With his franchise player set to become an unrestricted free agent July 1, New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow doesn't appear to be entertaining the thought of making a preemptive move."I’m not trading John Tavares," Snow said Thursday to The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun.The Islanders are in a precarious position, sitting a single point out of a playoff spot but with three teams to leap in order to secure one.Related: 5 potential trade targets who could salvage Islanders' playoff hopesTheir chances would be greatly diminished if Snow concluded they can't risk allowing Tavares to leave as a free agent without gaining assets in return, but he's prepared to wait it out in the hopes that the captain will re-sign prior to July 1, or even after weighing his options on the open market.The Islanders are set to build a new arena in Belmont and will split games between Barclays Center and Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in the meantime, with Tavares remaining in their plans as the main attraction.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's no surprise that the Tampa Bay Lightning are pegged as Stanley Cup favorites, as they entered the season as the supposed best team in hockey and have proven that to be true.In recent weeks, however, the Vegas Golden Knights and Boston Bruins have emerged as legitimate threats, bumping last year's Cup winner and runner-up down the list.Here's a look at the odds, compared to those offered a month ago, per Bodog:TeamOdds on Jan. 2Odds on Feb. 2Tampa Bay Lightning6/16/1Vegas Golden Knights15/26/1Boston Bruins20/115/2Nashville Predators14/114/1Pittsburgh Penguins18/114/1Toronto Maple Leafs12/114/1Washington Capitals18/114/1St. Louis Blues14/116/1Winnipeg Jets14/116/1Anaheim Ducks25/122/1Calgary Flames33/122/1Dallas Stars25/122/1Columbus Blue Jackets18/125/1Minnesota Wild28/125/1San Jose Sharks22/125/1Chicago Blackhawks22/128/1New York Rangers25/128/1Los Angeles Kings16/128/1Colorado Avalanche100/133/1New Jersey Devils18/133/1Philadelphia Flyers40/133/1New York Islanders33/140/1Carolina Hurricanes40/150/1Edmonton Oilers28/166/1Detroit Red Wings150/1200/1Florida Panthers66/1200/1Montreal Canadiens66/1200/1Ottawa Senators100/1200/1Arizona CoyotesOff the BoardOff the BoardBuffalo SabresOff the BoardOff the BoardVancouver Canucks75/1Off the BoardCopyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse languageThe Winnipeg Jets were furious with the controversial goal that was upheld in their overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.Erik Haula's tap-in goal was allowed to stand despite the fact teammate James Neal broke his stick on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck's mask moments before, and Jets captain Blake Wheeler didn't mince words when asked about it postgame."Come on, (he) fucking breaks a stick over his head," Wheeler told reporters, according to the Winnipeg Free Press' Mike McIntyre. "That’s not a goal. I don’t care where the puck is."Hellebuyck was also miffed."I think it’s a terrible call," he said. You would think the video replay is there for that reason (to overturn calls like that). That’s just dirty. I can take a stick to the face. But just because I don’t throw my head back and make it obvious, I feel like I got kind of screwed."This is my fourth goal with my helmet, having an issue with it," the netminder added. "(There was a) goal with my helmet off, (a) goal with my buckle off, (and a) goal where a guy trampled me. Maybe I should start diving a little bit, (because) that’s just ridiculous."Jets head coach Paul Maurice couldn't believe it, either."I don't know how there'd be an event that would be more egregious with goaltender interference, just beyond the spirit of the rule," he said. "The idea that a guy could clean a goalie out would be goalie interference, but a two-hand to the head wouldn't."What are we going to do with our goalies now?" Maurice continued. "The puck's loose in the crease, so swing away? We can’t have people swinging at our goalie’s heads. You can’t allow that to creep into the game."The incident occurred in the second period of Thursday's game. The Jets tied the contest late in the third, but David Perron won it in overtime to give the Golden Knights the NHL record for expansion-team victories.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights' historic night didn't come without a little controversy.Erik Haula's second-period goal was upheld upon review after being challenged by Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice, who was looking for a goaltender interference call because Golden Knights forward James Neal broke his stick on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck's mask.Winnipeg forward Kyle Connor tied the game late in the third period, but Vegas' David Perron won it in overtime to give the Golden Knights the most wins by an expansion team in NHL history.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Another night, another goalie interference controversy. The latest involving the St. Louis Blues and the Boston Bruins Thursday night.Blues netminder Jake Allen was driven out of the crease (and off the camera) by Jake DeBrusk and Ryan Spooner, allowing David Krejci to score what was probably the easiest goal of his career.

It was only a matter of time, but that doesn't make it any less impressive.The Vegas Golden Knights broke the NHL record for wins by an expansion team Thursday night thanks to an overtime victory against the Winnipeg Jets.It was the Golden Knights' 34th win of the season, breaking the previous mark held by both the Florida Panthers and the then-Anaheim Mighty Ducks, who each won 33 games in 1993-94.David Perron scored the overtime winner nearly four minutes into the extra frame Thursday night. Vegas had a 2-1 lead late in the third period, but Jets forward Kyle Connor tied it up with less than three minutes left in regulation.The Golden Knights improved to 34-12-4 through 50 games, padding their lead atop the Pacific Division.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have really hit their stride over the last four games, and it's no coincidence that it transpired as soon as head coach Mike Babcock made a fairly significant lineup adjustment.This was the Leafs' lineup for their game against the Colorado Avalanche on Jan. 22 - one game before their current four-game winning streak:LWCRWZach HymanAuston MatthewsWilliam NylanderPatrick MarleauNazem KadriLeo KomarovJames van RiemsdykTyler BozakConnor BrownMatt MartinFrederik GauthierMitch MarnerHere's the lineup they've iced for the last quartet of games, in which they've outscored their opponents 16-3:LWCRWZach HymanAuston MatthewsWilliam NylanderPatrick MarleauNazem KadriMitch MarnerJames van RiemsdykTyler BozakConnor BrownLeo KomarovDominic MooreKasperi KapanenThe biggest change was clearly Marner's promotion to the second line. Not only has it vaulted his own play (three points in four games) but Kadri has also benefited, tallying more points in his last four contests (five) than he did in the 20 games prior (two).Moreover, replacing Martin and Gauthier with Moore and Kapanen has given the Leafs a formidable fourth line with a nice combination of speed, skill, and defensive awareness.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

