The Los Angeles Kings have signed goaltender Anders Lindback to a professional tryout, general manager Dean Lombardi told Lisa Dillman of the Los Angeles Times.Lombardi also confirmed that Lindback will begin play with the Kings' AHL affiliate, the Ontario Reign.Lindback, 28, played 19 games for the Arizona Coyotes last season, posting a 5-7-1 record and a .894 save percentage. He then joined the New Jersey Devils' training camp on a professional tryout but was not signed.The Kings hope Lindback can be a solution in goal as the team deals with the long-term injury to starter Jonathan Quick, as well as the groin issue that will keep Jeff Zatkoff out of the lineup for one week.Los Angeles will continue to play netminders Peter Budaj and Jack Campbell as Lindback gets up to speed.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby wants it to be a surprise.After being cleared Monday to return to practice, the Pittsburgh Penguins captain declared himself a "game-time decision" for Tuesday's contest versus the Florida Panthers.Crosby took line rushes at practice Tuesday morning. He has yet to suit up this season as he recovers from a concussion suffered in practice two weeks ago.While Crosby himself wouldn't guarantee anything, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan seems optimistic.

The Boston Bruins will be without the services of backup goaltender Anton Khudobin for about three weeks after he suffered an upper-body injury at Monday's practice, the team announced Tuesday.Khudobin has appeared in two games with the Bruins this season, dropping both and posting a .849 save percentage. The team has recalled goalie Zane McIntyre from the Providence Bruins of the AHL.On Monday, the Bruins recalled netminder Malcolm Subban, who is expected to start Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild.Starter Tuukka Rask remains day to day with general soreness.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Every Tuesday, theScore's editors will examine the fortunes of the north's seven NHL franchises. Welcome to "O Canada."Calgary FlamesPlus: Troy Brouwer has been the Flames' top forward early on, notching five points through seven games. The club's biggest offseason addition is steadily proving his worth in Calgary's top six.Minus: Sean Monahan and Johnny Gaudreau have three points apiece - less than Michael Frolik and Mikael Backlund, and the same amount as Dennis Wideman, Matt Stajan, and Micheal Ferland. It's early, very early. But the Flames' most talented - and richest - forwards will need to rediscover the magic that propelled the offense a season ago in order to contend.The Take: It looks like Calgary is still working out the kinks of a new system under Glen Gulutzan. They aren't scoring at the same rate, while special teams and shoddy goaltending have hindered the team early on. It can be fixed, but with five of their next seven games on the road, it's time to start registering some wins.Edmonton OilersPlus: The Oilers enjoyed a fine week, winning three in a row - including an impressive victory at the Heritage Classic - after laying an egg during a 6-2 loss to Buffalo on home ice. Good thing they didn't take the day off.Minus: Edmonton's still allowing a ton of shots - 33.2 per game, in fact. At least Cam Talbot's numbers are on the mend.The Take: The Edmonton Oilers are in first place. What a world. Connor McDavid continues to rack up points, while the rest of the offense has contributed nicely. A five-game Eastern road trip is on the horizon, which should provide a clearer barometer of where the club truly ranks.Montreal CanadiensPlus: Carey Price, Shea Weber, Alexander Radulov, and Max Pacioretty, to name a few. Things are good at the moment for the league-leading Canadiens, who have yet to lose in regulation.Minus: Radulov referring to goosebumps as "the tickles."The Take: Life ain't so bad without P.K. Subban so far, eh? Montreal looks as deep as ever, and the entire offense is producing. The Canadiens sit atop the league with 3.83 goals per game, and, with Price back in goal, the Habs are scary.Ottawa SenatorsPlus: Erik Karlsson has seven points, on pace for another blistering offensive campaign.Minus: Goaltending. Craig Anderson's 3.66 goals-against average and .866 save percentage has somehow yielded a 3-1 record, which doesn't seem sustainable.The Take: The Guy Boucher era isn't off to a hot start. The Senators are 3-2, but it's the same old story. Ottawa ranks sixth in goals for (3.4 per game), yet sits tied for second-last in goals against (four per game).Toronto Maple LeafsPlus: Goals are fun, and the Maple Leafs are good at scoring them. Toronto has a legitimate offense, led by Auston Matthews and William Nylander, who have eight and seven points, respectively.Minus: Four losses, four third-period implosions. Toronto blowing leads is the one thing this new era of Leafs can't seem to erase. At least they've salvaged a point in three of them.The Take: While the fashion in which they lose can be frustrating, Mike Babcock is content with the on-ice product. Learning to win comes with time, which, fortunately for the Maple Leafs, is on their side.Vancouver CanucksPlus: An early record of 4-1-1 sure looks nice. Ryan Miller and Jacob Markstrom have looked more than reliable in goal thus far.Minus: The luck of it all will catch up to them. The Canucks erased third-period deficits in three of their first four games, and capitalized on a fairly weak portion of their schedule.The Take: Producing four wins with a plus-1 goal differential is a bit of an anomaly. The