Riding a win streak that matches the franchise's best across two decades, and is the longest in the NHL this season, the Philadelphia Flyers deserve the soft portion of the schedule that lies ahead.Yet, based on the level they're at right now, rest might prove to be unfavorable.With their ninth straight victory secured with Brayden Schenn's overtime winner versus the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday, the Flyers have collected 18 points in a span of 15 days, and have taken a provisional share of the lead in the hotly-contested Metropolitan Division.The Flyers didn't have more than one day of rest between games on this nine-game run, the feverish stretch included two sets of back-to-backs and three single-game road trips.Nine wins from 23 games had them on pace for 78 points before kick-starting the streak with a 5-3 win over the Calgary Flames on Nov. 27. They're now on pace for 103.Individually, Philadelphia now boasts three players in the top 11 in NHL scoring. With 15 points in 15 days, and two four-point outings, Jakub Voracek ranks second behind only Connor McDavid in total production, while Claude Giroux and Wayne Simmonds scaled the board with 11 and nine points over that span, respectively.Philadelphia will meet the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday with the chance to establish the longest franchise win streak since the club reeled off 13 victories in a row in 1985. The Flyers won't play again after that until Saturday, when they visit the Dallas Stars.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Minnesota's 3-1 win over the Blues was particularly special for Eric Staal.The veteran pivot recorded his 800th NHL point Sunday, banking an assist on Mikael Granlund's empty netter.

Brayden Schenn is at it again.After netting a hat trick in Saturday's win over the Stars, Schenn delivered the overtime winner on a beautiful effort Sunday to extend Philadelphia's winning ways.Now at nine games, the Flyers own the longest winning streak in the NHL this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

California wasn't very loving to the Ottawa Senators this weekend.On the annual three-game western swing, the Sens finished 1-2, with the two losses coming in ugly fashion on back-to-back days.After a 4-1 loss to the Kings on Saturday, Ottawa followed up with a 5-1 dud against Anaheim. Suffice to say, head coach Guy Boucher isn't happy about the results."It was a no-show all around. Not good," Boucher told reporters after the game, according to Abbey Mastracco of NHL.com. "We wanted to rebound from yesterday. We played a hard game yesterday and it didn't turn out our way but we didn't give much to the opponent and played a physical game. Today, we didn't play a physical game at all."The Senators' recent undoing has been their penalty kill, which allowed three goals to both the Kings and Ducks to drop the previously fifth-ranked unit all the way to 23rd in the league (80.4%).Ottawa now heads home, and will host San Jose on Wednesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's a reason Evgeny Kuznetsov is the fourth-fastest player in Washington Capitals history to bag 100 assists.Kuznetsov hit the triple-digit total in spectacular fashion Sunday night, dishing from a danger-scoring area to a cutting Justin Williams, who had an exposed net as a result of his linemate's recognition.With points in four straight games, and four primary assists over the span, Kuznetsov's heating up after a slow start to his third full season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The John Scott movie has been put to paper.That's what we gather from the image shared Sunday on Instagram by the recently retired former enforcer and All-Star Game MVP.

