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by covers.com on (#2DBWR)
Our Covers NHL cheat sheet breaks down the best NHL betting notes so you can handicap the week like a pro, including the rivalry between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs which has been historically one-sided over the last several seasons.Max Goals in Minny?Two of the hottest Over plays over the past few weeks do battle Tuesday night in Minnesota as the Wild entertain the Central Division-rival Chicago Blackhawks. Chicago has reeled off six consecutive road victories, each coming in the past seven games; the Blackhawks' offense has been on point over that stretch, scoring four or more goals in all six of those triumphs - including a 4-3 overtime win over the host Wild on Feb. 8. Minnesota reeled off five Overs in a row earlier this month but has settled into more of an Under groove of late, going 2-3-0 O/U in its last five games. The teams are 4-0-1 O/U in their last five games in Minnesota.More Trouble Bruin in LA?Every game from here on out is critical to a team's postseason chances - and the Los Angeles Kings wasted two chances to earn two points at home last week as they dropped decisions to Arizona and Florida. A return to Staples Center this week might not bear much more fruit as the Kings face off against a red-hot Boston Bruins team that comes into the week having won four games in a row. The Bruins extended their run in the opener of their four-game West Coast trek, earning a 2-1 overtime win over the San Jose Sharks. But recent history favors Los Angeles, which has won five of the last six home meetings with Boston.Leafs-Habs Resume One-Sided RivalryThere's dominance, and then there's what the Montreal Canadiens have been doing to the Toronto Maple Leafs over the past three years. The Canadiens have won 13 consecutive meetings with their Original Six rivals as the teams meet yet again Saturday night at Air Canada Centre. Montreal has nine regulation victories, an overtime win and three shoutout triumphs over that span - winning six straight in Toronto and seven in a row at the Bell Centre. Goal scoring has been a major bugaboo for the Maple Leafs, as they have scored one or zero goals in six of their last 10 meetings with the Habs.Injury Updates* The Ottawa Senators are holding their breath about the availability of forward Mark Stone, who took a shot to the head in Sunday's game against Winnipeg and is being treated for a suspected concussion. Stone has six goals and six assists over his past 10 games, during which the Senators have gone 5-5 SU and 4-6 O/U.* The New York Islanders haven't missed a beat despite being without bruising forward Cal Clutterbuck, who is sidelined indefinitely with a lower-body injury. The Islanders are a solid 5-3-1 SU and 6-2-1 O/U over that stretch, and come into the week just one point back of Toronto for the second Eastern Conference wild-card berth.Player Notes* Jets rookie phenom Patrik Laine has been named the NHL's first star of the week after racking up five goals and three assists in four games last week. Laine posted three multi-point efforts in that span - and that usually bodes well for Winnipeg, which is a red-hot 14-1-1 in games in which Laine records more than one point.* The Washington Capitals have dropped two straight games, and avoiding a third consecutive defeat could hinge heavily on whether Alex Ovechkin can overcome his season-long struggles on the road. Ovechkin has just 10 goals, 11 assists and a hideous minus-9 rating in 28 games away from Verizon Center in 2016-17.* It appears the Toronto Maple Leafs have finally reversed a strange trend when it comes to games in which rookie sensation Auston Matthews lights the lamp. Toronto won just three of the first 11 games featuring a Matthews goal, but are a scintillating 10-0-1 in those situations since Dec. 22.Stanley Cup Futures* The Columbus Blue Jackets continue to be one of the surprising movers in Stanley Cup Futures odds; according to Sports Interaction, the Blue Jackets are a strong +850 option to take home the NHL championship this June. Columbus has faltered of late - going just 5-6-1 in its last 12 games - but remains fourth in the NHL in points.* On the other side of the coin, the Florida Panthers were seen as a decent Stanley Cup bet prior to the season - and are now struggling to earn a spot in the postseason. The Panthers enter the week a whopping +4,000 to win it all, though that number might see some action with Florida having won four games in a row going into Monday.* It'll require a healthy Laine and a whole lot of luck, but the Jets could be an interesting underdog selection if they can remain competitive in the Western Conference. Winnipeg comes into this week a single point behind the Calgary Flames for the second wild-card spot, making its +10,000 odds to win the Cup an enticing longshot play.Over/Under Trends* Not even a high-end total can contain the Pittsburgh Penguins at home, as they come into Monday's action with a 20-8-3 O/U mark at PPG Paints Arena. The Penguins saw their first 6.5 home total of the season last week, and Over bettors were rewarded with a 4-3 Pittsburgh overtime victory over the Jets.* The New Jersey Devils have entered the fray as one of the "pushiest" teams in the NHL, recording three pushes in their last five games - all at home. The Devils are 10-11-7 O/U in New Jersey and 11-11-9 O/U away from Prudential Center, their 16 pushes on the season second only to San Jose's 18.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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| Updated | 2026-04-17 20:30 |
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on (#2DBNZ)
There's no question John Gibson has been the Anaheim Ducks' most valuable player this season.In the midst of his third full NHL campaign, Gibson, 23, has led the Ducks into a comfortable playoff position, matching the Edmonton Oilers' 72 points through 50 games.Gibson's latest effort was a 24-save shutout over rival Los Angeles on Sunday night, another sterling performance that helped bail out the Ducks' sputtering offense, which manufactured just one goal in the win.Related: 3 players the offense-starved Ducks should trade forIn 45 starts this season, Gibson's posted a 23-15-8 record, with a 2.27 goals against average and a .922 save percentage. Solid numbers, indeed, but since the calendar flipped to 2017, Anaheim's go-to goal stopper has been on particularly a special run.Time frameStartsRecordGAASv%ShutoutsSince Jan. 11911-6-11.82 (1st).939 (1st)4 (T-1st)Gibson's stellar numbers in the new year are especially impressive when considering he's faced the third-most shots of any goalie over that span (545) and his supporting cast has mustered just 50 goals over the last 22 games (ranking 24th in the league over that stretch).While his stats of late have been better than all of his competitors', the Ducks expecting Gibson to maintain such a high level of performance from here on out could unhinge the playoff spot he's had such a large part in securing.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2DBKA)
To the say the Ottawa Senators are banged up is putting it lightly.Over the weekend, the club lost four key contributors up front: Mike Hoffman, Bobby Ryan, Mark Stone, and Tommy Wingels. Ryan's out indefinitely after a hand injury Saturday, Stone's injury appears serious after he took a head shot Sunday, Hoffman's injury is of the lower-body variety, and Wingels' injury hasn't been disclosed.
