After a 6-2 blowout victory over the Montreal Canadiens, the Arizona Coyotes gave their MVP belt to a man who, despite never taking the ice, lived out a lifelong dream Monday.

It was a night of firsts for Mattias Janmark.Janmark buried the first overtime winner of his NHL career Monday to lead the Dallas Stars to a 3-2 victory over the Nashville Predators.(Courtesy: NHL.com)The 23-year-old rookie recorded a helper earlier in the contest for his first career multi-point effort. He now has 12 goals and 11 assists in 57 games this season.

Another game against the Toronto Maple Leafs, another four-point night for Patrick Kane.The basement-dwellers of the NHL standings couldn't contain the league's leading scorer once again as the 27-year-old scored a goal and added three helpers in a 7-2 Chicago Blackhawks win, prompting announcer Pat Foley to claim Kane could top 200 points with more games against Toronto.In the only other meeting between the two teams this season on Jan. 15, Kane scored the first regular-season hat trick of his career and added an assist in a 4-1 win for the Blackhawks. He now has three four-point nights on the season, with his first coming against the Edmonton Oilers in November.Kane increased his league-leading point total to 82, leaving his nearest competitors for the Art Ross Trophy in his dust. Dallas Stars forward Jamie Benn and Ottawa Senators defenseman Erik Karlsson are tied for second with 63 points.

In the NHL's first season with the shootout in 2005-06, then-Dallas Stars rookie Jussi Jokinen led the league with 10 shootout goals, with a number of them coming by way of the infamous "Peter Forsberg" move.Ten years later and now a member of the Florida Panthers, it looked like Jokinen was going back to his old tricks in the fifth round of a shootout against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Monday - but the veteran fooled Marc-Andre Fleury by hanging onto the puck and wristing it over the outstretched netminder.SO #9 Jokinen - StreamableIt's the 36th shootout goal of Jokinen's career which places him ninth in NHL history. New York Islanders forward Frans Nielsen, who has four shootout goals this season, currently holds the all-time lead with 42.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Nick Spaling just can't buy a goal.Chicago Blackhawks goalie Scott Darling absolutely robbed Spaling of his first goal of the season Monday with an incredible desperation glove save.The 27-year-old has been a solid backup to Corey Crawford this season, sporting a 5-4-0 record, 2.48 GAA, and .915 save percentage coming into the game.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Welcome to the show, Nathan Schoenfeld.Schoenfeld - the son of New York Rangers assistant general manager Jim Schoenfeld - went from men's league goalie to NHL backup after Anders Lindback suffered an off-ice injury just hours before Monday's game against the Montreal Canadiens.

Another honor was bestowed to the NHL's elder statesman, Jaromir Jagr, prior to his game Monday against his former team - and this one is likely the tastiest.Before facing the Pittsburgh Penguins, the Florida Panthers gave the five-time Art Ross winner and 13-time All-Star a jersey cake honoring both his current club and his national team, the Czech Republic, for his 44th birthday.

The Toronto Maple Leafs will have forward Nazem Kadri back in the lineup as they face the Western Conference-leading Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.Kadri has not played since Feb. 9 against the Calgary Flames, missing two games with a lower-body injury.The 25-year-old has 11 goals and 17 assists in 52 games this season, but has been held without a point in his last three outings.Brendan Leipsic, who scored his first NHL goal in Saturday's win over the Vancouver Canucks, is a healthy scratch.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Columbus Blue Jackets forward Cam Atkinson changed one family's life forever when he scored a hat trick against the Montreal Canadiens on Jan. 25.Related: Atkinson does like Ryan, secures puppy for Columbus familyNine-year-old Maddie Wright - in attendance on her birthday - created a sign that said, "Dad says if 13 scores on my Birthday we get a dog." Atkinson delivered three times, and Maddie's father did not go back on his word.The Wright's picked out a rescue dog from the Delaware County Humane Society shortly thereafter, and decided to name the newest member of their family after Maddie's favorite goal scorer.Both Cams had an opportunity to meet for the first time Monday.

