Austin Watson will face the music for a hit he landed in Nashville.The Predators forward has a hearing Sunday to explain this hit on Dominic Toninato early in Saturday's game against the Colorado Avalanche.Watson was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct.Toninato left the game but later returned.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's getting ugly in Montreal.A 6-0 loss on home ice Saturday to the rival Toronto Maple Leafs was the latest blow for the Canadiens, losers of four of their past five.That the team was unable to muster a goal, let alone find the win column, is even more surprising after coach Claude Julien uttered his embarrassment following Thursday's defeat to the dead-last Arizona Coyotes.The loss to the Maple Leafs dropped the Canadiens' record to 8-11-2 on the season. The club is now five points removed from a playoff position.While it's still early, and the Canadiens have nearly three quarters of the season left to right the ship, there are no assurances that a correction is around the corner.The Canadiens can't score. Saturday's loss marked the fourth time Montreal has been shutout this season, and the team has found the back of the net more than twice just eight times.That puts the Canadiens at 2.38 goals per game, ahead of only the lowly Buffalo Sabres (2.30).To no ones surprise, fans are calling for general manager Marc Bergevin to bring in scoring help. But, the problem is, he has no trade chips to move.The Canadiens have some interesting young pieces, likes Charles Hudon, Jacob de la Rose, and Michael McCarron, but none of which would return a prime piece in a trade.Bergevin already moved his most valuable up-and-comer this offseason when he acquired hometown hero Jonathan Drouin from the Tampa Bay Lightning. And while Drouin has been a hit starring for the Habs, more help is needed.Blame the Canadiens' poor performance at the draft table as a reason for their scoring woes. In the past 10 years, Montreal has selected just four players who have reached double-digit career goals, three of which remain with the franchise: Artturi Lehkonen, Alex Galchenyuk, and Brendan Gallagher.While immediate help may not be around the corner, a transition to focusing on the future seems just as unlikely. Bergevin is signed through the next five seasons - as is Julien - but a poor finish to the season could leave him without an answer to ownership.Heavy contracts to the likes of defensemen Shea Weber, Karl Alzner, and goaltender Carey Price, whose eight-year pact hasn't even begun, among others, also makes a major shakeup unlikely.Simply, there are no quick fixes for Montreal, and possibly worse, the team appears to be stuck in the status quo.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There were 13 games on Saturday's schedule, and no shortage of drama around the NHL.Here are five of the best photos with a brief setting of the scene for each.1. McDavid's lament(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)The Edmonton Oilers fell hard to the Dallas Stars in an afternoon tilt, a game in which superstar center Connor McDavid's performance was a mixed bag.He recorded a goal, two assists, and three shots in 17:42 of ice time, but finished with a minus-2 rating, and his line was on the ice for more shot attempts against than for.In fairness, one man can only do so much, and he's clearly not the problem in Edmonton.2. Original 6(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Prior to puck drop in Montreal, the NHL honored its Original Six franchises by having (from left to right) Dave Keon, Ray Bourque, Denis Savard, Yvan Cournoyer, Frank Mahovlich, and Rod Gilbert participate in a ceremonial puck drop.To please the home crowd, Savard and Mahovlich ditched their respective Chicago and Detroit jerseys in favor of their old Canadiens colors.3. Ovi down(Photo courtesy: Action Images)A scary scene unfolded in Washington as Capitals franchise winger Alex Ovechkin crumpled to the ice after taking a puck to the face.Ovechkin bled quite profusely and was forced to leave the game for medical attention, but was able to return for the third period.4. Crawford appears to escape injury(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford briefly exited an eventual win over the Pittsburgh Penguins after getting knocked in the head by Evgeni Malkin.Malkin was penalized for goalie interference. Crawford quickly returned to the crease after being checked by team doctors in the locker room.5. Auston's all smiles(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)Sidelined for four games with an upper-body injury, Auston Matthews made his return to the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup Saturday, and scored his team's fifth and sixth goals of the night in a romp over the Canadiens.He now has 12 goals in 17 games, and sits in a tie for the NHL's fourth-highest goal total (12) despite the time missed.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Montreal Canadiens head coach Claude Julien's hands are tied after a 6-0 loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday.In his perfect world, he'd be able to put his players through a grueling practice or bag skate, but the NHL's collective bargaining agreement prohibits him from calling the Canadiens to the rink Sunday."The CBA says they get four days off a month, and they've got tomorrow off," Julien said after the game, according to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN. "There was a time when you could react. You can't anymore. They got the day off tomorrow, and on Monday we leave (for back-to-back games Tuesday and Wednesday)."So I gotta continue to find ways - through video, through making guys accountable - because a punishing skate for us on Monday would do what for us on Tuesday and Wednesday? That's where we are now in this league. So we need to evolve in the game. Maybe back in the day, there was a time where we could do (a punishment skate). It's a lot harder today than it was back then."The loss dropped Montreal to 8-11-2, much further down in the standings than the Canadiens expected to be at any point this season.Things aren't about to get easier during their back-to-back in Dallas and Nashville.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been quite a whirlwind start to the season for Antti Niemi.The veteran goaltender was called into duty late in the Montreal Canadiens' blowout loss to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday, officially becoming the fifth goalie in NHL history to play for three teams in a season.Here's the rest of the list:

There's always some concern when a goalie takes a bump up high.That's what happened Saturday in Pittsburgh as Penguins superstar center Evgeni Malkin charged toward the net and caught Chicago Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford in the head with his thigh / posterior.Crawford was examined by the trainer and left the ice, presumably at the behest of the NHL's concussion spotter.He was, however, able to return shortly thereafter.

The NHL insists the Winter Classic concept hasn't gone stale, but that's hard to accept given its constant showcasing of the same teams.On Saturday, the NHL announced the Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks will play in the 2019 Winter Classic, marking the third appearance for the Bruins and the sixth for the Blackhawks.Meanwhile, eight other teams have never taken part in an outdoor game. Here are five fresh teams we'd prefer to watch.Columbus Blue JacketsThe Blue Jackets were one of the most exciting teams last season, and at one point pieced together a 16-game win streak. This year, Columbus has won 12 of its first 20 games, showing it's no fluke.With some of the game's best young stars, like Zach Werenski, on the roster, the Blue Jackets are a prime candidate for an outdoor game. The best bet could be a showdown at Ohio Stadium against the playoff rival Pittsburgh Penguins.Dallas StarsThe Stars can score, which makes them a perfect candidate for one of the NHL's premier events. A game outdoors would also give superstars like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn more time in the limelight.The Stars moved to Dallas in 1993, and a game in their former state against the Minnesota Wild could be an instant classic. To make it extra special, have Stars legend Mike Modano drop the puck in the ceremonial faceoff.Nashville PredatorsHockey fans in the Music City put on a show during last year's playoffs with raucous crowds at Bridgestone Arena. Can the spectacle be taken to the next level?The site is there in Nissan Stadium, and concerns over climate should be minimal after the NHL hosted two successful outdoor games in California. A game involving the Predators would highlight one of the NHL's most dynamic personalities in P.K. Subban, and facing off against his former team, the Montreal Canadiens, would provide intrigue in the Great White North.Tampa Bay LightningThe Lightning are an offensive machine this season, with the duo of Steven Stamkos and Nikita Kucherov scoring at will. It's time the two get the chance to show their stuff on the Winter Classic stage.The Florida club would likely have to take the show on the road in order to be featured in the Winter Classic, but there are plenty of options. Here's one: Going up against the Alex Ovechkin and the Washington Capitals, potentially at FedEx Field, home of the NFL's Redskins.Vegas Golden KnightsNobody puts on a better show than Vegas, and given the Golden Knights' strong performance, it's time to grant them an opportunity.As a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy, team owner Bill Foley could like the idea of playing a neutral-site game at New York's West Point campus. A perfect opponent could be the Florida Panthers, whose owner, Vincent Viola, is also a West Point graduate.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Auston Matthews is back.The Toronto Maple Leafs star center is in the lineup for Saturday's game in Montreal against the Canadiens, ending a four-game absence due to an upper-body injury.