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on (#2DB72)
On the strength of five goals and eight points over four games, Winnipeg Jets star rookie Patrik Laine has earned first star of the week, the NHL announced Monday.Laine recorded his third hat trick of the season Tuesday versus Dallas, becoming the first rookie since 1992-93 to accomplish the feat, and helped push the Jets within a single point of a wild-card seed.Second star honors were designated to Toronto Maple Leafs pivot Nazem Kadri, who scored four goals and added two assists in four games. Kadri earned his fifth multi-goal game of the season against Columbus, and has established a new career high with 24 tallies so far this season.Lastly, Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid was named third star, boosting his quest for the Art Ross trophy with six points (2G, 4A) in three consecutive wins. The 20-year-old leads the NHL with 47 assists and 67 points this season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2DB0Z)
There haven't been many like Patrick Kane.The Chicago Blackhawks superstar scored his 20th goal of the season Sunday in his hometown of Buffalo, and set an American record in the process. Kane's now officially the first U.S.-born player to score 20 or more in each of his first 10 seasons in the league.Ten players did it either eight or nine times, and they're some of the best the U.S. has ever produced:Player # of 20G seasons in 1st 10 seasonsKane10Chris Drury9Mike Modano9Keith Tkachuk9Tony Amonte8David Christian8Phil Kessel8Pat LaFontaine8Joe Mullen8Ed Olczyk8Jeremy Roenick8In the goals-per-game category, Kane's 271 goals in 717 contests are good enough for 10th all time among Americans:PlayerGPGLaFontaine0.54Mullen0.47Tkachuk0.45Jimmy Carson0.44John LeClair0.42Zach Parise0.39Mark Pavelich0.39Roenick0.38Kevin Stevens0.38Kane0.38Among active players, Kane trails only Zach Parise among his compatriots. Max Pacioretty (0.37), Phil Kessel (0.36), and Joe Pavelski (0.36) are right behind No. 88.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2DAZ2)
With the 31st NHL franchise almost ready to start making moves, Vegas Golden Knights general manager George McPhee is happy to be in the mix as his fellow executives gear up for the most hectic part of their schedules.While 30 other general managers sort out a plan for the trade deadline and impending expansion draft, McPhee, back in a front office, eagerly awaits the opportunity to start making deals, as financial logistics and paperwork for the Golden Knights are still in the process of being finalized."It's really been a lot of fun, as you can imagine," McPhee told Michael Russo of The Star Tribune. "Just being named the first GM of a franchise is really a treat, to have built it to the point we have. But now, to actually be talking hockey with other GMs has been a great deal of fun."McPhee still needs to find a coach, but he's already mapped out the type of roster he wants to construct."I've built high-flying teams in the past, offensive, entertaining teams and would like to do the same thing," McPhee said.After his 17-year stretch as architect of the Washington Capitals ended in 2014, a high-octane offense is something McPhee is familiar with, and has worked for him in the past.If all Vegas' paperwork is sorted by March 1, McPhee can start making deals, while a team can start coming together at the expansion draft on June 20.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2DATZ)
theScore's new series, "The Noise," is published every Monday. It kicks off each week with a quick look at three teams or players making headlines, good or bad.Atlantic outlookHow quickly things can change.Once believed to be a formality, the Atlantic is now far from settled, thanks in large part to a pair of reborn teams.The Florida Panthers are healthy now, and have consequently won four in a row, including an ultra-rare three-game California sweep. With 64 points, the Panthers are restoring hope to what was thought to be a lost season.Elsewhere, after a not-so popular coaching change, the Boston Bruins seem to have found an identity. The B's are a perfect 4-0 under Bruce Cassidy, surging into contention for the division title.Montreal's advantageous division lead has shrunk to just two points, and seeds two through five are within four points of each other. This one's far from settled.Watch those Rangers, MetroIt's hard to label a team with the fifth-most points in the NHL as a "dark horse," but that's the impression surrounding the New York Rangers.Thanks to a flawed playoff format, the Blueshirts, as it stands right now, would start the postseason on the road, despite having more points than any potential Atlantic opponent.In saying that, a 7-3 run over their last 10 has the Rangers just two points back of the Blue Jackets, and three back of the Penguins.They've flown under the radar in an absolutely stacked field, but the Rangers are quickly trending toward shaking up seeding in the best division in hockey.Calder clashAs gripping as the playoff race is, and will become, the sprint to the Calder Trophy is set to be quite a ride.Matching the precedent they've set all season long, top-two draft picks Auston Matthews and Patrik Laine are neck and neck for rookie of the year honors. Both players have scored 28 goals, while Laine has an extra three assists.The play of Matthews and Laine has been integral to their respective club's involvement in the playoff race, and a postseason berth might be the deciding factor in one of the best Calder competition's the league has ever seen.Oh, and they play each other Tuesday, in an absolutely crucial game for both teams.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2DAG5)
If you were watching the NBA All-Star Game on Sunday, or caught up in the shocking trade of DeMarcus Cousins to the New Orleans Pelicans, you may have missed one of the more remarkable shifts in hockey this season.Watch this, by Jonathan Drouin, on Sunday night. It needs to be seen:
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on (#2D9B2)
Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba will have a hearing Monday for his illegal check to the head of Ottawa Senators forward Mark Stone, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Sunday night.Stone was forced to leave Sunday's game midway through the third period after Trouba caught him with a open-ice hit. Trouba was given a two-minute minor on the play.Related: Stone leaves game after head shot from TroubaAs for the Senators, the injury was one of three suffered on the night, as Mike Hoffman and Tommy Wingels were also forced to leave the contest.There was no update issued by Guy Boucher on the status of Stone or any of the others postgame, though he admitted losing so many players to injury could be "a disaster."Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D99V)
What a way to end it.Patrice Bergeron, Torey Krug, and Brad Marchand pulled off a perfect set play in overtime against the San Jose Sharks on Sunday night, and it provided the Boston Bruins the game winner.Bergeron won the defensive-zone faceoff and dropped the puck back to Krug, who flung a long stretch pass to Marchand to spring him on the breakaway which he had little trouble converting.The Bruins are now 4-0-0 under new head coach Bruce Cassidy.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D964)
Shots fired.The Columbus Blue Jackets did not recognize Ryan Johansen at any point in Sunday's game, and the Nashville Predators forward didn't seem thrilled about it afterwards."I was a little disappointed they didn't put anything on the (video board) to say 'thank you' or anything like that," Johansen told reporters including Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. "I think we all know who made that call, but whatever."Johansen was playing his first game at Nationwide Arena since Jan. 5, 2016. He was traded by the Blue Jackets to the Predators for defenseman Seth Jones the following day.Related - Johansen returns to Columbus: 'Definitely weird walking in here'The young forward held out in the summer of 2014 before signing a three-year contract extension with the Blue Jackets at the start of the season.He was reportedly on the trade block for months before being sent to Nashville in the blockbuster one-for-one swap.Somewhere, Columbus general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is turning his phone off.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D915)
Guy Boucher didn't sound overly optimistic about his trio of Ottawa Senators forwards that suffered injuries in Sunday's loss to the Winnipeg Jets.Mike Hoffman, Mark Stone, and Tommy Wingels were all forced to exit the game. The Senators were already short-staffed up front with the injury to Bobby Ryan, who was ruled out indefinitely before Sunday's contest after taking a shot off his hand in Saturday's win over the Toronto Maple Leafs.“Tough day with the loss of Bobby and then we lost another bunch of guys," the Senators head coach lamented to reporters postgame, including Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch."At some point I felt, there was nobody on the bench," Boucher added. "I can give you an update – it doesn’t look good. We have to wait until tomorrow to be clear and precise about all these guys."While repeatedly cautioning that the team needed more time to determine the extent of the injuries, Boucher was clearly preparing for the worst.“Right now, we could be losing quite a few guys … It looks like a disaster," he said. "We’ll see tomorrow and maybe the disaster is not as bad as we think, but you’ve got to be ready for anything.â€Hoffman left late in the first period with what the team would only dub a "lower-body" injury.Stone was the recipient of a third-period headshot from Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba.“It (was) a clear hit to the head with the shoulder,†Boucher argued. “(Stone is) one of the best players in the league and I think everybody saw the same thing.â€Wingels departed the Senators' bench several minutes after the Trouba-Stone hit, leaving Ottawa with only eight forwards, having started the game with 11.Ottawa's injury woes come at a particularly inopportune time as the club is about to embark on a four-game road trip that begins Tuesday night in New Jersey.Sunday's loss prevented the Senators from tying the Montreal Canadiens' point total atop the Atlantic Division, but they still have two games in hand.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D8YF)
The jury's still out on the Toronto Maple Leafs, but there's no doubt Auston Matthews is actually good.The 19-year-old phenom scored a jaw-dropping goal Sunday against the Carolina Hurricanes, sliding the puck in while being dragged down by defenseman Phillip Di Giuseppe midway through the second period.It was Matthews' 28th of the season, putting him into a tie for third in the NHL and level for first among rookies with Winnipeg Jets forward Patrik Laine.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D8YH)
If there is one player the Buffalo Sabres should probably give special attention to, it's Patrick Kane.Unfortunately, they failed to do so Sunday night, and the Chicago Blackhawks forward made them pay for their blunder.Kane was left alone in front of the net where he put on a stick-handling clinic, before sliding the puck past a defenseless Robin Lehner to give the Blackhawks a 5-1 advantage.What's a goalie to do?Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D8XG)
Brent Burns of the San Jose Sharks has been getting most of the attention when it comes to offensively gifted defensemen this season, but don't forget about Erik Karlsson.The Ottawa Senators blue-liner collected a pair of assists in Sunday's loss to the Winnipeg Jets, giving him 42 helpers and 51 points in 57 games.It's the fifth time Karlsson has hit the 50-point mark in a single season in his eight-year career, a feat that appears to be unmatched among his peers.