David Krejci has probably never scored an easier goal in his life.Linemates Jake DeBrusk and Ryan Spooner were each given assists on the play for touching the puck prior to Krejci's goal, but the true assist came when they drove St. Louis Blues netminder Jake Allen out of the crease.

One Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman is off to a Holl of a start to his NHL career.Justin Holl snapped one past Henrik Lundqvist to open the scoring against the New York Rangers on Thursday night, and he made some history in the process.Holl joined only a handful of other blue-liners in league history to notch a goal in each of his first two NHL games.

The Philadelphia Flyers and New Jersey Devils started their interdivisional tilt with a bang Thursday, engaging in a good ol' fashioned brouhaha in the opening frame.Things got chippy following this hit, in which Radko Gudas caught an unsuspecting Kyle Palmieri.

With less than a month until the NHL trade deadline, the defending Western Conference champions just received a massive boost.Filip Forsberg, who last played Dec. 29 due to an upper-body injury, rejoined the Nashville Predators' lineup Thursday for their tilt against the Los Angeles Kings.Even though Nashville managed to go 7-2-2 in Forsberg's absence, the team only averaged 2.27 goals per game over that span. Forsberg's 15 goals are still tied for the team lead despite him missing 11 games. In total, the Swede had 34 points in 37 games prior to his injury.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Gary Bettman has been commissioner of the NHL for a quarter of a century, and he doesn't intend to relinquish those duties in the near future."I don't plan on going anywhere. I'm having too much fun, I'm loving the opportunity, (and) there's nothing else I'd rather be doing," Bettman said on Sportsnet 590 The FAN on Thursday, after Sportsnet's Chris Johnston asked whether he plans to remain commissioner through the next round of CBA negotiations.The NHL's current collective bargaining agreement was a 10-year deal signed in 2013, but the league can opt out on Sept. 1, 2019, and the NHLPA can choose to opt out on Sept. 19, 2019.As a result, the next round of talks is expected to take place in either 2020 or 2022.Thursday marked the 25th anniversary of Bettman's appointment to commissioner, and he insisted he hasn't lost his passion for the job."It's an honor to do what I do, it's a great challenge, (and) we have great opportunities ahead of us ... so as long as I can give this 100 percent, then I want to keep doing it," he said. "If for whatever reason I don't feel I can give it 100 percent, then I'll stop, but I'm running on all cylinders as long as I can tell."The 65-year-old executive came to the NHL after serving as a senior vice president and general counsel with the NBA.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Drew Doughty lost expensive sunglasses at the All-Star Game, and the Los Angeles Kings are resorting to the classifieds to try to get them back.The club posted a Craigslist ad in the Tampa Bay region Sunday, after the Snap Specs (or "Spectacles by Snapchat", to be exact) that Doughty wore at the All-Star Game went missing.Here's a look at the ad:(Courtesy: Craigslist)Two members of the Kings' social media staff posted the ad, according to NHL.com's Cristina Ledra.They gave Doughty the special shades Saturday so he could capture video for the club's Snapchat account, but the star defenseman apparently handed them off to someone.The Kings spent Sunday's All-Star tournament repeatedly poking fun at Doughty for misplacing the eyewear.

