The Calgary Flames will have a legend in the lineup Wednesday when they suit up against the Los Angeles Kings.Jaromir Jagr is set to make his debut with the Flames against the division rival Kings, one week after signing with Calgary as an unrestricted free agent.The Flames have posted a 2-1-0 record through their first three games of the season.Calgary will be the ninth NHL club Jagr has suited up for over his illustrious career.Jagr, 45, spent parts of the past three seasons with the Florida Panthers. He wrapped the 2016-17 campaign with 16 goals and 30 assists to finish fourth in Panthers scoring.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Exhibition is over and the games now count for real points. Despite the small sample size, some squads are already drawing many positives from the season's initial offering. Here are three teams that can celebrate exceeding expectations.St. Louis BluesDespite key injuries to forwards Alex Steen, Robby Fabbri, and defenseman Jay Bouwmeester, the Blues charged out of the gate for a perfect 4-0 start.They've been powered to the NHL's best record by contributions from new face Brayden Schenn, acquired in an offseason deal with the Philadelphia Flyers, and center Paul Stastny, who can become an unrestricted free agent this summer. Jaden Schwartz has also chipped in with seven points.Chicago BlackhawksIt seemed reasonable to assume the Blackhawks would take a step back this season, particularly given the inexperienced blue line the club pieced together over the summer. In the early going, though, Chicago's done anything but take a step back - the team stands atop the league with an eye-popping 21 goals in four games.The Blackhawks have also been sound defensively, allowing just seven goals for a league-best plus-14 goal differential. After being reacquired from the Columbus Blue Jackets, Brandon Saad has wasted little time getting reacclimated to his old surroundings, tallying seven points. He's also sparking offense from captain Jonathan Toews, who is scoring above a point-per-game pace.Vegas Golden KnightsPlaying with house money is doing the trick for the Golden Knights. The free-wheeling expansion club came away with the victory in its first three games - an NHL record. A team that pundits nearly unanimously predicted would finish in the league basement is leading the Pacific Division and enjoying the first phase of its inaugural season.Among the many key contributors for the Golden Knights, two stand out: three-time Stanley Cup champion goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, who's allowed just four goals in three contests, and James Neal. He lost to Fleury's Penguins in this spring's final while with the Nashville Predators, but now he's putting on a show in Sin City, notching five goals in three games.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The attendance for the Carolina Hurricanes' first two home games of the season has been a tale of day and night.After the club bested the Minnesota Wild in front of a capacity crowd of 18,680 inside PNC Arena on Saturday night, the Hurricanes followed that up with a 2-1 overtime loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets in front of just 7,892 spectators.

James Neal couldn't draw up a better start to his season if he tried.The 30-year-old helped propel the Vegas Golden Knights to a 3-0-0 record on the back of five goals in the first week of the season, and in the process, achieved feats that only a select few have managed with new teams.Related: Golden Knights win home opener, become 1st expansion team to start 3-0With his five goals, he joins Real Cloutier of the Quebec Nordiques as the only players in the expansion era to score five or more goals in an expansion team's first three games.Neal became just the second player to score the game-winner in his team's first three games of a season after Brian Propp of the Philadelphia Flyers did it in 1982.Finally, Neal is just the fourth player in the expansion era to score in the first three games of his team's inaugural season, joining Billy Harris, Larry Keenan, and Kent Douglas.Look out, David Copperfield: There's a new magician in town.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