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on (#2D8VS)
It was a scary sight for the Ottawa Senators on Sunday night.After scoring earlier against his hometown club, Mark Stone was forced to leave the game in the third period after taking a hit to the head from Winnipeg Jets defenseman Jacob Trouba.Stone would miss the final 13:18 of the game after being aided to the Senators dressing room. As for Trouba, he received a two-minute minor for an illegal check to the head.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D8TY)
Evander Kane can't miss lately, but his dynamic teammates have something to do with it.Jack Eichel found his Buffalo Sabres linemate with a terrific backhanded no-look pass that Kane one-timed home to tie Sunday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks with less than six seconds left in the first period.Kane now has 21 goals on the season and 15 points in his last 14 games.(Video courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D8T6)
Just when it looked like Josh Bailey was going to snap his six-game goalless skid, Keith Kinkaid goes and does this.The New Jersey Devils goaltender made a miraculous diving stop to deny Bailey of - what appeared to be - a tap-in goal.Bailey is five goals shy of matching his career high of 16 and it doesn't look like he's going to get any help from Kinkaid.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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by The Associated Press on (#2D8PP)
PITTSBURGH - Tomas Tatar and Thomas Vanek scored early third-period goals to lead the Detroit Red Wings to a 5-2 victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday.Nick Jensen and Steve Ott also scored and Luke Glendening added a late empty-netter for the Red Wings, who completed a back-to-back sweep of Washington and Pittsburgh, two of the top teams in the league. Petr Mrazek made 24 saves for his second win in as many days; he lost his previous four games.Detroit defeated Washington in a shootout at home Saturday and followed with the win at Pittsburgh, the NHL's best home team. It was the Red Wings' second victory against Pittsburgh this season.Detroit, which lost five straight before the weekend victories, remained near the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, but within striking distance of the final playoff spot.Sidney Crosby scored his league-leading 32nd goal and Tom Kuhnhackl added his third with the Penguins short-handed. The Penguins lost in regulation for the first time since the All-Star break. Matt Murray stopped 19 shots.Pittsburgh, which could've equaled a season-high 10-game points streak, had points in 13 of its previous 15 contests. But it missed a chance to move closer than five points behind Washington for the top spot in the Metropolitan Division; the Capitals lost to the New York Rangers earlier in the day.The teams combined for three goals in the first 2:23 of the third period.Tatar scored his 14th for a 3-1 lead 27 seconds into the period. Vanek, who scored Saturday in the shootout against Washington, extended the Red Wings' advantage 1:49 later when he beat Murray with a wrist shot from the slot.Crosby made it a 4-2 only 7 seconds later with a wrist shot from the left faceoff dot, but the Penguins couldn't complete the comeback.Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley rang a shot off the crossbar and Mrazek stopped Phil Kessel on a breakaway in the first three minutes of the game. That allowed Jensen to open the scoring when he faked a slap shot and worked around an outstretched Murray on a partial breakaway. Kuhnhackl responded later in the period with a short-handed goal, but Ott put Detroit back in front on a backhander from the slot.Mrazek kept it a one-goal game entering the third period with a sharp blocker stop on Ian Cole and a sprawling glove save on Nick Bonino later in the second period.NOTES: The Penguins honored Crosby for reaching the 1,000-point milestone Thursday against Winnipeg with a pregame ceremony Sunday. Crosby was given a gold-plated stick and a plaque made from the roof of the former Civic Arena by Penguins owner Mario Lemieux. . Pittsburgh played without defensemen Justin Schultz (concussion) and Olli Maatta for the second straight game. Maatta is expected to miss six weeks following hand surgery. Red Wings D Ryan Sproul played on Sunday after Mike Green missed his second straight game with an illness. . Gustav Nyquist and Tomas Jurco were also scratched for Detroit. . Penguins F Conor Sheary, who missed his ninth game with an upper body injury, skated Sunday morning.UP NEXTRed Wings: Will host the New York Islanders on Tuesday before the team's bye week.Penguins: Visit Carolina on Tuesday before Saturday's outdoor Stadium Series game against Philadelphia at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D8KQ)
The Detroit Red Wings are riding the hot hand of late, that obviously being Petr Mrazek and his glove hand.The Detroit netminder made a sensational snag on Pittsburgh Penguins forward Nick Bonino on Sunday afternoon.For Mrazek, Sunday's start is his second in as many days. And after he backstopped his club to a win over the first-place Washington Capitals on Saturday, he looks to be putting together a nice little streak.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D8JS)
Dave Strader will be seen and heard by a national audience next weekend.The resilient play-by-play man was already planning to call the Dallas Stars' game against the Boston Bruins next Sunday, but it will now be shown on NBC and he'll call it with his Stars broadcast partner, Daryl Reaugh, the club announced.Strader was diagnosed with cancer last June and underwent months of treatment before returning to the booth for his first game of the season Saturday night.Related - Stars' Strader: 'For 4 hours, I didn't feel like I was sick at all'The veteran broadcaster was scheduled to call the Stars' entire five-game homestand, which began with Saturday's overtime victory against the Tampa Bay Lightning.The home side gave him a touching tribute after the game.Watch: Stars salute Dave Strader after winning in his return to boothStrader was diagnosed with cholangiocarcinoma, a rare and aggressive form of bile duct cancer.Dallas is now on its bye week, but the Stars will be back in action Friday against the Arizona Coyotes, followed by next Sunday's nationally televised contest against the Bruins. They'll battle the Pittsburgh Penguins on Tuesday, then conclude the homestand against the New York Islanders on March 2.Strader will return to upstate New York to continue his treatment at the conclusion of the homestand, according to the Stars.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D8FM)
Ryan Johansen surely knew it was on the calendar, but that didn't make the lead-up to his first game back in Columbus any less strange for him."It feels like everyone's forgotten about it, it's been so long," the Nashville Predators forward told reporters, including Aaron Portzline of the Columbus Dispatch. "Definitely weird walking in here, but I'm looking forward to it."Johansen will face the Blue Jackets at Nationwide Arena on Sunday night for the first time since being traded to the Predators for defenseman Seth Jones over a year ago."I had a lot of fun in my time here, built some great relationships, have a lot of fond memories of Columbus," he said Sunday. "That's all that matters, really."After back-to-back seasons scoring more than 25 goals (33 in 2013-14 and 26 in 2014-15), Johansen struggled to maintain that pace before and after he was dealt, but still posted a solid 60-point campaign combined between the two clubs.The goal scoring hasn't been there for the 24-year-old this season either (nine goals), but he's once again contributing in the playmaking department with 31 assists in 57 games.Johansen spent parts of five seasons with the Blue Jackets, who drafted him fourth overall in 2010.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D8CA)
From one legend to another.Prior to Sunday's contest between the Detroit Red Wings and Pittsburgh Penguins, former NHL superstar Mario Lemieux presented Penguins captain Sidney Crosby with a commemorative plaque recognizing his 1,000th point.Making it extra special, part of the plaque is made of steel from the Civic Arena, the Penguins' former home and where Crosby began his NHL career in 2005.Crosby hit the millennial mark in a three-point outing against the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday.
