Plenty of seats were available for Thursday's game in Buffalo, and franchise center Jack Eichel completely understands.The Sabres have been averaging 18,742 fans per game this season, but the 4-3 win over the New York Islanders was played in front of a crowd of 16,872, well below the KeyBank Center's capacity of 19,200.Eichel, for one, understands it's hard to fill the rink as the team continues to sit near the bottom of the standings."You can't really blame them at this point," he said, per Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. "It's not like we're putting the best product on the ice. Hopefully if we start winning here with a couple months left, we start getting the people back in here and they start getting excited about it."With Eichel emerging as a superstar, and with a new general manager and head coach at the helm, the Sabres were expected to take a step or two forward this season after years of rebuilding.But Phil Housley, who has guided the team to a record of 15-29-10 in his first year behind the bench, recognizes the job is far from done:

If Garth Snow plans to upgrade between the pipes prior to the trade deadline, he's certainly not showing his cards.Speaking with Steven Marcus of Newsday, the New York Islanders general manager reaffirmed his confidence in his team's goaltending tandem, Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss.Goalie GP Record GAA SV%Halak3716-16-43.23.908Greiss2210-7-23.94.887While the two have struggled this season, Snow only has to look to the past to see that both netminders have the ability to win big games."We're fortunate that we have Jaro Halak, who was the top goaltender in the World Cup a little over a year ago. He's got a tremendous track record of clutch playoff performances," Snow said. "Without Thomas Greiss two years ago, we don't advance to the second round. Last year, he was excellent for us."For us, we know we have two quality goalies. It's finding the right solutions to help them perform at peak level ... I'm comfortable when our goalies are performing at their capabilities that we can go out there on any given night and win."Despite the GM's vote of confidence, the Islanders surely could have used some goaltending help Thursday against the lowly Buffalo Sabres, as Halak surrendered the first two shots he faced before finishing the night with just 18 saves in a 4-3 loss to the Sabres.Related: 5 ways to fix the Islanders' goaltending woesThe two blown points is a big blunder for an Islanders squad fighting for a playoff berth, as a win Thursday would have moved New York into a wild-card position.While the Islanders have been one of the top scoring teams this season - only the Tampa Bay Lightning have found the back of the net more often - the team has been dogged by its pedestrian netminding. The Islanders have allowed a league-worst 201 goals, 15 more than the next worst club.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Blackhawks won't be loading up prior to the trade deadline.With his team sitting last in the Central Division heading into Thursday's game against Dallas, Chicago general manager Stan Bowman shed some light on how he'll be approaching the deadline this time around."I don't expect us to be a buyer this year," Bowman said before puck drop on NBC Sports Chicago, per The Athletic's Scott Powers. "It has nothing to do with where we are in the standings. It's just that each season is a little bit different. Your team is different."I think the strength of our team is we're trying to build some young players we're going to have. We have a lot of new players this year relative to last year. I think it's hard when you bring in 11, 12 new players every year."The Blackhawks' challenge over the last several years has been fitting a supporting cast around its core, and it's even more difficult now that Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane carry cap hits of $10.5 million.Players such as Nick Schmaltz and Alex DeBrincat - 21 and 20 years old, respectively - have taken on bigger roles and sit second and third in team scoring, but the team has certainly been set back by an injury suffered to goaltender Corey Crawford.As such, Bowman is taking a bigger-picture view in the midst of a down year."You look at some of the young guys, we're expecting them to take that next step," he said. "Bringing somebody in to sort of bump them from the lineup probably doesn't make much sense right now. I wouldn't expect us to be in that rental mode, bringing in a veteran player."Not making the playoffs is not where this team wants to be though, so expect some measure of change.

Matt Duchene has a fan for life.Prior to Thursday's game against the Nashville Predators, Duchene was grabbing a drink on the bench when a young fan across the ice caught his eye.The fan was holding a sign that read "I want to be just like you Duchene!" and the Ottawa Senators center responded with a big thumbs up, which clearly meant a lot.

Taylor Hall believes justice has been served.The New Jersey Devils forward appears content with the NHL's decision to suspend Ottawa's Alex Burrows for 10 games after a kneeing incident on Jan. 6."It’s a lot of games," Hall said Thursday, per Andrew Gross of The Record. "I think what they’re saying is it’s not really a hockey play. It’s not something you want to see in the game."I don’t know what his reaction was or his reasoning but it’s something where the reason it’s so high is they just want to exterminate it. They don’t want to see it again."Burrows also accepted the decision, declining to appeal the suspension.Immediately after the incident, Hall said Burrows seemed to have lost his mind, and Devils head coach John Hynes agreed that the player's actions were outside the scope of hockey-related events."It was certainly a warranted suspension and well deserved," Hynes said. "There’s no need for that in the game. It’s nice to see the league took swift action and the right action."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators forward Alex Burrows is accepting the 10-game suspension handed down from the Department of Player Safety for kneeing Taylor Hall.Burrows released the following statement Thursday afternoon, per the NHLPA:

