Brayden Point had himself a rather nice 21st birthday.The Tampa forward snapped a six-game goalless streak in the first period, then for an encore, redirected what stood to be the game-winning goal past Antti Raanta on a gorgeous slap pass from Ondrej Palat.Point's heroics are huge for the injury-depleted Lightning, who moved within one point of the final wild-card spot in the East after the win.(Video Courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Winnipeg Jets' playoff hopes may be fading, but Patrik Laine is still producing.Laine tied Monday's game against the Nashville Predators with a terrific wrist shot early in the second period.It was the rookie's 33rd goal and 60th point in his 62nd game, and it moved him into a tie with Montreal Canadiens forward Max Pacioretty for second on the NHL's goal-scoring list and one behind Sidney Crosby for the league lead.Crosby later scored against the Calgary Flames to restore his two-goal lead over Laine and Pacioretty.Laine hadn't scored in three games, but he now has five goals in his last eight contests.The 18-year-old leads all rookies in goals and points, holding a one-goal advantage over Toronto Maple Leafs sensation Auston Matthews despite playing five fewer games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

You there, Flyers defense?Early in Monday's contest in the City of Brotherly Love, Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson was home free on Philly netminder Steve Mason.Wisely, Atkinson kept, and slammed on the brakes before tucking in his 31st of the season on a nifty forehand finish.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Four NHL clubs are reportedly among the teams most interested in signing a coveted U.S. college unrestricted free-agent defenseman.The Buffalo Sabres, Dallas Stars, New Jersey Devils, and Colorado Avalanche are among the squads with high levels of interest in Gavin Bayreuther, TSN's Bob McKenzie reports.The 22-year-old is weighing his options and is expected to sign in the next day or two, according to the report.Bayreuther notched 29 points in 30 games in his senior season with St. Lawrence University.The top U.S. college free-agent prize, Northeastern's Zach Aston-Reese, has numerous suitors himself and is also expected to make a decision in the next 24 hours, McKenzie writes.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Another loss, this time at the hands of the New York Rangers, further cemented the harsh truth Sunday night that the Detroit Red Wings will miss the playoffs for the first time since the 1989-90 season.The Red Wings - entering this season - had made the playoffs an astonishing 25 years straight, the third-longest streak in NHL history.That's 27 years ago, and the world was a much different place back then. Of course, I myself wasn't around, but here is what was going on in the world:

The Chicago Blackhawks signed forward Anthony Louis to a two-year contract, the team announced Monday.Louis is coming off his fourth season at Miami University, where he set career highs in both goals and points with 14 and 39, respectively.The 22-year-old was drafted by the Blackhawks in the sixth round, 181st overall in 2013 after collecting 10 goals and 25 points in 24 games with the U.S. National Development Team.Louis will report to the Blackhawks' American Hockey League affiliate the Rockford IceHogs.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.Here are the fantasy implications following the news Ottawa Senators RW Mark Stone is "week-to-week" and will miss at least the next three games due to a lower-body injury:

The concussion suffered by Aaron Ekblad during Saturday night's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning will keep the defenseman out of the lineup for 7-10 days, head coach Tom Rowe said, according to George Richards of the Miami Herald.Ekblad suffered the injury after taking a hit to the back of the head from Gabriel Dumont.Related: Panthers' Rowe calls Dumont's hit on Ekblad 'a real cheap shot'Forward Denis Malgin will be out of the lineup for the same time frame as he also deals with a concussion, while Jakub Kindl will draw into the lineup Tuesday when the club hosts the Toronto Maple Leafs, according to Richards.Ekblad is having another strong campaign with 10 goals and 21 points in 67 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are hoping an increase in ticket prices will actually benefit fans.Renewals for season tickets began Monday and prices are up between $7-$16 per ticket. The news of the hike is sure to rub fans the wrong way - especially with the club already billed with the most expensive tickets league-wide, according to Ticket I.Q. - but as MLSE chief commercial officer David Hopkinson insists, the hike is to combat scalpers and those selling tickets on the secondary market."If we don’t price the tickets appropriately versus what the market is going to pay for them, guess what happens," Hopkinson said, according to Morgan Campbell of the Toronto Star. "The tickets don’t get cheaper. Just other guys make the money ... and that doesn’t help your hockey team. That doesn’t help us get better."Along with the higher prices, the Maple Leafs will also introduce a new membership program in which fans can buy full-season tickets, multi-game packages, and earn rewards."There is a significant arbitrage here that we’ve got to try and close," Hopkinson said. "Someone’s going to end up with the money, and we’d rather it’s not a guy in a parka."Despite the increased prices, Hopkinson feels the team should still see 99.6 percent of season-ticket holders re-up for next season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

