Nashville Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson will be sidelined 4-6 weeks after being cross-checked by St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo during Saturday's contest, the team announced Sunday.Arvidsson played one more shift after the incident before exiting the game.Bortuzzo received a two-minute minor penalty for cross-checking on the play and was scheduled for a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Sunday.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Alex Kerfoot will have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Monday.The incident occurred in the second period of Saturday's contest. Johnson remained in the game and Kerfoot was handed a two-minute minor for boarding.

Calgary Flames defenseman T.J. Brodie skated with the team on Sunday for the first time since collapsing during practice on Nov. 14.Brodie, who has missed the club's last five games, is listed as a game-time decision for Monday's tilt with the Pittsburgh Penguins, according to Sportsnet's Ryan Leslie.The 29-year-old was immediately taken to the hospital following the incident. He was discharged later that day and has been recovering at home since. Flames doctor Ian Auld said Brodie's episode is likely related to fainting as opposed to a brain issue.Brodie (black jersey) looked comfortable as he took part in drills during the optional skate.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Robert Bortuzzo will face a hearing for cross-checking Nashville Predators forward Viktor Arvidsson on Saturday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.

The Montreal Canadiens looked to be in cruise control on Saturday night.After Shea Weber's early second-period goal, the Habs had a 4-0 lead against a rebuilding New York Rangers squad that had been blown out by the Ottawa Senators the night before. It looked to be in the bag.Then the lead evaporated.The Rangers scored three straight goals over a three-minute stretch in the middle frame to pull within one. After Artturi Lehkonen's third-period marker restored a two-goal lead, it seemed like the Habs had woken up. However, New York scored three unanswered goals to walk away with a 6-5 win in regulation.Predictably, head coach Claude Julien was not happy postgame."Offensively, we're still a good team. But we have to figure it out defensively," Julien said in French, as translated by Sportsnet's Eric Engels. "We're not hard enough, we're not killing plays, and our backcheck wasn't good at all tonight."We played against a hungry team, even if they played last night, which is another reason this was unacceptable. After three games without a win, we should have been hungry to the point of not allowing these things from happening. So, it's unacceptable and we'll take control of this, we'll correct this situation."The Canadiens outshot the Rangers but allowed 15 high-danger scoring chances while only generating 11 of their own, according to Natural Stat Trick."Our play without the puck killed us," Julien added, according to TSN's John Lu.The Habs have now lost four straight games after scoring the opening goal in three of those contests, falling to 11-7-5 on the season.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Capitals star Nicklas Backstrom is taking matters into his own hands when it comes to his contract negotiations."I'm told ... that he has begun talks with the Capitals without an agent," Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said on the latest edition of "Saturday Headlines."The talented center is a pending unrestricted free agent and in the final campaign of a 10-year, $67-million pact he inked with the Capitals in 2010. Washington will have to figure out how to get Backstrom and goaltender Braden Holtby - another pending UFA - signed while dealing with limited cap flexibility.Backstrom - who turned 32 on Saturday - ranks second on the Capitals' all-time points list, first on the club's career assists list, fourth in goals, and fifth in games played.He's racked up 18 points in 23 contests this season, and he's amassed 891 points in 918 career games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars welcomed back a pair of key contributors against the Chicago Blackhawks on Saturday while looking for their sixth consecutive victory.Forward Roope Hintz and defenseman John Klingberg returned to the lineup after being sidelined with lower-body injuries since Nov. 2 and Nov. 5, respectively.Hintz, 23, turned heads with his impressive play during the 2019 postseason and carried that momentum into his sophomore campaign. The 6-foot-3 Finn tallied a team-high nine goals and 11 points in 16 contests before the injury.Klingberg has long been the Stars' anchor on the blue line. Despite contributing just one goal and four points through 17 games this season, the 27-year-old rearguard has led Stars defensemen in scoring during five straight campaigns, and he entered Saturday's contest averaging 23:36 of ice time in 2019-20.After stumbling out of the gate this season to a 1-7-1 record, Dallas bounced back to win 12 of its next 14 contests.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colorado Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri will suit up against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs, for the first time on Saturday night in Denver.Kadri was the centerpiece of a July 1 trade that sent defenseman Tyson Barrie and forward Alexander Kerfoot to Toronto. The 29-year-old center reflected on the summer blockbuster ahead of Saturday's matchup."When it happened, at first, I was a little bit bitter," Kadri told TSN's Mark Masters. "But as time goes on, time heals all ... I think ending up in Denver was a blessing in disguise."Kadri was initially dealt to the Calgary Flames, but he nixed the swap using his 10-team no-trade list. He was insistent on remaining a Maple Leaf, but the club went outside of his list to trade him to Colorado.Kadri was asked if he wonders why the Leafs traded him."A little bit," he said. "I mean, with the suspensions it was obviously maybe an option, but it was indicated to me that they weren't trying to shop me around so I was expecting to suit up as a Leaf this year."Kadri was suspended back-to-back years in the playoffs against the Boston Bruins. In 2018 he hit a defenseless Tommy Wingels from behind and in 2019 he cross-checked Jake DeBrusk in the face.He may not have wanted to leave Toronto, but Kadri is now playing an increased role on one of the league's most talented teams.Kadri's ice time dipped to 16:11 per game last season after the addition of John Tavares - his lowest since 2012-13. However, with the Avs, he's back playing as a No. 2 center behind Nathan MacKinnon, averaging nearly 18 minutes per game. He's on pace for over 25 goals and 55 points.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Believe it or not, roughly one-quarter of the 2019-20 NHL season is in the rearview.It's featured a boatload of goals - 6.16 per game, to be exact, which is the highest average since 2005-06. Nine players are on pace for 100 points. Every night seems to feature at least one crazy comeback. Plus, the volatility (the Stars' roller coaster, for one) and the unpredictability (surprising start from the Oilers, disappointing start from the Flames) sure seem off the charts.With all of that in mind, let's examine some statistical developments at the team level that are helping shape the season:Shorthanded AvsResilience is the word that best sums up the Avalanche's first quarter of the season. Mikko Rantanen and Gabriel Landeskog, two-thirds of the club's incredible No. 1 forward line, have missed a combined 24 games. Yet, Nathan MacKinnon and friends march on. ManGamesLost.com estimates Colorado has lost the equivalent of five standings points due to injuries. Only the Penguins (6.3) have lost more.Norm Hall / Getty ImagesIt's impressive what the Avs have been able to wrangle out of 22 games, especially on an individual level. MacKinnon, who's sixth in league scoring, is crafting a compelling Hart Trophy case alongside guys like Matt Calvert, Joonas Donskoi, and Andre Burakovsky. He's taken it upon himself to drive the offensive train, firing 104 shots on goal, trailing just Alex Ovechkin in that department. On the back end, the dynamic Cale Makar is on pace for a ridiculous 93 points, and he doesn't look out of place defensively. The idea of MacKinnon, Makar, Rantanen, Landeskog, and another stud blue-liner, Samuel Girard, joining forces for a regular shift later on this season should strike fear into any opponent.Predictable BruinsThe Bruins' trio of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak once again is proving to be the NHL's deadliest line. Now 1,872 even-strength minutes into their partnership, their mastery has become routine. We probably take for granted how consistent they've been since becoming regular linemates in 2016 and how unique it is for one unit to perform at such a high level in an era of endless game-planning and analysis.As the table below of shot attempts, scoring chances, and goals illustrates, the rink is almost always tilted Boston's way when Nos. 37, 63, and 88 are on the ice together.SeasonMinutesAttemptsChancesGoals2016-1753564%66%54%2017-1855460%58%63%2018-1948457%58%55%2019-2022257%58%58%When all three are on the bench, however, the Bruins certainly aren't world-beaters: In 717 even-strength minutes this season, the club's share of shot attempts, scoring chances, and goals dip to 48%, 46%, and 48%, respectively, according to NaturalStatTrick.The line features an all-time two-way forward between an ultra-skilled pest and a world-class sniper. Together, they set the tone for the Atlantic Division-leading Bruins, who pace the NHL in goal differential (plus-22) and regulation wins (14). What more could you want seven weeks into the season?Focused IslandersThere are many trademarks of a well-coached hockey club. The Islanders, who lead the NHL in points percentage at .825, check off several of