P.K. Subban won't face a hearing for what appeared to be a blindside punch to the head of Colorado's Nathan MacKinnon during Game 3 on Monday, NHL spokesperson John Dellapina told USA TODAY Sports.The Nashville Predators defenseman was called for holding on the play, while MacKinnon received an offsetting minor penalty.Game 4 is set for Wednesday in Denver. Nashville leads the series 2-1.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Coyotes forward Richard Panik was arrested last week in Scottsdale, Ariz., and charged with criminal trespassing, as confirmed by Scottsdale Police Department records.Panik was taken into police custody on the evening of April 8 after reportedly refusing to leave the entrance of a local bar, according to ABC15 Arizona. Police believed Panik was intoxicated during his interaction with authorities.The 27-year-old Slovakia native was booked into Scottsdale City Jail for criminal trespass and was later released with a criminal citation.Panik was traded to the Coyotes from the Chicago Blackhawks in the Anthony Duclair deal on Jan. 10. He suited up in 35 games for Arizona, registering eight goals and 11 assists.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers will be sweating the health of one of their star players as they look to even their first-round playoff series against the Pittsburgh Penguins.Sean Couturier left Flyers practice Tuesday morning with the help of training staff after colliding with Philadelphia defenseman Radko Gudas, limping off as he left for the dressing room, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com.Here is a clip of the collision:

Full credit to Brett Connolly for getting the job done.In a video that's been widely shared since it was posted on April 15, the Washington Capitals winger made multiple attempts to get a puck to young fan Keelan Moxley prior to Game 2 against the Columbus Blue Jackets, only to see the first two snagged by a man who gave them to boys nearby.Connolly banged the glass to point out that he wanted Keelan to be on the receiving end, and she finally did get the third puck.People initially assumed the man was her dad and the boys were her brothers, but Keelan's mom later cleared that up:

The Washington Capitals might find themselves buried in a menacing 2-0 hole against the Columbus Blue Jackets, but Alexander Ovechkin isn't sweating it.In fact, on Tuesday, Ovi reiterated that he expects to head back to D.C. for Game 5 with the series all square - a bold statement given the tough task currently in front of his Capitals.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will be without Patric Hornqvist for Game 4 of their first-round series against the Philadelphia Flyers.The winger has been sidelined with an upper-body injury, head coach Mike Sullivan announced Tuesday.