LAS VEGAS (AP) The Vegas Golden Knights' debut on the Strip was a poignant smash.James Neal scored twice during a thrilling four-goal first period, and the Golden Knights remained unbeaten three games into their inaugural season with a 5-2 victory over the Arizona Coyotes in their home opener on Tuesday night.Tomas Nosek scored the first home goal in franchise history just 2:31 into the first period, and Deryk Engelland added his first goal for his adopted hometown's new team moments later.Marc-Andre Fleury made 31 saves for the Golden Knights, who became the first team in NHL history to begin their debut season with three straight wins.Just nine days after the Las Vegas Strip shooting massacre, the Golden Knights reverently honored the victims and heroes before the long-awaited home debut of the city's first major professional sports franchise.The Knights held a pregame ceremony during which the names of the shooting victims were projected in gold onto the ice during 58 seconds of silence. Engelland spoke eloquently to the fans, vowing that the Golden Knights ''will do everything we can to help you and our city heal. We are Vegas Strong.''After that emotional outpouring, the Golden Knights charged into their home opener with some inspired hockey.Nosek and Engelland connected in the opening minutes before Neal scored back-to-back goals in 4:27, giving him five goals in three games - and all three game-winning goals in team history. Vegas led 4-0 in less than 11 minutes, getting well on its way to a cathartic victory.Oscar Lindberg scored in the second period for the Golden Knights, who opened their inaugural season with back-to-back road victories before returning home.Tobias Rieder and Kevin Connauton scored for the Coyotes, who remained winless after losing back-to-back games to the expansion Golden Knights in a four-day stretch.The crowd had scarcely quieted from the pregame festivities when Nosek, the Czech wing who spent the past two seasons with Detroit, fired a shot through Antti Raanta. Engelland, the veteran defenseman who has lived in Las Vegas since playing here for a minor league team several years ago, then took a pass from Brendan Leipsic and fired it through traffic.Neal, who scored the first goal in franchise history, made it 3-0 just 6:15 into the first period and chased Raanta, who stopped only three shots. Neal added the first power-play goal in franchise history 4:27 later, setting off roars of excitement in T-Mobile Arena.Connauton's goal in the third period was his first in his 27 games for the Coyotes.The Golden Knights' opener was a bit more somber than the franchise originally planned, although the crowd was still whipped into a frenzy by its team's excellent play.Before the game, the Golden Knights introduced their players alongside a member of the medical or law enforcement communities that responded to the massacre.T-Mobile Arena had no ads on the boards around the ice for the opener. Instead, the all-white boards simply displayed the same message: ''Vegas Strong.''NOTES: Coyotes forward Brendan Perlini left in the first period and didn't return due to an upper-body injury. ... Arizona's Mario Kempe made his NHL debut. The 29-year-old Swede spent the last three seasons in the KHL. He nearly made the Coyotes out of training camp, but briefly went to the AHL before replacing No. 3 overall pick Dylan Strome on the Coyotes' roster Monday. Kempe's younger brother, Adrian, plays for the Los Angeles Kings. ... Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis attended the game.UP NEXTCoyotes: Host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday.Golden Knights: Host the Red Wings on Friday.---More AP hockey: https://www.apnews.com/tag/NHLhockeyCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With a 4-2 victory over the Detroit Red Wings on Tuesday night, Dallas Stars head coach Ken Hitchcock moved into a third-place tie on the all-time wins list at 782.Hitchcock joins legendary Islanders boss Al Arbour, who led New York to four consecutive Stanley Cup victories between 1980-83. Hitchcock, however, accomplished the feat in his 1,456th game, compared to Arbour's mark of 1,607 contests.The two men ahead of Hitchcock on the all-time list are current Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville (853) and the untouchable Scotty Bowman (1,244).Hitchcock will have a chance to move into sole-possession of third place Wednesday in Nashville.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The capacity crowd at T-Mobile arena went completely silent for 58 seconds during Tuesday night's pre-game ceremony, honoring the 58 lives tragically lost in Las Vegas last week.The Golden Knights also projected the names of all victims on the ice, producing a touching moment.

The Vegas Golden Knights wasted no time giving their fans something to cheer about in the team's inaugural home game, scoring three goals in 6:15 to begin the contest.Tomas Nosek, who was scooped up from the Red Wings in the expansion draft, notched the historic first goal.

NEW YORK (AP) Carter Hutton made 16 of his 32 saves in the third period to help the St. Louis Blues remain unbeaten with a 3-1 win over the New York Rangers on Tuesday night.Carl Gunnarsson and Brayden Schenn scored first-period goals for St. Louis, which improved to 4-0. Jaden Schwartz added an empty-netter with 1:47 left.Trailing 2-1, the Rangers pressured an injury-depleted Blues squad in the third period, outshooting St. Louis 16-8. New York outshot the Blues 32-23 overall but dropped to 1-3.Hutton, in his first start of the season, was a significant reason why the Rangers were stymied. His three biggest stops occurred in the third period, beginning with Michael Grabner's short-handed semi-breakaway, later followed by Jimmy Vesey's stuff-in attempt during a goalmouth scrum, and Pavel Buchnevich's try from the low slot.Buchnevich slammed his stick against the ice in frustration a moment after the whistle blew to stop play.Even though the Rangers held an 11-7 advantage in shots, it was the Blues who went into the first intermission enjoying a 2-1 advantage. Gunnarsson opened the scoring at 15 seconds with his second of the season, a wide open wrist shot from the slot.Mika Zibanejad tied the game 2:07 later with his fifth of the season on the power play.New York was credited with six of the nine shots on goal following Zibanejad's goal, but it was the Blues who went ahead on Schenn's second of the season at 13:30 when the center banked Paul Stastny's rebound off goalie Henrik Lundqvist.Benefiting a team that has started the season without Patrik Berglund (left shoulder), Jay Bouwmeester (left ankle), Robby Fabbri (left knee), Zach Sanford (left shoulder) and Alexander Steen (left hand) due to injuries, the Blues employed a tighter brand of hockey in a second period in which neither team scored and St. Louis had the two best opportunities.The first was Scottie Upshall's short-handed semi-breakaway eight minutes into the second, and the other was Schwartz's drive from the left circle with 8:51 left, both of which were stopped by Lundqvist.Lundqvist also was credited with a goalmouth stop on Stastny during a St. Louis power play in the third. New York's goalie finished with 20 saves.NOTES: Adam Cracknell made his Rangers debut. New York picked up the 32-year-old right wing off waivers Monday from Dallas. He wore No. 25 and skated on the fourth line with Paul Carey and David Desharnais. . Prior to the game, New York announced rookie Filip Chytil had been assigned to AHL Hartford, and Andrew Desjardins was released from his professional tryout. . St. Louis announced it had reached an agreement with AHL San Antonio to be the Blues' affiliate. According to a statement from the Blues, they will share ''select players'' with San Antonio this season, and ''the official affiliation'' starts next season. . Blues coach Mike Yeo benched Dmitrij Jason for missing a team meeting, and scratched Wade Megan. . New York scratched defensemen Brendan Smith and Tony DeAngelo. It was the second straight game Smith, who signed a four-year, $17.4 million contract with New York on June 28, was a scratch.UP NEXTBlues: Visit the Florida Panthers on Thursday.Rangers: Travel to Columbus to face the Blue Jackets on Friday.---More AP hockey: https://apnews.com/tag/NHLhockeyCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vegas Golden Knights will host their first home game Tuesday night, and in honor of the special occasion, here's a look at some interesting tidbits and facts about fellow expansion franchises since 1991.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's a historic night in the NHL, as the Vegas Golden Knights host the Arizona Coyotes for their first-ever home game.As one might expect, it's a party on the strip, and fans have showed up in droves to support their new team. Here's a look at the scene in Vegas.The first goal.Warmups.