New York Islanders defenseman Calvin de Haan left Monday afternoon's game against the Detroit Red Wings during the second period with a lower-body injury, and head coach Jack Capuano didn't hide the fact he's worried about the blue-liner."He’s a tough kid so when he's not able to go back in the game, it's a concern for sure," he said, per Newsday's Arthur Staple. "We don't know how long it will be."Capuano added that the 24-year-old will be evaluated Tuesday. It is unclear how he suffered the injury.De Haan has played in all 55 Islanders games this season, recording a goal and eight assists while ranking fourth on the team in ice time, averaging 20:44 per night. He currently ranks fourth in the league in shot blocks with 139.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With center Aleksander Barkov sitting on the injured reserve thanks to an upper-body injury, the Florida Panthers will split up the other two parts of their top line Monday against the Pittsburgh Penguins after fellow forwards Brandon Pirri and Quinton Howden were hurt on Saturday.Jonathan Huberdeau will skate with Nick Bjugstad and Jussi Jokinen, while Jaromir Jagr - who turned 44 on Monday - will play with Vincent Trocheck and Reilly Smith, as the Panthers seek more offensive depth after being shut out by the Nashville Predators in their last outing.Barkov has now missed three games with the issue, but did spend time on the ice prior to the team's morning skate, according to Harvey Fialkov of the Sun Sentinel. The Finn has been solid on Florida's first line, which as a whole has been very productive in 2016 to help the Panthers remain atop the Atlantic Division.Since Jan. 1Player GP G A P +/-Barkov1657124Huberdeau1978155Jagr19681410Head coach Gerard Gallant said Pirri will likely miss "a few weeks" with an ankle injury, while Howden is believed to have suffered a concussion. There is no timeline for his return.The Panthers are also undermanned on the blue line as defensemen Willie Mitchell and Erik Gudbranson remain sidelined with lower- and upper-body injuries respectively.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Calgary Flames were without three of their regulars Monday against the Anaheim Ducks.Defenseman Kris Russell and forward David Jones are both day to day with a lower-body injury, while forward Matt Stajan was also out of the lineup for maintenance reasons.

John Tavares is more than just a goal-scorer.The New York Islanders captain flipped a terrific no-look backhand pass to a trailing Ryan Strome, who beat Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard to give the Islanders a 4-1 lead in the third period Monday afternoon.

Let's get this out of the way: The Tampa Bay Lightning were never going to trade Steven Stamkos.General manager Steve Yzerman - refreshingly proactive and ahead of the curve - confirmed the obvious Monday, releasing a statement saying Stamkos won't be traded and will remain Tampa Bay's captain through and after the trade deadline. Stamkos will be wearing blue and white on Feb. 29 in Toronto, but it will be the Lightning's, not the Maple Leafs'.So we know what the short-term future of the club looks like, and it includes Stamkos and not Jonathan Drouin, suspended by the club as he awaits a trade.It's in the summer when things will get interesting. If Stamkos does depart in unrestricted free agency, the Lightning's future will be devoid of both Stamkos and Drouin, thought to comprise the club's core for the next 8-to-10 years, at least.Stamkos for a CupThe questions are: What is a Stanley Cup worth to Yzerman and the Lightning? Is it worth losing Stamkos if Tampa Bay wins it all?The Lightning have their eyes on the postseason. They were two wins away from lifting the Stanley Cup in 2015, so there is unfinished business to take care of. And Yzerman believes in his club, which looks a lot like last year's Eastern Conference-winning outfit, and is playing solid hockey after a slow start.By announcing his intention to keep Stamkos in Tampa Bay, Yzerman's sent a message to his group: Get it done. And it makes a Drouin trade, if it happens, seem like it will help the club today, right now, to add reinforcements, so the Lightning can once again play in June.No guaranteesEveryone knows the work Yzerman has in front of him. Drouin needs a new home; Stamkos, leading scorer Nikita Kucherov, Alex Killorn, and Vladislav Namestnikov need new contracts; Ondrej Palat, Tyler Johnson, Victor Hedman, and Ben Bishop need new deals after 2016-17. That's one long to-do list.But Yzerman, it seems, will deal with his issues later. He paid the price as a player to win the Stanley Cup, and while he must surely believe that he can get Stamkos to stay in Tampa Bay, it appears he's willing to pay the ultimate price in Stamkos himself for a Stanley Cup. However, nothing is guaranteed in the NHL in the spring. Yzerman knows that best.In the end, the Lightning could be Kucherov, Johnson, and Palat's team a lot sooner than anyone expected. Losing Stamkos will never be easy to accept, but a Stanley Cup banner will make it a lot easier.You have to admire Yzerman's faith.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Evander Kane is in trouble, again.The Buffalo Sabres forward will miss Tuesday's game against the Ottawa Senators as punishment for oversleeping and missing practice Monday, Sabres head coach Dan Bylsma said, according to NHL.com's Joe Yerdon.