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on (#2D897)
Fool me once, shame on you.The Ottawa Senators must not get fooled again when it comes to re-signing their backup goaltender.A pending unrestricted free agent, the Senators have a decision to make when it comes to Mike Condon's future with the team.With starter Craig Anderson away on a leave of absence, Condon stepped into the No. 1 job in Ottawa, holding down the fort as he posted a 16-9-5 record prior to Anderson's Feb. 11 return. That run included a .912 save percentage, 2.56 goals-against average, and 27 consecutive appearances.Condon has been relegated to second-string duty since Anderson's return, and while his accomplishments during his time with the top job can't be ignored, the Senators don't have to look far to see how a similar story played out. Condon's case is familiar territory for the franchise.Facing a netminding bind late in the 2014-15 campaign, Ottawa called on minor-leaguer Andrew Hammond to assume No. 1 goaltender duties, who then dragged the Senators to the playoffs on the back of a near-perfect 20-1-2 record.Given that performance, then-general manager Bryan Murray signed Hammond to a lucrative three-year pact. But just over a year into that contract, "The Hamburglar" has since returned to the AHL, unable to keep up the pace of his magical run. In fact, in the ensuing two seasons, Hammond has come away with just seven wins in 30 outings, including an 0-for-6 mark this year.As for Condon, there is no doubt he's earned a fair raise from his current $575,000 salary, but the Senators aren't forced to commit to a long-term deal with Anderson playing well and backups being a dime a dozen. Recall that it took all of a lowly fifth-round pick to acquire Condon in the first place.The Senators reportedly have already been in talks with Condon regarding a new contract, but the team would be wise to keep Hammond in mind when it comes time for their newfound backup to put pen to paper.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D875)
Ottawa Senators winger Bobby Ryan will be out of the lineup indefinitely with a hand injury, the team announced today.The winger took a shot off his hand during the third period of Ottawa's 6-3 win over the Toronto Maple Leafs Saturday night, according to the Senators. Ryan is currently being evaluated to determine whether his hand is broken.According to Postmedia's Bruce Garrioch, Ryan's injury is to his right index finger, the same one he injured earlier this season. He could miss up to six weeks if it is found to be broken.Ryan initially injured his right hand in mid-November, suffering the injury in similar fashion by taking a shot off his hand against the Nashville Predators. He returned to the lineup in late November before being removed again after re-aggravating the injury.The 29-year-old finally returned for the Senators in December, remaining in the lineup until re-injuring his hand once again Saturday night.Ryan has 12 goals and 24 points in 50 games this season.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D877)
Covers.com is the biggest and best source for sports betting information, providing unrivaled and original content sports bettors cannot live without.Over the past couple of years, the NHL saw an extensive period during which one could ask: What in the H-E-double-hockey-sticks has happened to scoring? The entirety of the 2015-16 NHL season didn’t include a single game with a total of more than 5.5. The 2014-15 season had only seven games with a total of 6 or more, the last of those coming on Dec. 29, 2014.
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on (#2D84F)
When Finland dominated the 2016 World Junior Championship - winning the gold medal on home ice while posting a tournament-leading 23 goals - it became clear the NHL was about to see an influx of elite Finnish talent.Winnipeg Jets winger Patrik Laine has dominated that narrative thus far, already emerging as one of the game's top goal-scorers. But don't sleep on Laine's world juniors centerman, Sebastian Aho, because the latter forward is putting together one of the best rookie seasons in Carolina Hurricanes history.Through 54 games thus far, Aho has amassed 17 goals and 32 points, second-best among Hurricanes skaters in both categories. Stretch that production out over a full 82-game season, and Aho projects to finish 2016-17 with 25 goals and 49 points.That mark would rank him among the top five rookies of all time for his franchise - even dating back to the club's days as the Hartford Whalers.Here's a look at where Aho's season could potentially rank among the franchise's top 10 rookie performances:PlayerSeasonProductionRon Francis (Whalers)1981-8268 pointsJeff Skinner (Hurricanes)2010-1163 pointsScott Young (Whalers)1988-8959 pointsPatrick Poulin (Whalers)1992-9351 points*Sebastian Aho (Hurricanes)2016-1749 pointsShane Willis (Hurricanes)2000-0144 pointsBobby Holik (Whalers)1990-9143 pointsErik Cole (Hurricanes)2001-0240 pointsBrad Shaw (Whalers)1989-9035 pointsJody Hull (Whalers)1988-8934 pointsLongtime captain Eric Staal is notably absent from the list. The 2006 Stanley Cup champion exploded offensively in year two of his career, but posted a much more pedestrian 31 points as a rookie, already bested by Aho with plenty of games left on this season's schedule.The 19-year-old Finn is looking even better among the all-time group when it comes to goal-scoring. If he keeps putting pucks in the net to reach that projected 25-goal plateau, his total will be the second-highest ever posted by a Canes or Whalers rookie, bested only by teammate Jeff Skinner's 31 tallies back in 2010-11.Given Aho's recent play, that doesn't seem like much of a stretch.
