The Los Angeles Kings have acquired forward Torrey Mitchell from the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2018, it was announced Thursday.Should the Kings qualify for next year's postseason, the Canadiens will instead receive their own 2018 fourth-round pick that was originally exchanged to the Kings for forward Dwight King at last year's trade deadline.Mitchell, 32, has been held pointless in 11 games with the Canadiens this season. He tallied 17 points in 78 games with Montreal last year.The Canadiens originally acquired Mitchell from the Buffalo Sabres in 2015.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Connor McDavid is looking a little trimmer these days.The Edmonton Oilers captain is down at least 5 lbs, and maybe as many as 10, following a recent two-week battle with the flu, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.McDavid typically clocks in at 6-foot-1 and 192 lbs, according to the team's official site."He's been sick for a week to 10 days now," Oilers coach Todd McLellan told Dreger. "He's starting to feel better, but we'll monitor his practice time."While the illness may have McDavid feeling under the weather while away from the rink, it's seemingly had little impact on his on-ice performance, as the superstar forward has pocketed nine points in his past five outings.McDavid is currently running a three-game point streak, in which he has collected a goal and five assists. He'll have the chance to add to that total Friday when the Oilers take on the Buffalo Sabres.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nazem Kadri wants to make it clear that he didn't mean to hit the penalty-box attendant with the butt end of his stick Wednesday night."I feel terrible about it," the Toronto Maple Leafs forward told reporters on Thursday, via TSN. "It's an emotional game and I kind of got out of control. I didn't even realize I hit him until I saw the replay afterward. I must have apologized to him a thousand times in the penalty box... There's no excuse for it. It won't happen again."The incident took place late in Wednesday's shootout loss to the Florida Panthers, when Kadri couldn't control his frustration after taking a cross-checking penalty in the final minute of regulation time."It was a total accident," he added. "I didn't mean to hit him at all. That's the last thing I was thinking about. I was just trying to take out my frustrations on a water bottle. I was super apologetic. I feel bad and it's never going to happen again."NHL director of hockey operations Colin Campbell and his department took "a good look" at the incident Wednesday night, but will likely issue nothing more than a warning, TSN's Darren Dreger reports.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Edmonton Oilers and Buffalo Sabres have both underachieved this season, but neither Connor McDavid nor Jack Eichel should be singled out for his club's poor showing out of the gate.The top two picks from the 2015 draft will meet Friday night for the third time in their young NHL careers, as their clubs look to change the narratives that developed in the first quarter of the 2017-18 campaign.Eichel is used to the Sabres losing by now, and he's vocalized his displeasure with it repeatedly, but this is new territory for McDavid - at least when the Oilers captain has been healthy.Edmonton expected to take another step forward this season, and many pegged the Oilers as locks to make the Stanley Cup Final, but they sit second-last in the paltry Pacific Division.Despite their poor start, McDavid hasn't missed a beat. He's tied for fifth in the NHL in assists (18), ranks sixth in points (28), and has scored 10 goals in 22 games. While Edmonton's managed only eight wins in that span, he hasn't experienced any significant slumps, and he's been particularly effective recently, with nine points in his last five contests.His performance checks out from an analytics perspective, too. McDavid has driven possession with an even-strength Corsi For percentage of 56.29 and a Relative Corsi For mark of 3.31 percent. While other stars are generating more scoring opportunities, he's created a respectable 10.64 individual scoring chances per 60 minutes.Though Eichel hasn't been as good, his team has also been much worse. The Sabres have lost seven consecutive games, sit in the basement of the Atlantic Division, and have a better record than only one other NHL club - the lowly Arizona Coyotes.Buffalo wasn't expecting to make a significant leap in 2017-18, but a new general manager, a new head coach, a reinforced defensive corps, and a healthy Eichel to start the campaign had the Sabres predicting some improvement.That hasn't happened from a club perspective, but Eichel has arguably done his part, with 18 points in 22 games.One criticism of the 21-year-old's play has been that he hasn't scored enough. That's fair, since he only has six goals, but he hasn't been shooting as much this fall (69 shots on goal, or 3.13 per game) as he did last season, when he averaged more than four shots on goal in 61 contests.Eichel lit the lamp Wednesday night in a loss to the Minnesota Wild, but he clearly can't do it all himself. As a team, the Sabres rank 30th in goals for, with a mere 2.36 per game.Neither young star has enough help from his supporting cast, and that's the real problem. While Eichel could be scoring a bit more, neither player should be the scapegoat for his team's difficult start.Both players are still appointment viewing every night they take the ice, and even more so when they face each other. Friday's matchup gives the two franchise cornerstones another chance to show it, and should serve as another reminder that they're not to blame.(Analytics courtesy: Corsica Hockey and Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

When an offense is scuffling - at almost any level - the first thing a coach will do to try and kickstart his group is shake up the forward lines.Even though the Columbus Blue Jackets had won three straight games (albeit scoring only six goals), head coach John Tortorella opted to put 19-year-old Pierre-Luc Dubois between Artemi Panarin and Josh Anderson for Monday's game in Buffalo. Given that the plan was to bring the young Dubois along slowly on the wing to start his career rather than his natural position of center, it was a pretty surprising development.Nonetheless, the trio has sported an impressive 60.38 Corsi For and 61.83 Expected Goals For percentage while playing together. Despite the line's success, Tortorella couldn't offer an explanation as to why they've clicked."I don't know (why it's working)," Tortorella told The Athletic's Aaron Portzline. "I don't know. If I thought it was gonna work, I would have tried it a lot earlier, before three other guys. You just never know."Prior to putting Dubois alongside Panarin, the latter had spent most of the season with Alexander Wennberg or Nick Foligno as his center.When asked about the science of line structuring as a whole, Tortorella, as always, wasn't shy about sharing his opinion."It's a bunch of bullshit," he said. "I get a kick out of us, as coaches, we talk about this, that and the other thing. 'This is what I'm looking for with that line.' It's a bunch of bullshit. We try things, and if it works, it works."We talked in the summer, how we were going to handle (Dubois). Is it too much for him at center, too much responsibility? Let's bring him in slowly as a wing. There you go … coaching. Half the time we don't even know what we're doing until something works. It wasn't working with Nick. I didn't like it with Wenny. Luc was finding his game while we were trying different things. The other night I just said, 'Let’s try 'em.' And there you go."Tortorella is basically admitting that finding the right line combinations is like throwing a dart at a dartboard and hoping you hit the bulls-eye.With five wins in a row and a spot atop the Metro Division standings, Tortorella surely doesn't care how his lines fall together, as long as his club keeps winning.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's expansion to Vegas has been a great success story thus far, but not everyone is exactly filled with glee. Each of the other 30 NHL teams lost a player in the expansion draft process, and three teams in particular likely wish the Golden Knights went a different route with their selection.Blue Jackets, William KarlssonThe Blue Jackets are one of the league's best teams, but their biggest flaw is their depth down the middle. Nick Foligno, who had been primarily a winger for his entire 10-year career heading into this season, has been forced to play center. Alexander Wennberg enjoyed a breakout campaign last year, but has struggled mightily this season.Karlsson averaged just 13:23 minutes with the Jackets in 2016-17, but is enjoying a tremendous season of his own in a larger role, centering the Knights' top line. The 24-year-old has 10 goals and eight assists in 20 games. Defensively, he ranks second on the team with 19 takeaways and owns a 53.1 Corsi For percentage, despite starting over 55 percent of his shifts in the defensive zone.Karlsson's strong play is essentially the reason why the Golden Knights didn't need Vadim Shipachyov.Penguins, Marc-Andre Fleury(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Fleury has played only four games due to injury, but he has been sharp in the small sample size, owning a 3-1 record with a .925 save percentage and a 2.48 goals-against average.Meanwhile, the Penguins have been unable to find a reliable backup netminder. Antti Niemi, Casey DeSmith, and Tristan Jarry have combined for an .839 save percentage.Matt Murray has started 19 of the team's 23 games, but appears to either be fatigued by the larger workload, or enduring a possible sophomore slump. Regardless, his .907 save percentage and 2.88 goals-against average are both worse than the league average.Being able to turn to a veteran like Fleury to give Murray a breather is a luxury the Penguins certainly still wish they had.Capitals, Nate Schmidt(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Boy oh boy could the Capitals ever use a puck-mover like Schmidt on their blue line right about now. Thanks to the losses of Schmidt, Kevin Shattenkirk, and Karl Alzner in the offseason, and an injury that has kept Matt Niskanen out for most of the year, the Caps' blue line has been in shambles.Both John Carlson and Dmitry Orlov are smashing their previous career high in average time on ice. Even 37-year-old Brooks Orpik is playing 22 minutes per night.After allowing the fewest goals in the league last year, the Caps have allowed the seventh-most this season.Meanwhile, Schmidt leads the Golden Knights in ice time, ranks third on the team in assists, and is on pace for 41 points.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

They weren't built like any previous expansion team, but their solid start is still impressive.The Vegas Golden Knights rallied from a two-goal deficit to stun the Anaheim Ducks 4-2 on Wednesday night, matching the NHL record with 13 wins in the first 20 games of their inaugural season.Only the Montreal Canadiens won as many through the first 20 contests of their opening campaign in 1917-18, going 13-7-0. The Golden Knights have gone 13-6-1.Vegas moved into first place in the Pacific Division with 27 points, leapfrogging the slumping Los Angeles Kings, who fell to the Winnipeg Jets.It's early, but that point total certainly bodes well.

