The Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Vegas Golden Knights are interested in Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Tyson Barrie, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston."Calgary, Vancouver, Vegas ... they're all wondering what the status is of Tyson Barrie, because they're among the teams that are looking to potentially acquire him," Johnston said during Saturday's Headlines segment on "Hockey Night in Canada." "They've certainly, at least, had some exploratory talks with the Leafs, and will have to go elsewhere depending on whether he's still gonna be moved."Barrie temporarily left Saturday's game in the first period against the Carolina Hurricanes after going headfirst into the boards, but he returned to start the second frame.As Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman outlined, it's not guaranteed Barrie is moved."The Maple Leafs believe that Cody Ceci and Morgan Rielly will be back in March," Friedman said during the segment. "And if, if they're going to trade Tyson Barrie, they're not going to do it unless they know that they can have somebody that can tie them over until everybody is healthy, plus some futures, either for themselves or to use elsewhere."Barrie is a pending unrestricted free agent and carries a $2.75-million cap hit. He has five goals and 30 assists in 63 games this season, his first in Toronto.The British Columbia native was acquired during the offseason from the Colorado Avalanche along with Alexander Kerfoot and a sixth-round pick for Nazem Kadri, Calle Rosen, and a third-round pick.The Leafs are in a battle with the Florida Panthers for third place in the Atlantic Division.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs found a new, crushing way to lose Saturday night.After two blowout defeats earlier in the week, the Maple Leafs dropped crucial points to the Carolina Hurricanes, who had 42-year-old emergency netminder David Ayres between the pipes for roughly half the contest."It's another embarrassing night, right?" Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe said postgame.Ayres, who works as a Zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies, was forced into the game in the second period after both James Reimer and Petr Mrazek left with injuries. Ayres allowed two early goals but stopped all seven shots he faced in the third period to secure the victory.The Hurricanes dominated the contest, outshooting Toronto 47-26 and scoring three crucial goals after the stunning goalie changes appeared to swing the momentum in the Maple Leafs' favor."When the goalie switch happened, I talked to the team and said, 'If we don't change how we're playing, they don't even need a goalie,'" Keefe said. "There are no chances, no shots, there's nothing happening. They didn't need a goaltender the way the game was going."Ayres, on the other hand, just tried to take in the moment."It was awesome," Ayres told "Hockey Night in Canada" postgame. "Time of my life out there."He added: "I told the boys in the dressing room, once we come out for the third, I'll be settled down and ready to win this one."Ayres has worked with the Maple Leafs as a practice goalie several times in the past and said he was supposed to join the club at its session Sunday, but Toronto is now taking the day off, according to Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Evander Kane leads the San Jose Sharks with 21 goals, but that didn't stop interim head coach Bob Boughner from benching him for the entire third period during Saturday's 3-2 loss against the New York Rangers."I think there's a level, an expectation here, and a standard that we hold every player the same accountable to," Boughner said postgame, according to The Athletic's Kevin Kurz. "I just think that you have to be prepared and you have to be able to get out there and compete for your teammates. I didn't think he had any of that tonight. It doesn't matter who you are, we're going to make sure that we have that standard and that line for everybody."Kane played 12:19 in the contest - the fourth-lowest total on the Sharks.The 28-year-old signed a seven-year, $49-million contract in 2018.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageNothing brings the sports world together quite like an emergency goalie in the NHL.As expected, Twitter users had a field day when 42-year-old Zamboni driver David Ayres was forced to enter Saturday's game for the Carolina Hurricanes against the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot didn't return to Saturday's game against the Montreal Canadiens after suffering a lower-body injury, the team announced.Senators head coach D.J. Smith provided a positive update postgame."We think Chabby's alright," he told TSN's Ian Mendes. "It's nothing major."Brendan Gallagher delivered the hit to Chabot, which caused Senators forward Brady Tkachuk to fight the Canadiens winger.

The Carolina Hurricanes relied on emergency goaltender David Ayres to secure a 6-3 victory Saturday night versus the Toronto Maple Leafs.Ayres, a 42-year-old zamboni driver for the Toronto Marlies, was called to action after James Reimer and Petr Mrazek got hurt. He allowed two goals early, but stopped all six shots he faced in the third period as Carolina secured an important two points.More to come.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes were forced to play 42-year-old emergency goaltender David Ayres on Saturday versus the Toronto Maple Leafs after James Reimer and Petr Mrazek suffered injuries.Reimer suffered a lower-body ailment early in the first period, then Mrazek was steamrolled by Leafs forward Kyle Clifford while chasing down a loose puck in the second frame.

With the San Jose Sharks poised to miss the playoffs for just the second time in his 15-year tenure with the club, forward Joe Thornton said going after a Stanley Cup with another team is a tempting thought with the trade deadline approaching."You know, it is," Thornton told The Athletic's Kevin Kurz. "But it's not like I feel this is my last year. I feel like I'm healthy, I feel like I still have a lot in the tank left. It's not like a last-hurrah-type thing. I feel good, and my mind feels great. It's not like 'Oh, this is going to be my last shot at it.' So that's where my mind is at right now."Securing a Stanley Cup ring is the only accomplishment Thornton is missing during his Hall of Fame career.The 40-year-old ranks 14th on the all-time points list at 1,503, and he's earned a Hart Trophy, an Art Ross Trophy, and an Olympic gold medal. This season, he's notched 25 points in 60 games for a Sharks team that's constantly dealt with injuries to key players.Thornton has signed one-year deals to remain with San Jose in each of the past three offseasons, and even if he was moved before Monday's deadline, the veteran would be open to coming back to the Bay Area again for the 2020-21 campaign."There's lots of possibilities," Thornton said. "That could be an option. There's lots to play with. It is what it is, and we'll see what happens. I'm a Shark now, and I love being a Shark."Thornton was traded to San Jose from the Boston Bruins during the 2005-06 season, and he's posted 1,049 points in 1,094 games with the organization since then.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nov. 29, 2007, will forever be known to Tim Ramholt as the day he finally got the chance to live out his childhood dream. That's where the warm and fuzzy memories of his NHL debut begin and end, though. Nothing went according to plan once the puck dropped at Calgary's Saddledome.Mike Keenan, then the head coach of the Flames, stapled Ramholt to the bench less than six minutes into an eventual 4-1 loss to Anaheim. Ramholt, Calgary's second-round pick in the 2003 NHL Draft, had been on the ice when the Ducks tied the game off some nifty puck movement early in the first period. The left-handed defenseman finished with a minus-1 rating in 45 seconds of action. A few days later, he was sent back down to the AHL."That was tough on me, definitely tough on me," Ramholt says now. "In this time (of my career), I had to focus on keeping it going and showing that I should be called back up."Ramholt in an NHL preseason game. Dale MacMillan / Getty ImagesA recall never came. After moving around in two AHL trades over the 11 months following his farm-team re-assignment, Ramholt returned to his native Switzerland to regroup. He had aspirations for a second stint in North America, but instead, Ramholt carved out a productive nine years in Switzerland's top pro league, retiring in 2018.Since the NHL started tracking ice time in 1997, only one player - Islanders defensemen Jeff Libby - has authored a shorter NHL career than Ramholt. Libby logged 43 seconds. "That's awesome, really. It's too bad I'm not first ... " Ramholt jokes over the phone from Zurich.In 2020, Ramholt's more than just the runner-up for the answer to an obscure trivia question. He's also the lead singer and lyricist for a hockey-flavored band called We And The Bulls. The group released its first album, "Circus Mind," on Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming services on Jan. 6. Ramholt describes their sound as "bluesy rock and roll with some drifty or psychedelic elements."Left to right: Eric Blum, Fabian Gass, Tim Ramholt, Roman Wick, Romano Lemm. HandoutThe singer may be retired from hockey, but most of the members of We And The Bulls still make their livings playing professionally. Guitarists Eric Blum and Roman Wick both compete in Switzerland's National League A; Blum is a defenseman for Bern and Wick is a winger for Zurich. Bassist Romano Lemm, meanwhile, plays forward for Kloten in National League B. Drummer Fabian Gass, an old friend of Wick's who works in the coffee industry, is the group's lone non-athlete.We And The Bulls, who began jamming together in 2010, rehearse in the basement of a barbecue restaurant in downtown Zurich, congregating for a few hours a week on Wednesdays or Sundays, typical off days in the NLA and NLB calendars. As for the band name, it originates from a photo featuring Wick, Blum, and two police officers who showed up at a party years ago to investigate a noise complaint. On the Polaroid, someone wrote, "WE AND THE BULLS" - slang for police. The group liked how mysterious the phrase sounded, so the name stuck."This is cool, to have this other element, something artsy. Music is more intellectual, hockey is more physical. It's a great balance," Ramholt says. He adds this about dropping an album: "Nobody would have thought this is really possible. And now