A scary incident appears headed toward a happy ending.During an ECHL game between the Quad City Mallards and Tulsa Oilers on Friday, Oilers head coach and former NHL forward Rob Murray had to be removed from the bench area on a stretcher, and was taken to hospital after suffering a medical emergency in the second period.His condition was updated Saturday by John Peterson, the team's vice president of communications:

The Chicago Blackhawks and Boston Bruins have been announced as participants in the 2019 Winter Classic, and there's no shortage of critical yet amusing reactions on Twitter as a result. Chicago now gets set to appear in a fifth outdoor game since 2014, and sixth in total since hosting the event in 2009.Let's sample some of the best tweets:

The Boston Bruins and Chicago Blackhawks will take it outside next year, as the two teams have been chosen to compete in the 2019 Winter Classic.The game will be held Jan. 1, 2019, at Notre Dame Stadium in Indiana, which seats more 77,000 fans.The Blackhawks have played in five outdoor games, with their most recent coming last January against the St. Louis Blues. Chicago has a 1-4-0 all-time record when playing outside.The Bruins have twice played outdoors, featuring in a pair of home games held at the Red Sox's Fenway Park and the Patriots' Gillette Stadium. Boston is 1-1-0 in outdoor games.Three outdoor games are on the docket for this season.The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators will face off at TD Place Stadium in the Canadian capital, the state-rival Buffalo Sabres and New York Rangers will skate at Citi Field, home of the MLB's Mets, and the Toronto Maple Leafs will take on the Washington Capitals at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Red Wings forward Luke Witkowski has decided not to appeal his 10-game suspension, the team announced in a release, according to Craig Custance of The Athletic.Witkowski was given the 10-game ban following Wednesday's game against the Calgary Flames where, after being assessed a game misconduct, he returned to the ice after being sticked by Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk."I accept and understand that the wording of the rule, combined with what happened during the incident, leave little to no chance of a successful appeal," Witkowski said in the release.Witkowski admitted Friday that he was unaware of Rule 70.6 that states any player that returns to the bench or ice after being ejected from the game shall be assessed an automatic 10-game suspension.This means the Red Wings will be without Witkowski until at least Dec. 11.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The omission of Auston Matthews from the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup has moved the spotlight from the sophomore star to goaltending, the club's next most valuable asset.The Maple Leafs have gone a perfect 4-0-0 with Matthews sidelined and that can be credited almost entirely to the nearly flawless play of Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney.The two have allowed just five goals on 153 shots - the most conceded by any team over the last 10 days - good enough for a save percentage of .967.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Andersen has played in three of the four games, and looks to have resurrected his play after a dismal first month of the season. He posted a 1.30 goals-against average and a .965 save percentage in his starts, seeing dramatic improvements in both categories when comparing November (2.29 goals-against average and .931 save percentage) and October (3.46 goals-against average and .896 save percentage).As for McElhinney, he contributed his best game of the season Saturday when he gave up just one goal on 39 shots against the Boston Bruins.While the Leafs' netminders have been great, it hasn't come easy. Without Matthews in the lineup, the Maple Leafs have given up a lot more chances per game, a trend head coach Mike Babcock has noticed."We still give up too many shots, but we’re way lower in quality chances, and that gives our goalie a chance to get into the game," Babcock said Friday, according to Mark Zwolinski of the Toronto Star.There is only one problem with this assertion from Babcock, the Maple Leafs are actually - at least at even strength - giving up more high-danger opportunities with Matthews out of the lineup.StatWith MatthewsWithout MatthewsShots per game (all situations)32.2738.25High-Danger shots per game (even strength)5.56.5Medium-Danger shots per game (even strength)8.27.25Low-Danger shots per game (even strength)15.214(Shot quality stats courtesy: First Line Stats)The Maple Leafs are giving up an extra six shots and at even-strength they are allowing one extra high-danger chance per game with Matthews out of the lineup.Given the numbers, it's quite clear that when Matthews - who currently sits with a Corsi for rating of 52.1 - is in the lineup, the Maple Leafs spend far less time in their own end. In summary: less Matthews leads to more work for the team's goaltenders.Fortunately Matthews' absence hasn't necessarily spelled doom for the club's offense, as the Maple Leafs have still scored an average of three goals per game without their prized possession in the lineup.Matthews is a game-time decision for Saturday night's game against the Montreal Canadiens which - as far as Andersen and McElhinney are concerned - could mean a lighter workload for the two who have risen to the occasion while their No. 1 center nursed an upper-body injury.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It won't be known until puck drop if Auston Matthews will return to the Toronto Maple Leafs' lineup Saturday night.After taking to the ice for an optional skate Saturday morning - ahead of the club's contest against the Montreal Canadiens - head coach Mike Babcock noted that Matthews would be a game-time decision, according to TSN's Mark Masters.While a final decision won't be made until later, Babcock seemed confident that Matthews will suit up.

The NHL added its 31st team this season with the Vegas Golden Knights.It's an odd number, so the expansion door is sure to open again in the coming years with the NHL adding team No. 32. Most recently, Houston has made noise about joining the club. It's an interesting case, given the city's size, its NHL-ready arena, and the would-be owner's financial backing.But Houston is just one of five possibilities that should be in the cards when the NHL readies for its next expansion:Kansas CityA once thought landing spot for three formerly financially struggling teams - the New York Islanders, Nashville Predators, and Pittsburgh Penguins - the best way to bring a team to the Midwest could be through expansion.An addition in Kansas City wouldn't be a first for the NHL, after the league tried its hand with the Scouts. The experiment lasted two seasons, as the team left for Colorado in 1976 before ultimately landing in New Jersey as the Devils.Kansas City's Sprint Center, which opened its doors a decade ago, could ice a potential team. The arena seats more than 17,500 for hockey and has hosted six neutral site games since its opening. Lamar Hunt Jr., owner of the ECHL's Mavericks, has expressed interest in bringing the NHL to Kansas City, if the price is right.PortlandPortland hockey fans have already shown their ability to support the sport, and an NHL-built arena further helps the cause for this expansion candidate.Portland's hockey history began in 1914 with the Rosebuds of the Pacific Coast Hockey Association. Today, the WHL's Winterhawks, playing out of the Moda Center, are among the biggest draws in the junior circuit. The arena holds more than 18,000 for hockey and is currently home to the NBA's Trail Blazers, Portland's lone pro team.The NHL has never had a team in Portland, but a move almost happened in 2000 when there were talks of the Coyotes relocating to Oregon, with ownership to be held by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, prior to a local sale that kept the team in Arizona.Quebec CityQuebec City's bid in the most recent expansion process was deferred, leaving open the possibility for the NHL to reconsider the Quebec capital in the future.Expansion efforts have been led by Quebecor's Pierre Karl Peladeau, with the goal of bringing back the Nordiques. The team left for Denver in 1995, in part because they were unable to find a new arena. But that's no longer a roadblock following the unveiling of the 18,000-plus seat Videotron Centre in 2015.While an addition to Quebec City would make it eight Canadian franchises, the market still has its challenges. Home to about 500,000, Quebec City would be the NHL's smallest market. Winnipeg is next, with nearly 200,000 more people, meaning a new team would need significant gate receipts to make up for a smaller corporate base."It isn't going to work very well unless this building is sold out every night," NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said in 2011 when the Atlanta Thrashers uprooted for Winnipeg, and a similar concern could exist about Quebec City.SeattleThe Emerald City wants hockey, and the interest from the NHL appears to be mutual. The league was disappointed it didn't receive a bid from Seattle during its most recent expansion process, but given the painstaking process to build a new arena in the city, the delay was inevitable.That won't be the case this time around, as Oak View Group, headed by former Toronto Maple Leafs executive Tim Leiweke, is leading the charge to revamp the 1962-built Key Arena into a modern facility.The NHL has never had a franchise in Seattle, but the sport's history in the market is extensive. The WHL's Thunderbirds are a popular draw, while the city was also previously home to the PCHA's Metropolitans. In 1917, prior to the launch of the NHL, the Metropolitans defeated the Montreal Canadiens to win the Stanley Cup.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Phil Housley is exasperated with his last-place Buffalo Sabres.The first-year head coach was not mincing words following a loss to the Detroit Red Wings on Friday, especially after having played only one other game this week."We just got outbattled, outworked and outcompeted tonight" he said, per Mike Harrington of the Buffalo News. "At times we even looked slow and I don't know why that is. We played one game in six nights. It's disappointing."The loss kept the Sabres two points behind Florida in the Eastern Conference basement, and dropped their goal differential to minus-23, ranking them 30th in the NHL.