The Washington Capitals are going back to their No. 1 netminder, as Braden Holtby will be manning the blue paint Tuesday for Game 3 against the Columbus Blue Jackets.Head coach Barry Trotz decided to go with his - supposed - backup Philipp Grubauer in Games 1 and 2. But after Grubauer allowed eight goals on 49 shots through five playoff periods, Trotz made the switch back to his longtime starter.Holtby replaced Grubauer in Game 2 after the second period and stopped seven of eight shots. The Capitals still lost - going down 2-0 in the series - but that was apparently enough for Trotz to start Holtby for the crucial Game 3 showdown in Columbus on Tuesday night.Despite never getting past the second round, Holtby is a proven playoff performer, registering a 2.00 goals-against average, a sparkling .932 save percentage, and four shutouts across 60 career games.Washington will certainly need more of that from its goaltender to claw its way back into the series and get its first win of the 2018 postseason.Puck drop is set for 7:30 p.m. ET at Nationwide Arena.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nico Hischier was understandably incensed after a spear to a sensitive area.Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman caught the New Jersey Devils rookie with a stick between the legs late in Game 3 on Monday.No penalty was called on the play, and several misconducts were handed out moments later as tensions continued to boil over.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the weeks leading up to the 2018 NHL Draft, theScore NHL prospect writer Hannah Stuart breaks down 10 of the most notable draft-eligible prospects. The first edition focuses on Rasmus Dahlin.Between finding success against much older competition in the Swedish Hockey League, winning a Champions Hockey League championship, and playing for Sweden at the Olympics, Rasmus Dahlin has already had an illustrious hockey career - and he didn't turn 18 until April 13.Drawing comparisons to players like Victor Hedman and garnering labels like "franchise-defining," Dahlin has been the consensus top pick for this year’s draft since before the 2017 edition ended. Elite prospects Andrei Svechnikov and Filip Zadina, who would likely be a formidable one-two combo in a Dahlin-free draft year, are distant runners-up.Only one question remains: What team will be lucky enough to win the lottery and select him first overall?Year in reviewDahlin's performance at the 2018 World Junior Championship in Buffalo affirmed his position as the consensus top prospect. In addition to winning a silver medal with Sweden, Dahlin went home with six assists in seven games, the award for best defenseman, and a spot on the tournament All-Star Team. While a single international tournament shouldn't make or break a prospect’s position, it can show how they compare to their peers - and Dahlin is light years ahead.Dahlin also made the Swedish Olympic roster, and was the youngest player on the team at 17 (the next youngest player was 24). Though he only appeared in two games, the fact that Sweden's management group didn’t feel they could leave him at home indicates they think highly of him. You don't take an under-18 defenseman to arguably the biggest hockey tournament in the world unless you're confident he can handle the competition.When he wasn’t playing in international tournaments, Dahlin was on the ice for Frolunda of the Swedish Hockey League. In 41 SHL games, where he plays against grown men (some with NHL experience), Dahlin had 20 points, including seven goals. He also had two goals in the seven Champions Hockey League games he appeared in with Frolunda, and was named the Swedish Junior Hockey Player of the Year.One tournament Dahlin won't appear in is this year's U18 World Championship. He's had a full season and, with the draft combine and draft coming up, he's taking a well-deserved break.Areas of strengthHigh-level hockey sense and excellent skating are the hallmarks of today's elite defenseman. Dahlin has both these qualities in spades. He's almost unbelievably dynamic, dominating both ends of the ice through a combination of impeccable defensive positioning and outstanding offensive creativity. He's got top-notch speed and acceleration and he's also agile, with excellent edge work.His production so far is quite promising. If you want a glimpse of his potential future (bear in mind that many variables play into development, and this is only a best-case scenario), look no further than Erik Karlsson. In his 17-year-old J20 SuperElit season, Karlsson scored 0.97 points per game. In his age-16 season in the same league, Dahlin scored 0.92 points per game, and his goals-per-game rate was slightly higher than Karlsson's - 0.38 compared to 0.34.Areas of improvementLooking for flaws in Dahlin's game turns up the scouting equivalent of a 404 file-not-found page - not surprising for a generational talent. At only 183 pounds, it’s likely Dahlin will put on muscle, making him even more difficult to move off the puck and allowing him to throw harder hits. However, his game isn’t particularly lacking in these areas at the moment.Scouting reports"A smart two-way defenseman with the skating, puck-handling, vision and intelligence required to play in the NHL as early as next season." - Mike Morreale, NHL.com"Exceptional two-way defenseman with a well-documented resume who has been succeeding as a teenager playing against much older competition. Dahlin is an explosive, dynamic puck wizard who thinks the game at an elite level." - Steve Kournianos, TheDraftAnalyst.comDid you know?

Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson lasted just two periods into Game 3 against the San Jose Sharks on Monday, getting the hook after allowing five goals on 24 shots.Ducks coach Randy Carlyle turned to backup Ryan Miller to start the third period.The Sharks carried a 5-1 lead into the final frame, and added three more on Miller to take the contest 8-1 and extend their series lead to a commanding three games to none.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pekka Rinne's night barely got started on Monday.The Nashville Predators netminder was pulled less than five minutes into the second period of Game 3 versus the Colorado Avalanche after allowing four goals on just 15 shots.After scoring on their first shot in Games 1 and 2, it took the Avalanche just two tries before forward Blake Comeau beat Rinne on Monday.Rinne is considered a favorite for the Vezina Trophy after he finished the regular season with 42 wins in 59 games, alongside a .927 save percentage and 2.31 GAA.The Avalanche ultimately held on for a 5-3 win, leaving the series at 2-1 in favor of the Predators.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Everybody knew Taylor Hall was chomping at the bit for his first taste of playoff hockey, and he sure is making the most of it.Hall notched two points in his playoff debut in Game 1 last week, and facing a must-win situation Monday night versus the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Hart Trophy candidate delivered yet another huge performance.In over 22 minutes of action, Hall collected three points. He scored the Devils' first goal of the game, got the primary assist on the power play to tie things at 2-2 in the third period, and added another primary helper on the eventual game-winner as New Jersey came away with a 5-2 victory.The Devils now trail 2-1 in the series.Hall made a big-time statement in the regular season by netting a career-high 93 points in 76 games, and based on his postseason showing so far, he doesn't appear ready to slow down.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils received a boost to their lineup for Monday's Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning as forward Marcus Johansson returned after missing 37 games with a concussion.Johansson suffered the injury on Jan. 23 after he was on the receiving end of an elbow courtesy of Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand. He was then sidelined for the final 35 contests of the regular season, plus the two opening playoff games against the Lightning.The Devils acquired Johansson from the Washington Capitals last offseason, and will hope he can provide a boost after dropping their first two games against the Lightning.Johansson netted 14 points in 29 games this season. He scored 58 points with the Capitals last year.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Humboldt Broncos President Kevin Garinger released a statement Monday detailing how the organization will manage the more than $12 million in donations received following the tragic bus accident that killed 16 people:

Riley Nash is ready to go.The Boston Bruins forward suited up for Game 3 against the Toronto Maple Leafs after missing the first two games of the series due to a head injury.Nash sustained the injury against the Florida Panthers on March 31 after an errant point shot struck his ear. The veteran forward required more than 40 stitches as a result and was later sidelined for the final five games of the regular season.Through 76 games this season, Nash tallied 15 goals and 26 assists.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hurricanes head coach Bill Peters has a few days to think before locking himself into another season behind Carolina's bench.Peters has until Friday to potentially exercise an exit clause in his contract, team president and interim general manager Don Waddell confirmed Monday to Chip Alexander of the Raleigh News & Observer.Waddell said teams have asked permission to interview Peters, who has an annual salary of $1.6 million.Regardless of Peters' decision, it sounds like new owner Tom Dundon may not be done deliberating either.

Swedish defenseman Rasmus Dahlin (Frolunda) is the top-rated prospect on NHL Central Scouting's final ranking of international skaters for the 2018 NHL Draft, while center Andrei Svechnikov of the OHL's Barrie Colts is tops among North American skaters.It's Dahlin that's expected to go first overall in the NHL draft, which will be held at American Airlines Center in Dallas from June 22-23."Dahlin is an exceptionally talented prospect who will be able to contribute, influence and impact a team's fortunes much in the way that defensemen Erik Karlsson (Ottawa Senators) and Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay Lightning) have in the NHL," said Dan Marr, director of NHL Central Scouting. "If you wanted to pick one player from the 2018 draft who could potentially be viewed as a generational talent, Rasmus would be the only candidate. There is that much respect for him and his abilities."Rounding out the top five European skaters are defenseman Adam Boqvist of Brynas' team in Sweden's junior league, winger Vitali Kravtsov of Chelyabinsk in Russia, winger Martin Kaut of Pardubice in the Czech Republic, and defenseman Adam Ginning of Linkoping in Sweden.On the North American side, winger Brady Tkachuk of Boston University in Hockey East comes in second, winger Filip Zadina of Halifax in the QMJHL is third, defenseman Evan Bouchard of London (OHL) ranks fourth, and defenseman Noah Dobson of Acadie-Bathurst (QMJHL) rounds out the top five.The final lists of the top international skaters and goalies and top North American skaters and goaltenders was released Monday and can be seen here:

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock is shaking things up down the middle for a pivotal Game 3 against the Boston Bruins.Winless in the series and without Nazem Kadri (suspension) and Leo Komarov (injury), Babcock's decided to insert Dominic Moore as the fourth-line center and bump Tomas Plekanec to the second line.Komarov suffered a lower-body injury in Game 2, and Babcock offered an update on his status Monday:

The New Jersey Devils went back to their presumptive No. 1 man between the pipes for Game 3 against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday night, as goaltender Cory Schneider got the start.Schneider lost his starting job down the stretch to backup Keith Kinkaid, who'd been more consistent over the second half of the season.However, after Kinkaid allowed nine goals on 46 shots through the first two games against the Lightning, head coach John Hynes is going with the veteran who was supposed to be the starter all season long.The Devils, trailing 2-0 in the series, got a bit of positive health news, as forward Marcus Johansson will be in the lineup. He's missed 35 regular-season and two postseason games due to a concussion suffered from a vicious hit from Boston Bruins pest Brad Marchand in January.Johansson was taking rushes at practice on a line with Patrick Maroon and Pavel Zacha.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Things are going from bad to worse for the Washington Capitals, as head coach Barry Trotz announced Monday that forward Andre Burakovsky won't be traveling with the team to Columbus and will be out for at least the next two games, according to Stephen Whyno of The Associated Press.Burakovsky started Game 2 but played only 2:12 before taking a hard hit from Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner early in the first period. He left the game and did not return.Here is the play in question:

The life of an NHL linesman comes with many occupational hazards. Pucks, sticks, flying fists - there really is no telling what could happen on any night that might lead to an injury for the men in stripes.Related: Linesman Steve Barton leaves game after injuring kneeOn Sunday in Washington, it appears the playing surface got the best of linesman Steve Barton during the Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets' Game 3 showdown. His skate seemed to catch an edge as he retreated from the faceoff dot after dropping the puck.It was revealed Monday that Barton suffered a dislocated kneecap and torn quadriceps that will require surgery, according to Aaron Portzline of The Athletic.