Defenseman Matt Nickerson was suspended 20 games and had his contract terminated by the Elite Ice Hockey League's Milton Keynes Lightning after punching a fan.The incident occurred Sunday during a game against the Guildford Flames.Nickerson had already received a match penalty for abuse of officials when he took a swing at the fan while leaving the ice."Ice hockey is a family sport and it is unacceptable that at any time supporters are threatened or made to feel unsafe," the Lightning said in a statement. "As a club we do not condone what happened and Matt has been held accountable for his actions by both the Elite League Department of Player Safety and by the club."Nickerson was drafted 99th overall by the Dallas Stars in 2003, but never played in an NHL game.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders' playoff aspirations are - for the time being - beginning to fade.After an encouraging victory over the Vegas Golden Knights last week, the club has struggled mightily coming out of the All-Star break, dropping consecutive contests to the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs by a combined score of 9-1.New York has also gone 2-4-1 over its last seven games and continues to struggle keeping pucks out of the net. In fact, the Islanders are giving up a league-worst 3.62 goals per game despite running the third-most potent offense.With the trade deadline looming, it's time for general manager Garth Snow to pull the trigger on at least one move to shore up the defensive end. So, here are five potential players the Islanders should be looking to nab to keep their playoff hopes alive.Ryan McDonagh, RangersThe Islanders could use someone who can come in and improve the on-ice product with not just their play, but their mentorship. That's what makes McDonagh a prime candidate.It was reported last week that the New York Rangers could be preparing to blow things up, and that includes potentially dealing their captain.McDonagh would easily be an upgrade for the Islanders' defense corps, but could also help show youngsters such as Ryan Pulock, Adam Pelech, and Thomas Hickey the ropes.The 28-year-old has one more year on his contract after this, so he would be more than just a rental, but for a team that's been so poor in its own end, that could be a blessing.Robin Lehner, SabresGoaltending has been the Islanders' biggest pitfall this season - that's a fact.Both Jaroslav Halak and Thomas Greiss have done an awful job of keeping pucks out of the net, ranking last in the league in goals allowed.Halak has actually been the better of the two, even while giving up an average of 3.16 goals per game and rocking a save percentage of .909. That's because Greiss is giving up 3.94 goals per game and stopping pucks at an .887 clip.Enter Lehner, who's playing on a poor Buffalo Sabres team but has put together a respectable 2.85 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. He even enjoyed back-to-back shutouts over the Edmonton Oilers and Vancouver Canucks last week.Lehner would be a much more dependable option for the Islanders, and with the 26-year-old set to become a free agent at season's end, a trade could serve as a tryout to see if he's worth putting pen to paper with on a new contract this offseason.Petr Mrazek, Red WingsAnother potential option between the pipes is Petr Mrazek.The Detroit Red Wings puck-stopper is currently among the hottest goalies in the league. Mrazek has gone 3-0-1 in his last five games, putting up a save percentage of .965 and a goals-against average of 1.02.He'll be a restricted free agent after this season, but with the Red Wings in selling mode, with Jimmy Howard still locked up for next year, and with Mrazek making $4 million as a backup, he's likely to be dealt.As for the Islanders, he'd be an upgrade over the other two goaltenders on the roster, and he's young.Jean-Gabriel Pageau, SenatorsWith the Ottawa Senators sitting just outside the basement of the Eastern Conference, the team will almost certainly be selling off assets ahead of the deadline.With that, a name that should garner some interest from the Islanders is Jean-Gabriel Pageau. The versatile forward can put the puck in the back of the net, proved last year he can elevate his game in the playoffs, and most importantly can play in the defensive zone.Pageau remains one of the Senators' top penalty killers, something the Islanders are dying for. The club's penalty kill ranks 30th league-wide, having given up 39 goals with a man in the box. The 25-year-old can help with that, and even has a knack for scoring shorthanded.Ian Cole, PenguinsIan Cole might not be the superstar the Islanders want, but he could be the depth option they need.The Pittsburgh Penguins defender won't contribute a ton offensively, but what he does in his own end should be appealing.Cole is playing an average of 2:32 of shorthanded ice time per game, the third-most among Penguins defenders, and also leads the club with an average of two blocked shots per game.The 28-year-old is cap-friendly, making just $2.1 million this season, and given the Penguins were actively shopping him back in late November, it shouldn't take much to make a deal.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon has been ruled out of action for two-to-four weeks after further evaluation, the team announced Thursday.Fresh off an All-Star appearance, MacKinnon suffered an apparent arm or shoulder injury during Tuesday's game against Vancouver.MacKinnon has been playing some of the best hockey of his young career, rising to second in league scoring with 24 goals and 37 assists in 50 games, three points behind Tampa Bay's Nikita Kucherov. As such, he was seen as a viable Hart Trophy candidate, with the Avs surprisingly right in the thick of the playoff race.Based on this time frame, MacKinnon could miss anywhere from seven to 14 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, Boston Bruins center Patrice Bergeron, and Colorado Avalanche goalie Jonathan Bernier have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the month of January.Malkin led all players with 12 goals, adding another seven assists for 19 total points in 12 games last month. He has recorded a league-high 19 goals and 34 points in 26 appearances since the start of December and now sits fifth in goals (26) and 11th in points (55) on the season.Here's a look at Bergeron's month:

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Conor Sheary is considered week-to-week with a lower-body injury, the team announced Thursday.Sheary suffered the injury in a win over San Jose on Tuesday, Pittsburgh's first game back from the All-Star break.He had been skating on the top line with Sidney Crosby, and his injury prompted a lineup change:

New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal was named the NHL's Rookie of the Month for January, the league announced on Thursday.The 20-year-old paced all first-year players with 15 points in 12 games. The month was highlighted by his second five-point game of the season on Jan. 13, when he notched two goals and three assists against the New York Rangers, becoming just the seventh rookie in league history to record two five-point games.Barzal leads all rookie with 51 points overall, seven clear of Vancouver Canucks forward Brock Boeser.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Feb. 1 marks the beginning of 'Hockey Is For Everyone' month around the NHL, and each club has named an official ambassador who will be a leader in both the locker room and the community on diversity, equality, and inclusion.According to the NHL, the following players "have agreed to lead the way in their markets and be an advocate for underrepresented, marginalized, or disadvantaged communities; some will be featured in stories and public service announcements throughout the month":

