David Pastrnak saw a chance to level Dan Girardi, and he took full advantage.The question is whether the Boston Bruins forward will land in hot water due to catching the New York Rangers defenseman with the hit to the head. Pastrnak was immediately penalized for two minutes and may receive a call from the NHL's Department of Player Safety.Girardi left the game for observation at the time of the incident but was able to return.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins are starting a fourth different goaltender in succession Wednesday versus the New York Rangers, therefore writing another chapter in dubious NHL history.Boston's combination of Tuukka Rask, Anton Khudobin, Malcolm Subban, and Zane McIntrye are the first quartet of different starters for one team in consecutive games since the New York Islanders ran out four in 2010-11, according to NHL Public Relations.Dwayne Roloson, Rick DiPietro, Nathan Lawson, and Kevin Poulin combined for three victories over the span, with Lawson being the lone netminder to suffer a defeat.Khudobin and Subban both lost following Rask's victory over the New Jersey Devils last week.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's now into its third week of the season, and the Anaheim Ducks and ace defenseman Hampus Lindholm are apparently clashing over an inappreciable portion of the team's salary cap.On Wednesday afternoon, Darren Dreger mentioned on TSN 1050 that he believes there's a mere $250,000 discrepancy between Lindholm's ask and what Anaheim's willing to pay the defender annually on a long-term contract extension.Dreger's colleague Bob McKenzie since reported live on NBCSN that discussionsAnswering four consecutive losses to begin their season with five points in their last three games, the Ducks are certainly in striking distance and have perhaps bought some time. But it remains absolutely imperative to boost their defensive corps with the 22-year-old workhorse puck-mover sooner than later.Dreger also mentioned he doesn't believe the Ducks are willing to trade Lindholm.It's been previously reported that Ducks general manager Bob Murray is committed to signing Lindholm to a contract cheaper than the six-year, $32.4-million deal that Rasmus Ristolainen signed with the Buffalo Sabres prior to the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

David Pastrnak extended his hot start to the season by scoring just 10 seconds into Wednesday's tilt with the New York Rangers.The goal, Pastrnak's fifth, afforded the Boston Bruins their first early lead of the season.

Zane McIntyre's NHL debut holds extra significance due to when it's taking place.The Boston Bruins rookie goalie took to the ice Wednesday in New York to play the Rangers as the NHL recognizes Hockey Fights Cancer Awareness Month.McIntyre's mask, then, paid tribute to his grandmother, as well as some Bruins history.