The Calgary Flames ended their 29-game losing streak at Anaheim's Honda Center with a 2-0 victory Monday over the Ducks. While it's easy to give goaltender Mike Smith most of the credit for his 43-save shutout, the Flames are giving thanks to Jobu, a voodoo figurine made famous by the hit 1989 film, "Major League."In the movie about a misfit Cleveland Indians team, Cuban outfielder Pedro Cerrano seeks Jobu's - a fictional demi-god that's actually a cigar-smoking doll with blonde, spiked hair - assistance to help him hit a curveball. To quote Cerrano: "Straight ball I hit it very much. Curveball, bats are afraid."Flames head coach Glen Gulutzan even started his postgame press conference by talking about Jobu:

Sidney Crosby claimed that the Penguins' visit to the White House had nothing to do with politics and was more about carrying on tradition. However, one tradition was left out during team's visit on Tuesday - the usual presentation of a jersey to the president.After winning the Cup in 2016, the Penguins visited Barack Obama at the White House and presented him a jersey with Obama and No. 44 on the back, since he was the 44th President of the United States. However, no jersey was presented in front of cameras to Donald Trump with No. 45 on the back.Other than that, the visit went just as most expected it would. Trump called the Penguins "true, true champions and incredible patriots," asked Penguins co-owner Ron Burkle to help him renegotiate NAFTA, said Evgeni Malkin looked like a basketball player, and appeared to be on a nickname basis with Kris Letang.The full video of the visit can be seen below:Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes will do their part to honor the victims and first responders of the mass shooting in Las Vegas on Tuesday when the club tangles with the Golden Knights in the latter's inaugural home opener.The Coyotes will don decals on their helmets that read "Vegas Strong" - a message that will also be featured on the boards at T-Mobile Arena on Tuesday in lieu of traditional advertisements.

The New York Islanders appear to have a temporary arena plan in place.Co-owner Jon Ledecky confirmed the club will remain at Barclays Center in Brooklyn until at least the end of the 2018-19 season, according to Brett Cyrgalis of the New York Post.Additionally, the Islanders remain wholly committed to building a new arena at Belmont Park, which is just outside of New York City, as per a bid submitted in late September.What happens after next season and prior to the opening of a new rink remains a bit of a mystery, but a move back to Long Island appears to be out of the question.

With a mere three goals in three games, the Montreal Canadiens are, on average, the NHL's lowest-scoring team so far this season.Of those three markers, two have come shorthanded and one at even strength, but it's not for a lack of trying. The Canadiens rank sixth among all teams with 37.7 shots on goal, but the puck just isn't going into the net."You hope that (goals) will come because some of the A-grade chances we had … I mean there’s been posts, there’s been crossbars, we’ve seen that early even in the preseason," head coach Claude Julien said Tuesday, per Stu Cowan of Hockey Inside/Out.Indeed, it's a 2.65 shooting percentage that's sinking the Habs, a number that drops to 1.14 at even strength, per Corsica Hockey. A measure of bad luck is in play, surely, but Julien is stressing shot quality alongside shot quantity ahead of Tuesday's showdown with the high-scoring Chicago Blackhawks."We got to stick with it and I think at the end of the day it’s more about having a philosophy of bringing more pucks on the inside. I’m repeating myself," he continued, "(but) it doesn’t matter how many questions you ask me, there’s only one way to score goals. It’s by having the philosophy of wanting to take pucks to the net vs. bringing them to the outside.”The Canadiens, who are coming off a shutout loss to the New York Rangers, are making one change to the lineup for Tuesday's game, with Ales Hemsky replacing Jacob De La Rose on the fourth line.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota Wild forward Mikael Granlund will miss the club's next four games "for sure" as he deals with an undisclosed injury, head coach Bruce Boudreau said Tuesday.Granlund suited up for the Wild's season opener against the Detroit Red Wings, but missed the club's second game against the Carolina Hurricanes due to injury.On Monday, Boudreau had said he thought Granlund's injury would keep him out "short term," according to Kayleigh Jackson of Wild.com.Missing the club's next four games (against the Chicago Blackhawks, Columbus Blue Jackets, Winnipeg Jets, and Calgary Flames) would mean Granlund won't return to the lineup until at least Oct. 24 when the Wild host the Vancouver Canucks.Last season Granlund paced the Wild with 69 points in 81 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are off and running.Thanks to Auston Matthews and his masterful overtime-winner on Monday night against the Chicago Blackhawks, the club has jumped out to an early 3-0-0 record - good enough for a share of the league's top record along with the St. Louis Blues.While the three wins are certainly something to marvel, it's how the Maple Leafs have gone about collecting those wins and some of the underlying numbers that make the team's start to the 2018 campaign so impressive.Here are five telling stats about the team's red-hot start:6.33 goals per gameIt's been well documented, but the Maple Leafs can put the puck in the net.Through three games the club has torched opposing netminders with a league-high 19 goals, good enough for an average of 6.33 per game. In fact, the Maple Leafs are scoring at their highest rate through the team's first three games of a campaign since the 1917-18 season (also known as 100 years ago) - back when the Maple Leafs were actually called the Arenas.The NHL record for most goals in a season is held by the 1983-84 Edmonton Oilers who tallied 446 goals in what was then an 80-game season. At the Maple Leafs' current rate they would finish with 519. That number is sure to come down as the season progresses, but that's just how potent these Buds have been so far.13 different goal-scorersWhat is so impressive about the team's offensive explosion is that it's largely been by committee.Of the 20 players Mike Babcock has deployed through three games, Eric Fehr is the only player to not collect a point, while 13 different players have scored at least one goal.Further to that, at least 14 players have tallied at least two points in three games and 10 are averaging a point per game early on. Try to shut down Matthews and William Nylander and the team will find another way to burn you.37.5 percent power-play success rateOne of the biggest factors in the team's 19 goals early on is that the Maple Leafs continue to ice a lethal power play.After finishing the 2016-17 season with the second-best power-play unit, connecting on 23.8 percent of their opportunities, the Maple Leafs are firing at an even higher rate (37.5 percent), good enough to tie the New Jersey Devils for the most productive unit.In all, the Maple Leafs have gone 6-for-16 with the man advantage.58.8 percent of faceoffs wonThe league's crackdown on the faceoff circle doesn't appear to have hindered the Maple Leafs, in fact it could be aiding them.Early on, only the Boston Bruins have a better faceoff-winning percentage than the Maple Leafs' 58.8 percent rate. That number is a big bump for the Maple Leafs who finished 15th in the category last year with a success rate of 49.9 percent.55.47 percent Corsi-for rating The advanced statistics crowd could probably tell you that the numbers back-up the Maple Leafs' early success.The Maple Leafs currently boast a Corsi-for rating of 55.47 percent - good enough for seventh league-wide - and are scoring 5.79 goals per 60 minutes at 5-on-5, second only to the Blackhawks. Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs outshot those same Blackhawks 35-13 at even strength on Monday night.The team has the fourth-best shooting percent at 5-on-5 (16.44 percent), but is placed just 22nd in team save percentage (89.83). If the Maple Leafs can tighten things up a little more defensively, it'll be scary to see how good this team can actually be.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

