease, and veteran addition Kevin Shattenkirk proved to be one of the most cost-effective acquisitions in the league.Key player to watchNikita Kucherov Scott Audette / National Hockey League / GettyKucherov didn't duplicate the 128-point campaign that netted him the Hart and Art Ross trophies in 2018-19, but the electric winger had a strong follow-up season with a team-leading 33 goals and 85 points in 68 games.He's still one of the league's most dangerous offensive talents, and one of the most fun to watch.Biggest question markTampa Bay captain Steven Stamkos missed time with an injury prior to the pause and sat out on-ice sessions at the start of training camp, but he's since returned to practice and is expected to suit up in the round-robin stage.With Stamkos on track to play, the Lightning's primary concern remains the same as it's been since last April: Putting the humiliation of the Columbus Blue Jackets' first-round sweep behind them once and for all. Can this team do it?Expectations are lower for the Lightning after they lacked the historic regular-season dominance they displayed one campaign prior. Regardless, Tampa Bay will be looking to fully quell any remaining doubts.Washington CapitalsHow they stack upStatRecord41-20-8Goals per game3.42 (2nd)Goals against3.07 (18th)Power play %19.4 (17th)Penalty kill %82.6 (6th)5-on-5 xGF%51.2 (13th)5-on-5 SH%9.36 (3rd)5-on-5 SV%91.25 (24th)Season recapThe well-oiled Capitals machine kept rolling in 2019-20, buoyed by its superstar captain, a talented supporting cast of forwards, and a standout season from its best defenseman.John Carlson led all NHL rearguards with 75 points this season - 10 more than Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi, who finished second. The Washington blue-liner was rightfully named a Norris Trophy finalist for his efforts, along with Josi and Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman.The Capitals claimed the Metropolitan Division title by a single point, and though the team was less than spectacular in several areas, Washington was once again one of the league's most dynamic clubs.Key player to watchAlex Ovechkin Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyOvechkin continues to defy Father Time, tying for the league lead with 48 goals at the age of 34. He reached that tally in two fewer games than Pastrnak, with whom he'll share the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy. It's the ninth time Ovechkin has secured the award - no one else has won it more than twice since its introduction in 1998-99.The Russian sniper turns 35 in September but showed no signs of fading down the stretch. He buried eight goals over the last 10 games before the pause and netted a remarkable 24 markers across the final 25 contests. Only four of those 24 goals - and just 13 of Ovechkin's 48 on the campaign - came on the power play.Biggest question markThe Capitals' most pressing issue is goaltending. Braden Holtby had another mediocre regular season in 2019-20, and though he's proven he can elevate his game in the playoffs, Washington's No. 1 netminder will be under even greater pressure to do so now that his backup, rookie phenom Ilya Samsonov, is out with an injury.Holtby, 30, will have very little margin for error. Neither Pheonix Copley nor Vitek Vanecek - his two potential backups - has any playoff experience.A pending unrestricted agent, Holtby will have to shoulder the load and once again perform at a high level in the postseason if the Capitals are to have any chance of repeating the championship success of 2018.Philadelphia FlyersHow they stack upStatRecord41-21-7Goals per game3.29 (7th)Goals against2.77 (T-7th)Power play %20.8 (14th)Penalty kill %81.8 (11th)5-on-5 xGF%50.64 (15th)5-on-5 SH%9.21 (4th)5-on-5 SV%91.52 (22nd)Season recapThe Flyers were the NHL's most pleasantly surprising team in 2019-20, going 9-1-0 over their final 10 games to finish with the Eastern Conference's fourth-best record.Head coach Alain Vigneault was named a finalist for the Jack Adams Award in recognition of his club's performance, and it wasn't just for the way Philadelphia finished the shortened regular season. The Flyers turned things around following a four-game losing skid that spilled into the first week of 2020, going 19-6-1 from Jan. 8 until the pause.Travis Konecny led the team in scoring in his fourth NHL campaign, recording 24 goals and 61 points. The 23-year-old set a career high in the latter category and tied his personal best in the former while playing in just 66 games.Key player to watchSean Couturier Eric Hartline / USA TODAY Sports Couturier took a big step forward in 2019-20, cementing himself as one of the most underrated players in the league. He finished two points behind Konecny and was selected as a Selke Trophy finalist, with many considering him the clear-cut favorite to be named the league's best defensive forward.Much like Bergeron, Couturier isn't overly flashy, and his contributions don't always make the highlight reel. But the Philadelphia center is now the most versatile forward in the NHL, and he's proven he can create offense at a high clip while shutting down opposing teams' best players.Biggest question markCarter Hart played well in his second NHL season, posting a .914 save percentage and 4.47 GSAA in 43 appearances. The netminder was a major reason for the Flyers' late-season surge, going 11-3-0 with a sizzling .929 save percentage over his final 14 games dating back to Jan. 8 when Philadelphia began its rapid climb up the standings.But the Flyers' goaltender of the present and future is still young - he turns 22 on Aug. 13 - and has yet to play a game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Hart's response to the postseason spotlight and the pressure that accompanies it will go a long way in determining how far Philadelphia advances.