Canucks are barely averaging two goals per game, and a full season of elite goaltending might be the club's best, if not only, hope.Winnipeg JetsPlus: Patrik Laine's shot. The kid is proving his offensive prowess, while he, along with linemates Mark Scheifele and Blake Wheeler, lead the club in scoring through five games.Minus: Getting shut out in those glorious throwback uniforms. Perhaps more importantly, neither Connor Hellebuyck or Michael Hutchinson appear to want the starting job. Both have registered only one win, and boast sub-.900 save percentages. One of them will need to take a step in the right direction soon.The Take: At times, the Jets look dangerous, but they're in need of more balance. Beyond the aforementioned top line, Shawn Matthias is the next forward on the scoring list with only two points. If the goaltending is quickly rectified, the Jets should soar up the standings.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 are 10 players who should see regression that will have a negative impact on their fantasy values:D Brent Burns, San Jose SharksBurns has picked up where he concluded the 2015-16 season, racking up nine points through the Sharks' first six games. He has registered an astonishing 29 shots on goal, making his three goals extremely reasonable.The biggest cause for concern is the discrepancy in his primary and secondary assists. Burns is averaging 3.14 assists per 60 minutes of 5v5 play but just 1.26 primary helpers.C Ryan Johansen, Nashville PredatorsAll four of Johansen's four assists on the season have come with the Predators on the man advantage. The Predators have the league's second-worst Corsi For rating at 5v5, sitting at 44.64.As a team they have a 47.4-percent success rate on the power play, with Johansen having factored into four of their nine goals. The Predators' talent is indisputable, but they'll need improved play at 5v5 for Johansen to maintain his production.LW Richard Panik, Chicago BlackhawksThe most obvious name on this list, Panik is also the least controversial. Panik is leading the league with six goals through six games, but he has registered just nine SOG on the season.Toronto Maple Leafs C Auston Matthews and Philadelphia Flyers RW Matt Read are tied for second with five goals apiece, but they have 22 and 15 SOG, respectively.LW/RW Lee Stempniak, Carolina HurricanesStempniak is off to a strong start for the second consecutive season. Last year, with the New Jersey Devils, he recorded eight points in 11 October games, then had 10 in 12 November games before dropping off.He currently has six points in five games. His four goals have come on just nine shots.C Alex Galchenyuk, Montreal CanadiensGalchenyuk has three 5v5 assists on the season, good for a pace of 2.87 assists per 60 minutes. Just 0.87 of those theoretical assists are of the primary variety.He has added a goal at 5v5 and a power-play assist, but he is averaging a modest 16:01 in total ice time. He has been struggling with possession, posting a CF% of just 49.06.RW Patrick Kane, Chicago BlackhawksSix of Kane's seven points on the year have come at 5v5, showing sustainability reminiscent of last season. Through six games he has just one power-play point, an assist - a stark contrast from last year's 37 PP points.The Blackhawks have five power-play goals as a team, but Kane just hasn't been able to factor in on the man advantage. His luck should change, but last year's total was likely unrepeatable as it was.C Darren Helm, Detroit Red WingsThe 29-year-old Helm has five points through six games, putting him on pace to shatter his career-high 33 points set in the 2014-15 season. He has been playing with Ws Gustav Nyquist and Thomas Vanek, two of the best offensive talents he has ever been paired with.Still, he has four goals on just 11 shots on goal. Even if he can produce more assists, he'll lose value with fewer goals.C Artem Anisimov, Chicago BlackhawksWhile the aforementioned Kane has posted a CF% over 54 percent at 5v5, Anisimov is coming in at just 46.67. After scoring 20 goals in 77 games last season, mostly while centering Kane and LW Artemi Panarin, Anisimov already has four goals through his opening seven games.His 12 shots thus far are ahead of last season's 77-game pace, but he has been more than twice as successful in converting for goals.G Petr Mrazek, Detroit Red WingsMrazek has stopped 20 of the 21 High Danger Shot Attempts he has faced, per Corsica.Hockey. He and teammate Jimmy Howard have the top HDSV% in the league. Mrazek has allowed just five goals on the season at 5v5, but his expected goals allowed (xGA) rises to 7.80.He has already allowed four power-play goals, as the Red Wings rank 24th in the league with a penalty-kill percentage of 73.9.C Kyle Turris, Ottawa SenatorsTurris' CF rating of 48.00 percent is actually among the Senators' team leaders. Head coach Guy Boucher will need some more time to instil his defensive system, but the talent of the forward group - and D Erik Karlsson - has come through with the sixth-highest goals-per-game average.Ws Mark Stone and Mike Hoffman are the primary shooters on Ottawa's top line, with Turris a tertiary option.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kris Versteeg, Calgary Flames hero.For one night, at least, as the winger earned his team the extra point upon getting the better of former Chicago Blackhawks teammate Corey Crawford with a vicious deke.The winning - and only - shootout goal came in the seventh round, mercifully ending the proceedings.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