New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow wants to hold on to a pair of draft picks acquired from the Calgary Flames last summer.As part of the return for defenseman Travis Hamonic, the Islanders received both a first- and second-round pick for 2018. Those selections would be highly coveted on the trade market around the deadline, but Snow has no desire to sacrifice those assets despite sitting outside the playoff picture."So, are we going to, at this point in time, be giving first-round picks and high picks for rental players? I don’t think we’re in that position," Snow said, per Newsday's Steven Marcus. "Just doesn’t make sense."Snow also reiterated he won't be trading John Tavares amid uncertainty about the captain's long-term future with the team.He added injuries have been a big factor as to why the Islanders are a playoff bubble team, and the belief seems to be the group as constituted can get the job done down the stretch.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If it ain't broke don't fix it, right?That was the sentiment Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice had when he joked with reporters, who pointed out to him on Thursday that his club has gone 11-2-3 since Mark Scheifele went down with an upper-body injury."Yep, we're trading him," Maurice said, according to Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press.Since Dec. 27 - when Scheifele last played - the Jets' impressive record is good enough for second behind only the blazing-hot Boston Bruins, and sees them just one point back of the Vegas Golden Knights for top spot in the Western Conference.Scheifele looks to be nearing a return to the lineup which should give the team an even further boost.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Despite a turbulent season, the New York Rangers remain the NHL leader in one major category.It was revealed by Fanatics, the company that operates the league's e-commerce, that the Rangers top the league in merchandise sales, via ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.Pittsburgh ranks second, while Chicago, Vegas, and Boston round out the top five.It may be an odd time to purchase Rangers merchandise as the team hinted at some upcoming trades and adjustment of personnel in a statement Thursday. New York currently sits in last place in the Metropolitan Division.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New York Rangers president Glen Sather and general manager Jeff Gorton appeared to warn the team's fans of an approaching rebuild in a statement released Thursday.The statement notes that the Rangers began reshaping their roster during the offseason and the club will now focus on acquiring young, competitive, and skilled players with character and speed. They also alerted fans that, in the process, familiar names could be traded as the team looks to build a future Stanley Cup contender.Earlier Thursday, the team placed defenseman Brendan Smith on waivers. New York signed him to a four-year, $17.4-million contract just last summer.Here's the full statement from Sather and Gorton:

The New York Rangers placed defenseman Brendan Smith on waivers Thursday, according to Chris Johnston of Sportsnet.Smith signed a four-year, $17.4-million contract with the Rangers in June.

The 2017-18 season has not been easy for Erik Karlsson.The Ottawa Senators captain has been bombarded with questions surrounding his pending free agency and the controversial remarks from owner Eugene Melnyk ahead of the team's outdoor game. This, all wrapped around the team's disastrous play on the ice.It's been a lot to handle and no one understands what he must be going through more than former teammate Kyle Turris."He's one of the best players in the world and it's been a frustrating year for him," Turris said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. "He's a great leader. To have the team going through what they're going through I think is tough and frustrating, and it’s a tough situation for him with all of the rumors going around about him."So, yeah, it’s just altogether a tough situation but he handles things well."On Thursday, Turris returns to Ottawa for his first game since joining the Nashville Predators in a three-way trade that saw Matt Duchene sent to the Senators.For the 28-year-old, he's excited to be back around good friends such as Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Mark Borowiecki, but by game time, he knows it will be back to business."Yeah, I’m buddies with them," said Turris. "I'm sure I'll be talking to [Karlsson] and [Mark Stone] and [Mark Borowiecki] and some of the guys. When you get on the ice it's a game and it's competitive and it'll be fun at the same time."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe will be out three-to-four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a thumb injury, the team announced on Thursday.McCabe suffered the injury after blocking a shot in the first period of Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks.The 24-year-old is in the midst of his third full season in the NHL, tallying three goals and 12 points in 53 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's leading scorer is in the midst of his worst stretch of the season.While Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov still paces the league with 66 points and is tied for fourth in goals with 27, the 24-year-old has fallen on hard times, having now gone 11 games without a goal.Despite the unfamiliar streak for the scorer, Kucherov has tried to remain optimistic while jokingly contemplating a new strategy to climb out of the hole."You think, 'I just had a Grade A chance and I couldn't bury it, and this guy scores from behind (the net),' Kucherov said, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "I just might as well shoot it from my goal and it might go in."The drought hasn't come from a lack of trying. Kucherov has fired 30 shots on goal during the 11 games, including six in the club's 6-2 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Monday."This is not fun, definitely," Kucherov said. "I wish I would score. I think I'm in that kind of period where whatever I do doesn't work."Surprisingly, Kucherov admits there were times earlier in the year where he thought he was playing poorly, but still found a way to score.In the meantime, it's important to remember that Kucherov began the season with 12 goals in 11 games, so at anytime he could breakout, and when that happens, look out.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