Dallas Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak has been suspended two games for a hit to the head of Philadelphia Flyers forward Chris VandeVelde, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Sunday.Oleksiak was assessed the suspension for "making the head the main point of contact on a hit where such head contact was avoidable," according to the league.The Stars blue-liner caught VandeVelde up high immediately after the Flyers center took a shot on goal in the third period of Saturday's game.In addition to missing a pair of games, Oleksiak will also forfeit about $10,000.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Max Pacioretty's a pretty good quote.The Montreal Canadiens captain was asked about the influence of Alex Radulov, one of his newest teammates, by NHL.com's Arpon Basu after Saturday's thrashing of the Colorado Avalanche, and No. 67 gave an interesting - and long - answer."It's tough for me to express how I feel about how important he is because ... how dynamic he plays not only is great to produce offense but it rubs off on our entire lineup," Pacioretty said. "I know it's rubbed off on me since I've been on his line."If we're going to learn anything about Radulov from Pacioretty, it's that the Russian is as dynamic as dynamic can get, and that dynamic-ness is helping Pacioretty play more dynamic."I feel like I'm playing much more dynamic, I'm making the plays when they're there," Pacioretty added. "But I owe a lot of that to him because it's not just making the plays with him, but seeing him do it night in and night out. That's kind of that Russian mentality. Some of these guys come over here and, him especially, he's not worried about the turnover last shift. He's just worried about the next shift and playing dynamic and trying to make the play when it's there."It appears Radulov's ability to treat each shift as simply one shift is what Pacioretty is taking to heart."I think sometimes we turn into a bit of robots playing over in North America where you had a bad shift before, you made a turnover and you might not try it the next shift. That might creep into your head. But you see him do it, every shift he goes out there with almost a clean slate, trying to play dynamic and trying to make the right play when it's there. It's just a lot of fun to play with and I feel it's rubbed off on our lineup and we've seen some results from it."After Pacioretty's four-goal and five-point outburst Saturday, he leads the Habs in scoring with 24 points. He's the only Canadien with 10 or more goals. Behind him in points is Radulov, with 23, and he's averaging only 16:35 in ice time per game.Based on Radulov's production and his captain's comments, it's clear Marc Bergevin nailed this free-agent signing.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki has been suspended two games for boarding Los Angeles Kings forward Tyler Toffoli on Saturday, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Sunday.Borowiecki received a five-minute major for the check, which occurred along the half wall early in the first period of the Kings' 4-1 win.The Senators blueliner hit Toffoli "forcefully through (the) numbers, driving him dangerously into the glass," according to the league.Borowiecki, who'd never been fined or suspended prior to Sunday's decision, will also forfeit about $12,000.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A familiar face is no longer occupying the New York Rangers' crease, but he appears to be at peace with the decision.Henrik Lundqvist has ceded starting duties to backup netminder Antti Raanta, who'll lead the Rangers out for the third straight game Sunday against the New Jersey Devils.It will be the first time Lundqvist sits against the Devils at Madison Square Garden in about 10 years, according to Newsday's Steve Zipay.Losing a starting job can't be easy, particularly for someone so accustomed to having one, but Lundqvist is saying all the right things."If (Raanta) hadn't played that well and I'm still sitting here, that would be hard to accept," the one-time Vezina Trophy winner told Zipay, later adding. "It's about what's best for the team right now, it's not about me."Raanta is 7-1-0 with a 1.83 GAA and a .939 save percentage in 10 games, and he's allowed only three goals combined in his last three starts, including back-to-back victories Thursday and Friday that culminated in a shutout of the Chicago Blackhawks.Lundqvist has shouldered a heavier workload, as expected, but his performance hasn't been inspiring. He's 12-8-1 with a 2.55 GAA and a .912 save percentage in 21 contests."Antti is definitely playing well and deserves to play tonight and that’s what we’re doing," Rangers head coach Alain Vigneault said Sunday, adding, "(Henrik)'s like all our players, (he has) a team-first attitude and right now, there's no doubt Antti's playing well and deserves to play."Whether it's a changing of the guard or simply a case of riding the hot hand, Lundqvist isn't questioning it."You know I like to play and a lot of times that's how I get into a nice rhythm, but (it's) hard to argue when Antti's playing that well," he said.Despite the Rangers' back-to-back wins, they've cooled off a bit since their scorching start and now trail the Pittsburgh Penguins - who have the same number of points but hold a game in hand - for the Metropolitan Division lead.Lundqvist hasn't played since he allowed four goals in a loss to the New York Islanders last Tuesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Pennsylvania, stand up.Pittsburgh and Philadelphia are hot as can be right now. The Penguins have won five in a row and sit atop the Metropolitan Division with 39 points. The Flyers are riding an eight-game winning streak and are two points behind. Both clubs are offensive dynamos.Team Goals Per Game (Rank) Power Play % (Rank)Flyers3.2 (4th)25 (1st)Penguins3.4 (2nd)19.6 (12th)And each team boasts its own version of a "Big Three."In Pittsburgh, Sidney Crosby is leading the way, of course, scoring at the highest rate of his career - 0.91 goals per game. His 31 points are third-most in the league.Right behind him, though, are Evgeni Malkin (12 goals, 18 assists) and Phil Kessel (nine goals, 21 assists), who are loving life together on the second line.Any line Crosby is on is dominating possession. You could be on No. 87's wing and the Penguins would still have the puck.Malkin, Kessel, and Carl Hagelin, meanwhile, are dominating, too, with a Corsi For rating of 61.70 percent, according to Corsica Hockey. Malkin's taken over at center for playoff hero Nick Bonino, making a potent - and fast - line that much stronger.Brotherly loveOn the east side of the state, meanwhile, a triumvirate is giving the Penguins' threesome a run for its money.Jakub Voracek has 11 goals - as many as he scored last season - in 30 games. His 32 points trail only Connor McDavid. Claude Giroux's got 29 points, tying him for eighth in the league, while Wayne Simmonds has 27, tied for 11th. Simmonds' 15 goals rank fourth in the NHL.Between both teams, the production between the six is off the charts and very even.Big 3GoalsAssistsPointsFlyers355388Penguins415091In the one meeting between Pittsburgh and Philly this season, on Oct. 29, a 5-4 Penguins win, the six combined for eight goals and three assists - at least one was involved in 10 of the 11 goals scored.Big 3 Goals Assists PointsFlyers415Penguins426The Flyers and Penguins will meet three times in slightly over a month beginning on Feb. 25. Fun.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 Sunday, December 11 (games starting prior to 7 p.m. ET are not included; all advanced stats are at 5v5 and courtesy of Corsica.Hockey):Triple Threat