MONTREAL - Brendan Gallagher scored midway through the third period as the Montreal Canadiens beat the Philadelphia Flyers 3-1 on Monday night to extend their winning streak to four games.First-place Montreal (5-0-1) remains the only team unbeaten in regulation time.Shea Weber and Alexander Radulov, into the empty net, also scored for Montreal. Carey Price made 31 saves for his third consecutive win to start the season.Jakub Voracek scored the lone goal for the Flyers (2-3-1). Steve Masonstopped 30 of 32 shots.Gallagher scored on the power play at 13:08 of the third period, just four seconds into Montreal's man advantage. The pesky wing deflected Radulov's shot from the point past Mason.Gallagher got the play going after winning the faceoff to the left of Mason before scoring his team-leading fourth goal of the season.The Canadiens came into the game 3 for 21 with the man advantage (20th in the NHL). As a result, coach Michel Therrien tried to jumpstart Montreal's stalled power play by shuffling some players around.One of those changes was putting Radulov on the point with Weber on Montreal's first power play. The new strategy paid dividends in the third.Montreal finished Monday's game 1 for 4 on the power play.Radulov finished with one goal, two assists, five hits, and he drew a penalty in the second period.Weber got Montreal on the board at 5:28 of the second period with his second goal of the season.After good work behind the net by Radulov to get the puck back to the point,Weber fired a slap shot that broke Brayden Schenn's stick and deflected into the net.The Flyers tied it when Voracek deflected Claude Giroux's shot past Price at 11:47. The goal came just seconds after Price denied Voracek all alone in front of goal.Voracek has three goals in six games this season.Notes: Price played his 450th game with the Canadiens. . This was the first of three meetings between the teams this season. They meet again Nov. 5 in Montreal.UP NEXT:Flyers: play the second of a back-to-back at home against Buffalo On Tuesday.Canadiens: are at the New York islanders on Wednesday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Someone in Montreal probably has a new nickname.That would be Alexander Radulov, who described his feeling as Canadiens fans chanted his name during a win over Philadelphia on Tuesday.

Vintage Patrick Kane.The reigning NHL MVP scored a picture-perfect one-time goal off a feed from Artem Anisimov during Tuesday's game against Calgary.The goal was Kane's second of the season, and it appears the 2015-16 Art Ross winner is starting to heat up.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Let's check in on the Chicago Blackhawks.In the first period of their seventh game of the new season, Chicago allowed the Calgary Flames to score a power-play goal, putting themselves in unwelcome company.

Brayden Schenn needs a new twig.This after a Shea Weber slapshot snapped his in two en route to the back of the Philadelphia Flyers' net.The goal was Weber's second of the season, further endearing him to the Montreal Canadiens faithful.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A quick look at Mike Commodore's Twitter feed over the weekend may have confused fans of the former NHL defenseman.