If Steven Stamkos is leaving the Tampa Bay Lightning, it will be via unrestricted free agency.General manager Steve Yzerman announced Monday that the club will not trade captain Steven Stamkos before the Feb. 29 trade deadline. The following statement was released:

Pavel Datsyuk's on fire, and he's the NHL's first star for the week ending Feb. 14, the league announced Monday.The Detroit Red Wings forward had three points Sunday, hitting and passing the 900-point mark for his career. His five goals led the league last week, and his seven points in four games were good for second among all players. Detroit rode Datsyuk's hot play to seven out of eight points.New York Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist's perfect week earned him second-star honors. He went 3-0 with a sparkling .967 save percentage. He's been dominant at home this season, compiling an 18-3-2 record at Madison Square Garden, earning points in nine straight games (8-0-1) in Manhattan.Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand is the NHL's third star of the week, because he simply can't stop scoring.The superpest is up to 28 goals on the season - tying a career high - after scoring four times in four games last week. He added three assists.February's been a great month for the 27-year-old. He has goals in seven straight games since Feb. 2.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Tanking for a high draft pick is often suspected, but rarely does an NHL general manager confess to doing it.That's essentially what Arizona Coyotes general manager Don Maloney did Monday. Maloney was asked by Sports Illustrated's Alex Prewitt to explain how Coyotes defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson placed 17th in Norris Trophy voting last season."It's really reflective of our team," Maloney said. "Last year, we plunged. I did not do much to help our team (in) the last two months. If we were going to be bad, my attitude was, let's be real bad. There was a pretty big prize for being really bad."The Coyotes' 56 points and 24-50-8 record were better than only one team - the Buffalo Sabres - but the third-worst Edmonton Oilers won the draft lottery and the right to select that "pretty big prize," Connor McDavid, first overall."All that being said, it was a miserable last six weeks for every player, including Oliver and anyone who had to go out there, because our chances of winning were so slim," Maloney said."We basically had a minor-league roster. But (Ekman-Larsson) continued to do his thing and he's always been a top minutes played (player) at his position. I think there's still more growth and upside."The Coyotes have plenty of upside as a team, with Ekman-Larsson on the verge of a career-best campaign, Max Domi and Anthony Duclair already contributing, and third-overall pick Dylan Strome averaging over two points per game in the OHL.Still, Maloney's refreshing honesty might not be considered as such by the league.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