those boxes.Barry Trotz's squad doesn't crumble under pressure, having won nine of 11 contests in which it's surrendered the first goal. New York wins no matter who has been tapped to man the pipes, as both Thomas Greiss (.934 save percentage) and Semyon Varlamov (.912 SV%) are providing a reliable last line of defense behind a team that limits high-danger opportunities. In fact, nine of the Islanders' 13 wins have come in one-goal games.Mike Stobe / Getty ImagesMat Barzal, the team's lone household name, has developed into a quality three-zone center. The crafty 22-year-old is on pace for 82 points, and according to The Point Hockey, averages 1:06 of offensive zone puck possession per game, which ties him with Connor McDavid for third best in the league. Also, Barzal is tracking toward career highs in virtually all shot metrics, suggesting he's found the right balance between creativity and conformity within Trotz's system. As a whole, the Isles have pieced together an excellent first 20 games and look equipped to defeat any and all opponents.Hopeful CoyotesCoyotes general manager John Chayka is mainly known for three things: his age, background in analytics, and willingness to wheel and deal. Perhaps we should add "his selection of Conor Garland" to the list. Garland leads Arizona with 10 goals this season and is looking like a fifth-round steal for Chayka and his staff. The 23-year-old hasn't played nearly as many NHL games as some of his 2015 draft classmates, but he's tallied 23 goals in 70 career contests.Thanks to a paltry salary, Garland's technically the league's best veteran bargain, according to CapFriendly's cost-per-point metric (entry-level deals excluded):PlayerSalaryPointsCost per pointC.Garland‚ ARI$775K14$55‚357A.DeAngelo‚ NYR$925K15$61‚667D.Toews‚ NYI$700K11$63‚636T.Bertuzzi‚ DET$1.4M22$63‚636B.Hunt‚ MIN$700K10$70‚000While Garland's been a nice story, Darcy Kuemper's been the club's early-season MVP. He's banked a Vezina Trophy-worthy first 15 games (league-leading .935 save percentage), and the best part is that he's been complemented well by partner Antti Raanta (.922 SV% in eight games). Given that these three standouts play in the desert, their performances have largely flown under the radar. Nevertheless, they've been essential to Arizona's 13-8-2 record and its quest to end a seven-season playoff drought.Underachieving LeafsBased off head coach Sheldon Keefe's first game behind an NHL bench - a convincing 3-1 win over the Coyotes on Thursday - the Maple Leafs might actually be OK. Stylistically, they looked like a vastly different team. The players, free of Mike Babcock's shackles, have enough skill and talent to stabilize this sinking season. It's essential now that they tackle some concerning trends head-on.Norm Hall / Getty ImagesCase in point: Not only have both special teams been ineffective on the surface (17.6% power play and 74.1% penalty kill), the underlying data paints an even uglier picture. Last year, the power play generated a league-high 62.4 shots on goal per 60 minutes. This year, it's generating 50.9 shots to rank 22nd. The penalty kill, meanwhile, has gone from 10th overall in terms of shot suppression (48.3 shots against per 60) to 26th (61.3). The Leafs also struggle to, in Babcock's words, "start on time." Their period-by-period goal differential bears this out, with a minus-11 in the first period, plus-10 in the second, and minus-4 in the third. In order to salvage a key season, execution in all situations must improve drastically.Curious BlackhawksAn interesting trend has emerged 22 games into the Blackhawks' season: 23.1% of the club's goals have been credited to first-year players, which is the largest share in the NHL. Columbus ranks second at 18.2%, the Rangers are third at 15.6%, and the other 28 teams fall between 12.3% and 0%. Kirby Dach and Dominik Kubalik have bagged five goals, Alex Nylander has four, and Adam Boqvist has one. Considering none of these rookies are playing major roles (Boqvist, who was demoted to AHL Rockford last week, leads the group in ice time at 14:27 per game), you have to wonder how much of their early production is smoke and mirrors. Regardless, it's an encouraging sign.For a team trying its darndest to retool around 31-year-old franchise cornerstones Patrick Kane and Jonathan Toews, every contribution helps. Forwards Alex DeBrincat and Dylan Strome - 22 and 21, respectively - have blossomed into core members, providing hope for a return to glory. The Hawks are hanging out near the playoff cutoff line in the Western Conference at the moment. For a club that imploded last November and remains under construction, it's a decent spot to occupy.John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Coming into the season, many had the Ottawa Senators penciled in to finish in the league's basement. But with November coming to an end, the team is beginning to change that narrative.Defenseman Thomas Chabot says his Sens are hoping to keep the ball rolling after yet another victory Friday."I think everybody's buying in, everybody's sticking together," Chabot said following Ottawa's win over the New York Rangers, per TSN. "... I think we believe in ourselves, we buy in the system and I think we're doing a great job so far."The Senators have won five of their last six outings and currently sit sixth in the Atlantic Division with an 11-11-1 record. They're just three points behind the Philadelphia Flyers in the wild-card race, but Chabot is choosing to focus on the present."We're still early, there's still a season ahead," he added when asked if his team is thinking about playoffs. "... I think we're going to surprise people. I think people are starting to come into the games and know that we can play the game the right way."The Senators will look to stay hot when they visit the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Amid a six-game losing streak, Brad Treliving wants to silence any speculation about potential changes within the Calgary Flames organization."The coaches aren't going anywhere. Our top players aren't going anywhere," the Flames general manager told reporters, including Postmedia's Wes Gilbertson, on Friday.Treliving pointed the finger of blame squarely at himself."It starts with the manager. The manager has been horseshit," the GM said.The Flames held a players-only meeting after Thursday's 5-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues, and captain Mark Giordano said it brought out "a lot of honesty." Head coach Bill Peters also preached accountability after the loss, commending his players for talking it out.Calgary has sputtered to a 10-12-3 record after finishing atop the Western Conference in 2018-19.Copyright © 2019 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 sectionA plethora of attractive interconference games highlights this weekend's schedule, with 28 of the league's 31 teams in action on Saturday.The busy slate features a pair of Canada's Western Conference teams heading east, an Original Six clash in Quebec, and two of the league's hottest teams meeting in California.Let's get at it.Game bettingVancouver Canucks at Washington Capitals (Saturday)This is a tough spot for the Canucks, who fly east for a 9:30 a.m. PST puck drop against the East-leading Capitals. Vancouver is a different team away from home than it is at Rogers Arena, and the Nucks are 2-8 in games that start before noon PST since the start of the 2014-15 season. The price will be a bit steep, but back the Capitals to take care of business on home ice, and back them to win in regulation if you don't feel like laying the juice.Calgary Flames at Philadelphia Flyers (Saturday)Right now you can get Bill Peters at 10-1 to be the next NHL coach fired. Peters may have earned a bit of a longer leash after his work in Calgary last season, but how patient is general manager Brad Treliving willing to be? The Flames have been shutout in their last three road games and are in the midst of a six-game skid that's seen them drop to seventh in the Pacific. Something needs to change in Calgary. The Flyers are 6-1-3 on home ice and should make it 7-1-3 on Saturday as they'll likely handle the Flames in a 10 a.m. PST puck drop.Toronto Maple Leafs at Colorado Avalanche (Saturday)As expected, Sheldon Keefe's arrival had a galvanizing effect on the Leafs. Toronto beat the Coyotes on Thursday in the coach's first game in charge - it was a relatively obvious bet at even money and hopefully, you took advantage. Still, Toronto's issues run deeper than the identity of its bench boss. It's still a team that lacks mental and physical toughness, as well as depth. Nazem Kadri gets a shot at his old team here, and a spirited effort from the well-rounded Avalanche should result. Expect Colorado to deal Keefe his first NHL coaching defeat.New York Rangers at Montreal Canadiens (Saturday)Montreal took just one of four possible points against a pair of Eastern Conference bottom-feeders this week, but the results were deceiving. The Canadiens controlled both games against the Blue Jackets and Senators and were unlucky not to win them both. They will right the ship against a Rangers team that will be playing the second leg of a back-to-back and has lost seven of its last eight in Montreal, including four in a row. Also, take a look at the under, which has hit in seven of the Canadiens' last eight home games on two days' rest.Edmonton Oilers at Vegas Golden Knights (Saturday)The Oilers have been one of the more inconsistent teams in the NHL this season, alternating between victories and defeats throughout November. When they win, they win big, and when they lose, they lose big. By that logic, they should capture this game since they were run out of the building by the Kings on Thursday. In reality, though, you should have a lot more confidence in a good, albeit underachieving, Golden Knights team bouncing back from its loss to the Sharks. Vegas will round out its homestand with a win.New York Islanders at San Jose Sharks (Saturday)Remember