Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.There are five NHL games on Tuesday night, and you better soak up every second of them because it's tough sledding for the next little bit.There are just two not-exactly great games on Wednesday before the NHL goes idle for four days during All-Star Weekend. They seriously haven't gotten rid of the break yet?I don't love the card tonight. Hopefully, we can single out some winners for Tuesday after a quick recap of our Monday bets.GOATs and scapegoatsWith a little help from Nazem Kadri (two goals and an assist), we hit on the Colorado Avalanche team total over 4.5 goals on Monday afternoon (+120). Naz started the scoring for the Avs early in the second period after they were worryingly shut out in the opening 20 minutes. GOAT move, Kadri.We were also seconds away from nailing our bet on the Avalanche to score exactly five goals at +400 odds. But with Colorado leading 5-3 late in the game, Nathan MacKinnon potted a meaningless sixth goal on an empty net.Is that seriously how you wanted to score your 30th of the year, Nate? Show some pride.Tuesday's betsVegas Golden Knights (+130)These two struggling teams are playing well below their potential.The Golden Knights have recorded just one win over their last six games, all while firing head coach Gerard Gallant and dropping into fourth place in the Pacific Division. Meanwhile, the Bruins are just 8-14 straight up since Dec. 4.However, Vegas has taken three out of four available points since appointing Peter DeBoer as head coach - showing impressive fight while battling back to earn a point in Montreal on Saturday - and Boston squandered a 3-0 lead in a road loss to Pittsburgh. I like the Knights to build on their momentum here, offering good value at plus-money.New York Islanders (-105)This will be the third meeting in nine days between the New York rivals, with the Rangers winning the previous two. Because of that, we get a really deflated price on the Islanders, one that's too good to pass up.Barry Trotz is an incredibly smart head coach, so trust him to make the necessary adjustments here. The Isles are the better team, and they should play with some real urgency during their last January game before a bye week.Pittsburgh Penguins/Philadelphia Flyers over 6 (-110)Brian Elliott starts again with Carter Hart injured, and his recent numbers against the Penguins are concerning. Elliott has allowed 32 goals over eight games during the past three seasons against Pittsburgh, and he's been pulled four times.There's an average of 6.8 goals scored during Flyers games when Elliott starts, and 7.6 when he's in net against Eastern Conference teams. Philadelphia doesn't struggle to score on home ice, and the club will be dealing with the Penguins likely getting after Elliott.Best betFlorida Panthers (+100)This is the second game in as many nights for the Panthers, but that shouldn't scare you off.Florida has won four straight in this spot, and four of six on the road in back-to-backs this season. So playing on two straight nights shouldn't impact them much. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are just 6-10 at home since mid-November, and they've fared much better on the road over that span and throughout the season.This game marks Joel Quenneville's first back in Chicago after the team fired him 14 months ago following a terrific decade-plus as the Blackhawks' head coach. It'll be very meaningful for "Q," and you can expect the motivated Panthers to win one for their coach against his former team.Trend of the nightThe under is 7-1 in the Carolina Hurricanes' eight home games against Western Conference teams this season, with an average of 3.9 goals scored in those clashes.The Canes tend to play some very low scoring games against the West, which suggests the under is in play. However, a deeper dive into their opponent tonight, the Winnipeg Jets, suggests the opposite.The Jets are 7-3 to the over on the road against Eastern Conference teams this season, with a remarkable average of 7.1 goals scored in those games. Something's got to give in Carolina.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.

Chicago Blackhawks stalwarts Jonathan Toews and Duncan Keith got into a dustup at Tuesday's morning skate, according to multiple reporters, including The Athletic's Mark Lazerus.Toews had Keith pinned down on the ice and had most of his jersey off before assistant coach Sheldon Brookbank broke them up. The rest of the team gave the players a few stick taps and the morning skate resumed as usual."Just some friendly wrestling ... That's the whole point of a morning skate, to get you ready for the game," Toews told Lazerus. "We're ready now."Toews and Keith, who have been teammates for 13 years and won three Stanley Cups together, seemed to patch things up rather quickly.

The Florida Panthers have been awarded the 2021 NHL All-Star Game, sources told The Athletic's George Richards.The warm weather of South Florida should delight players and media members alike. This year's All-Star Game is being held in St. Louis, where it's 23 degrees Fahrenheit (minus-5 degrees Celsius) as of Tuesday morning."Nothing against other places around the league, but we're talking about January in Florida," said Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad. "This is where guys want to be."Center Vincent Trocheck echoed Ekblad's statement."An All-Star Game on the beach? That is awesome," he said. "With the sun and our weather, it is a vacation destination already."The Panthers have hosted the event once before, in 2003, when Dany Heatley scored four goals.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alex Ovechkin has never not been "Ovi" to the NHL fan. Since his North American debut in 2005, he's been wholly himself, and no piece of content capitalizes on this quality quite like a CCM skate commercial from 2010.In the 30-second TV spot, Ovechkin is bodiless - a talking head, literally - stuffed inside a bowling bag."No one ever got better at hockey by bowling," the Capitals superstar, acting the part of a disgusted mentor, deadpans to a teen. "More practice for you."Now, close your eyes and imagine Sidney Crosby, Ovechkin's generational peer, inside the bowling bag. It just doesn't work, right? You could say the same for this Papa John's pizza delivery boy ad from 2016, this ESPN "SportsCenter" Russian spy ad from 2011, this Eastern Motors football tryout ad from 2009, and this "NHL on NBC" vending machine ad from 2007.Every single commercial is very … Ovi."The whole thing is about authenticity," said Ovechkin's longtime agent, David Abrutyn. "You can't - I think, anyway - be successful while pretending to be something that you're not."Ovechkin, gap-toothed grin and all, is still with CCM and Papa John's. His roster of corporate partners also features global giants Nike and Coca-Cola, Hublot watches, Fanatics memorabilia, and Beats by Dre headphones. He recently launched an online store selling clothing that features the official "Ovi" logo. It's safe to say the affable 34-year-old is the sport's top pitchman.According to Forbes, Ovechkin is set to make $5 million in endorsements during the 2019-20 season. That haul leads all NHLers, with Crosby and Connor McDavid a peg below at $4.5 million. Other top earners include Maple Leafs forwards Auston Matthews ($2.3M), Mitch Marner ($2M), and John Tavares ($1.7M). (Though Forbes' numbers are technically unofficial, industry insiders consider them to be fair estimates.)Patrick Smith / Getty ImagesThe NHL is holding its annual All-Star gathering in St. Louis this weekend, an event where on-ice brilliance, off-ice personalities, and corporate interests collide. Ovechkin has opted out of the festivities - citing a need for rest for the second year in a row - but the show will go on. Dozens of promotional shoots, public appearances, and other marketing activities have been scheduled by the league, player agencies, and the NHLPA.With the event approaching, theScore reached out to a variety of people who deal with player endorsements for help answering three central questions:

Florida Panthers forward Noel Acciari tipped home the game-winning goal in the final seconds against the Minnesota Wild on Monday night. It was just the third time this season a tie-breaking marker was scored with under 30 seconds left in regulation, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.That statistic may seem hard to believe, but if you're familiar with the league's flawed point system, it's not surprising at all.Any form of victory - whether it's a regulation, overtime, or shootout win - currently results in two points. Teams also get a point for losing in overtime or a shootout. After fewer games played, regulation wins and then regulation plus overtime wins (ROW) are used as tiebreakers.This doesn't give teams enough incentive to play aggressively late in regulation with the game tied. Teams that feel overmatched in three-on-three overtime can try to play keep-away and take the game to a shootout, where there is far more chance involved.The Anaheim Ducks, who sit second-last in the Western Conference, are 4-1 in shootouts this season. The Boston Bruins, who are second in the Eastern Conference, have an 0-7 record in shootouts. There's no correlation between being a good hockey club and winning shootouts, yet shootout wins still result in two points.A suggestion that many people have backed, including TSN's Pierre LeBrun, involves awarding three points for a regulation win, two points for an OT or shootout win, and one point for an OT or shootout loss. This would help, but it doesn't solve the problem.Bruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyA point system that gives three points for a regulation win, two points for an overtime win, one point for a shootout win, and zero points for any type of loss would have a greater effect.Eliminating the loser point is long overdue. The NHL is the only major professional sports league that awards one. But giving teams an incentive to win as early in the game as possible would provide crazier finishes in regulation, more exciting overtimes, and, most importantly, fewer shootouts.While extending overtime - even by just two minutes, as the ECHL did this season - would also lead to fewer shootouts, it may be difficult to get the players' association to sign off on it.Under the proposed system, going all the way to a shootout and losing would be deflating - but it wouldn't happen as often, and the losing team would have the comfort of knowing its opponent only earned one point.The standings tiebreaker for the new point system would follow a similar format:

Previously unknown details have emerged about Connor McDavid's 2019 knee injury.It was initially reported that McDavid suffered a small PCL tear when he crashed into the post during the final game of the 2018-19 regular season. However, the trailer for "Whatever It Takes," an upcoming documentary on McDavid's recovery process, reveals that the situation was much more complicated.The Edmonton Oilers captain's PCL was torn in half, and he also suffered torn lining on the back of his knee joint and a crack in the front of his tibia.Doctors told McDavid he needed surgery immediately, which would come with a 10-month recovery timeline, but he opted against the procedure and was able to suit up for opening night in October thanks to a rigorous rehabilitation program.The injury hasn't slowed McDavid this season, as he leads the league with 76 points in 49 games."Whatever It Takes" airs Friday on Sportsnet following the All-Star Skills Competition.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian candidly discussed his past struggles with substance abuse and his road to sobriety with former teammates Ryan Kesler and Kevin Bieksa on "The Kes & Juice" podcast.The trio played together with the Vancouver Canucks, a portion of Kassian's career when he battled alcoholism. During the discussion, Kassian credited Kesler and Bieksa for their efforts to help but said the only way he could ultimately recover was to look inward."One thing I've learned through this whole process of getting clean is the only way you're going to do it is if you want to do it yourself," Kassian said, per Daniel Wagner of the Vancouver Courier."You've got to be willing to help yourself. Sadly, you guys tried to help multiple times, but it took, ultimately, a car accident to hit my rock bottom and to really think about what I was doing and how it was affecting the people around me, not only my career, but my family, my friends, and my teammates."Kassian was traded from the Canucks to the Montreal Canadiens in 2015, but he never played a regular-season game in a Habs uniform. In October of that year, Kassian broke his nose and fractured his foot in a car accident where he was a passenger.He was under the influence during the crash, and he subsequently underwent the NHL's substance abuse program. Upon completing the program, the Canadians put him on waivers before trading him to the Oilers two weeks later."Obviously the incident in Montreal was pretty humbling," Kassian said. "After that accident, my world came crumbling down. There's no easy way to put it: I broke down, I cried a couple times, I didn't think I was going to get back to the NHL, to be honest."Kassian was a first-round pick of the Buffalo Sabres in 2009 and is currently enjoying a career year alongside Connor McDavid on the Oilers' top line. Kassian's posted 28 points - one shy of his personal best in a season - in 44 games, and is reportedly in good shape to receive a multi-year extension from the club before hitting unrestricted free agency in July.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This is the ninth edition of theScore's NHL Power Rankings for 2019-20. Check back for updated rankings every second Monday during the regular season.In this edition, we hand out midseason superlatives to each team.1. Washington Capitals (33-11-5)Previous rank: 1Alex Ovechkin, most likely to shatter goal-scoring recordsAfter a somewhat pedestrian first half of the season for the perennial goal-scorer, Ovechkin has turned on the jets in the new year. With eight goals in his last three games, including back-to-back hat tricks, the 34-year-old passed Mario Lemieux and is now tied with Steve Yzerman on the all-time goals list. He's now aiming for Mark Messier, who is just two goals ahead of him.2. Pittsburgh Penguins (31-13-5)Previous rank: 2Most resilientThe Penguins have been cursed with terrible injury luck all season yet have managed to build a comfortable cushion in the Metropolitan. With Sidney Crosby now back in the fold, look out.3. St. Louis Blues (30-11-8)Previous rank: 3Most likely to be used as a measuring stickThanks to the Blues' worst-to-first championship triumph last season, they've given bad teams a glimmer of hope that miracles do indeed happen in this parity-filled league. Sorry to break it to you, but St. Louis' story was one of a kind.4. Tampa Bay Lightning (29-15-4)Mark LoMoglio / National Hockey League / GettyPrevious rank: 7Most likely to make you regret your early season takesThe Lightning kicked off the season in rather uninspiring fashion. Tabbed as an early Stanley Cup favorite, they put together a mediocre 17-13-4 record through Dec. 21. They weren't playing at the same level as they were last year in their historically great season, and many began to write them off as Cup contenders. Since then, they have gone 12-2-0 and now sit in fifth in the league's overall standings.5. Boston Bruins (28-10-12)Previous rank: 4Most likely to win the game in regulationThe Bruins love to get things done in 60 minutes. Of their 28 wins this season, 25 have come in regulation. Boston leads the league by a large margin with 12 losses in overtime or shootouts.6. Dallas Stars (27-17-4)Previous rank: 11Most likely to shut the doorBetween Ben Bishop and Anton Khudobin, the stingy Stars own the league's best five-on-five save percentage at .933.7. Vancouver Canucks (27-18-4)Previous rank: 10J.T. Miller, most likely to make his old team jealousThe Lightning inked Miller to a five-year, $26.25-million contract in 2018. Just one year into the deal, they decided to trade him to the Canucks for a third-round pick and a conditional first. While the return was decent, Miller is in the midst of the best season of his career and is one of the main reasons the Canucks are in the playoff hunt.8. New York Islanders (28-15-5)Joe Sargent / National Hockey League / GettyPrevious rank: 8Most defensively defensiveThe Islanders' M.O. under Barry Trotz continues to be goal prevention over goal production, and it's got the club on track to qualify for the postseason for the second consecutive year.9. Colorado Avalanche (27-15-6)Previous rank: 9Nathan MacKinnon, most likely to put the team on his backWhen the injury bug hit Colorado and took both of his linemates, MacKinnon was there to help weather the storm. The 24-year-old has failed to get on the scoresheet in just nine games this season and is a massive reason the Avalanche have been able to maintain their spot atop the league's standings.10. Columbus Blue Jackets (26-16-8)Previous rank: 18Elvis Merzlikins, most likely to send opposing teams to Heartbreak HotelWhen Joonas Korpisalo went down with a long-term injury in late December, rookie goalie Merzlikins stepped into the starter's role after a shaky start to the season. With eight wins in 10 starts since Dec. 31, Merzlikins has earned three shutouts in his last four games.11. Carolina Hurricanes (28-18-3)Previous rank: 12Most loyalThe Hurricanes welcoming former captain Justin Williams back into the lineup 49 games into their season shows this group isn't a Bunch of Jerks after all.12. Florida Panthers (26-16-5)Eliot J. Schechter / National Hockey League / GettyPrevious rank: 14Most underappreciatedFlorida has good odds to make the playoffs, two legitimate game-changing superstars in Aleksander Barkov and Jonathan Huberdeau, and a world class coach, yet ranks 29th in average home attendance this season.13. Toronto Maple Leafs (25-17-7)Previous rank: 5Most head-scratching contenderThe inconsistent Maple Leafs have the ability to score or give up six-to-eight goals every single night. Through 49 games this season, Toronto ranks first in goals for and 29th in goals against.14. Edmonton Oilers (26-18-5)Previous rank: 16Most likely to convert with the man-advantageIt should come as no surprise the Oilers' power play leads the league with a 29.7% conversion rate. With the league's top two scorers in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl patrolling the ice with extra space, it's nearly impossible to keep them from finding the back of the net.15. Arizona Coyotes (26-20-5)Previous rank: 13Most determinedThe Coyotes own the leagues second-longest active playoff drought, but they've made a concerted effort this year to change that. After severely lacking offensive talent, general manager John Chayka went out and acquired Phil Kessel and Taylor Hall - it just might pay off.16. Vegas Golden Knights (25-19-7)Andre Ringuette / National Hockey League / GettyPrevious rank: 6Biggest risk-takersThis superlative works quite well given where the team resides, but the Golden Knights' shocking dismissal of head coach Gerrard Gallant shows the organization is willing to do whatever they think is necessary to win.17. Calgary Flames (26-19-5)Previous rank: 19Matthew Tkachuk, most likely to make your favorite team extremely madTkachuk has done a great job of rustling his opponent's feathers this season, and he'll continue to do it as long as it works. After drawing a penalty from Zack Kassian which also ended up earning him a two-game suspension, the Flames scored on the ensuing power play and won the game. When Tkachuk is on the ice, chances are he's going to do something to get his opponents riled up.18. Philadelphia Flyers (26-17-6)Previous rank: 15Worst travelersThe Flyers are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race, but one wonders where the club would be if their road record (10-13-2) was anything close to their record at Wells Fargo Center (16-4-4).19. Chicago Blackhawks (24-20-6)Previous rank: 25Most experiencedThe Blackhawks have surged into the playoff picture, and have done so largely on the backs of their two most experienced players. Patrick Kane is on pace for another 100-point season, while captain Jonathan Toews has notched 30 points in 24 games since Dec. 1.20. Winnipeg Jets (25-20-4)Jonathan Kozub / National Hockey League / GettyPrevious rank: 17Most likely to exceed expectationsWinnipeg has four skaters with at least 40 points and ranks middle of the pack in overall goals for, but in terms of expected goals at five-on-five, the Jets come in dead last at an ugly 42.8%.21. New York Rangers (23-20-4)Previous rank: 23Most likely to make other teams enviousThe Rangers are currently rostering three high-quality goalies, and while their situation can create some lineup headaches, having that kind of depth in the crease is a luxury many teams wish they could have.22. Buffalo Sabres (22-20-7)Previous rank: 22Most likely to get your coach firedAfter a hot start to the season, the Sabres have cooled down quite a bit. With just 13 wins since Oct. 25, they seem to have a knack for pushing teams over the edge. Of the seven coaches who have been relieved of their duties this season, three of them were fired after their team lost to Buffalo, according to The Athletic's Scott Wheeler. Coaches on the hot seat, beware of the Sabres moving forward.23. Nashville Predators (22-18-7)Previous rank: 21Most disappointingThe Predators have been a perennial cup contender in recent years yet currently sit seven points back in their own division after a big summer splash saw them land Matt Duchene. Nashville's coaching change hasn't yielded a spark yet either, as the club is just 3-3 so far under John Hynes.24. San Jose Sharks (21-25-4)Joe Puetz / National Hockey League / GettyPrevious rank: 26Most fearful of the futureThe Sharks' aging core is cause for concern in the long term, and things aren't any better in the immediate future either. The first-round pick they owe the Senators from the Erik Karlsson trade is going to be way higher than expected.25. Minnesota Wild (22-20-6)Previous rank: 20Most stuck in the pastThe Wild's top three scorers this season are Eric Staal, Ryan Suter, and Zach Parise. Unbelievably, you just read that sentence in 2020, not 2010.26. Montreal Canadiens (22-21-7)Previous rank: 24Carey Price, most likely to make you question his elite talentAfter taking the league by storm and winning the Hart, Vezina, and Ted Lindsay Trophies in 2014-15, Price hasn't been able to return to that consistent form since. This season has been a bit of a struggle, as he sports a .908 save percentage and 2.84 goals-against average. He's gone through stretches this year where he's flashed his brilliance, though. In his last four games, Price has allowed six goals on 148 shots, rattling off four straight victories.27. New Jersey Devils (17-24-7)Previous rank: 27Most likely to pull their goalie before the third periodThe Devils have had their fair share of goaltending woes this season. With a team total save percentage of .894, they've allowed four goals or more in 26 games this season. They've let in a whopping seven goals on four separate occasions and have surrendered six goals in four different games as well.28. Los Angeles Kings (18-27-5)Francois Lacasse / National Hockey League / GettyPrevious rank: 29Least likely to receive a Christmas card from Ilya KovalchukThe Kovalchuk experiment in Hollywood failed miserably, and after the Kings terminated his contract, the veteran sniper has gone on to record eight points in his first eight games with the Canadiens.29. Anaheim Ducks (19-24-5)Previous rank: 30Most likely to drop the glovesThere are not a whole lot of positives to take away from the Ducks' season so far, but they do pace the league with 19 fighting majors.30. Ottawa Senators (17-23-8)Previous rank: 28Anthony Duclair, most likely to back up the Brinks truckWith both Anthony Duclair and Jean-Gabriel Pageau looking to get paid the big bucks this summer, the Senators may have to choose one, and they'd be wise to put their money on Duclair. The 24-year-old has already set a career high in goals and is showing flashes of what he is capable of doing in the right role. For a team in the midst of a rebuild, Duclair fits the blueprint perfectly.31. Detroit Red Wings (12-33-4)Previous rank: 31Most likely to pick first at the 2020 NHL DraftWith a bit over half the season in the books, it seems safe to declare Detroit will have the best odds to win the draft lottery at the end of the year. On pace for one of the worst seasons for a non-expansion team in the league's history, it will all be worth it if they're able to secure the first pick and begin a new chapter for their franchise.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.If you're reading this, chances are you love the NHL and watching/betting games on a nightly basis brings you great joy.If that description fits, then this is going to be a tough week to soldier through. With the All-Star break looming, many teams have moved into their bye weeks, leaving us with just two games tonight, five on Tuesday, and two on Wednesday. A four-day layoff follows. Miserable, I know.All we can do is make the most of these nine pre-break games and ride into All-Star weekend on a high.GOATs and scapegoatsA tip of the cap to Frederik Andersen for a rough outing Saturday night against the Chicago Blackhawks. Andersen allowed six goals on 28 shots - a couple of them very soft - as we nailed the over 6.5, our best bet of the weekend, with more than a period to spare. That's the kind of goaltending you live for when you're on an over.What you don't want is a rejuvenated Ilya Kovalchuk costing you money. The Russian winger has found the fountain of youth in Montreal. Another great outing on Saturday - a goal in regulation and another in the shootout - cost us our Vegas bet as the Golden Knights lost for the first time under Peter DeBoer. This wasn't in the script, Ilya.Monday's betsColorado Avalanche score exactly five goals (+400)The Red Wings have been horrific all season, especially on the road, where they're 2-17-2 since winning their first two games. Detroit has also allowed an average of 4.4 goals over that span. With the Red Wings facing an Avalanche team that doesn't lack for firepower, backing Colorado to finish with five goals at a return of 4-1 is too much value to pass up.Florida Panthers/Minnesota Wild under 6 (+100)The Panthers may be one of the highest-scoring teams in the NHL, but that reputation is largely due to their play on home ice. The over is 17-7-2 in Florida's home games this season but just 11-10 on the road, including 2-5 since the start of December. The Panthers have allowed just eight goals in their last four on the road, while the Wild are on a 6-2 run to the under in their last eight on home ice. I'd be hesitant at 5.5, but with a total of 6, the under is very much in play.Best betColorado Avalanche team total over 4.5 (+120)As an extension of the bet above, backing the Avalanche team total over 4.5, also at plus money, offers a much lower margin for error. The Red Wings have allowed opponents to score at least five goals in six of their last 11 road games, and at least four in nine of those. The Avalanche are the fourth-highest scoring team in the NHL on a goals-per-game basis, and no team has come close to allowing as many goals this season as Detroit. Colorado should be able to name the score on home ice.Trend of the nightIn 12 games all time in Minnesota, the Florida Panthers have scored just 15 total goals and won just once (in March 2010).On only one occasion have the Panthers scored more than two goals in a visit to Minnesota, and they've managed just a single tally in each of their last five trips to Xcel Energy Center. This is a very different Panthers team compared to those of years past - and a very different Wild one, for that matter - but this is overwhelming trend puts Florida's team total under 2.5 (+140) and under 1.5 (+350) in play.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.