A scary scene developed during ECHL action Friday.A game between the Quad City Mallards and the Tulsa Oilers - a St. Louis Blues affiliate - was postponed after Oilers coach and former NHL forward Rob Murray suffered a medical emergency during the second period.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas will have a phone hearing Sunday after waiving his right to an in-person meeting with the NHL's Department of Player Safety, the league announced.Due to the timing of the hearing, Gudas will not play Saturday against Calgary, per John Shannon of Sportsnet. The missed game will be factored into the looming suspension.Gudas was assessed a major penalty and a game misconduct for slashing Winnipeg's Mathieu Perreault in the head at 9:50 of the first period Wednesday against the Jets.Here's a look at the incident:The offer of an in-person hearing generally indicates a suspension of at least five games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matthew Tkachuk of the Calgary Flames has been suspended one game for his actions during Wednesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings.Tkachuk was assessed a five-minute major for spearing and a game misconduct after striking the back of Luke Witkowski's leg with his stick, thereby inciting further fisticuffs.This, according to the league, constitutes unsportsmanlike conduct on Tkachuk's part.Witkowski was heading to the locker room at the time, as a result of a game misconduct of his own, and has since received a 10-game suspension in accordance with NHL Rule 70.6.This marks the second suspension of Tkachuk's young career after he sat two games in 2016 for elbowing Los Angeles' Drew Doughty. His repeat offender status was taken into account in the decision.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Finally, some positive news on the goaltending front for the Vegas Golden Knights, as the club has activated netminder Malcolm Subban from the injured reserve.Subban had missed 11 games with a lower-body injury.In a subsequent move, the Golden Knights assigned 19-year-old Dylan Ferguson to the WHL's Kamloops Blazers. Ferguson played nine minutes Tuesday against the Edmonton Oilers following an injury to starter Maxime Lagace.Lagace returned for Thursday's 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks.As for Subban, he returns to the crease after appearing in just three games with Vegas, who claimed him off waivers from the Boston Bruins last month. Subban has two wins and a .936 save percentage since joining Vegas.The Golden Knights' next game is Sunday against the Los Angeles Kings, and Subban is a good bet to get the call between the pipes.While Subban has returned from injury, the team is still waiting on a clean bill of health for goaltenders Marc-Andre Fleury and Oscar Dansk. Dansk left an Oct. 30 contest against the New York Islanders with a lower-body injury, while Fleury hasn't played since Oct. 13 after suffering a concussion.The Golden Knights sit second place in the Pacific Division with an 11-6-1 record through 18 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Luke Witkowski might want to brush up on the NHL rule book.The Detroit Red Wings winger was suspended 10 games - based on Rule 70.6 - for his role in a brawl that took place during Wednesday's tilt with the Calgary Flames. The rule reads as follows:

Montreal Canadiens owner Geoff Molson told the city's chamber of commerce Friday he would be supportive if the NHL wanted a team in Quebec City, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Molson was adamant that the club wouldn't ask for any additional compensation if a franchise were to move into their territory.

The Columbus Blue Jackets may not be done making moves.Now that Cam Atkinson has signed a seven-year contract extension, the club has intensified efforts across the NHL to land a center, The Athletic's Aaron Portzline reports.The Blue Jackets feature Nick Foligno at center, and he's joined by Alexander Wennberg, Brandon Dubinsky, rookie Pierre-Luc Dubois, and Jordan Schroeder on the depth chart.Boone Jenner can also play up the middle, but he's been lining up on the left wing alongside Dubinsky and Atkinson on the second forward unit.The Blue Jackets traded former top-line center Ryan Johansen to the Nashville Predators for top-pairing defenseman Seth Jones in January 2016.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cam Atkinson is officially on the Columbus Blue Jackets' books for the long term.The club made his seven-year, $41.125-million extension official Friday, meaning he's now under contract with Columbus through the 2024-25 campaign.Atkinson is in the final season of the three-year, $10.5-million deal he signed with the Blue Jackets in the spring of 2015.The 28-year-old forward ranks second on the franchise's all-time goals list (125) behind Rick Nash (289), and is coming off a career year in which he poured in 35 goals and 62 points while playing all 82 games.Atkinson has notched at least 20 goals in each of the last four seasons, and his goal production has improved in each of the last three campaigns.He has four goals and six points in 15 games so far this fall.The deal was first reported Thursday night.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas was offered an in-person hearing for his slash on Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Friday.The specific date and time are still to be determined.Gudas was given a five-minute major and game misconduct for slashing Perreault midway through the first period of Thursday night's game.As Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman points out, an in-person hearing gives the NHL the option to suspend him for five or more games.Gudas is a repeat offender, having been suspended during the preseason on Oct. 10 of last year for interference on Boston Bruins forward Austin Czarnik.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This week, NHL.com unveiled its semifinal matchups as it looks to crown the greatest moment in NHL history as part of the league's 100-year celebration.Fans have voted on their favorites in a 64-moment bracket-style system. One semifinal pits Wayne Gretzky reaching the 50-goal mark in his 39th game against Mario Lemieux scoring five different goals in one game, while the other is a faceoff between Bobby Orr's historic overtime winner in the 1970 Stanley Cup Final and Teemu Selanne setting the NHL rookie goals record.All four are worthy candidates, but there can only be one winner. Below, we remove the matchup tags and rank the four remaining moments:4. Selanne lights up NHL in rookie seasonTeemu Selanne burst onto the scene during the 1992-93 season, needing very little time to adjust to the pace of the NHL.He began scoring at a rapid pace, and on March 2, 1993 - following a hat trick against the Quebec Nordiques - he eclipsed Mike Bossy's rookie record of 53 goals in a season.The young Fin then acted out his memorable celebration of throwing his glove into the air and using his stick as a gun to shoot at it.Selanne went on to score 76 goals and 132 points - both rookie records that remain intact.3. Lemieux does it allOn New Year's Eve, 1988, Lemieux proved he could do it all.The Pittsburgh Penguins captain capped off an eight-point game against the New Jersey Devils by scoring goals at even strength, on the power play, shorthanded, on a penalty shot, and into an empty net, becoming the first and only player in NHL history to do so.The game was the gem of Lemieux's season, in which he led the league in goals and points with 85 and 199, respectively.2. Gretzky's untouchable scoring blitzIt's a record that, unless Nikita Kucherov kicks it up a notch, might never be matched.On Dec. 23, 1981, after Game 37 on the season, Wayne Gretzky sat at 41 goals. Little did anyone know he'd hit the 50-goal plateau less than a week later.Following a four-goal outing against the Los Angeles Kings on Dec. 27, Gretzky outdid himself two nights later against the Philadelphia Flyers. He collected five goals to become the fastest player to reach the 50-goal mark.Gretzky went on to score an NHL-record 92 goals that season and total 212 points (the second-most in a single season).1. Orr soarsIt's the NHL's most iconic goal.On May 10, 1970, in Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final, Bobby Orr scored the overtime winner just 40 seconds into the extra frame, putting the puck past St. Louis Blues netminder Glenn Hall on a perfectly executed give-and-go with Derek Sanderson.The goal was made more memorable when, upon being tripped by defenseman Noel Picard, Orr jumped in celebration, giving birth to an unforgettable photo."As I skated across, Glenn had to move across the crease and had to open his pads a little," Orr said in Andrew Podnieks book, "The Goal: Bobby Orr and the Most Famous Shot in Stanley Cup History," according to Sportsnet's Luke Fox. "I was really trying to get the puck on net, and I did. As I went across, Glenn's legs opened. I looked back, and I saw it go in, so I jumped."The goal gave the Bruins their first Stanley Cup in 29 years, and a statue of Orr airborne now sits immortalized outside TD Garden.(Videos courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It looked lopsided at the time, but the Brayden Schenn deal isn't getting any better for the Philadelphia Flyers.Schenn scored twice and notched three points as his St. Louis Blues cruised to a 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday night, and he's been consistently productive since joining his new club.He has found a home on the Blues' top line with Vladimir Tarasenko and Jaden Schwartz, and while that assignment would be beneficial to any player, he's proving he belongs there.The seventh-year center has 25 points in 20 games with the Blues, including 14 points in his last six games. Only Nikita Kucherov has a better points-per-game rate (2.4) than Schenn (2.3) in the NHL since Nov. 4.Flyers general manager Ron Hextall has to be cringing with each subsequent multi-point game by his former forward, especially considering what the GM came away with in the trade he and Blues general manager Doug Armstrong consummated over the summer.Hextall received Jori Lehtera, plus a late first-round pick that he used to select Sault St. Marie center Morgan Frost, and another conditional first-round pick (that could become a first and third rounder) in the draft-night deal.