"Vegas Strong."That's the only message that will be featured on the boards inside T-Mobile Arena during the Vegas Golden Knights' inaugural regular-season home game, which will be played Tuesday against the Arizona Coyotes.

Chris Kunitz knows a thing or two about playing with greatness, and it didn't take long for him to recognize it in a new teammate.The Tampa Bay Lightning winger spent years on Sidney Crosby's wing, both with the Pittsburgh Penguins and on the international level. These days, he sees something special in Nikita Kucherov."(Alex Ovechkin) is that elite shooter. (Crosby) is the workhorse," Kunitz said Monday after a win over Washington, per Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "But there's an elite level that Kucherov plays in the game. Scoring big goals at big times is something not very many guys have in this league, and it's something you have to want. And he definitely wants that."That was on full display Monday in the third period against the Capitals, where with his team down by a goal, Kucherov tied things up with what the NHL social media team described as "a ridiculous display of skill."They're not wrong.

The streak is over.The Calgary Flames ended a 29-game losing streak at Anaheim's Honda Center with a 2-0 victory over the Ducks on Monday night. It was the longest such streak in NHL history.The run included 22 regular season games (0-17-5) and seven more in postseason play, per NHL.com's David Satriano.To put it into perspective, the last time the Flames won a regular season game on the road in Anaheim (Jan. 19, 2004, per NHL Public Relations), the Ducks were still Mighty.The key contributors in the winning effort included goaltender Mike Smith, who stopped all 43 shots he faced, and Sean Monahan and Mikael Backlund, who were responsible for Calgary's two goals.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nikolaj Ehlers' blazing speed and high-end skill was on full display Monday night. With the contest all even at two nearing the end of the second period, the Dane took the game over with three straight goals, and did so with style.Ehlers' hat trick was already the sixth of the 2017-18 NHL season.(Video courtesy: Sportsnet)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Though there are still 79 regular season games to be played, the undefeated Maple Leafs are off to one of the most explosive starts in franchise history.The Leafs have scored an astounding 19 goals through three contests. In the organization's storied history, only the 1917-18 Toronto Arenas, who notched 27 goals in their first three games, have gotten off to a better offensive start, according to NHL Public Relations.Back in 1917-18, there was an average of 9.5 goals per game. So far this season, there has been an average of 6.46 goals per game, per Hockey Reference.While it's impossible that any current Leaf will be able to match the per-game production of Reg Noble, who tallied 30 goals in 20 games, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner certainly give Leaf fans plenty to be excited about.Led by Noble, Corb Denneny, Harry Cameron, and Hap Holmes, the 1917-18 Toronto Arenas went on to win the Stanley Cup.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