There were some harsh words for Anthony Mantha on Wednesday night.The Red Wings forward received the brunt of his coach's criticism following Detroit's 6-2 blowout loss to the Edmonton Oilers.Mantha skated for just under 19 minutes, but was held off the scoresheet as he wrapped up the night with three shots and a minus-one rating.That performance, or lack thereof, didn't sit well with Red Wings bench boss Jeff Blashill."It's a hard league if you don't show up with shift-to-shift intensity every single night," Blashill told reporters following the loss. "We've got some young guys that have really helped in our success, when we've had success, but with those types of minutes comes big-time responsibility."Anthony Mantha has got to be way better. Way better. It's not okay to just be a passenger when you're given the opportunity to be an impact player."Mantha has been one of the Red Wings' top performers this season, as he leads the team with 10 goals and sits one point behind Dylan Larkin for top spot in club scoring. However, he failed to produce against Edmonton."(Mantha) is not alone, but he's a guy who I said to at the beginning of the year, 'For us to be great, you've got to be great,'" Blashill added. "He's gone through large stretches of being great. He hasn't been great the last two games."The 23-year-old will soon have the opportunity to redeem himself, as the Red Wings face off against the New York Rangers on Friday.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

P.K. Subban apparently goaded former teammate Brendan Gallagher into taking an extra penalty during a brawl in the third period of Wednesday's contest.Related - Watch: Predators, Canadiens get into heated brawlDuring the altercation, the Montreal Canadiens forward gave Subban a face wash - one the Nashville Predators defenseman admitted was likely the result of him chirping Gallagher's size."I called him short, he didn't like that too much," Subban told Sportsnet's Kyle Bukauskas postgame. "When I was talking to him I was just kind of looking over his head and I didn't think he'd like that too much. So I took the face wash, sometimes you've got to take it. Fortunately he got the extra minutes so that's why I was smiling."Subban and Gallagher were each assessed a two-minute minor for roughing on the play, while Gallagher was also given a minor for unsportsmanlike conduct on Kyle Turris.In the end, the Predators prevailed in a shootout, adding insult to injury for Gallagher and the Canadiens - who dropped their fifth straight game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL schedule featured a whopping 15 games Wednesday, with every team in action except for the St. Louis Blues.Regulation wasn't enough for a handful of those contests, with varying degrees of excellence on display in deciding the eventual victors.Here's how we rank the six shootout- and overtime-winning goals.6. Turris making friends in NashvillePlaying in his sixth game for his new team, Nashville center Kyle Turris beat Montreal goalie Antti Niemi to help P.K. Subban get the better of his old mates.

The kids came to play.On a night when 30 of the NHL's 31 teams suited up - only the St. Louis Blues watched from the sidelines - a handful of freshmen stole the spotlight.Vancouver Canucks rookie Brock Boeser and Washington Capitals first-year player Jakub Vrana led the way with a pair of goals apiece, while four other freshmen also found the back of the net Wednesday.

Things got a little chippy between the Nashville Predators and Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday night.Midway through the third period - after a collision in front of Predators goalie Pekka Rinne - a mini-brawl ensued with P.K. Subban and Brendan Gallagher front and center. After things had mostly settled down, Rinne gave Gallagher a shove and chaos erupted once again.The shenanigans concluded with a total of five minor penalties handed out.As for Rinne, he later apologized to Gallagher, according to Sportsnet's Eric Engels.That's hockey for you.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

No disrespect, Buffalo, but your hockey team is terrible.So it comes as no surprise that one of the Sabres' biggest potential trade chips in Evander Kane is playing his way toward just that: a one-way ticket out of the Nickel City.Despite being one of the better pure scorers in the game today, Kane has struggled to find a fit with both the Sabres and his last team, the Winnipeg Jets, having his name constantly mentioned in trade talks and rumors.Now that the rumor mill has begun to swirl, once again with Kane in the mix, the 26-year-old Vancouver native is building the perfect case to be one of the next players shipped out of Buffalo.Following the Sabres' seventh consecutive loss against the Minnesota Wild at KeyBank Center, Kane now has nine points in his last 10 games (five goals, four assists).(Photo courtesy: Action Images)It should be noted that Kane is also set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, so it's understandable that he's currently playing some of the best hockey of his career.As it stands, Kane is on pace for his highest goal total since netting a 30 spot with the Jets in 2011-12, as the talented winger is on pace to bag 44 goals this campaign.Through 22 games, Kane has registered solid offensive numbers, racking up 12 goals and nine assists, which includes his league-leading three shorthanded tallies.Simply put, the Sabres would be wise to cast Kane's name out into the open market now while his trade stock continues to skyrocket.Realistically, there is no telling whether Kane wants to stay or go, but let's be honest: with Buffalo losing at an embarrassing rate, his case to be traded gets stronger with each passing day.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sebastian Aho's early-season struggles appear to be in the rearview.After putting together an impressive rookie campaign that saw him tally 24 goals and 49 points in 82 games - finishing fifth in rookie scoring - the Carolina Hurricanes forward struggled out of the gate to begin the season.He went goalless through the club's first 15 games, contributing just eight assists. He's been on a mission since mid-November, though, and has strung together a five-game point streak that's seen him tally five goals and 10 points.The streak has seen Aho vault into second in team scoring with 18 points, just three back of Teuvo Teravainen.The Hurricanes have gone 5-2-1 in their last eight games and sit within striking distance of the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference. They can attribute their recent success largely to the improved play of their budding star.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Anton Khudobin is stepping up in a big way for the Boston Bruins.The backup goaltender has been called upon to start the past three games in a row, with head coach Bruce Cassidy electing to give starter Tuukka Rask a bit of a break.And Khudobin, who struggled mightily out of the gate last season, has rewarded Boston with wins in each of those three games.His latest stellar performance came in a 3-2 shootout win over the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday, wherein he made 40 saves in regulation and overtime, and stopped 10 of 11 shootout attempts.For the season, Khudobin has posted a record of 6-0-2 with a save percentage of .938, the latter stat ranking him near the top of the leaderboard. Meanwhile, Rask's record sits at 3-7-2 with a .897 save percentage.Rask will likely regain a hold on the crease, but for now, Khudobin is Boston's man in net, and for good reason.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Shea Weber-P.K. Subban rivalry will take a back seat Wednesday night, as the Montreal Canadiens defenseman will miss his second straight game with a lower-body injury, the team announced.The contest would have been Weber's second in Nashville since being traded for Subban before last season, and the first time with both players in the lineup. Subban was injured during the Canadiens' lone trip to Nashville in 2016-17.Weber was a late scratch Tuesday night against the Dallas Stars, a game the Canadiens dropped 3-1.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One quarter into the 2017-18 NHL season and the league appears to have achieved what it most desired: more goals.Thanks to stricter penalty rules, among other factors, goal scoring has gone up 12.4 percent from last season, with the current average at 6.1 tallies per game.It's the highest mark at this point of the calendar since the 2005-06 season, but for some, the league-wide upward trend hasn't yielded the same results. Here are five players proven to be statistical anomalies so far:Brent Burns, SharksAfter his 29-goal, Norris Trophy-winning output from last season, it's flat-out dumbfounding that Burns hasn't been able to find the back of the net once in his first 19 games.Burns is still shooting quite a bit (82 on goal so far), but hasn't been able to break through for a Sharks team that ranks dead last with 46 goals for.Jonathan Drouin, CanadiensDrouin, by no means, has not been the biggest of the Canadiens' problems at the quarter mark of a disastrous season, but his production leaves something to be desired in his first season with his hometown team.In fairness, Drouin ranks second on the Habs with 13 points overall, but considering his trade counterpart, Mikhail Sergachev, has five goals and 14 points so far as a rookie, it's reasonable to expect a little more.Alexander Wennberg, Blue JacketsA 59-point contract year resulted in a fresh six-year, $29.4-million extension for Wennberg in the offseason, but he has yet to live up to the price tag.Though Wennberg's missed the Blue Jackets' three most recent games due to injury, he has just one goal on the season and hasn't lit the lamp in his last 14 contests. That $4.9-million cap hit will be hard to justify for Columbus unless he starts to be much more productive.Bryan Little, JetsWhile the high-flying Jets have managed the sixth-most goals in the NHL, Little has been one of Winnipeg's few offensive disappointments with just two goals through his first 20 games.Little is deployed on a talented second line, and can usually be counted on for about 20 goals per season when healthy, but he'll need a sharp turnaround to reach what's expected of him.Sam Bennett, FlamesAfter signing a $3.9-million bridge deal in September, Bennett's miserable production at the quarter mark has shown the Flames may have dodged a bullet by avoiding anything long term.Bennett started the season with a 15-game pointless drought, and has only mustered one goal and two assists since. If anyone doesn't believe there's more goals to go around this year, it's him.(Photos Courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In the midst of the Edmonton Oilers' horrible 2017-18 season, one can't help but wonder what the team would look like if general manager Peter Chiarelli never went through with some of his questionable decisions. To take this exercise to a whole other level: What would the Oilers look like if Chiarelli was never hired in the first place?Here are a list of ground rules to make these projections fair, rather than picking and choosing the good and bad moves he's made:

As the Montreal Canadiens continue to underperform, it's impossible not to look back at the P.K. Subban-for-Shea Weber trade as the most glaring of Marc Bergevin's ill-advised moves, and the one that precipitated the club's descent.Subban will host the Canadiens for the first time Wednesday, when his Nashville Predators - winners of seven of their last 10 games - meet a Montreal squad that's lost four in a row and now has the NHL's fifth-worst record.While it's not productive to fixate on the past, the matchup is yet another reminder of the controversial blockbuster and the fact that it's a major reason the Canadiens are where they are at the moment.Yes, Montreal's general manager made a handful of disastrous decisions before and after the Subban-Weber transaction: Dealing away Mikhail Sergachev, letting Andrei Markov and Alexander Radulov walk, giving Karl Alzner a five-year contract, trading for and signing Andrew Shaw long term.And yes, Carey Price's latest injury has exposed the Canadiens' flaws and once again forced them to forge ahead without their star goaltender.But nearly 17 months after the Subban-for-Weber trade, the swap still stands out as an inescapable factor in Montreal's downfall.The Canadiens undoubtedly appreciate Weber's blistering slap shot, his ability to score goals, and his experience, but they're a slower team without Subban, who's producing at a higher per-game clip than Weber on the offensive end and providing the Predators with further defensive stability.Nashville's previously steady blue line transformed into the NHL's best last season with the addition of Subban, who helped the Predators reach the Stanley Cup Final after the Canadiens were bounced out of the first round by the New York Rangers.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Now that the Canadiens' situation has only gotten worse more than a quarter of the way into the 2017-18 season, their recent slide only further underscores that they were the losers in the deal.It hurt them in both the short and long term (have a look at their respective contracts for evidence of the latter), and it was the most blatant example of how Bergevin's misguided vision for retooling the roster only made it worse.That strategy, namely valuing physicality and strength over speed and skill, is arguably the biggest reason why the Canadiens have taken a significant step backward, and the Subban-for-Weber move was the largest in a series of actions Bergevin took to mold the team in that way.Weber won't be on the ice Wednesday night, but the game will be compelling regardless. It will be a reminder that the Canadiens gave up on Subban, and that they're worse off in so doing.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The governing body of Canadian hockey is taking the KHL's threat seriously.Hockey Canada CEO Tom Renney sent a letter to the league asking it to allow its players to take part in the 2018 Olympic Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, the organization confirmed to CBC Sports.The Czech, Finnish, and Swedish hockey federations co-signed the letter, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports.Earlier this month, KHL president Dmitry Chernyshenko threatened to "respond accordingly" by prohibiting the league's players from going to the Olympics if the entire Russian delegation is barred from competing as punishment in the IOC's ongoing doping investigation regarding the 2016 Games in Sochi.That decision will be made Dec. 5.IIHF president Rene Fasel has said numerous times that the KHL is not allowed to prevent its players from participating in the Olympics, and that the international governing body would be forced to apply sanctions should the league not comply."(The) KHL, being a member of the Russian Ice Hockey Federation, has to follow the statutes and bylaws of the IIHF and they have to release foreign players and the national team players from other countries to play in the Olympics," Fasel reiterated to Russian news agency TASS on Monday.An IOC ban on Russian athletes in Pyeongchang would affect athletes in many sports, while the KHL's threatened response could impact players from many countries.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was another forgettable outing for Cam Talbot on Tuesday night.The Edmonton Oilers netminder saw just 7:35 of ice time before head coach Todd McLellan yanked him from the game after Talbot conceded two goals on the first three St. Louis Blues shots he faced.Talbot's season hasn't been as prolific as it was one year ago. His second season as Edmonton's true No. 1 goalie was everything fans could have hoped for. He played a league-high 73 games and matched Washington Capitals starter Braden Holtby with 42 wins.He was the team's most valuable player not named Connor McDavid, rocking a .919 save percentage while allowing an average of just 2.39 goals per game. And he played a monumental role in helping the Oilers reach the playoffs for the first time in 11 years.Now in his third season as the team's go-to shot-stopper, Talbot has failed to replicate last season's success through the first 19 games of the 2018 campaign.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)With Tuesday's game in the books, Talbot now sits with a .900 save percentage and a 3.19 goals against average - the 27th- and 28th-best marks, respectively, among the 33 goalies to play at least 10 games this season. Those numbers are simply not good enough for a team once expected to challenge for the Stanley Cup this season.And at this point, the playoffs appear to be a pipe dream for the Oilers.The club has been a disaster early on. Edmonton sits tied for the third-worst record in the league and is riding the 29th-best offense, averaging just 2.38 goals per game. But to their credit, the Oilers are allowing the fifth-fewest shots against per game and are firing the eighth-most, so they've done a good job at keeping the action in their opponent's end.The problem has been the production up front, or lack thereof. Through 21 games, only six players have managed more than three goals.Without the Oilers scoring on a regular basis, Talbot will need to get his play back on track for this team to win. The club has made it quite clear they don't have a ton of faith in Laurent Brossoit - at least not yet anyway - as Talbot has played in 90 percent of the Oilers' games this season, so they may be prepared to stick with the 30-year-old regardless of the results.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Todd McLellan shouldered much of the blame for the Edmonton Oilers' ugly 8-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues Tuesday night.The Oilers fell behind just 3:13 into the game and trailed by two before it was eight minutes old."That game is indefensible on my behalf," McLellan said. "In every facet of the game we were second, it wasn't even close. Very, very concerned obviously the way some individuals played tonight, many of them and it's indefensible on my behalf. We're responsible for having the team ready and they weren't."

Brayden Schenn is hitting all the right notes.The St. Louis Blues forward is riding an eight-game point streak, which has caused him to rise to fourth in the NHL's scoring race. Only Steven Stamkos (35), Nikita Kucherov (33), and Johnny Gaudreau (31) have recorded more points than Schenn, who now sits at 30, albeit in two more games played than that trio.A two-goal, two-assist performance Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers marked the second time Schenn has recorded four points in a single game during the streak, which dates back to St. Louis' second game of November.Here's a look back at the damage done:DateOpponentGoalsAssistsNov. 4Toronto04Nov. 7New Jersey12Nov. 9Coyotes01Nov. 11Islanders10Nov. 13Flames02Nov. 16Oilers21Nov. 18Canucks10Nov. 20Oilers22It certainly helps that Schenn is playing on a line that features Jaden Schwartz and Vladimir Tarasenko, both of whom are also in the NHL's top 10 in terms of total points after dominating the Oilers.

With a pair of goals in Tuesday's game against the Philadelphia Flyers, it's officially time to acknowledge the emergence of Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks in the battle for the Calder Trophy.Clayton Keller of the Arizona Coyotes had staked his claim as the very early

The next family gathering should be interesting at the Benn home.Two days prior to the American holiday, the Dallas Stars played host to the Montreal Canadiens, pitting brothers Jordie and Jamie Benn against one another.As it happened, Jordie took an opportunity to check Jamie late in the first period, adding an extra shove for good measure.The gloves could have been dropped at this point, but Alexander Radulov intervened before things got even more heated.All this with the Benn's parents watching from the stands.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Montreal Canadiens will be without Shea Weber for Tuesday's game against the Dallas Stars due to a lower-body injury.It will be his second game missed in recent weeks.