EAST MEADOW, N.Y. – For a while this season, the race for the Calder Trophy was somewhere beyond a toss-up, even bordering on a free-for-all.Before even considering top rookie defensemen like Charlie McAvoy and Mikhail Sergachev, the scoring leaderboard among NHL newcomers shifted on just about a daily basis. In October, Clayton Keller’s 15 points led four rookies in double figures. The next month, Mathew Barzal posted 17 points, leading six scorers with 10 points or more. In December, there were seven rookies with double-digit points, led by Danton Heinen (14).In January, though, Barzal set himself apart - not only with his second five-point game of the season, but by collecting another 10 points, nearly doubling the total of any other rookie in the month. New York Islanders teammate Ryan Pulock and Tampa Bay Lightning winger Yanni Gourde had eight points apiece, barely preventing Barzal from lapping the field."He's a terrific player," said Nashville Predators center Ryan Johansen after facing Barzal on Monday night. "He's fun to play against. He's not like any other - there's probably only a couple of other players in the league that have his skating ability and are that dynamic. For me, it was a big challenge playing against him. You want to get down in the defensive zone, and play in the offensive zone, for us, as much as you can, and try to exploit some of his young mistakes. But as a guy with the puck, he's really dangerous. He's going to be a great player in this league once he really sharpens up his two-way game. They've got a special one here."Drafted by the Islanders with the 2015 first-round pick they got from the Edmonton Oilers in the Griffin Reinhart trade, Barzal has thus far avoided the kind of struggles that are so common for players in their first NHL season."I think he's in excellent shape," Islanders coach Doug Weight said. "I think we have a lot of things here that allow you to take care of yourself and eat right, and I think he focuses on that stuff. I don't think he's out carousing or eating the wrong foods too often. He definitely takes advantage of his time off to get some rest. I think that helps, and I think it's also a level of confidence, a level of play. He's a demanding kid on himself, and I think he's found a way to keep that groove."The woes that often befall rookies have a lot to do with playing more hockey than they have ever played in their lives, at a higher level than they've ever previously seen. The dips can be physical, mental, or a combination of the two.There is another element, though, that is out of a rookie's control, and that is what happens as opponents try to figure out how to stop someone from making his presence felt. There is a moment when a rookie is no longer seen as just some kid, but a force to be reckoned with, and as the league adjusts, it presents a new challenge.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)"We've seen more and more teams lately start to take runs at him, especially on zone entries, double teaming him a bit," Islanders winger Andrew Ladd said of Barzal. The veteran has spent most of the season on the 20-year-old center's line, along with Jordan Eberle."But if that's the case, his next progression is, when he has two guys on him, finding the open guy. That just helps his linemates out more, which he's figured out, too. The dynamics of his game, how well he skates, how well he sees the ice, and his passing ability, it's tough to contain someone like that. If you do contain him, it takes more than one guy to do it, and he's gonna open someone else up."Finding that open man can be difficult in traffic, an issue that familiarity between linemates can alleviate. Practice helps, and when he watches video, Barzal keeps a close eye on his wingers so he can better understand what they like to do.That work has only become more important as Barzal faces greater scrutiny from opponents thanks to his success over the first half of his rookie campaign."The last 20-30 games, guys are a little more in my face, and that kind of stuff, but I love it," Barzal said. "I'm a competitor and I'm playing out there. So, I've noticed it, but it's all right. It's actually great, because in the (WHL), I used to get doubled or shadowed ... so it's helped me make the transition to playing in tighter games, playing with guys draped on me. I'm always playing with two great players in this league - doesn't matter what line I'm on, everyone is good - so, I'm just trying to find open guys."He has done that plenty. Barzal is 12th in the league in assists, and is on his way from being one of the NHL's top rookies to one of the game's top players.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers continued their free fall Wednesday night, allowing six unanswered goals in a blowout loss to the Boston Bruins on home ice.Captain Ryan McDonagh didn't mince words about what he considers one of the most dismal performances he's ever been a part of with the organization."It's probably one of the worst games of my career and one of the worst games I've ever been a part of in my Rangers career, so that pretty much sums it up," he said.McDonagh played more than 21 minutes and finished the game as a minus-2. With the loss, the Rangers now have just three regulation wins in their last 20 games, and the club has shown no signs of snapping out of its extended funk."It's been brutal, no question about it," he said. "With everything going on with the team, we need to stay focused on trying to put together somewhat of a complete game. We're not getting close."New York now sits three points outside the playoff cut line and faces the distinct possibility of missing out on the postseason for the first time since 2010-11.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With less than a month to go before the Maple Leafs head outdoors to take on the Washington Capitals for the 2018 Stadium Series, it appears Toronto's special jerseys may have leaked prematurely.Washington officially unveiled its digs in January, but no official word has come from Toronto. However, the image below may have spoiled the surprise.

Ottawa Senators forward Alex Burrows has been suspended 10 games for kneeing New Jersey Devils winger Taylor Hall.The incident occurred in Tuesday's contest between the Senators and Devils after Hall landed a hit on Burrows. A scrum then ensued and Burrows kneed Hall in the back of the head.Related: Hall on being kneed in head by Burrows: 'He kind of lost his mind'Burrows was whistled for two minor penalties on the play - one for cross checking and a second infraction for roughing.The 10-game suspension marks the longest handed out this season. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, Burrows is not considered a repeat offender, as he has not been suspended in the past 18 months. His last ban came in 2014 when he was suspended for three games.In December, Burrows was fined $5,000 - the maximum allowable under the CBA - as a supplemental discipline penalty for roughing. The latest ban will cost him nearly $135,000 in forfeited salary, according to CapFriendly.Burrows, 36, has tallied eight points in 51 games this season. He is eligible to return to the lineup March 2 when the Senators face off against the Vegas Golden Knights.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