Not long ago, the Calgary Flames' collective hand hovered over the panic button.What a difference a new month makes.The Flames routed the Winnipeg Jets to earn their sixth consecutive victory Saturday, sliding into first place in the paltry Pacific Division while improving to 8-1-1 in their last 10 contests.Calgary's rebirth is surprising, but it's not a coincidence. Three players in particular have helped stabilize their season and put them right back in the playoff picture.Heeeere's JohnnyMany wondered if Johnny Gaudreau's broken finger would put the Flames in an insurmountable hole when the franchise winger suffered the injury Nov. 15.Calgary extinguished those sentiments by going 6-3-1 in his absence, and the team has been lifted even higher by his unexpectedly early return.The 23-year-old has eight points in the four games since he re-entered the lineup more than three weeks ahead of his recovery timetable, and the Flames obviously haven't lost since.Gaudreau has helped sustain the club's resurgence, even if it started without him.Hamilton drowning out the noiseWhether they're legitimate or the product of mere speculation, trade rumors can either motivate or wear down a player.In Dougie Hamilton's case, they appear to have done the former.The Flames defenseman is putting last month's distractions behind him with four goals - including two game-winners - and an assist in the last four contests.Hamilton wasn't playing well enough to have much trade value in November, and now that he's rediscovered his offensive game while playing a major part in the win streak, there's simply no reason to consider dealing him.This Chad isn't just hangingThe Flames' goaltending savior isn't who they thought it would be.Few were expecting Chad Johnson to seize the starting job away from offseason acquisition Brian Elliott, but he's done that and more, playing a significant role in every win during Calgary's six-game streak.Johnson is 13-4-1 with a 1.98 GAA, a .932 save percentage, and three shutouts in 18 games, silencing doubters while providing surprisingly consistent play over the last few weeks.He's allowed more than three goals only once in the last 13 games, and his steady hand in the crease has helped the Flames resurrect their season. Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Remember a few days ago, when the Montreal Canadiens lost their leading scorer Alex Galchenyuk and his replacement David Desharnais to knee injuries causing a crisis down the middle?We don't, either.The Habs have exploded for 15 goals in two games without two of their top four centers, scoring five goals - and numerous blocker shots - against New Jersey on Thursday, and doubling that total to 10 on Saturday in a laugher against Colorado.Related: Canadiens come full circle in double-digit blowout win(Imagine the scene in Montreal had Saturday's blowout of the Avalanche occurred with Patrick Roy still behind the Colorado bench.)Patches to the rescueLook at that smile.Now ask yourself: How many times in Max Pacioretty's tenure as Habs captain will he get to smile like that on the ice?Yeah - not many.Pacioretty has reason to show some teeth, though. After a four-goal performance Saturday, he has five of his team's last 15 goals, and six points in two games since things got a lot more tense in Quebec.All this after confirmation that No. 67 - an easy target for criticism in hockey-mad Montreal - played November with a microfracture in his foot.

