So they're saying there's a chance.A day after the Tampa Bay Lightning lifted Jonathan Drouin's suspension and general manager Steve Yzerman indicated he was leaving the door open for the young forward to return to the big club, it appears as though the feeling is mutual.Drouin spoke after practicing with the AHL's Syracuse Crunch on Tuesday, and said it's possible the two sides can indeed reconcile after Yzerman decided to hold on to him as the trade deadline passed.

James Reimer did not ask for the moon from the Toronto Maple Leafs.After he was dealt to the San Jose Sharks prior to the trade deadline, a report emerged suggesting the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent was asking for $6 million per season on his new deal.This, it was said, precipitated the team's decision to move on."I don’t even want to dignify it with a response," Reimer told Eric Francis of the Calgary Sun of the report. "That was definitely untrue."The 27-year-old is in the final season of a two-year, $4.6-million contract signed with Toronto, and for now is focusing on helping his new club down the stretch."Going into the offseason is not something I even think about right now - I’m focused now on trying to help this team get as far as we can," he said."But if we can have success it’s a win-win for both situations."Reimer allowed three goals on 25 shots in his only start for the Sharks to date.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jaromir Jagr made history again Monday, recording an assist to move him past Gordie Howe on the NHL's all-time points list.But Jagr wasn't in the mood to celebrate the milestone after the Florida Panthers dropped their third straight game, a 5-4 decision to the Boston Bruins."It's more for you guys," Jagr said to the assembled media after the game, in a video posted on the Miami Herald's website. "It's just behind me now, let's concentrate on the wins."Jagr, who turned 44 last month, has 21 goals and 28 assists in 63 games. He's got his eye on the playoffs (which he hasn't played in since 2013), because the postseason means more hockey, and if Jagr's proved anything, it's that he can't get enough of the game.The Panthers fell behind 4-1 Monday night, storming back to tie the game. New Bruin Lee Stempniak scored the winning goal in overtime."It's not like they outplayed us," Jagr said, according to the Miami Herald's Aric Dillala. "It'd be a different story if they outplayed us. We just (gave) it to them."The Bruins and Panthers are now tied in the Atlantic Division with 81 points, with Florida officially in second place because its played one fewer game. Both trail the Tampa Bay Lightning by two points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's hope in the City of Brotherly Love.With a win over Tampa Bay on Monday, the Philadelphia Flyers moved to within two points of Detroit for the second wild card spot in the Eastern Conference.A recent 7-2-1 run has greatly increased their chances of qualifying for the playoffs, something that seemed like a pipe dream as the calendar turned to 2016.(Courtesy: Sports Club Stats)Now within striking distance of both Detroit and Pittsburgh with 17 games remaining for each club, here's three reasons why the Flyers will indeed be one of the final 16 teams left standing at the end of the regular season.Ghost Bear, Gudas & Co.The big story, of course, has been the one they call "The Ghost Bear," who's been nothing short of spectacular since being called up in mid-November. Through 47 games, 22-year-old Shayne Gostisbehere has recorded 14 goals and 23 assists, and only Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Brent Burns, and John Klingberg are averaging more points per game among defensemen.While Gostisbehere is rightfully being lauded for helping right the Flyers' offensive ship with his breakout performance on the blue line, the emergence of Radko Gudas as a stellar defenseman is also going a long way towards propelling Philadelphia's upward climb.Sure, his recent four-point night was an anomaly, and he's known more for questionable hits than pushing the puck up the ice, but possession-wise, Gudas is actually playing at a high level.Among defensemen with at least 750 minutes of ice time at five-on-five, Gudas ranks 20th with a Corsi rating of 53.7, while beginning only 31.6 percent of his shifts in the offensive zone.Defense wasn't expected to be an area of strength for the Flyers, but six of the eight players who have dressed this season sit at or above 50 in terms of five-on-five Corsi.Top line on fireJakub Voracek's lower-body injury could not have come at a worse time, and while he's expected to miss a couple more games, the Flyers' top line has been smoking hot in his absence.Here's what the trio of Claude Giroux, Brayden Schenn, and Wayne Simmonds has done in the five game since Voracek was bit by the injury bug.PlayerGoalsAssistsClaude Giroux26Brayden Schenn42Wayne Simmonds33Voracek's expected return should only give the Flyers a more balanced offense, making the team difficult to handle down the stretch.Their team shooting percentage sits at 7.05 at five-on-five, good for 18th in the league. Even a slight uptick will give the Flyers that much more of a boost down the stretch.Finally, some solid goaltendingPhiladelphia's quest for anything resembling competent play in net has been lengthy and well documented, but general manager Ron Hextall may have finally unlocked that particular achievement.Once thought to be a lost cause in Columbus, Steve Mason has quietly rejuvenated his career with the Flyers, while the addition of Michal Neuvirth has given head coach Dave Hakstol reason to believe he has a 1A-1B tandem on his hands.PlayerGPRecordGAASv%SOSteve Mason3915-15-72.61.9164Michal Neuvirth3016-8-42.29.9253In five-on-five play, the Flyers' .936 save percentage ranks second only to the New York Rangers, meaning the goalies can't be blamed this time around if the Flyers don't end up advancing to the postseason.With three games remaining against Pittsburgh and two versus the Red Wings, all of the above will be key in terms of passing one or both en route to a playoff berth.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