If the Calgary Flames are to add to their roster before this year's trade deadline, it won't come at the expense of the club's future draft picks, at least according to team president Brian Burke.The Flames are firmly entrenched in the playoff race in the crowded Western Conference, and entered Wednesday's games in third spot in the Pacific with 62 points, enough to momentarily fend off the pursuing Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings.That said, Calgary could potentially benefit from some added offensive punch on the wing, but Burke won't sell future assets for a quick fix."We don't have a lot of picks - we're not picking until (the third round of the 2018 draft), so we can't use the deadline to pick up a rental player with a relatively high pick," Burke said on Sportsnet 590's Prime Time Sports on Wednesday. "We're not going into (2019) picks ... unless it's an extraordinary circumstance."The Flames traded a first- and two second-round picks to the New York Islanders for defenseman Travis Hamonic in the offseason, and also gave up future draft selections in separate trades for Michael Stone and Mike Smith.While the odds of bringing in an outside player are slim, Burke believes the solution to Calgary's wish list could come internally, as he mentioned winger Kris Versteeg - who hasn't played since Nov. 24 due to hip surgery - could return soon to help the club's playoff push.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Jonas Brodin will be sidelined for three-to-four weeks after undergoing hand surgery, the team announced Wednesday.Brodin suffered the injury in Tuesday's 6-2 win over the St. Louis Blues.Across 53 games this season, Brodin has recorded five goals and 10 assists. His 21:21 average ice-time ranks fourth among Minnesota blue-liners.The Wild remain in the thick of the playoff race, holding down the final wild-card spot with 63 points. Both the Anaheim Ducks and the Colorado Avalanche trail Minnesota by one point.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL trade deadline is now under three weeks away, but still the league awaits its first big-name move.One of the bigger stars on the chopping block is Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman. As a premier shooter, a deal for Hoffman could very well bring back the biggest return of any player on the Senators roster. (It's important to note general manager Pierre Dorion has gone on record saying he wants captain Erik Karlsson with the club for life, and he doesn't plan to move Derick Brassard.)However, it appears the Senators could be wavering on whether to deal Hoffman for one main reason: he and Matt Duchene have formed great chemistry over the last few weeks, as TSN's Darren Dreger noted on Tuesday's "Insider Trading" segment.Hoffman and Duchene have been the bright lights for a team that, despite wins in three of the last four games, looks primed for a top-10 pick in the draft. The two have combined for 11 points in their last four games and after a slow start following his arrival from the Colorado Avalanche, Duchene looks to be hitting his stride.Over his last 14 games, Duchene has 14 points, thanks largely to his rapport with Hoffman. Meanwhile, since joining the Sens, Duchene has 20 points, 10 of which Hoffman has contributed to in some way.There's no question the idea the duo continuing to fire on all cylinders is intriguing, but the fact of the matter is the potential benefits of a deal ahead of the trade deadline outweigh those of keeping him.Given Hoffman's offensive potential, there is no question he will be a sought-after trade target and could command a hefty haul.In the same "Insider Trading" segment, Bob McKenzie suggested the asking price for New York Rangers forward Rick Nash could be a first-round draft pick, a high-end prospect, and another draft pick or lesser player.That seems like a high ask, but the Sens would likely want a similarly large return for Hoffman. While Nash certainly plays a heavier game than Hoffman, the Senators winger has been much more productive over the last two years, tallying 69 goals and 156 points in 204 games compared to Nash's 53 goals and 99 points in 180 games. That works out to a points per game average of 0.76 for Hoffman to Nash's 0.55, making the former the better fit for a club looking to add an offensive punch heading into the postseason.A Hoffman deal also makes sense in the much-publicized case of Karlsson's next contract. As has been well documented, the two-time Norris Trophy-winner will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of next season and is eligible for a contract extension on July 1 of this year.The Senators have made it clear their intentions are to have Karlsson back with the club for a long time. Just one problem there: he won't be cheap and the 27-year-old has already said he won't be taking a hometown discount to stay in Ottawa.As it stands, the Senators will have just over $35 million to spend for the 2019-20 season - when Karlsson becomes a free agent - but that's with just nine players signed to contracts.Karlsson could command a Connor McDavid-like contract in the ballpark of $12.5 million per season, or potentially higher. That would give the Senators roughly $23 million to get 10 guys signed - good luck, Dorion. So it makes sense to try and free up some money if they can, and with Hoffman on the books for another two years at $5.187 million per season, dealing him would be a way to release some cash.It's understandable to want to keep Hoffman in the fold. The 28-year-old has a remarkable shot - one he's used to score more goals than any other Sens player over the last four seasons - and he still looks to have another gear to hit.But with the team now locked in 29th in the overall standings, it's evident the team is in need of some retooling. With that, the Senators would be better off cashing in on Hoffman for draft picks and prospects to help jump-start their pending rebuild.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jersey Devils general manager Ray Shero would like to give his club a boost at the trade deadline, but he's only willing to give up so much.The Devils find themselves third in the Metropolitan Division, just one point back of the second-place Pittsburgh Penguins with three games in hand. Though Shero would like to add another piece or two, he won't give up talented prospects and picks to accommodate the high prices for certain rental players."You're always looking to make a decent hockey deal, but if it's a rental, I don't see us getting into what those rentals might cost," Shero said, according to NHL.com's Mike Morreale. "Maybe it's a softer deal that solidifies a certain area or position, or maybe it's just another hockey deal that takes place. Whether it's team play or injuries, any GM will say that things can change. We'll keep our options open."Shero added, "We have good depth coming up and that's something I don't want to lose and set us back."In the meantime, the Devils will look to keep up their strong play down the stretch. They made their last playoff appearance in 2012, falling to the Los Angeles Kings in the Stanley Cup Final.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Shea Weber skated Wednesday for the first time since suffering a left foot injury in December.Weber took the ice with teammate Phillip Danault before practice, but didn't take part in team drills and no timetable has been set for Weber's return to the lineup.Weber - with six goals and 10 assists in 26 games this season - played through the injury but the team ruled him out indefinitely Dec. 18 after the ailment lingered.Montreal squares off against the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen started Wednesday against the Nashville Predators after a brief injury scare in the club's previous contest.Andersen left Monday's game against the Anaheim Ducks after taking a skate to the head from Corey Perry, although Babcock said postgame the goaltender was "fine."Andersen returned to practice Tuesday without incident, but Babcock said he wouldn't make a decision about Wednesday's starter until game day.The goaltender currently sports a 2.66 goals-against average with a .921 save percentage and four shutouts.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Joffrey Lupul is still under contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but it doesn't appear he'll be suiting up anytime soon.The 34-year-old hasn't played since February 2016 after having sports hernia surgery, and recently hinted at being effectively retired during an appearance on the "Member Guest" podcast."When I think about things like that, it’s easier to let go of the fact that your body is not in good shape and it’s probably not meant to play hockey anymore. But it’s very easy to just focus on the great moments … the playoff games or big goals and stuff like that. That’s one thing I find myself dealing with now that I’m not playing, and probably won’t be playing going forward," Lupul said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Lupul failed a second physical in October and the NHL ruled him eligible to be placed on long-term injured reserve. The veteran forward initially blamed the Maple Leafs for his first failed physical in September, but later apologized and said he hoped to eventually return.Now, it seems unlikely Lupul will ever play again, which he's seemingly at peace with."When you’ve dedicated your life to something - a professional sport or music - there’s a lot of things that you’ve had to sacrifice along the way, as far as not being able to do," he said. "I (couldn’t) go on a vacation with friends. It was like you finish a season, you take two weeks off and then I’m back in the gym doing everything, which was great. I loved it. I miss it."I miss some of that stuff, but there’s also some interesting things that you can do outside of there. That part of it's really exciting."Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators forward Alex Burrows has waived his right to an in-person hearing after kneeing New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall on Tuesday night, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.Burrows will now have a hearing via telephone on Wednesday afternoon.The incident in question occurred midway through the second period after a stoppage in play. Burrows took exception to some physical play from Hall and jumped the 26-year-old, throwing punches and then kneeing him in the head as the two wrestled on the ice.After the game, Hall told reporters of Burrows: "He kind of lost his mind."The news comes after Burrows was fined $5,000 for roughing San Jose Sharks defenseman Dylan DeMelo in a game on Dec. 9.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