it's something on the map. Athletes can form bands."Ramholt during the 2014 Deutschland Cup. Getty ImagesThe group's hockey-playing members, according to their Elite Prospects player pages, have combined for 2,788 regular-season and playoff games in the NLA, arguably the sixth-best league in the world. They also boast 315 AHL contests and eight NHL games (seven by Wick) between them. All four players were born in the Zurich area within a 24-month period from 1984-86. They've represented Switzerland in various international tournaments, including the Spengler Cup and Deutschland Cup.Wick, a fourth-round pick of the Senators in 2004, is the only band member besides Ramholt to play pro in North America, splitting the 2010-11 season between Ottawa and AHL Binghamton. He and Ramholt crossed paths countless times over the years, with one particular stoppage during a Kloten-Zurich game a few years ago temporarily testing their off-ice bond.Wick, Ramholt recalls, laid some lumber on his goalie's glove after the netminder covered the puck. Pushing ensued, and Wick flashed a "what the hell are you doing?!" look at his singer. Ramholt dropped his gloves, wrestled his guitarist to the ground, and laid a "pretty good one on the helmet." Laughing at the memory, Ramholt says all was forgiven in short order. "That heated up pretty quickly, but we spoke right after the game."Ramholt leading We And The Bulls. HandoutHockey and music intersect on a deeper level in some sections of Ramholt's lyrics. In "My Road" - perhaps the most emotionally charged of the 11 tracks on "Circus Mind" - he pours his heart out as he recounts being forced to quit hockey in his early 30s because of injuries. He'd undergone consecutive surgeries on his back and right foot and was at a crossroads."Many times, on the ground, frustrated," Ramholt sings. "Because the heart wants to keep on (going). Your body can't no more. And these days came so fast, you know? Wasn't I just young and invincible?"Ramholt has found music therapeutic ever since he first picked up a guitar in middle school. If he had trouble falling asleep following a rough game, he'd roll out of bed, reach for his acoustic guitar, and subdue his emotions. Nowadays, when inspiration hits, he either pens lyrics into a paper notebook or taps them into his iPhone Notes app. There's always been an artist in him."It's about the humble warrior," Ramholt says of the inspiration behind the "My Road" lyrics. "You've been defeated, you get back up, but you always know what keeps you driving. Is it passion or love? That feeling of knowing that you have made mistakes but you got back up and always know where you're going because deep in your heart you strive for another goal, another challenge. That's what the song is about."We And The Bulls have played two concerts to date. They're just "going with the flow" right now, Ramholt says, but there are plans for more live performances in the offseason. They want to showcase the album and crowd-test new songs.For now, Ramholt has more free time than his bandmates. The 35-year-old fills his days with a part-time job driving disabled people around Zurich, writing lyrics and fiction, and reading news reports. He also keeps active through yoga, surfing, swimming, hiking, skiing, and bouldering. After studying osteopathy in England last year, he may enroll at a Zurich university in the fall for "something in nature or science."Ramholt technically achieved his dream on Nov. 29, 2007. And though he wishes he made a stronger impression in that blink-and-you'll-miss-it debut and enjoyed a lengthier NHL career, any lingering resentment has vanished with time."I didn't get a second chance, so that really sucks. It's definitely something that was hard to get over. I got over it because I really feel like I had an amazing career in going back to Switzerland," he says."But, not getting that second chance, that second game, that's definitely something I can write another couple of songs about."John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Darcy Kuemper appears to be nearing his return to the net.The Arizona Coyotes assigned the 29-year-old goaltender to the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners on Saturday for conditioning purposes, the team announced.Head coach Rick Tocchet said Kuemper will practice with the team Monday, and it's possible he starts against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.Kuemper hasn't played since exiting with a lower-body injury on Dec. 19 against the Minnesota Wild.The 6-foot-5 puck-stopper was enjoying a career season before the injury, boasting a 15-8-2 record with a 2.17 goals-against average and a .929 save percentage.Arizona has posted a 10-13-4 record in Kuemper's absence despite steady play from backup Antti Raanta. The Coyotes sit tied for the final Western Conference wild-card playoff berth entering Saturday's action.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the trade deadline around the corner, the Chicago Blackhawks made defenseman Erik Gustafsson a healthy scratch for Friday's contest versus the Nashville Predators.There is no imminent trade involving the blue-liner, but the Blackhawks do have "options with Gustafsson," according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. He adds the team is protecting its asset in case a deal materializes.Gustafsson had a breakout season in 2018-19, posting 60 points in 79 games. He's struggled to match that production this year, though, accruing just 26 points in 59 contests so far.Still, as a 27-year-old pending unrestricted free agent counting for just $1.2 million against the salary cap, Gustafsson could garner interest leading up to Monday's deadline.After a midseason charge, the Blackhawks are now likely to be deadline sellers. Chicago entered Friday's game eight points back of a wild-card spot with just one win in its last 10 contests.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets have acquired forward Cody Eakin from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a conditional 2021 fourth-round pick, the teams announced on Friday.The draft pick will become a third-rounder if Eakin re-signs with the Jets before July 5 or if they make the playoffs.Eakin is in the final year of his contract, which carries an average annual value of $3.85 million. The Winnipeg native has appeared in 41 games with the Golden Knights this season, recording four goals and six assists.The 28-year-old produced a career year last campaign with Vegas, setting personal highs in goals (22) and points (41) over 78 games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colorado Avalanche have signed goaltender Pavel Francouz to a two-year extension, the team announced on Friday.The deal reportedly carries an average annual value of $2 million, according to The Athletic's Ryan S. Clark."We are excited to have Pavel under contract for another two seasons," said general manager Joe Sakic. "He has been an important part of our team this year and has performed really well, especially when we needed it most. He is a hard-working professional, a great teammate and has earned his opportunity in the NHL."The 29-year-old wasn't drafted, and he spent time in the KHL before heading overseas to play with the Avalanche in 2018. He's primarily been used this season as the team's backup goaltender, appearing in 24 games and posting a 14-5-3 record. He owns a .923 save percentage and 2.44 goals-against average in 2019-20.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan opened up about his recovery from alcohol on Friday while meeting with the media for the first time since entering the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program in November.After trying to deal with the issue on his own, Ryan said his decision to reach out for help spearheaded his journey to recovery."I was trying to white knuckle things and doing things the wrong way," Ryan told reporters, per the team. "I'd have 20 days of nothing and one real bad one and you just can't get better without (help). There's a stigma around asking for help and I was trying to do it."I just had never had a period in my life where people were around me to kind of help me really stop and it took going somewhere to figure that out and getting myself I guess a dry period to start, that was very beneficial for me."The 32-year-old said his issue with alcohol is something he's been dealing with for a long time. Ryan knew if he didn't get help, his troubles would only continue to spiral."I had a lot of times where I woke up in the mornings overridden with guilt, shame, and saying I would do it and do it for 12 days and then messing up again. It had no good end."When asked if his story could serve as inspiration for those in need, Ryan offered an important message."If there's anybody that I guess hears it in some sense and can recognize something and kind of find a way to ask for help, hopefully less publicly, then I urge them to do it and I guess there's some silver lining there."Ryan, who hasn't played since Nov. 16, returned from the player assistance program on Feb. 5 and said he hopes to get into a game within the next two weeks.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins have acquired forward Ondrej Kase from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for forward David Backes, defenseman Axel Andersson, and a 2020 first-round pick, the team announced Friday.Boston will retain 25% of Backes' salary as part of the agreement. His contract is valued at $6 million annually, and there's one more year left on the deal after this season.The Ducks selected Kase in the seventh round of the 2014 draft. The 24-year-old has appeared in 198 NHL games, amassing 43 goals and 96 points. The winger notched seven goals and 16 assists in 49 contests with Anaheim this season.Backes, 35, has struggled to find his way into Boston's lineup in 2019-20. He's appeared in 16 games while tallying one goal and two assists. He was demoted in January, but Backes hasn't played in an AHL game despite being healthy since then.The Bruins selected Andersson in the second round of the 2018 draft. The 20-year-old defenseman has recorded two goals and 22 points in 41 QMJHL games this campaign.