Taylor Hall appears to have found a running mate in New Jersey.The Devils winger has been paired with Pavel Zacha over the past couple games, and Hall has been especially impressed with the 19-year-old center's play at both ends of the ice."Great young player. He's a guy that's big and strong and very capable in his own end for a player of his age," Hall said, per Chris Ryan of NJ.com. "You usually don't see that. And on faceoffs, usually that takes a lot of time to get the faceoffs down and be a guy who can be relied on there."Hall scored a pair of goals in a win over Arizona on Tuesday, one of which came as a direct result of a Zacha faceoff win and would likely not have been possible with another rookie, in Hall's estimation.Related: Hall goes top shelf from faceoff circle"That's a play where you usually can't run that with a 19-year-old centerman. He's so big and strong, he's able to win battles and win faceoffs like that," Hall said. "And I've been working on that shot a little bit, so it was nice to see it go in.""It's been fun playing with him."The Devils are off to a 3-2-1 start, and this pairing could be one that carries the team to success sooner than later.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Auston Matthews isn't the only rookie who's knocked the socks off Mike Babcock early on.The Toronto Maple Leafs bench boss joined Prime Time Sports on Wednesday afternoon, heaping praise on forward William Nylander, insisting the 20-year-old is "way better than I expected," according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Of course, it's pretty clear why Babcock is so jubilant about the club's 2014 first-round pick, early on, Nylander is just a point shy of linemate Matthews who paces the NHL with 10.His three power-play goals and five power-play points place him second and first in the league respectively, while his 59.39 Corsi-For number also bests all fellow Maple Leafs.Nylander is riding a four-game point streak and is just two goals and four points away from matching his output from last season, that came over a 22-game span.The kid is doing alright.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Is it possible that everything Marc Bergevin's touched has turned to gold? P.K. Subban's sweater included.In the aftermath of an otherwise unspeakable season without Carey Price, the outwardly impulsive, even vengeful decisions that challenged the competence and character of an entire organization look as though they've paid off.That is, through six games.We don't really have to rack our memories to recognize that for the Montreal Canadiens, magic in October by no means precludes misery for the remaining six months. And as they're currently constructed, they might not be any less frail without Price - because he's that exceptional. But in this smallest of samples, following a summer that incensed a large chunk of their fan base, there are signs to suggest this club could be quite good. Perhaps better.Montreal has five wins - each in regulation and two without Price - and has taken 11 of a possible 12 points with a league-best plus-13 goal differential. The Canadiens have outscored the competition by double digits at even strength, clamped down on the penalty kill, and supported Price with the majority share of total shots since he returned from illness.This is all wonderful. But it was wonderful last season, too. Twelve months back, Montreal reeled off nine consecutive wins from the jump, and scored at a higher rate then it has through six games this year. It was a middling possession team then too, but thanks to a superb save rate from Price and then-backup Mike Condon, Montreal built up the league's best even-strength goal differential.Understanding just how fleeting the current situation can be, all we can evaluate are the changes Bergevin and coach Michel Therrien made this summer. That, of course, begins with Shea Weber.Weber has come exactly as advertised. He's made life miserable for attacking players, used his offensive weapon - a cannoning shot - to great effect, and clearly commands the respect and admiration of teammates. He's limited in the transition game, and often needlessly gives up possession, but there's no denying the success in his presence - even if it belies other raw data. Montreal is outscoring the competition 13-2 with Weber on the ice, and has allowed one goal at even strength.Montreal won't be bulletproof forever, and potentially problematic underlying numbers illustrate that. But because Weber's providing such tremendous results while being precisely the player the Canadiens said he was when they acquired him, their rationale is, at the very least, evident. Perhaps on the path to being validated.Likewise, Alexander Radulov has been more than an upgrade on the hired gun they hoped they had in Alex Semin. He's quickly adjusted to changes since his last stint, displaying proficiency in all three zones and recently having the production that made him a star in Russia translate in the NHL. Fans at Bell Centre are already chanting his name.Along with Artturi Lehkonen, Radulov offers completeness to a previously disorganized top six, knocking other players - namely Andrew Shaw - down the pecking order and into more suitable roles, creating balance.We'll pound this drum again: Six games means nothing more than a head start in the Atlantic Division race. A torn muscle here, snapped ligament there, or dips in performance across the board could instead suggest trading Subban was wildly misguided, and the style the Therriens and Prices have recommended is, in fact, antiquated in this high-skilled, last-shot-wins NHL.But by acquiring the parts compatible with their machinery of choice, no matter how old or outdated that technology, the Canadiens may be better equipped to carry out the operation they've committed to.How that machinery really compares to other teams, even when running optimally, still remains to be seen.The Ten10) Juuse Saros - With the Stanley Cup champions in town Saturday night, Saros stopped 34-of-35 shots in a win, anchoring the illness-depleted Preds in his second NHL start.9) Los Angeles Kings - It's going to be a major challenge surviving life without Jonathan Quick, given their cap constraints. But the Kings may have at least survived October, collecting three consecutive wins this week to return to the .500 mark.8) Cam Talbot - Edmonton hasn't been as sound as its Western Conference-leading 5-1 record indicates, and owes thanks to the netminder. Talbot nabbed his league-leading fifth win of the season with a shutout of Winnipeg in the Heritage Classic.7) That Matthews line - Six goals, seven assists, and nine power-play points for Auston Matthews and William Nylander this week.7) Detroit Red Wings - Extending their win streak to five games with 14 goals for and six against in four victories this week, everything seems to be clicking for the Red Wings. This includes Dylan Larkin, who scored his first two goals of the season in Game No. 7.5) Patrik Laine - His overtime goal to complete the hat trick and comeback versus Matthews and the Maple Leafs stands as an indelible moment in the franchise's return.4) Taylor Hall - Seems to be extending one select finger with each and every highlight-worthy moment.4) Steven Stamkos - The hometown kid proved the Maple Leafs aren't better off without him on the payroll, scoring twice and racking up four points while being booed at the touch of the puck in a drubbing at the Air Canada Centre on Tuesday.3) Brian Elliott - One struggling netminder in a high-pressure environment was able to rebound this week, and it wasn't Frederik Andersen. Elliott was just sensational late in Calgary's win in Chicago, then made 23 saves to beat his old team the next night in St. Louis.2) Sidney Crosby - The NHL is in an amazing spot with its influx of young talent, but without the Pittsburgh Penguins' captain it simply cannot be at its best. Crosby scored in his return from a concussion Tuesday.1) Jaromir Jagr - Scored his 750th career goal in a league now dominated by players half his age. Amazing.More Takes1) You can have the look of a Stanley Cup champion, but can you sound like one too? The dramatic shift in Tampa Bay's overall discourse since the Lightning's last trip to Toronto, which seemed fraught with apprehension, might make you think so after hearing players from Stamkos to Drouin commending management and waxing on about how it all turned out.2) Staying in that vein, with the hoopla about Subban's trade out of Montreal, it's impossible to not consider every innocent quote from Bergevin, Therrien, Pacioretty, and Price as a subtweet-level dig.3) Interesting: The free-agent defenders targeted by progressive organizations, Alex Goligoski and Keith Yandle, have had truly disappointing starts with their new clubs by the numbers. Goligoski has a goals-for rate of 30 percent for an Arizona team off to its worst start in franchise history, while Yandle is the only Panther with a negative possession rate.4) The guy on Saturday night is right about the Leafs' goaltending, but not so much about Matt Martin's hair.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Anaheim Ducks forward Rickard Rakell returned to the ice Wednesday, making his first appearance since re-signing with the club on Oct. 14.The Swedish native, who recorded 43 points in 72 games last season, had his return to Southern California delayed as he awaited his work visa."I definitely appreciate everything a little bit more (after this summer)," Rakell said. "I'm anxious just to get back (to practice)."

James Reimer still knows how to endear himself to fans of the Toronto Maple Leafs.The Florida Panthers goaltender pretended to be upset with Auston Matthews for taking his No. 34 when asked about the phenom's choice Wednesday."It's terrible," Reimer told reporters, according to TSN's Mark Masters. "I can't believe the kid did (that). Maybe I'll slash him in warmups tomorrow."Reimer will be watching from the bench Thursday when the Panthers face the Leafs at Air Canada Centre.He played more than five seasons with the Maple Leafs wearing the number. Matthews, the first overall pick in June, leads the NHL with 10 points through six games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Say it ain't Beau.New Jersey Devils forward Beau Bennett's name wasn't engraved on the Stanley Cup when members of his former club, the Pittsburgh Penguins, had theirs added to the trophy Wednesday.