By now, if you haven't come to terms with NHL players not competing at PyeongChang 2018, you probably never will.And while there is no denying the fact that the tournament's appeal is not on the same level it would have been if the world's best were allowed to take part, there are still plenty of consummate hockey professionals set to put on a show next week.Even though the "Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR)" team boasts the obvious advantage of a roster loaded with NHL-ready talent, a number of lesser-known names from different nations still have the ability to light the lamp on the regular and take the tournament by storm.Here's a look at the players we think will be the leading scorers in South Korea, broken down by group:Group ALinden Vey, W - CanadaThe 2009 fourth-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Kings saw his NHL high in goals top out at 10 when he notched 24 points in 75 games for the Vancouver Canucks during the 2014-15 season. Although those numbers aren't eye-popping, he still possesses the pedigree to be an offensive threat for the Canadians.Vey, a 26-year-old Saskatchewan native, sits fourth in KHL scoring with 17 goals and 35 assists in 50 games this campaign for Barys Astana and has become increasingly comfortable playing on the bigger ice surfaces of Europe.The 2010-11 WHL scoring champ owns the necessary offensive abilities to be a difference-maker for Team Canada at PyeongChang 2018.Jiri Sekac, W - Czech RepublicMontreal Canadiens fans might not be in full agreement of Sekac's inclusion in this list, but that doesn't mean he can't still be an offensive contributor in a wide-open tournament.One hundred and eight NHL contests saw only 10 goals for the Kladno native, but over the last two seasons for AK Bars Kazan of the KHL, Sekac has tallied 28 goals and 39 assists in 95 games.The Czechs may struggle to score as a group, but if Sekac can form some offensive chemistry with former NHLers in Roman Horak and Martin Erat, don't be shocked if the 26-year-old winger is among the tournament leaders at the end of the month. Group BIlya Kovalchuk, W - OARThis entire section could have arguably been filled solely with the Olympic Athletes from Russia, but there is no debating Kovalchuk remains a dangerous offensive weapon who could jump right back into the NHL at any moment.Kovalchuk stepped away from the NHL in 2013 to return to his native Russia to play for SKA Saint Petersburg, but that hasn't stopped him from being a consistent goal scorer with the type of soft hands general managers in North America are still courting.The 2001 first overall draft pick has 120 goals in 262 games since taking his talents back to Russia, and his familiarity with his teammates and the larger ice surface should lead to Kovalchuk racking up points regardless of the crest on his jersey.Nikita Gusev, W - OARAnother Russian-born player who could easily be filling the scoresheet in NHL arenas, Gusev also plies his trade for SKA Saint Petersburg.Gusev finished fourth in KHL scoring a season ago with 71 points in 57 games and sits only one point adrift of teammate Kovalchuk for this year's lead with 62. The Vegas Golden Knights acquired Gusev's rights from the Tampa Bay Lightning (the team that drafted him in the seventh round of the 2012 NHL Draft) this summer, so his North American appeal is still very much real.With that and his scoring ability in mind, Gusev is most definitely an offensive talent that will be among the tournament's best.Ryan Donato, C - United StatesPart of the group of NCAA stars making the trip to South Korea for Team USA, Donato is a player to watch at PyeongChang 2018.The Boston Bruins' 56th overall draft choice has put up yet another strong season for the Harvard Crimson, tallying 31 points, including a ridiculous 20 goals in 19 games.

This comeback was months in the making.Following Pittsburgh's 5-4 victory over the visiting Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday, the Penguins' Twitter account scored another win with a pretty savage burn.First, here's a look at what Vegas tweeted out back in the summer when Vadim Shipachyov decided to wear No. 87, same as best-player-in-the-world Sidney Crosby:

The Winnipeg Jets are in full flight.OK, we could have done a bit better with the plane puns, but seriously, Winnipeg is tearing it up right now - especially at home.

Taylor Hall was the recipient of some on-ice violence at the hands of Alex Burrows on Tuesday, and while he didn't appear to be injured after taking several punches and knees to the head, he questioned the Ottawa Senators winger's mental stability after the game.Related: Sens' Burrows goes after Devils' Hall with punches, knee to head"He punched me in the back of the head like 10 times," Hall told Devils beat reporter Amanda Stein. "He kind of lost his mind."

Warning: Story contains coarse languageWhile the Washington Capitals celebrated Nicklas Backstrom's go-ahead tally with 43 seconds remaining in the third period Tuesday, Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella was stuck wondering what else his team can do to earn a win.Tortorella's crew fought to tie the game at 2-2 in the final frame, but were ultimately robbed of storing one point in the bank, as well as the chance to play for another in overtime. All in all, it was the Blue Jackets' third consecutive loss and seventh in 10 games, leaving their bench boss pining for some better fortune."We're spoiled because of the year we had last year where everything went our way," Tortorella said postgame. "We got breaks, we were healthy, and a lot of things went our way."We forced them to go our way, for the most part, but you do get some luck in a year. We had a ton of it. We got shit for luck right now, but that can't get us down."Torts has a point, as Columbus was the better team all night long. The Blue Jackets held a 56-43 advantage in shot attempts at even strength, and out-chanced the Capitals 37-24, per Naturalstattrick.However, the Blue Jackets won't be able to dwell on the defeat for too long, as a rematch with the Capitals looms Friday, before another crucial Metropolitan Division battle with the Devils on Saturday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was almost a perfect night for Marc-Andre Fleury.The Vegas Golden Knights goaltender made his first start in Pittsburgh after years spent tending the twine for the Penguins, and was met with an emotional tribute and ovation from the team and its fans on Tuesday.

Alex Burrows got heated and may find himself in hot water as a result.The Ottawa Senators winger took exception to some physical play from Taylor Hall during the second period Tuesday, and expressed his displeasure by taking down the New Jersey Devils forward, leveling him with punches and knee to the head.