when the Sharks were 4-10-1 and the hockey world declared their season over? They're now 11-11-1 and one of the hottest teams in the NHL, just three points out of a playoff spot. Of course, there's no team hotter than the Islanders, who picked up a pair of overtime victories this week to extend their win streak to five and point streak to 16 games. Backing both teams to extend their runs by claiming at least a point here is an attractive option. You can bet the game will go to overtime at close to 7-2.Game propsNew York Rangers at Ottawa Senators (Friday)The Senators have been a tough out all season, while the Rangers seem to be turning a corner. Stay away from side betting in this one and instead look at the first-period over, which has hit in six consecutive meetings between these two teams and five of the Rangers' seven road games this season.Florida Panthers at Carolina Hurricanes (Saturday)Scoring hasn't been much of an issue for the streaking Panthers as of late, but they always seem to make it one in Carolina. They have failed to score more than two goals in their last five trips to face the Hurricanes, including eight of their last nine in Raleigh. Hitting Florida's team total under 3.5 goals will come at a short price in this one given the Panthers' recent form and is worth a wager.Nashville Predators at St. Louis Blues (Saturday)You have to go all the way back to Dec. 30, 2016, to find the last time the Predators scored more than two goals in St. Louis in a regular-season game. They've been mired in a funk in November and a trip to face the Blues is hardly a good remedy. Take Nashville's team total under 3.5 and 2.5 in this spot.Player propsNew York Rangers at Montreal Canadiens (Saturday)Tomas Tatar registered three goals in three games against the Rangers last season, as well as a pair of assists. He made a critical error Wednesday against the Senators that resulted in Ottawa's overtime winner, so this is a good bounce-back spot for him against a team he's had success against. You can bet him to get over 2.5 shots at plus money and can likely get 3-1 odds for him to find the back of the net.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 © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames talked it over amongst themselves after suffering their sixth consecutive defeat in a 5-0 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Thursday night.Flames captain Mark Giordano didn't go into specifics but said the closed-door conversation was productive."Just a lot of honesty between guys," he told reporters postgame. "We all love each other in here, but at the end of the day, sometimes you've got to be honest with the guys you're closest to and that's a good thing. So I think we'll get together here again tonight (Thursday night) at the team meal and hash it out, and hopefully, we can get some real positives from hearing guys speak and go from there."Calgary head coach Bill Peters understood why the team resorted to the private discussion."We're frustrated, obviously," he said postgame."You can see that. You can tell by the fact that they had a little meeting after the game that you're well aware of. So, frustration would be the right word and we've got to stay together and work our way through it and become the team that we know we're capable of becoming, but it starts with the work ethic and the attention to detail and that's (required) each and every day."Peters gave the players credit for speaking their minds."That's good that they did that here tonight (Thursday night)," the bench boss said. "It's all about accountability ... and the only way we can get out of it is by holding each other accountable, working together, and finding solutions. So we've got to be solution-based and we've got to stay with it."The Flames are 10-12-3 this season after posting the best record in the Western Conference in 2018-19.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's November, which means only one thing: It's actually Movember.This month, Movember, in partnership with the NHL and NHLPA, is taking fundraising to another level with the first Moustache Cup.Here's what you need to know about the Moustache Cup, a fundraising initiative like no other:

The Sheldon Keefe era has started on a high note.The Toronto Maple Leafs topped the Arizona Coyotes by a score of 3-1 in Keefe's NHL coaching debut Thursday night, snapping a six-game losing streak in the process.Keefe was hired Wednesday after Mike Babcock was fired in his fifth season as the Leafs' bench boss."More importantly than how we played I just thought we had good energy on the bench. I was really impressed. Obviously, it's my first time being part of the group like that," Keefe said postgame. "The interactions with the players on the bench, the energy, the vibe, the reaction of the players on Barrie's goal - you just see they really care for him as a teammate and really feel good for him. Those types of things are takeaways for me."Defenseman Tyson Barrie was among those who looked rejuvenated with a fresh voice behind the bench. Barrie had just seven assists in 23 games with a minus-11 rating under Babcock after joining the team with Alexander Kerfoot from the Colorado Avalanche in an offseason trade for Nazem Kadri.Barrie scored his first goal with his new club Thursday, and, as Keefe noted, the bench was ecstatic:

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos re-aggravated a lower-body injury Thursday night versus the Chicago Blackhawks, head coach Jon Cooper said postgame, according to The Athletic's Joe Smith.Cooper added he's unsure if it will be a long-term issue, according to John Dietz of the Daily Herald.Stamkos played just 5:17 but remained on the bench for the entire game. He wanted to be there to support his teammates during the 4-2 victory, Cooper said, according to Bryan Burns of NHL.com.The Lightning are already without reigning MVP Nikita Kucherov as he deals with an upper-body injury he suffered Tuesday.Stamkos has posted seven goals and 13 assists in 19 games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The injury bug continues to take its toll on the Pittsburgh Penguins, as defenseman Justin Schultz and forward Nick Bjugstad were both ruled out with long-term injuries on Thursday.Head coach Mike Sullivan said Schultz is sidelined "longer term" with a lower-body injury, while Bjugstad will miss at least eight weeks after surgery on a core muscle.Pittsburgh is already without captain Sidney Crosby and blue-liner Kris Letang; the Penguins have already dealt with injuries to key forwards Evgeni Malkin, Patric Hornqvist, and Bryan Rust earlier this season.Schultz has appeared in 21 games in 2019-20, recording two goals and six assists across 20:57 of ice time per contest. Bjugstad has been limited to 10 games in his second season with the Penguins, notching just a single goal.Despite the onslaught of injuries, Pittsburgh sits in the top wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference with an 11-7-3 record entering Thursday's clash with the New York Islanders.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Sheldon Keefe has signed a three-year deal with the club, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.Keefe had the opportunity to run his first practice with his new club Thursday morning and is looking to breathe some new life into the team."The first thing is trying to educate myself on exactly what's been happening ... Really getting to know the players and getting their thoughts and working with the coaching staff in terms of what have they identified as the issues," Keefe said to the assembled media, per TSN."We have a lot of work to do, a lot of things to really just renew the spirit of the team, that's really the main focus," Keefe added. "If we can tweak a couple of things that can inspire some confidence then we can hopefully build on that."Keefe is in familiar territory with the Leafs, having coached 11 players on their NHL roster during his five-year stint with the Toronto Marlies."A big help for me, in particular, in these circumstances, coming in midstream ... is knowing the faces," Keefe added, per Sportsnet. "Just some familiarity. It's a lot easier for me coming into the room today and being around the guys and talking with them."Keefe is set to make his debut behind the bench Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Adam Larsson has been activated off injured reserve and will play against the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday, the team announced.Larsson suffered a broken foot in the club's season opener and has missed the last 22 games. He was expected to be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks.The 27-year-old has played an important role on the Oilers' blue line since being acquired from the New Jersey Devils in June 2016. Last season, Larsson finished third among Oilers defensemen with 21:37 of ice time per game, chipping in three goals and 20 points in 82 contests.Edmonton has started off strong in his absence, posting a 14-6-3 record to sit atop the Pacific Division entering Thursday's action.