San Jose Sharks forward Joe Pavelski, Anaheim Ducks goaltender Jonathan Bernier, and Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson were named the latest three stars of the week Monday.Pavelski scored top honors after pacing the league with five goals and adding an assist for a cool six points in four games. The Sharks earned three wins thanks in large part to his two-goal games against the Winnipeg Jets and the Dallas Stars.Bernier captured the second star after going a perfect 3-0-0 with a 1.62 goals-against average, a .948 save percentage, and one shutout. His clean sheet came in a decisive 1-0 victory over the Chicago Blackhawks, while he also helped his club take down the league-leading Washington Capitals.Finally, Karlsson led all defensemen with six points, including two goals. The Senators captain helped his club extend its winning streak to six games and keep pace with the Montreal Canadiens for top spot in the Atlantic Division.The Senators sit just two points behind the Canadiens with two games in hand. Meanwhile, Karlsson now sits seven points back of Brent Burns for top spot in defenseman scoring.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Max Pacioretty snapped a five-game goalless skid in a big way Sunday with two goals as the Montreal Canadiens rallied late to defeat the Edmonton Oilers.With the pair of goals, Pacioretty sits second in the NHL with 33, just one behind Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.It marks Pacioretty's fourth straight 30-goal campaign, but still the 40-goal mark eludes him.Pacioretty is on pace to finish with 39 goals for the second time in his career. He's been far and away the club's most lethal offensive option and, as mentioned, is in contention for the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.However, the question remains: Will Pacioretty finally eclipse the 40-goal mark this season?Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Monday, March 13 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):Dynamic Duos

Each day this week, we'll publish mock expansion keeper lists by division, beginning with the Atlantic. On Friday, we'll reveal our mock expansion Las Vegas Golden Knights team.*NMC = No-movement clause*All first- and second-year professionals, as well as all unsigned draft choices, will be exempt from selection (and will not be counted toward their club's applicable protection limits).Boston BruinsFDGDavid Krejci (NMC)Zdeno CharaTuukka RaskPatrice Bergeron (NMC)Torey KrugDavid Backes (NMC)Colin MillerBrad MarchandMatt BeleskeyDavid PastrnakRyan Spooner

Covers.com is the biggest and best source for sports betting information, providing unrivaled and original content sports bettors cannot live without.Our Covers NHL cheat sheet breaks down the best NHL betting notes so you can handicap the week like a pro, including the red-hot Calgary Flames who are riding a nine-game winning streak and have gone from postseason afterthought to Western Conference powerhouse.