George McPhee says Vadim Shipachyov's status has nothing to do with what the prized KHL import is, or isn't, doing on the ice.On Monday, the Vegas Golden Knights general manager attempted to explain the reasoning behind his decision to send Shipachyov down to the AHL's Chicago Wolves before the season opener.Shipachyov and his agent were upset and didn't initially understand the reasoning for the demotion, but they were reassured that "this is a roster move and it's not about performance," McPhee told NHL.com's Nick Cotsonika.The Russian forward reported to Chicago but then flew back to Las Vegas to be with his wife, because neither of them speak English, according to Cotsonika, who adds that Shipachyov is now working out on his own in Nevada and isn't expected to play for the Wolves.His demotion came as a surprise because McPhee signed him to a two-year, $9-million deal back in May, but Shipachyov wasn't the only player expected to crack the NHL roster who was ultimately sent down.Like the 30-year-old, youngsters Alex Tuch and Shea Theodore were also demoted because all three could be assigned to the AHL without having to go through waivers.Vegas came away from the expansion draft with a surplus of defensemen, and McPhee has made no secret of the fact that he's trying to facilitate trades to rectify his unbalanced roster.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Auston Matthews was at it again.The Maple Leafs' phenom finished off an impressive game versus the Chicago Blackhawks with an absolute snipe past Anton Forsberg in overtime to secure a Toronto victory.In fact, Matthews has become accustomed to clutch goals.

The first question the average NHL fan will have when looking at the league's scoring leaders is: "Who the heck is Jesper Bratt?"Bratt already has three goals (one on the power play, one at even strength, and one shorthanded) and two assists in two games thus far, placing him seventh in the NHL in points. He has taken the league by storm, despite seemingly coming out of nowhere.In fact, Bratt is the first player in Devils franchise history to record five points in the first two games of his NHL career, according to NHL Public Relations.Bratt was a sixth round pick by the Devils in the 2016 NHL Draft. Why he fell all the way to the sixth round remains a mystery. In his draft year, he tallied 17 points in 48 games in the second-best professional league in Sweden. Not too shabby for a 17-year-old playing against grown men. While competing nationally with Sweden in various under-18 tournaments, he put up 16 points in 21 games.The 19-year-old's success has continued in his first season in North America. He registered five points in four preseason games, earning him a spot on New Jersey's top line with Taylor Hall and Pavel Zacha. So far, he has taken full advantage.Obviously there is some regression on the way. He has scored three goals despite taking just three shots. But given his quickness and skill, a reasonable amount of offensive production for a 19-year-old rookie could be sustained. This is the scouting report Future Considerations gave him in 2016:

Robert Bortuzzo's frustration is going to cost him.The St. Louis Blues defenseman was fined more than $3,000 on Monday night for cross-checking New York Islanders forward Brock Nelson earlier in the day.

Sidney Crosby isn't changing his tune on the eve of the Pittsburgh Penguins' visit to the White House.“From my side of things, there’s absolutely no politics involved,” the Penguins captain told reporters Monday, via the club's official website. “Hopefully, it stays that way. It’s a visit we’ve done in the past. It’s been a good experience. It’s not about politics, that’s for sure.”Crosby and the two-time defending champions will visit U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday, and the Penguins superstar isn't sure how that will unfold."I don't know what to expect, to be honest," he said. "We've gone there before and it's been a good experience, so that's how I'm approaching it."Crosby added that he wasn't exposed to political statements in sports during his upbringing."I can't speak for everyone else," he told reporters. "I just grew up under the assumption that that wasn't something you really brought into sports. ... Everyone's kind of got their own view, but that's kind of how I grew up playing hockey. I wasn't really surrounded by that, or didn't really have any examples to go off from that, so I just, I kind of understood it as, (I) just stayed out of it."Last month, the Penguins revealed they still planned to visit Trump at the White House despite the NBA's Golden State Warriors' decision to forgo their trip after the president used vulgar language to describe NFL players who peacefully protest racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem.Since then, several black NHLers have weighed in on the issue and mulled protests of their own. Tampa Bay Lightning forward J.T. Brown became the first player to make a silent statement during "The Star-Spangled Banner" when he raised his fist on Saturday night.Related - Lightning's Brown: 'I have received death threats' since protestCrosby followed up the Penguins' announcement of their intent to visit the White House at the time by saying he supported it, which drew criticism that Pittsburgh head coach Mike Sullivan called "unfair".Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matt Duchene insists he wasn't too hurt by Peter Forsberg's call for him to be benched and traded.“I saw it," the current Colorado Avalanche forward told reporters, according to Mike Chambers of the Denver Post, after a 4-0 win over the Boston Bruins on Monday afternoon."I don’t think it was meant to be anything personal," Duchene added. "He and I have a great relationship. So I’m not taking it personally. I think he’s just commenting on the situation. A lot can get lost in translation.”On Swedish television over the weekend, Forsberg said the Avalanche should sit Duchene and trade him because the legendary former member of the organization would rather play "with someone that wants to be there."Forsberg won two Stanley Cup championships with Colorado and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.“He was a guy I idolized growing up," Duchene said Monday. "I still have the same admiration and respect for him as a player and a guy - he was a guy I looked up to a lot as a kid.”Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar made it clear he disagreed with Forsberg's remarks earlier Monday, saying it's hard for someone outside the Colorado dressing room to say what Forsberg did, and praising Duchene for his play so far this season.The current Avalanche center, who's been on the trade block since last season, notched a goal and an assist in the season opener, fired five shots on goal in Colorado's second game of the campaign, and chipped in an assist on Monday.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Buffalo Sabres winger Kyle Okposo took to the ice for Monday's game against New Jersey with a typo on the back of his jersey.(Image courtesy: NHL.tv)As you can see, there's an extra "o" after the opening two letters, and that's not OK.The error was eventually spotted and rectified.