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas is holding himself accountable for the departure of former head coach Mike Babcock."I'm disappointed in myself ... that coming into the job, knowing Mike was the coach, you certainly want everything to work out," Dubas told assembled media, including TSN, on Thursday.Dubas added, "I tried to do as best I could ... and I'm disappointed in myself and only myself that it didn't work out, that we couldn't become simpatico on every single topic."The Maple Leafs fired Babcock on Wednesday, replacing him with former Toronto Marlies bench boss Sheldon Keefe following a 9-10-4 start that has threatened what was supposed to be the club's most promising campaign in recent memory."Our major way of looking at it was, 'Is this best for the long term of the group?'" Dubas said. "Not to sit here at the end of the weekend and say was this a success or not, but in the long run, was this the best thing to do for our program?"And (Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan and I) both agreed that it absolutely was."Babcock led the team through a rebuilding season in 2015-16 before helping the Maple Leafs reach the playoffs in three straight campaigns. The club failed to advance out of the first round in each of those postseason appearances, however, and a regressive start in 2019-20 signaled to Dubas it was time to make a change."Our ups and downs, our inconsistency a little bit, and just kind of reading off the players and watching them and how they were reacting to different things (showed) that it was time to potentially go down this path," Dubas said.Tuesday's loss to the Vegas Golden Knights pushed the Leafs' losing streak to six contests, the longest such slide of the Auston Matthews-Babcock era.Asked if Babcock had lost the room, Shanahan dismissed the notion but admitted there has been something amiss with the club."Certainly from a player's perspective you could see the frustration in their eyes and I really thought even in our last game that the players were working hard but there was a sort of a belief missing in them," Shanahan said.Keefe will coach his first NHL game Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes as the Maple Leafs look to turn their season around.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning will be without star winger Nikita Kucherov for Thursday night's game against the Chicago Blackhawks, head coach Jon Cooper told reporters.The reigning NHL MVP sustained the injury from a hard check by St. Louis Blues forward Brayden Schenn on Tuesday night. Kucherov left the game with an upper-body injury, which Cooper confirmed was not a concussion."(We) thought he would be better when he got to the rink today but he wasn't," Cooper added Thursday, according to Lightning reporter Caley Chelios.The bench boss added that Kucherov's availability for Saturday's game versus the Anaheim Ducks remains unknown.Here's the hit that will sideline Kucherov against Chicago:

Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan provided some clarity on the organization's decision to fire head coach Mike Babcock on Wednesday."When you think that you know what the right decision is, you have to act on it," Shanahan told the gathered media Wednesday, per TSN. "I think that waiting at this point would have been the wrong thing."Shanahan brought Babcock to Toronto in May 2015, signing him to an eight-year, $50-million deal. Despite finding regular-season success, the Maple Leafs were unable to escape the first round of the playoffs in each of the last three campaigns. The team's slow start this year sealed Babcock's fate."(General manager) Kyle (Dubas) and I are in constant communication. I think that it really just came down to the last couple of weeks," Shanahan added. "We spoke in the last 48 hours again, and I just felt that it was something that needed to be done, and Kyle felt the same way."The Maple Leafs have lost their last six games and sit in fifth place in the Atlantic Division with a 9-10-4 record."Our game is not really meeting our expectations," Shanahan continued. "We're mistake-prone on defense, the attention to details aren't there. Even the explosive offense our team was known for has been missing for a while now."Sheldon Keefe will take over as the Leafs' new head coach. The 39-year-old has served as head coach of the AHL's Toronto Marlies since 2015, leading them to a Calder Cup title in 2018 and an overall record of 199-89-22-9.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL Players' Association has filed a grievance challenging the suspension of inactive Winnipeg Jets defenseman Dustin Byfuglien, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.Byfuglien was suspended by the team without pay when he didn't attend training camp in September. He was reportedly considering retirement but it was later revealed that the defenseman underwent ankle surgery to repair unresolved issues from an injury he suffered last season.Jets head coach Paul Maurice said the decision was "absolutely procedural," and that Byfuglien was aware of that. Winnipeg was dealing with minimal cap room and trying to sign restricted free agents Kyle Connor and Patrik Laine.However, Friedman reported earlier in November that Byfuglien and the Jets are likely headed to arbitration to resolve the ongoing issue."It's emotional, it's heated, and it's likely going to arbitration," Friedman reported. "But, from what I understand, (the Jets) feel in the exit physical at the end of last year, Dustin Byfuglien was deemed fit to play. He didn't let anyone know that he had injuries with his ankle all summer, and made it clear at the beginning of the year he was ready to retire."However, Byfuglien - his representatives at Octagon and I assume the players' association, too - their position is Byfuglien was hurt going into the playoffs, everybody knew that, he was playing injured, he took all summer off to heal, he went to Winnipeg because he planned to play, his ankle acted up again when he started skating, and they feel it's a legitimate hockey injury."If Byfuglien was deemed unhealthy due to a hockey-related injury and placed on long-term injured reserve, he could collect his $8-million base salary while recovering.Byfuglien's recovery from surgery is expected to carry into the new year. His contract expires at the end of the 2020-21 campaign.The 34-year-old led the Jets in ice time last season and recorded 31 points in 42 games.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It had to happen. It was merely a matter of when, where, and in which fashion.The Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Mike Babcock on Wednesday, and though it registered as a relative bombshell, it really came as no surprise to anyone with their finger on the pulse of the sport.What started as a season of great hope in Toronto has been derailed through one-quarter of the schedule - punctuated by a six-game losing streak - and someone had to pay. The coach almost always goes first.The timing - the team is in the middle of a road trip and there are 59 games remaining in the regular season - isn't especially eyebrow-raising, either. Babcock's seat had gotten increasingly hot, and while it appeared process-driven general manager Kyle Dubas might ride out the storm a little longer, particularly following a solid effort Tuesday in Vegas, he had clearly seen enough. By the end, it was glaringly obvious that club president Brendan Shanahan, not Dubas, hired Babcock.Kevin Sousa / Getty ImagesNow, with Babcock gone, finger-pointers have just two targets: the players and Dubas himself.Injuries and a difficult fall schedule have played a role, but both parties deserve a large portion of the blame alongside Babcock for the Maple Leafs' ghastly start. The players have often looked lifeless and aimless, and at times on a completely different page than their coach. And Dubas assembled an NHL roster that doesn't look worthy of the endless preseason hype.Babcock departs with a 173-133-41 record in four-plus seasons behind the Maple Leafs' bench. In the end, he ultimately wore out his welcome. He was too stubborn and simply unwilling to take Dubas' hockey philosophies at face value and adjust accordingly. Even during his final few games, when the club's 25th-ranked points percentage sunk below the .500 mark, Babcock failed to experiment in any grand way.Toronto, which is arguably a top-five team in terms of talent, has won nine of 23 games this year, scoring the first goal in only five of those contests. Its special teams are dreadful, ranking 18th (power play) and 27th (penalty kill) in the NHL. Defensively, the Maple Leafs are a complete mess, relying too much on bailouts from goalie Frederik Andersen.In an alternate universe in which the squad lived up to expectations, Babcock could have been headed for dismissal this spring, anyway. Three consecutive first-round playoff exits will put any coach on thin ice.Keep in mind that Babcock's exit doesn't solve the greater problem in Toronto. He was a contributor, not the sole author of a 9-10-4 record. Both the eye test and the underlying numbers suggest something is seriously off with this club. Babcock didn't play the games or acquire players, so others must find the answers before the season is officially lost.Rene Johnston / Getty ImagesThe promotion of Sheldon Keefe from the AHL Toronto Marlies gives the organization a temporary reprieve, though. This was Year 5 of Babcock's tenure in Toronto and his 17th season overall as an NHL head coach, while Thursday's game against the Arizona Coyotes will be Keefe's debut. There will be some breathing room as the dust settles and the new guy gets comfortable. The 39-year-old has a blank slate and, eventually, can start covering up any systemic flaws.Keefe is a smart bet, too, and an in-house winner. He and Dubas were successful together in OHL Sault Ste. Marie, and have carried that over to the AHL level. The duo teamed up in 2018 to claim the Calder Cup. Nine current Maple Leafs players suited up for at least one game for Keefe's 2018 Marlies.There's familiarity and shared values between GM and coach, and Keefe's aggressive, offense-inducing style should blend well with the on-ice personnel at his disposal. Hopefully, he won't try to shove a round peg into a square hole like Babcock attempted for years. Keefe matches the roster.However, Keefe - while qualified and bursting with potential - isn't flying to Arizona with a new backup goalie or a magical cure for the power-play woes, and he has access to the same defensemen Babcock had - a struggling Morgan Rielly, a beleaguered Tyson Barrie, a much-maligned Cody Ceci, a developing Travis Dermott, an inexperienced Justin Holl, AHL/NHL tweener Martin Marincin, and a frustrated Jake Muzzin.What he does bring, though, is a new voice, a new face, and a new mind. And that's a start.John Matisz is theScore's national hockey writer.