The Columbus Blue Jackets have announced that defenseman Ryan Murray will be out four-to-six weeks with a broken hand suffered Saturday against the Buffalo Sabres.With just over four weeks remaining in the regular season, the injury is a significant blow to the Blue Jackets who may be forced to endure the start of the postseason without Murray.Despite a drop in offensive production this season - due in part to the emergence of Zach Werenski - Murray has been solid on the back end, averaging the second most blocked shots among Blue Jackets skaters at 1.6.He's also been a key cog in the club's penalty kill, which ranks 10th in the NHL and has chipped in two goals and 11 points in 60 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames are the talk of the town, with that town being Anaheim, of course.The Flames are currently winners of nine straight games, a streak that has seen them jump not just into a playoff spot, but to third in the Pacific Division. It's been an inspiring run and one that has caught the eye of Ducks captain Ryan Getzlaf."Everybody’s pushing us from behind right now," Getzlaf said, according to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register. "Watching what Calgary’s doing, those things are motivating factors."The Flames streak of nine-straight games and points in their last 11 has forced the Ducks to bring their best and they have fared admirably with wins in three of their last four and four of their last six.Of course the Ducks will need to keep it up as the Flames sit just two points back of Anaheim for second in the Pacific with a game in hand.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time in what might seem like forever, Alex Ovechkin is having trouble putting the puck in the net.The Washington Capitals captain has now gone 10 straight games without a tally and was quite candid following Sunday night's 5-2 loss against the Anaheim Ducks about how he's dealing with the streak."A little bit frustrating because the puck don’t go in," Ovechkin said, according to Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. "You just maybe wait something happen going to be, a miracle or something. You just have to work harder and fight through it."During the streak Ovechkin has fired 32 shots on goal, but uncharacteristically went shotless on two occasions. Nevertheless, Ovechkin is trying his best to remain positive, insisting he could be a goal away from turning it around."You know, I’m not a rookie anymore," Ovechkin said. "I don’t think about, 'Do I have to score every game?' Of course, I wanted to. If you look at the chances we don’t have, it's all about me. The guys give me really good plays, and I just have to put it in. One goal and it’s turned around in a different way."Ovechkin' slide has also done very little to deter head coach Barry Trotz who insists Ovechkin might actually be playing better hockey during his slump."There will be a lot made of him not scoring lately, but he is skating and maybe playing better than he has in long stretches when he was scoring," Trotz said. "He’s pretty dangerous. He’s skating. I know that he’s worked on that, and he’s getting chances. He’s dangerous and he’s being heavy and he’s hard to play against. It’ll come."Ovechkin will get his next chance at halting the skid Tuesday when the Capitals host the Minnesota Wild.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

theScore's new series, "The Noise," is published every Monday. It kicks off each week with a quick look at teams or players making headlines, good or bad.Nikita KucherovNikita Kucherov is keeping the Tampa Bay Lightning in it.The 23-year-old has been the league's most productive player over the last three weeks and has become the catalyst for a club that has collected seven wins in its last 10 games.Kucherov has been a monster over the team's last nine contests, scoring 10 of his team's 25 goals, contributing a total of 18 points.The Lightning sit three points out from the final playoff spot in the East, but could very well make up that ground if Kucherov keeps it up.Claude GirouxTwo straight losses by the Philadelphia Flyers and suddenly the team is sitting six points back of the final wild-card spot in the East.The onus doesn't fall strictly on captain Claude Giroux - especially considering he has strung together a three-game point streak. However, there is something to be said about his goal totals of late.Giroux has put up just 13 goals in 67 contests this season, and just one in his last 15. He's on pace for 15 which would be his lowest goal total of his career in a full 82-game season.What's more, Giroux has just seven points over that stretch. He must be better if the Flyers are to make a serious playoff push.Brian ElliottThe Calgary Flames are the league's hottest team right now, and that's no joke.The team has rattled off nine straight wins and has bumped the Edmonton Oilers down to the first wild-card spot in the West.Brian Elliott has been monumental in the team's current run, especially over his past seven games. During that stretch he is a perfect 7-0-0 with a .963 save percentage and a 1.13 goals-against average.Of course, it's worth noting the 31-year-old is currently riding a streak of back-to-back shutouts.James ReimerUnfortunately for James Reimer things haven't gone nearly as smoothly of late.The Florida Panthers netminder had a forgettable week, going 0-3-0 with a .876 save percentage and a 4.8 goals-against average, while being yanked midway through his team's 5-2 pounding by the New York Rangers.Related: Even-strength play, goaltending hampering Panthers' playoff hopesReimer's slump highlights the club's struggles. With just two wins in their last 10 games, the Panthers have fallen seven points back of the final playoff spot in the East.The team currently holds a mere 0.6 percent chance of making the playoffs, according to Sports Club Stats. If the Panthers have any hope of resurrecting their season, Reimer will need to step up his play.(Photos courtesy: Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Randy Carlyle's best players made sure the Anaheim Ducks head coach left the rink Sunday night with his 400th career victory.Ryan Getzlaf, Ryan Kesler, and Corey Perry each finished with three points in a sound 5-2 dismantling of the NHL-best Washington Capitals, likely making No. 400 a little more special.Carlyle's the 36th coach in NHL history to hit the mark, and he gave it up to his players after the game, present and past."It's always nice, but it's a team accomplishment," Carlyle said of the milestone. "I've been lucky to coach good players."The 60-year-old has spent the majority of his head-coaching career in Anaheim, where he's had the most success. He and his flock won a Stanley Cup in 2007.After a four-year stop in Toronto, where Carlyle didn't have the pleasure of coaching as many good players as in Southern California, his return to Anaheim after a year off has been nothing but good times.The Ducks are second in what's become a powerhouse Pacific Division, dominant on home ice, and poised for another deep playoff run.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

