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 Friday, Dec. 16 (all advanced stats are at 5v5 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):Triple Threat

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.Stats as of Thursday, December 15 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey.Buy-low on Jake AllenAllen's .906 SV% and 2.52 GAA are mediocre at best. This can be your main negotiating tactic, as his owner may be willing to move him since there are many goalies capable of putting up these types of numbers. Despite the poor stats, he still has a record of 14-6-3.What has hurt Allen this season are his road numbers. He has a .932 SV% and a 1.79 GAA at home, but an .879 SV% and a 3.35 GAA away from home. Considering he performed just fine outside of St. Louis the past two seasons, expect him to put his road woes behind him soon.Head coach Ken Hitchcock's defensive-minded system has always been friendly to goaltenders - just look at how Brian Elliott is performing without him. The Blues allow the fifth-fewest SCA60 (scoring chances against per 60 minutes) at 5v5. Allen will be just fine.Take what you can get for Radim VrbataVrbata is having a nice bounce-back season in his second go-around with the Coyotes. He has eight goals and 11 assists thus far, but don't expect it to last. His 1.27 iSCF60 (individual scoring chances for per 60 minutes) at 5v5 is third-worst among forwards with at least five even strength goals.In addition to Vrbata making great use of his few scoring chances, he plays for an absolutely awful team. Since he is on a one-year deal, he is almost a lock to get moved to a contender at the deadline but if that's the case he could wind up playing a lesser role on a deeper team. Try and deal the 35-year-old winger for a player with higher upside.Sell-high on Kevin ShattenkirkWith seven goals and 14 assists, Shattenkirk ranks fourth in scoring among D-men. It's hard to imagine this lasting considering 13 of his 14 assists have been secondary helpers. A rate like this is completely unsustainable.Shattenkirk plays the fewest minutes of any defenseman with at least 18 points. He has, and always will, play second fiddle to Alex Pietrangelo, who is also a right-handed shot and happens to be a superior all-around defender. Hitchcock's system doesn't do Shattenkirk any favors, either.Scoop up Justin SchultzSchultz was one of the most coveted college free agents when the Oilers signed him in 2012. He was personally recruited by all-time greats Wayne Gretzky and Paul Coffey to come to Edmonton, much to the disappointment of the other 25 NHL teams who were publicly trying to sign him.Like many who have joined the Oilers with high expectations over the past decade, Schultz fizzled out in Edmonton and was traded to the Penguins for a third-round pick last season.Joining an offensive juggernaut like the Pens is a perfect fit for an offensive-minded D-man. He has 17 points in 30 games this season, 12 of which have come in his last eight games. It wouldn't be surprising if he continued on this torrid pace considering he will play a larger role while Kris Letang is out.Start your rebuild now in keeper leaguesIt may be a tough pill to swallow, but if you're near the bottom of your league's standings, chances are you will not be winning the championship this season. In keeper leagues, now is the perfect time to get ahead of the rest of the cellar dwellers and begin your rebuild.There are many different formats to keeper leagues, but essentially, start putting your top assets on the trade block if you won't be keeping them next season. If you're in a draft-position based keeper, try to acquire young, high-upside players who were drafted in the later rounds. In auction keepers, seek players who will be cheap to keep next season. Bottom-line is, acquire young talent.Trade for Andrei Vasilevskiy in keeper leaguesPerhaps the best foundation for building a successful keeper team in 12-team leagues is addressing the goaltending position. If Andrei Vasilevskiy's owner is in a position to contend this season, he will likely be willing to move the young netminder.Vasilevskiy, 22, has slowed down after a hot start, posting an .861 save percentage in his last four games. This might be enough for his owner to part ways with him, considering how frustrating it is how he starts only once every three games or so..Ben Bishop is on the last year of his contact. If he doesn't get moved before the deadline, Lightning GM Steve Yzerman will almost certainly let him walk. He is far too smart to pay Bishop considering Vasilevskiy is much younger, arguably better already and the upcoming expansion draft allows you to protect just one goalie. The crease will be all Vasilevskiy's come 2017-18.Add Antoine Roussel in banger leaguesRoussel is a pest. He's an agitator. He's a goon. Some players might consider him dirty. These types of players don't usually scream fantasy relevant, but Roussel has been this season - in banger leagues at the very least.Roussel is a godsend in leagues with hits, blocks and PIMs. He has 41 hits, 20 blocks and a league-leading 85 PIMs. In addition to what he brings to the table in these secondary stats, Roussel is on pace for career highs in goals, assists and ice time. He is no stranger to providing sprinkles of offense, tallying at least 13 goals in each of the past three seasons.Roussel is only 27 years old, so it's reasonable to believe he has been making strides offensively. Lindy Ruff seems to think so, considering he is skating on the second line. The analytics also agree, as eight of his 11 assists have been primary helpers and he is getting 3.22 iSCF60.Pick up Marian GaborikGaborik is now 34 years old with a long history of injuries, but there's reason to believe there is still something left in the tank. He leads the NHL with 7.39 iSCF60 at 5v5. He also plays on a line with C Anze Kopitar, which can't hurt. Pick him up in hopes of catching fire in a bottle.Give up on Patrick SharpSharp's days of being fantasy relevant may be drawing to a close. He has just one goal and one assist in 11 games this season and is trapped on Dallas' third line. Do your best to trade him, but if players like the aforementioned Schultz, Roussel or Gaborik are on the waiver wire, don't hesitate to drop Sharp if you're unable to make a deal.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peter Holland wasn't the only member of the Toronto Maple Leafs unhappy about his ice time.Holland was dealt to the Arizona Coyotes last week after requesting a trade following a string of healthy scratches. Now defenseman Frank Corrado has broken his silence, having found himself in a similar situation."It’s frustrating now," Corrado said, according to Dave Alter of The Athletic. "When you don’t get to play for a month and a half, and you’ve played in one game all year, it takes its toll on you mentally … Yeah, you’re in the NHL. It’s not that the novelty has worn off; it’s just that it’s time to play. It’s time to have a career. I feel like the more I’m not playing, that’s food off my table. That’s kind of the way I see it right now."After being claimed off waivers from the Vancouver Canucks last season, the 23-year-old appeared in just 39 games with Toronto. After working hard to get in game shape this offseason, Corrado admits it's been extremely disheartening to have only suited up for one contest this year."Everyone on our back end gets a chance to play except me," Corrado said. "I’d love to play. I had a good camp. I put on 10 pounds in the summer. I sacrificed a lot to earn a job here when there might not have been one for me. I’m sure Holly’s situation was similar in ways, but for me, it’s really frustrating right now."Corrado has spoken with general manager Lou Lamoriello, who insists that he wants him to stick with the team. In the meantime, Corrado believes what's holding him back is that head coach Mike Babcock doesn't like him, a notion Babcock shot down following the team's 3-2 shootout loss to the Arizona Coyotes on Thursday night."I’m disappointed he feels that way. If you think me liking you has anything to do with whether you play or don’t play, you’re missing the boat big time," said Babcock. "I love the guys and I’m hoping for all of them that they do well. Whether you go in the lineup or not is based on how you play, period, nothing personal. It becomes personal and it’s just unfortunate that he feels that way. It’s too bad. We talk quite a bit and we’ll talk again. As a young guy he’s frustrated, he had his chance with the media today and that’s life."So for now, it appears Corrado must wait - barring an exit similar to Holland's.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