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs fired head coach Mike Babcock on Wednesday and named Toronto Marlies boss Sheldon Keefe as his replacement."Over the past five seasons, Mike has played an integral role in changing the direction of our franchise," president Brendan Shanahan said in a statement."Mike's commitment and tireless work ethic has put our organization in a better place and we are extremely grateful and appreciative of the foundation he has helped us build here."Toronto, which came into 2019-20 with Stanley Cup aspirations, lost its sixth consecutive game Tuesday night in Vegas and fell to 9-10-4 on the season. On Wednesday, Shanahan flew to Arizona, where the club plays its next game, and joined general manager Kyle Dubas to inform Babcock of the decision, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.The disappointing start has come after a summer of major roster turnover. Among other moves, Dubas acquired Tyson Barrie and Alexander Kerfoot in a blockbuster trade that sent longtime Maple Leaf Nazem Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche. Through 23 games, the club ranks 30th in goals against, 27th in penalty-kill efficiency, and 18th in power-play efficiency.Babcock was in his fifth season with the Maple Leafs after signing an eight-year contract that paid him $6.25 million annually. After Toronto finished last overall in his debut season and won the right to draft Auston Matthews No. 1 in 2016, Babcock led Toronto to the playoffs in each of the past three years but never beyond the first round."I thought we did an amazing job taking a franchise from where it was to where we had 100-point seasons, we set franchise records if I'm not mistaken, got into the playoffs. I'm disappointed, we didn't have the start to the year we wanted and that's on me," Babcock said in a statement, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun."I want to thank the fans, I want to thank the media, I want to thank the city, it was spectacular. I loved every second of it. And I wish the new group nothing but success. Morgan Rielly has been here the whole time. I can't thank him enough. And all the players I got the opportunity to coach. It's been fantastic and I wish them nothing but success."Babcock is the first NHL head coach to be fired this season.Keefe's connection with Dubas goes back to their time with the OHL's Soo Greyhounds. The 39-year-old Keefe was then hired as Marlies head coach in 2015 and led them to a Calder Cup title in 2018 and an overall record of 199-89-22-9.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Humboldt Broncos player Ryan Straschnitzki is walking again for the first time since being paralyzed from the chest down in the team's fatal bus crash in April 2018.Straschnitzki's father, Tom, shared a video Wednesday on Twitter showing his son taking his first steps with help from a therapist.

Washington Capitals forward Garnet Hathaway has been suspended three games for spitting on Anaheim Ducks defenseman Erik Gudbranson, the NHL announced Wednesday.Should Hathaway wish to appeal the ban, ultimate authority will fall to commissioner Gary Bettman rather than to an independent arbitrator because the winger's suspension is for fewer than six games, according to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman.Hathaway, who turns 28 on Saturday, was assessed a match penalty for his role in a melee that erupted between the two clubs late in the second period Monday night.Six players were penalized as a result of the scrum.The Capitals signed Hathaway to a four-year contract on July 1. He spent his first four seasons in the Calgary Flames organization.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators forward Bobby Ryan will be away from the team while taking part in the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, the league announced Wednesday."Bobby is an important member of the Ottawa Senators family and he has our full support as he tends to this matter," Senators general manager Pierre Dorion said Wednesday, according to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch.Ryan left practice in Detroit early Monday, and Ottawa head coach D.J. Smith told reporters the winger wasn't feeling well.The 32-year-old did not play Tuesday night against the Red Wings.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tyson Barrie is fed up with losing after the Toronto Maple Leafs dropped their sixth straight contest Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights."We had a good meeting this morning and it's time to go now," the defenseman said following the 4-2 loss, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "It's time to man up."We have expectations on us and we're not living up to them and it's time to go. We competed hard tonight ... we battled back and had a chance to tie it. We have to keep going, a lot of hockey left."Barrie, who was traded to Toronto in July after a career-best 59-point season with the Colorado Avalanche in 2018-19, has struggled to find his offensive touch with the Maple Leafs, managing just seven assists through 23 contests.The 28-year-old has picked up a helper in two consecutive games, however, and posted a Corsi For rating of 60% or better over five consecutive games.Tuesday's loss marks the longest losing streak of the Auston Matthews-Mike Babcock era. The team's longest skid last season lasted three games. Prior to the defeat against Vegas, the Maple Leafs hadn't lost six in a row since 2015-16, when they finished dead last in the NHL.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to Puck Pursuit, a weekly NHL podcast hosted by John Matisz, theScore's national hockey writer.Subscribe to the show on iTunes, SoundCloud, Stitcher, and Spotify.Former NHLer and NBC analyst Eddie Olczyk joins this week's show to discuss a variety of topics, including:

The Vancouver Canucks didn't get anything going on Tuesday against the Dallas Stars during a 6-1 loss. Now captain Bo Horvat is looking to get his team back on track after just one win in Vancouver's last eight games."When you're down like that it really sinks in that this sucks," Horvat said postgame, according to The Athletic's Thomas Drance. "Down five goals in the third period with no chance of coming back, we'll remember that feeling and make sure it doesn't happen again."After going 8-3-1 in October, the Canucks have started to slide while posting a 2-5-3 record in November."We're a type of team that we can't just have a couple of guys going, we need everybody to step up and everybody to play," Horvat added. "Right now we're kind of separated. Our timing isn't there, and we gotta figure that out and start playing the way we were in October."The Canucks started a six-game road trip on Tuesday night. They visit the Nashville Predators next on Thursday.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov exited Tuesday's contest versus the St. Louis Blues after a monstrous hit from Brayden Schenn, and he's dealing with an upper-body injury, according to The Athletic's Joe Smith.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.When Sportsnet made the decision to fire Don Cherry, it vacated the biggest seat on one of the nation's longest-running television broadcasts, Hockey Night in Canada.Following one of the most divisive decisions in the network's history, the entire nation awaits its next move. Regardless of how you feel about Cherry, replacing him is a difficult and delicate matter.The Kingston, Ontario native was the face of "Coach's Corner" since its inception nearly 40 years ago. Broadcasters come and go, but Cherry was more than just an analyst. He was the eccentric representation of an outdated hockey persona. He had a vibrant image and brash personality that was both unyielding and unapologetic. You either hated him or you clung to every word he said. Regardless of which category you fell into, Cherry was, for nearly four decades, must-watch television. "Coach's Corner" was his baby, and it was nurtured and embedded into the fabric of the nation.The popularity of the segment was largely due to its impenitent nature, which leaves the network with a massive decision to make. Does it continue to run "Coach's Corner" in a similar fashion with a new host or does it rebrand the show completely?Should Sportsnet opt to continue with the long-standing program, oddsmakers have identified the likeliest list of replacements:Analyst OddsBrian Burke+125Elliotte Friedman+175Colby Armstrong+650Craig Simpson+650Kelly Hrudey+650Chris Johnston+900Sitting atop the list, and for good reason, is Brian Burke. A former Calder Cup champion, Burke left the AHL to study at Harvard Law School, setting the stage for a lengthy career in NHL front offices. He assumed the role of general manager, in addition to other positions, for five different teams, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, Hartford Whalers, and Anaheim Ducks, where he won a Stanley Cup.Just like Cherry, Burke has an old-school hockey mind, and he's largely set in his ways. He's brazen, truculent, and unpolished. His hockey opinions are unwavering and in your face. However, he's progressive when it comes to off-ice issues. Burke is a vocal advocate for LGBTQ rights. His late son, a gay- rights activist, was tragically killed in a car accident in February 2010. Most importantly, Burke is able to differentiate between toughness on the ice and sensitivity off of it. Cherry's inability to do so ultimately proved to be his undoing.The 64-year-old Burke also has the appearance suitable for the role. While Cherry's look was defined by his vibrant suits, Burke's style resembles that of an exhausted politician following a grueling campaign. His grey, slicked-back hair detracts from his often disheveled attire - shirt buttons undone, tie draped around his shoulders. Describe it however you like, but Burke certainly has an unmistakable look. If Sportsnet is looking to make a seamless transition from Cherry, there is no better option.