For the first time in his life, Alex Ovechkin can't score.Stuck on 27 goals, the prolific Washington Capitals superstar - and one of the greatest goal-scorers in NHL history - was held scoreless for a 10th straight game Sunday, officially making this the longest dry spell of his career.The Anaheim Ducks shut Ovi down, and in the process, the Caps. It was a 5-2 final, and Washington's fourth loss in a row.

The Anaheim Ducks wished their 2007 Stanley Cup-winning team a happy 10th anniversary Sunday night.The crew was feted with the Washington Capitals in town, and part of the celebration had notable alumni - Ilya Bryzgalov and the legendary Teemu Selanne - serve as mannequins at a team store at the Honda Center.

Clarke MacArthur doesn't want to believe his playing days are done.The Ottawa Senators winger, who's been ruled out of the remainder of the season with a concussion suffered in training camp, wants to return to NHL action next season, provided he passes the baseline test and receives full medical clearance to do so."I feel as though I could play," he told Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia. "I felt how I did two years ago before this (happened). Everything keeps coming back around, and I just feel like I want to try to continue to do it. I’m going to work out the rest of the year and see how things are the rest of the season."MacArthur added he still has a passion for the game and isn't experiencing symptoms that would cause him to worry about his long-term future. The more immediate concern would be whether he could keep up after appearing in only four games over the past two years"I feel I can get back to the level I was at, and I have to believe that if I want to have a chance at it," he said. "Who knows? Those questions were looming over me all summer. I did all the work I could do and I felt really good at camp, and I was only there for a short while, but, during the drills I felt, 'I’ve still got it.'"MacArthur suffered a pair of concussions during the 2015-16 season, and another during a training camp scrimmage. He remains under contract with the Senators through to the end of 2019-20.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

EDMONTON, Alberta - Paul Byron scored twice and added an assist in the Montreal Canadiens' 4-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night.Alex Galchenyuk and Max Pacioretty also scored, and Carey Price made 24 saves. The Canadiens have won seven of their last eight.Milan Lucic scored for the Oilers. They have dropped three in a row.Montreal had the bulk of its chances in the scoreless first period, putting 15 shots on Oilers goalie Cam Talbot against six Oilers shots on Price, who returned after sitting out in Calgary because of the flu.Lucic outmuscled Alexei Emelin for the puck and beat Price with a long shot for his 15th of the season four minutes into the second.The Oilers almost added to their lead midway through the third, but Price made a huge save on a point-blank shot by Patrick Maroon.Byron picked the puck up in front and sent it under Talbot for his 17th of the season with 6:27 left in the third to tie it. Just over a minute later, Galchenyuk tipped a shot up high over Talbot for his 16th.Byron and Pacioretty added empty-net goals, with Pacioretty pushing his season total to 32.Notes: It was the second and final meeting of the season between the teams. Edmonton won 1-0 in a shootout Feb. 5 in Montreal. ... Montreal forward Alexander Radulov returned after missing the three games with a lower-body injury. Center Tomas Plekanec remained out with an upper-body injury. ... Talbot made his NHL-high 61st start in the Edmonton net.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