The question was inevitable.In advance of his first game in Toronto since choosing not to sign with his hometown Maple Leafs, Steven Stamkos - who instead agreed to an eight-year contract extension with the Tampa Bay Lightning this past offseason - addressed the decision and whether or not he carries any regret.In a word, no."I made the decision to stay with the team that drafted me and brought me up as an 18-year-old kid. (Tampa's) my second home now. There's no regrets," he said Monday, per the Lightning's Twitter acount. "I'm looking forward to winning another game here on our road trip."While acknowledging the irony of still having to talk about the possibility he could have signed with the Maple Leafs even after the decision is well in the past, Stamkos admitted the uncertainty that hung over him last season was tough to deal with, but he's happy to have remain settled with the Lightning and to approach the new season with no distractions.Stamkos looks to add to his three goals and two assists in five games Tuesday, as his Lightning play the Maple Leafs in Toronto.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Colorado Avalanche appear set to add even more firepower to the lineup.Mikko Rantanen - who injured his ankle during a summer rookie tournament game - has been recalled from the AHL's San Antonio Rampage, with whom he appeared in four games on a conditioning stint to start the season.Drafted 10th overall in 2015, Rantanen recorded 24 goals and 36 assists in 52 games for the Rampage last season, splitting AHL Rookie of the Year honors with Providence's Frank Vatrano.Rantanen failed to record a point in nine games with the Avs last season, and could make his 2016-17 NHL debut Friday against Winnipeg.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Christian Ehrhoff is heading home.Unable to secure a contract with one of the NHL's 30 teams, the veteran defenseman has signed with German club Kolner Haie.Ehrhoff joined Boston Bruins training camp following the World Cup, where he played for Team Europe. The Bruins weren't able to promise regular playing time, prompting Ehrhoff to look elsewhere.In 789 career NHL games, Ehrhoff has recorded 74 goals and 265 assists, spending his most productive years with the San Jose Sharks and Vancouver Canucks from 2008-11.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Los Angeles Kings will be without goaltender Jeff Zatkoff for about one week, coach Darryl Sutter told Jon Rosen of Fox Sports West.A long-term injury would have been devastating for the Kings, after already losing starter Jonathan Quick for about three months with a groin issue.Zatkoff left team practice Saturday after suffering the injury, leaving the Kings with their AHL duo of Peter Budaj and Jack Campbell.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Don't expect a quick resolution to the grievance between the Toronto Maple Leafs and defenseman Jared Cowen, as a decision likely won't come until mid-to-late November, reports TSN's Bob McKenzie.The Maple Leafs attempted to buy out the remainder of Cowen's contract - one year, worth $3.1-million - however, Cowen's camp claims a hip injury prevents such a move.The dispute currently sits before an arbitrator.Should the arbitrator rule in favor of the Maple Leafs, the team would be free of Cowen's contract and would absorb a $750,000 cap hit for two seasons. However, should Cowen win, the Maple Leafs would be on the hook for $4.5 million. Toronto could place Cowen on the long-term injured reserve at that point.The Maple Leafs acquired Cowen last season in the deal that sent former captain Dion Phaneuf to the Ottawa Senators. Cowen, 25, appeared in 37 games with the Senators last season, scoring four points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins defenseman Adam McQuaid has been granted a clean bill of health, the team announced Monday.McQuaid has missed all five Bruins games this season with an upper-body injury. He could make his season debut Tuesday versus the Minnesota Wild.The 30-year-old McQuaid appeared in 64 games with the Bruins last season, scoring one goal and eight assists.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ales Hemsky will be out of the lineup Tuesday when the Dallas Stars take on the Winnipeg Jets, the team announced.Hemsky continues to battle a groin injury that kept him out of the lineup for the first four games of the season.The 33-year-old made his season debut Saturday versus the Columbus Blue Jackets, recording one shot in 15:32 of ice time.Meanwhile, forward Jason Spezza is questionable to play against the Jets after leaving practicing Monday. Spezza has three points in five games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Count former Montreal Canadiens teammate Dale Weise among the supporters of P.K. Subban.Speaking with Amanda Stein of TSN 690, the Philadelphia Flyers forward didn't hold back in his denial that Subban was a distraction for the club."I would say no, I might be a bit biased because we are close as friends," Weise explained. "But I never saw (a) problem with it. I think they were looking for an excuse, and I think he was the guy that could be easily targeted as a guy that could be a distraction."Subban was dealt to the Nashville Predators in a blockbuster trade this offseason that returned blue-liner Shea Weber to the Canadiens.Related: Subban pumps up crowd at Titans game"You see his personality, you see who he is," Weise added. "He is who he is all the time. What you see on camera, on the ice, that's PK Subban all the time. He doesn't change. I never saw one guy have a problem with it (in) the locker room."I think the team was looking to make an excuse. I think he's an easy scapegoat."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Defenseman Michal Rozsival will be in the lineup Monday when the Chicago Blackhawks take on the Calgary Flames, the team announced.Rozsival has been a healthy scratch for all six games this season. The 38-year-old appeared in 51 games with the Blackhawks last year, recording 13 points.On Saturday, the Blackhawks confirmed that defenseman Trevor van Riemsdyk would miss 'about a month' with an upper-body injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL announced its three stars of the week Monday, naming Cam Talbot, Artem Anisimov, and Mike Green as its winners.Talbot, the starting goalie of the Edmonton Oilers, was named the NHL's first star after winning all three of his starts and posting an outstanding .970 save percentage, allowing just three goals over that stretch. Talbot and the Oilers sit atop the NHL standings, with a 5-1-0 record and 10 points in six games.Chicago Blackhawks center Anisimov was named the second star following a pair of two-goal performances. Anisimov tallied two goals and two assists against the Philadelphia Flyers, and then scored two more goals versus the Toronto Maple Leafs. He finished the week with seven points in three games.Green, the Detroit Red Wings blue-liner, was named the NHL's third star after a hat-trick night against the Ottawa Senators, the first by a Detroit defenseman since Nicklas Lidstrom accomplished the same feat in 2010. Green picked up two more points on the week, both assists, finishing with five points in four games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have placed veteran winger Milan Michalek on waivers, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston.Michalek has appeared in all five Leafs games this season, recording a goal and an assist. The 31-year-old carries a $4-million cap hit.The Maple Leafs also claimed forward Ben Smith on waivers Monday.Smith has appeared in four games with the Colorado Avalanche this season. He split time last year between the Maple Leafs and their AHL affiliate, the Toronto Marlies.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Sidney Crosby watch is on, as the Pittsburgh Penguins captain appears to be inching closer to a return to game action.Crosby participated in full gear Monday, doing away with his no-contact jersey.Crosby hasn't played this year after suffering a concussion in practice prior to the season. The Penguins have a 3-2-1 record in his absence.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins have recalled goalie Malcolm Subban on an emergency basis, the team announced Monday.Starting goaltender Tuukka Rask did not participate in practice Monday, while backup Anton Khudobin reportedly left practice with an arm injury.

While Calgary Flames goalie Brian Elliott can't buy a win, he hasn't lost the confidence of his former teammates.Traded to the Flames after spending the past five seasons with the St. Louis Blues, Elliott was on the bench when the Blues rolled into Calgary on Saturday to take on the Flames.Chad Johnson got the call instead of Elliott, and it's understandable why, as the latter has struggled in the early season, going winless in three starts and owning a dreadful .839 save percentage.That's a far cry from the league-leading .930 figure he posted last year.Still, his old Blues teammates have no doubt that their former goalie will bounce back."I wouldn't worry one bit. That's just my perspective," Blues goalie Jake Allen told Wes Gilbertson of the Calgary Herald. "He's one of the most competitive people I have ever met, and he will find his game very soon."Elliott and Allen shared the net in St. Louis for three seasons, with the veteran Elliott often acting as a mentor for 26-year-old Allen.That timeshare became a little complex, particularly in the playoffs, when Allen often started despite Elliott's strong play.That finally changed last year, when Elliott got the chance to be the No. 1 netminder after previous years spent backing up Allen and 2014 deadline pickup Ryan Miller. The Blues advanced to the third round thanks in part to Elliott's nine postseason wins and sparkling .921 save percentage."You couldn't take him out of the net because he was playing so good," added former teammate Jay Bouwmeester. "I guess what I'm trying to say is that anytime he's dealt with that adversity, he's always been really good. This is no different."There's certainly pressure on Elliott, who at 31 has an opportunity to be the full-time starter after previous stints with the Blues, Ottawa Senators, and Colorado Avalanche often saw him split duties.Furthermore, the Flames faithful are hungry for a strong hand in goal after watching the leaky performances of Jonas Hiller and Karri Ramo last season.The Flames and Blues reconnect Tuesday in St. Louis, and while it's not yet known if Elliott will be between the pipes, he would surely enjoy the opportunity to face off against his one-time allies, telling Gilbertson, "You want to play good against your old teams."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