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.Sometimes a game plays out in such disheartening fashion that you can't help but swear off betting a team for a while.That's what happened Thursday when the Columbus Blue Jackets played so well for 30 minutes against the Philadelphia Flyers to build a seemingly impenetrable 3-1 lead before utterly collapsing and completing the debacle in overtime. All this on home ice, with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.That relegated us to a 1-2 finish, leaving some ground to make up heading into the weekend.GOATs and scapegoatsFrederik Andersen had a nice bounce-back effort last night in shutting out the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Matt Murray did his part to help our cause. At least one game went our way.The Blue Jackets are a lock for our scapegoats. That was the last time we'll bet on them in this space for at least a couple of weeks - screenshot this if you wish.Friday notesThe New York Rangers' six-game road winning streak (1.7 goals allowed) will be on the line Friday when they visit the Carolina Hurricanes, who've won four of their last five contests in Raleigh. The Rangers are playing strong defensive hockey and three of their previous four games in Carolina have gone under, as well as four of their last five meetings overall.Offense has been hard to come by for the New York Islanders, who've scored just two goals in their last four games. However, they return home from their road trip in a great spot to break out against the Detroit Red Wings, whom they've scored 22 goals against in their last four meetings at home. The previous five contests between these teams on the Island have gone over, averaging 9.8 goals.The Chicago Blackhawks have scored just 10 goals in their last seven games at home against the Nashville Predators, tasting defeat in five of them. The Calgary Flames snapped a five-game home losing skid Monday and are well-rested as they prepare to welcome the streaking Boston Bruins. The Minnesota Wild will aim to build on their impressive record in Edmonton, having won 14 of their last 17 road contests against the Oilers. Similarly, but not to the same extent, the Anaheim Ducks have had the Colorado Avalanche's number of late, with the Avs losing four of their previous five visits to Anaheim and eight of their last 11 against the Ducks overall.Friday bets:

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Oliver Bjorsktrand will miss 8-to-10 weeks due to a sprained and fractured ankle, the team announced Friday.Bjorkstrand suffered the injury during Thursday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Philadelphia Flyers. A decision as to whether or not the 24-year-old will require surgery will be made in the coming days.The Danish winger leads the Blue Jackets with 21 goals this season and ranks third on the team with 36 points in 49 games.Bjorkstrand joins several key players on Columbus' list of recent injuries, including defenseman Seth Jones, forwards Alex Wennberg and Cam Atkinson, as well as goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.The Blue Jackets have lost seven straight contests but remain in the thick of an extremely competitive Eastern Conference playoff race with only 20 games remaining.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Sabres placed defenseman Zach Bogosian on unconditional waivers Friday for the purpose of terminating his contract, the team announced.Bogosian was suspended by the Sabres on Monday for failing to report to the Rochester Americans, the club's AHL affiliate.If Bogosian clears, he will be free to sign with another club. Buffalo tried to trade the defenseman and was willing to retain 50% of his contract, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.Bogosian, 29, is in the final year of a seven-year, $36-million contract he signed in 2013. He's carried an average annual value of $5.14 million.The veteran blue-liner has been a healthy scratch numerous times this season. He's appeared in just 19 games, recording one goal and five points. He reportedly requested a trade out of Buffalo earlier in the campaign.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The lead-up to the 2018-19 NHL trade deadline featured a blockbuster deal and a few other notable swaps, but it was also defined by a couple of big names staying put.Some deals still require more time to pass before an outright winner can be declared, while the verdict on other trades is already abundantly clear.Here's how the biggest decisions before the 2018-19 deadline look one year later:Blue Jackets keep Bobrovsky, PanarinThe contending Columbus Blue Jackets chose not to deal starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and sniper Artemi Panarin, retaining the pending unrestricted free-agent stars for the playoff push rather than maximizing their value in exchange for assets.Columbus' stunning first-round sweep of the Tampa Bay Lightning justified the choice to hang on to them in the short term. The decision looks especially smart in Bobrovsky's case, as the 31-year-old was the primary reason the Jackets pulled off the historic postseason upset, and he was also sensational in the second round against the Boston Bruins. Entrusting stretch-run and playoff starts to Joonas Korpisalo wouldn't have made much sense, and allowing Elvis Merzlikins to continue developing was the right call, too.Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBobrovsky departed in the summer but has struggled since signing a seven-year contract worth a reported $70 million with the Florida Panthers. On the other hand, Merzlikins has emerged as a budding star this season. So, Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen clearly did well both at the deadline at in free agency in terms of his goaltending.Panarin only scored four goals in 21 regular-season games after the 2018-19 deadline, but he racked up 19 points in that span and also had a productive postseason. The dynamic winger poured in five goals and 11 points in 10 playoff contests, including five points in the four wins over the Lightning.Panarin's impact was undeniable, but considering the Jackets knew he wouldn't re-sign, they might've been able to deal him for future pieces while still defeating Tampa Bay in April. We'll never know how that series would've panned out without the marquee forward, and the long-term impact of not acquiring assets for the star UFAs-to-be remains to be seen, but both players were instrumental in helping the Blue Jackets shock the hockey world.Verdict: Worked for Blue JacketsColumbus adds Duchene, DzingelJamie Sabau / National Hockey League / GettyBlue Jackets receivedSenators receivedF Matt DucheneF Vitaly AbramovD Julius BergmanF Jonathan Davidsson1st-round pick (2019)Conditional 1st-round pick (2020)Blue Jackets receivedSenators receivedF Ryan DzingelF Anthony Duclair7th-round pick (2019)2nd-round pick (2020)2nd-round pick (2021)The Blue Jackets cemented their status as buyers before keeping their two stars at the deadline, acquiring a pair of pending UFA forwards from the Ottawa Senators in separate deals. As discussed above, Columbus' overall strategy paid off in the spring, but one of these moves was ill-advised and the other has turned out to be quite lamentable a year later.Duchene notched a point per game in last year's playoffs but opted not to re-sign with Columbus. The club didn't have to surrender the conditional selection as a result, but the Senators used the other first-rounder they received in the deal to draft Lassi Thomson, who's now one of their best prospects.Giving up Abramov and Davidsson hurts the Blue Jackets, too, especially because Duchene signed with the Nashville Predators on July 1. He's underachieved so far in Music City, but Columbus might have some long-term regret about that particular trade.Andre Ringuette / National Hockey League / GettyThe Dzingel move didn't seem too lopsided at the time, but it sure looks that way now. Duclair posted 14 points in 21 games with Ottawa after the trade, and he's now in the midst of a career year, having already eclipsed the 20-goal mark. He's on pace to easily surpass his career high in points.Meanwhile, Dzingel managed 12 points in 21 regular-season contests and a lone goal in nine postseason games for the Blue Jackets in 2018-19. He then signed with the Carolina Hurricanes, with whom he's on pace to barely crack double digits in goals.So, Columbus ultimately gave up a pair of second-round selections and a player having a breakout campaign for a mediocre forward who left in the summer and a likely inconsequential draft pick.Verdict: Worked for SenatorsGolden Knights secure StoneEliot J. Schechter / National Hockey League / GettyGolden Knights receivedSenators receivedF Mark StoneD Erik BrannstromF Tobias LindbergF Oscar Lindberg2nd-round pick (2020)Once it became clear that the rebuilding Senators had to trade Stone - a stellar two-way forward who was a pending UFA - it was simply about maximizing the return. Ottawa did that by obtaining a blue-chip defensive prospect in Brannstrom as well as a second-rounder.Stone produced nearly a goal per game in the playoffs and has continued to thrive with his new club, posting nearly a point per contest in 2019-20. The Vegas Golden Knights signed him to a long-term extension after acquiring him, so he should continue to be a key piece of their top-six for years to come.Brannstrom isn't NHL-ready yet but still boasts plenty of promise, as the 20-year-old's piling up points at an impressive clip in the AHL.Verdict: Worked for both teamsJets land HayesIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyJets receiveRangers receiveF Kevin HayesF Brendan Lemieux1st-round pick (2019)Conditional 4th-round pick (2022)Much like when they added rental center Paul Stastny at the 2018 trade deadline, the Winnipeg Jets acquired another dependable two-way pivot in Kevin Hayes one year later.However, unlike when Stastny helped them reach the Western Conference Final, the Jets failed to make it out of the first round in 2019, falling in six games to the eventual Stanley Cup champion St. Louis Blues. Winnipeg gave up a first-round pick and failed to reach the second round of the playoffs.Yes, the Jets got the first-rounder back from New York in the subsequent Jacob Trouba trade, and they've won that deal - at least for the time being - as Neal Pionk has outplayed Trouba this season. But evaluating the Hayes deal in a vacuum, it was a disappointing one for Winnipeg.Verdict: Didn't work for either teamPredators, Wild trade skilled forwardsBruce Kluckhohn / National Hockey League / GettyPredators receivedWild receivedF Mikael GranlundF Kevin FialaThis one-for-one deal looked like a steal for the Predators at the time. Granlund had come close to collecting 70 points in back-to-back seasons and was on pace to do it again in 2018-19, while Fiala was an underachieving former top prospect.Granlund struggled mightily immediately after the trade, managing only one goal and five points in 16 games before adding a goal and an assist in six playoff contests. The soon-to-be 28-year-old was also inconsistent to begin 2019-20 but has scored at a steady clip since Predators head coach John Hynes took over in early January. Granlund has been getting time on Nashville's top line, and he's earned it with his play of late.Fiala didn't make much of an impact immediately after the deal, but the 23-year-old has blossomed in 2019-20, ranking third on the Minnesota Wild in goals and second in points while sliding into a top-line role himself.Verdict: Worked for both teamsCanucks add offense, Pens address blue lineRich Lam / Getty Images Sport / GettyCanucks receivedPenguins receivedF Tanner PearsonD Erik GudbransonIt's pretty obvious who won this one.Pearson has resurrected his career with the Vancouver Canucks, as he has a shot at collecting 60 points this season after registering 12 in 19 games down the stretch with Vancouver last season.Meanwhile, Gudbranson was nothing special for the Pittsburgh Penguins, who ultimately traded him to the Anaheim Ducks in late October for Andreas Martinsen (who's now playing in Switzerland) and a seventh-round pick.Verdict: Worked for CanucksBruins, Wild swap underrated centersMaddie Meyer / Getty Images Sport / GettyBruins receivedWild receivedF Charlie CoyleF Ryan DonatoConditional 5th-round pick (2019)This one was a bit overshadowed by the other moves, but it made a difference. That's particularly true for the Bruins, who landed a versatile third-line center that helped them make a run to Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final.Coyle didn't produce on the scoresheet down the stretch but raised his offensive game in the playoffs, registering nine goals and 16 points in 24 games.The Wild initially looked like a winner in this trade, too, as Donato piled up 16 points over 22 contests to close out the campaign. He's since been reduced to a fourth-line role for a mediocre Minnesota team. However, he's only 23 years old and carries a very team-friendly $1.9-million cap hit through 2020-21, after which he'll still be a restricted free agent. Also, the conditional pick became a fourth-rounder because Boston reached the second round of the postseason.Verdict: Worked for BruinsCopyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets newcomer Dylan DeMelo appears to have made a good first impression on head coach Paul Maurice.The Jets bench boss used a rather suggestive analogy to convey how he felt about DeMelo's game in the defenseman's debut with the club following Thursday night's 5-1 win over the Ottawa Senators."His stick so many times knocked things down, his passes were on the tape," Maurice told reporters, per the team. "That was a pure kinda of, I don't know if you could call it 'coach's porn,' but when you're watching hockey video, you know that's pretty darn good."Winnipeg acquired DeMelo from the Senators on Tuesday in exchange for a third-round pick in 2020. The 6-foot blue-liner recorded three blocked shots while logging 18:36 of ice time, including 3:18 on the penalty kill."Coaches love those kind of games," Maurice continued. "It's not flashy, but his consistency with his stick, his reads, and then his passes ... the ones he needed to snap hard he did and the ones he could feather and touch in there he did."The Jets will look to DeMelo to help give them a much-needed defensive boost in the midst of a tight Western Conference playoff race. Winnipeg ranks last in the league in both share of expected goals for and high-danger scoring chances at five-on-five.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators general manager Pierre Dorion is weighing more than one trade proposal involving forward Vladislav Namestnikov, TSN's Darren Dreger reported during Thursday's edition of "Insider Trading."Dreger said at least four "teams of interest" have inquired about Namestnikov, namely the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, and Columbus Blue Jackets.The Avalanche may reportedly consider Namestnikov a "Plan B" if they fail to land Chris Kreider from the New York Rangers.Dreger reported earlier Thursday that the Senators were holding Namestnikov out of the lineup for their contest against the Jets as a method of "asset management."Namestnikov, 27, has 13 goals and 25 points in 54 games this season. Ottawa acquired him from the Rangers in October.The versatile forward is a pending unrestricted free agent carrying a $3.25-million cap hit. The Senators have a slew of pending UFAs, including center Jean-Gabriel Pageau and veteran goaltender Craig Anderson.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tyson Barrie is garnering attention from opposing clubs.Several teams reached out to the Toronto Maple Leafs about the defenseman following a flurry of trades involving blue-liners around the NHL and amidst Toronto's ongoing struggles, TSN's Bob McKenzie reported on Thursday's edition of "Insider Trading.""So suddenly the Toronto Maple Leafs started getting a lot of calls on pending (unrestricted free agent) defenseman Tyson Barrie," McKenzie said. "And when those teams called, the Leafs basically told those teams that were interested, 'Yeah, you know what? We would consider - under the right set of circumstances - trading Tyson Barrie.'"However, McKenzie cautioned that Toronto is not interested in "a sell-off for future considerations." He added that one of two things has to happen for the Maple Leafs to trade Barrie: Either the team has to get a rearguard in exchange who "makes them a better team right now," or the return needs to be picks and prospects the club can immediately turn around and parlay into a right-shot defenseman who could play with Morgan Rielly.The Vancouver Canucks are reportedly among the teams that have spoken to the Maple Leafs.Entering Thursday's action, Barrie had collected 33 points through 61 games this season. However, he hasn't quite fit in on the Maple Leafs' blue line since Toronto acquired him from the Colorado Avalanche in a blockbuster deal involving Nazem Kadri last July.The 28-year-old only carries a $2.75-million cap hit in the final season of the four-year, $22-million pact he inked with the Avalanche in 2016. Colorado retained 50% of his average annual value in the trade with Toronto.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dustin Byfuglien doesn't appear likely to play an NHL game this season, but he's suddenly an intriguing option ahead of the Feb. 24 trade deadline.The Winnipeg Jets are reportedly attempting to exhaust all options on potential deals for the imposing rearguard, and talks with suitors have picked up in recent days.Byfuglien is involved in an ongoing dispute with the Jets, who suspended him for failing to report to training camp in September. However, he could provide another team with a big boost on the back end in 2020-21, assuming he chooses to resume his career and fully recovers from the ankle surgery he underwent in October.Here are a few clubs that would be wise to acquire the veteran blue-liner:Florida PanthersBill Smith / National Hockey League / GettyThe Panthers are Byfuglien's most logical possible landing spot for a couple of reasons.Firstly, he'd be reunited with Florida head coach Joel Quenneville. The 34-year-old defenseman played for "Coach Q" over two seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and won a Stanley Cup under Quenneville in 2010. Whether both sides would be amenable to the move remains to be seen, but a reunion would make a lot of sense.Secondly, the Panthers need to improve on the back end. If Byfuglien can be anywhere close to his usual game-changing self in South Florida, he'd be a welcome addition and would bolster a defense corps that currently ranks near the bottom of the league in goals allowed per game.Minnesota WildBruce Kluckhohn / National Hockey League / GettyThe Wild would be another natural fit for Byfuglien. He was born and raised in Minnesota, and is quite familiar with the Central Division club, having gone up against the Wild for years as a member of both the Blackhawks and Jets.He'd also fit right in with Minnesota's defense-first approach while giving the team yet another rearguard who can both provide physicality and create offense.Like the Panthers, the Wild have plenty of salary committed to blue-liners. However, Minnesota general manager Bill Guerin can let newly acquired forward Alex Galchenyuk and his $4.9-million cap hit walk in the summer to help accommodate Byfuglien's $7.6-million figure for 2020-21.Toronto Maple LeafsAndrew Francis Wallace / Toronto Star / GettyIt's no secret that the Maple Leafs are looking to address their defensive group. While Byfuglien probably won't help them down the stretch in 2019-20, he could give Toronto exactly what it's missing if he's healthy and interested in playing next season.On the back end, the Leafs could be thin on the right side in 2020-21. Tyson Barrie is a pending unrestricted free agent, while Justin Holl and Timothy Liljegren are Toronto's only right-handed defensemen under contract beyond this season.The obvious hurdle would be the cap, as the Leafs likely won't have as many contracts buried on long-term injured reserve by the time next season rolls around. However, as unlikely as they may be, there are several scenarios - including contract termination and renegotiation, as well as salary retention by Winnipeg in exchange for an asset - that might allow a cap-constrained club like Toronto to make a deal work.Sure, the Maple Leafs could be better served acquiring a younger rearguard with a less complicated contact situation, and Byfuglien would need to prove he's in game shape after sitting out a full campaign, barring a desire to play in 2019-20. But if everything checks out and he suits up next season, his mere presence would give Toronto a significant upgrade.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor McDavid appears to be making positive steps in his recovery from a quad injury.The Edmonton Oilers star hasn't played since Feb. 8 but took part in Thursday's team practice - his first since suffering the ailment. Head coach Dave Tippett said the team is taking it one day at a time, but he didn't rule McDavid out from returning to the lineup against the Minnesota Wild on Friday."He's moving well. We'll see where he is in the morning," Tippett said. "He's day-to-day ... he took a good step today but we're not over-promising anything."McDavid looked comfortable while participating in an up-tempo skills drill.