Thanks for the tip.Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar acknowledged a suggestion from former team star Peter Forsberg that Matt Duchene should be benched and traded in light of constant speculation about the player's future, but he will run the team as he sees fit."I disagree with (Forsberg)," Bednar said Monday before a game against the Boston Bruins, per Mike Chambers of the Denver Post. "It’s hard for someone to say that that's outside of our room, you know? These guys have been together for a long time and we're focusing on winning hockey games, and he's a big part of that."The Avs have long been thought to be on the verge of trading Duchene on the heels of a disastrous 2016-17, but so far, so good early on in a fresh campaign."I think Matt’s a top player for us right now, arguably our best forward last game, so I like the way we’re handling the situation," Bednar said. "I like the way he’s handling it. He’s here to play and his line has been real good."That's not to say Duchene will remain with the team long term, but his situation hasn't proven to be a distraction."So our focus is playing hockey (now) and I think that’s what Matt’s done a real good job of, coming in here and focusing on playing the game, being productive and being a good pro," Bednar added. "I don’t have any problems with the way we’ve handled it this (season)."Duchene recorded a goal and an assist in the team's season opener on Oct. 5.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dylan Strome's game apparently needs more time to develop in the minors.The Arizona Coyotes have assigned the highly-touted center to the AHL's Tucson Roadrunners, general manager John Chakya announced Monday.Through two games this season, Strome was held without a point, averaging 12:09 of ice time and firing three shots.Strome was selected third overall by the Coyotes in 2015, but has not been able to crack the lineup for any length of time. He spent the past two seasons with the OHL's Erie Otters, where he dominated. But for now, he'll settle in at a level in-between.Forward Mario Kempe was concurrently recalled from the Roadrunners.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