As he expected, Dallas Stars forward Cody Eakin will have a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety on Friday.Eakin will face the music in regards to his hit on New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist during his club's 2-0 loss Thursday night.Related: Ruff: 'No intent' by Eakin to run LundqvistEakin leveled Lundqvist as he came out to play the puck behind his net. The 25-year-old was assessed a five-minute major for charging and a game misconduct on the play.Lundqvist left the game briefly following the hit, but returned to the crease shortly after.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was an accident.That's the side of the story of Dallas Stars forward Cody Eakin, who was tossed from Thursday's match against the New York Rangers after running over netminder Henrik Lundqvist.In the middle of the first period, Lundqvist was playing the puck behind the net when he was charged by Eakin, who was assessed a five-minute major and a game misconduct on the play.

Talk about high-sticking.New York Islanders forward Josh Bailey was the unfortunate recipient of a stick to the face Thursday night, but rather than it being an opponent's, the stick in question was that of teammate John Tavares, which got lodged in the 27-year-old's visor.Important to note, no penalty was called on the play.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every Friday this season, theScore's NHL editors are debating a hot-button issue in 'On The Fly,' our roundtable series. This week, we look at storylines that have caught us by surprise this campaign.Music City BluesO'Leary: Outside the playoff picture is not where many expected to see the Nashville Predators 29 games into their season.The Preds were the talk of the offseason, thanks to David Poile pulling the trigger to acquire P.K. Subban, his second big trade of the calendar year after pulling in Ryan Johansen last season.It felt as if Nashville had all the ingredients to be a real Cup contender, but a pedestrian 13-12-4 record leaves it two points from a wild-card spot and eight back of third in the Central Division.In fairness, the Predators started just 2-5-1 through October, slowing them down right out of the gate. But they're 3-9-2 away from home this season, and haven't been consistent enough to match their preseason expectations.Slumping SchneiderMcLaren: If the New Jersey Devils were going to have any shot at the playoffs this season, franchise goaltender Cory Schneider would have to be at the top of his game.Unfortunately, Schneider - who entered the season as a low-key Vezina Trophy candidate - has been anything but.Following a loss to St. Louis on Thursday, Schneider's record dropped to 9-9-4, and his save percentage rings in at .905, well below his career average of .923.Even with the addition of Taylor Hall, the Devils' offense has produced a 27th-ranked 71 goals in 29 games, exposing Schneider's struggles even further.Perhaps the loss of Adam Larsson on the blue line is having more of an effect than anticipated.Hot OilHagerman: For the first time in nearly a decade, the Edmonton Oilers are a playoff team ... at least for now.Over the years, it's been hard to get high on the club. Time and time again, the club's stock of high-end draft picks has failed to put it all together the way management envisioned.This offseason, the team made some drastic moves: shipping out Hall for help on the blue line while also inking Milan Lucic to a contract. It all looked good, but again it was hard to predict better results than those we'd seen in years previous.However, it's one week before Christmas, and the Oilers hold down third place in the Pacific Division. Sure, the club stormed out of the gate to start the year and has regressed slightly, but it still appears poised for a playoff appearance.Connor McDavid continues to be as advertised, while Cam Talbot has been solid between the pipes. There is certainly plenty of time for things to go south, but for now the Oilers are on the brink of finally ending a 10-year playoff drought.Philly's FlyingWilkins: The Philadelphia Flyers are good. Really good.The Flyers entered the season with a lot of question marks and crossed fingers, hoping for bounce-back seasons up front and, in goal, that the duo of Steve Mason and Michal Neuvirth would hold up.That's exactly what's happened. After a disappointing 55-point campaign last season, forward Jakub Voracek is on pace for a career year. Only McDavid and the Blues' Vladimir Tarasenko outpace his 33 points.Meanwhile, center Claude Giroux - an extra for Team Canada at the World Cup - has returned to form with 30 points. And that's not to forget Wayne Simmonds, whose 16 goals are topped by only three players league-wide.Between the pipes, Mason has caught fire after a sluggish start, and is the first Philly goaltender to rattle off eight straight wins since netminder (and current general manager) Ron Hextall did so in the 1996-97 season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes sit in 28th place across the NHL, but without Mike Smith in goal, things would be much more bleak in the desert.The 34-year-old is 7-4-4 on the season, and his latest start - a 44 save effort versus the Maple Leafs Thursday - continued a remarkable stretch of puck-stopping.The Coyotes allow the most shots per game in the NHL (35.8), three more than the second-worst Islanders. The shot volume makes Smith one of the busiest goalies in the league on a game-to-game basis, but numbers suggest he doesn't care about some extra rubber coming his way.