Losing took its toll on Nathan Beaulieu during his time in western New York.The blue-liner spent parts of two campaigns with the Buffalo Sabres before being traded to the Winnipeg Jets last season. He sought a trade after his role diminished in Buffalo under former head coach Phil Housley."I wasn’t in a good situation, I guess you could say. I tried to get out of there multiple times and it just didn’t happen," Beaulieu told The Athletic's Ken Wiebe. "I played on some good teams in Montreal, we made the playoffs every year except for one. Then you go to the complete polar opposite for two years in a row and it tests your will and your love for the game, for sure."You heard Ryan O’Reilly say it and I know (the Sabres) didn’t like what he said, but he couldn’t have put it better. I could say the exact same thing."After the 2017-18 season and before he was traded from the Sabres to the St. Louis Blues, O'Reilly said he "lost the love of the game multiple times.""You really question a lot of things," Beaulieu continued. "I know we have such an amazing life, but if you don’t enjoy it, it’s not all it’s (cracked) up to be because it gets tough and there are some dark days."All the money (in the world) couldn’t save it. Mentally, it was so degrading."O'Reilly and Beaulieu aren't the only ex-Sabres players to criticize the team. Chicago Blackhawks goalie Robin Lehner, who spent three seasons with the Sabres, called Buffalo an "atmosphere of negativity" in March.The Sabres finished last in 2017-18, and after a hot start in 2018-19, they still posted the league's fifth-worst record. They haven't made the playoffs since 2010-11.In an NHL player poll that ESPN conducted earlier this month, 34% of the 50 players said Buffalo is the road city they dread visiting the most, second only to Winnipeg at 42%.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The annual award given to the NHL's top general manager will be renamed in honor of the late Jim Gregory, the league announced Tuesday.The league ran the idea by general managers at Tuesday's meetings in Toronto, and it received a unanimous stamp of approval, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun."This is a terrific tribute to a wonderful man by a group uniquely qualified to appreciate his many contributions to our game," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in a statement."During his tenure as general manager of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jim Gregory transformed the art of team-building. Through the many years he spent at the League, our general managers regularly sought his counsel. They universally revere his lifetime of service to the NHL."The award was first presented to then-Phoenix Coyotes general manager Don Maloney in 2009-10. Last season, Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney captured the honor.Gregory, who died Oct. 30 at 83 years old, served as general manager of the Maple Leafs for 10 seasons from 1969-79 and then as a league executive for four decades. He was inducted to the Hockey Hall of Fame in the Builders category in 2007.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Garnet Hathaway will have a hearing Wednesday morning regarding the spitting incident from Monday's game against the Anaheim Ducks, NHL executive vice president and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell said Tuesday, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.The Washington Capitals forward was assessed a match penalty for spitting on Ducks defenseman Erik Gudbranson during a scrum late in the second period."The refs were trying to break it up and it felt like there was a couple sucker punches thrown and I got one quick and then reacted a little emotionally and unfortunately spit came out of my mouth after I got sucker-punched and it went on him," Hathaway said postgame, according to NHL.com's Tom Gulitti.Six players were penalized for their roles in the melee.Hathaway, 27, is in his first season with the Capitals after spending the previous four campaigns in the Calgary Flames organization.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colorado Avalanche goaltender Philipp Grubauer will return to the crease Tuesday against the Calgary Flames, the team announced.Grubauer, 27, has missed the club's last five contests with a lower-body injury he sustained earlier this month.Netminder Pavel Francouz, who suffered a head injury Nov. 12, has also been cleared to return and will assume backup duties Tuesday.The Avalanche weathered the storm with Grubauer sidelined, posting a 4-1-0 record in his absence while receiving steady play from Francouz and rookie puck-stoppers Antoine Bibeau and Adam Werner.Through 11 starts this season, Grubauer has authored a 6-3-2 record with a 2.80 goals-against average and a .915 save percentage.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils have officially demoted Cory Schneider.Schneider was assigned to the AHL's Binghamton Devils after clearing waivers Tuesday. New Jersey placed him on waivers Monday and intended to send him down if he cleared.The 33-year-old goaltender has struggled in limited action this season, going 0-4-1 with an .852 save percentage in six games. He's been outplayed by 22-year-old Mackenzie Blackwood, who's posted a 7-4-3 record and a .904 save percentage in 14 contests.New Jersey will save nearly $800,000 against the cap if Schneider stays in the AHL for the rest of this season but will continue to pay him his full $6-million salary, according to CapFriendly. The veteran carries a cap hit of $6 million through 2021-22.Schneider played eight games for Binghamton during the 2018-19 campaign, in addition to 26 NHL contests.The Devils acquired the netminder from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for the ninth overall pick of the 2013 NHL Draft, which the Canucks used to select forward Bo Horvat.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the 2019 Hockey Hall of Fame induction weekend in the rearview mirror, it's time to look ahead to the NHL players on the 2020 ballot.Players were placed in alphabetical order in their respective tiers.The LockJarome IginlaGPGAP15546256751300There's no denying Iginla's place in hockey's most sacred building. He was a three-time first-team All-Star, a two-time Maurice "Rocket" Richard winner, an Art Ross winner, and a three-time Hart Trophy finalist. Iggy never won the Stanley Cup, but he did earn a world junior gold medal, a World Championship gold, a World Cup, and two Olympic golds. A dominant two-way power forward, he's 16th all time on the NHL's goals list despite playing during the league's toughest scoring era.Strong caseDaniel AlfredssonGPGAP12464447131157Alfredsson has been passed over a few times now, but his time should eventually come. He was among the league's most consistent players for nearly two decades, winning the Calder Trophy in 1995-96, being named a second-team All-Star in 2005-06, and earning an Olympic gold medal in 2006.Sergei GoncharGPGAP1301220591811Gonchar checks off the longevity box, but his peak was also sensational, as he racked up 585 points in 753 games from his age 24-35 seasons. He was a second-team All-Star twice over that span and played a crucial role in Pittsburgh's Stanley