J.T. Brown has the support of his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates.That was the message expressed by veteran winger Ryan Callahan after Brown raised his fist during the national anthem Saturday to protest, in his words, "police brutality, racial injustice, and inequality (in America).""The big thing is, we've got 25 different guys in here, everyone is going to have a different opinion, come from a different background and upbringing," Callahan said Monday, per Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "Whether we agree or disagree with what (Brown) is doing, as a team we support him. We support (Brown) on and off the ice. Our biggest thing is we've got his back."The Lightning play host to Washington on Monday, and Capitals winger Devante Smith-Pelly said he reached out to Brown after the courageous act."I'm proud of him, proud that he did that and proud that he stood up and put himself out there," Smith-Pelly said. "Because it's tough. It's tough anytime, but in this particular sport, it's tough to put yourself out there."It's a lonely feeling, even without doing a protest. So that he stood out and put himself out there, I respect it a lot."Brown, who's been subject to racist comments and even death threats, in light of his silent protest, did not address the media in advance of Monday's game.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Washington Capitals left winger Alex Ovechkin, Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury, and Philadelphia Flyers right winger Wayne Simmonds have been named the NHL’s “Three Stars” for the week ending Oct. 8, the league announced Monday.Here's a quick rundown of their exploits:1. Ovechkin led all players in goals and points (7) after recording a hat trick in the season opener and four the next time out. Per the NHL, "with hat tricks in each of the Capitals’ first two games, Ovechkin became the fourth player in NHL history and first since 1917-18 to record hat tricks in each of his team’s first two games of a season."Related: Ovechkin credits sister-in-law for historic scoring binge2. Fleury posted a record of 2-0-0 and a .973 save percentage as the Golden Knights opened their inaugural season undefeated. He now has 377 career victories, good for 15th on the all-time NHL wins list.3. Simmonds registered a hat trick in the Flyers' season opener and added another goal to sit second very early on in the scoring race. Two of those goals were game winners for a Philadelphia team that went 2-1-0 on a season-opening California road trip.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hockey fans have reason to pay attention to the Arizona Coyotes and New Jersey Devils this season.According to oddsmakers, forward Clayton Keller and Nico Hischier are listed as the favorites to win the Calder Trophy as the league's best rookie in 2017-18, with a pair of Boston Bruins and a Vancouver Canuck coming in close behind.Here's a look at the top 11 options:PlayerOddsClayton Keller (ARI)9/2Nico Hischier (NJ)5/1Anders Bjork (BOS)7/1Brock Boeser (VAN)7/1Charlie McAvoy (BOS)7/1Alex DeBrincat (CHI)8/1Nolan Patrick (PHI)9/1Dylan Stromme (ARI)9/1Tyson Jost (COL)12/1Jakub Vrana (WAS)20/1Kailer Yamamoto (EDM)20/1(Odds courtesy: Bodog)Hischier, of course, was drafted first overall in 2017, while Keller was the seventh-overall selection in 2016.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers have officially signed defenseman Mike Matheson to an eight-year contract extension, general manager Dale Tallon announced Monday.The deal, first reported on Oct. 7, is believed to be worth $39 million, thereby carrying an average annual valuation of $4.875 million."Mike is an important part of our team's young core and we are thrilled that he has decided to remain a Panther for the long-term," Tallon said. "He is a dynamic and intelligent defenseman with impeccable character and work ethic. Mike has developed into a difference maker on our blue line and will be an important player and leader for the Panthers for many years to come."Matheson was drafted 23rd overall by the Panthers in 2012. In 81 games last season, he recorded seven goals, 10 assists, and had an even-strength Corsi rating of 49.7.So far this season, he's recorded two shots on goal and boasts a Corsi rating of 58.1, while averaging 21:05 through two games.Matheson has also represented Canada at the past two World Championships, and is clearly seen as a key building block in Florida.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For Alex Ovechkin, family is everything.The Washington Capitals superstar winger has scored seven goals in his first two games, and he's the only player since 1917-18 to open the season with two straight hat tricks.And to what, or whom, does he attribute the early-season success to?"My wife, her sister is here and every time she's in town I score a hat trick," Ovechkin said Sunday, per Tom Gulitti of NHL.com. "So back-to-back (hat tricks) and she's leaving Monday, so I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to talk to someone to keep her here."Related: Looking at the wild stats behind Ovechkin's torrid startIt also helps Ovechkin is shooting 50 percent, with his seven goals coming on 14 shots. What's encouraging, though, is six have been scored at even strength after he managed only 16 such goals last season.Head coach Barry Trotz suggests questions about impending decline may have lit a fire under Ovechkin."Everybody says he can't score 50 goals, so he might get in his mind that I'm going to score 70 just to prove you wrong," Trotz said. "I think the top athletes in this game and in all sports, when you doubt them they put their back up and hopefully that happened. That would be a bonus for us and a bonus for Alex."Washington visits Tampa Bay on Monday, where Ovechkin can make NHL history in a couple of ways. He can become the first player to record a hat trick in three consecutive games, or with a mere two goals, he can set the record for most through his team’s first three games of a season.Maybe his sister-in-law should push her travel plans to Tuesday.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With hockey season underway, so are theScore's NHL power rankings, which will be published every other Monday. Our inaugural rankings have been put together by editors Josh Gold-Smith, Flip Livingstone, and Ian McLaren.1. Chicago Blackhawks (2-0-0)If you beat the defending Stanley Cup champions 10-1 right out of the gate, you deserve to jump to the top of the list. A follow-up win over Columbus and a plus-13 goal differential through two games sealed it. - McLaren2. Toronto Maple Leafs (2-0-0)(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Tied with Chicago in goals for (15), Toronto's offense appears rather unstoppable. If the defense can lock things down, these Leafs will be the ones doing the raking this season. A Monday showdown with the Blackhawks is a must-watch. - McLaren3. Washington Capitals (2-0-0)Alex Ovechkin has scored seven goals, and tales of the two-time defending Presidents' Trophy winners demise are proving to be a tad premature. - McLaren4. St. Louis Blues (2-0-0)St. Louis spoiled banner-raising night with an overtime win in Pittsburgh, and beat a Stars team coming off another mythical "offseason championship" to start the season on an undefeated note. - McLaren5. Los Angeles Kings (2-0-0)Jonathan Quick has allowed one goal in two games and Anze Kopitar is scoring again. That all bodes well for a bounce-back season for the Kings. - McLaren6. Vegas Golden Knights (2-0-0)(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Thanks in large part to James Neal, an expansion hockey franchise based in Las Vegas is undefeated in the regular season. What a time to be alive. - McLaren7. Detroit Red Wings (2-0-0)Raise your hand if you had Detroit winning two games to start the season. To their credit, the Red Wings have exceeded expectations by beating Minnesota and Ottawa, two playoff teams from last season. - McLaren8. Philadelphia Flyers (2-1-0)Tasked with starting the season on a California road trip, the Flyers escaped with a pair of wins. No easy feat at any point in the season. - McLaren9. Boston Bruins (1-0-0)One of the only teams to have played one game to date, the Bruins impressed with a win over the Western Conference champions from Nashville. A soft schedule through the first few weeks should help them rise. - McLaren10. Anaheim Ducks (1-0-1)Beset by a long list of injuries, Anaheim amassed three points in two games. Until everyone is healthy, it'll be tough to keep flying this high. - McLaren11. Pittsburgh Penguins (1-1-1)(Photo courtesy: Action Images)A wacky week for the champs: an OT loss to the Blues, a beating at the hands of the Blackhawks, and a dominating shutout of the Predators. Pittsburgh will be fine. - Gold-Smith12. Tampa Bay Lightning (1-1-0)The Lighting split their first two games, both against the Panthers, and the team many are pegging to win the Stanley Cup gets a much tougher test Monday against the Capitals. - Gold-Smith13. Florida Panthers (1-1-0)Playing their cross-state rivals tight was an encouraging sign for the Panthers, who'll have to ensure they're not complacent when they face the Blues on Thursday after four days off. - Gold-Smith14. Columbus Blue Jackets (1-1-0)The Blue Jackets scored a handful of goals in a shutout of the Islanders, but then gave up five in a loss to the Blackhawks. At least they're consistent. - Gold-Smith15. Edmonton Oilers (1-1-0)Connor McDavid scored an insane goal, notched a historic hat trick, and provided all of the offense in a season-opening win over the Flames, but the Oilers didn't look like the same team in a loss to the Canucks. - Gold-Smith16. Calgary Flames (1-1-0)(Photo courtesy: Action Images)The Flames couldn't contain McDavid, and who can blame them. Calgary got back on track by doubling up the Jets, and it'll ride that momentum into a two-game California road swing. - Gold-Smith17. Vancouver Canucks (1-0-0)It's going to be a painful season for Vancouver. but beating the high-flying Oilers to start things off provided some hope. - Gold-Smith18. Carolina Hurricanes (1-0-0)The Hurricanes are a trendy pick to make the playoffs and they took a small but encouraging step toward that long-term goal with a strong showing in a shootout win over the Wild. - Gold-Smith19. New Jersey Devils (1-0-0)(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)The Devils are undefeated! Plan the parade!Reality check: New Jersey's lone victory came against lowly Colorado. The Devils have some growing to do, but the future does look bright, as Nico Hischier and Will Butcher impressed in their respective debuts. - Gold-Smith20. Colorado Avalanche (1-1-0)Don't get accustomed to seeing the Avalanche ranked this high.Colorado earned a solid road win over the Rangers in its season opener, but was significantly outplayed by the Devils. - Gold-Smith21. Ottawa Senators (0-0-2)Two close Ls for the Sens could easily have been Ws, so keep an eye on this team, especially when Erik Karlsson returns. - Livingstone22. New York Islanders (1-1-0)The Islanders may spend most of the year below No. 22, but for now, they've earned their current spot thanks to a big win at home over the Sabres. - Livingstone23. New York Rangers (1-2-0)(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)The Rangers have the dubious distinction of losing - at home! - to the lowly Avalanche, while also allowing 12 goals in three games. - Livingstone24. Montreal Canadiens (1-2-0)If the Canadiens continue to play like they did against the Capitals and Rangers, it's going to be a very long season in La Belle Province. - Livingstone25. Minnesota Wild (0-1-1)When you lose to the Red Wings and Hurricanes to start the year, you deserve to be ranked near the bottom. However, the Wild are much better than their start indicates, so look for them to bounce back. - Livingstone26. Buffalo Sabres (0-1-1)Eichel-mania may be in full swing in the Nickel City, but that hasn't translated into any wins. A close loss to the Canadiens was promising. Getting blown out by the Islanders was not. - Livingstone27. Dallas Stars (0-2-0)A new top-six forward and No. 1 goalie haven't yet been enough to turn around the lackluster Stars. Still, the club has more than enough talent to compete, so expect Dallas to climb up this list. - Livingstone28. Arizona Coyotes (0-1-1)Despite two losses, Arizona has shown flashes of being a quality hockey club. Clayton Keller looks like the real deal, and, soon enough, so should the Coyotes. - Livingstone29. Nashville Predators (0-2-0)(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Nashville failed to exact revenge for its Stanley Cup loss by getting blanked at the hands of the Penguins, and has looked lost at times in the offensive zone. - Livingstone30. San Jose Sharks (0-2-0)Four goals and two losses in two games is just not going to get the job done, regardless of how early it is. The Sharks will need to be much better if they hope to be contenders in the West. - Livingstone31. Winnipeg Jets (0-2-0)(Photo courtesy: Action Images)An opening night shellacking at the hands of the high-flying Maple Leafs followed by another six-goals-against loss to the Flames have soured what was supposed to be an exciting start to the campaign for the Jets, a club looking to take the next step. - LivingstoneCopyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators' top prospect is back with the big club.Thomas Chabot was recalled by the Senators on Sunday along with fellow blue-liner Christian Jaros.Chabot failed to crack the club out of training camp, and head coach Guy Boucher defended the demotion at the time by insisting the young rearguard hadn't surpassed the team's "regular guys."The 20-year-old posted a pair of points in two games with Ottawa's AHL affiliate, the Belleville Senators, before being summoned Sunday.He racked up 45 points in 34 regular-season games with the QMJHL's Saint John Sea Dogs last season - his second straight 45-point campaign with the club - adding another 23 points in 18 playoff contests this past spring.Chabot was named MVP of the 2017 World Junior Hockey Championship and the CHL's Defenseman of the Year last season.He made the NHL club out of training camp in 2016 before being sent back to junior after a single game.Ottawa is in need of some added defensive depth with Erik Karlsson still working his way back from offseason foot surgery.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Warning: Story contains graphic imageBen Bishop wants the world to know he's a tough customer.The Dallas Stars goaltender shared a rather vivid photo of his face Sunday afternoon after being hit in the forehead with a shot in Friday's loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