The injury that ended Jaromir Jagr's season with the Calgary Flames will not stop him from playing for his new Czech club.Related - By the numbers: A look back at Jagr's legendary NHL careerOn Thursday, the 45-year-old held a press conference as he officially joined Kladno of the Czech League, explaining his time with the Flames fizzled out due to problems with his knee - problems he will attempt to play through with his new club."I had big problems with my knee from 15th game of the season," Jagr said, according to NHL play-by-play announcer for TV NOVA Sport, Roman Jedlicka. "I never had something like that. It still hurts but the plan is the same: I have to play 15 games to be able to perform for my Kladno in playout for Czech extraleague. So I will be in the lineup for Saturday. But I can't play whole game. I really don't know what is going on with my knee. I don't remember any situation from NHL when it started."Jagr was limited to just 22 games for the Flames this season, finishing with one goal and six assists.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buy, sell, or stand pat?That's the question faced by the NHL's 31 general managers in advance of the Feb. 26 trade deadline.Here are suggestions on who should do what:Ducks - Buyers: The ever-dangerous Ducks lost to Nashville in the conference finals last year and are hanging around in the playoff race after overcoming a plethora of early-season injuries.Coyotes - Sellers: These desert dogs have a bit more bite as of late, but the Coyotes would be well served by making sure they have the best chance at winning the Rasmus Dahlin sweepstakes.Bruins - Buyers: The better-than-expected Bruins will be searching for an experienced top-six winger to play alongside David Krejci come playoff time, and perhaps an upgrade on the blue line.Sabres - Sellers: Another case of "failure to launch" in Buffalo as the Sabres continue to play the role of the middle-aged child who has become way too comfortable living in the basement.Flames - Buyers: The signing of Jaromir Jagr didn't pay off for the Flames, and his departure leaves a hole up front on a team with potential to go on a run come playoff time.Hurricanes - Buyers: New owner Tom Dundon is disappointed with where the Hurricanes sit in the standings, and - with Carolina only two points out of a wild card spot - may encourage GM Ron Francis to make a push for the team's first playoff berth since 2009.Blackhawks - Buyers: No matter where the Blackhawks sit in the standings, they'll always be going for it as long as the core remains intact.Avalanche - Buyers: With a major trade already in the books, cap space to use, and a wild-card spot in their sights, the Avalanche could go either way, but why not make a push to cap a remarkable turnaround from a historically awful 2016-17?Blue Jackets - Buyers: In the midst of another strong regular season, the Blue Jackets have yet to win a single playoff round.Stars - Buyers: The Stars often make offseason moves that make them seem like contenders, and GM Jim Nill needs to make sure his team doesn't fade when it matters most.Red Wings - Sellers: The Red Wings have reportedly let it be known they're in sell mode, and defenseman Mike Green is likely to command a lot of attention.Oilers - Sellers: Despite Cam Talbot's claim the Oilers will make the playoffs, this season is a write-off, and asset mismanagement is a big reason why.Panthers - Sellers: Much to the delight of the Golden Knights, the Panthers did some selling in advance of the expansion draft, so maybe GM Dale Tallon should sit this round out.Kings - Buyers: Like the Blackhawks, the Kings have a Cup-winning core intact, but some pieces need to be added to the puzzle in order to properly contend.Wild - Sellers: The Wild are a bubble team with little cap space to spare, so it might be worth trying to get something in return for expiring contracts.Canadiens - Sellers: It's been a very disappointing season for the Canadiens, a team that may not want to rely on the current regime to kickstart a rebuild based on recent trade history.Predators - Buyers: The Predators already made a huge splash in acquiring Kyle Turris, but Nashville learned the hard way last year that roster depth is so important in the quest for the Cup, hence the pending return of Mike Fisher.Devils - Buyers: The Devils are in a weird spot, better than most thought but not quite ready to contend, meaning it may be best to stand pat and look at a trade candidate like Drew Stafford as an internal rental. although teams may come calling for him.Islanders - Buyers: Uncertainty in regards to the long-term status of John Tavares hangs over the Islanders, but this high-scoring team needs an upgrade in net as soon as possible.Rangers - Sellers: Like Detroit, the Rangers are a team that's reportedly made it clear they're willing to deal.Senators - Sellers: After coming within a goal of advancing to the Final a year ago, the Senators look lost, and GM Pierre Dorion could realistically trade anyone, even Erik Karlsson.Flyers - Buyers: The Flyers are right on the playoff bubble after missing out last season, and with one of the best lines in hockey (Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Sean Couturier), they could surprise with a little help.Penguins - Buyers: The Penguins have been in search of a third-line center for quite some time, and we should all expect reinforcements to arrive in the push for a threepeat.Sharks - Sellers: With Joe Thornton sidelined indefinitely, the Sharks might be set to sink rather than swim.Blues - Buyers: The Blues don't have much cap space to work with, but in a wide-open Western Conference, the door is open to go deep, and they'll surely look for help at the deadline.Lightning - Buyers: The Lightning are hungry for a Cup win, and it's almost guaranteed that GM Steve Yzerman will make a move, with the only question being how thunderous.Maple Leafs - Buyers: The Maple Leafs have a bunch of pending free agents up front that can be flipped for help or held onto for a postseason run, and there's clearly a need to upgrade on the blue line.Canucks - Sellers: For some reason the Canucks seem intent on re-signing Erik Gudbranson, but expect Thomas Vanek to be moved, with the potential for a Sedin brothers deal also in play.Golden Knights - Buyers: The Golden Knights are playing with house money as an expansion team with a very real opportunity to contend for the Cup in year one, so why not go all in?Capitals - Buyers: The Capitals are hanging around with the NHL's best despite losing some key players after another failed playoff run, and as long as Alex Ovechkin is scoring goals at a high rate, there's a chance things could work out one of these years.Jets - Buyers: The loss of Jacob Trouba for an extended period of time means the Jets should look to add on defense, while some added scoring could help this franchise finally win its first playoff game since entering the league back in 1999-2000.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With illness sweeping through the Toronto Maple Leafs' dressing room, the team hasn't had to look far to fill the void in its ailing lineup.Playing with a depleted blue line against the New York Islanders on Wednesday, Toronto skated away with a 5-0 victory, as rookie D-men Travis Dermott and Justin Holl scored their first career goals.While Holl is likely to be sent back to the AHL once some regulars return to health, it appears as though Dermott has shown enough to warrant further evaluation with the big club, according to star center Auston Matthews at least."He's got a lot of confidence," Matthews said after Wednesday's win, per Chris Johnston of Sportsnet. "He's not afraid to carry the puck. He's skilled. He can play both ways with the puck. Good skater. Sees the ice well. Makes guys around him better so it's always fun going out there with guys that can play like that."Dermott, 21, has appeared in nine games for the Leafs after being drafted 34th overall in 2015, recording a goal and two assists in an average of 15:36 of ice time per game.He's also posted a Corsi For rating of 54.79 in 5-on-5 play, meaning he's been on the ice for more shot attempts for Toronto than against.The Leafs are well locked into an Atlantic Division playoff spot with the trade deadline set for Feb. 26, and Dermott's emergence may give management reason to pause before looking to drastically upgrade the blue line.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning added to their goaltending depth Wednesday, acquiring Eddie Pasquale from the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for future considerations, the team announced.Pasquale, a fourth-round pick of the Atlanta Thrashers back in 2009, has spent the bulk of his pro career in the AHL. He owns a .910 save percentage and a 2.60 goals-against average in 16 games this season with Edmonton's AHL affiliate, the Bakersfield Condors.In a corresponding move, the Lightning's AHL team, the Syracuse Crunch, traded forward Ty Loney and goaltender Nick Riopel to the Condors for future considerations.Loney, 25, has spent the bulk of this campaign in the ECHL, picking up 34 points in 32 games. Riopel has also played almost exclusively in The Coast this season, where he owns an .897 save percentage and a 3.28 goals-against average.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Travis Konecny is proving to be a handful lately, in more ways than one.The Philadelphia Flyers forward scored a goal Wednesday against the Washington Capitals, and the first-period marker gave him a goal in each of his last five games.Konecny has been on a roll since being promoted to the Flyers' top line with Claude Giroux and Sean Couturier, and his five-game goal streak featured overtime winners in consecutive contests, first against the Capitals on Jan. 21 and then against the Detroit Red Wings on Jan. 23.The 20-year-old sits fourth among all Flyers in goal-scoring with 11 in 50 games, as only Couturier, Wayne Simmonds, and Giroux have lit the lamp more often.Konecny is in his second NHL season after being selected 24th overall by the Flyers in 2015.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs won't have veteran defensemen Ron Hainsey and Roman Polak for Wednesday's matchup with the New York Islanders and their third-ranked offense.Polak has been placed on injured reserve with a viral infection and Hainsey is out while dealing with an illness. This occurs while top blue-liner Morgan Rielly remains out of the lineup with an upper-body injury. Hainsey and Rielly had made up Toronto's top pairing for most of the season.Nikita Zaitsev's return to the lineup provides reinforcements, but given that he hasn't played since Dec. 15, it's unlikely he'll be at optimal effectiveness.Justin Holl, who was recalled from the AHL on an emergency basis, will make his NHL debut. He had 20 points in 39 games with the Toronto Marlies.Here is how the Leafs are expected to take the ice on the back end:

Eugene Melnyk is reiterating his commitment to Ottawa and the Senators more than a month after suggesting he'd relocate the franchise rather than sell it."Whatever was said in December, it's unfortunate that it hit a real nerve in Ottawa," Melnyk said on told CTV's "Your Morning" on Wednesday, per TSN. "The reality is I love the city, I love the people, I love the fans and it's actually my privilege to be there and to ice a team like the Ottawa Senators."Prior to the NHL100 Classic in Ottawa last month, Melnyk was asked about potentially selling the club, saying, "Imagine if you own a McDonald's franchise. But you can move it. Why would you sell it? It's something that's very difficult to buy. We're doing OK here. Nothing great, but we're doing OK."In addition to saying it's a privilege to own the club, Melnyk added he believes a new arena closer to downtown will greatly benefit both Ottawa and the Senators, and that the goal remains winning the Stanley Cup despite a poor showing on the ice so far this season."I just want to make sure people have their heads held high and are proud of the Ottawa Senators," he said.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jaromir Jagr's prolific NHL career appears to have come to an end with the 45-year-old returning home to the Czech Republic to finish the season.As Luke Plunkett of Kotaku points out, the departure also means that there are no active players left in the league that appeared in NHL '94 - the EA Sports video game released in 1993.Jagr leaves the NHL as the third-highest goalscorer in history (766) and third in games played (1,733).Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

New Jersey Devils forward Taylor Hall has been fined $5,000 for boarding Buffalo Sabres forward Kyle Okposo, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.The incident occurred in the first period of Tuesday's contest between the two clubs and saw Hall issued a minor for boarding on the play.Luckily, Okposo appeared no worse for wear following the hit as he remained in the game. He finishing with the most ice time among all Sabres forwards with 22:15 logged.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

USA Hockey is set to honor the late Jim Johannson by keeping him as the general manager of record for the men's Olympic hockey team following his untimely passing on Jan. 21.