Ken Hitchcock is playing the role of trailblazer.The Dallas Stars head coach believes it's time to stop beating around the bush when it comes to player injury reports, choosing instead to be more forthcoming with pertinent information.Here's what he had to say on the matter, per The Athletic's Marc Antoine Godin:

Hockey fans have been longing for more goals in their sport, and they've gotten their wish this season.There has been an average of 6.04 goals per game so far - the highest the league has seen since the first campaign of the post-lockout era in 2005-06.SeasonGoals per game2017-186.042016-175.542015-165.422014-155.462013-145.482012-135.442011-125.462010-115.582009-105.682008-095.822007-085.562006-075.902005-066.16As you can see, in the seven seasons prior to 2017-18, the NHL's goals-per-game mark hovered around 5.5, but it has taken a half-goal jump.This can partially be attributed to the increase in slashing penalties, which has led to 6.96 power-play opportunities per game - the most since 2010-11. This season, there have already been 462 slashing penalties called, according to ESPN, or 1.467 per game. This compared to 791 slashing penalties all of last season, for an average of 0.643 per game.Not only has the slashing crackdown led to more power plays, which result in more goals, but it has also made players think twice before taking a whack at an opposing player, which in itself leads to more scoring chances. This could also explain why there have been more shots per game (31.7) this season than any other since Hockey Reference began recording in the early 1980s.But that change can't take all the credit for the increase in goals. The table above showed there was already a slight increase in goal-scoring last season compared to the previous five seasons. This came in spite of there being only 5.98 power-play opportunities per game in 2016-17 - the lowest ever recorded by Hockey Reference.The table below shows NHL teams' median high-danger scoring chances per game at five-on-five, per Natural Stat Trick. It's clear that, penalties aside, there have been more high-quality scoring chances in recent years.SeasonHDCF/60 Median2017-1810.942016-1710.342015-1610.0052014-159.932013-149.91The reason for this can't be quantified by numbers, but a variety of theories suggest it's sustainable:

For his career, Johnny Gaudreau has captivated hockey audiences with his imaginative, energizing style of play. Through three full NHL seasons, the diminutive winger has enjoyed his fair share of success, but nothing quite like what he's accomplished through his first 20 games of the 2017-18 season.With 31 points, Gaudreau sits third in league scoring, behind only Tampa Bay's unstoppable first-line duo of Steven Stamkos (35) and Nikita Kucherov (33). Of late, however, Johnny Hockey is in a class of his own.Gaudreau extended his point streak to 10 games Monday, accumulating an absurd eight goals and 11 assists over that span. To further shine a light on just how good he's been, Gaudreau has scored in six straight games, including five consecutive multi-point efforts - a feat that hasn't been accomplished by a Flames player since Jarome Iginla in 2002.He's been flat-out incredible:

The Pittsburgh Penguins were dealt a bit of bad news Tuesday, as head coach Mike Sullivan announced Evgeni Malkin is dealing with an upper-body injury and will miss Wednesday's game against the Vancouver Canucks, according to NHL.com's Wes Crosby.Sullivan also said Malkin will be reevaluated in the coming days before his status for the weekend is determined, when the Penguins play two big games against Eastern Conference foes in the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning.Malkin sits second in Pittsburgh scoring with seven goals and 14 assists through 22 games.Jake Guentzel will fill Malkin's spot as second-line center between Bryan Rust and Phil Kessel tomorrow against the Canucks.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's Auston and Connor's world, and the rest of us are just living in it.Toronto Maple Leafs savior Auston Matthews and Edmonton Oilers phenom Connor McDavid have taken the NHL by storm the last few seasons with slick skating, smooth hands, and poise beyond their years. Their fresh approaches have quickly made the duo the new faces of the league.After Matthews played in his 100th career game Monday, we take a look at how these two generational talents compare after their first 100 games.The numbers Each player entered the league at 19 years old, but they quickly settled into their roles as everyday NHLers, racking up points at impressive rates.While the arguments over which player is better rage on, when you compare their stats, the two stack up a lot closer than McDavid supporters might be willing to admit.Here's a look at their stats through the first 100 games:PlayerGoalsAssistsPointsGWGPlus-minusMcDavid347410810+14Matthews52389010+16These numbers won't end the conversation, but they clearly show the gap between the two is more slim than many think.DurabilityBefore Oilers fans start sharpening their pitchforks, lighting torches, and heading for theScore's offices, it should be made clear that McDavid's first-season production was stunted when he missed almost three months with a fractured clavicle. A straight-up comparison needs to be viewed with the right lens.In the 19 games leading up to his injury during the 2015-16 campaign, the first 19 of his career, McDavid registered 24 points and was just heating up, so there's no telling what he would've done offensively in the time he spent on the shelf.Meanwhile, Matthews registered six goals and seven assists for only 13 points through his first 19 contests.There's no way of predicting which player will be able to avoid future injury, and McDavid's busted collarbone was a fluke accident. But the fact remains: at this point in their careers, Matthews has proven to be the more durable player.LinematesYou can't get by without a little help from your friends, and that couldn't be more true for a hockey player.Last season, Edmonton's line of Patrick Maroon, Leon Draisaitl, and McDavid was a force to be reckoned with, finishing the regular season with a ridiculous total of 219 points. A major reason for McDavid hitting the 100-point mark last campaign was his 70 assists on a line firing on all cylinders.This year, the Oilers look like a shell of their former selves, sitting near the bottom of the league in goal-scoring with a measly 50. A major reason for that is McDavid's once-stellar supporting cast is firing blanks, leading a panicked management team to acquire aging veteran Michael Cammalleri.Meanwhile, Matthews' line with William Nylander and Zach Hyman has been one of the better trios in the league this year, racking up 46 combined points while anchoring the Leafs' offensive attack.Simply put, if McDavid and Co. were able to maintain the insane pace they were on last year to start this one, Matthews' offensive output after 100 would most likely fall well short.Ultimately, picking one of the two best hockey players of their generation over the other is like choosing between a Ferrari and a Lamborghini. Even after 100 games, it doesn't appear this debate will be settled anytime soon.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