Los Angeles Kings head coach John Stevens was left shaking his head after a Game 3 loss to Vegas in which star center Anze Kopitar appeared to be butt-ended by Erik Haula, a play left unpenalized by the officials."We get a guy suspended for making a hockey play, and he (Haula) butt-ends one of the best players in the world in the face with the butt end of his stick," Stevens said, per TSN. "So, if I was confused before, I'm bewildered now. That's an intent-to-injure play … you guys make the judgment, because it's a bunch of BS, to be honest with you."Stevens is referring to the suspension given to Drew Doughty earlier in the series, a decision the defenseman also referred to as "BS."The NHL's Department of Player Safety could take another look at this play, but no hearing has been scheduled as of yet.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When you're Sidney Crosby, you get used to people trying to talk a little trash. But on Sunday, Flyers fans at Philadelphia's Wells Fargo Center took the gamesmanship to a whole different level.Pictures of the Pittsburgh Penguins captain's face started to appear in arena urinals during Game 3 of their first-round playoff series, prompting Crosby to be questioned about it following the Penguins' convincing victory. "It’s not the first building that’s happened in,” he said postgame, according to Sportsnet's Kristina Rutherford."I don’t know if they stole that idea from somewhere else. But yeah, it’s not the first time that’s happened."A pilfered idea or not, you can't really hold it against Flyers fans for being a little pissed off with Sid, as No. 87 has torched Philly over the first three games to the tune of four goals and three assists.The Penguins can earn a 3-1 stranglehold on the series Wednesday night when the puck drops on Game 4. Given how hot Crosby has been, it's safe to say the bathroom-related tactics won't be slowing him down anytime soon.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

David Backes knows the Boston Bruins can't get too comfortable despite a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Toronto Maple Leafs.They held court on home ice in dominant fashion, but as the series resumes in Toronto, there's still much work to be done."You want to keep your foot on the gas because this team has had success against us in the past and they've done a good job playing us, especially in their building," Backes said, according to NHL.com's Amalie Benjamin. "Complacency is probably the enemy at the moment, but we need to go start from the puck drop. It's a 0-0 game, and establish ourselves again."Key to Boston's success has been the play of the top line, as David Pastrnak, Patrice Bergeron, and Brad Marchand have already combined for 20 points (five goals, 15 assists). For his part, Backes is wary of relying on that formidable trio to keep getting the job done."The rest of us, we need to make sure that we're not just saying, 'Well they're going to have another awesome night tonight,'" Backes added. "If we're going to just sit back and wait for them to do it, if there's a night where they just don't have it, or they don't get a bounce or two, we need secondary scoring to step up and make sure we have that."Backes, who's been to the conference finals only once in his career, has recorded one goal in the playoffs so far.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The 2018 NHL playoffs consist of seven teams who were not in the postseason a year ago. This turnover is evidence of just how much parity is in the league.While it's unlikely seven non-playoff teams will return to the postseason next year, these three seem likely to do so.St. Louis BluesPending UFAs: Carter Hutton, Kyle Brodziak, Scottie Upshall

The Vegas Golden Knights can't stop making NHL history.The expansion franchise took a 3-0 series lead over the Los Angeles Kings with a 3-2 win Sunday, thereby becoming the only team in league history to win each of its first three playoff games in its debut season.

The Vegas Golden Knights are getting a boost for Game 3 against the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, with David Perron returning to the lineup.The veteran forward missed the first two games of the series plus the final six games of the regular season due to an undisclosed injury.

Reinforcements are coming to the Los Angeles Kings' back end, as defenseman Jake Muzzin will be in the lineup for Game 3 against the Vegas Golden Knights Sunday, the club confirmed.Muzzin hasn't played since March 26, suffering an upper-body injury after a hard collision with Calgary Flames forward Micheal Ferland.The 29-year-old plays an integral role on the Kings' blue line, and chipped in 42 points in 74 games this season while averaging over 21 minutes per night.It's also worth noting all-star defenseman Drew Doughty is set to return to the ice after serving a one-game suspension - another huge boost for a Kings team that lost the first two games of the series.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals are turning to their former Vezina Trophy winner.Braden Holtby made his 2018 playoff debut Sunday as Phillipp Grubauer was pulled after 40 minutes of Game 2 after giving up four goals on 22 shots.Having jumped out to a 3-1 lead, the Capitals gave up three straight goals in the second period, leading head coach Barry Trotz to go with Holtby for the third.The Capitals saw a similar situation play out in Game 1, as the team squandered a two-goal advantage before Artemi Panarin ended it in overtime.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been a rough few weeks for one NHL official.Longtime linseman Steve Barton left Sunday's game between the Columbus Blue Jackets and Washington Capitals after an awkward fall left him with an apparent knee injury:

The Minnesota Wild aren't going quietly into the night.A return to home ice seemingly helped Minnesota find its offensive spark this postseason, as the Wild fired six pucks past Winnipeg Jets netminder Connor Hellebuyck through the first 40 minutes of Game 3.That was the night for Hellebuyck, as he turned aside just 16 of 22 shots through two periods. Jets coach Paul Maurice then turned to second-stringer Steve Mason to start the third period.The Wild entered Game 3 down two games in the series after dropping both contests in Winnipeg.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Winnipeg Jets defenseman Tyler Myers left Sunday's game in the second period and did not return for the third after sustaining an undisclosed injury, the team announced.Myers appeared to be hurt late in the second period after Wild forward Marcus Foligno slid into him, causing him to awkwardly fall into the boards.

The Philadelphia Flyers had no answer for Sidney Crosby on Sunday afternoon.The Pittsburgh Penguins captain picked up a goal and three assists in Game 3 against the Flyers, tying a career high for points in a playoff game.Crosby previously set the mark in both 2008 and 2010, when he had separate four-point outings in a pair of playoff series against the Ottawa Senators.The Penguins superstar now has seven points across three games this postseason.Game 4 of the series comes Wednesday in Philadelphia.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins' top line of Patrice Bergeron, Brad Marchand, and David Pastrnak have dominated their series against the Toronto Maple Leafs thus far unlike any other in recent memory. The trio has combined for an absurd 20 points through two games - 16 of which have come at even strength.Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock was forced to shuffle his lines heading into Game 2 with the absence of Nazem Kadri. He put the slow-footed Leo Komarov on the top line, but that was destined to fail. After going down 4-0 by the end of the first, Babcock again brought out the line blender, but nothing he came up with could contain the best threesome in the NHL.Yet, perhaps the solution to shutting down Boston's three best players is right in front of Babcock's face - put his three best players on a line together: Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner.According to Corsica, Matthews, Marner, and Nylander have only played together for just over 12 minutes at 5-on-5 over the past two seasons. Babcock is a large proponent of spreading the wealth of talent through the lineup, which isn't necessarily wrong over the course of a full season.However, going up against a team that has loaded their top line, Babcock should counter by doing the same. Though it's an awfully small sample size, a Matthews-Marner-Nylander trio has yielded some impeccable results together, accounting for over 70 percent of the expected goals for while on the ice.These three youngsters don't have the defensive savvy that Boston's top line does, but they certainly have the skill to keep up. They would undoubtedly be able to possess the puck more than any other Leafs trio, which would mitigate the scoring chances the Bruins' top unit creates, and the penalties they've been able to draw. Furthermore, a Matthews-Marner-Nylander line could create some dazzling offense of their own.Now, the Leafs would need more than a simple lineup shuffle to stop Boston's top line. Their defense would also need to step up in a big way. But the defensemen matched up with Bergeron's line would be playing in their own end far less if Matthews, Marner, and Nylander were together controlling the puck in the offensive zone together.Here's a possible lineup Babcock could send out for Game 3:LWCRWNylanderMatthewsMarnerHymanMarleauKapanenvan RiemsdykBozakBrown*KomarovPlekanecJohnsson*Note: Komarov left Game 2 after being hit by Kevan Miller. If he can't play, Matt Martin or Josh Leivo would take his place.Would Toronto's bottom-9 then be good enough to contend with Boston's? That remains to be seen, but if the Leafs were to lose again, Babcock would sleep a lot easier knowing he did everything in his power to shutdown Bergeron-Marchand-Pastrnak in a good old-fashioned battle of best-on-best. At this point, he's really got nothing to lose.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Happy Birthday, Ilya Kovalchuk. You're now an NHL unrestricted free agent.The Russian sniper turns 35 today, meaning he's officially off the NHL's voluntary retired list and can negotiate and agree to terms with any NHL team, but can't sign a deal until July 1, per TSN's Bob McKenzie.Kovalchuk told The Associated Press in March he plans to return to the NHL and wants to play for "several more years" after suiting up for SKA St. Petersburg in the KHL the last five seasons.Related: Ranking 5 potential suitors for Kovalchuk if he returns to NHLIn July 2013, Kovalchuk chose to leave the NHL in the midst of a 15-year, $100-million contract with the New Jersey Devils. By doing so, he left $77 million on the table with 12 years left on the pact.After racking 816 points in 816 games in his NHL career, Kovalchuk remained highly productive in Russia with 287 points in 264 contests. He also won two Gagarin Cups while overseas, and claimed a gold medal at PyeongChang 2018.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

(Warning: Story contains coarse language)Auston Matthews offered a blunt assessment of the Patrice Bergeron line's rampant success and his own line's struggles over the first two games of the first-round playoff series between the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Boston Bruins.Matthews dropped an expletive when asked about the line of Brad Marchand, Bergeron, and David Pastrnak having 20 combined points through Games 1 and 2, while the line of Leo Komarov, Matthews, and William Nylander is stuck at zero."I don't know. Shit happens, I guess," the Leafs superstar told reporters, including TSN's Mark Masters, after a 7-3 loss that gave the Bruins a 2-0 series lead Saturday night. "That's hockey. Got to rebound for Game 3."Matthews fired a team-high six shots on goal and nine shot attempts in Saturday's loss, and afterward, he lamented the number of opportunities the Maple Leafs had as a team in Game 2."We had plenty of chances tonight, but that first period, everything they threw at the net seemed to go in and they put up four goals," he said. "It's tough to climb back ... Throughout the game, we had our chances and they didn't go in, and it was the exact opposite for them."Pastrnak made a bit of history with a six-point night Saturday, while Komarov left with an injury in the second period and didn't return, compounding matters for Matthews' line and a Leafs squad that's already missing the suspended Nazem Kadri.The series shifts to Toronto for Game 3 on Monday night.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

David Pastrnak had himself a night Saturday.The Boston Bruins forward collected a hat trick and three assists in the club's 7-3 drubbing of the Toronto Maple Leafs.It was a monumental performance for the 21-year-old, who becomes the youngest player in NHL history to record six points in a playoff game, surpassing Wayne Gretzky's record by four months.

The Anaheim Ducks should have a more physical presence on the back end in Game 2 of their series against the San Jose Sharks.Kevin Bieksa is in the lineup Saturday night for the first time since March 12.The veteran defenseman underwent surgery March 16 to remove scar tissue in his left hand that had affected his play since he injured it in October, according to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register.The 36-year-old played in 85 previous playoff games, 71 of them during his 10-year tenure with the Vancouver Canucks.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov exited Saturday's game in the second period and did not return for the third after suffering a lower-body injury, the team announced.Komarov appears to have been injured on a hit from Boston Bruins defenseman Kevan Miller.

Frederik Andersen didn't last 13 minutes in Game 2.The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender was pulled and replaced by Curtis McElhinney after allowing a Kevan Miller goal that gave the Boston Bruins a 3-0 lead just over 12 minutes into Saturday night's opening frame.Andersen gave up three goals on five shots in a span of 6:47.David Pastrnak opened the scoring with a dandy less than six minutes after the opening faceoff, and Jake DeBrusk followed suit about four minutes later.McElhinney didn't fare much better, giving up a goal to Rick Nash on one of the three shots he faced before the first-period buzzer sounded.Andersen allowed five goals on 40 shots in Toronto's 5-1 loss in Game 1 on Thursday night.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New Jersey Devils surely game-planned about how they would counter the Tampa Bay Lightning's top line - which features Nikita Kucherov and Steven Stamkos - but they may now want to do the same for the club's next trio.The Lightning have jumped out to a 2-0 series lead after taking both games on home ice by a combined score of 10-5. And while Tampa Bay's top line has put up respectable numbers early, the Lightning's second line of Ondrej Palat, Brayden Point, and Tyler Johnson has been dynamite.Through the first two games the trio has combined for 10 points, with nine of them coming at even strength.PlayerGoalsPointsShotsPalat144Point132Johnson236For Johnson, he's once again proving that when the playoffs come around he ups his game. His three points through the first two games give him 45 points in 49 career playoff games. Meanwhile, Palat is now up to 33 points in 48 career postseason contests.The Lightning are now just two wins away from advancing to the second round. If the Devils have any chance of getting back into the series they will need to find a way to cool down the Lightning's high-octane offense. And as weird as it may sound, that might mean addressing the Lightning's simmering second line.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers have signed forward Ty Rattie to a one-year contract.Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports it's worth $800,000.Rattie signed a one-year, $650,000 contract with the Oilers last summer, and split the season between the AHL's Bakersfield Condors (21 goals, 22 assists in 53 games) and the NHL club (five goals, four assists in 14 games).The 25-year-old was drafted 32nd overall by St. Louis in 2011.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins forward Ryan Donato is getting his first taste of the NHL postseason Saturday, as the team confirmed before puck drop.The 22-year-old is taking the place of the injured Tommy Wingels in Game 2. Wingels left Thursday's game against the Toronto Maple Leafs after taking a vicious hit from Nazem Kadri, which earned the Maple Leafs center a three-game suspension.

The Winnipeg Jets benefited from a whiteout within the confines of their home rink, but Mother Nature is hitting back.Up 2-0 in their series against the Minnesota Wild, the Jets' road to Game 3 is anything but smooth.The team was trying to fly into Minneapolis on Saturday, but a strong winter storm forced the plane to be rerouted upstate before the Jets ultimately returned to Winnipeg.

For the first time in five years, Cory Schneider is playing playoff hockey.The New Jersey Devils netminder was thrust into action late in the second period Saturday after the Tampa Bay Lightning went up 5-1, chasing starter Keith Kinkaid.Schneider made his last playoff appearance in 2013 in Games 3 and 4 of the Vancouver Canucks' opening-round series against the San Jose Sharks. Schneider lost both those games en route to a Sharks sweep.The 32-year-old has seen limited action of late, having made just one start in the team's previous 10 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard will not play in Game 2 against the Nashville Predators due to an upper-body injury, the team announced.Coincidentally, Girard was acquired by the Avs from the Preds as a part of the Matt Duchene-Kyle Turris blockbuster trade earlier this season.Even at the age of 19, Girard has proven to be a key part of the Avs' blue line, picking up 20 points in 68 games with the club, while averaging 17:42 per night.Colorado is also without Erik Johnson on the back end, making their matchup with the Predidents' Trophy-wining Predators even more daunting.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs were already in tough to pull out a seven-game-series victory against a Boston Bruins squad stacked with talent up and down its lineup, but when Nazem Kadri was handed a three-game suspension on Friday for his hit on Tommy Wingels, things got even more challenging for Mike Babcock and Co.Kadri is an integral part of Toronto's lineup, so naturally, fans and analysts have weighed in on what his absence from the Leafs' lineup will mean for the outcome of a series that has already provided its fair share of talking points.With that in mind, NHL editors Josh Wegman and Flip Livingstone debate whether Toronto will sink or swim without its second-best center anchoring the middle of the ice.Leafs will struggle without Nasty NazBrad Marchand, Patrice Bergeron, David Krejci, David Pastrnak, and Rick Nash - a menacing crew of Bruins forwards you don't want to be squaring off against without your No. 2 centerman in the lineup. But that's exactly the task the Buds face for the next three contests.Kadri might not be as flashy or as talented as Auston Matthews or Mitch Marner, but he's arguably just as important to Toronto's success, given his ability to play a complete game. A re-commitment to the defensive end since Babcock's arrival in 2015 has seen Kadri take his all-around ability to the next level, a fact showcased by his back-to-back 32-goal seasons.In addition to leaving a big hole down the middle on the top power play (he was a 50-percent face-off man during the season), Kadri's absence will also be felt when matching up against the physical forward group mentioned above. His tenacious nature and sandpaper approach would have been crucial to the Leafs' plan over the next few games - a plan that will obviously need to be altered ahead of Game 2 on Saturday night.Nothing against Andreas Johnsson or Patrick Marleau, the two forwards tasked with filling the majority of Naz's minutes, but they don't make up for the all-around quality that will be missing while Kadri serves his three-game suspension.The obvious loss of scoring punch is mitigated by the rest of Toronto's potent lineup. But what it lacks is grit, aggressiveness, and a commitment to playing a two-way style. Three things that have become Kadri's trademark. -- LivingstoneLeafs are capable of taking 2 of 3 without KadriEven without Kadri in the lineup, the Leafs are still capable of winning two out of the next three games to even the series upon his return.Will they be in tough to do so? Yes. Is Kadri a big loss? Certainly. But, in no way should anyone be sticking a fork in the Leafs just because they'll be without their No. 2 center for the next three games. But for this prophecy to come to fruition, other players will need to step up and a few battles will have to go Toronto's way.First, Matthews needs to be much better. He had an even rating in Game 1, but the Bergeron line owned him. For the Leafs to be successful, Matthews and William Nylander can't be hemmed in their own end for entire shifts at a time. It's easier said than done, but they can't let Bergeron and Co. dictate the pace of the game.The Leafs' special teams needs to step up. They went 0-for-3 on the power play and the Bruins went 3-for-6. If Boston's PK is going to give Marner tons of time and space on the power play, he needs to take advantage and shoot the puck.Last, but not least, Toronto's top D pairing of Morgan Rielly and Ron Hainsey can't be anywhere near as bad as they were in Game 1. If they show signs of it early, Babcock needs to break them up and give rookie Travis Dermott more ice time.A lot has to happen, but the Leafs are deep enough to go toe to toe with the Bruins without Kadri, as long as they play to their ability. -- Wegman(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Capitals head coach Barry Trotz announced he's sticking with goaltender Philipp Grubauer for Game 2 against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Sunday.Grubauer stopped 23 of 27 shots in the Capitals' 4-3 overtime loss in Game 1, but none of the goals appeared to be directly his fault.Nonetheless, it's still surprising that Trotz wouldn't turn to his former Vezina-Trophy winner Braden Holtby, even though he had a poor season.Unless the Caps win Game 2, or Grubauer stands on his head in a tight loss, you can bet Holtby will be back in there for Game 3.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With Nazem Kadri's three-game suspension, the Maple Leafs will be without their No. 2 center until Game 5 (if necessary). Given Patrice Bergeron's propensity to shut down opposing top centers - even Auston Matthews - Kadri was as important as anyone to the Leafs' success this series.Mike Babcock said these will be the Leafs' line combinations in Saturday's pregame warmup, per TSN's Mark Masters.LWCRWKomarovMatthewsNylanderHymanMarleauMarnervan RiemsdykBozakBrownJohnssonPlekanecKapanenHaving the slow-footed Leo Komarov - arguably the Leafs' worst forward - playing with Auston Matthews is not ideal, so let's take a look at some other options Babcock has at his disposal.Marleau centeringThe veteran Patrick Marleau shifting to center seems the logical choice. The 38-year-old can still fly, is responsible defensively, and with 178 career playoff games, no moment is too big for him. Here are a few possible lineup combinations that keep Komarov in his proper fourth-line role.Option 1A:LWCRWHymanMatthewsNylanderJVRMarleauMarnerJohnssonBozakBrownKomarovPlekanecKapanenAndreas Johnsson would add speed and quickness to a third line that needs it, and James van Riemsdyk's scoring punch could be maximized in a reunion with Mitch Marner.Options 1B:LWCRWJohnssonMatthewsNylanderHymanMarleauMarnerJVRBozakBrownKomarovPlekanecKapanenIf Babcock is intent on a Hyman-Marleau-Marner trio, Johnsson is a much better top-line option than Komarov. He can score and also brings a lot of energy and tenacity - not unlike Hyman.Option 1C:LWCRWJohnssonMatthewsNylanderHymanMarleauMarnerJVRBozakKapanenKomarovPlekanecBrownFlipping Brown and Kapanen would bring some much-needed speed to the third line.Nylander centeringWilliam Nylander played center in Matthews' most recent absence in the regular season. And while having the young Swede down the middle would make Babcock more stressed than a college student during exam season, there's an argument to be made that his presence would make the offense more dynamic, even if there's some defensive risk involved.Option 2A:LWCRWHymanMatthewsBrownMarleauNylanderMarnerJVRBozakKapanenKomarovPlekanecJohnssonWhile the sample size isn't large, in 62 minutes together at 5-on-5 this season, Nylander and Marner generated 56.5 percent of the shot attempts, 80 percent of the goals, and 66 percent of the scoring chances. This trio could make Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy second-guess whether the Bergeron line and the Chara-McAvoy pairing should shadow Matthews.Option 2B:LWCRWJohnssonMatthewsHymanMarleauNylanderMarnerJVRBozakBrownKomarovPlekanecKapanenBrown's responsible play in his own end on the top line would keep Babcock at ease, but given that he's scored just one goal in his last 23 games, Johnsson could be the better fit alongside Matthews.Option 2C:LWCRWMarleauMatthewsHymanJVRNylanderMarnerJohnssonBozakBrownKomarovPlekanecKapanenThere's almost a zero percent chance Babcock would send out a line as defensively irresponsible as JVR-Nylander-Marner, but that trio could do some damage on the scoreboard.ConclusionOption 1A would seemingly be the best way for the Leafs to begin Game 2, but if they wind up trailing as they did in Game 1, Option 2B could kick-start the offense.(Advanced stats courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.