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on (#2D7V6)
Ty Rattie is headed back to St. Louis.The 24-year-old winger was claimed on waivers by the Blues on Sunday, about six weeks after the team lost Rattie on waivers to the Carolina Hurricanes.Rattie appeared in five games with the Hurricanes, recording two assists.Drafted by the Blues in 2011, Rattie has collected 10 points in 35 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D7MZ)
Close enough.The ECHL's Fort Wayne Komets retired the number of Colin Chaulk in a pregame ceremony Saturday, and things quickly got turned a little upside down.Chaulk's No. 91 eventually made it up to the rafters, but was definitely in need of a turnaround once it arrived.Chaulk spent 10 seasons with the Komets, a tenure that saw the team jump from four different leagues. He captained the club for seven seasons, with his best year in coming in 2003-04 when he finished with 96 points in 71 games.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D7N1)
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's slate of games beginning at 7 p.m. ET and later (all advanced statistics courtesy of Corsica.Hockey and apply to 5v5 situations):Dynamic Duos
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on (#2D7N2)
Here come the Florida Panthers.The Cats are roaring, rattling off a perfect 3-0 showing in their recent tour through California with victories over the San Jose Sharks, Anaheim Ducks, and Los Angeles Kings.It was the first time in the franchise's 24-year history that it swept the California road trip. That performance pushed the Panthers to third in the Atlantic, holding down a playoff position with 25 games to go. The Panthers are hot, winning seven of their last eight contests.Prior to Saturday's win, Dale Tallon, Panthers president of hockey operations, stated he'd like to add prior to the March 1 trade deadline. The good news is the Panthers have plenty of financial wiggle room, with just under $10 million in projected cap space. That leaves the team fairly flexible ahead of the deadline.The biggest issue, quite simply, is Florida needs to score more goals. League-wide, only eight teams have tallied fewer times than the Panthers, while Florida is also the only Eastern club currently slotted in a playoff position despite a negative goal differential (minus-14).With that in mind, here are three possibilities to help the Panthers jump-start their offense before the postseason.Thomas VanekIt's no secret the Panthers could use another triggerman in their offensive arsenal, and the Detroit Red Wings veteran forward provides that in spades. With the Red Wings poised to miss the postseason for the first time since 1990, expect general manager Ken Holland to begin the sell-off, and that includes Vanek.The experienced winger has had a turnaround season with the Red Wings after the Minnesota Wild bought out his contract a year ago. Vanek has collected 36 points on the season and sits second in team scoring behind captain Henrik Zetterberg. Carrying a manageable $2.6-million cap hit, Vanek would be a cost-effective addition for the Panthers.Patrick Sharp(Photo courtesy: Action Images)Winners know how to win, and that's what the Panthers would get with Sharp. The Dallas Stars winger has struggled through his second season in Texas, and with the Stars fighting to stay alive in the playoff race, a trade appears to be in the cards for the veteran forward.Missing 26 games due to a concussion, Sharp has struggled to find consistency through the campaign. A change of scenery could be the perfect scenario for Sharp, while a move to the Panthers would reunite him with Tallon. The two were part of Chicago Blackhawks' 2010 Stanley Cup win.Johnny OduyaCould the Panthers consider a bigger deal with the Stars and bring in Sharp plus his teammate Oduya? The veteran blue-liner brings Stanley Cup experience, having won the silver mug with the Blackhawks in both 2013 and 2015, and some added offensive presence on the back end.Oduya has scored seven points in 36 games this season after tallying 21 a year ago. The left-shot defenseman could slot into the Panthers' bottom pairing alongside Alex Petrovic, a role currently held by Mark Pysyk. The 35-year-old Oduya carries a $3.75-million cap hit but is an unrestricted free agent at season's end, leaving the Panthers with a clean slate in the summer.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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by Sonny Sachdeva on (#2D7GG)
The Calgary Flames aren't winning the Stanley Cup in 2017.This shouldn't be breaking news. Calgary has promise, but is simply not yet on the same level as the league's best, in terms of pure skill or consistency.But the fact that the Flames don't yet have the tools to go for the ultimate prize doesn't mean a trip to the postseason would be of no use to them at all. Just look at the numbers Johnny Gaudreau posted after experiencing Calgary's 2015 playoff run.Experience precedes growth.After a pair of up-and-down seasons and a tumultuous start to 2016-17, the Flames are looking to take a step forward, and adding pieces at the deadline will be the straw that stirs that drink.How they stack upCalgary isn't in too bad a spot heading into the season's home stretch. With 62 points, the Flames currently hold a Western Conference wild-card position, with the Los Angeles Kings looking like the only club truly threatening to snag it from them.But as has been the case for much of the Flames' recent history, they're a club trapped in the middle; not strong enough to go all the way, not bad enough to see the bottom fall out from under them.Calgary tipped that scale last season, plummeting down the standings and earning a blue-chip prospect, Matthew Tkachuk, in the process.This year, the Flames aren't looking for more future pieces. They're looking for progress.It isn't as if they stand to be immediately dominated come playoff time. Sitting in a wild-card slot, the two teams they'd most likely face in the first round would be the Minnesota Wild or San Jose Sharks.Both are strong clubs, but neither has given Calgary too much trouble this season. The Flames have won all three meetings with Minnesota in 2016-17 - the last one was a 5-1 drubbing - and they've earned victories in two of three games against the Sharks.(Photo courtesy: Reuters)Better than their recordThe perception of the Flames' talent base took a hit during their display of mediocrity last season, but the fact remains that Calgary has plenty of quality pieces distributed throughout their lineup.There is game-breaking talent in Gaudreau and Sean Monahan - and potentially Sam Bennett, if he awakes from his slumber, and top-tier blue-liners in Mark Giordano, Dougie Hamilton, and T.J. Brodie.And - a welcome new addition - they boast strong scoring depth, courtesy of Mikael Backlund, Matthew Tkachuk, and Michael Frolik, who have formed one of the league's best lines. The trio has combined for 108 points thus far, and remain the second-best puck possession trio in the league.There are holes to be filled, but it's clear at this point that the club would be better served looking to address those needs and take the next step - however small it may be - rather than standing pat and filing away 2016-17 as another year undone by misfortune.Selling off prime pieces like Bennett won't do the franchise any good, but if there are smaller moves to be made, general manager Brad Treliving would be wise to roll the dice.Deadline desiresSo what exactly does Calgary need?More reliable goaltending is clearly first on the list, as Brian Elliott and Chad Johnson have both brought a mixed bag of success and disappointment this season. Marc-Andre Fleury remains a viable option for Calgary, provided the ask isn't absurdly high, and adding the veteran could allow the Flames to flip one of their current netminders for another piece.Bringing in another top-nine forward wouldn't hurt either, as offseason acquisition Troy Brouwer hasn't yet lived up to expectations in Calgary. New York Rangers winger Brandon Pirri could be an affordable option, though there are plenty of bigger fish if Treliving wants to aim higher.A new defensive partner for Brodie could also be of use, as the club has seen him take a step back this season while spending most of his time with Dennis Wideman and Deryk Engelland - his former partner Giordano now paired with Hamilton. There isn't a need to reach for Kevin Shattenkirk, but Cody Franson may be a good fit.This won't be the year that catapults the Flames back to the top of the pile. But if Treliving is looking for genuine progress, swinging a few astute deals at the deadline to ensure his club makes the playoffs seems the best bet.There's no better learning experience than the grind of the postseason, and it's time for the Flames to continue their education.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D7F6)
Minnesota Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk earned his 32nd win of the season Saturday night when his club took down the Nashville Predators with a dominant 5-2 effort. But it wasn't a peachy a night as it might sound.The star netminder was up in arms afterward, upset about a late-game incident that saw winger James Neal clip Dubnyk in the head with an elbow.
