The Minnesota Wild played their first outdoor game in franchise history Sunday, and they certainly disappoint the 50,426 fans that packed TCF Bank Stadium, beating the reigning Stanley Cup champion Chicago Blackhawks 6-1.Here are some of the best photos from Sunday's action:Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The self-proclaimed "State of Hockey" lived up to its billing on Sunday.Hosting their first outdoor game in franchise history, the Minnesota Wild dominated their division rival, beating the Chicago Blackhawks 6-1 in front of a near-sellout crowd at TCF Bank Stadium.

Since locking up defenseman Dustin Byfuglien to a five-year extension, all eyes have been on the Winnipeg Jets to see if captain Andrew Ladd will be moved ahead of the Feb. 29 trade deadline, and it appears general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is already busy on the phones.The Jets are believed to have received an offer of a first-round pick plus a prospect, TSN's Gary Lawless reports.Six teams currently in playoff position - the Anaheim Ducks, Chicago Blackhawks, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Washington Capitals - are believed to be interested in the 30-year-old's services, according to Lawless.Related: 3 teams that can use Andrew LaddThe report also cites an NHL executive who says the Jets may get more than a pick and a prospect with so much league-wide interest in the 11-year veteran.Ladd has 33 points in 58 games this season, and is on pace for his fifth 20-goal campaign in the past six seasons. He has won a pair of Stanley Cups; one with the Carolina Hurricanes in 2006, and one with the Blackhawks in 2010.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Frustration may be getting the best of the Chicago Blackhawks, as they finished the second period down 4-0 to the Minnesota Wild, and also down a defenseman who was ejected for a crushing hit.Michal Rozsival's day at TCF Bank Stadium ended early as he was given a five-minute major for interference and a game misconduct late in the second for this hit on Wild forward Jason Zucker, who was carted off the ice with an upper-body injury.#Blackhawks #WildZucker had one shot on goal, playing a team-low 5:26 of ice time for the afternoon. After the game, it was announced the forward would be considered day to day.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Matt Dumba made history in the State of Hockey on Sunday.The Minnesota Wild defenseman opened the scoring in a Stadium Series game against the Chicago Blackhawks, banging home a Ryan Carter rebound off a failed breakaway attempt.

The St. Louis Blues will be without Alexander Steen for at least four weeks with an upper-body injury, the team announced Sunday.Related: Allen's return gives St. Louis options in net, on trade marketThe injury came at the hands of Arizona Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton, who made contact with Steen and caused an awkward collision into the boards.Steen's injury will be reevaluated in four weeks, at which point there'll be fewer than 10 games left in the regular season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Michael Del Zotto's season is over.The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman is scheduled to undergo surgery to repair a wrist ligament and is expected to be out three-to-four months, general manager Ron Hextall announced Sunday.Del Zotto, who signed a two-year, $7.75-million contract extension with the Flyers last summer, recorded four goals and nine assists in 52 games prior to suffering the injury.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are just getting started.Following Sunday's trade that saw general manager Lou Lamoriello send forward Shawn Matthias and the balance of his $2.3-million cap hit to the Colorado Avalanche, the Maple Leafs still possess a bevy of impending unrestricted free agents who can be used as bait in advance of the NHL's Feb. 29 trade deadline.PlayerPositionCap HitMichael GrabnerRW$3MNick SpalingC$2.2MPA ParenteauRW$1.5MMark ArcobelloC$1.1MBrad BoyesRW$700KRich CluneLW$575KRoman PolakD$2.75MJames ReimerG$2.3M(Contract information courtesy: General Fanager)The Maple Leafs are well positioned to further stock the cupboard through the draft, as the players above are capable of fetching more picks and prospects.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have jump-started the NHL trade deadline countdown.The Maple Leafs announced they've acquired a fourth-round pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and forward Colin Smith from the Colorado Avalanche in exchange for forward Shawn Matthias.Matthias, who signed a one-year, $2.3-million contract with the Maple Leafs last summer, recorded six goals and 11 assists in 51 games in Toronto, and is set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end.He'll be called upon to help the Avalanche clinch a playoff spot down the stretch as a depth forward.Meanwhile, Toronto dumps another contract and adds another pick to the stockpile.

Nice save, Bud.That's what the St. John's Ice Caps must have said to Bud Holloway following his crazy, diving open-net save against the Binghamton Senators on Saturday.With Carey Price still out with an injury, maybe the Montreal Canadiens - the Ice Caps' parent club - should give Holloway a look in net.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby wasn't about to get drilled into the Buffalo Sabres' bench.On Sunday, when a charging Nicolas Deslauriers skated toward him with the intention of doing just that, the Pittsburgh Penguins star ducked and flipped the forward over his back.Taking a run at Sidney Crosby? Bad idea.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Dale Weise could be on the way out of Montreal amid a disappointing campaign for the Canadiens.The soon-to-be unrestricted free agent admitted Sunday he's a good candidate to be traded ahead of the Feb. 29 deadline as Montreal's playoff chances continue to fade.Related - Report: 'Very little contract talk' between Canadiens, Weise"I'm not going to lie, I know there's a good chance I'll be traded," he told Sportsnet's Eric Engels on Sunday. "It's sad because playing here is a dream come true."Of course being traded is on my mind with us on the outside looking in and my status as UFA. Chances are better than me staying."The 27-year-old got off to a hot start this season, scoring six goals in October alone. His play was slowed by an injury suffered in the Winter Classic that kept him out of the lineup for over two weeks, but he's only four points shy of his career high with plenty of hockey left to play.Weise is in the final season of a two-year, $2.05-million deal he signed in 2014.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ahead of the Feb. 29 trade deadline, we're taking a look at each division and assessing who's buying, who's selling, and who's standing pat.Statistically the weakest division in the league, with teams averaging just 61 points through 57 games this season, the Pacific Division is currently home to three of the seven worst records in the NHL and only two teams that crack the top 10.That's exactly why the division also encompasses some of the most desirable rental options and trade bait available. Adding another wrinkle, the Pacific currently boasts three legitimate contenders who all call California home.With the Pacific's balance of buyers, sellers, and potential high-end assets, a rare intraconference trade could make an appearance ahead of the February deadline.BuyersLos Angeles KingsIt's no secret that the Kings have been in the market for a defenseman for some time, having been unable to find a long-term fix since the abrupt loss of Slava Voynov.Los Angeles acquired Luke Schenn from the Philadelphia Flyers earlier this season, but he is far from the solution.Up front, the club found out in mid-February that Marian Gaborik might miss significant time and could be questionable for the playoffs, so the Kings may be scouring the market for a scoring winger as well.San Jose SharksThe Sharks have been heavy hitters offensively, averaging the fourth-most goals per game at 2.89. However, on the other side of the puck, they've lacked the same impact.San Jose's given up 2.67 goals per game, good enough for 13th in the league, while its penalty killing sits 16th. The club has a steady top four on the back end, but its bottom pairing remains largely inexperienced.Potential trade candidates Dan Hamhuis and Kris Russell make the most sense as reliable two-way options to upgrade the team's defense.Arizona CoyotesIt's hard to be a seller when you don't have a lot to sell.The Arizona Coyotes are in the midst of a big rebuild, and while that usually entails selling off assets for picks, the Coyotes have very few players that could garner such a return.Mikkel Boedker's name has been tossed around, but the club would surely like to retain him. It would be ideal if the Coyotes could use their deep (and very young) prospect pool to swing a deal, at any position, that would benefit the club not just this season, but going forward.The team has plenty of young talent, so a high draft pick - though intriguing - is not necessary. Arizona's eyes should be on an acquisition who's ready now.SellersEdmonton OilersWith the likes of Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Justin Schultz among potential trade candidates, it's easy to see why the Oilers can be considered sellers once again.The club remains thin on defense, and though rising youngsters Oscar Klefbom and Darnell Nurse are finally something the Oilers can tip their hats to, they remain far too young to be considered the team's anchors.Nugent-Hopkins and Schultz should fetch a solid return, and if not, should at least open up cap space heading into free agency.Meanwhile, the team appears to be in the mix to snag another lottery win.Calgary FlamesAfter a surprise appearance in the postseason last spring saw the club reach the second round, the Calgary Flames have experienced huge regression.Following stints as both the worst and best team in hockey, the Flames have settled to sit five points ahead of the Oilers for last spot in the division.While Calgary has at times looked to be a piece away from pushing itself over the top, the club now seems to be in selling mode, and its most valuable asset appears to be defenseman Kris Russell - who's been rumored to be on the market, despite no confirmation from the team.The team's leading scorer from one year ago, Jiri Hudler, looks to be on the block as well, with his four-year, $16-million contract up at the end of the season. Under the right circumstances, Russell and Hudler should fetch some high-level picks and/or reputable prospects, and would be great rentals for any contender.Vancouver CanucksThe Vancouver Canucks' playoff window has officially closed - for now. While the team's remained fairly competitive over the last five seasons, including a Stanley Cup Final loss in 2011, it's time for the franchise to take a step back.Heading into the trade deadline this season, the team is likely to play the unusual role of seller. With Bo Horvat, Jake Virtanen, and Jared McCann showing promise, the team needs to further strengthen its prospect pool.The Canucks are likely to deal defenseman Dan Hamhuis, who's rumored to have drawn interest from many teams looking to upgrade the blue line with a rental.Forward Radim Vrbata is set to become a free agent at season's end, and after putting up 31 goals last season, the 34-year-old has managed just 11 through 56 games. Vrbata still has a knack for scoring, and could be a valuable second- or third-line addition to a contending team - and even more valuable to Vancouver as a trade chip.The Sedins are still producing, but for how long? It's time for Vancouver to start preparing for the day fans hope will never come.Stand PatAnaheim DucksThere don't appear to be any glaring holes in the Ducks' roster at the moment, which could make their trade deadline easy or tough, depending on how you look at their position.The team remains solid offensively and defensively, though both elements of Anaheim's game got off to brutal starts this season. While the team could bring in upgrades at forward or on defense, an upgrade isn't necessary for success.The Ducks might consider minor moves for minor pieces, but any deals would appear to be out of want rather than need.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues have their two-headed monster back between the pipes.Goalie Jake Allen was activated off injured reserve Sunday after being out since Jan. 8 with a knee injury, indicating he's healthy and ready to reclaim the starting job he was forced to vacate 17 games ago.Brian Elliott has stepped up to the task in a big way in Allen's absence, however, posting even better numbers in what now amounts to an even number of games played.PlayerGames PlayedRecordSave %GAAShutoutsJake Allen3318-10-3.9242.175Brian Elliott3317-7-6.9312.061Ken Hitchcock, then, can presumably roll out either netminder on any given night with confidence, giving them the ability to rest up and stay fresh for the postseason. Both goalies are signed through to the end of 2016-17 at a combined cap hit of $4.85 million, which is a steal based on the numbers they're putting up.But here's the thing: While it's a sweet luxury to have two goalies capable of carrying the load, the Blues have holes up front and deficiencies on offense that need to be filled in order to help get them over the hump in the playoffs.After 61 games, the Blues have scored 150 goals - good for an average of 2.46, which is 22nd among all 30 NHL teams.St. Louis is led in scoring by Vladimir Tarasenko and Alexander Steen, but there's a 15-point drop-off down to third-ranked David Backes. Jaden Schwartz's return gives the offense a boost, but T.J. Oshie hasn't been adequately replaced, and Steen could be out with an injury suffered in Saturday's win over Arizona.As a result, the question facing general manager Doug Armstrong in advance of the Feb. 29 trade deadline is whether to hang on to both Elliott and Allen in order to ensure strength at a key position, or whether to dangle one - most likely the elder Elliott - on the trade market in order to ice a more balanced lineup.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ryan O'Reilly will miss Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins with a lower-body injury, and word out of Buffalo is the Sabres center could be out for an extended period of time.

The legend of the "Ghost Bear" continues to grow in Philadelphia.With an overtime goal Saturday in Toronto, Flyers rookie defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere extended his point streak to 15 games, not only strengthening his case for Calder Trophy consideration, but also giving the City of Brotherly Love a measure of hope for the future despite being outside the NHL playoff picture.Here's what Gostisbehere's emergence means for the Rookie of the Year race and the Flyers' future:Crunching the numbersGostisbehere has firmly established himself as the top first-year defenseman, having recorded eight more points than second-ranked Colton Parayko of the St. Louis Blues in 18 fewer games played.But where does he rank among all rookies?With 12 goals and 22 assists, Gostisbehere sits fifth in rookie scoring, behind Artemi Panarin, Max Domi, Jack Eichel, and Dylan Larkin. In terms of points per game, however, his ranking rises to third, and only by lowering the minimum amount of games played to 20 to allow for Connor McDavid's inclusion.PlayerGames PlayedGoalsAssistsPointsP/GPConnor McDavid (EDM)231017271.17Artemi Panarin (CHI)592235570.97Shayne Gostisbehere (PHI)401222340.85On top of that, Gostisbehere's 18 power-play points ranks first, while his four game-winning goals - all coming in overtime - slots him third.What's even more impressive is where he ranks among all defensemen. While his 34 total points put him within the top 20, his points-per-game rate bumps him up to fourth, with only Erik Karlsson (1.08), Kris Letang (0.89), and Brent Burns (0.86) averaging more points.That's the cream of the crop league-wide, with his name among those who'll be in the Norris Trophy conversation. Gostisbehere doesn't see as much ice time as this group, nor is he charged with as much defensive responsibility in terms of shutting down the opposition. From a production standpoint, though, there's no denying he's in good company.Gostisbehere's numbers may not be enough to eclipse Panarin or McDavid in Rookie of the Year consideration, but he should be a finalist for the award.The caveat here is that if Gostisbehere can help propel the Flyers - who sit three points out of a wild-card spot - into the postseason, it would greatly boost his chances of earning the nod as the NHL's top rookie.Flyers' changing of the rear guardWhat's even more encouraging for Flyers fans is Gostisbehere represents the initial onslaught of a new wave of highly touted defensemen in Philadelphia.Heading into 2015-16, NHL.com pegged Gostisbehere as the third-ranked defensive prospect in the organization, behind Ivan Provorov and Travis Sanheim. This assessment was shared by Broad Street Hockey, who placed Gostisbehere sixth among the team's top 25 under 25, and third behind the aforementioned blue-liners.Gostisbehere was drafted in the third round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft out of Union College, marking the beginning of Philadelphia's stockpiling of potentially high-end defensemen.

With another fine outing Saturday night, Colorado Avalanche defenseman Tyson Barrie further proved he deserves a hefty raise this summer.Barrie almost single-handedly gifted the Edmonton Oilers a 3-2 defeat Saturday with two goals and an assist, helping the Avalanche collect their second straight win.(Courtesy: NHL.com)With his trio of points against the Oilers, Barrie became eighth among all defenseman with 30 points in 57 games. It's not the only category that sees him slotted in the top 10, however.Barrie is second among the league's best defensemen with five game-winning goals, tied for eighth in power-play points, and tied for ninth in assists. Since becoming a regular with the Avalanche during the 2013-14 campaign, his production has increased every year.The blue-liner will become a restricted free agent this offseason, when he can expect to cash in. He's currently making $2.6 million in a season in which he's poised to surpass his previous career highs in both goals and points.Barrie's on his way to becoming one of the league's great D-men, and he's set to get paid like one.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The St. Louis Blues keep on rolling.Vladimir Tarasenko's 28th goal of the season kickstarted a four-goal first period as the Blues held on for their fifth consecutive win Saturday, beating the Arizona Coyotes 6-4. With the victory, St. Louis continues to close in on the Chicago Blackhawks and Dallas Stars atop the Central Division.Team W L OT PtsChicago3818581Dallas3717680St. Louis3517979Alex Steen scored his 17th of the season just three minutes after assisting Tarasenko's goal. Though, Steen's game ended shortly thereafter when he suffered an apparent arm injury after Coyotes defenseman Kevin Connauton sent him flying into the boards.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Jaden Schwartz added his fourth goal in five games and Carl Gunnarsson scored his second of the season before the first period ended. Patrik Berglund redirected a Scottie Upshall pass for his fifth of the year and captain David Backes added an empty-netter in the final second.Goaltender Brian Elliott struggled, making just 18 saves on 22 shots. But his effort was still enough for the victory in his 17th consecutive start - a period in which the Blues have won 11 games.They will look to extend the winning streak to a season-high six games in a game against the San Jose Sharks on Monday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

He can do more than just run his mouth.Brad Marchand's two goals helped his Boston Bruins earn a 7-3 win over the Dallas Stars on Saturday.The goals were the latest in what has been a career season for Marchand who hit the 30-goal mark for the first time since entering the league full time back in 2010.(Courtesy: NHL.com)

All is not lost for Dennis Wideman.Although commissioner Gary Bettman on Wednesday upheld Wideman's 20-game suspension for checking linesman Don Henderson, the NHLPA announced it would appeal to a neutral arbitrator.Sunday will mark the 10th game of Wideman's suspension, but Sportsnet's Damien Cox reported during Saturday's "Headlines" segment that the Calgary Flames defenseman can be compensated for money lost if a neutral arbitrator reduces the suspension to 10 games or fewer."He can't get the games back, but he can get his money back," said Cox. "He's losing $28,226 per game so he would be reimbursed."According to Cox, it is expected that the hearing with the neutral arbitrator will take place on either Wednesday or Thursday next week.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Washington Capitals battled back from three separate one-goal deficits to beat the New Jersey Devils 4-3 on Saturday, and the game-winning goal came from an unlikely source.Veteran defenseman Brooks Orpik's late third-period goal was just his fourth tally since 2012, and marked the first game-winner of his career in his 798th game. His teammates were clearly thrilled, as captain Alex Ovechkin jumped in the air after Orpik scored.(Courtesy: NHL.com)"His celly was pretty amazing," Ovechkin quipped after the game.With an earlier assist, Saturday marked Orpik's first two-point game with a goal since November 2008, according to Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt.

It came down to the wire, but Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere scored the overtime winner, handing the Toronto Maple Leafs a 5-4 loss and extending his incredible point streak to 15 games.For the rookie blueliner, it was business as usual. The 22-year-old also picked up his fourth overtime-winning goal this season in the process.

After tying and passing Brett Hull with career goals No. 741 and 742 on Saturday, the Florida Panthers had only one real choice as to who earned the team's "Spacey in Space" sweater Saturday.Related: Jaromir Jagr scores 742nd goal to pass Brett Hull for 3rd all timeJaromir Jagr, of course, took the honor, and posed for the team's Twitter account after Florida's 3-1 win over the Winnipeg Jets.

The Pittsburgh Penguins would prefer to keep their cards close to their chest.With the goalie market visibly scarce, the Penguins have taken calls on American Hockey League goaltender Matt Murray, but teams have been "rebuffed" regarding his availability, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Damien Cox said during the Saturday's "Headlines" segment.Murray has put up sizzling numbers with the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season, constructing a 19-9-1 record to go along with a .931 save percentage and a 2.11 GAA.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After tying Brett Hull for third in NHL history with 741 goals during the second period of Saturday's game against the Winnipeg Jets, Jaromir Jagr didn't need long to pass him.One period later, the Florida Panthers forward scored career goal No. 742 to pass Hull for sole possession of third on the all-time goals list, beating Jets goalie Michael Hutchinson for the second time on the night before unleashing a fist pump in celebration.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Only Wayne Gretzky (891) and Gordie Howe (801) now have more goals than the Czech Republic native, who's incredibly leading the Atlantic Division-topping Panthers with 20 goals this season at 44 years old.Despite his age, the future Hall of Famer again made it clear that he has no plans to end his career any time soon."There's no reason to quit," Jagr said after the win. "I love the game. If I can play in the NHL, why not keep going?"His second goal clinched the 19th 20-goal season of Jagr's career, which moves him into a tie for third in that category behind Howe (22) and former Pittsburgh Penguins teammate Ron Francis (20). He also sits just five shy of Howe for third all time in points.

The Ottawa Senators don't appear to be looking for a quick fix.With the trade deadline approaching, Senators general manager Bryan Murray doesn't see the team making a move for a rental player, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Hockey Night in Canada's "Headlines" segment Saturday night.Friedman said Murray told him it's "unlikely (Murray) does anything unless it's for a player under team control or has term - no rentals."The Senators find themselves in a tough spot, six points out of the final wild-card position in the Eastern Conference.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The injury-riddled Florida Panthers might have another forward sidelined as Jonathan Huberdeau left Saturday's game against the Winnipeg Jets with an upper-body injury.Huberdeau was hurt after falling awkwardly into the boards following a hit from defenseman Jacob Trouba. The 22-year-old leads the team with 29 assists this season.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Usual linemate Aleksander Barkov is missing his sixth consecutive game Saturday with an upper-body injury of his own, but hopes to be back in the lineup for the Panthers' next game Thursday against the Arizona Coyotes.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Erik Karlsson is on a mission to lead the league in assists, even if it means setting up the opposition.The Ottawa Senators captain collected his unofficial 55th assist of the year Saturday, placing a puck on to the tape of Detroit Red Wings forward Andreas Athanasiou for an easy one-timer goal.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Things didn't get any better for Karlsson as the second period wore on, as he redirected a Brad Richards shot past Ottawa goaltender Craig Anderson.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida Panthers forward Jaromir Jagr scored his 741st career goal Saturday against the Winnipeg Jets to tie Brett Hull for third on the NHL's all-time goals list.The 44-year-old hit the milestone with a beautiful tip off a Dmitry Kulikov shot, beating goalie Michael Hutchinson to tie the game at one during the second period. He now has a team-leading 19 goals on the season.The ageless wonder needs 60 more goals to tie Gordie Howe for second all time.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With the New Jersey Devils badly in need of a win Saturday against the Washington Capitals to stay in the playoff hunt, forward Kyle Palmieri certainly did his part to help.After picking up an assist on a Travis Zajac goal, the 25-year-old sniped an incredible shot from the goal line over the crouched Braden Holtby and into the far top corner to give the Devils a 2-1 lead.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Palmieri, who grew up playing for the New Jersey Devils Youth Hockey Club, has already set career highs in goals (22) and points (39) with over 20 games remaining in the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings will be without some speed against the Ottawa Senators on Saturday as Dylan Larkin will be held out of the lineup due to an illness.It will be just the second game the forward has missed this season.The 19-year-old currently leads the Red Wings with 19 goals. Larkin also sits second in league rookie scoring behind Chicago Blackhawks forward Artemi Panarin and Buffalo Sabres forward Jack Eichel.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Quality over quantity.It took Pittsburgh Penguins forward Tom Kuhnhackl 17 games to score his first NHL goal, but when he did, boy was it something to behold.Kuhnhackl picked up a loose puck early in the second period and - after flipping it past Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Victor Hedman - broke in all alone, going bar-down on Ben Bishop with a beautiful backhand release.Not bad for your first.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Retired goaltender Gilles Meloche is one of 26 former members of the Minnesota Wild and North Stars who suited up for Saturday's Alumni Game against the Chicago Blackhawks at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, and the 65-year-old took the ice in style.Wearing the classic North Stars uniform, the 18-year NHL veteran also donned a retro mask, as seen in this photo with former teammate Don Beaupre.

The Tampa Bay Lightning picked up a big two points Saturday afternoon with a 4-2 win over the Pittsburgh Penguins as a season-long slump ended for a veteran defenseman.Matt Carle scored the game-winning goal and picked up an assist to record his first two points of the season in his 42nd game.

Since ending a two-month goalless drought on Jan. 16, Dallas Stars forward Ales Hemsky has five goals in his last 14 games, and head coach Lindy Ruff is rewarding him for his efforts.The 32-year-old veteran skated with Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn on the team's first line during Friday's practice and is expected to remain on the top unit for Saturday's game against the Boston Bruins.Hemsky is in the midst of his most productive stretch of the season, with four points in his last five games, and he credits his recent success to being more relaxed."Confidence helps for sure," he said, according to Mike Heika of the Dallas Morning News. "Sometimes, you just have to stop thinking so much and just try to play your game. I think I'm skating better, and when you get a role that's more involved, that helps you. It feels good."Though Hemsky's recent surge has come playing alongside youngsters Mattias Janmark and Valeri Nichushkin, Ruff is hopeful the Czech Republic native will continue to make plays with the team's pair of All-Stars."When Hemmer is skating the way he's skating, he's creating a lot of his own chances," Ruff said of the lineup shuffle. "It's an option I would like to try. I like where he's at. It's an opportunity to see if we can find something that's really dynamic."The Stars will look to end a two-game losing skid Saturday as they sit one point behind the Chicago Blackhawks for the division lead.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Claude Giroux will not be playing in his native province on Saturday.The Philadelphia Flyers' star center will miss the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs with an upper-body injury and is considered day to day, the team announced.Giroux was the recipient of a P.K. Subban hit late in the third period of Friday's game in Montreal. He left the game briefly, but was able to return for overtime and participated in the shootout. No penalty was called on the play.The Hearst, Ontario native and Flyers captain has appeared in all 57 games this season, and leads the team in scoring with 49 points.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kris Letang's attempt to make lemonade out of lemons backfired in a big way.After the Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman's stick was slashed out of his hands by Cedric Paquette, he proceeded to grab hold of the Tampa Bay Lightning forward's twig and skate down the ice to help defend his net.His punishment was two minor penalties: one for playing with an illegal stick and one for unsportsmanlike conduct.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The NHL's latest outdoor adventure is set to take place Sunday, and the Minnesota Wild and Chicago Blackhawks took some time to get acquainted with their temporary surroundings with respective practices.The Wild, who will host the game at the University of Minnesota's TFC Bank Stadium, took to the ice first in advance of what will be the first outdoor game in franchise history.

Steven Stamkos knows how to put the puck in the net.The Tampa Bay Lightning captain recorded his 300th career goal with a first-period tap-in against the Pittsburgh Penguins, becoming the third player in team history to reach that mark, following Vincent Lecavalier and Martin St. Louis.

New York Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh is being held off the ice with a jaw contusion and a neck spasm, the club announced Saturday.The captain was injured by an elbow to the head from Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov, who was suspended three games for his actions.McDonagh was playing in his second game since returning from a concussion, but appears to have avoided that particular injury this time around.

With the NHL's trade deadline only nine days away, the Winnipeg Jets must decide what to do with captain Andrew Ladd.Set to become an unrestricted free agent at season's end, Ladd appears destined to hit the trade market as a rental player with the Jets already committed to Dustin Byfuglien long term and sitting well outside the playoff picture.Winnipeg is expected to make one last push to sign Ladd to a contract extension, but it doesn't help his case that he's recorded only 15 goals and 17 assists in 57 games, putting him on pace for his worst output since joining the team.Still, an attractive deadline option he remains. Here are three teams that could be vying for his services.Chicago BlackhawksLadd is no stranger to Chicago, where the Blackhawks are reportedly in hot pursuit of a top-line left winger.A member of the first of Chicago's three recent Stanley Cup championship teams, Ladd recorded six points in 19 playoff games back in 2010, but was subsequently traded to the then-Atlanta Thrashers in a cost-saving measure.Ladd has more than come into his own over the past six seasons since his name was engraved on the Cup, averaging 0.71 points per game with the Thrashers/Jets while becoming a leader both on and off the ice.His familiarity with the Blackhawks and his ability to meet a clear need for the defending champions makes him a perfect fit to boost a Chicago team with a great chance at coming out of the West once again.Florida PanthersLadd also has ties to the Panthers, namely general manager Dale Tallon, who brought the winger to Chicago prior to the deadline in 2008 by way of the Carolina Hurricanes (the club which drafted him fourth overall in 2004).The upstart Panthers hold a five-point lead in the Atlantic Division, and, barring complete disaster, are indeed headed for the postseason for only the fifth time in franchise history. And in a year when the Eastern Conference seems to be Washington's to lose, the new divisional playoff format means the Panthers could very well advance to the conference finals if all goes their way.Florida is led by a host of young talent, with veterans Jaromir Jagr, Roberto Luongo, and Brian Campbell - also a member of Chicago's 2010 Cup squad - serving as reason to believe this team can succeed sooner than expected.The addition of Ladd, even as a rental, could go a long way toward ensuring some measure of postseason success, but Tallon will no doubt be weary of giving up too much in order to pull off such a deal.New York RangersThe Rangers have been one of the most successful playoff teams in recent years, with three trips to the conference finals and a Stanley Cup Final appearance to their credit over the past four seasons.They haven't been able to achieve the highest goal, however, and perhaps only have limited chances at reaching the NHL's peak with their current crop of players.With Rick Nash recovering from a bone bruise and Chris Kreider not living up to expectations, GM Jeff Gorton finds his club weak at left wing, with a surprise breakout from J.T. Miller - a natural center - helping fill the void for now.The Rangers likely wouldn't be able to keep Ladd long term based on their cap situation, but he's exactly the type of player they need in their top six if they want to make good on their quest for a Cup.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Islanders may not be hip to Brooklyn.After only 31 games played at Barclays Center, both sides are believed to be exploring ways to modify the terms of their lease agreement or even sever ties altogether, according to the New York Post.In 2012, Islanders owner Charles Wang signed a 25-year lease with the Brooklyn arena to have the team play there beginning this season, but a source tells the Post the agreement includes "a little-known out clause that kicks in after the fourth season that both sides could take advantage of."Under the agreement, Barclays pays the Islanders an average lump sum of $53.5 million per year, while the arena retains cash made off tickets, suite sales, and sponsorships.Jonathan Ledecky, who heads a group of investors set to take over ownership of the Islanders on July 1, is hearing complaints from longtime fans about the setup at Barclays - including high ticket prices and obstructed views - and is considering a move back to Long Island or to another venue in the New York area.Nassau Coliseum, the team's former home, is undergoing renovations that include cutting its seating to 13,000, rendering it too small to host NHL hockey.Barclays Center CEO Brett Yorkman, however, denies the report claiming the Islanders could play elsewhere in the near future."We are enjoying the first year of hockey in Brooklyn," he told the Post. "We are looking forward to a heated playoff run and a long future and partnership with the Islanders."The Islanders rank 28th with an average attendance of 13,424, while posting the league's fourth-best home record at 19-8-4.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Ahead of the Feb. 29 trade deadline, we're taking a look at each division to assess who's buying, who's selling, and who's standing pat.There are plenty of buyers and there should be a few sellers in the Metropolitan Division as the deadline approaches.The Metro boasts the best team in the league and a collection of competitive clubs, most of which likely feel they have a shot at the postseason and beyond.That competitiveness makes it tricky for teams to decide whether to go all-in or be patient, but it also likely gives the clubs the impression that they should try to improve.Here's what we think each team from the NHL's most vaguely named division should do prior to the deadline:BuyersNew York RangersThe Rangers sit comfortably in a playoff spot, but after a Stanley Cup Final defeat in 2014 and a Game 7 loss in the 2015 Eastern Conference final, their window to win it all is slowly closing.New York remains the oldest team in the NHL, and the team has several obvious needs, including a skilled forward to offset the loss of Rick Nash, and goaltending depth.Related - Alter: Rangers must deal at deadline to put aging roster over the topThey'll have nearly $5 million in cap space on deadline day, and there are several forwards who could help generate scoring chances on the wing for a New York club that ranks 20th in even-strength Corsi For percentage.New York IslandersThe Islanders will have nearly $26 million in cap space on deadline day, so taking on salary in preparation for a deep playoff push won't be a concern.They're sitting in third place in the division, and while there's plenty of talent on the roster, the Islanders have an opportunity to improve.New York has skill up front with the likes of John Tavares, Kyle Okposo, Brock Nelson, and Ryan Strome, but they could certainly be deeper.Okposo, Frans Nielsen, and aging defenseman Marek Zidlicky are pending unrestricted free agents, but Okposo is the only one with considerable value, and general manager Garth Snow has been tight-lipped about the forward's future in Brooklyn.Travis Hamonic likely remains on the trading block given his personal situation. If they're able to accommodate him before the deadline, they'll need to add at least one, or preferably two, top-four defensemen. Even if they can't do that, they could use an upgrade over second-pairing left-handed shot Brian Strait.New Jersey DevilsThe Devils are right on the playoff bubble when many expected them to be sellers by this point in the season.New Jersey's top-six has exceeded expectations, and Corey Schneider has been excellent in goal, but with nearly $40 million in cap space projected on deadline day, the Devils are in position to address their current needs while also setting themselves up for the future.A pending UFA depth defenseman like Dan Hamhius or Kris Russell would give the Devils a boost for their playoff pursuit, and if their hypothetical addition opts to walk at season's end, that would give New Jersey even more cap flexibility, allowing them to complete the rebuild in 2016-17.SellersColumbus Blue JacketsIt's another lost season for the Blue Jackets, who hoped a healthier roster and the addition of Brandon Saad would vault them into the playoff hunt.Columbus doesn't have much to sell, but they have even less to gain by buying or standing pat, and should seek every opportunity to clear cap space before the deadline.The Blue Jackets have more than $25 million committed to five forwards for the next three seasons, and three of them (Saad, Brandon Dubinsky, and Nick Foligno) are on the books until 2020.Columbus will have about $15 million in cap room on deadline day, but that will dwindle down to about $3 million by season's end.Rene Bourque is a pending unrestricted free agent, as is defenseman Justin Falk, and the Blue Jackets should look to get whatever they possibly can for the pair.Carolina HurricanesIf the Hurricanes make the playoffs, they won't go far, so the future should be their priority.Eric Staal hasn't been asked to waive his no-trade clause yet, but GM Ron Francis should broach the subject with his captain if he wants to continue building with the future in mind.Staal hasn't played well recently (one point in his last eight games), so his value is low, but plenty of teams would likely consider the veteran forward, who has playoff experience and a history of scoring prowess.Carolina has a ton of pending UFAs, including Staal, Kris Versteeg, Nathan Gerbe, and goaltender Cam Ward. It'll be a tough sell to fans if the Hurricanes are in a playoff spot at the deadline, but if they're on the outside looking in, Francis should put up the "for sale" sign.Philadelphia FlyersThe Flyers, like the Hurricanes, are caught between an opportunity to rebuild and a potential playoff spot.Philadelphia is five points back of the final playoff spot, three points behind Carolina. This won't be the Flyers' year, but they're in better shape than the Hurricanes in the long term.There's a solid core in place with Claude Giroux, Jakub Voracek, and Wayne Simmonds all locked up long term, and Shayne Gostisbehere's blossoming as a rookie.Still, Sam Gagner is in the final season of his contract at a cap hit of $3.2 million, and R.J. Umberger will be an unrestricted free agent after next season, although he comes at a cap hit of $4.6 million.Neither player appears to have a future with the Flyers, and Philadelphia should look to move whichever non-core pieces they can to help facilitate the club's resurgence.Standing PatWashington CapitalsThis is the Capitals' best chance to win a Stanley Cup in the Alex Ovechkin era, but they don't need to do anything significant to ensure that happens.They're set in goal with Vezina Trophy front-runner Braden Holtby, and their forward depth is the best it's been in years with Evgeny Kuznetsov, Justin Williams, and T.J. Oshie bolstering the offense that continues to be led by Ovechkin and Nicklas Backstrom.The defense, led by John Carlson and Matt Niskanen, has been fine, too.Washington will only have about $1.1 million in cap space on deadline day, and while the Capitals do have a couple of pending UFAs, it would be shocking if they did much to disrupt a roster that's been unrivaled to this point.Pittsburgh PenguinsThe Penguins haven't exactly lived up to expectations following the Phil Kessel trade last summer, but they're still one of the Eastern Conference's most dangerous teams when Evgeni Malkin is healthy.Pittsburgh is up against the cap, with less than $2 million expected to be available to general manager Jim Rutherford on deadline day.They're in a wild-card spot now, and Malkin is close to returning, so given their financial limitations it wouldn't be surprising if the Penguins showed restraint on Feb. 29.(Cap figures courtesy: General Fanager)Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Cam Ward is peaking at the best possible time.The Carolina Hurricanes goaltender has earned at least a point in his past 10 starts by posting a record of 6-0-4, tying his career high set from March 14-April 7, 2009 (9-0-1).The run of strong play extends back to the beginning of 2016, and was interrupted twice as Ward missed six games with a concussion and another two with a leg injury suffered during a win over the New York Islanders, in which he played long enough to be credited with the victory.Ward is in the final season of a six-year, $37.8-million deal signed with Carolina back in 2010, and approaches the trade deadline as an impending unrestricted free agent, and therefore a candidate to be dealt.At the same time, the Hurricanes are somewhat surprisingly hanging around in the Eastern Conference wild-card race, sitting two points behind both Tampa Bay and Pittsburgh, albeit with more games played.Ward's string of success means general manager Ron Francis will have to decide whether to ride it out in hopes of qualifying for the postseason or sell his goalie to the highest bidder prior to the Feb. 29 deadline should trade opportunities present themselves.For Ward, who carries a .910 career save percentage, staying hot down the stretch can only bode well for his future, in Carolina or elsewhere.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

P.K. Subban would prefer to let his numbers do the talking.The Montreal Canadiens defenseman was his usual dominant self Friday, collecting two assists in his club's 3-2 shootout victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.Related: Canadiens halt 3-game skid with shootout victoryBut after receiving blame from head coach Michel Therrien for the club's 3-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche 48 hours earlier, the former Norris Trophy winner said his production should pre-empt criticism.

The Carolina Hurricanes pulled out a 5-2 victory against the San Jose Sharks Friday thanks in large part to a two-goal performance from Jeff Skinner.His big night gives the club reason to celebrate, but behind the scenes, it adds to a conundrum.

The NHL's lowest-scoring team was shut out for the sixth time this season Friday, as the New Jersey Devils lost a costly division game 1-0 to the New York Islanders.Related: Islanders' Halak shuts out Devils to start 7-game road tripA win would have brought the Devils into a tie for third in the Metropolitan Division, but they instead remain a point behind the Pittsburgh Penguins - who have three games in hand on New Jersey - for the final Eastern Conference wild-card position."It seems like everyone's winning around us," forward Travis Zajac said, per NJ.com. "We've got to find a way to get points. We have a chance to get back at it tomorrow going into a tough building. We've played well against good teams."Despite another stellar performance from goalie Cory Schneider, who allowed just one goal for the third time in his last four starts, the Devils' inability to score continues to haunt them; they have not scored four goals in a game since Jan. 21.The road won't get easier for the Devils, as they'll look to avoid a third consecutive divisional loss Saturday against the league-best Washington Capitals, who they've failed to beat in their two previous meetings this season."It's tough. We have to bounce back after this and put a string together and get ourselves right back in the race," forward Reid Boucher added. "I think we'll bounce back."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There's no place like home.After dropping three straight games on the road, the Montreal Canadiens returned home and used a gutsy shootout effort to get by the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Friday.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Despite the club's recent struggles, the win marks the fourth straight for the Canadiens at the Bell Centre, improving their home record to 16-11-2.The club showed resilience in climbing back from a 2-1 deficit in the third period to tie the game thanks to captain Max Pacioretty's 21st goal of the season.The shootout capped off a contest that was uneventful until the final period and an absolutely wild three-on-three overtime frame.Related: VIDEO: Crowd emphatically cheers on Subban midgameThe victory allows the Canadiens a huge sigh of relief after headlines earlier Friday suggested defenseman P.K. Subban was on the trade market. Meanwhile, chatter around the city remained focused on the relationship between Subban and head coach Michel Therrien.The off-ice distractions appeared to have little impact on the team's leading scorer, who collected two assists to reach 46 points on the season.

It appears Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere won't go pointless the rest of the season.The rookie defenseman threaded the needle to Michael Raffl for a tap-in goal against the Montreal Canadiens that extended his point streak to 14 games Friday.(Courtesy: NHL.com)The streak is now tied for the third-longest by a rookie since the 1987-88 season, and it's the longest point streak by a defenseman since Brian Leetch's 14-game run back in 1996.

After a pair of his defensemen were hurt after being hit from behind by Columbus Blue Jackets forwards, Buffalo Sabres goalie Robin Lehner was ready to take matters into his own hands.With a scrum ensuing after Boone Jenner knocked blue-liner Zach Bogosian into the boards, the netminder quickly joined the festivities, dropping the gloves to fight Jack Johnson before officials intervened.