The Montreal Canadiens want to return to better days, and there's no better time than Jan. 1, as Brendan Gallagher makes his return to the lineup for the Winter Classic.Gallagher missed 17 games after blocking a shot and breaking two fingers. The Canadiens were 16-4-2 the night he went down. They were 21-15-3 to end 2015, with only two victories to show for their past 13 games.The 23-year-old winger said all the right things about his return: It's cool to play outside in front of friends and family, he wasn't rushed and was cleared by doctors, and he only wants to help the team, in any way he can. But Gallagher's return isn't just about him - it's about the rest of his mates, too.As NHL.com's Arpon Basu writes, the Canadiens were on something else offensively with Gallagher in the lineup, averaging 3.55 goals per game. Without Gallagher, that number's dropped to a shocking 1.82.While Gallagher was off to a great start, with nine goals and 19 points in 22 games, it's clear Max Pacioretty and Tomas Plekanec miss him. Pacioretty had three goals in December, and Plekanec has three in 27 games since a five-goal October. The two must be overjoyed that Gallagher's back.The top line will be reunited Friday afternoon at Gillette Stadium, meaning David Desharnais, Dale Weise, and Tomas Fleischmann will be back together, as well."In no way do I think I'm the answer," Gallagher said. "I just want to be part of the solution."It's a new year, but the Canadiens want to go back. Gallagher's return means they'll get a chance.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

A trip to Alberta didn't fix the Anaheim Ducks' scoring woes, but thankfully John Gibson was up to the task.For the second game in a row, the Ducks beat a team from Alberta by a score of 1-0, with Gibson keeping the Edmonton Oilers completely at bay after shutting out the Calgary Flames on Dec. 29.Gibson made 21 saves against Edmonton after stopping 14 shots by Calgary two nights before.The Ducks' offense came courtesy of Ryan Getzlaf, who managed to fire the puck past a goalie for only the second time all season.With the win, Gibson improved his season record to 7-4-2, with an incredible four shutouts in 12 starts.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Three-on-three play agrees with the captain.Jonathan Toews scored his fourth overtime goal of 2015-16 to end Thursday's game against the Colorado Avalanche, setting a Chicago Blackhawks record for OT goals in a single season, according to Elias Sports.The goal, Toews' 13th overall, came on a power play and spoiled Colorado's attempt at completely erasing an earlier 3-1 deficit.

Artemi Panarin is a strong contender for the Calder Trophy, and it helps that he can feed the puck to a star linemate.The left-winger's skills were on full display Thursday in Colorado, as he skated circles around the Avalanche en route to setting up a Patrick Kane power-play goal.

Arizona Coyotes forward Shane Doan scored the 380th goal of his NHL career Thursday to pass Dale Hawerchuk for the franchise record against the new rendition of the team he began his career with - the Winnipeg Jets.The long-time captain hit the milestone beating Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck after finishing a give-and go with rookie Max Domi on a two-on-one.

New York Islanders defenseman Johnny Boychuk left Thursday's game against the Buffalo Sabres in obvious discomfort after running into the boards at high speed. Head coach Jack Capuano announced the blue-liner is day to day.Boychuk was hurt during the third period after he missed an attempted hit on Sabres forward Jack Eichel. He went straight to the locker room with what appears to be a left shoulder injury.The 31-year-old recorded an assist earlier in the game, giving him 14 points this season.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Braden Holtby got a well-deserved night off Thursday, but it didn't go as planned for the Washington Capitals.Philipp Grubauer was inches away from an incredible stick save on Eric Staal, with a video review ruling the puck crossed the line, and the Carolina Hurricanes went on to win 4-2.What a save by Grubauer - but it's (just) a goal. 2-1, Hurricanes. #NHL.With the loss, the Washington Capitals waved their nine-game winning streak goodbye. Still, their double-digit cushion in points over the rest of the Eastern Conference remains intact.Phillip Di Giuseppe and Jeff Skinner also beat Grubauer, while Andrej Nestrasil sealed the win with an empty-netter in the final minute. Eddie Lack impressed with 30 saves to improve to 4-0-1 in his last five starts.Capitals stars Nicklas Backstrom and Alex Ovechkin scored their 11th and 21st goals of the season, respectively.Holtby will likely return between the pipes against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday, when he'll look to avoid his first regulation loss since Nov. 10.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Hockey fans are in for a treat, as filmmaker Tim Thompson created a stunning video montage ahead of the 2016 Winter Classic.With "Rose Tattoo" by Dropkick Murphys providing the soundtrack, Thompson tees up the latest chapter in the historic rivalry between the Boston Bruins and the Montreal Canadiens.Rose Tattoo - Boston Bruins & Montreal Canadiens Rivalry from Hockey Films by Tim Thompson on Vimeo.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It seems Jack Eichel is finally hitting his stride in the NHL.The Buffalo Sabres rookie threaded the puck through a pile of bodies in front of the New York Islanders' net to set up Ryan O'Reilly's 15th goal of the season.(Courtesy: NHL.com)The assist gives Eichel nine points in his last six outings. O'Reilly, meanwhile, now has 17 points in as many games in what's been an impressive first season in Buffalo.Copyright © 2016 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Sidney Crosby is back.The Pittsburgh Penguins captain scored a highlight-reel goal Thursday, batting the puck to the top corner from the slot, while on one knee, to give his team a 3-2 lead over the Detroit Red Wings.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Evgeni Malkin made it 4-2 just 32 seconds later.

Kris Letang has been one of many Pittsburgh Penguins struggling to find the back of the net this season, with his only tally coming on Oct. 13.He broke out of the slump Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings on the power play, sniping one past Petr Mrazek after patiently skating into the slot.(Courtesy: NHL.com)The goal tied the game at two and was the Penguins' second marker with the man advantage on the night, with Patric Hornqvist opening the scoring less than a minute into the second period.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mark Recchi's still got it.The right winger, who played 22 NHL seasons, scored two goals in Thursday's Winter Classic Alumni Game, leading the Boston Bruins to victory over some Montreal Canadiens greats and earning MVP honors to boot.His second goal came courtesy of a wicked dangle and setup by 1998 NHL Rookie of the Year Sergei Samsonov.

The Florida Panthers like what they see from general manager Dale Tallon.The sides have reportedly agreed to a three-year contract extension, according to George Richards of the Miami Herald.Tallon, who joined the organization in 2010, is in the final year of his current deal with the team.During his tenure, the club has added a plethora of young talent through the draft, most notably Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, and Jonathan Huberdeau. Tallon's also added veterans like Jaromir Jagr and Roberto Luongo to provide much-needed leadership and mentoring for the up-and-comers.Defenseman Dmitry Kulikov is the only player on the roster who remains from the previous regime.Heading into Thursday's action, the Panthers were in first place in the Atlantic Division.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

St. Louis Blues forward Vladimir Tarasenko won't play Thursday against the Minnesota Wild because he's ill, according to Jeremy Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.The 24-year-old has appeared in all but one game this season, leading the team with 24 goals and 39 points.Tarasenko didn't participate in the morning skate, but was expected to suit up for the New Year's Eve matchup. He has five points in his last four contests versus the Wild.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brad Marchand is sorry.The Boston Bruins winger got slapped with a three-game suspension that'll keep him out of Friday's Winter Classic meeting with the Montreal Canadiens, effectively letting down the team and its fans."I just want to acknowledge the situation that I've put my team in for being undisciplined and affecting the game for them, taking away from the excitement to the fans being a part of this rivalry, and taking that away from them, and then also for affecting this game for myself and putting myself in a situation to not be part of this," Marchand told reporters Wednesday."I wanted to apologize and I truly am sorry to everyone about, again, the situation and it was not my intent to make a hit or try and injure anyone on that play."In the midst of one of the best seasons of his career, Marchand added that the suspension - received for clipping Mark Borowiecki of the Ottawa Senators - won't affect how he approaches the game moving forward.Despite the suspension, Marchand was permitted to practice with the team. He made the most of the opportunity, chatting and skating with his teammates Thursday."I think it speaks a lot for Brad to want to be out in front of this today," general manager Don Sweeney said. "He knows the impact that it's had on the team, short of the game itself, and the fans and he asked us if he could sort of address it in front of his teammates going out for practice and getting ready for this game and I think it speaks - to answer the question - (to) the maturity. It says a lot to where Brad is and the impact he has on our lineup."I think we can leave it at that. We respect Player Safety's decision on the play; it's unfortunate for Brad and our team and our fans but we'll leave it at that."Marchand has recorded 15 goals and 11 assists in 34 games, putting him on pace for a career year in goals and total points.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Scott Gomez is already looking to get back on the ice.Waived and released by the St. Louis Blues on Wednesday, the veteran center has his sights on joining another club, according to Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet.Friedman reports the 36-year-old will begin skating with Adam Oates, under whom he rediscovered his game as a member of the New Jersey Devils.

One day before the NHL's 2016 Winter Classic, Gillette Stadium is hosting an alumni game between the Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens featuring a number of greats including Ray Bourque and Cam Neely for Boston, and Guy Carbonneau and Alex Kovalev for Montreal.Chris "Knuckles" Nilan spent short stints in both Montreal and Boston, and though he's listed on the Canadiens' roster Thursday, the former enforcer didn't break allegiance to Beantown with the back of his jersey sporting Bruins colors.

The Buffalo Sabres will be without forward Tyler Ennis against the New York Islanders on Thursday.Ennis sustained an undisclosed injury after being leveled by Washington Capitals forward Alex Ovechkin on Wednesday. He left the game and did not return.The 26-year-old has three goals and eight assists in 23 games this season.Matt Moulson will draw back into the lineup after sitting as a healthy scratch against the Capitals on Wednesday.The 32-year-old forward has gone cold in Buffalo this season, recording just four goals and eight assists in 36 games.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's tradition: On Jan. 1, to ring in the new year, we watch - and celebrate - hockey.Most of us tune in on TV. But almost 70,000 will brave the elements in Foxborough, Mass., on Friday to witness the Winter Classic, this year pitting the Montreal Canadiens against the Boston Bruins in an Original Six matchup.Puck drop - weather permitting, and ice conditions will always be an issue - is at 1 p.m. ET, on NBC in the U.S. and Sportsnet in Canada.Free-falling CanadiensThe Canadiens won the Stanley Cup in October. They repeated as champions in November. Carey Price won the Vezina Trophy, and was in the running for the Hart before he was hurt. P.K. Subban won his second Norris Trophy, and Michel Therrien was the coach of the year.What a difference a month makes.Price made only three starts in November after a late October lower-body injury. He re-aggravated his ailment Nov. 25, three nights after Montreal lost Brendan Gallagher to two broken digits. Nothing's been the same.Montreal was 17-4-2 heading into Nov. 27. It's 4-11-1 since.Price will miss the Winter Classic. Gallagher, however, is back, and his return is massive. But Mike Condon isn't the answer in goal. He had a .906 save percentage in November, and followed that up with an .888 December. It's so bleak, Marc Bergevin was forced to trade for Ben Scrivens. But it'll be Condon in net to open 2016.The Canadiens' problems are deeper than simply in goal, though. The offense has dried up, too. Montreal has scored only 28 goals in 16 games since Nov. 27, and the calls for Therrien's head on Ste-Catherine Street are growing louder with every defeat.A coach has never been fired after losing the Winter Classic - that could change this year. And let's face it: Nothing, not even such a drastic measure, would be a shock in Montreal.Tuukka's backAny concerns about Tuukka Rask's slow start have been put to rest.Month SV % RecordOctober.8893-3-1November.9075-4-0December.9486-2-2Rask stopped 272 of 287 shots he faced in nine December starts, posting two shutouts - he was all but unbeatable.But what makes the Bruins a formidable team is their consistency. All they've done all season is score goals and win games. Even when Rask wasn't performing, he still had a better than .500 record thanks to his team's offensive prowess.Boston ranks second in the league with 3.1 goals per game, boasts the league's best power play (29.4 percent), and its plus-18 goal differential is second to only the Eastern Conference-best Washington Capitals. And the Bruins have been absolutely dominant on the road, winning 11 of 16.The Bruins sit third in the Atlantic, only a point behind Montreal with three games in hand, and two points behind the Florida Panthers, with a game in hand. The division is Boston's to lose. And the scary part is, Rask is only now rounding into form.Fear Boston.Star powerNo Price, and David Krejci hit injured reserve Tuesday, but a number of stars will shine during the NHL's biggest and brightest showcase on New Year's Day.While it's unfortunate Brad Marchand will miss the game, he was rightfully suspended. At least Gallagher, Montreal's Marchand, will play.After a career-high 15 goals last season, Subban only has one this season. But you can bet good money P.K. will score No. 2 at Gillette Stadium, because if anyone should play in this game every year, it's him. Subban was made for it.Patrice Bergeron, at 30, is as much a leader of the Bruins as captain Zdeno Chara, and the underrated center is on pace for the best statistical season of his career.Canadiens captain and sniper Max Pacioretty was born and raised in New Canaan, Conn., only a three-hour drive from Gillette Stadium.Torey Krug played an outdoor game as a Michigan State Spartan, and will now do so as a Bruin.Alex Galchenyuk was born in Milwaukee, and grew up in Europe and Russia, and will now suit up outdoors in the bleu, blanc, et rouge.Loui Eriksson has found "it" again, and the hockey world, for one afternoon, will be witness to his rebirth.There are so many reasons to watch. And we'd be remiss if we didn't mention the most important one: Bruins versus Canadiens. Montreal against Boston. For the 910th time. Outside. It doesn't get much better than that.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

We look back at the best of the past 365 days in the National Hockey League.

The Montreal Canadiens will get a gigantic boost to their lineup for Friday's highly anticipated showdown against the Boston Bruins in the Winter Classic.Brendan Gallagher has been cleared to play by team doctors.

Vancouver Canucks forward Jannik Hansen has been slapped with a $2,000 fine for diving and embellishment.The fine comes after Hansen's second citation was issued during the team's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning on Dec. 22. Players are issued a warning for diving for their first citation while subsequent citations welcome a fine and can include a coach's fine if a third citation follows.Hansen's first citation came during a Nov. 4 game against the Pittsburgh Penguins.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Brian Elliott has reincarnated the same pads once worn by one of the franchise's all-time goalies.The St. Louis Blues netminder has had a set of equipment designed that replicates the set former Blues goaltender Curtis Joseph donned during his stint with the club during the '90s.Elliott admits Cujo was an inspiration of his growing up and finding an old Joseph hockey card at his house gave him the idea for the design."He was in Heaton gear, which they don't make anymore. The gear was all blue, and I thought it looked really cool," Elliott told Chris Pinkert of Blues.com. "His mask when he was first here, with the two trumpets on top and the Blue Notes on the chin on the music sheet, it always stuck out in my head as a kid. I wanted to pay tribute to him because I was such a fan and idolized him."

Boston Bruins goalie Tuukka Rask is bringing a little New England Patriots fever to the ice for the Winter Classic on Friday.Rask paid tribute to the defending Super Bowl champions on his customized Winter Classic mask, dawning Tom Brady on one side, and Rob Gronkowski, Julian Edelman, and Stephen Gostkowki on the other.

On Friday, the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins will do battle at Gillette Stadium in the 2016 edition of the Winter Classic. In the spirit of the outdoor contest, here are three players from the Bruins and Canadiens you should consider acquiring on the trade front in your fantasy pool.Tuukka RaskHe may have gotten off to the worst start of his career this season, but ladies and gentlemen, Tuukka Rask is back to being one of the most elite goaltenders in the league.After staggering out of the gate with a dismal .846 save percentage through his first five games of the season, he's rekindled the numbers that have become expectant of him. During his last 10 games, he's boasted a 6-2-2 record with an incredible .948 save percentage.In that span Rask has given up two goals or less in nine of those games, with his worst outputting being a modest three goals against in 7-3 victory over the Ottawa Senators.The asking price might be high, but if the opportunity presents itself, owners should do whatever it takes to attain one of the hottest goalies going right now.Alex GalchenyukIt can be hard to find a player on the Canadiens roster who has remained hot in the wake of the club's tumultuous collapse over the last month. But while the team has limped to a 3-11-0 record in the month of December, Alex Galchenyuk has continued to produce at a career-best efficiency.The 21-year-old is currently rocking his longest point streak of the season, which hit five games with an assist during the team's 3-1 loss to the Florida Panthers on Tuesday.The 2012 first-round draft pick is currently on pace to exceed his previous career best of 46 points, and with another strong second half of the season, he should be able to match his career mark of 20 goals.Galchenyuk is owned in 69 percent of Yahoo leagues, so though he would be a great acquisition at a price not too steep. In some leagues owners might be lucky enough to claim him off the waiver wire free of charge.Patrice BergeronThough much of the noise in Boston has been about forward Brad Marchand and his sizzling 15 goals through 34 games, it's Patrice Bergeron who leads the Bruins in nearly every offensive category.It's hard to say that a player who plays high end minutes and in every situation on a playoff team is a sleeper, but praise for his accolades so far this season have been few and far between.That aside, Bergeron has collected 14 goals and 35 points in 36 games to lead the team in scoring, while his seven powerplay goals and three game-winning goals also lead the Bruins. His 18 powerplay points are just one point shy of Chicago Blackhawks forward Patrick Kane for top spot in the NHL.Bergeron is on pace to eclipse his career-best 73-point season of 2005-06. In leagues that score hits and faceoffs he also gives extra value, and with teammate David Krejci expected to miss weeks with an upper-body injury, the Bruins could rely heavily on Bergeron to continue his productive ways.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins and Montreal Canadiens first met on the ice in 1924, then renewed acquaintances another 908 times. No two teams have met in the postseason more often, and the next edition of their storied rivalry will go down outdoors at Gillette Stadium on New Year's Day.Looking back on the events that made this Original Six matchup great, here are the three greatest moments from the rivalry between the Bruins and Canadiens.1952 - Richard returns to score winner(Courtesy: Montreal Canadiens)A collision during the second period of Game 7 of the Stanley Cup semifinals left Maurice "Rocket" Richard a little worse for wear. Trying to split a pair of Bruins, Richard was hit in the chest and took a stick to the face. On his way to the ground, his head bounced off the knee of an opposing player, then hit the ice, rendering him unconscious.Bloodied and bandaged, Richard returned to the bench during the third period and would score the game-winning goal against Bruins goaltender "Sugar" Jim Henry by skating up the right wing, faking a shot on the short side, cutting across the goalmouth, and firing the puck into the far corner.Related: The Montreal Canadiens' 3 greatest rivalsHenry later greeted Richard in the handshake line with clear appreciation of his peer, leading to perhaps the most iconic photo to come from the rivalry.1979 - Too many menThere may be no more memorable penalty in NHL history than the one the Bruins took in Game 7 of the 1979 Stanley Cup semifinals.With Boston leading 4-3 at the Montreal Forum in the closing minutes of the game, the Bruins appeared poised to end the Canadiens' run at a fourth consecutive Stanley Cup. But with 2:34 to play, the Bruins were caught with too many men on the ice.Playing with the man advantage, Guy Lafleur blasted a one-timer past Gilles Gilbert to tie the game and force overtime, where Montreal won on a goal by Yvon Lambert. From there, the Habs made short work of the New York Rangers to win their fourth consecutive Stanley Cup. Not long after, Bruins general manager Harry Sinden fired head coach Don Cherry.2011 - Seventh heaven for HortonEntering the 2011 playoffs, the Bruins' Stanley Cup drought was at 39 years. Their prospects of ending that streak didn't look great when the team lost back-to-back games on home ice to start the postseason, scoring only one goal on Carey Price.Boston won the next three games, but Montreal won Game 6 at home to force a deciding Game 7. The Bruins led 3-2 in the closing moments of regulation when P.K. Subban rifled home a shot from the point that sent the contest to overtime.With two overtime wins in the series under their belts to that point, the Bruins would emerge from the extra frame victorious once again thanks to a laser from the high slot off the stick of Nathan Horton. That victory propelled the Bruins to their sixth Stanley Cup.Related: The Boston Bruins' 3 greatest rivalsCopyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Detroit Red Wings will welcome a regular staple back to their blueline when they take on the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday night.Defenseman Jonathan Ericsson will return to the lineup Thursday after missing five games with an upper-body injury. With Ericcson reprising his role on the back end, defenseman Jakub Kindl will draw out.The Red Wings have dropped three of five games during Ericsson's absence.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Boston Bruins will host the Montreal Canadiens for the NHL's annual Winter Classic on New Year's Day, and everyone in the Boston area is getting into the spirit.That includes New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who took to the outdoor ice at his home field of Gillette Stadium on Thursday alongside Bruins head coach Claude Julien.

The Columbus Blue Jackets will be without forward Matt Calvert for approximately four weeks due to a sprained knee.Calvert sustained the injury in Tuesday's win over the Dallas Stars.The 26-year-old has six goals and one assist in 39 games this season.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It's been a weird year.We've seen accidental futility conquer premeditated tanking, a marked shift in the NHL's core group of stars, and an improbable dynasty established in the face of parity.Here are the NHL's winners and losers over the last 12 months:Winner: Chicago BlackhawksDynasties aren't dead. Chicago's third Stanley Cup in six seasons - won in six games over the Tampa Bay Lightning - was extra special, being its first won on home ice in 77 years.Loser: Pittsburgh PenguinsIt hasn't been a banner run in Pittsburgh for Jim Rutherford. After a shameful five-game defeat at the hands of the New York Rangers last spring, the Penguins general manager packaged the only first-round prospect left in the system since the 2012 draft with a future first rounder in order to land Phil Kessel.Though he received value in the transaction, it illustrated Rutherford's glaring oversight toward the fundamental flaws on Pittsburgh's roster. And for that, the under-performing Kessel has indirectly become a problem once again as his new team comes undone.Winner: Carey PriceThe toast of the NHL Awards in June, Price backed up his Hart and Vezina Trophy season with a dazzling 12-game run to start this campaign. Though his season has been derailed by a somewhat mysterious lower-body injury, his case for being the best hockey player on the planet has only be solidified by the Montreal Canadien's recent spiral.Loser: Jonathan BernierHe closed his calendar season with an impressive performance versus the Penguins, but that doesn't erase Bernier's 364 days of misery. He was 10-30-7 with a sub-.900 save percentage over the last 12 months.Winner: Mike BabcockNo matter what happened over the last few months, Babcock was going to be a winner for having a management team essentially shove $50 million into a briefcase and deliver it via private jet. But the work he's done since has justified such theatrics.Loser: Jarmo KekalainenDo you blame John Tortorella, or the man who hired John Tortorella?Winner: Edmonton OilersThis isn't at all on the basis of on-ice merit, as the Oilers will turn the page on 2015 in the West basement, again, but for literally winning the right to draft ultra-special - and unfortunately still injured - superstar Connor McDavid.Loser: Buffalo SabresEdmonton's triumph was tragedy for the Sabres, of course, as unlike the Oilers, they invested all their resources into losing before ultimately losing hold on the best of consolation prizes.Winner: Jaromir JagrNot only does the ageless and extraordinary Jagr lead the upstart Florida Panthers - the team he vitalized last season - in scoring in his 22nd NHL season, but he's wrest social media supremacy from teammate Roberto Luongo as well.Loser: Patrik EliasJagr's countryman, who's apparently also in Jagr's crossfire, has been cast aside in what projects to be his final season with the New Jersey Devils. The 39-year-old Elias, who costs $5.5 million against the cap, has eight goals in 45 games over the last 12 months and has been in and out of the lineup since his rather generous inclusion in last season's All-Star Game.Winner: Johnny GaudreauThe wunderkind Gaudreau, having the best sophomore season among those in last year's outstanding rookie class, scored 73 points in 78 games in 2015, and will break into 2016 in the top 10 in league scoring.Loser: Jonathan DrouinConversely Drouin, selected more than 100 slots ahead of Gaudreau in their respective drafts, registered four total goals in 2015.Winner: Jamie BennBenn won last season's scoring title in the most dramatic fashion, registering a goal and an assist in the final 125 seconds for a four-point night in Game 82 to overtake John Tavares. And he hasn't looked back.Benn, who collected 105 of his 409 career points over the last 12 months, trails only Patrick Kane in league scoring this season.Loser: Sidney CrosbyFrom mumps to lumps, middle age - at least in hockey years - has hit Crosby harder than a viral illness ever could. He's on pace to finish below a point per game for the first time in his career.Winner: Andrej SekeraIn a summer of marked patience from NHL executives, it was Sekera who somehow broke the bank. He scored $33 million in the most expensive free-agent deal of the summer.Loser: Cody FransonAnd then there's Franson, who cost himself millions in misreading the market. He settled for a two-year deal worth just north of $6.5 million with Buffalo after turning down lucrative long-term in-season offers from the Toronto Maple Leafs.Winner: Mike HoffmanHoffman didn't have it Franson bad, but was doubted by both his employer and a third party following his 27-goal rookie season, having been awarded just $2 million by an arbitrator. But he's now forced the Ottawa Senators to pay up in spades.The sniper will finish the 2015 portion of the season ranked top-10 in NHL goal scoring, and will certainly cost the Senators more than he would have readily took last summer.Loser: Alex SeminHe has, and will continue to earn, the money Hoffman temporarily lacks, but Semin will likely never see NHL ice again after being purchased out of his optimistic one-year deal with the Canadiens.And not so fast ...Remember when Don Sweeney was the laughing stock of the NHL, the Kings were cooked, and Jakub Voracek was worth $66 million?A lot can change in a year.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Well that's one way to break a scoring slump.Held without a point over his past six games, Philadelphia Flyers captain Claude Giroux took advantage of a faceoff win and fired the puck on Martin Jones right off the draw.Luckily, Giroux got a little help from the San Jose Sharks' netminder.

Steven Stamkos has put on his captain's hat.The Tampa Bay Lightning star forward spoke out after Wednesday's 5-2 loss to the New York Rangers, a rematch of last June's Eastern Conference Finals in which his club came out on top.In his estimation, however, the team is a long way off from replicating that feat."We've got to be a little more pissed off (about) the situation we're in. (We) just can't be, 'We'll find a way cause we have talent in here,'" Stamkos said, according to Joe Smith of the Tampa Bay Times.

The Washington Capitals don't know when John Carlson will be back in the lineup.The defenseman, who was previously considered day to day with a lower-body injury, was further evaluated Tuesday and will not travel with the team for the start of a five-game road trip beginning Thursday in Carolina, according to head coach Barry Trotz.

Cory Schneider is one of the best goalies in the NHL, and should be on track to received some long overdue recognition.With a 3-0 win over the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday, in which he stopped all 36 shots he faced, the New Jersey Devils netminder improved his record to 16-10-5. He now leads the league in appearances (31) and ranks second in minutes played (1,855), and continues to post impressively consistent numbers across the board.Cory SchneiderGoals Against AverageSave PercentageCareer2.17.9252015-162.10.927Schneider has also made the fourth-highest amount of saves, ranking third in save percentage and fourth in GAA among goalies with at least 25 starts.And don't be fooled into thinking Schneider's success can be chalked up to the Devils' system. Lou Lamoriello's New Jersey teams are well in the past, with a more up-tempo, offensively-minded squad being featured in Newark these days under general manager Ray Shero and head coach John Hynes.Case in point, the defense in front of Schneider is made up of several young players who look to push the puck up the ice as opposed to focusing solely on shutting things down, making the goalie's performance with the club all the more impressive.After an injury to Carey Price early in the season that appears to have taken him out of the running, Braden Holtby's impressive play has solidified his position as the odds-on favorite to win the 2016 Vezina Trophy. However, Jake Allen, Ben Bishop, Henrik Lundqvist, and Roberto Luongo - Schnieder's former crease mate - are also in the running.But if Schneider can keep up these numbers - as he has since entering the league in 2008 - and if the Devils can continue to hang in the playoff race, he should receive a nod as a Vezina Trophy finalist for the first time in his career.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

It was a lamentable 12 months for Jonathan Bernier, but the embattled Toronto Maple Leafs netminder will actually carry a little momentum into 2016.Bernier, thrust into goal in place of the injured James Reimer, stopped 39 shots, plus another two in the shootout, leading the Maple Leafs to 3-2 extra-time win over the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday night.The win, just his fourth of the season, was also his first on the second half of back-to-back starts in his career. He was previously 0-6 with a goals-against average just short of five.His counterpart, Matt Murray, was almost equally as stout in his ongoing bid to unseat Jeff Zatkoff as the Penguins' backup. He made 34 saves and denied Maple Leaf shooters on three breakaway opportunities.With the win, the Maple Leafs rise from the bottom of the Atlantic Division standings, jumping the Buffalo Sabres with 14 points in December.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Evgeny Kuznetsov is soon going to have to claim this move as his own.The Washington Capitals center pulled off yet another ridiculous assist on a no-look backhand pass, this time to Alex Ovechkin, who made no mistake on the golden opportunity.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Kuznetsov recorded an assist in similar fashion on a T.J. Oshie goal on Nov. 12, with a few others to his credit since making the jump to the NHL from Russia.The assist was Kuznetsov's 21st of the season, and he would add another later in the period to propel the Capitals to a 5-2 decision and their ninth victory in a row.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Alex Ovechkin did some damage in Buffalo on Wednesday.The Washington Capitals superstar caught Tyler Ennis with a big hit in the second period, causing the Sabres forward to leave the game.Ennis didn't appear for the start of the third period, and the Sabres later announced he wouldn't return as a result of an upper-body injury.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The New York Rangers, stuck in the mud throughout December, appear as though they've been working on a few things in practice.Watch Dan Boyle slide in behind his checking winger off the offensive zone draw and one-touch the Keith Yandle feed in behind Ben Bishop for a slick goal off a set piece.(Courtesy: NHL.com)Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Chris Neil, Superman?The Ottawa Senators tough guy literally took to the skies and came in like a speeding bullet on an open-ice hit to New Jersey Devils forward Sergey Kalinin.Neil was assessed a two-minute minor for charging.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Toronto Maple Leafs are bringing out the best in Sidney Crosby all over again.After collecting his 50th career point versus Toronto on a Chris Kunitz goal in the first period, Crosby streaked, settled, and shelved it on Jonathan Bernier on the solo rush in the second period.Sidney Crosby is still better than your favorite playerThat's his eighth of the season, and his 26th point.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Jack Eichel made sure the Buffalo Sabres wouldn't be denied for a second-straight game.Coming off a 2-0 loss Monday to Braden Holtby and the Washington Capitals, the talented rookie flashed his skill by setting up a Brian Gionta goal with a splendid backhand pass.(Courtesy: NHL.com)The assist was Eichel's 10th, and 21st point overall.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Kris Letang was momentarily forced to the locker room to apparently undergo testing for a possible head injury after being slammed into the end boards from behind by Toronto Maple Leafs forward Leo Komarov.The Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman, returning to the lineup after missing one game, appeared to avoid making contact head-on by turning at the last moment.Komarov boards Letang (Opposite Angle)It initially appeared as though Komarov had been booted from the contest, but he was called back while on his way down the tunnel. He was instead assessed just a minor penalty.Letang has missed nine of the last 11 games with two separate injuries.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Boston Bruins winger Brad Marchand has been suspended three games for clipping Ottawa Senators defenseman Mark Borowiecki, the NHL's Department of Player Safety announced Wednesday.The incident occurred Tuesday in Boston, and didn't result in a penalty. But, as per the explanatory video, the NHL deemed the hit to be both late and low, as Marchand dipped his shoulder and cut sharply into Borowiecki's legs, which is defined as clipping.The onus, then, is on Marchand to avoid making contact with Borowiecki, who was deemed ineligible to be checked and therefore unprepared to receive contact.The league cited Marchand's three previous incidents involving opponent's lower bodies, most recently in January 2015, making him a repeat offender. At the same time, that Borowiecki wasn't injured also factored into the decision.

Moulson has gone cold in Buffalo.Sabres forward Matt Moulson, that is, who will watch Tuesday's game against the Washington Capitals from the press box as a healthy scratch, with Marcus Foligno taking his spot in the lineup.Moulson has appeared in 36 games this season, with only four goals and eight assists to his credit.The three-time 30-goal scorer is in the second season of a five-year, $25-million contract.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Dallas Stars have placed winger Ales Hemsky on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, according to Mark Stepneski of the team's official website.Hensky suffered the injury upon blocking a shot during Tuesday's loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets.Radek Faksa has been recalled from the AHL's Texas Stars to fill Hemsky's roster spot.The 13th overall pick in 2012 has nine goals and four assists in 19 minor-league games this season, with a goal and an assist in 14 games with the big club.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The Florida Panthers aren't the usual suspects to lead the way in the Atlantic Division standings, but there are now seven teams below them in the standings after Tuesday's win over the Montreal Canadiens.In the locker room following the game, budding star center Aleksander Barkov - who's out to prove the team's success isn't a house of cards - showed off Florida's "hero of the game" award, a rather bizarre sweatshirt featuring the head of Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey, set in space.

Jonathan Bernier will have one more unexpected chance to close out 2015 on a high.Bernier will start in place of James Reimer versus the Pittsburgh Penguins on Wednesday, the Maple Leafs announced.Believed to be on the mend, Reimer replaced Bernier in Tuesday's 6-3 whipping from the New York Islanders. But after experiencing what the team is calling "tightness" after 20 minutes of work, he'll be held out for the final game of the calendar season.Antoine Bibeau has been called up on an emergency basis to serve as backup to Bernier, who's fashioned a woeful 9-30-7 record with an .898 save percentage and 3.16 goals-against average in 2015.Meanwhile, the decision to introduce Reimer into a meaningless period following a long-term injury without a proper warmup has proven to be a contentious decision.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

Mike Condon is just going to do his job.The Massachusetts-born Montreal Canadiens goaltender is paying tribute to the New England Patriots and head coach Bill Belichick on his customized Winter Classic mask, created by renowned designer David Gunnarsson:It was a great honor for me to create Mike Condon's Winter Classic mask.❄️ Mike and I talked about how to create the design🎨. We brainstormed and came up with a plan. We wanted the design to be very old school and clean and epic, inspired from Habs Winter Classic uniform❄️. I love to create the designs into 2 in 1 design, so you when come closer🔍 you will discover all the details and DaveArt Trademark Super FX💎, and the design transforms in front of your eyes. On the backplate Mike had a cool idea. He wanted it to be a little tribute to the New England Patriots, with Tom Brady and coah Bill Belichick. To continue with the old school theme of the mask I created the paintings as old school drawings with a sketch pen.📝 I love the challenge to always try to come up with new ideas, never stand still👊🏻. Every new painting is unique and the one and only. Thanks! @condibear @canadiensmtl #winterclassic #nhl #daveart @nhl #daveartthecradleofcreativityThe Belichick drawing really captures his love of hoodies."I grew up 30 minutes from the stadium, so we were a huge Patriots family and my dad used to work security details for the Pats, so I spent a lot of time at Gillette Stadium," Condon told NHL.com's Kevin Woodley.The Boston Bruins host the Canadiens at Gillette Stadium - the home of the Patriots - in the Winter Classic on New Year's Day.Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.

The San Jose Sharks may get a late Christmas present against the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday.Logan Couture will be back in the lineup after a seven-game absence due to thigh surgery, reports Kevin Kurz of CSN Bay Area.

One way to look at it: A marvelous year of hockey ends. Another way to look at it: A new year of beautiful hockey begins.Here's what we're looking forward to as the page turns to 2016.Ovie's timeThe first half of 2016 is going to be about Alex Ovechkin - at least that's what the Washington Capitals are hoping. They want him playing into June.Before the Stanley Cup playoffs, though, Ovechkin - one of the greatest scorers in NHL history, there is no argument - will be feted for scoring his 500th career goal. He needs seven heading into Wednesday night, which means, barring injury, the historic mark will come in January.Related: Capitals soar into 1st in theScore's NHL Power RankingsWhen it does, take a moment to reflect on what's been a remarkable 11-year career. Ovechkin has 493 goals - and 926 points - in 794 games. In an era dominated by goaltenders, No. 8 has scored 50 or more six times, including a stupendous 65-goal 2007-08.Making the march to 500 that much more enjoyable is the fact the Capitals have never looked better. This is a Stanley Cup-caliber team, ranking third in goals per game (3.1), first in goals against (2.1), second on the power play (25 percent), and fourth on the penalty kill (85 percent). There are no holes up front, rocks on defense, and a soon-to-be Vezina Trophy winner in Braden Holtby in goal.Ovechkin's never played more than 14 games in a postseason. That's going to change this spring. There's a very good chance 2016 is the year of Ovechkin and the Capitals.And if he does lift the Cup, what do you know, he'll have done it as many times as Sidney Crosby.An end to the Stamkos sagaSteven Stamkos' future dominated hockey headlines this past year, and little appears set to change in 2016. The saga will continue, and the hockey world will be watching, and waiting, until it ends - one way or another.Rare does such a talent at Stamkos' age - he'll be 26 on Feb. 7 - hit unrestricted free agency. That, along with the Tampa Bay Lightning forward's Twitter fingers, and the prospect of the Ontario-born superstar going home to play for the Toronto Maple Leafs, makes it impossible to turn away.The Lightning, a season after playing in the Stanley Cup Final, are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. Without a resolution, his contractual situation - distraction? - will only loom larger over Tampa Bay as the winter turns into spring.There's a good chance Stamkos is wearing blue and white next season. But for who? Remember: Mike Babcock wasn't leaving Detroit, either.Crosby hits middle ageThe Pittsburgh Penguins are a train wreck, and it's impossible to look away.It's possible Crosby - 29 in August - has begun his decline. He's not "Sid the Kid" anymore.Season Games Played Points Per Game2011-12221.682012-13361.562013-14801.302014-15771.092015-16340.71We're looking at a 249-game sample - a trend's developed. And unless 2016 brings a turnaround to the Penguins' fortunes, Mario Lemieux and co. are going to have to ask some difficult questions.Crosby's signed through 2023-24. Phil Kessel, Kris Letang, and Evgeni Malkin through 2021-22. Marc-Andre Fleury through 2018-19. Pittsburgh's committed to its core. And it's not so much that it's flawed, it's that the supporting cast is horrendous.Crosby's playing with 36-year-old Chris Kunitz and 23-year-old rookie Conor Sheary. Patric Hornqvist (six), Kunitz (four), and David Perron (four) have a combined 14 goals.The Penguins are going to be a team to watch in 2016 - whether they're good or bad. They fired the coach. The players are next. Which ones is the question.Jagr's sunsetThe Florida Panthers - with Jaromir Jagr their leading scorer - are the best story in the NHL as the calendar turns from December to January. And it's in hockey's best interest for the story to continue.Florida's plus-17 goal differential is third in the East, and tied for fourth in the league. They're for real. And the 43-year-old Jagr - he'll be 44 (!) on Feb. 15 - is not the only one doing the heavy lifting. In fact, the Panthers are a wondrous mix of young and old.PlayerAgePointsJaromir Jagr4326Jonathan Huberdeau2225Jussi Jokinen3223Aleksander Barkov2023Vincent Trocheck2222Reilly Smith2420Aaron Ekblad1918And Roberto Luongo, an old man in his own right, is doing his part, too.Goaltender Age GP SV %Roberto Luongo3630.926Al Montoya308.930Luongo will be 37 in April. Jagr's exploits, naturally, are overshadowing what is another remarkable season for the veteran in the crease.There's something very good and very entertaining happening in Florida. The Panthers, anchored by veterans Jagr and Luongo, are in fact a young team on the rise. And Jagr's headed for the playoffs for the first time since 2013. Who wouldn't want to watch that?Copyright © 2015 Score Media Ventures Inc. All rights reserved. Certain content reproduced under license.