All seven Canadian teams missed the postseason last year - the first such occurrence since 1970 - so it's an odd feeling Monday to see two of Canada's clubs atop the NHL, and three in the top four. While it's better times ahead for many, here are three teams who made noise this week, for better or worse:Edmonton OilersConnor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers sit first overall, and not in the draft lottery standings. Through the team's first six games, they've posted a 5-1-0 record, and had a strong bounce back following that 6-2 stinker to the Buffalo Sabres, going 3-0 since and allowing just three goals.Has the future finally arrived for the Oilers? After a series of first overall picks that only amounted to more high picks, the Oilers are off to the franchise's best start since 1985-86.McDavid has tallied nine points along the way, placing him first in the NHL scoring race, tied with Brent Burns and Brad Marchand. The Oilers made a number of roster bolstering moves leading up to the season, particularly the ousting of Taylor Hall and Nail Yakupov, and the early returns seem to have paid off.Montreal CanadiensThe Montreal Canadiens started last season 9-0-0, and with Carey Price now back in the lineup, the team hasn't skipped a beat. With nine points in five games, the Atlantic-leading Habs remain undefeated in regulation.Canadiens fans held their breath as Price was sidelined with the flu for the first three games of the season, but he has responded well since returning, grabbing a pair of wins and posting a .920 save percentage.Backup Al Montoya was an admirable fill-in in Price's absence, going 2-0-1 with an astounding .962 save percentage.Calgary FlamesGoaltending dragged down the Calgary Flames last season, and this year has not fared much better, despite the team bringing in two new netminders. The Flames have gotten off to an awful start, with one win in six games.Calgary has allowed an NHL-worst 27 goals, and this summer's big addition, goaltender Brian Elliott, has struggled to find his way so far. Elliott's .930 save percentage led the NHL last season, but that number has sagged to .839 this year.Meanwhile, the Flames could have an early goaltending controversy on their hands, as backup Chad Johnson has already seen three games, recording the team's lone win, and a respectable .901 save percentage.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

By this time next year, only two Canadian franchises won't have hosted an outdoor game: the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens.Both the Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs take it outside this year, leaving the Habs and Sens in the cold.Either would be a good choice to host the next Heritage Classic regardless of the opponent, but a match between the two in Ottawa would be ideal. Here's why:Location mattersAs much as the Canadiens, the NHL's most historic franchise with 24 Stanley Cups, would play an excellent host, that's simply not possible given the logistics.The fact remains that Montreal doesn't have a suitable, safe, and open-roof facility to host an outdoor game.The best option, Olympic Stadium, is more than 40 years old, and its lack of a retractable roof makes it a no-go, leaving no other viable venue options.Which takes us to Ottawa. The easy answer is TD Place Stadium, home of the CFL's Redblacks, which seats 24,000.But if Senators owner Eugene Melnyk has his way, the game would be played before Canada's national parliament, as a celebration of not only the national pastime, but also the 150th anniversary of Canada.The matchupThe good news is the Senators need an opponent, and the Canadiens are a terrific option. Since 2013, the Sens and Habs have met twice in the playoffs, and the two have developed a natural, and nasty, rivalry.That's a ratings seller alone, but the Senators and Canadiens also boast two of the NHL's top players worth showcasing: goaltender Carey Price and defenseman Erik Karlsson, who are arguably the league's best at their respective positions.A 2017 game would no doubt offer the two sides an opportunity to renew that rivalry, only from an outdoor rink and before a crowd of thousands.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

(Courtesy: NHL.com)Dan Girardi doesn't score often, but he made it count in a big way in Sunday's game against Arizona.The New York Rangers defenseman, who recorded two goals in 74 games last season, fired the game winner past Coyotes netminder Louis Domingue in only his third game of the season.He was awarded the team's player of the game honor for his efforts.

(Courtesy: NHL.com)It didn't take long for the Anaheim Ducks to bring the home fans to their feet.Andrew Cogliano scored 33 seconds into Sunday's home opener, setting a new franchise record.

Cam Talbot had quite the week.On the ice, he recorded a pair of wins for the Edmonton Oilers, capped by a 31-save shutout over the Winnipeg Jets at Sunday's Heritage Classic.At home, his wife gave birth to twins, who were cheering daddy on from the comforts of home.

Zach Parise reached a career milestone in Sunday's game against the New York Islanders.The Minnesota Wild winger recorded his 300th career goal on a wrist shot past Islander goalie Thomas Greiss.Parise scored his 301st goal later in the second period after the puck squeaked past Greiss. The play required further review from the officials, but the goal stood after it was deemed the puck fully crossed the line.

Auston Matthews went with a topical Halloween costume this year.The Toronto Maple Leafs' star rookie dressed up as Ken Bone, the man who famously asked a question at a recent town hall-style U.S. presidential debate.