Colorado Avalanche forward Nathan MacKinnon will not be in the lineup on Thursday when the club takes on the Edmonton Oilers and is considered day to day, the team announced on Wednesday.MacKinnon was forced from Tuesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks with what appeared to be a shoulder injury after taking a hit from defenseman Alex Edler late in the second period.The 22-year-old is expected to be reevaluated over the next 24 hours after which the team expects to have more information, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie. The team is also hopeful MacKinnon will be out only a week or less, McKenzie notes.MacKinnon sits second in league scoring with 61 points in 49 games, just three points back of Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov for the leaguelead.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former Nashville Predators captain Mike Fisher is coming come out of retirement to be an active player, the team announced Wednesday.There is no timetable for his return to the lineup, but he will officially sign a deal for the balance of the season prior to the Feb. 26 trade deadline after skating and working out on his own and then joining the team for official practices.

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Mike Babcock hopes his team's on-ice play can motivate management to do some wheeling and dealing.Following the team's morning skate Wednesday, the club's bench boss said he hopes his team can play well enough in the coming weeks to put general manager Lou Lamoriello under pressure to make a trade at the deadline, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston."It's our job, as a team, to put as much pressure as we can on Lou to help us," Babcock said, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "... The better you play and the more you look like you got a chance, the more opportunity you have for your GM to help you."Always could use help. Never been on a team that didn't need more."The Maple Leafs currently hold down the third spot in the Atlantic with a comfortable 15-point cushion over the next team in the division, the Florida Panthers.It's no secret that any such deadline deal would likely be intended to bolster the Maple Leafs' blue line. With Nikita Zaitsev back in the lineup Wednesday and Morgan Rielly appearing close to a return as well, however, the team's defensive corps should get a big boost regardless.The trade deadline is set for 3:00 p.m. ET on Feb. 26.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Nikita Zaitsev will be in the lineup for Wednesday's game against the New York Islanders, head coach Mike Babcock confirmed.Zaitsev has been sidelined since Dec. 15 with a broken foot.His return marks a positive development for a blue line that's still without Morgan Rielly, who is out with an arm injury.Through 34 games this season, Zaitsev has recorded four goals and six assists in 22:51 of ice time per outing, second on the team in average ice time only to Jake Gardiner.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Just when things started to round into form for the Colorado Avalanche, their top point-getter and No. 1 forward was injured Tuesday night.Nathan MacKinnon was hurt with 6:04 remaining in the second period after taking a hit from Canucks defenseman Alex Edler. MacKinnon left the ice holding his shoulder and didn't return.Through 49 games, he has been an offensive dynamo for the Avs, notching 24 goals and 37 assists.Losing MacKinnon for any period of time would be a massive blow to Colorado's playoff chances, as the Avalanche entered Tuesday only a few points shy of the final Western Conference wild-card spot.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights made history in dramatic fashion Tuesday.The Knights picked up their 33rd win, tying the 1993-94 Florida Panthers and 1993-94 Anaheim Mighty Ducks for the most wins in a season by an expansion team.

The Boston Bruins' incredible run of consecutive games with a point has come to an end at 18, as the Anaheim Ducks handed Boston its first regulation loss since Dec. 14 on Tuesday.Anaheim earned the 3-1 victory on the back of a two-goal night from Adam Henrique. The Bruins' record in January now stands at 8-1-2, a run that saw them catapult up the standings into second place in the Eastern Conference.Boston won't need to wait long to start a new streak, as it takes on the St. Louis Blues on Thursday.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the second consecutive game, John Gibson's night ended early, as the Anaheim Ducks netminder was pulled from Tuesday's contest versus the Boston Bruins in the third period due to an apparent injury.Gibson was shaken up after a save on a Patrice Bergeron shot, but stayed in the game after being visited by trainers, only to be relieved by Ryan Miller shortly after.The 24-year-old has started 39 games this season, posting a .920 save percentage and 2.70 goals against average.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Some players will do anything to get under Sidney Crosby's skin. For Sharks forward Melker Karlsson, that meant slew-footing the superstar.Crosby clearly wasn't happy with the move, as he retaliated by shoving Karlsson while he was down.Karlsson won the exchange, though, as both players were assessed minor penalties - a tradeoff the Sharks will take every time.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning are getting their best defenseman back Tuesday, as Victor Hedman is in the starting lineup against the Winnipeg Jets.

Erik Gudbranson might be staying in Vancouver after all, as Canucks general manager Jim Benning said he'd like to sign the defenseman to an extension instead of trading him at the deadline, reports Sportsnet's Iain MacIntyre.As a right shot, pending unrestricted free agent blue-liner, Gudbranson's name has been linked in trade talks throughout the season, but Benning believes he's still of use to the rebuilding Canucks."He's a physical, stay-at-home defenseman who helps us," Benning said. "We have other defenseman who are more puck-moving guys, but we don't have anyone else with Gudbranson's style of play."Gudbranson has only appeared in 32 games this season, averaging 17:44 per contest. The 26-year-old has produced one goal and two assists and owns a team-worst 42.81 Corsi-for percentage.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colorado Avalanche will get a significant boost to their blue line Tuesday.Defenseman Tyson Barrie will return to the lineup when the Avalanche take on the Vancouver Canucks, the team announced. Barrie has been sidelined since Dec. 23 when he suffered a fractured hand while blocking a shot against the Arizona Coyotes.Despite missing the last 13 games, Barrie remains the club's most productive blue-liner, having put up 27 points in 34 games.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tom Dundon is looking to create a playoff atmosphere at PNC Arena.The new owner of the Carolina Hurricanes is hoping to make a splash with his new franchise and on Tuesday he will make his first big move. In an attempt to create a louder environment and potentially give his club a home-ice advantage, Dundon has implemented a plan to have all ticket holders from the upper deck move to seats in the lower bowl, and even the suites, to bring the crowd closer to the ice."I want the lower bowl to be energetic and packed," Dundon said, according to Chip Alexander of The News Observer. "It’s obvious it's sort of a playoff push now."We're going to let the people who want to come down and get a better experience (come). I think we're going to run out of tickets so we're going to have to open up suites … to make sure we take care of as many people as we can."The Hurricanes, who sit four points out of a playoff spot, currently average 12,936 fans per game - the second-fewest in the league - but that number equates to just 69.3 percent capacity, which ranks last among all 31 clubs.