It's Auston Matthews' world.The Toronto Maple Leafs' 19-year-old wunderkind leads the NHL in scoring heading into play Wednesday, with six goals and four assists in 10 games. His linemate William Nylander's right behind him with nine points.In case you were curious, Connor McDavid had only five points through the first six games of his NHL career, so it's obvious Matthews is the superior player.In all seriousness, while the Leafs aren't winning, the kids are producing, and that's arguably more important at this juncture of The Rebuild.A Maple Leaf atop the scoring race never happens, and it's especially shocking since Toronto is where prospects go to fail. But Matthews appears legit, even though he's not going to finish the season shooting 23 percent.So without further ado, here are the best tweets about Auston Matthews, the league's top point producer:

The Anaheim Ducks announced Wednesday that goaltender Jonathan Bernier is day to day with an upper-body injury.Bernier left Tuesday's game against the San Jose Sharks after suffering the ailment. The 28-year-old has appeared in two games this season, posting a .929 save percentage.In a corresponding move, the Ducks recalled netminder Dustin Tokarski from San Diego (AHL). Tokarski, 27, previously suited up with the Tampa Bay Lightning and Montreal Canadiens.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

James Reimer shouldn't expect to see a pre-produced video tribute when he returns to Air Canada Centre as a member of the Florida Panthers.The Toronto Maple Leafs are unlikely to officially recognize Reimer on Thursday night beyond a quick turn on the arena's in-house camera, according to Postmedia's Lance Hornby.Roberto Luongo will start the game for Florida.The Leafs took a similar stance when Pittsburgh Penguins forward Phil Kessel returned last season, but did honor former captain Dion Phaneuf when the defenseman came back to Toronto as a member of the Ottawa Senators in March.Reimer spent parts of six seasons with the Leafs from 2010-16, leading them to a first-round playoff appearance in 2013. He ranks second in franchise history in save percentage (.914) and 10th in wins (85).The 28-year-old was traded to the San Jose Sharks in 2015-16 and signed a five-year contract with the Panthers on July 1.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Wayne Gretzky was never known as a fighter during his playing days, but he did drop the gloves a handful of times.While appearing on "Conan" on Tuesday night, the NHL legend was asked about his most memorable fights, and shared an entertaining story about the time he and Bob Murray squared off.Gretzky also spoke about his idol, Gordie Howe, who passed away in June.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins will turn to netminder Zane McIntyre when they face the New York Rangers on Wednesday, coach Claude Julien said.McIntyre was recalled from the AHL's Providence Bruins on Tuesday. He came into Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Wild in relief of Malcolm Subban, who allowed three goals on 15 shots.The 22-year-old McIntyre played 29:24 and stopped 15 of 17 shots. Wednesday's game marks his first NHL start.Bruins starting goalie Tuukka Rask remains day to day with general soreness, while backup Anton Khudobin is sidelined three weeks with an upper-body injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's a complicated world when it comes to the Vancouver Canucks and defenseman Nikita Tryamkin.A third-round pick in 2014, the 22-year-old made his NHL debut last season, appearing in 13 games and tallying a pair of points along the way.The Canucks hoped he would build on that performance this year, but Tryamkin's training camp testing - when he showed up out of shape - quickly halted any progress.Here's where it gets tricky.The Canucks drafted Tryamkin out of the KHL, where he'd spent the past four seasons, playing the pro game and making pro money.To recruit the Russian blue-liner to Vancouver, the Canucks agreed he could return to Russia should he not earn a spot in the NHL. It's known as a European assignment clause and it effectively keeps Tryamkin out of the AHL.Given his poor showing at camp, Tryamkin has been a healthy scratch for all seven games and he continues to train to get into game shape.Further complicating the issue is Tryamkin can't get into game shape without actually playing, though Canucks general manager Jim Benning believes he simply isn't ready. He also reaffirmed that Tryamkin won't report to Utica, N.Y., home to the Canucks' AHL affiliate."There is no possibility that he will play in the (AHL)," said Benning, according to Iain MacIntyre of the Vancouver Sun. "We’ve explored that. We’ve talked to him and his agent and he has said no. In a perfect world, we’d like him to get some games (in the minors). But it is what it is. He is working hard in practice and doing extra work."Still, the Canucks remain committed to Tryamkin, a tantalizing defensive prospect and a towering presence at 6-foot-7. A decision will come at some point, whether Tryamkin stays with the Canucks or returns to Russia."I think Nikita has practiced hard. He's certainly better than he was three weeks ago," added Canucks coach Willie Desjardins. "I'm still real excited about him as a player. But he has to get himself, a little mentally, too, up to the intensity of every shift."One of the parts of being a Canuck is being in good shape and being ready to play the way you can play. That’s one of the things we expect from our players. And when you’re not that, then you get into a different scenario."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs supporters were hurting a bit more than usual Tuesday night. They let Steven Stamkos, born just north of the city, know about it.The Lightning captain returned home for his first game since re-upping on a long-term contract with Tampa Bay, spurning Toronto in free agency, and for the first time he was booed by folks in his hometown.No matter, though. It only made Stamkos better. He scored twice and added two helpers in a 7-3 whipping of the Maple Leafs."It motivates you a little bit when you hear that stuff," Stamkos said, according to the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith.It took 80 seconds for Stamkos to shut the crowd up. He had two goals by the end of the first period."I don't know if you expect that," Stamkos said of scoring early, "it couldn't have happened any better. You feel more confident when it happens."Lightning head coach Jon Cooper acknowledged that Stamkos' decision about his future over the summer was tough, but he's obviously happy with how things have turned out."I think Stammer is a great son to Toronto," Cooper said.Maple Leafs fans would not-so-respectfully disagree. For now, at least.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