Alain Vigneault is calling on the league to discipline Cody Eakin.The New York Rangers head coach said the NHL "better do something" about the Dallas Stars forward's hit on Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, according to the New York Post's Brett Cyrgalis, adding it's exactly what "they" want to take out of the game.Eakin delivered a blow to Lundqvist's head in the first period Thursday night, forcing the veteran netminder to briefly exit the game in favor of Antti Raanta, who'd started and won each of the previous four contests.Lundqvist said he didn't see Eakin coming on the hit, but didn't have any problem going through concussion protocol, according to NHL.com's Sean Shapiro.Eakin was given a charging major and ejected from the game. Lundqvist returned and posted a 27-save clean sheet that the club announced afterward as the first shared shutout in franchise history.Lundqvist also moved to within two wins of Dominik Hasek's 389 career victories, the most by a European netminder.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The list of players who've recorded more points that Vladimir Tarasenko this season ends at one: Connor McDavid.A look at the NHL's points-per-game leaders bumps both McDavid (1.22) and Tarasenko (1.19) down a spot, with Sidney Crosby (1.38) having the advantage in that category.But the fact Tarasenko ranks only slightly behind arguably the two best players in the game is not something that should be overlooked.The numbersWith a goal and two assists in Thursday's game against the New Jersey Devils, the St. Louis Blues winger improved his 2016-17 totals to 15 goals and 22 assists in 31 games.That puts him on pace for 40 goals and 98 points, providing another bump in his yearly positive progression, as seen in his steady rise since breaking into the NHL in 2013.SeasonGamesGoalsAssistsPoints/GP2013388110.502013-146421220.672014-157737360.952015-168040340.93While Tarasenko's goal against the Devils was further evidence of his ability to score seemingly at will, what's separating him even further from the pack this season is the bump in assists.A new wrinkleThat element of his game is something head coach Ken Hitchcock has seemed to know was there all along.

Of course it would be Peter Holland.Unhappy with his playing time as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Holland was dealt to the Arizona Coyotes for a conditional sixth-round pick in 2018 on Dec. 9.As fate would have it, Holland's second game with the Coyotes was back in Toronto on Thursday, and the 25-year-old got the last laugh with a shootout winner past Frederik Andersen.He was awarded the Coyotes' player of the game award for his efforts, capping off as good a night as he could have hoped for.

Cody Eakin drew the ire of the New York Rangers and the attention of the officials with a single blow Thursday night.The Dallas Stars forward delivered a forceful hit to the head of Henrik Lundqvist as the Rangers goaltender was playing the puck behind his net in the first period.Eakin was assessed a five-minute charging major and a game misconduct for the incident, which forced Lundqvist to briefly exit before returning to play the remaining five minutes of the period.It's the veteran netminder's first game back in the crease following four straight starts by backup Antti Raanta.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Of course he did.In his first game against his hometown Arizona Coyotes, Auston Matthews opened the scoring with a wicked power-play wrister late in the first period.The Maple Leafs phenom is up to 14 tallies in 29 games this season, which puts him on a remarkable 40-goal pace.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mark Messier is about to be pushed down a peg.The hockey legend ranks second on the NHL's all-time scoring list with 1,887 points, but Jaromir Jagr is on the verge of passing him and laying claim to the title of the game's most productive player not named Wayne Gretzky.With Jagr's Florida Panthers set to take to the ice Thursday, and with the Czech winger only four points back of second place, Messier held a conference call Thursday to reflect on Jagr's accomplishments and what it means for him personally."When there’s been almost 6,000 people come into the league, I’m the most surprised person of anybody that I’ve been sitting at No. 2 for this amount of time," Messier said, per Craig Davis of the Sun-Sentinel."As humble as Gordie (Howe) was when Wayne passed him, I look at this like it's an opportunity to hopefully inspire the next generation of players and set the benchmark for them and hopefully inspire them to be the best they can be."Messier added the following in regards to Jagr:

Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman has been booked for a hearing with the NHL's Department of Player Safety to address his cross-check to the back of the head of Logan Couture on Wednesday night.Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun reports the hearing will take place over the phone.Hoffman was given a five-minute major penalty and game misconduct for the vicious bit of stick work, which left Couture down on the ice injured.Because the chat takes place over the phone, Hoffman cannot be suspended for more than five games.There's not yet word on whether San Jose Sharks defender Marc-Eduoard Vlasic will meet with the safety bureau for his apparent spear on Erik Karlsson.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Canada will shoot for gold at the world juniors without New York Islanders forward Anthony Beauvillier.But it wasn't without every effort by Hockey Canada, which made a last-ditch attempt to add Beauvillier to its final roster, only to be rebuffed by the Islanders, reports TSN's Bob McKenzie.

The Pittsburgh Penguins will have to make do without defenseman Kris Letang for the coming weeks, as coach Mike Sullivan announced Thursday that the blue-liner will be "out a couple weeks" with a lower-body injury.Letang has appeared in 25 games with the Penguins this season, recording two goals and 17 assists.The 29-year-old missed five games earlier this season with an upper-body injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Shane Doan's son will get to watch his favorite player in action Thursday when the Toronto Maple Leafs host the Arizona Coyotes. Oh, and dad.Prior to the matchup, Doan suggested that his son is "as big of an Auston Matthews fan as there is," according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.It will obviously be a special night, too, for the Arizona-raised No. 1 overall draft pick of the Maple Leafs, who will square off against his boyhood club - and idol - for the first time.He mentioned after practice Wednesday how exciting it will be to play against the team, and one of the players, that inspired him to pursue hockey."I'm really looking forward to it," he said, according to Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun. "It will be pretty cool after watching guys such as Doan growing up. He's still playing (at 40). That will be pretty special."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Tampa Bay Lightning found the solution to their recent losing skid.After winning just once in regulation in their last eight games, the Lightning pasted the Calgary Flames on Wednesday, coming away with a 6-3 victory.Brian Boyle and Alex Killorn each grabbed a pair of goals on the night, while blue-liners Braydon Coburn and Andrej Sustr also chipped in on offense, both notching their first tallies of the year."We simplified our game and we skated," Lightning coach Jon Cooper told reporters. "We've had a bad habit of trying to place the puck in the net. There's always a better play to be made."We hemmed them in there a little bit, and we were aggressive, but we were skating. When you're doing that, especially with some of the guys on our team that can skate, we can be a little troublesome for teams, and we did that tonight."Despite a 15-13-2 record through 30 games, Tampa Bay has struggled in recent weeks, going 5-7-1 since losing captain Steven Stamkos to a long-term knee injury.With the victory over the Flames, the Lightning climbed to within three points of the third playoff position in the Atlantic. Tampa Bay now has a chance to build a winning streak of its own when they take the ice Friday versus the Vancouver Canucks.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fifty-two. Or one more if you would prefer to round up.That's the amount of wins the top five teams in the Metropolitan Division - the Penguins, Rangers, Flyers, Blue Jackets, and Capitals - are on pace to attain, each, now beyond the one-third mark of the 2016-17 playing schedule.That total is six behind the most wins in a single season in the post-lockout era - the Red Wings won 58 back in 2005-06.That's more than all but 18 stand-alone campaigns over the same time period. It's better than the current franchise record for more than half the teams in the NHL.The five clubs - with four points separating them in the standings - have a combined plus-111 goal differential and .689 points percentage through 148 games. One team, on average, has finished a season in the post-lockout era with a higher points percentage - or 11 total.The Penguins, Rangers, and Flyers are the three highest-scoring teams in the league, and the only outfits to pass the 100-goal threshold. The Capitals and Blue Jackets, meanwhile, are two of the top three stingiest to date.The quintet have produced seven of the top 11 scorers in the NHL, and boast win streaks of 10, seven (twice), and five (three times).Of course, the speed to which these teams are piling up points will be checked, eventually. The Blue Jackets have only played four games inside the division, and the Flyers five.But it might be safe to conclude already that it just ain't happening this season for the Devils, Hurricanes, and Islanders - victims of the best division in hockey.Copyright © 2016 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 Thursday, Dec. 15 (all advanced stats are at 5v5 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):Triple Threat