Bruce Boudreau is a little upset.The Minnesota Wild bench boss is taking umbrage that Columbus Blue Jackets blue-liner Seth Jones will not miss Tuesday's game between the two sides despite skipping out on All-Star festivities because of the flu."I think it's ridiculous," Boudreau told Blue Jackets team reporter Brian Hedger. "It's wrong, and I don't know how it can be justified ... (There's) now a gray area in this rule forever and ever."The league mandates that players who skip the game through injury must also miss one regular-season contest, on either side of the weekend.The Los Angeles Kings, for instance, must scratch Jonathan Quick on Tuesday, after he withdrew from the All-Star weekend to rest a nagging injury.Jones technically didn't miss the All-Star Game due to an injury, and it was the league who decided that he not come to the All-Star Game in fear of a possible flu outbreak, according to Michael Russo of The Athletic.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Whether Cam Talbot meant for it to come across that way or not, he provided the hockey world with one of the hottest takes of the season on Monday.The Edmonton Oilers netminder went on record saying his struggling team is going to make the playoffs."We're going to play like our lives are on the line every single night," he said, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector. "Until eight teams have an 'X' beside their name, we're not out of it. That's how we have to approach it."Of course, any fan would would hope players of their respective team aren't going to wallow in pity and tell the public: "There's no hope in hell we're going to make the playoffs."However, with the Oilers sitting 10 points out of the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference, the fact of the matter is that in order for Talbot's premonition to come true, things have to go well for the Oilers - like, extremely.Looking back on last season, the Nashville Predators and Calgary Flames tied for the final wild-card spot with 94 points each - with the Flames slotting ahead of the Predators.The Oilers currently have 47 points from 49 games. If the 94-point plateau holds up again this season, they would need another 47 from just 33 remaining matchups.To put that into perspective, the team would need to go on a stretch equivalent to 20-6-7, or a 116-point pace over 82 games, the same rate at which the Vegas Golden Knights are going this season.Now, if that seems like a pipe dream, things are about to get a whole lot worse as several teams vying for that final playoff spot are on pace to finish with more than 94 points.Current Position Team Points 82-game Point Pace3rd in PacificFlames58971st wild-cardAvalanche57979thKings579510thWild5795So, if these four teams currently slotted ahead of the Oilers maintain their current pace, Edmonton will need to tally 50 points in its final 33 games to slide into the final playoff spot.That's a record equivalent to 22-5-6. For context, the Oilers have just 22 wins in 49 games this season. It's also worth noting a record such as this averaged over 82 games would be 124 points, more than any team is on pace for this season, including the Tampa Bay Lightning, who are set for 118 points at their current rate.If things weren't tough enough for the Oilers, their remaining schedule won't do them any favors. They will play the Colorado Avalanche, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks three times each - teams the Oilers are chasing, leaving no room to falter.On top of that, they also play the Lightning and the Golden Knights twice each for good measure.Talbot claiming the team will make the playoffs is a great rallying cry for a club that has had very little to celebrate this season. However, the Oilers will likely need to go on a streak of epic proportions to make that happen, and with all things considered, it's hard to envision a scenario where everything falls into place so perfectly.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sebastian Aho made a speedy recovery.The Carolina Hurricanes winger returned to the lineup Tuesday against the Ottawa Senators, just four games after the club ruled him out indefinitely.Aho had been sidelined with a concussion and what the Hurricanes described as a lower-body injury after a hit by Calgary Flames blue-liner Mark Giordano.Sitting first in team scoring with 37 points at the time of his injury, Aho now trails only Teuvo Teravainen for the top spot.Aho's return is critical for Carolina, as the Hurricanes sit four points back of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matt Murray is back.The Pittsburgh Penguins netminder returned to the crease Tuesday versus the San Jose Sharks following a six-game absence due to the death of his father.Related: Murray thanks Penguins, fans for support following father's deathMurray was officially back in the lineup Jan. 25, but watched from the bench as Casey DeSmith backstopped the Penguins to a 6-3 win over the Minnesota Wild.The two-time Stanley Cup winner owns a 15-12-1 record and .903 save percentage across 31 contests this season.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Brandon Dubinsky will be in the lineup Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, head coach John Tortorella said per Steve Gorten of The Columbus Dispatch.Dubinsky has been out since Dec. 12 when he suffered a fractured orbital bone in a fight with Edmonton Oilers forward Zack Kassian.It was reported last week that the 31-year-old was sent home from the club's road trip following their 6-3 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights for what was deemed personal issues that might put his playing career in jeopardy.Dubinsky spoke to reporters Monday, but was vague when describing the circumstances surrounding his personal leave, stating: "We have stuff that is private to us and we want to keep that way. So that’s just the way it’s going to be."In 31 games this season, Dubinsky has three goals and 12 assists.