You know what they say: "Too many cooks spoil the broth."Nowhere was that old adage more applicable than Charlottetown, P.E.I., on Friday night, when an impulsive linesman caused a game between the QMJHL's Charlottetown Islanders and Baie-Comeau Drakkar to end prematurely.The officiating crew was working to fix a small, protruding portion of one of the on-ice logos when the linesman suddenly began ripping the entire banner, tearing up the ice.The game was called after a long delay, giving the Islanders a 5-2 victory.The lesson here is this: know your role.- With h/t to DeadspinCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville knows how to serve up an injury update.Forward Marian Hossa, on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, will be out a "couple weeks maybe," Quenneville said on local Chicago radio Monday morning. He added that the injury "is not serious, and that was the most important thing," according to CSN Chicago's Tracey Myers.Hossa has 10 goals and 18 assists in 54 games, averaging 17:24 in ice time. He turned 37 last month, and it's showing. His 0.52 points per game average is his lowest since his first full season in the NHL, way back in 1998-99, when he was only 20 and finished second in Calder Trophy voting.Hossa needs only four goals to hit 500 for his career.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jaromir Jagr's on-ice exploits are almost unparalleled, but it's his quick wit and sense of humor that make him such an endearing figure.Related: 3 defining moments in Jaromir Jagr's careerThe living legend turned 44 on Monday, so in honor of this momentous occasion, let's revisit some of his most memorable one-liners.Here are the five best Jagr quotes in recent memory:"I want to play until (I'm) 50"When the then-42-year-old New Jersey Devils forward said this in September 2014, it seemed a bit far-fetched, even considering his remarkable durability.A year-and-a-half later, considering how he's playing for the Florida Panthers, it suddenly seems possible.If anyone can do it, it's him."I don't get old. I don't know why. You've gotta ask God, man"Five months before his quinquagenarian quip, Jagr confirmed what we've always suspected - he's immortal."I don't know where I'm going to play, but I want to still play until I can't walk anymore," Jagr told NHL.com's Dan Rosen. "To me, age is nothing. I don't get old. I don't know why. You've gotta ask God, man."Whether it's a secret fountain of youth or some divine intervention, Jagr is truly blessed."I don't really agree with people saying you should finish on top so people remember you. I think that's bulls---"Jagr is constantly asked about retirement, and he always seems to have the perfect answer. Clearly, finishing one's career with the Stanley Cup is over-rated."I don't really agree with people saying you should finish on top so people remember you," he said in November 2014. "I think that's bullshit."Jagr won back-to-back championships in his first two NHL seasons, so that would explain his thoughts."It's like somebody got really, really fat and then one day they lose four pounds"This one, believe it or not, was about climbing back into the playoff race."We know we probably have to win 35 of 50 to make the playoffs and just go from there," Jagr said of the then-mediocre Devils."It's like somebody got really, really fat and then one day they lose four pounds. You're still not going to see it (at first), but if you set up the goal that he's going to lose 100 pounds in three months, he can do it. He has to work day by day. I think that's the thing to do, the easiest way to do it."Now that's a refreshing change from the standard "Take it one game at a time" cliche."I'm glad I lost today"How often do you hear an athlete say that? Sure, it was about an exhibition game, but this quote truly captures Jagr's character."I've never been happy about losing, but I'm glad I lost today," he said after John Scott was named All-Star Game MVP last month, defeating Jagr's Atlantic Division squad along the way.Jagr is such a quote machine that we wouldn't be surprised if he gave us five new ones before his 45th birthday.Enjoy your 44th, Jaromir.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

This save needs to be seen multiple times to be believed.Jeff Lerg, a goaltender for the ECHL's Toledo Walleye, pulled off an eye-popping desperation stop in overtime against the Fort Wayne Komets on Sunday night.WHAT A SAVE BY JEFF LERG IN OT! The Walleye win in a shootout!The Walleye prevailed 3-2 in a shootout, and it could have been a very different result if not for Lerg's heroics.- With h/t to CBS SportsCopyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The magic is alive.Pavel Datsyuk's three-point game Sunday against the Boston Bruins was significant for a couple of reasons. His first goal was the 308th of his career, and saw him reach an impressive personal milestone: 900 points in the NHL in 928 regular-season games.

Henrik Lundqvist didn't have to work too hard Sunday, but he was nearly perfect when tested.The New York Rangers goaltender stretched his personal win streak to five games, making 21 saves in a 3-1 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers.Brayden Schenn spoiled Lundqvist's shutout bid in the waning moments, scoring a power-play goal with 10 seconds left, but Lundqvist has allowed only six goals in the last five games.He's been particularly successful at home lately.

It came down to the wire, but Shayne Gostisbehere's streak lives on.The Philadelphia Flyers defenseman extended his point streak - which remains a rookie record among blue-liners - to 12 games in a 3-1 loss to the New York Rangers on Sunday night.Brayden Schenn ended Henrik Lundqvist's shutout bid on the power play with 10 seconds remaining, and Gostisbehere helped to set up the goal:(Courtesy: NHL.com)The 22-year-old has notched three goals and 12 assists during his 12-game run, and has a total of 31 points in only 37 contests this season.Derek Stepan scored twice in the third period to put the game out of reach, and also extended a couple of point streaks for the Rangers.