You can't beat hockey hair. And the Minnesota State High School hockey tournament features some of the best flows in North America. Maybe even the world, dare we say.The kids are alright. In Minnesota, at least.- With h/t to Yahoo SportsCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was the perfect test.The Anaheim Ducks had won a record 11 in a row. They'd flown (sorry) to the top of the Pacific Division. And they welcomed the NHL-best Washington Capitals to town on Monday.The teams played an entertaining and tightly contested game at five-on-five.DucksStatisticCapitals22Shots For2249Corsi For3720Scoring Chances For205High-Danger Scoring Chances For1211Offensive Zone Starts1241Hits30And though it took a shootout for the Capitals to end the Ducks' run, Anaheim head coach Bruce Boudreau was impressed by what he saw from the presumptive Stanley Cup favorites, who now have 102 points."I don't think skill for skill we can match those guys in the middle of the ice," Boudreau said, according to Agence France-Presse's Greg Heakes.That's probably not what you want to hear as a player, but Boudreau knows it takes a lot more than skill to win a Stanley Cup.He also lamented his team's inability to score on a four-on-one rush, which would have given the Ducks the win."You got to make hay with those golden opportunities," Boudreau said."It's tough to keep winning," he added, according to The Orange County Register's Jeff Miller. "But our execution wasn't what I thought it should be tonight. Maybe they had a lot to do with that. They're a good hockey club."If you thought an 11-game winning streak, and points in 14 straight, would satisfy Boudreau, you're wrong."It's great that we got a point and all that, but I just think we're winning right now but we're not playing as good as we can. We've got to get back to that."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dion Phaneuf's keeping his letter.Acquired from Toronto in arguably the NHL's most surprising trade this season, the Ottawa Senators defenseman and former Maple Leafs captain will be keeping the "A" he's worn on his jersey over the last two games, head coach Dave Cameron said.After alternate captain Kyle Turris went down to injury, defenseman Mark Borowiecki took the letter. Borowiecki was lost last week to a torn MCL, and Phaneuf had the "A" in his return to Toronto on Saturday for the first time since the trade."You put it on somebody that is a leader. I knew what he was as a player," Cameron said, according to the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch. "I didn't know his personality because I've never spent any time with him."Cameron's been impressed with Phaneuf in a short time."The pleasant surprise for me is his personality. He's here, he comes into the rink every day and you know he's happy to be in the NHL. He has energy, he's engaging, he talks. There's no moping, and that's been missing somewhat with our young team as we've been bouncing up and down. This guy comes in every day, does his work, does it in good humor and brings other guys along."Phaneuf has a goal and six assists in 13 games with the Senators, while averaging almost 24 minutes of ice time. He has a 49.1 Corsi For rating, down from 52.1 with Toronto, according to Hockey Reference.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

LOS ANGELES - Jeff Carter scored twice in the third period to get his 300th career goal after Drew Doughty and Anze Kopitar scored less than 2 minutes apart in the second period to lift the Los Angeles Kings over the Vancouver Canucks 5-1 on Monday night.Carter and Vincent Lecavalier scored 39 seconds apart midway through the third, and then Carter added an empty-netter for his 300th. Jonathan Quick made 21 saves to help the Kings climb within a point of Pacific Division-leading Anaheim, which lost 2-1 to Washington in a shootout.The Kings led the Ducks by 16 points on Jan. 20 but fell out of first place with a 3-2 loss to the Ducks on Saturday.Defenseman Dan Hamhuis scored for Vancouver and Ryan Miller stopped 24 shots.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals needed a shootout to get by the Anaheim Ducks in a sneak peek of what could be this season's Stanley Cup Final on Monday.Nicklas Backstrom had the shootout winner, while Braden Holtby turned away two of three shooters as the Capitals extinguished the Ducks 11-game win streak, winning 2-1.