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on (#2D7C8)
For veteran announcer Dave Strader, the Dallas Stars' overtime win over the Tampa Bay Lightning Saturday night was the sweetest of victories. But that sentiment had little to do with the game's outcome.The match marked Strader's long-awaited return to the Stars' booth after being diagnosed with bile duct cancer last summer, forcing him to miss the first 59 games of the 2016-17 season while receiving treatment.Needless to say, it was a joyful return."This is the first time, to be honest with you, that for four hours I didn't feel like I was sick at all," Strader told Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News after the win. "Maybe it was the adrenaline high, but I really, really feel great right now."The Stars made a point to make Strader's presence known following their win, with captain Jamie Benn gathering his teammates to salute the play-by-play man.Their gesture didn't go unnoticed."Of all the things the team has done for me, and they have done so many wonderful things for me, but when they came over to salute me ... that was unbelievable," Strader told Heika.While the Stars' season hasn't gone as planned, getting Strader back in the fold provided a much-needed boost for the struggling club."It just brings a smile to all of our faces to see him," Benn said after the Stars' win. "He's battled hard, he's been our strongman. He obviously brought us some luck. It was nice to have him back where he belongs."That luck is in line to continue, as Strader is set to call the next four games for the Stars, after which he said he'll look to join the team on the road whenever possible.
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on (#2D7CA)
You don't often feel like money after losing.But that was the case for Arizona Coyotes winger Radim Vrbata, who picked up an assist in Saturday's 4-1 loss to the San Jose Sharks.The helper marked Vrbata's 40th point of the season, a plateau that sees his bonus-laden contract pay out an extra $500,000.It's the third bonus Vrbata has achieved this season, as outlined by AZ Sports' Craig Morgan's report of the veteran's deal.TargetBonusReached10 games$250 000Nov. 0330 games$250 000Dec. 1520 goals or 40 points$500 000Feb. 18Qualify for playoffs$250 000TBDPlayoff round win$250 000 per roundTBDIncluding his $1-million base salary, Vrbata has now earned $2 million on the season.With the Coyotes out of the playoff mix, the Czech winger is a prime target ahead of the March 1 trade deadline. His low-cost cap hit could be even more attractive if Arizona is willing to retain money to facilitate a deal, which would also help cover his playoff bonuses, as Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman points out.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D7AT)
With the trade deadline looming, Arizona Coyotes centerman Martin Hanzal is giving himself the best possible chance at a happy ending.Whether that ending consists of an extension with the Coyotes or a favorable change of address on March 1 remains to be seen. But after racking up five goals in his past five games, it's clear the veteran is intent on keeping his value high.And he's well aware of his timing."Just playing for my future," Hanzal told Craig Morgan of Arizona Sports on Saturday night.With that evening's tally against the San Jose Sharks, Hanzal's season totals stand at 15 goals and 24 points. He's just one off his career-high mark of 16 goals, with his current total tying his highest marks in half a decade.Add in his 6-foot-6, 226-pound frame and his proficiency in the faceoff circle, and it's fair to assume the 29-year-old will have plenty of suitors heading up to the deadline.That's excellent news for Hanzal, as his current club hasn't given any indication as to whether it wants to keep him on."I haven't got an offer yet from the Coyotes," Hanzal told azcentral sports' Sarah McLellan last week. "We haven't talked. ... Obviously, we're getting closer and closer (to the trade deadline). So it's going to be interesting, and I don't know if they want to move me or not."I have no expectations. I'll focus on the hockey games and see what happens."That approach has worked out well for the veteran thus far, his recent five-game stretch undoubtedly ranking as his best of 2016-17.Hanzal carries a $3.1-million cap hit on a deal set to expire at the end of this season. His contract affords him the opportunity to provide general manager John Chayka with a list of seven teams he'd prefer not to join via trade.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D6E6)
Everyone hates the bye week.A league-mandated five-day break was instituted this season for the first time, and it appears a few days away from the rink means a guaranteed loss when teams hit the ice again.Five teams came off their bye Saturday, and all of them lost:Team ResultCanadiensL 1-3 to JetsCapitalsL 2-3 (SO) to WingsBlackhawksL 1-3 to OilersLightningL 3-4 (OT) to StarsPredatorsL 2-5 to WildAt least the Capitals and Lightning came away with a point.February's been the cruelest month:
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on (#2D6BJ)
Brent Burns may not be from this planet.The San Jose Sharks defenseman was at it again Saturday, scoring another two goals in his team's 4-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes. Burns is now up to 27 goals on the season, tying his career high in only his 59th game.