Every Monday, theScore offers a weekly fantasy hockey column detailing a handful of moves you should make. This edition focuses on Week 16. Ownership percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.Look closely at the scheduleThis doesn't qualify as a transaction but it's incredibly important. In most fantasy leagues, Week 16 takes up 14 days - from Jan. 20 to Feb. 2 - due to the All-Star break and the bye weeks that surround it.Over the next 14 days, teams will play roughly the same amount of games they'd usually play in a week. Therefore, it's imperative to be aware of how the odd schedule impacts your lineup.Anaheim, Detroit, Montreal, Nashville, Ottawa, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Vancouver, Washington, and Winnipeg are your four-game teams, but they mostly have differing splits. Every other NHL squad will play either two or three times.In terms of strategy, you could stream players from the aforementioned teams. You could also add skaters who will play two games over the next three days (Detroit, Florida, Minnesota, Winnipeg), and then drop some of them in exchange for others who will play four times after the All-Star break (Anaheim, Montreal, Nashville, Ottawa, St. Louis, Tampa Bay, Vancouver, Washington.)Most leagues permit only four player adds per week, so use them wisely.Add Igor ShesterkinBruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyTeam: Rangers

Evgeni Malkin wasn't too fond of the Pittsburgh Penguins' home crowd after fans showered Matt Murray with sarcastic cheers on Sunday."It was stupid. I'm not understanding our fans. (Murray) won two Cups for us," Malkin said, according to The Athletic's Rob Rossi. "You boo him - why? If you come to the arena, support our team. All of us. We try. We play so hard this year. We work so hard through injuries. We play good hockey."Murray, who has split time in the crease with All-Star teammate Tristan Jarry this season, got off to a shaky start against the Boston Bruins. He allowed two goals in the opening 2:02 of the game, and fans proceeded to cheer him mockingly when he made an easy save afterward.