Outdoor hockey games always produce visually stunning images, and Sunday's open-air affair between the Winnipeg Jets and the Edmonton Oilers was no different.Here are eight photos you need to see from the Oilers' 3-0 win over the Jets at Investors Group Field:Anton Lander, Darnell Nurse, and the rest of the Oilers warm up before the game.(Courtesy: Edmonton Sun)Jets forward Blake Wheeler was clearly ready to battle the sun's glare.(Courtesy: Winnipeg Jets)After a two-hour sun delay, the game began under clear skies in Winnipeg.(Courtesy: Anne-Marie Sorvin/Action Images)Here's what the opening faceoff looked like from high above.(Courtesy: Winnipeg Jets)Oilers defensemen Adam Larsson (left) and Oscar Klefbom track Jets forward Alex Burmistrov in the shadows.(Courtesy: Anne-Marie Sorvin/Action Images)Oilers goaltender Cam Talbot follows the puck in mid-air as his teammates look on.(Courtesy: NHL)Nurse connects on a big hit.(Courtesy: Edmonton Sun)Investors Group Field was stunning all day long, and it looked especially beautiful after the sun went down.(Courtesy: Anne-Marie Sorvin/Action Images)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

WINNIPEG - Cam Talbot made 31 saves and Mark Letestu scored the first of three second-period goals, lifting the Edmonton Oilers over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday in an outdoor game delayed almost two hours by sunlight melting the ice.The Heritage Classic victory extended Edmonton's winning streak to three in front of 33,240 at Investors Group Field. Fans wore both Jets and Oilers jerseys to the league's 19th outdoor game.Zack Kassian had a goal and an assist and Darnell Nurse also scored for Edmonton.Connor Hellebuyck, who had a tuque attached to his helmet, stopped 29 shots for Winnipeg.The NHL said the start of the Heritage Classic game was delayed ''due to intermittent sunlight on the playing surface'' and ''in the interest of player safety.''The Jets committed a series of errors that allowed Edmonton to break the game open in the second period.Winnipeg was on a power play midway through the period when defenseman Dustin Byfuglien failed to get his stick on a loose puck in the Oilers end. Letestu picked it up and went in alone on Hellebuyck, beating him with a low shot for a shorthanded goal at 9:24.Nurse emerged from the penalty box a couple minutes later and broke for a 2-on-1 with Connor McDavid. Nurse took a pass from McDavid, then sent a shot over Hellebuyck's glove with 8:50 left.McDavid has four goals and five assists in six games.Kassian gave the Oilers a three-goal advantage with 2:44 left after Jets rookie Patrik Laine turned over the puck.Edmonton had a two-man advantage for 55 seconds midway through the third period but couldn't stretch its lead.NOTES: Jets veteran defenseman Mark Stuart and forward Chris Thorburn were healthy scratches. The Oilers sat forward Anton Slepyshev and defenseman Matthew Benning.UP NEXTOilers: Host the Capitals on Wednesday night.Jets: Play at Dallas on Tuesday night.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here come the Edmonton Oilers.No, really.With a 3-0 win over the Winnipeg Jets at the Heritage Classic on Sunday, Edmonton began the season 5-1-0 for the first time since 1985-86.In more recent years, it's taken the Oilers much longer to reach the five-win mark.