At the quarter point of the 2017-18 campaign, theScore's NHL team identifies the front-runners to bring home some hardware. This installment was put together by editors Sean O'Leary and Josh Wegman.Hart - Steven Stamkos The Tampa Bay Lightning turned heads last season even without their captain, but Stamkos has made them nearly unstoppable.The Lightning have lost just three games in regulation, and Stamkos leads the NHL with 35 points in 20 games, owning a 1.75 per-game average that projects him to shatter career highs in points and assists. - O'LearyVezina - Sergei BobrovskyBobrovsky leads all starting goalies in save percentage (.933) and goals-against average (2.02). He also leads all starters in high-danger save percentage, per Corsica, as he already has a season's worth of highlight-reel saves to his name.Both Andrei Vasilevskiy and Corey Crawford should garner some consideration here, but Bobrovsky is a clear-cut choice for the quarter-season award. - WegmanNorris - Erik KarlssonWhile Alex Pietrangelo and John Klingberg have started strong, only one elite defenseman is producing at least one point per game.Despite missing the first chunk of his season to recover from offseason foot surgery, Karlsson sits two points off the league lead in points among defenseman with one goal and 16 assists in 14 contests. While he's not logging his usual standard in ice time, he still averages more than 25 minutes per night, and it doesn't look like there's anything that can stop him from snapping his brief, inexplicable two-year Norris drought. - O'LearyCalder - Will ButcherWhile there may be no Auston Matthews or Patrik Laine in this rookie class, there's certainly no shortage of Calder-worthy players.Butcher, a defenseman for the Devils, has a slight edge at the quarter mark. He has 16 points in 20 games and a plus-7 rating, and has his team atop the Metro Division standings.Coyotes winger Clayton Keller (23GP, 11G, 9A, 20P), Islanders center Mathew Barzal (20GP, 4G, 15A, 19P), and Canucks winger Brock Boeser (17GP, 7G, 10A, 17P) made this an incredibly tough selection. - WegmanSelke - Mark StoneThis award is generally reserved for Patrice Bergeron, but since the perennial gold standard of defensive forwards has missed some time this season, he hasn't established himself as the early leader.It's rare that the Selke ever goes to a winger, but Stone should be in the mix. The 25-year-old is tied for second among all forwards with 24 takeaways, and has been on the ice for 17 goals for at even strength, compared to just nine against. - O'LearyJack Adams - Gerard GallantThe no-brainer above all no-brainers. Gallant has his expansion team sitting second in the Pacific Division with 25 points in 19 games, despite having to start a fourth-string netminder.Though Vegas' success may not be sustainable, it's far and away the NHL's most surprising team this season. Gallant has to be given credit for getting his players to compete every night. - WegmanGeneral Manager of the Year - Doug ArmstrongThere's lots of time left to see which GM can orchestrate a move to push his team over the top, but Armstrong is a worthy candidate to this point.The Jori Lehtera-Brayden Schenn trade has been highway robbery for the Blues, helping to rejuvenate a lineup now perched atop the Western Conference. - O'Leary(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains coarse language.Over the course of the 2017-18 season, theScore will run a series of interviews with former players, coaches, and officials in which they recall some of the greatest moments of their career. This edition focuses on Bernie Nicholls, who racked up more than 1,200 career points and had a 70-goal, 150-point season next to Wayne Gretzky in the late-1980s.On what he remembers from his first NHL game:My first game was in Calgary, at the old Calgary Corral, where the boards seemed like they were five feet high, and hard. I remember Jerry Korab got hit from behind into the boards, it might have been my first shift out on the ice. And there's a fan banging on the glass, and I go over, and (Jerry's) teeth are sitting on the ledge of the boards.So, I'm sitting there going, "Damn, here's my first shift in the NHL and a guy just got his teeth knocked out on a hit from behind." (laughs) I don't remember who won the game, or how well I did, but that's what I remember.On his first NHL goal:We're in Colorado. I get a breakaway, and I deke Chico Resch and score.I actually had someone send me a picture of me deking past him and shooting it into the empty net. And that was back before we had iPhones and things like that. I actually have that picture with my jersey hanging up, where I'm shooting the puck into the empty net. And Chico Resch signed his goalie stick for me, so I have that.It was actually a pretty nice goal for my first NHL goal.On adjusting to life in L.A. after growing up in West Guilford, Ontario:I'll never forget flying into L.A. ... where I come from, there may be 75 people in my hometown. There are trees, it's back in the bush. I'm flying into Hollywood ... you actually fly right over the (Great Western Forum). I remember that. And then you land, and there are, like, 10 million people. I go from one extreme to the next.I love horse racing; Hollywood Park was right there. (Lakers owner Jerry) Buss had celebrities there all the time. Tom Hanks would be at the games. Sylvester Stallone, Goldie Hawn, Kurt Russell. We played every Saturday night and the Lakers played every Friday night. I'd go to the games and stand on the floor, and hang out with Magic Johnson and the rest of the Lakers.I always found I can adapt anywhere. You want to take me to Alaska, I can go live there. I love that part of the world. Hollywood was an easy transition, and I enjoyed it. I got my pink silk suit; I could dress the part. It was pretty cool.On whether he still fancies wearing fur coats as he did in L.A.:You know what? I still have one; I haven't worn it in a while.When I was in junior, my billet owned a fur store. So that's where I kind of got the reputation there as an 18-year-old, playing junior hockey, traveling out with a full-length wolf coat. I guess it followed me out to L.A.On his favorite on-ice talkers:Ken Baumgartner was tough. He'd always give you the old, "Daddy's home!" or, "You want to party?" But he could back it up. He was good that way.Another one was Glen Sather - he was so fitting for the Oilers. Cocky young kids, and their coach was cocky and arrogant, but they could all back it up. Glen would have that shit-ass grin on his face behind the bench, chirping at you, but he could really back it up.A lot of the tough guys would just kind of tell you what they were going to do. Marty McSorley was one of those guys. I love Marty, and I got to play with him, but I'll never forget one time when we're in L.A., and the whistle goes. And the referee, he's over by the penalty box. And Marty's giving me a face wash, 'cause he knows there's nothing I can do about it. (laughs)So I turned and punched him as hard as I can right in the head, and then I skated as fast as I could to the penalty box and stood right beside the referee and said, "He's comin'." And sure enough, he came and speared me right in front of the referee. (laughs) That's our friend Marty.On his favorite referee interaction:I remember Andy Van Hellemond was a big horse guy, and he knew I was. So when he'd come to L.A., he'd be at the track, and we'd be on the ice and he'd tell me he had a good day, or ask me, "Do you know anything for tomorrow?" I lived with a jockey there, and was a friend with a couple of them ... they used to be in the penalty box in L.A., opening the door on the visitors' side.Andy knew I was friends with them, so he'd always ask me if I had any tips for him, or just tell me how well he did that day.On how he developed into one of the best shooters of his era:I think that was more natural ability than work. I've always said, if I could ever do one thing over again in my career, it would be that. We never worked on our craft like kids do today. We never worked out. I didn't start working out until I got to Chicago in '94. We never even had a bike in L.A.When I got to Chicago, with Chris Chelios, all of a sudden I'm doing push-ups and sit-ups in the sauna, working out every day and loving it. But that was much later in my career. So for me, I think most of (my shooting ability) was God-given. My endurance was probably as good as anybody's. But I still loved shooting in practice.People always said I had a deceptive shot, or that when I came down the ice, they never knew where I was going for the puck. I guess that was fortunate for me, when goalies couldn't read me. A lot of guys telegraph their shot, and I guess mine was a little different.On the moment he found out the Kings had acquired Wayne Gretzky from the Edmonton Oilers:I was actually in Tahoe at a celebrity golf event, and Jeremy Roenick said he had just heard that (the Kings) had got Wayne Gretzky. I was absolutely shocked. And I was good friends with Bruce McNall, who had just taken over. He had never really mentioned anything about that.But it was like Christmas day; I was like, "You gotta be kidding me." I was just so excited to have the opportunity to play with Wayne.On his relationship with Gretzky during their time together:I've asked different people - and I don't know how Wayne was in Edmonton or on other teams, if he had one player that he hung with - but I was Wayne's shadow. Every day Wayne took me to lunch. When we went on the road, it was Wayne and I. Went to dinner, went to movies. Every day, I was with him.We had a McDonald's 200 yards up the street (from the arena). Wayne loved McDonald's. Wayne would say, "Hey, Bern, let's go to lunch." When Wayne says "Let's do something," we're doing it. Let's go. So it's McDonald's. And to this day, I hate McDonald's. (laughs). We went every day.I'll never forget game days. Wayne was a quiet leader, obviously leading by example. And he would come over to me - and he might have gone over to everybody, I don't know that - but he would give me a little tap privately on my knee pads and say, "I need you tonight." And in your mind you're going, "Oh my God, that's Wayne."Great players bring out the best in everybody. They always do it. And that's how it was with Wayne. Obviously you want to play well for your team, but I always wanted to play well with Wayne. He had that kind of an impact on me. It was just a dream for me to play and hang with Wayne.On whether being traded out of L.A. in a 1989 deal with the Rangers might have cost him a shot at the Hockey Hall of Fame:Oh, absolutely. Any time you get traded ... obviously, after you get traded once it's a little easier ... but the toughest part for me was because of that.You score 70 goals, you play with the greatest player in the game, and all of a sudden, it's like they tease you: they let you play with him just for a little bit, and that's it. For me, I was absolutely honored and fortunate to play with him for a year and a half, but wow, would it have been fun to play with him for a few more years.That was absolutely the toughest part. That hurt.On who he considers most underrated from his era:I couldn't imagine what it would have been like to play with Gretz for 10 years. It was so much fun. But I've always said that if I could play with one person for my entire career, it would be Chris Chelios.Chris' work ethic was second to none. He gave me nine stitches in my ear in practice one time as I was trying to go around him. He battled you in practice like it was a game. He always said he wanted to play 60 minutes, and I really truly believe he could have. If I had been the coach, I would have let him try.Everybody knows that Chris would party hard off the ice at times, but he was the first person on the ice the next day. Always. And Chris was always the hardest-working player out there. No one battled harder than him. He was unbelievable.On winding down his career with the San Jose Sharks in the late-1990s:The role was going to be different. I know when I signed there, I talked to the general manager, and he had a plan: "We want you to lead the team." They had just drafted Patrick Marleau, and said, "Later on, we want you to take on a lesser role, be more of a role model for the younger kids and teach them."I loved the idea. To me, there's nothing better than watching young kids in any sport do well. And I've always said that the older players play such a big role to the younger kids. When I first broke in, you know that you gotta take someone else's job. You're not going to get support from the other center. It's the older guys that know that you're going to be a valuable part of the team going forward that take you under your wing.For me, going there, I had an opportunity to help young kids, Patrick Marleau, Marco Strum, guys like that. And I really loved that idea.On an unsatisfying end to his NHL career:This one is a touchy one. I knew I wasn't done yet. The problem is, Darryl Sutter was the coach. I love Darryl, I had him twice. But he had his brother there, Ronnie. And Ronnie was playing that fourth-line role. But I already had an agreement with (GM) Dean Lombardi. Dean brought me in for that role.So Darryl decides he's going to keep his brother ahead of me. And I can understand that; I probably would have done the same thing. But it's up to Dean Lombardi, the general manager, who knows I'm a better fit. And Dean wouldn't stand up for me against Darryl.A year later he apologized, but my thought is, you didn't have the balls to stand up to Darryl and do the right thing for the team. So I was done. That didn't sit well for a long time. And like I said, I had no problem with Darryl; he kept me on as a coach there, and he hired me in L.A. as a coach. I can understand from his point; you do a lot of things for your family.Dean knew I was the better person for the job, and that was the deal when I signed there. So that part stung - and it still hits a nerve.On how he wished things had ended:I wanted to play 20 years. And if I couldn't help the team, then I would know it's time. Obviously my goal scoring wasn't there, but I could still play well on defense, still take faceoffs, still really good for the young kids. And I loved the opportunity to play that role.Even when I was coaching with the Kings, I hung with the players more than with the coaches. I loved being around the players, loved helping the players. I didn't get to do it enough (as a player), and I really would have liked to do it for a couple more years.__________Rapid FireBest goalie he ever faced: Patrick RoyBest player he ever played with (aside from Gretzky): Mario LemieuxFavorite coach of all time: His dad, Pat Quinn, Jacques LemaireFavorite visiting arena: Chicago Stadium__________Fact FileBorn: June 24, 1961, Haliburton, ONDrafted: Fourth round (73rd overall), 1980, Los Angeles KingsTeams: Los Angeles Kings (1981-89), New York Rangers (1989-91), Edmonton Oilers (1991-93), New Jersey Devils (1993-94), Chicago Blackhawks (1994-96), San Jose Sharks (1996-98)STATSGPGAPPIMRegular Season112747573412091292Playoffs1184272114164(Special thanks to the NHL Alumni Association for its assistance.)(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Other entries in this series:

The Columbus Blue Jackets are right in the hunt in a ridiculously crowded Metropolitan Division - but they aren't making things easy on themselves.The Blue Jackets are an impressive 13-7-1 a quarter of the way into the season despite boasting the NHL's worst power play. Their performance with the man advantage hasn't just been bad - it's been next-level terrible, producing just six goals in 58 opportunities after misfiring on their only man advantage in Monday's 3-2 win over the Buffalo Sabres.The Blue Jackets have gotten away with having a terrible power-play unit through 21 games - but is their success sustainable if they can't fix their woes with the man advantage? Recent history suggests that making the playoffs - never mind being a top-three team in the conference - is a tall task without some semblance of a power play.Here's a quick look at the bottom-five teams in terms of power-play efficiency over the previous five seasons, along with their end-of-year record and whether they made the postseason:2016-17 seasonTEAMPP RANKRECORDPLAYOFFSArizona26th30-42-10NoDetroit27th33-36-13NoN.Y. Islanders28th41-29-12NoVancouver29th30-43-9NoColorado30th22-56-4NoNone of these teams reached the playoffs, though the Islanders came awfully close. They won seven of their final 10 regular-season games to make things interesting but went a combined 0-for-10 with the man advantage in their three losses over that stretch - including an 0-for-6 showing in a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to the Boston Bruins. A win, and they're in.2015-16 seasonTEAMPP RANKRECORDPLAYOFFSOttawa26th38-35-9NoVancouver27th31-38-13NoTampa Bay28th46-31-5YesToronto29th29-42-11NoWinnipeg30th35-39-8NoThe Lightning squeezed into the playoffs as the East's No. 6 seed despite a power-play unit that succeeded just 15.8 percent of the time. Tampa Bay was quite fortunate that season, going 21-10-5 in one-goal games - but also boasted the league's seventh-best penalty-killing unit (84 percent) while squandering just three of its 38 third-period leads.2014-15 seasonTEAMPP RANKRECORDPLAYOFFSToronto26th30-44-8NoMinnesota27th46-28-8YesAnaheim28th51-24-7YesColorado29th39-31-12NoBuffalo30th23-51-8NoThis wacky season produced not one, but two playoff teams with bottom-five power-play success rates. The Wild's inclusion was an easy one to figure out - they allowed the NHL's fourth-fewest goals in the regular season - while the Ducks were an unfathomable (and absolutely unrepeatable) 33-1-7 in one-goal games. That kind of luck will conquer anything.2013-14 seasonTEAMPP RANKRECORDPLAYOFFSVancouver26th36-35-11NoLos Angeles27th46-28-8YesCarolina28th36-35-11NoBuffalo29th25-51-10NoFlorida30th29-45-8NoThe Kings proved you can not only make the playoffs with a terrible power play, you can win the whole darned thing. Of course, it wasn't like Los Angeles was a pushover going into the postseason - it allowed the fewest goals against in the regular season, then caught fire during its wild playoff run (on the strength of a 23.5-percent power-play success rate. Go figure.)2012-13 seasonTEAMPP RANKRECORDPLAYOFFSBoston26th28-14-6YesCarolina27th19-25-4NoColumbus28th24-17-7NoBuffalo29th21-21-6NoWinnipeg30th24-21-3NoStop me if you've heard this before: The Bruins earned a top-three berth in the East by virtue of allowing the conference's second-fewest goals, in combination with the league's fourth-best penalty-killing rate (87.1 percent). It also helped that Boston surrendered just two shorthanded goals in the shortened season, more than just six other teams.FindingsSo on one hand, the odds aren't exactly in the Blue Jackets' favor. But if you consider the commonalities between teams that did prevail despite struggling with the man advantage, you could make a case that Columbus is in position to join the Lightning, Wild, Ducks, Kings, and Bruins as playoff teams with less-than-potent power plays:

On Monday night, Auston Matthews had the distinct pleasure of facing his childhood team - the Arizona Coyotes - in the 100th game of his career.While the 4-1 loss might not have gone as planned, it is seemingly the only thing that has gone askew in the sophomore's impeccable career to date.For the Toronto Maple Leafs superstar, the milestone may seem premature, but the 20-year-old has already set the league ablaze. Matthews has tallied 52 goals - the second most since he entered the league and most by a rookie since Alex Ovechkin's 52-goal rookie season in 2006 - and has become a nightly highlight reel.His career remains in it's infancy, but with so many memorable moments to date, its worth looking at the best of Matthews so far.5. Smashing Maple Leafs recordsIt might not be the prettiest goal of Matthews' young career, but with his 35th last year in a game against the Florida Panthers, Matthews broke Wendel Clark's record for most goals by a Maple Leafs rookie in a season.It was a record that had stood for 31 years and one Matthews extended with five additional goals before the year expired. He would also break the Maple Leafs record for most points by a rookie with 69, besting the previous mark of 67.4. Outdoor Game magicLast January, the Maple Leafs had the honor of hosting the Centennial Classic - an outdoor game against the Detroit Red Wings.It was the Maple Leafs' first chance to host an outdoor game and best believe it, Matthews made sure it was one to remember. After scoring on a wicked wrist shot in the third period, the game went to overtime where he once again stole the show.Matthews hopped on a loose puck and back-handed it over the catching glove of Jared Coreau to give the Maple Leafs a 5-4 win.3. Playoff heroicsHeading into last season, few expected the Maple Leafs to challenge for a playoff spot, let alone hold their own against the Presidents' Trophy winners, the Washington Capitals.However, the club did just that, pushing the Capitals to six games in the first round. Once again, it was Matthews leading the way. He was a force all series, scoring four goals and five points. His tally in Game 6 is still fresh in the minds of Leafs fans.2. The hardware to back it upWhile few were surprised by the outcome, Matthews' Calder Trophy win was the bow that perfectly wrapped his incredible rookie campaign.He finished tied for second in the league with 40 goals, paced all first-year players with 69 points, and immediately made his mark as one of the top talents in the NHL.1. A debut like no otherIt's a performance that will forever be synonymous with his name.On Oct. 12, 2016, in his first NHL game, Matthews scored not once, not twice, not even a hat trick, but four goals, becoming the first player in NHL history to complete the feat.Related: Sens' Anderson asked Leafs' Matthews to sign his stick from 4-goal gameFor many, it was their first look at the 2016 first-overall pick, and in an instant, he put the league on notice. It's a performance that will be tough to match both for future generations and for the man himself, and still is his most remarkable achievement to date.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Auston Matthews seemed to have scored in his 100th NHL game, but the Toronto Maple Leafs' star center was denied due to a call of goaltender interference.Zach Hyman got tangled up with Antti Raanta at the right side of the net before Matthews deposited it into the left, and after a lengthy review spurred by a coach's challenge, the NHL ruled the netminder was impeded in his ability to make the save.The goal would have tied the game at two late in the third period. The Coyotes went on to win 4-1 thanks to a pair of empty-net goals.What's your take?Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A trip to eastern Canada appears to have been just what the Arizona Coyotes needed.Less than a week ago, Arizona had not won a game in regulation all season, posting a record of 2-15-3 with an overtime and shootout win to their credit. But, after kicking off a four-game Canadian road trip with a loss in Winnipeg, the Coyotes reeled off a trio of victories as they moved through Quebec and Ontario.First, Arizona scored a pair of third period goals to cap a comeback over the Montreal Canadiens, finally earning their first regulation win of the season. Next up was the Ottawa Senators, who the Coyotes defeated in overtime on the strength of an Anthony Duclair hat trick.And on Monday, Arizona spoiled hometown boy Auston Matthews' 100th career game by defeating the Toronto Maple Leafs, picking up another regulation victory in the process.Even with the three-game streak, the Coyotes remain in the NHL's basement, but defeating a trio of 2017 playoff teams while on the road is no small feat for a young club.Now they return home for games against division rivals from San Jose, Los Angeles and Vegas.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues activated defenseman Jay Bouwmeester off injured reserve, making him available for Tuesday's game against Edmonton. The veteran has been out since training camp with a fractured ankle.Despite Bouwmeester's absence, the Blues sit first in the Western Conference and second overall with 31 points through 21 games, and the addition of a defenseman with over 1,000 games to his credit will certainly provide a boost."A quality player like 'Bo,' he's an important piece to our game," Blues head coach Mike Yeo said via the team's website. "He's a guy, with his skating ability, his defensive game, he does so many little things that help you win hockey games."The Blues are allowing only 2.62 goals per game so far this season - good for fifth in the NHL - and Bouwmeester's steady presence should only help the cause."He plays both ends of the ice, and he's a guy that eats a lot minutes, too," said captain Alex Pietrangelo. "We've been doing well on the back end, but when you bring a guy with that kind of experience, it sends a calming influence throughout the lineup. He can really control the game and I'm looking forward to having him back."Through 321 games with the Blues, Bouwmeester has registered a Corsi rating of 50.2 at even strength while regularly beginning his shifts in the defensive zone - a testament to his responsibility with the puck.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Radko Gudas knew a suspension was coming, but didn't think it would be this lengthy.The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman waived his right to an in-person hearing after dangerously slashing Mathieu Perreault of the Winnipeg Jets on Nov. 16, choosing instead to speak to the NHL's Department of Player Safety over the phone.The invitation to meet face-to-face generally means the player is in for a suspension of at least five games, and in the end, the NHL deemed it prudent to ban Gudas for 10."I was surprised, I did not expect that," Gudas said Monday via Flyers TV. "I don't agree with it, but I accept their decision. There's not much else I can say."The NHL's decision was based on Gudas' forceful chop delivered to a player in a vulnerable position, and while he did admit to being reckless with his stick, he added he's never used it like that before.Gudas is eligible to return to the lineup Dec. 12.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One of the biggest perks of being a professional hockey player is getting paid like one.However, not all NHL players have the privilege of earning multi-million-dollar contracts, as a large group of guys operate at the league-minimum salary of $650,000.Let's take a look at the NHL's league-minimum All-Stars; a starting lineup of players currently making their $650K salaries look like complete steals.Forwards Brian Gibbons, New JerseyMassive props due if Gibbons was a late-round fantasy addition this season, as he's easily been one of the biggest surprises on a team that is seemingly full of them in the Devils.In the span of two seasons, Gibbons has gone from a player on a professional tryout, to waivers, to leading the Devils in scoring with nine goals - he also has three assists to his credit.The 29-year-old pivot has an unproven track record that includes only 22 points across 67 career regular-season games, so it's no shock that he's earning the league minimum. But, if he can maintain even 50 percent of this output, the Devils have a true bargain on their hands.Derek Grant, Anaheim Ducks(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)The Ducks keep earning points despite being one of the NHL's most injured clubs, and a lot of that is thanks to depth forwards like Grant.With offensive studs like Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, and Patrick Eaves all missing prolonged periods of time, Grant and Co. have stepped up to fill the void.Four goals and six assists in just over 13 minutes of action per night, well worth the $650,000 price tag.Martin Frk, Detroit Red WingsIn addition to being the first-ever NHLer with no vowels in his name, Frk can actually bring it offensively, notching six goals and three assists in 18 games for the Wings this season.Frk is currently sidelined with a lower-body injury that has stunted his production, but he's already displaying the offensive gifts that has him in line for a significant raise when his current deal expires in July.DefensemenDerek Forbort, Los Angles Kings(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)With a blue line perennially dominated by the likes of Drew Doughty and Jake Muzzin, Forbort is easily overlooked. But this year, the 25-year-old is very quietly carving out an important role for himself on the Kings' back end.Sure, he doesn't light the lamp or have a booming slapper, but he plays in a pairing with Doughty, so he really doesn't need to chip in offensively every night to be a rock-solid rearguard.The former 15th overall draft pick has five assists to his credit so far, but his importance to L.A. lays in his ability to log heavy minutes, block shots, and kill penalties - three things he does very well.Tim Heed, San Jose SharksEasily the least-recognizable name on this list, Heed, a 26-year-old rookie, is doing his best to make a name for himself. While he has the fortunate distinction of playing alongside Brent Burns and on the Sharks' power play, Heed has still been a pleasant surprise, especially at $650K.Through 16 games, Heed has notched seven points, a game-winning goal, and 37 shots on net while logging 18 minutes of ice time per night.GoalieDarcy Kuemper, Los Angeles Kings(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Despite sitting firmly entrenched as the Kings' No. 2 option between the pipes, Kuemper is performing like he has what it takes to be the starter, registering impressive numbers while serving as Jonathan Quick's backup.Across his four starts this season, Kuemper has posted a 3-0-1 record to go along with a sparkling 1.62 GAA and .943 save percentage.Quick is under contract until 2023, so realistically, Kuemper will be spending most of his time this year riding the pine. But, that doesn't change the fact that he's a complete steal for $650,000.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ten points in four games was good enough for Carolina Hurricanes winger Teuvo Teravainen to be named the NHL's first star of the week Monday.Teravainen notched five goals and five assists in four games, including a hat trick against against the Dallas Stars. The diminutive forward is a big reason for Carolina's resurgence, as the Hurricanes have won back-to-back games and five of their last seven.Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Frederik Andersen took home this week's second-star honors, as he's been a brick wall of late, posting back-to-back shutouts in his last two games. Across his three starts last week, Andersen went a perfect 3-0-0 while registering an unreal save percentage of .982.Rounding out the group is Colorado Avalanche pivot Nathan MacKinnon, whose week was highlighted by a five-point, single-game performance against the Washington Capitals. In three games for the Avs, MacKinnon racked up two goals and five assists.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Carey Price took another step closer to returning to action Monday, as head coach Claude Julien announced the All-Star netminder will be traveling with the team for its upcoming two-game road trip.The news came after Price participated in his first full practice in almost three weeks, as the 30-year-old 'tender had been skating on his own prior to Monday.With Price's usual backup, Al Montoya, out with a concussion, rookie goalie Charlie Lindgren has been manning the Canadiens' blue paint in the meantime, going 3-3-1 during Price's absence.While this is obviously positive news for Montreal, Julien stated that Price is still day to day, with Lindgren pegged as the starter against the Dallas Stars on Tuesday, according to TSN's John Lu. That would leave a possible Price return for Wednesday night when the Canadiens take on the Nashville Predators.Price hasn't seen any game action since Nov. 2.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's NHL Power Rankings are published every other Monday. Our fourth installment is put together by editors Josh Gold-Smith, Ian McLaren, and Cory Wilkins.1. Tampa Bay Lightning (15-3-2)Previously 1stThe dynamic duo of Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov is showing no signs of letting up. Five consecutive victories before a loss Saturday kept the Lightning where they deserve to be.- Wilkins2. Toronto Maple Leafs (14-7-0) ▲Previously 21stNo Auston Matthews? No problem. With their best player on the sidelines, the Maple Leafs cruised to four straight wins of their own, then captured their sixth victory in succession against the rival Canadiens upon Matthews' return.- Wilkins3. Winnipeg Jets (12-4-3) ▲Previously 5thThe Jets are proving the pundits correct: Give Winnipeg a goaltender and they're a dangerous team. The Jets have won four straight, allowing just six goals in the process.- Wilkins4. Nashville Predators (11-6-2) ▲Previously 12thKyle Turris has been a hit in the Music City, chipping in three points in four games, while the Predators have taken three of four contests since his arrival.- Wilkins5. St. Louis Blues (15-5-1) ▼Previously 2ndA bit of a dip for the Blues, as St. Louis was on the wrong end of an ugly loss to the Flames, just days after needing extra time to take down the last-place Coyotes.- Wilkins6. New York Islanders (11-7-2) ▲Previously 15thIt's been a mixed bag for the Islanders, but the team's most impressive outing was a 5-3 win over the first-place Lightning. Thomas Greiss and Jaroslav Halak continue to battle for minutes between the pipes.- Wilkins7. Columbus Blue Jackets (12-7-1) ▼Previously 3rdThe Blue Jackets will need to find the back of the net more often in order to climb this list. Columbus mustered just six regulation goals in its last five appearances.- Wilkins8. Vegas Golden Knights (12-6-1) ▲Previously 10thCredit the Golden Knights for their ability to find the win column despite constant injuries in the crease. One negative of the week: an 8-2 shellacking to the struggling Oilers.- Wilkins9. New Jersey Devils (11-5-3) ▼Previously 6thThe Devils are .500 in their last six outings, despite allowing four more goals than they've scored. Travis Zajac's return should improve the team's fortunes.- Wilkins10. Los Angeles Kings (12-7-2) ▼Previously 4thWinning just two of their last six, with only one coming in regulation, cracks are starting to show in the Kings' hot start to the season.- Wilkins11. Calgary Flames (11-8-0) ▲Previously 25thJohnny Gaudreau has quietly risen among the NHL's point leaders, and if Mike Smith can remain healthy while the defense starts to mesh more effectively, Calgary could really set the league on fire.- McLaren12. Chicago Blackhawks (10-8-2) ▲Previously 24thA tightly contested win over Pittsburgh on Saturday served notice that this team's window hasn't closed quite yet. Having said that, maybe beating Pittsburgh isn't all that impressive these days (see below).- McLaren13. Pittsburgh Penguins (11-8-3) ▼Previously 9thThe Penguins' defensive numbers have been skewed by a few lopsided losses, but the defending Stanley Cup champions are also having trouble scoring. Issues at both ends of the ice doesn't bode well moving forward.- McLaren14. Detroit Red Wings (10-8-3) ▲Previously 27thDetroit appears to have some swagger back following a fight-filled romp over Calgary. The Wings are defying expectations and young stars Dylan Larkin and Anthony Mantha are leading the way.- McLaren15. San Jose Sharks (10-8-0) ▼Previously 7thDespite the winning record, San Jose has scored the fewest amount of goals in the NHL, and the offensive struggles are exacerbated by the fact Norris Trophy winner Brent Burns has zero goals on 75 shots.- McLaren16. Anaheim Ducks (9-7-3) ▼Previously 14thRecent wins over Vancouver, Boston, and Florida helped end a stretch of losses for the Ducks, who are somehow hanging on in the midst of a slew of injuries.- McLaren17. Minnesota Wild (9-8-2) ▲Previously 20thPrior to a loss to Washington on Saturday, the Wild won four in a row, including a string of three-straight shutouts by Devan Dubnyk. The streak helped Minnesota get back on the positive side of the goal differential ledger.- McLaren18. Washington Capitals (11-9-1) ▲Previously 22ndThe two-time defending Presidents' Trophy winners have certainly lost some luster. Braden Holtby is being left out to dry with regularity, but thankfully the offense is still chugging along.- McLaren19. Dallas Stars (10-9-1) ▼Previously 8thA win over Edmonton on Saturday snapped a three-game losing streak, but 20 games in, this team does not want to be in the lower tier of the standings in terms of point percentage.- McLaren20. New York Rangers (10-9-2) ▼Previously 16thThe Blueshirts have recorded 10 wins in 20 games, and a team that features Henrik Lundqvist in net should not have a negative goal differential.- McLaren21. Ottawa Senators (8-5-6) ▼Previously 11thNote to other teams looking to avoid falling in the rankings: Don't lose to the worst team in the league in the same week you get beaten by a defending Stanley Cup champion still looking to find its stride.Unfortunately for the Senators, they can't just play the Avalanche every game.- Gold-Smith22. Boston Bruins (8-7-4) ▼Previously 19thTwo big wins on the West Coast will do just fine, but they came after four straight defeats, including back-to-back losses to the Maple Leafs.- Gold-Smith23. Colorado Avalanche (10-8-1) ▼Previously 17thColorado has lost four of their last six, including back-to-back defeats to the Senators in their Swedish sojourn, and a humbling loss to their other Matt Duchene trade partner, the Predators.- Gold-Smith24. Carolina Hurricanes (9-6-4) ▲Previously 29thCarolina isn't a playoff-calibre team yet, but there's reason for hope. The Hurricanes have won five of their last seven contests, including back-to-back victories over the weekend.- Gold-Smith25. Florida Panthers (7-11-2) ▲Previously 31stGetting shut out by the Kings on Saturday was hardly ideal, but Florida did blank the Sharks in San Jose two days earlier.Florida has lost two straight games, but hovered around .500 since our last edition, so that's enough to get out of our basement for now.- Gold-Smith26. Vancouver Canucks (9-8-3) ▼Previously 13thSaturday's overtime loss to the Blues was a valiant effort, but the Canucks have won only two of the seven games since our last edition, and have emerged victorious in only three of their last 10. That's bad.- Gold-Smith27. Philadelphia Flyers (8-8-4) ▼Previously 23rdThe Flyers blew a 3-1 lead and eventually lost to the Flames in overtime Saturday, dropping their fourth straight game and fifth in their last six.The Brian Elliott signing just hasn't worked out, and trading away Brayden Schenn was a terrible idea.- Gold-Smith28. Edmonton Oilers (7-11-2) ▼Previously 26thEdmonton could still turn out to be a Stanley Cup contender, but the Oilers have dug themselves into a serious hole.Neither their 4-1 loss to the Blues nor Saturday's 6-3 defeat to the Stars inspire much confidence that the Oilers will snap out of this any time soon.- Gold-Smith29. Montreal Canadiens (8-11-2) ▼Previously 18thMontreal got embarrassed by the Maple Leafs on Saturday night, and the 6-0 rout was the Canadiens' third consecutive loss. Is it time for a shake-up?- Gold-Smith30. Arizona Coyotes (4-15-3)Previously 30thA win streak! Two straight victories and an Anthony Duclair hat trick Saturday are encouraging, but the Coyotes still have the NHL's worst goal differential (-31), and they've won only three of their last 10 games.- Gold-Smith31. Buffalo Sabres (5-11-4) ▼Previously 28thBuffalo lost its fifth straight game Saturday, and that makes eight losses in the last 10 contests. Only the Coyotes have a worse goal differential than the skidding Sabres.- Gold-Smith(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Home-ice advantage is real for the Vegas Golden Knights.With a win over the Los Angeles Kings on Sunday, the expansion franchise improved to 8-1-0 at T-Mobile Arena.That's the fewest amount of home losses among all NHL teams, and matches the New York Rangers, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Toronto Maple Leafs for the most wins.The only team to beat Vegas in Nevada is the Detroit Red Wings back on Oct. 13, and the Golden Knights have rattled off seven wins in a row since, outscoring the opposition 31-13 over that span.No wonder the players are loving their new hockey home.