CALGARY, Alberta - Dougie Hamilton scored twice during a four-goal second period and added an assist to lead the streaking Calgary Flames over the Winnipeg Jets 6-2 on Saturday night.The Flames (16-13-2) vaulted into first place in the Pacific Division with their sixth consecutive victory - the team's longest winning streak since last December.Mikael Backlund had a goal and two assists, while Sam Bennett, Lance Bouma, and Sean Monahan also scored for Calgary. Chad Johnson made 26 saves.Nikolaj Ehlers and Jacob Trouba had the goals for the Jets (13-15-3), who have lost three in a row. Michael Hutchinson turned aside 25 of 29 shots in 40 minutes before giving way to Connor Hellebuyck, who made six saves.After a scoreless opening period in which Calgary had a decided edge in play, Hamilton finally solved Hutchinson just before the midway point of the second with a pinpoint shot through a screen.Flames rookie Matthew Tkachuk set up the defenseman with a drop pass in the high slot, and Hamilton fired a shot through his teammate's legs into the net. Tkachuk finished with three assists.After Bennett doubled the lead with a shot into the top corner, Hamilton got his second goal - and fourth in four games - with a drive from the point.Backlund added to the lead before the period ended with a sharp-angle shot on the power play.Bouma, playing his second game since missing 16 with a shoulder injury, and Monahan scored in the third. Monahan's goal extended his point streak to seven games (four goals and nine points).Ehlers spoiled Johnson's shutout bid with a power-play goal in the third period, and Trouba scored with 0.1 seconds left.The Flames won just five of their first 16 games, but have won 11 of 15 since. Johnson has been instrumental in the run, but this was one of the easier nights for him.It's not the same story for the Jets, or their goalies.Hutchinson started consecutive games for only the second time this season and first since late October, and it was a familiar result.The last time Hutchinson was in net for two straight games, he followed up a 37-save shutout in a 1-0 win over Colorado by giving up three goals on 15 shots and being pulled just past the midway point against Buffalo in a 3-1 loss.On Saturday, Hutchinson was lifted after the second period, having allowed four goals on 29 shots.NOTES: Calgary's Kris Versteeg (upper body) missed his second consecutive game but is likely to return this week. ... Jets rookie Josh Morrissey played as a pro in his hometown for the first time in his career. ... The home team has won the last six meetings between these teams. ... Calgary's power play has converted at least once in five straight games. ... With a pair of assists, Calgary forward Johnny Gaudreau has two points in all four games since returning from a broken finger that sidelined him for 10 games. ... Winnipeg has been outscored 43-20 in the second period this season.UP NEXTJets: At the Edmonton Oilers on Sunday night.Flames: Host the Tampa Bay Lightning on Wednesday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jarome Iginla isn't calling foul on Montreal Canadiens blue-liner Alexei Emelin.The Colorado Avalanche forward didn't question whether the hit by Emelin late in the game of Saturday's 10-1 blowout to the Canadiens was a clean hit.To Iginla, it's all part of the game."At that point of the game when they're beating us like that, it's not really a matter of whether it's clean or not," Iginla told Mike Chambers of The Denver Post. "(I) just don't think (it's right). If I'm going up-over like that with two minutes left and down 10-1, I'd hope guys are coming in (for me). That's the way I've played and I think that's the way it should be played."Iginla was held pointless on the night, while posting one shot and four penalty minutes through 11:47 of ice time."They can do the hit if they want," Iginla added. "It's part of the game. But we are allowed to do what we do too. That's what penalty minutes and stuff are for."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers' transition into the Tom Rowe era hasn't exactly been a smooth one.Entering Saturday's contest versus the Vancouver Canucks, Florida had stumbled to an 0-2-2 record in their previous four, and a sputtering offense only managed more than two goals twice in nine games.However, Florida got back in the win column with a tight 3-2 victory. Remarkably, their first regulation win since Nov. 19.While the win may have been small in the grand scheme of things, it was just what the Panthers needed, said Rowe."We're still trying to find our confidence, and when you're in a little bit of a rut like we were in it doesn't happen overnight," Rowe said, according to Fox Sports Florida. "I thought we took a couple of major steps forward, and eventually we'll be putting full games together."Leading the way was the red-hot Alexsander Barkov, who recorded a goal and an assist, and has now notched nine points in his last nine games.While he's re-discovered his scoring touch lately, Barkov was happier to find the win column again.

Dave Tippett will have another round of that.The Arizona Coyotes coach was pleased with rookie forward Lawson Crouse following Saturday's game versus the Nashville Predators, in which the young forward skated for 12:34 while also assisting on Alex Goligoski's game-opening goal.Oh, and he traded punches with Predators blue-liner P.K. Subban. Quite the night for Crouse, indeed."That was the best game he's played in the NHL so far and it's good to see him get rewarded," Tippett told reporters following the team's 4-1 victory.Crouse was quick to credit his teammates for the performance."It was an all-around effort. In the past we've been chipping in here or there, but it was great to get the full two points."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

That wasn't how the Vancouver Canucks pictured their Saturday night going.Falling 4-2 to the Florida Panthers, Canucks forward Daniel Sedin was quick to the point to the team's ineffective man advantage as a key reason for the loss."In the first two periods, our powerplay wasn't good enough. I think we killed all of the momentum we had 5-on-5," Sedin told reporters. "We get out on the powerplay and nothing happens. We have to be better than that."The Canucks' powerplay went 0-for-4 on the evening, including three consecutive missed opportunities in the middle frame.At 14.6 percent, the Canucks powerplay unit ranks 25th league-wide."It's not about scoring goals, but getting shots and getting momentum for our team," Sedin added. "We lost on every powerplay we had in the first two periods."With the loss, the Canucks dropped to 12-14-2 through 28 games and sit in sixth place in the Pacific.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dallas Stars defenseman Jamie Oleksiak will have a hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety on Sunday after a controversial hit on Philadelphia Flyers forward Chris VandeVelde, the league announced.In the third period of Saturday's loss to the Flyers, Oleksiak appeared to catch VandeVelde with an elbow to the head as he cut through the offensive zone.In 13 games this season, Oleksiak has recorded three goals and one assist.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