Akim Aliu says he believes Bill Peters' derogatory treatment of him played a big role in the defenseman never becoming an established NHLer.Aliu sat down with Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean in an interview that aired Saturday night. He discussed what's taken place since he publicly accused Peters of racial abuse that occurred during their time together in the AHL in 2010."When you look at the stuff that happened with Bill Peters, I truly believe he ruined and deterred my career," said Aliu when asked if there should be a moratorium on misconduct. "But it's a tough question to answer for me because my career has gone out the window and he's been making millions of dollars in the NHL. But yeah, I really do believe that everyone deserves a second chance."Aliu accused the former Calgary Flames head coach of saying the N-word toward him for his choice of music in the dressing room. Two players on the team corroborated Aliu's story, and in an apology issued as the Flames investigated the matter, Peters admitted to using the offensive language.The former coach resigned shortly thereafter, and Aliu told MacLean interactions like what he experienced with Peters are holding back the growth of hockey's culture."Obviously I'm going to hit some nerves here and touch on subjects that people don't really want to talk about, but I feel like if a colored person or someone of minority does something the same as maybe a caucasian person it's looked at a little bit differently," Aliu said. "What they wear, how they act, what kind of music they listen to, how they speak."I felt for a lot of my career, I was walking on eggshells in the room."The Chicago Blackhawks drafted Aliu in the second round in 2007. He only played seven NHL games - all with the Flames - but also appeared professionally in the AHL, ECHL, and in Europe from 2008 to 2019.The 30-year-old met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in early December, and he said there's "big change coming" after the league called the discussion "productive and candid."Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals knew they'd hit the jackpot when they were awarded the first overall pick of the 2004 NHL Draft. Holding the premier selection in a draft headlined by two Russian youngsters, Washington opted to take Alex Ovechkin, leaving Evgeni Malkin to the Pittsburgh Penguins at No. 2. What the Capitals may have not known at the time was that they were bringing in a forward who would alter the entire history of their franchise as one of the greatest goal-scorers of all time.After Ovechkin moved into the top 10 on the all-time goals list on Saturday, passing Mario Lemieux and tying Steve Yzerman, let's take a look back at the Great Eight's path to goal No. 692.The early yearsMitchell Layton / Getty Images Sport / GettyAfter being drafted, Ovechkin had to wait to make his NHL debut when a lockout wiped out the 2004-05 season. He spent that season with Moscow Dynamo in the KHL, delivering a modest 13 goals in 37 games. Though many see it as a lost NHL campaign, Ovechkin credits a lot of his success to that year in Russia."I don't know if I would have come here that year when I was drafted," Ovechkin said, according to NHL.com's Mike Vogel. "But that extra year (in the KHL) helped me a lot, to get mature, to get more muscles, and to get ready for the big game."When he finally arrived, Ovechkin was indeed ready for the big game. He produced one of the most dominant debut seasons of all time, lighting the lamp 52 times for the third-most goals by a rookie behind Teemu Selanne and Mike Bossy. Adding 54 assists for good measure, he took home the Calder Memorial Trophy as the league's top rookie, earning 124 of 129 first-place votes to edge out archrival Sidney Crosby.Through his first five seasons in the league, Ovechkin mustered 269 goals. Only three other players in NHL history have scored more during their first five years in the league: Wayne Gretzky, Mario Lemieux, and Bossy.He took the league by storm and scored goal after goal, adding to his highlight reel on a nightly basis with jaw-dropping plays like this infamous tally from a 2006 contest against the Phoenix Coyotes:

Like many people in the world of hockey, Gerard Gallant was shocked to learn he'd been fired as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights."I was quite surprised, actually, when it happened," Gallant said to the Journal Pioneer's Jason Simmonds. "You don't see something coming like that when you have two-and-a-half years in."I was disappointed and surprised, but I understand the hockey business and things have to change sometimes."Gallant was surprisingly relieved of his duties earlier this week, despite Vegas' current hold on a playoff spot.The first coach in franchise history, Gallant led the Golden Knights on an incredible run to the Stanley Cup Final in their inaugural season. Vegas made the playoffs for the second time in as many campaigns last year, though the team bowed out in the first round."That first year was a magical season. If we could have capped it off winning the Stanley Cup it would have been incredible," Gallant said. "The second year was a really good year, too. We made the playoffs, battled hard."Up until I got fired, I had two-and-a-half years of being really happy in Vegas. It's a good organization, a good team, and I was excited."Gallant was even named to the All-Star Game as head coach of the Pacific Division team, but he has decided to not attend. Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet will replace him."I was an All-Star coach a week-and-a-half ago and we were in first place in our division and then things change and we lose four in a row," Gallant said. He continued: "I talked to the NHL about it and they sort of left it up to me, but I didn't really feel comfortable (going). I just said I'd sooner pass."The 56-year-old isn't going to let the bad news keep him from getting behind a new bench sometime soon."I'm far from done," he said. "I enjoy coaching. If an opportunity comes up I will definitely look at it."Gallant is one of seven NHL coaches to be relieved of his duties this season, so a number of teams - including the Seattle expansion franchise - could be looking for a new bench boss in the near future.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sheldon Keefe doesn't like what he's been seeing lately from his Toronto Maple Leafs.Following the Leafs' 6-2 home loss against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday, which came less than a week after an ugly 8-4 defeat versus the Florida Panthers, Keefe called out his team for being "immature.""I think when you go through these types of things, such as Florida, such as this, it's just a sign of where you are, that you're not where you want to be," Keefe said. "Reality checks come. I thought we were an immature team down in Florida, I thought we were an immature team here today. That's how we're approaching these things. We're not performing, we're not playing with any level of discipline or consistency. That's what happens."Saturday's loss was Toronto's fifth in its last six outings, and the game was out of reach early. Chicago took the lead 21 seconds into the contest and led 3-0 after the first period.Making matters worse for the Leafs, the loss, paired with wins from the Panthers, Philadelphia Flyers, and Columbus Blue Jackets, pushed them out of a playoff spot.Toronto will have a long time to digest its recent performances, as the team's next game doesn't come until Jan. 27, after its bye week and the All-Star weekend.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alex Ovechkin passed Mario Lemieux on the all-time goals list and is now tied with Steve Yzerman for ninth at 692 after scoring his second hat trick in as many games Saturday.The Washington Capitals superstar entered Saturday's game against the New York Islanders needing just one goal to tie Lemieux at 690. He scored early in the first period, and in the third, Ovechkin managed to bury his second goal of the game to pass Lemieux.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi caught everybody by surprise on Thursday when he dropped his mitts for the first time as an NHLer.After teammate Ryan Poehling took a hit along the boards, the Montreal Canadiens forward didn't like what he saw and went after Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Robert Hagg.

Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault cleared the air one day after his outburst about catching an uncalled elbow to the head made waves.Perreault was incensed when asked about a hit from Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen on Tuesday, and he called out the NHL's Department of Player Safety.