Nashville Predators forward Austin Watson has been suspended two games for boarding Colorado Avalanche forward Dominic Toninato on Saturday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Sunday.(Courtesy: NHL.com)As the video shows, Watson was assessed a major and a game misconduct at the time of the incident. The check was deemed to be through the numbers and overly forceful, thereby meriting further discipline.Watson will forfeit $11,827.96 in salary.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas has been suspended 10 games for slashing Mathieu Perreault of the Winnipeg Jets in Thursday's game, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Sunday.Gudas is considered a repeat offender under the NHL's collective bargaining agreement. His most recent ban came in October 2016, when he was suspended six games for an interference play involving Austin Czarnik of the Boston Bruins.Gudas will forfeit $408,536.60 in salary as part of his 10-game suspension.The 27-year-old missed Saturday's game against the Calgary Flames while he awaited his hearing. The contest will count toward his 10-game suspension. He's eligible to return Dec. 12 vs. the Toronto Maple Leafs.Gudas has recorded two assists and 57 penalty minutes in 17 games this season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sometimes all a player needs is a fresh start.That's what the Colorado Avalanche offered Nail Yakupov in the form of a one-year, $875,000 contract in the offseason.The 2012 first overall pick was traded by the Oilers to the Blues prior to last season, and he contributed only three goals and six assists in 40 games for St. Louis.Seemingly on his last legs at the NHL level, the 24-year-old is making good on his opportunity with last year's last-place team.Yakupov scored during Sunday's win over the Red Wings, bringing his goal total to six through 19 games. That's not groundbreaking production, but it puts him on pace for 26 goals should he appear in all 82 games - a nine-goal improvement on his previous career high of 17 (scored in 48 games as a rookie in 2012-13).The six goals he has now would put him third on the Oilers, behind only Connor McDavid and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.His six goals have come on 33 shots, meaning a shooting percentage of 18.1, well above his 9.9 percent career average. Yakupov may level off, but he's being given an opportunity to succeed in Colorado, and even 20 goals would be a win for both player and team.At any rate, Yakupov is on pace for a strong season, along with some job security and a raise on his next deal. He'll be a restricted free agent in 2018.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins will renew hostilities in the great outdoors next season, as the two rivals have been selected to compete in the 2019 Stadium Series.The game will take place Feb. 23, 2019 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, home to the NFL's Eagles. The stadium seats nearly 70,000 fans.The Flyers and Penguins linked up as part of last year's Stadium Series at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. The Penguins came away with a 4-2 victory.Related: 5 teams we'd like to see in the Winter ClassicThe game marks the fourth outdoor game for the Flyers and fifth for the Penguins.On Saturday, the NHL announced the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks will face off in the 2019 Winter Classic.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

P.K. Subban has been left without an answer.Sixteen months after the trade that sent him to Nashville for former Predators captain Shea Weber, the star blue-liner is left wondering what led to his exit from the Montreal Canadiens organization."It's just hilarious when people ask me the question, 'Why do you think you were traded?'," Subban told Brendan Kelly of the Montreal Gazette."You know what? Let's get a panel. We can get (Canadiens owner) Geoff Molson, we can get (general manager) Marc Bergevin, we can get (former coach) Michel Therrien. We can get the whole front office and we can just throw those questions at them."Talk of the blockbuster trade has resurfaced with the Predators and Canadiens set to square off Wednesday in Nashville, marking just the third time the two sides have met since the deal unfolded.A back injury sidelined Subban for one of last season's games, but he was in the lineup for the Predators' 2-1 loss to the Canadiens on Mar. 2, a game in which he picked up an assist, while Weber was held off the scoresheet.Subban finished last season with 40 points in 66 games, while Weber tallied 42 points in 78 outings.A deal which many pundits felt favored the Predators nearly reached its tipping point last spring when the Predators advanced the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time in franchise history.Subban was a key factor in that playoff run, and his presence in Montreal was evidently missed as the Canadiens fell in the opening round of playoff action."The reality is that I didn't ask to be traded," Subban added. "I don't know. I never got an explanation for it."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dustin Byfuglien might have to go a couple of months with a new defense partner.Toby Enstrom was placed on injured reserve Sunday with what the Winnipeg Jets would only classify as a "lower-body" injury.Jamie Thomas, who works for the club as a reporter, tweeted that it appears Enstrom will be out for eight weeks with the ailment, which the defenseman suffered in Saturday's win over the New Jersey Devils.Enstrom ranked fifth among Jets blue-liners and 10th on the team in ice time, averaging 16:37, but he collected only two points in 19 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.