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.A lot of fantasy hockey player analysis looks primarily at those going from a relative unknown to being a viable fantasy asset. Alternatively, players losing their fantasy relevancy and becoming non-assets also receive plenty of attention.Here we'll look at some players who began the season as mid-tier options but so far have produced among the league's best in at least one offensive category. Is their status among the elite cemented or should their owners be thankful for what they've received in terms of production and now move on?RW Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay LightningKucherov is on pace to shatter the career high of 66 points he set in 77 games last season. He has 13 goals and 30 points through the opening 28 games, with five goals and nine points in the 12 games since C Steven Stamkos fell to injury (leg). He is averaging three shots on goal per game for the season, with the number rising to 3.4 since Stamkos last played.He has most frequently played with C Tyler Johnson and LW Ondrej Palat as the Lightning's top line at 5v5. He has a Corsi For rating of 52.03 at 5v5, per Corsica.Hockey. His team averages 9.73 scoring chances per 60 minutes of 5v5 play while he's on the ice, contributing to an expected goals for per 60 of 2.66.Kucherov should easily top his career-best 30 goals this season and even approach 80 points. He'll rank among the league leaders in SOG and roughly a third of his production will continue to come on the power play.C Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg JetsScheifele is in a four-way tie for 10th in league scoring, two points behind Kucherov with one additional game played. His 14 goals through 29 games have him on pace to top last year's career-high of 29 and his 28 total points thus far are already nearly halfway to last year's total.He is taking less shots this season, partially due to the emergence of Ws Patrik Laine and Nikolaj Ehlers. His 19.2 shooting percentage is a career best and is unsustainable, but even a regression toward the career rate of 13.1 will allow him to top 30 goals. Just five of his points have come via the power play, so he could see an uptick in special teams production.He surprisingly owns a negative Corsi rating at 5v5 and the Jets allow more scoring chances per 60 minutes than they generate with Scheifele on the ice. Still, Scheifle has enough talent on his wings and the return of C Bryan Little will afford him some increased opportunities against easier competition. He's another quality candidate for 80-plus points with 30 goals.C Ryan Kesler, Anaheim DucksKesler is having a resurgent season with 25 points through the opening 30 games, after totaling 205 points in 331 games over his past five seasons. He's on pace for 33 goals in a full 82 games, though his 16.7 shooting percentage is considerably above his career rate.Increased power-play opportunity has been a major boon, as 12 of his 25 points have come with the man advantage. He has already played 93.19 minutes at 5v4 this season, after totaling just 157.22 minutes and 12 PPP last year.Kesler is well on his way toward a fourth consecutive 20-goal season, likely to finish closer to 25. Expect up to 60 points, with his value boosted by blocked shots, hits and penalty minutes in banger leagues.RW Alexander Radulov, Montreal CanadiensRadulov is tied with now-injured teammate C Alex Galchenyuk for 34th in league scoring. He has just six goals, but 17 assists on the season. He is averaging two SOG per game, with his 11.1 shooting percentage being lower than in any of his previous three NHL seasons.The Canadiens have loaded up their top line with C Tomas Plekanec, Radulov and LW Max Pacioretty, while Galchenyuk and C David Desharnais are sidelined by injury. It's a measure which should help any potential slump Radulov would have been facing without his primary centerman.Seven of Radulov's 11 assists at 5v5 have been primary, showing likely continued production in the category without luck having been much of a factor. His seven power-play points account for roughly a third of his point total, meeting expectation with 73.4 minutes played at 5v4.Radulov should still be expected to reach 20 goals, with 60-70 points being well within reach.G Devan Dubnyk, Minnesota WildDubnyk leads the NHL in both save percentage (.947) and goals against average (1.60) with both numbers easily representing career bests. He has won 14 of his 23 starts, picking up four shutouts which are just one shy of his career best totals from each of the past two seasons.While the Wild do a good job of limiting opponent shots, Dubnyk is facing the seventh-closest average shot distance of all goalies with at least 800 minutes played at 5v5, at 33.19 feet. His 19 rebound shots against are the fewest of all goalies and only six goalies have faced fewer than Dubnyk's 35 rush shots faced.The Wild rank ninth with 2.82 goals for per game, while its 1.96 goals against per game is easily the best mark in the league. Minnesota is a likely playoff team, so Dubnyk should have a quality wins total with an extremely heavy workload. His SV% and GAA are destined for at least mild regression, but he at least needs to be considered within the middle of the top tier of goaltenders.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Each week, theScore looks at the teams, players, and other hockey figures trending upward and taking a step back.▲ Devan DubnykDevan Dubnyk delivers. Since arriving in Minnesota in January 2015, he's taken on an impressive workload and made the most of it.The lanky veteran ranks among the best goaltenders since that time, with the most games played and the most shutouts, plus second-best finishes in wins, goals-against average, and save percentage.Dubnyk's success in the Wild's crease has continued this season, as he boasts the NHL's best GAA at 1.60, in addition to a mind-boggling .947 save percentage. After allowing just 37 goals in 23 games and coming away with 14 wins, there's no doubt he continues to be the MVP in St. Paul.Dubnyk manned the crease through the Wild's December bounce back, winning five games in a row of the six they've played in the month. He hasn't lost in regulation since a 3-2 defeat to the Colorado Avalanche on Nov. 19.▼ Cory SchneiderAfter an incredible season last year, Cory Schneider has been incredibly pedestrian in 2016-17. Through 21 games, Schneider's captured just nine wins while owning an inflated 2.83 GAA and a very average .907 save percentage.From another angle: 13 goaltenders who have played as many games as Schneider own a better save percentage.Last season, Schneider posted an impressive .924 mark with 27 wins through 58 games. The New Jersey Devils need more of that kind of performance if the team is to snap its postseason drought and grab a playoff berth for the first time since 2012. That's already a tall task in the ever-competitive Atlantic. The Devils sit nine points back of a wild-card seed, so there's no doubt Schneider feels the pressure.▲ Alexander WennbergNow we know why the Columbus Blue Jackets could afford to move a top center in Ryan Johansen to bring in stud defenseman Seth Jones: Their next top center was waiting in the wings.Alexander Wennberg is a key reason why the Blue Jackets own one of the NHL's top records through mid-December. In just his third NHL season, the 22-year-old has already put 24 points on the board, on pace for a 73-point campaign. As a bonus, two of his six goals on the year have come as game-winners.▼ Anze KopitarIn the absence of starting goaltender Jonathan Quick, the Los Angeles Kings have looked to their offense to the carry the load, and that means expecting more production from new captain Anze Kopitar.But fresh off signing a long-term extension with the club that pays him $10 million a year, Kopitar's scoring prowess has been beyond disappointing.Through 23 games, Kopitar has registered just three goals and is on pace for just 50 points. Previously, his worst full season was his 61-point rookie campaign. The Slovenian center averaged 69 points a year over the past three seasons, and that's the sort of play that's helped him win two Stanley Cups already. Los Angeles currently sits outside the postseason picture, though, and the playoffs are no certainty for the Kings without a turnaround by Kopitar.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Auston Matthews, basically a Toronto Maple Leafs legend three months into his career.The 19-year-old has 13 goals after another tally Tuesday, making it seven in nine games after a 13-game drought. He's on pace to score 38, which would put him in some exclusive company:

The Pittsburgh Penguins have sure treated their fans, haven't they?With their 4-3 triumph over the Boston Bruins in overtime on Wednesday night, the Penguins fashioned a winning streak of at least seven games for the 10th consecutive season, according to NHL Public Relations.They are the first franchise in history to accomplish the feat, according to Jason Kay via the Elias Sports Bureau.Sidney Crosby was a second-year professional, and Evgeni Malkin a rookie, back in 2006-07 - the last time the Penguins failed to go on a seven-game run.They would, however, have two six-game win streaks in the month of January alone that season, collecting points in 16 straight games.Pittsburgh will aim for eight in a row, and match its longest win streak from last year, with a victory Friday over the Los Angeles Kings.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

DENVER - Roman Lyubimov and Brayden Schenn scored 1:46 apart in the third period to help the Philadelphia Flyers to their 10th straight victory, 4-3 over the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday.The Flyers have their longest winning streak since a franchise-best 13-game run in 1985.Off a Colorado turnover in its own zone, Lyubimov slapped the go-ahead goal past Calvin Pickard 3:30 into the third. Schenn added to the lead with his fifth goal in his last three games.Wayne Simmonds and Michael Del Zotto also scored, and Steve Mason stopped 26 shots.Pickard, starting in place of injured Semyon Varlamov, made 21 saves. Matt Duchene had two goals and Rene Bourque also scored for the Avalanche. They have lost five straight at home and eight of their last 10 overall.Duchene scored his second goal of the night to make 4-3 with 4:45 remaining. Mason denied the equalizer despite an aggressive Colorado attack after Pickard was pulled with 1:31 left.Earlier, Duchene put back a rebound off Mason to give Colorado a 2-1 lead 16:34 into second, but Simmonds tied it 23 seconds later with his 16th goal of the season, fourth-most in the league.The Flyers appeared to score again 78 seconds after that, but Pierre-Edouard Bellemare's goal was overturned after video replay deemed that he tipped in the goal with a high stick.Things got chippy after that. Gabriel Landeskog laid out Michael Raffl with a big hit, causing Landeskog and Jakub Voracek to drop the gloves. Both got in a few shots before Voracek fell to the ice.The Flyers got on the board first with Del Zotto's goal 4:01 into the second. Del Zotto took a crossing pass from Giroux but Pickard slid across the crease to deny his initial chance. The puck fluttered into the air and dropped back into the crease before Del Zotto swiped in his own rebound into the back of the net for his fourth goal of the season. Bourque tied it 12:14 into the second with his ninth goal of the year.Note: The Avalanche recalled goalie Spencer Martin from San Antonio to serve as backup while Varlamov is day-to-day with a groin injury. ... Philadelphia D Shayne Gostisbehere returned after missing one game with a swollen right hand, while fellow defenseman Mark Streit is expected to be out two weeks with a shoulder injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Team Canada has its roster for the World Junior Championships, as the final round of cuts from selection camp poured in Wednesday night.Canada cut forwards Zach Senyshyn (Sault Ste Marie - OHL) and Sam Steel (Regina - WHL), defensemen Guillaume Brisebois (Charlottetown - QMJHL) and Samuel Girard (Shawinigan - QMJHL), and goaltender Michael McNiven (Owen Sound - OHL).With that, here's the 22-man roster for the tournament in Toronto and Montreal:ForwardsNameTeam AgeDylan StromeErie (OHL)19Matthew BarzalSeattle (WHL)19Julien GauthierVal d'Or (QMJHL)19Mitchell StephensSaginaw (OHL)19Anthony CirelliOshawa (OHL)19Dillon DubeKelowna (WHL)18Pierre-Luc DuboisCape Breton Screaming Eagles (QMJHL)18Tyson JostNorth Dakota (NCAA)18Mathieu JosephSaint John (QMJHL)19Michael McLeodMississauga (OHL)18Taylor RaddyshErie (OHL)18Nicolas RoyChicoutimi (QMJHL)19Blake SpeersSault Ste Marie (OHL)19DefenseNameTeam AgeJake BeanCalgary (WHL)18Thomas ChabotSaint John (QMJHL)19Kale ClagueBrandon (WHL)18Dante FabbroBoston University (NCAA)18Noah JuulsenEverett (WHL)19Jeremy LauzonRouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)19Phillipe MyersRouyn-Noranda (QMJHL)19GoaliesNameTeam AgeCarter HartEverett (WHL)18Connor IngramKamloops (WHL)19Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Erik Karlsson was steaming following a loss to the San Jose Sharks, and not only because of the result.The Ottawa Senators' star defenseman took issue with an incident behind the play involving Marc-Edouard Vlasic."Well I mean I'm down in the corner battling and I lose my stick. The play is gone and I'm reaching for it and he tries to pitchfork me in the face and I'm lucky that I'm looking down," Karlsson told reporters after the game.Here's the play in question:The play caught the attention of Ottawa's bench, and prompted Kyle Turris to engage Vlasic in a fight, earning an instigating penalty for his efforts. The act wasn't lost on Karlsson."As far as I'm concerned that's a dangerous play, intentional, and I've got to give it to (Turris) for sticking up for me and I'm happy I didn't lose my cool and do something stupid."Vlasic's actions weren't spotted by the officials, but may get another look from the league.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pittsburgh appears to be just what Justin Schultz needed.The Penguins acquired the 26-year-old rearguard from the Edmonton Oilers - where his career never took off - in February, and rewarded Schultz with a one-year contract after a strong run en route to the Stanley Cup.Fast forward to this season, and Schultz continues to prove his worth in black and yellow.Coming off a three-point night versus the Bruins on Wednesday, Schultz is up to 17 points (five goals, 12 assists) in 30 games this season. That's two points behind Penguins' No. 1 Kris Letang, and more than the likes of Nick Bonino, Chris Kunitz, and Carl Hagelin.Schultz's boss has taken notice:

Brent Burns clearly has a supporter in Joe Thornton.Following the San Jose Sharks shootout win Wednesday over the Ottawa Senators in which Burns scored a beautiful goal, the veteran center hailed the standout blue-liner as simply the best there is."He's the best player in the world," Thornton told reporters after the game. "Not just the best defenseman. The best player in the world."At the very least, Thornton maintains, Burns should be a lock for the Norris Trophy."If he just plays 50 more games, the Norris is just waiting for him. It's that easy for him."Burns and Erik Karlsson are tied for first in points among defensemen with 28, while his 13 goals put him five ahead of Shea Weber in that category.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators forward Mike Hoffman earned an early exit Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks.During the third period, Hoffman leveled a cross check to the back of Logan Couture's head, with both immediate and likely further consequences.

David Krejci's fifth goal of the season was a pure display of skill and hand-eye coordination.Left all alone at the top of Matt Murray's crease, the Boston Bruins center gathered a loose puck with a quick kick of the skate.He immediately slid the puck past Murray's extended pad for a short-lived lead over the Pittsburgh Penguins.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Not a whole lot of defenseman can pull off plays like this. Brent Burns, however, is one of the few.The San Jose Sharks stalwart blue-liner deked his way through Ottawa's coverage Wednesday night, and beat Mike Condon with a fancy finish.The goal was Burns' 13th of the season, and tops - by a long shot - among NHL defensemen.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chris Neil played his 1,000th NHL game Saturday in Los Angeles, and prior to Tuesday's contest versus the Sharks, the Ottawa Senators' longtime enforcer was recognized for the accomplishment in front of his home fans.The only other Senators to play 1,000 games - Daniel Alfredsson and Chris Phillips - presented Neil with a silver stick, while Neil's wife, kids, and members of Ottawa's ownership were on hand for the ceremony.Neil has played his entire career with the Senators, who drafted him 161st overall in 1998.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Auston Matthews had this one circled for a while.The centerpiece of the Toronto Maple Leafs' future will get a taste of home on Thursday night, as his childhood-favorite Arizona Coyotes roll into town."It definitely means a lot," Matthews said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. "It's where I grew up, it's the team I watched."Matthews hails from Scottsdale, Ariz., and while he's just 28 games into his NHL career, the 19-year-old is easily the biggest name to come out the area - traditionally considered the opposite of a hockey hotbed.Despite the small market and the continuous organizational turmoil, however, it was always the Coyotes for Matthews."(When I was a kid) it was everything - mini-sticks, jerseys and everything,” he said. “I’ve still got some in my closet. I played for the Jr. Coyotes program growing up a little bit so I have a couple of those old jerseys and stuff hanging around.”Matthews was first introduced to hockey upon the Coyotes' 1996 arrival in Phoenix, one year before he was born. And as he quickly grows into one of the NHL's brightest stars, it's easy to believe Matthews' presence will continue to grow the game in Southwest USA.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers are maintaining the status quo.In light of general manager Tom Rowe's recent appointment to interim head coach, Dale Tallon was reported to be resuming control of managerial duties on top of his role as president of hockey operations, according to TSN's Darren Dreger.Not so, says the club's president and CEO:

After only seven short days, the NHL's top two defensemen will once again put their skills on display on the same sheet of ice, Wednesday night in Ottawa.Round 1 between Erik Karlsson and Brent Burns went to the Senators in San Jose on Dec. 7, as the former led his team to a 4-2 win over the Sharks.The damage done from Karlsson's end? One goal, two assists, two shots, and two blocked shots in 26:19 of play. Burns scored a goal of his own in a losing effort, keeping pace with the NHL's highest-scoring defenseman.With all due respect to the likes of Shea Weber, P.K. Subban, Drew Doughty, Ryan Suter, and Kris Letang (among others), the Norris Trophy race is - at present - a two-horse affair. Here's a look at how Karlsson and Burns stack up heading into their rematch.PlayerGamesIce Time/GPGoalsAssistsPointsShotsErik Karlsson2927:017202771Brent Burns2924:28121428125Without the puck, Karlsson leads all defensemen with 79 blocked shots - compared to 55 by Burns - while the Senator tops the Shark in terms of takeaways by a margin of 20-19.Add it all up, and Karlsson would appear to have the slight advantage, although Burns could alter the conversation by stealing the show in Ottawa.Either way, hockey fans will be in for a treat as these two go head-to-head for the final time this regular season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tyler Myers' recovery from an injured back meant a return to skating last week, but the towering defenseman hasn't made advancements since.Winnipeg Jets coach Paul Maurice told reporters Wednesday that Myers has "plateaued" in his recovery, and will be held out of the lineup until he takes the necessary steps in his progression.Originally deemed day to day, Myers has now missed more than a month of action, and 16 games.Myers averaged a little more than 22 minutes nightly and chipped in with five points before departing with his injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Fitting in wasn't the problem for the San Jose Sharks.An expansion franchise that swiftly integrated after a brief transitional period, the Sharks became the standard small markets would be measured against as they built a foundation for success and sustainability. Both for themselves and the NHL.They were exceptionally consistent. Seven 100-point seasons and six Pacific Division banners within a 16-season run that saw them qualify for the Stanley Cup Playoffs on 15 occasions.Yet, they somehow remained unexceptional as a group. Each season ended in the same devastation, and the team, seemingly more fragmented.They became predictable, dysfunctional, labelled, unoriginal, a punch line.Until they weren't.It's impossible to pinpoint the exact moment when it all clicked, though missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade, changing coaches, Joe Thornton's liberation, and the influence of Brent Burns have all definitely played a role.Regardless, these Sharks are undeniably different - different from their former selves, and different from just about everyone else.They have broken from convention, these sudden nonconformists. It's made all the difference.Our speedIt's a simple demonstration, one likely made to drive home a point back in your minor hockey days. Line the fastest skater up on one goal line, and have them race the puck to the other end. See who wins.This basic premise is partly the reason the Sharks remain a dominant team in an NHL that's getting faster and faster with every veteran career that comes to an unplanned close.As the rest of the league looks to enlist speed, the Sharks continue to combat it with the art of puck movement."There's something to be said for being able to move the puck," defenseman Paul Martin told theScore. "You see it on power plays, and with teams that can move it better. Creating movement leads to better percentages, scoring more goals."Except so much goes into moving the puck efficiently. First, it requires a system from innovative and adaptable leadership from scenario to scenario. That requires personnel that understands its inner workings on an exhaustive level and is capable of carrying it out involuntarily, and with enough pace to maintain gaps with the opponent.All teams have some structure in place. But as teams implement defensive strategies, inevitably disrupting the formulated process, San Jose can fall back on instinct, and rapport developed between elite players who have been with the organization for many years.Even still, for a talented, veteran team, there are nights when the puck just isn't being moved as crisp as it needs to.That's when the Sharks feel the NHL's direction."When the puck is not going to the spots that it's normally going, you don't feel as fast," said Patrick Marleau. "If everyone knows where it's going, you're faster, you're on the puck. That's where you see (team speed)."Man-childNowadays, there's just a select group with the requisite skills to score goals with regularity in the NHL. So teams will invariably devise ways to feed those who can.In many cases, it's that dominant No. 1 center always at the point of attack or a sniper on the wing, and in others, a stationary force on the power play. For the Sharks, however, it's a converted rover, this "man-child," whose personality is as loud as his shot.Brent Burns is as impactful as any NHL player relative to his position, and in an attack that features slam-dunk future Hall of Fame center Joe Thornton and Joe Pavelski - the player with the third-most goals over the last five years - he is the centerpiece."If teams take (Burns) away, then something else will open up," Marleau said about the attention the defenseman commands. "He's making plays even if he's not in the play. It's (not the end all, be all) if we can't get him the puck. If it's there great, if not, someone else is going to be open."Still, more often than not it's the veritable Norris Trophy candidate. Burns leads the Sharks with 12 goals and has a co-share of the team lead with 26 points, or one less than Erik Karlsson.Burns' influence, though, is beyond production. In many respects, and past Thornton's decision to sport a similarly stringy beard, Burns represents the cultural leader for a team that flipped a previously acrimonious persona.His wide, toothless grin, and untroubled attitude represents the shared outlook of a team that no longer appears to hold grudges, or cares who's captain, or engaged in spats with management, or dwells on past failures.This is meant to be fun.Get awayHe didn't even have time to fulfill his postgame obligation.San Jose just survived a late push to secure an eighth straight win on home ice over the Montreal Canadiens earlier this month. In this case, the avoidance of extra time was absolutely critical, but Pete DeBoer had to high-tail it out of the arena, anyway.Coach had a flight to catch.The destination, well, that was no one's business but his own. After completing their 10th game in 18 nights, the Sharks had the entire weekend to themselves. DeBoer wasn't to be heard from until Monday.To say this was a rarity would be a significant understatement. Hockey players simply don't get weekends off. This is a concession made in midget. As Joel Ward put it, in the throes of the season, they have little comprehension of what day the calendar's fallen on: "It's either game day or non-game day."So this opportunity wasn't about to be approached lightly; you can be certain Burns' backpack was stuffed full."It was the first time I've ever had one, at least since I can remember," Martin said, as he thought back on his decades in the sport. "I think a lot of it is that mental break, too. Just get away from the game, relax, re-charge the battery. And then you're refreshed coming back on Monday."Activities varied from player to player, with Martin touring wine country with friends and Ward navigating the local sports landscape to considerable effect: "It was an action-packed sports weekend. Sharks, Warriors, and Raiders."Ultimately, it's the schedule that dictates when a team will get its rest. But for an older club that puts in laborious mileage, managing fatigue and prioritizing rest has been a focal point under DeBoer, and a factor many believe to be a contributor to their success.No longer wondering if they'll have time off, the Sharks can worry about the best way to use it.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

On Wednesday, Los Angeles Kings general manager Dean Lombardi provided an update on the health status of Jonathan Quick, and in the process shared the rationale behind not acquiring a goaltender to fill the void until his No. 1's anticipated mid-February return.He said that teams are reluctant to part with one of their two active goalies due to the threat of injury, which has directed conversations to the "third man on the depth chart," according to LA Kings Insider Jon Rosen.Lombardi also mentioned that the upcoming expansion draft has factored into his thinking as well."Number one: you've got a number one goalie coming back, (and) two: with expansion coming, if he is a top guy you're going to lose him, so how much are you going to give up for a two-month asset?"He compared the situation to losing a starting quarterback, and attempting to replace that player with options that simply don't offer the same standard.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Few celebrities touched the hockey world like Alan Thicke.The beloved Canadian actor and hockey fan passed away Tuesday after suffering a heart attack. In his memory, hockey fans can recall five moments when Thicke graced the game:Ceremonial FaceoffAn entry into a new hockey market could call on former NHL stars to help grow the game, but the Tampa Bay Lightning went a different route, tapping Thicke to emcee the opening festivities of the club's inaugural game, as well as drop the puck in a ceremonial faceoff between the Lightning and Chicago Blackhawks.Celebrity Fan