Considering what happened the last time the New York Rangers played the Philadelphia Flyers, this wasn't exactly unpredictable.Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds was ejected for punching Rangers defenseman Ryan McDonagh last Saturday and the Rangers captain hasn't played since due to a concussion, so it was only a matter of time before the Rangers sought retribution.That moment came 39 seconds into Sunday's game, when Rangers defenseman Dylan McIlrath fought Simmonds in a lengthy, spirited bout after the two heavyweights exchanged some pleasantries in the pregame warmup.The fight left Simmonds with a large gash over his left eye.(Courtesy: NBCSN)Twenty seconds after Simmonds and McIlrath traded blows, Rangers forward Tanner Glass took on Flyers center Ryan White.There's clearly no love lost between these Metropolitan Division rivals.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Talk about multi-tasking.Carolina Hurricanes public address announcer Wade Minter couldn't help but do his job after scoring in the team's alumni game Sunday.Minter redirected a pass by former Hurricanes defenseman Glen Wesley, then made a beeline for the announcing booth to make it official.

An intermission segment with Jeremy Roenick can only mean one thing: Things are going to get weird.The former NHLer and current NBC analyst took Detroit Red Wings forward Dylan Larkin on a bizarre musical journey in a prerecorded bit that aired before the second period of Sunday's game against the Boston Bruins.Here they are singing and dancing along to Drake's "Hotline Bling."

Brad Marchand extended his impossible scoring surge in record time Sunday afternoon.The Boston Bruins' breakout scorer notched the fastest goal in the 91-year history of the franchise, scoring eight seconds into the team's matinee clash with the Detroit Red Wings.

One day after a report that Alex Burrows would be willing to waive his no-trade clause if the Vancouver Canucks asked, the forward told reporters this was not the case.After making similar comments following Saturday's game against Toronto, Burrows confirmed Sunday he never said he was willing to waive his no-trade clause and expressed his desire to remain with the Canucks, according to Ben Kuzma of the Vancouver Province.The 34-year-old has one year remaining on his contract, and is expected to make $3 million next season.Through 53 games, Burrows has just seven goals, nine assists, and a minus-10 rating.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The love hasn't faded.Players are sending out messages to those who mean the most to them on Valentine's Day, and for the fun-loving Eddie Lack, there is no other.

Goaltender Keith Kinkaid made 12 of his 27 saves in the third period Sunday on way to his first career shutout, while defenseman David Schlemko scored the game's lone goal as the New Jersey Devils won their third consecutive game, 1-0 over the Los Angeles Kings.Kinkaid filled in admirably as No.1 goalie Cory Schneider got a well-deserved break after allowing a single goal in both outings of back-to-back wins. It was the 26-year-old's first win of 2016 in his third appearance.The goaltending duo have now backstopped the Devils to a 4-1-2 record in February, despite their offense only registering one three-goal game - a 3-2 win over the New York Rangers on Feb. 2.DateOppResultGoalieSaves2NYR3-2 WSchneider314TOR3-2 SOLKinkaid376WSH3-2 SOLSchneider278NYR2-1 LSchneider359EDM2-1 WSchneider1913PHI2-1 WSchneider3114LAK1-0 WKinkaid28The Kings weren't all too impressed with Kinkaid's effort however, with the team's Twitter account giving the right post behind him more credit for the victory.

The Boston Bruins will be without top center Patrice Bergeron for the second consecutive day, as it was announced he won't dress Sunday versus the Detroit Red Wings.He remains day to day with an undisclosed injury.It's believed Bergeron suffered his ailment in a scrap with Winnipeg's Blake Wheeler on Thursday night.Ryan Spooner filled in on the top line for the Bruins, who lifted Claude Julien to his 500th career coaching victory in Saturday's 4-2 triumph over the Minnesota Wild.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