Mark Stone wants to help turn things around in Ottawa.The Senators winger is set to become a restricted free agent at the end of what's shaping up to be a disappointing 2017-18 campaign for the club, and while he has yet to discuss a new deal with management, he expects to come to an agreement in good time."As a restricted free agent, you kind of know you’re going to be back, so I’m not worried about it right now," Stone told Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch. "I just want to get healthy right now and then try to finish out this season by playing as hard as I can, win as many hockey games as we can, and then the rest will take care of itself."Stone is currently on the shelf with a leg injury, and he's looking to finish strong with one eye already on next season."We kind of got a taste of how good this group can be last year, so, when you have years like this, for me personally, and I can’t speak for everybody, I’ll be excited to get back to work on Sept. 1 when this season ends. I just hope I’ll be part of the solution and not part of the problem."Stone has recorded 18 goals and 26 assists in 44 games this season. He's emerged as one of the team's most important players and clearly wants to be part of the Senators' future."Most players want to (sign long term). I don’t think players come into a season trying to move on from things like this," he said. "There’s going to be change, and you never know … I could be one of those guys being changed."Stone currently carries a cap hit of $3.5 million and is line for a healthy raise on his next deal.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Pittsburgh Penguins and their fans welcomed Marc-Andre Fleury back with open arms.During the first period of Vegas' lone visit to Pittsburgh this season (barring a Stanley Cup Final matchup), the Golden Knights goaltender was honored with a fitting video tribute.That was followed by a lengthy and loud ovation from the Penguins faithful.

The Edmonton Oilers find themselves in an unforeseen position heading into this year's trade deadline: as sellers. Although their season began with Stanley Cup expectations, the Oilers currently sit 11 points outside the playoff cut line in the West, and have some decisions to make ahead of Feb. 26.One of Edmonton's most valuable yet expendable assets is Patrick Maroon, as the rugged winger can chip in with some offense and carries only a $1.5-million expiring contract. However, Oilers brass is exploring the possibility of an extension that fits in their books before pulling the trigger on a potential deal, reports Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic.LeBrun adds the Oilers and Maroon's agent spoke briefly during All-Star weekend, and talks between the two sides could escalate this week.Maroon scored a career-high 27 goals for the Oilers last season, and has followed up with 13 tallies in 49 games in 2017-18.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators forward Derick Brassard will not dress for Tuesday's game against the New Jersey Devils, the club confirmed.The 30-year-old is dealing with an undisclosed injury and is "banged up," head coach Guy Boucher said, according to TSN's Brent Wallace.Related: 5 centers the Penguins should target to bolster 3-peat bidBrassard sits fourth in team scoring with 13 goals and 29 points in 51 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kevin Poulin turned away all 29 shots thrown his way and forward Maxim Lapierre scored what would be the game-winner, as Canada blanked Belarus 2-0 in Olympic pre-tournament action on Tuesday.Lapierre opened the scoring midway through the first period after depositing the feed from forward Eric O'Dell.Andrew Ebbett found the back of the net seven minutes into the third to give the Canadians a two-goal advantage.The game was Canada's second straight shutout of the pre-tournament after the team blanked Latvia 2-0 on Sunday.It currently appears as though the team could have a goalie battle on their hands. Ben Scrivens was between the pipes during Sunday's contest, meanwhile, Poulin has now put up consecutive shutouts in international play, after shutting out Switzerland in the Spengler Cup Final last month.Canada will now make the trip to PyeongChang on Wednesday and enjoy some time off before concluding the pre-tournament against Sweden on Sunday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock expects goaltender Frederik Andersen to be between the pipes Wednesday when the club hosts the Nashville Predators, according to TSN's Kristen Shilton.Andersen was forced to leave Monday's game against the Anaheim Ducks after being hit in the head by the skate of Corey Perry. Curtis McElhinney entered in relief and turned away 15 of 16 shots in the Maple Leafs' 7-4 victory.While Babcock remains optimistic, he noted that he had not discussed Andersen's status with the team's medical staff.

Jonathan Toews is inextricably linked with his heroics for his national team and though he won't be suiting up in PyeongChang, the Chicago Blackhawks captain provided his full support for Team Canada ahead of the upcoming tournaments.NHL players will not be participating in this year's event, a point of contention for many potential attendees. Although it was a bitter development, Toews has moved on and will be watching avidly from home."Nothing is given there. I can't even stand here and talk like I'd be on Team Canada if we were going; there are so many great players. So any chance you get to represent your country is a great honor," Toews said via Mark Lazerus of the Chicago Sun-Times.Toews emerged into the national conscience following a standout performance during the 2007 World Junior Hockey Championships, and excelled for Canada on the big stage in Vancouver and Sochi. The two-time gold medalist also gave a particular nod to Canadian defenseman Chay Genoway, his teammate during his collegiate tenure at the University of North Dakota."I'm pretty excited to watch him play," Toews said.The nation will be standing at attention during PyeongChang 2018, and that doesn't exclude living legends like Toews himself.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Amid another excellent season, Patrik Laine is embracing his status as Winnipeg's favorite son.Laine submitted a standout rookie campaign in 2016-2017, scoring 36 goals and 64 points, taking the league by storm with his devastating release.The 19-year-old is following up his debut season by featuring as a key component of a Jets team that's battling for top spot in the Central Division.In an essay titled "Winnipeg Is Good" for The Players' Tribune, Laine expressed gratitude to his adopted city."Other than destroying Nik Ehlers in Call of Duty, I think the best thing to happen to me last year was falling in love with Winnipeg," Laine wrote."I mean, I heard some guys talking bad about the city and that Winnipeg was not a good place. What do they know? I love Winnipeg. This is my home. These are my people now. I play for them. It’s a great, great city. Everyone who lives here really cares about one another, that’s what stands out to me. We are one group, all of us. Everybody is your neighbor."Selected second overall in the 2016 NHL Draft, Laine was considered a vital piece of the Jets' future and he's exceeded some of the loftiest projections during the early stages of his promising career.After missing the playoffs last season, Laine is clearly embracing the challenge of leading a sleeping contender into battle with the playoffs speeding toward the horizon."Yeah, things are good in Winnipeg right now. People are happy around the rink and the season is going well so far. Last year was tough. Everyone was saying I should be happy with how I played and stuff. But, like, I don’t care about that. I want to win. That’s is the only reason I play hockey - or even CoD. I want to beat you. We didn’t do that enough last year. Now we’re winning, and I’m loving it and so is the city."Laine was destined for stardom in Winnipeg and has been embraced by the city from the minute he was drafted. After starring for the Jets before his 20th birthday, it's clear Laine knows he's on his way to cementing his status in city lore.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bobby Ryan's latest hand injury will keep him out long term.Ottawa Senators head coach Guy Boucher confirmed Tuesday that Ryan suffered ligament damage and is out on a week-to-week basis.The forward suffered the injury after scoring a power-play goal during last Thursday's game against the Anaheim Ducks.This marks the fourth time Ryan's been sidelined by a hand injury this season alone. The 30-year-old has been limited to 39 games in 2017-18, and has tallied just seven goals and 20 points.The team's expected to call up a player from the Belleville Senators of the AHL, after which Ottawa will dress 11 forwards and seven defensemen.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