The NHL's fascination with outdoor games has gone from experiment, to tradition, to gimmick.What was once an annual tradition has lost its luster, with the league attempting to maximize profits by increasing the number of games from a single Winter Classic on New Year's Day, to multiple outdoor affairs throughout the season.Related: Outdoor games have lost their noveltyThe possibilities for compelling new outdoor games dwindle with every passing event, but there are several things the league can do to make them worth watching again.Here are five ways the NHL can revive interest in the outdoor game:Less is moreAfter three years of holding one outdoor game per season (from 2008-10), the NHL held two in 2010-11, then scheduled an astounding six outdoor contests in 2013-14, before scaling back to a pair in 2014-15, and three last season.Including Sunday's Heritage Classic, four outdoor games will take place in 2016-17. The league can't be blamed for celebrating its centennial with an extra game, but that's still too many.Let's bring it back to one - or at most, two - per season. One Winter Classic and one Heritage Classic every two or three years would be ideal.Enough with the same old teamsOne of the biggest gripes among fans is that outdoor games always seem to involve the same teams - Original Six or otherwise.While the NHL has occasionally incorporated newer markets, the criticism is warranted.The Chicago Blackhawks will play their fifth outdoor game this season, while the Pittsburgh Penguins will appear in their fourth.Eight of the NHL's 30 teams (or nine of 31, including the expansion Las Vegas franchise) haven't played in one, and that list includes four more-than-watchable teams in the Tampa Bay Lightning, Nashville Predators, Dallas Stars, and Florida Panthers.Those climates wouldn't be ideal, but there have been two outdoor games in California, and the warm-weather contenders could always play in a colder environment.Keep exploring neutral sitesAfter the 2016-17 games are played, 18 of the league's 28 metropolitan areas will have hosted an outdoor event. Chicago, New York, Massachusetts, and Pittsburgh will have held it twice.The NHL needs to get creative, as its reportedly doing by considering a game at West Point, and perhaps South Bend, Indiana.Going into uncharted territory is clearly the next step, and the best way to inject new life.One beautiful game deserves anotherNeutral sites are one thing, but let's take it a step further and go across the pond.We've seen these held in NFL stadiums, college facilities, and Major League ballparks, so why not take it to a soccer stadium in England?Tottenham is building a state-of-the-art, 61,000-seat facility with the NFL in mind, and it's expected to open for the 2018-19 season. Failing that, there are plenty of other options. The Colorado Avalanche are run by the Kroenke family, which also holds a large stake in Arsenal.Long-term growth of the game and eyeballs gained thanks to curiosity will outweigh the immediate cost.Put the kids in the international spotlightThe NHL has always struggled to market its stars. That's exactly what it should do with outdoor games, because they're a perfect advertising vehicle on U.S. national TV.Edmonton Oilers sensation Connor McDavid battled Winnipeg Jets phenom Patrik Laine on Sunday, but south of the border, the Heritage Classic was only shown on NHL Network.Canadian teams don't usually move the needle below the 49th parallel, so the league should match them up with a major U.S. market and showcase the best young talent to a larger audience.For example, the Maple Leafs' Auston Matthews will play in the Centennial Classic against a Red Wings squad featuring fellow American youngster Dylan Larkin.NBC justifiably wants more of Matthews, and should put him in as many of these as possible. And it should work on showcasing the rest of the next generation of stars, as well.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers will be without Chris Kreider for at least one game.Kreider will not play Sunday against Arizona due to a neck strain and is considered day to day, the team announced Sunday.The winger ranks fourth in the NHL with 23 shots on goal so far this season, scoring three times, and adding four assists for seven total points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Anaheim Ducks have placed defenseman Simon Despres on the long-term injured reserve, according to TSN's Bob McKenzie.Despres, 25, appeared in the team's season opener, but has since been sidelined with an upper body injury.The move could be a sign that the team is close to a contract extension with restricted free-agent blue-liner Hampus Lindholm, as the LTIR provides teams with added cap relief.According to CapFriendly.com, Despres carries a $3.7 million cap hit, while the Ducks have just $600,000 in cap space.Lindholm is believed to be seeking a long-term extension.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Chicago Cubs won the National League pennant on Saturday night, ending generations of waiting 'til "next year" on the north side of Chicago.With the Cubs advancing to their first World Series since 1945, here are the franchises that now own the longest finals droughts in North American sports.Sacramento Kings (1951)Technically speaking, the dysfunctional Kings franchise owns the longest finals drought in North America, having not played for the NBA championship since defeating the New York Knicks in the 1951 NBA finals.The catch, however, is that the Kings only moved to Sacramento in 1985 - they were the Rochester Royals when they last played for a title - so while Sacramento basketball fans may have already endured a lifetime's worth of misery, they aren't quite familiar with the true pain of a drought.Defining drought moment: Entering Game 6 of the 2002 Western Conference finals with a 3-2 lead over the back-to-back defending champion Lakers, the Kings were done in - at least in part - by some questionable officiating that led to a 40-25 free-throw advantage for L.A. and a 106-102 Lakers win.Shaq, Kobe, and the Lakers completed the comeback in Sacramento a couple nights later, winning Game 7 in overtime en route to their third consecutive title.For what it's worth, the city of Atlanta actually owns the NBA's longest Finals drought, having never made the NBA finals since the Hawks moved to Georgia in 1968.Detroit Lions (1957)Few franchises are as synonymous with losing as the Lions, who have never made a Super Bowl appearance, last played for a title when they won the 1957 NFL championship, and posted the only 0-16 season in NFL history in 2008.Even more depressing, the Lions have only won a single playoff game since their last title, going 1-11 in postseason contests over the last 58 years.Defining drought moment: Eddie Murray misses the potential game-winning field goal with five seconds remaining in a 24-23 NFC Divisional Playoff loss to the defending champion San Francisco 49ers in 1983. The Lions haven't enjoyed a playoff run as deep since.Toronto Maple Leafs (1967)The Leafs are celebrating their centennial season right now, but the latter half of that century of hockey has been played without a single Stanley Cup Finals appearance to show for it.In fact, the self-proclaimed center of the hockey universe hasn't witnessed a Cup Final game since the NHL expanded beyond six teams only months after the Leafs' 1967 triumph.Defining drought moment: Wayne Gretzky's obvious high stick to the face of Doug Gilmour - which drew blood - goes uncalled in overtime of Game 6 during the 1993 Campbell Conference final.Instead of a power play that could have sent the Leafs to the Cup Final and an Original 6 matchup with the arch-rival Canadiens, they watched Gretzky score the OT winner moments later to force a Game 7. The Great One scored a hat trick two nights later in Toronto to send the Kings to Montreal.Washington Nationals (N/A, 1969)Speaking of Montreal, the Expos played 36 pennant-less seasons before their 2005 move to D.C., where the Nationals have continued the trend by losing in the NLDS in each of their three postseason trips. In 48 seasons spanning two cities, the franchise has made the playoffs only four times, the NLCS only once, and has never played a single World Series game.Washington's baseball heartbreak goes back even farther. From 1901-1960, the team that would eventually become the Minnesota Twins failed to advance to the World Series over its final 27 seasons in D.C. after winning it all in 1933. From 1961-71, Washington was home to the franchise that would eventually become the Texas Rangers, and didn't have a single postseason trip to show for it.Defining drought moment (Montreal): A strike cancels the remainder of the 1994 season, with the Expos boasting an MLB-best 74-40 record and a six-game lead in the NL East.Defining drought moment (D.C.): The Nationals take a 6-0 lead into the fourth inning and a 7-5 lead into the ninth inning against the Cardinals in Game 5 of their 2012 Division Series, but fall 9-7 to St. Louis in both games. Of note, 23-year-old All-Star Stephen Strasburg is shut down in early September in accordance with a team-imposed innings limit.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It took nearly two hours longer than expected, but the Heritage Classic between the Winnipeg Jets and Edmonton Oilers finally got underway Sunday.The start time for the outdoor game at Investors Group Field was officially delayed, reportedly due to glare.