That's quite the improvement.Speaking with reporters Saturday, Minnesota Wild coach Bruce Boudreau spoke glowingly about Wild forward Tyler Graovac."To me, he's a 100 per cent different player (since training camp)," Boudreau said. "I know (general manager) Chuck (Fletcher) told me that he was a good possibility and that he's a strong guy, but I just didn't see anything. I was a little disappointed."Related: Boudreau not asking Graovac to 'pull an Auston Matthews' in 1st gameFailing to make the big club out of camp, Graovac found his game while with Iowa, home of the Wild's AHL affiliate, scoring four points in six games. That performance earned him a recall back to the big club."We brought him up and I think he's been excellent," Boudreau added. "He's responsible. He was on for one goal against in Edmonton, but other than that he's been real good, working with two big guys and sort of backing them up on every occasion. I've been extremely happy."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's Antoine Bibeau time in Toronto.The 22-year-old netminder will make his NHL debut Sunday when the Toronto Maple Leafs take on the Colorado Avalanche, coach Mike Babcock confirmed.Bibeau has appeared in 13 games this season with the AHL's Toronto Marlies, posting a 6-5-3 record alongside a .907 save percentage.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki is scheduled to have a hearing Sunday for boarding Los Angeles Kings forward Tyler Toffoli, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced.Borowiecki was given a five-minute major for the hit, and consequently was forced to drop the gloves following the collision.Toffoli, meanwhile was unharmed on the play.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Gabriel Landeskog isn't a happy man."Disappointing probably doesn't even do it justice either," the Colorado Avalanche captain told reporters following his team's 10-1 defeat to the Montreal Canadiens on Saturday. "It was embarrassing. We got our ass whooped tonight."It was an ugly night all around for the Avalanche, who allowed six goals in the first period alone. Goaltenders Semyon Varlamov and Calvin Pickard both let in a handful of goals."Obviously, they're a good team. They're a fast team and they came out and they played hard and took it to us," Landeskog added, "But you've got to be able to withstand a little bit of pressure as well."With the loss, the Avalanche fell to 10-15-1 on the season, and sit dead last in the NHL with 21 points in 26 games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

What goes around comes around, they say.On Nov. 4, the Montreal Canadiens were the laughing stock of the NHL following a 10-0 drubbing at the hands of the Columbus Blue Jackets.Just over a month later, the Habs are on the other end of the spectrum thanks to a 10-1 shellacking of the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday night.The Facts

There was a Jean-Francois Berube sighting on Saturday.The New York Islanders' third-string goalie drew into the lineup after starter Jaroslav Halak allowed six goals on 38 shots versus the Columbus Blue Jackets.Berube filled in for the final 5:37, facing one shot. With the stop, he ended the night with a perfect save percentage. Not bad.He hadn't seen any ice time this season after splitting last season between New York and Bridgeport, home of the Islanders' AHL club.Earlier this season, agent Allan Walsh, who represents both Berube and Halak, called for the latter to be traded in an effort to clear New York's crowded crease.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby was called to the NHL's quiet room.Facing the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday, the Pittsburgh Penguins center was forced to undergo the NHL's newly mandated concussion protocol after a hit into the boards by Lightning defenseman Luke Witkowski, reports Dave Molinari of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.But it wasn't all bad for Crosby, who later returned to the game and grabbed a pair of goals to recapture the NHL lead with 20 tallies on the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Buffalo Sabres aren't ready to move on from Zemgus Girgensons.According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Sabres have received inquiries on Girgenson's availability, but aren't prepared to sell low on the Latvian forward, despite his struggles.Girgensons has been limited to five points in 27 games this season, after finishing with 18 points last season and 30 points the year prior. The Sabres drafted Girgensons 14th overall in 2012.Girgensons' ice time has dropped in recent weeks, playing more than 10 minutes just once in his last seven games:Date Opponent Points TOINov. 25Capitals09:07Nov. 29Senators07:23Dec. 1Rangers09:40Dec. 3Bruins08:39Dec. 5Capitals18:07Dec. 6Oilers09:08Dec. 9Captials010:07Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL wants to go international.According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the NHL is considering a full-fledged international calendar as a means to grow the game globally.The proposed calendar begins in 2018 and runs through 2024, with an international event on the docket for every year except 2019.Year Event2018Winter Olympics2020World Cup of Hockey2021Ryder Cup2022Winter Olympics2023Ryder Cup2024World Cup of HockeyThe Ryder Cup would be on a play on the golf event where, according to Friedman, fans would see either "Canada versus the World" or "North America versus the World." The Ryder Cup would be in place of the NHL all-star game in those seasons.The proposal also includes two preseason games to be held in China, as well as two regular season games in Europe. The league has not held regular season games in Europe since 2011, as part of the last rendition of the NHL Premiere.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was an eventful night in Montreal.The Canadiens scored five goals in just under nine minutes to open their contest versus the Colorado Avalanche, and tacked on five more for a monstrous 10-1 beatdown.As usual, the Twittersphere was all over it.The jokes began long before Montreal reached double digits:

If this season is his last, Jarome Iginla wants a chance to go out on top.The Colorado Avalanche currently sit in last in the Central Division, and the veteran winger is will consider to waiving his no-trade clause, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reports.Iginla, in the final year of his contract with Colorado, had the same opportunity last year, but opted to stick with the Avalanche. He's familiar with the situation though, as he left the Calgary Flames in 2013 for the Pittsburgh Penguins in search of a championship.In 25 games this year, Iginla has only recorded three goals and three assists, but with 614 goals and 1,279 points to his name over his Hall of Fame career, plenty of contenders could benefit from his experience come trade deadline.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL has its first 20-goal scorer of the season. Yup, you guessed it: it's Sidney Crosby.In only his 22nd game of the season, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain reached the plateau on a rocket one-timer from the slot - his second tally of the game.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Yeo spent five years in Minnesota. He's looking forward to one more day.The former head coach of the Minnesota Wild, now associate coach with the St. Louis Blues, returns to his old stomping grounds Sunday as the Blues take on the Wild.It marks Yeo's first trip back to Minnesota's Xcel Energy Center since his time behind the bench was cut short last season.Still, Yeo is excited to reminisce with familiar faces in the place where he first served as bench boss after years as an assistant coach with the Pittsburgh Penguins organization."It's your first head coaching job, and the experience of working with a great organization and great people was something I'll always remember," Yeo told Mike G. Morreale of NHL.com. "To be able to do it in a hockey-mad market was something else. The people were passionate and always respectful."At the same time, you knew every day they were thinking and caring about what was going on with the Wild, and that made it fun."Now with the Blues, Yeo plays a key role under long-time head coach Ken Hitchcock, who is in his final year with the club. Yeo will assume the head coaching duties next season. It was that interaction with Hitchcock that attracted Yeo to the Gateway City."Aside from wanting to help the team win this year any way I can, I've got a chance to learn from a Hall of Fame coach and a chance to learn about the group I'll be coaching," Yeo added, "So those are two invaluable tools for me."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes have bolstered their lineup down the middle.In acquiring pivot Peter Holland from the Toronto Maple Leafs in a Friday deal, the team strengthened a group which this season has featured veteran Martin Hanzal, winger-turned-center Jordan Martinook, and a host of rookies, namely Christian Dvorak, Laurent Dauphin, and Tyler Gaudet."The risk we had going into this season was certainly up the middle of the ice, which isn't ideal, but it's also where we've expended a lot of our resources and key resources to try to acquire those types of players up the middle," Coyotes general manager John Chayka told Sarah McLellan of The Arizona Republic.The Coyotes were hoping for more from their middle men, but that changed once Brad Richardson, who scored nine points in 16 games, broke his leg in mid-November, and 19-year-old Dylan Strome was returned to junior.That left the Coyotes with a hole they hope to fill with the addition of Holland, who was looking for a change of his own.Holland spent the last three seasons with the Maple Leafs, netting a $1.3-million contract extension this summer. But things didn't work out this year, with him appearing in just eight games through the season's quarter mark before asking for a move out of Hogtown.Arizona sent a conditional sixth-round pick in 2018 to Toronto for Holland."This deal was about the proper risk-to-reward ratio," Chayka said. "It was about getting a player who, in limited opportunity and ice time, has been a relatively efficient, productive producer. That was the deal more than anything."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With questions about his deployment on the Maple Leafs' fourth line at the forefront lately, William Nylander made the most of his reunion with Auston Matthews.Nylander picked off a pass in the neutral zone, danced around David Pastrnak, then found Matthews in a prime shooting position.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With injury comes opportunity.The Arizona Coyotes received a devastating blow Saturday, announcing that winger Max Domi is week to week with an upper-body injury.For now, the Coyotes will look to the positives, and that means more opportunity for the team's host of young talent. Specifically, lanky winger Brendan Perlini, the team's top pick in the 2014 draft.

The Bell Centre announcer still hasn't caught his breath.The Montreal Canadiens got off to a roaring start Saturday versus Colorado, recording a whopping five goals in a span of 8:41 to open the game, capped by Paul Byron's breakaway snipe.Avalanche starter Calvin Packard was pulled after the third goal in favor of Semyon Varlamov, who didn't fare much better.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Ottawa Senators aren't happy with Saturday's result for a variety of reasons.On top of losing 4-1 to the Los Angeles Kings, a clock malfunction in the second period should have negated a goal against, and the team has contacted the league in protest, reports TSN's Darren Dreger.