The Carolina Hurricanes have been dealt a significant blow, as defenseman Dougie Hamilton suffered a broken left fibula Thursday night against the Columbus Blue Jackets and is out indefinitely, the team announced on Friday.Hamilton underwent surgery on Friday in Raleigh. The Hurricanes didn't issue a clear timeline for his recovery.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageThe NHL is talking to both the Calgary Flames and the Edmonton Oilers in an effort to ensure the Battle of Alberta doesn't get further out of hand."(Senior vice president of player safety) George Parros and (executive vice president and director of hockey operations) Colin Campbell were on the phone on Wednesday in separate calls with the (general managers) from the Battle of Alberta trying to calm those waters down ahead of the Jan. 29 rematch between these two rivals," TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported on Thursday's edition of "Insider Trading."Parros is expected to be at Rogers Place in Edmonton for the game, LeBrun added.Parros assessed Oilers forward Zack Kassian a two-game suspension Monday after Kassian repeatedly punched Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk following Tkachuk's hit on Kassian during Saturday's matchup between the two clubs.Kassian later said he'd "do it again" and called Tkachuk a "p----" for not wanting to fight him. Tkachuk said if Kassian doesn't want to get hit, he should "stay off the tracks."After the Jan. 29 meeting in Edmonton, the provincial rivals will meet again three days later in Calgary and then once more in their final regular-season contest April 4 at the Saddledome.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.After raking it in on Wednesday, we gave a bit back last night - our first losing night in over a week.We nailed our best bet and trend bet but lost the other four. Let's not make a habit of it.There's a massive slate to dissect this weekend, but first, let's take a look at what went wrong - and right - on Thursday.GOATs and scapegoatsHow about that game from Jacob Markstrom? The Vancouver Canucks fell into an early 1-0 hole against the Arizona Coyotes, but Markstrom slammed the door from that point on. He finished the night with 34 saves - including some big ones in the third period - to lift the Canucks to a 3-1 win and line our pockets with some spending money.It was the least we deserved after New York Islanders forward Derick Brassard took a cross-checking penalty with less than a minute left in regulation, setting up a Chris Kreider power-play goal with 25 seconds to play. The result was a 3-2 New York Rangers win. We had their team total under 2.5. Ouch.Weekend betsSaturday: Washington Capitals/New York Islanders under 6 (-120)When we think of the Capitals, we naturally think goals, and that makes sense: Washington has been the second-most profitable team to the over this year (30-18). But the Islanders have a way of frustrating elite offenses. A lot of that has to do with head coach Barry Trotz, who should have something up his sleeve when his former team visits on Saturday. The under has hit in seven of the Islanders' last eight home matinees (puck drop before 4 p.m. ET), and in five of Washington's last six road games against the Isles.Saturday: Vegas Golden Knights (-130)How many times have we seen Quebec-born goalies go into Montreal and give the performance of a lifetime? Canadiens fans have probably lost count. Marc-Andre Fleury often saves his best for the Habs, posting a 22-13-5 career record against them. With the Golden Knights sure to be feeling some real urgency after their surprising midweek coaching change, this feels like a good spot to back a superior Vegas team at such a short price. It's also worth noting the Canadiens have been a lot better on the road (12-9-3) than at home (9-12-4) this season.Sunday: Columbus Blue Jackets/New York Rangers over 6 (-120)The total hasn't been released for this game yet, but it's a full go if it's at 6 - make it a slightly smaller play at 6.5. The Rangers have scored an outrageous 27 goals over their last five home games, finding quite the groove on offense. Nine of their last 11 games against the Blue Jackets at Madison Square Garden have gone over the total. This is also the second leg of a back-to-back for Columbus, and its last four visits to MSG on no rest have all resulted in overs.Best betSaturday: Chicago Blackhawks/Toronto Maple Leafs over 6.5 (-110)After David Rittich and the Flames held them to a single goal in Thursday's shootout loss, I expect something of an offensive outburst from the Maple Leafs on Saturday night. Under Sheldon Keefe, Toronto is 3-0 to the over at Scotiabank Arena after going under in its previous home game. The Maple Leafs are also on a 5-2 run to the over on home ice, scoring goals in bunches while struggling to keep the puck out of their own net.Averaging just over four goals per game in their last seven on the road, there's no doubt the Blackhawks have the offensive firepower to keep up. Patrick Kane has absolutely lit up the Leafs with 29 points in 18 career games against them, so we should be in for quite the show as he and Auston Matthews go toe to toe in a game that should feature very little defense.These teams have faced each other three times since the start of last season, and those games have featured an astounding 31 combined goals (10.3 per game). We just need seven Saturday.Trend of the weekendThe Boston Bruins last won in Pittsburgh on December 18, 2015, their longest active drought in an NHL city.The Penguins are absolutely a play Sunday. This will be the second meeting in four days for these two teams, and I expect Pittsburgh to return the favor after losing in Boston on Thursday night. The Bruins are still just 8-13 straight up since Dec. 4, while the Penguins are 15-5 over that span.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 Boston Bruins placed David Backes on waivers for the purpose of assignment to the AHL's Providence Bruins, the team announced Friday.Backes, 35, is in the fourth season of a five-year deal that carries an average annual value of $6 million.After spending 10 seasons with the St. Louis Blues and serving as captain for his final five years with the team, Backes left as a free agent in 2016 and inked his deal with Boston. His production hasn't been the same since, as he's amassed 39 goals and 94 points in 217 games with the Bruins.The forward has one goal and two assists in 16 games with Boston this season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Seemingly no coach is safe after the surprise firing of Gerard Gallant, and the head coach of the last-place Detroit Red Wings knows it."Most of the guys that have been fired are people that I know well and some are more friendly than others," Jeff Blashill said Thursday, according to the Detroit Free Press' Helene St. James. "They're good coaches. Gerard is a good coach. Pete DeBoer is a good coach. They're guys that I respect a lot and I just send out a note."I think it's a bit crazy in the league right now, but that's the way it is right now."Seven coaches have been fired this season, with five of those dismissals attributed to a team's on-ice performance.Dylan Larkin, one of the alternate captains of the Red Wings, said players need to be held accountable, too."I think anyone in this locker room would be crazy not to tell you that we have to do a better job and that's the players," Larkin said. "Unfortunately in this league, the coaches seem to be replaced first before the players, when mostly it's on the play of the players. We need to be better as everyone in the locker room and the players know that."The 23-year-old pointed to the Vegas Golden Knights' firing of Gallant on Wednesday."The players in that room sounded sad that he was gone and that he lost his job because of their play," Larkin said. "That's really what it comes down to and I'm just kind of echoing what they said. It sounds like he was well-respected, well-liked by the guys in the room."Blashill, who is currently in his fifth season coaching the Red Wings, has missed the playoffs the last three years, finishing 28th, 27th, and 25th, respectively. He's the league's third-longest-tenured coach behind Jon Cooper of the Tampa Bay Lightning and Paul Maurice of the Winnipeg Jets.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The on-ice rivalry between the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames has been well-documented this season, but the Battle of Alberta could extend beyond the playing surface over the next five weeks.Both clubs are looking to add a top-six forward before the Feb. 24 trade deadline, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun and Darren Dreger.The Flames cleared $4.3 million in cap space when they dealt Michael Frolik to the Buffalo Sabres on Jan. 2. LeBrun noted that finding a right-handed shooter is a "key" for Calgary general manager Brad Treliving.Rental forwards that could be on the trade block ahead of the deadline include Tyler Toffoli (R), Chris Kreider (L), Jesper Fast (R), Jean-Gabriel Pageau (R), Tyler Ennis (L), Vladislav Namestnikov (L), Ilya Kovalchuk (R), Mikael Granlund (L), Rocco Grimaldi (R), Craig Smith (R), Wayne Simmonds (R), Alex Galchenyuk (L), Conor Sheary (L), and Jimmy Vesey (L).Among players set to become unrestricted free agents in the summer of 2021, Tomas Tatar (L), Eric Staal (L), Kyle Palmieri (R), and Marcus Johansson (L) are intriguing names on clubs currently outside the playoff picture that could become sellers ahead of the deadline.Whether many of the aforementioned players could hold their own in a top-six role is up for debate, but it's clear Treliving and Oilers GM Ken Holland have options at their disposal.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brad Marchand has had some trouble handling the puck lately, and he's hoping somebody can help him find his hands again.After overskating the puck on a shootout attempt earlier this week, the Boston Bruins forward fumbled the rubber once again on a clearcut breakaway during Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

David Rittich might be the first player in NHL history to redirect a question to his nether regions.When asked if there was a save that stood out as his best one in a victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday night, the Calgary Flames goaltender went below the belt.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are among the teams to inquire about New York Rangers goaltender Alexandar Georgiev, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.Toronto hasn't made an offer for the 23-year-old, and New York is looking for a lot in return, Dreger adds.The Rangers are currently rostering Georgiev, recently recalled top prospect Igor Shesterkin, and 15-year starter Henrik Lundqvist. The logjam in the crease has made Georgiev potentially expendable, but he's proven to be a valuable piece for the Rangers, owning a .914 save percentage through his first 64 career games entering Thursday.Toronto has been in the market all season for a backup goalie to ease Frederik Andersen's workload. The incumbent Michael Hutchinson lost his first seven starts of the campaign but has responded with wins in his three most recent starts.Georgiev is a particularly attractive option for the cap-strapped Maple Leafs ahead of the Feb. 24 trade deadline, as he only counts for $792,500 against the salary cap. However, he's a restricted free agent after this season.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Carolina Hurricanes are holding their collective breath after their best defenseman suffered a potentially gruesome injury.Dougie Hamilton, one of the NHL's most talented blue-liners, fell awkwardly on his left leg after getting tangled up with Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kevin Stenlund in the final minute of the second period Thursday night.