MONTREAL (AP) Montreal coach Claude Julien called the Canadiens' loss to the lowly Arizona Coyotes ''embarrassing.''The Canadiens blew three leads and the Coyotes won 5-4 on Thursday night for their first regulation victory of the season. Derek Stepan and Christian Fischer scored power-play goals in the third period for Arizona.''It's more embarrassing than frustrating,'' Julien said. ''Unacceptable, especially given how we played in the first period. To be unable to remain concentrated for the next two periods. We've been talking about this team for two days, that we had to be careful. Very disappointing from us tonight.''The last-place Coyotes (3-15-3), who have the worst goals-per-game ratio in the NHL, scored five goals for the first time this season. They had a combined five goals in their previous four games.''This is what we were doing early on in the season when we were losing games,'' said Brendan Gallagher, who scored Montreal's first goal. ''We had to learn that lesson early on, but we fell back into some old habits. We get sloppy and take our foot off the gas pedal. We didn't work.''Stepan tied it at 4 with a wrist shot from the crease at 4:54 of the third following a failed clearance by Jordie Benn. Gallagher was in the box for tripping.Arizona scored again on the power play at 10:10, this time with Shea Weber penalized for slashing, when Brendan Perlini's shot ricocheted off Fischer's stick and in for the winner.''The win is huge but the way we won is even better,'' Fischer said. ''We were so resilient the way we played, with contributions from top to bottom. We had a couple of good fights, which sparked us. Just an awesome team win.''Brad Richardson, Christian Dvorak and Tobias Rieder also scored for the Coyotes, and Antti Raanta made 33 saves. Arizona snapped a five-game losing streak.Weber, Paul Byron and Joe Morrow also scored for the Canadiens.NOTES: The Canadiens are 2-2-1 on a six-game homestand that ends Saturday against Toronto. ... Goaltender Antti Niemi, claimed off waivers by the Canadiens on Tuesday, was Lindgren's backup.UP NEXTCoyotes: At Ottawa on Saturday night.Canadiens: Host Toronto on Saturday night.---For more NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockeyCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Steven Stamkos had two goals and two assists, Andrei Vasilevskiy made 27 saves to beat his mentor Ben Bishop, and the Tampa Bay Lightning beat the Dallas Stars 6-1 Thursday night.Vasilevskiy was Bishop's backup in Tampa Bay for parts of three seasons until Bishop was dealt to Los Angeles last February. Bishop holds the Lightning career wins record with 131, while Vasilevskiy has gone 26-5-3 since taking over the starting role. This was Bishop's first game against Tampa Bay since the trade.Stamkos has 10 goals and an NHL-best 35 points after missing most of last season with a lateral meniscus tear.Mikhail Sergachev, Brayden Point, Jake Dotchin and Nikita Kucherov also scored for the Lightning, who have the NHL's best record at 15-2-2.Dallas, which went 0-2-1 on a three-city, four-day trip, got a goal from Radek Faksa. Bishop stopped 22 shots.Stamkos opened the scoring 47 seconds into the second with a power-play goal from the top of the left circle. Both Stamkos and Kucherov, who had two assists, have points in 17 of 19 games.Vasilevskiy made a pair of strong saves on right-circle shots by Tyler Seguin.After Faksa scored on the breakaway at 3:34 of the second, Sergachev made it 2-1 just 1:17 later.Tampa Bay went up 3-1 with 8:20 left in the second when Point had a short-handed goal. Bishop went behind the net to stop the puck for John Klingberg, who had a turnover that Point wrapped home before Bishop got back into position.Stamkos, Dotchin and Kucherov had third-period goal. Stamkos picked up two assists during the period.Dallas (0 for 3) and Tampa Bay (1 for 4) entered with the top NHL power plays.NOTES: U.S. Army veteran Cliff Zalay performed the National Anthem on his harmonica. Zalay, 92, served in World War II and the Korean War. ... Dallas RW Alexander Radulov ended a nine-game point streak. ... Tampa Bay had the previous three days off after going 3-0 on a West Coast trip. ... Seven of Stamkos' 10 goals have come on the power play.UP NEXTStars: Host Edmonton Saturday night.Lightning: Play again at home Saturday night against the New York Islanders.---More AP hockey: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockeyCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It took 21 games, but the Arizona Coyotes finally have their first regulation win of the season after defeating the Montreal Canadiens 5-4 on Thursday.Forward Christian Fischer scored the winner for the Coyotes, who battled back from three separate Montreal leads. The Canadiens were up 2-0 after the first period.Brad Richardson, Christian Dvorak, Tobias Rieder, and Derek Stepan also tallied for Arizona, whose record improved to 3-15-3 on the season.The victory is long overdue for Arizona, and the first regulation win for Coyotes' first-year head coach Rick Tocchet. Thursday's contest was also the first time this season Arizona scored more than four goals in a game."It was a hard win," Tocchet said. "I have to give the guys a lot of credit over the last 40 (minutes). There were fights. There was guys blocking shots. There was a little bit of everything tonight. That's what you have to do to win."The Coyotes previously picked up wins in extra time against the Philadelphia Flyers and Carolina Hurricanes. The team will look to extend its winning streak to two games when it heads to Ottawa on Saturday to take on the Senators.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Columbus Blue Jackets locked down a big piece of their current and future plans Thursday, signing winger Cam Atkinson to a seven-year extension worth $40.25 million, according to The Athletic's Aaron Portzline.Atkinson's current deal, which carries an annual average value of $3.5 million per year, expires at the end of this season, which would have made him an unrestricted free agent as of July 1, 2018.With his new deal inked, Atkinson will now carry an AAV of $5.75 million, and is signed through the 2024-25 season.Despite starting the year with only four goals and two assists, Atkinson is still a key piece of Columbus' core, and is coming off back-to-back 25-plus goal seasons.Last campaign, the now-28-year-old registered his best season to date, notching 35 goals and 27 assists.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Radko Gudas was given a five-minute major and a game misconduct Thursday after slashing Winnipeg Jets forward Mathieu Perreault in the back of the head.Here's the play:

The owner of the NBA's Rockets is interested in bringing hockey to Houston.On Thursday, Tilman Fertitta, who gained ownership of the Rockets in September, confirmed his interest to the Associated Press following a recent meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, where the two discussed the possibility of the NHL coming to Houston.However, the process remains in the early stages."I'm very interested in the possibility of bringing the NHL to Houston, but it will have to be a deal that works for my organization, the city, fans of the NHL throughout the region, and the NHL Board of Governors," Fertitta said in a statement on Thursday."We are in the very early stage of evaluating what opportunities may exist but look forward to a thorough process."Should the NHL expand to Houston, or relocate an existing franchise, the team could share the Rockets' home arena, the Toyota Center, which seats 17,800 for hockey.Houston was previously home to pro hockey with the AHL's Aeros, who left for Iowa in 2013 after a 19-year run in the Texas city.As recently as 2015, the NHL's board of governors, chaired by Boston Bruins owner Jeremy Jacobs, expressed interest in Houston, but the idea was unable to gain momentum as former Rockets owner Les Alexander was unwilling to allow a hockey team to share the Toyota Center.That possibility may have changed with Fertitta now holding ownership of the Rockets, and the NHL has undoubtedly noted the interest."If Houston were to express an interest in having an NHL franchise, under the right circumstances, it's something we might want to consider," Bettman said.Home to about 2.3 million people, Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States and offers a natural in-state rival to the Dallas Stars. Houston would also balance the Western Conference by adding an eighth team in the Central Division.The NHL expanded to Las Vegas this season with the Golden Knights, while a bid from Quebec City was deferred. It was the NHL's first introduction of new teams since the Columbus Blue Jackets and Minnesota Wild joined in 2000.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A true sign of any quality hockey team is its ability to play through injuries. For the Anaheim Ducks, playing through injuries has become a nightly occurrence.Despite having the most man games lost due to injury of any NHL squad at 95, the Ducks currently find themselves only five points adrift of the ever-tough Pacific Division lead.But, with so many man games lost due to injury, how are they doing it?Here's how the Ducks continue to stay competitive in the face of being the league's most injured club.Gibson's held down the fortBefore diving into Ducks netminder John Gibson, take a quick look at Anaheim's current list of injuries, to get a better feeling for the team currently playing in front of him:Player (Position)InjuryRyan Getzlaf (F)Facial fractureRyan Kesler (F)HipPatrick Eaves (F)Guillain-Barre SyndromeOndrej Kase (F)Upper-bodyJared Boll (F)Lower-bodyCam Fowler (D)KneeHampus Lindholm (D)UndisclosedRyan Miller (G)Lower-bodyThat is a fairly solid lineup of top-tier players, including two of the Ducks' best defensemen and their captain, so Gibson's 2.84 goals-against average and .920 save percentage look even better under that lens.A record of 6-6-1 isn't really all that much to be excited about, but given the list of players currently watching from the press box, Gibson's performance has been nothing short of crucial.Remember, Anaheim had Korbinian Holzer playing the wing last night. Korbinian Holzer is a defenseman.Just saying.Getting 'O' from their 'D'(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)The Ducks are getting solid offensive support from their blue-liners, and that's without their top-scoring rearguard in Cam Fowler.Three of Anahiem's top-seven point-getters are defensemen, with Brandon Montour and Josh Manson each having nine to their credit already. Furthermore, Ducks rearguards account for almost 22 percent of Anahiem's total goal output.If head coach Randy Carlyle can continue to get some 'O' from his 'D,' expect the Ducks to continue to be in the Western Conference playoff mix.Balanced attackWith Kesler, Eaves, and Getzlaf all out for prolonged periods of time, Anaheim's supporting cast has stepped up in a big way, with guys like Derek Grant and Andrew Cogliano upping their offensive games with 10 and 11 points, respectively.In addition, the Ducks continue to get the job done as a group, as Anaheim boasts 21 different goal scorers through the first 18 games.Solid goaltending, offensive support from the blue line, and a penchant for getting the job done by committee have the Ducks treading water despite being the league's most injured group. Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Detroit Red Wings forward Luke Witkowski has been suspended 10 games for his role in Wednesday's line brawl against the Calgary Flames, the Department of Player Safety announced.After Witkowski was sent off the ice for a fight late the third period, he interrupted his route to the dressing room and came back to the playing surface upon being prodded by the stick of Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk, resulting in an automatic 10-game ban, per NHL rules.The entire sequence can be seen here:Tkachuk will face a discipline hearing Friday.Witkowski is in his first season with the Red Wings, and has been held pointless through eight games so far.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The second overall pick in June's draft will step back onto the ice in familiar territory Thursday night.Nolan Patrick will play against his hometown Winnipeg Jets after missing the last nine games with an apparent head injury, Philadelphia Flyers head coach Dave Hakstol confirmed, according to the Courier-Post's Dave Issac.Patrick hasn't played since Oct. 24, when he left a loss to the Anaheim Ducks after being hit hard into the boards by Chris Wagner.The 19-year-old posted three points in his first nine NHL games before the injury. Flyers general manager Ron Hextall said last Thursday he hoped his prized pick would return this week.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