Max Pacioretty has no problem with Carey Price's right hook.The Montreal Canadiens netminder made headlines Thursday after throwing punches into New Jersey Devils forward Kyle Palmieri, who had bumped into Price beforehand.It was one too many for the franchise goaltender."It seems to be the nature of the league; go to the net, run the goalie over, and score a goal. You just gotta stick up for yourself every once in a while," Price said after the game.Related: Should Price have been ejected for unleashing his blocker on Palmieri?The Canadiens captain didn't disagree with his goaltender's stance."You like to see guys stay away from him," Pacioretty told reporters. "You want to protect the best player in the league and it's nice to see him stand up for himself."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Only 306 players in NHL history have played in 1,000 NHL games. Chris Neil is the latest.The Ottawa Senators enforcer reached the milestone Saturday in Los Angeles, and his teammates - past and present - were quick to celebrate the accomplishment.

Darryl Sutter is climbing the ranks.With a 4-1 victory over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday, the Los Angeles Kings bench boss claimed his 200th victory in Hollywood.Sutter trails only Andy Murray for first place in franchise history, a mark he will surely claim later this season:Rank Coach Wins1Andy Murray2152Darryl Sutter2003Bob Pulford1784Terry Murray1395Larry Robinson122Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Patrik Laine wants to take his show on the road.The Winnipeg Jets' rookie sensation has thrilled home fans this season, but that same scorer's touch hasn't been present outside of Manitoba.With 17 goals, he trails only Sidney Crosby and David Pastrnak - both with 18 - for the league lead. Of those 17, though, all but three have come at the MTS Centre."I just want to succeed. It doesn't matter if it's home or on the road," Laine told reporters Saturday. "I know that I've scored most of my goals at home games. It's 50/50 home and road games, so you have to be able to produce on the road too."Heading to Alberta on Saturday to take on the Calgary Flames, Laine will have the opportunity to score his fourth road goal of the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes need more from Anthony Duclair.The sophomore scorer has struggled through his second season with the Desert Dogs, tallying just four points and a single goal through the team's first 25 games.While a second-year slump is one thing, Duclair appears to be more than a little snakebitten.To Coyotes head coach Dave Tippett, the young forward was simply in need of a "reset.""For a scorer, when they're not scoring, all they think about is scoring," Tippett told Sarah McLellan of The Arizona Republic. "Sometimes you have a little reset, and it kind of gets all the parts of their game back in order and it's amazing how the scoring comes back around."Duclair, 21, is one of many young players holding down spots with the Coyotes this season. That lists also includes the likes of 21-year-old Max Domi, 19-year-old Lawson Crouse, and 18-year-old blue-liner Jakob Chychrun, among other fresh faces."A lot of young players go through it," Tippett continued. "It's nothing new. We've talked about it with our young defensemen already that they just need to take a step back and catch their breath and get reset and go at it. That's no different than Anthony.”Perhaps Duclair's decline was predictable. After scoring at an unsustainably-high 19 per cent last season, that number has dipped to a lowly 5.6 per cent this year. There's a middle ground in there where Duclair will find goals.In the meantime, Duclair continues to work on his game to rediscover his scoring touch. Since being scratched Dec. 5 versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, he has appeared in two games, recording one shot, four penalty minutes, but no points."I knew it was going to be tougher than last year," Duclair said. "I think last year, coming in, things were going my way almost every game sometimes. Now I just got to work hard for it. It's totally normal coming into your second year. I know I can help my team win. I know I can score goals. It's just a matter of just putting that extra time in."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders' locker room was all smiles after learning Cal Clutterbuck had signed a five-year extension with the club."I'm ecstatic about it," said linemate Casey Cizikas. "We've really jelled well together and we know where each other (is) on the ice at all times. Being on the (penalty) kill together, that makes it so much easier."Clutterbuck and Cizikas have been key cogs on the Islanders' fourth line over the past few seasons. Forward Matt Martin completed the trio, before signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs in the offseason."We've really grown as friends and as linemates over these past years and to have him here for five more years is going to be a lot of fun," Cizikas added.Head coach Jack Capuano believes Clutterbuck adds tremendous value to his lineup as a player who can always be relied on."From a coaching standpoint, you have one of those guys that fits your identity," said Capuano. "I think every coach is looking for that guy that is reliable, that's trustworthy, that can play in key situations, but most importantly, is tough to play against."Forward Andrew Ladd, who joined the Islanders in the offseason, has already recognized Clutterbuck's contributions to the club."I don't think you know how much Cal means to this team until you're here every day," said Ladd. "You see what he contributes on a nightly basis, so I think guys are really happy that he's going to be sticking around for a while."Clutterbuck has appeared in 25 games with the Islanders this season, scoring nine points along the way, while his 89 hits leads the team and is fifth overall league-wide.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