Vegas Golden Knights forward William Karlsson is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury, the team announced Thursday.The 27-year-old center was in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Buffalo and hasn't missed a contest since joining Vegas for the 2017-18 season.It's unclear how many games Karlsson is set to miss, as the team will play three more times before a nine-day break beginning Jan. 22 that includes the All-Star Game and a bye week.Karlsson has posted 34 points in 49 games on Vegas' top line this year. He's averaging over 19 minutes per night and winning a career-high 51.2% of his faceoffs.The Golden Knights will square off against the Ottawa Senators on Thursday, marking their first game since the firing of head coach Gerard Gallant.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Coyotes head coach Rick Tocchet has been selected to replace Gerard Gallant behind the bench for the Pacific Division during the 2020 All-Star Game, the league announced Thursday.Gallant was fired by the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday and replaced by Peter DeBoer. Vegas had lost four straight games and sat outside of a playoff position when Gallant was relieved of his duties.Tocchet's in his third year behind the Coyotes' bench and has helped turn the club into a contender since his arrival. Arizona is on pace to improve its win total for the third straight season and occupies the top seed in the Pacific Division entering Thursday's action.Following Thursday's announcement, the 55-year-old bench boss poked fun at Coyotes forward Phil Kessel, whose sister, Amanda, is slated to play in the first-ever women's three-on-three event during All-Star weekend."I might try to coach one of the women's teams so at least there will be a Kessel that will listen to me," Tocchet quipped, according to the Vancouver Sun's Patrick Johnston.The Coyotes don't have a player representative in the All-Star Game after netminder Darcy Kuemper was forced to withdraw due to injury.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peter DeBoer admits it's been an awkward 24 hours as he transitions into his new role as head coach of the Vegas Golden Knights.The former San Jose Sharks bench boss, who replaced Gerard Gallant on Wednesday, is just nine months removed from a bitter feud with Gallant and the Golden Knights stemming from the teams' opening-round playoff series last spring.“It was a little shocking. But a good shock,” DeBoer said during Thursday's introductory press conference, according to TSN's Ian Mendes. He added: "We'll get through it. It'll be a little awkward - like meeting an ex-girlfriend when it didn't end well."DeBoer accused Gallant of chirping at his players during last year's thrilling seven-game series. The latter responded by calling the former "a clown" for making such claims.The ongoing feud between Golden Knights forward Ryan Reaves and Sharks winger Evander Kane was also on full display during that series, and Reaves didn't downplay his rocky history with DeBoer."I wouldn't say I have the best track record with him," Reaves said, according to TSN's Brent Wallace. "I'm going to have to have a smile when I introduce myself, for sure, maybe a hug."Reaves continued: "We are going to move forward and listen to what he has to say and embrace the change."Sharks forward Timo Meier admitted Wednesday "it's going to be weird" facing Vegas with DeBoer behind the bench, and teammate Tomas Hertl called the development "kind of shocking."DeBoer will make his debut behind the Golden Knights' bench Thursday night against the Ottawa Senators. Barring a playoff matchup, Vegas and San Jose won't meet until next season after already facing each other four times in 2019-20.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets veteran winger Mathieu Perreault was livid upon hearing that Vancouver Canucks forward Jake Virtanen would not be disciplined for elbowing him up high Tuesday."Player safety, my ass," Perreault told the Winnipeg Sun's Ted Wyman following Thursday's practice. "This is literally an elbow to the face of a guy that didn't have the puck."

The Vegas Golden Knights fired head coach Gerard Gallant on Wednesday and replaced him with former San Jose Sharks bench boss Peter DeBoer, the team announced.Gallant led Vegas to a surprising berth in the Stanley Cup Final during the franchise's inaugural campaign in 2017-18 and was awarded the Jack Adams Trophy as coach of the year. The Golden Knights then lost to the Sharks in a wild Game 7 of the first round last season, in which an infamous botched officiating call kick-started San Jose's improbable comeback win.With 54 points through 49 games of 2019-20, the Golden Knights don't currently hold a playoff spot in the Western Conference. However, they trail the Arizona Coyotes by just three points for the lead in the crowded Pacific Division.Gallant and the Golden Knights were actually discussing a contract extension earlier this season, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman."In order for our team to reach its full potential, we determined a coaching change was necessary," Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said Wednesday. "Our team is capable of more than we have demonstrated this season."While Vegas may be lower in the standings than many expected, the team boasts some of the best underlying numbers in the league, suggesting it's been the victim of some bad puck luck.More specifically, the Golden Knights rank top five in Corsi For percentage, scoring chances for percentage, high-danger scoring chances for percentage, and expected goals for percentage at five-on-five, according to Natural Stat Trick. Meanwhile, the league's fourth-worst PDO (shooting percentage plus save percentage) has been a major factor in the club's underwhelming record.In a strange twist, Gallant was set to coach the Pacific Division squad at the NHL All-Star Game later in January, but the league announced Thursday that he'll be replaced by Arizona Coyotes bench boss Rick Tocchet.Gallant's firing marks the seventh coaching change in the NHL this season.Golden Knights assistant coach Mike Kelly was also relieved of his duties on Wednesday.Ezra Shaw / Getty Images Sport / GettyDeBoer, who's been hired to replace Gallant, was fired by San Jose earlier this season after leading the team to a 15-16-2 record. In his four full seasons overseeing the Sharks, he made the playoffs every year, which included a trip to the Stanley Cup Final in 2016 - where San Jose lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins - and a berth in the Western Conference Final in 2019, where the Sharks fell to the champion St. Louis Blues."In Peter DeBoer, we have a proven, experienced head coach who we believe can help us achieve our ultimate goal," McCrimmon said. "We are excited to welcome Peter and his family to the Vegas Golden Knights organization. We look forward to a strong finish to the 2019-20 season with Peter at the helm and a successful tenure in the seasons to come."DeBoer has also made stops in Florida and New Jersey during his coaching career. He led the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012.Ironically, DeBoer and Gallant got into a spat last season during the playoffs. DeBoer called out Gallant for chirping his Sharks players, and Gallant responded by calling DeBoer a "clown."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 on a heater and there's no end in sight.We needed just one more goal from the St. Louis Blues to sweep the board on a quiet Wednesday but will settle for 3-1, including a pair of lucrative plus-money winners. And if you rode with our trend of the night, you also would have hit on a pair of gems at +220 and +575.Let's keep the gravy train rolling into Thursday.GOATs and scapegoatsCorey Crawford might not be the same caliber of goalie he once was, but he took care of business in his hometown Wednesday. The Montreal native made 32 saves (we had over 28.5) in a Chicago Blackhawks win (we had them at +160), limiting the Montreal Canadiens to just one goal (we recommended the under on the Habs' team total at 2.5, +220, and 1.5, +575). The truest GOAT.The same can't be said for Jakub Voracek, who scored in overtime to lift the Philadelphia Flyers to a 4-3 win over the St. Louis Blues. We needed the Blues' team total over 3.5 to sweep the board on Wednesday, but Voracek threw our brooms into the fire.Thursday's betsPhiladelphia Flyers (-130)This price is highway robbery. The line should be closer to -160, but we get a significant discount with Carter Hart injured and Alex Lyon making his first start of the season after being called up from the Lehigh Valley Phantoms, where he's posted a 2.56 GAA and .916 save percentage this season. It's an obvious downgrade between the pipes, but the Canadiens' lack of offensive firepower (especially with their injuries) mitigates the concern.This is the second game of a back-to-back for both teams. Montreal is on a 5-13 run playing on the road with no rest, while the Flyers are 4-2 in their last six in the second leg of a back-to-back, including a win in Montreal earlier this year. The Habs have also lost 15 of their last 17 games in Philadelphia.New York Rangers' team total under 2.5 (+100)We had the over in this game on Monday night and it hit thanks to an offensive outburst from the Rangers at Madison Square Garden, but this is a different team away from home. I fully expect Barry Trotz to make the necessary adjustments to stifle the Rangers' offense, which has been held to two or fewer goals in eight of their last nine road games against the New York Islanders. The Isles are defensively sound on home ice, holding opponents under 2.5 goals in 14 home games this season.Pittsburgh Penguins (+120)We simply can't trust the Boston Bruins right now, who are firmly entrenched in a lengthy tailspin. They're 7-13 straight up since Dec. 5 and just lost starting goalie Tuukka Rask to a concussion. The Penguins have Sidney Crosby back and are 8-1 on the road since the start of December. They've lost 11 of their last 12 in Boston, but given the current trajectory of the two teams, this is a great price to back them to pick up a rare win at the Garden.San Jose Sharks (+180)There's too much value to pass this up. The Colorado Avalanche are a great hockey team stuck in a bad rut and until we see them play their way out of it, there's value to be had in fading them. Colorado has lost four in a row and nine of its last 12, while the Sharks are hovering above .500 (4-2-1) in 2020.Best betVancouver Canucks (-115)The Arizona Coyotes have been a popular public side since acquiring Taylor Hall despite just a 7-7 record. They actually have a significantly worse winning percentage since the trade, yet their stock has inflated. They shouldn't be close to even money at Rogers Arena, where the Canucks are 14-5-3 this season. Vancouver has won six straight on home ice and nine of its last 11, while the Coyotes have lost four of their last five on the road, scoring just three goals in those four losses. There's way too much value with the Canucks tonight at such a short price.Trend of the nightThe under is 8-0 this season when the Dallas Stars are home to an Eastern Conference opponent.They host the Buffalo Sabres tonight, who just scored five goals in their most recent road game against the lowly Detroit Red Wings, but managed just five goals from their previous four away from home. This is a play at under 5.5 (-120).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.