TORONTO - Marie-Philip Poulin knows the United States has had Canada's number in women's hockey this year, but that isn't stopping her from looking at the bigger picture.The two-time Olympic gold medalist for Canada wants to win her third consecutive gold at the Pyeongchang Games in February, but she acknowledged it won't be easy.The U.S. women's national hockey team defeated Canada to win the World Championship in Michigan in the spring, then beat the Canadians to capture the Four Nations Cup in Tampa, Fla. last weekend.Poulin excelled in her first two Olympic tournaments, scoring both goals in Canada's gold medal victory over the U.S. in 2010, and potting both the tying and winning goals in the gold medal game in 2014.The 26-year-old standout sat down with theScore at a promotional event for Tide on Wednesday to discuss how she approaches high-pressure situations, whether the United States' recent success against Canada means anything heading into the 2018 Olympics, and how women's hockey is growing at both the international and league levels.Gold-Smith: You clearly have a knack for coming through in big Olympic moments. How do you deal with pressure in those situations? Do you try to block it out, or do you embrace it?Poulin: Every time you wear that maple leaf is always special, and I've learned to embrace it. Sometimes it's scary. You never want to disappoint people, you never want to let people down.But I try to bring my best every day and try my best to keep improving. I don't want to look too far ahead. I go day by day knowing we're 28 (players) this year in Calgary training for the same thing, knowing that we have each other's backs. It's something that's really special and it makes the pressure a little (easier) knowing that we're all in it together.Gold-Smith: Canada is the four-time defending Olympic champion in women's hockey, but does it feel like you have something to prove in Pyeongchang given that the U.S. team has beaten you in these more recent tournaments?Poulin: Every time we play them, we have something to prove, not only for (others but) for ourselves. We want to achieve our goal, which is to bring back the gold medal. I know we haven't had it easy against them.We've lost a couple of big games against them, so it's in the back of our minds every time we train and we want to raise the bar every time for ourselves to keep getting better every day. So obviously, it's in the back of our heads, but we use that (as) motivation. We know what to do to make it right, so we're going to go day by day and keep improving as a team.Gold-Smith: Canada and the U.S. are so dominant on the women's side in international hockey, and while we've seen countries like Finland make big strides, the two North American programs are still a cut above. What do you think it's going to take for the other countries to get on that level, and do you think that's possible?Poulin: It is. We've seen (at the) last World Championship, we lost against Finland, and you can tell that every game, it gets harder. Knowing that those countries are coming up, it's something we want to (be mindful of).You can tell there was a big difference at the last couple of World Championships. Every game is special, every game is getting harder, and it's fun to see other countries coming up and knowing that their federations are helping them to keep improving and helping them in their preparation.Gold-Smith: Speaking of international hockey but in a different sense, you play for the Canadiennes of Montreal in the CWHL, and that league took a big leap this season by adding two expansion teams in China. Do you think that's a constructive way to grow the league and the game?Poulin: I didn't expect it at first, but it's a great opportunity for the two teams there in China, knowing that there are North American players that went there, and who are helping out over there, so it's great.(As far as) expansion, hopefully it's going to keep going. It's fun to see that China is putting money into the women's game over there, and it's great. Hopefully, here in Canada and the U.S., we can keep building the league to keep going even bigger, and maybe one day make that a living.Gold-Smith: Caroline Ouellette is someone who clearly means a lot to you. She was your childhood hero, you won Olympic gold together, you won the CWHL's Clarkson Cup together, and there was that great moment back in the spring when you got down on your knees and handed her the trophy.She then passed it to (Canadiennes teammate and American star) Julie Chu, and we just learned last week that Caroline and Julie welcomed their first child together. When did you find out the good news and how did you react?Poulin: It was right after Worlds when they announced (Oullette) was pregnant, and obviously it was such great news. They deserve the best, and having that little girl, I'm so happy for them.They've done so much, and knowing that little girl (is) coming up and we'll be able to teach her and be around her, it's just amazing. Having that little baby girl around is going to be quite amazing, and I'm so happy. They deserve the best, and I'm so happy to see that little family growing.Gold-Smith: Who's she going to play for, Canada or the U.S.?Poulin: (Laughs) Hopefully Canada.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On Wednesday night, the Detroit Red Wings shone a spotlight on the Calgary Flames' most glaring weakness - their backup goaltending.The Red Wings dismantled the Flames with an 8-2 victory in a game that saw netminding duties left to Eddie Lack and Jon Gillies. The two combined to stop just 19 of the 27 shots thrown their way.Sure, four of those goals came with the man advantage, but a growing trend is starting to rear its ugly head: the Flames are in trouble when Mike Smith is not between the pipes.The Flames are off to a 10-8-0 start and, as fate would have it, Smith has gone 9-6-0 with a 2.63 goals-against average and a .921 save percentage. Early on, he is proving to be the reason for much of the team's success.He's faced 506 shots - the second most in the league - boasts the second-best even-strength save percentage, the third-ranked high-danger save percentage, and the fifth-best medium-danger save percentage among goalies to play at least 10 games this season. In summary, he's been good.His counterparts can't say the same. While it's been a small sample size, Lack has gone 1-2-0 in four games with a 5.29 goals-against average and a .813 save percentage, while we already know how Gillies gave up three goals on 12 shots on Wednesday in his lone appearance of the season.In the two games Lack has started this season - his other two appearances were in relief - he has given up a combined nine goals on 43 shots in just under 84 minutes of play.Furthermore, over the past two seasons, the 29-year-old has strung together a .898 save percentage and 2.86 goals-against average, the 51st- and 47th-best marks among all 52 goalies to play at least 50 games. So, don't expect Lack to suddenly turn things around.It's becoming clear that something must be done here. Smith is currently day to day with an upper-body injury - which kept him out Wednesday - and while he may return as soon as Saturday, this could have long-term ramifications.Generally, teams use their backup goalie on the second night of back-to-backs. Going forward, the Flames will face that situation 10 more times this season. That's a possible 20 points in the standings; a significant chunk, and one the Flames can't afford to just throw away.So, the best option would appear to be searching the market for a more reliable deputy, although pickings could be slim. As a reminder, Antti Niemi, who currently has a 6.74 goals-against average and a .822 save percentage, has been claimed off waivers twice this season.However, there are some potential candidates out there.The first is Andrew Hammond. The Hamburglar was dealt to the Colorado Avalanche as part of the three-way trade that sent Matt Duchene to the Ottawa Senators. Following the deal, however, the Avalanche decided to keep Hammond with the Senators' AHL club as they plan to seek a potential trade partner. A deal here makes sense.Another possible option could be Calvin Pickard, whom the Toronto Maple Leafs acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights. He is now suiting up for the Toronto Marlies as Frederik Andersen and Curtis McElhinney tend twine with the main club, but has posted a .918 save percentage and a 2.45 goals-against average and has experience as a starter in the league.Then there is David Rittich, who with the Stockton Flames this year has gone 4-1-0 with a 2.20 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. The Czech native also put up strong numbers as a farmhand last season and might be worth calling up if Lack's underwhelming play persists.All this leaves the Flames management with a lot to consider. How they attempt to address their backup goaltending will be interesting to see. What is known is that Mike Smith can only carry the club so far.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