David Backes is going to need a little longer to heal.The Boston Bruins forward had a minor elbow procedure performed Monday and his condition will be updated after this weekend, the club announced Wednesday.That means, in all likelihood, the veteran will miss Wednesday's game against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden and Saturday's contest in Detroit against the Red Wings.Austin Czarnik was recalled from the Bruins' AHL affiliate in Providence in a corresponding move.Backes didn't play Tuesday night due to what the club would only refer to as a "minor issue" at the time. He has two goals and two assists in five games with the Bruins, with whom he signed a five-year, $30-million deal on July 1.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

SEOUL, South Korea - National Hockey League representatives are in South Korea to inspect Olympic facilities as the league mulls a decision on whether to let its players appear for a sixth consecutive Olympics in Pyeongchang.Pyeongchang's organizing committee said the NHL delegation led by vice president of international strategy Lynn White and facilities operation manager Dan Craig will make inspections on Thursday and Friday of facilities in Gangneung, a city near Pyeongchang which will host the ice hockey tournament during the 2018 Winter Games.The International Olympic Committee's negotiations with the NHL over having the league's players competing in Pyeongchang have stalled over the IOC's decision not to pay for NHL players' travel and insurance as it has in the past.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

So, former NHL defenseman Mike Commodore's a part-time Uber driver."I'm single, I've got no kids, I was just looking for something to get me out of the house and keep me out of the bars," Commodore said earlier in the week. "I don't mind driving. I like to meet people and I like to talk to people. I'll definitely do it again, one night a weekend or maybe even during the week."Get that paper, Mike.In the spirit of free-market capitalism, innovation, and the sharing economy, here are four current NHLers - and some honorable mentions - who would make excellent Uber drivers.Jaromir JagrNo. 68 is an easy pick. Think about the stories Jaromir Jagr could tell.Dude's 44 years old and has played pro hockey for more than half his life, in Pittsburgh, Washington, New York City, Philadelphia, Dallas, Boston, New Jersey, Miami, and Siberia.He'd probably guilt you out of wherever it is you were planning to go and take you to the gym instead. Days off are for quitters.Brent BurnsImagine Brent Burns picking you up on the corner wearing his Chewbacca mask and driving an RV. Who knows, maybe Joe Thornton would be in the passenger seat up front. They hang out, and share "lifestyle beards."The craziest part: If Burns did in fact drive an Uber around the Bay Area, no one would be surprised. It would simply be part of Burns' charm. And would make for an awesome night.Get on this, San Jose Sharks. Your marketing department can thank us later.Jonathan ToewsCaptain Serious. Yep, Jonathan Toews. Think about it. It would be amazing.There's a laundry list of things he could talk to you about on the ride, from climate change, to growing your own food, to books he's reading, to Buddhism and "total human optimization."Or you could talk to him about what it's like to win everything there is to win in hockey by the age of 28. Three Stanley Cups. A Conn Smythe Trophy. A Selke. World Junior Championship gold (twice). World Championship gold. Olympic gold (twice). The World Cup. His resume is ridiculous.There's also his ridiculously cute dog.Toews is so much more of a character than he's given credit for. It'd be a ride, all right. And he'd definitely offer up the aux cord.Roberto LuongoThink. About. The. Tweets.Think about Roberto Luongo driving an Uber and tweeting about each of his passengers after the ride. Yeah, you'd be entertained. On the ride and after.Honorable MentionsP.K. Subban

They don't call him Captain Serious for nothing.Jonathan Toews and his girlfriend, Lindsey Vecchione, dressed up as a pair of skeletons for an early Halloween party, as evidenced by the Chicago Blackhawks center's Instagram post Tuesday night.

The NHL has signed a long-term deal to streamline the production of replica jerseys and championship apparel.The league agreed to a lengthy contract with Fanatics, the largest online licensed sports apparel retailer in the U.S., on Wednesday.ESPN's Darren Rovell reports it is a 16-year pact, citing sources.The deal gives the company the exclusive right to produce replica sweaters and products for quick turnaround, including Stanley Cup champion dressing room apparel.The agreement should expedite the process of making and selling apparel for special occasions, and should decrease wait times for popular player jerseys like that of Toronto Maple Leafs sensation Auston Matthews, whose sweater wasn't immediately available following his historic four-goal debut.The Adidas logo won't appear on the Fanatics replicas, according to the report. Adidas takes over from Reebok as the NHL's official on-ice apparel provider next season.Fanatics reportedly signed a similar contract with Major League Baseball last week, under the terms of which Fanatics will gain "broad apparel rights" when Under Armour takes over as the official on-field apparel provider in 2020.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Ryan Dzingel scored two goals and Craig Anderson made 22 saves for his first shutout of the season and the 34th of his career as the Ottawa Senators beat the Vancouver Canucks 3-0 on Tuesday night.Jean-Gabriel Pageau scored into an empty net for the Senators.Anderson entered play with a 3.66 goals-against average and an .866 save percentage, but was flawless as Ottawa (4-2-0) opened a three-game road trip through western Canada with a solid defensive effort.Ryan Miller made 25 stops for Vancouver (4-2-1), which has dropped three straight and lost at home for the first time in 2016-17.After opening the scoring in the first period, Dzingel added his fourth of the season at 2:12 at of the third, taking a slick no-look feed from Bobby Ryan in front and beating Miller for the first two-goal game of his career.The 24-year-old played the first five games of the season on Ottawa's fourth line, but was promoted to the second unit with Ryan and Derick Brassard against Vancouver, and made the most of his opportunity.The Senators had allowed nine goals in third periods coming into Tuesday, and Anderson had to be sharp on a shot off the stick of Bo Horvat from the slot with about 12 minutes left in regulation.Henrik Sedin had a golden opportunity for Vancouver with under 10 minutes to go, but decided on a pass despite getting a good look at the Ottawa goal with Anderson out of position.Anderson then stopped Sven Baertschi on a breakaway with six minutes to go to preserve the shutout before Pageau scored his first into an empty net.The Canucks had their first regulation loss of the season on Sunday, 4-2 at Anaheim, a result that came on the heels of a 4-3 shootout defeat to Los Angeles the previous night.The Senators, meanwhile, dropped a 4-1 decision at home to Tampa Bay on Saturday.Troy Stecher made his NHL debut for Vancouver after being called up from the AHL on Monday. The 22-year-old defenseman from nearby Richmond, signed with the organization as a undrafted college free agent in the offseason, and took the place of Christopher Tanev (lower-body injury) alongside Alexander Edler on Vancouver's top pairing.Ottawa snapped a seven-game losing streak at Rogers Arena dating to 2004.NOTES: Also missing for Vancouver were Fs Alexandre Burrows (neck) and Derek Dorsett (shoulder). Jayson Megna was recalled from the AHL and suited up for his first game with the club on the fourth line.UP NEXT:Senators: Visit Calgary on Friday.Canucks: host Edmonton on Friday and Washington on Saturday, but after that play just seven of their next 21 at home.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Frederik Andersen is the talk of the town, but for all the wrong reasons.The Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender allowed seven goals on 23 shots against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Tuesday, dropping his save percentage to .850 through five appearances to start the season.To his credit, he's not shying away from his poor performance.

Jakub Voracek was feeling no ill effects from a devastating open-ice hit by Dmitry Kulikov on Tuesday night.Related: Watch: Kulikov pops off Voracek's helmet with late hitVoracek left briefly following the hit, but returned to score a nifty shootout winner as Philadelphia topped Buffalo 4-3. The Flyers trailed 3-0 after two periods, but scored a pair of power-play goals in the final three minutes of the third to tie the game.The 27-year-old Voracek is off to a strong start this year, with three goals and eight points in seven games.(Video courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

ST. LOUIS - Brian Elliott stopped 23 shots in his return to St. Louis, Johnny Gaudreau and Sam Bennett each had a goal and an assist and the Calgary Flames beat the Blues 4-1 on Tuesday night.Elliott was traded from St. Louis to Calgary in June, and the 17,337 in attendance serenaded Elliott with chants of ''Moose,'' his nickname, on his first couple of saves. Elliott's best save came late in the second when he slid his right pad across the crease to rob Nail Yakupov on a rebound attempt.Dennis Wideman and Deryk Engelland also scored to help the Flames snap a seven-game losing streak at St. Louis.Kevin Shattenkirk scored for the Blues on a two-man advantage in the third, and Carter Hutton made 26 saves. After winning their first three games, the Blues are 1-2-1 in their last four.Wideman's power-play goal early in the first ended a string of 19 straight penalty kills for the Blues. Wideman gave the Flames the 1-0 lead after former Blue Troy Brouwer won the puck along the boards and found Wideman alone in the slot.Engelland added to the lead midway through the first after Kris Versteeg sent him in alone on Hutton with a pass. The play started after Vladimir Tarasenko whiffed on a shot on the other end, sending the Flames in on an odd-man rush.Bennett's wrist shot went in through a maze of traffic early in the second to give Calgary a 3-0 lead. Bennett had an assist on Engelland's goal, giving him his second multipoint game of the season, both against St. Louis.The game was also a homecoming for Calgary's Matthew Tkachuk, son of former Blue Keith Tkachuk. Matthew Tkachuk, the 6th overall pick by the Flames, was one of four St. Louis area natives taken in the first round of this year's amateur draft.NOTES: Blues F Alexander Steen played in his 500th game with St. Louis. ... Flames D Mark Giordano played in his 600th game with Calgary. ... Brouwer and Elliott both joined the Flames in the offseason and received a standing ovation after the Blues played a video tribute to them midway through the first period.UP NEXTFlames: Return home to face Ottawa on Friday night.Blues: Continue a three-game home stand against Detroit on Thursday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's Department of Player Safety may want to take another look at this hit, and not just because Dmitry Kulikov managed to pop Jakub Voracek's helmet off.Rather, the Buffalo Sabres defenseman appeared to levy the check well after Voracek had moved the puck, which could warrant supplemental discipline from the NHL. Kulikov was assessed a two-minute charging penalty on the play.Voracek left the game for observation, but was able to return.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Arizona Coyotes are not off to a howling start.Far from it.After a 4-3 loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday, the club is off to its worst start in franchise history (1-5-0).

PITTSBURGH - Sidney Crosby scored in his season debut as the Pittsburgh Penguins rallied to beat the Florida Panthers 3-2 on Tuesday night.Crosby, who scored on a power play, missed the team's first six games with a concussion. Carl Hagelin and Eric Fehr also scored for the Penguins, who extended a seven-game unbeaten streak against the Panthers.Marc-Andre Fleury, who has started the first seven games of the season for Pittsburgh, stopped 20 shots. Matt Murray, who backstopped the Penguins to a Stanley Cup in June, served as the backup to Fleury after missing the first six games with a broken hand.Reilly Smith scored a power-play goal and Mark Pysyk also scored for the Panthers, who have lost 11 of 12 against the Penguins in Pittsburgh.James Reimer made 19 saves in his second start of the season.Crosby cut the Panthers' lead to 2-1 in the second period. Crosby had to reach for a pass from Evgeni Malkin, but recovered to whip a shot from the slot over Reimer's shoulder.Hagelin tied it in the third when he sent a shot underneath Reimer's arm during a 2-on-1.Fehr put the Penguins in front for good when he one-timed a pass from Tom Kuhnhackl between Reimer's legs.Crosby, the two-time MVP and reigning Conn Smythe Trophy winner, hasn't played since sustaining a concussion in practice earlier this month. Crosby participated in a full-contact practice Monday for the first time since suffering his third concussion in six years. He called his participation in practice a major milestone in his recovery.Crosby described himself Tuesday morning as a game-time decision, but coach Mike Sullivan said the Penguins' captain would likely make his season debut barring a setback after participating in the game-day skate.Crosby, who captained Team Canada to a World Cup of Hockey championship last month, missed the better part of two seasons after sustaining a concussion in January 2011. He stressed he didn't panic when doctors told him of the latest diagnosis. The Penguins, meanwhile, went 3-2-1 with Crosby out of the lineup.Panthers F Jaromir Jagr returned to Pittsburgh where he won two Stanley Cups and five scoring titles, totaling 1,079 points in 806 games from 1990-01.The Penguins honored Jagr, the No. 5 pick in the 1990 NHL draft, during Tuesday's morning skate with a commemorative plaque made out of material from the Civic Arena roof. The 44-year-old Jagr, who is in his 23rd NHL season, ranks third all-time in NHL history in goals and points.NOTES: Jagr played his 1,635th career game, tying Scott Stevens for seventh all-time. ... Penguins D Kris Letang skated Tuesday with a no-contact jersey, but missed his third game with an upper-body injury. ... Penguins F Conor Sheary is not cleared to play and will be re-evaluated in a week. ... The Panthers played without Jonathan Huberdeau (lower body), Nick Bjugstad (upper body) and Jussi Jokinen (lower body). ... Penguins D Brian Dumoulin played in his 100th NHL game.UP NEXTPanthers: Continue a four-game road trip at Toronto on Thursday.Penguins: Host the New York Islanders on Thursday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Travis Konecny finally has a goal to go along with his five assists.The Philadelphia Flyers forward tipped in a point shot by defenseman Ivan Provorov early in the third period to give him his first since being drafted 24th overall in 2015.Konecny has gotten off to a commendable start early in his first NHL campaign with six points in his first seven games.(Video courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There was a scary moment in Boston as Bruins center David Krejci appeared to take a skate to the face during Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Wild.The incident occurred after teammate Adam McQuaid initiated a bump on the opposition that had a domino effect that landed on Krejci.Here's a closer look at the contact made between the blade of Christian Folin's skate and Krejci's face.

All Ben Bishop will want for Christmas is his two front teeth.That's because the Tampa Bay Lighting goaltender lost both of his after taking a Peter Holland shot to the mask in the second period of Tuesday's game.

Malcolm Subban's season debut did not go as planned.The Boston Bruins' rookie goalie was pulled during the second period of Tuesday's game against the Minnesota Wild after allowing three goals on 16 shots for a save percentage of .813.After beginning the season in Providence, Subban was pressed into action following injuries to starter Tuukka Rask and backup Anton Khudobin. He was replaced by fourth-string option Zany McIntyre on Tuesday.The 2012 first-round pick (24th overall) previously appeared in one NHL game, against St. Louis on Feb. 20, 2015. Subban was also pulled from that start, after allowing three goals on six shots.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We all knew it was coming.Sidney Crosby kicked off his season debut in style, scoring on the power play midway through the second period. Crosby fired a wrist shot over the blocking glove of Florida Panthers goaltender James Reimer.Crosby had missed the Penguins' first six games of the season after sustaining a concussion. He's already started making up ground on the NHL scoring race.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars will be without forward Jason Spezza on Tuesday night.The 33-year-old will sit against the Winnipeg Jets as he deals with an undisclosed injury, DallasStars.com's Mark Stepneski confirmed. Spezza was deemed a game-time decision by head coach Lindy Ruff after the veteran suffered the ailment during practice on Monday.Spezza's had a mediocre start to the year, with just two goals and three points through five games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Turns out you can go home again.Toronto-area native Steven Stamkos continued to put his electric game on display against the Maple Leafs on Tuesday, firing an absolute rocket of a one-timer past Frederik Andersen for his second goal of the night.Related: Stamkos answers parade of boos with early goal vs. Maple LeafsThe Tampa Bay captain chose to re-sign with the Lightning in lieu of possibly signing with the Maple Leafs as a free agent this past summer.There were some boos raining down from the stands, but, during intermission, Stamkos said he'd take them if the puck keeps going in the net.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs fans didn't need another reason to boo Tampa Bay Lightning forward Steven Stamkos, but they got one.The Lightning captain was serenaded with jeers from Maple Leafs fans, who were clearly still bitter that the former 60-goal scorer chose to re-sign with the Lightning instead of joining his hometown Leafs.

The New Jersey Devils may have a dynamic duo in Taylor Hall and Pavel Zacha.The pair teamed up for New Jersey's first goal against Carolina on Tuesday, as Zacha passed the puck to Hall off a clean faceoff win, before the winger sent a laser past Justin Peters.The goal was Hall's fourth for his new club. That'll do.

The Carolina Hurricanes will be without their leading scorer for Tuesday's game against the Detroit Red Wings.Jeff Skinner is listed as day to day with an ailment that is being left open for interpretation at this point.

Matt Murray is inching ever closer to his regular-season debut.The Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender is serving as Marc-Andre Fleury's backup on Tuesday night. It's the first time Murray has dressed for a game this season, since breaking his hand during the World Cup of Hockey as a member of Team North America.Murray made quite an impression during his first taste of the NHL last season, constructing a record of 9-2-1 in 13 games with a 2.00 goals-against average and a .930 save percentage, before backstopping the club to its first Stanley Cup since 2009.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Kid is back.Pittsburgh Penguins captain and superstar center Sidney Crosby will make his regular-season debut against the Florida Panthers on Tuesday after missing the first six games with a concussion.

Former New Jersey Devils prospect Ben Johnson has been sentenced to three years in prison for sexual assault.On Sept. 1, Johnson was found guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at a nightclub in Windsor, Ontario in March of 2013, when he was a member of the Ontario Hockey League's Spitfires.Johnson's entry-level contract with the Devils was terminated shortly after the conviction. Johnson was drafted 90th overall by the Devils in 2012, and spent three seasons as a pro in the AHL and ECHL without ever reaching the NHL level.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Vancouver Canucks face the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday, and will likely do so without defenseman Christopher Tanev in the lineup.Tanev is day to day with an undisclosed injury, believed to have been suffered Sunday against the Anaheim Ducks.Tanev was not part of the line rushes at Tuesday's morning skate. The 26-year-old has one point in six games this season.On Monday, the Canucks recalled Utica (AHL) blue-liner Troy Stecher, who is expected to make his NHL debut.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings saw something in Thomas Vanek.Bought out of the final year of his contract this summer by the Minnesota Wild, the one-time NHL superstar was a free-agency afterthought, passed over and left to sign a one-year "prove it" deal with the Red Wings.After just six games with his new club, Vanek has already notched seven points - tied for the team lead with new teammates Mike Green and Gustav Nyquist.It's early, no doubt, but that's a production clip Vanek hasn't reached since his days with the Buffalo Sabres, which included a career-best 84 points in 2006-07."We thought on a one-year deal, it was a good gamble. We felt we'd have a motivated athlete," Red Wings general manager Ken Holland said on SiriusXM NHL. "He's produced, he's a big body with a good pair of hands. He's good on the power play."We thought on a one-year deal it was a chance for us to hit a home run. In the early going here, he's been everything we could've hoped for."Making his NHL debut in 2005, Vanek's hit the 20-goal plateau in all but one season. He's also a four-time 30-goal scorer, and he's cracked 40 or more goals twice.Vanek was among the hottest commodities of the 2014 offseason and landed a three-year, $19.5-million megadeal with the Wild - representing a homecoming of sorts for the Austria-born forward, who spent his development years with the University of Minnesota.But for one reason or another, things never worked out in Minnesota, with Vanek's production crashing to a full-season career worst last year. He tallied just 41 points, leading the Wild to cut ties before the final year of his contract.SeasonTeamGamesPointsPts/GP2012-13Buffalo38411.082013-14BUF/NYI/MTL78680.872014-15Minnesota80520.652015-16Minnesota74410.552016-17Detroit671.17This summer, the Red Wings offered Vanek an opportunity to rebuild his game and his name."I wanted Thomas Vanek on this team," coach Jeff Blashill told Nicholas Cotsonika of NHL.com. "He brings an elite offensive ability that's hard to get when you don't draft high."The Red Wings, of course, haven't drafted in the top 10 since 1991 - victims of their own success, having captured four Stanley Cups between 1997 and 2008.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Whether fans in Toronto want to admit it or not, a glorious era of Blue Jays baseball likely came to an end when the Cleveland Indians celebrated the AL pennant at Rogers Centre last week.Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, the sluggers who teamed up for parts of eight seasons to return a swagger to the Blue Jays organization and end a 22-year postseason drought, are both free agents. It's highly likely their time in Toronto is over. The club said it will make qualifying offers to both players, but it's expected they'll reject those offers in favor of greater riches on the open market.If they do depart, both players will leave behind significant legacies in Toronto, having turned the Blue Jays franchise - and much of the city's sporting culture - on its head over the past eight years. There's no doubt Bautista and Encarnacion are two of the most iconic and important athletes in Toronto sports history; where they ultimately sit on Hogtown's list of sports royalty is a point of great contention. theScore's staff tried to bring some clarity to the situation and debated a list of the top 10 athletes in Toronto history, which includes both sluggers. Here it is, in no particular order:Roberto AlomarThough he spent just five years with the Blue Jays, Alomar's impact on the franchise is immeasurable. The second baseman became an instant fan favorite when he arrived in 1991 and was instrumental in the Blue Jays' back-to-back titles; he also hit what many consider the most important home run in franchise history in the 1992 ALCS. He's the only Blue Jay to have his number retired, and the only Hall of Famer to wear a Blue Jays hat on his plaque. - Simon Sharkey-GotliebMats SundinMats Sundin is the greatest to ever suit up for the Toronto Maple Leafs - anyone who tells you otherwise is wrong. The Swede was the first non-Canadian captain of the club, and No. 13 left Toronto after 13 seasons as the Maple Leafs' all-time leader in goals, points, power-play goals, and game-winning goals. He added 70 points in 77 playoff games, good for second in the 100-year history of the club, and seven game-winning playoff goals - no one else has scored more than five. There's an old saying which best describes Sundin's time in Toronto: You don't know what you've got until Mats is gone. - Navin VaswaniJoe CarterAcquired with Alomar in December 1990, Carter spent seven seasons with the Blue Jays and made five All-Star appearances to become a franchise legend. He's most famous, of course, for his World Series-winning walk-off homer off Mitch Williams in 1993, a seminal moment in Toronto and Canadian sports history. Carter also made the final play of the 1992 World Series while playing first base. - SSGVince CarterWhether Vince Carter will go down as the greatest Raptor of all time remains a contentious issue, especially among a segment of the fanbase that will never get over his ugly split from the franchise. But no one can deny VC's place as the Raptors' most iconic player - his legendary 2000 dunk contest performance put the Raptors, Toronto, and Canada on the basketball map in thunderous fashion. Given basketball's worldwide popularity, it can be argued that Toronto has never housed a bigger international sports superstar than Carter, whose Half-Man, Half-Amazing routine transcended borders and made him perhaps the face of the early 2000s NBA. - Joseph CasciaroDoug GilmourDoug Gilmour's time in Toronto was short - he played only 393 games and was gone by 1997 - but he led the Maple Leafs out of the Harold Ballard-era darkness, the catalyst in their transformation back into a respectable team. Gilmour averaged a Maple Leafs-best 1.15 points per game - no one else comes close - and holds single-season records for points (127) and assists (95). In 1993, he won the Selke Trophy and finished second behind some guy named Mario Lemieux for the Hart Trophy. He captivated the city in the springs of 1993 and 1994 and averaged 1.481 points per game in four playoff campaigns with the franchise, including when Toronto came 60 minutes - and a performance Wayne Gretzky calls the game of his life - from the Stanley Cup Final. The man known as "Dougie" played for seven teams over his Hall of Fame career, but he's remembered as a Maple Leaf, and rightfully so. - NVJose BautistaHe was property of five organizations in one season, and struggling to keep a big-league job when the Blue Jays acquired him from Pittsburgh for journeyman minor leaguer Robinzon Diaz in August 2008. Two years later Bautista turned that deal into one of the steals of the decade when he hit 54 homers and began rewriting the Blue Jays' record books and changing the franchise. He became beloved for his trademark ability to channel anger into production - just ask Darren O'Day - and his legendary bat flip in the 2015 ALDS ranks only behind Carter as the team's iconic image. If he does leave this winter, he'll do so as arguably the greatest position player the Blue Jays have ever seen. - SSGWendel ClarkWendel Clark was born in Kelvington, Saskatchewan, but he's from Toronto. Drafted first overall as a defenseman in 1985, Clark came along during a dark period for the franchise - from 1980 to 1990, Toronto won 30 or more games in a season only twice. But Clark gave people a reason to visit Maple Leaf Gardens. He scored, checked, and fought, but his give-it-all game came at a cost, and Clark played more than 66 games only once in his first nine seasons. It didn't matter to the city, which loved him unconditionally, and there was much uproar when he was traded - ironically enough - for Sundin after the 1993-94 season. Toronto's love affair with Clark would continue, though. No. 17 came home in a costly 1996 trade and again in 2000, so he could retire in blue and white. Clark's 34 playoff goals are a team record, and he's best remembered for destroying Marty McSorley after the defender took a run at Gilmour during the 1993 conference finals. That was Wendel. You mess with anyone on the Maple Leafs, you mess with Clark. - NVRoy HalladayThe bright spot during the Blue Jays' years in the desert, "Doc" was known for his competitive fire as well as being arguably the best pitcher in baseball during his Blue Jays years. His teams never made the playoffs but Halladay drew people to Rogers Centre by himself; by the time he was traded in 2009, his legacy as the greatest pitcher in Blue Jays history - and perhaps the most universally beloved Blue Jay - was cemented. - SSGEdwin EncarnacionThe man once derisively dubbed "E-5" by fans was brought to Toronto from Cincinnati as a throw-in, included in a trade only to make salaries work. After being outrighted to the minors and even claimed on waivers by Oakland, Encarnacion found a home at first base and broke out in 2012 with a 42-homer campaign. Since then, he's formed the backbone of the Blue Jays and has quietly gone about his business while spawning parrot memes thanks to his home-run trot. Encarnacion got his Kodak moment earlier this month when he walked off the Orioles in the wild-card game, a homer that's been dubbed the "bat drop." - SSGMichael "Pinball" ClemonsThe CFL's Argonauts, one of North America's oldest professional sports franchises, have fallen out of favor and become largely irrelevant in Toronto. Only Clemons, one of the league's great running backs and an ambassador for the game and his city, still transcends the franchise, even among casual fans. During his 12-year career the diminutive running back electrified Toronto with his record-setting play and infectious smile, and led the Argonauts to three Grey Cups in the 1990s while bringing life to the moribund franchise; he later won a fourth title as the team's head coach in 2004. Now an Argos executive, Pinball remains a civic icon and is beloved for his motivational speeches and dedication to Toronto, leading to occasional suggestions that he run for mayor. - SSGThat Bautista and Encarnacion can find themselves on a list like this while they're still active speaks volumes about the impact they've left on Toronto sports in just nine short years. While all good things must come to an end, their legacies in Canada's largest city will continue to live on, and it's very clear they'll forever be regarded as two of the greatest athletes to ever pass through the 6ix.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Before it was Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, it was Mario Lemieux and Jaromir Jagr. Yes, it seems the Pittsburgh Penguins have been blessed by some sort of higher power.Lemieux, now the owner of the Penguins, and Jagr, returning to his old stomping grounds Tuesday as a member of the Florida Panthers, are forever emblazoned into the lore of the franchise where they won two Stanley Cups in the early 1990s.However, if it weren't for Lemieux's ailing back, Jagr believes their ring total would be substantially higher.

Jamie McGinn will draw into the lineup Tuesday when the Arizona Coyotes face off against the New Jersey Devils, according to coach Dave Tippett.An upper-body injury has kept McGinn out of the first five games of the season, in which the Coyotes have struggled to a 1-4-0 record. He appeared in line rushes Tuesday, paired with Jordan Martinook and Anthony Duclair.McGinn, 28, signed with the Coyotes this summer after splitting last season between the Buffalo Sabres and Anaheim Ducks, scoring 22 goals and 17 assists.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins center David Backes won't be in the lineup Tuesday when the team takes on the Minnesota Wild due to a "minor issue," coach Claude Julien confirmed.Backes has gotten off to a strong start with the Bruins, scoring four points in five games. The 32-year-old had been a member of the St. Louis Blues since 2006 before signing with the Bruins in the offseason.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.