PHILADELPHIA - Brayden Schenn scored three power-play goals to lead the Philadelphia Flyers to their eighth straight victory, a 4-2 win over the Dallas Stars on Saturday.Jakub Voracek scored an empty-netter and also had three assists for the Flyers, who matched Montreal for the longest winning streak in the NHL this season.Philadelphia last won eight straight games from Jan. 6-19, 2002.Devin Shore had both goals for the Stars.Tied at 1 entering the third period, Dallas went ahead when Shore scored his second goal of the game with 9:28 left.But Schenn tied the game with his second goal of the game that was similar to the first one, a deflection from in front after Voracek's shot from the right side at 16:12.Schenn then put Philadelphia in front with 2:15 left when he scored with a forehand shot on a rebound of Voracek's shot for his seventh goal of the season, resulting in hats flying on the ice.Steve Mason made 21 saves for his seventh straight win.Kari Lehtonen made 18 saves for the Stars, falling to 1-11-3 against Philadelphia.Voracek had four points, tying his career high, for the second straight game and has 15 points (four goals, 11 assists) during Philadelphia's winning streak.Shore gave Dallas a 2-1 lead with 9 minutes, 28 seconds remaining, scoring just as the Stars' power play expired. Antoine Roussel sent the puck toward the net. Shore corralled the rebound at the far post. A sprawling Mason used his stick to stop Shore's first attempt, but Shore batted in the loose puck just before Mason could cover it.Radek Faksa almost gave Dallas a two-goal advantage with 4:41 left, but his short-handed attempt on a 2-on-1 break caromed off the post.That play loomed large as Schenn tied it 53 seconds later.Lehtonen kept it tied 6 1/2 minutes earlier with the save of the game, fully extending his glove to snare Ivan Provorov's drive from the slot. Provorov began to celebrate when it looked as if the puck was headed in the goal.Lehtonen's Stars teammates loudly tapped their sticks against the boards after the save.Schenn tied the game at 1 with a power-play goal with 2:42 left in the first period. Schenn scored his fifth of the season on a deflection off Voracek's wrist shot from the side boards. Wayne Simmonds provided the screen of Lehtonen, as the puck went through Simmonds' legs and past Lehtonen.Shore gave Dallas a 1-0 lead 7:30 into the game with a backhand that went high over Mason's left shoulder. The goal culminated hard work in the offensive zone by the Stars and a poor job of the Philadelphia defense clearing the puck from its goal line. Curtis McKenzie and Adam Cracknell picked up assists on the play.The teams played an even second period that mostly was defensive in nature. Mason turned aside the Stars' best two chances, Roussel's wrist shot on a rush from close range and Tyler Seguin's wrist shot from the high slot.Dallas coach Lindy Ruff stuck with a top line of Jamie Benn, Seguin and center Jason Spezza. In Thursday's 5-2 win over Nashville, the trio played together for the first time and combined for eight points. The line didn't register a point against Philadelphia.NOTES: The Flyers held a moment of silence in the pregame for former scout and coach Bill Dineen, who died Saturday at 84. ... The teams will wrap up their two-game season series next Saturday in Dallas. ... Schenn and Stephen Johns fought to a draw in the second period though Schenn received a cut on his forehead.UP NEXTStars: At Blackhawks on Sunday night.Flyers: At Red Wings on Sunday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Peter Holland is glad to have moved on from a tough stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs.The 25-year-old was dealt to the Arizona Coyotes on Friday after spending the majority of this season in the press box due to a failure to gel with the team."It's a bit of a sigh of relief," Holland said, according to Sarah McLellan of azcentral sports. "Obviously, things weren't going as I wanted them to in Toronto this season. … I just don't think I fit in their plans. Honestly, I'm happy that we both agreed upon that and we went our separate ways and no hard feelings obviously. But excited to start this new chapter now."The Coyotes provide Holland a unique opportunity to get back on the ice, as the team's plagued by injuries and sits last in the league entering play Saturday with a 8-13-5 record."He's been a good stabilizing force in any position he's been used in," general manager John Chayka said. "So he's coming into a group here where we've got a lot of injuries and some underperformance, and certainly he's a guy that will get some opportunity. Now's the time to make the most of it."If this doesn't work out here, then it's not a good position for him to be in. He should come in motivated and incentivized to play the best hockey of his career, and hopefully we can benefit from that."Holland will hopefully get the opportunity to add to his lone assist in eight games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.