Edmonton Oilers fans and Calgary Flames faithful are trying to kill each other with kindness.The Battle of Alberta fan bases responded to the latest case of bad blood between Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk and Oilers winger Zack Kassian by donating money to charities in their rival team's city.The exchange began after Flames fan Mohamed Elsaghir started a GoFundMe page to have Tkachuk's face put on billboards in Edmonton. When Calgary radio station CJAY92 pledged to cover the cost of the billboards, the money raised from the fundraiser was instead donated to ALS research.In response, Oilers supporter Samantha Costa decided to launch her own initiative, donating to a Calgary charity in Kassian's name so that "kids can get a proper meal and grow up to be tougher than Tkachuk."

Claude Julien doesn't regret benching Max Domi after the talented forward took an ill-advised penalty during a loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Wednesday night.The Montreal Canadiens head coach defended the move postgame, implying he wasn't just considering the one play in question when he decided to sit Domi for the final eight-plus minutes of the second period."I did what I had to do, simple as that," Julien said, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels. "I don't have to explain it more than I did. It's not the first time he's taken a bad penalty. There's consequences, and sometimes those messages (date back a lot further) than the situation right there."Domi took a roughing minor for this play involving Blackhawks forward Matthew Highmore.

The San Jose Sharks are still coming to grips with Peter DeBoer being the Vegas Golden Knights' new bench boss.DeBoer, the former Sharks head coach, took the reins of San Jose's hated rival on Wednesday after the Golden Knights fired Gerard Gallant."Obviously not the team we expected him to go to,” Sharks forward Timo Meier told The Mercury News' Curtis Pashelka hours after the move. “But that’s the business. But it’s a good opportunity. Obviously, they’re a good team. (They) have loud fans. But yeah, it’s definitely shocking to everybody.""It’s going to be weird playing against Vegas with him behind the bench,” he added.Tomas Hertl echoed that sentiment.“Every guy on the team was pretty surprised,” Hertl said. “It’s kind of shocking. Nobody expected the coach from Vegas to get fired, and right away Pete gets there. Nobody knows actually what to think about it. But it’s for sure big news and a really big surprise.”The Sharks fired DeBoer on Dec. 11, replacing him with Bob Boughner on an interim basis. DeBoer was in his fifth season with San Jose, and he was dismissed after a 15-16-2 start following a Western Conference Final berth last spring, and a Stanley Cup Final appearance in 2016.Boughner, who spent two stints as an assistant coach under DeBoer, wished his old boss well.“Obviously happy for Pete," Boughner said. "I think it’s going to be a great spot for him. I knew it was just a matter of time. I didn’t know if he was going to wait until the summer and take a few months, but when an opportunity like that comes up, him considering taking it is very understandable.”The Sharks-Golden Knights rivalry has been one of the NHL's best lately, and it came to a head during a wild seven-game first-round playoff matchup last spring. During that series, Gallant called DeBoer a "clown" for accusing him of chirping at Sharks players.San Jose and Vegas won't meet again during the 2019-20 regular season, and both teams currently aren't in playoff spots. The Golden Knights sit just outside of a wild-card slot, although they're a mere three points back of first place in the Pacific Division.The Sharks rank sixth in the same division and sit eight points out of a playoff berth.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tyler Motte hopes his story can inspire others in need.The Vancouver Canucks forward revealed he was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in an inspirational video posted by the team Wednesday.Motte opened up about feeling "lower and lower" during his second pro season until he couldn't find the energy to get out of bed and to the rink. Growing frustrated by the way he was feeling, Motte took his girlfriend's advice and sought psychological help.

The Edmonton Oilers have inked defenseman Caleb Jones to a two-year contract extension, the club announced on Wednesday.His added years carry an average annual value of $850,000, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Jones has split this season between the Oilers and their AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors, collecting three points in 23 NHL games while averaging just over 13 minutes of ice time in a third-pairing role.He's added 11 points over 14 contests with the Condors in 2019-20.The 22-year-old made his NHL debut last season, appearing in 17 games with Edmonton during that campaign.The Oilers' fourth-round pick in 2015 is the younger brother of Columbus Blue Jackets blue-liner Seth Jones. They're the sons of Indiana Pacers assistant coach and former NBA player "Popeye" Jones.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL has unveiled the "Shooting Stars" challenge, a new skills competition event at the 2020 All-Star weekend that will feature players shooting pucks from up in the stands into targets on the ice, the league announced Wednesday.The event will see 10 players stand in a section of the Enterprise Center in St. Louis above the lower bowl seats and fire pucks down to targets positioned on the ice. The targets will vary in point value based on the difficulty of the shot. Each player will take seven attempts.NHL.com "It's hockey meets Topgolf," a source previously told Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, referring to the popular driving range.Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin took part in a similar activity in 2019 at an empty PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.We had to settle for a 2-2 night on Tuesday, but still managed to turn a small profit.Of course, if you followed along with our trend of the night and bet the Vancouver Canucks' team total under 2.5 (+130) and under 1.5 (+375) - they were shut out in Winnipeg - then you had yourself quite a night.There are only two games on Wednesday, but with countless game bets and props at our disposal, there's plenty available for us to extend our winning run.GOATs and scapegoatsHow about the season Dominik Kubalik is having? The 24-year-old rookie from the Czech Republic tallied a pair of goals Tuesday to take his total to 18 on the season, bringing him to 28 points in 45 games. Not bad for a seventh-round pick.His two goals helped the Chicago Blackhawks (-105) battle back from a 2-0 deficit to send the game to overtime, where Jonathan Toews took care of the rest to cash in our bet. That's seven goals in five games now for Kubalik - our GOAT of the night - and 10 points in his last six.We're far less thankful for the Predators' special teams. Nashville went 0-3 on the power play and just 2-4 on the penalty kill in a 4-2 loss in Edmonton, killing our bet.Wednesday's betsChicago Blackhawks (+160)Are you kidding me with this line? The Blackhawks are a must-play based off principle alone. The Montreal Canadiens remain without Jonathan Drouin, Brendan Gallagher, and Joel Armia, and are starting Charlie Lindgren in net. The Habs are below .500 at home this season yet are -180 without All-Star goalie Carey Price in net? Come on. The Blackhawks are 7-1 in the second leg of back-to-backs this season and are a terrific value play in Montreal.Corey Crawford over 28.5 saves (-115)The Canadiens attempt more shots than any other team on home ice, averaging a league-high 36.6 per game. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks allow 36.9 per game on the road - also the most in the NHL. There should be plenty of rubber thrown the way of Corey Crawford, and with the Habs largely struggling to turn those shots into goals, he should comfortably get over this number.Brayden Schenn over 0.5 assists (+145)Unlike backing Schenn over 0.5 points at -154, we can get a significant return on this prop. The odds significantly lengthen for him to get an assist, of which he has seven in his past five home games. He's only scored six times in 24 games at the Enterprise Center, but has 13 assists.Best betSt. Louis Blues team total over 3.5 (-110)The Blues have won nine straight on home ice and have scored at least four goals in seven of those games. It's hard to see them slowing down against a Flyers team struggling defensively of late, especially on the road, where they've allowed at least four goals in eight of their last nine games. They've also conceded at least five goals in their last four away from home, so sprinkle a little extra on the Blues' team total over 4.5 (+220).Trend of the nightThe Blackhawks have won five straight games in Montreal, limiting the Canadiens to just four goals and twice shutting them out.This trend dates as far back as 2014, so it's hard to put too much stock into it, but we said the same thing last night about the Canucks in Winnipeg and they got shut out. Crawford being in net for this game hurts a bit, but you can get a great price on the Canadiens to score under 2.5 goals (+220) and under 1.5 goals (+575).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.