Former NHL coach Ron Wilson is in rehabilitation after suffering a stroke, reports Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times.Wilson, 61, last coached in the NHL in 2012 as the bench boss of the Toronto Maple Leafs. He spent four seasons in Toronto after previous stints with the San Jose Sharks, Washington Capitals, and Anaheim Ducks. His 648 career wins ranks 10th all time.Wilson most recently coached Team USA at the 2016 World Junior Championships in Finland.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The United States will be without potential returning forward Brock Boeser at the World Junior Hockey Championship later this month.Boeser, a first-round draft pick of the Vancouver Canucks, is reportedly slated for right wrist surgery, the University of North Dakota announced Wednesday.The sophomore winger had seven goals and 16 points in 13 games before he was injured.He's expected to return to the Fighting Hawks lineup next month.Boeser had a goal and three points at the tournament last year.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jonathan Quick's timeline has been pushed back.The Los Angeles Kings' No. 1 goaltender isn't expected to return until mid-February, general manager Dean Lombardi clarified Wednesday with Helene Elliott of the Los Angeles Times.Quick was initially expected to miss about three months with a groin injury suffered on opening night after having a minor procedure in lieu of major surgery.Lombardi added that he's not currently willing to "throw the kitchen sink" at the team's goaltending issues to find a solution.The Kings are currently tied for the final wild-card spot in the Western Conference despite owning the league's second-worst team save percentage at .896.Peter Budaj's performance while spelling Quick in the Kings' cage has dipped after a hot start in his return to the NHL, having authored a save rate of just .859 over four December starts.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers need more jump in their game.That was the message from Tom Rowe, the Panthers' general manager and interim head coach, following Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Minnesota Wild."It's a bad loss. We didn't generate enough scoring changes," Rowe told reporters. "We outshot them, I get it, but the shots were from the outside and we didn't have enough guys going to the net. It's a part of the game we're going to have to continually work on."The Panthers outshot the Wild 30-22, but were only able to slip one by Wild goaltender Devan Dubnyk, beating him with 4:24 left to play."Guys are going to understand that if you're going to play in the NHL, then you need to show up every single day," Rowe added. "You can't show up when you feel like it."Since replacing Gerald Gallant behind the bench, Rowe has posted a record of 2-2-3, grabbing five points in seven games. With 30 points in as many games, Florida sits fifth place in the Atlantic, four points shy of a playoff position.Copyright © 2016 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 Wednesday, Dec. 14 (all advanced stats are at 5v5 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):Triple Threat

"Do or do not. There is no try."Motivation is a powerful tool, and it's one players and coaches use to their advantage whenever possible.Players often practice self-motivation, and their inspiration can range from real, difficult circumstances to perceived slights and manufactured rivalries.Here are three NHL stars on a mission in 2016-17:Patrik LaineLaine had a built-in narrative leading up to June's draft, when Auston Matthews was considered the consensus choice to be selected first overall.The Finnish sensation insisted he, not Matthews should be chosen first, but the American star was taken by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the top pick, dropping Laine into the collective lap of the Winnipeg Jets.Since then, much has been written about the Laine-Matthews debate and supposed rivalry.Laine's case gained some steam when he capped off a hat trick with the overtime winner in his first meeting with Matthews and the Leafs in October.He ranks third in the NHL and leads all rookies with 17 goals, leads the rookie class with 25 points, and tops all rookie forwards in average time on ice. Matthews has a respectable 13 goals and 22 points in 28 games after authoring a historic four-goal debut.Both players will undoubtedly be great for years to come, but Laine's production at a younger age shows he's fully embraced playing with a proverbial chip on his shoulder, even if he still has some learning to do.Shea WeberWeber came into the season with plenty to prove after many considered him the inferior end of the summer's most stunning transaction when it was consummated between the Montreal Canadiens and the Nashville Predators.He's played like a man on a mission early on, ranking in the top ten in the league in points among defensemen while logging his customary hefty workload of more than 25 minutes per game.Weber may not be the better player in the long run (or have the more favorable contract), but he's been far from disappointing as he continues to adjust to his new role on the Canadiens' blue line.The 31-year-old is currently mired in a seven-game pointless streak, but he's being relied upon heavily on Montreal's back end and has proven he's up to the challenge so far.P.K. SubbanThe other player involved in of the blockbuster trade has plenty of motivation in his own right.Subban put up with plenty of unfounded criticism of his game and character before and after the trade that shipped him from Montreal to Nashville.The 2013 Norris Trophy winner's production has never been questioned, but he's no doubt playing with something to prove as he continues to make an impression down south.Subban has one fewer point than Weber with a game in hand, and he trails him in average ice time by less than 45 seconds.More importantly, he appears to be having fun again, even while he sets out to prove Montreal's management made a mistake.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

EDMONTON, Alberta - Sam Gagner had a goal and an assist, and the streaking Columbus Blue Jackets won their seventh straight game by beating the Edmonton Oilers 3-1 on Tuesday night.Cam Atkinson and Matt Calvert also scored to help the Blue Jackets (18-5-4) improve to 8-0-1 in their last nine games.Tyler Pitlick had the goal for the Oilers (15-12-5), who have lost five of six.Edmonton got on the scoreboard first, just past the midpoint of the opening period as a hard-charging Pitlick got to a rebound in the blue paint and chipped it over Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.The Oilers appeared to add another with 4 minutes left in the first, but officials determined forward Zack Kassian interfered with the goalie on the play.Columbus tied the game on a power play 8 minutes into the second period when Gagner came back to hurt his old team. The puck went off the toe of his skate and past Edmonton goalie Cam Talbot for Gagner's fourth goal in the last four games and 12th of the season.The Blue Jackets made it 2-1 at 7:10 of the third as a pass deflected to Atkinson and he hammered his 11th of the season past Talbot.Columbus added to its lead 1:36 later when Calvert took advantage of a sloppy Oilers line change and rifled a shot off Talbot's arm and into the net.The Blue Jackets completely took over in the third and were outshooting Edmonton 12-0 midway through the period.NOTES: It was the first of two meetings between the teams this season. The other one is Jan. 3 in Columbus. ... Oilers D Brandon Davidson played his first game since injuring his shoulder in the season opener Oct. 12 against Calgary. It was good news for Edmonton, which announced that fellow defenseman Darnell Nurse could miss up to three months following ankle surgery. ... Columbus captain Nick Foligno returned to the lineup after missing two games with the flu.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.