One of the greatest players in the history of the Colorado Avalanche believes the club should do more to address the Matt Duchene situation.”Doubtful that he should be allowed to play (with the Avalanche),” Peter Forsberg said Saturday on Swedish television, as translated by Expressen's Robin Lindgren via Mike Chambers of the Denver Post.“Put him in the stands," Forsberg continued. "If I were playing with a player that I know doesn´t even want to be in the team, it´s not like he is going to throw himself on the ice and block shots with his head. It is mostly difficult to have a player like that in the team, although he is skillful and is doing his best. I would rather play with someone that wants to be there. I would put him on the bench and trade him.”Duchene, who has been on the trade block since last season, said he was "here to honor (his) contract," when he reported to training camp last month.The center notched a goal and an assist in Colorado's season-opening win over the New York Rangers on Thursday night, and was held off the score sheet Saturday in a loss to the New Jersey Devils, despite firing five shots on goal.Forsberg is the NHL's all-time leader in points per game among qualified Swedish players (1.25), and he ranks second on the Avalanche's franchise list for points per game (1.28), only behind Quebec Nordiques legend Peter Stastny.He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2014.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Much of the chatter from the NHL world on Saturday was about the insane amount of goals coming from both the Toronto Maple Leafs and Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin. But, Tampa Bay Lightning winger J.T. Brown made the loudest statement of them all.Brown raised a clenched fist during the national anthem prior to the Lightning playing the Florida Panthers. He later defended the protest, saying he knew, in his heart, it was the right decision.On Sunday, Brown took to Twitter to further explain his motives.