One day after Mike Yeo was relieved of his head coaching duties, a number of Minnesota Wild players took responsibility for their former bench boss' dismissal."It's always a weird day, a weird feeling when a change is made," said forward Zach Parise. "As a player you take a lot of responsibility."We need to start being a much better hockey team."Parise has struggled with just five points in his past 13 games, a stretch where the Wild have won a single game. The 31-year-old admits the team needs to turn things around quickly if they hope to make the playoffs."We have to play the right way and take charge in getting our group out of this," he continued. "There's a responsibility with the veteran players.""It's a terrible thing," added defenseman Ryan Suter, who signed an identical contract to Parise's - 13 years, $98 million - in the summer of 2012. Since the signing, the team hasn't made it past the second round of the playoffs.Even Thomas Vanek, who admitted he hadn't spoken to Yeo since he was scratched for a Feb. 6 game against the St. Louis Blues, shared in his teammates' sentiment that they need to respond to the shake up."It's no fun," Vanek said. "It's a reflection of the group. He's taking the hit for us. Now there's change. We've got to be better."The team will move forward under interim coach John Torchetti, who coached the team's AHL affiliate in Iowa since 2014. Torchetti begins with a three-game road trip, starting Monday in Vancouver. before making his home debut outdoors at TCF Bank Stadium against the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Even in exile, they're mocking the league's latest public relations nightmare.Alexander Semin, the former 40-goal scorer who was banished by the Montreal Canadiens earlier this season, is the latest to pen a scathing review of the NHL's revamped - or at least redesigned - website.

With 23 points in has past 24 games, Jack Eichel entered Sunday's game against the Colorado Avalanche just one point behind Dylan Larkin for second among rookies, and the Buffalo Sabres forward didn't need much time to tie him.The 19-year-old started with the puck in his own zone and dangled through the neutral zone before using a screen to snap his 17th goal of the season past Semyon Varlamov to give his team a 1-0 just over two minutes in.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Evander Kane doubled the lead less that three minutes later, ending Varlamov's night before he stopped a single shot.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

With all due respect to John Torchetti, the man appointed interim head coach of the Minnesota Wild on Saturday, his coaching resume (and the Iowa Wild's record) isn't anything to write home about.It's possible he rallies misguided troops, rescuing Minnesota from its demise under recently terminated coach Mike Yeo. But Torchetti - who hasn't held an NHL head coaching post in a decade - has the look of a man set up as a martyr, prepared to take the fall akin to Peter Horachek in Toronto last season.Here are three coaches who might be worthy of fueling up the private jet:Adam OatesNot on Minnesota's payroll, but earning wages from key members of the organization, Oates would without a doubt be a welcomed addition to the Wild room.Ranked sixth on the all-time assists list, Oates has translated his historical offensive talents and mastery of the attacking zone into a personal business, where his one-on-one, skills-refining sessions are coveted by many of the league's best players. Among his satisfied clients are Ryan Suter and Zach Parise - the two high-paid pillars of the Wild's aging room.The skills sage should do wonders for the Wild's powerless power play and 1.97 goals per 60 minutes at even strength, but Oates would require strong voices and quality systems-implementing assistants to avoid the fate he suffered in two seasons with the Washington Capitals.Marc CrawfordCrawford has harnessed coaching momentum overseas, administering the exploding development of future top NHL draft selection Auston Matthews on the best team in Switzerland's top division, ZSC Zurich.The former Stanley Cup and Jack Adams Award winner has expressed his desire to return to the NHL after a lengthy stay in Europe. After potentially accomplishing all he can overseas, there isn't a better time than next season.Though it's unlikely, if the Wild plunge further into the depths of the lottery standings and earn the right to draft Matthews, Crawford's rapport with the wunderkind would most certainly provide him with the inside track.If the knock on Crawford is he became a bit of a dinosaur after 15 seasons, it's worth noting he should return with a refreshed outlook. He's found success teaching a European game that's always been about the speed and skill taking over the NHL.Bruce BoudreauHe obviously has a job, and an attractive one at that. But if Boudreau fails to lead the Anaheim Ducks to a Stanley Cup Final appearance again this year, many believe that one of the best and most successful coaches in the NHL might become available.Boudreau's seat was hot at the start of this season. His hapless Ducks were severely underperforming, while his vision and the style of play he employed was failing. Unlike most coaches, though, he wasn't stuck in his ways. Boudreau took a torch to his scheme - focusing now on suffocating defense - and suddenly, Anaheim's the Cup contender it was pegged to be at the start of the campaign.Versatility is a skill most coaches don't have. If Anaheim fails to realize his value and Boudreau once again fails to receive a fair shake, the Wild should jump at the opportunity.But they won't be his only suitor.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella said recently he believes teams kill a higher percentage of penalties committed in the defensive zone compared to those in the offensive zone.However, he doesn't have, or want, any numbers to back that opinion up, reports Aaron Portzline from The Columbus Dispatch.Calling infractions in the defensive zone "good penalties," Tortorella is stubborn in his belief that "bad penalties" - those in the offensive zone - are tougher to kill."You actually think you kill a higher number of 'good' penalties than 'bad' penalties?" Portzline asked Tortorella."Damn right I do," he replied, laughing. "I don't know what the percentages are and I really don’t give a (hoot), to be honest. I want us to take care of our blue and I want us to get to their blue. I know deep in my heart (now laughing harder) and I don't care what the number is, whether it's wrong or not, we're going to kill that penalty off."The penalty kill hasn't been a strong point for the Blue Jackets this season, ranking 20th in the NHL at 79.8 percent, down slightly from 80.2 percent last year.Though his team has killed just eight of 11 penalties (72.7 percent) in their past five games, Tortorella's apparent light mood in the interview likely has more to do with the team's recent winning ways - now victors of six of their last eight."You kill the good ones off at a higher percentage than the bad ones," he continued, laughing louder, "and I don't give a damn what percentage you come up with. I'm not going to believe you."Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