NEW YORK – Take a quick guess at who has the most goals this season for the defending Western Conference champion and current Central Division-leading Nashville Predators. There are two correct answers, so it should be that much easier, right?Not so fast.Viktor Arvidsson and Kevin Fiala have scored 17 apiece, which puts them in a 10-way tie for 50th place in the NHL. If that seems particularly low for a team eighth in the league in scoring with 3.08 goals per game, that is by design. The Predators have four more players in double figures in goals – Filip Forsberg (16), Craig Smith (16), P.K. Subban (13), and Calle Jarnkrok (12) – and another five or six who should join them by season’s end.The Predators attack in waves and never stop, which is how they rallied from a pair of deficits Monday night to win their third straight game, 5-4 in overtime against the New York Islanders. Ryan Johansen netted the equalizer with 42.2 seconds remaining in the third period before Roman Josi converted a give-and-go with Nick Bonino in a free-flowing extra session to bag the two points.“The depth of our group is what we count on every night,” Johansen said. “It’s not one or two guys that we look to lug the mail here. We count on each other, every single night, to produce at both ends of the rink, and each and every single play we’re using all our D and all our forwards. We’re supporting each other and working for each other. That’s a big reason for our success this year, and will be moving forward.”Nashville’s ability to cull goals from throughout the roster helps to explain why the Predators have been shut out only twice all season – in the second game of the campaign in Pittsburgh, and on Jan. 2 in Las Vegas, where it seems everyone in the league turns into a shell of themselves. Since that trip to Sin City, though, the Predators have been nearly unstoppable, with 38 goals scored during a 9-1-2 surge.In the last couple of weeks, the Predators have really been clicking offensively, scoring at least three goals in six of their last seven games, and five in each of their last three.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)“It doesn’t really matter what team we play, (Peter Laviolette) and our team always puts an emphasis on getting shots on net,” Josi said. “He wants us to get shots from everywhere if we can. … We talked about wanting to get more shots. That’s our identity. So we started shooting more, and in this league, it’s so hard to score goals, we’ve just been getting it to the front of the net, and our forwards are doing a great job to get rewarded for it.”That was exactly what happened to spark the Predators’ comeback on Monday night. Down 4-2 in the waning minutes of the second period, and looking pretty ragged, Nashville had a decent shift going when Mattias Ekholm decided to fling the puck toward the crease.It bounced off Scott Hartnell at the doorstep, and in the ensuing scramble, Jarnkrok punched home his second goal in three February games after having gone without a tally in January. Had Jarnkrok not been there, Bonino was right next to him, to the point that even Nashville’s TV crew thought it was his goal.With the goals that followed, Pekka Rinne was able to pick up his 27th win of the season on a night when the goalie rightly blamed himself for the predicament in which the Predators had found themselves. Rinne, of course, is rarely a problem for Nashville, to which his 2.32 goals against average and .926 save percentage would attest.Johansen touted his teammate’s Vezina candidacy, and it would be funny if, after years of carrying the Predators and not getting the hardware, this wound up being Rinne’s year for that trophy, when his job has become less stressful, at least to the extent it ever can for an NHL goalie.“It is nice when you’re getting the goal support that I’m getting right now,” Rinne said. “I can’t say enough about these guys. Those nights (when it’s lopsided), it’s nice, but still ... I try not to put too much on my shoulders. I don’t think I need to. We have so much talent in this room. It is different when you go into the game knowing that you’re probably going to get three goals. You have a little leeway and it’s a good feeling. You don’t stress about it, and you just focus on your game.”Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's top club is finally showing some signs of wavering.The Tampa Bay Lightning dropped their fifth game in the last 10 on Monday, losing in spectacular fashion to the Edmonton Oilers in a contest that saw Connor McDavid go off for four goals and one assist in the 6-2 beating.While the Lightning still sit perched atop the NHL standings, captain Steven Stamkos feels the club's recent play has not been up to snuff."It's alarming the way we're playing," Stamkos said, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "It hasn't felt like we've played a solid game in a while."And Stamkos is correct. Since Jan. 11 - a stretch of 10 games - Tampa Bay has struggled.CategoryStatLeague RankPoints10T-17Power Play16.7%T-25Penalty Kill71.9%26Goals Against3326Shots Against35028Fortunately for the Lightning, after enduring an eight-game road trip, they will now return home, where they are 17-5-1 this season, to play four of their next six contests.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The first step of Rick Nash's potential departure from the Big Apple has taken place, as the veteran winger submitted an 18-team no-trade list to the Rangers' brass - at their request - leaving 12 clubs available to swoop in for his services before the Feb. 26 trade deadline.Nash is in his sixth season with New York, but he'll become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. That, combined with the Rangers' apparent desire to rebuild, will make the 33-year-old one of the top rental targets for potential Stanley Cup contenders in this year's winger-heavy market.Still, there are several factors to consider for teams interested in acquiring Nash, and below, we'll get into the pros and cons attached to one of the biggest names on the block.Pro: ReliabilityGone are the days of Nash pouring in 40 goals per season, but that's not to say he's lost his effectiveness. He'd be an immediate upgrade on the wing for many teams and can be deployed in any situation. And on top of being a mainstay in the Rangers' top six and first power-play unit, Nash ranks third among all New York forwards in penalty-kill time.The veteran can be counted on to make smart decisions on the ice and has always excelled at protecting the puck. He's also 13th in the NHL in takeaways, and despite a drop-off in production, still has 15 goals so far this season.Con: CostThe main hurdle to overcome will be the cost, as trade partners won't want to take on the entirety of Nash's $7.8-million cap hit. And should a team convince the Rangers to eat a significant chunk of that salary, the next obstacle will be New York's asking price.Rangers general manager Jeff Gorton received a top-10 pick and developing blue-liner Anthony DeAngelo for Derek Stepan last summer, so it's reasonable to think he'd expect something similar for Nash.And while Nash is certainly one of the better players available, will a contending team be willing to part with multiple prime assets for a playoff run with a roster reinforced by him? Well, that's for the general managers to decide.Pro: Strong underlying numbersDespite converting fewer chances, Nash is still creating offense at a high rate. He's been well below his career shooting percentage (12.1) over the past three seasons, but has still been one of the most dangerous Rangers in the attacking zone.Related: Father Time isn't defeating Rick Nash, but bad luck may beAnd even though New York is routinely dominated by opponents on the shot clock, Nash is one of the few Rangers with a positive Corsi For relative to his teammates (2.02). He also leads the club in individual expected goals for (10.26) and individual shot attempts (190). If Nash was just getting a little luckier when it comes to cashing in his scoring opportunities, his trade value would likely be much higher.(All advanced stats at five-on-five, entering Monday's games. Courtesy: Corsica)Con: Playoff historyNash and the Rangers have qualified for the postseason in each of the last six seasons, even reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2014 - a five-game defeat to the Los Angeles Kings. Still, even with ample opportunities, Nash has never established himself as a strong playoff performer.In 73 postseason games with the Rangers, Nash has recorded 14 goals and 24 assists, including just three goals in 25 contests when New York emerged out of the Eastern Conference four seasons ago.It's difficult to pinpoint why certain players struggle or excel come playoff time, but unfortunately for Nash, he falls in the former category. Now, whether his underwhelming postseason reputation will be enough to scare off GMs remains to be seen, but it's assuredly going to be considered before any executive mortgages significant pieces of their team's future.(Photos Courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor McDavid's four-goal, one-assist output Monday didn't just pad his stats, it also helped thicken his wallet.Related - Watch: McDavid explodes for 4 goals vs. LightningWith the five-point performance against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Edmonton Oilers captain eclipsed the 20-goal and 60-point plateaus, earning him a combined $425,000 in performance bonuses, according to Cap Friendly.McDavid has now hit all four category "A" bonuses (35 assists, 20 goals, 60 points, and being named to the All-Star Game) for a total of $850,000.The performance bonuses will look like peanuts next year, when the 21-year-old will earn $15 million in his first year of an eight-year, $100-million contract.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Against the league's top team, Connor McDavid had himself a night.The Edmonton Oilers captain potted four goals and added one assist versus the Tampa Bay Lightning for the second five-point night of his career, and he did so in mostly spectacular fashion.Without further ado, here are all four McDavid goals in order. Enjoy.