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on (#2D6BM)
As Wayne Gretzky (and Michael Scott) once said, "You miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take."Alex Edler demonstrated the accuracy of that phrase Saturday night against the Calgary Flames, firing a slap shot from just over center ice that knuckled its way past goaltender Brian Elliott.The Canucks failed to record a shot on goal all game before Edler's long-distance goal that came nearly 13 minutes into the opening period.Gretzky and Scott were clearly on to something.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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by The Associated Press on (#2D6BP)
TORONTO - Mark Stone had a goal and four assists, Derick Brassard scored twice in the third period and the Ottawa Senators recovered after blowing a two-goal lead to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-3 on Saturday night.The Senators pulled within two points of Montreal for first place in the Atlantic Division with three games in hand. Ottawa led 2-0 after one period but trailed 3-2 in the third before getting a tying goal from Mike Hoffman and a power-play goal from Brassard. Stone and Brassard added empty-netters, and Chris Wideman and Ryan Dzingel also scored for the Senators.Ottawa has won four of five overall and three of four against the Leafs this season. Craig Anderson stopped 34 shots.Morgan Rielly, Nazem Kadri and William Nylander scored and Auston Matthews had two assists for the Maple Leafs. Frederik Andersen allowed four goals on 40 shots.Toronto has lost eight of 11 and entered the night with a tenuous grip on the final wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.After Nylander made it 3-2 with a power-play goal 2:04 into the third, Hoffman tied it by rifling a shot from the right faceoff circle off the post and in. On a power play 54 seconds later, Andersen stopped Erik Karlsson's point shot, but Brassard jumped on the rebound and put it in for a 4-3 lead.Wideman started the scoring in the first, firing a point shot through traffic moments after Stone beat Nikita Zaitsev for a puck behind the Leafs goal. Dzingel added to the lead when he deflected Marc Methot's point shot 20 seconds later.Andersen stopped three shots during a lengthy 5-on-3 during the second period, and the Leafs got on the board about three minutes later. Rielly scored with 5:22 left in the second by chasing down a wide shot from Matthews, carrying it to the point and shooting through a crowd in front.About three minutes later, Zaitsev fired a shot from the right point that sneaked through Anderson's pads and slid behind the net. Kadri chased it down and banked it off Dzingel's helmet and in for his 24th goal of the season. Dzingel had fallen in the crease trying to prevent Kadri from stuffing the rebound in.Toronto went ahead 3-2 when Nylander fired a laser from the right faceoff circle on a power play 2:04 into the third.NOTES: Mitch Marner sat out for Toronto with an upper-body injury. Marner leads Toronto with 48 points and is also expected to sit Sunday night against Carolina.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D69R)
It took Antoine Roussel a long time to do it, but when it happened, he was ready.The Dallas Stars forward registered the first hat trick of his NHL career Saturday night against the Tampa Bay Lightning, celebrating with an emphatic hat-tossing motion that the fans instantly obliged.Roussel's first three-goal effort came in his 336th career game, and he became only the second French-born player to accomplish the feat, joining current Anaheim Ducks assistant coach Paul MacLean.The celebration was almost as good as the goal itself, as was the reaction from Stars broadcaster Daryl Reaugh at the end of the sequence.Doff your chapeaus, indeed.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D68X)
A legendary figure will forever grace the home of the Vancouver Canucks.The club revealed a new statue of the late Pat Quinn at Rogers Arena on Saturday night before its game against the Calgary Flames.
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by The Associated Press on (#2D687)
CHICAGO - Cam Talbot made 38 saves, Connor McDavid scored his 20th goal and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1 on Saturday night for their third straight win.Matt Benning and Milan Lucic also scored for Edmonton in the opener of its season-high six-game road trip. McDavid, who leads the NHL in points, fired into an empty net with 27 seconds left.Talbot, the NHL's busiest goalie in games and minutes played, lost a shutout bid when Richard Panik scored his 15th goal with 4:47 left. Blackhawks captain Jonathan Toews earned his 600th NHL point with a nice pass on the play.Chicago had won five straight - all on the road. It was its first home game since Jan. 26.Corey Crawford made 19 saves for the Blackhawks, who were coming off a 5-1 victory at Edmonton last Saturday in their final game before their bye week.The Blackhawks outshot the Oilers 12-4 in a scoreless first period and had ample chances, including shots by Marian Hossa and Artemi Panarin that clanked off the post.Chicago dominated again for much of the second, outshooting Edmonton 16-9, but trailed 1-0 after 40 minutes.Benning opened the scoring with a fluke power-play goal at 5:02. Benning's centering pass from the right corner deflected in off the skate of Chicago defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk, who was in the crease.The Oilers were awarded a power play after Blackhawks rookie Ryan Hartman was penalized for instigating a fight with Edmonton's Eric Gryba after Gryba shoved him into the boards.Lucic made it 2-0 at 9:50 of the third. He skated into the right circle, pulled up and stopped, then fired a low shot between Crawford's pads.NOTES: Edmonton D Kris Russell missed his fifth straight game with a lower-body injury. Oilers D Darnell Nurse (ankle surgery) missed his 33rd game but has resumed skating and is expected to rejoin the team on its trip. ... Blackhawks D Brent Seabrook skated in his 900th game. The 31-year-old Seabrook, Chicago's first-round draft pick in 2003, is in his 12th season with the team. ... Hall of Famer Wayne Gretzky, who played his first NHL game against the Blackhawks at Chicago Stadium in 1979, attended the contest.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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on (#2D67A)
Another milestone for Jonathan Toews.The Chicago Blackhawks captain picked up a third-period assist Saturday to give him 600 points for his career. And it was a hell of a pass to Richard Panik.Toews joins Nicklas Backstrom and Phil Kessel as 2006 draftees to hit the 600-point mark.Player Drafted Points GPBackstrom4th overall702708Kessel5th overall634807Toews3rd overall600694Toews leads the trio in one important category: Stanley Cup rings. He's got three to Kessel's one, while Backstrom's still searching for his first.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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by Ian McLaren on (#2D667)
The Montreal Canadiens are officially under new leadership behind the bench, and Claude Julien is tipping his hand a bit in terms of his approach to his new club.Montreal lost Julien's debut at the hands of the Winnipeg Jets on Saturday, a game wherein young star center Alex Galchenyuk began playing on the first line and was later dropped to the third unit. But still, Julien didn't shy away from deploying Galchenyuk in key situations, even after glaring mistakes were made.Case in point: Galchenyuk attempted a drop pass that was intercepted and resulted in a goal against. Shortly thereafter, however, he was centering a power-play unit and creating scoring chances.The leash, then, may be a bit looser than under the previous regime."I think you can expect that from me, but at the same time I'm not going to be generous here," Julien conceded after the game, per Arpon Basu of NHL.com. "I think people have to earn their way into those kind of situations. But mistakes are a part of the game sometimes, and you look at what kind of mistake it is. But you also have to, with younger players and certain players, you got to have some patience."Galchenyuk did record an assist on Montreal's lone goal, and there's no doubt in Julien's mind the 23-year-old is key to the Canadiens success. The coach's goal, then, is to foster Galchenyuk's game - along with that of defenseman Nathan Beaulieu - rather than stifle it."This is the new NHL where, with the salary cap and everything else, you have young players in your lineup and part of it is if you want them to be better, you have to live with some of those mistakes. But you also have to show confidence that you know that player is capable of doing better, and in those cases they did."Galchenyuk finished the game with one assist and one shot in 15:23 of ice time.Copyright © 2017 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.
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