No King, no problem.With Henrik Lundqvist out two to three weeks with a hip injury, Antti Raanta's the man in goal for the New York Rangers, and he's more than capable.New York beat the Detroit Red Wings 4-1 on Sunday, giving Raanta his 14th win of the season - a new career high. In a campaign during which subpar backup goaltending has been an issue for a number of teams, count the Rangers as one of the blessed.Related - Watch: Hayes finishes tic-tac-toe to reach new career-high in pointsRaanta went into Sunday's game with a .922 save percentage and three shutouts across 23 games and 19 starts. And that percentage is going up after another 23 saves.In other words, he's been excellent. And the Rangers are hoping that will pay off in the spring, with Lundqvist hopefully in line - and well rested - for another deep playoff run.Also encouraging and impressive: Sunday's win was the Rangers' league-leading 25th on the road this season, and New York's now 19-5-1 following a loss.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Former NHLer Ryan Smyth, now a member of the Stony Plain Eagles of the Chinook Hockey League in Alberta, was injured Saturday after taking an elbow to the head in Game 1 of the provincial finals versus the Lacombe Generals.Smyth was left lying motionless on the ice after the hit, but ultimately exited the ice under his own power and is resting at his Edmonton home, the team announced Sunday.The incident took place in the third period. Generals forward Kyle Sheen targeted Smyth shortly after he scored the go-ahead goal, according to Mitch Goldenberg of the Spruce Grove Examiner."Sheen was backtracking Smyth and made a beeline for him right after he released the puck with a blindside elbow to the face, leaving his feet," Eagles coach Mike Tavaroli said.Smyth, 41, is a veteran of 1,270 NHL games, in which he recorded 386 goals and 456 assists.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kevin Hayes reached a new personal best in style Sunday night in Detroit.Just 37 seconds after Ryan McDonagh scored his second goal of the game, the Rangers struck again, this time after Hayes finished a gorgeous play with linemates Michael Grabner and J.T. Miller.Hayes' 17th goal of the season matched a career-high in that regard, but it was also his second point of the night, establishing a new personal best at 46 and counting.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks continue to up their giveaway game.Less than two months after "Chia Jumbo" night, when the team gave away Chia Pets that grow in imitation of Joe Thornton's beard, defenseman Brent Burns will be honored with a grill giveaway Sunday.No, not BBQs - fake teeth, or rather, the lack thereof.

The Vancouver Canucks announced the signing of 26-year-old American center Drew Shore on Sunday, and he'll join the club out of Switzerland for the remainder of the season.As Vancouver plays out another lost season, on track to miss the playoffs in back-to-back campaigns and third time in four years, it appears Shore - one of the top scorers in the Swiss league this season - is going to get a chance to show what he can do in the 14 games the Canucks have left.

History has not been made.After scoring in a record-tying 19 straight Ontario Hockey League games, Chicago Blackhawks prospect Alex DeBrincat didn't register a goal in Sunday's 7-0 win for his Erie Otters.His point streak, however, lives on.