(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 8-seed Calgary Flames will take on the ninth-seeded Winnipeg Jets in a Western Conference matchup that features a strong cast of talents on each side.After having their blue line ravaged in the offseason, the Jets look to advance to the round of 16 for the third straight year, while the Flames seek to avenge their subpar campaign. There will be little room for error in a series that's too close to call.ScheduleGameDateTime (ET)1Sat. Aug. 110:30 p.m.2Mon. Aug. 32:30 p.m.3Tue. Aug 46:45 p.m.4Thu. Aug. 6TBD5Sat. Aug. 8TBDTale of the tapeJetsStatFlames37-28-6Record36-27-73.00 (17)Goals per game2.91 (20)2.83 (10)Goals against3.06 (16)20.05 (15)Power play %21.2 (12)77.6 (22)Penalty kill %82.1 (8)48.55 (21)5-on-5 Corsi For %50.25 (15)8.05 (18)5-on-5 SH%7.64 (23).925 (9)5-on-5 SV %.918 (15)Season seriesThe Jets and Flames met just once in 2019-20, and never indoors. The sides faced off at the Heritage Classic on a snowy October night in Regina, Saskatchewan, with Winnipeg storming back to win in overtime on a goal by Bryan Little. Nearly 10 months later, weighing the significance of that outcome to this best-of-five series feels like a lost cause.Key players to watchJohnny Gaudreau Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter being held to one assist in the club's disappointing first-round loss against the Colorado Avalanche, Johnny Gaudreau was not himself this season. He was on pace for 68 points over 82 games, which would have represented a 31-point drop-off from 2018-19, and his expected goals for percentage of 49.02 at five-on-five was the lowest mark since his rookie campaign.Gaudreau's game-breaking ability also seemed lacking throughout most of the campaign. The electric winger mustered just 14 multi-point efforts after recording 26 such outings last season.If the Flames' perennial producer can recapture his form this summer, Calgary has an excellent chance of advancing to the round of 16 for the third time in four seasons.Kyle Connor Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / GettyWhile Mark Scheifele is arguably the Jets' most complete player, Connor has quietly developed into one of the game's premier goal-scorers. The 23-year-old sniper hit the 30-goal plateau for the third straight campaign with a career-best, team-leading 38 tallies this season while sharing the club lead with 73 points.Connor doesn't rely on power-play time to make an impact, either, as his 28 even-strength goals are tied for fourth in the league. He's also got a knack for making timely contributions - he's tied for fifth with 12 game-winning goals since the beginning of the 2018-19 season. Connor's dominance could afford linemate Patrik Laine more space to operate, bolstering the Jets' attack.Jets can win if ...They stay out of the penalty box. Winnipeg has an excellent team save percentage at five-on-five, but its penalty kill is in the bottom third of the league. Calgary's star-studded power play, meanwhile, converted on 21.2% of its opportunities this season, but the Flames finished 20th in even-strength scoring.Flames can win if ...They get strong goaltending from either David Rittich or Cam Talbot. Calgary should be able to keep up offensively, but the Flames' duo in goal is going up against one of the world's best in Connor Hellebuyck. It will be awfully hard for Calgary to stay afloat if the team makes a habit of giving up weak goals - especially early in games.X-factorsConnor Hellebuyck Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / GettyHellebuyck has been the Jets' X-factor all year, and they'll need the Vezina Trophy candidate to maintain his level of play despite the lengthy layoff. The club finds itself in the postseason despite ranking last in expected goals for percentage (43.57) and share of high-danger scoring chances (40.38) at five-on-five.The 6-foot-4 puck-stopper faced more shots than any netminder while ranking second in minutes played. He also led the league with six shutouts and his goals saved above average (22.40) trailed only Tuukka Rask. Simply put, the Jets' season would likely be over if it wasn't for Hellebuyck's heroics.Matthew Tkachuk Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyWhether it be through a big goal, hit, or even a fight, Tkachuk can swing the momentum of a game in multiple ways and takes pride in getting under opponents' skin. The 22-year-old winger was one of only three players to record over 60 points and 120 hits this season.Tkachuk uses his bulky frame to win pucks in the dirty areas of the ice and is often rewarded for his tenacity. He ranked fifth in the league in penalties drawn this season and will play an important role in putting the Jets' subpar penalty kill to work. He also drives possession for the Flames, leading the team with a Corsi For rating of 54.3 at even strength.(Analytics source: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The games don't count just yet, but the NHL returned Tuesday after a four-month hiatus.Scott Laughton netted the overtime winner as the Philadelphia Flyers beat the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 in overtime in the day's first game.Sidney Crosby played in the contest after dealing with a minor injury at the end of training camp. The superstar led all Penguins skaters in ice time with 19:03.Kevin Hayes and Selke Trophy finalist Sean Couturier also scored for the Flyers. Pittsburgh forward Conor Sheary tallied the first goal of the NHL's resumption just over five minutes into the first period.Alexander Kerfoot scored twice as the Maple Leafs defeated the Montreal Canadiens 4-2 in the following contest in Toronto.Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly produced a goal and two assists, and Toronto rookie Ilya Mikheyev buried the opening score in his first game after suffering a gruesome injury in late December.Tomas Tatar and Paul Byron provided the offense for the Canadiens.The Battle of Alberta featured hints of the fireworks that characterized the rivalry's pre-pandemic contests, and ended with the Edmonton Oilers atop the Calgary Flames 4-1.Connor McDavid scored twice for the Oilers, with Patrick Russell and Kailer Yamamoto each adding a tally. Elias Lindholm scored the Flames' lone goal.Before the game, both the Oilers and Flames honored the late Colby Cave with a moment of silence.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.