Cup win in 2009. He was never named a Norris Trophy finalist but has the third-most points of any D-man not in the Hall of Fame.Marian HossaB Bennett / Bruce Bennett / GettyGPGAP13095256091134Hossa may not be inducted in his first year of eligibility, but he seems destined to be at some point. A premier two-way winger, Hossa won three Stanley Cups with the Chicago Blackhawks and reached two other finals with the Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings.Alexander MogilnyGPGAP9904735591032Mogilny was one of the most electrifying players of his time. He finished tied for the league lead in goals with 76 in 1992-93, was twice named a postseason All-Star, and is a member of the prestigious Triple Gold Club. Aside from his on-ice exploits, Mogilny became the first NHLer to defect from Russia, paving the way for other Russian legends.On the bubbleRod Brind'AmourGPGAP14844527321184With Guy Carbonneau now in the Hall of Fame, there's a case to be made for Brind'Amour. He only won two Selke Trophies compared to Carbonneau's three but was a much more productive player in a more difficult scoring era. He also captained the Carolina Hurricanes to the 2006 Stanley Cup.Patrik EliasGPGAP12404086171025Elias' name doesn't scream "Hall of Fame," but he was quietly a very productive player despite featuring in New Jersey's trap system for much of his career. He was a reliable defensive player, too, and won a pair of Stanley Cups. His peak likely wasn't high enough, but there's certainly a conversation to be had.Theo FleuryGPGAP10844556331088Fleury built an intriguing case as one of the game's most ferocious competitors while standing at just 5-foot-6. His resume is impressive: 1,000 points, two 100-point seasons, a 50-goal campaign, a Stanley Cup, an Olympic gold medal, and a point-per-game playoff average. His lack of individual hardware will likely keep him out, whether fair or not.Curtis JosephElsa / Getty Images Sport / GettyGPWGAASV%SO9434542.79.90651Joseph never won a Stanley Cup or a Vezina Trophy, though he was a finalist for the latter on three occasions. Cujo had an ability to stand on his head and steal games for teams that had no business winning, like the '93 Blues, '97 Oilers, and '99 Maple Leafs. He's sixth on the all-time wins list - the most victories of any eligible goalie not in the Hall of Fame.Pierre TurgeonGPGAP12945158121327No Hall of Fame-eligible player has more points than Turgeon. You'd think the numbers would speak for themselves, but while playing in the highest-scoring era with some all-time greats, he was never named a finalist for any major award (sorry, Lady Byng) and couldn't win a Stanley Cup.Doug WilsonGPGAP1024237590827Wilson has been on the ballot for a long time, but Sergei Zubov's induction could help his case moving forward as an offensive defenseman. He has the second-most points of any rearguard not enshrined and won the Norris Trophy in 1982. If Wilson fails to get in as a player, he could eventually get in as a builder for his work as San Jose Sharks general manager.Not looking goodDan BoyleGPGAP1093163442605Boyle had a nice career, winning a Stanley Cup and being named a second-team All-Star twice. Still, his overall resume pales in comparison to other blue-liners in consideration.Shane DoanCharles LeClaire / USA TodayGPGAP1540402570972If you like longevity and loyalty then Doan is your guy, but his peak was nowhere near Hall-of-Fame caliber. He's listed due to this being his first year of eligibility.Vincent LecavalierGPGAP1212421528949Lecavalier was on track for the Hall of Fame, but injuries took their toll in the back half of his career. His production suffered, as he tallied just 210 points in his age-30 season and beyond. Still, he has a Stanley Cup, a Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy, and an MVP award for the 2004 World Cup of Hockey.Jere LehtinenGPGAP875243271514Lehtinen's prospects are certainly aided by Carbonneau's induction, as they both won three Selke Trophies. Lehtinen also won a Stanley Cup, but his overall numbers probably won't be enough to get him in.Brad RichardsDave Sandford / Getty Images Sport / GettyGPGAP1126298634932Richards is the third member of the 2004 Tampa Bay Lightning on this list, and he might have as good a chance as any of them. He won the Conn Smythe that year and another Stanley Cup with the Blackhawks in 2015. He didn't quite excel at the most important facet of the game (goal-scoring), which will likely cause him to miss out.Jeremy RoenickGPGAP13635137031216Roenick's counting stats are Hall-of-Fame worthy, but he lacks both individual and team awards. This has been his Achilles heel during his entire time on the ballot, so unless there are some philosophical changes in the boardroom, it's unlikely J.R. gets in.Keith TkachukGPGAP12015385271065Tkachuk scored more goals than any eligible player not already inducted. Similar to Roenick, his lack of hardware is likely what's keeping him out despite boasting the numbers. It's possible that Tkachuk's sons can help grow his legacy, but it seems unlikely he gets in next year.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With speculation about his job security running rampant, Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock is confident he'll get his team back on track."I'm gonna do it as hard as I can, as long as I can. I've always bet on Mike Babcock, I'll continue to bet on him," the Leafs bench boss told TSN on Monday.Babcock is on the hot seat with the Maple Leafs mired in a five-game losing streak and outside the playoff picture. The club has looked listless in several recent efforts, and Toronto ranks in the bottom portion of the league in power-play efficiency (16.7%), penalty kill (75%), and expected goals at five-on-five (48.3%).The 56-year-old is in his fifth season with the Maple Leafs after signing an eight-year contract that made him the highest-paid coach in NHL history, earning $6.25 million per season."I'm in a pretty good spot in my life; my kids are grown. If my kids were young, I'd never coach in Toronto," Babcock added.The 9-9-4 Maple Leafs continue their current western road trip this week, taking on the Vegas Golden Knights, Arizona Coyotes, and Colorado Avalanche.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Hockey Hall of Fame welcomed its class of 2019 on Monday, as six new members received the highest honor in the sport. Here's a look at the respective resumes of each inductee and various highlights from the ceremony in Toronto.PlayersHayley WickenheiserBruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyAchievements: Four Olympic gold medals, seven world championship gold medals, all-time leading scorer in Olympic history (51 points in 26 games)"It was not a common thing as a little girl to want to play hockey in the small town where I came from," Wickenheiser said, according to The Canadian Press. "But my mom and dad believed that a girl could do anything that a boy could do."Sergei ZubovBruce Bennett / Getty Images Sport / GettyCareer stats: 1,068 GP, 152 G, 619 A

Washington Capitals forward Garnet Hathaway was given a match penalty Monday night for spitting on Anaheim Ducks defenseman Erik Gudbranson after a gigantic scrum broke out late in the second period.