Hockey fans were given a different perspective on a good old fashioned fight during the first period of Sunday's game between the Oilers and Canadiens.Edmonton's Darnell Nurse and Montreal's Michael McCarron engaged in quite the round of fisticuffs, with the final seconds offered up from the 'ref cam' angle.From that point of view, it's a wonder how officials intervene in these situations.We don't blame them for letting this one play out.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Stuck in a rare rut, the Washington Capitals aren't at all ready to press the panic button.Saturday's loss to Los Angeles was the Caps' third in a row, and suddenly, the seemingly insurmountable lead they built at the top of the Metropolitan Division has shrunk to a one-point gap over the Pittsburgh Penguins.Despite the recent slide, Washington isn't panicking. Instead, it's embracing the challenge of meaningful games before the postseason."There's obviously frustration, but we can't whine and cry about it like babies," Justin Williams told Isabelle Khurshudyan of the Washington Post. "We've lost three in a row. Big deal. Pick it up and get the next one. The good news is, there's usually another game in hockey the next day."Williams, a three time Stanley Cup champion who's appropriately been deemed "Mr. Game Seven" for his knack to step up in the playoffs, knows more than anybody it's better lose a few games in March rather than in April or May.The Capitals are stuck in a funk offensively, only amassing six goals in their trio of losses - a significant decrease from the 3.21 tallies per game they've averaged throughout the season - but bench boss Barry Trotz is taking a positive outlook."It hasn't come as easy as it has earlier in the year, but that's okay," Trotz said. "We need it to be a little bit rocky. ... We're in a little bit of a playoff race right now, and that's fantastic."Fortunately for Washington, concluding its California trip Sunday in Anaheim offers a quick opportunity to rediscover the win column.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Bruce Boudreau wasn't coddling his No. 1 goalie after a loss to Chicago on Sunday.The Minnesota Wild head coach pulled Devan Dubnyk early in the first period after the Blackhawks scored two goals on two shots.Related: Dubnyk yanked 4 minutes into game vs. BlackhawksAfter the game, Boudreau made it clear the message was aimed right at Dubnyk, not the team as a whole.

CHICAGO - Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin scored on Chicago's first two shots, Corey Crawford made 42 saves and the Blackhawks defeated Minnesota 4-2 on Sunday to pull within a point of the Central Division-leading Wild.Trevor van Riemsdyk and Marian Hossa also scored for the Blackhawks, who ended a two-game slide and won for the 13th time in their last 16. Kane's goal was his team-leading 30th and 10th in eight games.Eric Staal scored his 22nd goal and Mikael Granlund got his 23rd for Minnesota, which has dropped three of four. Minnesota outshot Chicago 44-22 for a season high allowed by the Blackhawks.Minnesota goaltender Devan Dubnyk, looking for his career-high 37th win, was relieved by Darcy Kuemper less than five minutes into the game after allowing those early goals.Dubnyk replaced Kuemper for the third period of the Wild's previous game, a 7-4 win at Florida on Friday night.Chicago finished 3-1 against Minnesota in the regular season. The Blackhawks and Wild have met in the postseason three times - in 2013, 2014 and 2015 - and Chicago won all three series and twice went on to win the Stanley Cup.Set up by Panarin, Kane opened the scoring just 51 seconds in from the edge of the right circle on a shot that deflected off defenseman Marco Scandella.Panarin made it 2-0 at 4:38 on a rising one-timer from the slot that sailed over Dubnyk's blocker. That prompted coach Bruce Boudreau to summon Kuemper.Crawford was sharp in the second period, stopping all 20 shots he faced. Meanwhile, van Riemsdyk scored at 5:28 during a delayed penalty to increase Chicago's lead to 3-1.Minnesota's Ryan White pulled down Jordin Tootoo along the left boards. Play continued and Marcus Kruger stepped in and fed the loose puck to van Riemsdyk, who had streaked to the edge of the crease.NOTES: Minnesota C Martin Hanzal missed the game with an illness. Wild C Jordan Schroeder moved back in the lineup after being scratched in four straight. ... Blackhawks veteran defensemen Niklas Hjalmarsson and Johnny Oduya were back in the lineup and paired together after getting a night off in a 4-2 loss at Detroit on Friday. ... Minnesota D Christian Folin missed his fourth game with an upper body injury. . The game started at 11:30 a.m. and was played before a season-high United Center crowd of 22,147. ... Chicago F Tomas Jurco was a healthy scratch for the first time since being acquired from Detroit on Feb. 24. ... The Blackhawks signed 22-year-old F John Hayden, 22, one of their top prospects after he concluded his senior year at Yale.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Minnesota Wild are in a funk.Since the Feb. 26 blockbuster deal to acquire center Martin Hanzal from the Arizona Coyotes, the Wild have come away with just four wins in their past eight outings (4-4-0), with Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks their most recent defeat.Hanzal has recorded four points in seven games since his trade to the Wild, but did not play Sunday due to an illness.Forward Ryan White, acquired in the same deal with the Coyotes, has collected two goals and an assist in the eight games since the trade. On Sunday, however, the agitating winger saw some time on the bench after his lagging effort led to the Blackhawks' third goal.

Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk has been suspended two games for charging Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kevin Gravel, the NHL department of player safety announced Sunday.The play occurred in Saturday's contest between the Kings and Capitals.The suspension will keep Shattenkirk out of the lineup Sunday versus the Anaheim Ducks and Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild.The Capitals acquired Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blues at this year's trade deadline.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jakob Chychrun is the youngest defenseman in the NHL.But the the 18-year-old blue-liner isn't showing his inexperience with the Arizona Coyotes.A one-time highly touted pick, the Coyotes maneuvered at last year's entry draft to select Chychrun, taking on Pavel Datsyuk's contract from the Detroit Red Wings for the right to pick the defenseman 16th overall.The gamble has paid off for the Coyotes, who bet against the Florida native's let-down season with the OHL's Sarnia Sting and poor showing at the Under-18 Championships a year ago that led to his tumble down the draft rankings.Chychrun was initially seen as a long-term project that would return to junior for the 2016-17 season, but instead he's stepped into the Coyotes' lineup, playing the left side behind Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Alex Goligoski.Ever since Arizona dealt defenseman Michael Stone to the Calgary Flames, Chychrun has taken on an expanded role, with John Chayka noting the newly freed-up minutes on the blue line would provide Chychrun with added opportunity.Arizona has played 10 games since Stone's departure, and the uptick in Chychrun's performance has been noteworthy:Date Range GP G A Pts Pts/GP TOIAfter Feb. 19103360.6017:02Before Feb. 194338110.2616:10Chychrun was named the game's first star in Saturday's 5-4 win over the New Jersey Devils after recording a goal and two assists in the contest.The young defenseman's play hasn't been lost on the Coyotes' coaching staff either."I think he took a major step this year and it wasn't a successful splash where you're going, 'Oh my God, if we can just get him back to that level then he's going to be a good player,'" Coyotes associate coach Jim Playfair, who's responsible for the team's defensemen, told Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports. "He's made excellent, step-by-step development."He understands when we look at details on videotape that it's not a beatdown, it's not 'here's where you're wrong;' it's 'here's our process and here's how you can be successful.' He enjoys sitting down to gather information because he believes in the process."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.Here's a look at the defenseman landscape in fantasy hockey, after Florida Panthers D Aaron Ekblad suffered a concussion, Saturday night and the ongoing upper-body injury keeping Pittsburgh Penguins D Kris Letang out of the lineup:It's unclear how long these two defensemen will be out, but if you are out of IR spots, both can be dropped. You cannot afford to have a black hole on your roster during the fantasy playoffs.There isn't much of a fantasy fallout on Florida's side of things. Alex Petrovic and Jason Demers will see a bump in ice time, but neither are fantasy relevant.Pittsburgh has already been without Letang for nearly two weeks, so the dust has already settled. Justin Schultz will continue to fill Letang's shoes. Meanwhile, veteran power-play specialist D Mark Streit was acquired at the deadline. He is only quarterbacking the team's second power-play unit, but he does have four points in three games since the trade.If you don't feel comfortable banking on a 39-year-old D like Streit to replace Letang or Ekblad, consider the following three options:T.J. Brodie, Calgary FlamesBrodie had back-to-back 40-point seasons the past two years, but this season had been a major disappointment offensively... until now.On the coattails of Calgary's 14-2-1 run, Brodie has picked up six points in his last six games. The offensive pedigree is there, and Brodie seems to be hitting his stride just in time for the fantasy playoffs.Calgary will play four games in the first round between Monday and Sunday, March 19, giving Brodie added value for at least the first round of the playoffs.Jaccob Slavin, HurricanesSlavin is already Carolina's leader in average time on ice, but he has taken on an even larger role since veteran D Ron Hainsey was traded to Pittsburgh. In the nine games since his departure, Slavin is averaging 25:25 per game. He has contributed on both the offensive end and defensive end with five assists and 17 blocked shots.Carolina has the most favorable playoff schedule, with five games coming in the first round, three games in the second round and five once again in the final round. Given his willingness to block shots, he is an ideal pickup in banger leagues.Ryan Ellis, PredatorsNashville plays only three games this coming week, but Ellis has the ability to be as productive as either two of the previously mentioned players, despite fewer games. The Preds will also play five games during the fantasy finals, giving Ellis long-term value.He has registered four goals and six assists in his last 13 games. Six of those 10 points have come on the power play. His Monday opponent will be the Winnipeg Jets, who have been shorthanded more than any team in the NHL and own the 28th-ranked penalty kill.(Photos courtesy Action Images)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was a rough afternoon for Devan Dubnyk.The Minnesota Wild netminder lasted just 4:38 into Sunday's matinee against the Chicago Blackhawks before being pulled after allowing two goals on as many shots.Patrick Kane and Artemi Panarin picked up the tallies for the Blackhawks.