The Montreal Canadiens have traded forwards Riley Barber and Phil Varone to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Joseph Blandisi and Jacob Lucchini, the teams announced Thursday.Montreal's new additions will report to the AHL's Laval Rocket.Blandisi appeared in 21 games for the Penguins this season, recording two goals and five points. The Colorado Avalanche selected the 25-year-old in the sixth round in 2012.Lucchini has yet to appear in an NHL game. The undrafted 24-year-old played in 53 contests with the AHL's Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season, recording seven goals and 15 points.Barber appeared in nine games with the Canadiens this season and went pointless. He's totaled 13 goals and 31 points with the Rocket. Varone hasn't appeared in an NHL contest this season but has collected four goals and 10 assists in 27 games with Laval.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn will not receive supplemental discipline for boarding Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson during the second period of Wednesday's contest, according to The Athletic's Sean Shapiro.The Stars captain was assessed a five-minute boarding major and game misconduct for the hit. Ekman-Larsson was helped to the locker room but later returned to finish the contest.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.We were stunned by a third-period outburst in Chicago as we had to settle for a 2-2 showing Wednesday, but that was pushed to 3-2 if you tailed our trend of the night.If not for a seven-goal third period and a 35-save effort from a former Vezina Trophy winner, we would have swept the board. Such is life.GOATs and scapegoatsBetting the under in the Colorado Avalanche game last night, our one concern was Pavel Francouz, but he put in the type of performance we needed. He made sure the New York Islanders stayed ice-cold and helped keep the game under the total by making 27 saves on 28 shots.Sergei Bobrovsky did Francouz one better, making 35 saves on 36 shots for the Florida Panthers. The .972 save percentage was his third-highest single-game mark of the season, ending a rough stretch for the former Vezina winner. And, of course, he did it on a night when we were on the over.Thursday betsToronto Maple Leafs (-115)This the biggest game of the season thus far for the Maple Leafs. After being embarrassed on Tuesday night, they return home for a rematch against the Pittsburgh Penguins, desperately needing to stop the bleeding. The character of each and every one of these players has been called into question over the last couple days. If they have any compete, this is when they need to show it - lose here and there won't be playoff hockey in Toronto come April.Florida Panthers, 3-way line (+105)Laying -140 on the Panthers' moneyline is also an option, but I like the discount we get for them to win in regulation. Florida is on a 6-1 run on no rest and has won eight of its last 11 games on the road. The Panthers have also won five straight away games versus Western Conference teams. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings are losers of five of their six home games in 2020 and just traded away their top goal-scorer and one of their top defensemen in Tyler Toffoli and Alec Martinez, respectively.Best betColumbus Blue Jackets (-120)Losers of seven in a row, the Blue Jackets have officially fallen out of a playoff spot, while the surging Philadelphia Flyers have moved into third in the Metropolitan Division. Columbus has been playing really good hockey but has found itself on the wrong side of a number of close games. Returning home will be big for the Blue Jackets, and I fully expect one of the game's best motivators in John Tortorella to get a massive response from his team after Tuesday's 5-1 loss in Philadelphia. The Blue Jackets have won 13 of their last 15 home games against the Flyers and I predict that to continue Thursday.Trend of the nightThe Flyers are on a 10-1 run to the over on the road, while the Blue Jackets are on an 11-1 run to the under on home ice.Good luck making sense of this total.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.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin still can't figure out why he was traded from the Chicago Blackhawks in 2017."When I played here in Chicago, I (thought) I would play here my whole life," Panarin said after Wednesday's 6-3 win over his former club, according to The Daily Herald's John Dietz. "And then that (trade to the Columbus Blue Jackets) happened. It still confuse(s) me."Panarin played in the KHL from 2008-2015 before Chicago recruited him to the NHL. He made an immediate impact during the 2015-16 season, scoring 30 goals and 77 points and taking home the Calder Trophy.He continued his excellent play during his second season in Chicago and then signed a two-year, $12-million contract extension."I don't want to be that guy. I want to play on a winning team," Panarin told his former agent, Dan Milstein, of signing a team-friendly deal, according to Dietz. "Give them the flexibility so they can retain the guys or sign the new guys because it's not about me. I'm young. I'm going to make plenty of money in my future."In the summer of 2017, before his extension kicked in, Chicago dealt Panarin to the Blue Jackets in exchange for Brandon Saad and Anton Forsberg."I was not ready for that. It was a big surprise for me. I (felt) bad after the trade," Panarin added.The 28-year-old inked a seven-year, $81.5-million deal with the Rangers last summer. He's on pace for a career year in his first season with the club, tallying 30 goals and 79 points in 58 games.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sometimes players just don't work with certain teams for intangible reasons. They could be newcomers who don't gel properly or veterans simply needing to move on and reignite their game.A change of scenery can sometimes go a long way toward revitalizing careers. Ahead of next week's trade deadline, let's look at five players who would benefit from heading to a new team.P.K. Subban, New Jersey DevilsGregg Forwerck / National Hockey League / GettySubban is currently enduring the worst statistical season of his career, with his start as a Devil almost going as poorly as possible. His team is near the bottom of the standings, and many fingers are pointing at him for underperforming since arriving from the Nashville Predators last summer.On pace for just eight goals and 18 points this season, Subban will surely be looking to return to his former self next year. After this campaign, there are two more years left on his contract that carry a $9-million annual cap hit. The Devils are looking to rebuild around their youthful core, which means parting ways with the soon-to-be 31-year-old Subban can be mutually beneficial.The defenseman still possesses the drive and raw skills to return to the elite form that earned him a Norris Trophy in 2013. However, there may not be many teams willing to take on the veteran's cap hit after his disastrous play this season.Jesse Puljujarvi, Edmonton OilersAndy Devlin / National Hockey League / GettyTaken with the fourth overall selection in 2016, Puljujarvi never worked out as expected in Edmonton. Some blame can be placed on Puljujarvi being rushed into the NHL as an 18-year-old. Over three seasons, he's laced up in 139 games while managing only 17 goals and 37 points.Puljujarvi is still just 21 years old with immense potential. His game never transitioned to the NHL with the Oilers, but his skills are unquestionable. After requesting a trade from Edmonton during the offseason, Puljujarvi opted to play with Karpat in the Finnish Elite League when he wasn't moved. He's played extremely well overseas, tallying 18 goals and 44 points in 46 games, which is good for sixth in the league's points race.With Edmonton likely heading to the playoffs, Puljujarvi's name will surely be dangled around as the trade deadline looms. He can't play in the NHL this season, but teams looking ahead to next year and beyond may show interest. A change could help rejuvenate the dynamic youngster's NHL career.Jonathan Quick, Los Angeles KingsJared Silber / National Hockey League / GettyFor much of the last decade, Quick was among the NHL's best netminders. But the last two years have been a different story.Prior to the 2018-19 season, Quick's career save percentage was .917 and his goals-against average sat at 2.27. His save percentage has significantly dropped to .892 over the past two seasons, and he owns an inflated 3.20 goals-against average.At even strength this season, Quick's expected save percentage is .916, whereas his actual save percentage is .907. His high-danger save percentage is .787, which ranks 26th among the 48 goaltenders who have played 1,000-plus minutes. However, while playing behind a middling and rebuilding Kings team, Quick still shows flashes of his old form despite the poor surface stats.The 34-year-old carries a $5.8-million annual cap hit through 2022-23, making him a tough gamble for goalie-needy teams. With Cal Petersen looking ready to take the reins in net for Los Angeles, it may be time for the Kings to move on from the former Conn Smythe winner.There are a number of teams in need of a reliable goaltender, and Quick can rebound if he's placed behind the right group.Shayne Gostisbehere, Philadelphia FlyersIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyGostisbehere finished second in the 2016 Calder Trophy voting following a promising start to his career.After recording 24 goals and 85 points in 140 games over his first two seasons, the Flyers inked him to a six-year, $27-million deal in 2017. Gostisbehere posted 13 goals and a career-high 65 points in his first year of the contract, but he's failed to return to that level this season and last.He's missed recent games due to injury, but Gostisbehere was a healthy scratch a couple of times earlier this season. He's notched just five goals and 12 points in 41 games in 2019-20, and the defenseman hasn't been driving offense as well as usual.His high-danger goals-for percentage sits at 34.78% this season after he averaged greater than 50% in three of the last four campaigns. A lack of offensive firepower paired with average defending skills is hindering his impact.HockeyViz.comGostisbehere's contract carries an average annual value of $4.5 million and he's signed through 2022-23. His contract can be a bargain if he bounces back. His talent as a reliable puck-moving defenseman is undeniable, but his inconsistency is a cause for concern in Philadelphia. That could be a product of Gostisbehere's skill set not fitting the Flyers' style under new head coach Alain Vigneault.The return for the young blue-liner would also be good for the Flyers, who need an offensive boost.Kyle Turris, Nashville PredatorsAndy Marlin / National Hockey League / GettyThe Predators gave up a pretty hefty sum to acquire Turris in 2017, parting with two high-end prospects and a second-round pick. They also immediately inked him to a six-year, $36-million extension. He performed adequately during his first year in Nashville, potting 13 goals and adding 29 assists. He's struggled to match those numbers since.In the 107 games he's played since the 2018-19 campaign began, Turris has amassed just 16 goals and 51 points. This season he's averaging 15:06 of ice time per game while playing on many different lines. Turris scored 20-plus goals three times during his tenure with the Senators, but he's on pace for only 12 this year after scoring seven in 55 games last season.Before Matt Duchene's arrival this past summer, Turris offered the Predators depth down the middle. With Duchene and Ryan Johansen entrenched as the team's top centers, there isn't as strong of a need for Turris anymore.He can benefit from being moved to another club that would play him at his natural position in a top-six role. Signed through the 2023-24 season with a $6-million cap hit, a franchise would really have to trust Turris to rebound in a new environment.