Don Cherry will soon have a new platform.The 85-year-old will release a podcast called "Grapevine," Cherry told the Toronto Sun's Joe Warmington.Cherry was fired by Sportsnet last week for making offensive comments about immigrants during "Coach's Corner" on Nov. 9."You people that come here, you love our way of life, you love our milk and honey, at least you can pay a couple of bucks for poppies or something like that," Cherry said.Cherry will address his dismissal during the first episode of his new 30-minute show, which will air Tuesday."But that's not all we talked about," Cherry said, according to Warmington. "We are talking hockey, of course. It's going to be terrific. In this one, I am talking about The Rocket (Maurice Richard), one of the all-time greats."The podcast will drop every Monday during the hockey season and will feature his son, Tim, and his grandson, Del, as co-hosts.Cherry had a television show from 1982 to 1993 called "The Grapevine," stemming from his nickname "Grapes."Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Find line reports, best bets, and subscribe to push notifications in the Betting News section.It's around the point in the NHL season when value really starts to show up on a nightly basis."It's still early" is a common saying this time of year, with many people dismissing early-season results in favor of public perception. For example, the Tampa Bay Lighting are 9-6-2 but have been favored in 16 of 17 games, while the 11-5-4 Montreal Canadiens have been favored in less than half of their matchups.Being able to identify which teams continue to be overvalued and undervalued can be the difference between losing your shirt and turning a profit. With that being said, here's your betting guide to the week ahead.Game bettingTampa Bay Lightning at St. Louis Blues (Tuesday)The Lightning came into this season hoping to supplant the Blues as Stanley Cup champions, but they've disappointed thus far. Sure, they've won four of their last six games, but losses to the Islanders and Jets are more telling than wins over weak opponents like the Sabres, Rangers, and Devils.The Blues are too well-coached and disciplined to cater to the Lightning's style of play, so you should back them to beat the Bolts and end a three-game skid. The Lightning have a lot to prove before we can justify taking them at their lofty prices.Vancouver Canucks at Dallas Stars (Tuesday)There hasn't been a better or more consistent team in November than the Stars, who've posted a 6-0-1 record since the start of the month. They've done it with stellar defensive hockey, allowing one goal or fewer in four of those games.The Canucks are capable of scoring goals in bunches, but they've been much less prolific on the road. Play the Stars in this spot or bet the under if you're not comfortable with the chalk.Toronto Maple Leafs at Vegas Golden Knights (Tuesday)Five successive losses have Leafs fans waiting for Mike Babcock to get the ax, but a coaching change won't solve Toronto's issues. Despite featuring plenty of talent, the Leafs currently lack the character to play themselves out of this slump.This team has lost six of its last seven on the road and will hope to repair its fractured ego on the West Coast. However, there's little evidence to suggest the Leafs can go into the toughest building in hockey on Tuesday night and snap their skid. Take the Golden Knights and don't think twice.Ottawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens (Wednesday)You have to go back to Nov. 2 to find the last time the Canadiens lost in regulation. Before that loss, it was Oct. 24. These Habs are a chameleon; they're able to adapt and excel in any type of game, which makes them so tough to beat on any given night.This matchup will be their second contest in as many days, but the same is true for the Senators, who will also be playing their fourth game in six nights and their 10th in 17. Ottawa has struggled in the second half of back-to-backs since the start of last season, losing 14 of 18 such games. The Sens have lost six in a row in Montreal - five of which came by two or more goals. Back the Habs on the puck line.Toronto Maple Leafs at Arizona Coyotes (Thursday)It doesn't get any easier for the Leafs here, as their sputtering offense will visit the league's stingiest defense. The Coyotes have allowed just 2.33 goals per game this season and that figure drops to 1.88 on home ice. With Mitch Marner out and Toronto lacking scoring depth, the Leafs will need to play a similarly stingy game to win this battle. All signs point to the under as a result.San Jose Sharks at Vegas Golden Knights (Thursday)This might be the most entertaining game of the week if you enjoy post-whistle shenanigan, as there may not be two teams in hockey that dislike each other more right now. Evander Kane was suspended for the first two meetings this season, but he'll be in the lineup on Thursday to renew his rivalry with Ryan Reaves. Everything about this game shouts excitement.The Sharks, winners of six in a row as of Monday, are starting to rediscover their game and their scoring touch. However, they still can't stop other teams from scoring. Expect the refs to call this game tight, which should lead to plenty of power plays for two of the league's better units, and a number of goals as a result. The over looks like a strong play here.Game propsEdmonton Oilers at San Jose Sharks (Tuesday)Both of these teams are scoring at will lately while struggling to keep pucks out of their own net. The Oilers' last three trips to San Jose produced 10 first-period goals, including three in their matchup last week. The last seven meetings between these teams have gone over 1.5 goals in the first period, and there's no evidence to suggest that will change on Tuesday.Washington Capitals at New York Rangers (Wednesday)Let's stick with these first-period overs that have been hitting at a very high clip for certain teams. The Capitals and Rangers have nailed the over in the opening 20 minutes in their last three meetings, and in six of their last seven. Back it again here.Player propsOttawa Senators at Montreal Canadiens (Wednesday)Nick Suzuki is getting more impressive by the game. The youngster, acquired by Montreal in the Max Pacioretty trade, is playing some really strong hockey at both ends of the ice and he's been rewarded with a three-game point streak. He's also getting power-play time and a bump up the depth chart with Jonathan Drouin sidelined. Suzuki should have ample opportunities to get on the scoresheet in this game, and the over 0.5 assists is enticing at more than 2-1 odds.Boston Bruins at Buffalo Sabres (Thursday)It's hardly going out on a limb to back Brad Marchand - who's posted 19 assists in 20 games - but he's an especially good bet to get on the scoresheet when his Bruins face one of the league's worst penalty-killing units.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 © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens are going to be without two forwards, including one of their top scorers, for the foreseeable future.Jonathan Drouin will miss approximately eight weeks after undergoing wrist surgery Monday, according to his agent, Allan Walsh.Meanwhile, Paul Byron will have a procedure performed on his knee, Canadiens head coach Claude Julien confirmed earlier Monday. Byron will be out indefinitely, Julien added, according to The Athletic's Arpon Basu.Drouin and Byron were both hurt in Friday's win over the Washington Capitals.The Canadiens placed Drouin on injured reserve Sunday. He's tied for second on the team in goals (seven) and is tied for fourth in points (15) through 19 games.Byron has chipped in four points in 19 contests of his own.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Trevor Moore will need some additional time to recover.On Monday, the Toronto Maple Leafs placed the forward on injured reserve and recalled forward Pierre Engvall from the AHL's Toronto Marlies.Moore will miss at least the next two games due to the NHL's mandatory minimum of seven days spent on IR, retroactive to the day of the injury.The 24-year-old suffered the shoulder ailment in a loss to the Boston Bruins on Friday and missed Saturday's defeat at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins.Moore has produced three goals and five points while averaging exactly 14 minutes of ice time across 21 contests this season.Toronto's six-game road trip will continue with a matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, a meeting with the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday, and a battle with the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.Copyright © 2019 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 week's edition focuses on Week 7. Ownership percentages and position eligibility are courtesy of Yahoo.Trade for Evgeni MalkinTeam: Penguins

Cory Schneider is on the verge of being demoted.The New Jersey Devils are placing the veteran goaltender on waivers for the purpose of assignment to their farm team in Binghamton, the NHL club announced Monday.The 33-year-old Schneider is under contract through the 2021-22 campaign at a cap hit of $6 million, according to CapFriendly.He's failed to record a win in six games this season and owns a save percentage of .852.Meanwhile, 22-year-old MacKenzie Blackwood has outplayed Schneider in the Devils' crease, authoring a .904 save percentage across 14 contests. Blackwood posted back-to-back wins on Friday and Saturday in which he stopped a combined 69 of 73 shots.The Devils recalled goalie Louis Domingue from Binghamton earlier Monday.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After the Calgary Flames lost their fourth game in a row Sunday, forward Matthew Tkachuk didn't shy away from critiquing his team's recent performance."It's disgusting. It's bad. It's bad right now. We need to change this around ... something's gotta change here," Tkachuk said postgame. "We've gotta get back to the old us and get out of this little funk we have here because this is not fun."The Flames dropped Sunday's contest 6-0 to the Vegas Golden Knights and were blanked by the Arizona Coyotes on Saturday, marking the first time since 2009 that they've been shut out on back-to-back days, according to Sportsnet Stats."It's getting pretty old," Tkachuk added. "We just can't get this lead. We trail, we press, and they put a six-spot up on us when it's a pretty tight game until the third period."We just kind of let them run away with it and leave our goalie out to dry countless times. It's getting old."The Flames own a 10-10-3 record this season and currently sit in fifth place in the Pacific Division.Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs captain Mats Sundin understands what it's like to be in the spotlight when times get tough in one of the NHL's most demanding markets."It's a lot of pressure to play here. It's extra attention for management, for players," Sundin said Sunday, according to the Canadian Press."You're gonna have ups and downs over a season, and ... sometimes the patience is a lot better in a market like Tampa or (if) you play for the (Florida) Panthers, (rather) than the Maple Leafs or the (Montreal) Canadiens," he said, according to CBC Sports.Toronto entered the campaign with high expectations after adding several talented pieces to an already star-studded roster this offseason.However, the Leafs have authored a 9-9-4 record through 22 contests and have just two regulation wins in their previous 15 outings. A 6-1 thrashing at the hands of the Pittsburgh Penguins on Saturday pushed the club's current losing streak to five games.Despite Toronto's early struggles, Sundin believes the Leafs have the talent to turn their fortunes around."You have (a young team) in Toronto right now (that) are building, to me, one of the best young teams in the National Hockey League," Sundin said."If you have character guys ... you'll find a way," he added, according to the Canadian Press.Sundin captained the Leafs from 1997-2008 and holds the franchise record for both goals (420) and points (987).Copyright © 2019 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.