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Shannon Szabados is on the precipice of immortality.Szabados enters PyeongChang 2018 with the chance to capture her third consecutive gold medal, leading Canada into battle against a series of opponents who are looking to dethrone hockey's juggernaut.Ahead of the upcoming tournament, theScore's Arun Srinivasan caught up with Szabados and spoke to her about her leadership role with the team, along with the opportunity to become one of the greatest goalies of all time.Srinivasan: You're entering your third Olympics for Canada, are there any unique challenges you anticipate while trying to secure your third consecutive gold medal?Szabados: No, I don't really expect anything different than the other two times. I think this being my third time, it's probably a little easier on me, a little less stressful just because I know what to expect as far as getting over there, the village, kind of what the set up is going to be like, stuff like that. Looking forward to it, don't foresee anything too crazy that I haven't seen before.Srinivasan: In what ways, if any, has the U.S-Canada rivalry evolved since you made your debut?Szabados: I mean, it was pretty heated when I first came into the program. I think for me personally, for us as a team as well, we love playing against them. Obviously, they're a good team. We played them quite a few times this year which I think fuels that rivalry a bit when you play someone so many times. Like I mentioned, they're a great team and neither one of us likes losing so that kind of adds to the fire as well.It's been a great series playing against them this year and every time we get a chance to play them we want to put our best foot forward and give our best performance.Srinivasan: You mentioned the familiarity with the U.S. Is there anything you're keeping an eye on specifically from them?Szabados: Yes and no. I mean, I think each team has their own identity, they play a little different style than say, Finland or Russia. There's little things within the game but kind of at the same time, especially as a goalie, it's about reading and reacting. Not looking too much into how the other teams are playing, or what to look for. Just kind of stick to our gameplan.Srinivasan: You were one of the top two goaltenders in the last two Olympics. Have you considered what another strong tournament and gold medal would mean for your legacy as one of the best goalies of all time?Szabados: No, I haven't really thought about that (laughs). I mean, I don't even know what our schedule is next week so it's way too far to look ahead. I'm not too worried how it would look on me or anything. If I get the opportunity to play, obviously I would like to play well for the girls and bring home another gold, but just kind of taking it day by day right now and worrying about each and every time I step on the ice giving my best performance.Srinivasan: I know you haven't participated in the Canadian Women's Hockey League, but do you feel the league has elevated the profile of women's hockey? Also, have you considered a move to the league?Szabados: Yeah, I think it's definitely helped propel women's hockey. Obviously, there's a ton of great players playing in the league. I would think somewhere close to 90 percent of our team plays there. It's great to see women's hockey growing, it's great to see the two new China teams in the league expanding. Whether you're on social media or on TV, it always seems to be highlights of the CWHL which is great to see.Who knows? Maybe down the road that'll be one of my future teams. I don't know. Again, like I said, I don't even know what I'm doing next week but it's definitely something I would consider.Srinivasan: This is a pretty experienced group and you would be one of the leaders of the team this year. Is there any wisdom or experience you're trying to impart on the team as you get ready for the tournament?Szabados: Yes and no. I think being one of the players that's been through it before, maybe just help with some guidance on what they can expect when it comes to the village or the living situation or what it's kind of going to be like over there. This centralized year for us, it's helped us but it's quite the grind. You know, a player like Ann-Renee (Desbiens), it's her first Olympic cycle so just making sure she's comfortable and ready and that everyone can focus more on the on-ice performance. I guess that would be my biggest role this year, making sure everyone's ready to go.Srinivasan: Are there any players that we as a country, or across the world, should know about? Should we anticipate a breakout star from Canada or other countries this tournament?Szabados: I think what you'll find with this team is we have a lot of depth. We have superstars like (Marie-Philip) Poulin and some standouts but I think just overall, no one really jumps out. We're so strong from No. 1 to our last ...I mean, I say that we have three-four lines, but realistically we have an entire team that can roll. Same on the back end. (Laura) Fortino, I think, has a ton of skill and then, one of my favorite players is Jocelyne Larocque. Steady, stay at home D-man who probably doesn't get the recognition she deserves.Srinivasan: Vancouver must've been special, 2014 must've been special as well. I guess every Olympics is different in its own way. What does this specific tournament mean to you from a career and personal standpoint?Szabados: It's special. Obviously, like you said, Vancouver was pretty amazing with it being my first Olympics and being in Canada. Sochi was unbelievable. I'm getting a little older now so I'm not going to say it's my last one, but if it is, if it happened to be, then obviously I want to take the time to enjoy it and make sure I leave it all out there. In four years from now, if I decide to come back, we'll do it all over again. Each one is kind of special in its own way.Srinivasan: Do you have a message for young women or anyone that looks up to you and the women's national team?Szabados: Just maybe, thanks for the support along the way. For all the little kids watching - boys or girls - just kind of take it all in. If that's something that you dream of, then work hard and have fun and one day you can be in my skates.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cam Talbot, optimist.Despite his Edmonton Oilers ranking ahead of just two teams in the Western Conference standings, the goaltender believes the disappointing season is not yet lost."We're going to make the playoffs," Talbot said, according to Sportsnet's Mark Spector."We're going to play like our lives are on the line every single night," he added. "Until eight teams have an 'X' beside their name we're not out of it. That's how we have to approach it."The Oilers entered the All-Star break with 47 points in 49 games, putting them 10 points out of the final wild-card spot in the West with four teams between them and the Colorado Avalanche. While clubs have overcome similar deficits in the past, the Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Anaheim Ducks each have 57 points as well, meaning Edmonton will also need tons of help down the stretch to have a chance.For the Oilers to pull off a miracle and qualify for the postseason, Talbot will have to improve his play, as his .901 save percentage across 39 starts this season is a major reason why the club has regressed from a 103-point finish in 2016-17.Copyright © 2018 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.