Arizona Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson left Monday's game against the Colorado Avalanche early in the third period and did not return after suffering an upper-body injury.Head coach Dave Tippett addressed the media postgame, saying that the 24-year-old blue-liner is day to day.Ekman-Larsson sits sixth in scoring among defenseman with 19 goals and 49 points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Semyon Varlamov wants to make Patrick Roy happy.After the Colorado Avalanche netminder was called out by his head coach asking him to "step it up," Varlamov cashed in a gutsy effort on Monday, turning away 37 of 38 shots and backstopping his team to a 3-1 win over the Arizona Coyotes.The win came in just Varlamov's second game of the month after he was chased against the Minnesota Wild after conceding three goals on 12 shots.Monday's victory was Varlamov's first since a 3-2 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Feb. 17. He had gone winless in his three prior starts.The 27-year-old now boasts a 22-17-3 record in 44 games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs squandered a two-goal lead en route to a 4-3 shootout loss to the Buffalo Sabres on Monday, but none of the team's rookies could be faulted for the defeat.Head coach Mike Babcock addressed the media after yet another one-goal loss, where he pointed out that it was the team's experienced players and not the youngsters who had contributed to the loss."It wasn't our kids that made mistakes tonight," said Babcock. "It was two guys we count on big time there in the third period that cost us."

While Jaromir Jagr used Monday's contest between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers to make league history, Bruins head coach Claude Julien used it to set a franchise mark.Related: Jagr passes Gordie Howe on all-time points listWith his team's 5-4 overtime win, Julien became the Bruins' all-time winningest coach, moving past Art Ross with his 388th career win with the club.

Philadelphia Flyers forward Jakub Voracek, out a couple weeks with a lower-body injury, is enjoying watching his team.The Flyers won for the fifth time in six games Monday, completing a brilliant 5-1 homestand with a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning. Voracek was a little excited about the win:

Jack Eichel is unlike any previous Buffalo Sabres rookie.The 19-year-old collected his 20th goal of the season Monday against division foes, the Toronto Maple Leafs.

PHILADELPHIA - Shayne Gostisbehere scored twice, leading the Philadelphia Flyers past Tampa Bay 4-2 on Monday night to snap the Lightning's franchise-best nine-game winning streak.Gostisbehere, Brayden Schenn, and Wayne Simmonds each scored third period goals for the Flyers.The Flyers have 73 points and moved within two of idle Detroit for the final wild-card playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. The Flyers have earned 10 of 12 possible points to key their surge in the standings.

This ghost is for real.Shayne Gostisbehere continued his sublime rookie season Monday night, scoring two goals for the Philadelphia Flyers against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The second put him into the Flyers' records book.The goals were the 13th and 14th of the season for Gostisbehere, and No. 14 - a clapper on the power play - set a new Flyers record for goals in a season by a rookie defenseman. Behn Wilson scored 13 for Philly in 1978-79.Between Gostisbehere, Artemi Panarin, and Connor McDavid, the future of the game's in good hands.If you didn't know who Gostisbehere was before the season - or how to pronounce his name - you do now.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

In a showdown with Steve Yzerman, the Red Wings icon always wins. Ask Jonathan Drouin.Drouin blinked first last week. Suspended for walking out on the Tampa Bay Lightning’s AHL team after requesting a trade, Drouin called his general manager and told him he wanted to do what he should've been doing all along: play hockey.Related: Yzerman not closing door on Drouin's return to LightningIt was a call Yzerman was waiting for, likely expected. He was never going to back down, never going to have his arm twisted. Drouin, after not being traded by the Feb. 29 deadline, and set to lose a year on his entry-level contract, had no choice. He needs to play. And so, in a showdown with Yzerman, Drouin - and his agent Allan Walsh - were the unequivocal losers.Yzerman labeled Drouin's call a "pleasant surprise." He’s saying all the right things."I will do whatever I think is right for the Lightning and that could include recalling Jonathan," Yzerman said. "If he gets back, plays well, he’s going to help us win, in the right frame of mind and he deserves it, he’ll get recalled."Yzerman has proven as a player and executive that nothing and no one comes before the team. He left Martin St. Louis off Team Canada, eventually trading his captain. He did the unconventional, coming out and saying pending unrestricted free agent Steven Stamkos wouldn’t be traded. And Drouin’s been watching with the rest of us as the Lightning have won a franchise-best nine in a row.Drouin, Walsh, and the NHL once again learned a familiar lesson: No one bullies Steve Yzerman.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With an assist on Aleksander Barkov's first-period goal Monday, Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr collected point number 1,851 of his career, passing Gordie Howe for third place on the NHL's all-time points list.There was a brief delay to the celebration of the 44-year-old's feat as the goal was immediately challenged. The Boston Bruins argued that goaltender Tuukka Rask was interfered with on the play.The goal would stand, leaving Jagr just 36 points away from catching Mark Messier for second place on the all-time scoring list.

Radim Vrbata will return to the Vancouver Canucks lineup Monday in Los Angeles, but you could forgive him for wanting the season to be over already.The 34-year-old hasn't played since Feb. 21 due to a groin injury, and has only 12 goals and 12 assists in 57 games. It's been a nightmare few months, a season removed from scoring 31 goals.Vrbata will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season, and he's got the remainder of his season to up his value. He wasn't moved at the trade deadline, which means suitors won't likely be banging on his door on July 1.Asked by the Vancouver Province's Ben Kuzma how tough the season has been, Vrbata was honest."We could be here a while," he said."It's been frustrating and there's not just one thing you could pinpoint and if not the most frustrating season, it's certainly one near the top."Vrbata's a veteran. He broke into the league in 2001 and has 258 goals and 293 assists in 928 regular-season games over his career."To score goals in this league you need to have guys around you who are clicking," Vrbata said. "There aren’t too many guys who can do it on their own."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames won't be raising season-ticket prices, the club confirmed to the Calgary Sun's Eric Francis.The drop in global oil prices has hit Calgary's economy hard, and while the Flames have been awful on the ice, this decision is more about the community, said Rollie Cyr, the Flames' vice president of sales, ticketing, and customer service."We thought it was the right thing to do," said Cyr. "We're not blind to what's going on in our economy. We're looking after the consumer who has been our partner for a long time. Being a good corporate partner and citizen is important."Oil markets were active Monday, jumping more than five percent, according to Reuters. Brent crude oil hit $40 a barrel, up more than 50 percent from $27.10 on Jan. 20, a 12-year low. A New York-based consultancy told Reuters that "major OPEC producers are talking about a new oil price equilibrium of around $50."In addition to falling oil prices (the price per barrel was close to $100 in October 2014), a falling Canadian dollar has taken its toll on the Flames, as well. But the club is looking towards the future, and Cyr says that while cancellations have come in, the waiting list for season tickets is 3,000-people long. The Flames have the fifth-highest season ticket prices, Francis writes.The Flames were very active at the trade deadline, selling unrestricted free agents Jiri Hudler, Kris Russell, and David Jones for draft picks and young players. General manager Brad Treliving's been lauded for how he's rebuilding his team."People can see the light at the end of the tunnel," Cyr said. "We are doing the right things."- With h/t to Pro Hockey TalkCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Henrik Lundqvist is not sorry, and he'd do it again.The New York Rangers goaltender lost it Thursday, flipping his net off its pegs during play, a few moments after captain Ryan McDonagh inadvertently collided with him.Lundqvist suffered neck spasms due to the collision, and won't play Tuesday in Buffalo. He's hoping to return on the weekend, and said Monday that he did what he did because he needed a whistle - and when it didn't come from the referee, he took matters into his own hands."When I realized the puck is in our end, I was not really ready to play. That was the truth," Lundqvist said, according to the New York Daily News' Justin Tasch. "I don't know how I came up with the conclusion to move the net, but that's what came up in my head, and I'm not gonna apologize for it because I was just not in a position where I could play the game. I needed a break."Lundqvist's opponent that night, Marc-Andre Fleury, called the incident "baby stuff," but the Swede refused to address the comment, saying he wasn't ready to play, and did what he had to do."I needed a whistle. If the ref's not gonna give me one I'm gonna deal with it my way," Lundqvist said. "Could I have done it differently? Absolutely. But at the same time it was a really tough hit where I was not really thinking straight, I think. But I got the whistle."The Rangers are in Detroit on Saturday, and home to Pittsburgh on Sunday, so expect Lundqvist back in the crease in one of those games - hopefully the one versus the Penguins.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

What trade deadline?Vancouver and Carolina made a minor deal Monday, the Canucks sending forward Dane Fox to the Hurricanes for future considerations.Fox has spent the majority of the season in the East Coast Hockey League, with Kalamazoo, where he has a team-leading 26 goals and 50 points, but he's moving on up to the American Hockey League's Charlotte Checkers.

Nazem Kadri learned a valuable lesson, according to Nazem Kadri.A year ago this week, Kadri was suspended by the Toronto Maple Leafs for off-ice related issues. Asked about it Monday, Kadri called the suspension his "moment of clarity," according to TSN's Mark Masters."I mean, that could've went one of two ways. I could have taken it one of two ways," Kadri said. "I'm proud of myself for just battling my way out of it. Obviously, it was a hard time for myself, but I stuck with it, I worked hard, I didn't let that bother me and I came back with something to prove and I think I've proved that."Kadri's numbers don't show it, but he's one of Toronto's better players this season, tied for the team lead with 35 points on an offensively-challenged team. He remains a positive possession player and elite at drawing penalties. And he hasn't let a lack of box-score results - he's shooting 5.5 percent with only 12 goals on 220 shots - influence his work ethic, which is the only thing he can control."Every single day I want to be the hardest-working guy in practice and I want to bring that work ethic and lead by example not only on the ice but off the ice as well," Kadri said, adding that he's matured as a player and a person.Head coach Mike Babcock, who's been vocal in his praise for Kadri in his first year coaching him, pumped the brakes a little bit, saying the 25-year-old still has far to go."Well, let's not get carried away, work in progress," Babcock said. "If Naz was right here I'd say the same thing to him. A big thing for him, for all kids who come in to the league obviously, is you've got to figure out what a pro is. When you start getting paid you think you're a pro. To me, that has nothing to do with it. That just means you're getting paid. When you become a pro, you learn how to practice hard, you know how to sleep right, how to eat right, you know how to bring it every day, you know how to fight through adversity, you know how to control your emotions. There's lots of things and you're a work in progress and so Naz is that."

If the Colorado Avalanche have any chance at making the playoffs, their No. 1 goalie will have to be just that.Related: By the numbers: Are the 16 playoff spots spoken for?With his team two points behind Minnesota in the race for a wild-card spot, head coach Patrick Roy has tabbed Semyon Varlamov to start his first game since being pulled from a 6-3 loss to the Wild on March 1.After Calvin Pickard went 1-1 in two starts since, Roy's turning back to Varlamov, and with high expectations."We knew he was going to play eventually," Roy said of Varlamov after Monday's morning skate. "I thought he had really good practices (while) Pick played really well in those games. Now it's time for Varly to step up."Varlamov has been down more than up this season, as evidenced by his save percentages by month.MonthGamesShots AgainstSv%October7198.889November7154.885December11341.942January10287.926February8208.897March112.750Roy will obviously need more of what Varlamov showed midseason, or at least something closer to his career save percentage of .917.With games against Arizona, Winnipeg, Vancouver, Calgary, and Edmonton on tap, it's as good a time as any to pick up some valuable points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Following a report that a decision has been made regarding the NHL's expansion process, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said no such resolution has been reached."We will not comment on the substance of our process, which remains ongoing," Daly said in a statement. "No final decisions have been reached and no recommendation of any kind has been made or communicated by the League Office or the Executive Committee either to the NHL Players' Association or to the NHL Board of Governors."The statement was released Monday just hours after former NHLer Georges Laraque told 91.9 Sport the NHLPA was informed that Quebec City has been excluded from NHL expansion.Quebec City and Las Vegas are both currently going through the NHL's formal expansion process.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Anything is possible when it comes to Jonathan Drouin and the Tampa Bay Lightning.Upon lifting the 20-year-old's suspension and announcing Drouin would report back to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch, Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman is keeping the door open for a reconciliation between the two parties.

Streamable - simple video sharingForget Sunday's action on the ice between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Detroit Red Wings.More important things happened, like Blackhawks color commentator Eddie Olczyk analyzing a young kid chowing down with ferocity on his ice cream.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's a precondition attached to playing goal for the Nashville Predators.This is a requirement that won't be detailed in a standard player's contract, and it's unrelated to athleticism, flexibility, reflexes, or any performance-based standard that an elite goaltender must meet.In fact, it's something most of us do, mindlessly, and from the couch at home. Only without the audience."Hey, this is what we do here."Mic'd upThis was the basic gist of it when Carter Hutton - then new to the Predators organization - was first mic'd and informed that he would be providing in-game analysis for segments on the local broadcast.Now a veteran, and with enough reps across three seasons backing up Pekka Rinne to locate and speak directly and articulately into a camera set up across Bridgestone Arena (and also effectively deal with the distractions at ice level during NHL games), Hutton's at the crux of one of the more insightful and interesting segments found on local hockey broadcasts."I have worked on it a bit," Hutton said in an interview with theScore. "I just take some pride in it; if I'm going to do it, I'm going to do it right, and with the best of my ability."Hutton might be the NHL's best game analyst in slightly sweat-soaked goalie gear and a ball cap, but he's no pioneer. The mid-game backup interview has been a staple of Predators broadcasts, and a bit that helped launch longtime backup Chris Mason's radio career.But the key for Hutton, in this distinctive moonlighting endeavor, isn't to be something or someone else."You don't want to be too dry and just continue on with the same (cliches)," Hutton said. "I try to talk with education, and come across the right way. I try to provide my perspective of what I see in the game, and maybe a different spin from a goalie's point of view. I try not to be too generic."He added: "I just try to be myself, you know. I try to approach it with a positive attitude."That last part may be most important. Because though Nashville has firmly established its NHL roots, as confirmed by the wildly successful All-Star Game in Music City, Hutton is cognizant of the fact his in-game availability is still a marketing tool used to help package and sell the game.So while using this platform to inform and educate a malleable audience, whether through sharing tactics or relaying the message from Peter Laviolette and the coaching staff, remains paramount, coming across as upbeat, engaging, and simply willing is a requirement, too."It's a chance for me to help sell the game, to promote it, so I just think negativity doesn't get me anywhere," said Hutton, who points to Darren Pang and Kevin Weekes, two analysts (and former goaltenders) that err on the side of positively for inspiration."At the end of the day, you can always find something negative to critique, but I think you can always find something positive from a situation too."'Thanks for having me, guys'Charm, of course, is far easier on nights when the game is tilted in Nashville's direction. And that's also when the entire bench gets in on the fun.When he's not ducking under a flung towel, swatting at a stick being waved in his face, or being pestered by the training staff, it's often Hutton's duty to work a predefined keyword or phrase into the interview to appease his teammates.The tone will change from discussion to discussion with Willy Daunic and Stu Grimson, who do the play-by-play and color commentary, respectively, but each one- or two-minute segment ends with the same fan engagement.Hutton's legion of supporters will happily tweet his now-signature signoff - "Hey, thanks for having me guys" - back at the backup netminder, while some continue to encourage the 30-year-old to take up a post-playing career in broadcasting."I get it all the time," he said, adding, "It's definitely something to consider, but right now I'm focused on playing the game and having a long career - which is more important to me right now."But when the time comes, we'll cross that bridge."So as long as he's a goaltender, the mentions - and instantaneous critiques - must wait. Hutton refocuses on the task at hand when the headset is removed, returning to his overriding role as Rinne's second set of eyes and offering the classified analysis that's too important to make it to air.For now, anyway.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Nashville Predators forward Paul Gaustad will not join his team for their upcoming four-game road trip after suffering an upper-body injury, according to Adam Vingan of The Tennessean.Gaustad didn't play during the third period of Saturday's 5-2 win over the Colorado Avalanche after seeing just 5:42 of ice time for the night.The 34-year-old has just two goals and four assists in 57 games this season.The Predators' next four games come against all four Western Canadian teams - which all sit outside playoff position - beginning Tuesday in Winnipeg.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jonathan Drouin's making the right choice.So say some of his Tampa Bay Lightning teammates, after it was announced that he would report to the AHL's Syracuse Crunch following an almost two-month-long suspension.Related: Lightning's Drouin will report to AHL after having suspension lifted"It's the right decision," said goalie Ben Bishop, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times. "Kind of a shame he stopped (playing) in the first place. He's a good kid, got a bright future."It's a sentiment shared by forward Brian Boyle.

The American Hockey League announced Monday that forward Zac Rinaldo has been suspended for five games, with two already served, for his hit to the head of Bridgeport Sound Tigers defenseman Kane Lafranchise on Friday.Rinaldo, who's playing with the Boston Bruins' affiliate in Providence, was automatically suspended after receiving a match penalty for intent to injure as a result of the hit. It was his first AHL game since the 2012-13 season.The 25-year-old now holds the unique distinction of being banned in two different leagues. He's also serving a suspension in the NHL for another illegal hit to the head, which he delivered to Tampa Bay Lightning forward Cedric Paquette.In 52 NHL games this season, Rinaldo recorded one goal and two assists while accumulating 83 penalty minutes. He's still under contract next season, when he's owed $850,000.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A goalie, forward, and a defenseman round out the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending March 6.Edmonton Oilers goalie Cam Talbot entered the week fresh off a 36-save effort in a 3-1 win against the New York Islanders, and the 28-year-old didn't slow down at all.

Jonathan Drouin appears set to resume his professional hockey career.The Tampa Bay Lightning have lifted the 20-year-old's suspension, and Drouin will report to the Syracuse Crunch for practice Tuesday morning, general manager Steve Yzerman announced.Drouin, who made a trade request earlier this season, was suspended indefinitely and without pay by the Lightning on Jan. 15 for failing to report to a Crunch game in Toronto.At the time, his agent, Allan Walsh, stated there was no reason for Drouin to continue with the organization.The door was left open for his return after Lightning general manager Steve Yzerman chose not to trade Drouin prior to the NHL's deadline on Feb. 29.

The Florida Panthers' first line was reunited at their morning skate as Aleksander Barkov and Jaromir Jagr skated with Jonathan Huberdeau - who's set to return from injury Monday against the Boston Bruins - for the first time in a month.Huberdeau missed the last six games with an upper-body injury, and was hurt one day before Barkov's return from a six-game absence with an upper-body injury of his own. The Panthers' top line last played together Feb. 8.With 11 goals and 29 assists in 59 games, Huberdeau will need 14 more points in his team's final 17 contests to match his career high set last year.Trailing the Tampa Bay Lightning by two points, the Panthers begin an important three-game homestand Monday. After hosting the Bruins, they'll be visited by a pair of teams vying for playoff spots in the Ottawa Senators and Philadelphia Flyers.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With five weeks remaining on the NHL's regular season schedule, the race to secure a playoff spot should be kicking into high gear.But are there any teams currently on the outside looking in that have a legitimate shot at one of the 16 postseason berths?Eastern ConferenceThe Pittsburgh Penguins and Detroit Red Wings sit comfortably in the Eastern Conference wild-card spots, while a handful of teams are within six points of the latter. Only the Philadelphia Flyers, however, appear to have a decent shot at making up the difference.TeamGPPointsPlayoff Chances (%)Pittsburgh657687.2Detroit657577.2Philadelphia647132.8Carolina66694.9New Jersey67692.0Ottawa67691.7Detroit's minus-eight goal differential is also cause for concern, as the Red Wings are the only playoff team on the negative side of the ledger. But Philadelphia, which sits at minus-nine, isn't exuding much confidence in that area. All three teams, it should be noted, are positive possession clubs, with the Penguins (52) holding the advantage over Detroit (51.3) and Philadelphia (50.2) in terms of Corsi For at five-on-five.What gives the Flyers somewhat of an advantage is their one game in hand on both Pittsburgh and Detroit, and even more on those below them in the standings. Philadelphia has three games remaining against their rivals from Pittsburgh, and two against Detroit, meaning all five games will carrying great significance for the Eastern Conference playoff picture.Western ConferenceOut West, the situation appears to be more dire for teams on the outs.Thanks to a recent hot streak, the Nashville Predators have all but locked down at least the first wild-card spot, leaving the Colorado Avalanche and Minnesota Wild to duke it out for the remaining "x" on the standings board.TeamGPPointsPlayoff Chances (%)Nashville667898.9Minnesota677278.5Colorado677020.3Despite the slim two-point gap between the two clubs, the Wild appear to have a clear advantage over the Avalanche in this race.On the surface, Minnesota's goal differential sits at plus-eight, while the Avalanche's sit at minus-14. And in terms of possession, Colorado is the league's worst in terms of Corsi For at five-on-five (44 percent), while the Wild rank 20th (48). Neither number bodes well for a long playoff run, but Minnesota seems to be the more solid bet to achieve enough regular season success to qualify.So while there will certainly be some jockeying in terms of the final standings and playoff seeding, it would appear there's a good chance the 16 teams that will battle for the Stanley Cup have already been decided.But if the 2014-15 Ottawa Senators taught us anything, nothing is decided until 82 games have been played by all 30 teams.- Stats courtesy of Sports Club StatsCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the final stretch of the NHL season upon us, teams in and around the playoff bubble are battling for a spot in the postseason.The 2015-16 campaign has featured some incredible performances and winning runs from several different teams, none of which would've been possible without some outstanding individual efforts.

After being suspended by SKA St. Petersburg during the first round of the KHL playoffs, former NHL star Ilya Kovalchuk made a surprise return to the club Monday.The winger, who was stripped of his captaincy, was back on the ice for the opening game of the team's second-round series against Dynamo Moscow.

Comfort food can be helpful when you're feeling down.For Montreal Canadiens fans living through an up and very down season with their team, the chance to dig into a free Big Mac is worth even an embrace from Boston Bruins defenseman Zdeno Chara.- With h/t to Stanley Cup of ChowderCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Milan Michalek feels like a kid again.Sidelined with a finger injury since Jan. 22, Michalek - acquired as part of the Dion Phaneuf trade with Ottawa - is expected to play his first game with the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday against Buffalo, and is excited to take to the ice with the likes of William Nylander, Nikita Soshnikov, and Zach Hyman."There is lots of talent, as everyone can see," Michalek told Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun. "I knew it coming here. I remember playing against (many of the Leafs prospects) in preseason and they looked good. I am excited to play with them."It’s amazing. They are so talented and really fun to be around. It’s a joy in the locker room, too. It has been tough for me coming in here being injured. It's going to be nice getting into games and getting to know my teammates that way."The 31-year-old skated on a line with Brad Boyes and Peter Holland in practice Sunday.Michalek remains under contract through to the end of next season at a salary cap hit of $4 million. He recorded six goals and four assists in 32 games for the Senators prior to the injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Devan Dubnyk isn't a fan of how the NHL reviews challenged goals.Pulled from Sunday's loss to St. Louis after allowing three goals on 16 shots, the Minnesota Wild goaltender called into how the officials came to a decision on the second - scored by Ryan Reaves - which was challenged based on the view that the Blues were offside."It's so offside that both our defensemen stopped playing and all of a sudden they have twice as much room as they would because both our guys stopped playing," Dubnyk said after the game, according to Michael Russo of the Star Tribune. "You have guys on the other bench that are laughing after the goal is called, and I mean, it’s just added to the list of interesting calls on challenges for everywhere around the league this year."Head coach John Torchetti wasn't using the apparent offside as an excuse.

Ryan Reaves is a father. And a goal scorer.The St. Louis Blues forward scored Sunday against the Minnesota Wild, in his first game since becoming a proud papa, but he doesn't have a puck to gift his little one."I completely forgot (to take the puck)," Reaves said, according to NHL.com's Lou Korac. "I'm upset with myself. I'll have to keep the stick now."

Turns out, all the Edmonton Oilers had to do was trade Justin Schultz.In all seriousness, the Oilers wrapped up a four-game road trip with a 2-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets on Sunday. Edmonton recorded three wins and a loss on the trip, and they have goaltender Cam Talbot to thank.Talbot's been a wall of late. He stopped a remarkable 105 of 107 shots in three games on the trip, good for an astounding .981 save percentage. He's won four in a row, allowing a goal or less in each start, and has a .979 save percentage over his last four games, and a .967 save percentage over his last six games. Phenomenal numbers, yeah.After a slow start to his career in Edmonton, Talbot's been heating up since December. He's proving he's a No. 1 goalie, and proving he's worth the draft picks the Oilers used to trade for him, and the faith the club showed in him by signing him to a three-year contract extension.MonthStartsSV%October9.897November3.864December6.934January9.932February12.914March3.981"Things are going in the right direction right now," Talbot said after Sunday's win. "I just want to keep it up.""It's almost becoming routine for him, but I don't think it's easy by any means," said head coach Todd McLellan.They're almost alarming words to write: The Oilers may have themselves a goalie.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Here's what we know now: Tom Sestito's been in some incredible pillow fights.The Pittsburgh Penguins forward did what any reasonable person would after getting jumped and punched repeatedly by the New Jersey Devils' Jordin Tootoo on Sunday: He tweeted.

The Edmonton Oilers will be without arguably their most reliable defender for the remainder of Sunday's game with the Winnipeg Jets, after Brandon Davidson was injured in a collision with Dustin Byfuglien.Davidson was in considerable distress, and was unable to bear weight on his left leg when he exited the ice after staying down for several moments.The Oilers didn't provide a specific update, only announcing that he would be unable to return to the contest.Davidson, who signed a two-year extension earlier this week, has emerged as a key member of the Oilers' defensive corps since forcing his way into the lineup in late October.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders pulled within three points of the New York Rangers for second spot in the Metropolitan Division with a throwback 6-4 victory in their first visit to Madison Square Garden this season.Johnny Boychuk scored twice in the first period, and Brock Nelson and Kyle Okposo also tallied for the Islanders before Eric Staal closed a wild, seven-goal opening frame with his first goal with the Blueshirts.Naturally, the pace slowed in the second period and the score remained the same until midway through the third, when Derick Brassard knotted the game at four with a one-time shot on the power play. But with 88 seconds left in regulation, Cal Clutterbuck snapped a quick shot past Antti Raanta - starting again for the injured Henrik Lundqvist - off an offensive zone faceoff, preserving an all-important regulation win.The Islanders have the benefit of three games in hand in their pursuit of the Rangers, who are now barely clinging to second spot in the division and the provisional right to host their cross-borough rivals in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.Jaroslav Halak made 22 saves for the victory, which was the Islanders' sixth on their seven-game road trip.The two teams will meet again at Madison Square Garden April 7, in a game that could ultimately finalize seeding in the division.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Terrible news for the New Jersey Devils.Starting goaltender Cory Schneider has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 MCL sprain in his right knee, the club announced, according to The Record's Tom Gulitti. He'll be re-evaluated in two weeks.That sound you heard? That was New Jersey's playoff hopes leaving the building.Schneider is the Devils. He was hurt Friday after making a beautiful pad save, jamming his right knee into the goalpost in the process. New Jersey lost a huge game to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Sunday, 6-1, falling seven points behind in the wild-card race. Schneider is missed.A first-time All-Star this season, Schneider has a .923 save percentage, four shutouts, and 2.17 GAA. He's a large reason why the Devils are a top-10 defensive team. The club is last offensively, averaging only 2.2 goals per game.The club will turn to Keith Kinkaid for now. He went into Sunday's game with a .910 save percentage in 14 games. Pittsburgh roughed him up, scoring six times on 30 shots.Injuries have taken their toll on the Devils. The team's best offensive player, Mike Cammalleri, hasn't played since Jan. 26 and could miss the rest of the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.