(Advanced stats source: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Stars captain Jamie Benn was tossed Wednesday night for a hit from behind on Arizona Coyotes captain Oliver Ekman-Larsson.Officials handed Benn a five-minute boarding major and game misconduct after he caught Ekman-Larsson with the check midway through the second period.Ekman-Larsson was helped to the dressing room by teammate Vinnie Hinostroza and the Arizona trainer.Coyotes forward Taylor Hall scored on the ensuing power play.Ekman-Larsson returned to the game for the start of the third period and played 10 shifts in the final frame.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets are attempting to exhaust all trade options for Dustin Byfuglien, sources told TSN's Frank Seravalli.Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is in contact with interested teams, and talks have picked up in recent days, reports Seravalli.The veteran blue-liner, who'll turn 35 in March, is reportedly still a long shot to play this season. He's sat out the entire campaign amid a dispute with the team over his injury status. The Jets suspended him in September for not reporting to training camp.Byfuglien and the Jets were working toward terminating his contract in early February but Winnipeg waited to do so while exploring potential deals.While his $7.6-million cap hit came off the Jets' books when they suspended him, that number has theoretically been reduced to a prorated $1.84 million with 45 days remaining in the regular season.Byfuglien is signed through 2020-21 and owed $6 million in base salary next season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs traded forward Mason Marchment to the Florida Panthers in exchange for forward Denis Malgin, the team announced Wednesday.Malgin has four goals and 12 points in 36 games with the Panthers this season. Florida's fourth-round selection in 2015 has amassed 28 goals and 60 points in 184 career games. He was teammates with Leafs forward Auston Matthews in Zurich during the 2015-16 campaign.The 23-year-old is averaging 12:21 of ice time this season. Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said Malgin's agent asked several times for his client to be traded out of Florida, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.Marchment, 24, has appeared in four career NHL games - all this season - while recording one assist. The undrafted forward has played in 124 contests with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, scoring 38 goals and adding 32 assists.Both players are set to become restricted free agents at the end of the season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings traded defenseman Alec Martinez to the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday in exchange for a second-round pick in both 2020 and 2021, the team announced.The two picks are Vegas' in 2020, and the St. Louis Blues' in 2021, which the Golden Knights had previously acquired. The Kings now own 11 picks in the 2020 NHL Draft, including three second-rounders."Alec has been an important part of the organization for a number of years and was a key member of our Stanley Cup teams," general manager Rob Blake said. "We thank Marty for everything he's done for our organization, our fans, and our community."Martinez, 32, is under contract through the 2020-21 season and carries an annual cap hit of $4 million.The 6-foot-1 rearguard led the Kings in blocked shots (85) and ranked second in average ice time (21:31 per game) this season. He's contributed one goal and eight points through 41 contests.Martinez also boasts 64 games of playoff experience. He played an important role in the Kings' 2012 and 2014 Stanley Cup runs and scored the winning goal to clinch the latter championship.Despite moving a pair of picks, the Golden Knights still own the Pittsburgh Penguins' second-round selection in 2020 and a pair of second-rounders in 2021.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers promoted defenseman Evan Bouchard from the AHL's Bakersfield Condors and placed fellow rearguard Oscar Klefbom on injured reserve, the team announced Wednesday.Klefbom, 26, is expected to miss two-to-three weeks with a shoulder injury.Bouchard won't be available Wednesday against the Boston Bruins, but is expected to stick around with the team for at least a few days, head coach Dave Tippett said Wednesday.The 20-year-old Bouchard is considered the Oilers' top defense prospect. He's contributed seven goals and 33 points through 50 games with Bakersfield this season.Bouchard also mustered one goal in a seven-game stint with the Oilers during 2018-19. The Ontario native was selected 10th overall by Edmonton at the 2018 NHL Draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the trade deadline less than a week away, theScore's NHL editors debate some hypothetical deals. In this exercise, each member of the team - Josh Wegman, Josh Gold-Smith, Sean O'Leary, Matt Teague, and Brandon Maron - submitted a trade for debate, with the other editors voting on the proposal. Wegman provided the analysis for each swap.Leafs add blue-line helpBruce Kluckhohn / National Hockey League / GettyLeafs receive: D Matt Dumba, F Ryan HartmanWild receive: F Kasperi Kapanen, F Jeremy Bracco, 2020 2nd-round pickEditorWho says no?Gold-SmithLeafsMaronWildO'LearyWildTeagueBoth say yesWegmanWildThe Leafs finally get a right-handed defenseman, but Dumba isn't without his flaws. Though the 25-year-old has a heavy shot, his production has dried up this season and his isolated impact at five-on-five over the last four seasons remains an area of concern.As illustrated in the chart below, Dumba has consistently allowed opponents to fire an above-average number of shots from traditionally high-danger areas over the past four seasons. Also, his overall impact in the offensive zone appears somewhat below par.HockeyViz.comIt's entirely possible Dumba could flourish playing for an offensive juggernaut like Toronto, especially with Morgan Rielly as his potential partner when the latter returns from injury. Dumba also has term locked in at $6 million a season through 2022-23.One of the two protection formats for the 2021 expansion draft involves shielding three defensemen, so it wouldn't be surprising if Minnesota wanted to move someone in its top four. Ryan Suter and Jared Spurgeon aren't going anywhere, which leaves either Dumba or Jonas Brodin.The speedy Kapanen gives Minnesota a much-needed right-handed shot up front, and someone who could potentially excel with more ice time. He had 44 points a year ago and is on pace for a similar mark despite playing a third-line role. Toronto would miss the offensive depth he provides, but the addition of Hartman would help ease that blow.Bracco, 22, has lost much of his prospect shine this season, but he's just a year removed from a 79-point season in the AHL.Minnesota may want to hold off on moving Dumba until next season so he can restore some of his trade value, but this offer from Toronto would certainly give GM Bill Guerin lots to think about.Avs, Hawks pull off blockbusterIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyAvalanche receive: G Robin Lehner, F Brandon SaadBlackhawks receive: 2020 1st-round pick, 2021 3rd-round pick (becomes 2nd if Lehner re-signs), F Tyson Jost, D Conor TimminsEditorWho says no?Gold-SmithAvalancheMaronAvalancheO'LearyBlackhawksTeagueAvalancheWegmanBoth say yesDoes Avalanche GM Joe Sakic really want to ride or die with Pavel Francouz as his netminder if Philipp Grubauer is out longer than expected? As good as Francouz has been, the answer is probably no. Even if Grubauer returns soon, he's only been mediocre this season. An upgrade would be worthwhile for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations, and Lehner is one of the league's best goalies - he's just been stuck behind an awful defensive team in Chicago.The Blackhawks may want to re-sign Lehner given that he's the better of their two goalies on expiring deals. With this move, they'd still have a chance to bring him back this summer, and if not, they'll get a better draft pick.Saad would give Colorado an effective, middle-six forward. He has 18 goals in 47 games while posting some strong underlying numbers. The price tag for the 27-year-old is high because he has an additional year left on his contract, but the Avs could use the secondary scoring.It's worth it for Chicago to part ways with Saad based on the return package. He's essentially replaced by Jost, who hasn't found his scoring touch in the pros yet. Timmins was picked 32nd overall in 2017 and would give the Hawks some much-needed youth on the blue line.Oilers snag AthanasiouGregory Shamus / Getty Images Sport / GettyOilers receive: F Andreas Athanasiou (Detroit retains 50% of Athanasiou's cap hit)Red Wings receive: F Jesse Puljujarvi (RFA), 2020 2nd-round pickEditorWho says no?Gold-SmithBoth say yesMaronBoth say yesO'LearyBoth say yesTeagueBoth say yesWegmanRed WingsAthanasiou is having a bad season, but who on the Red Wings isn't? The 25-year-old scored 30 goals a year ago and will be a restricted free agent at season's end. He can absolutely fly and would fit on one of Edmonton's top two lines with ease. There's familiarity too, as Oilers GM Ken Holland drafted Athanasiou in 2012.Would this be enough for Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman to part ways with Athanasiou? It would depend on how much he values Puljujarvi. The 21-year-old has yet to prove he's a legitimate NHL player, but he's excelled overseas this season and is still oozing with upside. Given Puljujarvi's uncertainty, Yzerman may require a first-rounder to part with Athanasiou while he's still under club control.Pageau heads southIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyStars receive: F Jean-Gabriel PageauSenators receive: 2020 1st-round pick, D Julius HonkaEditorWho says no?Gold-SmithStarsMaronBoth say yesO'LearyStarsTeagueStarsWegmanBoth say yesPageau is the best rental center available, and he's frankly one of the only quality pivots on the open market. He's going to be in demand - and not just because he's already notched 20 goals this season - but he's been a very reliable defensive center his entire career, capable of producing offense in spurts.Pageau's career numbers - both basic stats and analytics - are similar to those of Kevin Hayes, who was dealt for a first-round pick, a conditional fourth-round pick, and Brendan Lemieux at last year's deadline.Pageau would be a nice fit on the defensive-minded Stars, who could use another center on their quest for a Stanley Cup. Giving up what's expected to be a late first-round pick, along with Honka - an unsigned RFA playing overseas who had demanded a trade - seems more than manageable.The Sens would gladly take another first-rounder and a young defenseman with some upside.Bruins land KovalchukIcon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / GettyBruins receive: F Ilya KovalchukCanadiens receive: 2020 conditional third-round pick (becomes a second if Boston makes Eastern Conference Final)EditorWho says no?Gold-SmithBoth say yesMaronCanadiensO'LearyCanadiensTeagueBruinsWegmanBoth say yesLast season, Bruins GM Don Sweeney added Charlie Coyle and Marcus Johansson before the deadline to help the club's forward depth without surrendering a first-rounder. Coyle remains with the club, but Johansson is gone and was never replaced. What will Sweeney do this year?Boston is in dire need of an upgrade to its second line. Karson Kuhlman, who has just one goal this season, currently owns a top-six forward role. Kovalchuk has cooled off a bit lately, but he'd still be a major upgrade over Kuhlman at a reasonable cost.The Canadiens could hang on to Kovalchuk to try and re-sign the veteran forward. However, considering they got him for virtually nothing, it'd be smart for them to try to acquire whatever assets they could for him, and then potentially attempt to bring him back this summer.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.We're coming off our first losing night in a while after finishing 1-2 on Tuesday, though we hit on our best bet and also our trend of the night, which would have taken you to 2-2 if you followed (I didn't).Let's return to winning ways on Wednesday.GOATs and scapegoatsAndrei Svechnikov is the gift that keeps on giving. We've backed the Carolina Hurricanes several times in this space, and he's produced some big goals for us. Last night was no different, with Svechnikov potting the game-winner in Nashville.He came through on Tuesday, unlike the Toronto Maple Leafs' or Buffalo Sabres' defense.Wednesday betsNew York Rangers/Chicago Blackhawks under 6.5 (-110)This is an awfully high total that's based more off of both team's perceived style and not actual results. The Rangers have won five straight on the road, allowing just seven goals over those games. They're playing great outside of New York, and the Blackhawks are similarly excelling on the road.However, Chicago is in the midst of a 6-11 run at home while scoring two or fewer goals in six of the team's last eight contests at the United Center. Getting 6.5 is a gift.New York Islanders/Colorado Avalanche under 5.5 (+100)It's been a miserable week for the Islanders, who probably can't wait to return home. They're 0-3 on their current western road trip while being outscored 8-1. That moves the Islanders to 1-8 in their last nine road games against Western Conference teams, a stretch when they've scored just nine goals. Not coincidentally, the under is 8-1 in those games.Pavel Francouz will start again for the Avalanche after allowing just one goal in a 1-0 loss when these teams met in New York last month. All signs point to another defensive struggle here.Minnesota Wild/Vancouver Canucks over 5.5 (-110)I was really tempted to take the Wild at plus-money in this spot, but sticking with the theme of the day, let's look at the total instead.Minnesota is struggling defensively on the road while allowing four-plus goals in six of its last nine games, and we know the Canucks can score. The over is 6-1-1 in the last eight meetings between these clubs north of the border.The Wild hit the road for the first time in close to two weeks here, and getting away from home should benefit a desperate team fighting for its playoff life. Look for Minnesota's offense to bounce back after the San Jose Sharks shut out the Wild on Saturday.Best betFlorida Panthers/Anaheim Ducks over 6 (-120)Give me this over all day and twice on Sundays. The Panthers have allowed three-plus goals in seven of their last eight road games, and they've scored four-plus goals in six of their last seven away clashes against Western Conference squads. In fact, Florida's last seven nonconference road games have all gone over the total, with an average of 8.4 goals scored.The Ducks are on their own 5-1 run to the over on home ice while giving up four-plus goals in four of their last six in Anaheim. They've scored three-plus goals in seven of their nine home games against Eastern Conference teams this season, and have notched three-plus markers in five straight matchups against Florida, including in a 5-4 away loss to the Panthers earlier this season.Trend of the nightThe Arizona Coyotes have lost 12 straight games against the Dallas Stars at American Airlines Arena.There were a number of pretty overwhelming trends to pick from today, but this one undoubtedly takes the cake. The Coyotes last won in Dallas on Feb. 7, 2012. Arizona has also lost eight of its last nine on the road, scoring two or fewer goals in seven of those games. Laying -160 might be a lot, but the Stars are certainly in play tonight.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.

Claude Julien was understandably fed up with his team after it was swept in its season series against one of the worst NHL teams of the modern era.The Montreal Canadiens bench boss expressed his frustration following Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the lowly Detroit Red Wings, a contest in which the Canadiens blew a 3-1 third-period lead."We can't seem to play a good game for a full 60 minutes," Julien told reporters postgame. "It's frustrating and it's unacceptable. If you want to be a winning team, you have to be able to play the same way for 60 minutes. We haven't been doing that lately."If we keep on playing the same way we played during the first two periods, we'll win the game. But we weren't able to do that."Andreas Athanasiou scored twice in the final frame, and Mike Green also tallied to lift the basement-dwelling Red Wings to a victory and a four-game season sweep of the Canadiens."There's clearly a lack of confidence," Julien added. "Regardless of what we say on the bench, we seem to be playing on our heels. We watch the other team skate instead of being proactive. We have to get more from certain players."Montreal is now 10 points out of a wild-card spot with 20 games remaining. The Canadiens have five teams to leapfrog in order to move into the final wild-card berth.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Andreas Johnsson's season is officially over.The Toronto Maple Leafs forward is expected to be sidelined six months after undergoing successful knee surgery Wednesday, the club announced.Johnsson suffered the injury during his team's 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars on Thursday after awkwardly colliding with teammate Kasperi Kapanen.The 25-year-old winger, who missed 15 games earlier this season with a separate leg injury, contributed eight goals and 21 points in 43 games.Toronto traded for a depth forward with NHL experience Wednesday, acquiring center Denis Malgin from the Florida Panthers in exchange for winger Mason Marchment.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Like clockwork, the hockey world asks itself the same question every February: Is this the year most notable trade chips change hands before TV networks begin their extensive NHL deadline-day coverage?Usually, as the deadline comes into focus, the answer is an emphatic "no." This year, however, a busy 48 hours have made "yes" a distinct possibility.Six trades were completed between Sunday evening and Tuesday afternoon, with a seventh trade - Kings defenseman Alec Martinez to Vegas - reportedly imminent.To recap the finalized swaps: Devils players Blake Coleman and Andy Greene have new homes in Tampa and Long Island, respectively; Kings forward Tyler Toffoli has been moved to Vancouver; and a trio of solid rental defensemen - Canadiens blue-liner Marco Scandella, Sharks rearguard Brenden Dillon, and Senators defenseman Dylan DeMelo - have been shipped to St. Louis, Washington, and Winnipeg, respectively.Let's unpack the flurry of activity and reassess the pre-deadline landscape.Western bubble teams beefing upTyler Toffoli Jonathan Kozub / Getty ImagesSeven teams enter Wednesday sitting within three points of the Western Conference's playoff cut line, with only five postseason spots realistically up for grabs. Of those seven teams, three have taken matters into their own hands and traded for a veteran NHLer in recent days.The Canucks, who acquired Toffoli from L.A. on Monday in exchange for forward Tim Schaller, the rights to prospect Tyler Madden, a second-round pick, and a conditional fourth-round pick, have thrown caution to the wind. Instead of standing pat or selling assets in light of major injury news (forwards Brock Boeser, Josh Leivo, and Micheal Ferland are all out for the rest of the regular season) GM Jim Benning doubled down by adding a rental.What a divisive trade. On one hand, it's easy to label Benning irresponsible - why sacrifice futures for the non-guarantee of making the playoffs with a banged-up roster? How shortsighted. On the other hand, one can easily dub Benning bold - why not seize the moment, do your best to make the postseason, and see what happens? The Pacific portion of the West's playoff bracket is totally up in the air, so there is logic to it. Toffoli, a play-driver who should fit nicely on Elias Pettersson's right wing, will definitely help Vancouver in the short term.Andre Ringuette / Getty ImagesThe Jets, meanwhile, have barely managed to keep their heads above water all season as they adjust to life without Dustin Byfuglien, Tyler Myers, and Jacob Trouba. Yet a playoff berth is not beyond the realm of possibility. Adding a player like DeMelo - a third-pairing blue-liner on a contending roster - won't move the needle, but the price (a third-round pick) is negligible. Acquired Tuesday, DeMelo's a low-risk rental for Winnipeg.Then there are the Golden Knights. As the deals trickled in to start the week, we knew Vegas GM Kelly McCrimmon would join the party sooner than later. The trade with L.A., assuming it goes through as reported - Martinez for two second-round picks - should provide a significant boost. Martinez, 32, is a legitimate top-four defenseman signed through next season at a reasonable $4-million cap hit. Vegas has underperformed this season. On paper, it's the toast of the Pacific. A jolt like this was necessary.With Vancouver, Winnipeg, and Vegas setting the tone nice and early, who's next? Edmonton, Calgary, Arizona, and Nashville are the other teams on the playoff bubble. The Oilers appear hesitant to join the fray, the Flames have been a puzzle all year, and the Coyotes and Predators are both run by general managers who love to wheel and deal. Based on recent events, the smart money's on some reactionary trades, at the very least, and perhaps more from the tunnel-visioned Canucks.Rangers, Devils should be salivatingKings GM Rob Blake has established a nice benchmark for the NHL's sellers. He's fetched three second-round picks, a quality prospect, and a fourth-line forward for a pending unrestricted free agent (Toffoli) and a 2021 UFA (Martinez). If Toffoli re-signs with the Canucks, the Kings receive a fourth-rounder too.Two Metro Division squads - the Rangers and Devils - must be licking their chops over Blake's haul. Rangers GM Jeff Gorton has at his disposal the league's most sought-after name in Chris Kreider, while Devils interim GM Tom Fitzgerald has the most coveted rental defenseman in Sami Vatanen.Gorton and Kreider's camp could come to an agreement on a contract extension in the coming days, removing the speedster from the trade market. If an extension isn't hashed out, though, the Rangers should be able to snag a package along the lines of a first-rounder, second-rounder, and a prospect for Kreider. Win-win.Vatanen, who's on injured reserve with an undisclosed ailment, should garner plenty of interest from teams that missed out on the first wave of available defensemen. If he's ultimately deemed healthy enough to contribute down the stretch, New Jersey can start a bidding war for Vatanen's services. In terms of rental rearguards, this week's rush has left slim pickings beyond the 28-year-old righty.Keep an eye on Bruins, Avs It'll be fascinating to watch Boston and Colorado, two of the NHL's top six point-percentage teams, battle it out off the ice in the lead-up to the deadline. Both clubs are serious Cup contenders looking for reinforcements up front.The Bruins' search for a second-line winger has been public knowledge all year, while the Avalanche's need for similar help intensified when Mikko Rantanen sustained a multi-week upper-body injury in Monday's game against the Lightning.Neither team got its mitts on Toffoli. Coleman, the best bargain buy around, has been crossed off both of their wish lists thanks to Sunday's Devils-Lightning deal. One would think Jean-Gabriel Pageau, a versatile, two-way forward, is now of great interest to Boston and Colorado, if he wasn't already. New Jersey's Kyle Palmieri, a marksman on a fair contract, would also be an excellent fit for both lineups. Montreal will certainly field calls on Ilya Kovalchuk. And don't sleep on the usefulness of Ottawa's Vladislav Namestnikov.There are decent options left. Just not a ton. This year is already a little bit different.John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights are working to try to finalize a deal that would send defenseman Alec Martinez to Sin City, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.Los Angeles held Martinez out of Tuesday's contest against the Winnipeg Jets for precautionary reasons, though McKenzie noted no trade is expected to materialize before the Kings return home Wednesday.Martinez is under contract through 2020-21 at a $4-million cap hit.The 32-year-old has spent his entire career with Los Angeles, helping the club win the Stanley Cup in 2012 and 2014.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks traded defenseman Brenden Dillon to the Washington Capitals in exchange for a 2020 second-round pick and a conditional 2021 third-round pick, the Capitals announced Tuesday.San Jose will retain 50% of Dillon's salary and cap hit. Additionally, the Capitals will trade their own 2021 third-round pick unless they win the Stanley Cup, in which case they will give up the Arizona Coyotes' 2020 third-round selection, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.The 2020 second-round pick was originally acquired from the Colorado Avalance.Dillon, 29, recorded one goal and 14 points in 59 games this season with the Sharks. He led San Jose in hits (178) and ranked fourth in blocked shots (67) while averaging 19:22 of ice time per game.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Marco Scandella to the St. Louis Blues for a 2020 second-round pick and a 2021 conditional fourth-round pick, the team announced Tuesday.Montreal will get the fourth-rounder if Scandella re-signs in St. Louis or if the Blues win two playoff rounds and Scandella plays in at least half of the games in the first two rounds, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Scandella will likely step in and replace Jay Bouwmeester, who is out indefinitely after undergoing a heart procedure.This marks the second time this season Scandella has been traded, as he was flipped from the Buffalo Sabres to Montreal in January for a fourth-round pick.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators traded defenseman Dylan DeMelo to the Winnipeg Jets in exchange for a 2020 third-round pick, the team announced Tuesday.DeMelo, 26, was a part of the trade package Ottawa received from the San Jose Sharks in the Erik Karlsson deal. The pending UFA carries a cap hit of $900K this season.The blue-liner has played well with the Senators, chipping in 10 assists in 49 games while averaging 19:55 of ice time. In his first season in Ottawa last year, he managed four goals and 22 points in 77 games.Ottawa now owns two first-round picks, three second-round picks, and two third-round picks in the upcoming draft.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks general manager Jim Benning said Tuesday that forward Brock Boeser will miss at least eight weeks with a rib cartilage fracture, according to Sportsnet's Randip Janda.The Canucks said Monday that Boeser is to be re-evaluated in three weeks.Boeser is seeing a specialist later this week, and Benning is hopeful he could be back for the playoffs should the Canucks qualify, per TSN's Farhan Lalji.The Canucks landed fellow right-winger Tyler Toffoli from the Los Angeles Kings on Monday, which helps soften the blow of Boeser's absence."I want to compete down the stretch here for a playoff spot," Benning said. "Making this trade, that's the message I wanted to send to our group going down the stretch here."Boeser tallied 16 goals and 45 points in 56 games this season.The Canucks will also be without forwards Micheal Ferland and Josh Leivo for the rest of the season. Leivo was given a two-to-three month timeline in late December after fracturing his kneecap, but Benning didn't rule out a return in the postseason.Vancouver currently sits third in the Pacific Division with 69 points.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens forward Brendan Gallagher said Boston Bruins defender Zdeno Chara called him to apologize for cross-checking him in the throat last week, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.Chara viciously cross-checked Gallagher during their tilt last Wednesday and then mocked him for embellishing the hit. Chara received a minor penalty and Gallagher received a roughing penalty on the play.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly interview-style podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.Mike Knuble, ex-NHL forward and current assistant coach of the Red Wings' AHL team, joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including:

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.It was a wild long weekend in the NHL. Trading has commenced as teams load up for the stretch run, and more games from here on out will be played with an intensity that closer resembles playoff hockey.Let's profit off it.GOATs and scapegoatsIt was a frustrating weekend as we stumbled to a 2-2 finish, with the Ottawa Senators coming within a goal of surpassing their team total and the Columbus Blue Jackets losing in a shootout.At least the referees appeared willing to help our cause.Dean Morton's crew were atrocious Saturday night. A pair of botched calls in regulation resulted in Dallas Stars goals, while two missed penalty decisions in overtime denied the Montreal Canadiens power plays - the Habs didn't have one the entire game - and helped the Stars complete the 4-3 comeback, cashing our bets in the process.The abysmal officiating prompted a tirade from both Brendan Gallagher and head coach Claude Julien postgame, with the latter receiving a fine from the league. And although it speaks to a much larger problem in the NHL, it did work in our favor Saturday. Morton's crew are both our GOATs and scapegoats for the weekend.Tuesday betsToronto Maple Leafs/Pittsburgh Penguins under 6.5 (-105)Betting an under in a Maple Leafs game is a good way to shorten your life span, but this total just feels too high. Tristan Jarry has been on an absolute tear for the Penguins, especially on home ice. The netminder is 11-3-1 at PPG Paints Arena this season with a 1.86 GAA and .938 SV%. Expect another strong effort from the goaltender and a bounce-back performance from the Leafs' defense after Sunday's debacle in Buffalo.Buffalo Sabres (-115)The Sabres are one of the more frustrating teams to back, but they've shown impressive heart over the past couple weeks to not fall completely out of the playoff race. The concern is that they've lost three games in a row against the Ottawa Senators in Canada's capital, but at such a short price, I'm buying into Buffalo's resurgence. The Sens have lost seven straight home contests against Eastern Conference teams, while the Sabres have won three of their last four on the road and four of five overall.Best betCarolina Hurricanes (+100)The Nashville Predators have won back-to-back games on home ice and are coming off a great weekend, during which they beat the St. Louis Blues twice. It seems everyone has suddenly forgotten that the Predators had previously lost five of six at Bridgestone Arena. They'd also scored two or fewer goals in seven of their last eight home contests.It's hard to consider backing the Predators at this price based on a three-game resurgence. Instead, take the Hurricanes as short 'dogs. Carolina is playing some very good hockey, winning seven of its last 10, and is on an 8-2-1 run away to Western Conference teams.Trend of the nightThe over is 10-1-1 in the last 12 meetings between the Blue Jackets and Philadelphia Flyers in Philly.With a total of 5.5 tonight, the over is worth a look. However, given the recent play of Elvis Merzlikins and Carter Hart, it's hard to feel fully confident. I'm passing on this one.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 Carolina Hurricanes traded forward Julien Gauthier to the New York Rangers for defense prospect Joey Keane, the team announced Tuesday.Gauthier, the 21st overall pick in the 2016 draft, has skated in just five career NHL games. However, the 6-foot-4, 227-pound right winger has 26 goals and 11 assists in 44 games with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers this season.Keane, 20, has 30 points in 49 games with the AHL's Hartford Wolf Pack this year - his first professional campaign. He was a third-round pick in 2018. As a right-handed blue-liner, his path to the NHL was blocked by Jacob Trouba, Tony DeAngelo, and Adam Fox in New York.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Oskar Klefbom will be out of action for the next two-to-three weeks due to a shoulder injury, the team announced Tuesday.It's not known when Klefbom suffered the injury. He appeared in the Oilers' last game, logging 30:57 of ice time versus the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday.Klefbom has been a key defender for Edmonton this season. In 59 contests, he's registered five goals, 28 assists, and 172 blocked shots while averaging 25:36 of ice time.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens captain Shea Weber will play Tuesday against the Detroit Red Wings, the team announced.Weber was given a four-to-six-week timeline on Feb. 12 after an ankle sprain had kept him out of the lineup since Feb. 4.The 34-year-old has amassed 34 points in 55 games this season while averaging a team-high 24:18 of ice time.Forward Paul Byron will also return to the lineup after missing the last 42 games with a knee injury.Montreal sits eight points out of a playoff spot with a 27-26-8 record.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.