After goaltender John Gibson left Saturday's game against the Chicago Blackhawks with an upper-body injury, the Anaheim Ducks reportedly recalled fellow goalie Anton Khudobin from the AHL on Sunday, according to Eric Stephens of the Orange County Register.Gibson didn't return for the third period after a collision with Blackhawks forward Richard Panik. There's no word on the severity of the injury, but Stephens reports there was little indication the 22-year-old was dealing with anything serious.Frederik Andersen entered the game in relief of Gibson, and stopped five of six shots as the Ducks went on to win 3-2 in overtime, thanks to a goal from captain Ryan Getzlaf.The Ducks continue their seven-game road trip Monday against the Calgary Flames.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Two weeks after his incredible performance at the NHL All-Star Game in Nashville, the "MVP" chants continued for John Scott as he returned to the ice Saturday with the AHL's St. John's IceCaps in a 3-1 win over the Toronto Marlies."It was nerve-racking," Scott told Charles Dart from NHL.com of the crowd who cheered every time he touched the puck. "Obviously I wanted to do well and play well for the fans. It was cool to have the chants and stuff like that to know the fans are behind me."Also eight days removed from the birth of twin daughters, it's been a whirlwind couple of weeks for the enforcer, but he took to Instagram on Friday to share he was ready to get "back to work."

The Chicago Blackhawks lost one of their star players in Saturday's defeat at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks.Marian Hossa left the game in the second period and did not return after taking a big hip check from Hampus Lindholm and flying awkwardly into the boards.Hossa remained on the ice for several moments, requiring assistance from a trainer and teammates before heading to the room.Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville offered a brief update on his status after the game, indicating Chicago could be without him against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Sunday.

The Carolina Hurricanes replicated their 2006 selves with a 6-3 win over the New York Islanders.Forward Victor Rask led the way with two goals Sunday, as the team paid tribute to the Hurricanes' 2005-06 Stanley Cup-winning squad that captured the franchise's loan Stanley Cup 10 years ago.

The Minnesota Wild have named John Torchetti interim head coach after firing Mike Yeo on Saturday.Related: Wild fire head coach Mike YeoTorchetti joins the Wild after serving as head coach of the AHL's Iowa Wild since November 2014.The 51-year-old has 31 years of hockey experience, and has held coaching positions with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Florida Panthers, Los Angeles Kings, Chicago Blackhawks, and Atlanta Thrashers.