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 Kelly Hrudey, who won 271 regular-season games over 15 seasons with three NHL teams.On cracking an NHL roster:I was walking or running back to the Marriott hotel in the parking lot of the Nassau Veterans' Coliseum, because I couldn't celebrate at (Bill) Torrey's office because the situation was so unique.Four of my friends went into Mr. Torrey's office, and (all four) left his office just being told they were going back to the minors, so for me, how selfish (would it be) if I were to go into the office, get told I made the team, which I did, and then come out and celebrate? That would have been awfully selfish.So, for me, I kept it all inside, we parted ways and I said goodbye to my good friends, who I had played two years with in the minors. When they left, I was able to go outside and really express myself.I went back to my hotel room and called my mom and dad and my fiancee at the time. It was just an amazing experience.On starting his career with an Islanders team at the end of its stretch of dominance:I never looked at it in a daunting way, I looked at it only as a benefit.I was given a great advantage by being around all those guys, guys I highly respected, guys that had won so much, people that I knew would be in the Hockey Hall of Fame at one point, and coached by a Hockey Hall of Famer. That was, to me, what a great start; I've always said I'm one of the luckiest guys around to have had a start like that.Just to learn the proper way ... it wasn't like I started in the NHL, learned from the wrong people, got off track, and had to find my way. I was shown the proper way.On meeting future teammate Wayne Gretzky:I first met Wayne in the summer of 1987; I was still with the Islanders. Wayne called me at my mom and dad's house in Edmonton in July and, because I was getting invited to the Canada Cup training camp in August, he wanted to know if I wanted to go skate with him at Argyle Rink in Edmonton.Much to my surprise, when I got there ... I didn't know it at the time, but Janet was going to come join us. So, it was just Wayne and I on the ice and Janet joined us, and it was such a cool experience knowing that you're on the ice with the greatest player in the game, at the time, and it formed a bit of a bond and a bit of a friendship between us.On Gretzky as a teammate:He was (demanding), and that's a compliment. All my favorite teammates were all demanding, and they should be, because you're looking for perfection, or as close to it as you can have.You have to be willing to accept a guy's weaknesses and so on, but only in short order, only in short spurts. We can't have a weak link, even if he's a great guy. I understood that playing with the Islanders, and Wayne was no different in that sense.Wayne, though, had a quality of grace that really stood out to me. It was a unique quality in the way (that) his memory is so unique. I often looked at him and just wondered, "What a special guy."On playing with hate:One thing that has made it different is the cell phone. These guys can text and Facetime and all that kind of stuff, we had no form of communication that way, so it was much easier to get a hate on.Not all athletes can play with anger. It was important for me because it was easy for me to get involved in a game if I truly hated the other guy, but I understand that it's not for every athlete.One thing I won't back away from, though, is I can't stand the handshake line. It's repulsive to me, I just find it so insincere that for two weeks you want to beat somebody so badly and then 30 seconds after the game you're going to shake their hand. I don't get it. I understand that I have a unique view of it and most people think I'm an idiot, but I am OK with that.I had no idea how I crossed the line a few times by kicking people with my skates. I had no idea I was such an idiot until these guys came up to me after I was done playing and said, "Hey, look at this scar," or "I still have this scar because you stepped on me or kicked me" ... I was appalled to find out I was that kind of person.On the "Easter Epic," a 1987 four-OT playoff game between the Islanders and Washington Capitals in which a victorious Hrudey made 73 saves:If you play a game that goes four OTs, and the score is 2-2, I think that most people would say the goalies had done their jobs. In fact, that's how I was for a lot of the game, as it went into double OT, triple OT, and quadruple OT, I was thinking, "Even if we lose this game, no one's going to be blaming me."It was kind of like a relief. I never spoke to (Capitals goalie) Bob Mason about that but, I would suspect that he kind of has the same view that "Boy, both goaltenders have held up their end of the bargain in this one."On what he thought when he saw Islanders head coach Al Arbour naked in a sauna:Turn around! Get out of the room! All I could think of was, "What do I do here?"This is a unique situation, Al had never been in the sauna, at least to the best of my knowledge, usually it's my friends in there and we're going to share stories and a few laughs and then maybe go for lunch. And then there's Al sitting there. So it took a lot of courage to not just turn around and leave.On the camaraderie in today's NHL compared with Hrudey's era:It is different, there is no question about it, and I think it will only continue to go in that direction more so. I think that, to a certain degree, there is something to be said about spending a night in a particular city and going out for a couple of drinks with your teammates.Some of my favorite bonding moments were just those situations, but I also understand that it just wouldn't work in today’s NHL.__________Fact FileBorn: Jan. 13, 1961, Edmonton, AlbertaDrafted: Second round (38th overall), 1980, New York IslandersTeams: Islanders (1983-89), Los Angeles Kings (1989-96), San Jose Sharks (1996-98)STATSGPWLT/OGAARegular Season677271265883.43Playoffs85364603.29(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Other entries in this series:

The Arizona Coyotes have come under investigation by the National Labor Relations Board on two occasions in the past 13 months, according to Craig Harris of azcentral.One of those investigations was put to rest after the Coyotes reached an undisclosed financial settlement with the team's payroll administrator.The allegations were as follows:

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is believed to have recently met with Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta to discuss the viability of a team in that city, according to Katie Strang of The Athletic.The meeting reportedly took place within the past few weeks, although Bettman would not confirm when contacted by The Athletic.He did say the league is not looking to relocate any teams at the moment, but added a caveat in regards to Houston."If Houston were to express an interest in having an NHL franchise, under the right circumstances, it's something we might want to consider," he said.Fertitta purchased the NBA team back in September for a reported $2.2 billion, and has expressed a strong interest in bringing an NHL club to Houston.The Rockets play at the Toyota Center, which opened in 2003 and can hold 17,800 when fitted for a rink.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators are set to make another key addition to the lineup, and spread out the offense as a result.After acquiring Matt Duchene from the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 5, the club will welcome Bobby Ryan back for Thursday's game against Pittsburgh.The winger has missed the past three weeks with a broken finger, and head coach Guy Boucher envisions the formation of a new dynamic duo upon Ryan's return."If we're able to have Duchene and Bobby work, we can end up with two first lines," Boucher said, per Ian Mendes of TSN. "That would be a one-two punch that the top teams have."Ryan had been skating on the top line with Derick Brassard and Mark Stone prior to the injury, but here's the new-look top six based on Wednesday's practice lines:

Like it or not, Jonathan Toews isn't the elite center he once was.After back-to-back sub-60-point seasons, many expected Toews to bounce back in 2017-18. First-round eliminations in consecutive seasons theoretically provided Toews and the Hawks more time to rest in the summer. They also reacquired Brandon Saad, providing the captain with an offensively proven linemate.Everything was adding up for him to return to form, but it hasn't materialized.Toews has just four goals and seven assists in 18 games, putting him on pace for 50 points. Excluding the lockout-shortened season, in which he had 48 points in 47 games, 50 would be the lowest total of his career.The underlying numbers aren't fully on his side, either. Sure, his shooting percentage is low and his Corsi For percentage is once again high, but his individual high-danger scoring chances per 60 minutes (iHDCF/60) sits at just 2.67 - his lowest since 2009-10. Last year, it was 4.05, and it has been as high as 5.48 in his career.So why is Toews' performance declining?Given the fact he's drawing just 0.17 penalties per 60 minutes after averaging 1.12 over the previous eight seasons in a year where penalties are up would suggest the 29-year-old has lost a step or two. Even in his prime, he was never considered one of the league's fastest players.Not only is Toews on pace for the fewest penalties drawn in his career, he's also on pace for the most penalties taken. This could either be more evidence supporting the "Toews is getting slower" theory, or it could be attributed to the increase in slashing calls.(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)However, the fact that he set a career high in giveaways (37) last year, and is on pace to do so again (45), also raises some suspicion. It's hard to believe a player with his IQ is getting more careless with the puck with age, but it's not hard to believe he's being stripped with more frequency due to declining foot speed.Now, all of this isn't to say Toews is suddenly a liability to the Blackhawks. Far from it. But is he one of the game's elite centers? It's hard to argue he still is.That's a major problem for the Blackhawks. With Toews being paid like the elite center he was in the past ($10.5-million cap hit through 2022-23), Chicago's roster is littered with players making the league minimum.When you lead a team to three Stanley Cups, you deserve every penny of such a massive contract. But that deal is handcuffing the Hawks more than ever now given that Toews can't carry as much weight as he used to.Looking at the log-jammed Western Conference playoff picture, Dallas, Minnesota, Chicago, Anaheim, and Edmonton are all on the outside looking in. Many expected these clubs to make the playoffs. Vegas and Vancouver seem like the most likely current playoff teams to fall out of contention, opening up two potential spots.Unless Toews can prove his start this season is an anomaly, the Blackhawks' nine-year playoff streak will come to an end.(Advanced stats courtesy: Natural Stat Trick)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Marco Scandella has been fined $5,000 for slashing Pittsburgh Penguins forward Patric Hornqvist, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.The incident occurred midway through the second period of Tuesday night's game. Scandella received a two-minute minor for slashing, while Hornqvist also received a minor for interference on Scandella on the same play.The fine is the maximum allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After limping out of the gate with just one win in their first eight games of the season, the New York Rangers have gotten things back on the rails.The club has strung together six straight wins and victories in eight of its last 10 games. It now sits tied for the final wild-card spot with the New York Islanders, just outside of the playoff picture due to games played.The Rangers have made up a lot of ground over the last couple weeks, and they can attribute much of that success to these five players:Pavel BuchnevichBuchnevich doesn't appear to be familiar with the term "sophomore slump." After the Russian forward put up a commendable 20 points in 41 games last season as a rookie, he's off to a hot start with eight goals and 15 points in 18 games.The 22-year-old has upped his game over the last couple weeks, tallying seven points during the Rangers' six-game win streak. He's also scored in three straight games, recording five points in that span.It's also worth noting Buchnevich has tallied at least one shot on goal in every game this season.Michael GrabnerLast season, Grabner eclipsed the 20-goal mark (27) for the first time in five years, and enjoyed his most productive campaign since tallying 34 goals and 52 points with the Islanders in 2011.He's been even better so far this season. With eight goals through the first 18 games, Grabner's on pace to set a new career high.He's contributed plenty during the hot streak, too - tallying points in four straight games, including four goals - and his production has come despite largely playing on the Rangers' bottom two lines.Mika ZibanejadZibanejad continues to thrive in the Big Apple.After a respectable 37 points in 56 games last season, the 24-year-old is making the best of his second campaign with the Rangers, leading the club with eight goals and 18 points.Zibanejad has tallied eight points in his last six games, including two three-point outings. And he's done the majority of his heavy lifting on the power play, recording five goals and 10 points with the man advantage, which has played a huge role in New York featuring the league's third-best unit.Rick NashThe puck is finally going in for Nash.After recording just one goal and one point in his first 11 games of the season, Nash has put up five goals and eight points over the last seven contests - including three goals in the last two.He also leads the Rangers with 65 shots this season, tied for eighth most in the league. Like Buchnevich, he's recorded at least one shot in every game, while averaging over 3.6 per night.Kevin ShattenkirkThe free-agent signing of Shattenkirk appears to be working like a charm.He's been as good as advertised so far, tied for second in league-wide scoring among defensemen and sitting second on the team with nine power-play points. Shattenkirk is also riding a seven-game point streak in which he's tallied a total of 10.Overall, he's given the Rangers something they haven't had in years - elite offense from the back end.(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stop us if you've heard this before: The Vegas Golden Knights used another goalie.After Maxime Lagace was pulled with just over nine minutes left in Tuesday's blowout loss to the Edmonton Oilers, the Knights threw 19-year-old rookie Dylan Ferguson to the wolves.He became the fifth goalie to suit up for the Knights this season after Marc-Andre Fleury, Malcolm Subban, Oscar Dansk, and Lagace.Ferguson's first taste of NHL action may have been limited to nine minutes and 14 seconds, but it was nine minutes and 14 seconds against Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, so it's understandable if he was a bit nervous while allowing one goal (to Mark Letestu) on only two shots.Lagace was pulled after allowing his seventh goal of the eventual 8-2 Golden Knights loss. However, early in the third period, he was also looked at by trainers for an apparent injury, so Ferguson could be thrust back into action sooner than later.Here's what Ferguson had to say about his NHL debut:

Devan Dubnyk posted his third straight shutout with 30 saves and Nino Niederreiter scored 12 seconds into the game for the Minnesota Wild in a 3-0 win against the Philadelphia Flyers on Tuesday night.Dubnyk's third shutout of the season stretched his scoreless streak to 195:05, breaking his mark of 183:16 set last season for the longest in team history. Dubnyk has stopped the last 103 shots he's faced.Eric Staal and Jason Zucker each scored an empty-net goal for Minnesota, which has won a season-best three straight.Brian Elliott made 17 saves for Philadelphia, shut out for an NHL-high fifth time this season.Niederreiter broke Zucker's streak of six straight goals for the Wild, one shy of the NHL record for consecutive goals scored by a player for one team.Staal won the initial faceoff and had possession of the puck on the left side when he centered to Niederreiter for a quick one-timer past Elliott. It was the fastest goal to start a game in franchise history at home.Niederreiter, who was playing in his 400th NHL game, missed six games earlier this season with a high ankle sprain but has three goals and three assists in eight games since returning.The Flyers have not scored in 156:09. Their top line of Claude Giroux, Sean Couturier and Jakub Voracek has combined for 23 goals - 46 percent of the team's total.Philadelphia was 0 for 2 on the power play and has converted one time in its last 18 chances.NOTES: Minnesota forward Charlie Coyle skated with the team for the first time since breaking his right fibula in a game on Oct. 12. Coyle has missed 14 games. . Philadelphia rookie C Nolan Patrick practiced with teammates as he eyes a potential return on Thursday. Patrick, the No. 2 overall pick in this year's entry draft, has missed eight games with a concussion. . Flyers D Mark Alt, a former high schoool and college player in Minnesota, was recalled from the AHL but was a healthy scratch. . Ex-Minnesota North Stars forward Jack Carlson, who has been declared cancer-free after battling the disease, did the traditional ''Let's play hockey'' before the game on Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Night.UP NEXTFlyers: At the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.Wild: Host the Nashville Predators on Thursday.---More AP NHL: www.apnews.com/tags/NHLhockeyCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The dreary, hapless, flat-out miserable Arizona Coyotes 2017-18 season has earned a dubious place in the history books, as the basement-dwelling Desert Dogs became the first team in the NHL's 100-year history to be held without a regulation win through their first 20 games, per Sportsnet Stats.Tuesday's 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets dropped the Coyotes to 2-15-3, putting the club on pace for 28 points, which is shockingly terrible, considering last season's 30th-place Colorado Avalanche managed to earn 48 in a year when absolutely everything went wrong.Entering Tuesday, Arizona ranked 25th in goals for (44), 31st in goals against (74), and 30th in save percentage at 5-on-5 (.903). The poor results are particularly disappointing considering the Coyotes were labeled as a team ready to improve this season under the guidance of new head coach Rick Tocchet.The good news, at least, is Rasmus Dahlin, the consensus No. 1 pick in next June's draft, could make this season's struggles worth it in the end.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There were eight games around the NHL on Tuesday, and a few goalies were in very fine form indeed.Here are five saves that simply can't be missed:1. Bobrovsky's blockerThe reigning Vezina Trophy winner is making a bid for a repeat performance, and this save by Sergei Bobrovsky should lead-off a candidacy video prepared by the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Carey Price's "minor," "day-to-day" injury is apparently serious enough for Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin to sign Antti Niemi - a goalie with a 6.74 GAA and .822 save percentage.Related: Canadiens claim Antti Niemi off waiversFactor in that backup Al Montoya is out indefinitely with a concussion, and Habs fans should have good reason to whip out the ol' panic button and start mashing.But not so fast, Montreal.Because thanks to a right-handed catching 23-year-old named Charlie Lindgren, those buttons can be put on the shelf - for the time being.While Bergevin continues to leave fans and experts around the NHL scratching their heads with yet another questionable move, Lindgren is doing his best to put those concerns to rest, as he continues to prove that his strong showing at Canadiens training camp in September was more than just a flash in the pan.Sure, Montreal took the L against the Blue Jackets on Tuesday night, but Columbus is one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference, and Lindgren only allowed two goals on 22 shots for a respectable save percentage of .920.(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Not to mention, through five games, Lindgren has posted solid numbers while earning a 3-1-1 record.In addition, Lindgren offers the Habs a sense of stability in a position that has been in constant flux over the past two weeks, as the rookie netminder plays with a calming serenity that is quickly earning him the trust of his teammates and coaches.Few positions in professional sports come with as much scrutiny as playing goalie in the city of Montreal. Dealing with the daily doubts from rabid fans and constant questioning from hounding media is enough to drive any guy mad.But for Lindgren, none of that seems to matter.Obviously, expecting Lindgren to be the guy to replace the best goalie of this generation is a very bold - and seemingly foolish - assumption. But that doesn't mean he can't fill the void as a serviceable netminder until Price returns.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.