Jaromir Jagr is the NHL's elder statesman, so it's only right that he channels a centuries-old Egyptian pharaoh.The living legend posted pictures of his Halloween costume - and that of his female companion - to his Twitter and Instagram accounts Sunday morning.

New York Rangers defenseman Dan Girardi will return to the lineup Sunday night when the team faces the Arizona Coyotes, according to Dan Rosen of NHL.com.The veteran defenseman missed the last three games with a hip flexor injury.Girardi has recorded one assist in two games.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Arizona Coyotes starting goalie Mike Smith has been sidelined "week to week" with a lower-body injury, the team announced Sunday.Smith sustained the injury Tuesday versus the Ottawa Senators.Currently on a six-game road trip, Smith returned to Arizona to be evaluated by team doctors. The 34-year-old missed 40 games last season after undergoing core muscle surgery.In Smith's absence, the Coyotes turn to Louis Domingue, who has struggled to start the season, going winless in three games. The team has also recalled veteran netminder Justin Peters from the AHL.Domingue gets the start Sunday as Arizona faces the New York Rangers.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A quick calculation of Mike Babcock's math has the Toronto Maple Leafs making the postseason.Following Saturday's 5-4 shootout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Maple Leafs bench boss said, "Our goal is to always get six points in every five game segment here, and we've come up one short."Should the team meet that goal, it works out to 98 points. Last season, three Eastern teams qualified for the playoffs with fewer than 98 points. The year prior, the Pittsburgh Penguins grabbed the last spot with 98 points.The Maple Leafs have posted a 1-1-3 record this season, good for five points, with their lone win coming against the Boston Bruins.As for the coach's goal, 98 points would mark a 29-point improvement over last year, and the team's best finish since a franchise-record 103 points in 2003-04."We've played one at home and four on the road, if I'm not mistaken," Babcock added. "We've managed to get points on the road. We could've won every game we've played in."The Maple Leafs last qualified for the playoffs in 2013, their first appearance since 2004.The team's next five-game segment begins Tuesday as the Maple Leafs take on the Tampa Bay Lightning.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, October 23:Triple Threat

Outdoor game fatigue. It's a condition that afflicts many, because there can be too much of a good thing.By the time March rolls along, 15 regular-season games will have been played outside since Jan. 1, 2014. About 10 too many. Winter Classics. Heritage Classics. The Stadium Series. Even a Centennial Classic. What was once an occasion has become commonplace. What was once special has become routine.One outdoor game per season is enough.New Year's Day TraditionThe NHL got the Winter Classic right. Nailed it, in fact.The first edition was played Jan. 1, 2008, five years after the league experimented with an outdoor game - the first Heritage Classic - in frigid Edmonton.The Pittsburgh Penguins faced the Buffalo Sabres at Ralph Wilson Stadium in Orchard Park, New York. The best hockey player on the planet, Sidney Crosby, scored the game-winning goal in the shootout - as snow fell and swirled around the rink. It was perfect.The next three outdoor games were also played Jan. 1, at iconic Wrigley Field in 2009, legendary baseball cathedral Fenway Park in 2010, and Heinz Field in 2011.Tradition was born. On Jan. 1, to ring in the new year, you watch hockey while nursing a hangover.OverloadThe NHL got outdoors-happy in 2014. After the Winter Classic, the Stadium Series saw three outdoor games played in five days in January, with another two - the latter another Heritage Classic - on March 1 and 2. Six outdoor games in 61 days. Novelty over.Two more in 2015, three more in 2016 (including Sunday's Heritage Classic), and another three in 2017. When stadiums are hosting their second outdoor contest - Heinz Field will Feb. 25, 2017 - we've reached Peak Outdoor Games.Rinse, RepeatThe league's desire to tap into this well is understandable. The games generate publicity, which the NHL needs in an ever-crowded sports market. Outdoor game uniforms, alumni games, time-lapse videos of baseball and football stadiums being turned into hockey rinks - it's fun. That over 105,000 people filled The Big House in Michigan for the 2014 Winter Classic between the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs was unbelievable to be a part of and see on television.Moving forward, though, these games need to be saved for special occasions, and special occasions only. The Winter Classic, as noted, is tradition. It should stand apart. And the Centennial Classic in Toronto is the perfect way to celebrate 100 years of Maple Leafs hockey. Use the outdoor games to celebrate hockey, not shove it down people's throats.Each Original Six franchise has played outdoors. The Penguins - and Crosby - and Chicago Blackhawks will endure the elements in 2017 for the fourth and fifth time, respectively. Alex Ovechkin's played in two. Once Sunday's game is in the books, and the Winnipeg Jets get their dance, each Canadian team will have played at least one game outside.Mission accomplished. It's time to scale back and make the outdoor game one to look forward to again.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.