Dallas Stars forward Tyler Seguin hit the 30-goal mark Saturday for the third year in a row.Seguin scored his 29th and 30th goals of the season - the latter proving to be the eventual game-winner - to lift the Stars to a 4-3 victory over the Washington Capitals.(Courtesy: NHL.com)He now has 62 points this season, putting him third in the league in both goals and points.The 24-year-old's game-winner came in the second period, as the Capitals fell just short of an epic comeback with three unanswered goals in the final frame.Dallas improves to 36-15-5 with its third consecutive win, while Washington falls to 40-10-4 on the season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

There are certainly teams in worse shape than the Minnesota Wild, who dismissed head coach Mike Yeo on Saturday, but a glimpse at the numbers shows they have issues across the board.Entering Saturday's 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins, the Wild ranked in or near the bottom third of the league in a bevy of telling statistical categories.On the most basic level, the Wild weren't scoring enough while allowing too many goals. Their goal differential (minus-5) ranked 17th in the NHL, but their averages were worse:CategoryAverageLeague RankGoals For2.4522ndGoals Against2.5120thSpecial teams are another concern:CategoryPercentageLeague RankPower Play17.423rdPenalty Kill79.122ndAs Wayne Gretzky (and Michael Scott) famously quipped, you miss 100 percent of the shots you don't take, and the Wild simply didn't generate enough attempts on goal:CategoryAverageLeague RankShots29.319thShot Attempts51.323rdAnalytics further illustrate Minnesota's issues driving puck possession at even-strength:Category PercentageLeague RankCorsi For48.520thScoring Chances48.720thHigh-Danger Chances5014th(Courtesy: War-On-Ice)PDO combines shooting percentage and save percentage, essentially measuring how fortunate or unfortunate a team or player has been. A high number typically regresses over time, and the Wild had the 10th-highest mark, at 100.5, entering Saturday's game, according to Stats.HockeyAnalysis.com.That doesn't bode particularly well for Minnesota going forward, considering how poorly they've already played, and how low they're already ranked in all of the aforementioned categories.The Wild lost eight straight games and 10 of their last 11 before firing Yeo, who was in his fifth season behind the bench in Minnesota. They're only three points out of a playoff spot, but the numbers indicate their downward spiral might not be reversed any time soon.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Florida Panthers defenseman Alex Petrovic should really take a hint.Related: Kane, Petrovic ejected after 3rd fight of the gameAfter being dropped in three separate fights Tuesday by Buffalo Sabres forward Evander Kane, Petrovic squared off against Nashville Predators defenseman Anthony Bitetto at the end of Saturday's game.Unfortunately, it ended in yet another painful result.On the bright side, at least Petrovic only went down once this time around.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Vancouver Canucks forward Alex Burrows will not stop management from making any deals.If the Canucks want to deal Burrows, he would be willing to waive his no-trade clause, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported during the Saturday Headlines segment.Burrows has one year remaining on his four-year, $18-million contract, and is scheduled to make $3 million next season, according to generalfanager.comThe 34-year-old has just seven goals and 16 points in 52 games this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It appears as though there will be a pair of outdoor games in Canada next season.The Winnipeg Jets will host the first outdoor game of 2016-17 against the Edmonton Oilers in October, reports Sportsnet's John Shannon.The game will be held at Investors Group Field, which is home to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.The Toronto Maple Leafs are also likely to host a rematch of the 2014 Winter Classic - as part of their centennial celebration - on New Year's Day, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported during Hockey Night in Canada's "Headlines" segment Saturday night."We are still expecting Toronto on January 1st with the Detroit Red Wings as the opponent. They had a tremendously successful outdoor game a couple of years ago in Ann Arbor," Friedman said.The Maple Leafs defeated the Red Wings 3-2 on New Year's Day at Michigan Stadium in 2014.The St. Louis Blues and Chicago Blackhawks are reportedly lined up for the 2017 Winter Classic, while the Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are expected to play in an outdoor game next year as well.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It is hard to script a better NHL debut.Related: Brendan Leipsic making Maple Leafs debut in VancouverToronto Maple Leafs forward Brendan Leipsic batted the puck out of the air and past an unsuspecting Ryan Miller to score his first career goal in his NHL debut, and give his club a 3-1 lead over the Vancouver Canucks.(Courtesy: NHL.com)The goal was extra sweet for Leipsic as his parents were lucky enough to be in attendance.