Washington Capitals defenseman Kevin Shattenkirk will go before the NHL's department of player safety following a charge on Kevin Gravel of the Los Angeles Kings.The play occurred in the Kings' 4-2 win over the Capitals on Saturday.A quick resolution will be needed from the NHL, with the Capitals set to play the Anaheim Ducks on Sunday.The Capitals acquired Shattenkirk from the St. Louis Blues at this year's trade deadline.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Follow theScore's fantasy feed on Twitter (@theScoreFantasy) for the latest news, features and more. And download Squad Up, theScore's free-to-win-money sports game.Here is a look at the Squad Up daily NHL fantasy picture for Sunday, March 12 (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):Dynamic Duos

Get excited.While a playoff position is not yet clinched, the Columbus Blue Jackets are all but a shoo-in to qualify for this year's postseason. Stanley Cup fever has already hit downtown Columbus:

Pittsburgh Penguins forward Carl Hagelin will be out of the lineup for at least four weeks with a lower-body injury, coach Mike Sullivan announced.Hagelin suffered the injury Friday versus the Edmonton Oilers. He was not in the lineup Saturday when the Penguins faced the Vancouver Canucks.Hagelin has six goals and 16 assists in 61 games this season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Through the remainder of the regular season, we'll take a look at how the night's action impacts the playoff race, highlighting which teams' postseason odds went up or down significantly.Saturday night was all right for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Not only did the club secure a 3-2 overtime win over the Carolina Hurricanes, but the victory also boosted Toronto's postseason odds by 9.1 percent.Here are the notable playoff swings after Saturday's 11 games:Eastern ConferenceTeam Result Playoff Chances ChangeMaple LeafsW 3-2 vs Hurricanes58.1%+9.1%BruinsW 2-1 vs Flyers76.3%+4.8%IslandersL 3-4 vs Blues46.0%-15.5%Western ConferenceTeamResultPlayoff ChancesChangePredatorsW 3-1 vs Sharks82.4%+2.4%KingsW 4-2 vs Capitals42.2%+1.8%DucksOff94.6%-2.2%To see percentages for each team in the league, visit Sports Club Stats.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks came out on the losing end of their Saturday night matchup with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but netminder Ryan Miller still managed to post arguably his best outing of the season.Excluding an empty-netter at the tail end of the contest, Pittsburgh launched 47 shots on Miller in a 3-0 win, marking the heftiest workload the veteran goaltender has faced this season.Miller stood tall, however, turning aside 45 shots and keeping the Canucks just one goal down until the final minutes of the game.And they certainly weren't easy ones to stop. Penguins captain Sidney Crosby finished with nine shots on target - all of which were kept out - while Conor Sheary had eight and Evgeni Malkin had five.Miller's highest shots-against total this season had come against the Calgary Flames in early January. The Flames put 46 on net in that affair, scoring just two as Vancouver netted the win.The Canucks' forward corps weren't able to support Miller's performance this time around, but considering the quality of talent on the Penguins' roster, it's safe to say the veteran goaltender's effort was nothing short of exceptional.Miller's counterpart in the Penguins' net, Matt Murray, registered a shutout on the evening, while facing 20 fewer shots.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.