Philadelphia Flyers netminder Carter Hart will be sidelined for two-to-three weeks with a lower abdominal strain, the team announced Wednesday.The sophomore puck-stopper suffered the injury during Tuesday's practice, head coach Alain Vigneault confirmed. He made 26 saves in a 6-5 victory over the Boston Bruins one night prior.Philadelphia has recalled netminder Alex Lyon from the AHL's Lehigh Valley Phantoms on an emergency basis. In addition, forward Joel Farabee has been loaned to the Phantoms and winger Chris Stewart has been placed on waivers.Hart, 21, owns a 15-11-3 record with a 2.61 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage through 29 starts this season.Backup netminder Brian Elliott will likely carry most of the load in Hart's absence. The veteran has authored an .896 save percentage across 17 starts in 2019-20.Philadelphia will play just five games over the next 16 days, in large part due to the All-Star break that begins Jan. 23.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask suffered a head injury Tuesday night, Bruins head coach Bruce Cassidy said postgame."He's concussed," Cassidy told reporters, including the Boston Herald's Marisa Ingemi. "He got elbowed in the head. He'll probably go to protocol. At least that's what I was told; maybe it’s not as bad as first thought. I guess we'll have a better evaluation (Wednesday).""It's an elbow to the head is what it is, it's a penalty," the Bruins bench boss added. "But they missed it, you move on. It's just unfortunate it happens to your No. 1 (goalie). It was pretty clear to me."Rask departed early in Boston's 3-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets after forward Emil Bemstrom caught him up high.

The Minnesota Wild were left with just five active defensemen against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday after head coach Bruce Boudreau accidentally listed Greg Pateryn as a healthy scratch.Pateryn, who was expecting to play, was forced to leave the Wild's bench by the officiating crew ahead of puck drop. The veteran blue-liner made his season debut Sunday after missing 44 games following core muscle surgery.Minnesota forward Ryan Donato was unintentionally inserted into the lineup in Pateryn's stead, and the 23-year-old winger had to make his way from the press box to the ice to join his teammates, according to the Star Tribune Sport's Sarah McLellan.The Wild entered Tuesday's action on a three-game losing streak and have dropped five of their last six.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins are inching toward full health after getting one of the best players in the league back Tuesday.Sidney Crosby returned to the Penguins' lineup against the Minnesota Wild. Crosby had been out of action for two months after undergoing core muscle surgery Nov. 14.Despite being without Crosby for nearly half the season, the Penguins have been one of the NHL's top teams. Pittsburgh went 18-6-4 without Crosby in the lineup with his most recent ailment - the best record in the league during that span, according to ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.Crosby had five goals and 17 points in 17 games before hitting the shelf. The Penguins have won three straight and currently sit second in the Metropolitan Division.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brad Marchand seems to be taking his embarrassing moment well.As of Tuesday evening, the Boston Bruins forward's only two tweets since he flubbed a shootout attempt Monday night are a photo of him hoisting the Stanley Cup and this response to a Twitter user with fewer than 900 followers:Marchand whiffed while trying to corral the puck and grazed it on the way by during the shootout, which resulted in a loss to the Philadelphia Flyers, to the delight of Gritty and Marchand's social media detractors alike.At least Marchand can still brag about Boston's 2011 title, as opposed to dwelling on the Bruins' final-round losses in 2013 and last June.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Zack Kassian isn't going to apologize anytime soon for his actions toward Matthew Tkachuk that warranted a two-game suspension."I'd do it again all over again," Kassian said to reporters when asked if he'd do anything differently. "Since I've been in minor midget I've stood up for myself and my teammates. People don't do that to me or my teammates when I'm out there. To me, those are two dangerous hits."The Edmonton Oilers forward got into an altercation with the Calgary Flames winger on Saturday. After two questionable hits from Tkachuk, Kassian engaged in a one-sided fight with him. He earned a double-minor for roughing and a 10-minute misconduct while Tkachuk got nothing."I'm a big boy. I love big-boy hockey. But if you're gonna play big-boy hockey, you gotta answer the bell every once in a while," Kassian added. "I'm not crying about the hits, it's hockey, it's the game of hockey - it's rough."I thought they were a little bit on the blind side, but at the end of the day I've laid big hits like that, I've been hit like that - but two times is more than enough. You play with fire, eventually, you're gonna get burned, and he messed with the wrong guy and I don't think he realizes that we're in the same division and I have a great memory."Oilers head coach Dave Tippett went a bit further in assessing Tkachuk's actions but acknowledged it's time to look ahead."I don't like the hits," he said. "I think anybody who's been in the game a long time knows that they're predatory hits, but (Kassian) dealt with it. We'll take the suspension and move on."Kassian will be eligible to return from his ban for the Oilers' game against the Flames on Jan. 29.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brian MacLellan should be general manager of the year at some point.MacLellan, the Washington Capitals' GM since 2014, has helped build a perennial Stanley Cup contender while expertly navigating the salary cap. He took another step toward keeping the Capitals' ultra-talented core together on Tuesday, inking elite playmaking pivot and franchise icon Nicklas Backstrom to a five-year extension worth $9.2 million a season.Most teams of Washington's ilk are in annual salary-cap trouble, but the Capitals find themselves in rarified territory moving forward.A window to winPatrick McDermott / National Hockey League / GettyIf it wasn't for Washington's Stanley Cup win in 2018, the feeling around this team would be a lot different, and Backstrom's contract, which will keep him on the books through his age-37 season, might be viewed by critics as a desperation move.Instead, by taking one of the top pending unrestricted free agents in Backstrom off the board, MacLellan has kept the Caps' Cup window open for at least another few years, increasing their chances of a second championship.Washington is tied for first in the NHL with 67 points entering Tuesday's action, making it a Stanley Cup favorite once again. Cap space is tight this season, so a significant addition before the trade deadline seems unlikely - and frankly, unnecessary given the team's strong play and complete roster.MacLellan could have some flexibility this summer, though, with goaltender Braden Holtby and his $6.1-million cap hit scheduled to come off the books on July 1. Holtby has struggled this season to the tune of an .899 save percentage and 3.02 goals-against average, while 22-year-old Ilya Samsonov (13-2-1, .925 SV%, 2.11 GAA) appears ready to assume the No. 1 role moving forward.Aside from Holtby, Washington's only other remotely key pending free agent is defenseman Radko Gudas.CapFriendly projects Washington to have over $10 million in cap space this offseason. Gudas is a nice piece, but the Capitals could easily roll with a top four featuring John Carlson ($8M), Dmitry Orlov ($5.1M), Michal Kempny ($2.5M), and Nick Jensen ($2.5M) on the back end without skipping a beat. All four blue-liners are under contract with relatively team-friendly cap hits until at least 2022.Up front, it's much of the same. In addition to Backstrom, Evgeny Kuznetsov ($7.8M), T.J. Oshie ($5.75M), Tom Wilson ($5.16M), Lars Eller ($3.5M), Carl Hagelin ($2.75M), Richard Panik ($2.75M), and Garnet Hathaway ($1.5M) provide cost certainty at team-friendly rates until 2023 at the earliest.This means MacLellan could be aggressive in adding players on one-year deals this summer before turning to his next task: re-signing Alex Ovechkin (UFA), Jakub Vrana (RFA), and Samsonov (RFA) before their contracts expire after next season.Ovechkin seems a lock to be a Capital for life, and he could take an average annual value similar to his current $9.538-million rate for the good of the team as he approaches his twilight years. Using some of the cap space at his disposal, MacLellan could give Vrana - currently on pace for 35 goals - a substantial long-term extension. For Samsonov, a bridge deal seems the likely route.In short, aside from losing one piece during the Seattle expansion draft in 2021, it seems one of the NHL's best teams is going to stay together for at least three more years beyond the 2019-20 campaign, taking multiple swings at another Stanley Cup along the way.None of this happens without MacLellan's astute contract negotiations, nor without the organization's ability to effectively draft and develop players despite a dearth of high picks. But nothing lasts forever.A steep fall well worth itPatrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / GettyThe glory days are in full flight for a few more years, but the Capitals will fall eventually, and it could be painful.Some of the contracts handed out by MacLellan help pry open the window now, but they could become burdens one day. At some point, the Capitals will have Backstrom, Oshie, Carlson, and, presumably, Ovechkin, taking up a large chunk of the cap in their late 30s.MacLellan appears willing to accept long-term pain in exchange for short-term gain - and so he should. This team is special, and breaking it up would be a tragedy.The Capitals are one of the best teams of the era, whether or not they win another Cup. But claiming one or even two more titles would cement Washington's status as a dynasty, and MacLellan has his club positioned well to do so.Copyright © 2020 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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.Sportsnet senior writer Chris Johnston 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.We kept the momentum going Monday with another winning night, even hitting on our best bet at plus-money. It's fair to say we're officially on a heater.Tuesday's slate features twice the games to choose from, offering even greater opportunity to increase our profits.But first, the heroes and zeros from Monday night.Goats and scapegoatsThe Philadelphia Flyers (+120) - our Monday best bet - erased a 5-2 deficit to force a shootout against the Boston Bruins. After each team missed four straight attempts, Travis Konecny broke the deadlock. Up stepped Brad Marchand, who needed to score to keep Boston alive.