The Winnipeg Jets welcomed a familiar face back to practice Monday, as top-line centre Mark Scheifele participated without any restrictions for the first time since suffering an upper-body injury Dec. 27.Jets coach Paul Maurice said he's hopeful Scheifele can return to game action Friday when the Jets take on the St. Louis Blues, per Scott Billeck of NHL.com.Scheifele has missed 15 games to date, but the Jets have rolled to a record of 10-2-3 in his absence, and currently sit in a tie for first place in the Central Division with the Nashville Predators, who own two games in hand.No matter when Scheifele officially draws back in, it will be a huge boost for the Jets, as the 24-year-old recorded 38 points in 38 games before his injury.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs came out of a frenetic game against the Anaheim Ducks with a 7-4 win, but also a little worse for wear.Here are three quick takeaways from a wild win:1. Top line bounces backAfter being flummoxed by the Boston Bruins at every turn on Saturday, Toronto's young stars made quite a statement.Auston Matthews and William Nylander both scored twice, while linemate Zach Hyman scored once and Mitch Marner chipped in a beauty of his own.The trio of Matthews, Nylander, and Marner combined for 14 of Toronto's 40 shots on the night.It's not the style head coach Mike Babcock prefers, but the Leafs' forward core can run with any other in the NHL, and will usually come out on top of those track meets.2. Kapanen makes his caseKasperi Kapanen also made a case for increased playing time by displaying blazing speed and patience beyond his years in recording his first career assist on Matthews' second goal.The 21-year-old was a big piece acquired in the Phil Kessel trade, and had been good for four goals in 19 games with the big club over the past two seasons, along with a pair in six playoff appearances.Interestingly, Kapanen saw 11:04 of ice time, 2:07 of which came on the penalty kill. His skill set certainly warrants time on the man advantage as well.3. Torched by Ducks' top lineHaving said all that, Toronto struggled to contain Anaheim's top line:

Frederik Andersen was forced to exit Monday's game against Anaheim in the second period after Ducks forward Corey Perry caught the Toronto Maple Leafs goalie in the head with his skate while gliding through the crease.Perry was not penalized on the play as it appeared to be incidental contact.Andersen skated off the ice on his own, was replaced by Curtis McElhinney, and did not come back out for the start of the third period.Head coach Mike Babcock offered the following update after the eventual 7-4 win: